This week’s challenge was proposed by Terry Moore on Facebook who wanted to get to the US Virgin Islands. She wanted to get to St. Thomas, but we’re taking her to a Westin resort in St. John instead. St. John is only a 15 minute ferry ride away from St. Thomas, so she can spend as much time over there as she likes.

Terry didn’t fill us in on the details, just the destination, so I filled in the rest for the challenge: Howie needs to get a couple to St. John/Thomas. Only one of them wants to fill out credit card applications, but needs to take along the sweetheart. The applicant has a 720 credit score, an eBay business, and $5,000 of monthly spend.

See how Howie flings them to the Virgin Islands for only $264.  And next week we’ll be moving the Travel Challenge to Wednesday.

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THE APS: Four cards – Starwood Preferred Guest Personal, Starwood Preferred Guest Business, Chase Preferred Sapphire, Chase Ink Plus Business

ITINERARY OVERVIEW: On February 3, fly United out of Chicago O’Hare to St. Thomas. From St. Thomas, take the St. John Passenger Ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay. Five nights are spent at the Westin St. John. On February 8, return back to Chicago from St. Thomas.

TOTAL TRIP VALUE: $4,123

HERE’S HOW YOU DO IT:

February 3, 2013 – Round-Trip: Chicago – St. Thomas, USVI
Cost: $1,244 ($622 per person)
Method: 70,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards
Cards:

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred– 43,000 Ultimate Rewards
   1. 40,000 points are awarded after spending $3,000 within the first three months, which can be accomplished in the first month of spend
   2. At least another 3,000 points are received for spending $3,000 at a minimum rate of one point per dollar (two points per dollar for dining and travel)

2. Chase Ink Plus Business – 60,000 Ultimate Rewards
1. 25,000 points after first spend
2. 25,000 points after spending $10,000 within the first three month, which can be accomplished in the first, second, and third months of spend
3. A minimum of 10,000 points for spending $10,000 at a rate of one point per dollar (though five points are awarded at office supply stores and on cell phone bills, and two points at gas stations)

Explanation: Ultimate Reward points can be transferred at a 1:1 rate into United MileagePlus, which offers round-trip redemptions to the Caribbean for 35,000 miles. For 70,000 points, two tickets are snapped up with $15 per person in taxes.
Out of Pocket Cost: $30

February 3, 2013 – St. John Passenger Ferry: St. Thomas – St. John
Cost: $34 round-trip
Method: Out of pocket
Explanation: The short ferry ride costs $6 per person each way, plus $2.50 per piece of luggage.
Out of Pocket Cost: $34

February 3-8, 2013 – Westin St. John Resort & Villas
Cost: $2,845
Method: 48,000 Starpoints
Cards:

1. Starwood Preferred Guest Personal– 30,000 Starpoints
   1. 10,000 points are awarded on your first purchase
   2. 15,000 points are awarded after spending $5,000 within the first six months, which can be accomplished in the third and fourth months of spend
   3. Another 5,000 points are received for spending $5,000 at a rate of one point per dollar

2. Starwood Preferred Guest Business – 30,000 Starpoints
1. 10,000 points after first spend
2. 15,000 points after spending $5,000 within the first six months, which can be accomplished in the fourth and fifth months of spend
3. Another 5,000 points are received for spending $5,000 at a rate of one point per dollar

Explanation: The Westin St. John, a Starwood property, is a Category 5 hotel, and 12,000 points are necessary per night. SPG offers a fifth night free when booking four consecutive nights, so you’ll only need 48,000 Starpoints to cover the room. You will still have to pay the $40 per night resort fee.
Out of Pocket Cost: $200

And even after you return from the Virgin Islands, you still have 33,000 Ultimate Rewards points and 12,000 Starpoints unspent sitting in your account!

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I just got back from 5 days in Scotland and thought it might be a good challenge for our golfing readers. The traps are deep. The wind howls at a four club level and the greens are as hard as rocks. It really is a different game than what we play here in America. Everybody walks as well. This was my second trip to Carnoustie. We stopped in St Andrews for the obligatory photo at the Swilcan Bridge. It was the week before the Dunhill Championships so the Old Course was closed in preparation.

So here is our golfing challenge: You and a golfing buddy need to get five nights in Scotland – separate rooms if you’d like or together if you must. Coach travel from the 48 US. Plus you have to cover the cost of the three round package at Carnoustie (165 GBP each) and a rental car for the five days. And pick up another round of golf somewhere as well. We’ll make this easy with a 750 credit score, you can have a business card if you need one or two. All in one shot.

The best and cheapest solution to the puzzle gets a $100 Marriott Gift Card.

Send your answers to rick@frugaltravelguy.com by Monday, October 8 at 12pm PDT.

A dream trip to the home of golf and wind!