Sunday Success Stories are some of my favorite posts. They prove to all that we can travel the world at prices we all can afford. If you have a Success Story you’d like to tell us all, please email it to me at rick@frugaltravelguy.com
Dear Rick,
I began reading your blog two and a half years ago and since then I have been a complete miles and points junkie. My family and friends chide me for what they perceive to be my “strange” if not eccentric hobby, however, my recent vacation to Hawaii put all comments to rest 
This past Christmas, I and a companion enjoyed a six day/five night vacation in Hawaii that actually netted us a profit! That’s right, we ended up getting paid to go on vacation. Here’s how it happened:
- I redeemed 49,000 SPG points for a three night stay at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa. These points were accumulated via bonuses I received from the SPG Amex card as well as two Facebook promotions I participated in two summers ago.
- I redeemed 100,000 for two one-way first class tickets (on a three cabin flight) on United Airlines from DCA-IAH-HNL. I got these points from bonuses with the Visa Explorer Card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, and miles I had accumulated over the past two years while traveling for work. My companion was blown away by the concept of being served an ice cream sunday in the air
- I redeemed 100,000 points for two one-way business class tickets on American Airlines from OGG-DCA. I got these points using the two browser trick method for the CITI AA Visa and MasterCard.
- I redeemed 110,000 Marriott points for 2 nights at the JW Marriott Ihilani Ko Olina Resort and Spa (this was our favorite hotel by far. It was simply amazing in every way and our view was spectacular). I got these points from a signup bonus with the Marriott Visa, a Marriott Business Visa Card, and 10,000 points transferred to my account from my traveling companion.
- In Hawaii we spent $1,400 on food, rental cars, snorkeling, tourist attractions, and two one way flights from HNL-OGG on Hawaiian Airlines.
- On the way back from Hawaii, we were informed by AA that they were overbooked and were told that we could either be bumped, take a voucher, and fly out three hours later, or sit in coach (we were booked in business first) and huff it back to DCA. Needless to say, we each chose to take an $800 voucher from AA (and I even convinced the lady to give us meal vouchers for the airport).
So, when all was said and done, the $1,400 spent out of pocket was erased with $1,600 in travel vouchers. We made money on our vacation and needless to say, it’s convinced me that I need to go on vacation more often The best thing is, we still have over half a million miles and points on hand and now the difficulty is finding enough vacation time to even spend it all. Needless to say, my family and friends are now lining up to find out how to travel for free (and even make a profit when the opportunity arises). I want to say a special thanks to you for helping to get me in this game. This is by far the most enjoyable “hobby” I’ve ever had the pleasure of pursuing.
The best thing is, we still have over half a million miles and points on hand and now the difficulty is finding enough vacation time to even spend it all. Needless to say, my family and friends are now lining up to find out how to travel for free (and even make a profit when the opportunity arises). I want to say a special thanks to you for helping to get me in this game. This is by far the most enjoyable “hobby” I’ve ever had the pleasure of pursuing.Kevin W.
Washington D.C.
