Reader success story: How this traveler explored 8 countries in 3 years using points and miles

At TPG, one of our primary goals is to empower our readers to utilize points and miles for unforgettable trips they might not have been able to afford otherwise. While we often miss out on hearing about the journeys our readers embark on, we occasionally receive delightful stories of memorable adventures.

Recently, a loyal TPG reader, Doug M., shared his own story with us. He detailed his journey with points and miles, showcasing how they enabled him and his fiancée (now wife) to travel the globe. Here are the highlights of his travels and the tips he wants to share with fellow readers looking to use points and miles for dream travel.

How TPG assisted this reader in embarking on his first major international adventure

Doug once found himself in the same position as many newcomers, eager to explore the world but unsure how to do so on a cash budget. Through TPG, he discovered how to leverage points and miles to fund his dream trips. His dedication to reading TPG articles paid off when he booked his first significant international journey to the Swiss Alps and London in 2022.

Doug accrued American Express Membership Rewards points using his American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. By transferring around 124,000 Membership Rewards points to Emirates, he successfully secured two business-class tickets for himself and his fiancée from New York City to Milan.

Additionally, Doug transferred 35,000 Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic, allowing him and his partner to fly in premium economy from London back to New York City. Doug estimated that these two flights would have otherwise cost him $13,000, highlighting the incredible value he achieved. Keep in mind that redemption rates for these flights can vary.

The welcome offers on the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum cards can help you swiftly accumulate Membership Rewards points to embark on trips like Doug’s. Currently, the Amex Gold provides 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of card membership. Additionally, you can earn 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) in the first six months of card membership.

The Amex Platinum card provides 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 within the first six months of membership. Keep in mind that you might be eligible for a targeted welcome bonus of 125,000 or 150,000 points by using the CardMatch tool. However, these offers can change at any time.

According to TPG's July 2024 valuations, these welcome bonuses are valued at $1,300 and $1,600, respectively.

A dream journey to New Zealand and Australia utilizing points and miles

Doug's adventure to the Swiss Alps and London with points and miles opened up a world of possibilities. He and his fiancée envisioned a dream trip to New Zealand and Australia. Thanks to points and miles, they made this dream a reality in 2023. By swiftly capitalizing on an award-booking opportunity, Doug and his fiancée secured two business-class tickets from Houston to Auckland using a mix of Capital One miles and Amex Membership Rewards points. Doug transferred 175,000 points and miles to Air Canada's Aeroplan to book a flight with fellow Star Alliance partner, Air New Zealand.

That wasn’t their only savvy redemption; they also took advantage of Air Canada's stopover feature, securing a flight from Christchurch, New Zealand, to Sydney on Emirates for just an additional 5,000 points per person.

In Australia, they booked a flight from Sydney to Cairns to explore the Great Barrier Reef using Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Since Doug's fiancée (now wife) holds the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, she transferred her points to her United Airlines MileagePlus account to arrange the trip. On their return, Doug transferred Amex points to Virgin Atlantic, incorporating a one-day stopover in Honolulu on their way from Sydney to Houston, allowing them to check off another destination.

Doug estimated that this dream getaway would have cost him an additional $12,500 without the benefit of points and miles, demonstrating that planning his ideal trip was not merely a stroke of luck. With effective planning and strategy, vacations to exotic locations can be achieved without racking up tens of thousands of dollars. Business-class international flights need not be reserved solely for the ultra-wealthy.

Where points and miles will take this reader next

Since diving into the world of points and miles, Doug has traveled to eight countries — Switzerland, the U.K., Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Bermuda. He and his wife are already gearing up for their next adventure: Japan during cherry blossom season. They've secured round-trip tickets on Japan Airlines' new A350-1000 business-class seats using Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.

They were aware that these coveted seats would be difficult to secure since Japan Airlines typically offers only two business-class seats per flight, and they wanted to ensure they could fly together. Additionally, they knew Cathay Pacific would release award seats 360 days in advance at midnight Hong Kong time. Nearly a year ahead of their trip, Doug reached out to the Cathay Pacific rewards desk.

He successfully located two award seats on a flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) for 178,000 miles each. Doug transferred about half of the required miles from Capital One (having accumulated enough through his Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card by earning 2 miles per dollar on wedding expenses); he then transferred the remaining miles from Amex Membership Rewards. After booking the Tokyo trip, he repeated this process shortly after for their return journey.

This reader's tips for points and miles novices

Begin with cards that offer transferable points.

Doug suggests opting for a card that earns transferable points instead of a cobranded airline or hotel card. He and his wife have found immense value in cards with transferable currencies, such as the Amex Gold and Platinum, Capital One Venture Rewards Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and Bilt Mastercard® (refer to rates and fees; TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor).

"My initial card was a cobranded option because I wasn't informed and fell for an ad on the plane," Doug shares with TPG, adding, "Don’t make my mistake!" He emphasizes that you can unlock greater value by earning transferable points and converting them to travel partners.

Maintain flexibility.

Doug also highlights the significance of patience and adaptability, particularly when seeking business or first-class award seats. Rather than selecting a flight first and then trying to book it with points or miles, he advises keeping an open mind and flexible dates while exploring award options.

"Allow the availability of flights to dictate your travel plans, especially if you're aiming for valuable business and first-class seats," he advises.

Refer friends.

Numerous cards provide bonus points to cardholders who refer others. If a friend applies for a card through your unique referral link and is approved, you’ll receive bonus points, although the amount can vary significantly by card and can change over time.

For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve are currently offering 10,000 bonus points for each referral, while Bilt may provide 25,000 bonus points for every five successful referrals. Some rewards come as higher earning rates instead of lump sums, like select Amex cards that offered an extra 5 points per dollar on supermarket spending for referring a friend.

Doug and his wife have received about 10 referral bonuses, with some reaching up to 20,000 points each — all without spending a cent. Additionally, he's shared his enthusiasm with family and friends, helping them explore the world of points and miles.

Key takeaway.

Navigating the points and miles landscape can feel overwhelming for newcomers. However, the good news is that there are plenty of straightforward ways to begin, allowing you to progress at your own speed. Doug transformed from a novice in points and miles to visiting eight countries (plus Bermuda) in three years, even managing to book a trip to Japan with rewards. He attributes his success to TPG for equipping him with the knowledge to make these adventures possible and highly recommends others to give it a shot.

Do you have a success story related to points and miles that you’d like to share? Reach out to us at [email protected] for an opportunity to be featured on TPG.