re: UK trip

quote:

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obviously the cost isn't an issue to you

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Actually, cost is a huge issue for me. That's why, over the years, I've signed up for over 50 credit cards and earned the bonuses in miles and points. It's why I regularly do manufactured spending to earn even more miles and points. I rarely spend much cash on my trips.

For example, my trip to Iraqi Kurdistan next week cost me 155,000 Aeroplan miles (transferred in from American Express points) + 150 in taxes and fees to fly in business class in both directions (on Turkish, which has very good catering), plus 39,000 JetBlue miles for my positioning flights to BOS on the outbound and back to MSY from JFK on the return. Getting a seat that lies flat makes those long overnight flights much more comfortable. My night in Istanbul is paid with Hilton points, and my nights in Iraqi Kurdistan are paid with Wyndham points.

Anyone who wants to learn more about traveling this way can start with /r/churning and /r/awardtravel on Reddit, and then some websites such as Frequent Miler, The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets, etc.

Once you get in the habit of collecting miles and points, then you can always be thinking about your next trip.