(This is the final summer trip report using miles and points to fly first class/business on Emirates from JFK to Dubai/Paris, costing $41 and 100K Alaska miles. Our return flight was on Singapore Airlines first class, Moscow to Houston, which cost $275 and 57,375 Ultimate Rewards!)
Our flight home was on Singapore Airlines first class to Houston, which cost $275 and 57,375 Ultimate Our Rewards (received from the Ink Bold/Plus credit cards). The value of that flight was $4,569 and here are some photos…
This trip was a whirlwind to visit major cities, most which I’d never seen. We went to ten cities, including New York City, nine countries on two continents! It took hours of planning and figuring out logistics, but it was well worth it! Some highlights from each country…
We were in hotels 23 nights and 18 of those were paid with points, so five paid stays. We were very fortunate that at all our Club Carlson hotels, we were able to get the third night free. And our paid stays were “deals” that made them more cost effective.
On our airfare, we flew first class to Dubai, business class to Paris, for a total cost of 100K Alaska Air miles and $41, received from the Alaska Air credit card. All intra-country flights and railpass were paid for, no points used, but some received (via credit cards/miles). 
For our return flight, we flew Singapore Airlines first class from Moscow to Houston, using 57,375 Ultimate Rewards, from the Ink Bold/Plus credit cards, and paid $275. I booked my trip home from Houston using my Southwest points.
So what was our total cost and value for this huge trip? We paid $3,301 on all our airfare, hotels, and railpass. And the value, ie, monetary worth, for this trip (including upgrades) was an astounding $38,535!
This hobby is lots of work sometimes, but I definitely like the benefits! Thanks for coming along on the journey…
Also, how CAN a teacher afford a trip like that? I’m a National Board Certified Teacher and receive a very generous yearly stipend from the state and another one from my district and that is my “travel money.” I prefer to buy experiences and memories rather than material stuff! (:
Next up, a spring-like weekend in February, with Afghani food in the US!
(This is part of a summer trip report using miles and points to fly first class on Emirates from JFK to Dubai/Paris, costing $41 and 100K Alaska miles; our return flight was on Singapore Airlines first class, Moscow to Houston, which cost $275 and 57,375 ultimate rewards!)
We pre-booked tickets (a must during high season) to the Bolshoi Theater to see the opera, “Carmen.” The Bolshoi was built in 1856 after the old one burned, was closed some years ago for renovations, and opened again in 2011.
We ordered room service for breakfast at the Four Seasons and it was delivered hot and on time early our last morning! We flew Singapore Airlines first class to Houston, which cost $275 and 57,375 ultimate rewards (received from the Ink Bold/Plus credit cards). The value of that flight was $4,569!
(This is part of a summer trip report using miles and points to fly first class on Emirates from JFK to Dubai/Paris, costing $41 and 100K Alaska miles; the cost of these flights would have been $23,914! I pinch myself to think I got such an unbelievable value for my miles!)
(This is part of a summer trip report using miles and points to fly first class on Emirates from JFK to Dubai/Paris, costing $41 and 100K Alaska miles; the cost of these flights would have been $23,914! I pinch myself to think I got such an unbelievable value for my miles!)
The Kopu Lighthouse is one of the oldest continuously operating lighthouses in the world, built in 1531. The structure is unusual and we definitely got our workouts in climbing up the steps of another lighthouse, but the views were amazing!
We stopped along the way for food and shopping, which is always important, and I loved the handmade crafts from Estonia!
