Originally Posted by
CrownRoyalForever
While I admire the creative thinking and the sheer practicality of this approach, I think some of y'all are too wrapped up in the miles/points culture to look at the problem from the layperson perspective.
The librarian wants to (1) Visit Paris for her (2) 30th birthday.
Montreal/Quebec City, while gorgeous and probably the closest to a European experience one can get in Canada/US, both pale in comparison to Paris. If you haven't turned 30 yet or forgot what it was like to do so, keep in mind that it can be a traumatic experience and that the best way to approach it is to celebrate the event in some grand fashion e.g. lifelong dream trip to the City of Light..
So, moving it to the off season to maxmimize mile redemption, or the other fine suggestions that have been listed, while normally helpful are impractical in this case.
Just my 2 francs :-)
Cheers
And, while I might admire the empathy you've shown for the OP's friend, I'd note two other requirements were expressed: 1) she'd like to take her partner who will not be able to make a cash or points contribution 2) while spending no more than $3000.
That's a tall order. As noted in my earlier post in this thread, doable but tough and only by limiting spending while in Paris.
While turning thirty can be a traumatic experience for some, the advice to consider the offseason makes the OP's friend's trip more likely. Given the friend's financial resources, I would agree that it's unlikely she can go to Paris and do a consolation trip, but advice to consider the offseason certainly gives her more options.
Regarding the miles and points obsession, I just have to add that the OP posted his question on FT, which is kinda what we do here.