Hey FT gurus,
Long time lurker, first time poster here.
I am planning on a honeymoon vacation in the future (not immediate, likely 2014), so I do have some time to my advantage to prepare using a combination of points + cash to make it a great experience without hopefully hitting the bank too hard.
She has her heart set on staying 7-8 nights in a resort with an overwater villa, so places like Bora Bora come to mind immediately.
What is your best recommendation for a strategy over the next 16-18 months to generate as much relevant points to get me an affordable stay there?
Unfortunately, I used a lot of Air/SPG points recently in Maui and Honolulu so I will need to build it back up, but have flexibility to use other/new programs.
Current points:
Alaska: 19K
Chase: 56K and can be converted 1:1 to either:
- Amtrak Guest Rewards
- British Airways Executive Club
- Hyatt Gold Passport
- Korean Air SKYPASS
- Marriott Rewards
- Priority Club Rewards
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
- The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
- United MileagePlus
An option that I am considering is going for Priority Club Rewards to stay at IC Thalasso Bora Bora through generating as much Chase points through Freedom/Checking & 80k priority select visa
The both of us could be doing this strategy as well, and I can estimate we can likely hit 250K - 300K Priority Club Reward points by then. Any issues/downsides/that just wont work?
Sidenote: I do note that on the IC site, you cannot book overwater villas at their bora bora locations anymore with reward nights
I also have the Alaska Air VISA and can leverage one RT $99 companion ticket during the journey down there. Credit score wise, we're both sound at around high 700's - mid 800's, and have consistently gotten CC offers in the mail.
Anyhow, I am more than open to suggestions - but those are the few constraints
To note, I am not looking to spend little or $0 on the honeymoon, and would be comfortable even paying the full cash charge. I just figured, if I am looking this far ahead, I am sure some FT gurus can think of some
programs that I can start now that will help reduce the cost in the future!
Thanks for any help,
-N