I have just completed the booking of a rather complex vacation for my wife and me in early 2014. This trip will take us from midwestern USA to Tokyo, Singapore, Bali, Perth and return. I used United award miles, Air Canada award miles (transferred from AMEX), AAdvantage Miles, Hilton HHonor points and purchased the DPS-PER leg in business on Garuda.

All in, my costs are less than about $1500 for a two week, first/business class trip with accommodations in upper end Hilton properties along the way.

Few people, other than Flyertalkers, can appreciate the complexities involved in making sure that each leg is available and is booked at just the right time. There's a moment of exhilaration, when you've booked one leg and are hoping you can get the next leg booked (another airline award program) before someone else grabs available seats.

As I look at my two-page itinerary, it makes me smile. Success! And people say you can't use points...