Yes, $31. No, it’s not a typo. Let’s set the scene. Five nights in Charleston, South Carolina — one of the most beautiful, history-soaked cities on the East Coast. Two hotels. Round-trip flights for two. The kind of trip that, if you booked it the “normal” way, would run you $2,878.81. What we actually paid out…
Wondering how to get around Japan and what it actually costs?
During our 10-day trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, we used a mix of the Shinkansen (bullet train), the Suica app for local transit, and taxis to navigate the country with ease. In this guide, I break down the exact cost of transportation in Japan, how to use tools like Google Maps to simplify your routes, and how we spent just $872 getting around multiple cities.
I also share how I booked Shinkansen tickets through Klook, when it makes sense to use taxis, and how to earn points on Japan transportation using the right credit cards and shopping portals.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, this is everything you need to confidently navigate trains, buses, and taxis—while maximizing points along the way.
What if your dream trip to Japan during cherry blossom season didn’t cost $30,000… but under $300?
That’s exactly what I did.
By strategically opening the right credit cards, earning points across multiple programs, and booking at the right time, I was able to secure business class flights on Japan Airlines and hotel stays across Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo for a fraction of the price.
In this post, I break down exactly how I used 406,500 points across Alaska, Hyatt, and Marriott to create a nearly $30K trip—with real numbers, real strategy, and lessons learned along the way.
If you’ve ever wondered how people actually do this… this is your step-by-step example.
Discover our unforgettable stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai using Hyatt points. Explore Kipu Ranch ATV adventures, luxury rooms with ocean views, multiple pools, dining highlights, and tips for booking with points before award chart changes.
Learn how we turned Hilton Free Night Certificates into a $3,400 luxury stay in Santa Monica—and how you can do the same with the right strategy.
Our stay at The Huntley Santa Monica was a perfect mix of comfort, style, and attentive service. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome, addressing us by name and handling every request with ease. The rooms were spacious, with large beds, a comfortable seating area, and a modern design that made our family feel right at home. While the bathroom was cozy, the fast response to a minor shower issue and the serene rooftop terrace with ocean views made this hotel stand out. Whether you’re traveling for family, work, or a weekend getaway, The Huntley Santa Monica offers an elevated experience worth every point or dollar spent.
We stayed at The Huntley Santa Monica Beach on our last LA trip. We booked it on points transferred from Citi at a 1:4 ratio. It is within walkable distance to downtown Santa Monica and the beach. I would highly recommend you check out this I Preferred hotel next time you stay in Santa Monica.
We needed to be in Los Angeles for our son’s esports opening weekend. Flights and hotels would have cost over $2,800 out of pocket. Instead, using points and miles, we paid just $274 total.
This post breaks down exactly how we did it step by step, including the hotel booking, Delta flight strategy, real-world cents-per-point math, and why the true value of points isn’t luxury travel, but flexibility when family moments matter most.
If you’ve ever wondered whether points and miles are actually worth it for real life travel, this trip is proof.
Booking trips has become my new normal. It seems the longer you are in this hobby, the easier it gets to book points and miles getaways or even longer vacations. It gives me such piece of mind knowing that I can ENJOY life and stress little about booking flights and hotels because I am able to book them at a fraction of the cost. Here is trip #5 booked for 2026. This hotel cost me $0 out of pocket.
