Category Archives: Trip Reports

Planning your Cabo San Lucas Trip (from Orange County)

Southwest Share The Spirit Logo

Planning your Cabo San Lucas Trip (from Orange County)

If you haven’t already, please read New Southwest Airlines Routes (Orange County to Cabo).

Anyways, since flights are relatively cheap from Orange County (SNA), I convinced my brother to go with me for a short weekend getaway.  Since Southwest points will be devalued started April 1, I strongly recommend burning your stockpile before then.  Southwest has free change and cancellation fees, so there is no excusing to hold onto your Southwest points now.  With that said, flights from SNA to Cabo San Lucas (SJD) are only 11,400 points round trip plus $85 in taxes/fees starting August 10.

SWA Cabo

For those without massive stockpiles of Southwest points, round trip flights can be had for $315.  Much cheaper than $400+ flights on US Airways connecting in Phoenix.  Continue reading →

a logo of a hotel

How to Redeem your Hilton Grand Vacations $200 “Spend A Night On Us” Rebate

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Back In November, I participated in a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare presentation in Las Vegas at The Hilton Elara (Part 1 and Part 2).  As part of my “reward” for going to the timeshare presentation, I was awarded a $200 “Spend A Night On Us” gift certificate for any US-based Hilton Hotel.  Here is how the rebate process works…

The certificate is only valid for 6 months from the date of your timeshare presentation, so you gotta act fast.  Instead of bringing the certificate to a Hilton Hotel and presenting it to the front desk, they make you pay for the entire stay and submit a rebate form (see below) and wait 6-8 weeks for the rebate check to arrive.

$200 Hilton Credit

Fast forward to mid January, I spent one night at the lovely Hilton SFO Bayfront Hotel (hotel and lounge review here). Continue reading →

IHG Cash and Point Stays do not Earn Bonus IHG Points

IHG Rewards Club Logo

IHG Cash and Point Stays do not Earn Bonus IHG Points

My Chase IHG Rewards Club Visa credit card statement closed a few days ago and I just wanted to share some of my findings with you.  This is in reference to 2 Cash and Points stays.  I am planning a trip to Utah over Memorial Day Weekend and have plans to stay at the Holiday Inn Price, Utah, and Holiday Inn Express Moab, Utah.  Both reservations are 1 night stays on Cash and Points.

Holiday Inn Price

Holiday Inn Express Moab

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Salt Lake City to Arches National Park (Pre Trip Report)

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Salt Lake City to Arches National Park (Pre Trip Report)

Please check out my Delta SkyMiles Award Flight vs. Pay with Miles comparison post.  In this post, I will show you some of my planning.  If you have any suggestions for things to see/do or places to eat along the way, please leave a comment below.  I am always curious what others have done before.  You can only learn so much from Trip Advisor.

Anyways, the plan is to fly into Salt Lake City, Utah and drive the 235 miles to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah.  See map below for the exact map.

SLC to Moab Driving Map

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Is Delta’s Pay with Miles a Good Deal? Sometimes Yes

Delta Pay SkyMiles

Is Delta’s Pay with Miles a Good Deal? Sometimes Yes

I was talking to my younger brother today and we decided to visit Utah during Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-26) and drive from Salt Lake City to Moab, home of Arches National Park and the coolest rock formations north of the Grand Canyon.

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Since Delta is the only airline that flies into Canyonlands Field (CNY), I wanted to try to use my Delta SkyMiles.  I have about 53,000 Delta SkyMiles that are gathering dust, so I was hoping I could use them for this trip.  Luckily(?) for me, my short flight would cost only 40,000 Delta SkyMiles.  What a deal! Not!

Delta 40,000 SkyMiles Award

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