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New York for New Years Eve

New York for New Years Eve AGAIN! I went alone in 2021 with no more than 24 hours of planning. This time I planned it with my travel buddy and long time friend Ashley. She has taken multiple trips with me thanks to travel hacking and knowing when you have found a good deal.

Speaking of that good deal. Since I got the American Express Aspire credit card and I have Diamond status with Hilton I look at their properties first. We stayed at the Hampton Inn – Home 2 in Times Square off 48th Street. We booked a room as an advance purchase non refundable rate vs points because they had a deal for 2 nights all taxes and fees including NYE for $701! The SAME room at the same hotel with the same non refundable rate for the SAME dates is booking right now for $1,197.91! Or 275,000 points per night! That’s crazy! 🤪

When traveling you can get some great deals you just have to be flexible and have an open mind about what, when and where. 🌎

We had a blast exploring Times Square, 5th Avenue, Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall, Liberty 🗽 Island, Ellis Island, Battery Park and so much more! 🚕 I have used points and miles to visit New York at least twice a year since 2021. Sometimes solo sometimes with a friend. Either way I always have a blast and discover something else I love about this city! 🏙️

 

Hyatt – Guest of Honor Booking

Every year for Christmas I like to go somewhere even if it is just a nice little stay-cation! This year I talked to a friend of mine who has Globalist status about a Guest of Honor booking. I had read about these before but never knew the details. I asked him if he would be willing to do it for me for Christmas.

We talked about the details. I needed to give him my full name, Hyatt number, booking dates and room type. Globalist members can make a booking even if they do not have the points in their account to cover the room. Once he called Hyatt to make the booking I got an email and it was added to my Hyatt app.

Upon check in I asked if there was a room upgrade available due to my friends gifted status for the stay. I actually said … “My friend told me to ask if there is an upgrade available.” I was upgraded to a corner suite with a living room and bar area.

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving I went to Seattle. I had so much fun hanging out with the kids, watching Christmas movies, playing games and baking sourdough bread from scratch!

The best way to start my journey home was being able to visit the newly opened and much needed bigger American Express Centurion Lounge at Seattle – Tacoma Airport – SEA. Most of the time when I travel I am alone so its always an adventure to find a seat. I found it extra difficult here. If you prefer a seat with padding of some sort then you are going to either need to be a Black cardholder where they had them reserved, or have a large group. Call me crazy but I will trade this new club for the main Delta Sky Club.

American Express Centurion Lounge