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Los Angeles – Points Meet Up

Ashley and I are off on another weekend adventure thanks to all those points and miles! This time we are going to Los Angeles by way of Atlanta for a points and miles meet up, then an amazing studio tour of the Warner Brothers lot on Sunday. We took a super early flight from Chicago but the plan was that it gave us more time in the California sun!

After we landed in LAX we took the shuttle over to the Hilton at the LAX airport, dropped off our bags and then took a Uber – Lyft to the Santa Monica Pier. Thats where we were meeting another friend that also flew in from Chicago for the meet up. She had a car and we all headed over to the Kung Pao Bistro in West Hollywood. Frank the owner was so nice to let us have a meet up there. I found out all of this from a podcast I love called “Let’s Get to the Points”. If you want to check out either the restaurant other podcast the links are below.

https://www.letsgettothepoints.com

https://www.kungpaobistro.com

At the meet up, I was able to see people that I had met via Instagram in real life. That is my favorite part, to put a face to the usernames and their tiny profiles photos. Some people I met in real life back in 2021 and I feel privileged to have friends that are all over the world and travel as much as possible. While I was at the meet up with all of my points and miles friends, Ashley went and walked around the Hollywood walk of fame. She had never had the opportunity to see the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Ashley and I met back up and caught a ride back to the hotel with my friend Kurnal. Who in true points fashion flew in for the day, rented a car, and went to explore LA before the meet up. This is the best way to maximize your points and not pay for a hotel room. We did that with our flight home that did not leave until 12:15am Monday morning. Mind you we flew in at 9am on Saturday.

We were up bright and early on Sunday and decided to hit the hot tub before a very long day ahead. We were talking about how crazy it was going to be to spend almost $50.00 each way to and from the Warner Brothers Studios. I was thinking and Kurnal who had rented the car the day before. Next thing you know I am looking on the Hertz app and yelling out prices. We started at around $92 and ended up paying $77 for the booking. The key is put in for 24 hours even if you don’t need it. With my Presidents Circle status we were able to have our pick of them all! Shelby GT500, BMW, convertible Mustang and a convertible Camaro that we ultimately chose. Man, talk about regretting my choice and cars I will never buy. I should have turned around and went back for the Shelby but next time I know better. I was just all excited about driving a car type that I had never driven before. Oh well, there is always next time.

Warner Brothers Studio and the tour of the active sets was amazing! The show All American, set! WOW I was in their house like in the living room…. I still can’t get over how much fun that really was. There is so much to talk about that is going to get its own post so you can read about all the activity options.

Warner Brothers Studio Lot Tour

 

 

 

 

Paris Olympics 2024

Well I went off and booked an international trip to Paris in no less than 17 days for the Olympics!

Lets talk about how I got there and whats in store for me coming home! I booked 2 – 1 way tickets. The first ticket was ORD to CDG nonstop on Air France. I have Platinum status with Delta and I had a $100 credit so I booked it via the Delta website. I booked this flight for $383.30! A steal in my opinion for the Olympics. Getting home was even easier. I was able to book via Delta and pay 52,000 Skymiles and $260.46 in taxes and fees. After booking there was an offer to upgrade to Delta One and I decided to splurge and did it! $876.42 in my book is one heck of a deal! At the $100 a hour rate it was a no brainier.

The first thing after dropping my bags at the hotel was to go and see the Eiffel Tower with the rings and for the first time there was NO WAIT to get to the top! I bought my ticket and proceeded to the elevator that takes you to the 2nd floor. You have to then go in a separate line and ride another elevator all the way to the top but oh my its worth it! Paris is a magical place!

I was able to see Team USA in Women’s Rugby and Badminton. I also went to a Soccer – Football game too but it didn’t have the same Olympic feeling as the other 2 events. I have already signed up for Milan 2026. Fingers crossed I can get tickets to see the women’s and men’s figure skating.