CategoryVacation Ideas

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.

Hops in the Hangar

This was my first year attending the 9th annual Hops in the Hangar presented by the Delta Flight Museum. We were able to sip on suds from more than 40 craft breweries! I flew in on an early flight so that I could get in some extra plane spotting time at the Delta Sky Club in F with an outdoor patio.

The 767 was open and ready to transport you back to 1980. I remember those Verizon phones in the seats. We had the Economy tickets but man I wish I was able to snag one of the First Class tickets. The gift bag was amazing! I heard it had a 747 trading card in it! Next year I will buy my ticket sooner!

The plane spotting from our hotel balcony was just as good as I remembered, only this time I brought my real lens a Canon 100-400. I was able to get some amazing shots this trip.

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! ðŸĪŠ

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 ðŸ—― 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! 🏙ïļ