Tagmiles and points

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

 

 

 

 

Washington DC

This trip was so fun for so many reasons! The Sky Club to start …… then I was able to connect with an old friend who lives in another state and we met for some food and drinks on Friday night. I spent 2 nights there total. I used a free night certificate for the first night and 110,000 points for the second night at the Waldorf Astoria.

This is where I should be so excited about the hotel but this was the worst Waldorf I have ever stayed at and I would never return. I also was in town for a travel hacking meet up and got to see a suite at the Grand Hyatt and the Conrad in DC. Since I have stayed at other WA properties I had a certain level of expectation leading up to the stay. I contacted the concierge just like I have for my other stays to request something for my birthday. I don’t usually complain about my stays but this was so bad that something needs to be said. I tried contacting Hilton customer service but just got the generic “We are sorry.” response. They were so sweet in New Orleans and I ended up with 2 Happy Birthday treats!

If you are familiar with Hilton you know that they have the option for digital keys in the app and you can check in without going to the desk. Well it was showing this option but that was apparently not the case. As the manager said … “we don’t use digital keys here”. Um …. ok so why not? And why does the app ask me if I want to use one? I am getting a little ahead of myself. After I landed I chose to take an Uber from the airport vs taking the train because I thought my room would be ready for me to check in at about 1:30pm. I got to the desk and they said that my room was not ready and that I needed to wait 2 to 3 hours for said room. When I inquired about an upgrade they told me it would cost $600 a night. I declined and watched that room stay empty for my whole visit while they shoved me into a room that was in desperate need of a facelift. Just look at the stains on the carpet … This is what they consider an upgrade for a Diamond member?

While waiting for my room I decided to take a walk with a hotel provided umbrella and I was able to see the White House and even caught a glimpse of the President of the United States leaving in his motorcade. Saturday was a fun day with sightseeing and the points and miles meet up! We met up at a Luna Hall DC, a high end food court with a full bar. Then we made our way to Allegory, a speak easy for a night cap.

This is a glimpse into what a suite at the Grand Hyatt looks like! Sooooooooo much nicer than my carpet stained room at the Waldorf Astoria! I was so jealous of my friends and the amazing treatment they received.

Overall I would recommend the Conrad or the Grand Hyatt vs. the Waldorf Astoria if you are in DC. Some words of wisdom … not all Waldorf’s are the same. But in the end I got 50,000 points back and made some amazing memories with my amazing friends!