Now This is a Valentine’s Day Present

Flowers are nice, but after a week there’s not much left but a bunch of brownish, wilted stems.

Chocolates are a great Valentine’s Day gift…until you look at the empty box of wrappers and regret what you just did.

And stuffed bears, well, I don’t really have any thing to say about stuffed animals other than – why?

But, a quick Valentine’s get-a-way, now that’s a present that your loved one is likely not to forget.

Which is exactly why a trip is a great present. And research shows that “things” are quickly forgotten, while experiences, like a trip, leave a lasting memory.

Last Valentine’s Day, my wife and I took a long weekend trip to Las Vegas. The trip wasn’t necessarily to celebrate the occasion; rather, it was more to get away from the absolute misery of a brutally cold winter. But, regardless of the reason, the experiences we had – both good and bad – have stayed with us more than any other “gift” would have.

You’re probably saying, “but a trip is a mighty expensive Valentine’s Day present.”

Well, it doesn’t have to be. Just do what my wife and I did with our Las Vegas trip, and use Miles and Points to cover the airfare and hotel expenses.

By getting rid of those two sizable costs, a trip becomes much more manageable.

Obviously, it’s too late to book an excursion for this Valentine’s Day, but it’s not too early to begin planning for next year’s.

Here are a couple of travel ideas that might really provide a spark next Valentine’s Day. And, of course, the suggested credit cards that would help make the trip happen for as little money as possible.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas can be a really fun place to visit; especially if you set a limit on how much money you’re going to lose.

But, if your hotel and airfare are free, you’ll have even more cash to blow at the slots, or on a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.

With just two credit card sign-ups, you can get two free nights at the Bellagio Hotel AND free airfare to boot.

Hotel

 

 

 

Chase Hyatt credit card

• 2 free nights at any Hyatt Hotel
• $1,000 spend in the first three months after account opening to get bonus.
• 2 two free nights can be used at any of Hyatt’s partner MGM M Life hotels in Las Vegas (in addition to Hyatt Hotels).

So, once you meet the $1,000 minimum spend requirement, the two free night certificates will be loaded into your Hyatt Gold Passport account, and can be used to book your free nights.

Air

 

 

 

Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard

• 50,000 American Airlines miles sign-up bonus
• $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening to get the bonus.

Coincidentally, one roundtrip, economy class American Airlines ticket – within the continental U.S. – goes for 25,000 miles. So, with this one credit card sign-up, you and your significant other will be able to fly to Vegas free.

Disclaimer: Free doesn’t necessarily mean completely free. For airline tickets, there will be government fees to pay – usually $5.60 per leg of the trip. And some hotels – like those in Vegas – will require a resort fee in the $30 per night range even though you’re not paying for your room.

Vegas always finds a way to part you from your money.

Savannah, Georgia

If Las Vegas isn’t your cup of tea, maybe the romantic city of Savannah, Georgia would fit the bill.

We’ll keep with the two credit card sign-up scenario to greatly reduce this trip’s costs as well.

Hotel

 

 

 

Starwood Preferred Guest credit card from American Express

• 25,000 Starpoints
• $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening to get the bonus.

For 20,000 Starpoints, you can get two free nights at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa

Air

 

 

 

Chase Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit cards

• Periodic 50,000 point sign-up bonuses (normal bonus is 25,000 points)
• $2,000 spend within the first three months of account opening to get the bonus.

The Southwest Airlines frequent flyer program works differently than the major carriers’ programs. Rather than a set amount of miles to fly within a geographical area, Southwest prices its award tickets based on the actual purchase price of the ticket.

Because of that, it’s difficult to give an example of how the 50,000 points could be used. Depending on your departure airport, and the price of the ticket at the time of booking, the award ticket price could vary greatly.

Here’s one example, though.

An award ticket on Southwest from Chicago to Savannah could be had for as little as 12,356 points per roundtrip ticket. Or 24,712 for the two of you, leaving a significant amount of points in your Southwest account for later use.

Huntington Beach, California

Surf City, USA is a great destination if you’re looking for a quiet locale to watch the Pacific waves roll in.

And, once again, with the sign-up bonuses from only two credit cards, this trip becomes very affordable.

Hotel

 

 

 

Here I am back to recommending a Hyatt Hotel, but how you’ll get the points to stay for free changes a bit.

Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card

• 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points
• $4,000 spend in the first three months from account opening to get the bonus points.

Ultimate Rewards points are the most lucrative and versatile rewards points in my opinion. They can be transferred – almost immediately – to a number of hotel and airline partners, giving you travel options that other travel-provider-specific points do not.

For this example, we’re going to transfer 40,000 of those Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt to book a two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. And that will still leave you 10,000+ Ultimate Rewards points for future use!

Air

 

 

 

 

Chase United MileagePlus Explorer credit card

• Periodic 50,000 mile sign-up bonuses like its sister card the Southwest Rapid Rewards cards. (normal bonus 30,000 miles)
• $2,000 spend in the first three months from account opening to get the bonus miles.

Unlike Southwest Airlines, United Airlines has a set award chart that charges 25,000 miles for an economy class, roundtrip ticket within the continental U.S.

So no matter where you’re flying from, your two roundtrip tickets to John Wayne Airport (Orange County, California) will cost you a total of 50,000 United miles.

Now Get Making Next Year’s Plans

These are just a few ideas how using credit card sign-up bonuses, and the acquired airline miles and hotel points can make a Valentine’s Day trip affordable.

So forget the flowers and candy next year; start planning today your credit card sign-up strategy and travel itinerary to make Valentine’s Day 2017’s present an experience you both will never forget.