Elizabeth took her daughter McKenna on an unbelievable college graduation trip to four countries. Here is her story:

My daughter and I took a trip to celebrate her college graduation and relax a bit before she started law school. My objective was a no-stress trip, to see as much as we could and decide where to visit again. We were busy, but we had a great time. 

 

Planning the Trip

I planned the trip in pieces.  The first step was getting to Spain. We found a good deal on Turkish Airlines business class tickets from Atlanta to Barcelona, so I jumped on them.  I figured positioning to Atlanta wouldn’t be a big deal. 

Then I started looking from business class tickets back to United States.  I found some business class seats on Air Canada from Geneva to a few different cities in Canada.  I chose to fly into Toronto and go to Niagara Falls.  

We used Vueling, a discount airline in Spain with many options for flights from Barcelona to Geneva. From Toronto, we easily found flights back to Denver.

I booked the business class flights about 7 months before the trip and then the smaller positioning flights 1 month or 2 prior. I booked Hotel Bagues right after the flight to Barcelona. This was where I wanted to stay and didn’t want to risk it being full.  I was able to use Hyatt points before Small Luxury Hotels moved to Hilton. The other hotels were a month or so before we left and I was even moving things around during the trip.

 

 

This trip was about ease, convenience, fun, and memories – not necessarily about the “best” point redemption. It was about doing what worked for us.

 

Getting to Barcelona

• We started the trip by renting a one-way car through Avis to the airport—cheaper and easier than having someone take us (2 -ish hours round trip) or even a shuttle or bus. ( I love this idea to avoid parking fees too – thanks for the idea, Elizabeth)!
  • Rental car: Avis: $35 Cash
• Our flight from Denver to Atlanta was at 6AM so we stayed at the Denver Airport Westin. Oh, man!  It was so easy to walk out the hotel door and be at security. We enjoyed a quick stop at the Capital One Lounge before heading to the gate.
  • Hotel: 40k Marriott points (there was a transfer bonus happening at the time)
  • Flight: Southwest – 5k points + $5.60 per person
• In Atlanta, we enjoyed the Turkish Airlines lounge before boarding. Turkish Airline’s business class was great. They were super friendly and accommodating. The tickets included “Tourinstanbul” since we had a long layover.  When I booked the ticket in December, the tour was local sites, but by the time we took the trip in July, the tour had changed and was Turkish History and TV set tour. It was a bit disappointing, but we did get to leave the airport and see some of Turkey. 
  • Flight: Atlanta to Barcelona via Istanbul business class: 45k points + $285 cash per person (These prices have now increased 😢)

 

Barcelona

Barcelona is amazing. We stayed at Hotel Bagues. The hotel was right on LaRambla – the main street in Barcelona.  We walked all over the city, did some shopping, visited sites, and walked a lot.  It may seem crazy to visit a country with the purpose of trying the steak – but we did.  The Galician steak was amazing.

• • Hotel Bagues: 51k Hyatt points for three nights
  • Viator: Hop on Hop Off bus – $36 cash per person

 

 

 

Geneva, Switzerland and Annecy, France

After a few days in Barcelona we headed to Geneva Switzerland. We did the obvious thing in Switzerland – tasted chocolate.  The tour was really fun. We learned the history of Geneva and tasted many different chocolates from several different shops. Geneva isn’t a large city, and we found out that most places are closed on Sunday, so we took the opportunity to visit Annecy, France.

 

 

We used Flixus, and it was about a 45-minute ride. In Annecy, we enjoyed the local shops, walked around Lac d’Annecy, and toured Chateau d’Annecy. We stayed close to the airport because we had an early flight out, and the hotel shuttle was convenient. If I had to do it again, I would probably stay in the “downtown” area and pay less for Uber going back and forth. 

 

 

 

• • Flight:  Vueling – $96 cash per person to Geneva
  • Hotel: Holiday Inn by airport – 30k points for two nights in Geneva
  • Viator: Chocolate tour – $115 cash per person
  • Flixbus to Annecy: $25 cash per person

 

Heading Home with Stop in Toronto, Canada

After Switzerland and France, it was time to start making our way back home.  We flew Air Canada Business Class from Geneva to Montreal for a short layover and then to Toronto. Toronto has two airports.

We flew into the smaller one (Billy Bishop) that was close to downtown. It’s actually out on this small island. Once you land, you walk over to Toronto’s mainland through a pedestrian tunnel.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Toronto because it was close to the pick-up spot for the Niagara Falls tour.  When we flew home, we flew out of the larger International Airport (Pearsons). The highlight of Canada was Niagara Falls.

 

 

 

We used Viator to book the bus ride and tour.  Our tour guide was incredible. He was full of history, jokes, and random information.  The tour included stops at a couple of overlooks, a flower clock, and a gift shop with syrup tasting. Once we got to Niagara Falls, we could go on a boat ride and get close to the falls.  The Falls are spectacular. I highly recommend seeing the falls from the Canadian side and taking the boat ride.  We had a couple of hours of free time to explore.

• • Flight: Air Canada Business Class – 59k points + $50 per person
  • Hotel: Hyatt Regency – 24k for 2 nights
  • Viator: Niagara Falls – $98 per person

 

We flew Air Canada/United from Toronto to Denver with a quick stop in Minneapolis/St Paul. I didn’t mention it specifically, but we did have lounge access at each airport through the Venture X Card, Priority Pass, or the business class tickets. Overall, I think it was a great trip full of memories that would not have been possible without the courses that Pam, Alex, and Jess teach.

• • Flight: Air Canada/ United – 17k points + $50 per person
  • Rental car: Avis – $50 cash to get home

Overall, our trip lasted nine days. We spent just under 400k points and about $1600 on our flights, tours, and rental car (to/from the airport). Without points, we should have spent over $38,000

 

Bottom Line

Thanks so much, Elizabeth, for your reader success story. Your college graduation trip to four countries highlighted all the tricks and tricks you’ve used by being a great student of our courses and consistently attending the ATA Next Level coaching calls. We can’t wait to hear about your next trip!

 

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• Reader Success Story to Toronto
• Three Countries, One Trip, With Points & Miles
• Podcast 76. Travel Like a Pro: Stephanie’s Journey from Points Beginner to Award Travel Guru