Happy 4th of July weekend, everyone. This is a short post just to let you know that I’m now officially on vacation. My family of three is headed out to Europe to spend time in France and Switzerland. While I usually work during trips, I don’t plan to do so this time. Instead, I’ve scheduled a number of posts to run while I’m away through July 20th.
Map courtesy of Great Circle Mapper.
Our itinerary is:
- We’ll fly to Paris with the bulk of the route on Lufthansa 1st class. Cost: 67,500 United miles (pre-devaluation rates), plus 16,250 Delta miles to get to Toronto to kick off the flight.
- We’ll spend 5 nights in Paris at the Park Hyatt Vendome (naturally), in a suite. Cost: 33,000 points per night (pre-devaluation rates). And, of course, breakfast will be free thanks to my successful completion of the Hyatt Diamond Trial.
- We’ll take a train (in first class to keep the theme going) from Paris to Switzerland for less than 22,000 Barclay Arrival points per person (after accounting for the 10% point rebate).
- We’ll spend four nights at the Radisson Blu in Lucerne in a premium business class room for 37,500 points per night.
- We’ll spend two nights in Mürren for slightly less than 25,000 Barclay Arrival points per night (after accounting for the 10% point rebate).
- We’ll spend three nights in Zurich at the Park Hyatt, in a suite again. Cost: 33,000 points per night (pre-devaluation rates). And, again, breakfast will be free thanks to my Diamond status.
- We’ll return home again in Lufthansa 1st class (67.5K miles per person) and the final leg in coach on Delta (16,250 miles per person).
I don’t expect to write posts during this time. And, it’s unlikely that I’ll write any trip reports (that’s not really my thing) unless something very interesting happens. However, I might Tweet stuff as I go along if I feel like it.
Anyway, it should be a great trip. I hope you’re having a fantastic summer as well!
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[…] my family and I were ironically out Vendoming away. As I outlined in the post titled “Vacation Notice,” we hopped over to Toronto on a Delta flight, then flew to Europe on Lufthansa 1st class […]
awesome! I’m glad all your hard work is paying off…you deserve it! Enjoy the time with family, and enjoy that first class!
Have a great time. I’m curious how you got Lufthansa 1st class with pre devaluation miles. I have an October trip planned on Lufthansa. The itinerary is 1ST class, but the Lufthansa leg is in business class. Is it still possible to bump up to first if space opens up without the award repricing?
Scott, it’s definitely worth trying. Once you’re within 15 days of your departure, check for 1st award availability and then call United to see how it would reprice. In my case, I was lucky enough to get in on this deal: http://quickdeals.frequentmiler.net/2013/11/lufthansa-first-class-available-next.html
As someone who is just starting out this month (with my Discover Card), I must say… You’re my hero. Your blog is awesome! Thanks for all the good tips! I hope that one day I can be traveling in style just like you. Have a safe trip!
One fun thing to do in Lucerne for cheap is feed the ducks and swans from the riverside. You can get bread for cheap from the Migros.
Sorry, but that’s just wrong. Wildlife is supposed to find their own proper food, and it’s not bread crumbs.
FM — have an awesome vacation!!!