BillT

We are ready to embark on our Europe vacation. Wheels up on May 17. Houston to Prague via Frankfurt on Lufthansa. (using United miles and Barclay rewards to pay for the taxes). 3 days in Prague staying at the K+K Hotel with breakfast( using BA Avios points). Then we train to Dresden (paid for using Barclay rewards). 2 days in Dresden staying at the Quartier an der Frauenkirche Hotel plus breakfast (using Delta miles). Then train to Berlin (paid for using Barclay rewards). 3 days in Berlin staying at the H10 Hotel plus breakfast (using BA Avios points). Then fly to Paris (using Barclay rewards). 4 nights in Paris at the Park Hyatt Vendome (using Hyatt points), then fly home on the 29th.
Checking the weather in Prague it appears that its going to be a bit rainy and the temps in the 50’s – we hope its at least not raining so we can get out and see the sights!
Trip report after we return as we do not expect to have email access – we don’t even carry a cell phone on our trips!

unclegus

hope you have a great time,In Prague you will find the temps should get a fair bit higher than that during the day unless you really do get all day rain. I am back in Prague on the 30th May so hoping for good weather so I can enjoy a few outdoor beers.

simpsonc510

Bill, your trip sounds lovely! Great use of miles and points! You're a pro at stretching them to the max. Have fun. Don't suppose you are crossing paths with Bob and Karen (rhk) ?

I hope the weather cooperates! A friend in Germany is saying that it is pretty ugly around Mainz right now so he will head to northern Africa for a quick break from it.

Leely2

Have fun! Try Lokal in Prague. If you have time, the library at the Strahov Monastery in Prague is terrific, and it feels a little more peaceful up there.

dulciusexasperis

If you left out all the crap about reward points it would be a lot easier to read what your plan is. What relevance do the points have?

What was the reason for posting? You ask no questions and it is not a trip report.

vjpblovesitaly

To brag about the points and the lack of cell phone.

simpsonc510

If you have nothing nice to say.................

Have a nice time, Bill.

nytraveler

Why is a little rain such an issue? It's rarely a true downpour and unless it is you won't melt. I often like sightseeing in the rain - since it seems to keep a lot of wussy tourists indoors and you can a much more realistic view of a city. (waterproofed shows and a mini umbrella will solve the whole problem)

Hez

Wow! Excellent use of points! We just got back from Bavaria - forecast was similar, 50s and light rain most days - basically equated to scattered showers and most days the sun came out and it warmed up for at least part of the day. We were walking the King Ludwig's Way from Starnberg to Fussen and it the rain didn't deter us at all, except for the last day when it was really raining and my niece had blisters so we chose to spend more time at the castles and museum in Hohenschwangau and only walk 6 miles of the 12 scheduled for that day. Actually worked out perfectly. But enough about me. Have an awesome time! Sounds like a great trip. Prague is fabulous

dulciusexasperis

Simpsonc510, I'm gonna guess you are addressing me. In which case, I suggest you take your own advice. OR, address any remarks you have to the OP.

Vjpblovesitaly, in that case, I don't collect air miles any more than I collect the stamps at my local supermarket that you can turn in for a free cooking pot. Both are worth only pennies on the dollar. I ain't that short of money that I need to bother about it. I can afford to pay for my travels. That someone would attempt to brag about collecting points (are you sure people do such a thing vjpblovesitaly?) is hilarious if true.

Hez

Yes, us silly people who use credit cards and pay off the balance monthly - as well as collecting points for travelling for work and can therefore fly for free. What ever are we thinking?

It does take some time and effort to be able to use those points effectively. OP should certainly be proud of their accomplishment in using their time and money so wisely.

If you think the time isn't worth it, I guarantee you the return on time investment for our first class award tickets to Australia for Christmas this year is most excellent. As were our business class tickets to Europe last summer. And yes - I am indeed bragging now.

BillT

The reason for mentioning the points is that there may be some Fodorites that will ask how they can acquire the points to travel- and I'm ready to help them. Now for the cell phone comment- just my way of saying - we are on vacation - and are not tethered to it!
Oh and for the poster who "brags" about having enough money to travel that they don't need to bother collecting points, well as the saying goes.... a fool and his money are easily separated!

unclegus

Bill ignore the jealous folk.have a great time in my favourite city regardless of how you paid for it.My last trip to Prague was paid for using FF points.
The beer Festival is on in Prague from Today till the 1st June,go there if you feel inclined but the Beer garden in letna Park is a great place to have a beer in the sun and get great views of the city.

BillT

Thanks unclegus and Carol!

dulciusexasperis

LOL, I keep forgetting I'm dealing with prols.

simpsonc510

Thanks to helpful suggestions BillT and rhk, I'm using Marriott and UA points for some fabulous vacations!

My UA FF miles have been used for 1st class tickets to Bangkok over the Christmas/New Year holidays. I'm flying 1st class via Frankfurt, and then on the Thai A380 1st class to BKK. And yes, I'm bragging.

I also BUY my tickets.... I've paid for a business class ticket to BKK this July. Not everything is free.

dulciusexasperis

A typical air mile reward card gives you 1 point per $ spent. A typical San Francisco to New York round trip costs $400 or can be had for 25K points. A typical N. America east cost to Europe return costs $1200-1500 or 75k points. You can argue those examples if you wish but I think they are fair examples.

Simple math then shows you that a point is worth 1.6 cents or 1.6% of every dollar spent.

I use a credit card that rewards me with CASH. It initially rewarded me at the rate of 2%. So it is a higher reward but equally as important, cash can be used for anything at any time. Air rewards cannot. So which is better?

What's more, if you spend enough on the card I have and which we do, while not advertised, the reward doubles. Since our second year using that card, we now receive 4% on every $ spent.

So again using simple math. You spend $25k and receive a $400 value flight or spend $75k and get a $1200-1500 flight. I spend $25k and receive $1000 in CASH. Or I spend $75k and receive $3000 in CASH.

Duhhhh, a fool and his money are soon parted BillT.

simpsonc510

I'm trying for free week in Phuket this holiday season. The regular cost of the accommodation is about $1500 per night.

rhkkmk

Yes there are 2 sides to each coin... Often huge mileage bonuses are earned by opening a new credit card or have status like carol has at United..

BILL--- we will be at the hilton in Dresden until 11AM on May 22... Could you come meet us for breakfast??? The hilton is near the historic churches and museums.

rhkkmk

Maybe we miss by 1 day???