Spring Break Trip: Barcelona

Our spring break trip for 2025 is right around the corner - we'll be visiting Barcelona!  I'm looking forward to being back since it has been some years since ILA.  In 2015 I also flew American as primary so it will be great to fly on United for this trip.

We have a number of fun things planned while in Barcelona and I will share a trip update when we return.  

I booked the Hola Barcelona cards for access to public transportation while we're in town - these are a great value: https://www.holabarcelona.com/tickets/hola-bcn-barcelona-travel-card

Cabify is also available (similar to Uber) in case there is a need for a separate transportation option: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cabify/id476087442

New AA Promo: Ready, Set, Jet toward Status

I'm always interested in how travel partners create promotions, and was surprised to receive an email from American Airlines about a specific Promo for the month of March.

For a limited time, earn 500 additional Loyalty Points for each flight you take in March 2025.

American has been notoriously stingy about how to earn miles/loyalty points.  Flying and use of their co-branded credit cards are the best way to earn (with the shopping portal and dining programs being other possibilities).  

Will you be maximizing this promotion for upcoming travel?

Another Hyatt Promotion: Bonus Journeys is back!

I was pleasantly surprised to see a confirmation email arrive today from Hyatt highlighting another promotion to start the year: Bonus Journeys

If you're looking for additional points on stays, this will certainly help in conjunction with using your Hyatt credit card.

You must be a member of World of Hyatt in good standing at time of registration and stay and register for the promotion between January 14, 2025 and March 10, 2025 to participate. To join World of Hyatt and to register for the promotion, visit hyatt.com/bonusjourneys. Only Eligible Stays at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide, participating Mr & Mrs Smith hotels, and the Venetian Resort completed after registration and between January 27, 2025 and March 28, 2025 (“Promotion Period”) will count towards this promotion. All Eligible Stays must be completed by March 28, 2025.

Cards in My Wallet Right Now (2025)

Happy New Year!  My card list has changed a little this past year while my spending overall has stayed even.  I retired the Hilton Surpass and AA Biz Platinum while picking up the regular AA Platinum.  I'm still using the United Club card for lounge access and extra miles for purchases.  I have referral codes for most cards if needed! 

Cards in my Wallet:

Chase Sapphire Reserve - one of the best earning cards with 3x points for travel and 3x for dining; No Foreign Transaction Fee

Chase Freedom - Quarterly bonus categories give 5x points and pairs with Sapphire

Chase World of Hyatt - 4x Hyatt points per stay make this one of the best for hotel stays, 2x for restaurant/transit; No Foreign Transaction Fee

Chase IHG Rewards Club Select (no longer available) - Platinum Elite status plus free night every cardmember year

Chase United Club Infinite - 4x miles on United, 2x miles on other travel, 2x on dining, United Club membership

Chase Biz Plus (replaced with Business Preferred) - 5x points at office supply and phone, 2x on gas station and hotel; No Foreign Transaction Fee

Chase Biz Cash - 5x points at office supply and phone, 2x points on gas stations and restaurants

Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless - 6x points at Marriott properties; 3x Gas/Grocery/Dining up to $6k, 1 Elite Night credit per $5k spent; 2x points on other purchases; No Foreign Transaction Fee

Chase British Airways - 3x Avios on BA purchases; 2x on hotels; No Foreign Transaction Fee

Citibank Premier - 3x points on travel including gas stations and grocery; 2x on dining/entertainment, No Foreign Transaction Fee

Citibank AA Platinum - 2x American Airlines miles on purchases plus free checked bag and priority boarding; 2x on gas stations, No Foreign Transaction Fee

Citibank AA Mileup - 2x American Airlines miles on flights, plus 2x miles for grocery purchases, No Annual Fee

Citibank Double Cash - 2% cash back on all purchases, though the transfer option to Citi ThankYou Points makes this card strong for all non-category spend, No Annual Fee

American Express Hilton card - 7x Hilton points on stays, 5x points dining/gas/grocery, 3x all other purchases, complimentary Silver status, No Annual Fee, No Foreign Transaction Fee

Discover It card - 5x points/cash on quarterly bonus categories, link to Amazon.com purchases, No Annual Fee

Bank of American Alaska Airlines card - 3x miles on Alaska purchases, $99 companion fare

Travel Stats 2024

It's time for another quick travel checkin now that 2025 is here.  I was pretty happy with my travel pattern over the last year though I will lose some status this year due to decreased flying.  This will be the first time in many years with no 1K on United.

For the year I ended with 92,112 miles flown across 75 flights (with 76,271 BIS on United and lifetime count at 943,903).  No major travel disruptions due to weather.  Global Entry is still fast and even checking luggage was not a problem.  I also made it back to Doha, Qatar along with trips back to Switz.  

I had fewer stays overall with Hyatt this year - nights credited were 40 including free nights from the credit card.  

Happy New Year!