Thank you for sharing this tutorial with us. Your content is AMAZING. I feel like most travel/points bloggers share more of the same, but with your content I actually learn tools and tips that make a real difference! Keep it up!
Thank you Julia! I liked that you went through all the nuances of booking a trip end to end including position flight hacks, each hotel stay and what to expect from the different hotels, how you booked them etc. Sometimes there are so many options to choose from for a destination, it becomes hard to know which one to go for. Information like this helps to make a more informed choice when planning an itinerary.
More videos on the way! In the meantime, here's a playlist with more step-by-step tutorials for different destinations and points programs: ruclips.net/p/PLO1ijkHfoj56bV5KQSki8A_t7eSRQ-CpM&si=CdN4qCggMYhMaQRd
thank you for this! i have not realized that upgrading hyatt with points could be such a good deal. i do question your math on the hyatt centric property. you have the the CPP of 12 cents per point but sine you are paying cash then instead of doing 738/6000 =.123 i think it should be (738-303)/6000=.0725 . still a wicked value and causing me to go back through my itineraries to see if i should do an upgrade instead of straight points. again thanks for all you do as i get these types of tricks from you almost every episode.
you're absolutely right! I feel actuarial shame haha. The formula is correct in the total row, but for the itemized, I accidentally dragged down a formula that didn't subtract out the cash paid in the valuation.
Staying at PH Kyoto later this year with my wife. Will definitely share your beauty product / slipper anecdote. I can definitely see the same thing happening when we stay there haha
Great video with all breakdown of all parts of the trip. I appreciate all the details. Can you verify that the CPP on the hotels accounted for cash price you paid in addition to points?
Appreciate the points breakdown. I can't help but think that in reality you spent $1791 + $7500 worth of points (at a conservative evaluation of 1.5 cents per point). So almost $10000 on this trip after incidentals. If you asked me to book a trip to Japan, without the luxury, I can probably get it for $3500 cash. So in effect, you're paying a $6500 premium. I don't know about you, but that seems like a pretty steep price that's not really affordable for a vast majority of people. I know the sticker price may be $X but most people would never pay the sticker price.
If asked to book a trip to Japan WITHOUT luxury, it can definitely be done for less. For a trip to Japan with this level of luxury, I would happily pay a $6500 premium no questions asked. Many of our clients are also in a position where they can and often have paid the sticker price, and we save them tens of thousands of dollars by using points that they generate from other expenses instead. However, like you mentioned, it's not really affordable for the vast majority of people. The influencer world of points and miles makes it seem like, "anyone can do this!" but in reality, most people should actually NOT be doing this game. It's not financially viable for most people, given that so many Americans can't afford a $500 surprise emergency without going into debt. This video is intended to show a transparent look into the actual costs of what it takes to travel like this so that people can go in eyes wide open with what it actually takes.
I think this video will help! ruclips.net/video/Y3ny8aohHSE/видео.html We also take requests for free personalized tutorials here: go.geobreezetravel.com/ast-form
yes! we went back and flew ANA and JAL later in 2023. I'm preparing a video that compares them. Stay tuned and please subscribe in the meantime so you don't miss it!
Pls forgive my stalking instincts (I like to believe I am rather meticulous). I'm looking forward to videos on how you planned for your upcoming HK, Vietnam trip, and the South America trip :D
Me personally -- we have high income and high expenses. For everyone else not in that boat -- we have a whole free live training on this topic! Here's the link to register www.geobreezetravel.com/webinar
I don't believe the travel bank expires and they can be used to book a ticket for anyone. They are different from travel credits that typically expire in 12 months and can only be used by the specific traveller.
Everything about this sounds like a nightmare. 1 entire week shuffling to different hotels almost daily, some of which are like $1k for a basic ass room. Throwing away 360k points on a flight alone that can be done for next to nothing just to spend only a few nights in Japan at some bland corporate hotels. Imma just cash out my points at a horrible rate and pay a reasonable weekly/ monthly rate for an apartment in Japan before I do this.
you're always welcome to book economy by "cashing out your points at a horrible rate" instead. That's the most common way to do it. This video is to show a transparent look into if you want to travel the way you see people on Instagram doing, what does it actually take. It takes more than some people have in them. If that's you, that's ok. You are enough.
Thank you for sharing this tutorial with us. Your content is AMAZING. I feel like most travel/points bloggers share more of the same, but with your content I actually learn tools and tips that make a real difference! Keep it up!
Thank you so much! I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying the content and finding it helpful!
I’d love to see a video like this for New Zealand!
we have one on the way! Please subscribe so you don't miss it when it airs!
Thanks for the tip about toiletries and slippers
anytime! They're some of my favorite slippers I've ever tried! (and I collect a lot of slippers from hotels haha)
Thank you Julia! I liked that you went through all the nuances of booking a trip end to end including position flight hacks, each hotel stay and what to expect from the different hotels, how you booked them etc. Sometimes there are so many options to choose from for a destination, it becomes hard to know which one to go for. Information like this helps to make a more informed choice when planning an itinerary.
for sure! I'm glad you found it to be helpful!
I lived and studied there... Reminds of that blessing😊😊
amazing! which part of Japan did you live/ study in?
I liked this especially the step by step instructions and cost transparency!
thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and found it valuable!
Thank you Julia!! Always so helpful and easy to follow along! Love the videos even more than the podcast!
thank you! Glad you're enjoying the content and finding it helpful to follow along with!
Yes please more videos 😊 planning on going to japan in 2025
More videos on the way! In the meantime, here's a playlist with more step-by-step tutorials for different destinations and points programs:
ruclips.net/p/PLO1ijkHfoj56bV5KQSki8A_t7eSRQ-CpM&si=CdN4qCggMYhMaQRd
thank you for this! i have not realized that upgrading hyatt with points could be such a good deal.
i do question your math on the hyatt centric property.
you have the the CPP of 12 cents per point but sine you are paying cash then instead of doing 738/6000 =.123 i think it should be (738-303)/6000=.0725 .
still a wicked value and causing me to go back through my itineraries to see if i should do an upgrade instead of straight points.
again thanks for all you do as i get these types of tricks from you almost every episode.
you're absolutely right! I feel actuarial shame haha. The formula is correct in the total row, but for the itemized, I accidentally dragged down a formula that didn't subtract out the cash paid in the valuation.
Staying at PH Kyoto later this year with my wife. Will definitely share your beauty product / slipper anecdote. I can definitely see the same thing happening when we stay there haha
leave some extra room in your suitcase!
Going to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo this year during Cherry Blossom season. Hoping to also go to AnimeJapan as well 🤞
Enjoy!! You're going to love it! I need to go back one day to experience AnimeJapan!
Great video with all breakdown of all parts of the trip. I appreciate all the details. Can you verify that the CPP on the hotels accounted for cash price you paid in addition to points?
thank you! and yes. So for example the Hyatt Centric Ginza math is (sticker price - cash paid) / points paid = ($738 - $303) / 6000 = $0.123
Yes more tutorial for Japan flights
coming soon! please subscribe for even more points and miles tutorials each week in the meantime!
Appreciate the points breakdown. I can't help but think that in reality you spent $1791 + $7500 worth of points (at a conservative evaluation of 1.5 cents per point). So almost $10000 on this trip after incidentals. If you asked me to book a trip to Japan, without the luxury, I can probably get it for $3500 cash. So in effect, you're paying a $6500 premium. I don't know about you, but that seems like a pretty steep price that's not really affordable for a vast majority of people. I know the sticker price may be $X but most people would never pay the sticker price.
If asked to book a trip to Japan WITHOUT luxury, it can definitely be done for less.
For a trip to Japan with this level of luxury, I would happily pay a $6500 premium no questions asked. Many of our clients are also in a position where they can and often have paid the sticker price, and we save them tens of thousands of dollars by using points that they generate from other expenses instead.
However, like you mentioned, it's not really affordable for the vast majority of people. The influencer world of points and miles makes it seem like, "anyone can do this!" but in reality, most people should actually NOT be doing this game. It's not financially viable for most people, given that so many Americans can't afford a $500 surprise emergency without going into debt.
This video is intended to show a transparent look into the actual costs of what it takes to travel like this so that people can go in eyes wide open with what it actually takes.
Can you do a video on west coast to ICN?
I think this video will help!
ruclips.net/video/Y3ny8aohHSE/видео.html
We also take requests for free personalized tutorials here: go.geobreezetravel.com/ast-form
More step by step videos on how to book flights please.
for sure! Here's a playlist full of different step by step videos. Enjoy!
ruclips.net/p/PLO1ijkHfoj56bV5KQSki8A_t7eSRQ-CpM&si=CdN4qCggMYhMaQRd
Can you do ANA or Japan airline? I’m wanting to go this year 3/29-4/7 for cherry blossom
yes! we went back and flew ANA and JAL later in 2023. I'm preparing a video that compares them. Stay tuned and please subscribe in the meantime so you don't miss it!
Pls forgive my stalking instincts (I like to believe I am rather meticulous). I'm looking forward to videos on how you planned for your upcoming HK, Vietnam trip, and the South America trip :D
hahaha I saw that we forgot to crop that from the frame and I literally thought to myself, "eh, no one is paying attention to my tabs labels".
Was it cold ?
yes, but I'm a wimp when it comes to cold haha. I'd say it's slightly milder than NYC winters.
I think I am more interested on how you earn so much points per year? Not including sign on bonus, it is hard to accumulate
Me personally -- we have high income and high expenses.
For everyone else not in that boat -- we have a whole free live training on this topic! Here's the link to register
www.geobreezetravel.com/webinar
Will that united cash or certificate expire?
I don't believe the travel bank expires and they can be used to book a ticket for anyone. They are different from travel credits that typically expire in 12 months and can only be used by the specific traveller.
They do expire 5 years after purchase date so just use it within 5 years
@@krisrock4589 oh thanks for the clarification
what they said ^. You've got 5 years.
Everything about this sounds like a nightmare. 1 entire week shuffling to different hotels almost daily, some of which are like $1k for a basic ass room. Throwing away 360k points on a flight alone that can be done for next to nothing just to spend only a few nights in Japan at some bland corporate hotels. Imma just cash out my points at a horrible rate and pay a reasonable weekly/ monthly rate for an apartment in Japan before I do this.
you're always welcome to book economy by "cashing out your points at a horrible rate" instead. That's the most common way to do it. This video is to show a transparent look into if you want to travel the way you see people on Instagram doing, what does it actually take. It takes more than some people have in them. If that's you, that's ok. You are enough.