Snowboarding in Whistler: Introduction
Introduction
Cathay Pacific First Class New York – Vancouver
Snowboarding in Whistler, BC
Cathay Pacific First Class Vancouver – New York
Conclusion
This was a trip that was very familiar to us, but the first time we went predates this blog. In 2009, a group of 19 friends all hopped on a Cathay Pacific flight from NYC to Vancouver in search for some of the best snowboarding the West Coast (maybe the world?) had to offer. It was easily one of funnest trips that Joann and I have ever gone on.
On Top of the World – Whistler 2009
Fast forward 4 years and we were out to do it again. Snowboarding in Whistler was the best snowboarding we’ve all ever done so we wanted a repeat performance. This time, only about 13 of us were able to make it to Whistler.
Even though it was a smaller group, we had just as many good times and it was a bit more special because Joann and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary there! Only a little different from where we got married…
Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii
Anyway, we end up renting the same beautiful slopeside house, originally discovered on VRBO (more on that in a later post).
Aside from the amazing time we had riding and hanging out in Whistler and Vancouver, there were also a few travel bits to mention.
- Cathay Pacific First Class using British Airways Avios
- Avis Whistler car rental
- Finally redeeming Hertz points
It was a great week of (my kind of) relaxing and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
Blackcomb Glacier 2013
In: Trip Reports · Tagged with: british airways, cathay pacific, vancouver, whistler
Chase Freedom 3rd Quarter 2013 Bonus – Sign Up!
Activate your Chase Freedom credit card for the 3rd quarter bonus categories!
As always, the Chase Freedom card has rotating bonuses every quarter that earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points (up to $1,500 in spend) versus the normal 1x.
The 3rd quarter bonus categories run from July 1 – Sept. 30, 2013 and are as follows:
- Gas stations
- Theme parks
- Kohl’s®
Thoughts
Semi-bummed that Chase put Kohl’s in the 3rd quarter instead of the 4th. Not too much of a worry though; you can just buy Kohl’s gift cards in store and then use them come Holiday time.
Gas stations was always a great category for us, but not anymore since we both got new jobs where public transportation is easier.
Theme parks are downright useless for me.
Ways to Meet $1,500 Spend in the Quarter
It isn’t always easy to max out the bonus category spend each quarter but if you think ahead a little, you’ll be able to leverage the bonuses.
- Gas stations: Purchase gift cards
- Kohl’s®: Purchase gift cards
That’s usually the protocol for when you can’t meet spend in a quarterly bonus category. Buy a gift card that you will eventually use! Just don’t lose it 
In: Chase · Tagged with: chase freedom
Chase Ink Offers Increased – 60K Bold/Plus
From June 16 – 22, in support of National Small Business Week, Chase is increasing the sign up bonuses for their Business cards!
- Ink Bold: 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of opening the card.
- Ink Plus: 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of opening the card.
- Ink Classic: 25,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of opening the card.
These are the best offers for these cards to date. Click here to go directly to Chase’s site to apply for the cards. Note: No affiliate links here!
I’ll personally be going for another Ink Bold card using my LLC’s Tax ID. Previously, all my Business cards have been applied for using my SSN, which is a viable option as well.
In: Chase · Tagged with: chase, miles
Daily Getaways 2013 – Week 3 Announced!
Daily Getaways 2013 Week 3 deals have been announced!
They’ve been posted on the Daily Getaways website.
Just about all of the deals are the same ones from 2012, with a couple of hotel deals that are new for 2013.
If you’re looking for some insight on the deals for Weeks 1 & 2, head over to this post that I wrote a few weeks ago.
Remember: Paying with an American Express card will get you an additional 10% off.
Daily Getaways 2013 – Week 3
Deal To Watch Out For
The obvious choice here is the Friday June 28th deal for Intercontinental / Priority Club (IHG) Rewards Club points.
- 15,000 IHG Rewards Club points for $100*
- 25,000 IHG Rewards Club points for $167*
- 50,000 IHG Rewards Club points for $325*
- 100,000 IHG Rewards Club points for $630*
*By using an American Express card for that extra 10% discount, one point will cost you 0.56 – 0.6 cents. About half a penny per point.
These points can be used for any IHG hotel – Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Intercontinental.
Whether or not this is a good deal is up to you. If you use the points towards an expensive property like the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, then it’s an unbelievable deal.
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
50,000 points will get you a free night at an amazing resort in an exotic destination where paid nights usually go for upwards of $800.
Points Math
Scenario 1: Buy 100k points from Daily Getaways for $567. Redeem those 100k points for 2 nights at the IC Bora Bora. You just paid $567 for 2 nights, which equals $283.50 per night.
Scenario 2: Pay the cash rate for 2 nights at the IC Bora Bora for about $800 per night + taxes. Go and search ihg.com to confirm it yourself!
I think I know which scenario I’d rather be in!
IHG Reward Nights
To get an idea of how the IHG Rewards program is built, check out the chart for free nights here.
There are 9 categories of hotels in the program with the highest requiring 50,000 points per reward night.
Always compare the amount of points you need to redeem for a reward night vs. how much the cash rate actually is. Sometimes, the math just won’t add up and you’re better off paying cash and earning points.
In: Daily Getaways, Priority Club / IHG · Tagged with: amex, deals
Southwest 50K Offers Are Back!
What’s the deal???
If you read my blog, you should already know the deal!
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase are back at the forefront of signup bonuses again!
Once again, they are offering 50,000 bonus points on each of 4 credit cards.
Long story short, the idea is to get 2 of these cards (one personal & one business), complete the spend goals, receive 100k bonus points, and then further increase your Southwest Rapid Rewards point total to 110k points.
Reaching 110k RR points will earn you the Southwest Companion Pass.
The Companion Pass will let you take a designated companion onboard with you for FREE! This pass will last until the end of the next calendar year… so December 31, 2014!
Visit my original post on this amazing deal for more details!
