Reader Jordan writes in to say:
Overall, we want to go somewhere new and exciting. Preferably, we’d like a trip to China with an extra stopover or two, maybe to Hawaii. The whole thing could be around 10 days and it will be just my wife and I. I’d like to have at least one leg be in first or business class, just for the experience, but it isn’t absolutely necessary. We’d obviously like to use as few points as possible. We’re thinking we’d like to travel early next year (2016) but we’re flexible on that.
Here’s our point balances
- Citi Thank You Points = 50,000
- Amex Membership Rewards = 251,000
- Aadvantage miles = 321,000
- United miles = 57,000
- Delta Skymiles = 50,000
- BA Avios = 58,000
- We also have $600 in AA gift cards and two U.S. Airways companion certificates.
What we’re looking for:
– Either an “around the world” trip or a trip with some stopovers. Leaving from the Washington DC area
– Should include 1 or 2 stops in China.
– Should include another stopover somewhere exotic like Fiji or Hawaii.
– Any other locations are a bonus. But know that we prefer culture and nature to luxury and pampering.
– Approximately a 10 day trip. Two passengers
– Would like at least one leg to be first class or business.
– Use as little cash as possible. Maximize point value.
Okay then…. we can work with this, right?
Gift card giveaway!
Here’s the plan for an Amazon gift card giveaway. We will give one $10 Amazon gift card away to anyone that leaves any comment on this post. You can also earn additional entries as indicated by the below app.
We will also give a SECOND $10 Amazon gift card away to the person who gives the best itinerary for the dream trip for Jordan and his wife. You don’t have to check actual award availability – just give a basic outline of the itinerary.
Your entry (left in the comments) might look something like this:
- 35,000 United miles per person Washington DC (IAD) to Beijing (PEK) in economy on United Airlines
- 25,000 American miles in economy from Beijing to Fiji (NAN)
- 37,500 American miles in economy from Fiji to Washington DC via Los Angeles
Now that would be a pretty weak entry IMO but I don’t want to give away ALL the good ideas! Make it as detailed as you’d like – remember Jordan will be voting on your comments!
You’ll definitely want to use the Mile Matrix app to help with figuring out the miles requirements for various regions.  Plus, visiting the Mile Matrix page gets you an additional entry into the contest!
(SEE ALSO: Mile Matrix: Any country to any other country on any airline)
(SEE ALSO: Mile Matrix: FAQs on how to use the app to check the mile price between any countries on any airline)
The contest runs through next Wednesday June 2nd.
Have fun!
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Thank you for this giveaway and I will try my best :
– Use United for roundtrip IAD to PEK in first or in business on ANA, since it’s roundtrip you get 1 free stopover and 2 free layovers, can stopover in Hawaii outbound or inbound. Inbound can be Shanghai – IAD since it allows you to have a layover.
-Within China, can use Avios to travel between cities, such like Shanghai to Beijing.
– Another idea is using AA miles for Cathay Pacific business or first class (best premium seat) between IAD – HKG and from HKG use Avios to China. Return trip can use United miles on ANA business or first
Hope this is helpful or at least give you some idea of the possibility of using your miles. Hope to win this contest!
thanks!
i dont know what to say
Nice blog. I’d love to win!
Cool
Leave any comment, so here it is.. can you make the prizes for than $10?
I can’t even buy a pie of pizza with that. 🙂
I would love to plan a trip to China it has always been my dream to travel there.
@Jason,
Are there domestic China Avios partners? Don’t think so, but I might be wrong.
1. I would do this. Scratch Hawaii. 10 days is not nearly enough time for 3-4 destinations.
2. Transfer MR to ANA and fly in Biz BOTH WAYS. Will cost you both 190,000 max, if you use Star partner and less with ANA, especially in Low Season, so–use ANA.
3. ANA allows open jaws, so you can fly to Beijing and out of Shanghai, for example. Buy a one-way domestic ticket with United miles, or pay a little cash.
4. If you fly in and out of the same city, book domestic RT tickets with ANA for an extra 50 miles (for 2).
The end. 🙂
Wish I had that many MR and AAdvantage points/miles.
What a fun trip!
Cool giveaway!
jealous of all your point balances
With only 10 days I would focus my travels on china. Having been there, I would suggest 3 days in Beijing, 2 in xian and 3 in Shanghai. Then throw in a 24 hour stopover in tokyo to make it interesting.
Day 1: IAD – ORD – HKG – PEK
– cathay pacific business
– 110,000 total
Day 2: flying
Day 3: beijing – city sights
Day 4: private driver to wall
Day 5: beijing – summer palace and Peking duck
Day 6: PEK – XIAN
– air china coach
– 25,000 amex to air canada
Day 7: xian – terra cotta warriors
Day 8: xian – Shanghai
– air China coach
– 25,000 amex to air canada
Day 9: Shanghai
Day 10: PVG – TYO – ORD – IAD
– possible 24 hour stopover in tokyo
– JL First
– 135,000 AA
I don’t know a whole lot about points, but I can leave a comment! Thanks for the giveaway!
10 days does not seem like enough time for such a trip. A few days each way in a place like Hawaii leaves 6 days for China. This does not even account for the travel time. If you stop in Hawaii, I would stop one way in Oahu and one way in Maui. Pearl Harbor is a must see and the tour company The Home of The Brave is a great way to really experience it. The tour is small and they book up quickly. Have a great trip.
I think you shoulder travel to New Zealand with a stop in China along the way. You should go snorkeling, hiking and kayaking in New Zealand!
Could use the GC for my new baby!
Best 10 day trip I’ve taken was to South Africa. Five nights in Cape Town, three nights at private game reserve, two days of travel. Lots to see and do and not one boring moment. Definitely recommend business class – 15 hr flight from NYC to Johanishburg then another 2 hr to Cape Town. Same FF miles as going to Europe which is much shorter by comparison. I’ve also been to China but there are so many must see stops that it’s hard to do in 10 days.
Learning so much from your blog–thanks!
Sounds like a fabulous trip! Looking forward to a RTW trip myself next year!
How to use all those points is sure a fun dilemma to have!
Hey thanks for the giveaway
Sounds like a fun trip!
I enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for the giveaway!
Definitely will be an amazing trip as there are a lot of points to work with.
I have no advice but have a great time!
Hey,
So I think they should first fly coach with AA to china, and make two stops,one in Shanghai and chech out what they built for the 2010 Expo they held. Then (with a taxi or transportation of choice) there is a three houre ride to naibghoring cities, that have there historical old town to see that explane there historical backround and a little Venice like in ningbo. (So they don’t waist flight time science it is only 10 days). Afterwards they should fly coach AA to Hawaii. First to uwahu and take sirfe lessons then fly AA Buisness or First to another island of Hawaii ( a lot of the island have good sporting activetys) so I would recommend snorcaling or rock climbing. Then fly AA buisness or first back home.
Now this would be my trip if I was going on vacation,hope you guies like it aswell!!!
And good luck 😉
Sounds like a great trip!
Just 10 days for a RTW trip? Half would be spent just traveling and at the airport! I’d use points to fly from D.C. to the Pacific Northwest (Washington or Oregon) for 2-3 days, then hop over to China for the rest of the time. No idea on how to best utilize points, I’m still working on that myself 🙂
I am also going to suggest scratching out Hawaii as well. I travel a lot and just got back from Hawaii. For some places, I don’t need to spend anymore than 2-3 days. But for Hawaii, there is actually a lot to see and do there. The reader should be looking at 5-7 days to visit one or two islands. Even if you’re visiting just 1 island, you should budget 2-3 days at a minimum. To pack within a 10 day trip to China where flying is going to take up a huge chunk of time, it may not be worth it if you are going to have to rush through the the whole trip. Just my 2 cents. Have a great trip!
I’d love an Amazon GC and am jealous of all your points!
Love your blog!
Too much work for $10, I’m lazy.
Love this blog! Hope you guys have a blast!!!!
I woul love to do a round the world trip.
Good luck!
Thanks man
Why not stop in the great cities of the world?
New York to London-Copenhagen-Paris-Rome-Hong Kong-Sydney and home.
I’m planning a similar trip to China this October.
I agree with the previous people that 10 days isn’t that much time to hit the highlights of china. I’d use my points for united so that you can fly direct from DC to China to eliminate the hassles of a layover. I’ve almost gotten stuck overnight a few times. Good luck on the trip.
Great blog! Keep up the good work and good luck on your trip 🙂 Have fun!
This website is hard to use. There are content blockers flying around all over the place. Ugh!
I agree with some of the posters that 10 days isnt too many days to do too many places. Beijing, Xian and Shanghai will take up all your 10 days not forgetting travel time! Dont jam packed too many places.