The Perfect 10-year Anniversary Escape: Sarah & Michael's Trip to Santorini
Sarah and Michael had been married for a decade, and they wanted to celebrate in style. They had long dreamed of a romantic getaway to Santorini, the kind of destination that seemed to belong in a postcard. The stunning sunsets, white-washed buildings, and turquoise waters were calling their names.
Sarah and Michael saved $20,291 on their dream anniversary trip to Santorini by strategically using American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Their trip included luxurious business class flights to Athens, a domestic flight to Santorini, and a three-night stay at both the Canaves Oia Hotel and Curio by Hilton, complete with room upgrades and exclusive perks.
Cash Cost Breakdown:
😲 International Airfare Purchase Value: $18,591 (Round-trip business class from Chicago to Athens)
😲 Domestic Flight Purchase Value: $500 (Economy flight from Athens to Santorini)
😲 Hotel Stay Purchase Value: $1,963 (Three nights at Canaves Oia Hotel, Santorini)
😲 Hotel Stay Purchase Value: $1,250 (Three nights at Curio by Hilton, Santorini)
Cash Cost: $22,304
Points/Miles Opportunity (all with Amex Points):
✅ 280,000 Aeroplan miles for international flights
✅ 30,000 Aeroplan miles for domestic flights
✅ 219,000 Hilton Honors points for 3 nights @ Curio by Hilton, Santorini
✅ 165,000 Hyatt points for 3 nights @ Canvas Oia
American Express Points: 694,000
Using AMEX Points, Valued at $0.02 per point (Sep 2024), the total redemption value is $13,880
💰 Savings of $8,424 💰
✴️ Alternative: Paying cash for the flights and hotels would have cost $22,304. By using points, Sarah and Michael secured significant savings while enjoying added value through room upgrades and luxurious amenities.
🛎️ Sarah and Michael used their Up+ subscription discount to book this award trip for a service fee of $450.
However, like most people, they didn’t have an unlimited travel budget.
With two kids at home and a busy life, they hadn’t accumulated a significant amount of points or miles. Sarah had been a loyal American Express cardholder, but she hadn’t been actively seeking out ways to maximize her rewards. Michael, on the other hand, was a casual user of his Chase Sapphire Preferred card, often earning points but never really paying attention to how they could be used.
That’s when they reached out to me. Their dream seemed far away, but I knew there was a way to make it happen. With some strategic thinking, creative use of points, and a little bit of flexibility, Sarah and Michael’s Santorini escape wasn’t just possible—it was going to be everything they had imagined and more.
