Putting Together a Surprise 'Trip of a Lifetime'
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how I was so very bummed I missed the chance to get two tickets to the Ryder Cup for just 20,000 total SPG points via a SPG Moments opportunity. While I think that going to the Ryder Cup would actually be a ton of fun, I didn't want the tickets for myself. I wanted them for my dad who has had attending that golf tournament on his radar for-ev-er. It's on his bucket list of sorts. Getting tickets to this tournament without having to turn to the pricier secondary market is very tough. We entered the ticket lottery to buy tickets directly from the tournament as we have in previous years, but as usual weren't selected.
One of the reasons that tickets are tough to get is that unlike most golf tournaments, this one only happens every two years, and is only held in the United States once every four years. This means it would be 2020 before we could try again to get tickets if we missed this year (since Europe is beyond his travel perimeter). Because of all this, I was so so bummed that I had missed such a good point redemption value, and the chance to surprise my dad with tickets to something that I know he would have loved. I mean, look at him, he is the perfect one to go cheer on Team USA!
So, I did what any "good" blogger would do and I worked through my disappointment in missing out on such a cool opportunity by blogging about it and encouraging others (and myself) to keep a closer eye on SPG Moments opportunities as you never know when an amazing opportunity will pop up...and then quickly disappear when others also notice how great a deal it can be!
I thought that was the end of that and moved on.
A few days later I was floored when SPG contacted me and offered to help surprise my dad with Ryder Cup tickets in time for Father's Day. It doesn't happen all the time, but do I turn down things for myself that I am offered because of the blog with some regularity for a variety of reasons. However, there is no way I could say no to this amazing offer for my dad.
Even with the insane level of excitement I felt when reading that email, before I said yes, I immediately started to see if I could put the other pieces of the trip together for him. Even if the tickets were gifted from the sky, I knew that the prices for flights, hotels, car rentals, etc. for such a big event could still kill the trip before it got off the ground.
To put the trip together quickly and for minimal financial outlay, I started with flights since I knew that Spirit Airlines operates a Houston - Minneapolis route, which is where the Ryder Cup will be held this fall. I checked award availability and to my surprise they had awards at the lowest 2,500 mile level each way on the dates they needed to travel. So, for just 5,000 Spirit miles round trip + $25-ish dollars in taxes/fees, I could book each of their award tickets. This lowest 2,500 mile award price requires a Spirit Airlines credit card, so I had to make some excuse about testing something for the blog to borrow his card for a few minutes to book the flights. Flights booked for 10,000 total miles and about $50.
As I'm sure you know, securing hotels for huge events can be very tough, especially when you are behind the curve with getting started. Per night prices even at very mediocre properties within 30 miles of the event were in the $350 - $500 per night range. Looking at cash or points options I struck out quickly with the major chains like Hyatt, SPG, etc. Many hotels are 100% sold out on points or cash or they only had non-standard rooms available that were priced way outside of our budget.
However, the program that came through for us was actually Club Carlson. This isn't my primary program, but I still keep them around in my points arsenal because you never know when you will need them. In this case, a renovated Country Inn and Suites that was within about 20 miles of the tournament had rooms available on points when the cash rates were $350-ish per night. This puts their out of pocket lodging costs at $0, and the points that were used aren't ones that will be missed very much since they are not in one of our primary programs.
Hotel booked for three nights for 118,000 total Club Carlson points and $0.00.
I checked car rental prices to make sure that wouldn't be a road block and rates could be had starting at around $10 per day, so I left that one alone for Grandpa Points to select on his own.
After less than an hour of searching and booking I had secured hotels, flights, and priced rental cars for a 'bucket list' Ryder Cup experience of a lifetime for my dad...all without him knowing. The out of pocket costs for him will be about $50 in flight taxes/fees and probably another $50 for the rental car + parking costs at the Ryder Cup. We were insanely fortunate enough to be gifted with the Ryder Cup tickets for my mom and dad by SPG, but had we acted faster those could have been had by anyone for 20,000 SPG points so this is something that others could replicate in future.
I am 100% aware of our insane fortune of being given the Ryder Cup grounds passes. However, even with that generous offer we still wouldn't have been able to get my dad to the tournament without having miles and points at the ready in some of these 'secondary' programs since lodging and flight costs would have quickly hit the four digit range for such a major event.
We surprised him with this news on Father's Day by having my six year old give him a rather random looking gift. The gift was, of course a "rider" and a "cup". It didn't take him long to catch on to what we were trying to convey, and seeing him smile wondering if we were really serious was worth way more than the miles and points spent to put this surprise trip together.
You can see a clip of the surprise being revealed shown below...
I can't wait for my dad and mom to get to experience the Ryder Cup in person, and I'm floored that it all came together in the manner that it did. I know he will report back here about the trip and hopefully one of you will be able to snag a similar SPG Moments opportunity at some point. I know I will be checking the Moments page even more frequently going forward because sometimes your points can do even more for you than just secure a flight or hotel room.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.