British Airways Fifth-Freedom Route Creates a Stellar Caribbean Itinerary
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Using points and miles for significantly subsidized travel is wonderful. Combining your points with advanced routing techniques and often-forgotten program combinations can take your vacation itinerary to the next level. I was recently planning a winter getaway for my family when a few strategies came out of my suppressed memory. This allowed me to create a two-week, two-island itinerary in the Caribbean connected with a previously forgotten fifth-freedom route for just $386.50 out of pocket.
Itinerary (So Far)
With two small children, I'm always looking to create an easy award itinerary with nonstop flights and as few hotel changes as possible, all while maximizing my redemption values. I've had Nassau (NAS) on my mind recently with Hyatt (finally) opening the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. It's a Category 5 Hyatt property requiring 20,000 points per night. Last week Hyatt.com was showing only 15,000 points required for a free night, so I jumped at the chance to save 5,000 points per night and booked three nights for 45,000 points. Hyatt has since honored the mistake on the website, confirming my reservation! I'm now trying to apply a Globalist suite upgrade for the stay, hopefully giving me significant value on my free Hyatt nights.
I then remembered that, as a FoundersCard holder, I receive Caesars Total Rewards Diamond status, which conveniently qualifies me for four free nights in the Beach Tower at Atlantis. With Atlantis located just down the street from Baha Mar, it seemed Nassau would be a stop on our itinerary. I called Atlantis, gave my Total Rewards number and confirmed that the four nights after my Grand Hyatt stay were available for booking. With Atlantis confirmed, I now had seven free nights in Nassau booked. Don't forget: At Atlantis, Total Rewards Diamond members also receive four free cocktails a day, $100 in free slot play, access to Aquaventure and a Casino Experience Pass during your free stay.
With Nassau booked, I turned my attention to finding a Category 9 Marriott property to redeem my seven-night award certificate. I earned this in January when transferring 270,000 Marriott Rewards points (later 120,000 more to upgrade to a Category 9 certificate) to Southwest in order to earn the Companion Pass.
I needed a nonstop flight from somewhere in the Caribbean to Nassau, so I turned to the Nassau airport Wikipedia page and the destinations and airlines section. Wikipedia is my first stop to see what airlines and routes are flown for any airport. I was reminded British Airways flies a fifth-freedom route from Grand Cayman (GCM) to Nassau. The Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort has a solid reputation, making a GCM-NAS two-week itinerary a seemingly amazing fit for my family.
I headed straight to BritishAirways.com to look at award availability and taxes on the fifth-freedom route, of course with the fear BA would charge some obscene amount of taxes and fees or not have three seats (plus a lap infant) available. I was more than pleased when a search for four on the flight this fall had plenty of availability and rather small carrier-imposed surcharges.
Another great feature of BA's Executive Club program is the ability to book lap infants for 10% of the Avios required for adults. For a total of 12,400 Avios and $91.50, my family was quickly on the hour-and-a-half flight. BA was asking $1,378 total for the four of us on the flight, giving me an obscene redemption rate of 10.4 cents per point.
A call to Marriott confirmed that the seven nights prior to the once-weekly GCM-NAS flight were available for booking, and with a further five minutes on the phone, our two weeks of free hotel nights and inter-Caribbean flight were booked. I'm leaving active-duty Navy service this fall, so no longer being constrained by leave days means I'm still looking to expand our two weeks in the Caribbean. If we leave it as two weeks, flights to GCM and from NAS are not too difficult to book with points, especially with Southwest now serving GCM from FLL. I can use the Companion Pass and only pay points for my wife and I taxes and fees for my son and daughter.
British Airways also flies the following fifth-freedom routes in the Caribbean if you'd like to piece together your own unique Caribbean itinerary:
- Antigua – Saint Kitts
- Antigua – Tobago
- Saint Lucia – Grenada
- Saint Lucia – Port of Spain
Additional Expenses
On top of the $386.50 I paid for the hotels and British Airways route, I'm currently still on the hook for typically silly resort fees in Grand Cayman and Atlantis. Thankfully, as a Hyatt Globalist, I get the Baha Mar resort fees waived, and we'll receive breakfast at the property. I have a few strategies I often invoke to try and get the resort fees waived, but if I do end up having to pay them I am still very pleased with the itinerary I created.
Food, entertainment, airport transfers and minimal taxes and fees on my award flights to GCM and from NAS will also have to be paid. I'm currently using 2% and greater cash-back cards and the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard to offset those expenses. Here's a breakdown of the cost for our two weeks:
| Property/Flight | Nights | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort | 7 nights | 390,000 Marriott Points (included 120,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards) |
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar | 3 nights | 45,000 Hyatt points |
Atlantis | 4 nights | $295 FoundersCard Membership* |
GCM-NAS | Fifth-freedom flight | 12,400 Avios and $91.50 |
*$295 membership rate no longer available, $395 offers routinely pop up.
Bottom Line
I'm thrilled with the value presented by the different points and strategies used for this itinerary. There are a few variables left which could affect the experience on this trip, notably the Grand Hyatt being a new property with kinks to work out (though it has a few months) and the resort fees that Marriott and Atlantis tag onto award nights. Atlantis has also not been receiving the highest praises from recent visitors, but I'll complete some research before my trip to see what steps I can take to offset known negatives about the property.
Next time you're planning an itinerary, head to the Wikipedia page for the airport you are visiting and make sure you aren't missing any little-known routes which could open the door to a fantastic trip.
Which BA fifth freedom route do you now want to fly?
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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
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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- 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.