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Fly One of Asia's Best First-Class Products for Just 19,000 Citi Points

Dec. 22, 2016
•
4 min read
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Fly One of Asia's Best First-Class Products for Just 19,000 Citi Points
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Update 12/23/16: It appears Garuda has pulled this promotion early (h/t Doctor of Credit) though it's not clear if tickets on hold will be honored. Did anyone manage to book?

Update 12/22/16: Based on the experience of travel expert and friend of the site Cynthia Drescher (below), this deal might be a bit too good to be true.

Wow! Garuda International is currently running an unbelievable promotion: 90% off award tickets! Garuda Indonesia is calling this the "Best Deal of the Year," but that actually might be understating it.

As we needed to use Google Translate to read this promotion page, we suspected that something had been lost in translation and the deal was only 10% off the award flights — rather than 90% off. So, we called up the airline. Unfortunately, its call center is overwhelmed with calls and you'll be disconnected if an agent doesn't pick up in just two minutes. However, on the ninth call, we were connected to an agent who was able to price out multiple itineraries, confirming that the deal is indeed 90% off.

If you're unfamiliar with Garuda Indonesia, TPG's Zach Honig reviewed the airline's business-class product from Bali to Tokyo.

Yes, that's 90% off award redemptions. Image courtesy of Garuda Indonesia. Text translated by Google Translate.

Here's how the promotion works: Book award flights between December 22 and 31 for travel between February 1 and May 31, 2017.

A few tips to help you book this incredible promotion:

  • The US call center is unable to book this deal. You're going to have to call +62 21 2351 9999 and choose the English prompts to get an agent with access to this promotion.
  • Note that the call center will automatically disconnect you after about two minutes if you aren't connected with an agent. So, prepare to call back multiple times.
  • It's best if you sign up for a Garuda Miles account online before calling — although I was able to do so quickly while speaking with the agent.
  • Award tickets can't be placed on hold, so you should wait until you have miles in your account before calling.
  • Use ExpertFlyer to find award availability before calling. Although unfortunately ExpertFlyer doesn't show first class award availability.

Here are just some of the incredible redemptions that you can get. All prices are after the 90% discount:

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BetweenAndEconomyBusinessFirst
London
Jakarta
5,000
9,000
19,000
Amsterdam
Jakarta
5,000
9,000
19,000
Tokyo (NRT)
Denpasar
3,500
6,300
9,000
Tokyo (NRT)
Jakarta
3,500
6,300
9,000
Amsterdam
Abu Dhabi
3,500
6,300
9,000

The full list of award redemption values can be found here (caution: PDF link)

You can transfer Citi ThankYou points to Garuda Indonesia. Image courtesy of Citi.

Need miles? You can transfer ThankYou points to Garuda Indonesia. However, note that the transfer process takes about two days. So, you might want to get the transfer started right away if you plan on taking advantage of this deal.

Bottom Line

While Garuda Indonesia doesn't fly to or from the US, if you're able to take advantage of this deal while traveling outside the country, it's quite reasonably the best deal of the year.

H/T: One Mile At A Time

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Intro offer

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Cons

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  • 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.
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  • $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.
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  • 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.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.