Getting to DC for peak cherry blossom bloom this week!
Warm weather in our nation's capital the last few days should pave the way to an annual rite of spring within this week: peak bloom of the iconic cherry blossom trees.
They line the Tidal Basin and spill out along nearby streets in Washington, D.C., and each year in late March or early April, the pinnacle of their iconic and picturesque blooming cycle brings tourists to the city from all over the world.
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the trees at their finest, you’ll have to hurry. As of Friday, the National Park Service (NPS) projected this year’s peak bloom will fall between March 22 and 25 … just a few days from now.
For those hoping to use saved-up points for a quick jaunt to D.C., there are some options to book last minute reservations without paying too much.
Related: Booking a last minute trip to catch Spring Training
The cherry blossoms
The cherry blossom trees have been a spectacle in Washington for more than a century. When they’re at peak bloom, you can spend hours walking around parts of downtown D.C. enjoying the spring sunshine while getting to see them up close.
Unless you’re closely monitoring their progress, it’s easy to miss the spectacular peak bloom. I went to college in D.C. and spent a lot of time for a few years after graduation. I only caught a glimpse of the trees at peak bloom on two occasions. I tried a couple of other times only to find I was too late.
The NPS has been tweeting about being on #BloomWatch in recent days, and on Friday they indicated a majority of the trees were one stage away from being at peak bloom.
I checked the live NPS camera and I can confirm the blooms are getting close, but not there yet. Peak bloom lasts a few days, and can end even more quickly if it rains or gets windy.
Weather forecasts notwithstanding, any last-minute trip to catch the cherry blossoms should ideally be between Tuesday and Friday or Saturday of next week. (Long weekend, anyone?)
Getting to Washington
If you’re coming from another East Coast destination and are within a few hours, driving is certainly an option, though as a longtime resident of D.C. and Northern Virginia, be prepared for tolls, traffic and expensive parking once you’re in the city.
For those looking to burn some airline miles though, the best mileage deals I found this week by far were with American Airlines, which has a hub at nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is the closest airport to the city.
I plugged in some hypothetical trips between Wednesday and Saturday and the price was 15,500 AAdvantage miles for travel originating at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS). From South Florida, I found round trips for a little more — 18,000 or 19,000 miles — from Miami International (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL).
Related: Spring Family Fun in Washington, DC
Where to stay
I found a couple of good redemption rates for visitors looking to stay closer to D.C.’s main tourist attractions. One option for travelers with World of Hyatt loyalty points to spend is the Grand Hyatt, at 10th and H Street, about a mile from the National Mall. It has on-site access to Metro Center, a Washington Metro station that connects some of the system's busiest lines.
For the same three-night Wednesday-Saturday trip, I found a nightly cash rate of $336 at the Grand Hyatt. If you book with rewards though, you can get a nightly rate of 15,000 points. According to TPG’s March 2022 Points and Miles Valuations, that’s far better than the cash rate.
You can save quite a bit in value (according to TPG valuations) by using points over cash at the Hyatt Place National Mall, which is on the other side of the Mall compared to the Grand Hyatt. Like the Grand Hyatt, many of the Smithsonian’s museums are walkable from this hotel.
At both the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Place, you might need to take the Metro a few stops or summon a cab or Uber to get to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms, but it’s close enough that you should be able to do so for a relatively inexpensive price.
For those looking to save but still enjoy an authentic D.C. experience, one option you might try is booking a hotel across the river in Virginia. By doing this, you save on parking, avoid some traffic, and if you book in the Crystal City area you’ll be close to DCA.
Booking with Marriott Bonvoy, I found a three-night stay for a total of 55,000 points at the Residence Inn Old Town Duke Street in Alexandria...which TPG's valuations suggest is worth about $440. The cash rate for the stay would have totaled $588.
While it's not in D.C., this hotel is right in the heart of Old Town Alexandria and its array of local restaurants and shops, and a walk of less than five minutes from the King Street Old Town Metro station, which can take you right into the city.
Bottom line
If you want to catch the cherry blossoms at peak bloom in our nation’s capital this spring, you’ll have to act fast. By this time next week, there’s a good chance peak bloom may be past us.
Depending on which airline miles you have to spend and where you’re traveling from, you may be able to find airfare at a reasonable rate even with a last-minute booking. You certainly can find some savings by booking with hotel points in the city or just outside.
Just be sure to watch the weather, because one bad day of wind or rain could put a damper on the spectacle!
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.