Hump Day Getaway- Issue One
Every week, I get a litany of "last minute" weekend getaway fare emails. Usually these discounted fares are routes with excess inventory so the airlines discount the last minute fares in order to generate some revenue for otherwise unsold seats.
I thought to myself the other day "Why aren't there last minute AWARD ticket emails?". And from that point on, the concept of Points Guy Hump Day Getaways was created. Every Wednesday at 10am EST, I will post routes on the three major alliances that have at lest two low level awards available for the upcoming weekend in that class of service. Generally travel is for Wed/Thurs/Fri departures and Sun/Mon/Tues returns, with some exceptions.
I can't guarantee award space will be available by the time you go to book, but it'll be a good start and hopefully themes will emerge each week.
Before you get ready to book the routes listed below for a cheap getaway weekend with your plus one, make sure you understand your airlines last minute award booking fees- some are more expensive than others.
American- $100 (waived for elite members)
Continental- $75/ticket (less depending on elite level)
Delta- No last minute booking fees.
United- No last minute booking fees.
US Airways- $75 (waived for Chairman's Preferred
Also, flights are non-stop unless otherwise noted.
So let's get started.. please feel free to leave comments on how you'd like to see Hump Day Getaways improve. And if you are also a diligent award surfer and find a cache of last minute availability, feel free to post below, of course after you book yourself at the low level :-).
Themes this week: tons of United premium transcontinental availability, generous US Airways space to Hawaii and Caribbean, ample American premium space JFK-LHR, TONS of Air France JFK/IAD- Paris (which Delta can be redeemed for at the low level)
Star Alliance
Continental-
Domestic- 25,000
EWR-MIA (Thurs-Sun/Mon)
EWR-BDA, Bermuda (lots of availability)
First- 50,000 US, 60,000 Caribbean
EWR-PHX (Thurs-Mon)
EWR-SJU, San Juan, PR (Fri-Sun)
EWR-BDA (lots of availability)
International: Europe 55,000
Coach:
EWR-Amsterdam (Thurs-Tues)
Business: 105,000
EWR-LHR (Fri-Tues)
EWR-Lisbon (Thurs-Tues, home thru Madrid)
EWR-ARN (Stockhold) Thurs-Tues
United:
Coach-25,000
PIT-LAX, Fri-Mon (return thru San Fran)
ORD-HNL Thurs-
Business-50,000
JFK-LAX, Fri-Sun/Mon- lots of availability
First- 70,000
IAD-LAX- Sat-Tues
JFK-SFO- Thurs/Fri-Sun/Mon/Tues- lots of availability- 32 seats total on Sunday
International
Coach- 65,000
IAD-NRT (Tokyo)
ORD-NRT
ORD-PVG (Shanghai)
Business- 105,000 Europe, 125,000 Asia
ORD-LHR, (Thurs-Tues home thru Boston)
ORD-NRT, Tokyo (Thurs-Mon, home thru LAX)
LAX-NRT, Wednesday/Friday-Tues, 5 seats
US-
Domestic
Coach-
PHL-SFO Thurs/Fri-Sun/Mon/Tues
First-
PHL-SFO- Thurs/Fri-Sun/Mon/LAX
PHL-LAX Thurs/Fri-Sun/Mon/Tues
PHX-OGG, Maui, Thurs/Fri-Sun (thru Santa Ana), Tues direct
CLT-MEX Thurs- Sun/Mon/Tues
CLT-SJU Thurs-Mon/Tues
CLT-AUA, Aruba Sat-Wednesday
American-
Domestic-25,000
ORD-YVR, Vancouver Thurs-Tues 7 seats
International-
Coach-
DFW-SCL Santiago Chile, Wed/Thurs/Fri-Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed- 7 seats on most days
Business-100,000 Europe/Japan/Brazil, 60,000 Central America
JFK-LHR Thurs/Fri- Sun/Mon
ORD-LHR Thurs/Fri- Mon
ORD-NRT Thurs-Sun
MIA-GIG, Rio de Janeiro Wed-Sun/Mon
MIA-PTY, Panama City Fri-Mon/Tues
First-125,000 Europe/South America
JFK-LHR Thurs/Fri- Sun/Mon/Tues
ORD-LHR Thurs/Fri- Sun/Mon/Tues
DFW-GRU, Sao Paulo, Brazil Thurs/Fri-Sun/Mon
Delta- Their award calendar is broken- this time I kept getting a new error after each search that took me back to the homepage. When it does function, it does not price awards correctly (uses unknown variables of the 3 tiers), so the best I could find was partner award availability on Air France, which is at the low level. Alitalia and Aeroflot were also checked.
International (Bolded is Air France)
Business: 100,000 to Europe
JFK-AMS Thurs- Mon (Either KLM flight on outbound, DL 81 return- book using multi city or else calendar sometimes returns 150,000 miles)
DTW-FRA Thurs-Mon
JFK-CDG- Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat-Mon/Wed (including new Airbus A380)
IAD-CDG- Wed/Thurs/Fri- Sun/Mon
[card card-name='Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express' card-id='22034414' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
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.