Guides

Preparing for a Crazy Travel Month: Stockholm Twice, Copenhagen and Boston

Brian KellyTPG Founder
Since launching TPG in 2010, founder Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a distinguished editorial staff and an extensive network of freelancer contacts from around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 11 million unique monthly visitors and more than 3 million followers across social media platforms and has offices in New York City, Charlotte and the U.K.

March 18, 2011 • 3 min read

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As many of you remember and some were able to take advantage of, Delta ran an insane fare "sale" to Europe last month and I was able to book three trips: two to Stockholm and one to Copenhagen - all for $150 total roundtrip each. Due to a hectic work schedule, I only had weekends free, so I'll be leaving on a Friday night and returning Sunday morning on all three. On the way back from Copenhagen I built in a 6 hour layover in Amsterdam, so that should be fun :-)

My schedule is already making me nervous because so much of it is in coach. Even though I'm a Delta Diamond, I can't use my upgrade certificates because I'm booked in the lowest fare class (T) and Delta requires Y, B, or M on international fares. C'est la vie, at least I have exit row window seats on all of my flights and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a hail mary upgrade (due to flights being oversold) or even better - volunteering for a bump in an overall situation, which for international flights usually nets $800 in Delta vouchers and confirmed business class on a different flight.

My travel schedule for March/April
March 9-13, Barcelona, Madrid
March 18-20, Stockholm
March 25-27, Boston
April 1-3, Copenhagen
April 8-10, Stockholm

I'm pretty tired heading into this (St. Patrick's Day celebrations certainly didn't help), so I'm hoping I don't get sick. Sleeping on planes, in coach no less, isn't my idea of fun, but the mileage accrual was just too good to pass up. On my three quasi-mileage runs I'll net (courtesy of gcmap.com):

JFK-ARN-JFK
JFK-CPH-JFK
JFK-CPH-AMS-JFK
23, 575 base Skymiles + 29, 469 Diamond 125% bonus, + 23, 575 Medallion Qualifying Miles
So for $450 I'll net 53, 044 miles to be used for award travel (more than 1/2 of a business class ticket to Europe) and 23, 575 towards my elite status requalification. So in essence, I'm paying 1.9 cents per elite mile. At that rate I could earn Diamond status for $2,375 and plus, I get to see Stockholm and Copenhagen - both cities I've never visited.

Both of which are also extremely expensive. I lucked out with Stockholm and used my Starwood points for cash and points redemptions: 4,000 points and $60 for rooms at the Sheraton Stockholm, which is centrally located and gets good reviews. I still haven't booked Copenhagen, so if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to comment or email me.

If anyone has suggestions for Stockholm and Copenhagen, let me know as well. I only have a day in each and I'll probably be tired/jetlagged, so I'm mostly looking for restaurant or must-see type things. I've been so busy I haven't had a ton of time to research! I have a friend of a friend who works at Noma in Copenhagen, so I'm currently on the waitlist. It's supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the world, so I think it's worth the splurge. I've been on a foodie kick lately, eating at The French Laundry and Alinea within the past 6 months, so I'd like to cross another off the list. I've been meaning to do a recap of my French Laundry experience since it was a couple weeks ago in their private dining room - I'll get around to it soon!

Safe travels to all - wish me luck in coach!
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
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Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

My travel schedule for March/April
March 9-13, Barcelona, Madrid
March 18-20, Stockholm
March 25-27, Boston
April 1-3, Copenhagen
April 8-10, Stockholm

Safe travels to all - wish me luck in coach!
[card card-name='Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express ' card-id='22035076' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']

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TPG featured card

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

Comments

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons