Pondering Perks

7 Nights in Aruba for Spring Break 2020 for a Family of Four
                . . . .   And how I saved $5954!

Step 1:  Book flights early & shop around for days, departure airports and final destinations
Booked Flight 6 months in Advance (**The day flights were released on Southwest Airlines)
* Standard flight price was $764 per person => $3056 for a family of four
* I booked flights using my Southwest Airlines Frequent Flier Miles
          * Cost => 16,468 points per person and $90.55 in fees
                                 = > 65,872 pts & $362.20 for a family of 4
              (Note:  Fees are higher because the flight is International)
           * How I got the points: Chase Southwest credit card offer that had a 75,000 mile bonus that I 
              had done way in advance of planning my trip.
* Savings ~ $2694

Step 2:  Find Lodging.  Because I had 6 months before my trip, I could research places to stay using points and sign up for credit card offers that got me the points I needed.  This is what I found:
Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-Beach Resort & Casino - 5 Nights 
* Standard Cost was $1528 for 5 nights
* We paid $0
            * How I got the points: Chase IHG Credit Card that had a 150,000 point bonus offer
                        *  Room was 40,000 points a night plus 1 free night if you booked 3 nights
                            (a perk of the card) =160,000 IHG points for 5 nights
                        * Hotel points are great because you generally do not pay anything, even if there
                           are charges for parking, wifi or resort fees.
                        * Additional perks of the card included automatic Platinum Status at the hotel (so
                           possible room upgrade when we arrive) and free Cabana Rentals at the resort!

* Savings ~ $1528

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino  - 2 Nights 
* Standard Cost $1732 for 2 nights
* We paid $0
               * Signed up for the Marriott Bonvoy American Express that had a 75,000 mile bonus offer                       and an automatic upgrade to Gold Status
                * Room was 35,000 points per night = 70,000 points
* Savings ~ $1732


Getting sign up bonuses on credit card offers
I use to try to include links to the offers I had signed up for on credit cards, but the offers change so frequently that it is impossible to keep them up to date. 

** Booking flights on Southwest Airlines 
While most airlines allow you to book flights up to 11 months in advance of your travels, Southwest Airlines does it differently. They release their fares in batches, going as far out as about seven months.  For Spring Break dates, the low fare flights go quickly, so I mark my calendar so that I can check prices the day the fares are posted.