$26,000 Trip to Australia for $208

Australia is one of my favorites countries to visit. Especially when you can use miles and points for an almost free trip! Here’s how to take a $26,000 trip to Australia for $208.

We flew roundtrip First Class from the United States to Australia and stayed in five star hotels for 8 days for a tiny fraction of what our vacation would normally cost. All thanks to travel hacking.

$26,000 Trip to Australia for $208

We fell in love with Australia when we first visited in 1994.

This was our second trip and it was even better. Because this time instead of paying cash, we used miles and points.

So we got a fantastic $26,000 trip to Australia for $208.

Here’s how we did it.

Airfare

First Class from Honolulu to Sydney

Jeff and I flew First Class from Honolulu to Sydney on Hawaiian Airlines.

You can read my review of our First Class Hawaiian Airlines Honolulu Sydney Flight for $63.

American Airlines used to allow a free stopover in Hawaii when you flew to Australia. So our flights were free. Technically the Hawaii portion was free but I already calculated those into our free trip to Hawaii.

On the way back, we couldn’t get two First Class seats on the same flight so I flew First Class on Qantas from Sydney to Los Angeles with a stop and plane change in Melbourne. I picked this flight because the Melbourne Los Angeles flight was on an Airbus A380.

My flight cost 72,500 American Airlines miles and $102.20 in airline taxes and fees.

Jeff flew First Class from Sydney to Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines. Then he flew First Class on American Airlines from Honolulu to Dallas and then from Dallas to San Diego.

His flight was 72,500 American Airlines miles with airline taxes and fees of $106.10.

Hotels

We stayed at four different hotels in Sydney. This gave us a chance to see more of the city, save time and money on transportation, and save money on food because of hotel elite status.

Best Western Plus Hotel Stellar

Our first night, we stayed at the Best Western Plus Hotel Stellar in a King Deluxe Room for 20,000 Best Western points.

The hotel is walking distance to several sites including the Australian Museum.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel

Then we moved to the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. Who doesn’t love a gorgeous flat iron building!

We used 50,000 Radisson points to stay 2 nights in a 1 Bedroom Spa Suite. We saved 50,000 points because the Club Carlson Premier card offered the second night free on award stays of two nights or more. This benefit is no longer offered on the card.

Hilton Sydney Hotel

To be close to the heart of the city we stayed 2 nights at the Hilton Sydney Hotel in a King Executive room. This made it easier to take the morning train to visit the Blue Mountains.

Our stay was free thanks to the 2 free nights from the Citi Hilton Reserve card. (This card is no longer available.) The card came with free Gold status which meant access to the Executive Lounge for free breakfast, tea, drinks, and evening canapes.

Park Hyatt Sydney

view from our room

For our last 2 nights, we used the Hyatt card’s 2 free nights to stay in a King with Opera View Deluxe room at the Park Hyatt Sydney. Check out the current signup bonus on the Hyatt card.

You can’t beat the views! And it made for a short walk to the ferry to visit Manly Beach.

As you can see, on our second trip to Australia we only paid $208 for 10 days.

We also saved on activities, tours, transportation, and food. Read the How to Luxury Guide to Sydney for $85 a Day for a complete breakdown.

Since this trip, I’ve visited Australia a third time and spent two weeks.

How to Earn the Miles and Points

The fastest way to earn miles and points is through credit card signup bonuses.

Flights

I’ve been earning airline miles and points since 1994 so I already had the American Airlines miles.

But if I didn’t have the miles, these cards earn American Airlines miles:

• Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
• Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World World Elite Mastercard
• Citi AAdvantage Gold World Elite Mastercard
• CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard
• Citi American Airlines Gold MasterCard

Hotels

Knowing that we wanted to go back to Australia, I applied for the Citi Hilton Reserve, the Hyatt card, and the Club Carlson card. But now the signup bonuses are different and the Citi Reserve is no longer offered.

Cards That Earn Hilton Points

Here are the cards that earn Hilton points:

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Hilton Honors Surpass
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card

Cards That Earn Hyatt Points

You can earn Hyatt points by getting the World of Hyatt card or one of the many cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Hyatt on a 1:1 ratio. Points transfer instantly so you can quickly book hotels without waiting.

These cards earn Hyatt points:

• World of Hyatt card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Ink Business Preferred
• Chase Ink Business Cash
• Chase Freedom Unlimited
• Chase Freedom Flex

Easy Ways to Earn Miles and Points

Credit card signup bonuses are the fastest way to earn thousands of miles and points. But there are a few tricks and easy ways to earn miles and points without welcome offers.

I use a combination of extreme mile and point collecting and an easy & quick way to earn unlimited miles and points.

Look for the latest travel rewards cards.

Conclusion

Who would have thought a $26,000 trip to Australia for $208 was possible? It is, and you can do it too.

By getting new credit cards, or just the best card for travel hacking, using cards that give you bonuses, and creatively spending, you can travel the world with miles and points.

You can even travel hack Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Europe.

Where was your favorite trip using miles and points?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card

TSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card's newest signup bonus can get you up to 2 years of free flights! The welcome offer is 100,000 points: 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first three months; another 50,000 points after spending a total of $12,000 in the first 12 months.

 

My favorite perks about this card are earning 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on internet, cable, phone, streaming, ride share, and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, $75 yearly travel credit, 4 upgraded boardings each year, and no foreign transaction fees.

 

Learn more about this card and how to apply

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You can also get the 100,000 bonus on the

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card

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Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for beginning travel hackers. It is the first card you should get to start traveling for free because the welcome offer is 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

 

My favorite perks about this card are earning 5X points on travel when booked through the Chase portal (2X if direct purchase), 3X points on dining , $50 yearly credit on hotels booked through the Chase portal, no foreign transaction fees, and transferring points to 13 airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest.

 

Learn more about this card and how to apply

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Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of my favorite cards for earning cash back card and travel rewards. It offers a welcome offer of $200 after spending $500 in the first three months.

 

My favorite perks about this card are earning 5% cash back at grocery stores the first 12 months (up to $12k), unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee. When paired with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can use your points to travel for free.

 

Learn more about this card and how to apply

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