A Quasi-round the World Trip
Have you ever thought about a round the world trip? Or maybe a quasi-round the world trip? It sounds expensive, right? But it doesn't have to be if you know the right travel tricks. A quasi-round the world trip of 19-days would have cost over $33,200. But I paid a fraction of that price. Find out how you can too!
A Quasi-round the World Trip
Last June, I took my longest solo trip: a quasi-round the world 19-day trip. I visited Switzerland, Mallorca, France, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Germany. This luxury trip would have cost over $33,200. But thanks to airfare sales and using miles and points, it was nowhere close to that price. Keep reading to find out how you can do it too.
I wasn't completely solo because a friend joined me in France, Sir Lanka, and Japan. But I was solo in the sense that I traveled without my family. And was the longest trip I've taken without my family.
My friend, Steve, found a great Business Class Fare from Paris to Tokyo via Columbo. It's cheap to travel in Europe, so I added Mallorca, Germany, and Switzerland. Steve's a great travel buddy. We've traveled to Iguazu Falls and Madrid along with another friend, Sagy. But Sagy couldn't go on this trip.
Packing Tips
How do you pack for a 19-day trip in a carry-on bag? By planning in advance. I'll write a post about how to pack, but for now, here are some recommendations:
- Comfortable walking shoes that can be dressy or casual
- Light-weight undergarments
- Breathable (wicking material) shirts
- Non-wrinkle clothing like this dress or shirt
- Skorts (shorts for guys)
- Packing cubes (keeps your undergarments from getting tossed around)
- Woolite packets (washing clothes means you can pack less)
- Extra memory cards
- External hard drive
Travel Insurance
You should buy travel insurance when you travel, even if you're using miles and points. Because there's always some component of your trip that isn't refundable. It's saved my travel companions thousands of dollars. The small amount you'll pay will save you a lot of money and stress. I purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy for all my trips.
Trip Cost
Here's a breakdown of what my trip cost.
Lufthansa First Class from Los Angeles to Frankfurt
My original flight was in Business Class on Air Tahiti from Los Angeles to Paris. Because of the Air France strike, flights to and from Paris were getting canceled.
I grabbed a Business Class flight on Lufthansa to Zurich. The cost was 70,000 United Miles and $40 plus a $ 75 last-minute booking fee.
Three days before my flight, ExpertFlyer alerted me that a First Class seat was available. For 41,000 more miles, I flew First Class from Los Angeles to Frankfurt. The cost for this $14,000 flight? Only 110,000 United Airlines miles and $114.80.
When flying First Class on Lufthansa, you have access to the Star Alliance First Class Lounge at LAX. Definitely a not-to-miss experience!
Pro-tip: The First Class lounge doesn't have showers. So you have to go to the Star Alliance Business Class lounge to shower.
Los Angeles International Airport is about a two-hour drive from San Diego. There are lots of ways to get to LAX from San Diego. Because the flight didn't leave until the evening, I took Amtrak.
It cost the same amount of miles flying from Los Angeles to Zurich that it does to fly to Frankfurt. So Zurich was my end destination. Besides, there's a Park Hyatt there. 🙂
While in Frankfurt I visited the Business Class and First Class lounges. What can I say, I'm a lounge addict.
Park Hyatt Zurich
You used to be able to requalify for Hyatt Diamond elite status with 25 stays. Because a separate night counted as a stay I would bounce Hyatt hotels each night. Flying into Zurich gave me a chance to earn another hotel credit and stay at the Park Hyatt Zurich.
Update: Hyatt Diamond is now called Hyatt Globalist. You can qualify for Hyatt Globalist when you stay 60 nights a year at Hyatt hotels.
I used 30,000 Hyatt points for a standard room. But got upgraded to a Junior Suite for free! And no, I didn't tell them I was coming nor say it was a special occasion.
Mallorca
The Park Hyatt Mallorca had recently opened. And how often do you get a chance to be one of the first guests? If you're like me, that's never. Yeah, not on the red carpet invite list either. 🙂
So I flew coach on Lufthansa from Zurich to Mallorca and stayed at the Park Hyatt Mallorca for two nights. My flight cost $145.65.
I've written about how to get to the hotel and where you shouldn't rent a car from in Mallorca but haven't done my review yet. I used 20,000 Hyatt points per night. A total bargain!
France
I paid $145.65 for a coach ticket from Mallorca to Paris. I stayed at the Hotel du Louvre for 2 nights using Points + Cash. And booked a night at the Hyatt Paris Etoile for cheap, $182.81.
Sri Lankan Airlines Business Class Flight from Paris to Tokyo
Sri Lankan offered a cheap Business Class flight from Paris to Tokyo via Colombo for $1,107.04 including tax. Paying cash meant I earned EQM (Elite Qualifying Miles) with American Airlines. Plus a ton of RDM (ReDeemable Miles) for free flights.
They use the Salon Premium Icare lounge at Charles de Galle so we relaxed there before our flight.
Sri Lanka
The flight included a free stop in Colombo both ways. Even better, it included a free room at the Airport Garden Hotel Colombo on both stopovers!
Despite the short layover, we did a tour of Columbo. I just wish we had more to explore more of Sri Lanka.
We visited the Serendib Lounge at Colombo Airport before the flight to Tokyo. It's a pretty basic lounge but does have a 1 room spa and a shower. But the air conditioning wasn't working during our visit. I'll write up a review later.
Japan
The first night in Tokyo I stayed at the Andaz Tokyo in a Park View King room using Points + Cash. The cost was $211.32 with tax and 12,500 Hyatt points.
I paid cash and used a Diamond Suite upgrade for a night at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Because the cash rate was cheaper than the value of booking a Points + Cash rate. The total cost after taxes and drinks at the bar was $599.
My last night in Tokyo was at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in a Diplomat Suite using Points + Cash and a Diamond Suite upgrade. It cost $214.14 and 12,500 Hyatt points.
Before the flight to Paris, we visited the Cathay Pacific and the JAL Sakura Lounges in Narita. There's also an American Airlines Admirals Club. If you aren't Executive Platinum (EXP) or flying in First or Business Class, you can get in free with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
France
I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Paris - Charles de Galle because I was flying to Hamburg the next day. They offered a super cheap rate of $101.38.
My roundtrip coach ticket from Paris to Hamburg on Air France cost $148.94.
Germany
In Hamburg, I alternated nights at the Reichshof Hamburg and the Park Hyatt Hamburg. For a regular room at the Reichshof Hamburg, I paid $192.18.
A Deluxe room at the Park Hyatt Hamburg cost $210.62.
When I went back to the Reichshof Hamburg, they gave me a suite with kitchenette. This was a cool room and I would definitely stay here again! My cost was $188.42.
France
Even though I had a very early flight, I stayed at the Park Hyatt Paris. I used 30,000 Hyatt points for a Park Deluxe room.
American Airlines Business Class From Paris to San Diego
I booked a 1-way flight from Paris to San Diego on American Airlines. My original flight was in Business Class from Paris to New York and in coach from New York to San Diego.
The day before I left, ExpertFlyer showed a seat in Business Class from Paris to Los Angeles via London. And a seat from Los Angeles to San Diego.
Not only would I fly in Business Class the entire way, but I'd also get home three hours earlier! Win-win! So I called the EXP desk and switched my ticket. My flight cost $215.96 and 50,000 miles.
I visited both the Cathay Pacific First Class lounge and Admirals Club in the Charles de Galle Airport.
Pro-tip: You pay higher airline taxes flying out of London. So it's not worth using miles for a coach flight. But can be worth it when you're flying Business or First Class.
Here's How You Can Do It Too
The quickest way to get miles and points is through credit card sign-up bonuses.
How to Earn United Airlines Miles
United℠ Explorer Card
You can earn 60,000 United Airlines miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months plus the annual fee is waived your first year with the United℠ Explorer Card. Offer ends August 7, 2024.
How to Earn Hyatt Points
You can earn Hyatt points from the World of Hyatt card, The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, or any of the Chase Ultimate Rewards earning cards including the two I used listed below
The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
You can earn 60,000 points after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of getting the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
Pro-tip: You earn 5 elite qualifying nights with every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
Chase Sapphire Cards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card are offering a bonus of 60,000 points.
You can earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Or you can earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to participating airlines and hotels like United Airlines and Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. So you can redeem your 60,000 Chase Ultimate Reward points for 760,000 airline miles or 60,000 hotel points.
Chase Ink Preferred
You can earn up to 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of getting the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. This equals $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards(R) portal.
How to Earn American Airlines Miles
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
You can earn 50,000 American Airlines miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of getting the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
Pro-tip: The Citi Executive Card includes free membership to the Admirals Club.
You can search for airline rewards cards.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
You can earn 65,000 American Airlines miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 4 months of getting the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®.
Conclusion
Last summer I took a 19-day trip and visited six countries: Switzerland, Mallorca, France, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Germany. It was the longest trip I've taken without my family. I had a blast and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Flying First Class on Lufthansa was an incredible experience. I didn't have enough time in Mallorca so I'm planning a return visit. And believe it or not, this was my first visit to France. Yep!
Sri Lanka wasn't on my bucket list but I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see a little bit of the country. I haven't been to Japan in over 40 years so it was interesting to see the changes. And I need to return to Hamburg.
The retail cost of this trip: $33, 200.78. But I didn't pay anywhere near that. Instead, I used miles and points earned from credit cards like the United℠ Explorer Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Ink Preferred, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®, and American Express Starwood personal and business cards.
Stay tuned for more blog posts about this trip.
Where was your longest trip?
Pin this to your travel and vacation boards:
Read Other Helpful Posts:
- Star Alliance First Class Lounge Los Angeles Airport LAX Review
- Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Los Angeles to Frankfurt
- Park Hyatt Mallorca Review: How to Get There
- Review: False Damage Claim and Why You Should Not Rent From Sixt Mallorca
- How to Get to LAX From San Diego on the Cheap
Comment, tweet, or share this post.
Get the best credit card bonuses.
Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube
Got a question? Or want help, suggestions, travel tips, learn how to travel for free, find out about travel deals, and maximize your miles and points? Use the subscription box below to sign-up and get post updates by email.
So, the first consideration is accumulating the points. I know- because I've taken my 7 person family (first class) thrice to Paris and Israel, once to the UK, and to Hawaii. At this point in my life, I don't have many points left on United (about 500K) or Marriott (350K). My Hyatt, Hilton, American, and Delta points are all depleted. but, their use was worth it. Just like were yours.
Hi Roy A Ackerman, PhD, EA,
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the post. I love Israel, when you were there last?
Great points! am gonna get some good cards and collect points. The business class and first class seats are very alluring..
Hi Chittra M,
You're going to love flying in Business and First Class. 🙂 You won't feel as jetlagged either. Enjoy!
Absolutely brilliant Debra how you lopped off those dollars and got a 14K ticket for a bunch of miles and 100 smackers. Impressive! We do so much travel-wise without paying much at all, barely digging into our pockets through the gift of house sitting and finding inexpensive flights via budget airlines. We do spend some dough to enjoy our experience but also learned how you can live in luxe spots for months without paying a dime.
Hi Ryan Biddulph,
Thanks! I love leveraging miles and points to travel for practically free. 🙂 But I also don't mind paying when it's a good value. I'm envious of your nomadic life. Still have one kiddo at home...
Wow! You saved so much! I love love LOVE my airline points!!! I don't stay in specific hotel brands very much so I don't have a membership. Maybe I should look into that, you saved so much money using your hotel points!
Hi Samantha,
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂 Definitely look into hotel points. It will save you so much on your hotel stays. 🙂
Seems like you had the trip of a lifetime. My husband and I were just in Mallorca back in May. Will definitely be checking out the Park Hyatt hotel.
Hi Kellyn,
Thanks, I sure did. Can't wait to do another one. 🙂
You'll love the Park Hyatt. I need to finish writing all my reviews about that hotel so stay tuned.
I can't wait to have enough points to jump a class. I have flown business class once and it was the best thing ever! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Theresa,
Glad you liked the post. Here are a few easy ways to earn airline miles without flying - https://www.travelingwellforless.com/2017/01/01/earn-frequent-flyer-miles-without-flying/.
Let me know if you have any questions or need help figuring out how to get miles and points.
This is such a great post! I really need to learn more of this mileage thingy from you, really. I am a member to some airlines but never really use or redeem my points. Dang! Only now I realised I've missed a lot, lol. Paying hundred something $ for a First class flight is definitely a steal. Thanks so much for sharing this 🙂
Hi Debbzie Lesksono,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. You can save so much money when you use miles and points. Check out these 7 ways to earn miles and points without flying - https://www.travelingwellforless.com/2017/01/01/earn-frequent-flyer-miles-without-flying/
Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help.
Sounds like a fun trip! I really need to look into these hotel points program as well. Thanks for sharing the tips!
Hi Eve Kay,
Glad you liked the post. Let me know if you need any help or tips on how to get more hotel points.
As someone who enjoys tracking cheap airfares (out of Malaysia), I'm always envious of Americans who seem to be able to collect so many points and air miles easily via credit card offers. I can only wish it's the same case here in Malaysia. Miles aside, that business class airfare that you got on Sri Lankan is dirt cheap, I guess I'd need to check out their offers more often!
it's always great to find ways around paying retail prices, and learning the tricks others have for doing the same. Thanks for this breakdown!
Wow~ You leveraged those points and made it work! What a great way to travel the world and make it extremely affordable. Switzerland is on my to travel to list and I see that was part of this amazing trip. Great tips on what airlines to fly and where to crash for the night, as well. Making notes now!
Wow you managed to see all those countries in 19 days? I am going to Croatia for 19 days and I think that's not enough, lol. Anyways, you saved a lot on your trip and traveled luxuriously. Unfortunately, we don't have credit cards like that, so I rarely collect miles 🙁
You certainly know your way around the credit card points system and frequent flyer miles! I can't believe you scored such great first-class tickets with miles and a bit of cash! This goes to show if you do your research, you can enjoy the finer things in life for less.
How cool, you made it to so many places and for such great prices! Thanks for sharing your tricks; I really need to start working on earning airplane miles!
Enjoyed this post and look forward to reading more about your trip. I love travelling with a friend. It has made my trips so memorable.
My big takeaway from this is learning about Expert Flyer. Has never hear of that resource and have now bookmarked it. Thx!
I guard my points and miles jealously, that's for sure! I use them for every long distance trip! Always the way to go!
Now this is the best use of points that I have ever come across. Kudos to you on that. I should definitely not discount mine now given this experience of yours. Thanks for the useful tips that you have shared here.
That is such a good deal. I didn't think you could visit that much country in that budget. I need to think about these tips you adapted and incorporate that into my future travel plans! Budget has always been a hindrance for travel so it is comforting to know that it is possible to travel to many destinations with limited budget.
I love the financial insight here. This makes it so much easier to plan your own round the world trip. I love your plane photos... all the seats look just so comfortable. My favourite destination among the ones you presented is definitely Mallorca.
I struggle to make 19 days enough to visit one country so can't get my head around how you managed to make it through so many places in that amount of time. Like aren't you just running from airport to the hotel and back? 😀 Anyhow, sounds like you saved a crazy amount of money with points! That's something I definitely have to get myself into.
OMG! I wish I had your travel hacking skills! What an incredible RTW journey for an absolute bargain price! I really need to get into the points game more, it's just a bit of a struggle when the Aussies don't really play the game. I'm sure they'll catch up soon tho, and I'll be read thanks to all your tips!
What a whirlwind trip but what a deal! Staying at the newly opened Park Hyatt in Mallorca had to of been a great experience!
You definitely went all over the place! I'm about to take off for at least 365 days! Talk about a planning project! I think 19 days out of a carry-on sounds like a fun challenge! I'm always willing to do laundry abroad so that definitely helps! You definitely got some great deals for doing luxury for the price. I did the math (I'm a numbers girl 😉 ) an average of $225/day! I bet it would be fun to do something more luxurious. Our budget is $72/day! Wish us luck!
Serious travel hacking inspiration! I'm super impressed - especially all the business class flights! Sounds like an amazing trip. The Hyatts all look amazing - I need to look into getting a decent hotel point card for us Canadians, I collect mostly airline miles right now. Glad you enjoyed the trip!
Great travel hacking!!! I hack some, but not to that extent. I appreciate how you broke down the costs of your trip, and man, you sure had a wonderful trip!
Holy moly you did a lot in 19 days! It's a great way to get a taster for these places & to help decide where you want to go back to. France is beautiful, and I would love to see Sri Lanka too!
Debra, I'm amazed at what a wonderful trip you had for relatively little money! How on earth did you earn so many Hyatt hotel points?! I'm currently planning a 9-day trip to eastern Canada, and I only had enough hotel points for one night! So sad. But seriously, good on you for pulling it together so well! (And it looks like we might be practically neighbors, as I'm based in San Diego, too)
Awesome tips - thanks for sharing! I often fly Lufthansa First & love booking a seat using points. I usually have to pay a lot more in fuel surcharges though - I wonder why? I also use my World of Hyatt points for hotel stays - excellent value. ?
Sounds like such a wonderful trip! You made it to so many fantastic spots. I love being able to use miles and points--it makes trips so much more affordable! Thanks for the great breakdown of your expenses. Always nice to see different budgets. Great suggestions for packing too--wrinkle free clothing is always a must for me!
Whoa. that's a lovely blog. glad you can do such an amazing trip without shelling much. You saved a lot. Its really worth it if you book flights on time and consume browny points 🙂
This is awesome. That a long tour and an amazing one. Didn't knew about how effective some tips like airline miles amd free stays can help us save our trip cost.
True world traveler!! Looks like an amazing trip. I love that you used miles and points along the way.
Wow that 19 day trip was such a bargain for under 2000$! Points are so worth it when you invest some time to read about it and do it correctly. Pretty crazy you've got a first class experience too for your flight!
OMG! This is such an inspiring post for someone like me who wants to go on a world tour at less. Your packing tips and travel hacks are fantastic. I follow many but I need to learn more.
Awesome tips and a cool way to travel. Should try this myself sometimes! Thanks for the inspiration
6 countries in a 19 day trip - I am really impressed by that. And I do want to take a world trip sometimes. But so far when I thought about it, I didn't know where to start . Now, you have provided a really good amount of resource here. Particularly that elaborate cost breakup, that really helps
Wow, amazing Quasi round the world trip post! I look forward to your packing article! I love how you broke down the retail cost and actual cost, very helpful. I am headed to Japan next so interesting to read that section. Thank you for sharing!
This must have been a blast for you! Thanks a bunch for the awesome and practical tips. I will definitely try to bear them in mind and make sure to reread your post!