Before the Blog: Boston, Boca & Bogeys
Before we ever even thought about launching something like The Point Pursuit, we already had a few credit card-funded trips under our belt. These early experiences laid the foundation for our obsession with maximizing points for travel.
Trip 1: Boston - September 2021
Our first trip using credit card points was to Boston in September 2021 to visit a childhood friend. At the time, we only had the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and booked the entire trip through the Chase Travel Portal using most of the 100,000-point welcome bonus we earned after signing up. (Learn more about that card and our setup here.)
When you book through the Chase Travel Portal with the Sapphire Preferred, your points are worth 1.25 cents per point (CPP) - not the best return, but still better than redeeming for cash back at just 1 CPP. At the time, we didn’t know anything about transfer partners or advanced redemption strategies. We were just excited to take a trip for free.
Enjoying the “suite” life at a Yankees v. Red Sox game. - Fenway Park
Trip 2: Boca Raton - September 2023
Two years later, we took another points-powered trip - this time to Boca Raton, Florida to visit another friend. For this trip, we paid cash for the flights (so no redemption story there), but our hotel stay was fully covered using the 3 Free Night Awards we received as part of the sign-up bonus from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card.
We used the Awards at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, giving us a beachfront stay for free. The value of those nights easily covered the $95 annual fee…and then some.
As for most of our trips, it usually turns into a food tour. - Sistrunk Marketplace
Trip 3: Scottsdale Golf Getaway - Marriott Bonvoy Moments - November 2023
Our third trip was a unique one - it didn’t involve redeeming points, but it was only available to Marriott Cardholders through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program (powered by Chase).
We participated in the “Golf Getaway In Scottsdale,” an exclusive experience that cost $1,500 for two. Here’s what it included:
Two nights at the Westin-Kierland Resort & Spa;
A golf clinic with Cameron McCormick (swing coach to PGA Tour player Jordan Spieth);
An 18-hole round of golf;
A full culinary experience at the award-winning FnB restaurant; and
All meals included, open bar each night, and premium gift bags.
The cost of the hotel stay alone for those dates was over $2,000 - so this experience was easily worth far more than what we paid. This was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken and a great reminder that credit card perks can go far beyond free flights and hotel nights. We’d jump at the chance to attend another Marriott Moments event.
A beautiful sunset view from the balcony of our room. - Westin-Kierland Resort & Spa