Utilizing 75K Chase factors for a last-minute getaway to Mexico for two

Because it seems, I used to be in a position to put collectively the right last-minute Cancun journey.

Associated: 11 causes to decide on the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked over the fancier Chase Sapphire Reserve

4,565 factors for flights to Cancun

I used to be amazed when I discovered a nonstop flight from William P. Pastime Airport (HOU) to Cancun Worldwide Airport (CUN) on my desired Friday departure date bookable for simply 2,905 Southwest factors plus $48.23. The damaging: This flight departed Houston at 6:45 p.m. and arrived in Cancun at 9 p.m. That is a very late arrival if we had been going to solely spend just a few nights in Mexico.

You could be questioning, “That is only one ticket. What about your flight, Katie?” The explanation I solely wanted factors for a single ticket was that my husband earned a Southwest Companion Go in early 2023 that is legitimate by means of the tip of 2024. So, I might add myself to his flight for no extra factors, as a substitute solely paying $48.23 in taxes and charges for the second ticket.

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No house was out there on both earlier flight when the same-day change window opened at midnight on the day of our flight. However I awoke at 7 a.m. to test availability once more and snagged two of three out there seats on the 9:25 a.m. departure. This same-day flight change meant we arrived in Cancun 9 hours sooner than we might have on our unique flight, albeit with rather less sleep than is perfect!

The draw back of our same-day flight change: We acquired C17 and C18 boarding positions. We anticipated this and deliberate to purchase Upgraded Boarding, as our Southwest® Fast Rewards® Efficiency Enterprise Credit score Card reimburses as much as 4 Upgraded Boarding purchases every anniversary yr. Nevertheless, no Upgraded Boarding positions had been left for our flight once we checked in.

We assumed these mid-C boarding positions would put us in center seats close to the again of the plane. However though we had been a number of the final passengers to board, we had been stunned to search out empty window and aisle seats close to the entrance of the aircraft. We every sat subsequent to {couples} and located the roughly two-hour flight comfy.

Associated: 15 classes from 15 years of getting the Southwest Companion Go

46,000 factors for two nights at a Hyatt all-inclusive resort

Desires Jade Resort & Spa is a Hyatt Class B property that prices 17,000 factors on off-peak nights, 20,000 factors on commonplace nights and 23,000 factors on peak nights. Sadly, each nights of my weekend keep had been peak nights, so I needed to redeem 46,000 factors for my two-night keep. If I might paid money, I might have wanted to pay $1,088 for a similar room — giving me a stable redemption worth of two.37 cents per level.

In addition to its stunning beachfront location, the highlights of Desires Jade Resort & Spa are its pleasant workers, excitable company and good-quality meals. I used to be impressed with most dishes I attempted, together with the ceviche at Castaways Cafe, the Most well-liked Membership Pool Cafe fish tacos, and the Spice salmon.

I additionally completely liked the swings and hammock chairs on the beachfront bar — this was my favourite place to sit back.

I used to be impressed by the great attitudes of my fellow company, lots of whom could possibly be discovered cheering for others in pool actions, chatting to strangers on the bar and studying new dances.

Hyatt elite perks on-site, outdoors of Most well-liked Membership entry and a higher-floor room with an interesting view, had been restricted. However the one timeshare gross sales pitch I acquired was on the airport whereas ready for my resort shuttle.

Associated: When and methods to switch Final Rewards factors to World of Hyatt

23,074 factors for flights again to Austin

Discovering a modestly priced award flight from Cancun to Austin on April 14 proved tough — particularly since we booked inside two weeks of departure and needed to go away later within the day to maximise our time in Mexico.

I booked what is probably going the most costly Southwest award flight I’ve ever reserved for my husband: a nonstop Cancun-to-Austin flight for 23,074 factors plus $77.58 in taxes and charges. This nonstop flight was good, although, because it allow us to benefit from the morning and even have lunch and some last drinks on the resort earlier than leaving for the airport.

As with our different Southwest flights, I might add myself as a companion after reserving my husband’s flight. My value along with his Companion Go was simply the taxes and charges.

We checked in for our flight precisely 24 hours earlier than departure and acquired B15 and B16 boarding positions. We snagged a window and aisle seat in the identical row close to the again of the plane. The flight departed with no empty seats, however a girl appeared joyful to sleep many of the flight within the center seat between us.

Was my weekend escape value it?

I wasn’t certain whether or not touring to Mexico for less than two nights can be satisfying. However we had a pleasant lengthy weekend, particularly since we had nonstop flights and will spend over 48 hours having fun with the all-inclusive resort. We liked the power of the company and workers at Desires Jade Resort & Spa and spent the weekend enjoyable. Figuring out what I do know now, I am joyful we took this journey.

My Hyatt Globalist standing gave us a nicer expertise at Desires Jade, together with a high-floor room with sweeping views throughout the resort and entry to better-quality drinks within the Most well-liked Membership lounge.

Having the Companion Go made Southwest a compelling possibility for reserving round-trip flights for my husband and me, particularly since Southwest operated nonstop flights on the routes we would have liked. Making the most of a same-day flight change for our Houston-to-Cancun flight was additionally extraordinarily invaluable.

That being mentioned, I usually would not switch Chase factors to Southwest. In any case, I wish to redeem Chase Final Rewards factors for not less than 2 cents per level. For reference, we acquired 1.79 cents per level on our outbound flight, 2.37 cents per level on our Hyatt all-inclusive keep and 1.35 cents per level on our return flight (assuming you place the factors value of my Companion Go flights at zero).

Backside line

It was enjoyable to indicate how one sign-up bonus — and a few money to cowl the taxes, charges, ideas and airport transfers — might get us a last-minute getaway to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico.