Dan Gillaspia is a blogger giving people tips on how to save money while travelling. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving
FOR many people the idea of a luxury world trip is a distant dream that is far too over budget to even consider.
But one savvy traveller managed to make his dream a reality. He claimed he cut the cost of his trip, which included, Tokyo, Singapore and Dubai, to just $540 from around $69,000.
The dramatic savings meant that he ended up spending less than one per cent of the total cost of the holiday, The Sun reported.
To make events even more enviable, the canny explorer didn’t do things by halves: he enjoyed free-flowing champagne in first class suites and cosy nights in luxury hotel rooms.
Daniel Gillaspia kept a blog of the trip on his website, Upon Arriving, where he documented the various ways to gather points and deals that can be spent on hotels and airlines.
Daniel got the idea from other travel hackers and decided to put their tips to the test.
The American was careful to accumulate points and rewards on cards before embarking on his travels.
photo galleryBlogger shares tips for cheap luxury travel
Daniel Gillaspia enjoyed a number of luxury flights paying just a small fee and air miles. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving1 of 9
The infinity pool at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel provided incredible views for Daniel and his partner. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving2 of 9
The pair enjoyed a flight in the Singapore Airlines First Class Suite. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving3 of 9
Daniel enjoyed the free flowing Champagne on board his Singapore Airlines First Class flight. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving4 of 9
When flying in in the Etihad Apartment the couple were chauffeured to a private entrance of Abu Dhabi Airport. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving5 of 9
Lawyer Daniel Gillaspia seen enjoying a flight as part of his trip. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving6 of 9
The canny lawyer stayed in the InterContinental Tokyo Bay using just 100,000 IHG Points. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving7 of 9
Daniel spent the money he saved on flights and hotels on experiences like a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving8 of 9
Daniel managed to stay in lavish hotels all over the world. Picture: Dan Gillaspia/Upon Arriving9 of 9
Using a staggering 45 credit cards he had to meticulously plan his spending collecting sign-up bonuses and point boosts, keeping track of everything with a detailed spread sheet.
This wasn’t a simple feat and has to be carefully co-ordinated.
Daniel, a lawyer, told The Sun Online: “We had to spend around $43,000 (around $A57,000) between all the credit cards.
“We did this through a combination of normal everyday spending and getting creative by doing things like paying taxes, rent, car notes, utilities, internet, phone bill, et cetera in order to meet the minimum spend requirements for the different credit cards.”
After two years of careful planning Daniel was finally able to jet off with his partner in September this year.
They initially travelled from Los Angeles to Tokyo, flying Business class at a cost of just $90 and 131,750 KrisFlyer Miles.
The couple then stayed at the Intercontinental Tokyo with 100,000 IHG points, saving them around $1300.
Instead of shelling out on flights and accommodation the pair invested in experiences like sushi-making master classes and traditional tea ceremonies.
They then hopped over to Singapore, opting for the Singapore Airlines First Class Suite.
Usually priced at $15,500 for two from Tokyo to Singapore, the savvy pair shelled out just $143 plus 102,000 KrisFlyer Miles.
Guests in the suites are treated to unlimited Krug and Dom Perignon Champagne and food from a Michelin-quality menu.
Again in Singapore Daniel arranged for their hotel room to be free, paying for the Marina Bay Sands Hotel room with just Capital One Venture credit.
Leaving the luxury of the hotel they then flew to Johannesburg in Singapore Airlines business class.
Paying no cash for the trip, Daniel used 38,250 KrisFlyer Miles and used their travel credits against the fees and fuel surcharges, saving himself $10,300.
In South Africa they stayed in The Westin Cape Town, paying with 40,000 Starwood Preferred Guest points rather than the usual $1540 price.
Next on the itinerary was United Arab Emirates on Etihad Airways business class.
The flight was just $137 and 110,000 AA miles instead of the hefty $5360 regular price tag.
Daniel and his partner stayed at the W hotel in Dubai, paying with 40,000 SPG points.
They then splurged for their return journey travelling in the Etihad Apartment from Dubai to New York.
The couple only paid $137 and 180,000 AA miles, rather than the usual price of $24,000.
One of the most expensive travel experiences that money can buy the couple were chauffeured to a private entrance of Abu Dhabi Airport.
The apartments featured a decadent throne, a relaxing seating area, a vanity area and a private mini bar.
The bathroom had a fully functional shower for the couple to spruce up in before landing.
In New York, they then checked into the Ritz Carlton Battery Park, where they bought their night with free night certificates.
They made two last connecting flights, finishing up their voyage in Houston.
The entire journey should have cost a momentous $69,320 but thanks to savvy savings the blogger claims to have spent just $541.
Daniel did concede that a large amount of planning went into the trip but said that the return was “astronomical”.
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
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