Name:
George Papadopoulos

FFP miles spent:
160,000 Delta SkyMiles

Hotel points spent:
40,500 Starwood points

Approximate fees:
$30 to Delta

Airline(s) / Routing:
Detroit-Atlanta-Honolulu and Honolulu-Detroit

How booked:
Online

Type of award(s):
Saver

Hotel(s):
Sheraton Waikiki

Month/year of trip:
August 2010

Oahu Island Trip

I have been a loyal Northwest Airlines flyer for years and have participated in many Northwest promotions along with a few mileage runs here and there. Ever since the Delta merger, it has gotten increasingly more difficult to find Saver awards.

At the 2010 Ann Arbor Art Fair Flyertalk DO, I learned that it is easier to find Saver awards at the last minute. So I booked a trip for four to Honolulu a day before we flew! And I did it online too!

A highlight was the Pearl Harbor area and coming up close with a giant sea turtle in Hanauma Bay.

I used Starwood points for five nights on the Sheraton Waikiki. Normal rate is 12,000 points but there was a promotion to get a fifth night free, so it was 48,000 points. After a few service issues, the manager credited me 7,500 points, so total spent was only 40,500 points. My Starwood points came from the recent AMEX credit card offers.

If you are frustrated using Delta SkyMiles, wait until the last minute and take a trip wherever the miles will take you and enjoy!