Member Success Story: How Jenna saved $12,000 on her Business Class Trip to Egypt
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When Jenna and her husband rang in the New Year in Cairo, Egypt, they kicked off a bucket-list trip that had never even been on their radar — until points and miles made it too good to pass up.
From cruising the Nile and visiting ancient tombs to soaring over the Hatshepsut Temple in a hot air balloon, their journey was packed with unforgettable moments — all made possible with smart redemptions, welcome bonuses, and the Travel Freely app.
Tell Us About Yourself
Hi! I’m Jenna, and I live in southern Oregon. I’ve been using points and miles for about 3 years now. I’ve always loved to travel, but learning how to make it happen for free or nearly free has taken my trips to another level. This trip to Egypt was extra special — it was my first time flying business class and also my first Chase Ultimate Rewards® redemption!
Tell Us About Your Trip
My husband and I flew to Cairo on New Year’s Day and spent a few days exploring the city before flying to Luxor for a Nile River cruise to Aswan. Along the way, we toured incredible temples and tombs and even did a hot air balloon ride — one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. The views from 2,500 feet above the Nile and desert were absolutely unforgettable. Seeing the Hatshepsut Temple from the air was surreal.
Egypt wasn’t even a destination we had in mind, but when I came across a great deal on business class flights, we decided to go for it — and I’m so glad we did!
What Kind of Points Did You Use for This Trip?
I pulled together points and perks from several cards — many of them earned through welcome bonuses. Over the past few years, I’ve built a diverse mix of rewards currencies, and this was the first time I got to put them to work on a major international redemption.
Flights:
Our business class flight from Oregon to Cairo was booked using United MileagePlus® miles which I earned through the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card’s welcome bonus. This was my first-ever business class flight, and it completely changed the way I think about long-haul international travel. The lie-flat seats and elevated service made the 13+ hour journey surprisingly enjoyable.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited:
- Used the welcome bonus to transfer points to United
- Booked United Polaris Business Class from Oregon to Cairo for 85K miles each (170K total)
- Estimated retail cost: several thousand dollars per seat
For the return flight home, I used American Airlines AAdvantage® miles earned through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. Having both major airline programs available gave us maximum flexibility with flight routes and timing.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Card:
- Used 40K AA miles each (80K total) to book return flight on American Airlines from Cairo to Oregon with a stopover in London
- Estimated retail cost: approximately $900 per seat
Hotels:
We covered most of our hotel stays using a combination of hotel points and statement credits from various cards. This was a huge savings since lodging near popular tourist areas like Giza and Luxor can get expensive.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card:
- Redeemed 43,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points and my 35K annual night certificate for a 5-star hotel booking at Marriott Mena House in Cairo (This hotel has amazing views of the pyramids!)
- Booked directly through Marriott for best redemption value
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card:
- Used the $150 annual hotel credit to book our prepaid hotel stay in Zamalek through Delta Stays bookings on delta.com
- Additionally, used this card’s annual ride share credits toward on-the-ground transportation
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
- Applied the $50 Annual Hotel Credit to a London hotel (valid when booking through the Chase Travel℠ portal) on our stopover on our way home
- Helped offset the cost of one of our last-minute hotel bookings
How Much Money Did You Save Using Points and Miles for Your Trip?
We estimate we saved over $12,000 on this trip, including:
- 2 Business Class flights (round trip, international)
- Multiple hotel nights booked with points or statement credits
- Rideshares and incidentals using travel credits
This was easily the most luxurious trip we’ve ever taken — and we barely paid out of pocket for the big stuff.
What Were Some of the Highlights of Your Trip?
There were so many incredible experiences, but the top moments included:
- Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor
Seeing ancient temples and the Nile River from high above at sunrise was magical. - Cruising the Nile River from Luxor to Aswan
Relaxing on the water while visiting ancient ruins felt like stepping back in time. - Exploring Cairo
Walking through centuries of history from the pyramids to vibrant local markets was surreal.
What Advice Do You Have for Someone Just Starting with Points and Miles?
Flexibility is everything. Egypt wasn’t even on our radar — we went because we found an incredible business class deal. If you’re rigid with travel dates or destinations, it’s much harder to take advantage of great redemptions.
Don’t wait to redeem your points. Opportunities pop up fast, and if you’re prepared, you can jump on them before they disappear.
How Has Travel Freely Helped You Achieve Your Free Travel Goals, and What Do You Like Best About the App?
I love how the Travel Freely app keeps track of all my cards. It reminds me of annual fees, bonus deadlines, and when it’s time to apply for new cards. It makes managing everything feel easy and organized.
I’ve used it for years now, and I recommend it to everyone I know who’s trying to get into points and miles.
Final Thoughts
This trip was full of firsts — first business class flight, first Chase Ultimate Rewards redemption, and first time visiting Egypt — but it won’t be the last.
Thanks to points, miles, and the right strategy, I was able to take a dream trip that would have cost us over $12,000. And we’re just getting started.
Cards that helped Jenna and her husband experience their dream vacation:
