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Yesterday, I took the opportunity to rest and relax at my good friend’s temporary house in Canberra Australia while she went to work.

And because it’s been more than a month since my Catch-up in Christchurch post, I figured I also needed to catch my readers up on how and where my points and miles were spent since then.

So… on Tuesday March 13, I took a 7:00am one-way bus tour from Christchurch to Queenstown for 31,750 British Avios points otherwise it would’ve been $228.44 on Viator or $81 economy flight and I never would’ve seen Mt. Cook.

Mt Cook’s peak hidden by the constant clouds

Mt Cook’s peak hidden by the constant clouds

Queenstown, New Zealand

From Tuesday, March 13 to Wednesday March 21, I stayed 8 nights at the Coronation Lodge Queenstown for 110,022 Chase points otherwise it would’ve been $1,375.

Queenstown as viewed from the Skyline Gondola platform

Queenstown as viewed from the Skyline Gondola platform

Wednesday, March 21, I flew economy class back to Sydney Australia on Virgin Australia for 12,912 Citi ThankYou points otherwise it would’ve been $148.

Sydney, Australia

From Wednesday March 21 to Saturday March 24, I stayed 3 nights at the Megaboom City Hotel for 36,252 Chase points otherwise it would’ve been $453.

The Queen Victoria Building interior in downtown Sydney

The Queen Victoria Building interior in downtown Sydney

On Friday March 23, I attended Opening Night for La Boheme at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor (a venue across the Quay from the Opera House) 

Pre-opera meal with view of Sydney Harbor before the start of La Boheme at Handa Opera

Pre-opera meal with view of Sydney Harbor before the start of La Boheme at Handa Opera

Saturday March 24, I flew economy class on Qantas to Brisbane for 10,000 American Airlines points + $16.80 otherwise it would’ve been $159.

Brisbane, Australia

From Saturday March 24 to Tuesday March 27, I stayed 3 nights at the Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane for 21,000 SPG (Starwood) points otherwise it would’ve been $427.

Sunset view of Brisbane CBD from hotel

Sunset view of Brisbane CBD from hotel

Tuesday March 27, I flew Qantas business class to Cairns for 20,000 American Airlines points + $21.50 otherwise it would’ve been $401

Cairns, Australia

From Tuesday March 27 to Tuesday April 3, I stayed 7 nights at the Hilton Cairns for 230,000 Hilton points otherwise it would’ve been $1384. In addition, I was upgraded due to my Diamond status to an Executive Level room with a great view of the Casino and Harbor plus I enjoyed some of the best happy-hour canapés/appetizers I’ve ever had.

Sunset view of the Casino in Cairns

Sunset view of the Casino in Cairns

Tuesday April 3, I flew economy to Perth on Virgin Australia for 29,080 Citi ThankYou points otherwise it would’ve been $363.

Perth, Australia

From Tuesday April 3 to Tuesday April 10, I spent 7 nights at the Parmelia Hilton Perth for 255,000 Hilton points otherwise it would’ve been $1290. On March 31, I lost my Diamond status and went back to Gold but I was still upgraded to a Deluxe room with a very large bathroom and balcony with only a view of nearby office buildings.

Perth CBD view from the Elizabeth Station Quay walkable bridge

Perth CBD view from the Elizabeth Station Quay walkable bridge

Tuesday April 10 I took a red-eye economy flight to Ayers Rock on JetStar with a 1-hour layover in Melbourne for 26,100 Chase points otherwise it would’ve been $347.83. Note: I will never pay for another JetStar flight again, ever.

Ayers Rock/Uluru, Australia

From Wednesday April 11, I spent 2 nights at the Desert Gardens Hotel for 42,226 Chase points otherwise it would’ve been $633.

Sunset at Ayers Rock/Uluru with wine

Sunset at Ayers Rock/Uluru with wine

Friday April 13, I flew Qantas business class to Adelaide with a 2-hour layover in Alice Springs for 20,000 American Airlines points + $66.40 otherwise it would’ve been $565

Adelaide, Australia

From Friday April 13 to Wednesday April 18, I spent 5 nights at the Holiday Inn Express Adelaide City Centre for 50,000 IHG points + $350.00 otherwise it would’ve been $658. Not my smartest move but it’s what I had left at the time.

Barossa Valley on a rainy day as viewed from Bethany Vineyards

Barossa Valley on a rainy day as viewed from Bethany Vineyards

Wednesday April 18, I flew to Canberra in economy on Virgin Australia for 10,112 Citi ThankYou points otherwise $127.

And that brings us back to hanging out with my friend in Canberra; chatting, laughing and having a good time with all the money I saved!

Points and Miles used from March 13 to April 18

Points and Miles used from March 13 to April 18

 

The journey continues in Points and Miles Catch-up from Washington DC.

 

Follow me on Instagram or Twitter as @DaniLew_1

 

 

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Dani Lew

DaniLew is a podcaster and a retired nomad who loves to slow travel around the world and share her travel stories and personal photography.The Slow Traveling Soul Sister podcast is all about me and my travels around the world for the last 40 years as a solo black woman, My motto: travel nourishes the soul and broadens the mind, but solo travel frees our imagination and builds our Confidence. #slowtravelingsoulsister #GoSeeDoBe

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