Introduction
Last October I encountered the very best problem a business traveler can have.  Through my diligence insanity,  I ran the table with the Stay Three, Getaway Free SPG Promotion and had 13 expiring Free Resort Nights with no place to go.  With a brand new niece and a family spread across the country, a family get together was most certainly in order.

I pulled out a globe and determined the most logical location for all of us to meet.  Casper, Wyomi…..OK, maybe not in the winter.  Let’s try another method.  What location is comically far away from all of us and will challenge my miles to take us? Kauai it is! Using a cheap fare, a personal go-to domestic redemption of 35K round-trip American Airline miles and few more United miles, I was able to book the 7 of us coming from across the US into Kauai for a week.

 

Please stay tuned for my upcoming trip report on the lovely island of Kauai.

Sneak Peak of Kauai

Trip Report

  1. Introduction
  2. American Airlines Flight and Marriott Kauai Resort
  3. Exploring Lihue
  4. St Regis Princeville
  5. Exploring Kauai’s North Coast

 

 

  • Marcela said,

    What a fun problem to have :)
    Can’t wait to read your Kauai trip report!

  • KateFromCA said,

    Does SPG allow you to book more than one room for the same night using points?

    Also related: do you have to stay in the room if you are using your points? I believe this restriction exists on Hilton points (i.e., you can’t reserve a room in someone else’s name… I think?)

  • alex said,

    @KateFromCA – I booked 2 rooms overlapping; 7 nights in one room, 6 nights in the other. While my name was on the reservation, I was able to designate another guest for each room before my arrival so they were able to obtain keys, pool passes, ability to charge to the room, etc. I have never had an issue at any of the SPG properties.

  • ikonos said,

    I used 5 of my FRN at St. Regis Princeville in November. It is an excellent hotel and we enjoyed our stay thoroughly. I really liked the North Shore of Kauai. Love to hear your perspective.

  • Guest Post Kauai – Trip Report – American Airlines Flight and Marriott Kauai - Points Miles and Martinis said,

    [...] a beach destination that excites me more than the islands of Hawaii.   In November, my family arranged a get together to celebrate a new niece in the family fueled by the power of points and [...]

  • Walton said,

    Awesome content, I really enjoy updates by you.

  • Guest Post – Exploring Lihue - Points Miles and Martinis said,

    [...] a beach destination that excites me more than the islands of Hawaii.   In November, my family arranged a get together to celebrate a new niece in the family fueled by the power of points and [...]

  • Guest Post – Kauai Trip Report – St Regis Princeville - Points Miles and Martinis said,

    [...] Introduction [...]

  • Guest Post – Kauai Trip Report – Exploring Kauai’s North Coast - Points Miles and Martinis said,

    [...] Introduction [...]

  • Guest Post – Kon’nichiwa Japan – Trip Planning - Points Miles and Martinis said,

    [...] have been doing a lot of other traveling lately (here, here and here), so the trip planning for Japan has gone on the back burner.  Fast forward to [...]

  • My Top 10 SPG Complimentary Upgrades on Award Stays – Part 1 - Points Miles and Martinis said,

    [...] This suite goes for around ~$800.00 per night at this category 6 property. I cashed in 13 nights here in November.  Read the full trip report [...]

  • Lorna Van said,

    I spent 5 nights at St Regis Princeville last week, thanks to SPG. I was lucky enough to get a room with a patio and a grassy yard area. SPG, I love you. Can’t think of a better point opportunity in many years of earnin’n'burnin.

  • Marcela said,

    Hi Alex, how’s the North Shore weather in November? We’re planning a trip in November and trying to decide if we should keep our stay in Princeville or if we should move to Poipu for better weather?

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