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On Thursday, I flew Avianca enterprise class to Medellín, Colombia. I checked into my resort in time for our night livestream check-in, then headed out instantly for a meals tour. Today (Friday), I went on a tour that included one of many cities that impressed Disney’s Encanto, a ship trip to see Pablo Escobar’s bombed-out mansion, and a 740-step climb up a large rock towards dazzling views.
What is the Wild Card problem? For this problem, our contestants have chosen from wild-card decks to set the parameters of their journeys. First, they chose journey locations, then resort, airline, and transferable factors playing cards, which offer their factors and miles budgets. And lastly, they chose power-ups and obstacles to make their travels somewhat extra practical to the challenges our readers and listeners face and make issues somewhat extra fascinating! Learn extra in regards to the ongoing problem right here.
Next up: Travel started on Tuesday 9/22/26! Contestants have already visited their first vacation spot and should now make their technique to their second vacation spot in time for our Destination 2 Livestream on Saturday 9/26 at 9pm ET.
| Card Draws | |
|---|---|
| Destinations | Panama -> Colombia -> Melbourne, Australia |
| Credit Cards | Delta Gold Business: 90K Miles, $150 Delta Stays credit score |
| Bonvoy Brilliant: 150K Points, $250 Statement Credit | |
| Amex Gold: 100K Points, $50 Resy credit score | |
| AA MileUp: 15K Miles | |
| Obstacle | The Night Owl (no flights earlier than 10 AM) |
| Power-up | Stay within the Zone (I bought to reselect a vacation spot card to remain in a single zone, the Americas, for my first and second locations) |
As described in an earlier submit (My deserted plans and a wild new one), I initially deliberate to fly from Los Angeles to Australia on Delta Premium Economy. I supposed to make use of my 15,000 AA miles to fly from Miami to LAX. So, after I booked my flight to Medellin, Colombia, I included a flight to Miami afterward. I did this with an Air Canada Aeroplan 5K stopover award. I booked Avianca enterprise class from Panama City to Medellin, then onward to Miami, for 30,000 Aeroplan factors whole. One be aware: To e book the precise flight I wished from Medellin to Miami as a part of a stopover award, I needed to name. Air Canada’s web site wouldn’t present me the flight that I knew was obtainable.
Since these flights have been already booked after I modified my plans for attending to Australia, my new plans used Miami as the start line. Details will likely be revealed later.
I booked “Street Food, Bars, and Rooftops in Poblado with a Local” by means of Viator. The tour price $35, and I earned 35% again in Capital One Shopping rewards plus one other 5% money again by means of a Chase Offer. This coated my dinner and leisure Thursday night, so I assumed it was an amazing worth. I used to be the one particular person signed up for this group tour, so it became an affordable personal tour. The tour information, Santiago, was loads of enjoyable to hang around with. He took me to many locations the place locals eat and drink. He stuffed me filled with many sorts of scrumptious arepas, took me to a super-cool rooftop bar, and even included a mini street-art tour. This was an amazing introduction to Medellín!
I booked the all-day “PREMIUM Guatapé Tour: Rock, Luxury boat ride, Meals & Llamas” for under $44.44 by means of Viator. I earned 35% again in Capital One Shopping rewards plus one other 5% money again by means of a Chase Offer. This was an incredible deal, particularly since this all-day tour included two meals!
Unfortunately, the phrases “premium” and “luxury” within the tour’s title proved to be misnomers. I began the day regretting the reserving after I was stuffed right into a not-so-premium bus with many different vacationers. My temper soured extra after we stopped briefly at a tragic little zoo, with unhappy little animals in tiny enclosures. Ick.
Things picked up with the boat tour, although. No, I by no means discovered the “luxury” within the boat trip (as marketed within the tour’s title), nevertheless it was nonetheless enjoyable and fascinating to see Pablo Escobar’s bombed-out mansion.
Then, we lastly arrived within the lovely city of Guatapé. The tour information claimed that this was one of many cities that impressed Disney’s Encanto. If so, I may definitely see why. I didn’t anticipate this, however I cherished strolling throughout the city. I used to be captivated by the city’s vibrant colours and sounds. Finally, I used to be actually comfortable that I had booked this tour!
Things improved much more after we moved on to the Rock of Guatapé (Piedra del Peñol). It’s a large 220-meter-tall granite monolith close to Guatapé. It was exhausting, however I cherished climbing to the highest. The better part was the jaw-dropping views of the emerald reservoir from the rock’s summit.
Overall, it turned out to be an amazing day!
| Item | Rewards Spent | Cash Spent | Rewards Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 9/22 Fly to Panama | |||
| Business class Detroit to Panama | 35K Amex factors transferred to Aeroplan | $60 | N/A |
| Wed 9/23 Panama City | |||
| Uber to resort | $28 | ||
| Lunch | $10 | ||
| Panama Canal Tour | $68 | $18.36 Capital One Shopping rewards + $3.40 money (card-linked supply) | |
| Dinner | $27 | ||
| Tips & Misc | $40 | ||
| Wed-Thu 9/24 Panama City Hotel | |||
| Hotel Plaza Herrera (2 nights) | 40,520 Delta Miles, $150 Delta Stay credit score | $0 | |
| Thu-Fri 9/25 Activities in Colombia | |||
| Uber to Panama City airport | $24 | ||
| Business Class Panama City to Medellin (then onward to Miami later) | 30,000 | $200 | |
| Uber from Medellin airport to resort | $34 | ||
| Medellin Food Tour | $35 | $12.25 Capital One Shopping rewards + $1.75 money (card-linked supply) | |
| Guatapé Tour | $44 | $15.55 Capital One Shopping rewards + $2.22 money (card-linked supply) | |
| Tips & Misc | $35 | ||
| Total Cash Spent & Rewards Earned To Date: | $605 | $46.16 Capital One Shopping rewards + $7.37 money | |
| Amex Gold Card | Bonvoy Brilliant | Delta Gold Business | AA MileUp | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Amount | 100K Points, $50 Resy, $10 Dining | 150K Points, $250 Cash, $25 Dining | 90K Points, $150 Delta Stays | 15K Points |
| Spent To-Date | 65K Points | — | 40,520 Points, $150 Credit | — |
| Amount Remaining | 35K Points, $50 Resy, $10 Dining | 150K Points, $250 Cash, $25 Dining | 49,480 Points, $0 Delta Stays | 15K Points |
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://frequentmiler.com/colombian-food-fun-and-a-giant-rock-gregs-wild-card-journal/
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you'll…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you'll…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you'll…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you'll…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…