This Traveler Used Points to Book a Trip for Dual Citizenship—Here’s Their Method.

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Katherine Fan, like many individuals from immigrant backgrounds, grew up in the United States while embracing her family’s cultural heritage. With her parents originating from Taiwan, Fan’s connection to the island nation has been deep-rooted, marked by numerous visits throughout her life. “It’s the place I’ve visited the most outside of the U.S.,” she noted.

Recently, Fan embarked on a significant two-week journey to Taipei, which had a particular goal in mind: to obtain dual citizenship.

For years, she expressed the desire to formalize her ties to Taiwan, but stringent residency laws made this aspiration challenging. However, in 2024, the regulations were eased, prompting Fan to act swiftly in submitting her application.

The final stage of her citizenship quest required her presence in Taiwan itself.

Using her accumulated points from credit cards, hotel rewards, and frequent flyer programs, Fan managed to finance this important trip at minimal cost. She returned from Taiwan equipped with a new passport symbolizing her dual heritage. Here’s a closer look at how she orchestrated this experience.

By the Numbers

The destination: Taipei, Taiwan
Flight cost: $5,800 (Delta business class from Seattle to Taipei; EVA Air business class from Taipei to Vienna; Austrian Airlines from Vienna to New York City)
Hotel cost: $900 (Two nights at the Sheraton Grand Taipei, including New Year’s Eve)
Points breakdown: 93,500 Delta SkyMiles; 87,500 Air Canada Aeroplan points; 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
The total: $150 in taxes and fees

How She Booked It

Fan utilized her points for round-trip business class airfare to Taipei and arranged for two hotel nights, primarily staying with family during her visit.

Had she opted to pay out of pocket, her travel expenses would have totaled approximately $6,700. In contrast, her actual expenses amounted to only about $150, all in taxes and fees.

Flights

Fan’s Asian adventure was booked on short notice, securing her flights two weeks prior to departure. This journey included business class travel on Delta Air Lines, EVA Air, and Austrian Airlines.

A critical factor in her successful booking was finding award seat availability, which influenced her timing. She relied on seats.aero, a service that notifies users when sought-after award flights become open. This tool functions similarly to Google alerts but is tailored for redeemable points and miles.

For her initial leg from Seattle to Taipei, Fan transferred 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points to her Delta SkyMiles account, complementing it with 34,000 existing miles. She successfully booked this one-way flight for 93,500 miles plus a nominal $5.60 in taxes, enjoying the privacy of Delta One Suites.

Her return journey involved multiple connections through Europe but was deemed worthwhile by Fan. She appreciated the opportunity to relax in a flat seat, which allowed her to manage her busy schedule more efficiently.

For the return, Fan redeemed 87,500 Air Canada Aeroplan points for an EVA Air business class seat from Taipei to Vienna, leveraging the partnership between the two airlines. She continued her journey on Austrian Airlines business class to New York City, incurring $150 in taxes and fees. To secure her Aeroplan points, Fan used the online portal to transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Hotel

Fan booked her hotel stay at the Sheraton Grand Taipei just days before her arrival. She used 39,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night over the busy New Year’s Eve period, noting that cash rates during that time approached $500 per night.

Fan warned that Taipei hotels can fill up quickly during peak seasons. “Not planning ahead could leave you without options,” she cautioned, acknowledging that she had alternative accommodations prepared.

While she relished the experience of flying in business class and celebrating with family during New Year’s, the trip’s significance was amplified by successfully obtaining her Taiwanese citizenship.

“Securing this tangible legal connection to my heritage is particularly meaningful to me,” expressed Fan.

A Points and Miles Tip for Travelers

Fan emphasized the importance of accumulating points through everyday purchases. Engaging in small transactions can significantly enhance your rewards balances over time.

“I often use shopping portals like Rakuten, which can translate regular spending into points,” she elaborated. These platforms enable consumers to earn rewards, miles, or cash back from their online shopping activities.

Rakuten, for instance, provides an opportunity to earn cash back or American Express Membership Rewards points with online purchases.

Do you have a rewarding points or miles experience to share? Connect with us!

Source
www.travelandleisure.com