Ryugin
Tokyo, Japan
Visited April 2015
List Prices
Airfare: $10,431
Hotel: $460
Ground Transport: $25
Meal: $310
I Paid
Airfare: $51
Hotel: $0
Ground Transport: $25
Meal: $0
AIRFARE- 62,500 miles + $51 instead of $10,431
For only 62,500 American Airlines miles and $51 in ticketing fees, I got a first-class seat on JAL that normally costs more than $10,431 each way. Each frequent flyer program is different, but AA has a very attractive award chart for first-class trips to Asia. The redemption works out $0.17 per mile, an extremely attractive valuation, especially if you consider that even with a decent promotion of 35% off it only costs about $0.02 per mile to purchase them outright. I wrote a handy guide on how to book these types of awards with American Airlines.
THE MILES + POINTS
I signed up for Citi's Executive Aadvantage Card, a serious traveler's card that comes with a hefty $450/year fee and access to the Admiral's Club Lounges, along with a few other benefits. As of this writing, Citi is offering a promotional 75,000 mile bonus for meeting their initial spending criteria; more than enough for one ticket.
HOTEL- Chase Hyatt Card
Hyatt Toranomon Hills Lobby
Night view...
... and day view
I used one of my two free certificates that came with the Chase Hyatt card, I stayed at the Hyatt Andaz Toranomon Hills- a gorgeous building-top luxury hotel close to Ginza. From others' reviews, it seems that this Andaz property is nicer than the Park Hyatt across town (the setting of Bill Murray's Lost in Translation). I plan to confirm when I visit Tokyo again in January 2016...
GROUND TRANSPORT- TAXI
Rather boringly, I used a local cab to get from the hotel to the restaurant. Cabs are pretty insanely priced; $25 for a 5-minute ride. You'd be much better off using Uber.
GO MAKE THIS HAPPEN FOR YOURSELF
STEP 1
Apply for a Citi Executive Aadvantage Card
STEP 2
Apply for a Chase Hyatt Care
STEP 3
Reach the spend minimums, collect 75,000 miles and two free-night certificates
STEP 4
Follow this Walkthrough to actually book the tickets- it's super straightforward
STEP 5
Have the Andaz concierge make the reservation with Ryugin
STEP 6
Fly, check in, and enjoy!
If you have any questions at all, contact me here. Would love to talk about this with you!