Japan and South Korea have become increasingly popular destinations for international travelers, drawing visitors with their rich cultures, delicious cuisines, and advancements in technology. The allure of K-pop, anime, and K-dramas adds to the appeal, creating an irresistible combination for travelers. After 20 years away from South Korea and embarking on my first visit to Japan, I eagerly planned a comprehensive trip for my family, which included my wife, children, and parents. My primary goals were to secure business class award tickets for our group and to maximize the benefits of my World of Hyatt Globalist elite status. The journey, meticulously planned through various travel credit cards and detailed research, spanned approximately six weeks, taking us from Las Vegas to multiple locations within Japan and South Korea before returning home.
To make our ambitious travel plans a reality, we strategically used a variety of credit cards to accumulate rewards points. This trip required extensive planning, and to facilitate our travels, we opened several new credit card accounts in addition to our existing ones. The breakdown of our primary cards included ones that provided excellent earning potentials on everyday purchases, as well as those offering valuable travel benefits. For example, we utilized the American Express® Gold Card for its grocery rewards and transferred points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Additionally, our Capital One Venture X Rewards Card became essential for purchases abroad, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and access to airport lounges. Each credit card played a significant role in accruing rewards that allowed us to maximize our travel experience.
Transforming points into practical travel plans involved navigating an intricate web of loyalty programs and careful planning. Among various forays into award flights, I focused primarily on credit cards from Chase and American Express. The AAdvantage miles were instrumental in securing our business class tickets to Tokyo, while Chase points helped us book our hotel stays via the World of Hyatt. This meticulous planning process took considerable time, including scouring the market for award availability as our departure date approached. Ultimately, we managed to book business class for our group—a challenging feat considering the limited availability that typically accompanies travel for multiple individuals on the same flight.
While our travel itinerary was brimming with excitement, it was enriched further by our various accommodation choices. We booked a significant number of our hotel stays through the World of Hyatt, ensuring we took full advantage of the benefits associated with my Globalist status. The perks included room upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, and exclusive lounge access across several properties, such as the Hyatt Regency DFW and the Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya. Notably, we also opted for Airbnbs in South Korea due to the accommodation’s size and kitchen facilities. Our thoughtful selection of lodging amplified our travel experience, making it convenient for our family to settle in new locations for extended periods.
Beyond merely booking flights and hotels, we prepared for navigating transportation in Japan and South Korea, where efficient public transport systems reign supreme. In Japan, we relied heavily on public transit, including purchasing rechargeable IC cards for seamless travel across trains and buses. Similarly, in South Korea, we acquired T-money cards for transport convenience. Our approach extended to securing fast and reliable internet access through eSIMs, enabling us to stay connected as we explored. While Google Maps helped us navigate effectively, in South Korea, local apps like Naver proved beneficial given their tailored features for regional transport.
As we immersed ourselves in our travel experiences, we learned the importance of embracing the local culture and utilizing technology for convenience. Communicating through basic phrases, along with translation apps, facilitated interactions throughout both countries. Our journey through Japan included essential attraction bookings, which were primarily done through platforms like Klook to avoid long wait times. In South Korea, we continued exploring spontaneous options while ensuring that any popular attractions, like the Haeundae Sky Capsule, were booked in advance. Our diverse itinerary, supported by diligent planning across various aspects of our travels—from transportation to accommodations—culminated in a memorable family adventure that blended cultural engagement with the luxury of travel rewards.