Business Platinum Card from American Express
130,000 MR points
Booked: A Journey Through the Old World
Middle East 2019
- Booked: A Journey Through the Old World
- Impressions from Middle East 2019
- Review: St. Regis Istanbul
- Istanbul, A Cultural Crossroads
- The Captivating Caves of Cappadocia
- Review: Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul
- Review: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
- Visiting the Pyramids on a Cairo Layover
- Review: W Amman
- Exploring Amman & The Dead Sea
- Review: Petra Marriott Hotel
- The Ancient Rock City of Petra
- The Crimson Sand & Stone of Wadi Rum
- Review: Sheraton Oman
- Review: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
- The Decadence & Delight of Dubai
- Review: W Dubai The Palm
- Review: Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
- Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (Concourse B)
- Review: Emirates 777 New First Class Geneva to Dubai
- Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (Concourse A)
- Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Toronto
Share this Article
Business Platinum Card from American Express
- Earn 90,000 MR points upon spending $15,000 in the first three months
- Plus, earn 40,000 MR points upon making a purchase in months 14–17 as a cardholder
- And, earn 1.25x MR points on all purchases
- Also, receive a $200 annual travel credit
- Transfer MR points to Aeroplan and other frequent flyer programs for premium flights
- Unlimited airport lounge access for you and one guest at Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Centurion, and other lounges
- Credits and rebates for business expenses throughout the year with Amex Offers
- Bonus MR points for referring family and friends
- Qualify for the card as a sole proprietor
- Annual fee: $799
33 Comments
Middle East 2019
- Booked: A Journey Through the Old World
- Impressions from Middle East 2019
- Review: St. Regis Istanbul
- Istanbul, A Cultural Crossroads
- The Captivating Caves of Cappadocia
- Review: Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul
- Review: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
- Visiting the Pyramids on a Cairo Layover
- Review: W Amman
- Exploring Amman & The Dead Sea
- Review: Petra Marriott Hotel
- The Ancient Rock City of Petra
- The Crimson Sand & Stone of Wadi Rum
- Review: Sheraton Oman
- Review: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
- The Decadence & Delight of Dubai
- Review: W Dubai The Palm
- Review: Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
- Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (Concourse B)
- Review: Emirates 777 New First Class Geneva to Dubai
- Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (Concourse A)
- Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Toronto
Prince of Travel is the leading resource for using frequent flyer miles, credit card points, and loyalty programs to travel the world at a fraction of the price.
Join our Sunday newsletter below to get weekly updates delivered straight to your inbox.
Have a question? Just ask.
Platinum Membership
Our Platinum members get access to a Circle community, exclusive live learning sessions, and in-person gatherings with like-minded travellers.
Top Offers
Latest News
Prince of Travel Elites
Hi Ricky
What was the Marriott Travel Packages bonanza? What was your strategy to accumulate all these Alaska miles? To accumulate quickly with Alaska is not easy. Travel insurance is not very good either. So the accumulation of 1 mile / $ 1 spent is not the best.
The Travel Packages and the Alaska miles actually went hand in hand. Between late 2016 and August 2018, you could redeem 270,000 Marriott points for 120,000 airline miles in the program of your choosing PLUS 7 nights at a Category 1-5 hotel. Needless to say, many of us loaded up on these packages prior to the merger.
Hi Louis,
Marriott still offers travel packages, however they’ve updated the pricing. Link: https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/redeem/travel/packages.mi
Depending on which package you’re looking to redeem for, there can still be some savings.
In Dubai did you consider Grosvenor House?
I did! In the end the price point of the JW was more favourable, and I had wanted to try it out as the world’s tallest hotel (seemed fitting for Dubai). Then the W on the Palm looked more splurge-worthy than the Grosvenor House for the remaining night.
Hey Ricky. I’ll be in Istanbul for 5 nights in July. Think it’s worth it to carve some time out for a trip to Cappadocia? I hadn’t considered flying there… and $73 RT seems like a steal. Are you planning on riding up in one of the balloons as well?
I’ll let you know in a few days’ time! But I’m definitely leaning towards YES. And yes, I’ve got a balloon tour booked, which I’m very excited about!
Sounds like a really interesting trip. I would be interested to know how much foreign currency you would budget on trips like these. Also what you would use as an alternative to withdraw currency if needed. From my past experiences, I have started to carry less and less currency as it is becoming a norm for many countries to accept credit and the foreign transaction fee is not really a deterrent for not using my credit card. Im sure you would only use it in emergency cases anyway.
Funny thing about the Air Canada international Maple Leaf Lounge. On our last trip, we visited over 10 lounges from across the globe.
This one in particular was the ONLY one with a separate section for parents with kids. I understand to a certain extent. BUT, if you are going to have a separate section, you should make an effort to inform guests that there is a lot more food and stuff available in the other section.
At the time, I was surprised how little food choice there was, and how slow the service was. Upon leaving, we noticed the ‘non-kids’ section had plenty more food and drinks.
Anyways, that was our first lounge and it only got better from there, so that is a positive. CIP lounge, HK CX lounges, Changi lounges, etc.
It sucks that my home city one, was the worse experience of them all.
I had visited the Maple Leaf Lounge in Montreal yesterday for barely half an hour before they closed at 8:30pm. I didn’t realize they closed so early, so that was a little disappointing.
Quick question regarding upgrades! I’m staying at a couple Marriott hotels in the French Riviera. How do you go about asking for an upgrade or free breakfast ahead of time? Who do you email or do you call the hotel? Thanks.
I usually email the hotel to say I’m really looking forward to my stay and inquire about the chances of a nice suite upgrade as a Titanium member (breakfast is already included).
You can usually get the hotel’s email by reaching out to Marriott’s social media teams.
More info here: princeoftravel.com/blog/why-you-should-always-email-your-hotel-in-advance
Hey Ricky. I was wondering if there is a way to avoid Turkish visa which cost 60 USD when travelling on Canadian passport. How were you able to avoid the visa cost.
I had already gotten a Turkish visa when I visited for a day-trip back in January, and it’s valid for six months, so I just needed to get one for my girlfriend this time.
Whoa this sounds awesome. Dude, if you have the points, being able to fly first on Emirates is amazing – def a better deal than paying a full cash fare. Do it up! Can you share who you’re using for the overland travels in Jordan? I’d like to do Amman and Petra later this year and haven’t planned that segment yet. Thanks!
I’ve yet to arrange a driver, actually. Shoot me and email and I’d be happy to share the contact once I do.
We used Memphis tours in both Egypt and Jordan and were very happy with them. We visited both during ramadan (my wife and I and our 4 children). Excellent service from airport pickup and assistance in getting through immigration to sending us on our way at the end of our visits and helping with exit immigration. We had a brief overnight in Cairo, followed by two nights in Luxor and then another two nights back in Cairo and then two nights in Amman with a road trip to Petra. Part of our epic trip that also included Istanbul and Bodrum in Turkey, Athens, Meteora, Rhodes, and Greek islands, London, New York, and Montreal.
I think I know what you have in mind for EK new F. 🙂
I flew on EK new F a couple of weeks ago, and it was spectacular.
Hopefully it will work out for you.
Then you know it’ll be a nail-biting wait until the last minute 😉
don’t understand why someone wouldn’t think that trip sounds fun. he’s an idiot, ignore. question for you Ricky, have you written anything on the legacy seven-night hotel certificates from the Marriott Travel Packages ? I’m pretty loyal to Marriott/SPG as well but haven’t heard these certificates .
I guess I wrote about them towards the tail end of their lifespan: princeoftravel.com/blog/upcoming-changes-marriott-travel-packages
They were a truly spectacular deal.
Wow! Not sure if I am more impressed with this incredible trip or the fact that you are only 25 and you are doing all this!
Although I don’t often comment, I am here reading every day. Yours is by far my favourite blog! One of the big reasons for this is that you offer something for everyone. Many blogs focus on topics that are most applicable to those living in large centres which is perfectly understandable given that that is where the majority of Canadians live. You are much wider in your range of discussion topics. As someone who lives in a very small town, I read with astonishment about your trip in Canada where you were traveling on all the small planes that I am usually going out of my way to avoid! I also enjoy how you address topics such as the ethics involved with this hobby and the your discussion on how your blog started and developed.
Keep writing Ricky! You have much to share. I look forward to continuing to watch your blog develop.
If you don’t have anything positive to say…….
Sounds like a great trip! Didn’t know you are so young, Ricky. Already started your own business and travelled so much, I wish I did as much at your age. Wish you continued success ,
Except for the two aspirational Marriott redemptions, your trip doesnt sound fun at all….looks like you’re just gonna be running around in airports and taxis the entire time and flying mostly economy (which is weird for a miles/points blogger).
And 150,000 Alaska miles for Emirates First is a horrible use of Alaska points….you can fly ROUNDTRIP on Cathay, Qantas or JAL first class to Asia for the same miles as one way on Emirates to the Middle East….I flew EK F twice on the $3000 roundtrip fare sale from Toronto last year and while it was a decent experience, it would definitely be a dumb move to redeem 150,000 Alaska miles for it
And by the way….if you’re gonna be the wannabe Canadian TPG, then at least stay in a bubble tent in Wadi Rum like he did and do it right….who the hell goes to Wadi Rum and does not stay in a bubble tent??
He’s already flown all those on First and prob has a boatload of points from the Marriott packages he traded in last year…so why not? He never said it was the highest use of points. I for one am looking forward to his review for these flights, not too many bloggers can "afford" the points to fly on Emirates First nowadays. But anyway, life’s too short to argue with people online, my comment is meant to support Ricky’s amazing upcoming travels and the thoughtful posts he write to share his experiences.
TPG? You mean the wannabe American PoT?
Even the points guy has redemptions where he knows it might not be the best value…its because he wants to do it and because he CAN do it. Thats the whole idea behind miles and points. Hope you feel better about yourself hiding behind your computer leaving these negative comments. Ricky, congrats on your first hater 🙂 Keep up the great work. That will be an awesome trip!
What a well thought out, ill-mannered comment. I commend you on your hard work being an asshole!
HATERS. YES.
Seems like you don’t think this trip would be fun, and you wouldn’t feel satisfied redeeming your miles this way. Glad it’s me and not you who’s going it then.
What else you got?
Haters always gonna hate and it just means you’ve now got fame and not just game.
That is one epic itinerary you’ve got there. In Dubai, if you buy a ‘tourist’ sim card at the airport from Etisalat (their largest provider), it costs about CAD 36 (700mb data w 40 mins talk + 5 hrs wifi) and it also gives you 1 free ride worth CAD 36 on Careem (the local competitor to Uber). As for Ramadan, restaurants in hotels and malls are usually open in Dubai and as long as you don’t eat/drink in public, you’ll be fine.
Lastly, TPG has gotten like boarding area with multiple writers and all over the map but your blog always provides a fresh lens so, keep it coming and wish you all the best for your 25th, Ricky!
I’ve read three reviews on Al Maha Desert Resort in this single week lol, looks really nice
Sounds like a spectacular trip! And great info in here for me and my family as my sister is about to move to Dubai. Looking forward to the trip report.
Enjoy EK F, you are long overdue for it. You will have a blast in Cappadocia. To this day the hot air ballon experience is one of my most memorable travel ventures. Counting down the months for my Al Maha return, it really lives up to the hype, such a unique property! Let Mystique know about the occasion, I’m sure you will get a room upgrade.