His luxurious travel style fascinates blog readers, twitter followers, instagram lurkers and immigration officers around the globe. From flying First Class to sleeping at Presidential Suites… Bart Lapers pulls it off. By tweaking hotel and airline loyalty programs, promotions and error fares, he manages to experience ultimate luxury travel… on a budget. Bart shares travel his tips & tricks via his blog, social media channels and travel seminars. Next TravelMagic seminar: Saturday Sep 21, 2013 at The Hotel - Brussels, Belgium.
3. What I do...
Traveling luxurious with a limited budget:
✓Luxury hotels at a fraction of the regular price
✓Flying Business & First class at Economy prices
✓Score as much extra’s as possible (upgrades, free
breakfast, internet, lounge access, late check-out...)
8. •Priority Club Free Nights: Stay 2 get 1 Free
•Mattress Run
•Used free nights at most expensive IHG Hotels:
✓CP NYC New Year’s Eve (2 nights = €800)
✓IC London Park Lane (2 nights = €1404)
•InterContinental Ambassador Status
How?
9. St. Regis Bangkok - Caroline Astor Suite
Lowest Rate €380 - Average €700
20. How?
•Bought 150,000 Hilton HHonors points
for $825 via Daily Getaways promo
•Free breakfast & WiFi
•Discount on required number of points
•Thanks to free Hilton HHonors Gold status
38. How?
•Used Hyatt Diamond Upgrade Certificate
•Free breakfast & WiFi
•Access to Grand Club lounge
•4PM late check-out
•All thanks to Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond Status
58. What does it cost?
LH longhaul First Class return flights:
€6000 - €10000
With purchased miles:
< €2000
With saved miles at Miles & More:
< €500
59. How?
•Save miles using ALL opportunities (flying incl. mileage
runs, credit cards, hotels stays, magazine subscriptions,...)
•Purchasing miles (also at Star Alliance partners)
•Best Value: Use your miles for Business & First Class flights
74. Singapore Airlines First Class
+ Air New Zealand
Business & Economy Class
Normal ticket price
>€6000
Paid: €369
75. How?
•Unintentional C & F reward release during SQ
Booking Engine upgrade July 2012
•Used 45K United Miles
•98K Wyndham Rewards points €237
Daily Getaways campaign
Converted to 39,200 United miles
•Used 5800 miles from United MileagePlus account
86. •Last Minute booking using 80K United Miles
• 26600 miles €129 Wyndham Rewards 16K Bonus Point Offer
United Hotel Points to Miles Transfer Bonus
• 26388 miles €437 using United Award Accelerator offer
• 25000 miles €470 using United Miles 40% off offer
• 2000 miles €50 part of MilePoint.com Premium membership
How?
87. Even cheaper!
•€931 with Avianca/Taca
LifeMiles!
•Tip: sign-up now for free
LifeMiles.com account
•Existing account required
for 100% bonus promos!
88. Why is this possible?
•Requires knowledge, effort & flexibility
•Attracts revenue to Airline Alliances & Hotel
chains with best loyalty programs
•Exposure of product/service to new customers