7 Days in Whistler and Squamish for only $180!

This trip would have cost us $4,181 if we had paid cash!

Skiing in Whistler, British Columbia

The inspiration for this trip was once again Free Night Certificates that we needed to use up. As usual, we looked around for the best value and what we came up with was Whistler, British Columbia.

We flew business class on Air Canada from San Francisco to Vancouver. For this we used 134,668 points (the cash cost would have been $1,552).

From the airport we picked up a rental car and drove to Whistler. In Whistler, we checked into the Whistler Hilton Resort and Spa. They upgraded our room to one with a fireplace. For this stay, Kate and I each had one Hilton Free Night Certificate (FNC). We booked back to back reservations using our FNCs and then had them marry our reservations together. This stay would have cost us $911 if we had paid cash.

We spent one day in Whistler doing downhill skiing and one day doing cross country skiing.

For our Hilton parking fees and restaurant charges were $195. We used our annual American Express Aspire card $200 to cover this.

Hilton suite in Whistler, British Columbia

For the Westin Resort and Spa. We used a Marriott FNC. If we had paid cash it would have cost us $893. Westin had an even nicer room than Hilton. This time with a fireplace and a full kitchen. The Hilton and Westin hotels were right next to each other. So for our dinner and breakfast ($150) we just walked over to the Hilton and used our free Hilton gift cards.

After that, we drove to Squamish and checked into the Crash Hotel. The cost for our 3-night stay was $480, but we used our annual $300 Capital One travel benefit to bring it down to $180.

While we were in Squamish, we went on the Britannia mine tour. We rode the Sea to Sky Gondola and did Via Ferrata climbing.

Via Ferrata climbing in Squamish, British Columbia

The following day we hiked The Chief.

Hiking the Chief in Squamish, British Columbia

We had a 6:20 PM flight home from Vancouver. So we drove to Vancouver and got a free breakfast at the Vancouver Hilton. Then we went to the Vancouver Aquarium. They had great otter, octopus and iguana exhibits.

YEAH, BUT HOW DID YOU GET THOSE FREE HILTON GIFT CARDS?

American Express Business Hilton Honors cards provide a $60 Hilton credit each quarter. You can physically bring the card with you and place a $60 charge on it. Or you could buy Hilton gift cards and just bring them to the property (this is what we do).

American Express Hilton Honors Surpass cards provide a $50 Hilton credit each quarter. You can physically bring the card with you and place a $50 charge on it. Or you could buy Hilton gift cards and just bring them to the property.

American Express Business Platinum cards provide a $50 Hilton credit each quarter. You can physically bring the card with you and place a $50 charge on it. Or you could buy Hilton gift cards and just bring them to the property. (Requires enrollment in the Hilton for Business program).

So with a couple of cards, you could be racking up $1,000+ a year that can be spent at Hilton properties.

HOW DID YOU GET THOSE HILTON FREE NIGHT CERTIFICATES?

We received one from opening an American Express Hilton Honors Surpass card and one from opening an American Express Business Hilton Honors card.

HOW DID YOU GET THE WESTIN (MARRIOTT) FREE NIGHT CERTIFICATE?

We received this from an annual benefit of having a Chase Ritz-Carlton card. In order to get a Ritz-Carlton card, you must first get a Chase Marriott Bonvoy card. Hold the Marriott Bonvoy card for one year and then you can ask to upgrade to a Ritz-Carlton card.

HOW DID YOU GET THE $300 CAPITAL ONE TRAVEL CREDIT?

This is an annual benefit (along with 10,000 Capital One points) that you receive each year just for having the Capital One Venture X card.