| | Planning for 2024 | | by Brian Kelly | |  | This holiday season, I am staying put and enjoying time at home with Dean. I cannot believe he's 14 months old now and running around with so much energy. We flew to Puerto Rico a couple of weeks ago, and let me just tell you, flying with a baby is much more challenging when they decide they want to go for a walk throughout the flight — including the final approach!
That being said, it is still such a joy to show him the world, and we had a great time at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, which is just 40 minutes outside San Juan. It's a solid use of Marriott Bonvoy points (with the fifth night free, you're looking at 368,000 points for a five-night stay). When cash rates are often over $1,200 a night in the winter peak season, 73,600 points a night is a solid return of over 1.5 cents per Bonvoy point. I also love Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton's first Reserve property, but you'll shell out a lot more points or cash for that experience. To plan your trip to Puerto Rico, I highly recommend using the official destination website discoverpuertorico.com, which has all the information you need for an amazing vacation.
Holiday gift idea
If you want to get better about your finances and investing in 2024, my dear friend Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, has a book coming out later this month called "Rich AF," which is all about breaking down the path to financial freedom in actionable, realistic ways. I got an advance copy and cannot recommend it enough — preorder one for yourself or as a gift.
2024 trips
I love a winter wonderland getaway, so I am very excited to head to Finland in the new year. I'll be checking out Finnair's snazzy new-ish business class and spending a few nights in Helsinki before venturing into Finnish Lapland.
In February, I'm eyeing a return to Japan (maybe to coincide with the Taylor Swift Eras tour, with tickets a fraction of the cost they'd be in the U.S.) and trying out Japan Airlines' new business/first class on its A350-1000 that starts flying Jan. 24 between Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
In March, I am toying with these options for my birthday: St. Barts, the Maldives or Seychelles. I found first-class Emirates availability from Dulles International Airport (IAD), where Emirates' game-changer 777 is currently flying, so I am leaning toward that route, though I want to take Dean ... but is that a recipe for disaster on such a long flight?!
150,000 bonus miles
I generally find the most value in transferring my Capital One miles to either Air France-KLM's Flying Blue program or Emirates Skywards. I just transferred 163,500 miles plus $1,238.10 to book a flight from IAD to the Seychelles via Dubai in first class. That flight retails for $15,825, so I got nearly 9 cents per mile — not too shabby!
The current promotion on the Capital One Venture X Business is 150,000 bonus miles when you spend $30,000 in the first three months of account opening. If you can meet the spending requirement and earn the bonus, it's worth over $2,700, according to our valuations.
If you're saying, "I don't have a business, I couldn't get that card," think again. There are many types of businesses that qualify for business cards, so check it out.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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