Saving $46K in spring award travel to East Asia

In celebration of Golden Week, Val and Bryan head to see the famed Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. 

Highlights 

There’s something undeniably thrilling about turning lofty daydreams into reality, especially when it involves luxury travel at a fraction of the cost. When Val and I set our sights on experiencing Japan and Korea during Golden Week, one of the busiest holiday travel periods in East Asia, I knew it would take meticulous coordination and a bit of audacity to execute. But with agile planning, I whittled down what would have cost $46,743.86 in retail value to just $444.66 in taxes and fees. 

That’s more than a 99% reduction in total travel award savings!

For fellow travel hackers and aspiring points enthusiasts who strive to unlock high-value travel without the exorbitant price tag, the following post will explain how we did it. And for those who really want to get into more details, I’ve created a travel sheet that outlines our complete hour-by-hour itinerary, expenses, packing, and perspectives.

Breakdown

Flights for two people yielded $39,758.52 of value from award redemptions, and we only needed to pay $444.66 in taxes and fees to fly across continents:

• 2 business class flights on Japan Airlines from LAX to HND retailed for $32,138. We redeemed 330,000 JetBlue points transferred at a 1:1 rate from Chase (and $410.80 in taxes and fees). 
• CPP = 100 * (32,138 - 410.80) / 330,000 = 9.61 CPP 
• 2 business class flights on Korean Airlines from KIX to ICN retailed for $1,053.40. We redeemed 30,000 Delta SkyMiles (and ¥8,500 or $54.18 in taxes and fees). I applied $50 in airline credits from the AmEx Aspire Card to lower the taxes and fees to $4.18.
• CPP = 100 * (1,053.40 - 4.18) / 30,000 = 3.50 CPP 
• 2 business class flights on Delta One from ICN to LGA retailed for ₩4,819,900 per person or $6,567.12 for two people. We redeemed 250,000 Delta SkyMiles (and ₩117,200 or $79.68 USD in taxes and fees) for Premium Select seats that we later upgraded to Delta One cabins via Global Upgrade Certificates awarded as a Delta Choice Benefit. I applied $50 in airline credits from the AmEx Aspire Card to lower the taxes and fees to $29.68.
• CPP = 100 * (6,567 - 29.68) / 250,000 = 2.62 CPP 

Accommodations for two people resulted in $6,985.34 of value from award redemptions, and since all of the stays were redeemed through the Hilton portfolio, we did not have to pay any hidden resort fees:

• 3 nights at Conrad Tokyo retailed for $3,524.76 USD (we booked initially for a King Room City and the hotel staff were kind enough to upgrade us to a King Suite Bay View for our last two nights in Tokyo). We redeemed 100,000 Hilton Honors points to cover two nights and also used a free night certificate from hitting a spending bonus on wedding vendor spend on a Hilton Aspire card. 
• CPP = 100 * (3,524.76 - 0) / 100,000 = 3.52 CPP 
• 2 nights at Roku Kyoto, LXR Hotels & Resorts in an upgraded King Bed Premier Ocean View room retailed for ¥324,300 or $2,264.58. Val redeemed 2 free night certificates, so this accommodation did not cost us any points or cash. We did enroll in a culturally authentic kintsugi experience that we charged in our room to avail the full $400 resort credit across two Hilton Aspire cards. 
• 2 nights at Conrad Seoul in a King Bed Deluxe Accessible Room retailed for $796. We redeemed 145,000 Hilton Honors points without taxes or fees. This was the most suboptimal redemption of the whole trip, but similar to decisions made when planning our honeymoon in a previous trip, we had over a million Hilton Honors points left and did not want to waste any more time trying to find another accommodation.
• CPP = 100 * (796 - 0) / 145,000 = 0.55 CPP

View more of our trip on Google Photos.

Reviews

• Japan Airlines (Qantas First Class Lounge at LAX and First Class Flight Experience): The Qantas First Class Lounge at LAX set the tone for our trip: an oasis of calm with impeccable service. The full-service restaurant was a highlight, offering gourmet dishes like adobo chicken tacos, salt and pepper squid, and a refreshing yuzu lime posset. Paired with expertly crafted cocktails (a jasmine gin-Campari blend and a gin-cherry liqueur-lavender concoction), it was a luxurious pre-flight indulgence. Onboard Japan Airlines’ Boeing 787, the First Class experience exceeded expectations. The cabin crew’s attentiveness was exceptional, and we appreciated the gender-specific amenity kits waiting at our seats. The enclosed storage compartments were a thoughtful touch, eliminating the need to constantly stow belongings overhead. The in-flight dining was a standout—authentic Japanese cuisine and à la carte snacks provided a delightful preview of Japan’s culinary excellence. If there was one minor critique, the seat blanket felt rough compared to the plush overnight comforter; a softer option would have elevated the comfort further. Still, it was a small footnote in an otherwise flawless journey. From lounge to landing, Japan Airlines delivered refinement, relaxation, and a true taste of Japanese hospitality. My wife and I highly recommend JAL for travelers seeking a premium experience.
• Stay at Conrad Tokyo: Our stay at the Conrad Tokyo was memorable from start to finish, highlighted by a generous upgrade to a stunning bay view king suite for our last two nights. The executive lounge offered delicious food, though the need to reserve in advance for cocktail hour was a bit inconvenient with a busy itinerary, so we were only able to enjoy it once. Otherwise, the food and service remained exceptional. Thoughtful touches like personalized notes and the signature Conrad rubber duck made for a very special experience. 
• Airbnb Nightlife Shinjuku Photo Shoot: Our photography experience was fantastic, with a great mix of fun and interesting modern locations that don't require too much walking. We received beautifully edited photos, along with all the original shots, which we really valued. The whole session felt relaxed and well-paced, making it a great way to capture memories. Isabel was also very informative and even recommended some local sushi spots for us to check out after the photoshoot.
• Michelin Experience at Florilège: We were excited to try Florilège, but the experience fell short of our expectations. We appreciated the creative, plant-based approach to many of the dishes, and there were some really interesting and enjoyable flavor combinations (the raw clam with lemon sorbet and root vegetable comes to mind). While nothing truly blew us away, everything tasted pretty cohesive overall. Service was decent, but the pacing of the meal was a major downside. There were 9 major courses total, but somehow we spent 4 hours there. We have dined at many Michelin restaurants before with more courses, but we were there for a much shorter time, yet we did not feel at all rushed. Long waits between courses and even to pay the bill detracted from the overall experience. One thing we found frustrating was not receiving the menu until after the meal. Without it, and given that some explanations from the servers were difficult to understand, we often didn't know exactly what we were eating. Having the menu upfront would make the experience much more engaging and meaningful. That said, we really appreciated the thoughtful touch of a special dessert for our wedding anniversary. It was a kind gesture that added a personal touch to the evening. Overall, Florilège provided a unique dining concept with potential, but there’s definitely room for improvement in communication and pacing.
• Dinner at Tejin Restaurant: Tejin delivered an exceptional and artful dining experience that truly took us through the tastes of Japan. Every dish was thoughtfully crafted, from the Kyoto duck to the ikura and delicate raw seafood, each bite balanced subtlety and boldness in a way that felt both inventive and deeply authentic. The fish with morel mushrooms and strawberry matcha daifuku dessert were standout highlights. We also loved the unique touch of moving to a private bar area for dessert, which added intimacy and flow to the meal. The atmosphere was serene and elegant, though perhaps a touch too quiet; the acoustics made the clink of utensils on plates surprisingly loud. Still, the overall experience was refined and memorable. A must-visit for those who appreciate Japanese cuisine elevated to an art form.
• Stay at Roku Kyoto LXR: Roku Kyoto was an unforgettable retreat. It was absolutely stunning and serene from the moment we arrived. We were generously upgraded to a room with a private onsen, which became a nightly ritual and a true highlight of our stay. The thoughtful touches throughout made the experience even more special: complimentary snacks from the mini bar (those thin potato chips and dark chocolate acai berries were dangerously good), local Kyoto craft beer, and beautifully personalized gifts like custom chopsticks and sweet treats. The property effortlessly blends luxury with tranquility, and the service was warm and attentive without being intrusive. 
• Kyoto Bus Tour (Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama): The Kyoto bus tour was a convenient and well-paced way to see some of the city’s top highlights in a single day, including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Each stop offered just the right amount of time. We never felt rushed, but we also didn’t linger too long. While the sites themselves were spectacular, the guiding was fairly minimal. The guide gave short introductions on the bus, but we found ourselves relying on our phones and data plans to get deeper context and history at each location. Still, for travelers wanting an efficient, stress-free overview of Kyoto’s iconic spots, it’s a solid choice.
• Korean Airlines Business Class: Even on a short flight, Korean Air’s business class delivered a polished and comfortable experience. The salmon and salad lunch was fresh and flavorful, and the cabin crew were warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming throughout. We especially appreciated the generous storage space, which made settling in easy. Though brief, the flight felt relaxed and well-catered. It was a great glimpse into Korean Air’s high standard of service.
• Stay at Conrad Seoul: Conrad Seoul exceeded all expectations. It was truly a next-level luxury experience, even compared to other Conrad properties we've booked. Our room was incredibly spacious, with a thoughtful personalized message written on the window that made us feel instantly welcomed. The Executive Lounge was a standout, offering an impressive variety of delicious food and drinks that made it hard to justify leaving the hotel to eat elsewhere. Our couples massage at the hotel spa was one of the most relaxing we've had in a long time, and the entire property felt exceptionally clean, calm, and beautifully maintained. Every detail, from the service to the ambiance, made us feel completely cared for. We’re already looking forward to our next stay.
• DMZ Tour: Booked via GetYourGuide, our tour guide was highly informative, and she took the time to explain the history of the formation of the DMZ during our trip to the border. She was also able to squeeze in a bonus session on Korean skincare products toward the end of the experience.