My oldest son has always had big dreams, and two of his biggest dreams were flying in fancy business-class seats and seeing the Eiffel Tower in Paris. He would talk about these dreams regularly, and my usual response was always, “Someday.” I always wanted to make his dreams come true, but I was never quite sure when that day would actually arrive.
However, fate seemed to intervene when I stumbled upon an amazing deal on business-class awards to Paris. The availability of these awards got me thinking, and I started to calculate the potential costs of the rest of the trip. To my surprise, I found reasonably priced hotels just steps away from the Eiffel Tower. With everything falling into place, it felt like the perfect time to make his dreams a reality.
By leveraging points and miles for a fantastic deal on business-class award tickets and lucking out on affordable hotel prices, “someday” came sooner than expected.
Finding a deal on a business-class flight to Paris was made possible by an article on TPG that highlighted Air France business-class flights to Europe for as little as 50,000 miles. After some date adjustments, I managed to secure two one-way tickets from JFK to CDG for only 96,250 Flying Blue miles, plus around $400 in taxes and fees. The cash price for our flight was over $5,000, making the value of the miles we used significant.
To get to New York, I also had to purchase two Delta Air Lines tickets from Louisville. With my Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, I earned an annual companion certificate that covered my son’s positioning flight, keeping our total costs low.
Our stay in Paris was made even more special by booking two nights at the Mercure Paris Centre Eiffel Tower Hotel, just a short walk from the iconic landmark. Despite some advice against staying near the Eiffel Tower, the hotel’s proximity and affordability made it the perfect choice for us. By participating in the Accor Live Limitless rewards program, we were able to earn points for future stays as well.
Planning the perfect Paris trip involved surprising my son with the news of our adventure and making every moment special. From visiting the Air France lounge at JFK to exploring the Eiffel Tower and taking a bike tour of the city, every experience was unforgettable. Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night was a highlight, and my son’s joy at fulfilling his dream was priceless.
In the end, my son’s simple answer of “Seeing the Eiffel Tower” when asked about his favorite part of the trip spoke volumes. It was a trip of a lifetime made possible by points and miles, allowing us to create memories that will last a lifetime. By using the knowledge and resources available, I was able to turn his dreams into reality and create an unforgettable experience for both of us.
