Masai Mara and Gorillas
How to use credit card points to pay for your trip
There are many things to book besides the trip once I’m in Africa. I managed to pay for most of these extras with credit card points.
The trip with G is way more expensive than the ones I usually do, because of the gorilla trek. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species, with only 1,000 of them left in the wild. There are none in captivity, attempts to capture them resulted in their deaths. About $2,000 goes towards the national park where they live, and to the guides who track them for you.
Since the trip is so expensive, I wanted to minimize the rest of my costs. And I was very successful!
Flights
The biggest of these costs is airfare. Booking just two months before the trip may have added to the price. The best cash price for one of the shortest itineraries was about $2200. I used about 150,000 RBC Avion points, and paid nothing for my flights! But, I did pay a $120 annual fee for 3 credit cards. So I really paid $360. First time ever for completely free flights!
Seat selection
The flights did not include seat selection. I love my aisle seats, so I pay for them. I paid $330 (!) for seat choice on a total of 8 flight segments with a Bànk of Montreal card, then used BMO points to cover the entire cost. (Welcome bonus for one credit card.)
Hotels
Two nights at my starting hotel in Nairobi – about $100 a night at a very nice gated hotel with lovely gardens, a pool and a well-reviewed restaurant – free with RBC Avion points and a $100 yearly travel credit.
One night at a beautiful hotel with balcony in Kigali, Rwanda at the end of my tour, about $120, free with TD points, earned as a welcome bonus for a TD credit card, free.
Two nights at a very nice hotel in the old town of Brussels, where I’m stopping for a break on the long way home – $560 value – cost to me $100, using TD points and a $100 yearly travel credit.
So, by travelling I save money.
Tips on how to use credit cards to save money on travel
You would like to learn more about using credit card points, and how to get them, let me know!
There is so much more for me to learn but I’m happy to share what I know already.