Trip Report #2 – Scottsdale, Arizona – Free first class flights, hotels, and massages!

Frozen Concoction poolside

This trip took place in May of 2016 and was sans kids. We chose Arizona for the consistent, sunny, and hot weather.  More importantly, we chose Arizona over beaches because this was during the Zika scare and Kim was pregnant.  I did a lot of planning for this trip and it paid off well. 

Flights:

When I heard that American Airlines was acquiring U.S. Air I signed both of us up for the Barlcay’s U.S. Air credit card in 2015.  I wanted to sign up before the rewards program merger was complete because I knew that the U.S. Air bonus was going away.  These two sign ups gave us a total of 100,000 U.S. Air points (50k each and free checked bags). 

I booked the flights after the merger was complete, U.S. Air points were simply transferred 1:1 to American Airlines.  Our one way American Airlines first class flights from Columbus to Phoenix cost 25,000 points each.  We knew that this flight was not non-stop when we booked so we chose to fly through Dallas (DFW).  We chose DFW because Kim’s American Express Business Platinum gives us free lounge access.  DFW has an awesome Centurion Lounge with free food, free drinks, and free spa services.  Kim got her nails done and I got a free massage.    

Free Spa Treatments 

You can spend your time here for free with the Amex Platinum Card

For the return flight we used Southwest points to book a non-stop flight from PHX to Columbus.  This flight would have cost us 12,234 points per person but I have a Southwest Companion Pass (valid all of 2016 and 2017) which has allowed Kim to fly free anywhere I fly on Southwest.   We only had to pay the $5.60 taxes on her ticket.  I plan to sign up for only two credit cards to get this companion pass again for 2018 and 2019.  I will be posting my plan and will be challenging others to get the pass as well.  Make sure you subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss out on those posts.

Car:

I found a rental car from Dollar Rent a Car for $61 for three days.  I used the Capital One Venture travel portal to book the car. 

Hotel:

Main Fairmont Pool 

I spent a lot of time researching hotels on Tripadvisor.com.  The one that looked the best was Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.  I especially liked it because their branded credit card was talked a lot about in the credit card points forums.  Once Kim was onboard with the hotel I signed up for the Chase Fairmont Credit Card (no longer available).   This card came with 2 free nights in a standard room, $100 food or spa vouchers, suite upgrade certificate, and a 3^rd night free certificate.  We were able to use the upgrade certificate with the two free nights and were upgraded to a Casita Suite.  Fairmont also runs two promotions a year where you can buy gift cards with a 20% bonus.  We bought some of these to pay for the spa and restaurant visits. 

The entire point of this trip was to relax since the kids weren’t with us. 
Staff: We arrived before 9am, The bell hop stand was quick to assist us in storing our luggage - they even put my beer and water in a fridge. They temporarily valeted, for free, our car until we knew where our room would be located. The front desk was quick to find us a room however the current occupants had yet to checkout. We were give pool area keys and directions to the changing rooms. Overall the staff was great. Any question I had was quickly answered. The housekeeping staff always asked if we needed anything. 

Spa- Kim had two appointments at the wonderful Spa. She enjoyed both treatments. I tagged along one day and purchased a spa pass which gave me access to the gym, pools, saunas etc. The Spa gym, much nicer than the regular hotel gym, had adequate weight machines, free weights and newer cardio equipment. I'm not much of a spa guy but the steam room, plunge pools, and saunas were wonderful. In the morning I had the place to myself. We also enjoyed the adults only pool - especially the large pillow like rafts for floating. The food at the spa was healthy and excellent. I recommend the salads. 

Relex at the adult pool 

Another view of adult pool 

Waterfall at the Spa

Room - As a fairmont presidents club member I redeemed an upgrade to a Casita suite. Our room was right on the golf course with awesome views; the room and bathroom were large. The bed was very comfortable. 

Casita suite

Pools - We mostly used the main pool near the bar - food and drinks are a bit pricey but wonderful. I only wish they provided some rafts at the main pool. On our last day we used the casita pool which was much smaller and more private. This pool had awesome loungers and couches. 

Out lounge spot at the pool 

Restaurants - We ate dinner at La Hacienda and bourbon steak and had breakfast each day at Ironwood American kitchen. We thought every meal was great. 

Yum Yum

Overall it was a wonderful resort. We definitely plan to come back and bring the kids especially given the new pool that has been opened. It has a sand area.  This resort also has special Easter activities for the kids over the Easter weekend.  This is definitely on my travel bucket list to accomplish. 

One note – some of these cards do come with annual fees which is a true cost.  I do not mind paying the annual fees because I believe the value received from having the card is much greater. 

Have you been to PHX area?  Where did you stay?