Hey {{first name | reader}},
Happy Wednesday! Halfway through the week. Three things on the menu today:
Aeroplan points sale is back (and I'm eyeing Air India's new 787 suites)
Hilton Honors points sale: easy math, huge upside
Our most requested hotel: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab (and why clients keep booking it)
Aeroplan points sale is back (and I'm eyeing Air India's new 787 suites)
Aeroplan is running a buy-points promo right now (tiered bonus, with the best tier at 100% bonus if you buy enough points), valid Jan 26 – Feb 16, 2026.
Why this matters: Aeroplan is still one of the most flexible "global" programs for premium cabins across a ton of partners.
A couple reminders before anyone goes "add to cart":
I don't usually recommend buying points without a plan (unless you travel a lot). The "deal" is only a deal if you're turning those points into a flight/hotel you actually want.
Think in cost-per-point. With the top bonus, you're effectively paying around ~$13.70 per 1,000 points.
Now the fun part: one of the redemptions I'd genuinely be excited to try right now is Air India's refreshed long-haul business class on the 787, which is rolling out with a new premium product (including Ascent Suites in business). Air India has started taking delivery of 787s with the new cabins, and they're positioning this as a major step in the product refresh.
Air India new 787 business class
Is Air India historically "the obvious pick"? No. But new hardware + a good Aeroplan redemption is exactly the kind of combo I love testing.
Hilton Honors points sale: easy math, huge upside
Hilton is currently offering a 100% bonus when you buy points, with an effective cost of $5 per 1,000 points.
Here's the simple way to think about it (this is the only "strategy" you need):
Find your Hilton stay in cash
Find the same stay in points
Convert points → dollars using your buy cost ($5 per 1,000 points)
If points come out cheaper than cash after taxes/fees, you're good to go
And then the cheat code:
If you have Hilton Silver elite status or above, you get a 5th night free on standard award stays, which can swing the math massively on 5-night trips.
Example (fake numbers, just to show the math):
Cash price: $650/night + taxes → you're at $3,600 all-in for 5 nights
Points price: 95,000 points/night → 475,000 points total
With 5th night free: you pay 380,000 points
At ~$5 per 1,000: 380,000 points ≈ $1,900 "cost", which turns out to $380 per night
That's when buying points becomes a real value move.
One warning: Hilton can be stingy with "standard room" award availability at the best properties. So the workflow is: check availability first, then buy points.
Our most requested hotel: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab (and why clients keep booking it)
This is the hotel we've booked the most since launching the service — and I get it.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Jumeirah positioned Marsa Al Arab as a statement property: yacht-inspired design, ultra-modern, and meant to sit right in that iconic Jumeirah cluster of "best-of-Dubai" hotels. It's the kind of place where, if you're going to do Dubai properly, you want it to feel effortless and elevated from the second you arrive.
And here's the thing: booking a top-tier luxury hotel isn't just about the room. It's about:
Having someone handle the details
Getting recognized as VIP
And stacking benefits that quietly add up to a much better stay
When our clients book Marsa Al Arab through us, the booking comes with:
Daily complimentary buffet breakfast for two
Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
$75 food & beverage or spa credit, per room per stay
Early check-in + 4 PM late check-out, subject to availability
Personalized welcome amenity
Enhanced VIP recognition at all touch points
Complimentary one-way airport transfer for suite guests
That's a lot of value, but the bigger value is: you don't have to think. We make sure the hotel has the right notes, the right context, and that you're treated like you should be treated when you're paying for a truly luxury stay.
One quick note on how our hotel booking service works:
We’re not a “find the cheapest rate” agency — we run a VIP luxury booking service for travelers who want the best hotel experience with zero hassle. We help you choose the right properties for your trip (not just what’s popular), we handle the back-and-forth with the hotel, and we make sure your preferences are on file so you don’t have to worry about the details. And because we’re a luxury travel advisor, many bookings also include exclusive perks and benefits that you typically won’t get booking direct or through standard OTAs.
If you are planning a stay at a luxury hotel, and want everything handled for you by a team of professionals and travel addicts, let us know and we will handle everything for you.
That's it for today. More deals and strategies coming your way on Friday.
Catch you in the clouds,
Tomi