Four Girls to Cancun Countdown: Redeemed FlexPerks Rewards and BusinessFirst!

Samba for Miles, Natalya, Tatyana and I are all going to Cancun tomorrow! Read about how I booked my $578 with 30,000 FlexPerks Rewards on United and upgraded to BusinessFirst on the way there for an additional $47. And I will still be earning frequent flyer miles for the ticket.

We previously learned about:

1. Natalya using United Miles to fly to Grand Cayman and Cancun

2. Tatyana using Delta miles partners for her trip to Cancun.

Now we’ll hear how I am getting there…

In my Top Five Ways to Fly to the Caribbean with Miles, FlexPerks Rewards ranks as number 3. FlexPerks Rewards is a program associated with the US Bank Visa Card. You earn one point per dollar on basic spending and the points are redeemable for tickets on the FlexPerks Rewards Travelocity powered search engine at the following rates:

20,000 Flex­Points = Up to $400 ticket value
30,000 Flex­Points = Up to $600 ticket value
40,000 Flex­Points = Up to $800 ticket value
50,000 Flex­Points = Up to $1,000 ticket value
70,000 Flex­Points = Up to $1,400 ticket value
100,000 Flex­Points = Up to $2,000 ticket value
150,000 Flex­Points = Up to $3,000 ticket value
225,000 Flex­Points = Up to $4,500 ticket value
350,000 Flex­Points = Up to $7,000 ticket value
500,000 Flex­Points = Up to $10,000 ticket value

Redeeming 30,000 FlexPerks Rewards + $47

February, especially President’s Day weekend is peak season for flying to Cancun from New York.

FlexPerks Rewards is a good currency to bring in when convenient flights with miles are not so available. I found a ticket for $578 on United direct both ways departing from Newark:

1. Outbound: Leaves 7:52 am, arrives 11:14 am

2. Return: Leaves 1:20 pm, arrives 6:28

This ticket cost me 30,000 FlexPerks. When you book with FlexPerks, it’s as if you paid with cash from the point of view of the airline.

The payment even shows up as having paid by check on the payment information. As a result, this ticket earns miles and is eligible for paid and complimentary upgrades.

When I went to check my itinerary, I got the option to  upgrade to BusinessFirst for an additional $47 and I took it. The BusinessFirst class on the United route from Newark to Cancun actually has the new renovated flat-bed seats so I’ll be particularly comfortable on my earning morning flight.

Getting to use my United Mileage Plus 1K Benefits

Since the ticket was technically paid with cash, I will still be earning miles on this flight. Each way is 1547 miles and I am in BusinessFirst on the way there. I will be getting 2260 miles on the way there and 1547 on the way back. Since my 1K status earns me a 100% bonus, I will be getting 7,735 United Mileage Plus miles for taking this trip.

 I am also eligible for a complimentary elite upgrade to BusinessFirst on the way back if the cabin doesn’t fill up. I still see four open seats in first! As a 1K, I’ll be near the top of the upgrade list. Who knows, maybe I’ll be flying back in BusinessFirst too ;)

Summary

• I used 30,000 FlexPerks Rewards points to book direct flights from New York to Cancun on United that would cost $578
• I was able to upgrade my flight there for $47, flying in flat-bed BusinessFirst.
• Since FlexPerks Rewards tickets are no different from cash, I will be earning 7,735 United Mileage Plus miles for my flights.

You may notice that one itinerary is suspiciously missing. Yes, this is the itinerary in which Samba for Miles travels to Grand Cayman, Rio de Janeiro and makes a stop in Panama City taking the city by storm with her dance moves … Well, this itinerary, I am only going to reveal after the trip. I promise it’s worth the wait!

Like The Miles Professor on Facebook to follow us during our trip. We’ll be posting lots of photos!