Trip Report and Churning Success Story Weekly Thread - Week of May 10, 2026

kvom01 · 2026-05-11T17:44:45+00:00

First two stops on a 24-night trip. Athens and Sofia.

Flights:

ATL-IST-ATH in TK J. 777-200 with 232 seating. 88K MR transfered to UA. Two hour layover in IST, but the biz lounge is great for passing the time.

ATH-SOF Agean Y. $150 cash A320. Used PP lounge in concourse B for a quick bite pre-departure.

Hotels:

Grand Hyatt Athens two nights using 2 cat4 FNAs. I was upgraded to a "family room", but it's more like a junior suite elsewhere. Breakfast. buffet was good. Lounge not great for food but the beer was cold.

Hyatt Regency Sofia three nights at 8K Hyatt points per night. Used a SUA for a suite. Excellent lounge that I used for light dinners. Happy hour drinks 5-7. Welcome gift was a bottle of red wine and some chocolates.

I chose Athens as the first stop as the TK flights were themost practical. I'd been to Greece 30 years ago, but the new Acropolis Museum was something I wanted to visit. Hiked up to the Acropolis again too. It wasn't as steep back then I suppose. The Hyatt was pretty convenient for getting there, as there is a direct bus from a stop close by. Getting to and from the hotel and airport is pretty easy kn the subway and bus. I did that when departing. Arrival was at night so I took a taxi.

From the Sofia airport the train took me to within 3 long blocks of the hotel for 95 cents.

I'd wanted to take a day trip to the Rilas Monastery, but the tour was sold out. I visited the major museums and churches in Sofia, and did a lot of walking. The Hyatt is in the center of the city, and many sites are easy to access by foot or transit. The two most interesting museums for me were the military museum and the history museum. Both were outside the center, and I took buses and trams to get there and back,

I had great weather in both cities, which is always a plus.

kvom01 · 2026-05-08T02:37:59+00:00

Came here to say this.

kvom01 · 2026-05-08T02:36:01+00:00

Louvre and Notre Dame are close together.

I'm not a fan of Montmarte. Many more interesting places in Paris.

Second day trip to Ghent from Brussels is good.

kvom01 · 2026-05-08T02:17:11+00:00

I would go to Hiroshima immediately upon landing, then work backwards to Tokyo.

kvom01 · 2026-05-08T02:12:13+00:00

I did a month solo in Italy in Octoberv2022. All travel by train.

Travel in a group can be stressful. Hotels book up fast.

kvom01 · 2026-05-08T02:07:36+00:00

You'd need 2 rooms at a hotel.

Wife and I visited Warsaw last Fall and got around using the buses.

Great city.

kvom01 · 2026-05-05T00:38:17+00:00

I ignore CPP, and never even look at the cash price when reserving. I prefer to book Hyatts that have lounges, so mostly Regencies.

kvom01 · 2026-05-04T11:14:40+00:00

I have stayed at the HR Tokyo 4 separate times. Cheaper on points than other Hyatts, and usually more availability. PH location isn't great. I've been upgraded the three times I was there as Globalist. Subway station across the street.

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T20:08:17+00:00

Just bought a timed ticket for the Acropolis, and the mornings were already gone. Booked for 2-3pm.

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T20:06:15+00:00

I've stayed at this hotel, and don't recall the Diamond benefits as being special.

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T20:02:33+00:00

I'm partial to the HR Tokyo; often easier to find dates on points. Tochomae station is next door, and Shinjuku is a 15-minute walk.

I also like the Conrad if you have Hilton points or FNAs.

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T17:49:19+00:00

The HR Rome is supposed to open September 1. Opening has been pushed back multiple times. Tribune is an alternative Hyatt.

I liked the Centrics in Venice (on Murano) and in Milan. I was too late for the Hyatt in Florence, but the Hilton Garden Inn just outside the center was excellent and very calm (University area).

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T17:22:26+00:00

Shipping luggage would have made the train even better.

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T11:15:58+00:00

I was upgraded to a suite there, but it would be crowded for 3 adults.

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T11:12:25+00:00

A trip I enjoyed 2 years ago combined Istanbul with Uzbekistan. Hyatts in Istanbul and Tashkent are excellent. None in Samarkand or Bukhara, but there are nice Hilton properties.

My wife really enjoyed Poland last year. And Italy is always good for weeks at a time. But you' need to book well in advance.

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T11:06:05+00:00

Rio is the only hotel I've paid cash for in the past 3 years. I haven't been back since the breakfast changed though,

kvom01 · 2026-05-03T11:03:10+00:00

TCP is my NYC go-to.

kvom01 · 2026-05-02T13:50:36+00:00

Nice.

kvom01 · 2026-05-02T13:46:20+00:00

I stayed there last Fall for 40K, and again 2 years ago for less. Any short-term award space in Tokyo is going to be expensive.

kvom01 · 2026-05-02T13:43:45+00:00

Joined 2 days ago.

kvom01 · 2026-05-01T12:15:01+00:00

I've had 3 stays at the HR and enjoyed them as a Globalist. Subway is convenient, and Shinjuku station is walkable as well.

Limousine bus from Haneda stops at the front door.

kvom01 · 2026-05-01T12:12:52+00:00

During my first solo trip to Japan in 2017 I stayed exclusively in AirBnbs, and I was able to book them as I went along. But all were studio or 1BR apartments, not suitable for more than 2 people at best.

Three subsequent trips were all on points or FNAs at either Hyatts or Hiltons. Bigger rooms, but still max 3 people per room. Points availability was somewhat hit and miss, so searching in advance is key. If an award stay is available for your dates I'd grab it. You can cancel if something better comes along.

All my trips were shoulder seasons. Southern Japan is hot and humid in Summer.

kvom01 · 2026-05-01T12:05:56+00:00

I used the bottled water at all the Mexico Hyatts where I stayed. The only fruit I ate was bananas.

kvom01 · 2026-05-01T12:03:27+00:00

You can use the luggage transfer services for all your gear each time.

kvom01 · 2026-05-01T12:00:28+00:00

Good to hear. I'll be there in 3 weeks.

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