Peru

The one I don’t want to postpone.

WHY THIS TRIP

The trek is the reason.

The centerpiece is a 6-day trek to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek plus the Short Inca Trail, with Rainbow Mountain the day before. I picked the experience first. The flights, hotels, points, training, and budget had to support it.

THE TREK

This is what I’m preparing for.

14.6 miles / 10–11 hours on the Salkantay Pass day

PREPARING FOR PERU

Fitness and altitude are different problems.

Practice hiking again before I've fully recovered.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

The plan, day by day.

Travel to Cusco

Cusco base · Palacio del Inka

Rainbow Mountain

Salkantay Trek + Short Inca Trail · Machu Picchu

Travel home

THE FLIGHTS

I didn't optimize every flight the same way.

Airport codes: CMH = Columbus · ATL = Atlanta · LIM = Lima · CUZ = Cusco. All prices are for two people.

Flight	Paid with	Cash
CMH → ATL	12000 Flying Blue miles	$35.30
ATL → LIM, business class	100000 Virgin Points	$111.10
LIM → CUZ	Cash (points not available)	$275.36
CUZ → LIM	Cash (points not available)	$242.90
LIM → ATL, economy	50000 Virgin Points	$171.04
ATL → CMH	12000 Flying Blue miles	$35.30
LATAM seat selection	Cash	$184.80
Total	24000 miles + 150000 points	$1,055.80

THE CABIN DECISION

Business had to earn the extra points.

On an overnight flight, a lie-flat seat meant I could actually sleep.

On a daytime flight, sleep didn't matter, so economy was fine.

WHAT POINTS MADE POSSIBLE

Two transfer bonuses. Two very different decisions.

Citi: 20000 points became 24000 Flying Blue miles.

Chase: 168000 points became 218400 Virgin Points.

THE NUMBERS

What Peru costs so far.

Flights + award taxes/fees + seat selection: $1,055.80

Lodging + Lima airport Sleepover: $1,086.42

Rainbow Mountain + Salkantay / Short Inca Trail: $2,455.00

Travel insurance: $719.43

CASH PAID SO FAR: $5,316.65. Not yet included: food, tips, and other spending during the trip.

WHAT POINTS CHANGED

The four award flights cost far less cash.

Cash price $10,864.66, what I paid $352.74 plus points, difference $10,511.92 less cash. Comparison value—not literal savings. I would not necessarily have purchased every captured cash fare, especially the business-class fare.

HOW EACH POINTS DECISION TURNED OUT

How each points decision turned out.

Should I use 100,000 Virgin Points + $111.10 instead of $6,367 cash for two overnight business-class tickets from Atlanta to Lima?

Yes. 100,000 Virgin Points + $111.10 replaced a $6,367.00 business-class fare for two: 6.26¢ per point.

See the analysis →

Should I preemptively transfer Chase points to Virgin Points during a 30% bonus for a flight that is not yet bookable?

At the time, yes, as a hedge. I moved 91,000 Chase points during a 30% bonus and got 118,300 Virgin Points. Even my conservative estimate valued them at 2.80¢ each. Those were estimates, not booked fares.

See the analysis →

Once the Lima-to-Atlanta return became bookable, did my early Chase-to-Virgin transfer pay off?

In hindsight, no. The return booking was excellent (6.42¢ per point), but it only needed 50,000 points. Moving 91,000 early locked 41,000 extra Chase points into Virgin, where they're less flexible.

See the analysis →

Should I use 24,000 Flying Blue miles + $70.60 instead of $1,116 cash for two people on the short Delta flights between Columbus and Atlanta?

Yes. 24,000 Flying Blue miles + $70.60 replaced a $1,116.00 fare for two: 4.36¢ per mile, or 3.15¢ per mile even if we pay $290.00 in bag fees.

See the analysis →

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