I Used 1 Million Credit Card Points on a 2-Week Europe Trip and Luxury Flights

A year before my wife’s 52nd birthday, I knew I wanted to do something special to celebrate. She loves traveling as much as I do, so I started planning a surprise trip.

In our eight years together, we have traveled to 26 countries. We kissed at the top of the Eiffel Tower, almost lost our stomachs riding camels at the Pyramids of Giza, and shared so many other newfound travel memories.

I felt pressure trying to plan the perfect birthday trip, but there was still cost to consider.

Luckily, after a year of strategically saving credit card points and miles, I was able to afford a two-week trip across five European countries.

Here’s how I managed to never fly economy class or stay in budget hotels.