With credit card points, hotel points, and airline miles, Katherine Fan became a Taiwanese citizen.
The Austin-based personal finance editor had traveled to Taipeidozensof times.
For years, Fan had been eager to make her relationship withTaiwanfeel more official.
A portrait of Katherine Fan.Credit:Courtesy of Katherine Fan
Since she lived and worked in the U.S., strict residency requirements made it nearly impossible.
But in 2024, those restrictions were relaxed, and she applied as soon as she could.
The final step in the process required visiting the country in person.
A glass of champagne and Delta Airlines trading card.Courtesy of Katherine Fan
In fact, Fan left Taiwan with her brand new passport.
Heres how she made it all happen.
(She stayed with family for the majority of the trip.)
Katherine looking out an airplane window.Courtesy of Katherine Fan
If Fan had paid for everything in cash, the total travel cost wouldve been around $6,700.
Instead, her out-of-pocket expenses landed at just about $150, in taxes and fees.
Flights
Fans trip to Asia was booked at the last minute.
The key for Fan was finding award availability, which is why she waited to secure her tickets.
Her secret weapon for this?
She secured this one-way journey in the ultra-private Delta One Suites for 93,500 miles and $5.60 in taxes.
To return back to the U.S., Fan had a lengthy journey east through Europe.
However, it was a worthwhile redemption, she said.
She then connected onwards on Austrian Airlines business class from Vienna to New York, landing in JFK.
The reservation required $150 in taxes and fees.
Hotel
Finally, Fans two-night hotel stay was secured mere days before check-in.
She booked theSheraton Grand Taipeifor 39,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night over New Years Eve.
(The going cash rate at the time was nearly $500 per night.)
If I didn’t have backup places to stay, I would have booked significantly sooner.
I’m a big proponent of using shopping portals like Rakuten for earning points, she said.
Have a feel-good points and miles story you want to share with T+L readers?
Email me at thechrisdong@gmail.com.
