How We Used Chase and Aeroplan Points to Visit Malta and Zurich (Ep. 148)

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Malta may be small enough to explore by car in just a few hours, but there's a lot more to this Mediterranean destination than its size suggests. In Part 2 of their Turkey, Malta, and Switzerland trip recap, DeAndre and Taryn share everything they learned during four days in Malta, from navigating left-side driving and choosing the right hotel to discovering beautiful beaches, historic cities, incredible restaurants, and some unforgettable experiences on the water. They break down their stay at Hyatt Regency Malta, including how they booked a suite using 54,000 Hyatt points, and explain why the location, dining scene, and easy access to nightlife made it a great base for exploring the island.

The adventure continues with a diving trip to Gozo, a private boat excursion to the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, and visits to Mdina and Valletta. Along the way, DeAndre and Taryn share practical advice on renting a car, using Bolt, avoiding parking fines, planning a shorter private boat tour instead of a crowded group excursion, and making the most of Malta's food and cocktail scene. They also explain why four days felt like enough time for their visit, even though Malta has enough history, beaches, and activities to fill a much longer trip.

From Malta, they turn their journey home into a three-night stopover in Zurich using Air Canada Aeroplan, adding the stop for just 5,000 points per person. They stay at the Park Hyatt Zurich with Chase points, take the train to explore Lucerne, enjoy Swiss fondue and Zurich's cocktail bars, and discover firsthand how expensive Switzerland can be. Finally, they share their experience flying SWISS business class back to New York, a redemption worth approximately $13,000 in cash that cost them 140,000 points plus $260. Between the incredible value of their flights, the challenges of navigating unfamiliar destinations, and the experiences they would repeat or skip, this episode is packed with practical advice for planning a memorable multi-country trip using points and miles.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro: Malta Travel Guide and Our 10,000 Point Switzerland Stopover

(03:02) Arriving in Malta: First Impressions, Heat and Humidity

(05:00) Driving in Malta: Left-Side Traffic, Parking and Using B