Summer 2017: Central Europe Trip Report – Introduction

My parents are visiting me in the US this summer and after their month long stay we are going to be visiting Europe for a 2 week trip. I was in Europe for the first time during the summer of 2014 when we visited Amsterdam, London, Lucerne, Milan, Venice, Rome and Paris. This time around we will start in Munich followed by Vienna, Budapest, Prague and finally Berlin.

In the following weeks I will publish the following reviews and trip reports.

Cost (Total for 4 travelers):

Airfare:

$125 for 2 one-way coach tickets from Kolkata to Delhi

Rail:

$142 for 4 one-way second class tickets from Munich to Vienna
$81 for 4 one-way second class tickets from Vienna to Budapest
$80 for 4 one-way second class tickets from Budapest to Prague
$105 for 4 one-way second class tickets from Prague to Berlin

Hotel:

$150 for 2 rooms (1 night) for cash portion of cash + points booking at Aloft Munich
$140 for 2 rooms (2 nights) for cash portion of cash + points booking at Hilton Garden Inn Vienna South
$200 for 1 room (2 nights)

Miles/Points/Certificates Redeemed:

140,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for 2 one-way First Class tickets from Delhi to Los Angeles
176,000 ANA Mileage Plan miles for 2 round-trip/open-jaw Business Class tickets from Los Angeles to Munich and Berlin to San Francisco.
115,000 United Airlines Mileage Plus miles for 2 one-way Business Class tickets from Los Angeles to Munich
90,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles for 2 one-way Business Class tickets from Berlin to Kolkata
4656 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for 2 one-way coach tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles
30000 SPG points for 2 nights (2 rooms) with 1 Night with points (10000 SPG points/room) and 1 Night with Cash + Points rate at Aloft Munich
8000 Hilton HHonors points for for 2 nights (2 rooms) with Cash + Points rate at Hilton Garden Inn Vienna South
90000 Club Carlson Points for 3 nights (2 rooms) at Radisson Blu Beke Hotel in Budapest
168,000 Club Carlson points for 3 nights (2 rooms) at Park Inn Prague
228,000 Club Carlson points for 3 nights (2 rooms) at Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte