By: 10xTravel Reader Crystal Robens

The idea for this trip began with an offer in my mailbox for 4 free nights at Atlantis. My brother-in-law told me that the biggest poker tournament of the year is held there in January, the Player’s Championship, with buy-ins upwards of $100,000 per person and celebrities galore. I was sold! That’s when we would go!

Large pink resort hotel with tall towers and arches, surrounded by palm trees. People are enjoying the beach and water activities in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky, making unforgettable travel memories and earning miles along the way.

How I Earned The Points And Miles

Since I already had a Caesar’s Total Rewards Diamond card, I needed to get one for my husband and brother-in-law pronto! If you have The Platinum Card from American Express, you can add up to three authorized users for a total of $175. The users get most of the same benefits you get, including the Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status (important for status matches for additional Diamond cards) and $100 credits for Global Entry.

I used both of those benefits for them and added my 20-year-old stepson as an authorized user, so he would get the Global Entry benefit. For my $175, they all got the status I needed, and $300 of Global Entry applications were reimbursed!

Getting the Wyndham status match is pretty easy! You first create or sign into your Wyndham account. You submit a screenshot of your Marriott Gold or another hotel elite status. In a few days, a confirmation email will acknowledge that you have been matched to Diamond status. You create or obtain your Total Rewards account number. Then, you can request a status match by providing your account numbers — Wyndham and Total Rewards.

For the flights, earning the American AAdvantage miles couldn’t have been easier. With the Barclays Aviator Red, all we had to do was make one purchase to receive the welcome bonus. We also had the Barclaycard Arrival Plus, which had a 70,000-point bonus when we applied,  good for $700 in any type of travel.

A black and red American Airlines AAdvantage Aviator Mastercard credit card issued by Barclays, featuring an EMV chip, card logos, and designed for earning travel miles and points.

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

60,000

AAdvantage Bonus Miles

after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

Annual Fee: $99

Read Our Take

How I Booked Our Flights To The Bahamas

I had some American Express Membership Rewards points that I wanted to use for my flight. I found that I could use 15k British Airways Avios and $118 in taxes to cover a round-trip flight on American Airlines to the Bahamas from my airport in Washington, D.C. This, however, only applies if you can find availability for a non-stop flight and I searched with no luck.

The same route, however, is widely available for 30,000 American miles with just a few bucks for taxes and fees. I had earned 60,000 miles when I signed up for Barclays Aviator Red card so I used those to book tickets for my brother-in-law and my stepson.

A fare sale offered tickets for $238 non-stop from DC on the same flight as my companions, so I used my Barclaycard Arrival Plus to pay for my husband and me and erased the purchase with points. Because of a status match challenge I did last year, I have Platinum status with American Airlines and we were able to snag a first class upgrade on both the outbound and return flights!

A woman and a man wearing headphones are seated on an airplane. The woman, smiling at the camera from behind the man, is enjoying her journey and earning miles as she flies. The man seated in front is only partially visible.

A few hours later we were landing in the Bahamas!

Aerial view from an airplane window showing turquoise ocean, sandy beach, white-roofed buildings, and a coastal town stretching for miles under a partly cloudy sky.

The flight home we were able to get seats side by side in first class, so we had to sport our 10xTravel flair!

A smiling man and woman sit next to each other on an airplane, both wearing matching gray 10X Travel t-shirts. Seated by an exit row, they look ready to earn points and miles on their journey. The woman also sports colorful tie-dye sleeves and pink pants.

How I Booked Hotels In The Bahamas

My initial plan was to use our three Total Rewards offers, stacked for 8 nights total across two rooms, and then use Marriott Points to complete our free stay. I was actually able to do better than that thanks to finding out about a “poker player’s rate” offered by the hotel.

It was free to get a PokerStars Live card which makes you eligible for an $89 rate for the Beach tower (discounted from $359) or Beach Tower “Villas” which are little beach front condos right on the water.

Additionally, I could have extended my stay in the Royal Tower through the Total Rewards offer for $116 per night but we actually liked the cheaper Beach Tower better. Since I had points from my Capital One Venture card to use as a purchase eraser, I thought this was a better deal than using 200,000 Marriott points to stay in the Royal Tower.

If you’re going to visit during peak season, and your initial reservation is in the Beach Tower, you get the option of 2 days of extension for a mere $65 per night which is awesome. Since we were off-peak, we got the fancy water view in the Royal Tower which costs a bit more to extend.

The views from the rooms were SPECTACULAR and worth the extra money.

A tropical resort with tall pink buildings, palm trees, and pools overlooks a sandy beach and bright blue ocean under a partly cloudy sky—a perfect getaway to enjoy miles of coastline and new adventures.
A scenic view of a tropical beach with turquoise water, palm trees, lounge chairs, and a swimming pool under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds. Boats glide across the ocean in the distance—perfect for earning miles or points on your next getaway.

Destination highlights

Part of the Total Rewards stay at Atlantis is what they call the “Casino Experience” card which offers you the following:

  • A shallow water dolphin experience
  • Free drinks at several places
  • Free sushi & sake appetizer
  • A free round of golf
  • $100 free slot play (one per person with Diamond card reservation).

Also, as new members, you get free slot play at the end of your stay based on your play. I got an additional $50 and my husband and brother-in-law got an additional $25. We used all the benefits except for the round of golf.

The free slot play turned out quite well between all of us (we pooled it) and we used this money to book and pay for a boat trip.

A hand holds a cashout ticket from Atlantis Casino showing a value of $839.66, while a colorful, patterned carpet adds vibrant energy in the background—perfect for redeeming points or miles on your next adventure.

The sushi was top notch at Nobu. We paired it with a couple of water vouchers to get some free beverages.

A dimly lit restaurant table with two water bottles, a glass, and a wooden tray holding sushi rolls and dipping cups. In the background, people stand near a bar with a glowing marble panel—perfect for sharing stories about earning miles or points.

The dolphin experience was the absolute best of the freebies. We learned about dolphins for about an hour and even got to kiss a dolphin! Sadly, there’s no picture of that as they wanted $100 for a digital copy. After spending time with the dolphins, they put on a show.

A dolphin leaps high out of the water in a tropical lagoon, with palm trees and buildings in the background. Two people in hats watch from the shallow water in the foreground, enjoying every moment of their miles away adventure.

The wetsuits were very snug but kept us warm once in the water.

Three people in black “Atlantis” wetsuits pose for a beach selfie. One woman smiles in sunglasses, while two men stand beside her—one with white sunglasses. Sand and water are visible, showing their love of travel and fun by the sea.

Of course, the reason we went to the Bahamas on these dates was to play in the PokerStars poker tournaments. They did not disappoint! I was able to make the final table of the Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) tournament. My brother-in-law cleaned up in the cash games.

During the tournament, we met several (poker) celebrities including Norm MacDonald and Bruce Buffer at the annual player’s party. Who doesn’t love an open bar and free food?

Three people smile for a selfie at a crowded indoor event. The woman in front wears a blue top, and the two men behind her are also smiling. One man holds a drink with a straw as blue lighting shines in the scene, capturing fun moments on their miles journey.
Two people smiling for a selfie; the person on the left is wearing a cap and gray sweater, waving as they celebrate earning miles, while the person on the right has light brown hair and is in a light blue shirt.
A bartender is preparing drinks behind a bar with various bottles of alcohol and mixers at a busy PokerStars event, where guests are socializing and discussing points in the background.
Two men wearing glasses smile with their arms around each other at an outdoor event, surrounded by other people and palm trees, with bright lights in the background—celebrating friendships made through shared miles and adventures.
A woman in a sparkly dress and red wig playfully holds a wand toward a smiling man in casual clothes, posing in front of a PokerStars Players Championship backdrop. The blue and purple lighting highlights the excitement of earning points on this thrilling night.
Two people pose in front of a PokerStars Players Championship backdrop. One wears a red hat and orange glasses, the other is dressed in a blue dress, rainbow wig, and white feather boa. Both are smiling as they share fun moments from their miles adventure.
A man and woman stand close together, smiling at the camera during an outdoor nighttime event. The man wears glasses and a gray shirt; the woman sports a beige tank top and necklaces. Trees, lights, and the excitement of earning miles fill the background.
Three people are seated at a poker table, playing a game for points. The table holds stacks of poker chips, cards, and a PokerStars logo. One person is looking at their phone while the others focus on the game.
Three women pose by a lit pool at night; the woman in the center smiles in a blue dress, while the two on either side wear glowing costumes and feathered headpieces. Illuminated buildings and palm trees hint at faraway miles to explore.

Our splurge during our vacation was a boat trip to Exuma island. You can buy one of these 8-hour tours for about $240 per person at the Margaritaville on site where several companies offer tours.

The speedboats are fast, and even on an 80+ degree day, it was COLD on the boat. You’ll be on a boat for about 3 hours so be sure to pack a blanket and a windbreaker. Here’s us not doing that and freezing (but still happy).

A woman in sunglasses smiles for a selfie beside a man on a speedboat, both enjoying the sunny day on the ocean with an island and blue sky in the background, making memories worth miles.

The first stop was at iguana island, where we put bread on a stick to feed them. Don’t turn your back on the iguanas as they WILL bite your ankles! We then went to a marina where there are hundreds of nurse sharks to swim with, feed and pet. It was scary when they seemed overly interested in my toes – but all my digits were left unharmed.

A large iguana on sandy ground eagerly takes food from a person’s hand, while another iguana is visible in the background. Seaweed and scattered footprints mark the sand, creating a memorable moment for any travel enthusiast earning miles or points.
A bald man in shorts and a navy shirt stands on a wooden dock partially submerged in clear blue water, gently touching a small shark swimming near the surface. Several other fish are visible nearby, making for an unforgettable travel memory worth many miles.

During our visit to Exuma island, we enjoyed a free buffet and some drinks plus a little display of the Junkanoo festival — participation is optional.

A person stands indoors wearing a colorful, ornate costume with gold, red, and orange details, shaped like a star or sunburst. The room has orange walls and several people seated at tables in the background, perhaps earning points or miles for their journey.

Next, we visited the swimming pigs. They love vegetables and will sit like a dog when you tell them. Finally, the boat took us to a beautiful sand bar with gorgeous panoramic views and crystal-clear water. This is a must-see spot.

A pig stands in shallow turquoise water near a boat, eagerly reaching for food held by a person. Two women in swimsuits are nearby, one taking a photo with her phone, enjoying the beach scene during their travel adventure.
A person stands with arms outstretched on a narrow sandy path surrounded by clear turquoise ocean waves under a blue sky with scattered clouds, embracing the excitement that comes with earning miles on each journey.

Guests of the hotel can visit the amazing aquarium and attractions for free, including the famous Aqua venture park. Others pay $150+ per day just for this!

Several fish swim in a large aquarium with blue water. An underwater ring structure and rock formations are visible in the background as light shines through, creating a vibrant scene that feels like exploring miles beneath the surface.
A child in a red shirt stands in a pool at the base of twin water slides, surrounded by tropical plants and large decorative statues, while another person earns points as they come down one of the slides.
Two people stand silhouetted in front of a large aquarium tank filled with fish, earning miles as they explore. A large fish swims near the glass under purple-blue lighting, creating a mesmerizing scene.
Two jellyfish with long tentacles float in dark water, illuminated by vibrant purple and pink lights, drifting as though they cover miles beneath the surface.
A large stingray swims close to the glass in an aquarium, its flat, diamond-shaped body and long tail visible against the blue water background, as visitors admire it from just a few points away.
A person on an inflatable tube prepares to go down a water slide overlooking palm trees and a vibrant blue ocean, ready to enjoy miles of fun under the bright sky.

And, of course, there was plenty of time for lounging on the beach with a nice coconut drink.

A person relaxing on a lounge chair at a sandy beach, holding a coconut drink with a straw, faces clear blue water and a sunny sky. In the distance, another person strolls near the shoreline, enjoying the miles of serene coastline.

Final Thoughts

With a little planning, we were able to take a once in a lifetime trip to the Bahamas with points and miles! Also, with SPG Gold status (now Marriott Gold), we were eligible for upgrade to the water view rooms.
Also, having the Marriott Premier Plus credit card meant I was supposed to earn 6X Marriott points for all our purchases in the Bahamas that were charged to the room, but it coded as “travel” for 2X points so I had to call Chase and Marriott to fix this.

Pro-Tip: Everything is expensive in the Bahamas. We saved by packing snacks and bottled water in our checked bags. Another little gem is a poolside bar in a cave by the Beach Tower that offers $6 conch fritters and reasonably priced hot dogs and sandwiches. The conch fritters are a Bahamian specialty and a must!

A serving of three fried balls on skewers, placed on parchment paper in a bowl, with a small cup of dipping sauce in the center—perfect for enjoying while planning your next adventure and earning miles.

Also, for the price of one roll of sushi at Nobu, you can go into town to visit Seaside Sushi and get a whole BOAT of delicious sushi. Highly recommended.

A smiling man in a dark polo shirt sits at a table, gesturing toward a wooden sushi boat filled with assorted sushi rolls. A clear plastic cup and other dining items, perfect for earning points or miles, are visible on the table.

And, finally, don’t forget to use your Priority Pass benefit at the airport in the Bahamas. The food is amazing and with two people, they credited us $120 which even covered the gratuity!

A blue bottle of electrolyte water and a glass of bright blue-green drink with ice and a straw sit on a wooden table in a restaurant, with people seated in the background—perfect for relaxing after earning points or miles on your journey.