So I’m back from my $266 trip to Paris and I have to admit, I had an absolute blast.

There is so much to see and do in Paris that I could have easily spent a few weeks there.  Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it ) I have a lot of other things going on right now so I was only able to allocate 3 non-traveling days to my trip.

Luckily I had the help my good friend and expert in all things Paris, Nicole. Nicole was gracious enough to put together a sightseeing itinerary that allowed me to maximize my time spent in in the city. Thanks to her I was able to pack about 5 days’ worth of Paris attractions in to just 3.

It’s only a matter of time until she is writing her own travel guides.

On this trip I was also accompanied by my soon-to-be lifelong travel partner, Alexandra. We are getting married in April so you will probably see a lot more of her in future posts.

A woman smiles while holding a U.S. passport and travel documents at an airport security checkpoint, ready to earn miles on her next travel adventure. She is wearing a pink jacket and has a backpack on her shoulder.

We just booked our honeymoon to Maui for less than I used to pay to fly to Chicago (back when I used to pay for flights that is). More on that in a future post.

Anyway, on to my trip.

The trip to Paris was pretty uneventful, which is always a plus when you are traveling internationally in February. Despite the consistent snowy weather that was occurring at the time we did not have any flight delays whatsoever.

We did however have a lengthy layover in Philadelphia before heading to France. I can’t stand layovers but they are hard to avoid when you are traveling out of the country.

Thanks to my shiny new US Airways Dividend Miles MasterCard we were able to score a couple free passes to the American Admirals Club. (this offer is no longer available)

Two glasses of dark drinks and a plate of snacks sit on a table by a window, overlooking airport runways and airplanes parked outside at sunset—perfect for travelers dreaming of new adventures and earning miles.

Nothing eliminates the stress of traveling quite like complimentary alcohol, a comfy chair, and high speed internet access. Maybe layovers aren’t so bad after all.

We slept through most of the overnight flight and arrived in Paris early the next day. Our room was not quite ready so we headed out to grab breakfast and watch the sun rise behind the Eiffel Tower.

A woman with long dark hair and a bright blue top sits at a café table enjoying croissants, coffee, and juice—taking a travel break as other diners relax in the cozy interior.
A person stands in the foreground with the Eiffel Tower in the background at sunrise or sunset, partially shrouded in mist and clouds. The dramatic sky creates a perfect scene for travel enthusiasts to capture unforgettable miles and memories.

We then headed back to check in to our first hotel, the Radisson Blu Champs-Élysées, where we would be spending the first 2 nights of our trip. The Radisson Blu Champs-Élysées is located just steps away from the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and some of the best shopping and nightlife in the entire city.

A building entrance with an ornate black metal and glass awning above a dark wooden door, next to arched windows and a Radisson hotel sign on a light stone facade. Small potted plants flank the entrance, perfect for travelers earning points on their journey.
A couple stands smiling on a city sidewalk with the Arc de Triomphe in the background on a cloudy day, enjoying their travel. Leafless trees and tall buildings line the street.

Rooms typically go for $400 to $600 a night but we were able to book two free nights with the points earned from my Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature Card. You can read more on that in my post about how I booked my trip.

The card also comes with Gold Status for as long you are a cardholder, which got us an upgrade to a balcony room on a high floor.

A small bathroom with tiled walls, a toilet, a sink with a mirror above it, a towel hanging below the sink, and two travel bags hanging on the wall.
A cozy hotel room perfect for travel, with a double bed, an armchair, a desk with a lamp and coffee maker, and tall windows with dark curtains letting in natural light. Earn miles or points during your stay.

The room was very comfortable and came with a lovely view of Avenue Marceau and the Arc de Triomphe.

View of a city street with the Arc de Triomphe in the distance, buildings on both sides, and a clear blue sky, seen from a window ledge—a perfect scene for those who love travel.
A person in a pink shirt stands on a balcony holding a white cup, smiling at the camera, with a city street and the Arc de Triomphe in the background—enjoying travel moments earned with points or miles.

Our final night was spent at the Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan Hotel and was also booked with points.  No room upgrade this time (we checked in a bit too late) but we were still very satisfied with our accommodations.

Corner view of a building with black and gold signs reading le metropolitan and Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan Hotel above French text, next to a glass door and a small green shrub—perfect for travel enthusiasts looking to earn points or miles.
A modern bathroom with a glass shower on the left, a sink with a large mirror, a shelf holding towels beneath the counter, a small trash bin, and wooden and white walls—ideal for travelers earning points or miles.

The Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan is much more modern than the Radisson Blu Champs-Élysées and has a bit of a cosmopolitan feel to it. It also has a much larger lobby and restaurant than the Radisson Blu Champs-Élysées.

A modern hotel lobby with black walls, dark floors, white armchairs, and a patterned rug welcomes travel guests. In the background, a reception desk with a person behind it is visible under soft ceiling lights.
A modern restaurant interior with tan chairs, dark tables set with dishes, and tall glass dividers topped with cream-colored candles creates a cozy atmosphere—perfect for travelers to relax and enjoy after earning miles or points.

As for our adventures in Paris, I am going to let our pictures to the talking.

Enjoy!

 

Happy Travels,

Bryce