I am taking the plunge and finally using up a bunch of points on a dream Japan trip in May/June. Used a chunk of Delta points for the flight (but still watching in case ANA / Virgin availability pops up), and am burning lots of Hyatt points as well. Snagged one stray night at the Park Hyatt Kyoto to possibly give it a try, need to decide if switching hotels is worth it since it looks like you do generally need a taxi to get there, I'd just send bags off to the next destination given just one night. Planning to spend the rest of the Tokyo days at the Grand Hyatt 25k/night most likely, sounds like the Hyatt Regency is due for lots of refurbs beginning in May/June and I don't want to deal with that. I would LOVE to grab the new Hyatt House Shibuya for 15k/night but points nights are sold out. Not sure how good of a chance I have of it reopening for my exact dates, as they have a washer/dryer in room, who would let that reservation go?
(Of course Tokyo Disney is in the plans too, but sadly I don't do Hilton points, so I have Toy Story hotel booked on cash for now)
I have a lot of Capital One points I haven't had a good use for that I can transfer to Virgin if needed. I know ANA awards are really hard to get that way, but once I'm a couple weeks out I'll start watching closely. Virgin does have good availability for direct flights to HND from my airport in the upcoming month or two, nothing for my trip dates but I imagine it might just be too far out. If they do become available, it'll be less Virgin points to fly direct from MSP than I am currently paying for Delta from LAX. Crossing all my fingers and toes. I'd have to pay for the 2nd bag, but I think I could handle that for a nonstop flight instead of having to do two RT flights!
Feels like I have just been hoarding points for so many years, and not using them, so it's good to finally have some plans forming. Once all this is done I'll have to start thinking about the next cc as I think I am down to 3 in 24 months now...