Luxury Europe for 70% Less: Switzerland & Lake Como with Amy Fox
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- Chris Hutchins and Amy Fox planned a luxury trip to Switzerland and Lake Como using points, miles, and free-night certificates to save roughly 70% off the total cost.
- Using speculative bookings and setting award alerts allowed them to upgrade their flights and secure better business-class options to Europe.
- A clever rental car strategy helped them completely avoid expensive cross-border drop-off fees when traveling between Switzerland and Italy.
- The Grand Hotel Victoria in Lake Como offered one of the absolute best values for redeeming Hilton points and free-night certificates.
- They stayed at Switzerland's Märchenhotel Braunwald, an incredible family-friendly fairy tale hotel packed with amenities for both parents and kids.
#300: Chris and Amy break down how they planned an unforgettable trip to Switzerland and Lake Como mostly on points, miles, and free-night certificates. They share how speculative bookings and award alerts landed them better business class flights, the rental car hack that avoided a cross-border drop-off fee, and one of the best uses of Hilton points around. Plus, an inside look at a fairy tale hotel for families in Switzerland.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://www.chrishutchins.com/switzerland-italy-family-trip-points/
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Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(00:47) How a Fairy Tale Hotel Sparked Our Trip to Europe
(03:22) Booking Business Class to Europe with Points
(09:03) Setting Award Alerts to Find Better Flights
(14:51) Using Up Avianca Miles for a Better Flight
(17:22) Keeping Return Flights Open Until the Last Minute
(18:39) The Trick to Avoid Cross-Border Rental Car Fees
(20:55) Booking Switzerland's Märchenhotel Without Points
(23:10) Why We Paired Switzerland with Lake Como
(26:14) The Math Behind Hilton Points and Free Night Certificates
(34:02) Inside the Grand Hotel Victoria
(36:55) The Best Breakfast Buffet and Dining in Menaggio
(39:26) Why Menaggio Beats Bellagio
(42:10) European Beach Clubs with Kids
(43:34) Gelato, Mini Golf and Other Things to Do in Italy
(45:27) Is the Grand Hotel Victoria Worth It for Families?
(48:51) The Märchenhotel: Switzerland's Fairy Tale Hotel
(49:57) What Makes the Märchenhotel Great for Parents and Kids
(57:06) Hiking, Via Ferratas and Ropes Courses in Braunwald
(01:02:31) Changing Plans and Skipping Milan
(01:05:44) A Quick Stop in Mainz Before Flying Home
(01:07:15) Flying Swiss vs. Condor Business Class
(01:10:49) What It's Like Traveling with Another Family
(01:14:02) What the Whole Trip Cost
(01:15:24) Why We're Booking Trips a Year Out
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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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Connect with Chris
Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn
Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Chris Hutchins and Amy Fox save money on their Switzerland and Lake Como trip?
They leveraged credit card points, airline miles, and free-night hotel certificates to cover flights and luxury accommodations, cutting the total cost by about 70%.
What is the Märchenhotel Braunwald?
It is a famous family-friendly fairy tale hotel in Switzerland known for offering an immersive, stress-free experience for both parents and children.
How do you avoid cross-border rental car drop-off fees in Europe?
By strategically planning the rental car pickup and drop-off locations—such as returning the car in the same country where it was rented—you can bypass steep international drop-off fees.
Why did they choose Menaggio over Bellagio in Lake Como?
They found Menaggio to be a fantastic, family-friendly base that offered great dining, beach clubs, and a more relaxed atmosphere compared to busier towns like Bellagio.