Brief Little Luxurious Interlude at the Intercontinental

My parents didn't have credit cards; in fact, I don't remember them even having a bank card.  My dad paid cash or we didn't buy things.  It took me a long time as a young adult to get up the nerve to apply for a credit card and when I was "approved", I was very, very careful with my spending.  I was terrified that I would be so spontaneous with purchases, given my meager upbringing, that I would go crazy with the card and end up bankrupt, in a dark cell in Georgia with no half and half for my coffee in the morning.  And besides, one bankruptcy in the family was plenty. 

But, today, Scarecrow, I have seven (7), yes 7, credit cards in my wallet and I can explain it to you as I ride through France at 150 miles per hour in a red, velvet first class seat, nibbling on a delicious meal with a very good bottle of French Bordeaux vino on our way to Paris.

Last night we stayed in Amsterdam so that we would be close to the train station.  We lugged our way onto Tram 4 in downtown Amsterdam to the correct stop, got off and walked toward the hotel.  The lobby took my breath away but I managed to compose myself long enough to request the complimentary upgrade to a canal view room in honor of our anniversary. 

Wish granted.

The tall, stylish smiling woman at the mahogany desk walked us to the elevator in her high heels and then escorted us to our room.  OMG.  While we were getting the tour of our room, a doorbell rang and it was our luggage .  As we stood, spellbound by the view and the over-the-top luxury in the French windows and looked out at the canal and the fascinating city of Amsterdam, the doorbell rang again.  A handsome young Brit had a beaming smile as he handed me a surprise to celebrate our anniversary - two glasses of delicious champagne and a tray full of chocolate covered strawberries!

After we walked down the street to Eli and Lisa's favorite restaurant for dinner, we came back to Astounding Luxury (aka The Amstel Intercontinental Hotel) and went for a swim.  Freshly squeezed fruit juice and nuts tempted us while we sat in the Jacuzzi.  Soft robes awaited us when we got out of the healing hot water.  Good Grief!  Do people really live like this! 

The front desk told us that we could use enjoy the "world renowned" breakfast for half price since it was our anniversary, so we indulged in a fabulous array of food while we sat at our perfectly situated table by the water.  Dreamy.  Absolutely dreamy.  A "pinch me" experience.

When I sadly returned our keys to check out and asked for a copy of the bill, I was told by another delightful young woman that there is no bill - it was all free!  Free!  OMG Europe!

So, "how did you do that?" one might ask.  Well, here's the secret.  The IHG conglomeration of hotels is offering 60,000 points toward hotel stays when you apply for their credit card - no annual fee the 1st year.  The stunning Intercontinental is, incredibly, an IHG property.  Last night was free and our very last night in fabulous Europe at the Holiday Inn next to the Amsterdam airport is also free.  Impressed?  Well, the destination today is the Paris Vendome Hyatt where the rooms range from about 700 euros to 1,000 euros per night.  Their "world renowned" breakfasts are 50 euros per person but not for moi.  We have 4 FOUR free nights and 4 free breakfasts for both of us in this 5 Star Hotel thanks to the Hyatt credit card enrollment program that I researched many months ago. 

Wouldn't my parents be so proud of me.  I raise my wine glass to all our hard work and our good fortune to be here!  Vive Le Pareee.  Vive Le Credit Card!