I still remember standing on the balcony, ocean stretching endlessly in front of us, coffee in hand, thinking:
There is no way we should be here.
Not because we didn’t deserve it.But because this stay—at a five-star luxury resort in Cabo—cost us less than $200 out of pocket.
Yes.
At a Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal.
This wasn’t a fluke.
And it wasn’t a “travel hacker who lives on planes” situation either.
It was intentional.
And it started with understanding how credit card points actually work.
What This Hotel Normally Costs 💸
Let’s get this out of the way first.
A typical night at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal costs:
- $1,500–$2,500+ per night
- Sometimes more during peak season
- Plus taxes and resort fees
This is the kind of place people save for once-in-a-lifetime trips.
We paid:
👉 Under $200 total (mostly taxes + small incidentals)
The room itself?
Covered entirely by points.
The Credit Card Points Strategy (No Gatekeeping)
Here’s the simple version of how this worked.
1. We Used a Hotel Points Program
The Waldorf Astoria brand is part of Hilton Honors.
Hilton allows you to:
- Book luxury properties with points
- Avoid the cash price entirely
- Often get your 5th night free when booking with points
That last part alone can save thousands.
2. We Earned Points Without “Spending More”
This is the part nurses always assume is risky.
It’s not.
We earned points by:
- Putting normal life expenses on a credit card
(groceries, bills, insurance, daycare, travel) - Paying the balance off every month
- Never carrying interest
No extra spending.
No debt.
Just smarter use of money that was already leaving our account.
3. We Transferred or Used Points Strategically
Some credit cards:
- Earn flexible points
- Allow transfers to hotel partners like Hilton
- Offer sign-up bonuses worth multiple luxury nights
One good bonus can cover:
- An entire vacation
- Or multiple high-end stays
That’s how this Cabo trip happened.
What the Stay Was Actually Like 🌴
Luxury doesn’t even begin to describe it.
- Private plunge pool
- Ocean views from every angle
- Impeccable service (the kind where they remember your name)
- Quiet, peaceful, slow mornings
- The kind of rest that feels deep
And the wildest part?
Knowing we didn’t “splurge.”
We didn’t “blow the budget.”
We didn’t undo our financial goals to be here.
We traveled in alignment with them.
This Is Why I Teach Nurses About Money Differently
Most financial advice sounds like:
“Cut everything. Don’t enjoy life. Save for someday.”
But someday isn’t guaranteed.
And money—used well—should give you:
- Options
- Experiences
- Memories with the people you love
Not just a bigger number on a screen.
This trip wasn’t about luxury.
It was about leverage.
Using knowledge instead of sacrifice.
If You’re a Nurse Reading This, Here’s What I Want You to Know
You don’t need:
- A massive income
- A travel blog
- Perfect credit
- Or extreme discipline
You need:
- The right framework
- The right cards for you
- And a plan that fits real life
This is the exact reason I teach nurses how to:
- Use credit card points responsibly
- Build wealth without burnout
- Enjoy life now while still planning for early retirement
Because money should work for you.
Not control you.
Final Thought
Every time I think about that trip, I’m reminded:
Financial freedom isn’t just about retiring early.
It’s about standing somewhere beautiful, realizing you didn’t trade your peace—or your future—to get there.
And knowing:
This is possible again.
✨
