The only way some travelers can afford summer trips: raiding cherished loyalty points stashes | CNN

Aliera Iheanacho had banked more than 100,000 United Airlines miles, hoping she could one day experience a first class, lie-flat seat experience. But that dream will have to wait. This summer’s high airline ticket prices, driven by the soaring cost of jet fuel, made her airfare to China in May much more than she had budgeted. She almost decided to cancel her plans to visit Disneyland parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Instead, Iheanacho wiped out her miles balance by using more than 60,000 miles on airfare in just one direction, then used another roughly 60,000 miles on hotels. She and her partner still paid cash for the return flight, as well as the second full roundtrip fare. Iheanacho, who is trying to see all the Disney parks in the world, said the cheapest part of her trip was the park tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland (about $85 per person for one day) and Shanghai Disneyland (about $160 per person for two days). “I’m glad that I went, but I am frustrated that I do have to start over,” Iheanacho said of rebuilding her mileage balance. “I can honestly be frustrated at myself for booking later. I could be frustrated about the current situation that we’re in with the pre