![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Golden-Valley-Hotel-Medellin-Greg-Wild-Card.jpg\")
My balcony at the Golden Valley Hotel Medell\u00edn<\/p>\nThis morning, I checked out of my Medell\u00edn hotel, enjoyed my Avianca business class flight to Miami, transited cheaply to Fort Lauderdale, and then used my Resy credit for an awesome dinner. It was an unusually easy-breezy transition day.<\/p>\n
My balcony at the Golden Valley Hotel Medell\u00edn<\/p>\n
What is the Wild Card challenge? For this challenge, our contestants have chosen from wild-card decks to set the parameters of their trips. First, they selected travel destinations, then hotel, airline, and transferable points cards, which provide their points and miles budgets. And finally, they selected power-ups and obstacles to make their travels a little more realistic to the challenges our readers and listeners face and make things a little more interesting! Learn more about the ongoing challenge here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Next up: Travel began on Tuesday 9\/22\/26! Contestants have already visited their first destination and must now make their way to their second destination in time for our Destination 2 Livestream on Saturday 9\/26 at 9pm ET.<\/p>\n Trip Overview
Medell\u00edn hotel For my two nights in Medell\u00edn, I stayed in the Golden Valley Hotel. It\u2019s a modern independent hotel in the coveted El Poblado neighborhood. Made-to-order breakfast is included daily and served on its rooftop patio, which becomes a rooftop bar at night. I sprang for the top-end \u201cExclusive Suite with Jacuzzi\u201d and paid only 26,537 Delta miles for 2 nights. While I wasn\u2019t as wowed by the hotel as I had hoped, I still had an excellent stay.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/p>\n Perfect location. It was just steps away from the meeting point for both tours I took during my stay. Cons:<\/p>\n Rooms are tiny (and I sprang for the \u201cExclusive Suite with Jacuzzi.\u201d I\u2019d hate to see how small the other rooms are) Medell\u00edn Airport (MDE):\u00a0Curb to gate in 7 minutes<\/p>\n I considered trying to fit in another Medell\u00edn activity this morning, but every A.I. I consulted insisted that I be at the airport at least 2 hours before my flight, even without checked bags to worry about (sorry Tim). They claimed international flights begin boarding an hour before departure, and that passport control could take anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes. I skipped doing a morning activity, but I needn\u2019t have.<\/p>\n I arrived at the Medell\u00edn airport (MDE) at 9:16 A.M., and made it to my gate by 9:23. Here\u2019s what happened in those seven minutes:<\/p>\n I recorded the time when I got out of my Uber: 9:16 I documented the above in case it helps others. Supposedly, the main risk of arriving closer to departure was the variable time to get through the passport control line. However, if you can qualify for the automated gates, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s really much of a concern.<\/p>\n Avianca business class Medellin to Miami This 3.5-hour flight was excellent. My seat was comfortable. My eggplant lasagna lunch was delicious. The forward-cabin flight attendant was great.<\/p>\n Avianca\u2019s business class is nothing like international business class with lie-flat seats. Instead, it\u2019s better compared to domestic first class in the United States. Some liken it to European business class, in which they simply block the middle seats that are otherwise the same as economy seats, but I think that\u2019s unfair. It\u2019s true that Avianca\u2019s business-class seats look like European business-class seats, but they\u2019re different. Avianca\u2019s seats are much wider and more comfortable than economy seats.<\/p>\n For the most part, I think that Avianca\u2019s seats are comparable to U.S. domestic first class, but there are a few differences:<\/p>\n Avianca offers wider seats Tri-Rail to Fort Lauderdale for the win<\/p>\n I could have taken an expensive Uber to my Fort Lauderdale hotel. Instead, I took the Tri-Rail most of the way for only $5 (the weekend daily rate), then took a cheap Uber from there to my hotel ($13, after tip). My Amex Gold card\u2019s $10 Uber credit covers most of the latter. The biggest downside of the Tri-Rail is reduced weekend service, so if you miss your train, you\u2019ll have to wait about an hour for the next.<\/p>\n Resy dinner at The Katherine<\/p>\n After checking in at my hotel (more about that tomorrow), I walked a few blocks to The Katherine, which the New York Times named in 2023 as having one of the 23 best dishes in America (Thai Red Curry Yellowtail). I ordered the closest option on the current menu:\u00a0Thai Red Curry Branzino. It was delicious! My meal came to $52 after tip. The Katherine is a Resy credit-qualifying restaurant, so I finally used my $50 Resy credit from my Amex Gold card! The net cost after the credit: $2.<\/p>\n Trip Accounting<\/p>\n Item Tue 9\/22 Fly to Panama<\/a><\/p>\n Business class Detroit to Panama Wed 9\/23 Panama City<\/a><\/p>\n Uber to hotel<\/p>\n $28<\/p>\n Lunch<\/p>\n $10<\/p>\n Panama Canal Tour<\/p>\n $68 Dinner<\/p>\n $27<\/p>\n Tips & Misc<\/p>\n $40<\/p>\n Wed-Thu 9\/24 Panama City Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n Hotel Plaza Herrera (2 nights) Thu-Fri 9\/25 Activities in Colombia<\/a><\/p>\n Uber to Panama City airport<\/p>\n $24<\/p>\n Business Class Panama City to Medellin (then onward to Miami later) Uber from Medellin airport to hotel<\/p>\n $34<\/p>\n Medellin Food Tour<\/p>\n $35 Guatap\u00e9 Tour<\/p>\n $44 Tips & Misc<\/p>\n $35<\/p>\n Sat 9\/26 Colombia to FLL<\/p>\n Golden Valley Hotel (2 nights) Uber from hotel to Medell\u00edn airport<\/p>\n $47<\/p>\n Tri-Rail from MIA to Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n $5<\/p>\n Uber from Tri-Rail<\/p>\n $13 \u2013 $10 = $3<\/p>\n Resy Dinner<\/p>\n $52 \u2013 $50 = $2<\/p>\n Total Cash Spent & Rewards Earned To Date: \u00a0<\/p>\n Amex Gold Card Starting Amount Spent To-Date Amount Remaining \u00a0<\/p>\n \t
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nCard Draws
\n
\n
\nDestinations
\nPanama -> Colombia -> Melbourne, Australia
\n
\n
\nCredit Cards
\nDelta Gold Business: 90K Miles, $150 Delta Stays credit
\n
\n
\nBonvoy Brilliant: 150K Points, $250 Statement Credit
\n
\n
\nAmex Gold: 100K Points, $50 Resy credit
\n
\n
\nAA MileUp: 15K Miles
\n
\n
\nObstacle
\nThe Night Owl (no flights before 10 AM)
\n
\n
\nPower-up
\nStay in the Zone (I got to reselect a destination card to stay in one zone, the Americas, for my first and second destinations)
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n \t
\n
\n \tPre-trip: Trip planning. Before the trip started, I described several booking options I had considered, then announced that I had come up with a crazy new plan, which I would reveal later. See: My abandoned plans and a wild new one<\/a>.
\n \tTraveling in style. I set some lofty goals for myself for this trip: fly mostly in business class, stay in interesting hotels, and truly enjoy the destinations. See: Traveling in style \u2014 my style<\/a>.
\n \tA missed connection followed by fun in Panama. On Tuesday, my flight to San Salvador (with an onward connection to Panama City) was delayed. I missed my connection, slept in a lounge Sleep Room, then arrived at my Panama City hotel around 9 AM. I then toured Panama City’s old town (Casco Viejo) and the Panama Canal. See: My missed connection to Panama<\/a>.
\n \tAn awesome historic hotel in Panama. I found the perfect hotel in the perfect location. The problem? It wasn’t a Marriott. So, instead of using my Marriott points, I booked it with my Delta miles. See: An awesome hotel in Panama City\u2019s historic old town courtesy of Delta miles<\/a>.
\n \tAdventures in Colombia. On my first night in Medellin, I enjoyed a street-food tour. The next day, I did an all-day adventure which included a boat ride, a visit to the touristy but adorable town of Guatap\u00e9, and the chance to climb the biggest rock I’ve ever seen.\u00a0See: Colombian food, fun, and a giant rock<\/a>.
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/img_2612-1.jpeg\")
Golden Valley Hotel Medell\u00edn rooftop patio\/bar
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/img_2523-1.jpeg\")
My \u201cExclusive Suite\u201d at the Golden Valley Hotel Medell\u00edn<\/p>\n
\nRooftop patio\/bar. I loved having breakfast on the outdoor patio with great views
\nMade-to-order breakfast is included
\nAttractive room and bathroom design
\nDecent-sized balcony with large hot tub (I used the balcony but not the hot tub)
\nComfortable bed
\nExcellent A\/C
\nMy room was spotlessly clean<\/p>\n
\nBreakfast options are slim<\/p>\n
\nI headed towards international departures and then scanned my boarding pass to enter the security line.
\nThere was no line at security, so I was through in no time.
\nI then stood in the passport control line for a minute or two until an airport employee told me that U.S. residents can go through the automated gates (I guess she could tell that I was a gringo).
\nThere was no line at the automated passport control gates. I scanned my passport and then was asked in Spanish to enter my flight number. I wasn\u2019t 100% sure that I had translated it correctly, so I asked an employee who confirmed. My passport scan had timed out, so I scanned it again, entered my flight number, and passed through. My gate was only about a two-minute walk from there.
\nOnce I was at my gate, I recorded the time: 9:23.
\nI then went to the nearby \u201cThe Lounge\u201d to wait for boarding, which started 50 minutes before departure.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Eggplant](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/img_2767-1.jpeg\")
My lunch on the flight: Surprisingly delicious Eggplant lasagna<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Avianca-Business-Class-Americas.jpeg\")
Avianca A320 \u201cBusiness Americas.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAvianca\u2019s armrests are subpar: The one along the middle console is wide and comfortable, but the outside armrest (towards the window or aisle, depending on where you sit) is uncomfortably thin and close.
\nAvianca\u2019s seats look like economy plus seats. If you expect it to look plush and first-classy, you\u2019ll be disappointed.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/img_2770-1-e1790465745620.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/img_2793-1.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nRewards Spent
\nCash Spent
\nRewards Earned<\/p>\n
\n35K Amex points transferred to Aeroplan
\n$60
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
\n$18.36 Capital One Shopping rewards + $3.40 cash (card-linked offer)<\/p>\n
\n40,520 Delta Miles, $150 Delta Stay credit
\n$0<\/p>\n
\n30,000
\n$200<\/p>\n
\n$12.25 Capital One Shopping rewards + $1.75 cash (card-linked offer)<\/p>\n
\n$15.55 Capital One Shopping rewards + $2.22 cash (card-linked offer)<\/p>\n
\n26,537 Delta Miles
\n$0<\/p>\n
\n$662
\n$46.16 Capital One Shopping rewards + $7.37 cash<\/p>\n
\nBonvoy Brilliant
\nDelta Gold Business
\nAA MileUp<\/p>\n
\n100K Points, $50 Resy, $10 Dining, $10 Uber
\n150K Points, $250 Cash, $25 Dining
\n90K Points, $150 Delta Stays
\n15K Points<\/p>\n
\n65K Points, $10 Uber, $50 Resy
\n\u2014
\n67,057 Points, $150 Credit
\n\u2014<\/p>\n
\n35K Points,\u00a0 $10 Dining
\n150K Points, $250 Cash, $25 Dining
\n22,943 Points, $0 Delta Stays
\n15K Points<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PodcastEmail-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
\n
\nWant to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates<\/a>\u00a0or check out\u00a0our podcast<\/a>\u00a0on your favorite podcast platform. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This morning, I checked out of my Medell\u00edn hotel, enjoyed my Avianca business class flight to Miami, transited…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":411777,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[163308,249,251,250,163309,163310],"class_list":["post-411776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-annual-challenge","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news","tag-wild-card-challenge","tag-wildcardgreg"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=411776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411776\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/411777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=411776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=411776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=411776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}