MLB Stadium Tour: Philadelphia – Our First Braves Game on Points
How we flew to Philadelphia, stayed at The Bellevue on points, and saw the Braves — for less than $400 out of pocket.
Flights to Philly — Three Travelers, Three Smart Redemptions
We flew Delta from Atlanta to Philadelphia and booked each ticket intentionally. All three seats cleared into Comfort+ at no additional cost. If we had booked all three flights with cash, we would have paid ≈ $1,150.
| Traveler | Redemption Method | Cost/Value |
|---|---|---|
| My Ticket | Cash | $383 cash (earning SkyMiles + MQDs) |
| My Son’s Ticket | Delta Companion Certificate | Same itinerary, half the cost |
| My Sister’s Ticket | SkyMiles | 27,500 SkyMiles |
💡 P 🌍 P Tip: Companion Certificates are one of Delta Amex’s most underrated benefits. Upgrades still apply if the paid traveler has Medallion status.
The Bellevue Hotel — Classic Hyatt Stay on Points
The Bellevue Hotel is a historic Hyatt Unbound Collection property dating back to 1904. The building was closed for years after the national Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, and the stay felt especially meaningful as my uncle, Dr. Joe McDade (CDC), was the scientist who identified the outbreak’s source.
| Category | Retail Rate | Points Redemption |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | $409/night | 20,000 Hyatt points/night |
| Nights | 3 | 3 |
| Total | $1,227 Cash Savings | 60,000 Hyatt points |
As Globalists, we enjoyed free breakfast each morning in the hotel’s beautiful rooftop restaurant overlooking the Philadelphia skyline.
💡 P 🌍 P Tip: Hyatt’s 20K–25K Unbound/independent properties often deliver outsized value — especially when breakfast is included through elite status.
Exploring Philadelphia Before Game Day
We spent Friday and Saturday morning soaking in the history and museums around downtown.
Friday Highlights
- Independence National Historical Park
- Liberty Bell Center
- Benjamin Franklin’s home site
- Museum of the American Revolution
Saturday Before the Game
- LOVE Sculpture
- Philadelphia Museum of Art & Rocky Statue
- Franklin Institute (including the Marvel exhibit)
- Swann Memorial Fountain
Game Day at Citizens Bank Park – And a Ball from Acuña
We arrived early and sat right behind the Braves dugout – the perfect spot for warmups and batting practice.
- My son brought a homemade sign and a baseball to get signed.
- A stadium staff member helped him pick the right pen for his MLB ball.
- Another employee (thank you, Charlie Culberson!) took the ball down during warmups and got it signed.
- The sign worked — Ronald Acuña Jr. tossed him a practice ball!
Despite the rumors about tough Phillies fans, everyone around us was gracious, fun, and welcoming — one of the most pleasant surprises of the trip. He wrapped up the night choosing a Phillies hat for his ballpark collection. Perfect choice for Stadium Stop #1.
Sunday Send-Off – Reading Terminal Market & a Chance Encounter
Before heading to the airport, we spent the morning wandering Reading Terminal Market, grabbing doughnuts and coffee.
And on the walk back? A Max Fried sighting. He was kind, genuine, and took a photo with my son — the perfect ending to the trip that started this tradition.
Why This Trip Became Stadium Tradition Stop #1
This trip sparked what is now a full Braves stadium tour, including:
- Washington, DC
- Chicago (Cubs)
- San Diego
- Cleveland…with many more planned.
💡 What This Trip Taught Us: Baseball travel doesn’t have to be expensive — not when you combine companion certificates, SkyMiles, Hyatt points, and Globalist perks. This trip proved it could be affordable, repeatable, and unforgettable.
True Cost Breakdown: Flights, Points, and Perks
| Category | Retail Cash Price | What We Paid | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (3 tickets) | $1,150 | $383 cash + 27,500 SkyMiles + Comp Cert | $1,150 saved |
| Hotel (3 nights @ $409) | $1,227 | 60,000 Hyatt Points | $1,227 saved |
| Breakfast | $180 | $0 (Globalist perk) | $180 saved |
| Total Trip Value | $2,557 | $383 + Miles + Cert | Over $2,100 saved |
