About 10 days ago, my daughter and I watched the USA Gymnastics National Championships on TV. We saw Simone Biles make history with her double-twisting double-somersault beam dismount and her triple-double on the floor exercise. For my daughter, who is a recreational gymnast, it was an exciting moment!
Watching elite gymnastics on TV made us yearn to watch it live and in-person. Unfortunately, the timing of the 2020 Olympics doesn’t work with my son’s school schedule, so we’re not making the trip to Tokyo.
But then I started hatching a plan. What if we could travel and watch the USA Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials live?
Details of the USA Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials
Facebook must have been reading my mind, like it often does. Shortly after, I saw an advertisement for tickets to the USA Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials next June.
The trials will be held in St. Louis, MO at Enterprise Center for both the men’s and women’s Olympic teams. The schedule of events is:
Men’s Trials: Thursday, June 25 at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 27 at 2:00 p.m.
Women’s Trials: Friday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the team trials, there is also the 2020 USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show at the America’s Center Convention Complex.
Currently, Ticketmaster is selling tickets for the entire four-day event starting at $125 per person. Closer to the event, individual session tickets will go on sale if there are seats remaining.
I decided to purchase the multi-day event tickets. With taxes and fees, the cost per event was about $36.
Using Miles and Points
Before I purchased the tickets, I made sure that I could use miles and points to pay for the trip. A quick scan of hotels in Downtown St. Louis brought me to Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. Hyatt is my preferred hotel brand since I can easily transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt, and I have some benefits that come with my Explorist status.
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch is just a mile to the Enterprise Center (accessible by light rail) and less than ½ mile to the convention center. It’s a Category 2 hotel and only costs 8000 points a night (cash price is running $250/night including taxes). I booked it quickly!
I noticed the hotel also has a club lounge. As an Explorist, I had several club access award upgrade certificates I hadn’t used. I called Hyatt the same day and was able to get my upgrade applied to my stay. Woohoo!
Southwest hasn’t released its flight schedule for next June yet. I plan to save my Chase Ultimate Rewards points to transfer to Southwest for flights.
Exploring St. Louis
I went to St. Louis as a kid, and I remember going to the top of the Gateway Arch. That was a long time ago, so I’m looking forward to seeing a bit more of St. Louis on this trip.
In addition to the arch, we could see the Clydesdales at Grant’s Farm and climb through tunnels at City Museum.
Of course, the gymnastics events come first! We will have to pick and choose carefully.
Final Thoughts
It’s not the Olympics, but my daughter and I are looking forward to the USA Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials. My boys have zero interest in watching gymnastics, so this is a great trip for just the two of us.
Using points for our hotel stay and airfare is likely going to save us around $1300-$1500 in cash. And that isn’t too shabby!
Are you considering traveling to watch any of the 2020 OIympic Team Trials next year? Please share any St. Louis recommendations in the comments. Thanks!
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Go to the city museum!!! It is incredible. I’ve traveled a lot and never seen anything close to it. Your kids will love it. I recommend buying some cheap head flashlights ahead of time for the cave section. Much cheaper at dollar store than at museum. There are so many hidden areas there you will never find them all But it is fun trying.
@Paul Thanks for the tip about the head flashlights. Sounds like an adventure!
This trip sounds super fun Nancy! I’ve booked the Hyatt in St. Louis several times (only to then cancel because we don’t feel like making the drive or have something else we need to do) because I want to see the arch and do the City Museum!
@Julie I’m looking forward to St. Louis. I just hope I don’t chicken out on the arch due to claustrophobia. I looked at the “elevators”–very compact! I hope you make it to St. Louis soon.
This post reminded me of when I took my parents to see the London 2012 gymnastic trials. Its not really my thing, but my parents enjoyed it. We were super lucky, the tickets were just under £10 each, at the stadium 15 minutes walk from my flat back then. We also saw a couple of actual events (tickets were pricey so I only bid for a few). To this day I’m still kick myself for not volunteering to help at the actual event.
I’m sure your daughter will have great fun!
p.s I found your website earlier this year, and have really enjoyed it. I love your “voice”, I think it is quite unique amongst travel bloggers. Despite being single, I really identify with the way you use points and miles i.e. not super lux, helping you travel on a budget. Keep up the good work!
@Reney Thank you for your kind words! Leana and I do have a different sort of voice compared to many other travel bloggers in this miles and points niche. We are glad to have you as a loyal reader!
What a great experience that must have been for your family to see the trials and a few Olympic events! I’m kicking myself for not going to the Olympics when they were held in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. I guess I was younger then and didn’t quite have my act together with traveling.