Exploring Seoul During Chuseok on the Wild Card Travel Challenge
- Contestants participating in the Wild Card travel challenge reached Seoul, South Korea, on September 25, 2026, following transit routes spanning the Western United States and Costa Rica.
- Landing at Incheon Airport at 4:00 AM local time on September 25, 2026, participants faced extended transit distances into central Seoul, located approximately 60 kilometers away.
- Accommodations for the two-night stay in Seoul utilized Chase Sapphire Reserve® hotel credits within Chase’s The Edit portfolio.
Contestants participating in the Wild Card travel challenge reached Seoul, South Korea, on September 25, 2026, following transit routes spanning the Western United States and Costa Rica. Traveling via an Asiana business class flight across the Pacific Ocean, participants handled arrival logistics at Incheon Airport to begin the third leg of the multi-destination journey before the final livestream event scheduled for September 30, 2026.
Arrival Logistics and Airport Transit in Seoul
Landing at Incheon Airport at 4:00 AM local time on September 25, 2026, participants faced extended transit distances into central Seoul, located approximately 60 kilometers away. Early morning arrival times precluded standard shared airport bus options due to extended travel durations exceeding two hours for jet-lagged travelers. To expedite the journey, participants utilized travel credits to cover approximately $40 taxi fares into the city center.
Lodging Redemptions and Hotel Credits
Accommodations for the two-night stay in Seoul utilized Chase Sapphire Reserve® hotel credits within Chase’s The Edit portfolio. High holiday demand during the Chuseok harvest festival inflated local hotel rates past $1,000 for standard two-night stays at many boutique properties. Participants secured a twin room at the Mondrian Hotel, a five-star Accor property, for a rate of approximately $520 total for both nights. The property qualified for a 2X Points Boost, allowing the remaining $270 balance to be settled through the redemption of approximately 13,500 Ultimate Rewards points, averaging 6,750 points per night. Room amenities at the Mondrian included a personal water filter hard-wired directly into the plumbing.
Chuseok Festival Activities and Holiday Itinerary
Timing the visit with the Chuseok holiday allowed participants to access several Seoul attractions without admission fees. Morning itineraries featured visits to three city palaces, a sculpture garden, and an exhibition showcasing works by a prominent Korean artist. Afternoon and evening schedules incorporated traditional Korean folk music performances, sunset viewing accompanied by beer on a mountain overlooking Seoul, street-food dinners, and an aerial ride above the city inside a helium-filled balloon shaped like a full moon.
Trip Parameters and Melbourne Destination Schedule
The current expedition operates under parameters established by wild-card decks, assigning specific travel destinations, loyalty program budgets, obstacles, and power-ups to each participant. Tim’s specific wild-card configuration incorporates Chase Aeroplan, Chase IHG Premier, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Capital One VentureOne cards, alongside an overpacker obstacle requiring checked baggage on every flight and a 30% transfer bonus power-up. Following completed stops in the Western United States, Costa Rica, and South Korea, contestants must complete transit to Melbourne, Australia. Arrival in Melbourne is required ahead of the Destination 3 Livestream broadcast scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.
