Long overdue trip to Maui with my wife

[benarroc]

OK, so after 15 years of marriage I am actually planning a vacation with my wife, sans kids!!!
I am planning a 1 week trip to Maui from October 28th to Nov 5th.
I have 600,000 American Express points  and 130,000 AA miles. AA economy tickets from LAX to OGG are 35k miles per ticket
The Ritz is $299 a night
Tickets on AA are 691 each

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

[Dan]

I would do Kauai personally and stay at the fabulous Grand Hyatt Kauai, but Maui is also a fine choice.

Can you make it a 10 day trip and spend 5 days on each island?

If it's such a special trip go in First!
Check for Continental BusinessFirst tickets which are the only international business tickets to Hawaii.
AA also has good seats in first from DFW and ORD on the 767 and Delta has good seats in First from MSP and ATL when they use an A330.

[steve2]

I would do Kauai personally and stay at the fabulous Grand Hyatt Kauai, but Maui is also a fine choice.

Can you make it a 10 day trip and spend 5 days on each island?

If it's such a special trip go in First!
Check for Continental BusinessFirst tickets which are the only international business tickets to Hawaii.
AA also has good seats in first from DFW and ORD on the 767 and Delta has good seats in First from MSP and ATL when they use an A330.

 Dan the OP  posted "AA economy tickets from LAX to OGG are 35k per ticket".

 So Id think they are either based in LA or will be there before heading to HI. CO flights from Cali are now 737s and no BF seating but the reg FC seats, better then Y yeh but not much to go gaga over,IMO. I dont think CO will let them go LA-IAH-OGG nor would I do it even if its doable unless I was earning the extra EQMs

 I think CO does go from both SNA & LAX or will be doing so soon.

[Dan]

Dan the OP  posted "AA economy tickets from LAX to OGG are 35k per ticket".

 So Id think they are either based in LA or will be there before heading to HI. CO flights from Cali are now 737s and no BF seating but the reg FC seats, better then Y yeh but not much to go gaga over,IMO. I dont think CO will let them go LA-IAH-OGG nor would I do it even if its doable unless I was earning the extra EQMs

 I think CO does go from both SNA & LAX or will be doing so soon.

Whoops, I totally missed that!
For whatever reason I was assuming NYC-OGG.

From LA coach is fine and it's not worth the splurge for First.

Tickets should be significantly cheaper than $691, just wait and keep on eye on them and grab them when they go below $350.
It may be cheaper to purchase LAX-HNL and then a separate ticket to LIH/OGG/KOA, etc.

[benarroc]

Thanks for the advice.  Kuaui it is!!  Just to clarify I live in LA.
Unfortunately, I can only get away for 7 days.
What is the best way to use 130k AA miles and 600k Amex points for this trip? Does it pay to use them for the Grand Hyatt Kauai?  Are there any additional benefits that my Amex platinum card could provide?

[Dan]

If you have any kind of government employee ID the GH Kauai is very cheap.
Otherwise the AAA rate is about $300, plus you can buy Hyatt certificates at Costco which will drop the rate down to $240.

Send me a PM and we'll work out how to get you a fabuolus suite in the GH Kauai.

AA has nonstops from LAX to LIH for 10/18-11/04 for just 35K miles.

[benarroc]

Wow! I actually am a federal employee so I will reserve with that.
Excuse the ignorance but whats PM?

[Dan]

Wow! I actually am a federal employee so I will reserve with that.
Excuse the ignorance but whats PM?

Awesome, you'll get a fantastic rate in that case!!!
You will love the GH Kauai!
Before you book it send me an email dan at dansdeals.com and I'll see what can be done for a suite if you'd like.
And don't forget to go to Costco and load up on Hyatt certificates!

[SuperFlyer]

Next "Deals request", how do I get to work for the government, without actually working for them.

Apparently there are codes for government employees by car rentals which are killers...
A guy told me he has one from florida, for rental in florida only.
He doesn't want to give it to me, so I'll have to make him an offer he can't refuse....

[benarroc]

Thanks. I had booked my tickets with mileage to Maui. Any advice when canceling a mileage ticket and scheduling another one?

[Dan]

Thanks. I had booked my tickets with mileage to Maui. Any advice when canceling a mileage ticket and scheduling another one?

It will cost about $150 for the 2 of you to make a change.

[steve2]

It will cost about $150 for the 2 of you to make a change.

 on AA that is unless the person who cashed them in is an Exec Plat with AA

 also Dan is the $150 per tkt if everyone is on the same PNR? or per person? I dont know myself the answer to that. I know when Ive booked as a 1 person theyd tell me any changes will be $150 just wondering if its a per PNR basis or per person basis

 I know with AA you must book at least 21 days before the date of travel to avoid the $50 fee if its 7-20 days, evebn more if less then 7 days

[Dan]

on AA that is unless the person who cashed them in is an Exec Plat with AA

 also Dan is the $150 per tkt if everyone is on the same PNR? or per person? I dont know myself the answer to that. I know when Ive booked as a 1 person theyd tell me any changes will be $150 just wondering if its a per PNR basis or per person basis

 I know with AA you must book at least 21 days before the date of travel to avoid the $50 fee if its 7-20 days, evebn more if less then 7 days

I believe it's $150 flat to make changes for everyone on the PNR.
I know for redepositing on AA it's $150 for the first person on the PNR and $25 for each additional passenger.

[eliteflyer]

Thanks. I had booked my tickets with mileage to Maui. Any advice when canceling a mileage ticket and scheduling another one?

Having a government rate at the GH Kauai is admitedly a sweet deal and there are certainly a few members around here that could help you out with a suite upgrade and access to the regency club and maybe some other perks too :-)

But, you did mention in your opening post that you are looking at the Ritz on Maui which to my way of thinking might please you more than the Hyatt. The Hyatt is grand but there is a greater aura of uber-luxury at properties like the Ritz, St. Regis, and Four Seasons.

Dont be so quick to cancel the trip to Maui just because you can go to Kauai. If youve been to neither, they are both excellent choices!

Disclaimer:
I was on both islands this January
and stayed at Hyatts on both

[benarroc]

I actually love staying at Ritz Carlton properties. The service is unparalleled and it is certainly very luxurious.
The Hyatt has great reviews and if I can get upgraded to a suite it sounds like its definitely worth a try.