Author Topic: Trip to Hawaii  (Read 18019 times)

Offline psalm

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Trip to Hawaii
« on: January 25, 2010, 03:55:15 PM »
Hi all,
A noobe here.
I recently got married and would like to plan a honey moon for me and my wife before we get all caught up in the world.
Was wondering if anybody had any suggestions/ideas.
I have 150,000 miles on delta, 30,000 starpoints. but it does not HAVE to be with miles or starpoints - if its a good price I'll pay.
I'm looking for somewhere warm, sunny and has nice beaches that are warm enough to swim in at this time of year.
My dates are any days between and including: Feb 4 - Feb 15 although the best dates are between Feb 7 - Feb 14.
Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!  
« Last Edit: January 28, 2010, 03:38:31 PM by Dan »

Offline Dan

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2010, 04:13:37 PM »
I'm a huge Hawaii fan and you've got the miles to do it!
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline bades

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2010, 04:37:44 PM »
i agree with dan maui or kauai, if you dont want to travel all the way there bahamas and USVI and aruba are excellent options

Offline moish

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2010, 04:55:33 PM »
mexico, cancun or acapulco

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2010, 05:29:20 PM »
If you are really open to a lot, you can go on travel websites, and just browse for promos.

i just surfed for 15 sec and found this http://www.expedia.com/daily/promos/deals/mexico_pacific_sale0110/default.asp?mcicid=deal.dest.feature_MexicoSale0110&rfrr=-58157

I'm not sure whether the price is good, as I'm not from USA, but it doesn't sound too bad.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 05:32:56 PM by SuperFlyer »

Offline psalm

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2010, 06:01:41 PM »
Thank you all for the quick responses and super flyer for the link - I'm going to look into that..
But as 2 people and one of them Dan recommended Hawaii, I would like to try that.
Here's the deal though, I've never booked through millage, and I've never been to Hawaii, so I was wondering if I can get more info like,
1) Whats the best way to use my millage? (- should i go straight through delta, and what do I do if all thier flights are full?)
2) Which hotels should I book? should I use starpoints or cash or both??
3) What should I plan in advance to do there?
4) Car rentals?
....
I know its alot, but I REALLY want to make this specail and have no clue...
All help is GREATLY appreciated!!!

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2010, 06:04:07 PM »
about those links, maybe one of the people living in the new world can help you with links with more powerful promos.

Offline Dan

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2010, 07:56:10 PM »
Thank you all for the quick responses and super flyer for the link - I'm going to look into that..
But as 2 people and one of them Dan recommended Hawaii, I would like to try that.
Here's the deal though, I've never booked through millage, and I've never been to Hawaii, so I was wondering if I can get more info like,
1) Whats the best way to use my millage? (- should i go straight through delta, and what do I do if all thier flights are full?)
2) Which hotels should I book? should I use starpoints or cash or both??
3) What should I plan in advance to do there?
4) Car rentals?
....
I know its alot, but I REALLY want to make this specail and have no clue...
All help is GREATLY appreciated!!!
I don't think Delta has any partners that go to Hawaii, so it's Delta or nothing.   Be sure to check Coach and First availability.
Where are you flying from?
You need to decide which island(s) to go to, I've written trip notes about 2 of them but haven't had a chance to write about the other 2 yet.

My favorite Hawaiian hotel is the Grand Hyatt Kauai, but you're a little late to jump on the Hyatt free nights promo...free nights must be earned by 01/31.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline psalm

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2010, 09:42:57 PM »
I am flying from N.Y.
If I may ask, Which island did you enjoy the most?

Offline Dan

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2010, 10:26:11 PM »
I am flying from N.Y.
If I may ask, Which island did you enjoy the most?

Looks like there's plenty of 40K Coach/75K First availability on Delta..

Which island? That's a really tough question.  All of them have plenty of great beaches but here's a few quick totally random thoughts.  Don't spend less than 5 days on an island, just not worth hopping for that.

Oahu: Beautiful but "touristy."  Pearl Harbor. Dozens of high-rise hotels on crowded Waikiki Beach.  Lots of opportunity for paid activities.  Only shul in Hawaii that's walkable to the tourist areas. Most flights go into Honolulu but there's no major compelling reason to stay.

Maui:  Much less touristy than Oahu, many people find it the right balance between nature and tourist activities.  One of the most fun and gorgeous drives in the world on the Road To Hana.  Sunrise at Haleakala. Great whale-watching in the winter.  Miles of great beaches with great snorkeling.  

Kauai:  The least touristy/developed of the islands.  I love all the incredibly fresh air and all the green everywhere! Grand canyon of the pacific, na pali coast, great hiking... 13 miles of deserted beaches at Polihale. Awesome snorkeling at many beaches.

Big Island:  Less green, more black.  Lava everywhere.  Active volcanoes with lava flowing fireworks.  Tallest mountain in the world (measured from the base) in Mauna Kea with breathtaking sunsets and stargazing.  Incredible beaches.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 10:28:39 PM by Dan »
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2010, 12:09:01 AM »
maui was beautiful in so many ways, as dan eluded to. i would suggest cash and points  for hotel stay the westin maui is beautiful... and if u have the miles 1st class is the way to travel to hawaii..

Offline psalm

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2010, 12:23:50 AM »
Thanks for your reply's!
Well I think Maui it is, of course with first class if they still have the tickets available when I book.
Hotels, you say the Westin? Would you know around what it would come out to if I use cash and starpoints?
Also, can I book a lower class room and upgrade if I want to once there? (A friend of mine, when he went on his honey moons to Miami, he booked low class rooms, when they got there they said that they are on their honey moon and got upgraded to a very nice room... - any hope for that in Hawaii?)
Is there a chance I'll get upgraded because of my starwood preferred status?
(I think I might have a starwood coupon for 50% off.. I'm going to go look for it..)
Does the hotel offer kosher food, or do I bring my own?

Offline psalm

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2010, 02:34:54 PM »
do the hotels offer kosher food?

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2010, 04:43:34 PM »
no kosher food in maui, u would have to get in touch with the rabbi there prior to your trip...

Offline psalm

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2010, 04:47:26 PM »
is there kosher food in Kauai?
half of the vocation is being spoiled no?

Offline Dan

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #15 on: January 27, 2010, 04:56:27 PM »
no kosher food in maui, u would have to get in touch with the rabbi there prior to your trip...
The Hyatt in Maui definitely has kosher food.
But I'd still recommend bringing frozen cooked meals from home and warming them up on a burner/crock pot or the like.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline psalm

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #16 on: January 27, 2010, 06:09:08 PM »
I most definitely will. but i only have stapoints and if im not mistaken the Hyatt is very expensive and does not execpt starpoints, any ideas dan?

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #17 on: January 27, 2010, 11:40:47 PM »
Dang! Dang! Dang! I called delta today, they said that the cheapest first class is 135,000 miles PER ticket! and the cheapest economy is 52,000 PER ticket!
That just sucks! Oh well I'm just going to have to go economy...
So anyone wanto change Hyatt points for starwood points.. unless the Westin has kosher food?

Offline Dan

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #18 on: January 28, 2010, 12:54:45 AM »
Dang! Dang! Dang! I called delta today, they said that the cheapest first class is 135,000 miles PER ticket! and the cheapest economy is 52,000 PER ticket!
That just sucks! Oh well I'm just going to have to go economy...
So anyone wanto change Hyatt points for starwood points.. unless the Westin has kosher food?
For what dates? Did you search delta.com?
I might trade Hyatt points for Starpoints...but the Hyatt in Kauai is crazy nice, much nicer than Maui.  Although Hyatt Maui can cost more...
I'm not sure if any other hotels have kosher food.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Trip to somewhere sunny?
« Reply #19 on: January 28, 2010, 09:31:05 AM »
originaly I did it by phone, but after posting I decided to try my luck online.. they have first for 75000 but it has two stopvers both ways, is it still worth it??
maybe its worth it to go 40000 economy with one stop...?
theres no airport in mauii, which airport should I fly to?
I'm going to call te hotels if the westin in mauii does not have kosher food maybe ill go to kauii and take u up on ur offer if ur still willing..