Author Topic: Next Vacation - Ideas  (Read 1112515 times)

Offline CS1

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1580 on: November 05, 2014, 10:17:45 AM »
This may seem like a funny question, but what is the main appeal of the Caribbean over Hawaii?

We've been to the Caribbean and not to Hawaii; one of our main draws is that there are islands that are more quiet and empty,
and some spaces where you have 1-2 miles of beachfront all to yourself...  That's possibly available in Hawaii, as well,
however I'd assume that there are more non-commercialized spots like this in the Caribbean.
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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1581 on: November 05, 2014, 10:24:29 AM »

however I'd assume that there are more non-commercialized spots like this in the Caribbean.

There are a thousand places in Hawaii where you could own the entire beach...
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Offline Achas Veachas

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1582 on: November 05, 2014, 10:35:39 AM »
...however I'd assume that there are more non-commercialized spots like this in the Caribbean.
I'd assume you're wrong...

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1583 on: November 05, 2014, 10:41:10 AM »
There are a thousand places in Hawaii where you could own the entire beach...
I think I'll dream about that tonight.

Offline lunatic

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1584 on: November 05, 2014, 10:56:25 AM »
We've been to the Caribbean and not to Hawaii; one of our main draws is that there are islands that are more quiet and empty,
and some spaces where you have 1-2 miles of beachfront all to yourself...  That's possibly available in Hawaii, as well,
however I'd assume that there are more non-commercialized spots like this in the Caribbean.
Where did you go? And where did you stay?

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1585 on: November 05, 2014, 11:29:40 AM »
Thanksgiving weekend ideas....... Snow, Sun anything.. anyone? I thought of JFK-YVR in CX F but nothing is avail.

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1586 on: November 05, 2014, 12:40:55 PM »
Thinking long term here (sometime within the next two years) - would want to book 6 business award tickets from NYC to TLV. Trying to figure out which points/miles I should target accumulating. What airlines has the best availability for business class awards tickets without huge surcharges? If I'm already spending 80-150K points per ticket I don't want to spend an extra $500 in surcharges...

Dan recently put out a post on Israel rewards flights (http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/51626). However, he doesn't discuss the difficulty level of finding availability. Realistically, which is the best airline to target?
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Offline lunatic

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1587 on: November 05, 2014, 12:43:52 PM »
Thinking long term here (sometime within the next two years) - would want to book 6 business award tickets from NYC to TLV. Trying to figure out which points/miles I should target accumulating. What airlines has the best availability for business class awards tickets without huge surcharges? If I'm already spending 80-150K points per ticket I don't want to spend an extra $500 in surcharges...

Dan recently put out a post on Israel rewards flights (http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/51626). However, he doesn't discuss the difficulty level of finding availability. Realistically, which is the best airline to target?
For 6 tickets, best bet is to connect in Europe... Prob does not matter so much then

Offline AJK

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1588 on: November 05, 2014, 12:48:20 PM »
Thinking long term here (sometime within the next two years) - would want to book 6 business award tickets from NYC to TLV. Trying to figure out which points/miles I should target accumulating. What airlines has the best availability for business class awards tickets without huge surcharges? If I'm already spending 80-150K points per ticket I don't want to spend an extra $500 in surcharges...

Dan recently put out a post on Israel rewards flights (http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/51626). However, he doesn't discuss the difficulty level of finding availability. Realistically, which is the best airline to target?

All of the non-stops  (EWR<>TLV on UA; JFK<>TLV on DL; and PHL<>TLV on US) are notoriously difficult as it is, but you can almost surely toss the idea of finding 6 biz tickets on the same plane on your particular dates without lotto-like luck.

If you don't require non-stop, I'd say that Star Alliance is your best bet considering their many partners, but as for which partner,  it'll depend on whether you'd spend more miles on UA (160K RT in J) or less miles plus YQ with NH (90K + YQ).
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Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1589 on: November 05, 2014, 12:52:41 PM »
Star Alliance partner LOT supposedly usually has good J availability. 6 seats is a lot though.

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1590 on: November 05, 2014, 01:17:49 PM »
Thanksgiving weekend ideas....... Snow, Sun anything.. anyone? I thought of JFK-YVR in CX F but nothing is avail.

What are your options?

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1591 on: November 05, 2014, 01:21:00 PM »
All of the non-stops  (EWR<>TLV on UA; JFK<>TLV on DL; and PHL<>TLV on US) are notoriously difficult as it is, but you can almost surely toss the idea of finding 6 biz tickets on the same plane on your particular dates without lotto-like luck.

If you don't require non-stop, I'd say that Star Alliance is your best bet considering their many partners, but as for which partner,  it'll depend on whether you'd spend more miles on UA (160K RT in J) or less miles plus YQ with NH (90K + YQ).

Well, that 70K point difference probably makes up the YQ, no? Could probably sell those miles/points for more than the YQ.

It seems like a direct flight is not an option. I guess the next best option is to stopover in Europe. What is the best search engine to find 1 or 2 day stopovers? When I look on UA they just give connecting flights within a few hours. If I need to do a stopover I might as well get something out of it...
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Offline AJK

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1592 on: November 05, 2014, 01:29:30 PM »
Use multi-city on UA, that sometimes will price. Otherwise PUTPAC and/or use ANA+PUTPAC.
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Offline Geshmak25

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1593 on: November 05, 2014, 01:32:56 PM »
Use multi-city on UA, that sometimes will price. Otherwise PUTPAC and/or use ANA+PUTPAC.

So you would just call and tell them dates and destinations and ask them to look up availability? Is there a fee?
PUTPAC = PITA

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1594 on: November 05, 2014, 01:35:51 PM »
All of the non-stops  (EWR<>TLV on UA; JFK<>TLV on DL; and PHL<>TLV on US) are notoriously difficult as it is, but you can almost surely toss the idea of finding 6 biz tickets on the same plane on your particular dates without lotto-like luck.

If you don't require non-stop, I'd say that Star Alliance is your best bet considering their many partners, but as for which partner,  it'll depend on whether you'd spend more miles on UA (160K RT in J) or less miles plus YQ with NH (90K + YQ).

Would 2 business + 5 economy on the same non-stop route be realistic?
PUTPAC = PITA

Offline robbie

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1595 on: November 05, 2014, 01:49:45 PM »
What are your options?

Im also looking for a thanksgiving get away,
options are any were, leaving late Wednesday night returning sun night

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1596 on: November 05, 2014, 01:59:45 PM »
Im also looking for a thanksgiving get away,
options are any were, leaving late Wednesday night returning sun night

Hmm maybe just get in a car and see where it takes you..

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1597 on: November 05, 2014, 06:03:01 PM »
Im also looking for a thanksgiving get away,
options are any were, leaving late Wednesday night returning sun night
Iceland.
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Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1598 on: November 05, 2014, 08:00:17 PM »
Hmm maybe just get in a car and see where it takes you..

For me, half of the fun of a trip is the planning part.

Offline Super Speed

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Re: Next Vacation - Ideas
« Reply #1599 on: November 05, 2014, 08:02:25 PM »
For me, half of the fun of a trip is the planning part.
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