If you had a FREE trip, where would you go ?

[GrayFal]

My customers think it's more New Yooork

Yup, you are definitely a 'cross-over' :whoopie:

 

[pwrshift]

Hi Fletch ... If you limit yourself to just one week, I'd pick Europe and spend the entire week in a world class city ... like Rome, Paris or London. They all have plenty of sights to easily occupy you for an entire week.

And buy or save FF miles so you can go Business Class ... the time lag hits hard on the first day so you need space to rest, and the lounges are great if there are delays. Unfortunately, UA just raised their biz class to 105,000 FF per seat (from 80,000). There are other combinations too, such as upgrading paid economy seats using FF miles - call UA to find out how. Generally, it's not the best way to use FF miles but for a special event it's ok. Or you could purchase one seat and use 105,000 FF miles for the other ... but biz class tabs are high. You can buy up to 60,000 FF miles a year for $1970 - spouse may be able to buy some too and combine. Can't imagine me in economy seats for that long a flight.

Of the three places I've mentioned...I'd take Rome first for the history, art, religion, FOOD, and fun. Grand Flora is a great location if you have pull to get in there. If it's a romance trip, Paris is great too ... the Champs Elysees site is the one I'd take -- right in the middle of everything. London's County Hall is the best location in London for first timers ... right on the Thames, London Eye, Big Ben, etc. etc....they do speak a form of English there - Rome has a lot of English (even on menus) spoken, and the French won't. I wouldn't make it too late in the year for any of them as they do have a winter there that's cooler than Orlando...Sept/Oct are great months.

Have a great adventure.
Brian

 

[jlf58]

Brian,

I have about 100K miles in AA but wanted to limit this trip to just the new 100K if possible. I am also Gold on AA so maybe I can get an upgrade since it's kinda off-season. Lots of great choices, we have never been to Hawaii but Paris or Rome sounds awesome along with Costa Rica. Depends on the finances and hopefully I can make it a 10 day trip and do 2 locations.

Hi Fletch ... If you limit yourself to just one week, I'd pick Europe and spend the entire week in a world class city ... like Rome, Paris or London. They all have plenty of sights to easily occupy you for an entire week.

And buy or save FF miles so you can go Business Class ... the time lag hits hard on the first day so you need space to rest, and the lounges are great if there are delays. Unfortunately, UA just raised their biz class to 105,000 FF per seat (from 80,000). There are other combinations too, such as upgrading paid economy seats using FF miles - call UA to find out how. Generally, it's not the best way to use FF miles but for a special event it's ok. Or you could purchase one seat and use 105,000 FF miles for the other ... but biz class tabs are high. You can buy up to 60,000 FF miles a year for $1970 - spouse may be able to buy some too and combine. Can't imagine me in economy seats for that long a flight.

Of the three places I've mentioned...I'd take Rome first for the history, art, religion, FOOD, and fun. Grand Flora is a great location if you have pull to get in there. If it's a romance trip, Paris is great too ... the Champs Elysees site is the one I'd take -- right in the middle of everything. London's County Hall is the best location in London for first timers ... right on the Thames, London Eye, Big Ben, etc. etc....they do speak a form of English there - Rome has a lot of English (even on menus) spoken, and the French won't. I wouldn't make it too late in the year for any of them as they do have a winter there that's cooler than Orlando...Sept/Oct are great months.

Have a great adventure.
Brian

 

[m61376]

If you can do 10 days and decide on Rome, consider a 3 day stop in one direction in London. Catching a few shows and seeing the sights would be a great complement to a trip to Rome. I may be considered a heretic here, but in London I would consider opting for a non-Marriott; personally, I like to stay in the Leicester Sq. area, so I can walk back after catching a show, but that's just our preference. We always find that location more convenient.

 

[NJDave]

I would stay at the JW's in Rome and Capri.

 

[Cathyb]

rachel -- bah humbug This was a fun question and my bubble popped

 

[Cathyb]

ellen - rio -- when is the best climate time of year there? Good idea!

 

[Cathyb]

Yes, Phuket Marriott was the most beautiful resort we EVER stayed in ever! Low costs for eating in town too.

 

[swift]

Hmmmm- dream trip for me I think would be the Marriott French Riviera

 

[pwrshift]

You may find it difficult to find two economy seats to Europe for 100k FF miles, but Hawaii economy is 40k each on UA. Here's the UA chart that might help your estimates:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,,1142,00.html

AA has similar rates, although they show some 'off peak' levels for economy:

http://www.aa.com/aa/pubcontent/en_US/AAdvantage/partners/airlines/americanAirlines.jsp#travelawards

I wouldn't put Costa Rica in the same class as Europe and Hawaii ... but I also wouldn't want to spend 12 hrs in the air to Hawaii in economy...which most airlines treat as 'somewhat' domestic in terms of seating, food and service. Courtesy of MR, I've never flown to Europe via economy, but from FL you could be in Europe before getting much further than half way to HI. (Rome non-stop is about 7 hrs)

Thought: Fly to Grand Flora Rome for a week, take the Eurorail to Venice for 3 nights in a non-Marriott near San Marco square. Marriott's only choice in Venice is at the airport, so don't stay there even if it's free. There are some incredibly expensive palaces to stay in Venice (like SPG's Danieli) but there are other budget places too in good areas if you research Slowtalk (below) and ask questions.

Here's an excellent BBS for Italy (and other areas) worth study.

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/frm/f/862600685

Brian

Brian,

I have about 100K miles in AA but wanted to limit this trip to just the new 100K if possible. I am also Gold on AA so maybe I can get an upgrade since it's kinda off-season. Lots of great choices, we have never been to Hawaii but Paris or Rome sounds awesome along with Costa Rica. Depends on the finances and hopefully I can make it a 10 day trip and do 2 locations.

 

[capjak]

I wouldn't put Costa Rica in the same class as Europe and Hawaii ... but I also wouldn't want to spend 12 hrs in the air to Hawaii in economy...which most airlines treat as 'somewhat' domestic in terms of seating, food and service. Courtesy of MR, I've never flown to Europe via economy, but from FL you could be in Europe before getting much further than half way to HI. (Rome non-stop is about 7 hrs)

Really, I think it would be a nice change, (Beach/Jungle/ecoadventures/5* hotel/Casino) check this out:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjojw?clusterCode=MW1

or this one with a casino on grounds and city close by:http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjols-los-suenos-marriott-ocean-and-golf-resort/

and I believe 100,000 FF miles will be plenty.

A lot of people enjoy touring Europe and going from one historic site to the next, staying in chandleir latten hotels and walking down to the nearest dinning bristro but I prefer to wake up to an ocean, and walk down to the beach, lay around the pool or go to a natural wonder..and at night maybe take in a little Casino action or enjoy a drink at a 5* lounge/restraunt

 

[pwrshift]

...I prefer to wake up to an ocean, and walk down to the beach, lay around the pool or go to a natural wonder..and at night maybe take in a little Casino action or enjoy a drink at a 5* lounge/restraunt

Hi Jack ... looks like a great JW, but I suspect Fletch living in Orlando can go the beach on the Atlantic or Gulf side anytime he wants, about a half hour away. That's why I suggested a 'sightseeing' location more than a beach. Now, for me in Toronto where it's 12 below today, CR sounds like a winter paradise.

Brian

 

[Carol C]

It depends where you have been. I would choose Paris if you are going in early fall and if you have never been there. It is a magical city and Marriott has some really great hotels there, such as the Marriott Champs Elysee.

+1 Great hotel in the world's greatest city.

 

[NJDave]

If someone gave you 100,000 air miles for 2 people and a FREE week in any Marriott Hotel, where would you use them ? Take the following into consideration. Which airline gives the best bank for the buck with 100K miles ? I am leaving from Orlando and will probably travel this fall.

TIA

Fletch, Where did you decide to go? Hope you have a good trip. It should be coming up soon. Remember the days when trading into a 2 bedroom at Shorecrest was a score. Now it's "where can I go anywhere in the world for free?".

 

[tango4u]

If someone gave you 100,000 air miles for 2 people and a FREE week in any Marriott Hotel, where would you use them ? Take the following into consideration. Which airline gives the best bank for the buck with 100K miles ? I am leaving from Orlando and will probably travel this fall.

TIA

It depends. It would take less air miles to travel within US. It would take less air miles if you want to go coach, not first class. Also each airline (or its airline partner) has its own award chart (Saver Awards can be redeemed for fewer miles than Standard Awards). So if you are flexible, you can book 2 Coach Ticket from US to Hawaii using your 100,000 air miles, or 2 First Class Ticket travel within U.S (exclude Hawaii and Canada), or 2 Coach Ticket from US to Caribbean/Central America, and will be a little short on 2 Coach Ticket from US to Europe but you can buy some extra miles (I would not travel coach to Europe or across the continent).

Now, If you want to travel this fall, perhaps you would want to avoid the Caribbean or South Asia. Fall is Caribbean's hurricane's season and South Asian's rainy season. But Fall is pretty nice in Europe, Norther America region (New England/Canada), and Hawaii.

As for my reference, I like Costa Rica, but I refer to visit it in the early of the year ( Feb-April) or late in the year (December). I also like Thailand and the best time to visit is between Dec - March. I like Europe and love Italy/Spain and it would be lovely in the fall (pretty low season but still nice weather).
Marriott has multiple resorts/hotels in Costa Rica, Thailand, and Europe( England/Spain/France).

It is tough. Your call.

MN