Might be easier to get Hawaii trades in future

[KathyPet]

Just read a article in USA today about the huge jump in airfare to Hawaii due to less flights being scheduled and the failure of two airlines that served Hawaii. Airfares have almost doubled and the hotels have started to offer special pricing deals to attract business. Many honeymooners are rethinking their plans.

 

[chakazullo]

Very true. Wife and I went to Maui 4 years ago, and got airfare on Continental from Newark, NJ for $800/roundtrip.

Been checking again, and the same flight is now $1500. Gas is much more expensive, but that is ridiculous. Hawaii is expensive enough, but that airfare just means that I won't be able to go back unless I can fly there on miles.

 

[winger]

holy moly. imagine, a normal 35k ff miles roundtrip trip may soon cost 70k ff miles ??? sorry, i hope I don't jinx this

 

[KathyPet]

Certainly going on miles is a option but with the airlines reducing the # of flights there will also be a reduction in the # of seats available using miles. If you request a trade and it doesn't come through until 3-4 months before the check in date you may find there are no FF seats available and you have to ante up a huge $ amt for those tickets.

 

[Cathyb]

KathyPet: The secret there is to reserve Marriott hotel for the week; make the ffmile reservation and then when (and if) the timeshare week comes thru -- cancel the hotel reservation.

 

[KathyPet]

CathyB, You are right on. All Cathy's/Kathy's must be great thinkers. That is exactly what I did at St. Kitts for this past president's day week. I requested a trade and then went on and made a rewards reservation at the hotel using regular rewards points and then booked my air using ff miles. The trade never came through but we did stay at the hotel. I also checked the Marriott website a couple of weeks before we left and by that time the only way to get a hotel reservation for that week was by using anytime stay points so I was happy I booked early.

 

[Eric F]

USA Today Article

Hi Kathy P,

Thank you for updating everyone about the increasing value of using their MR points for hoel and FF airline tickets.

Here's the link to the USA Today article:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-05-08-hawaii_N.htm

Now would be a good time for MVC owners to book Rewards Travel Packages and secure FF seats for next year. If possible, request up to 120,000 FF mile deposits to go with the hotel reservations.

Eric

 

[auntdef]

If you have the ability to book about 330 days in advance and closely watch the prices a few times a day you will get a feel for the right time to jump on a good fare.

When we went to Hawaii in '06, we paid more for our flights from NJ then we did for our August '08 fare and we had to return via LAX.

August '06 was apprx $1100 r/t EWR-HNL, HNL-LAX-EWR booked about 6 months (180 days) in advance (my fault, I blew the opportunity for the lower fare I saw).

August '08 is $693 r/t EWR-HNL, HNL-EWR booked 10 1/2 months (315 days) in advance.

I admit this is a gamble and I do this no matter where we go, most times I am happy with the fares I get other times I just suck it up. We also use FF miles on trips, but....only if we are able to get standard awards.

I just started following PVR for next April...wish me luck .

 

[Carlsbadguy]

The high airfares just affected me. I saw availability at the Maui Marriott for early June a few weeks ago. Previous years I could have booked a flight from San Diego for $400-450 Rt at the most, before tehhigher summer rates started. This time, when I checked airfares the cheapest flight was over $800.

 

[SDKath]

I think this is why we are seeing so much more Hawaii availability on II lately, especially the last minute ones. I'd love to go with the family (my kids have never been) but it's just not going to happen with these prices!

Katherine

 

[Cathyb]

What Kathy -- haven't been to Hawaii Life is toooo short; rob youp piggy bank and enjoy the islands!

 

[KathyPet]

Actually we did a week in Kauai in 1997 using reward points for our 25th wedding anniversary. That long flight from Dulles was a killer in coach. While we were there we purchased a 1 Bedroom Oceanfront at Kauai Beach Club. Ended up doing a equity trade in 5 years later to buy our 2 Hilton Head weeks. I knew that we would not be headed back to Hawaii anytime soon and it just seemed smarter to have units we would actually use.

 

[thinze3]

...That long flight from Dulles was a killer in coach....

When planning our first trip to Hawaii we actually tagged San Diego along the way. We booked two round trips on separate airlines. The first one was to Sand Diego and back 11 days later. The second was from San Diego to HI and back.

We managed to spend a few nights in a nice Marriott in San Diego followed by a week at the Maui Ocean Club. It was a great trip and the air travel was much more bearable with three kids.

Last time to HI was no-stop and and not as pleasant. Hopefully next time Mom and Dad can sit up front.

 

[JBRES1]

Marriott Hawaii

My family and I are headed to Hawaii for our summer vacation this year thanks in part to Delta airlines for bumping up last year.
I booked a week at the Ko Olina thru II for this summer, but didn't book any rooms for a few extra days on Maui.
This past week I booked 2 rooms for the extra days we needed, and got the Marriott Wailea on Maui thru Priceline for $170.00 per room.
I don't think people are willing to pay the high cost of airfare and high hotel rates, so something must give. In my cast I think the Marriott wanted to fill the rooms rather than let them sit empty.
Jim Breslin

 

[lprstn]

Something to think about...

When we went to Hawaii 4 years ago, round trip was $729 (to Kaui) per person, going in the summer and I purchased the tickets in Jan. This year I purchased in Jan. before the gas price increase and paid $649 (to Kona) per person. When I recently checked the price is now $829 (to Kona). So I'd say prices have gone up but compared to 4 years ago, it hasn't gone up all that much. Let's face it, going to Hawaii is not cheap, nor was it ever cheap, and nor will it ever be. The next time we go, I am going to try and make it a 4 week trip, that way its worth me paying $800-$900 per ticket.

 

[winger]

...Let's face it, going to Hawaii is not cheap, nor was it ever cheap, and nor will it ever be. The next time we go, I am going to try and make it a 4 week trip, that way its worth me paying $800-$900 per ticket.

I always tell people that Hawaiian trips are not 'designed by God' to be less than 10 days !!! 14 days would be minimum for a relaxing stay in Paradise, especially given the effort and money spent to get there

... 4 weeks, NOW we are talking about someone with some sense here !!!