American Express Membership Rewards - STL > Florida Keys, Best way using MR or SPG points

I have an opportunity to go to something in the Florida Keys called "Fantasy Fest". Anyways, I have never flown to the Keys so I am wondering what is the best and or closet airport to that area? Should I fly into a further away airport and drive by rental car?

Also, I need the ticket short notice, flying out on Oct 29th, is that too close to use rewards points for the flight? Is there a way to get cheap fully paid flights on that short notice if so? Any other general tips? Thanks!

Fantasy Fest (http://www.fantasyfest.net/) is in Key West. Do you already have a place to stay?

The code for Key West's airport is EYW. There is AA commuter service from Miami. There is CO commuter service from Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Tampa. DL Comair operates a couple flights per day from Atlanta. (There may be other options, these are the ones I know.) Where will you be starting, which airlines do you prefer?

The drive from Miami to Key West can be delightful in good weather and full daylight. Allow about four hours. Be aware that there is only one route and it is a two lane highway. If there is a collision traffic will stop for quite awhile, and the delay can be extreme if there is a fatality. I would avoid making the drive after dark on a first visit.

Thanks for the info! Looking on expedia, it looks like direct flights into Key West from STL, via MIA or ATL, on the dates I need run in excess of 1.4k! Looks like I'll be driving from MIA.

Yep, I do have a place to stay. A friend from a club I belong to has some big 7 br "mansion" on the beach in Key West and he invited me along. I'd never heard of Fantasy Fest, but it sounds like fun.

It looks like DL/NW has the cheapest options into MIA and FLL. Would it be too late to utilize the AMEX 25% bonus and transfer MR to reward buy the ticket?

What's the cheapest way to get a rental car? My corporate discount is pretty good, but you guys may know of a way to save even more money. Thanks!

It looks like DL/NW has the cheapest options into MIA and FLL. Would it be too late to utilize the AMEX 25% bonus and transfer MR to reward buy the ticket?


1. You should verify award seat availability before transferring points from Membership Rewards to any airline. Normally, points transfer instantly to Delta which means you can check award inventory online, transfer online, and then complete the booking online.

2. The airline with the lowest fares is not necessarily the one with the award availability. If you cannot find what you need check other carriers, such as Continental which also accepts instant transfers from Membership Rewards.

3. Remember that you can redeem through alliance partners. For example, you could book through Aeroplan (Air Canada) for travel on US Air or United because they all belong to Star Alliance. Again, do not transfer until you have verified award availability.

4. If you transfer to Delta the 25% bonus will not be credited until December. You won't be able to factor those extra miles into this redemption.