MilesBuzz! - Help me get to where I need to go! [MCO - OGG]

Ok so for our honeymoon, I have decided on the Ritz Carlton Kapalua in Maui. I was hoping to take advantage of the Air & Hotel package. However, I am currently short on Marriott points. I was hoping someone could point me in the best use of my other points to make this honeymoon a reality for my fiance.

Please bare with me as I lay out the situation.

I currently have 300,000 Marriott points. I can exchange 370,000 Marriott points for the 7 nights in the hotel and 70,000 United miles, or 400,000 Marriott points for 100,000 United miles.

My fiance and I will need 160,000 United miles total for the flights. We just received a United card for 50,000 miles and a US Airways card for 40,000 miles. Assuming I can use the US Airways miles for a United flight, I will only need any additional 70,000 United miles.

All of this means that I will need an additional 70,000 Marriott points. I can have my mother sign up for the Marriott card, to get 70,000 points and get me over that hump. Or, I was wondering if someone has a better solution based on the other miles/points balances I have.

I currently have:
100,000 HHonors points
100,000 AAdvantage miles
50,000 United miles
40,000 US Airways miles
45,000 AMEX points

We will be flying out of MCO and into OGG on July 14, 2013. I know questions like this are asked every day, but I have done a ton of research, and now I just need someone more experienced to help me turn these points into the trip I have designed. Thanks in advance!

I think you can only use the us air miles for round trip flights and they can not be combined with your united miles, i would look for two one way to ogg using united at 40k each in first class then return using aa for 37.5 each in first class. you might need ot revers and fly there in aa and home in ua to find the beast seat/dates.

I think you can only use the us air miles for round trip flights and they can not be combined with your united miles, i would look for two one way to ogg using united at 40k each in first class then return using aa for 37.5 each in first class. you might need ot revers and fly there in aa and home in ua to find the beast seat/dates.

You can't use US miles for a united flight? I thought they were in the same alliance... dang i was kinda counting on that.

You're correct they are in the same alliance. But...

The miles are not equal, or transferable between the two programs. US does not allow one way flights. So you will need enough miles for 1 person R/T to book one flight with US miles. Also you'll be limited to saver award space on United. And you'll pay higher booking fees.

I think you can only use the us air miles for round trip flights and they can not be combined with your united miles, i would look for two one way to ogg using united at 40k each in first class then return using aa for 37.5 each in first class. you might need ot revers and fly there in aa and home in ua to find the beast seat/dates.

You could fly OGG-MIA-LIM/CUZ/SJO in Business for 30k with a stopover in MIA (and a sideflight home to MCO with 4500 avios) for less. And the bonus is you can get a trip to Peru/Costa Rica (one way) as part of this 30k one way ticket.

If I did that I'd also try to get LAX-MIA on the 777. Would be a really nice way to end your Honeymoon.

PM Me if you need help. And congrats on getting married :)

I currently have 300,000 Marriott points. I can exchange 370,000 Marriott points for the 7 nights in the hotel and 70,000 United miles, or 400,000 Marriott points for 100,000 United miles.
Marriott will allow you to combine points with a "spouse" for the redemption. Fiancee is probably close enough. If she hasn't signed up for the Marriott card at 70k yet, this would be an excellent time.

My fiance and I will need 160,000 United miles total for the flights. We just received a United card for 50,000 miles and a US Airways card for 40,000 miles. Assuming I can use the US Airways miles for a United flight, I will only need any additional 70,000 United miles.
I'm confused. You're earning 70k UA miles from the Travel Package, right? So: 160k - 70k - 50k you already have = 40k left. Assuming you're looking at four one-way trips each costing 40k miles, you could have her sign up for a UA card and book one of the one-way tickets that way.

I know questions like this are asked every day, but I have done a ton of research, and now I just need someone more experienced to help me turn these points into the trip I have designed.
If only everyone would do this much work in advance... makes it enjoyable to help.

P.S. Did you make sure the Ritz has STANDARD award availability for your dates?

Marriott will allow you to combine points with a "spouse" for the redemption. Fiancee is probably close enough. If she hasn't signed up for the Marriott card at 70k yet, this would be an excellent time.


I'm confused. You're earning 70k UA miles from the Travel Package, right? So: 160k - 70k - 50k you already have = 40k left. Assuming you're looking at four one-way trips each costing 40k miles, you could have her sign up for a UA card and book one of the one-way tickets that way.


If only everyone would do this much work in advance... makes it enjoyable to help.

P.S. Did you make sure the Ritz has STANDARD award availability for your dates?

We tried to sign her up for the Marriott card but unfortunately she didn't get approved; she is in grad school and her income isn't high enough. :(

I was assuming that the US Airways points could be combined with the UA miles. Now that I know that isn't possible, you are right, I would still need 40k more.

My thoughts now are to not worry about the travel package, as I may not have enough points in time. I am afraid that any award availability will be gone by the time I get enough points. How valid is this fear, considering we are 11 months away?

How do I make sure it has standard award availability? I looked to see if I could redeem points straight up on those dates and this is available. Is this what you mean?

Thanks for the replies.

We tried to sign her up for the Marriott card but unfortunately she didn't get approved; she is in grad school and her income isn't high enough. :(
There is a thread in the Marriott forum about combining points. Some people outlined other scenarios that worked for them. I think combining with a parent was one of them. Marriott is apparently not very strict about it.

I was assuming that the US Airways points could be combined with the UA miles. Now that I know that isn't possible, you are right, I would still need 40k more.
If you had a way of accumulating enough US miles, you could redeem for one round trip ticket with them and one with United, and they could be for the same flights. Maybe you could get a second US card? Some people in that thread have had success when they had a legitimate reason. (splitting types of expenses or the like)

How valid is this fear, considering we are 11 months away?
You would be amazed how much time people on FT spend hypothesizing about it. One thing is for certain: if it's available now, it's available now. The less you wait, the better.

How do I make sure it has standard award availability? I looked to see if I could redeem points straight up on those dates and this is available. Is this what you mean?
Click through all the way to the final booking page (stop just short of making the reservation). Sometimes, the Marriott website will show availability but, when you go to actually book it, all the rooms require an "upgrade co-pay".

You can't use US miles for a united flight? I thought they were in the same alliance... dang i was kinda counting on that.

You can use US miles for a UA flight (and vice versa), but if you are redeeming US miles for a flight on UA (or any partner airline) you are bound by US' rules, not the rules of UA (or another partner).