Where to go? 124,000 miles - 3 people - YYJ
Apr 20, 2017, 12:36 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
I'd fly out of SEA if you can...taxes are much cheaper. We do that a lot - I find it worth the 2 hour drive for my family of 4.
You have enough miles for Hawaii - you should definitely do that! Cheaper taxes than going to Mexico, too (and you won't spend half of your vacation in the toilet!).
Avoid November - traveling in and around American Thanksgiving is a nightmare. First week of December will be much cheaper for hotels and lots more flight availability.
You have enough miles for Hawaii - you should definitely do that! Cheaper taxes than going to Mexico, too (and you won't spend half of your vacation in the toilet!).
Avoid November - traveling in and around American Thanksgiving is a nightmare. First week of December will be much cheaper for hotels and lots more flight availability.
Apr 20, 2017, 1:09 pm
#18
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
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Posts: 20,384
My trips in Mexico have been fine, even eating the street food the locals eat. It's really trivial at this point to have modern sanitation and clean kitchens anywhere in North America if you're a tourist.
Also: Puerto Peńasco (2 hours out of PHX) or Ensenada (2 hours out of SAN) are options, if you want to save a lot of $$$ on the miles + taxes.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Apr 20, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Apr 20, 2017, 2:48 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines
Posts: 31
I've had good and bad experiences with hygiene in Mexico. But I can say the same for Paris...
I like the idea of flying to the US and driving down to MEX like you suggested. That could get the taxes low and still enjoy the better exchange rate.
I like the idea of flying to the US and driving down to MEX like you suggested. That could get the taxes low and still enjoy the better exchange rate.
Apr 20, 2017, 4:24 pm
#21
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
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http://traveltips.usatoday.com/can-d...co-110940.html
But if you were going to rent a car anyways in Mexico...
Apr 20, 2017, 5:14 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
If OP is worried about costs due to CAD depreciation, Hawaii during the time they're interested can be about as bad as you can get costwise (EVERYONE wants to go during the chilly months, a lot of that time is peak season, and people take vacations at that time of year to do it).
My trips in Mexico have been fine, even eating the street food the locals eat. It's really trivial at this point to have modern sanitation and clean kitchens anywhere in North America if you're a tourist.
Also: Puerto Peńasco (2 hours out of PHX) or Ensenada (2 hours out of SAN) are options, if you want to save a lot of $$$ on the miles + taxes.
My trips in Mexico have been fine, even eating the street food the locals eat. It's really trivial at this point to have modern sanitation and clean kitchens anywhere in North America if you're a tourist.
Also: Puerto Peńasco (2 hours out of PHX) or Ensenada (2 hours out of SAN) are options, if you want to save a lot of $$$ on the miles + taxes.
Hawaii seems to be busy and expensive all year long...and getting harder and harder to get award seats on AS. If the OP has flexible dates in the winter, there's some GREAT hotel deals in Hawaii during some dates in the winter months.
For me, personally, I don't let the exchange rate deter me from travelling where I want to go...I just adjust my budget accordingly (cheaper hotels, more affordable meals, less shopping). If I didn't, I'd likely never visit the US!
Apr 24, 2017, 10:31 am
#23
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines
Posts: 31
@pokee you make some excellent points! We do like Hawaii but have been holding off going back because of the exchange rate. Maybe it's time for a perspective adjustment.
Plus, when I look at Maui for 1st week of December. I can find a total price for 3 passengers = 105,000 miles + $175.68. It means overnighting in SEA on the way home but that's alright!
What's your preferred island?
Plus, when I look at Maui for 1st week of December. I can find a total price for 3 passengers = 105,000 miles + $175.68. It means overnighting in SEA on the way home but that's alright!
What's your preferred island?
Apr 24, 2017, 10:34 am
#24
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Apr 25, 2017, 1:38 am
#25
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Apr 25, 2017, 4:45 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
@pokee you make some excellent points! We do like Hawaii but have been holding off going back because of the exchange rate. Maybe it's time for a perspective adjustment.
Plus, when I look at Maui for 1st week of December. I can find a total price for 3 passengers = 105,000 miles + $175.68. It means overnighting in SEA on the way home but that's alright!
What's your preferred island?
Plus, when I look at Maui for 1st week of December. I can find a total price for 3 passengers = 105,000 miles + $175.68. It means overnighting in SEA on the way home but that's alright!
What's your preferred island?
For affordability and sheer flight availability, I think Oahu is your best bet. There seems to be a lot of SEA-HNL flights.
I'm hoping to fly BLI-OGG next spring break, but the hotels and condos are soooo expensive in Maui at that time....so it makes me want to go back to the Oahu or the big island. Your dates are flexible though - so you should be okay. Hope it works out!!!