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Old Oct 8, 2014, 7:46 am
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IAD to MCO

What are my best options of doing this route with either avios or on the cheap but earning avios
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 7:50 am
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AA via MIA or US via CLT.
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 7:50 am
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Nothing direct?
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 8:02 am
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Originally Posted by dc2447
Nothing direct?
Frontier and UA fly direct.
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 8:12 am
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If there is award availability then it might be relatively expensive using Avios.

I take it that DCA is as good as IAD? If so, US flies direct or via MIA for a reasonable price.
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 8:34 am
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Originally Posted by nux
Frontier and UA fly direct.
Thanks - I have UA miles

I take it that DCA is as good as IAD? If so, US flies direct or via MIA for a reasonable price.
Great - thanks too
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 8:37 am
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180000 Avios + £ 27

for 4 people in first class DCA - MCO

mmm
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 8:39 am
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If you are actually in WAS, DCA is infinitely closer and more convenient than IAD. US has at least 8 non-stops. Fares are <$200 in Y. No meal service in F on this route, so it comes down to a nicer seat and a free drink on a short-haul with well under 2 hours flying time.
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 8:41 am
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we fly into IAD and are flexible about how long we stay there before getting down to Orlando
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 8:45 am
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an advantage of cash booking DCA/MCO with US is that you get full tier points, i.e. 20, if that's something that interests you.
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 8:51 am
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Originally Posted by TravellingSalesman
an advantage of cash booking DCA/MCO with US is that you get full tier points, i.e. 20, if that's something that interests you.
yes, always.

£600 for four is not bad
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 10:10 am
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Other (non-Avios-earning) options for getting from WAS to Florida include one-way car rental (which can be quite inexpensive at certain times of the year), and Amtrak's Silver Star and Silver Meteor services which run daily from Washington's Union Station to both Orlando and Kissimmee. Sleepers on the train will be pricey, but if you have -- or can get -- Amtrak Guest Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards points (which can be converted to Amtrak Guest Rewards points), you can book two roomettes for a total of 30,000 points. Meals are included.

Both driving and taking the train will kill a day, but might be worthwhile if the family would enjoy the experience.
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 10:13 am
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By train sounds wonderful, scurries off to look at prices

I am not sure I could drive that distance in a day, although 12 hours isn't too bad
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 10:21 am
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Originally Posted by dc2447
By train sounds wonderful, scurries off to look at prices

I am not sure I could drive that distance in a day, although 12 hours isn't too bad
Amtrak limits purchases of points to 10,000 per year per member, for about $275 USD. But earlier this year, there was a 50% bonus offer, yielding 15,000 points (enough for one roomette) for $275. Not sure if there are residency restrictions on who can be a member of the Amtrak Guest Rewards program, though.

The other Amtrak option is the Auto Train, which transports you and your (rental) car from Lorton, Virginia (near WAS) to Sanford, Florida (near MCO).
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Old Oct 8, 2014, 10:31 am
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Originally Posted by dc2447
By train sounds wonderful, scurries off to look at prices

I am not sure I could drive that distance in a day, although 12 hours isn't too bad
18 hours on Amtrak is not wonderful by any stretch of the imagination.
Surprisingly expensive too.

JetBlue go direct, $150 o/w i would think.
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