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Originally Posted by darthbimmer
(Post 22588092)
Those are all nice places to visit. You could also add the Casa Magna in Cancun (100k points/5 nights) and the Renaissance in Aruba (120k points/5 nights).
Information about Marriott's Travel Packages is available at https://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi. The reason people like Travel Packages is that they allow you to trade a set number of points from MR to one of several airline programs at a 1:1 exchange rate. (+10% bonus if you trade to UA!) That's a pretty good bargain for MR points. It's arguably less special for you since a) you already have a bunch of UR points which you can trade 1:1 to several airlines, and b) you said you're looking for a 5 night trip, not 7. But if you're willing to do a 7 night trip, consider "topping off" your MR account with just enough UR points to buy a travel package. That's how you can maximize the value of your MR points. Also, from the list I've gathered and the two you have mentioned, which ones would be best recommended or suited to what I am looking for? (Activity and "niceness" wise) |
I was in your shoes last year (except live in CLT) and went to St. Kitts, however I lucked out and was able to snag one of the vacation club rooms on points (just checked and there don't look to be any available). But it does have pretty much everything else you mentioned. We liked it, the only thing I was slightly disappointed with were the beaches which seemed to have a fair amount of trash laying around. The beach at the Marriott was probably one of the nicest beaches there.
Our other 2 finalists IIRC were Curacao and Grand Cayman. Agree on the travel package if you can do 7 nights. The amount of miles needed can vary but you should be able to get 2 RT coach tickets for the miles from a travel package. |
August is a bad time for hurricanes and Curacao and Aruba are for the most part below the line. I would not got the Grand Cayman, St. Kitts or Virgin Island or Pr. You had it right pick 1 of those two places (Aruba or Curacao). As for which it depends on what you want to do. My wife and like Curacao best but do you want to do stuff or sit on the beach. Aruba for the beach Curacao to do stuff.
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Marriott Guanacaste Costa Rica would be my pick.
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Originally Posted by GoPhils
(Post 22588308)
I was in your shoes last year (except live in CLT) and went to St. Kitts, however I lucked out and was able to snag one of the vacation club rooms on points (just checked and there don't look to be any available). But it does have pretty much everything else you mentioned. We liked it, the only thing I was slightly disappointed with were the beaches which seemed to have a fair amount of trash laying around. The beach at the Marriott was probably one of the nicest beaches there.
Our other 2 finalists IIRC were Curacao and Grand Cayman. Agree on the travel package if you can do 7 nights. The amount of miles needed can vary but you should be able to get 2 RT coach tickets for the miles from a travel package.
Originally Posted by hnewman
(Post 22590049)
August is a bad time for hurricanes and Curacao and Aruba are for the most part below the line. I would not got the Grand Cayman, St. Kitts or Virgin Island or Pr. You had it right pick 1 of those two places (Aruba or Curacao). As for which it depends on what you want to do. My wife and like Curacao best but do you want to do stuff or sit on the beach. Aruba for the beach Curacao to do stuff.
Originally Posted by iztok
(Post 22590411)
Marriott Guanacaste Costa Rica would be my pick.
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Originally Posted by downluda
(Post 22588273)
What I don't understand is how many points I would need to travel to any of the locations I had mentioned with my wife and myself.
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She also prefers I pick the place and surprise her
Wow. My wife had every last thing planned. I don't recall having many choices. :) Seriously though my only advice is GO BIG. You only have one honeymoon (hopefully) so live large on that trip. Upgrade to a suite if you can, eat some expensive meals, buy souvenirs you don't need, whatever. I am serious. If it's once in a lifetime make it very memorable! Have fun! |
Originally Posted by downluda
(Post 22590563)
Thank you! Would you pick Guanacaste over Aruba & Curacao as well?
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Good point about the hurricanes. I went in June...
And as far as I know you do need all the necessary MR points to order the travel package. |
Originally Posted by GoPhils
(Post 22593842)
Good point about the hurricanes. I went in June
Good reference http://csc.noaa.gov/hurricanes/# |
Originally Posted by downluda
(Post 22590563)
Thank you! Would you pick Guanacaste over Aruba & Curacao as well?
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Originally Posted by iztok
(Post 22599683)
Yes I would. Definitely little less commercial and more attractive for me for honeymoon.
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Originally Posted by hnewman
(Post 22599694)
True, but if you want city to explore and diving Curacao is better. As I said it really depends on what you want to do and how active you want to be.
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Originally Posted by iztok
(Post 22600144)
Agree! Yeah I am a diver and Curacao would be better. BTW, never been there, do they have beach dives?
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Originally Posted by iztok
(Post 22590411)
Marriott Guanacaste Costa Rica would be my pick.
Definitely use the travel package. The extra miles and your UR points will get you first class tickets on just about any airline, I think. |
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