Using points for cruise
Sep 5, 2012 | 3:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 29
Using points for cruise
Hi There,
Hope you could help us plan our vacation. I have around 275k Marriott points. 100k Delta and around 100k Penfed Rewards. Sure more will be added by every week.
Our family of 4 is planning for a vacation in the last week of December (Christmas week). Could you please suggest the best way to use our points .. we are inclining towards a 3 - 6 days cruise to Caribbean. This is going to be our first cruise. Any suggestions and advise would be appreciated
Some of the pointers I am looking for
1) How do I combined points from all of above. I believe then I can make use of them better .. hope I am not wrong there
2) Penfed said a 5 day cruise to Eastern Islands would cost around 2k which makes us pay 1k from pocket as they wouldn't accept any other points.
3) Are there any better use of these points for a grand vacation other than cruise
4) Hawaii , Europe .. we are open for sight seeing without a cruise too.
Hope you could help us plan our vacation. I have around 275k Marriott points. 100k Delta and around 100k Penfed Rewards. Sure more will be added by every week.
Our family of 4 is planning for a vacation in the last week of December (Christmas week). Could you please suggest the best way to use our points .. we are inclining towards a 3 - 6 days cruise to Caribbean. This is going to be our first cruise. Any suggestions and advise would be appreciated
Some of the pointers I am looking for
1) How do I combined points from all of above. I believe then I can make use of them better .. hope I am not wrong there
2) Penfed said a 5 day cruise to Eastern Islands would cost around 2k which makes us pay 1k from pocket as they wouldn't accept any other points.
3) Are there any better use of these points for a grand vacation other than cruise
4) Hawaii , Europe .. we are open for sight seeing without a cruise too.
Sep 5, 2012 | 3:54 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
A word of caution on using points for a cruise... Unless they have changed things in the last year or so, points are redeemed for a $ value cert. One cert can only be used on one cabin and no credit for any remainder. So if you want two cabins, you must get two certs and the total of each cabin should not exceed the value of the certs. The trick is to attempt to pre-pay as much as you can on the initial booking, tips, gratuities, and even excursions if they will let you.
Good luck on making your choices, but read the fine print before you commit.
Good luck on making your choices, but read the fine print before you commit.
Sep 5, 2012 | 9:11 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,437
Personal opinion...BIG mistake!
1-cruises this time of year (this week, along w/Thanksgiving week) are a-SUPER expensive, b-SUPER crowded.
(OT-I ONCE took a cruise T-day week. The ship was so full (4 people/cabin, etc) that they had let ~100+ crew members OFF to meet regulations! As a result-dinner was a MESS. We waited ~+45 min for "anytime" dine. Buffet was packed...it was a mess. We ended up bringing food back to the ship from the daytrips!
)
Here is what I would do:
25Krt p/p on delta anywhere in the US. Find a nice resort...have a blast. 100K Delta and use the 270K Marriott.
Where are you located? Where would you LIKE to go?
Give us some hints...will help you out.
(We like to sightsee "off" season-ie, London/Europe in fall...etc)
1-cruises this time of year (this week, along w/Thanksgiving week) are a-SUPER expensive, b-SUPER crowded.
(OT-I ONCE took a cruise T-day week. The ship was so full (4 people/cabin, etc) that they had let ~100+ crew members OFF to meet regulations! As a result-dinner was a MESS. We waited ~+45 min for "anytime" dine. Buffet was packed...it was a mess. We ended up bringing food back to the ship from the daytrips!
)Here is what I would do:
25Krt p/p on delta anywhere in the US. Find a nice resort...have a blast. 100K Delta and use the 270K Marriott.
Where are you located? Where would you LIKE to go?
Give us some hints...will help you out.
(We like to sightsee "off" season-ie, London/Europe in fall...etc)
Sep 8, 2012 | 7:52 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 29
A word of caution on using points for a cruise... Unless they have changed things in the last year or so, points are redeemed for a $ value cert. One cert can only be used on one cabin and no credit for any remainder. So if you want two cabins, you must get two certs and the total of each cabin should not exceed the value of the certs. The trick is to attempt to pre-pay as much as you can on the initial booking, tips, gratuities, and even excursions if they will let you.
Good luck on making your choices, but read the fine print before you commit.
Good luck on making your choices, but read the fine print before you commit.
Sep 8, 2012 | 7:57 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 29
Personal opinion...BIG mistake!
1-cruises this time of year (this week, along w/Thanksgiving week) are a-SUPER expensive, b-SUPER crowded.
(OT-I ONCE took a cruise T-day week. The ship was so full (4 people/cabin, etc) that they had let ~100+ crew members OFF to meet regulations! As a result-dinner was a MESS. We waited ~+45 min for "anytime" dine. Buffet was packed...it was a mess. We ended up bringing food back to the ship from the daytrips!)
Here is what I would do:
25Krt p/p on delta anywhere in the US. Find a nice resort...have a blast. 100K Delta and use the 270K Marriott.
Where are you located? Where would you LIKE to go?
Give us some hints...will help you out.
(We like to sightsee "off" season-ie, London/Europe in fall...etc)
1-cruises this time of year (this week, along w/Thanksgiving week) are a-SUPER expensive, b-SUPER crowded.
(OT-I ONCE took a cruise T-day week. The ship was so full (4 people/cabin, etc) that they had let ~100+ crew members OFF to meet regulations! As a result-dinner was a MESS. We waited ~+45 min for "anytime" dine. Buffet was packed...it was a mess. We ended up bringing food back to the ship from the daytrips!
)Here is what I would do:
25Krt p/p on delta anywhere in the US. Find a nice resort...have a blast. 100K Delta and use the 270K Marriott.
Where are you located? Where would you LIKE to go?
Give us some hints...will help you out.
(We like to sightsee "off" season-ie, London/Europe in fall...etc)
Appreciate your inputs. Unfortunately we have the company mandated holidays during last week of the year.
As i said we have never been to Cruise and that would be our first preference. Other could be anywhere in Europe but it looks like the tickets are so high during that time , points will be burned pretty quick.
Appreciate any other suggestions.. started wondering if it is too late to plan anything.