Advice for trip for parents
Sep 20, 2013 | 10:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
Advice for trip for parents
My parents are in their 60's and I want to send them on a great vacation, the problem is, I don't know where to send them. they've been to 13 countries in Europe, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, China, and Hong Kong.
They have 380k AA, 90k SPG, 300k United, and 100k UR points.
If you had one dream vacation, where would you go?
They have 380k AA, 90k SPG, 300k United, and 100k UR points.
If you had one dream vacation, where would you go?
Sep 20, 2013 | 11:31 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
I wanted to send them to some place they haven't heard of or wouldn't think of like Bora Bora or the Maldives. I wanted to know if others had any suggestions I haven't thought of. Thanks.
Sep 20, 2013 | 11:47 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 400
I definitely want to go to those place some day since I've never been... but one place I would want to go back to is Dubrovnik, Croatia. Relatively cheap, people were extremely friendly, English is a common language, right by the water, very beautiful
Sep 20, 2013 | 12:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 136
Both IHG and SPG have hotels on Bora Bora, but they take a lot of points to book. I highly recommend it though. Hubby and I went to Bora Bora, Huahine, and Moorea for 16 days for our 20th wedding anniversary. Had an absolutely fabulous time. It's one of the few places I've been that looks better than the pictures.
Sep 20, 2013 | 12:30 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
Both IHG and SPG have hotels on Bora Bora, but they take a lot of points to book. I highly recommend it though. Hubby and I went to Bora Bora, Huahine, and Moorea for 16 days for our 20th wedding anniversary. Had an absolutely fabulous time. It's one of the few places I've been that looks better than the pictures.
Sep 20, 2013 | 1:04 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 34,991
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
AA miles will only get them as far as PPT. From PPT to Bora Bora, they'll have to pay cash (or use points from a program that lets them use points as cash to purchase travel tickets).
Originally Posted by rtraveler
So I showed them pictures of Bora Bora and now they want to go there. I'm going to see if I can use AA miles, can anyone recommend hotels that I can use points on. They have SPG, UR, IHG, and Club Carlson points.
Sep 20, 2013 | 3:29 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: LAX, formerly SFO, PEK, PVG, NRT
Posts: 164
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
AA miles will only get them as far as PPT. From PPT to Bora Bora, they'll have to pay cash (or use points from a program that lets them use points as cash to purchase travel tickets).
AA miles will only get them as far as PPT. From PPT to Bora Bora, they'll have to pay cash (or use points from a program that lets them use points as cash to purchase travel tickets).
And the real bummer is that PPT-BOB flight will typically cost about $450 per person round trip for just a 50 minute island hopper flight.
There's a Le Meridien(SPG) not far from PPT airport though. It's category 5 so 12-16k per night.
Here's the property: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeri...ropertyID=1906
Another option that will offer a really similar experience to Bora Bora would be Fiji. You can use AA miles on Fiji Airways to get there.
And there are 3 SPG properties in Fiji: 2 Sheratons and a Westin.
Sep 20, 2013 | 3:43 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 136
I booked my son and his wife into the Hilton on Bora Bora for their honeymoon. Hilton would only let me book into a garden bungalow - same as what you're finding. You have to cough up the cash for an overwater bungalow - can't do it on points. I did contact the hotel to tell them that it was their honeymoon. When my son and his wife got to the hotel, they had upgraded them for free to an overwater bungalow. You might try explaining that its a special occasion and see what happens.
Sep 20, 2013 | 4:15 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NY
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 631
Advice for trip for parents
Cook Islands (UA miles via NZ from LAX direct to RAR) much nicer than Tahiti. Aitutaki is a gem.
Africa also a no-brainer. Think Namibia perhaps - maybe cross over into Botswana. Better that than South Africa.
Currencies for both places have weakened nicely versus the dollar as well - both Aitutaki and Namibia can be done cheaply, or more higher end should you choose.
Africa also a no-brainer. Think Namibia perhaps - maybe cross over into Botswana. Better that than South Africa.
Currencies for both places have weakened nicely versus the dollar as well - both Aitutaki and Namibia can be done cheaply, or more higher end should you choose.
Last edited by pduck01; Sep 20, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Sep 20, 2013 | 8:28 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: BAEC Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 465
Advice for trip for parents
Don't know your dates which affects seasons but I would say if active New Zealand South Island, Australia -Sydney and Cairns.
I loved my safari in Botswana, Victoria Falls and South Africa
I haven't done a relaxing beach holiday yet so can't comment on Bora Bora
I loved my safari in Botswana, Victoria Falls and South Africa
I haven't done a relaxing beach holiday yet so can't comment on Bora Bora
Sep 21, 2013 | 9:41 am
#15
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,343
If they are interested in the natural world, Galapagos is a trip they will never forget, and better to do it now before they are too old to do it. Lot of getting into, out of Zodiac boats, walking around the islands, and swimming and snorkeling.