Soon to be husband in charge of the honeymoon
Jan 20, 2012, 10:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
Soon to be husband in charge of the honeymoon
First time poster here so forgive me if this is not the correct section to post.
I will be getting hitched in late June and need some help from you well-traveled folks on a honeymoon trip I am in charge of planning and paying for. We are paying for our wedding and honeymoon so I have been accumulating frequent flyer miles (over 200k now) to take us anywhere we want to go. My future Mrs is amazing so I want to do something special such as Fiji. Does anyone have recommendations on resorts that won't cost as much as the wedding? Or possibly another destination where the dollar holds up well? Trying to find answers to these questions online has been a little frustrating so I greatly appreciate any advice!
Thanks!
I will be getting hitched in late June and need some help from you well-traveled folks on a honeymoon trip I am in charge of planning and paying for. We are paying for our wedding and honeymoon so I have been accumulating frequent flyer miles (over 200k now) to take us anywhere we want to go. My future Mrs is amazing so I want to do something special such as Fiji. Does anyone have recommendations on resorts that won't cost as much as the wedding? Or possibly another destination where the dollar holds up well? Trying to find answers to these questions online has been a little frustrating so I greatly appreciate any advice!
Thanks!
Jan 20, 2012, 11:37 pm
#2
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,544
Welcome to Flyertalk, chllone and congratulations on your engagement. I believe that TravelBuzz is the the most suitable forum for you at this time.
All best wishes,
Obscure2k
Moderator
Luxury Hotels (and TravelBuzz)
All best wishes,
Obscure2k
Moderator
Luxury Hotels (and TravelBuzz)
Jan 21, 2012, 6:55 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Back to Florida...... bye London
Programs: Hilton, AA,, Delta
Posts: 5,149
Not quite enough information.
where will you be flying from?
Have you gathered any hotel points?
What airline are your FF miles on and have you already booked your tickets?
If you haven't booked tickets do you know for a fact that you can get FF tickets at this late date assuming you mean June 2012?
where will you be flying from?
Have you gathered any hotel points?
What airline are your FF miles on and have you already booked your tickets?
If you haven't booked tickets do you know for a fact that you can get FF tickets at this late date assuming you mean June 2012?
Jan 21, 2012, 12:26 pm
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
what activities, other than the obvious, would y'all like to do?.....are water sports/beach at the top of your list?....how long?
coasta rica can be interesting and inexpensive if you don't stay at the sjo marriott....
coasta rica can be interesting and inexpensive if you don't stay at the sjo marriott....
Jan 21, 2012, 1:22 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
Thanks for all the replies.
Flying out of the DC area with United. I have not booked yet because I do not know where we will be going. I am looking for more relaxing beach / private villa idea so attractions are not important to us.
Flying out of the DC area with United. I have not booked yet because I do not know where we will be going. I am looking for more relaxing beach / private villa idea so attractions are not important to us.
Jan 21, 2012, 2:47 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
you dont have to be specific, but considering hotels can run a few hundred to a few thousand (base rates) some general idea allows best suggestions
maldives are better value than pacific (fiji, bora bora, australia) and caribbean
asia (and central/south america) are even cheaper (more land than island)
http://www.kiwicollection.com/ might be a good place for ideas other than inexpensive
for hotel points, there are hotel point forums
for really inexpensive, there is budget forum
for higher end, there is lots of discussion in luxury hotels forum
maldives are better value than pacific (fiji, bora bora, australia) and caribbean
asia (and central/south america) are even cheaper (more land than island)
http://www.kiwicollection.com/ might be a good place for ideas other than inexpensive
for hotel points, there are hotel point forums
for really inexpensive, there is budget forum
for higher end, there is lots of discussion in luxury hotels forum
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jan 21, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Jan 21, 2012, 3:16 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA - HNL, SEA, DEN, ORD, MCO, and all points inbetween
Programs: Way too many!
Posts: 1,188
The preceding posts are true-enough.
BUT....First, Congrats!
Second, it's like shooting darts at a board. Yes, many of us are well-traveled, but we're not you and do not know your taste.
What do you like? Do you want to be in a REMOTE location in a hut over the water with nothing but the tropical breeze blowing in and romantic sunsets to look at? Do you want some fun in the sun? Do you wish an all inclusive retreat with lots of fun things to do?
OK, here's a stab in the dark.
I tend to like the Secrets resorts in the Dominican Republic or in Cancun (Riviera). They are beautiful, have great things to do from horseback riding to day spas, and it's pay one price. You can dine anywhere and everywhere on the resorts for one price, and drink to your heart's content (if that's your gig) without worrying about breaking the bank.
I've also stayed at the Bora Bora Bungalos http://www.overwater-bungalows.com/
They are romantic, and remote. But if I were to marry my current girlfriend, she'd be board out of her mind in 10 minutes FLAT! She's a gal that wants lots of things to do every day and can't sit around and watch the world go by.
Do you want to travel outside the US? Do you want to stay in the US? I live part time in Hawaii and there are some AWESOME places to stay in Hawaii, yet you are in the US so no passport issues. Not that this is a huge deal, but I don't know your preferences.
Anywhere in the Wailea resort area on the island of Maui will be superb. I prefer the Grand Wailea, but there are numerous resorts and hotels that are all very nice.
You've got the luxury of the internet. Have fun surfing and selecting!
And, congrats again.
BUT....First, Congrats!
Second, it's like shooting darts at a board. Yes, many of us are well-traveled, but we're not you and do not know your taste.
What do you like? Do you want to be in a REMOTE location in a hut over the water with nothing but the tropical breeze blowing in and romantic sunsets to look at? Do you want some fun in the sun? Do you wish an all inclusive retreat with lots of fun things to do?
OK, here's a stab in the dark.
I tend to like the Secrets resorts in the Dominican Republic or in Cancun (Riviera). They are beautiful, have great things to do from horseback riding to day spas, and it's pay one price. You can dine anywhere and everywhere on the resorts for one price, and drink to your heart's content (if that's your gig) without worrying about breaking the bank.
I've also stayed at the Bora Bora Bungalos http://www.overwater-bungalows.com/
They are romantic, and remote. But if I were to marry my current girlfriend, she'd be board out of her mind in 10 minutes FLAT! She's a gal that wants lots of things to do every day and can't sit around and watch the world go by.
Do you want to travel outside the US? Do you want to stay in the US? I live part time in Hawaii and there are some AWESOME places to stay in Hawaii, yet you are in the US so no passport issues. Not that this is a huge deal, but I don't know your preferences.
Anywhere in the Wailea resort area on the island of Maui will be superb. I prefer the Grand Wailea, but there are numerous resorts and hotels that are all very nice.
You've got the luxury of the internet. Have fun surfing and selecting!
And, congrats again.
Jan 22, 2012, 9:10 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: mid-atlantic region of US
Programs: United Mileage Plus; Southwest; American Airlines
Posts: 103
a few other things to consider...
...has she traveled much? What is her tolerance for length of flight? Does she feel comfortable leaving the states?
And Congratulations!
And Congratulations!
Jan 23, 2012, 8:49 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 321
Congrats!
I we did our honeymoon in Fiji at Tokoriki Island Resort. We used airline miles for the flights and booked the hotel with an Australian company called Travelonline.com. The price was in Aussies and at the time we saved extra due to the exchange rate. No American companies came close to the Aussie dollar price.
We had a great time but do note that these resorts are remote! And, it may be worth spreading the trip over a couple different resorts.
I we did our honeymoon in Fiji at Tokoriki Island Resort. We used airline miles for the flights and booked the hotel with an Australian company called Travelonline.com. The price was in Aussies and at the time we saved extra due to the exchange rate. No American companies came close to the Aussie dollar price.
We had a great time but do note that these resorts are remote! And, it may be worth spreading the trip over a couple different resorts.
Jan 24, 2012, 7:48 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Gold, MR Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,003
If you are on a more limited budget, you may want to consider Southeast Asia (Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia). I suggested those because they are farther away, less accessible and thus more special than Mexico. (There are some really nice secluded beach places in Mexico as well though.)
If you want something more private and not surrounded by fat tourists, you should cross the Caribbean off the list.
If you want something more private and not surrounded by fat tourists, you should cross the Caribbean off the list.
Jan 24, 2012, 11:07 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
If you want to use your UA miles, I would use one of the award search engines to see what is available for your travel dates.
There is a new one for Star Alliance:
http://awardfinder.juny4ng.com/
And ckpeter has one that I believe is free for FT members and is good for all alliances:
http://awardnexus.com/
That way you can see if there are seats available for destinations you want.
PS - I just looked in June and I see saver availability from WAS to Mexico and Hawaii.
There is a new one for Star Alliance:
http://awardfinder.juny4ng.com/
And ckpeter has one that I believe is free for FT members and is good for all alliances:
http://awardnexus.com/
That way you can see if there are seats available for destinations you want.
PS - I just looked in June and I see saver availability from WAS to Mexico and Hawaii.
Last edited by cheltzel; Jan 24, 2012 at 11:15 am Reason: add search results