Planning a Trip to Jamaica - Could Use Help With A Plan

[alliswell]

I'm sending my mom and her cousin to Ocho Rios this fall and need a plan.

 

I was thinking about using AA miles for their flights from Chicago although I'm not excited about the connecting flights.

 

Maybe the Moon Palace resort since it's all inclusive. That's all I got.

 

Anyone know if I could use points towards the hotel? Any suggestions on nice hotels?

 

 

 

I only have MR points and Hhonors but I have a little time to apply and meet a spend for something else to at least help cover it.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[hyschmied]

I'm sending my mom and her cousin to Ocho Rios this fall and need a plan.

 

I was thinking about using AA miles for their flights from Chicago although I'm not excited about the connecting flights.

 

If you want direct flights, you could do Southwest from Midway to Montego Bay. Thats about the only option I see without stops. But if you have AA miles to spend, then connections are part of the game.

[alliswell]

Makes sense about Southwest. I'll check into that as well.

 

Any experience with the hotels?

[Rorer_714]

Depending on what time of the year you go AA and UA also have direct flights. Unfortunately using miles for a saver award is almost impossible. This is something no one wants to consider when talking about redemption values.

 

Hyatt in MBJ is real nice but a very small beach. Never stayed in OR but been there many times.

 

Check out trip advisor for reports on the hotels.

Edited March 18, 2016 by Rorer_714

[mendelssohn]

I'm sending my mom and her cousin to Ocho Rios this fall and need a plan.

 

I was thinking about using AA miles for their flights from Chicago although I'm not excited about the connecting flights.

 

Maybe the Moon Palace resort since it's all inclusive. That's all I got.

 

Anyone know if I could use points towards the hotel? Any suggestions on nice hotels?

 

 

 

I only have MR points and Hhonors but I have a little time to apply and meet a spend for something else to at least help cover it.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

If you are able to get approved for Chase cards, there is Business Class saver award space (60K per person) booking through United.

 

 

 

Economy saver award space was also available for the same taxes and surcharges, so 70K miles (35K per person) + the same taxes and surcharges.

 

There is a connection involved both ways, but that looks like a good deal.

Edited March 18, 2016 by mendelssohn

[alliswell]

Thanks everybody! There aren't any non-stops on AA in September but....I checked into Southwest and they have non-stops.

 

Does it makes sense to use SW miles with $100 total in taxes versus paid tickets at about $240ish each?

[hyschmied]

18 hours to get to Jamaica sucks though. Lol

[mendelssohn]

18 hours to get to Jamaica sucks though. Lol

I know.

 

There were other options available on the same date. Just providing an example.

 

I don't personally fly Southwest and would take a connection over a direct SW flight.

[alliswell]

 

18 hours to get to Jamaica sucks though. Lol

I know.

 

There were other options available on the same date. Just providing an example.

 

I don't personally fly Southwest and would take a connection over a direct SW flight.

 

 

I feel the same way but my 70 plus year old mom and cousin would be scared s@#tless taking a small plane at the Florida connection on AA. The other AA flights have too many connections and long layovers. It would be different if my dad were still around or at least if I could go with them but neither can happen. I just want the two old girls to have a seamless trip.

[Cappy]

Thanks everybody! There aren't any non-stops on AA in September but....I checked into Southwest and they have non-stops.

 

Does it makes sense to use SW miles with $100 total in taxes versus paid tickets at about $240ish each?

I'm not sure if they can go in October. But I found from 10/19-10-26 on SW direct flight for either 47,320 miles + $229.32 (2 people total) or the cash price total would be $985.52 total for 2 people. Don't forget you'll also get 2 pieces of luggage each free for each person.

 

I'd go with the SW Miles + Cash option IMO

 

You can't go wrong with direct

[mendelssohn]

It's not a bad option at all. I just couldn't bring myself to fly SW.

[Cappy]

It's not a bad option at all. I just couldn't bring myself to fly SW.

I think it's also ideal since older people understand southwest onboard stewardess jokes

[hyschmied]

I love the stewardess jokes.

[alliswell]

 

It's not a bad option at all. I just couldn't bring myself to fly SW.

I think it's also ideal since older people understand southwest onboard stewardess jokes

 

 

Ha! Thanks.

[Rorer_714]

SW in coach to MBJ is no different than on AA or UA. Some also see it as benefit flying out of MDW instead of ORD. They are dead set on staying in OR and not MBJ. It is a long ride to OR from the airport.

[alliswell]

SW in coach to MBJ is no different than on AA or UA. Some also see it as benefit flying out of MDW instead of ORD. They are dead set on staying in OR and not MBJ. It is a long ride to OR from the airport.

I was going to initially put them in First Class and it was okay until I saw their dates were outside of AA's seasonal nonstop service schedule. But, now they are going back and forth with the dates. I'll try to figure it out when they finalize the date. Yeah, they don't care about the 11/2 hour ride to OR.

[futurehomeowner?]

We are planning a trip to jamaica. Not sure which part yet but our flight plan is to fly cheap to Florida and Spirit has a super super cheap flight to jamaica. It goes on sale for $32 1 way. Yes it is spirit but I have flown them 3 times in the last year with no problems.

[alliswell]

We are planning a trip to jamaica. Not sure which part yet but our flight plan is to fly cheap to Florida and Spirit has a super super cheap flight to jamaica. It goes on sale for $32 1 way. Yes it is spirit but I have flown them 3 times in the last year with no problems.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me? $32 each way?

 

I haven't been to Jamaica in ages, don't remember where I stayed but...the Moon Palace in OR is new and I thought my moms would enjoy the resort.

 

I would like to know what you come up with. Is it you and your spouse or are you planning a family trip?

[futurehomeowner?]

Oops I lied, wife says it is $48 each way from ft lauderdale. It is not an everyday price, you have to watch for sales but they happen often. We can get to Florida for 23 each way so total will be around 80. Sprit has a lot of bad reviews and you have to watch the extra charges but for us poor people it has been a great addition to our area.

[futurehomeowner?]

Oops I lied, wife says it is $48 each way from ft lauderdale. It is not an everyday price, you have to watch for sales but they happen often. We can get to Florida for 23 each way so total will be around 80. Sprit has a lot of bad reviews and you have to watch the extra charges but for us poor people it has been a great addition to our area.

[Konrad2012]

 

I'm sending my mom and her cousin to Ocho Rios this fall and need a plan.

 

I was thinking about using AA miles for their flights from Chicago although I'm not excited about the connecting flights.

 

Maybe the Moon Palace resort since it's all inclusive. That's all I got.

 

Anyone know if I could use points towards the hotel? Any suggestions on nice hotels?

 

 

 

I only have MR points and Hhonors but I have a little time to apply and meet a spend for something else to at least help cover it.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

If you are able to get approved for Chase cards, there is Business Class saver award space (60K per person) booking through United.

 

 

 

Economy saver award space was also available for the same taxes and surcharges, so 70K miles (35K per person) + the same taxes and surcharges.

 

There is a connection involved both ways, but that looks like a good deal.

If you're going send them to Panama, they might as well just stay in Panama

[mendelssohn]

 

 

I'm sending my mom and her cousin to Ocho Rios this fall and need a plan.

 

I was thinking about using AA miles for their flights from Chicago although I'm not excited about the connecting flights.

 

Maybe the Moon Palace resort since it's all inclusive. That's all I got.

 

Anyone know if I could use points towards the hotel? Any suggestions on nice hotels?

 

 

 

I only have MR points and Hhonors but I have a little time to apply and meet a spend for something else to at least help cover it.

 

Thanks in advance.

If you are able to get approved for Chase cards, there is Business Class saver award space (60K per person) booking through United.

 

 

 

Economy saver award space was also available for the same taxes and surcharges, so 70K miles (35K per person) + the same taxes and surcharges.

 

There is a connection involved both ways, but that looks like a good deal.

If you're going send them to Panama, they might as well just stay in Panama

 

 

 

 

18 hours to get to Jamaica sucks though. Lol

I know.

 

There were other options available on the same date. Just providing an example.

 

I don't personally fly Southwest and would take a connection over a direct SW flight.

 

 

^

[futurehomeowner?]

I mentioned Spirit earlier. I received an email today that they have a sale for Jamaica vacat. You can stay at a few resorts for $1000 a person for the week including airfare when booked trhough them.