NM's family trip to DisneyWorld

[NM]

We decided that it is time to take Mini NM#4 to DisneyWorld (the others all went about 10 years ago before our family was made complete by her presence). So I started the process of looking for AAdvantage awards that would get three of there for about a week. Naturally, we are constrained by school holiday periods for travel, so finding 3 x business class awards was just not going to happen. Even Y availability is tight, restricting options and flexibility.

I ended up with a combination of BNE-LAX on QF in Y for 35,000 miles each, with direct connection to LAX-DFW-MCO on AA in F for 55,000 miles each (ouch, that hurt as only Anytime awards available, but it was most convenient flights option for timing). Return is MCO-DFW-SYD-BNE on AA/QF in Y for 35,000 miles each. So total miles cost is 125,000 each or 375,000 total. Compare this with QF who wanted 360,000 for Y all-the-way, but would have required a really long LAX connection and an overnight in DFW on the way there. So I am happy to use a few more AAdvantage miles for better connections, one less night's accommodation and F on the LAX-DFW-MCO sectors.

But the real win comes from the "taxes. The total charged to my credit card was US$298.80 for the outbound, and US$119.70 for the return, for a total of US$418.50 for all three of us. I did a quick test booking on-line with QF for a single award BNE-MCO-BNE and was quoted 120K points and A$891.61 in taxes! So for three of us, QFF wants $2,674.83 to use my QFF points for award flight!!

So for about the same number of AA miles as QFF point, I get more convenient connections and F on two AA domestic segments, and spend 17% of the cash co-payment of what QFF is asking. Now I know why I continue to collect AA miles.

 

[deejo77]

I find using my QFF points on internal AA flights in the USA great value.....especially when my credit card does all my QFF point building.....across the ocean AA points on Qantas flights are great

 

[NM]

I find using my QFF points on internal AA flights in the USA great value.....especially when my credit card does all my QFF point building.....across the ocean AA points on Qantas flights are great

unfortunately that was not going to help me for this trip as there were no classic awards available LAX-MCO that would connect with the trans-pacific availability. So the only way to use QFF points for the USA domestic sectors would have been to have at least one night in LA, shortening the time at MCO or costing more $$$. But I agree that USA domestic flights can be ok value for QFF points spending due to lack of fuel fines charged on those sectors.

 

[markis10]

Handy little read for those new to Disneyworld:

Disney Tips, Disney Planning Tips for Your Family Vacation

 

[NM]

Handy little read for those new to Disneyworld:

Disney Tips, Disney Planning Tips for Your Family Vacation

Thanks. I remember using similar research on previous visits. Always good to be informed and plan ahead to maximise the experience.

 

[scheps]

I suppose going to DFW was not an option? DFW is so smooth compared to LAX.... and the lounge has that kids area which is quite good.. and if there are no other kids there, you basically get the whole room to yourselves!

 

[NM]

I suppose going to DFW was not an option? DFW is so smooth compared to LAX.... and the lounge has that kids area which is quite good.. and if there are no other kids there, you basically get the whole room to yourselves!

No availability outbound on the SYD-DFW QF7 flight anywhere near the time we wanted to travel. But plenty on several LAX flights, including the direct BNE-LAX QF15 which is what we chose.