Hi all, I came across this thread about a year ago I think and became intrigued by traveling with points. My wife and I already had Delta AMEX cards, and had taken a couple free flights as a result of msr bonus points along with our daughter. Since joining here, I added a Choice Hotel rewards card last summer that I met my msr while visiting
Disneyland for a week, then got a Chase Sapphire to pay kids private school tuition and just hit the msr.
This week, we decided to take a Christmas points trip to Disney World! It won't be all paid with points, but we got 3 flights for 60k total, 20k per person, traveling Sunday Dec 19 - Saturday Dec 25. We weren't super excited about a Christmas day flight home but it's not til 6pm, so figured what the heck, if it saves us 30k points but not going back Sunday, let's do it! We booked Clarion hotel just south of Animal Kingdom. For 6 nights, 72k points. We still have 30k+ points, so might get another 3 nights out of it, thinking Disneyland again next summer. And the Chase Sapphire I have 100k points, which should pay for a little more than half of the park tickets. So our expenses will be less than half the park tickets, rental car and food! We didn't plan until after 60day window passed and Candlelight Packages were released, but was fortunately able to find a random lunch on the 23rd at Biergarten with the package for a 7pm show time, which will be fun. I kinda would have preferred Christmas Eve, but still excited. Also got Hollywood and Vine for Friday night and Tiffins Christmas day. We'll get 6-7 hours in the park on Christmas before our flight, so that should be fun.
I was trying to talk DW into the Christmas party on the 21st, but that unfortunately sold out before we decided, so it was decided for us. We get in too late on the 19th to be able to go that night, so now we're going to 4 parks in 4 days. I don't think we'll want to hit MK after traveling all day Sunday and I don't want to go on party day as I don't think they have the Enchantment show those nights and I'm kinda hoping they continue the tradition of bringing the Christmas party entertainment to the daytime after the last party.
anyway, just wanted to share a churning success story! I think next we'll look at a Marriott card so we can stay at the swan or dolphin next time.