Florida Wish List

We are planning a big trip to Orlando next year. It will be our 3rd time visiting, and I am so excited. The last two times we have visited we booked packages through Virgin Holidays, but this time have decided to book the holiday separately. It has taken so much research and there are so many different aspects to consider when booking a holiday separately. It is something I have done for the last few years, and if I am honest I really enjoy the challenge of getting great quality and a good deal. I love researching hotels, flight and putting it all together. Clearly this has a certain amount of pressure attached as if we don't like any aspect of a holiday there is only me to blame.

I have been researching for a year to book this Holiday and still there is so much to do, I have already shared some aspects, such as how we got a great deal on flights to Miami with British Airways. And the fantastic deal with the free Disney Dining Plan,booking the Saratoga Spring Hotel and Spa direct with Disney.

Today I thought I would share what I have left to plan and organise. My wish list for the rest of our visit. 

I still need to arrange:

1. Transfers to the Airport

2. A one-night stay at Miami Airport

3. One-way car hire from Miami to Downtown Disney

4. We have booked Disney for 8 nights

5. 2 or 3 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel

6. Universal Orlando Tickets

7. One-way car hire from Universal Orlando to Miami 

8. 2 or 3 nights in Miami 

When you look at that lot maybe it is easier booking a package. However when you consider the fact that we are going to save around £3000 booking separately rather than as a package, it makes all the research worth it doesn't it? That’s a colossal amount of money to save.

Amazing Air-miles are Taking us To Miami.

Whoop whoop we have booked our flights to Miami for next year, and they were an absolute bargain, here’s how we did it. Now anyone that knows me, knows I have a bit of an obsession with collecting British Airways Avios. These are air miles that can be redeemed on British Airways flights, all over the world.  For me it is a no brainer, I just don't get why everybody I know doesn't collect them? 

During the years we have collected them, we have booked some amazing flights and saved a fortune. But this year we have been saving for the big one, a trip to Orlando. The flights have gone up so much over the years. Yet we love Orlando, so decided to start saving our Avios towards our Miami flights to bring the cost down. 

Here’s how it works; we have an American Express credit card with which every penny we spend we collect Air Miles, you also have the opportunity to build up companion vouchers. These are built up according to spend, I put all my shopping and petrol on my card, and when I pay it off I get points and my spend allocation builds up. Once you reach a certain spend level you get rewarded with a companion voucher. You can use up to 2 companion vouchers on a flight for a family of 4.