Orlando Airfare 🎢 on the right 💸 budget!
Donna and Jeff saved $1,421.20 on flights for their family trip to Orlando by using Citi ThankYou points transferred to American Airlines. With flexible travel dates and strategic planning, they secured round-trip tickets for just 18,500 miles per person, making their Orlando vacation affordable.
Per Person:
✅ Ticket Purchase Value: $366
✅ Points / Miles Opportunity: 18,500 American Airlines miles valued at $0.016 per mile + $11.20 in taxes
✅ Using Jeff’s Citi points, valued at $0.016 per point (Sep 2024) the ticket redemption values at $296
💰 Additional Savings of $280 💰
✴️ Alternative: Booking directly with Citi ThankYou points through the Citi Travel Portal would have required 29,280 points per ticket (valued at $0.0125 per point), resulting in fewer savings. Instead, transferring points to American Airlines and booking directly saved the family $280 in total.
🛎️ Jeff used his Up+ subscription discount to book both this award trip and his hotel using award redemption saving him $1242 in hotel (see next article) for the fee of $450 for the service.
✨ Total Saving of $1,002 ✨
($280 savings on airfare + $722 savings for hotel - 450 service fee) + countless hours of Nerve-racking search for best award redemption.
Planning the Dream Vacation
Donna and Jeff had always dreamed of taking their two kids (now aged 8 & 10) to Orlando for the ultimate Disney and Universal theme park experience. November seemed perfect: the crowds would be thinner, the weather cooler, and the kids could enjoy a well-deserved break before the holiday rush. But like many parents planning a family vacation, the couple quickly realized that finding affordable flights for four people could be challenging, especially from Seattle.
Jeff, a savvy points enthusiast, had amassed a significant balance of Citi ThankYou points. He knew he could leverage those points to lower their out-of-pocket costs for the trip, but figuring out how to maximize them proved daunting. That's when they turned to UpNonStop for help.
Finding the Best Value for Citi ThankYou Points
Our first step was to identify the best way to use Jeff’s Citi ThankYou points for their flights. While Citi has a travel portal where points can be redeemed directly for flights, the value per point in that portal tends to hover around $0.0125, meaning each point only covers a small portion of a flight’s cost. Jeff was hoping to squeeze more value from his points.
After exploring all options, including booking with Citi’s travel partners, we decided that transferring Citi points to American Airlines was the most cost-effective solution. American Airlines is part of the Citi ThankYou transfer network, allowing point conversions at a 1:1 ratio. With research, we discovered that American Airlines had availability for the dates Donna and Jeff wanted, and at a fraction of the cost compared to the cash fare.
Flight Breakdown: Cash vs. Points
To secure flights that aligned with Donna and Jeff's schedule, we looked into all possible itineraries. Unfortunately, no direct flights were available from Seattle to Orlando at the desired times. However, a one-stop option on American Airlines offered incredible value through mileage redemption. The cost of a round-trip cash ticket per person was $366. For a family of four, that would total $1,464—quite an expense.
By contrast, we found award availability for just 18,500 American Airlines miles per person, plus $11.20 in taxes and fees for each ticket. Given that Jeff's Citi ThankYou points could be transferred 1:1 to American Airlines AAdvantage, they needed only 74,000 points in total for all four tickets. At a valuation of $0.016 per mile, this redemption provided significant value, equating to $1,184 worth of flights covered by points.
The family would only need to pay $44.80 in taxes and fees for all four tickets, saving them a whopping $1,421.20 on flights alone. Not bad for a dream vacation airfare to Orlando!
Alternative Option: Booking Through Citi Travel Portal
We also considered booking directly through the Citi Travel Portal. While it’s a convenient option that allows cardholders to use points without needing to transfer them to a partner, the value per point is significantly lower. In this case, booking four tickets through the portal would have required 117,120 Citi ThankYou points (29,280 per ticket) instead of the 74,000 points required by transferring to American Airlines.
This alternative would have still saved them money, but not as much. By transferring points to American Airlines, Donna and Jeff saved an additional $280 compared to the portal option, giving them more flexibility to enjoy the parks and make their vacation truly special.
Stretching Those Miles: How We Did It
When it comes to family travel, every mile counts. Here’s how we helped Donna and Jeff maximize their points and miles:
- Timing the Transfer: Citi ThankYou points don’t always transfer instantly, but in this case, the transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage was processed within 24 hours. This allowed us to lock in the award seats quickly before they disappeared.
- Strategic Award Availability: We kept an eye on American Airlines’ dynamic award pricing and managed to snag the 18,500-mile round-trip tickets. While award availability can fluctuate, booking early for a less popular travel period—early November—was key to securing the best rates.
- No Hidden Fees: Jeff and Donna were delighted to learn that the taxes and fees for American Airlines flights within the U.S. are typically low. The $11.20 per person was a small price to pay for such a substantial savings on airfare.
- Flexibility in Itineraries: Although they preferred a direct flight, Donna and Jeff were willing to take a one-stop itinerary, which allowed them to access the most cost-effective award options. Flexibility is crucial when using miles to book family travel.
Orlando Adventures Await
With flights secured, Donna and Jeff could shift their focus to the fun part—planning their Orlando adventure! Early November is an ideal time to visit the theme parks, as the post-Halloween lull brings shorter lines and fewer crowds.
The family planned to split their time between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. They knew the kids would love meeting their favorite Disney characters, riding the coasters at Magic Kingdom, and exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With the savings on flights, they had extra funds to spend on park tickets, dining experiences, and even a few souvenirs for the kids.
The Final Tally
By using Citi ThankYou points to book American Airlines flights, Donna and Jeff saved $1,421.20 on their family trip to Orlando. The total cost of the flights—after points redemption—was just $44.80 in taxes and fees for the whole family. By maximizing their points, the couple turned what could have been a costly vacation into an affordable, memory-making journey.
Jeff’s savvy points strategy, combined with our expertise in navigating the complexities of award travel, ensured that the family could focus on enjoying their vacation rather than worrying about the cost.
For other families looking to make their travel dreams a reality, Donna and Jeff’s experience is a perfect example of how careful planning and smart use of points can make all the difference.
Tips for Maximizing Points for Family Travel:
- Research Transfer Partners: Many credit card programs, including Citi ThankYou, offer the best value when points are transferred to travel partners. Compare redemption options to see which provides the most value per point.
- Be Flexible with Dates and Routes: Flexibility with travel dates and routing can open up more opportunities for award seats and better redemption values. Consider traveling during off-peak times or being open to layovers if it means saving on costs.
- Book Early for Peak Seasons: For popular destinations like Orlando, it’s crucial to book award travel as early as possible, especially during peak seasons like holidays and school breaks. Availability can be limited, so planning ahead gives you the best chance at securing flights.
- Monitor Award Availability: Award seat availability can fluctuate, so keep checking back if you’re not able to book right away. Tools like ExpertFlyer or simply monitoring the airline’s site can help you spot opportunities as they arise.
- Maximize Point Value: Some redemptions offer more value than others. Always do the math to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck—or points!
Wrap it 🆙
For Donna and Jeff, the family trip to Orlando became a reality thanks to their strategic use of Citi ThankYou points. By transferring points to American Airlines and booking award flights, they saved over $1,400 on airfare, leaving more room in their budget for the magic of Disney and Universal.
Whether it’s a dream trip to the theme parks or another bucket-list destination, making the most of your points can turn an ordinary vacation into an extraordinary experience.
To read more about the award redemption Jeff & Donna got for their week-long stay, click the bookmark below 👇🏻
Ohad Sternberg
