Cheap vacation- where Southwest flies?

[kellia]

I am sick of winter and snow already!! We went to Disney in Jan, so can't afford to do that again soon. But, I have a lot of airfare points from my Southwest Visa card. Any ideas of budget vacations near a SW airport? Looking for someplace that wouldn't cost a lot to do things when we got there. Or has cheap condos to rent like Disney that will fit our family of 5 with a kitchen.

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[Minnesota!]

We are sick of winter already, too, and had the same dilemma - needed somewhere warm where SW flies. One added caveat for us was that I wanted non-stop, only as winter weather can be a beast for layovers. So, that left Phoenix and Orlando for us.

So, we are doing a parks-free Disney visit. Staying on-site, going to mini-golf, swim, bowl, etc. Just a lot of relaxing in a warmer climate with palm trees!!!!

I would have gone the Phoenix route, but WDW was cheaper - no need for a rental car, swimming is "free" with our room, DtD is "free", touring other resorts, etc. If I was content to eat only CS...we could get away with only $1500 or less for the week!! That includes airfare. But I have to have Boma and Cape May and a parents night out...

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Fly into Harlingen, TX, rent a car, and drive 45 minutes to South Padre Island.

 

[texaslady22]

We are wondering the same thing! We have 2 companion passes and 110,000 points AFTER we've booked our Disney vacation. Now what?

We're thinking about New York.

 

[cherrybomb11]

That depends on where you are flying out of. I have the companion pass, so I look for the shortest nonstop trips we can take out of Boston.

Again, it will depend on where you live but: Austin, Nashville, Charleston, San Juan, Punta Cana, SoCal

 

[Snoozan]

We flew from Hartford to Phoenix for this same reason one year. Flights were cheaper to AZ than Orlando - this was beginning of March. We rented a car and drove to the Grand Canyon and stayed onsite for a couple of nights in one of the cabins at Bright Angel Lodge. It was awesome! Although it snowed a few inches while at the GC, there were no crowds so we had the walkway to ourselves. The temps were in the 30's, but for us New englanders, not bitterly cold. We then went back to Phoenix, where the temp was in the 70's, so got our warm 'fix' there. One of my best vacations ever and all because SW had great fares!

If not a non-stop flight to whereever you go, be sure to try to get locations where snow/bad weather is not as much an issue to fly through. We originally were to fly into Baltimore to switch planes, but due to snowstorm, got to change our flights to Nashville and then on to AZ.

 

[hsmamato2]

depends on where you live.... for me, flights are pretty cheap into Fort Lauderdale.... Orlando,etc. Just pick a spot that looks warm,and watch for cheap airfare! That's what I usually do..... I think about where we might want to go, then where SWA flies,then what's on sale..... what about Texas, or Arizona? I've also noticed lately a LOT of sales around Las Vegas area..... dirt cheap.....for me, almost anywhere that's warmer,and has decent hotels/tourist areas would work.....

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I am sick of winter and snow already!! We went to Disney in Jan, so can't afford to do that again soon. But, I have a lot of airfare points from my Southwest Visa card. Any ideas of budget vacations near a SW airport? Looking for someplace that wouldn't cost a lot to do things when we got there. Or has cheap condos to rent like Disney that will fit our family of 5 with a kitchen.

Thanks for any ideas!

I'd fly to MCO or Ft. Lauderdale/Miami and find a short cruise. DCL is expensive but Royal Caribbean can be much cheaper. I'd look under Specials on DCL's website before giving up on them though.

Although there are ways to spend more $$ onboard, you don't necessarily have to in order to have a good time. Unlimited food & non-alc. drinks, room service & most entertainment is included in cruise fare. Gratuities are the only extra. They're considered optional but I can't imagine stiffing them. Most ships sail further south than FL so you're more likely to get to warm areas. Of course in Jan or Feb it can get chilly all over FL & Bahamas so no guarantees but it's fun. You can be as busy as you like or just chill in the sun.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

You can fly into Vegas. There are quite a few things to do there that don't cost money. Then you can rent a car and drive to Grand Canyon then to Hoover Dam. Not sure if SW flies there from where you are.

Southwest is no longer going to service my airport. They quit us and Key West and one more that I can't think of.

Here is a link to the Vegas message boards where you can read up on stuff and ask questions.

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/

Wyndham has a resort there. You can rent a week from an owner for just as cheap as a hotel room and have a full kitchen and washer and dryer.