Hawaii

[Merilyn]

We are considering a HI trip in the near future. We will try and use our airline miles so that makes Oahu, Maui and the big island our options. First, is there a time that is not good for HI travel-example, rainy, fog, etc? Another question, which place on each island is the best to trade to? I know it is hard to get into the Marriotts but if that were an option, are they the best. We want a beach, air condition, laundry facilities and a unit large enough for 6 adults and 2 children. I will probably take whichever island I can book the airline to so I need options for all three. I know it is a long shot to get a trade at 12 months, but I will keep a plan for another place to stay in case this doesn't work out. Thanks for your advice.
Merilyn

 

[Dean]

We are considering a HI trip in the near future. We will try and use our airline miles so that makes Oahu, Maui and the big island our options. First, is there a time that is not good for HI travel-example, rainy, fog, etc? Another question, which place on each island is the best to trade to? I know it is hard to get into the Marriotts but if that were an option, are they the best. We want a beach, air condition, laundry facilities and a unit large enough for 6 adults and 2 children. I will probably take whichever island I can book the airline to so I need options for all three. I know it is a long shot to get a trade at 12 months, but I will keep a plan for another place to stay in case this doesn't work out. Thanks for your advice.
Merilyn

It is very difficult to use FF miles for HI and it's gotten more difficult since most of them won't hold your reservation over a couple of days. Years ago you could make the first segment and they would hold the reservation 2 weeks which would give you enough time to make the second segment. I just did this for HI exactly 331 days out from the return date. Had to take a flight that was not ideal going in so went in a day early to give us some recuperation time. At exactly MN 331 days out it took me an hour and I almost didn't get anything but eventually got exactly the flights I wanted. This was first class but for coach, I wouldn't have gotten anything usable even 331 days out. You can try to fly in to one and out of another but it'll give you less flight options. We did this is 2002 flying in to Maui and out of HNL. This time we just did HNL for both segments which will cost us an extra interisland but not too bad for 2 people. And if I'd flown out of Maui I'd have left at 11 PM and had about 18 hours total flight time rather than leaving HNL at 5 pm and only having about 13 hours total slight time.

Assuming DVC-II, I'd only take the Westin and Marriott and possibly the former Embassy on Maui. For Oahu I'd only accept the Marriott. For Kauai the two Marriott's, former Embassy and maybe Hanelei Bay and Pono Kai if I was really anxious. For the Big Island Kona Coast I & II would be it. Now if you were trading a lower value resort through II you could consider other lessor choices. There are other great places you may want to consider through independent exchange companies or direct exchange including Hilton, Bay Club, Whaler, Fairfield, etc.

It rains pretty much year around in HI to some degree or another. I'd say travel when you can that might be easier to work. That includes arriving and departing during the middle of the week and in May, Sept, Oct and the first half of Dec. IMO air is a more important issue so put in a request but when the time comes make the air reservations and change your requests accordingly.