Help me decide....

[HELPDESKGUY]

I'm flying out for conference to Orlando on 2/19 - 2/25 We will be staying at Hard Rock Universal.

I have 2 options

Option 1:

Fly my family out with me and pay $360 per person RT. Using Amex points I'll end up paying $325. No additional transfer fee to hotel.

Option 2:

Fly my family out the following day and pay $233 RT + $70 one way transfer to hotel. Using Amex points I pay nothing for the tickets but still pay for the transfer. Ultimately saving $260.

We will all fly back together.

I can't seem to make a decision and my wife says I'm obsessing ( imagine that....)

 

[tlh0726]

How does the rest of the family get to the airport? Will there be parking fees involved?

How old are the kids?

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

How does the rest of the family get to the airport? Will there be parking fees involved?

How old are the kids?

My mom will drop them off at the airport Sunday morning. No parking fees. Kids are 8 and 6.

Thanks!

 

[MinnieForMe]

I always ask myself the question: "Is the money saved enough to lose a day in Florida?" Is an extra day in Florida worth $260 to your family? If I gained a full day by flying in with my spouse, I probably would spend the extra money but it's relative to your situation not mine.

 

[tlh0726]

Kids are old enough to "help" mom at the airport.

I would save the money.

 

[littlezar]

If the flight out on the 19th gets you to Florida early (like noon), giving you a full day to have fun together in Florida then I'd say everyone goes then.

If it's a late in the day/late arriving flight where you guys won't really have time to do anything, then save the money.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

If the flight out on the 19th gets you to Florida early (like noon), giving you a full day to have fun together in Florida then I'd say everyone goes then.

If it's a late in the day/late arriving flight where you guys won't really have time to do anything, then save the money.

Either flight arrival in Florida is 11:30 am...

 

[dougsmom98]

If the flight out on the 19th gets you to Florida early (like noon), giving you a full day to have fun together in Florida then I'd say everyone goes then.

If it's a late in the day/late arriving flight where you guys won't really have time to do anything, then save the money.

I think this is a really good point and should be considered. That being said that is a lot of money to be saved if they wait an additional day. Are you willing to pay $65/person (if you divide that by four) or almost $87/person if you divide the difference by the three people who would arrive later.

 

[dvcgirl]

For me, $260 isn't worth saving....

I'd spend $260 to be able to travel with my family and get an extra day together in Florida. I'd forget the money and all go together

 

[Marionnette]

I'm flying out for conference to Orlando on 2/19 - 2/25 We will be staying at Hard Rock Universal.

I have 2 options

Option 1:

Fly my family out with me and pay $360 per person RT. Using Amex points I'll end up paying $325. No additional transfer fee to hotel.

Option 2:

Fly my family out the following day and pay $233 RT + $70 one way transfer to hotel. Using Amex points I pay nothing for the tickets but still pay for the transfer. Ultimately saving $260.

We will all fly back together.

I can't seem to make a decision and my wife says I'm obsessing ( imagine that....)

Tough call. If the trip was 10 days or longer I would opt for #2. If it was 5 days or less then #1 would be a no-brainer. I guess it all would depend on your wife's level of comfort traveling alone with the kids. That includes handling all the luggage and attending to any of their needs. Plus you need to decide whether saving $260 is worth losing a day of vacation. Everyone has their own tipping point. I might be tempted to have the family come a day later. But then I was used to doing alot of things with just me and the kids because of my husband's schedule. I wouldn't have had a problem traveling by myself.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

Thank you all for your input...

Looks like this is swaying more towards everyone go together...

Still undecided...

 

[QVCshopper]

I'd go together. Less hassle is worth a lot in my book. You can easily make up the money by eating out less, having breakfast for dinner, etc. I do these things all the time to save money, especially when i have a trip coming up.

 

[HS3kids]

Go together. Gather up all the loose change around your house, in your cars cup holders etc, I bet that $260 will be there
Just what I would do, but... just my 2 cents

 

[tlh0726]

Your going for a conference.
Is flight day the only time that you will have together, or will there by down time from the conference?

 

[Cynt]

Pay the $325 and stay together if money is not a problem. Enjoy the day with your family.

 

[ceecee]

If the flight out on the 19th gets you to Florida early (like noon), giving you a full day to have fun together in Florida then I'd say everyone goes then.

If it's a late in the day/late arriving flight where you guys won't really have time to do anything, then save the money.

this!

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

Your going for a conference.
Is flight day the only time that you will have together, or will there by down time from the conference?

There will be downtime which ranges from morning/afternoons.

 

[snowywhite89]

I would go down the day earlier.

 

[thebeesknees]

I would vote for everyone staying together, but I like to have my DH's help with the kids/luggage/check-in, etc. Also, if there are any travel delays, you aren't worrying about how and when they will make it onto another flight or to the hotel. Since you will have intermittent time together with them after your conference starts, this will give you a good 1/2 day together first.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

We are all going together. Thank you everyone for your input!