How to hide trip from DW?

[mickey0216]

I have a hold on a room for a surprise 25th wedding anniversary trip to CR (we stayed there for our honeymoon) for the DW and I. Based on being a DISer for a few years, I know that many of you are devious and will help me figure out how to pay for the airline tickets and room without the DW finding out.

Note: I have the money set aside. I only need to figure out how to actually pay WDW and Northwest Air without the DW finding out.

I will eventually tell her, probably a week or 2 prior to leaving...

FYI: The cast member who placed the hold, suggested that I hide one item of clothing per week so that I could pack for my wife w/o her knowing. I am NOT that brave

 

[Rootskate]

Hmmm....as far as WDW goes: How about sending them a money-order? She would never know about that. As far as the airline goes- not too sure on that one? Im sure someone here will have a good idea.....

 

[disnut8]

The money order thing is a good idea. For the airline ticket, you could go to the airport and pay for it there. Most times, you can get a 24 hour hold on a ticket so you'd know what the cost would be.

See I'd be clueless. Since I'm the accountant in the family, I hand over the money things to my husband since I deal with it way too much on the job. Our 25th anniversary is coming up next year. Maybe I can mention this thread......

 

[bellarella]

I would not try paying cash for the airline tickets (or using a money order, etc.). That's an express ticket to be singled out as a security threat, which will mean getting pulled aside in line for a pat down, having your luggage gone through, etc. Do you have a credit card you don't use often? One from work that you are allowed to make personal purchases on? How far ahead are you planning on getting the airfare? Could you time it do purchase just after your billing cycle closes so that it won't show up on any statements before she knows?

Good luck!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Can you get a friend to pay for the airline ticket on their credit card and you just give them the cash?

 

[SHAYSMOM]

My Dh Hide The Trip He Planned For Our 20th From Me. He Had My Brother Put It On His Credit Card And Had All Info Sent To His House. The Only Reason I Found Out Already Was My Boss Goofed And Said Something About My Vaction Being Changed. So In List Family And Freinds To Help.

 

[RangerPooh]

Do you have another checking account that is never used that you could pay with? Perhaps inlist someone else to purchase the tickets. Is it possible to book the airfare with a travel agent so that you could pay them with cash or a money order?

 

[kimatigger]

When is your trip? Maybe you could open another checking account just to pay for the trip but if the statement comes before you are telling her that would ruin it. You could use someone else CC and give them the cash or perhaps pay the airfare through a travel agent or AAA.

 

[Lizzybee]

Gee Whiz and I thought it was hard to hide the surprise trip from my 7 and 11 yr old. I'm DYING to tell them
I wish I had tips but my financial stuff is off limits to them so all I had to do was make sure only I got the mail until all of the stuff came.

 

[pamouselover]

This is great. I could only dream that my Dh would even attempt to do this for me.
I would tell her you are going to take her on a trip but not were!
I think you just booking and planning the trip is the most wonderful thing!

 

[DisneyWisher]

Just make sure any Disney confirmations are not sent to your house. For our trip coming up I've received 4 different items concerning the trip.

 

[MandaPerry]

You are my hero!!!!!!!!

 

[mickey0216]

Thanks for all of the ideas. (Keep them coming!)

Based on your input:
1. I will avoid my tentative plan to go to the airport today and pay cash. I have a friend in mind who I should be able to use as a purchasing agent.
2. I will call WDW to see if they'll accept a money order via mail. If they won't, I'll be contacting a friend...

When I called WDW to place the hold, the CM loved what I was doing and suggested that I use my work address and phone number for all forms of communication coming from WDW (confirmation, etc).

My wife enjoys gardening and "Living with the Land" at EC. I plan on signing up for the "Behind the Seeds" tour. I'd like to do the "Keys to the Kingdom" at MK. One of the CM's gave me a WDW URL, but either she got it wrong or I got it wrong. Does anyone know the WDW URL?

Someone asked when were we going. We will be going the week after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, we won't be at WDW on our actual anniv. It is a few days before our trip, but I can't get away. The side benefit is that it should be less crowded the week after Thanksgiving, which is when we normally go...

Ladies - If you had a DH who was taking you on a surprise 25th anniv trip, beyond the trip, the tour and a new ring... what would make you smile and realize that your DH who doesn't say the words (I Love You) often enough, that he really does love you?

Do they still have the re-hitching ceremony? Is it too corny?

When I asked my wife to marry me, I gave her an inexpensive statue of a man with his arms spread. I tied the engagement ring with ribbon to his hands. The inscription on the base says "I love you this much". I plan on giving her the new ring in the same manner at dinner on the night that we arrive.

Before someone asks, what about the kids... My 20 year old DD knows about the trip and is sworn to secrecy. I needed to have her onboard so that she would stay at home (vs. being in her dorm room at Penn State) to "keep an eye" on our 17 year old DS, while we are away.

Sorry for the long posting...

 

[vanyel]

If it were me, you've already done more than enough! How about flowers in the room or a gift basket?

Could you talk to my husband, please?

 

[RachelTori]

Ladies - If you had a DH who was taking you on a surprise 25th anniv trip, beyond the trip, the tour and a new ring... what would make you smile and realize that your DH who doesn't say the words (I Love You) often enough, that he really does love you?

Do they still have the re-hitching ceremony? Is it too corny?

Honestly, the things you are doing and the cost involved doesn't mean nearly as much as the fact that YOU are thinking about her and planning ways to make her happy. The fact that you would give her the new ring in the way you gave her the 1st ring --- well, that'll mean the world to her, I'm sure. Actions DO speak louder than words!

The re-hitching ceremony would have been a wonderful *touch* for this whole surprise. Unfortunately, they discontinued it last year; but I'll just bet you'll come up with something just as wonderful!

Congrats on your 25th!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You also might want to use a travel agent who is willing to contact disney and make all your arrangements on your behalf (no long distance charges on your phone, etc). My TA sends me all the confirmations, etc, but I am sure she'd be willing to send them wherever I asked, or use another person's cc, etc.

Just another idea! What a cool thing to do for the DW!

 

[kruegeme]

You might ask the airline about booking the flights with someone else's credit card. I can't remember if the rule still applies but at one time they wanted to see the card that the ticket was purchased with at check-in if using an e-Ticket.

Good luck....

 

[Manon]

Thanks for all of the ideas. (Keep them coming!)

Based on your input:
1. I will avoid my tentative plan to go to the airport today and pay cash. I have a friend in mind who I should be able to use as a purchasing agent.
2. I will call WDW to see if they'll accept a money order via mail. If they won't, I'll be contacting a friend...

When I called WDW to place the hold, the CM loved what I was doing and suggested that I use my work address and phone number for all forms of communication coming from WDW (confirmation, etc).

My wife enjoys gardening and "Living with the Land" at EC. I plan on signing up for the "Behind the Seeds" tour. I'd like to do the "Keys to the Kingdom" at MK. One of the CM's gave me a WDW URL, but either she got it wrong or I got it wrong. Does anyone know the WDW URL?

Someone asked when were we going. We will be going the week after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, we won't be at WDW on our actual anniv. It is a few days before our trip, but I can't get away. The side benefit is that it should be less crowded the week after Thanksgiving, which is when we normally go...

Ladies - If you had a DH who was taking you on a surprise 25th anniv trip, beyond the trip, the tour and a new ring... what would make you smile and realize that your DH who doesn't say the words (I Love You) often enough, that he really does love you?

Do they still have the re-hitching ceremony? Is it too corny?

When I asked my wife to marry me, I gave her an inexpensive statue of a man with his arms spread. I tied the engagement ring with ribbon to his hands. The inscription on the base says "I love you this much". I plan on giving her the new ring in the same manner at dinner on the night that we arrive.

Before someone asks, what about the kids... My 20 year old DD knows about

the trip and is sworn to secrecy. I needed to have her onboard so that she would stay at home (vs. being in her dorm room at Penn State) to "keep an eye" on our 17 year old DS, while we are away.

Sorry for the long posting...

Really she's a lucky women! I wich you were my DH!! You are making me shiver!!! If they were more men like you the world would be a better place to stay!!! Flowers are nice, women loves flowers! Maybe a candle light dinner at your special restaurant??

Good Luck! And god bless the two of you! :thewave:

 

[Lori77]

Hope this helps......
I believe that now at some airlines, it doesn't matter what credit card the tickets were purchased on. You will need to bring a photo ID (obviously) and some airlines require a credit or debit card with your name to print your e-ticket to verify who you are. I believe though that you can still go to the counter and get them to print it for you without the need to swipe your own card. That was my experience flying United to Denver in June.


I think it is WONDERFUL that you are spoiling your wife! Congrats on 25 years!

 

[heaven2dc]

Sigh....to only have a husband as sweet as you! Any wonderful eligible men out there who would like to treat an eligible-loves-surprises woman? Just teasing!!

I agree with several here who suggest either paying directly to travel agent w/o using check or cc or if you have to, ask a friend or family member to pay on theirs. Too many surprises are ruined by either the travel agent calling to confirm things and reaching the unsuspecting spouse or by a spouse who is constantly keeping track of household expenses.

Good luck! (and how soon is the trip And hopefully your wife doesn't visit the disboards or see this on your computer

Lots and lots of pixie dust to you!!