I am planning for Hawaii September 2022 (3-17) and have questions. I've tried to search the forum for the answers since I know we discuss Hawaii trip planning using cards/points, so forgive me if these are repeats or just point me in the right direction! Thank you in advance!
I'd like to visit Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. We are coming from the East Coast (NC). We could travel anywhere from 10-14 days for this trip and wondering if a stop in CA on our return would be beneficial. I'm thinking yes, but not sure. How many nights on each island? Should we only focus on 2 islands (for us I would likely choose Kauai and Oahu)?
- What can/should I book now? Everything will need to be refundable and changeable for us since DH work is not as predictable this far out. Is that possible if I use points? I'd like to book Grand Hyatt (Kauai); have the WOH card and Globalist status. When making the reservations, I need to go ahead and have/use all of the points to make the reservation now, correct? I've priced it out and it's 25K per night, so those 100K points would sit there for that reservation for a year? Or will they only hold the reservation with a CC and then I use the points when we confirm/check in next fall?
- I'd like Marriott Ko'Olina and we have points but looking both in the Chase travel portal and direct on Marriott there are no points bookings available. Is that accurate? Have I already missed the window to book that room on points a year out or have they not been released yet?
- Will we miss out completely if we choose not to stay at Aulani while we are there? I know people do a split stay but my people are already going to struggle I'm afraid with so much change doing island hopping. If I throw in a hotel change on the same island, I'm not sure they'll be pleasant. Should we choose to stay at Aulani only and not Ko'Olina? Not DVC so I don't have points for Aulani so that would be a cash stay.
- Wailea Beach Resort is available with points on Maui as is the Hyatt Regency. They appear to be on different sides of the island so I'm not sure if one is better than the other. Something I should consider here? I know Grand Wailea is often referenced but we don't have points or cards w/ Hilton. Should that be my next card to start earning those or will the other two I've listed work just as well? I'm 4/24 (CSP/CSR, Amex Plat, Hyatt)
Thank you again for offering advice! I feel like I've worked hard in the last year to earn the points, but now I'm not as confident on how to actually use them most efficiently.
We've been to Honolulu and Maui. If I had to do it over again, I would do Maui and Kauai, perhaps adding in a few nights at Aulani at the end. If you are using points, many of have book four nights, get the fifth free, so I might be inclined to do 5 nights, 5 nights, 3-4 nights.
Since you are one year out, my main focus would be on securing your airline and hotel points reservations asap, as those are likely opening right about now.
We loved, loved the Wailea area. We did stay at the WA Grand Wailea, but I've heard good things about the Wailea Beach Resort. The Amex Hilton Aspire card was really beneficial for that trip. Since you are 4/24, perhaps consider a biz card if you'd like to stay under 5/24.
If you want to do Aulani, you can also rent points through David's or the Rental Store, or rent points from someone on Disboards, rather than pay cash direct to Aulani. When you rent points, you are pretty "locked in" though, so if you need flexibility, don't go this route.
Not sure who is in your traveling party, and I know you are already concerned about the island hopping and moving around. I felt that same way about my family, but now we like to move every 3-5 nights. I personally would not add in a stop in CA. You are likely going to be so jet lagged; I would just get there and settle in.
For some reason I thought it was four days either way.
