Our First Class Tickets to Hawaii!!

[DawnCt]

DH,myself and three of our sons are going to Hawaii next summer on our frequent flyer miles. The boys are confirmed in coach and my DH and I used our Delta Sky Miles for first class seats. We were only able to get a couple of segments each way and were waitlisted for the other seats. We were notified today that our first class seats have all cleared except for one segment for DH out of Maui. I am hopeful that it will come through as well but I am very excited that we have as many as we have this far out.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

You're gonna fly first class but make your kids sit in coach? Somehow that just seems odd.

 

[coliebird]

I think if the boys are older there is no problem. Enjoy your 1st class. We were accidentally put in first class on the way to Aruba for our honeymoon, it is wonderful. Too bad they didn't mess up on the way home, lol.

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
You're gonna fly first class but make your kids sit in coach? .

Remeber Home Alone

 

[Bichon Barb]

Dawn, you are a horrible mother. You are taking your children to Hawaii in the summer??!! Wouldn't they prefer a winter trip so that they could get out of the cold? And maybe even get out of school? AND you are making them (gasp) sit in coach? Oh the horror of it!

Have a great time. I'm sooooo envious. Take a hoola lesson for me, and beware of the mommy police.

 

[FreshTressa]

Woohoo! I am so excited for you! You guys are gonna have a blast.

Enjoy your first class tickets. I have never been in first class yet, but those seats sure look a lot more comfortable!

 

[kasar]

We're trying for next summer, also. I hope you don't mind if I ask you some questions about using points/miles?

Did you pay for the tickets and then use points to bump up to 1st class or did you use all points (DH should have one more trip to India before we go - as much as I hate him leaving it means one more ticket LOL!)? It sounds like you've got lots of legs or layovers, something I was hoping to avoid. I've seen some flights that go from Boston to Dallas to Hawaii which isn't too bad.

Also, which island(s) are you visiting? As you can see, we're still in the planning process and I'm really wishing there was a board like the DIS for some help! Thanks in advance.

 

[tlgoblue]

I keep trying to DH to do the same! LOL! Actually, I would prefer the kids just stay with Grandma! (Hey! They've been twice already. I think it's time for DH and I to have some alone time!)

Have a great time! I bet the kids are just fine with it, and if they aren't yet, once they realize you won't be there watching their every move, they'll think it's cool! Which Island/s will you be visiting? I'm going to be thinking happy green thoughts for the rest of the day! Thanks!

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[ohanafamily]

Hi Dawn, Have fun...The kids will be fine in coach (unless they are both under 10, but I think your kids are in their teens).

I like to take a CD player with me and a couple of books on tape (CD) I usually like LOTR (unabridged) it is like 12 cds. Another good one is the new Harry Potter book...I think it has 23 discs...

 

[Lewski709]

Dawn,
Do the boys need a sitter? If you need someone to watch them, in coach, the hotel, whatever....I can do it.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
You're gonna fly first class but make your kids sit in coach? Somehow that just seems odd.

Actually two are teens and one is 22. They should be absolutely fine. We almost always fly coach (unless I take a bump) and I don't think that they will be abused. I have survived it.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by Lewski709
Dawn,
Do the boys need a sitter? If you need someone to watch them, in coach, the hotel, whatever....I can do it.

The 22 year old might like a sitter about his age. I think you are older though.

 

[CEDmom]

1st class is nice. DH, DD and I cashed in miles and flew 1st class to CA in Dec. We had a great time but the kicker was DD didn't like 1st class and asked very loudly if we could sit back there (pointing to coach) on our next trip. I told her I didn't think that would be a problem . Her reason for not liking our seats was that she couldn't sit with Mommy & Daddy; we had to keep switching.

I bet your boys will love having some time away from Mom & Dad and enjoy sitting with eachother. Besides, it's not like they can go anywhere.

 

[Mermaid02]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
You're gonna fly first class but make your kids sit in coach? Somehow that just seems odd.

I think it's a stroke of genius!

 

[Lewski709]

The 22 year old might like a sitter about his age. I think you are older though.

He may like FUN older women. Just 10 yrs, no big deal. Let me clear it with hubby first..........k?

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by kasar
We're trying for next summer, also. I hope you don't mind if I ask you some questions about using points/miles?

Did you pay for the tickets and then use points to bump up to 1st class or did you use all points (DH should have one more trip to India before we go - as much as I hate him leaving it means one more ticket LOL!)? It sounds like you've got lots of legs or layovers, something I was hoping to avoid. I've seen some flights that go from Boston to Dallas to Hawaii which isn't too bad.

Also, which island(s) are you visiting? As you can see, we're still in the planning process and I'm really wishing there was a board like the DIS for some help! Thanks in advance.

We used all of my points with Delta. 60K for each first class seat and 30K for each coach seat. As of March 16, Delta will raise the "cost" of coach to 35K and I think 75K for first class. Actually, our flights aren't bad. We fly out of Hartford to Cinncinati and then on to Honolulu. On the return we fly out of Maui to LAX, to Cinncinati and onto Hartford. I called for the outbound seats 330 days before we planned to fly. On the first call I didn't get enough seats nor an opportunity for first class. I changed our dates to a midweek departure and a return on Thursday. I still had to be waitlisted for first class even calling that far in advance.
We plan to fly to Oahu and stay for three days. I used my United miles that were about to expire and was able to secure 4 RT segments for island hopping. We will fly from Oahu to the Big Island for 5 days and then Maui for 7 days, flying home from Maui. The only ticket I had to buy was for my youngest DS, on Aloha, $133 RT for the interisland flights. A good BB for planning is www.fodors.com. Go to forums, US and then select Hawaii. Happy planning.

 

[dianeschlicht]

1st class is the ONLY way we will go to Hawaii! I can't sit in those coach seat that long! Last trip to Hawaii, we did first class, but the one before that we did coach, and 10 hours in one seat with no break was more than my back could handle!

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
1st class is the ONLY way we will go to Hawaii! I can't sit in those coach seat that long! Last trip to Hawaii, we did first class, but the one before that we did coach, and 10 hours in one seat with no break was more than my back could handle!

I love Hawaii so much that I would ride in the baggage compartment! But alas, I don't have to.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

I was picturing small children. I was having a hard time recently when we flew because my sons were 2 rows behind me.

 

[SoonerKate]

The 22 year old might like a sitter about his age. I think you are older though.

I'm 21, 22 in May. I'll volunteer.