Saved 43% OOP for a Surprise WDW/Universal Trip by using Found Money!!

[Satin Holcomb]

My Oldest daughter and I are surprising my 2 youngest children,17 and 21, by going to Universal/Disney World for the week of Thanksgiving. Because it is a surprise I can't share my excitement with anyone but the Disboards!!

We are only spending $3075 OOP and the total value is $5368 (plus WDW tickets not factored in since we have AP) that’s a 43% savings…how? Points and Apps, Points, and Apps! The biggest expense is Universal; had we not added that in…it would be a virtually free trip to WDW!! We don’t buy anything unless there is a bonus, cashback or point attached to it!! I managed to turn a lot of this into Disney Gift Cards via target before Target shut down buying with gift cards and getting 5% off.


5-Nights at DoubleTree Universal with Universal View-Free with Hilton Points (valued at $669)
4-One way tickets to Orlando- Free with Southwest Points (valued at $448)
4-One way tickets from Orlando -$375 OOP (could have paid with points but didnt want to drain the bank)
4-3 day passes with Express Unlimited at Universal- $2200 OOP
4- tickets to ICE! at Gaylord Palms- Free with Points and Apps (valued at $100)
$500 budget for meals and souvenirs at Universal- ($12 week into savings for 15 weeks plus saving change since January) I don’t really count this is OOP but in this case I will since it is my money.
1-night stay at Wilderness Lodge-Free with apps and cash back (Valued at $456)
$500 budget for meals and souvenirs at WDW-Free with apps and cash back
Traveling using Uber- 4 new accounts using promocodes –Free travel!! (Valued at $120)

Annual Passholders so no WDW tickets to buy. (I paid $300 of my pass with my earnings too earlier this year) Not even factored in to the cost or savings!


Proof you don’t have to pay full price, it just takes some research and commitment!

 

[HeatherC]

That's great! What apps do you use? We also use Southwest for air....flying four of us free round trip to Fort Lauderdale over Christmas break and then my DD amd I free round trip for February school vacation.

 

[dvc at last !]

What apps ?

 

[Satin Holcomb]

I use Ibotta, Checkout 51, mobisave, Swagbucks, Shopkicks,PerkTV,Walmart Savings Catcher, Receipt Hog and Receipt Pal. I also buy discount gift cards at Sams now that Target cut me off from the 5% Red Card discount. I buy discount gift cards for Walmart/Sams at Raise or Cardpool. I also shop through shopping portals: Southwest, Ebates, and TopCash back, depending on which has the best deal. I always use our SW Visa for points or Paypal debit for 1% cashback. I recently made $100 from netspend as well. Less than 60 days until the surprise trip!!!

 

[FunFamily]

Congratulations! Enjoy!

 

[dvc at last !]

Thanks - you are amazing !

 

[jennb529]

Great job! We also use Southwest points and have flown round trip to D.C. And Orlando and plan to use them for our next Disney trip as well.

We also signed up for the dining rewards program, as well as Hilton Honors dining rewards. A LOT of these restaurants overlap so we are earning hotel and airline points at the same time!

I will definitely check out the apps you suggested.