Wow - best deal ever!

[LaurenT]

OK, you don't usually see me on the budget board, I tried extreme couponing for a while, but it was too much work for me...
But I just am so excited about all the bargains I threw together for an August trip!
First, we're going over Easter - and we paid through the nose for our tickets on SouthWest - I'm talking a ridiculous amount of money - three times the normal price.
But, a few days ago, I noticed that the price had dropped all the way down to the lowest they ever offer! Not the return flight, that one was gone, but the outbound. SW will credit you for the difference if the price drops, but you have to use it within 1 year of the time of purchase - for us that's Nov 2.
I put in for the change and got $487 credit!
Then, I happen to catch someone talking about a Super Bowl special that the Swan/Dolphin was offering to NY or Mass residents. For every 2 nights you stay, get a 3rd night free! Plus a free room upgrade for NY since the Giants won. So, my friend and I jumped on that and booked 9 nights at the end of August. Total for 9 nights...about $1,150 - including all taxes and resort service charges!
Went back to SouthWest, used my credit and got 2 R/T tickets for a total of $160!
Onto to the park tickets, I signed my dd, my friend and her dd up for the individual enrollment YES program and got them each an 8 day premium pass (park hopping and water park/DQ) - price? $220 each! Tax included. (I have an AP).
Throw in a town car to get us to and from the airport...
Sharing all the costs with my friend, the total for me and my DD for a 9 day stay in a deluxe hotel with premium pass and airport transport......
Drum roll....
$1,025!
Of course this doesn't include food, but still... and I'll have the TIW card for that.

 

[vicki_c]

I bow to you, Lauren - that is amazing. Great job!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Nicely done!

 

[jjohnson]

That's amazing. Way to go!

 

[Mardis22]

WOW! You got some great deals.

 

[budafam]

Woohoo! Gotta love that! I'm flying our whole family out to Disney in May and used my free 50,000 points. The 4 round trip flights costed $15 total in fees! We also are using a free night stay at Red Roof Inn for our arrival night & I racked up over $500 in free giftcards using my credit cards & doing surveys online.

 

[mlittig]

Super deals Hope your trips are magical

 

[shoney]

super de-dooper job Lauren!!!! You got a fantastic deal!!!!!!!!!!

We wouldn't be going next week if it weren't for credit cards.....

I haven't cashed in any points/rewards in 5 years....

We booked POR 7 nights, free dining, 6 day hoppers, insurance 3000.00

Round trip air from NY (JFK) 800.00

cashed in 2030.00 from disney visa towards the trip (970.00 OOP)

cashed in 500.00 in discover money for flight. (300.00 OOP)

Just put an additional 150.00 on the rewards card for spending $$$ that we earned since september!

So the trip cost us 1300.00 plus a little bit of spending cash. I figure 2000.00 total...not too bad!
Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Less than a week to go!!!!!

 

[SteelerCountry]

when does the Swan and Dolphin's offer end? what is the latest you can travel?

 

[SteelerCountry]

Dolphin was great this past September, so close to epcot and MGM! I have two homes, my name is on both mortgages, one in Pittsburgh and one in NY! Would I be able to take advantage? I get mail sent to each address, so I can prove I live at both and different times of the year!! your thoughts?

 

[marko]

Excellent deal, do you know when this promotion ends?

 

[LexiC123]

Dolphin was great this past September, so close to epcot and MGM! I have two homes, my name is on both mortgages, one in Pittsburgh and one in NY! Would I be able to take advantage? I get mail sent to each address, so I can prove I live at both and different times of the year!! your thoughts?

The terms and conditions state that "Guests must provide proof of residency identification upon check in". I would think that some kind of utility bill (phone, electric, heat) would suffice, but you might want to check with the hotel directly, just to be sure.

Excellent deal, do you know when this promotion ends?

It has to be booked by Feb 29th, and is good for stays through Feb 6, 2013. The only blackout dates are Dec 22-31, 2012.

I booked the offer for a week in October, and with my two free nights, the rate averages out to $156/night (inclusive of taxes and fees). Even factoring in $120ish for car service to/from MCO, you're basically paying Moderate rates for a Deluxe Epcot property. The lowest rate at the Beach Club would cost you an additional $90 per night...and that's WITH the ever-elusive 40% off pin code!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Great job!! and welcome back over to the budge board. You do not have to be an extreme couponer to have fun over here.

You would think they would include the state of NJ since the Giants don't even play in NY

 

[disny_luvr]

That is a great deal, LaurenT!

Isn't the YES program a great thing??? I also signed my boys up earlier this week for a class in June. We also got four, 8-day premium passes for a grand total of $880. That is a savings of over $650 AND my boys get to take a class which I'm sure they'll enjoy.

Have a great trip!

 

[hollypoast]

Congrats