Blessed with Free Air & Hotel!

For a number of years we've violated Dave Ramsey's "cut up the credit card" rule, because we've enjoyed the rewards programs... free hotel nights, free tickets to Six Flags, etc. But we do pay them off every month. Maybe that makes Dave half-way happy.

Later we decided we might use them for something we'd never be able to do otherwise... some major trips. We got an American Airlines card and starting getting points. In 2005, to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, Liz and I went to Europe. With Andy graduating High School this year, we decided to use the next set of points to do a family trip to Hawaii. Andy is trying to get to all 50 states and still lacked three or four.

We booked the trip back in September after receiving an email from American Airlines that the miles required would increase October 1. We were further blessed because a month or two later Liz and I attended a travel club presentation in which one of the incentives for attending was a five day, four night Hawaii vacation (i.e., hotel). They offered us another night free by attending a presentation there, so we ended up with five free nights on top of the free travel! That was really awesome for a cheap-scape like me.

Day 1

On Tuesday, May 26, we left Birmingham at 6:30 am and arrived at DFW by 8:30 am. Since we had a five-hour layover, Larry Dailey, an old seminary friend, picked us up at the airport. We ate at Chick-Fil-A and walked around Grapevine Mills Mall before eating at the Rain Forest Cafe.
Our flight to Honolulu left at 1:30 pm. With the eight hour, fifteen minute flight out, we arrived at 4:45 pm Honolulu time. Being a WWII history buff, it was stunning to approach Pearl Harbor from the air and to wonder if some of the Japanese pilots had that same view.
After arriving we picked up the pre-arranged car from Alamo (Hotwire, $21.95/day) and headed to the hotel. We stayed at the Ohana East, which was a block and a half off of Waikiki Beach. It was a pretty basic room, but clean and close to lots of things. We finally made it to bed at 9:00 pm, which was 2:00 am Alabama time.

Day 2

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Day 5

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Day 6

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Day 7

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Day 9

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Day 10

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Top 10 Lists

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What We'd Do Differently

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Day 1: Birmingham to Honolulu

On Tuesday, May 26, we left Birmingham at 6:30 am and arrived at DFW by 8:30 am. Since we had a five-hour layover, Larry Dailey, an old seminary friend, picked us up at the airport. We ate at Chick-Fil-A and walked around Grapevine Mills Mall before eating at the Rain Forest Cafe.

Our flight to Honolulu left at 1:30 pm. With the eight hour, fifteen minute flight out, we arrived at 4:45 pm Honolulu time. Being a WWII history buff, it was stunning to approach Pearl Harbor from the air and to wonder if some of the Japanese pilots had that same view.

After arriving we picked up the pre-arranged car from Alamo (Hotwire, $21.95/day) and headed to the hotel. We stayed at the Ohana East, which was a block and a half off of Waikiki Beach. It was a pretty basic room, but clean and close to lots of things. We finally made it to bed at 9:00 pm, which was 2:00 am Alabama time.

How We Managed A Trip to Hawaii

For a number of years we've violated Dave Ramsey's "cut up the credit card" rule, because we've enjoyed the rewards programs... free hotel nights, free tickets to Six Flags, etc. But we do pay them off every month. Maybe that makes Dave half-way happy.

Later we decided we might use them for something we'd never be able to do otherwise... some major trips. We got an American Airlines card and starting getting points. In 2005, to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, Liz and I went to Europe. With Andy graduating High School this year, we decided to use the next set of points to do a family trip to Hawaii. Andy is trying to get to all 50 states and still lacked three or four.

We booked the trip back in September after receiving an email from American Airlines that the miles required would increase October 1. We were further blessed because a month or two later Liz and I attended a travel club presentation in which one of the incentives for attending was a five day, four night Hawaii vacation (i.e., hotel). They offered us another night free by attending a presentation there, so we ended up with five free nights on top of the free travel! That was really awesome for a cheap-scape like me.