This message is to those that have had too much fun around the world.....
Finally we can have a vacation of two weeks! Cannot decide on the destination. Pros & cons:
1. Europe maybe England. Pro: relatively long period to explore. Con: have to spend $1000 on the miles we don't have. (BTW, it is the last two weeks of the year.)
2. Hawaii. Pro: maximize the mileage usage, Maui and Big Island are all good. Con: it is still America.
3. Canada. Pro: ski, experiencing the French culture without going too far. Con: one of us is not too excited about Canada...
What do Fodors specialists think? Have fun.....

If it were me, I would choose Europe. I'm not a beach gal , I get too bored but I know there is more than beach in Hawaii. That being said, your weather is definately going to be better in Hawaii. I can't imagine southern Europe, i.e. Italy or Greece, would be too bad. Then again,I'm used to cold weather. As for Canada, we went to Montreal last year, liked it, but if you want to maximize miles, I would go to either Europe or Hawaii first, especially since it sounds like you're looking for something more exotic.

Can't you fly to london for less than $1000 for two people at that time of year? Don't understand about the miles part. I use my miles for summer travel when the tickets cost more.

dumas1870, we have the opposing strategy! I prefer to use miles for the X'mas holiday since air fare is usually higher - not saying you cannot find a good deal, but the question is if the deal gives you miles. For any other vacation during the year, I have to use $.
I have 35000 UA miles, need to make up 50000 to Europe - $500. If UA was not going bankrupt, I would definitely go to Canada for 25000 miles.

Is a credit card linked with united? I got 15,000 miles on delta for getting an American express card.

dumas1870, at least we have one thing in common - credit card for miles. Do you have any new ideas of getting UA miles other than shopping hard in Vons?
Too many tangents. Let's go back to my original question....

The last two weeks of the year is difficult even without miles. And yes the fares are up for that time if you have to pay.

You might want to try flying on Xmas day and return a few days after New Years to use miles to Europe - even to Hawaii. However, Hawaii fares will be high through the month of February. And there probably aren't decent rooms available during holiday time.

Unless you find a special airfare to anyplace for that time of the year - you've waited too long to use your miles. Other people booked those seats 11-months ago.

Re: Europe, I have heard that winter is a good time to go to Venice. Positano is supposed to be beautiful in winter too!
Re: Beach, I would choose Caneel Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands, then you are not in the US!!
Re: Canada, To have a great trip, you both need to be excited about going there. Eliminate this one!

Have fun, WT

How far out of the box are you willing to go? Consider Egypt. There is very little anti-American sentiment there, you can find remarkable deals for Nile River cruises, 5 star hotels and wonderful side trips to the pyramids, etc. Very few Americans are traveling to Egypt these days and they are very interested in making it worth your while. While I've not made the trip myself, I just dined with someone who was there in July, and she said their costs for a 2-week trip which included a 5 day Nile Cruise in a small ship where all cabins had balconies, the food and service were 1st class, the tours INCLUDED, and the sights very un-touristed, and stays in 5 star hotels, averaged $135 per night, including all food, lodging, tours, etc. (Exclusive of air fare.) She said all their hosts said, PLEASE tell your friends in America how much we want them to come visit.

Have you checked to see where seats are open? I tried using miles months ago for hawaii in late december and there were no seats to be had. There were seats around mid-January.

What about South or Central America? You may have enough miles for there. Costa Rica is a great place.

Are you sure your miles aren't blacked out between Dec 10 and Jan 3 or 4? Many plans are inop in those periods.

That said, I'd be tempted to suggest a couple of late December - New Years trips we've done in the past.

Paris for a few days, then drive south to Provence, the Cote d'Azur and the Camargue, or vice versa. When we did this years ago the hustle and excitement of Paris (a great time IMO) was followed, somewhere between Lyon and Orange, by a stunning blue sky and near-spring temperatures. Ice cream on the waterfront in St-Tropez on New Year's Eve - now that was something.

Acapulco - hot and tropical and not at all like the holiday season in the US, even though we were staying at rather luxurious digs (a plug for Las Brisas - Elvis was right.)

You might also look at a cruise, maybe the Panama Canal or a RT between California and Hawaii? It can be surprisingly competitive cost-wise with a shore-based vacation, and those days at sea are addictive to the max. Have a look at cruisecritic.com (itineraries, advice) and cruisequick.com (cheap fares) for ideas and schedules.

Europe is our favorite destination, but I have to say we were very impressed with New Zealand after a trip there in April. This is one great country and fun to explore.....plus they all speak English!

hoiyini--where are you flying from? The last two weeks of the year you should be able to find tickets to London from much of the USA for $500 or less without using any miles.