debrad149

We are going to Italy in May and while my husband was a bit more tentative about booking such a big trip, I don't think it's worth putting off.

One thing I have been excited about is that all four of the hotels we are staying at don't charge us until we check out, so that gives us more time to save, as well as more time for the dollar to hopefully get stronger against the euro. We did end up switching our vacation plans this fall from London/Paris to the Caribbean due to the 1.6 exchange rate. That was too much for us!

artsnletters

I admit the time may not be the best. But I have not been for four years, and my trip next June will celebrate two landmark events: finishing my PhD (last May) and turning 50 (next April). So I feel entitled. I do have enough FF miles to cover the air, and enough $$ to pay for a trip at a budget level. On the good side, the exchange rate is better than it's been in some years.

phieaglefan

We had a daughter in Europe for 5 months during the spring and summer. We also traveled to Germany and France while the dollar was almost at it's low for this year. When we returned, we vowed no Europe next year.

After researching a dozen other destinations from Asia to the Caribbean, we're going back to Europe. The exchange rates have a bit to do with it, but it's also about going somewhere you love.

Stu, your comment about your wife hit home for me. I think part of my desire to travel comes from the fact that my mother, who loved to travel, passed away at 56. I'm fast approaching that age and refuse to put things off.

I figure Mr. Fan & I can sit on a beach someday - when we're no longer able to handle cobblestones!
H

jdc26

I've been to Europe twice this year and right now I'm planning on going back in 2009, first to Madrid, Spain in March to celebrate my birthday and Greece in September. I have not yet purchased my airfare to Madrid, but when I checked this week the price was $581.00 which I know can fluctuate. I love Europe and even with the economy in the state it's in I will travel, especially to Europe. I'm hoping that one day I can live there for a few years.

jdc

jewela

I combine my business travel with my personal travel. Business takes me to the UK 4-5 times a year. I tack on a few days on either end for my personal traveling. Outside of that, I use airmiles when I can for flights, and rewards points for hotels whenever possible. The $$ is so much stronger these last few months that I feel I should take advantage of it.....we may not be so fortunate in the months & years to come.

Vister

I go somewhere in Europe every year. The only thing that's going to be different for me in 2009 is going somewhere where the Euro hasn't been initiated yet. There are great deals to be had with a little research!

amyb

I've been wanting to go back to London for a while, and now is the best time in years, with a fare of $518 and the exchange much lower than the 2:1 it has been. So I'm doing it. This will come out of saving and bonus money.

ekscrunchy

Amyb: Can you tell us the departure point and the airline for the London fare? Thanks!

GoSox

My husband and I are going in September to Budapest, Hungary and Prague. Redeemed AA miles for business class and AMEX points for all the hotel nights. I am pretty happy about this.

amyb

ekscrunchy, Boston and AA.

ekscrunchy

Thanks a lot! I am trying to squeeze in a London trip..I will take a look for flights from JFK..

FainaAgain

I am watching the air prices with horror, dreaming of summer or fall trip. They did go down a little, but how affordable will they be for me?

Yes, I really want to go to Europe, but I don't plan to do it "at any cost". Still hope for a "special". There are some for winter/spring, hopefully for summer/fall as well.

Ready to adjust the destination to the price. Haven't travelled that much, many places on the list, so the exact destination is not too important.

Maybe a shorter vacation? Yes, I will be using credit card for points, but only up to what I can pay off without paying interest.

MareW

I booked a Paris trip last summer for May 2009 using frequent flyer and hotel points. My husband lost his job in September, and has been working very hard to find another one without success so far.

I guess whether we go or not depends on how much vacation he gets at a new job, assuming he can find one by then. The whole situation is depressing and a little scary, but since the bulk of the trip is paid for with points, we're hoping to still go.

sheri_lp

Marie, that's the kind of thing I was afraid people were going through. If you decide to postpone the trip can you apply those points?

MareW

Hi, sheri_lp. You wrote "Marie" but I think you meant me.

If we have to cancel our trip, we will have to pay $300 (I believe) to redeposit the airline miles. The hotel points can be redeposited for free. However, Marriott is changing the program in January so our seven night stay would cost a lot more points than it did when I reserved last summer. (Many more points than we have.) The hotel is also being switched to a higher category.

scrb

$300 to redeposit the miles?

Damn, I thought Delta's $100 fee was stiff. It used to be $50 too.

Which program is this?

sheri_lp

Oops you're right Mare! Naturally they want to exchange you to a more expensive hotel as the exchange rate is lowering, huh

MareW

Scrb, the airline is American. It is $150 per ticket to redeposit miles.

h2babe

We are going to Italy in June 2009 using our FF miles. DH and I travel occasionally for work, so we make it to Europe at least once a year.

CarolA

We swapped from France to Spain/Portugal in part because they cost less! We are using my Frequent Flyer miles and have two of our nights using my Marriott rewards. (I don't get these via Credit cards, they are bottom in seats or body in bed based on business travel LOL!)

It's my mother and I and we tend to travel pretty "cheap" Our hotel in Combria for example is something like 40 Euros. Our big expense will be the rental car. Most of the budget hotels don't really like credit cards so it's not always even an option! I do put the car on my card that comes with free insurance!

Last summer I did a week in Paris with FF miles and a free stay at the Marriott. (The one I use hasn't been quite as badly effected by the changes to the program) So while the dollar was weak..

Now I am about ready to quit this traveling life and when I do my mother will have to fork over for air and sit in the back. (which she does for her tours already)