Hi all! Long time no post...I see some new usernames in here as well as many familiar ones. I dropped out of churning when my husband got laid off and I had a baby in quick succession, and just needed some time away from thinking about MSRs and such. I think that was all a couple threads ago. I'm back now because I'm planning my first return trip to a Disney park in 4 1/2 years and I need some help figuring out redemption strategies!
My best friend and I plan to take my toddler to
Disneyland for 3 nights in July. I have 49K UR points to play with. I have specific United flights I want to take, which would require 57,000 United miles (I currently have zero), or $550 cash. I have narrowed our options down to two hotels across the street from Disneyland - the Fairfield Marriott Anaheim, booked on points through the CSP portal, or a cash rate at the Anaheim Desert Inn.
What do you think is the better/wiser use of these two redemption options?
Option 1 - Use all my URs to book the nonrefundable Marriott through the portal + the $50 CSP hotel credit for a cash cost of $50. Pay cash for my and my son's nonrefundable flights. Total OOP expense: $600
Option 2 - Transfer all my URs to United and buy the last 8000 miles to book our flights on points - est. $260. Split the cash cost of the Anaheim Desert Inn room (free cancellation) with my friend - $348. Total OOP expense: est $608.
Option 1 gets us a slightly nicer hotel, is a 1.25 cpp redemption rate, and I'd like to treat my friend (and TBH I'm not sure if the $348 for the other hotel is in her budget - I need to talk with her about it, which is one reason I wanted to get some input on my options here). But I think Option 2 would be more flexible in case something, like a sick toddler, means we can't go at the last minute.
I never fly United so I'm not sure about all their policies regarding rewards redemptions. Hoping one of the brilliant minds here can chime in with some feedback!