Travel Hacking: Disney World Example
I often get asked how we are able to travel so often. The answer is I use all money-saving tricks that are available to me.
As an example, here is the out-of-pocket cost breakdown of our recent long weekend trip to Disney World and all of the discounts and freebies I used.
Table of Contents
Airfare - $156
Frontier airfare purchased during 90% off sale. $156 total for the round trip for two.
I did not pay seat selection fee (if you check in early enough, Frontier is very likely to assign the seats together), nor a carry-on fee (two personal size bags were enough for a weekend trip).
See this post on how to save on $40 (this amount may vary depending on a route) on already low Frontier airfare.
Hotel – FREE
2 nights at Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace, across the street from Disney Springs – FREE.
I used 100,000 Hilton Honors points that I received as a bonus when I signed up for American Express Hilton Surpass credit card. I got the card for our trip to Japan in April. We were staying at Hilton Tokyo Bay, and the card gave me Gold Hilton Honors status that comes with free breakfast. The cost of breakfast for the two of us during the stay was more than the annual fee, so it was an easy decision. Plus, the card included Priority Pass membership (10 free lounge visits a year).
If we were to pay cash for this stay it would have cost us $200 room rate + $35 daily resort fee a night.
If you are interested in signing up for American Express Hilton Surpass card, use my referral link to get 125,000 Hilton Honors points (after you make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months).
1 night at Disney’s Polynesian Resort – FREE. I used my Disney Vacation Club points for this stay.
Disney Tickets – $0
There was no out of pocket cost for this trip. I have upgraded tickets purchased as a part of the free dining package to annual passes during our August trip.
Food - $192
Day 1
Lunch at Air France lounge at the airport – FREE (thanks to Priority Pass membership provided by American Express Hilton Surpass credit card – see above).
Day 2
Character breakfast at the hotel – FREE as I’m Hilton Honors Gold member (thanks to Hilton Amex).
Day 3
Continental breakfast at the hotel – FREE (thanks to Hilton Amex).
Day 4
Breakfast at Club MCO lounge – FREE (thanks to Priority Pass)
I don’t have a day by day breakdown of our food expenses at Disney World, but I could easily back into the amount spent as I used rewards and gift cards.
Food cost before the discounts $246 less $44 Disney Rewards Dollars (Chase Disney Visa earned rewards) less 5% discount (used Disney gift cards purchased at Target with Target Red Card) = $192.
I must add this spending is on a higher side as our plan for this trip was to check out a few new dining spots and do a lap around Epcot’s World Showcase to get our Food & Wine Festival favorites.
If you are interested in signing up for Chase Disney Visa, use my referral link to earn $200 after you spend $500 in the first three months your account is open. You will earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all card purchases plus you will get such perks as special Disney vacation financing, 10% discount on select purchases, cardmember-exclusive Character Experience photo opportunities, and more.
Transportation from/to Orlando airport - $67
From the airport
We landed during peak hours, so the Uber trip was higher than expected.
Uber fare + tip $42 less 5% (for using Uber Cash) less 5% (used Uber gift card purchased with Target Red Card to refill Uber Cash) = $38
To the airport
Since we stayed at a Disney resort for our last night, we could have taken Magic Express. However, I opted to take Uber since Magic Express pick up time was more than 3 hours before the flight. We have TSA Pre-check and had no bags to check, so I chose to sleep a little longer and skip 5.50 am Magical Express pick up time.
If you follow our Facebook page, you already know that Uber driver tried scamming us. See the original post here.
After Uber refund, the trip to the airport was $32 less 5% (Uber cash) less 5% (Uber gift card purchased with Target Red Card) = $29
Total out of pocket cost = $415.
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One Comment
Agnus Bechtold
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be useful to read articles from other authors and practice a little something from other websites.