Advice on Washington & Orlando trip options

[NorthernLass]

You don’t get checked bags included as a rule on US domestic routes, the exception being if you have airline status. Avios bookings on AA can be good value, but you may find availability snapped up very quickly on routes like MCO. You may also get better deals to TPA.

[The Savage Squirrel]

I’d second the comments about Washington hotels generally; they will be large soulless bureaucrat hotels and central locations are not worth a premium, although bargains can be had outside of the busy conference/government times. Staying at a convenient location on the metro is more pleasant, cheaper and actually more convenient. Alexandria is a good choice with King Street, the streets adjacent, and the historic riverfront providing that rarest of American things, a lovely walkable neighbourhood with history, views, and some quality independent businesses. Crystal City is much more conference centre/airport hotel experience.

[Man of Kent]

Thanks all, have decided to go for the Morrison House Hotel in Alexandria Old Town as Alexandria looks to be pretty interesting for us. We’ve been to Washington DC previously so this will be a different area and we’ll be able to get the Metro into the City. Convenient for our flight from DCA to MCO too. Will likely stay near to IAD on our first night as we want to visit the Air & Space Museum there (hotels seem to be less than $100 a night by the airport just now).

[LD27]

I liked Alexandria. Got a ferry or water taxi there from the city which was good. Think it also went to Georgetown, which is well worth a visit too – before Covid but assume there is still some kind of service. Have stayed in different parts of DC. When prices were high we got a good deal at the Méridien in Arlington which is just over the bridge from Georgetown. It was 2 minutes walk from Rosslyn subway. Much cheaper than being central too and easy to get to Georgetown, DCA, IAD and all main sights.

[The real Swiss Tony]

Do look at fringe airports – there can be some crazy deals to be had if you look at flying into places like MLB or Daytona Beach vs MCO.

Also, hold your nerve on those domestic flights. Was in the US last week and it feels like the consumer economy is really struggling. Prices can only fall.

And I saw a comment suggesting you could drive from Orlando to Miami in 3hrs. I’m sure this may have been possible in the past but we did this last week – admittedly with a slight detour – but I’d say 4.5hrs even if using the express toll lanes heading into the MIA area is a more realistic estimate. Traffic was off the charts, compounded by a massive storm. Brightline seems like a great idea for anyone who does have to do this!

[bibby135]

Looking at doing this exact trip next year for our big birthday holiday! First class with BA coming in at 296,000 Avios + £3487 (2 adults 2 children – 2 companion vouchers) into Washington. Did post on a daily thread to ask but no response, but looking to book Intercontinental Washington The Wharf – Do you get anything in lieu of them not having a lounge?

Getting down to Orlando on a flight after a few days in Washington. £1600 for 4 of us return in “First”……use the term First quite loosely as you don’t get lounge access, but you get 2-2 seat configuration and luggage etc.

Then using 500k in IHG points to stay in Orlando for 10 nights.

[ukpolak]

I researched hotels yesterday as looking to do a similar trip to DC albeit perhaps this Christmas and driving from north eastern PA whilst visiting family.

I looked at the Alexandria area but (unless my mapping got it wrong) it’s a good 1h from the Mall / Smithsonians etc by metro? For a couple of days of site-seeing, did you have that journey either end and was it OK? Wanted to maximise available time close by just to see the sites to be honest.

Also @NorthernLass I checked your Hilton Homewood suites Alexandria which tbh look ideal in terms of room space, parking and brekky! However likewise a bit out of the way and no subway / metro close by? Did you just drive in to the centre and park up?

We’d want to check out the Mall museums and monuments as well as the aircraft museum at Dulles (car needed for that part!).

FWIW I found a Marriott across the road from the NASA HQ (pretty central) but gulped at the $50/night parking rate and no breakfast etc.

[K3v]

Video of the bus between LHR and LGW

https://youtu.be/PH9wOpIjzv0?si=6EI7TcEuT0ajBKV0

[NorthernLass]

@ukpolak – we drove everywhere (Virginia/Pennsylvania/outskirts of DC to visit Arlington cemetary), apart from actually into the city. We were connecting to the Caribbean from DCA for the rest of our holiday so stayed at the HGI there, returned the car to DCA and took the short metro journey into DC for the day.

On our second visit we did 3 nights at The Willard so just walked everywhere.

[Man of Kent]

@ukpolak it looks like its only 20 minutes on the yellow metro line from King Street (Alexandria) to Archives Metro Station in the heart of the tourist sights.

[annabh]

We stayed near the convention Center in a Hilton Embassy Suites, was suitable for us as had two rooms for us and our teenager. It was just about walkable to main sights, although we did get the metro to the museum near Dulles wish we had stayed up there the first night. This had breakfast included (long queue though for omelettes which were pretty good) and a happy hour for a couple of free drinks and light snacks.

One thing you may want to consider is having the Amex platinum for a year as we used it this holiday for the dining at Shaw pizza, we got two meals out of it during their happy hour. Also got to use the lounge at DCA airport. Also not sure if you have any medical conditions but having the insurance for USA covered was a relief. Maybe wait until a new bonus offer! Obviously check other value as may not be worth it but we have used the local credit at the ivy which suits us.

Someone also mentioned flying F out myself and my son did this, hubby was in CW was good though as he got into the Concorde room and he definitely took advantage of this – so could be an option if getting all of you into F isn’t possible. F though was a great experience!

[MattB]

pog2005 wrote:

I now need to book flights from Washington to MCO. They seem pretty pricey at the moment – especially once you’ve factored in 3 checked bags. When I’ve looked to redeem Avios, I don’t see that I’m getting as much value per Avios as I’d like, and checked bags again don’t seem to be included. There’s plenty of time so may wait and see.

It’s still quite early for flights to be released next summer, not all airlines are like BA and sell 355 days out.

We’ve used Southwest a few times primarily because they allow 2x23kg baggage per passenger for free, and are usually cheaper than AA/Delta etc. They only have flights available until April at the moment.

[JDB]

@MattB – there’s a big battle going on at Southwest with Elliott Management trying to remove all the directors. One of the proposals by the activist investor is to improve poor financial performance by charging for bags, or at least unbundling the current fare with free bags proposition.

[MattB]

That would be a shame, i knew they were looking to make changes to the open seating process, but the free bags are a big differentiator. I always thought 2 bags was generous tbh.

[ukpolak]

Thanks @NorthernLass for your tips and @Man of Kent too. We’re looking to drive the car and (as best as poss) park and walk / metro everywhere. V helpful tips as always!

@annabh yes I checked the Amex dining guide last night and thank goodness DC happens to have some which accommodate children, where many cities don’t! I am due to lose my Plat soon but my wife just took one out and we are looking for how best to use the abroad dining credit. I saw some of the restaurants were around the “navy yard” area so was looking at hotels around there.

Appreciate all of the tips – many thanks.

[The Savage Squirrel]

ukpolak wrote:

I looked at the Alexandria area but (unless my mapping got it wrong) it’s a good 1h from the Mall / Smithsonians etc by metro? For a couple of days of site-seeing, did you have that journey either end and was it OK? Wanted to maximise available time close by just to see the sites to be honest.

It is 22 minutes.

If “the sites” include Arlington Cemetery (which they should) then it’s less than 15 minutes.

[annabh]

ukpolak wrote:

Thanks @NorthernLass for your tips and @Man of Kent too. We’re looking to drive the car and (as best as poss) park and walk / metro everywhere. V helpful tips as always!

@annabh yes I checked the Amex dining guide last night and thank goodness DC happens to have some which accommodate children, where many cities don’t! I am due to lose my Plat soon but my wife just took one out and we are looking for how best to use the abroad dining credit. I saw some of the restaurants were around the “navy yard” area so was looking at hotels around there.

Appreciate all of the tips – many thanks.

The All Purpose restaurant works on dining credit in Shaw area not just in dockyard area, the address is wrong on the Amex website but I can confirm the credit came through. Great value as we had three big pizzas, drinks and dessert twice for around 90 dollars a time which worked out at 75 pounds (this included tips). We even had some leftovers to warm up in the room the next night! Was a short walk up from the hotel. If you go in August time they also do a dining week so lots of restaurants have set menus.

[ukpolak]

Just to confirm that the dining credit worked yesterday at All Purpose Navy Yard. A decent, family friendly usage of the dining credit albeit bitter-sweet when the parking garage near by was $20 for a couple of hours 🙁

We’re staying in Alexandria on the back of recommendations here. Feels much more European and is a pretty little city, and decent subway links to the Mall. There’s a free shuttle trolley running up and down the main drag (King St). Our hotel is a few minutes from a Whole Foods supermarket which I guess is a Waitrose equivalent, and accommodation is decent enough except for the $40/night parking rate (gulp).

I won’t restart discussions on the absurd pricing in the US at this time but thanks to the recommendations on here for things to do and see! Everything worked out except I didn’t know I’d have to prebook the Smithsonian Air & Space museum on the Mall, and unfortunately found out all tix had sold out by the time we arrived there at midday.

With thanks again for the tips.

[The Savage Squirrel]

Glad your trip is going to plan and that Alexandria is working well. Shame about Air and Space, but at least in Washington you are definitely not short of alternative museums and sights if your first choice is not possible!

[NorthernLass]

The Air & Space museum near IAD is much better, if you have chance to visit that. I don’t recall having to book ahead for either of them but it may have changed in the past couple of years.

[annabh]

Agreed Space and Air in the city is ok but very crowded and lots of refurb going on. We enjoyed the natural history and African American history museums more. Plus I would say the one at IAD is worth the trip for the Concorde, blackbird and shuttle plus the viewing platform of the airport – amazing.

Glad the all purpose shaw was good! We didn’t bother with a car and parking as you can walk most places or transport is good plus heard about scary charges.