I canceled my family vacation to Hawaii — here's where we're going instead
As we welcomed spring and the vaccine became available, I found myself feeling optimistic that my family (I have a toddler and a preschooler) would be able to travel again this year — I even had high hopes that my toddlers might be vaccinated by the end of the year.
So I, like a lot of other people, started booking trips. Certainly we’d be able to enjoy an international trip for my birthday in August and Hawaii for New Year's, right?
Wrong.
We ended up canceling both of those trips — one just a couple of weeks before we were supposed to leave and the other months in advance.
But I haven’t given up hope for a family vacation in 2021. Here’s where we’re going instead.
Related: Is it time to cancel your next family vacation?
Where we were going
Although my kids did great wearing their masks on our flights from San Francisco (SFO) to New Orleans (MSY) in May, the more contagious delta variant had me more worried about the health of my unvaccinated children. By the beginning of the summer, we knew that the vaccine likely wouldn’t be available for their age group before 2022 and COVID-19 cases were skyrocketing. We decided to cancel our much-anticipated Mexico vacation at the last minute and look forward to Hawaii for a beach vacation this year instead.
Related: Some people are delaying travel plans over delta variant fears, according to study
However, not even a month later, I began to read that Hawaiian locals and government officials were urging visitors not to come to the islands — both because of COVID-19 and bad timing for the tourism industry. Though we consider ourselves independent and highly responsible travelers, we felt it disrespectful to visit under these conditions. So we canceled our end-of-the-year trip to Kauai as well.
Two vacations were canceled in the span of a few weeks. Considering my unvaccinated toddlers' health is top of mind and that cases were rising everywhere we looked, I knew that my options were limited. Traveling internationally isn’t an option right now because of lack of vaccination availability for the kids, and also because I don’t want my 2- and 3-year-olds to have to get a COVID-19 test if we can help it, and it's a requirement to reenter the U.S. from abroad.
The only destination that I feel comfortable traveling to with my family right now is right here at home.
Where we’re going instead ... hopefully
We’re choosing to stay closer to home for a few reasons: California has beautiful — albeit not as warm — beaches, great weather and the lowest rates of COVID-19 transmission in the country (at the time of this article).
We’ll — hopefully — spend a few blissful days after Christmas and over New Year's at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach in Dana Point, California. The nonstop 90-minute flight from our home airport in the Bay Area to Orange County feels manageable for my young family and we’ll rent a car to ensure that we can further maintain social distancing.
I’m looking forward to both the beach and the resort, which appears to be welcoming to kids and families — something I look for when traveling with my toddlers. We’ll plan to visit the Ocean Institute for a marine life tour and spend a lot of time at the beach. Disneyland and Legoland are less than an hour away, although we’re still not sure if we’re ready for that with a 2- and 3-year-old quite yet.
Related: 10 tips for visiting Disneyland with toddlers and preschoolers
Protecting our trip
Despite my best efforts, it’s still possible that this trip won’t happen. We have no idea what will happen between now and the end of the year and that’s why we booked our hotel and airfare the way we did, despite not getting travel insurance this time.
The Waldorf Astoria is part of the Hilton portfolio of hotels, but I don’t have Hilton Honors points or transferable points that I’d be willing to spend at Hilton. Instead, I paid cash for a flexible rate that will allow us to cancel our reservation up to three days before arrival — so we’ll have plenty of time between now and then to change our plans. And though I’m not a Hilton loyalist, I’ll still earn Honors points for my stay.
We used Southwest Rapid Rewards to book nonstop flights from the Bay Area to Orange County on Southwest Airlines for added flexibility in case we need to cancel our flights. Southwest never charges a change or cancellation fee. It doesn’t hurt that we’re also traveling during the holiday season and we’re able to save money by using miles to pay for this part of our trip.
Because of the flexible hotel rate and airline tickets purchased with miles, I won’t purchase additional travel insurance for this trip. But if we were traveling internationally or had paid cash for nonrefundable accommodations, I would further protect my investment with travel insurance outside of my credit card coverage.
Related: TPG’s comprehensive guide to independent travel insurance — including coronavirus coverage
Bottom line
It’s difficult to plan future travel when the status of COVID-19 transmissions, variants and vaccine availability continues to be so uncertain.
My family has canceled two vacations so far this year but we’re planning for one final trip this year a little closer to home. Instead of celebrating the new year in Kauai we will spend a few days at a Southern California beach resort, which is just the escape we’re looking for — hopefully.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.