Last Chance: Daily Getaway Packages Still Available
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
The five-week Daily Getaways promotion has come and gone, but there are a handful of packages that are still up for grabs. While the remaining items were clearly not the hot ticket items such as the World of Hyatt points or Marriott gift cards that went within a millisecond, there still could be value in the leftovers. These packages will be available through June 21, 2019, or until they sell out.
Wyndham Reward Points
Purchasing Wyndham Rewards points used to be one of the most popular Daily Getaways packages a few years back. Then the company devalued its airline transfer ratio and introduced a three-tier award chart and the popularity quickly went downhill.
Despite the changes, this can still be a great opportunity to save money on an upcoming Wyndham stay. With Daily Getaways, you are purchasing 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points for $175. Consulting the Wyndham Rewards chart, 15k points will get you two free nights at Tier 1 properties, one free night at Tier 2 properties and half the needed points for a night at Tier 3 properties.
For example, $175 can get you two free nights in Jerusalem, Thailand, properties near Disney World and even Belgium. This comes out to just $87.50 per night, including taxes. For peak time travel, this could be a great deal, but you'd have to compare pricing. I checked rates at the TRYP by Wyndham Jerusalem Bat Sheva and for a weekend this summer a two-night stay is $238. If visiting Jerusalem is part of your travel plans, this package could save you more than $60.
For those looking for a more resort-style property, there are still great Tier 2 levels in the United States costing just 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points a night. Paying a fixed $175 per night at these hotels during peak season will absolutely save your family money. Some opportunities include summertime in Newport, Rhode Island; ski season in Park City, Utah; or year-round in many of the Hawaiian Islands. Also, Wyndham’s condo and vacation homes price at the 15k point level (per bedroom), so there are a ton of places around the world to stay for the equivalent just $175 a night.
Of course, compare the cost against an upcoming stay to see if purchasing points will in fact save you money.
Florida Theme Park Tickets
Visiting SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Adventure Island Tampa Bay this summer? If so, depending on the number of days you are planning on visiting and the particular theme parks, you might save some money with the Daily Getaways promotion. Right now, you can still purchase a two-park ticket for $75.
Related: Best Credit Cards to Use at Theme Parks
With this promotion, you can visit any two of the above theme parks within a 14-day time period. Tickets are nontransferable and must be redeemed by May 31, 2020.
When purchasing direct, you can currently buy this same two-park ticket for $104.99 (with three day's advance purchase). So while the Daily Getaways will save you around $30 per person, the numbers only work out if you are looking to spend exactly two days at the theme parks. For a three-day or more ticket, you are better off purchasing direct.
Now, if you are looking to visit just one of the four theme parks, then the savings really depends on the particular park. If you are looking to visit SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa, the two-park package with Daily Getaways is less than a one-day ticket at either park. However, if you are just looking to spend a day at Aquatica Orlando or Adventure Island Tampa, you are better off purchasing a one-day park ticket. All four theme parks run flash sales quite often, so make sure to compare the prices again for your desired parks.
Avis President's Club Membership
If having status is your thing, here is your opportunity with Avis. With this Daily Getaway promotion, you can buy Avis President's Club status for $750. With only 20 packages available to begin with and still not sold out, this is definitely one of the least popular offers. With this offer, you'll receive status through June 15, 2020.
The benefits include:
- Two-car-class upgrade (subject to availability)
- Guaranteed car every time you rent
- President’s Club dedicated reservation/customer service line
- 50% Avis Preferred Point bonus
- Exclusive email offers
Yes, a two-car-class upgrade can be nice and knowing that you always have access to a car, even on short term notice can be beneficial, but I personally think $750 is a lot for these benefits. I understand why this package has not yet sold out, although for the weekly business traveler, there might be some value.
Universal Orlando Park Tickets
If a trip to Universal Orlando is on your radar for this summer, Daily Getaways is selling two three-day tickets for $592, or $296 per person. Divided by the three-day access you are looking at spending about $99 per day per person. I wouldn't call this the deal of a lifetime, but it could save you some money, depending on your desired theme parks. Undercover Tourist, a popular discount site for theme parks, still has discounted two-park, five-day passes that are a bit cheaper than this offer. Those are a limited supply item and could run out at any time. But, if the water park isn't in your plans, Undercover Tourist is another money saving path to consider.
The tickets will give you access to Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park. The real (and only) value here is if you want to visit the waterpark and only want to spend three days at the park. Universal sells a five-day ticket for $340. While that is $44 more than the Daily Getaways package price, it gives you two more days of theme park fun. It really comes down to how you want to plan out your park days.
Best Credit Card to Use
Daily Getaways purchases have coded as general travel for me this year, which means you’ll want to use a credit card that has a category bonus for general travel such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x Ultimate Rewards points) or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card (3x Ultimate Rewards points; on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary), or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x points).
Bottom Line
Although the remaining packages definitely are not the most desirable offers, that does not mean that they do not provide value for your family. Definitely do the math and see if any of the packages will save you money on your next vacation. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Jennifer Yellin is a Boston-based travel blogger who covers family travel deals for TPG and blogs at Deals We Like. Follow her family’s adventures on Twitter and Instagram.
