Though a vacation may sound nice, the associated costs (flight ticket, hotels etc.) can be a little intimidating. But don’t worry, you can take advantage of the numerous credit card promotions out there to pay for your expense while you are able to enjoy a great time. Though frequently unknown by the general customers, these credit card application deals are excellent ways to obtain free flights and hotel nights.

Recipe objective: Using 2 credit card promotions to create a three-night trip to Orlando, Florida with free flight and up to 3 hotel nights, as well as a guide to have a great time at Disney World. While summer is always a great season for traveling, this majority of the recipe will be valid for as long as the credit card applications are valid, which means you will also have it as an option for Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations!

Ingredients:

• A good 2+ years credit history with no blemishes
• 720+ FICO score

Main Dish Preparation Steps:

Step1: Apply for: Chase Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card

• Get 25,000 miles and $50 credit statement after your first purchase.
• (Optional) Get 5,000 more after adding an authorized user.
• Either way it would be enough for a round trip to Orlando, FL. No membership fee for the first year.

Step 2: Apply for: American Express Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

• Get 10,000 Starpoints after your first purchase. No membership fee for the first year.
• 10,000 Starpoints is enough for staying at Sheraton Orlando Studio City (category 2 hotel) for 2 weekday nights or 3 weekend nights.

Step 3: Make flight reservation with Continental Airlines Reward Flight Search

• Search for flights from you city to Orlando.
• Choose Economy Class for available flights; it will cost you exactly 25,000 miles for a round trip. 

Step 4: Make hotel reservation at Sheraton Orlando Studio City

• Note that 10,000 will suffice 3 weekend nights (3,000 each), but only 2 weekday nights (4,000 each) at Orlando Studio City (category 2 hotel).
• If you travel with your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/etc. and each gets on the same deal, you have twice the number of hotel nights!
• If you plan on keeping the card, note that you can also earn 2 Starwood points (instead of 1) for every dollar you spend at Starwood hotels and resorts.

Here’s a comparison table between paying for the vacation yourself and using this recipe for a sample trip:

• From July 8th to 10th (Friday-Sunday)
• Fly a roundtrip with Continental from San Francisco to Orlando
• Stay at Sheraton Orlando Studio City for 3 nights

Side Dishes Preparation Steps:

Step 1: Apply for Disney Rewards Visa Card

• $40 statement credit after first purchase; no annual fee.
• 20% off on select guided tours.
• 10% off on purchases of $50 at select locations at Disney World.

Step 2: Order your FREE Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD
Step 3: Rent your car at Travelocity:

• Simply enter your pick-up and drop-off date and location, Travelocity will show you the best deals for all categories.

Step 3: Consider purchasing the 2011 Entertainment Book for Orlando (a really good deal!)

• Includes 214 restaurant coupons and 168 shopping coupons; 50% off at many restaurants; over $12,500 worth of Orlando coupons; ideal if you plan on exploring the city!
• $9.99 or FREE if you reserve the 2012 book.
• The 2011 book expires on 11/1/11

Step 4: Check out this great website for all current Disney World tips and deals available!
Step 5: Order tickets to Disney World online before you are there to save troubles.

Alternatives and Cautions:

• If you want to go to any other cities or countries, the Reward Flight Search will give you a good idea of how many miles you can redeem.
• Similarly, for other Starwood participating hotels, the conversion table between Starpoints and redeemable hotel nights for hotels in different categories will show you how many nights you can redeem.
  • Note that depending on the category of some hotels, the 10,000 points may not be enough for 3 nights.
• If you are more interested in exploring the city than just Disney World, you can check out this complete guide for exploring the City of Orlando and finding deals!

1. Check your credit history and score.
2. Apply for Chase Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card (at least 25,000 bonus miles).
3. Apply for American Express Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card (10,000 bonus points).
4. Make a purchase with both cards on anything.
5. Book your plane ticket.
6. Book your hotel rooms.
7. Select certain (or all!) side dishes to make a plan for your trip to Disney World and have a blast in Orlando!
8. Cancel your cards or keep them to earn points to your convenience.

(Photo: @cdharrison)