Hi here’s Kalyn again! Last time I walked you through a recipe to a free trip to Orlando and Disney World. Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it because it was too far from where you live—the Golden California offers everything in Orlando and even more!

Recipe objective: This time we will be using 2 different credit card promotions from last time to create a four-night trip to Southern California with free flight and up to 3 hotel nights. If you haven’t gotten a chance to visit Orlando, this would be a great alternative; even if you have gone to Orlando, you can still come to  enjoy a relaxing vacation in the #1 state that most Americans want to live in—especially when someone else is paying for it!

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

• 25,000 bonus United Mileage Plus miles after your first purchase—enough for a roundtrip to Los Angeles.
• 5,000 more bonus miles after adding an authorized user.
• $50 in statement credit after first purchase.
• One $25 United Discount Travel Certificate, and a one-way, 1000 mile, one-class upgrade certificate.
• No Annual Fee for first year ($60 after).

• 22,550 bonus points after first purchase—enough for 2 free nights at a category 2 hotel.
• Also receive 1 more free night upon account approval, valid at category1-4 hotel—together it’s 3 free nights!
• No Annual Fee for first year ($30 after).

• This is a category 1 hotel; so 22,500 will suffice for 3 free nights+1 bonus free night=4 free nights!
• Free breakfast included!

• From July 15th to 17th (Friday-Sunday)
• Fly a roundtrip with United from Houston to Los Angeles
• Stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites Los Angeles West Covina for 3 nights

• Visit 5 parks with one pass—Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, and San Diego Zoo/San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park.
• You will have a full 14-day period to enjoy it, so plan your trip accordingly!
• Only for $276—save $114!
• Must be redeemed at Hollywood Theme Park first and valid through December 31st, 2011.

• $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.

• 1 day of unlimited trips through the food service lines at all participating restaurants at Hollywood Theme Park for $ 27.38.
• Redeem between July 1st and September 5th, 2011.

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

• If you want to go to any other cities or countries, you can do your flight research here.
• Similarly, for other Mariott participating hotels, the conversion table between Mariott Rewards Points and redeemable hotel nights for hotels in different categories will show you how many nights you can redeem. Then you can book your hotels here.
  • Note that depending on the category of some hotels, the 22,500 points may not be enough for 3 nights.

1. Check your credit history and score.
2. Apply for United Mileage Plus Explorer Card (at least 25,000 bonus miles).
3. Apply for Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card (22,500 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 Southern California and enjoy the unbeatable Golden Coast!
8. Cancel your cards or keep them to earn points to your convenience.

(Photo: woofiegrrl)