One Way to Get Free and Low-Cost Upgrades to Hawaii on Delta
This report at a glance:
- Saving up to 31% with a hotel/air package on Delta Vacations
- Saving up to 27% with a car/air package
- Why to book Delta Vacations package deals—even when all is equal
- When not to book packages
- How to book package deals
Hawaii is a favorite destination for many. From Waikiki and Diamond Head on Oahu to the idyllic beaches on Maui to the dramatic volcanoes on the Big Island, Hawaii’s iconic features are etched into the American psyche. But this tropical paradise offers so much more. In fact, it has all the makings of a perfect vacation for many.
But Hawaii can be expensive, where average living expenses are up to two-thirds higher than the rest of the country. So do you just take the hit? C’mon, you’re reading an FCF report, you know there’s good news circling in to land.
Put in a deltavacations.com Package
Our position on Hawaii is to not only look at the airfares, but look at package deals as well. That’s because if the palm trees are aligned in terms of routes and travel dates, it can work out a lot better for you. There’s no science to this, no particular times when package deals prevail, so you have to just do a few web searches when you’re ready to book. Case in point:
Save up to 31%—or pay $671 less than coach
Los Angeles-Maui example: A seven-night hotel package starts at $2,469 per person (based on two travelers, total package price is $4,938 for travel Feb. 5 to Feb. 12) and includes accommodations at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Hotel on DeltaVacations.com. Booking the flight and hotel separately would cost $7,196 for the same travel dates—$4,709 for the hotel and $2,487 for the two tickets. The package saves you $2,258 (31%).
Or another way to look at the savings is that you are getting the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Hotel at 52% off the lowest room rate.
Yet another way to look at it: You get Business Class for $671 less than coach ($4,709 for the hotel and $900 for the two coach tickets equals $5,609, minus the package rate at $4,938). That means buy buying through Delta Vacations, you get a free upgrade to Business Class, and more!
Package savings don’t work for every routing, or hotel, or travel dates, but when it does work it can be very worthwhile as you can see. The best time to check for package deals is when your airfare and/or hotel are pricing higher; at these times the package is generally better. That said package rates can even beat the lowest rates, and by much, as you can see in the examples above.
Don’t need a hotel?
pull similar magic with an air/car package
Atlanta-Kauai example: A seven-night car package costs $1,809 per person (based on two travelers, total package price starts at $3,618) that includes a seven-day, convertible rental car in Kauai. Booking the flight and car separately would cost $5,004—$780 for the car rental and $4,224 for the two tickets. The package saves you $1,386 (27%).
Or think of it as getting a free convertible rental car AND saving $606 at the same time. Aloha!
Why book Delta vacation when all is equal
If prices are the same, meaning that a package with Delta Vacations is the same price as if you were to book the air and hotel separately, should you consider booking a Delta vacation package? Yes.
Most discounted airline tickets have a change fee and are very often non-refundable (even many hotels have cancel fees), whereas with a Delta vacation package you can buy travel insurance for both air and hotel—and cancel for any reason—and avoid losing any money. Plus, you can earn more miles and receive Delta elite member discounts.
When not to book Delta vacation
Not all Delta Vacation packages offer a big savings, take Chicago-Honolulu for example: A seven-night hotel package starts at $4,030 per person (based on two travelers, $8,060) and includes accommodation at the Halekulani. Booking the flight and hotel separately would cost $8,181—$4,345 for the hotel and $3,836 for the two tickets. The package only saves you $121 (1%). So, always check published prices to make sure a package offers a savings.
How to book Delta vacation packages
Packages can be booked online. Just pick “Flight + Hotel” package or “Flight + Car” package.
Next add the usual basics: your departure city, destination, travel dates, number of rooms, and people traveling.
Or you can call (800) 800-1504 and book your package by phone with an agent. For multi-island packages, meaning traveling to two or more islands, you have to call, as these cannot be booked online. As with any package deal, FCF always recommends checking published fares before buying a package so you have a basis for comparison.
Other notes/items to keep in mind when booking Delta Vacations
Advance notice: When the FCF research team checked for package prices to Hawaii, we were able to check price and availability with a one-day advance notice, so depending on space, you only need a one-day advance notice. Packages often offer good savings on shorter notice.
Travel insurance: Delta Vacations offers two types of “Travel Protection Plans”: Travel Protection Plan Plus and basic Travel Protection Plan. The cost varies, but both offer the ability to cancel for any reason. Go here for details.
Elite member savings: Delta elite members can periodically save up to $300 per booking (savings vary based on cost of the trip). For details go here.
Earn miles: Earn Delta miles for any vacation booked. Miles earned vary by hotel booked and can be as much as 7,500. For details go here.
Additional offers: Delta Vacations sometimes offers extra discounts based on hotel and Island booked. For details go here.