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A cheap flight, a surprisingly good cruise, and a few lessons in finding value along the way.
This week on Miles To Go, Ed and Richard are back together and catching up on a whirlwind stretch of travel — from a budget-friendly hop out of the Gulf Coast to a deeply discounted Disney Cruise that delivered far more than expected. They break down how a $67 Spirit flight (plus a clever rental car strategy) beat a $650 alternative, why positioning still matters for both flights and cruises, and how flexibility can unlock outsized value.
Onboard, Richard shares a full review of Disney's newest ship, including what worked, what didn't, and whether Disney cruises are still worth the premium price.
Plus, a quick dive into the Freddie Awards ballot, evolving airline and hotel loyalty value, and Ed's first experience with United's new "Elevate" cabin — including what they got right (and what still needs work).
Scroll down for show notes!
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✈️ What We Cover in This Episode
✈️ A cheaper way to fly (if you're willing to work for it)
- $650 flights vs a $67 Spirit ticket
- Positioning through Pensacola instead of Gulfport
- Why rental cars can beat rideshares and flights
✈️ The reality of domestic travel costs
- $110 rides to the airport vs $9 rides in smaller cities
- Why airport access can be the most expensive part of a trip
- When convenience is (and isn't) worth paying for
✈️ A discounted Disney Cruise experience
- Scoring a 65% off sailing
- Differences between older and newer ships
- Where Disney delivers — and where it falls short
✈️ Is Disney Cruise Line worth the price?
- Premium pricing vs real value
- When it makes sense for families
- Comparing Disney to other cruise lines
✈️ Cruise logistics and strategy
- Why you should never fly in the same day
- Positioning for cruise departures
- Avoiding stressful travel days
✈️ Freddie Awards discussion
- Best airline and hotel programs
- Where loyalty value still exists
- Why "utility" matters more than ever
✈️ United's new "Elevate" seat experience
- First impressions of the new business class
- Premium economy improvements
- Where design choices fall short in real-world use
✈️ The future of airline cabins
- More premium-heavy aircraft
- Tradeoffs between comfort and practicality
- Why execution still matters more than design
⏱️ Episode 431 Timestamps
0:49 – Richard returns and travel recap begins
4:00 – The true cost of getting to the airport
7:28 – Biloxi trip and why it still works as a destination
10:00 – $650 flight vs $67 Spirit alternative
13:42 – Why you should never fly same-day for a cruise
15:00 – Disney Destiny cruise review
20:00 – Where Disney cruises shine (and fall short)
25:00 – Freddie Awards and loyalty program value
30:10 – United's new Elevate seat experience
36:00 – Final thoughts and upcoming travel chaos
