If you’ve been following this blog for the last few years, you already know that it’s not a place to come to if you are looking for curated content and a pleasant “lady blogger” persona. I’m far more likely to post a photo of my son picking his nose while standing in line to the MET museum in the rain (yep, I’ve done it).
Of course, as I often remind myself:
Not every argument or squabble needs to be broadcast to strangers on the internet, but the following exchange is travel related, so here it goes.
As I’ve mentioned in my earlier post, I had a plan to visit Washington DC in the spring of this year. Eventually the idea was abandoned for a multitude of reasons. However, writing about it recently made me revisit it again. After all, my daughter will be going to Junior High next year so presumably, it will be harder for us to take her out of school.
Plus, I have over 100k Southwest points that are burning a hole in my pocket. So I figured I would take a look at what fares to DC are running in the early spring. That’s like an alcoholic deciding to make a quick visit to a bar just to see what types of drinks they are selling. Never a good idea.
Anyway, as it turns out, the fares to DC are somewhat reasonable and would cost 15,000 points roundtrip if we departed from Tampa airport. What’s nice is that we could leave on a Thursday evening and come back on a Sunday. That way the kids as well as my husband would only miss one day of school/work.
As many of you know, hitting a peak of cherry blossoms in DC can be a bit unpredictable. Going at the end of March is usually a good bet, but it doesn’t always work out. Fortunately, you can change Southwest points bookings at no cost, so this is an ideal type of currency for this kind of a trip.
Something else that intrigued me was using our “last hoorah” uncapped IHG certificates for a two-night stay in InterContinental Willard, a super fancy historic property that has been hosting presidents and various dignitaries since 1816. Standard rooms that are bookable on points have two queen beds, so they would fit my family of four.
This is the case of “use it or lose it” because there is no way I would spend 70,000 IHG points per night on this hotel. In fact, since I only have 45k points, we would have to schlep to a different property for our third night.
Still, I got pretty excited and decided to approach my husband with the idea of going to DC. His response was: “You know I can’t say No to you.” I’ll take it. So, I went ahead and burned points on Southwest flights, and switched my IHG certificates from Kimpton Vero Beach property in Florida to IC Willard.
Afterwards I told my husband about some of the logistics and he goes: “Well, I’ll do it. But I’m not going to like it.” I should have stayed quiet, but instead I said that I really wish he would get more excited about trips.
Cue the sarcastic rant:
My husband: “You know what? You are right. I should be more excited. What can be better than working all week only to have to drive to Tampa for 1.5 hours, get on the plane and fly for three nights to DC where I’ve been to twice already? After landing I can’t wait to fiddle with Uber app which may or may not work. Remember San Francisco?
And of course, nothing beats sharing one room with two kids who often won’t settle down till midnight due to excitement of being in a hotel. And I’m really looking forward to carrying our son through the Smithsonian after he gets tired, which will probably only take 10 minutes max.”
I go: “And I haven’t even told you the best part. We would have to switch hotels after two nights.”
My husband: “Wow, this is definitely the best part. Now I’m really excited!”
In reality, the exchange was more of a banter than a real fight, but I really felt like a jerk afterwards. He said he would go, but it wasn’t enough for me. I wanted him to be excited too.
Needless to say, I canceled the trip and will revisit this topic when the kids are older. I definitely want them to tour the Smithsonian museums as well as other famous DC landmarks. However, this a trip that can wait till my son no longer asks to be carried in public.
And honestly, as nice as Willard property is, a Hyatt Place with three beds and free breakfast would probably suit our needs better. See Nancy’s post on visiting DC with kids for 48 hours
This is something I struggle with. I like to explore and fly somewhere every few months. My husband is the opposite. He is happiest at home, surrounded by his family. Somehow I need to find a healthy balance where we both get what we want. Developing…
Click here to view various credit cards and available sign-up bonuses
Author: Leana
Leana is the founder of Miles For Family. She enjoys beach vacations and visiting her family in Europe. Originally from Belarus, Leana resides in central Florida with her husband and two children.
Thanks for sharing! It was really tough to get my hubby onboard for a vacation when he was working. He’s been retired now for a few years, and has totally changed. Now he asks where we’re going next and makes suggestions. Think I’m the one getting burned out! Lol Love to hear about other woman who love this hobby, plus their hubby’s not that interested. When you read flyertalk, it seems to be a male thing. My 2 sons do all the trip planning for their families. One son asked tons of questions about this hobby and has taken off on it now, but his stay at home wife wants nothing to do with it.
@Lynn Women in this hobby are definitely outliers! It’s very much a man’s world, in more ways than one.
I don’t blame my husband for feeling this way. Yesterday he came home at 8:30 PM after working in a town that’s 1 hour away. He has a lot on his plate and looks forward to weekends so he can rehcarge, not carry my son through a museum. He is usually a good sport when it comes to travel, but I have to be reasonable. I don’t think it’s fair to ask to go places on a regular basis. Plus, we can’t really afford it.
After debating back and forth, I am going to blow our last uncapped IHG
certs on IC Sydney. I won’t say that we are going all the way to Sydney just to have our last hurrah to use these certs, but it is one of the many reasons. We will go on a road trip afterwards to NZ.
Remember that our economy waxes and wanes in cycles. The economy has been growing for the last 10 years. People have been spending monies, and unemployment rate is at a historical low. Banks are understandably tightening sign up bonuses and eliminating card benefits. When the economy dips, the banks will have to loosen the sign up bonuses again and offer better perks to lure and retain customers. It doesn’t have to be a case of “oh I will never get to stay at this hotel I have my eyes on, ever”. I am positive you will stay at IC Willard someday, or some other equally aspirational property to you, when your family is ready.????
@Winnie I don’t think one needs an excuse to visit Australia and New Zealand. Enjoy! I wish we had more time in NZ. What an incredible place. My in-laws were very impressed by Queenstown and the surrounding area.
On economy and credit card offers, you are absolutely right, of course. Although I doubt IHG Card will ever offer uncapped yearly certificates. That perk was way too generous and frankly, I’m surprised it lasted this long. I do hope they raise the cutoff to 50k points per night.
I would like to stay in Willard but with kids, it will most likely be a Hyatt Place if we make it to DC. Hopefully I can use my renewal certs for two nights.
What a refreshing post. Thanks Leana!
@Natasha Thank you! Well, I try to keep it real even if it ain’t pretty. 🙂
I appreciate this post and for being honest about trip planning.
I sometimes feel disappointed when my husband doesn’t show as much excitement as me for the family trips that I plan all by myself for all of us to enjoy. But I have to keep reminding myself that what I enjoy (trip planning/day dreaming) doesn’t have to be his cup of tea too. He is very appreciative after the trip and will say so, so for that I am thankful that my efforts/time are appreciated. He likes sightseeing while I like to lounge at the pool. So we have to compromise about the activities during vacation.
Thanks for this reminder.
P.S. your blog has inspired me to blog about my travels.
@Lea That’s the first time someone said that I inspired them to start blogging. Thank you so much! I think I usually have the opposite reaction. 🙂
My family dynamic is very much like yours. My husband isn’t into planning and he doesn’t get excited about trips. At all. He does usually enjoy them, but I have to be reasonable. I like to constantly be on the go, and he likes his downtime. So I try to have balance, though I’m not always successful.
I already blog but for book reviews/food/lifestyle…but now I want to add travel hack/tips too. I get so many questions on social media that I’d rather just point them to a post instead of explaining again.
The IC Willard was not even in my radar until this post so good to know about this hotel and history (learning a lot about hotels/destination from this blog, especially East Coast locations).
I checked and my industry discount is $99+tax (when available) for this hotel so that was a great surprise. My son is 5 so probably won’t be heading to Washington DC until later in her elementary years.
@Lea Wow, $99 is incredibly cheap for this hotel!
I’m all about simplicity when it comes to hotels. We only change hotels if we’re on a road trip…it’s not worth it to my family to repack and and move for just a night. But I’m with you Leana, I saw the IC Willard and wanted to stay there so badly, but I needed 6 nights.
I’m sure you’ll figure something out for Spring Break…you have so many options with Southwest. I noticed we didn’t have an adult only trip planned for this year so I asked hubby if we have $2k left at the end of this year if he wouldn’t mind flying to Maine to do a road trip. He was really excited at the thought…now I’m planning away 🙂
I meant to say that we took our kids when they were 10 and 13….so much easier to deal with especially with all the walking. I don’t do well with whiny kids who need to be carried.
@Stephanie Yeah, that IC Willard property was seriously calling my name. I think that’s what started the ball rolling on the whole thing. I just hated the idea of missing out on such a unique property. But honestly, staying in Hyatt Place all three nights just makes so much more sense for my family.
I do think waiting till my son is 10 is prudent. Thanks for your advice!
This makes me laugh actually. I’m glad we’re not the only ones! My husband really likes to travel, but I’m the one who would change hotels 3x just to book them all with points or take advantage of some great deal whereas he wants simplicity and will tell me just stay put even if it costs more. I suppose he balances me out! 🙂
@Tammie Miles and points hobby can certainly complicate trips! It’s tempting to reduce cash outlay even if it involves inconvenience and changing hotels. If the other spouse isn’t into points, it’s hard or them to understand the logic behind it. I have to remind myself to try to keep it simple for the sake of peace.
Planning on using my free night at the Willard later this year, and using 70k IHG points for second night for a 2 day weekend. I’ve never been to the hotel – not worth 70k?
@TMount I’m sure it is worth 70k Points. In my case, I only have 45k IHG points, so it would require a hefty cash copay. If you have a decent stash, then go for it.
My husband and I have the same discussions. I like to travel every 3 months or so. Since he travels for work a few times a month, he doesn’t want to travel for pleasure unless it’s somewhere he really wants to go, like Australia/New Zealand. Would your SIL or another relative be open to going on this trip with you and your kids so that you could still go? Those are great prices for SW fares, and the hotel sounds awesome. However, even the mention of Washington, D.C. makes me tired. It was so much schlepping around!
@Nancy I don’t think DC is happening this year, unfortunately. Bye bye IC Willard. 🙁 My SIL is an accountant, so spring is a very busy time of year for her. I could take the kids by myself, but then I would be the one carrying my son through museums. Nope!
I am in total awe of you taking three (!) kids by yourself.
That’s real life right there. Appreciate the struggle and keep us posted!
@Askia Yes, the struggle is definitely real! My husband balances me out, and that’s a good thing.