A $67 Flight, a $3,200 Disney Cruise, and United's Big Upgrade Push

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. 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! Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ 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