Caroline, one of our Facebook Group members recently traveled to Florida to hit up some National Parks (Everglades, Biscayne, Dry Tortugas) and had some creative ways to cut down on the cost using a mix of credit card perks and military specific benefits. Read below to see how she did it:
Tip: All National Parks are free for active duty military (renew yearly) and free for veterans (get a lifetime card). You can pick up these cards in person on the first day of visiting the NP with military or veteran ID. Learn more HERE
Itinerary
Day 1: Everglades National Park.
What we did: Shark Valley Tram Tour (military discount).
Sleep: Holiday Inn Express Florida City (booked 2 rooms for 2 nights at approx. $90 per night). Booked using cash due to lost cost, and I prefer to use IHG points when booking 3 days get 4th free promotion. . Used United Club $75 IHG credit and used Amex $50 off IHG promotion on $250 spend (a targeted Amex promotion around March/April 2024).
Hotel review: Your average Holiday Inn Express. We have Diamond status and received no upgrade, but there is nothing to upgrade into at this location. Hot breakfast was not available as “stove” was broken. Not a whole lot of dining choices around the area, however makes a good location for visiting both biscayne NP and everglades NP. Maybe would have done the IHG Intercontinental Doral Miami with free night certificates if not traveling with another couple.
Dining: Texas Roadhouse (military discount, 10%, there were also 10% coupons for it at the hotel).
Day 2: Biscayne National Park.
What we did: Heritage of Biscayne Cruise, out of homestead. We enjoyed the 3.5 hour cruise, it docked at boca chica on our day. It was nice to get off and walk around there. Good history tour of Biscayne NP. This company also has more adventurous options such as snorkeling Biscayne, pending the ages of those you are traveling with.
Dining: Sake Thai & Sushi Bar in Homestead. Had Pad Thai it was average.
Sleep: Holiday Inn Express Florida City
Day 3: Everglades National Park
What we did: Flamingo Boat Tour (https://flamingoeverglades.com). Did the Backcountry boat tour option. (Considered using a different company for an airboat ride, however due to reported noise of airboats this was deemed better for young children.)
Lunch: Flamingo restaurant (military discount)
Drove to Key West
Sleep: Navy MWR Key West 3-bedroom town home (167/night) on Trumbo Navy air station. Had a full kitchen, washer, and dryer. Lacking updated aesthetics, but was very clean and the bed was comfortable. Amazing price in Key West especially because it was for 3 bedrooms, this usually has to be booked several months out for availability.
Day 4: Key West
What we did: See Key West MWR ticket sale options.
Park free at Trumbo Navy air station. 5 min walk to Duval Loop free pink line bus.
Truman Home (military discount).
Ernest Hemmingway House (military discount).
Coast Guard Cutter USCG Ingham Trou (military discount).
Dinner: Chico’s Cantina. Food was good, but portions were a little smaller than desired.
Sleep: Hyatt Vacation Club Beach House (Purchased via a timeshare presentation promotion, over a year ago signed up for a 4-night promotion for 2 bedroom (washer/dryer/full kitchen etc) at Key West for $1095, came with 25,000 hyatt points (I negotiated for an extra 15,000, so total of 40,000 hyatt points). This promotional package was offered at the end of a prior 3 night Sedona package presentation. See current available initial presentation public offers HERE.
Day 5: Key West
What we did:
Morning: Enjoyed Hyatt Beach House pool. Great for young children, has a zero entry pool and sand around cabanas to play in.
Afternoon: Went to Hyatt Vacation Club promotion (papa pete, prior navy, was our presenter, low pressure, we did not purchase and have never bought a timeshare. They offered the same 4 night offer we stayed on again, we didn’t buy another. You can always book the cheaper 3 night promotions online (one a year allowed).
Dinner: El Siboney Stock Island (Cuban) Great food. They request a 1-hour call ahead for paella. The Paella feeds 4 to 6, it provided for us 2 nights worth of dinners for 4 adults. Highly Recommend (best food I had in the area).
Sleep: Hyatt Vacation Club Beach House
Day 6: Key West
What we did: Dry Tortuga National Park. Via Yankee Freedom Ferry (military discount). AMAZING Tour guide with Yankee Freedom (he is prior Army 11B). https://www.drytortugas.com/tickets/
They provide breakfast (bagel, yogurt) and lunch (Jersey Mike’s Sub).
Sleep: Hyatt Vacation Club Beach House (see above deal)
Day 7: Key West
What we did:
Morning: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (all Florida state parks have free admission for any veteran with a VA disability card, covers the whole carload of people. Couple we traveled with had this. Just present your VA disability card at the entrance.). Free parking on site, recommend going in morning, long line in afternoon to enter.
Afternoon: Parked at Trumbo Navy air station for free. Took free Duval pink bus loop.
First legal rum distillery. Free Tours and free samples. Military discount on bottles.
Dinner: Two Friends Patio Restaurant. Average.
Sleep: Hyatt Vacation Club Beach House
If you’re looking for a fun National Park Adventure, this sounds like a lot of fun!
If you have a success story using credit card points + miles or other military specific discounts and you would like to share, feel free to submit one HERE
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