Need suggestions for first foreign trip

[navonline7]

We are a family of four, 2 adults and 2 kids. I'm looking for suggestions around countries for my family's first foreign trip. The trip would be sometime early next year. Looking for a country that has VoA or gives visa without much hassles.

Want to cover hotels, and if possible flights, through Amex MRs and Atlas miles. Have around 240000 MRs and 30K Atlas miles. Don't have any status with any hotel chains or airlines. I'm new to the miles game. Have only done a couple of domestic redemptions at ITC hotels during the Magnus era.

Any suggestions wrt to countries, hotels, flights, and other related things would be extremely helpful.

 

[akshayhs]

Vietnam for cheap and best but comfortable travel. Singapore is my second choice.

 

[navonline7]

Visa for both the countries is fairly straightforward? Any suggestions on redemptions?

 

[akshayhs]

Yes, fairly straightforward. Vietnam Visa is around 1200-1350 rupees per indivdual if am not wrong and they process correctly filled applications in 48-72hrs. They also provide VOA but I booked and then flew just for the process to be smooth.

 

[dexter_greycells]

Dubai seems the least headache and fun to me.

 

[navonline7]

Any specific properties you can suggest based on the points I hold?

 

[KLB@96]

Malaysia, just book tickets and land in KUL airport. Just need to fill one MDAC form which can be filled while standing in KUL immigration or 3 days before trip also. KUL city is well connected with public transport, have grab apps , good for shopping also. Internal flights are cheap too. Like other suggested Vietnam is also very good but language may be little issue but manageable. Visas should be applied carefully and within 3-4 days you'll receive visa. overall would suggest Malaysia.

 

[PrinceHeart]

We are a family of four, 2 adults and 2 kids. I'm looking for suggestions around countries for my family's first foreign trip. The trip would be sometime early next year. Looking for a country that has VoA or gives visa without much hassles.

Want to cover hotels, and if possible flights, through Amex MRs and Atlas miles. Have around 240000 MRs and 30K Atlas miles. Don't have any status with any hotel chains or airlines. I'm new to the miles game. Have only done a couple of domestic redemptions at ITC hotels during the Magnus era.

Any suggestions wrt to countries, hotels, flights, and other related things would be extremely helpful.

Is roughly 288000 marriott points, if you transfer all your amex mr points to marriott.

On an average 20k points per night, you can use upto 14 nights in 4star properties in a twin-bed occupancy. Or if you need 2 rooms, thats approx value will change to around 7 nights.

Now the countries.. thailand and malaysia are visa free for indian passport holders these days. You can do 5 nights thailand (3 nights bangkok + 2 nights pataya), then move to malaysia for 2 nights in KL.

Choose airasia for cheap flights. You can use travel edge website for few flight tickets. Book 1 and half month to 3 months in advance, you will get pretty decent price.

If its a 14 nights, for 1 room, then you can either increase the number of nights in each place, for a more relaxed vacation.

Or you can add other countries to your list, like Laos, and Vietnam in your list, for a trio or quad vacation for the whole family.

I suggested asia, as it will be your 1st international trip. There are more chances to meet other indians during your trip. Plus the indian currency value will be more in asian countries.

You can choose other countries as well, including bangladesh, sri lanka, and indonesia.

I did not suggest singapore and dubai, as the cost per person per day will increase drastically. If you travel, you will surely go visit places, and it will cost entry tickets etc. Per day tour cost for 4 people in singapore will be around 20k and around 30k in dubai. And ofcourse, this is just an estimate.

Happy travels. And do share your story and pics.