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.

 

[dexter_greycells]

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.

For the first time in my life I have seen an Indian recommend Bangladesh as a tourist option. Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan have always been there but Bangladesh is unheard of. Personally know anyone who visited Bangladesh just as a tourist?

 

[PrinceHeart]

For the first time in my life I have seen an Indian recommend Bangladesh as a tourist option. Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan have always been there but Bangladesh is unheard of. Personally know anyone who visited Bangladesh just as a tourist?

Personally no. But i follow few youtubers and have known few people from bangladesh. So i always wants to visit that country, when time permits. Specially for its famous biriyani.

 

[Vas2398]

Singapore or Dubai is the best.
Singapore Visa is very easy to get max in a week... I got in 2 days...cost 2500/appx .

Check Accor... stayed in Novotel Kitchener(WITH BREAKFAST) for 6 nights in 76k... Paid with 38000 accor points.just 16 dollars tax in cash.
Very near to MRT. Any tourist place from here is singapore(except Zoo) is just 30 mins away... Lot of Indian food options outside.

Flights - Indigo is cheap.
If you have miles, try singapore airlines - 20000 miles + taxes per person. Food+ seat + Inflight entertainment included.
In spontaneous escapes(run every month in singapore airlines website from 15th to month end) - 14000 miles + tax per person for next month tickets.

Best thing with singapore is travelling is a lot easier... No cabs required.
Indian food easily found.
Took home made snacks... Every place(including Universal studios) allow own food/snacks.
Ate breakfast at hotel.. and snacks during lunch... Had dinner on four days. 2 in Mcdonald and 2 times in Little India.

Mustafa center is very near to Novotel. Bought some fruits though double cost compared to India...
so many Mcdonalds ... One Mcdonald is opposite to Novotel... Mcsaver meal almost same price as India.



I heard Dubai is also very good for a first time travel.

 

[navonline7]

Thank you so much everyone for pitching in with your ideas. I'm considering Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.

 

[sky_walker_rules]

+ Thailand to consider