🏝️ THE KEYS ROADTRIPPER

Hey Road Trippers,

Let me start with a little truth bomb:

My last trip to the Keys? $1,557 cheaper than my buddy Dave's.
Same dates. Same sunsets. Same rum punches.

The difference?
He booked like a tourist.
I booked like a local.

This week, I'm pulling back the curtain on how I plan Keys trips--without getting gouged by hidden fees, overpriced flights, or those sneaky "resort fees" that come out of nowhere.

Let's hit the road.

✈️ Flights: The Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale Showdown
Here's my actual cost breakdown from last month:

MIA: $287 roundtrip (American Airlines)
FLL: $219 roundtrip (Spirit)

The difference? $68 per person.

But wait – there's more to the equation:

• FLL means an extra 30 minutes of driving
• But rental cars at MIA were $24/day more expensive
• For a 5-day trip, that's $120 more just for the car

So even with the extra drive time, I saved $52 net by flying into FLL.

That said, if you hate Spirit or value those 30 minutes highly, MIA is still solid.

🧠 Travel Hack: Always check BOTH airports. The savings can swing wildly depending on the season, day of week, and airline sales.

🚗 The REAL Car Rental Breakdown

My actual costs last trip:

MIA: Avis wanted $47/day for a compact
FLL: Avis offered $23/day for the same car

I stick with Avis. Every. Single. Trip.

Why? Because I've built a relationship. That means free upgrades, faster pickups, and loyalty discounts that actually stack.

Last trip? I booked a compact at FLL. Asked nicely at the desk. Got a red Mustang convertible.

And yes, it made that Seven Mile Bridge drive extra cinematic.

🏨 Hotels: Use the Sites, Then Book Direct

Here's the play:

I browse Hotels.com and Priceline to scout properties and pricing.

Then I call the hotel directly, or even go directly to their website.

I ask if they can beat the online price--and they usually do.

Bonus: Once I'm booked, I get added to their email list. That's where the gold is--exclusive rates, upgrades, even free nights.

Last time, I stayed at Opal Key Resort for $227/night instead of $279 on Expedia.

🚨 REAL TALK: Resort Fees Are Here To Stay

Let's be honest – those pesky resort fees are unavoidable just about anywhere, not just in the Keys. Nobody's waiving them completely.

BUT...

What they don't tell you is that some properties will give you resort credit equal to the fee if you:

1. Are a loyalty member

2. Book direct

3. Stay 4+ nights

I got a $100/day food and beverage credit at Opal Key that offset the resort fee. Not a waiver, but functionally the same for my wallet.

📲 My "Travel Folder" That Saves Me Hundreds

I keep all my travel apps in one place on my phone. Here's what's inside:

✈️ American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta

🚗 Avis, AAA

🛏️ Hotels.com, Marriott Bonvoy, MGM Rewards

🔎 Flightradar24, Skiplagged, Priceline

🧠 PRO TIP: Create your own Travel Folder on your phone. One swipe and you're in deal-finding mode.

🍽️ Want the Best Deals in the Keys? Get on Their Email Lists
I'm talking restaurants, bars, excursions--any place you plan to hit.

Most tourists skip this. Don't be most tourists.

Some of the best deals I've scored came from being on the email list of places like:

Morada Bay Beach Café -- for their "Full Moon Party" tickets before they sell out

Fury Water Adventures -- early bird deals that save you 20% on snorkeling trips

Bahia Honda State Park -- to get notified when camping spots open up (they go FAST)

🍹 THIS WEEK'S FEATURED DRINK PARTNER 🍹

You know what makes a Keys sunset 10x better? The perfect cocktail.

My best friend runs Mixologist Master newsletter, and it's basically like smuggling a Keys bartender back home in your carry-on. For FREE!

Her latest Summer Trend Alert edition just dropped, and it's packed with drinks that capture that "toes in the sand" feeling – whether you're sipping on your Keys patio or just trying to bring some island vibes to your boring hometown.

And that Creamsicle Cocktail in her latest edition? It tastes like a Keys sunset in a glass.

Check it out: mixologistmaster.com

🏝️ LOCAL TIP OF THE WEEK
From Islamorada local Jen:

"Skip the packed beaches at peak hours. Instead, hit Bahia Honda at 8am or after 4pm – you'll have the place practically to yourself, AND you'll save on the entrance fee after 4pm."

💸 MY PERSONAL MONEY SAVING SCORECARD

⚡ QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU ⚡

What's your biggest frustration when planning a Keys trip?

Hit reply and let me know – I'll tackle the most common issues in next week's edition.

Until next time,
Brian
Florida Keys Road Trip

P.S. Got a friend who's planning a Keys trip? Forward them this email. They'll thank you when they're sipping that sunset cocktail without checking their bank balance first.