Airmiles Armchair Chatter

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Hi Hon
I mean come on AMEX people are having to cancel all sorts of things right now. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I recently dumped my WestJet card,,,I need no more WestJet dollars right now and am going with PC Mastercard too.
I hope Disney is able to help you out.
Hugs
Mel

Thanks Mel. I found out late last night that the reason I am probably having to jump through hoops is because on Monday a (now former) Disney CM was arrested and charged for processing refunds of over $100K to herself and her family. It makes me wonder if one of the credit card companies she processed refunds on was AMEX. But if that was the case, AMEX should have been honest with me and advised that as a result of some recent fraud related to refunds related to Disney, that they require additional information and that it needs to be confirmed by Disney that the credits are valid and to what transaction they relate (my guess because the refund amount was less than the purchase amount - tried to explain that it was for the days the parks were closed, not a full refund of our AP). If they had explained it that way, I would have had no issue with contacting Disney to get the requested information. I am also guessing that I will need to jump through hoops come September when Disney does process the remaining refund of my AP.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thanks Mel. I found out late last night that the reason I am probably having to jump through hoops is because on Monday a (now former) Disney CM was arrested and charged for processing refunds of over $100K to herself and her family. It makes me wonder if one of the credit card companies she processed refunds on was AMEX. But if that was the case, AMEX should have been honest with me and advised that as a result of some recent fraud related to refunds related to Disney, that they require additional information and that it needs to be confirmed by Disney that the credits are valid and to what transaction they relate (my guess because the refund amount was less than the purchase amount - tried to explain that it was for the days the parks were closed, not a full refund of our AP). If they had explained it that way, I would have had no issue with contacting Disney to get the requested information. I am also guessing that I will need to jump through hoops come September when Disney does process the remaining refund of my AP.

Rather likely that the person you spoke with had no idea why further documentation is required. Remember these are just people in a call centre reading only what is on the screen in front of them. What jumps out at me is that you said you have had a few other refund cheques in the past few months......seems possible to me that your account has now been flagged because that's not a common thing to happen

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Rather likely that the person you spoke with had no idea why further documentation is required. Remember these are just people in a call centre reading only what is on the screen in front of them. What jumps out at me is that you said you have had a few other refund cheques in the past few months......seems possible to me that your account has now been flagged because that's not a common thing to happen

I guess it doesn't pay to have multiple trips planned and paid for when a pandemic happens and you are unable to travel. I am hoping Disney can provide me with sufficient information for AMEX.

 

[bababear_50]

Edited to add:
Careful review of the flyers has caused me to change my mind--off to PC Point collecting this week.
No Airmiles for me.



Hugs
Mel

 

[ottawamom]

I hope I get some decent offers from Metro and Sobeys. There isn't much in the flyer to entice me to shop at either store (Aimiles related) right now.

I used to look forward to Wednesday morning. Anticipating the AM deals for the week were a highlight to my hump-day morning. No longer. I'm back to just getting the minimum groceries needed to get us through the next few days. Shopping has lost it's shine. Come on Airmiles give us something to get excited about again. Life in a pandemic is hard. Give us something to get us excited about.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I hope I get some decent offers from Metro and Sobeys. There isn't much in the flyer to entice me to shop at either store (Aimiles related) right now.

I used to look forward to Wednesday morning. Anticipating the AM deals for the week were a highlight to my hump-day morning. No longer. I'm back to just getting the minimum groceries needed to get us through the next few days. Shopping has lost it's shine. Come on Airmiles give us something to get excited about again. Life in a pandemic is hard. Give us something to get us excited about.

I find shopping is just an ordeal now. I went to Home Depot for 2 things and that turned into nearly 90 minutes. I had to get a pair of running shoes and another ordeal....had to line up for 40 minutes just to get in and then once inside they were being very strict about where you could walk, try things on etc. I’m glad that places are being that way but for me now I feel like EVERYTHING is the equivalent of your most hated task.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

I agree with both of you above about shopping. I'm not a big shopper to begin with. I don't like the crowds and dealing with all the people and don't get me started on the energy in some of those places. But grocery shopping has become a chore. I used to enjoy getting up with the dh, grab a little breakfast, lists in hand, get what we needed for the week. It was a fun little thing to do together. We tried to make it fun. Not anymore. It's find what's on the list, and get out of the store. I haven't done much other shopping other than going to the mall once. I took a late lunch, to go to the mall when I knew it would NOT be busy, run into the store I wanted to...get what I was looking for, then out again.

Online shopping is probably mostly what I will be doing for clothes and shoes in the coming months. I just don't want to be in a mall or store unless I really have to right now.
And our little city has not had many active cases, we are " spiking " right now at 9 active cases, and they are all from one business an their related households. But I just have zero desire to be out and about.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I guess it doesn't pay to have multiple trips planned and paid for when a pandemic happens and you are unable to travel. I am hoping Disney can provide me with sufficient information for AMEX.

so sad. you try to be responsible and all, paying your bills before they're due .... I feel ya - I am like that too.

I also hated shopping before all this. I agree with ottawamom I looked forward to Wednesdays, and honestly I am almost always checking the flyer for the first time on Saturday LOL

 

[MoreTravels]

I was an Onyx member last year. I am not sure what to do with the Air Miles any more. Disney tickets have expiration date and travel expenses are down with pandemic. If I want to collect toaster or vacuum cleaner, it would be better to collect cash back.

I have over 5 digits sum of AM and not sure if I will continue to do those Mega event runs. I end up spending more on unnecessary things and earning useless miles.

 

[bababear_50]

After careful review of the Flyers I am now out. NO airmiles again this week for me.
Too many good deals on PC Points.

**My current Airmiles game plan**
I switched to cash only because I like that Ubereats,,Starbucks and Digital Movies are available right now. (All online stuff).
Every time I look at the Merchandise section right now the amount of points is just to high on everything.


Hugs
Mel

 

[Debbie]

O/T Off Topic
cleaning the garage out,,,,,,.......
what to do with a big bin of Disney memories,,like lots of stuff.
I know they are just memories but I still can't trash them.
Things like Year Of a million dreams lanyards,old plastic cards etc.
What do you do with your stuff?

Hugs
Mel

Mel, after going through my mom's stuff a couple of years ago, I know that I don't want my kids to go through that-and she'd already tossed most stuff! When I come across memorbilia of any sort, I take a pic and put it on our family FB group. If no one wants the things posted, I cheerfully gift it to one of the charity thrift shops. I'm at a stage in my life that I don't need a lot of, er, stuff. We haven't bought souvenirs from WDW in years. And the only souvenirs I buy on my cruises are Christmas ornaments from each ship/port. BTW....kids want very little. I was surprised with the stuffies. One claimed the Bell Hop (ToT style) for Dixie Landings, and one wanted a princess Minnie. The rest are being enjoyed by someone, somewhere.

Hi Hon
I mean come on AMEX people are having to cancel all sorts of things right now. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I recently dumped my WestJet card,,,I need no more WestJet dollars right now and am going with PC Mastercard too.
I hope Disney is able to help you out.
Hugs
Mel

I still have my Westjet card, but it is getting no use at the moment. PCMC and my Visa that gets cash back are what I use except for LCBO, Foodland, Metro, and Shell.

 

[hdrolfe]

Today has been crazy so I haven't even looked at flyers yet! Kiddo fell off his bike yesterday while out with a friend, broke his arm. I wasn't sure last night, it was a little swollen but he could still move it so we put ice on and waited over night. It was still swollen and sore this morning so we went off to the ER. Five hours later, home with a splint that apparently isn't very sturdy. He has a buckle fracture. I guess it's good we don't have a trip planned this summer!

I have had a quick look at the flyers and don't really see anything AM worthy, which kind of sucks since I have offers for earning 80 to get 60 and also a BMO offer for airmilesshop, which I truly hate doing. I still want to keep saving them up, I am sure I will be able to travel again someday and being able to use them for flights or a hotel night is a good deal to me. I do understand that it hasn't been easy to earn them lately though, I get a few each week, some weeks are better than others, but I only get them on things I need any way. I really miss Rexall, I needed to buy bandaids and stuff today and could have used a few AM on that purchase.

 

[bababear_50]

Healing Hugs being sent your way Heather,,hope he heals well!
Hugs
Mel

 

[alohamom]

Just wanted to tell you all that I did the spend $100 at Sobeys last week, get 5X this week and I have shopped twice at Sobeys this week. Both times I got 5x the Airmiles. On Monday I came out with 95 total AMs and today I came out with 45 total. I had spent just over $100 today so my 5 translated to 45. I wish they would do this every week.

 

[isabellea]

Mel, after going through my mom's stuff a couple of years ago, I know that I don't want my kids to go through that-and she'd already tossed most stuff! When I come across memorbilia of any sort, I take a pic and put it on our family FB group. If no one wants the things posted, I cheerfully gift it to one of the charity thrift shops. I'm at a stage in my life that I don't need a lot of, er, stuff. We haven't bought souvenirs from WDW in years. And the only souvenirs I buy on my cruises are Christmas ornaments from each ship/port. BTW....kids want very little. I was surprised with the stuffies. One claimed the Bell Hop (ToT style) for Dixie Landings, and one wanted a princess Minnie. The rest are being enjoyed by someone, somewhere.
I still have my Westjet card, but it is getting no use at the moment. PCMC and my Visa that gets cash back are what I use except for LCBO, Foodland, Metro, and Shell.

My new favourite souvenir from our trips are beach towels. Practical and we always remember some good moments of that trip when using a towel at the pool or the beach. We also collect Christmas ornaments. We are planning a big remodel next year and I plan on being ruthless on tossing stuff.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

UPDATE: WDW replied to my email and provided the necessary information to support the transactions. I called AMEX tonight and the representative tonight told me that there was no issue with the fact that I had received several cheques for credit balances - the issue was because the purchase and credit were issued under different names. I have now uploaded a copy of the email from WDW to AMEX and I am keeping my fingers crossed they issue my cheque.

 

[bababear_50]

Interesting article about Sobeys parent company's plans for the future.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/top...ategy/ar-BB174lHu?li=AAgh0dA&ocid=hplocalnews

Hugs
Mel

 

[kerreyn]

My new favourite souvenir from our trips are beach towels. Practical and we always remember some good moments of that trip when using a towel at the pool or the beach. We also collect Christmas ornaments. We are planning a big remodel next year and I plan on being ruthless on tossing stuff.

I collect tea towels - like you, they’re practical and don’t take up much space. We usually get a new Christmas ornament every trip, and my guilty pleasure is a new Pandora charm per trip. I’ve debated getting into the Alex and Ani bracelets and have held off so far, but may just pick up a couple on our 2021 trip.

 

[marchingstar]

Today has been crazy so I haven't even looked at flyers yet! Kiddo fell off his bike yesterday while out with a friend, broke his arm. I wasn't sure last night, it was a little swollen but he could still move it so we put ice on and waited over night. It was still swollen and sore this morning so we went off to the ER. Five hours later, home with a splint that apparently isn't very sturdy. He has a buckle fracture. I guess it's good we don't have a trip planned this summer!

I have had a quick look at the flyers and don't really see anything AM worthy, which kind of sucks since I have offers for earning 80 to get 60 and also a BMO offer for airmilesshop, which I truly hate doing. I still want to keep saving them up, I am sure I will be able to travel again someday and being able to use them for flights or a hotel night is a good deal to me. I do understand that it hasn't been easy to earn them lately though, I get a few each week, some weeks are better than others, but I only get them on things I need any way. I really miss Rexall, I needed to buy bandaids and stuff today and could have used a few AM on that purchase.

I hope that arm heals up quickly! We had to take our kid to the ER this month too...if only accidents didn’t happen mid-pandemic!

I agree that earning has been impossible lately. I’m not earning, but I’m not quite jumping ship yet either. I’ve looked for merchandise we’d use but nothing feels worth my miles, so they’re sitting untouched for now. I like the way you think though...optimism we’ll put them towards great trips in the future!

 

[ottawamom]

@hdrolfe hope your little guy is feeling better. It's hard to have a cast on in the summer.

I agree with everyone that earning a few miles each week has been a challenge of late. I hope I have some good deals at Sobeys because I forgot I qualified for the 5X AM this week. It would be nice to get a few extra AM.