Airmiles Armchair Chatter

[mkmommy]

@bababear_50 sadly I have no future plans as yet. I keep jumping around with my ideas. I would love to, one more time, take a DCL cruise but with even more chaos in the US I'm really double/triple guessing this. I could just wait and book something a bit last minute, give time to watch for a bit and see what their future holds. Or maybe I'm being way to cautious and over thinking the whole thing. Mexico, who knows. Jamaica is getting a bit risky. We've been to the DR three times in the last year but I'm only there for the sun so it's not boring as yet. Been thinking about Tokyo Disney but who knows what Japan will do with this latest US bit. Time will tell. Yup, I'm definitely over thinking.

The receipts I sent Sunday still haven't posted. In fact the two that said 'Processing Receipt, This could take up to 2 minutes' still say 'Processing Receipt, This could take up to 2 minutes'. That's one long 2 minutes. Has that happened to anyone else? I went to use chat on the AM site but that no longer exists for human contact. You can only interact with Myles their chatbot. When did that happen? I just hope it all posts for March 1st or I won't get the bonus. Kp

How's everyone doing?

No idea what the future holds but I will say Tokyo and Tokyo Disney are amazing and if you have a chance to go you should.

I was there last September and thought it would be somewhere I only go once , but I am planning for a return trip. I heard some terrible stat that it is now cheaper to spend a week at Tokyo Disney then fly to Orlando and spend a week at Disney World.

 

[ottawamom]

Tokyo Disney is definitely on my bucket list. I just need to figure out which year to put that trip into.

 

[bababear_50]

Welcome Home Tink

Hugs to everyone trying to navigate travel now and in the future.

My surgeon is in the Country (he goes between New York and Toronto ) next Sat so I am going to get one or more of those scary looking cortisone shots this weekend,,, hope they work to help the pain.
I have a few questions for him.

I have been doing a light bounce routine on my rebounder for about a week now.

I definitely think I need a new Rheumatologist and am going to speak to my family Dr about getting a referral.


Hugs Mel

 

[momof2gr8kids]

My receipts that were under review since Sat finally posted this am. I got 25. So does that mean I'll get20X bonus on those?

I need to pay better attention!! Been busy watching grandkids and helping my dd pick out a new vehicle in my spare time, keeping me away from important disboards stuff!!

No travel plans for us here yet. Still waiting on another surgery date so at least my travel fund is growing from not going somewhere warm this year! Did get to help my friend's daughter plan her disney trip. Had to chuckle yesterday when she texted from MK asking me how to get out of there to the busses. LMAO

 

[kuhltiffany]

DH and I are definitely in our “trip” era, planning is becoming my new hobby. This summer we’re heading to New Zealand and I just booked a family cruise/time at a beach for Christmas to Puerto Rico (we know it’s technically part of the US but don’t want to hold it against them).

 

[dancin Disney style]

No idea what the future holds but I will say Tokyo and Tokyo Disney are amazing and if you have a chance to go you should.

I was there last September and thought it would be somewhere I only go once , but I am planning for a return trip. I heard some terrible stat that it is now cheaper to spend a week at Tokyo Disney then fly to Orlando and spend a week at Disney World.

It’s only cheaper to go if you live on the west coast of the US. Flights from there are very inexpensive. West coast of Canada would be helpful for us but from YYZ you will spend $1500-2000 per ticket. You can catch better prices but not on a regular basis and by better price that would be $1200ish.

 

[bababear_50]

This just posted for me
Hugs Mel

 

[tinkerone]

The Redeem Big Event starts today, is that correct? Want to make sure I'm reading it right.

 

[hdrolfe]

The Redeem Big Event starts today, is that correct? Want to make sure I'm reading it right.

That's correct! Starts March 5 and ends March 18

 

[bgula]

Reading the terms I can't redeem for Disney vouchers and get the offer as any voucher apparently has to be able to be redeemed at a Canadian business. Darn!

 

[tinkerone]

Reading the terms I can't redeem for Disney vouchers and get the offer as any voucher apparently has to be able to be redeemed at a Canadian business. Darn!

I'm going to give it a go anyways. I have plenty of AMs and they have added up quickly lately, nothing I really want so they have just accumulated. I ordered $700 Disney. No plans to go to Disney as yet, I really am watching very closely to what is going on there, but would like to eventually do a cruise. I figure if I don't use the gift cards my kids will at some point. Still leaves me with a pile of miles.
And if I do get the 20%, bonus! Either way, I'm not losing anything.

 

[bababear_50]

Can I redeem for Dollarama Gift Cards ? Then buy Disney gift cards in store with them?
Probably not eh?

Hugs Mel

Nope
Just checked Terms and conditions

 

[ottawamom]

Reading the terms I can't redeem for Disney vouchers and get the offer as any voucher apparently has to be able to be redeemed at a Canadian business. Darn!

I redeemed for a bunch of Disney e-vouchers last fall and used them at Disney (WDW) in December.

Here's what you need to do. Do you have an existing Disney GC in $Cdn? If not, buy one and have them put $25 (or whatever) on it. Register that card at Disney Gift Cards website. Once it's there you can enter your e-voucher onto your Disney Gift Card account and then trasfer those funds (e-voucher) over to your physical GC.

I had two different cards each with $400-500. Used them for food in the parks and shopping. Max you can put on one card is $1000 Cdn.

If you're worried about it working try one e-voucher first. I think they had the same conditions last fall when I got mine. You've got some time to try one before moving onto the $100 redemptions.

 

[ottawamom]

This is what the actual e-voucher looks like (that I got in November). The top of the voucher is a picture of the mickey card they amount of the e-voucher and my name along with card # and Pin. You'll need the card # and Pin to enter the infor on the Gift Card site.

 

[tinkerone]

I redeemed for a bunch of Disney e-vouchers last fall and used them at Disney (WDW) in December.

Here's what you need to do. Do you have an existing Disney GC in $Cdn? If not, buy one and have them put $25 (or whatever) on it. Register that card at Disney Gift Cards website. Once it's there you can enter your e-voucher onto your Disney Gift Card account and then trasfer those funds (e-voucher) over to your physical GC.

I had two different cards each with $400-500. Used them for food in the parks and shopping. Max you can put on one card is $1000 Cdn.

If you're worried about it working try one e-voucher first. I think they had the same conditions last fall when I got mine. You've got some time to try one before moving onto the $100 redemptions.

I think what they are saying is that they won't get the 20% in AMs back because you can't spend the Disney GC at a Canadian store. Canada no longer has Disney stores so you can only use them in the US. The terms state you need to be able to use them at a Canadian store. I don't think they are worried about if they will work for Disney out of the country but I could be wrong.
I'm hedging my bet and getting them anyways.

 

[ottawamom]

Missed that part. Thanks for pointing it out. I'll leave the post there in case anyone is wondering about adding cards to their account etc.

I just saw some of the new benefits for the BMO Blue World Elite M/C. It includes roadside assistance (basic) and 4 lounge passes (Dragon pass lounges). Changes on the cards are due to take effect on June 2, 2026. Of course that is 2 days after I return from Europe and could have used the lounge passes over there. I plan on getting rid of the card before November (when my next years fee is due) so I won't be able to use it in South America.

Might have to plan a summer trip out west to use the lounge passes.

 

[tinkerone]

For anyone who might have a BMO US MC, or probably any US card that has a fee, I phoned MC yesterday and asked them to waive the fee for the year. They had just charged the $49 fee to my account because I hadn't meet the spend limit to waive it. I told them that with what was happening in the US, I wasn't sure if we would keep it, that I would like a year to decide if it would still be beneficial since we were not traveling there as much. They okayed it and reversed the payment.
It's worth a call if you do have one and the fee goes through.
@ottawamom thanks for posting the new benefits.

 

[ottawamom]

I agree, in years past no issue with spending $3000 in the US. Even if I put a hotel stay before cruise along with excursions, thiis year, I don't think I will make it anywhere near $3000. The only way I could do it is if I purchased airfare on the United airlines US site. Our account isn't charged until December so I'm going to keep that suggestion in my back pocket for then.

I'm wondering if M/C would waive my annual fee for the first year under the new Blue banner. I'm not sure the new benefits are worth keeping. I liked the 25% discount on flights (on the Airmiles card), don't really need the roadside assistance, can take or leave the lounge access... Something to think about.

 

[tinkerone]

I agree, in years past no issue with spending $3000 in the US. Even if I put a hotel stay before cruise along with excursions, thiis year, I don't think I will make it anywhere near $3000. The only way I could do it is if I purchased airfare on the United airlines US site. Our account isn't charged until December so I'm going to keep that suggestion in my back pocket for then.

I'm wondering if M/C would waive my annual fee for the first year under the new Blue banner. I'm not sure the new benefits are worth keeping. I liked the 25% discount on flights (on the Airmiles card), don't really need the roadside assistance, can take or leave the lounge access... Something to think about.

To be honest, I'm not understanding the new Blue MCs. It's all very confusing. If I'm Elite with AMs now, what will I be when they rebrand and what benefits will come with whatever the new card is. I tried to figure it all out a few days ago and had to walk away. Between BMO now offering Visa and changing AMs to Blue Points (?) or changing to cash back, I don't know where to turn.
I can say, it was much easier when I was employed at BMO and had loads of training on changes and what product would fit who. But then again, there's lots to say about being retired . I see my BMO financial planner to go over a few items next week so I'll talk with him about it then and hopefully find out a few things. My old brain just can't handle it.

ETA- when your yearly fee goes through on the Elite card under the new banner, call and use the same sort of line. 'I'm not sure if it is worth it to keep the card, I'd like a bit of time to figure it all out. Would you be able to waive the fee so I can make a decision on what to do?'. They almost always waive it just so they can keep you. I have never had it turned down and I have called for many many clients. Have done it for myself during Covid. Worth the phone call.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Missed that part. Thanks for pointing it out. I'll leave the post there in case anyone is wondering about adding cards to their account etc.

I just saw some of the new benefits for the BMO Blue World Elite M/C. It includes roadside assistance (basic) and 4 lounge passes (Dragon pass lounges). Changes on the cards are due to take effect on June 2, 2026. Of course that is 2 days after I return from Europe and could have used the lounge passes over there. I plan on getting rid of the card before November (when my next years fee is due) so I won't be able to use it in South America.

Might have to plan a summer trip out west to use the lounge passes.

You still have to pay to get in the lounges with Dragon Pass. Depending on the lounge location it’s $35-75. Dragon Pass is such a scam, it’s just membership that allows you to pre book lounge entrance.