I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Alexle2007]

I have a question specific to redeeming UR’s for a Universal stay. We have 2 different weeks to chose from and are struggling with comparing points and cost value. We are paying for airfare with cash as we have United redemption certificates to use. We are also trying to weigh the benefit of paying for club and try to factor in when would be less busy.

Option 1:

Weds to Weds (Before President’s Day)
Airfare Cost is $350 more with this option but resort costs for RPR are less:

2 Queen — $314.66 or 20,977 points
2 Queen Club — $518.72 or 34,647 points

Option 2:

Tues to Tues (After President’s Day/during Mardi Gras) — airfare is $350 less this week, but hotel is more:

2 Queen — $435.43 or 29,028 points
2 Queen Club — $556.86 or 37,124 points

I get so focused on the dollar value, but DH is more focused on what we will pay out of pocket, and so he thinks paying $350 less in airfare with cash is more important, but really neither of us are really sure which is the better way to go?? I find it hard to look at it as “just points”. Also, For option number one, it doesn’t make sense to me for us to pay club level with it being 14,000 points more, which would be $140 cash per night. Am I evaluating this properly?

I have the points now to reserve a 2 room Queen under Option 1, but if we want to do club, I will need to wait until my additional points hit in one week. What are the odds the cost will increase from now until then?

Are you getting APs for Universal? If so, those rates won’t be out for some time and you’ll want to compare them. Sometimes it’s cheaper even to just get one AP for the room discount. I think Universal typically has AP discounts during that period.

 

[calypso726]

I’ve never seen it. What show would you compare it to?

It’s not like anything I’ve watched before. But I’d sum it up to the quick wit and banter from Gilmore Girls and a Dapper Day costume department.

so @SouthFayetteFan the benevolent dictator
@amalone1013 the princess of shunville
@Lain the spreadsheet wizard
@calypso726 Queen on PlanePrinceLand

? i think?

Haha! Wait until I tell the Plane Princess that I got an upgrade to Queen!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Dropping in real fast to ask if anyone has booked rewards flights on Spirit? Before I got wise to this, I was suckered by Spirit to get their card because afterall, I'd be able to get 10 flights for the 25k points I got for signing up. Except in the 2 years I've never been able to find a flight worth booking (and NEVER 2500 miles). I want to cancel my darn card and I'd like to use the points I have (almost 30k).

Anyone book a reward flight with them? The lowest I can find is 15k each way. And then add in $26 in fees, and considering I would have to pay for luggage w/ them and I don't w/ others (delta and AA have free bags). I think honestly I'm to the point of just calling those points a loss!

 

[Alexle2007]

Thank you! Do the UR’s go right back into our account immediately, or does it take a few days? That’s helpful to know. I was considering doing this but wasn’t sure how long it would take for the credit to go back. We are undecided on club level because a continental breakfast doesn’t usually satisfy us, and because we have no experience with staying Club Level. There would be five of us.

Which resort are looking at for club level? We’ve done PBR and HRH and are trying RPH in June. I personally club level and think it will save is a ton of $ since we typically spend $70 for the breakfast buffet at the resort. I know PBR and HRH were more than continental and we love getting the evening apps and a couple of glasses of wine (or beer for DH). We usually grab a couple of extra glasses to go.

ETA: My URs have always been returned within minutes of a cancellation.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Thanks for posting this. We always do a few character meals each trip--with my teen/young adult kids, there is no more waiting in lines to see characters, but they are happy to pose with the characters during a meal, so I get my character picture fix. However, we tend not to leave the parks for meals, given the hassles of transportation. We also always stay at AKL (we've tried a few other resorts and just like the uniqueness of AKL), although next trip I might try a split stay.

I'm curious if you'd be willing to share a quick write-up of the rest of your character meals for comparison.

I’ll try to write up all the character meals this week before I leave again.

 

[afan]

Decided to book some pre cruise activities and found the same ones thru the Chase portal, so booked there. Great deal. Also planning aquarium visit so will get those tix too.
So far cruise, hotels, flights and excursions/activities booked =$11500. Booked flights & hotels with points/miles, excursions & activities with URs, and cruise with DGCs (est avg 20% off although I admittedly did not track this and some were purchased with cash back or bank bonuses) for a total cash price $3200

I would definitely take the time to go to Stanley Park but don't waste your time at the aquarium. We went a couple years ago because we hadn't been since they took the zoo out and remodeled the aquarium. It's tiny and there's really not much to see and wasn't worth what we paid to get it. It was expensive in my opinion especially for the size. I haven't been to the Shedd aquarium in Chicago but I know it's better than Vancouver. If there's something specific there you want to see that you haven't seen and have the UR's to burn go for it otherwise I'd skip it. Honestly I'd say the same about the one in Seattle and I volunteered there as a high school summer naturalist. Unless you get it as part of a city pass or have kids/or yourself that are going to slow down and take the time to look at it all save your money. They are both small and I feel like there are better valued things to do in both cities when you are on a limited time. I wouldn't say the same about Monterey, Atlanta, Chicago or Baltimore aquariums and I've only been to Monterey, but I've heard enough about them to know they are some of/if not the top aquariums in the US.

 

[have2getaway]

Are you getting APs for Universal? If so, those rates won’t be out for some time and you’ll want to compare them. Sometimes it’s cheaper even to just get one AP for the room discount. I think Universal typically has AP discounts during that period.

We have them already actually. We upgraded our 3 day tickets for just $84 total on our trip last January. I have thought about the AP rate, but given the week we are going, I wasn’t banking on a lower rate. It will be a nice bonus if it is.

 

[have2getaway]

Which resort are looking at for club level? We’ve done PBR and HRH and are trying RPH in June. I personally club level and think it will save is a ton of $ since we typically spend $70 for the breakfast buffet at the resort. I know PBR and HRH were more than continental and we love getting the evening apps and a couple of glasses of wine (or beer for DH). We usually grab a couple of extra glasses to go.

ETA: My URs have always been returned within minutes of a cancellation.

We are looking at RPR. I have heard good and bad things, which is why I was reluctant. I was mostly concerned about shelling out the money and then not being at the hotel frequently enough to use it. We do have some Disney days planned while we are there, hoping to see the new Star Wars stuff. Anyway, I’m not ruling it out—just on the fence. I’ll be anxious to hear your review after your trip.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Asked this on the swagbucks thread but no one has really said much. Is the sb bb still working for gc only? Purchased 4/22 $100 sb pending are 2 sb. Still no bonus. Just an odd amount that they would give $0.50 credit vs the $100 and no bonus.

When does swa release dec flights? I was told it was this week but I haven’t seen them updated.

@Alexle2007
Does universal give ap discounts in dec for room only?

 

[apollodi]

DoC is writing about the Plastiq Promotion for 1.5% Fee on Mastercard Payments (1% discount) that @usakiwi and @apollodi first noticed a few days ago, except DoC notes that Plastiq has not announced any official promotion. If this is a glitch, the cat’s out of the bag.

I went ahead and scheduled future mortgage payments on an Arrival +. I don't know if I'll keep them all, but I figure half a percent back is better than nothing if I don't have a new MasterCard to work on.

 

[Alexle2007]

Thank you! Do the UR’s go right back into our account immediately, or does it take a few days? That’s helpful to know. I was considering doing this but wasn’t sure how long it would take for the credit to go back. We are undecided on club level because a continental breakfast doesn’t usually satisfy us, and because we have no experience with staying Club Level. There would be five of us.

We have them already actually. We upgraded our 3 day tickets for just $84 total on our trip last January. I have thought about the AP rate, but given the week we are going, I wasn’t banking on a lower rate. It will be a nice bonus if it is.

I know when we went in Jan the AP rate was much better than using URs but for our June trip, it is the opposite so I covered our 3 days in club at RPR with URs.

I’ll be sure to share when we get back at the end of June. I’ll be there for my birthday so that also helped with the decision to splurge for CL.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I have a question specific to redeeming UR’s for a Universal stay. We have 2 different weeks to chose from and are struggling with comparing points and cost value. We are paying for airfare with cash as we have United redemption certificates to use. We are also trying to weigh the benefit of paying for club and try to factor in when would be less busy.

Option 1:

Weds to Weds (Before President’s Day)
Airfare Cost is $350 more with this option but resort costs for RPR are less:

2 Queen — $314.66 or 20,977 points
2 Queen Club — $518.72 or 34,647 points

Option 2:

Tues to Tues (After President’s Day/during Mardi Gras) — airfare is $350 less this week, but hotel is more:

2 Queen — $435.43 or 29,028 points
2 Queen Club — $556.86 or 37,124 points

I get so focused on the dollar value, but DH is more focused on what we will pay out of pocket, and so he thinks paying $350 less in airfare with cash is more important, but really neither of us are really sure which is the better way to go?? I find it hard to look at it as “just points”. Also, For option number one, it doesn’t make sense to me for us to pay club level with it being 14,000 points more, which would be $140 cash per night. Am I evaluating this properly?

I have the points now to reserve a 2 room Queen under Option 1, but if we want to do club, I will need to wait until my additional points hit in one week. What are the odds the cost will increase from now until then?

I’d run the numbers and see how many points you would save comparing the weeks...remember you can cash out points so if your saving more than 35,000 points on the room going the first week that would “cost” less

 

[Alexle2007]

Asked this on the swagbucks thread but no one has really said much. Is the sb bb still working for gc only? Purchased 4/22 $100 sb pending are 2 sb. Still no bonus. Just an odd amount that they would give $0.50 credit vs the $100 and no bonus.

When does swa release dec flights? I was told it was this week but I haven’t seen them updated.

@Alexle2007
Does universal give ap discounts in dec for room only?

Yes! Especially before Christmas.

I think it was posted as 5/29 for the SWA flights. I need to book some also.

 

[havaneselover]

I would definitely take the time to go to Stanley Park but don't waste your time at the aquarium. We went a couple years ago because we hadn't been since they took the zoo out and remodeled the aquarium. It's tiny and there's really not much to see and wasn't worth what we paid to get it. It was expensive in my opinion especially for the size. I haven't been to the Shedd aquarium in Chicago but I know it's better than Vancouver. If there's something specific there you want to see that you haven't seen and have the UR's to burn go for it otherwise I'd skip it. Honestly I'd say the same about the one in Seattle and I volunteered there as a high school summer naturalist. Unless you get it as part of a city pass or have kids/or yourself that are going to slow down and take the time to look at it all save your money. They are both small and I feel like there are better valued things to do in both cities when you are on a limited time. I wouldn't say the same about Monterey, Atlanta, Chicago or Baltimore aquariums and I've only been to Monterey, but I've heard enough about them to know they are some of/if not the top aquariums in the US.

We liked the aquarium. We also did the carriage tour because my mom was with us and I thought it was the best way for her to see Stanley Park.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thank you! Do the UR’s go right back into our account immediately, or does it take a few days? That’s helpful to know. I was considering doing this but wasn’t sure how long it would take for the credit to go back. We are undecided on club level because a continental breakfast doesn’t usually satisfy us, and because we have no experience with staying Club Level. There would be five of us.

Every time I have cancelled they have gone right back into my account..except for last week..I had to call the next day and it took them a few hours to get the points back in

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I have a question specific to redeeming UR’s for a Universal stay. We have 2 different weeks to chose from and are struggling with comparing points and cost value. We are paying for airfare with cash as we have United redemption certificates to use. We are also trying to weigh the benefit of paying for club and try to factor in when would be less busy.

Option 1:

Weds to Weds (Before President’s Day)
Airfare Cost is $350 more with this option but resort costs for RPR are less:

2 Queen — $314.66 or 20,977 points
2 Queen Club — $518.72 or 34,647 points

Option 2:

Tues to Tues (After President’s Day/during Mardi Gras) — airfare is $350 less this week, but hotel is more:

2 Queen — $435.43 or 29,028 points
2 Queen Club — $556.86 or 37,124 points

I get so focused on the dollar value, but DH is more focused on what we will pay out of pocket, and so he thinks paying $350 less in airfare with cash is more important, but really neither of us are really sure which is the better way to go?? I find it hard to look at it as “just points”. Also, For option number one, it doesn’t make sense to me for us to pay club level with it being 14,000 points more, which would be $140 cash per night. Am I evaluating this properly?

I have the points now to reserve a 2 room Queen under Option 1, but if we want to do club, I will need to wait until my additional points hit in one week. What are the odds the cost will increase from now until then?

Are those costs for the full stay or per night? I’m assuming per night and it seems you are staying 7 nights.

If that’s the case, you want to lay it out this way:

Option 1: Weds to Weds (Before President’s Day)
OOP airfare = +$350
2 Queen = 147k URs

Option 2: Tues to Tues (After President’s Day/during Mardi Gras)
OOP airfare = +$0
2 Queen = 203k URs

So if I have the figures right (and I’d check me and verify) in option 1, you are saving 56,000 URs. You could cash out 35k URs to cover the $350 and still have 21k more URs. Points do = Dollars sometimes

EDIT: I left out the Club level option but I think it’d fairly easy for you to do the math there if that’s the right option for you guys.

 

[spacerangerqueen]

Every time I’ve canceled the points are refunded within 10 minutes. I log out and when I log back in they are there.

This reminds me that I still haven't gotten my points back from when I cancelled something about a month ago. I had to call to have them credited back the last time I cancelled as well. That time I needed them in order to re-book. This time I was able to re-book right away because it was a small amount of points. I wish mine went back within 10 minutes! And this isn't even the same account I used the last time (CSP the first time CIP this time since I downgraded my CSP to a CF)

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Yes! Especially before Christmas.

I think it was posted as 5/29 for the SWA flights. I need to book some also.

Thanks. We are looking at the 1st-2nd weeks in dec. I have two reservations booked but thinking we don’t need the full week there and if there’s a ap discount might be worth to upgrade a ticket and shorten the days.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Are those costs for the full stay or per night? I’m assuming per night and it seems you are staying 7 nights.

If that’s the case, you want to lay it out this way:

Option 1: Weds to Weds (Before President’s Day)
OOP airfare = +$350
2 Queen = 147k URs

Option 2: Tues to Tues (After President’s Day/during Mardi Gras)
OOP airfare = +$0
2 Queen = 203k URs

So if I have the figures right (and I’d check me and verify) in option 1, you are saving 56,000 URs. You could cash out 35k URs to cover the $350 and still have 21k more URs. Points do = Dollars sometimes

EDIT: I left out the Club level option but I think it’d fairly easy for you to do the math there if that’s the right option for you guys.

@have2getaway

I’d also be interested in your exact dates...when you say “Weds to Weds (Before President’s Day)” do you mean leaving the Wed before or getting back the Wed before? (Exact dates would be helpful). Same issue with your other description...”Tues to Tues (After President’s Day/during Mardi Gras)” - leaving Tues after or getting back Tues after? I can figure out that Pres Day is 2/17 but I can’t quite figure out exactly what your descriptions in parentheses mean.

IF we are comparing these two options:

• Option 1 = 2/4-2/11
• Option 2 = 2/12-2/19

Then option 1 wins the day. Lower crowds, substantially less URs - pay the $350 and take that option. If I have my dates all wrong then clarify lol!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

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