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

[mmmears]

Rakuten's (US?) headquarters is right off the 101/92 interchange in San Mateo.

Yep, that's what he saw. Wow, so many Bay Area people are here. I'm used to be one of the few West Coast posters on the WDW and DCL boards.

 

[DVCTX]

I am just getting started on my Citi AA Biz and now I have the Bonvoy offer.

Some chatter over on the FlyerTalk forums that AA is going to make changes to their FF program. Going to a variable number of points to claim a free flight rather than using a fixed point chart. Usually this means a devaluation, I would spend those AA miles quickly.

 

[Albort]

Some chatter over on the FlyerTalk forums that AA is going to make changes to their FF program. Going to a variable number of points to claim a free flight rather than using a fixed point chart. Usually this means a devaluation, I would spend those AA miles quickly.

yeah, it seems like every airline is doing so. AA was rumored to do so awhile ago.

 

[babyready]

Some chatter over on the FlyerTalk forums that AA is going to make changes to their FF program. Going to a variable number of points to claim a free flight rather than using a fixed point chart. Usually this means a devaluation, I would spend those AA miles quickly.

Yeah, I read that as well. Thankfully, I do not have a firm plan for those so the devaluation won't hurt any specific goal. It is likely that I would use them for hotels anyway.

 

[mmmears]

yeah, it seems like every airline is doing so. AA was rumored to do so awhile ago.

I'm just hoping that I can still use them for hotels or something.

 

[tink1970]

Just a reminder that it really helps to diversify points and miles. Going into this week, I had the following:


255K United Miles
471K MRs
(Delta got almost zeroed out with a redemption in March for my July flight in DL One from EDI to PNS)
URs are always at zero-I transfer them immediately to Hyatt or United

That said, I've been collecting AA/MR/United with a goal of going to Australia and NZ in 2020.

Getting home, I initially booked a United Biz Saver award on Asiana for 90K united miles. Then I came to my senses and realized I didn't want to fly 21 hours (SYD-ICH-LAX --10 and 11 hr flights with poor IFE) and cancelled that award ticket (United allows 24 hours to cancel fee free). I didn't have 400K United miles (direct cost from SYD or AKL to LAX), so on to Amex Travel to use MRs. I fiddled around with dates and departure cities (SYD/AKL) and found 2 seats in biz on Virgin Australia for 390K. Score!

Some might think 390K MRs is a lot, and it is, but...I used MRs from my biz plat so after the 35% refund from Amex it will cost 253K MRs which I think is good for me (Delta wanted...365K/pp!!!). I'll also earn some SkyPesos and MQMs/MQDs (for status).

I've now seriously reduced my MR balance but I was able to use the miles for their hoarded purpose and I still have URs to use for our Europe 2020 trip. All in all, I'm pleased with my week.

TL;DR-diversify!
TL;DR2-every program has its uses

 

[GlamMistress]

Off topic but of intrigue to Disney Park fans following SWGE stuff DL is having a rather quiet day today according the the DL side of our boards.

Holy crap, I can't believe those photos of no one there. Man!

NPR did an awesome story on Star Wars Land and its music today. Worth a listen (4 minutes) https://www.npr.org/2019/05/31/7287...-with-a-cosmic-soundscape-bringing-it-to-life

 

[Albort]

I'm just hoping that I can still use them for hotels or something.

ive always thought AA hotels redemption were already on Dynamic based...

 

[Alexle2007]

ATTENTION MICKEY WAFFLE FANS!​

The Mickey Mouse 90th Anniversary Double Flip Waffle Maker is IN STOCK at HOT TOPIC. It's currently marked off 20%, at $59.92 (which is cheaper than shopDisney's price last week). Limit 5.

https://www.hottopic.com/product/disney-mickey-mouse-flip-mini-waffle-maker/11949673.html​

You can sign up for their email newsletter and get a coupon within minutes for 30% off. Any promo codes don't stack with the 20% off price and will replace it, but a 30% off coupon is a better deal.

You can buy a Hot Topic gift card in the exact denomination of your purchase on MileagePlus X to earn 3 United miles/$1, plus 25% bonus miles if you're a United Visa cardholder. You can also buy Hot Topic gift cards in fixed $10-$250 denominations on Gyft and that should still earn 3x UR on the CIP and 5x UR on the CIC/Ink+ when using PayPal checkout.

Remember to use a shopping portal for extra cash back. Ebates is paying 2% CB/MR.

If you missed buying one the last few times on shopDisney, here's your chance. If you're reselling, no judgment from me because we all have our "business" to run, although I expect the inflated resale prices to drop in the short term due to the restocks at shopDisney and Hot Topic.

My DH buys a lot of statues from Hot Topic that he re-sells. It is amazing what people are willing Poisin Ivy, Wonder Woman, etc.

Now to decide on the waffle maker. I have a Mickey one from Kohl’s but they are like pancakes

 

[Alexle2007]

Yes, I got my first "Big Fat Check" of MR points deposited to my Amex account earlier this month. 19k and some odd MR points! (I went through Ebates for that big Casper mattress purchase, which boosted my balance.)

Which Casper did you get? I have a Sterns and Foster with a ridiculously plush pillow top that I loved but lately my back has been killing me since I am now a back sleeper. I could barely walk the other day and wasn’t sure how I managed to stand in line for over an hour to get on the new Reese’s Cupfusion ride at Hersheypark.

 

[Lain]

My DH buys a lot of statues from Hot Topic that he re-sells. It is amazing what people are willing Poisin Ivy, Wonder Woman, etc.

Now to decide on the waffle maker. I have a Mickey one from Kohl’s but they are like pancakes

I already own this waffle maker and it makes deep crispy waffles like in the parks. I totally understand about the pancake-y waffles that come out of the other “Mickey waffle” makers on the market.

 

[mmmears]

ive always thought AA hotels redemption were already on Dynamic based...

I think they were. As long as I can use those points for something other than flying AA I'll be happy. Frankly since our amazing award redemption several years ago AA has made it either impossible or very unpleasant (as in at least 2 stops) for me to book directly with miles.

 

[Lain]

Which Casper did you get? I have a Sterns and Foster with a ridiculously plush pillow top that I loved but lately my back has been killing me since I am now a back sleeper. I could barely walk the other day and wasn’t sure how I managed to stand in line for over an hour to get on the new Reese’s Cupfusion ride at Hersheypark.

We got the classic Casper mattress. We’re both side sleepers, but my wife likes a softer mattress and I like it firmer. I think the classic Casper is a nice middle. We both love it and I haven’t had back problems since we started sleeping on it. Casper’s pillows are amazing too. I tried the Wave in their showroom and it was too firm for me. We didn’t try their new Hybrid mattresses, which came out after our purchase. I really hesitate recommending mattresses because everyone sleeps differently, so your experience may vary. Casper has a generous 100 day trial so you can always try that.

 

[Haley R]

We actually are at the ghibli museum this morning so that’s funny

 

[Lain]

We actually are at the ghibli museum this morning so that’s funny

How fun! I loved the Ghibli music playing on loop in the main exhibit room!

 

[Haley R]

How fun! I loved the Ghibli music playing on loop in the main exhibit room!

We were waiting at a different entrance lol. The guard said to walk around the corner and there the line was to get in! It’s still not too long of a line though. We have half an hour before they let people in

 

[amalone1013]

I already own this waffle maker and it makes deep crispy waffles like in the parks. I totally understand about the pancake-y waffles that come out of the other “Mickey waffle” makers on the market.

Mine comes Monday. Waffles for dinner!!

 

[Alexle2007]

I already own this waffle maker and it makes deep crispy waffles like in the parks. I totally understand about the pancake-y waffles that come out of the other “Mickey waffle” makers on the market.

I talked DH into buying 5 after he checked the eBay pricing Funny, we don’t like crispy waffles in our house DS and I typically order them at our favorite breakfast lightly done and when I use the waffle maker and the hotels I always stop it before it beeps One of those might be ours though

 

[Alexle2007]

We got the classic Casper mattress. We’re both side sleepers, but my wife likes a softer mattress and I like it firmer. I think the classic Casper is a nice middle. We both love it and I haven’t had back problems since we started sleeping on it. Casper’s pillows are amazing too. I tried the Wave in their showroom and it was too firm for me. We didn’t try their new Hybrid mattresses, which came out after our purchase. I really hesitate recommending mattresses because everyone sleeps differently, so your experience may vary. Casper has a generous 100 day trial so you can always try that.

It’s funny that “trial” period is what bothers me. What do they do with the returns? How do I know I am getting a used mattress. I take my sheet, blanket and pillow when we travel so I don’t have to touch the ones in the room.

 

[mmmears]

Now I want waffles for dinner.