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

[striker1064]

Niagara Falls

Looking for recommendations for a hotel with a falls view for two nights in July or August. Would have two kids with us, 6 & 4. Anyone been?

Thank you for asking this question. This wasn't a thing I realized I needed in my life until just now.

 

[Jax1023]

I can’t help but I’m very interested in the responses you receive here lol.

We stayed at the Marriott falls view resort and spa last year in a superior fallsview room booked on UR points. View was amazing, room was average, they charged $40cad a night for parking. Allegedly you can park at the casino down the street for less, but we were only staying one night.

Going back this summer, we have friends on buffalo. Thinking of trying the Hilton. Can report back in 2 weeks.

 

[Alexle2007]

I see. I've looked at those beaches resort and goodness they are $$$. Like moreso than DCL for us. And all the cheaper rooms seem to always be sold out. Have you been before? Is there some trick to getting a normal room? Maybe it just requires booking super early.

I will say that for the amex cards with a fee, I find that they are worthwhile b/c of the offers they get. Of course it is YMMV, but I seem to come out ahead on them all. Alternatively, BBP is a good MR earning fee free card.

We’ve done Beaches Negril a few times when DS was younger and had a fabulous time there. DH suggested we try Turks and Caicos sometime since SW now flies there.

I think it really depends on the time of year you are going. We had typically gone the 1st week of May since DS was younger and we could pull him out of pre-k or elementary. Right now I am looking at August for T&C.

 

[crazymomof4]

I just wanted to add this to help other churning newbies, like me (I know the "pros" here already know this) ....

If you want to get your sign up bonus points ASAP, make sure you post your transactions for required spending at least 4 days or so before the credit card's statement closing date.
I had enough bills to make my required spend amount in the FIRST month of billing. The problem was, some of these bills (that I wanted to pay with my new AAdvantage card) were not payable until the 18th of June and my AAdvantage statement closing date was the 21st. The transaction that paid these bills remained in "pending" for the better part of 3 days and I sweated bullets waiting for them to actually post to my account by the 21st. They DID... on the 20th and I was so relieved. We fly in the end of Oct and I know rates will be looking good in the next month or so, so I really wanted those "miles" (sign up bonus) to be released to my account ASAP.

Alls well that ends well but thought it might be a good "heads up" point here for newbies like me.

 

[mamathompson]

I'm looking for some advice on Hilton points. We have been looking for a short getaway with the kids this fall and think we've settled on San Diego. I saw Homewood Suites is Hilton and also sleeps my family in one room. I'm guessing for most people this isn't a great use of Hilton points but works for us. It's showing 50,000/night and we are thinking 3-5 nights. I've gone over the cards available and can't tell which would be our best bet. Advice? Has anyone else used Hilton points for Homewood Suites?

 

[GZanta77]

I just wanted to add this to help other churning newbies, like me (I know the "pros" here already know this) ....

If you want to get your sign up bonus points ASAP, make sure you post your transactions for required spending at least 4 days or so before the credit card's statement closing date.
I had enough bills to make my required spend amount in the FIRST month of billing. The problem was, some of these bills (that I wanted to pay with my new AAdvantage card) were not payable until the 18th of June and my AAdvantage statement closing date was the 21st. The transaction that paid these bills remained in "pending" for the better part of 3 days and I sweated bullets waiting for them to actually post to my account by the 21st. They DID... on the 20th and I was so relieved. We fly in the end of Oct and I know rates will be looking good in the next month or so, so I really wanted those "miles" (sign up bonus) to be released to my account ASAP.

Alls well that ends well but thought it might be a good "heads up" point here for newbies like me.

Good advice and reminder for everybody. I would also add that the timeline can vary by lender - For instance I have made transactions on a Barclays card (JetBlue Biz) 5 days before statement close, and that was not in time to trigger the bonus. So I would plan on a week to be safe.

 

[Etonduf]

We’ve done Beaches Negril a few times when DS was younger and had a fabulous time there. DH suggested we try Turks and Caicos sometime since SW now flies there.

I think it really depends on the time of year you are going. We had typically gone the 1st week of May since DS was younger and we could pull him out of pre-k or elementary. Right now I am looking at August for T&C.

Great to hear, since it is indeed such a high price. We really enjoyed Sandals and, even though we know there are other great family resorts, are looking forward to giving our kids a similar experience.

 

[speedyfishy]

I'm looking for some advice on Hilton points. We have been looking for a short getaway with the kids this fall and think we've settled on San Diego. I saw Homewood Suites is Hilton and also sleeps my family in one room. I'm guessing for most people this isn't a great use of Hilton points but works for us. It's showing 50,000/night and we are thinking 3-5 nights. I've gone over the cards available and can't tell which would be our best bet. Advice? Has anyone else used Hilton points for Homewood Suites?

Under 5/24? I’d probably get you and p2 the Biz

 

[punkin]

Has anyone gone to a chase branch to get the new student card yet? Or should I just try for the CFU online with 2k income?

 

[mamathompson]

Under 5/24? I’d probably get you and p2 the Biz

I'm 1/24 P2 is 5/24 Also, can we pool Hilton points? Or would we need 2 separate reservations?

 

[hsmamato2]

The 6am update was my wife is going. Luckily I had packed for her yesterday against her wishes so that we at least made sure we had space for her stuff. She said when she woke up she realized that she’d just miss the kids too much and that she can’t let the anxiety win.

Flight takes off at 1pm and we leave for the airport in 30 minutes. I’m running on 4 hours of sleep (plus a 45 min nap that I just had) and have a terrible headache. Thanks all for the prayers - hopefully the rest of the day goes smooth.

Just saw all this.... hope your travels go well

 

[Haley R]

They have a ton of MB options up again, but still no snack band. I'm gonna keep holding out and see if they add it.

 

[orangecuse]

I'm 1/24 P2 is 5/24 Also, can we pool Hilton points? Or would we need 2 separate reservations?

You can pool. Hilton will let you pool between anyone. You can transfer 500k a year and receive 2mil a year. Can do it between 11 people and its free.

 

[mamathompson]

You can pool. Hilton will let you pool between anyone. You can transfer 500k a year and receive 2mil a year. Can do it between 11 people and its free.

Oh perfect! Thanks for the info!

 

[amalone1013]

Phew, ILs and aunt are on the plane. They called stressing because the flight is overbooked and SW is up to $1200pp plus a refund of this flight.

 

[speedyfishy]

Phew, ILs and aunt are on the plane. They called stressing because the flight is overbooked and SW is up to $1200pp plus a refund of this flight.

In a voucher? I’d take the money if it was cash and fly a few hours later lol

 

[disfanforlife]

In a voucher? I’d take the money if it was cash and fly a few hours later lol

Me too!

 

[mamathompson]

For the Hilton Biz. Can DH refer me from his Amex Gold? Nevermind, I figured it out.

 

[StephPlum]

Does anyone know how to get a confirmation number for Marriott if booked through the Chase Portal? I booked one night with my free night cert and then the other 2 nights on Chase as it was cheaper than using Mariott points. I wanted to call ahead to see if they can link them or make a note so that I can hopefully stay in the same room.

 

[mamathompson]

Ok. I have to share my bizarre silly story. I referred myself to Hilton Biz from DH's Gold. Clicked the link, applied using my name, was approved and set up my business log in using my information. Then I realized it said congratulations DH....so I checked his email and sure enough he was approved for the card. I'm assuming its because I wasn't logged out of his account even though I had clicked the referral from my email? So now his business card is coming in my name. I mean, we were both going to apply for it but what a mess I just created.

Any ideas on how to fix this?