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

[disneybirds]

What is everyone’s favorite way to use their Hilton free weekend cents? We have 3 of them so far and a 4th should be coming with my new Aspire.

I am in the same situation. We have one expiring 1/10. I had planned to use on our trip over Christmas break, but we had to move that trip up and stayed with family. My DH is also 2 nights from Platinum with Marriott, so trying to decide whether it is worth it.

If anyone has any suggestions for 1 night in Hilton and 2 nights in Marriott over Christmas break, I would love to hear them. We are based in Atlanta, so definitely needs to be in the south.

 

[kmc8826]

Is there a retention number to call or do I just call the number on the back of my card?

Amex retention department is 1-800-452-3945. Have the card handy as you will probably enter the number before you talk to someone. Good luck!

 

[LB002]

What is everyone’s favorite way to use their Hilton free weekend cents? We have 3 of them so far and a 4th should be coming with my new Aspire.

We booked teh Conrad in NYC. I haven't stayed there before but it looks very posh (far fancier than our usual Homewood Suites) and a 1-bed suite is a standard redemption. It will be a fun splurge for a night in NYC (we live only ~2.5hr away).

 

[punkin]

Amex retention department is 1-800-452-3945. Have the card handy as you will probably enter the number before you talk to someone. Good luck!

Thank you.

 

[mmmears]

Just noticed a couple of new offers on my Amex cards - sorry if these have been mentioned before:

For Jet Blue Vacations: Spend $1500 or more, get $400 back. I guess this is for a package?

For Sephora - 6x MRs for each dollar spent, up to $1K, through 12/31

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

So I have read that if you are flying United mixed cabin that they will upgrade you from Econ before others with status. Does anyone have any experience with this? Did you get an upgrade? So for instance, my flight is:
SYD-LAX- Biz Polaris
LAX-DEN- Econ
DEN-BWI- Econ

Will we stand a chance of getting our US flights upgraded?

@LuckyMamaInDE I just found this great article!

https://frequentmiler.boardingarea....itlisting-for-united-first-or-business-class/

I do this all the time with mixed class tickets (call to make sure the economy list is "waitlisted"), and I have never been put in 1st. You are *supposed* to be ahead of others elites, but the gate agents are in charge if you don't clear by 24 hours, and they don't seem to get that. To give you an idea, a couple weeks ago I was Polaris from LHR to Chicago and waitlisted for 1st from Chicago to SFO. I was #24 on the upgrade list at the gate. Absolutely ridiculous. I tried explaining the concept of waitlist versus upgrade, but they insisted I was #24.

 

[orangecuse]

Just noticed a couple of new offers on my Amex cards - sorry if these have been mentioned before:

For Jet Blue Vacations: Spend $1500 or more, get $400 back. I guess this is for a package?

For Sephora - 6x MRs for each dollar spent, up to $1K, through 12/31

Yep and they have Disney hotels and tickets on there too and Swan and Dolphin. (And universal tix and hotels)

eta- and you don’t need to book flights, you can just do hotel+ tix+ rental car.

 

[wendow]

Can anyone tell me if I can book JUST hotels using Delta miles? Every time I try, I feel like it forces me to add a flight. I cannot find just a place to book a hotel with miles. I'm pretty sure I remember this was discussed as an option but I'm clearly missing something.

 

[wendow]

I have a 'what would you choose'...I'm going Feb 1-5 to take my dd down for her dcp. I've not been able to find a reasonable room for the entire time onsite. I split up my days and got ASMo for 2/3-5 for a PH rate of $84/night. Score!!

BUT we are homeless still for 2/1-3. I've been looking at offsite rooms. A lot is sold out but here are a few options I'm considering:

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress - 12k night (not available for all 4 nights but is for the first 2)
Marriott Village - FNC
Marriott World Center - FNC
Gaylord Palms - FNC
Swolphin - 50k night (having trouble with this option cause we won't be doing much in the parks)

All the Bonnet Creek resorts are more than I want to spend even using URs. I'm not familiar with any of the DS hotels. I have tried to book the Doubletree through UR's so many times I'm losing my mind. It's always available and then I book it and then it tells me it has sold out. Um, okay...It continues to show up but is never bookable.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Can anyone tell me if I can book JUST hotels using Delta miles? Every time I try, I feel like it forces me to add a flight. I cannot find just a place to book a hotel with miles. I'm pretty sure I remember this was discussed as an option but I'm clearly missing something.

I believe you need to add a flight to use miles. It’s very unfortunate for those of us with no use for the flights. I’d be very happy to be proven wrong though!

 

[wendow]

I believe you need to add a flight to use miles. It’s very unfortunate for those of us with no use for the flights. I’d be very happy to be proven wrong though!

I am pretty sure @kidsfirsttrip said I could just book a hotel room with miles but I just cannot figure it out. It seems every option needs a flight, which is not good coming from Denver, since we we are not a Delta hub nor do we have good Delta options.

 

[platamama]

In today's episode of unnecessary things PolyRob purchased... we have AIRPOD PROS!

I ultimately purchased them from Best Buy and this is my "savings" breakdown:

• Price match to Amazon - $15.02 savings
• 2x Best Buy GC (Stop & Shop $20 grocery GC promo) - $40.00 savings
• RMN 10% cash back - $23.49 savings (hoping it tracks, I did not see Apple excluded in the fine print!)

If RMN tracks, that brings them to $186.76 after tax. That is a 31.4% savings!
If RMN does not track, that brings them to $207.65 after tax. That is a 22% savings. Both are fine by me

Nice job stacking! When I bought mine I stacked the Best Buy AmEx offer with 15% RMN (which did track) but didn’t think to ask Best Buy to match - how did you do that with online shopping?

I hope you like them! I used mine tonight on the airplane and the noise canceling was better than DH’s Bose QC35II headphones. I find them much more comfortable than my AirPods, the flexible tips make all the difference for me. But DH tried them on the flight and said they kind of hurt his ears (but his AirPods don’t). Hope they’re comfortable for you!

 

[mmmears]

For those of you headed to Australia, I came across this article day. Sad news for the koalas (and mentions the koala sanctuary that was discussed here). https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevor...qm0mbUuV7KhbQIPriA-y5U6P7vLnS0QM#c2cb4e47bada

 

[PolyRob]

Nice job stacking! When I bought mine I stacked the Best Buy AmEx offer with 15% RMN (which did track) but didn’t think to ask Best Buy to match - how did you do that with online shopping?

I hope you like them! I used mine tonight on the airplane and the noise canceling was better than DH’s Bose QC35II headphones. I find them much more comfortable than my AirPods, the flexible tips make all the difference for me. But DH tried them on the flight and said they kind of hurt his ears (but his AirPods don’t). Hope they’re comfortable for you!

Thank you! Best Buy actually makes the price match pretty easy. You can do it right through chat (as long as there is an agent available): https://www.bestbuy.com/site/custom...ee/pcmcat290300050002.c?id=pcmcat290300050002

I sent the link, was asked for the BB sku number, and the rep confirmed it was eligible. I placed the order, gave the rep the order number, and he did something on his end. I haven't seen the credit yet, but the rep said I would get it refunded so I imagine it will happen once it ships. I have the chat transcript if I need it for proof. Target is also super easy with matches and takes it off the order before it even ships! If RMN wasn't a factor, I would have probably tried Target. Glad to hear yours tracked! If only I did it during the 15% period.

Thank you, me too! I am glad to hear you like them and that the noise cancelling works that well! I have never had in-ear earbuds so I am hesitant, but I think I will love them. Regular AirPods/Earbuds were always fine for me so I am hoping the same here!

 

[PolyRob]

@platamama I was just thinking... you are still within your Best Buy return period and it isn't Thanksgiving/BF. You can probably try for the price match now! Pretty sure Best Buy price protection should allow you to still get an adjustment!

 

[platamama]

Thank you! Best Buy actually makes the price match pretty easy. You can do it right through chat (as long as there is an agent available): https://www.bestbuy.com/site/custom...ee/pcmcat290300050002.c?id=pcmcat290300050002

I sent the link, was asked for the BB sku number, and the rep confirmed it was eligible. I placed the order, gave the rep the order number, and he did something on his end. I haven't seen the credit yet, but the rep said I would get it refunded so I imagine it will happen once it ships. I have the chat transcript if I need it for proof. Target is also super easy with matches and takes it off the order before it even ships! If RMN wasn't a factor, I would have probably tried Target. Glad to hear yours tracked! If only I did it during the 15% period.

Thank you, me too! I am glad to hear you like them and that the noise cancelling works that well! I have never had in-ear earbuds so I am hesitant, but I think I will love them. Regular AirPods/Earbuds were always fine for me so I am hoping the same here!

I had no idea you could do that price matching technique!! That’s awesome, thanks for sharing!! And enjoy your new toy.

 

[platamama]

@platamama I was just thinking... you are still within your Best Buy return period and it isn't Thanksgiving/BF. You can probably try for the price match now! Pretty sure Best Buy price protection should allow you to still get an adjustment!

Hmmm, I might try giving Best Buy a call. We’re now in TX, catching a show tomorrow night here, before continuing onto our Costa Rica trip on Monday. (Having mixed feelings about missing Black Friday haha) I think I will try talking to BB just to see, it can’t hurt. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[PolyRob]

I had no idea you could do that price matching technique!! That’s awesome, thanks for sharing!! And enjoy your new toy.

Thank you! I was so tempted to do store pickup, but I went two weeks ago for a phone case and it was a nightmare. They're supposed to come before Thanksgiving so I am happy. ☺

Hmmm, I might try giving Best Buy a call. We’re now in TX, catching a show tomorrow night here, before continuing onto our Costa Rica trip on Monday. (Having mixed feelings about missing Black Friday haha) I think I will try talking to BB just to see, it can’t hurt. Thanks for the suggestion!

Definitely worth a shot! They're still discounted from Amazon. Can always HUCA or event try chat. Good luck!

Don't feel bad, almost everything is already on sale days before now. These deals have just been pouring in

 

[miztressuz]

I am pretty sure @kidsfirsttrip said I could just book a hotel room with miles but I just cannot figure it out. It seems every option needs a flight which is not good coming from Denver, since we we are not a Delta hub nor do we have good Delta options.

Not a Delta user but was fooling around on the Delta vacations site and if you go into Advanced search options the option for hotel+car comes up. Everything on vacations has to be a package of some type.

I find it funny that DME seems to count as the car option when you pick a Disney hotel. So really that is just the hotel. Off-site you'd have to add a car for a night. Supposed to use the miles on the checkout page but not having a Delta account I don't see the miles option. I'm guessing if I sign in I might get that option.

Other place I've heard is the SkyMiles Marketplace maybe.

 

[wendow]

Not a Delta user but was fooling around on the Delta vacations site and if you go into Advanced search options the option for hotel+car comes up. Everything on vacations has to be a package of some type.

I find it funny that DME seems to count as the car option when you pick a Disney hotel. So really that is just the hotel. Off-site you'd have to add a car for a night. Supposed to use the miles on the checkout page but not having a Delta account I don't see the miles option. I'm guessing if I sign in I might get that option.

Other place I've heard is the SkyMiles Marketplace maybe.

Thanks! Gonna look at this option!