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

[Alexle2007]

What about a link between pop tarts and cholesterol?? There better not be a link there!!

My super uneducated guess is definitely not. Especially the cherry ones since cherries are good for you.

 

[WVMomof3]

And I get Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. I even use VPN on my computer. Must be something in the cache or cookies or something (I am not tech literate, so I may not be using the right terms ).

Where are the pictures on the app? I just logged into mine to see what they could possibly have near me. I only see my cards??

 

[platamama]

Ahhhhh… anyone have an local Colorado food items to recommend for a gift basket? I am putting together boxes for my grandpa and uncle of things we like, snacks/foods/candies... some are Colorado things, and some are things we've come across while traveling (or in snack boxes ). I feel like I definitely need another savory thing or two, extra points for something bbq related as my uncle is into that. Currently have various candies, and a green chili sauce they used at a restaurant we frequented in college...

Well, not a food item, but NiteIze is a CO company that makes nifty gadgets.

 

[platamama]

Where are the pictures on the app? I just logged into mine to see what they could possibly have near me. I only see my cards??

Oops, not on my app...just my desktop computer. What do you see when you go to Chase?

 

[Artygal90]

Off topic (not credit card and not even Disney ). We're headed to Orlando after New Years for 4 nights to meet up with SIL and her family and friends of ours. We're staying at Hyatt Grand Cypress (on points so maybe that keeps it on topic a bit more) and doing one night at Universal Portofino to take advantage of express pass for our 2 park days.

We'll be in the parks Jan 3 and 4 and they are going to be nuts. Any tips or advice on how to manage the crowds and navigate and make best use of express pass? I've only done Universal twice and this is our first time with express pass. I love that I don't have to pre book things but I also feel like I'm going in blind.

We'll be with kids ranging from 8-14. They like thrill rides. We'll try to get to park pre opening on the 4th to get in line for Hagrid's Motorbike (since we can walk over from hotel that day). Any other ride tips or must do items?

For food, there will be 12 of us, any tips for eating dinner together?

Sounds like a fun trip! Will you be able to check in early enough on the 3rd at Portofino to take advantage of the Early Park Admission hour at Universal Studios? It's not a must-do to be able to ride Gringotts with a short wait but it's so nice to be able to explore Diagon Alley without the crowds that materialize soon after regular park open. Also, looks like IOA has early park admission at 8 am on the 4th. So you will want to arrive by 6:45 or 7 am to the gates to be at the front of the line for Hagrid's. Maybe even 6:30...Definitely agree with the advice to do IOA in a loop so you don't have to backtrack too much. Express Pass is amazing and you should be able to get on most rides with a reasonable-ish wait even in the middle of the day. It really simplifies touring. Do you have park-to-park tickets? You will need one to ride the Hogwarts Express or park-hop, if that matters to you.

The holiday entertainment will still be going while you are there and I cannot recommend the parade highly enough! The area in front of the lockers for Revenge of the Mummy has a great view, especially of the tree lighting. Also, the Grinchmas show is supposed to be great and I'm really sad I missed it on my trip in November. You have to line up about 30 minutes ahead of time to guarantee a seat. The entrance is near the book store in Seuss Island and you can meet the Grinch after. There are also special holiday versions of the stage shows in Carkitt Market and the stage in Hogsmeade - Celestina Warbeck's holiday set is great and I'm still humming "My Baby Got Me A Hippogriff for Christmas". The Christmas lights at Hogwarts are lovely and I would recommend trying to see one of the last shows of the night to avoid the crowds. You can also watch the show from the bridge between Hogsmeade and Jurassic Park. It's slightly less immersive but you're not packed in so tight. Oh, and check out the secret song list for Rip Ride Rockit so your thrill seekers can pick an appropriate soundtrack

Dining tips....Hot Butterbeer is delicious. The green stand outside of Grimmauld Place on the London Waterfront sells baked potatoes with hearty toppings that are a substantial snack or small meal. Dining reservations are much less of a big deal at USO than WDW, so you should be able to make a reservation now for your group for dinner. Toothsome and Mythos were our two favorites from the last trip.

 

[tink1970]

I know I prefer to use my old Chase Ink Plus (now discontinued but CIU is a good no fee replacement) but when meeting MSR I'm ok using a non multiplier card.

I figured you had a plan

 

[havaneselover]

Oops, not on my app...just my desktop computer. What do you see when you go to Chase?

Mine are in the log in screen on the app.

 

[amalone1013]

Where are the pictures on the app? I just logged into mine to see what they could possibly have near me. I only see my cards??

I was thinking the app login screen... hmm I guess I see no picture there now. off to check the website lol

 

[amalone1013]

Well, not a food item, but NiteIze is a CO company that makes nifty gadgets.

Will be perusing!!

 

[WVMomof3]

Oops, not on my app...just my desktop computer. What do you see when you go to Chase?

Same thing I see on the app. My cards. lol I am not seeing any picture.

 

[Artygal90]

I didn't answer the first time you asked, because I think it's kind of a personal decision. I am cautious by nature, so no, I don't transfer speculatively and I don't hold out and not book flights hoping that there will be an upcoming transfer bonus. That's meant that we missed out on an AF transfer bonus this year, but on the other hand, we booked the flights we wanted the day they were released for what we thought was a reasonable points price. We were lucky last year and needed to transfer to BA just as Amex had the bonus, but I worry that the flights wont be there, or that I'll need to change my plans and book with another airline and I'd hate to lock in all those points. Of course, I could need to cancel, and then the points would be stuck over there anyway, but I guess I try to reduce risk at the cost of getting the better deal. I'm not familiar enough with using VS miles for ANA to say that it's risk free I guess. It certainly looks like a fantastic deal.

I really want to do this! Thank you for sharing.



A recommendation would depend on the situation. If it were me, I'd transfer, but here is why. The miles don't expire for 36 months. It would not be a hardship for me to find a use for them in that time frame if my original plans went awry. I also have enough miles and points in other currencies should my original plan to use VS not work out and I need to switch gears. Those who have been on this thread from the beginning know that I have several rules (for myself) and guidelines I advise for travel hacking. Plan for your trip 2 years in advance. Have a Plan A, at least a Plan B and having a Plan C is even better. So, if you have a Plan be that does not involve the use of your MR points and you can easily use what you transfer to VS within 36 months then I see no reason why not.

Sorry I missed this the first go around. I'm trying to figure out how much to speculatively transfer to VS myself. I think the answer depends on your tolerance for risk and how much you want to throw your eggs all in one basket to potentially get a great redemption. I make my decisions on speculative transfers to take advantage of transfer bonuses based on how many URs and MRs I have left once I make the transfer to cover myself in case my plans don't work out and/or cover any other trips I need to book. In other words, I try to make sure I have enough for option two if option one doesn't work out. I guess in your position, I'd be asking myself what would happen if I bet wrong: i.e., I can't get the Virgin flights and/or the request isn't approved. Do you have use for the Virgin miles anyway (i.e. other trips you could use them for like London)? Could you book a revenue flight in the alternative if it turns out you can't get the flights you want via Virgin?

Just wanted to add....and sorry if this has been mentioned already...but if all else fails - you can often redeem VS miles on Delta flights, even domestic. Not sure of the value as I haven't done this myself, but it is another option if you find yourself with miles stranded in Virgin.

I talked it over with DH and since this is something we really, really want to do and should be able to make happen one way or another, I'm going to go ahead and transfer my MR. I've been hoarding them for this specific purpose and I figure worst case we can book a shorter trip with them if for some reason Japan is completely out of the question. Thanks everyone for the input!

I also just have to brag on DH a little bit...when I first started this hobby he was really apprehensive, didn't want to sign up for any cards, didn't want to field strategy questions...I think he thought I was going to get arrested or spend all our money. Well, 18 months and a couple free trips later, he has a Platicorn and a couple more signup bonuses to his name, and is happy to help me work out redemption strategies if I need his input. I'm about to sign him up for a Hilton biz next so I can surprise him with a top-floor club level room at the Hilton Tokyo Bay

 

[IFlossU]

Amex Plat customers PLUS Frontier...seems like an oxymoron

I was just telling DH earlier this week that the offers on my Platinum card are too boujee for me. He suggested maybe an AMEX “Aluminum” card would suit me better

 

[Alexle2007]

Mouse ears?


I've not tried anything else yet... sort of freaked out right now about applying for ANYTHING with Amex right now (even though my current balance is up several hundred from where it was a few days ago. Yes, Hilton points figure heavily in my trip plan; specifically the resort credit to be used toward TDR park tickets. I suppose I need to start researching other (farther away) hotels from TDR so that I have something else in place. But oh to give up the convenience of being RIGHT THERE! (No way can I afford cash prices).

I did look carefully at the benefits of the Platinum card but I just can't stomach the annual fee when the other benefits (aside from the SUB) are not too useful to me.

UGH. I am so indecisive. This is what happens when you make only one plan and don't have a backup plan in place!

Keep in mind that you can transfer your MRs to Hilton so not all it lost with that plan. Trust me, I know the AF is hard to stomach but if you did it now and triple dipped you actually come out way ahead and then you can decide whether to cancel at year 2. I would just check Cardmatch to help with the decision. If not, then maybe the BBP. It doesn’t have the greatest sub but with no AF and 2x on everything it should make it more easily to use on purchases.

 

[Ngwira]

Did anyone else read MommyPoints latest blog post on bedbugs? It made me triple check both beds at the Borgata last night.. we are home after a fun filled one night get away! But our suitcases are outside for safe measure lol!

 

[Alexle2007]

I talked it over with DH and since this is something we really, really want to do and should be able to make happen one way or another, I'm going to go ahead and transfer my MR. I've been hoarding them for this specific purpose and I figure worst case we can book a shorter trip with them if for some reason Japan is completely out of the question. Thanks everyone for the input!

I also just have to brag on DH a little bit...when I first started this hobby he was really apprehensive, didn't want to sign up for any cards, didn't want to field strategy questions...I think he thought I was going to get arrested or spend all our money. Well, 18 months and a couple free trips later, he has a Platicorn and a couple more signup bonuses to his name, and is happy to help me work out redemption strategies if I need his input. I'm about to sign him up for a Hilton biz next so I can surprise him with a top-floor club level room at the Hilton Tokyo Bay

That’s awesome! I am glad you came up with a plan that works for you!

 

[bernina]

@Haley R

In case you didn't see this at Target.

 

[IFlossU]

just logged into my Amex account and ummm... I have 103.000 MR’s. MSR is close but not THAT close so I’m REALLY surprised that they’ve posted already. Is that typical of AMEX to post bonus prior to finishing MSR? Cuz I ain’t mad

 

[Mopedmom1]

Thanks for the reply!
Is $1 off per gallon the maximum? I have over 50 rewards and have used all of the food offers that I want.
So if I put in, say, 15 gallons, how many reward points will be deducted?
Can my DH then go and fill up at a different time and also get $1 off?
I’m trying to figure out the best way to maximize these rewards before they expire.
I couldn’t find any clear info on redeeming the rewards on their website. So I really appreciate any advice on this!

If you have a Safeway with a gas station, the $1.00 will cost you 10 rewards for up to 25 gallons of gas. so your balance is now 40. If gas is $2.50 a gal you pay $1.50. 10 gal will cost $15 and 20 gal will cost $30.

if DH goes on a different day, he’ll use 10 rewards for $1.00 off up to 25 gallons. So you balance is 30.

if you have gas cans, bring them along to fill to max the 25 gal.

Thanks for the explanation!

@Alexle2007 gave a great description. I want to caution you to not get confused with the Kroger gas talk going on. SW does NOT allow more than one car per fill up but does allow empty gas cans. I always take 3 with me to use up the entire 25 gallon maximum. If all of your awards expire by 12/31 that might be a little difficult though!

 

[Alexle2007]

Did anyone else read MommyPoints latest blog post on bedbugs? It made me triple check both beds at the Borgata last night.. we are home after a fun filled one night get away! But our suitcases are outside for safe measure lol!

Nope! Not going there. I may never want to travel again.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Did another $1000 in OM and Staples VGCs today. My CIC balance looks outrageous lol