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

[kidsfirsttrip]

You don’t gamble, but maybe you should “gamble”? I’m always reading about cruise ship MS being quite lucrative!

You know I a saw something quick on Reddit about loading you seapass card and then getting cash at the casino but I’m not quite sure how that’s work since I think there is a 5% charge. Any other way I’m missing?

 

[vanjust14]

Purchased two fee free $100 MCGC from Staples on 1/22, shipped today and went pending on RMN. I've always got the credit from those that went pending before so hopefully that is the case again.

I've done it twice and one went pending and one didn't. I think we are safe if they are pending. How many times can we do this?

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Same!! I'm in MA, too - maybe we grew up near each other!

You stayed awake stressing about the creepy clown in the white van??? Lol! I’m grew up west of the city about 30 min. You? I do think it was an urban legend though hahaha!

 

[castoral]

Cruise people: we leave in 2 weeks from today. Oasis of the Sea. Just recently hit with the noro virus but not going to think about that! Two questions:
1. How much cash should I bring? 2 adults and 2 kids - they are 9&12. We don’t gamble, did the drink package onboard, not huge shoppers but will pick up a few small souvenirs
2. Tips for the kids? They are threatening not going to the kids club. At all. I was thinking card games like Uno to occupy them? Any other thoughts?

While I have not been on anything but Carnival, we took kids last year ages 9-4 at the time. We personally purchased gift cards for on board stuff. We spent $20/day at the arcade (during the 1/2 time). Husband and I did the steak house for a date night. We got maybe 3 or 4 drinks the entire cruise and on Carnival you can bring your own pop and juice boxes and snacks so kids didn't need anything else. We did all our excursions outside of the cruise.

As for activities, one, we MADE our kids go to kids club every single night, especially the first night. They weren't thrilled, especially since they got split up, but we said it wont kill them to play video games for one hour and we'd be back to get them. Every night hubby and I enjoyed 1-1.5 hrs of alone time to hit the piano bar, see the comedian, dance, people watch, etc. The kids had a BLAST though. We had movies downloaded onto ipads (most TV stations on the boat were in Spanish) that they'd watch as they fell asleep each night but other than that they couldn't get enough mini golf, basketball, water slides, ice cream machines, free food/pizza, shows, planned activities, hot tubs, ping pong, etc.

We leave in 49 days for our first 7 night on Carnival Dream! Can't wait!

 

[Lain]

You know I a saw something quick on Reddit about loading you seapass card and then getting cash at the casino but I’m not quite sure how that’s work since I think there is a 5% charge. Any other way I’m missing?

Here’s a DP from a Carnival Cruise: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9r99e6/comment/e8fv7rj?st=JRAXY7I1&sh=8ac305cd Maybe this one’s for you, @castoral.

Oasis of the Seas is RC? https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9lv561/comment/e7a231q?st=JRAY22LF&sh=5210264d

And generally: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/7dsah4/comment/dq1ndx0?st=JRAY3BRU&sh=a7ffee34

 

[amalone1013]

I left out the part where the Buick is always referred to as:

HRH The Buick Park Avenue Electra

(ok, I added the HRH part)

even though it went to one of those junk car tow away places and he got $300 for it.

 

[amalone1013]

I had a message in my swagbucks inbox about Best Buy's 4 day sale, ends Sunday, earn 4% cash back, so maybe 4% will be here through the weekend.

 

[DisneyMandC]

That sounds amazing!!!! Now I'm getting super excited about this trip!!! I say my little one is HP obsessed, but I'm right there with her. Cannot wait to see Hogwarts!!! I'm not sure we'll be doing any of the rides (other than Hogwarts Express) because LO is a ride chicken (SDMT is a bit much for her). DH can also be iffy about doing rides, and I've heard that women with certain upper body dimensions don't necessarily fit on Forbidden Journey, plus I've had some issues with feeling ill on 3d rides (looking at you, Transformers and Star Tours - no issues on my favorite ride ever FOP), but we will definitely be exploring the queues.

I'm similar to you- no issues on FOP at all but I'm ill as soon as Star Tours starts, which is a real shame because I'm a huge Star Wars fan. Hogwarts was riiiight on the edge of nausea for me. I rode it twice, but it was a little questionable. It actually wasn't the 3D so much as it was just how that ride literally moves you around and flips you through the air. It's actually a really incredibly built ride and I would encourage anyone who does ride to try to look around at the other "vehicles" near you to see how they move. Gringotts is an incredible ride but is a little intense, so may be too much for your LO.

For those talking about Universal, I have to say that DH and I went on a holiday weekend without express pass and we were basically able to walk on both Hogwarts and Gringotts first thing in the morning both days. We actually went through the Hogwarts line so quickly that I don't feel like I got to look at enough of it. Plus, you miss sooooo much in the lines if you use express pass and are a HP fan. We actually waited about an hour to ride Gringotts are second evening there and I really enjoyed the time to check everything out.

 

[wanderlust7]

Here’s a DP from a Carnival Cruise: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9r99e6/comment/e8fv7rj?st=JRAXY7I1&sh=8ac305cd Maybe this one’s for you, @castoral.

Oasis of the Seas is RC? https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9lv561/comment/e7a231q?st=JRAY22LF&sh=5210264d

And generally: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/7dsah4/comment/dq1ndx0?st=JRAY3BRU&sh=a7ffee34

I've seen this mentioned on Cruise Critic, but in regards to cashing out nonrefundable onboard credit. Didn't occur to me to think about it in terms of MS. But now I'm all . Don't like carrying around a lot of cash though, so probably most I'd do is $1000 to finish off MSR.

 

[vanjust14]

Our next Christmas visit to Hawaii is coming together!

I booked 3 economy saver awards on UA this morning for 22.5k United miles + $5.60 per person, flying out of SFO on Christmas Eve. I don't even want to think about the cash price for these tickets over the holidays.

About a week and a half ago, I booked 7 nights at the Royal Hawaiian for 60k Marriott points a night, before peak pricing kicks in, for 360k Marriott points + resort fees total. Interestingly, the member rate here jumped up from $475/night when I booked to $802/night currently. We're also booked for 3 nights at Aulani to ring in the new year and finish off our trip.

Now I need return flights when they open up in a week or two.

This sounds amazing! I want to do Hawaii in 2020, possibly Christmas time. I've never been. My plan is similar to use Marriott points, and also stay at Aulani hopefully with DVC points for 3 nights. I recently canceled my trip to Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman and want to save the points for Hawaii. I will also have Southwest CP, so hoping I can utilize that as well. How far in advance can I look into booking the hotels? Any advice for me? I have approx 375,000 Marriott points.

 

[Ngwira]

Any recent DPs regarding asking for a retention offer on an Amex Platinum? Card is about 8 years old and DH never asked for one. Would this be pushing things with Amex? DH doesn't want to end up on the "naughty" list and the spend on this card has plummeted (but it's still used) since we started playing the MSR game. DH also got 2 new Amex cards in the second half of 2018, so I'm not sure it's worth asking. Any thoughts?

I asked for a retention offer in December, my annual fee will post Feb 1. Got 20,000 MR for 3k spend. Have only put minimal amounts on the Plat.

 

[amalone1013]

Hogwarts was riiiight on the edge of nausea for me. I rode it twice, but it was a little questionable. It actually wasn't the 3D so much as it was just how that ride literally moves you around and flips you through the air. It's actually a really incredibly built ride and I would encourage anyone who does ride to try to look around at the other "vehicles" near you to see how they move.

I love FJ. It is my favorite. We hit it for the first time in Cali right after it opened, and they had added 3D glasses to that one - they ended up removing that because it was too much for most! Those are some pretty amazing/interesting ride vehicles.

Plus, you miss sooooo much in the lines if you use express pass and are a HP fan. We actually waited about an hour to ride Gringotts are second evening there and I really enjoyed the time to check everything out.

You miss sooo much! DH and I have always had EP until our trip 2 weeks ago. We had never been through standby in Islands at all and only a coulple in US during HHN - that was the first time we saw the actual pre show for Men In Black! So we had a good time exploring the FJ queue and even Gringotts (and some of the other rides too).

 

[DisneyMandC]

I love FJ. It is my favorite. We hit it for the first time in Cali right after it opened, and they had added 3D glasses to that one - they ended up removing that because it was too much for most! Those are some pretty amazing/interesting ride vehicles.

I saw on Reddit a while ago where someone posted a video of what looked like a NASA training device where it flipped you around through the air like that. Someone commented and said they could handle it after riding FJ

 

[afan]

Called Alaska and the only way to get the miles back is to cancel and rebook. It's tempting because I can always use the money and it's less than buying them but at the same time I don't have the cash at the moment to do it and I don't yet have the miles to book it at the lower and then cancel. So for now I'll leave it as is. The CSR said that she didn't get that many calls of people asking to do it and when I asked if it was normal for it to go down in points she said she doesn't see it often but she doesn't look. So I may just be happy with it all for now knowing I have both flights for 32,500 instead of 40k and then when I have the money I'll see if I can still get it for lower.

 

[GlamMistress]

I asked for a retention offer in December, my annual fee will post Feb 1. Got 20,000 MR for 3k spend. Have only put minimal amounts on the Plat.

How many Amex cards have you opened the past 12 months?

 

[Albort]

How many Amex cards have you opened the past 12 months?

i did 3 in 12 months.

edit: im probably not answering the right question... This is about retention right?

 

[Lain]

This sounds amazing! I want to do Hawaii in 2020, possibly Christmas time. I've never been. My plan is similar to use Marriott points, and also stay at Aulani hopefully with DVC points for 3 nights. I recently canceled my trip to Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman and want to save the points for Hawaii. I will also have Southwest CP, so hoping I can utilize that as well. How far in advance can I look into booking the hotels? Any advice for me? I have approx 375,000 Marriott points.

Which island?

Marriott releases room availability 50 weeks (about 350 days) in advance, usually in chunks of 5 days or so at a time. So if you have dates in mind, start checking about a year out. Currently, I can book out to 1/10/20 (351 days from now), but if I needed to check out on the 13th, I’d wait a few more days and keep checking. If you have your dates, there’s really no reason for you not to book ASAP because all Marriott hotels should now offer the points advance option that lets you book an award reservation whether or not you have enough points in your account. Remember, with award reservations, your 5th night is free.

I’m pretty on top of making reservations, so I tend to jump on them as soon as they’re released. But even during the busy Christmas and New Year’s period, I’m still finding award availability at all the Waikiki Marriotts (except the 35k/night Princess Kaiulani) almost two weeks after rooms were released. I’m seeing award availability at the Westin Ka’anapali, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, and Sheraton on Maui, and availability at several hotels on Kauai, too. Last year, I think I made my award bookings for the Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikiki in early April. Don’t wait too long.

I’d note that Marriott is planning to introduce peak pricing in, I believe, March, which may impact the points pricing during Christmastime. For Marriott’s category chart with standard, peak and off peak pricing, see: https://members.marriott.com/redeem/ However, all Marriott hotels should now offer points advance, which allows you to allows you to book an award reservation whether or not you have enough points in your account, provided you have the points by two weeks before your check-in.

Hope this helps. And I can’t wait to read about your Hawaii plans!

 

[GusGus16]

Talking about Harry Potter world...a couple years ago I went, thought I knew what I was getting into on FJ...umm not so much. My sister and I have motion sickness problems to begin with, we got off the ride and it was awful. Ended up getting to Jurassic world and having to sit down for a long time until the music and the smoking area near by got to much, made it to another area and sat until we got the room ready text. That is a one and done for us. We went through the queue for Gringotts and exited before the ride. I would be cautious if you are prone to any motion sickness. At least my sister and I can laugh about it now and she forgives me for putting her through it. One of the funniest things about the story is my sister was like are you sure we will be ok with this ride and I'm like I've researched it and we will be fine, yeah about that...

My SW points from my inflight card posted, now anxiously waiting the business card points to post, the closing date is in 2 days.

Also researching another Hawaii trip, waiting for SW to release more infor on their flights. I know nothing is going to get done until the shutdown resolves. Ugh, I'm being so impatient. My plan is to keep my Marriott points for the trip...but I'm super disappointed about the price hike, when we went a year ago we stayed at the Waikiki Beach Marriott resort and spa, for 35,000 points a night. It is not right on the ocean, but just across the street and I was super impressed, it helped that we were upgraded to a partial ocean view. Now it is 50,000 and I know 35,000 was a steal, but I don't think it is worth 50,000 especially compared to the sheraton and royal Hawaiian which are more central Waikiki and directly on the beach. For what it is worth we enjoyed the Marriott more than the sheraton because of the less hustle and bustle, but I won't be booking it for 50,000 points.

 

[Alexle2007]

We are staying at RPR end of the trip. Presidents weekend. Rides are more open during parade? When does it start? Uni virgins here open to any suggestions.

With the expr8888888888888888

On the ship, we charging everything to the room. I do bring cash for room service tips, additional service tips (sometimes I do cash, sometimes I just put in the card), if you are getting off at any of the ports, you'll want some. I think we take $1000 at most since we just use our credit cards for everything.
2. There is some much to do on the ships, even if the kids don't go to the club. My DS really enjoyed playing ping pong. I can't imagine needing to bring your own games. We did make sure DS had Wi-Fi so he could still use his iPad to play games.

Enjoy! We loved her sister ship the Allure!

Wow! That is great! I calculated our trip at around a $9500 cost with about $1500 oop. Amazing. That’s 3 nights Disney with 2 day tix, 7 night RCL cruise, and 3 nights universal getting APs

We are upgrading to APs at universal. If you buy 4 day tix (but not the promo ones) it’s only around $10 person to upgrade. Also I heard you want PTP otherwise you can’t ride the Hogwarts express

We bought APs in Nov when Uni was offering 6 extra months for free so we'll get to use them for 18 months. Hoping the HP expansion happens before they expire. If not, my brother said it much cheaper to renew them rather than repurchasing them. I am hoping I can upgrade to the top tier when we go next week so that will open up other lodging options since we would get EP after 4 pm.

You absolutely want P2P. Hogswarts Express is so nice. Make sure you ride it in both directions because it is a different experience. If you happen to purchase an adult beverage, it is the only way to take it from one park to the another.

 

[GlamMistress]

i did 3 in 12 months.

edit: im probably not answering the right question... This is about retention right?

Yeah, following up on a comment @Lain made - theorizing about retention being tied to new accounts.