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

[mmmears]

@calypso726 - I love hearing about your trips and I'm thankful that you share them here. And I love that you book things that you want to do, how you want to do them, and don't let people tell you you're using up your points in a way they wouldn't. Frankly I think we all do that, whether it's flying first overseas, going to WDW over and over, or whatever. You be you and enjoy your travels! I know I enjoy hearing about them.

Two week now, and still no resolution from AA on my stolen miles. I still have 0 AA miles and she still has her two tickets booked for February using my miles :-(.

Tweeted AA, they told me to call customer service. So helpful.

I'd get on the phone (yuck, I know) and escalate to a manager. AA was our go-to airline, but they have really been awful in the customer service department lately, and if you don't push them they just do nothing. It's awful. So sorry you have to deal with this.

Well eventually she did hack it, at least by phone. She called and booked her flights over the phone and changed the address and phone number in my account and removed my email address.

Yeah, if she did this, then she knows. I'd consider canceling the flight. I don't understand how they can "punish" you for canceling a flight on your own account. Clearly they aren't taking care of the issue and maybe if she calls in they will have to deal with it sooner rather than later.

Finally done with work and catching up and I'm on page 14...maybe 15 if I'm at the end of the page. Happy we are continuing to move along.

@elgerber that whole situation sucks, I probably would start escalating things, and I'm not an aggressive person. Calling them out on twitter, a little more strongly like AA why won't you do anything about my stolen AA points? You likely are in for a long call with costumer service where I would just keep escalating, I think it would be good to file a police report as well. I'm not sure what repercussion they would have for you to cancel the flights...that might actually get something done as now the other person would like get involved... Hoping you get some sort of resolution.

Totally agree on all of this.

@calypso726 mentioned that there was a new CC thread created. Wanted to drop in and say Hi

This thread is #PlanePrincessApproved

Wow! Welcome aboard!

 

[WVMomof3]

Yeah, I was thinking with the 30,000 points and CP I could almost cover our airfare cost completely. But that's at the rates I'm seeing today.

I don't have any available points or carry a balance on the Freedom card. I didn't know I could use UR for SW. Do UR convert to Disney gift cards by chance?

Have you just been cashing out the URs? They don't convert to Disney Gift Cards, but right now you can buy gift cards at drug stores and earn 5x UR on them for this quarter. The URs can only convert to Travel points, ie Southwest if you have a Sapphire Preferred (CSP), Sapphire Reserved (CSR) or a business Ink Plus (CIP) card. It will be tight to earn points and redeem them for May flights. Have you opened any of your cards in the last 2 years? If you are not looking to open a bunch of cards, the Disney offer is not bad for a quick and easy redemption if you are just looking at May. The problem is, the game gets addicting and you might want more cards when you see what you can do with them.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Yeah, I was thinking with the 30,000 points and CP I could almost cover our airfare cost completely. But that's at the rates I'm seeing today.

I don't have any available points or carry a balance on the Freedom card. I didn't know I could use UR for SW. Do UR convert to Disney gift cards by chance?

Smart not to carry a balance.....you can cash out URs for a statement credit against charges....

If you think you can spend the $4,000 on regular stuff in 3 months apply for it....I use my credit card as a debit card putting everything on it...cable, phone etc and paying the balance off weekly...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I have read all the comments today including some first page suggestions. I'll incorporate them later when I have a chance! I also will add to comment 1 about how it doesn't make sense to start and read from the beginning. That if somebody is new to the thread you may want to peruse the last 25-50 pages but that's about it. (We'll probably have at least 50 pages up by Sunday, LOL!)

 

[wendow]

To go back to the Patriots and Tom Brady thing, LOL

Go Blue!

https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/01/...e-rooting-for-patriots-twitter-data-says.html

That’s hilarious and not at all surprising lol. The article questions whether CO would really root for KC since we are division rivals. I think CO would root for *anyone* else rather than Tom Brady and the Pats. He really is despised here like no one else!

 

[PlanePrincess]

OMG!! No way! lol Does this mean we have to stop talking about you? Welcome aboard Plane Princess.

Thank you.
#CarryOn

 

[afan]

I'd get on the phone (yuck, I know) and escalate to a manager. AA was our go-to airline, but they have really been awful in the customer service department lately, and if you don't push them they just do nothing. It's awful. So sorry you have to deal with this.

This, also you might consider contacting Gary that does the blog viewfromthewing.com He's always tweeting at AA when he's traveling and annoyed at them. Not sure if he'd be able to help but may be able to put it more to their light. Maybe tweet at them again and add him too it he's @ garyleff without the space just in case there's someone with that on here I don't want to accidentally tag them

 

[wendow]

Yes I can. I jokingly said that on my first call, something like “she’s lucky I didn’t hit the cancel button” and the rep told me I would get in trouble for that. Now of course after typing this today and getting blown off on twitter I am stewing and I am guessing no one but basic reps are around at this point until Monday.

And how did they allow her to change things in my account? Don’t they ask any info to verify identity when someone calls?

I’d force the issue by cancelling her flight. I just don’t get how AA could ever come after you. She has something that belongs to you and you have every right to take it back.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I have this shirt. Seems like a lot of people mix this up, lol.

I didn’t realize it was that big of a problem that there needs to be a shirt. I’m from Illinois, would never confuse them.

 

[wendow]

Nothing worth noting. CBR express deal is the same as the rate I already have through wdw direct. I believe I saw a ASMu fam suite for $180. Thats about it. I even considered doing S/D or a DS resort and they are priced high for some reason. I guess I could redeem Hilton points, but I can't bring myself to redeem dolphin for 4 nights...I lose the 5th night free and have to pay $60 in parking/resort fees a night too.

I feel the same about swolphin. Prices are high there for my dates too plus would have the crazy resort fee. And I just cannot give them 50k points a night and not even be there long enough for the free night.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I’d force the issue by cancelling her flight. I just don’t get how AA could ever come after you. She has something that belongs to you and you have every right to take it back.

I agree with this. "getting in trouble" wouldn't phase me on this...I'd call their bluff.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Yes I can. I jokingly said that on my first call, something like “she’s lucky I didn’t hit the cancel button” and the rep told me I would get in trouble for that. Now of course after typing this today and getting blown off on twitter I am stewing and I am guessing no one but basic reps are around at this point until Monday.

And how did they allow her to change things in my account? Don’t they ask any info to verify identity when someone calls?

I know someone who had their cc account hacked and somehow the hacker had enough info to change their mailing address from Illinois to Florida (and I think they still get paper statements, I didn't dare ask) I think the owner changed it back and the hacker changed it again. Took months to straighten out. The irony is the husband is a bank VP and they only have 1 cc. I totally can’t talk hacking around them.

 

[mamalovesdis]

Hi - welcome to the thread. You're correct in saying that you're a little late to be working on flights for May 2019. I'm not sure I'd risk getting a card and hoping flights would still be there. We almost always recommend Chase cards first, BUT in your instance you could look to an Arrival Plus or Cap One card with some sort of travel eraser to handle this expense.

OR if you have a side hustle or small source of add'l income - you could qualify you for a business card. The Chase Ink Preferred offers 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points for spending $5,000. Those points are worth $800 cash back or MORE if redeemed for future travel.

One thing you may want to decide is, are you a "drive-by" friend or a "join the game" friend...Aside from your current trip are you interested in traveling more in the future? A Drive By friend is looking to get a card or 2 and that's it. A join the game friend is ready to jump in with 2 feet and consider a strategy of 5+ cards in the next year to attain awesome travel goals.

Please consider joining our DISchurners private reddit group. I'll drop you a PM about it! There you can see where we keep some of our best tips AND potentially support another DISer when you signup for a new card

That's what I was afraid of. So if I just go ahead and book flights out of pocket, my next objective will be earning cash back rewards and/or Disney gift cards to help pay for the resort/tix/dining. Looks to me like the only way to earn Disney GC's is through a Disney Visa.

Unfortunately, the only "side" business I have going on is eBay.

As far as my interest - I would absolutely LOVE to be able to travel more. I'm a single mom now and my youngest child has special needs. I'm on a limited income, but I love to crunch numbers and play the game.

Have you just been cashing out the URs? They don't convert to Disney Gift Cards, but right now you can buy gift cards at drug stores and earn 5x UR on them for this quarter. The URs can only convert to Travel points, ie Southwest if you have a Sapphire Preferred (CSP), Sapphire Reserved (CSR) or a business Ink Plus (CIP) card. It will be tight to earn points and redeem them for May flights. Have you opened any of your cards in the last 2 years? If you are not looking to open a bunch of cards, the Disney offer is not bad for a quick and easy redemption if you are just looking at May. The problem is, the game gets addicting and you might want more cards when you see what you can do with them.

I haven't used the Freedom card hardly at all, but yes I would cash out the points or use them on Amazon. I just saw the 5% back in select categories. It could potentially earn me $75 towards the trip. (up to $1500 in purchases). I want to make the best investment I can in a card I can use for future trips also. It's deciding which one right now, that's my dilemma.

Smart not to carry a balance.....you can cash out URs for a statement credit against charges....

If you think you can spend the $4,000 on regular stuff in 3 months apply for it....I use my credit card as a debit card putting everything on it...cable, phone etc and paying the balance off weekly...

I probably could spend that much in 3 months. I just did a quick run down and think I found at least $1000 monthly I could charge and then pay off, as long as some of my utilities accept CC for payment.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Except that she didn’t earn the 95 k miles from credit card sign ups. So how did she think she had enough miles to book?

Maybe she’s someone who never checks her miles. Just thought she hadn’t checked aim awhile and she was happily surprised how much she’d accumulated. I know people I could actually see doing this without a clue

 

[SBWB48]

Staples run success!

Called the store beforehand to see if they still had any more $200 VGCs left. The associate that answered told me she saw some, but would check and let me know. Was on hold for a while, but she came back and told me they "had plenty of Visas left". Got to the store and the saw plenty of VGCs, but of the $25/50/100 kind...and ONE $200 on the rack, but flipped it over and the seal was torn off, nope!

Asked the young cashier who looked puzzled and flipped through the rack herself. Nada. Another cashier walks over and looks clueless. Thought I was out of luck, but did mention I called and a female told me they had plenty, and this was only 10 min ago. Then the first cashier goes back to the rack and opens up the secret compartment door...

PULLS OUT A STACK OF VGCS IN SHRINK WRAP...and proceeds to ask "How many would you like?"

I said I would take 5 at first, so she starts counting them and asks how I want to split them; said I'll make it 6, so we are even. Asks if I could do this in three transactions since the credit card company might decline one large transaction. "Sure!"

Chats her up about the local schools as she was talking to two other students in-line, stunned at the sight of all the VGCs

In the process, she accidentally rings up 3 in the first transaction; I only wanted two since I was using the Amex cards, with the Staples offer that is up to $50 back, first before the rest on CIC. Removes one from the transaction, but forgot to remove it from the bag. Then when she proceeds to do the second transaction, she realizes she forgot which one she voided. Calls another associate/manager

He proceeds to show her how to figure it out based on the barcodes and how she should have laid them out after ringing them up to avoid these issues. Thought he would look over and see all the VGCs and ask questions...instead, starts chatting up what high school he went to as he overhead the original conversation. I chat along ("your football team may be terrible, but the tennis team is great!") as my transactions move along Once the first 3 transactions were done, I asked for 2 more VGCs, so I wouldn't have to make another trip. "Sure!!"

I walked out with 8 VGCs all said and done. I've seen this cashier a few times before, now she's my new fav

 

[DisneyMandC]

Has anyone here done the $45 Sam’s Club deal where you get $45 back in scan and go? It still works if you were previously a member, right? My mom was a member maybe 5 years ago, but hasn’t had a membership since then. Just want to make sure she can do it.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

That's what I was afraid of. So if I just go ahead and book flights out of pocket, my next objective will be earning cash back rewards and/or Disney gift cards to help pay for the resort/tix/dining. Looks to me like the only way to earn Disney GC's is through a Disney Visa.

Unfortunately, the only "side" business I have going on is eBay.

As far as my interest - I would absolutely LOVE to be able to travel more. I'm a single mom now and my youngest child has special needs. I'm on a limited income, but I love to crunch numbers and play the game.



I haven't used the Freedom card hardly at all, but yes I would cash out the points or use them on Amazon. I just saw the 5% back in select categories. It could potentially earn me $75 towards the trip. (up to $1500 in purchases). I want to make the best investment I can in a card I can use for future trips also. It's deciding which one right now, that's my dilemma.



I probably could spend that much in 3 months. I just did a quick run down and think I found at least $1000 monthly I could charge and then pay off, as long as some of my utilities accept CC for payment.

My side business is eBay too...so you have a business....but the Chase card with the biggest sign up bonus is the CIP which has the $5k spend in 3 months...
With your trip coming up quickly it’s hard to do anything with credit card miles.you may be better off booking the best fares you see and set up a plan for a future trip with credit card miles and points... If you want to get into this long term

 

[afan]

I’d force the issue by cancelling her flight. I just don’t get how AA could ever come after you. She has something that belongs to you and you have every right to take it back.

My concern with this is that they've already created a new mileage account to move her points to so they could have an issue with it because they are probably trying to figure out which points belong to who and until they do that they can't prove that those aren't her points she used to book the flight. Which is probably why it's taking so long but unless their system is total garbage it shouldn't be that hard to drop stuff into a spreadsheet and color code it to see what's what.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Oh the boy has about 20. No need to buy more. He's visiting with me now and is still upset. He's like mom, did something happen when you visited him in NC (for new years). He's like how can he go from I want to marry you, to goodbye? Even my 9yo is baffled! He also said that's the trouble with long distance relationships, they never work out because you are too far apart. The BOY IS NINE! I'm like where is all this wisdom coming from? He did also say initially when I told them that "He doesn't deserve you mom, you're way to good for him". Tonight he's also adding in that he's really stupid because he found the one (meaning me) and let me go.

Someday he'll be a great husband! (My 9yo not the ex, LOL)

Forget the ex. You have great kids!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

@calypso726 mentioned that there was a new CC thread created. Wanted to drop in and say Hi

This thread is #PlanePrincessApproved