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

[pillow]

I'm not sure about online. I used it in store for the MCGC promo last week.

Ah ok. I don't have the in store offer unfortunately.

 

[amalone1013]

Finishing up my trip accounting so here's where we ended up.

Flights: 9k RRs + CP one way, 26k URs home on United (earning 860pts each)

Night 1: Pop via Hotels.com $211 - GC stash = $30ish OOP (plus portals, plus free night credit, etc gets me ~$30 back)

Nights 2-3: Dolphin, room rate including resort fee came to $456.75. Charged $59 to the room - sunscreen and a phone charger because I forgot them, Mickey bars and drinks to sit on the balcony one night. Charged $200 to DHs SPG Lux to get his $40 credit, charged the remainder to mine to get my $40 credit plus $300 credit. Total OOP $135.45 and earned 6800pts

Nights 4-6: Pop with RO offer for one night, $535. Charged $285 to my Arrival and $250 to DHs. Redeemed a total of $560 in Arrival credit.

Used Uber credits going to Universal, but ended up paying $25 OOP for a Lyft back including tip after the OI Meetup. It was 2am and Uber kept connecting me with drivers by the airport that were 20min away, or one's who were 'completing a trip nearby' which really mean they were a mile away from us and needed to go another mile past us before dropping off their current fare (and still a 20min arrival time), plus were in surge pricing. Lyft was not surging and I had 10% off, and I gave a really big tip too in that $25 because our driver was great. If it hadn't been 2am I would have used DHs Lyft app for 25% off and paid with a Discover card.

Gift card spending was almost $600 but it came from my stash so actual cash paid for that was $275 . We ate at Yak n Yeti using Landry's gift cards that I got on sale from Sam's, $67.50 for $90 worth which I covered with Discover cashback since that was better than getting a Landry's GC through Discover which is $50 GC for $45 cb. The rest of our cash spending was miscelaneous airport stuff, Timberline tip, Pop food court (I burned a $15 VGC but forgot to grab a GC for the remainder), last few bucks at YnY plus tip on a card, and a meal at Toothsome at Uni Citywalk. Plus OI Meetup tickets and we decided to add the HEA Dessert Party. We were worn out getting to MCO at 3:45am but at least we got to use precheck... we skipped the lounge because we didn't feel like dealing with swtiching terminals since our flight was supposed to board at 6:10am and the lounge opened at 5am... and good thing as we started boarding around 5:45am.

OI Meetup Review: $186pp including tax (further breakdown of pricing/hours vs regular park hours/tickets is in quote below)
Grain of salt, we messed up here which didn't help... forgot our Seasonal APs were blocked out through the day of the meetup, so we headed over around 3pm, got checked in and got our wristbands and dining cards... and couldn't get in the park like we thought we'd be able to. There were 2 QS places in Citywalk that would have taken the dining card, but we had a long time to kill and ate at Toothsome. Delicious but filling, sooooo... we ended up not using our dining cards at all! Getting in was a bit chaotic. They hadn't really said where you'd enter but it was over by the exit turnstiles and the line seemed crazy long and no one knew what was happening. We went into IoA first thinking regular guests would head to Studios as it was open later. It was a busy day and all the lines were long, like 60mins+ so we ended up doing Poseidon's Fury and that was really it before park close - wanted to do Seuss trolley but it went down. I think we would have been better off starting in Studios even waiting in lines. We tried to use our dining cards to get drinks/snacks at some of the carts before park close, as the unlimited food didn't start until an hour after park close, but they cut all the lines off about 10-15mins early so that was a bit disappointing. At park close we jumped in the Spiderman line figuring it wouldn't be as popular, and did it twice. Rode JP River ride twice, and Kong. All walk ons. Then headed to Forbidden Journey. It was about time for the food to start and we were hungry by that time, so we hit a QS place. Then Suess trolley then Hulk. Then decided to head to Studios via a path they opened between the parks, around 10:30pm. Rode the Mummy a couple times, then headed for Gringotts but the ride went down while we were in line. Gringotts, Rip Ride Rockit, Hulk, and FnF rides all closed at midnight, so we headed for RRR. Ran into a few disboards friends so I chatted with them for a few while Zack went to ride (it's not my favorite). Hit another QS place, then went to MIB and Simpsons, then the Mummy 3 more times before it ended.

Pros: the lines were short after the parks closed, I'll give them that. 15-20ish min mostly. Gringotts was pretty long. Hulk and RRR were very backed up at the metal detectors (like wait 20min for them then basically walk on ride). I was a little miffed that we didn't get to use the dining cards, though part of that was obviously our planning so I still think they were a pro overall, if they keep doing them (I've seen mixed reviews on if they expire or not, so I'll probably hold on to them til the next trip and check to see if they are good still). Free food?

Cons: All rides with lockers were a giant issue as they are usually tied to ride times... but that feature must have been turned off, and it would tell you you had 3.5hrs even though the line was 10 mins. I think people were just leaving their stuff so not many lockers were open, plus Uni didn't have all of the locker banks open either. The QS places we hit were S.L.O.W. like 20min for a gyro/chicken finger place. I walked up to the Italian place and could get spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, breadsticks, salad, and cannolis... but they were backed up on Chk Alfredo. And they had the chicken ready, had to wait 10min for a bowl of crappy alfredo? It seemed a bit weird, it's all basic mass produced food but I felt like we waited many times longer than the times we've had QS in the park on a normal day. We even avoided the HP QS because we though they'd be the worst. Butterbeer lines were pretty crazy mostly, and a lot of the frozen BB machines were down (I can't drink the normal kind). HP areas still felt really busy and the Hogwarts Express line was always listed at 30-70mins. Rides weren't running at full capacity, like slow to load, not all the trains out. So that was disappointing to go in and the lines not that long but it takes twice as long as when the park is open to get through the same number of people.

Verdict: DH was not impressed overall. Id have felt better about the value of wed been able to use the dining cards or have more food, but it was a big time waster. And food was mainly 1hr after park close to midnight. We would give it another shot maybe instead of day tickets, but as long as our passes are valid our $375 is better spent on a night at an EP hotel.

Think we've solidified trip details now.

Flight down: DEN-MCO for 9k RRs + CP

Night 1: Pop via Hotels.com $211 - GC stash = $30ish OOP (plus portals, plus free night credit, etc gets me ~$30 back)
Still considering: I think I found Coronado Springs on Priceline for $166 total (cover with Arrival Plus?)

Nights 2-3: Dolphin, $500 room + $89 annual fee from upgrade - $380 AMEX credits = $209 net

Nights 4-6 options: Pop, $566 rack rate (will cover with Arrival Plus)

Flight home: Early morning flight United through UR portal 26k URs total - the price went up a bit and I realized that was basic economy so I booked regular economy so DH doesn't get anxious about not having seats together

I need to call and add DME for each way still. And I'll probably keep looking at Priceline to see if anything interesting comes up, and also checking to see if a discount comes up from Disney for the nights at Pop. If we end up staying booked through Disney I want to put X amount on DHs Arrival Plus to use up the remaining credit, then the rest on mine.

We also ended up buying tickets for the Orlando Informer Meetup at Universal It went towards my Brilliant upgrade MSR? I'm excited now (I balked at the price, I won't lie) because I've heard good things and I think it would be interesting to consider instead of normal park tickets for Universal in the future... It was $372 for both of us with tax, it gets you into the parks at 5pm and runs until 1:30am, and they close to the public at 7pm or 9pm depending on the park. I know one day Uni tickets are killer, but as a comparison 1 day Park to Park tickets for the same day would run us $405 with tax, for park hours being 9am to 7pm (Islands) or 9pm (Studios). Unlimited food and beverage after regular park close, and they are giving everyone a QS dining plan card to use before the parks close, which is a QS meal & beverage, a snack, and an additional beverage.

So $405 for 1 day P2P tickets, 10/12hrs in the parks, no food/EPs/etc... or $372 for 8.5hrs in the park, special event with supposedly extremely low lines, includes unlimited food/drink (including snacks like Butterbeer and the ice cream parlor in WWoHP), and 2 QS dining plans which would cost $51 if purchased separately... I can report back on this if anyone is interested. Depending on what we think I could see considering a future event for a trip with the ILs vs doing 1-2 day tickets and an EP hotel.

 

[Lain]

I usually sell them in a FB group.

I sell the coupons for $10 for the pack (I think there are 4 together usually). So $10 for 4.

Nice business you got there.

 

[pillow]

Thanks for the link. The hotel I booked (for cash) is apparently one in this group (I didn't realize it until now). Is there a way to transfer points to this group, or would I need to get their card? I'm not sure I want a new set of points since I can't even tell if I could switch my booking - I can't see availability since I don't have any points.

ETA - I couldn't see a way to do it with URs, but it looks like MRs can be transferred there... Hmm. I'm kind of hoarding those right now since we are hoping to take another trip to Europe in 2020.

You can do the book/cancel trick to "buy" points (like with IHG), but you have to have some in your account to begin with in order to do that. Only other thing I can think of would be to buy points during Daily Getaways if you don't want to spend MR's.

I hate that you can't see points prices without points in your account. Makes planning difficult.

 

[wendow]

So strange, I can see it all the way up north here lol. I'm close to the one at 144th and I 25

My closest store is in Golden which is about 25 mins from me. Maybe that is why..?

 

[wendow]

Ugh! I don't know if I'm remembering correctly, but I thought after my Barclays' denial I read you have to wait 120 days to apply again or it will be a denial.

Oh maybe...? I didn't know that but if so, oops

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Oh maybe...? I didn't know that but if so, oops

Gah all these "off-brand" issuers and their strange rules. This is why I'm back under 5/24 and back to my mama's loving arms!! (Yes...Chase is Mama in this strange analogy)

 

[wendow]

Did “he” call in at all? My status checker also said denied even though I just needed identity verification. After I sent it all in I got another letter saying I needed to send in the documents so I called and they said I hadn’t sent a copy of the BACK of the social security card. Yes, the part with no identifying info that just says where to mail the card if it gets lost. After that, I was approved.

So, first time, he was denied immediately after I hit submit. But when the letter came, it was the same as yours, saying they wanted front and back of DL, SS card and a utility bill, iirc. So, we immediately gathered all that and mailed it the next day. Then we never heard anything back from them and no, he never called. I was nervous to ask him to since I know Barclay can be so tough to recon with.

Now, it's been 2 mos, I applied again for him and it actually went pending. But few hours later, denied.

 

[wendow]

Gah all these "off-brand" issuers and their strange rules. This is why I'm back under 5/24 and back to my mama's loving arms!! (Yes...Chase is Mama in this strange analogy)

You are so weird sometimes

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

You are so weird sometimes

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

So amidst all the excitement today...did this get shared:

American Express relaunches Blue Cash Preferred with two new cashback categories

Starting May 9th, American Express will add two new reward categories to the Blue Cash Preferred card:

• 6% cash back on more than 20 US streaming subscriptions (including Amazon Prime, YouTube, HBO, Netflix, Apple Music, and Pandora)
• 3% cash back on transit purchases including parking, tolls, train fares and ride shares (including Uber and Lyft)

These cashback categories remain unchanged:

• 6% cash back at US supermarkets up to $6,000 per year
• 3% cash back at US gas stations
• 1% cash back on other purchases

The 3% cash back for department stores is being removed from the reward categories.

Official Press Release: https://about.americanexpress.com/p...ss-unveils-refreshed-blue-cash-preferred-card

 

[kmc8826]

How is she not a face character?

ETA: I’m still waiting for someone to find her and ask, “Aren’t you @disneymagicgirl ‘s daughter?!”

I will be back to the world with my youngest in 15 days. No dessert parties but I will be on the lookout and report back.

@disneymagicgirl she absolutely should be a face character. Fingers crossed that works out...now that would be a memorable experience for sure.

 

[wendow]

In the very best way You know we love you!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

In the very best way You know we love you!

 

[wendow]

So amidst all the excitement today...did this get shared:

American Express relaunches Blue Cash Preferred with two new cashback categories

Starting May 9th, American Express will add two new reward categories to the Blue Cash Preferred card:

• 6% cash back on more than 20 US streaming subscriptions (including Amazon Prime, YouTube, HBO, Netflix, Apple Music, and Pandora)
• 3% cash back on transit purchases including parking, tolls, train fares and ride shares (including Uber and Lyft)

These cashback categories remain unchanged:

• 6% cash back at US supermarkets up to $6,000 per year
• 3% cash back at US gas stations
• 1% cash back on other purchases

The 3% cash back for department stores is being removed from the reward categories.

Official Press Release: https://about.americanexpress.com/p...ss-unveils-refreshed-blue-cash-preferred-card

Tempts me to want to go back to the BCP. 6% cb on my amazon prime, Netflix, sling, etc would add up.

 

[wendow]

So we are goochi? Your little crying guy made me sad.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

So we are goochi? Your little crying guy made me sad.

 

[kmc8826]

Actual churning question/comment. I closed my CIP after referring DH and having his card be approved. (Closure/approval within a couple days). I did it so quickly because I was coming up on 30 days for the AF. My problem now is that I think my 20,000 referral bonus is in limbo. It shows as pending and that will “post at close at end of next statement.” But the account is closed! Don’t the referral bonus points usually post immediately not related to statement close? Did I screw up?

 

[wendow]

Thinking about getting my dd18 the SW plus at the increased offer. She is planning a couple trips later this year on her own and she could really use the SW points. Here are her cards:

07/18 Discover IT
12/18 CFU
12/18 Amex gold (AU)
02/19 CIP

Her credit score is 780'ish. Do you think she has a chance? She has summer tuition coming up so she could meet 3/4 of the MSR easily.

 

[wendow]

Also, the new med we tried for my dd (thanks to my research!) has helped tremendously. A flare has never, ever begun to improve this quickly. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers! Kiddo is on the mend!!!!