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

[Oscar Madison]

Apparently they updated all kinds of crowd levels by mistake yesterday.

(EXAMPLE: They dropped DHS to a CROWD LEVEL ONE!!!! On the day that SWGE opens). I’d stay posted because it’s possible they are still fixing things.

Full disclosure: I’m biased as I side with Josh at EasyWDW in my belief that Touring Plans crowd level calendar is a scam LOL! He has taken them to task numerous times and proven how terrible their “algorithms” are.

Interested to know more about the faulty algoriithms from TP's. I have used it to schedule which parks we go to on which dates, but obviously no way to verify.

 

[PolyRob]

A few weeks back we had to push our WDW trip by one day...arrive a day later and leave a day later...due to finding out that hockey tryouts were overlapping our trip.
Well, the only decent flight out was 5am.
I figured we could at least still get to our FPs. We have them back to back starting at 9:35 for Mine train. We land at 8:05. Who thinks I can get to MT by 10:35?
My other options is rebook flights b/c they have come down (though still more than the 5am) and do them at 11:55am and do DAH MK that night.

ETA: Hmmnnn, TPA actually has good flight times and they are cheap. Maybe I should consider flying to/from there.

Which resort are you guys at now? I last remember a switch to Poly, but considering a BW villa or going to Swan/Dolphin?

If you're at Poly, I think you have the best chance of making 7DMT by 10:35am. ~90 DME ride and then you have 60 minutes to drop stuff will bell services, head towards monorail security, and make it to the ride. If you're at anything besides a MK resort I do not think it would be doable.

I would personally opt for the better flight time and do DAH for 7DMT. I think it would be a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience. I am fine on little to no sleep, but my family would be zombies and it would put a damper on arrival day and mostly likely the next day if they were still tired.

 

[PolyRob]

I want to make a payment on my room at Pop but I can't figure out where to go. I googled and all I can find say to go to my reservations but MDE has changed since then and now it's my plans and I can't find a place to do it. I've always used a TA before or the group before this so I never made a payment on MDE that wasn't a one time thing. Where do I go?

I couldn’t figure this out either and ended up calling. So annoying.

@afan I saw you got you answer from chat, but room only regardless of any discount has to be paid over phone. Any type of package (even 'basic' which is essentially room only) can be paid online. There are times when MDE is worse than usual and the payment link disappears.

When you do call, you can do it by yourself through the automated system about 90% of the time. It will ask you how much you want to pay or the remaining balance and you can use credit cards or gift cards. Pretty simple. Sometimes you are unfortunate and it says you have to speak with a CM. AP rates do not guarantee this. IDK why the chat person told you this. I have paid off tons of AP discounted rooms over the automated system without ever speaking with an actual CM.

 

[LynnTH]

Apparently they updated all kinds of crowd levels by mistake yesterday.

(EXAMPLE: They dropped DHS to a CROWD LEVEL ONE!!!! On the day that SWGE opens). I’d stay posted because it’s possible they are still fixing things.

Full disclosure: I’m biased as I side with Josh at EasyWDW in my belief that Touring Plans crowd level calendar is a scam LOL! He has taken them to task numerous times and proven how terrible their “algorithms” are.

Thanks. Now you just shattered my dreams of low crowds!! (J/K )

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Interested to know more about the faulty algoriithms from TP's. I have used it to schedule which parks we go to on which dates, but obviously no way to verify.

EDIT: (I realize I did not specifically answer your question...but I would NOT use TP to schedule my park days based on what I've read...I would consider reading some of EasyWDW's posts on "which day is best" at each park though )

People are welcome to formulate their own opinions...I side with Josh as he presents some good logic. I don't want to get into an argument here over crowd calendars so if anybody here disagrees with Josh (and thus me), I am not offended. Here's some examples for those interested:

This post from March 2019 has some commentary on their issues and some updates they did on about a week's notice in January: https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/walt-disney-world-early-2019-crowd-and-wait-time-trends/

A few of my favorite excerpts from that post: Imagine being four days away from your vacation, expecting to enjoy one of the ten or twelve least crowded days of the year, only to find out that your visit now falls on one of the busiest days of the year. And paying $15 for the privilege.....The 56-minute wait that we saw on the equivalent date in 2018 is clearly above average. It’s higher than the average for any month. Despite that, TouringPlans is still predicting a crowd level well below average. At least until six days before the date when they let you know that crowds are going to be much heavier than originally predicted....If you follow touringplans.com, then you’d know that they make a new excuse for why their crowd calendar is so bad every three or four months. Sometimes it’s ride capacity. Sometimes it’s weather. This time around, it’s not that their numbers are bad: It’s that the Park’s numbers are bad According to TouringPlans, Animal Kingdom’s posted wait times are off by an unprecedented amount. Keep in mind that they’re virtually the same as last year.​

And there's a lot more great commentary that sort of pokes holes in how they analyze things.

Here's a post from April 2019 where he briefly discussed how they completely missed the best week of spring break this year and instead predicted crowd levels of 7-9 during what was probably the slowest week out of all of March/April (but to their credit at least their honest and report openly that they stunk, lol!): https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/disney-world-easter-week-magic-kingdom-morning-touring-plan/

This post is the famous November 2014 "touring plans takedown": https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/t...world-wait-times-and-a-touringplans-takedown/ with a great amount of detail about just how wrong they can be.

One of these articles talks about how they are still using data from 2011, 2012, 2014 (yeah, wait time data from before FP+ even existed)...MORE data does not always mean BETTER data people! LOL!

 

[Jax1023]

Anyway I can buy an amazon gift card online and have it code as a higher multiplier on cic or cip?

Im placing a big amazon order and it’s pouring and I don’t feel like leaving my house.

 

[Judique]

I went to Safeway today, got my 2x$100 mcgc, a beautiful orchids arrangement for Mothers Day, bananas and milk. My bill showed the $15 off for the gc's plus an additional $10 off for a $50 dollar spend plus I used the CF for 5x ur. I like those kind of trips to the grocery store!

I did the same trip last week, with the addition of 2x$50 mcgc. Used my CF and had a $10 of $50....I have 2 more of these left for the next 2 weeks also. I'd also added a few items in the app - 2 packs of oreos for $4 - daughter was happy.

 

[Alexle2007]

ive learned that you must be below 30 to be even considered for that job...

Now I’m going to have to check with DH’s cousin who recently retired as one.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Ack! Finally got up the guts to try for my first business card, and I’m stymied. I know you all say to use ss#, but it won’t let me leave the tax ID #blank. I used my social in the personal section, , but when I put it in the tax ID section, the dashes are obviously in the wrong places. Is that ok?

I’m retail, Books, hobby, etc., so are category and specific type used merchandise store? I feel over my head here.

Put your SS number as the EIN

 

[mmmears]

While commercial plane noises really irritate me, I'm more ok with the jets since I think it's cool to see them. We don't get them often, but it does happen on occasion.

Jealous. That is so cool!

I was thinking the same thing! @tink1970 you're lucky you can see them!

It's the sound of freedom!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Air traffic controller? I believe they get retire early also. Although I think under FERS, you can retire younger but take a hit to the amount you can receive plus the supplement.

My son-in-law is an air traffic controller and it’s mandatory retirement at 56 I believe

 

[Lain]

I read @Lain 's awesome Plastiq primer on DISchurners and setup my acct using a support link. My DD's grad school bill is due 5/10. I'm guessing I'm out of luck with the 8 business days paper check option, right? Was hoping to meet P2's CIP#2 MSR in one fell swoop. The card is being expedited as we speak.

I’m seeing the earliest date I can schedule a check payment is 5/14.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Now I’m going to have to check with DH’s cousin who recently retired as one.

The under 30 to apply for the test is correct...I’m assuming it’s due to the mandatory retirement at 56

 

[Lain]

While commercial plane noises really irritate me, I'm more ok with the jets since I think it's cool to see them. We don't get them often, but it does happen on occasion.

Fleet Week. San Francisco Bay. EVERY October.

 

[disneybirds]

Just catching up from a milestone anniversary trip. Stayed at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island and we really enjoyed it. It was 50K a night for those with the higher level free night. I only took a picture from the balcony (upgraded to a ocean view room) so not sure that I have enough for the hotel thread. Would definitely recommend. The service was outstanding.

Plastiq: I cancelled our tax payments on 4/25 and the credit showed up on our accounts on 4/28. I was able to put the amount back on our CIP and the 80K are pending, but no 3x. An insufficient check charge for the cancelled payment is still not showing in our state account, so not sure what happened to these payments. With all this talk of the 3x, it does tempt me to pay our estimated taxes due in June. Would pay before 5/31 to allow plenty of time to arrive and still qualify for the $10K promotion. Just not sure it is worth the hassle if it doesn't post again.

Life Insurance: We purchased two policies for DH when the girls were little - a 20 year and 30 year term policies. The 20 year is set to expire when the youngest graduates from college. We also bought a smaller 20 year policy for me. Right now, we are not planning to purchase any additional policies once these expire.

 

[Mopedmom1]

I did the same trip last week, with the addition of 2x$50 mcgc. Used my CF and had a $10 of $50....I have 2 more of these left for the next 2 weeks also. I'd also added a few items in the app - 2 packs of oreos for $4 - daughter was happy.

Forgot to add that the cashier gave me (I counted) 93 Monopoly pieces. 93! I got the 2x50 last week but the store didn't have any 100's, and only a few 50's, so i went to a different store today.

I am now sitting here watching the basketball game whilst opening game pieces. Such a great afternoon! Go Blazers!

 

[Judique]

Forgot to add that the cashier gave me (I counted) 93 Monopoly pieces. 93! I got the 2x50 last week but the store didn't have any 100's, and only a few 50's, so i went to a different store today.

I am now sitting here watching the basketball game whilst opening game pieces. Such a great afternoon! Go Blazers!

Lol! I definitely didn't get that many...maybe 20 or so, since they are giving double. I think it ends very soon. I did get a few free items, a loaf of French bread, candy and batteries.

 

[Mopedmom1]

Lol! I definitely didn't get that many...maybe 20 or so, since they are giving double. I think it ends very soon. I did get a few free items, a loaf of French bread, candy and batteries.

So far I've gotten a free donut, 6 pack of Snapple, and a few more tickets. Lol

 

[orangecuse]

Okay hoping to provide enough information for some good advice:

About us - credit:

Husband and I both have excellent credit scores. No bad marks ect. Only hold student debt and mortgage currently. We put as much as we can on a CC every month and pay it off in full each month.

We have two CCs that we have held jointly for five years, and each of us has had one of them for longer (close to ten years).

First CC- BOA cash rewards card. Currently set up for 3% back on dining as we do eat out a good bit. 5k limit. Don’t think we’ve asked to raise it in years as we have never needed to. Use this mostly for discretionary spending and two small bills because work reimburses them through this acct.

Second CC- Credit Union CC with NO rewards. Feels like wasted money every month as almost all of our main bills go here (that are allowed on a CC). Also 5k limit, also haven’t asked for an increase in a long time.

We technically also have a home depot CC w/ limit of 5k we haven’t used in years.

Travel- We love cruising. We are lucky to be located where we can drive to most places we have in mind for the next few years in terms of departure ports or land adventures plus with car seats we like having our vehicle. Air travel rewards isn’t a huge factor for us for the immediate future.

Want to switch out the Credit Union CC for a rewards CC but which one? Ideally looking for something that gives us cash or points we can use toward cruising ir hotels or rental cars over heavy air mile rewards. We are also Hilton honors members with I think 70kish points hanging out right now so we build those up occasionally too. Usually travel about 2x year plus maybe a family visit or out of town wedding. Also should we go ahead and close that home depot one if opening a new one? Kind of have been just leaving it in case a new home project came up (last opened and used to get 10% off appliances and we paid it off right away).

 

[nickle831]

WARNING REGARDING SUPPORT CLICK SOLICITATIONS:
I know some of us here frequent r/churning - I just wanted to put this out there:

Earlier today, a user posted this on r/churning:

• https://www.removeddit.com/r/churning/comments/bkw4c8/question_thread_may_05_2019/emkk6vj/
• Hey guys I’d like to sign up for a CIP today. I don’t have a [redacted] and would like to use one. Money’s a bit tight right now, if you’d like to split the [redacted] bonus with me by venmoing or paypaling half the [redacted] bonus, please send me a message.

He was promptly banned from r/churning.

Subsequent to this, I (and apparently DOZENS of other) folks that had shared links on churning.rankt received this PM:

• https://imgur.com/gallery/QNqGIIf
• Hey, I saw your post in chase [redacted]. Would you be interested in splitting the [redacted] bonus if I use your [redacted]? You would have to trust me and send me $100 through venmo or paypal. The bonus is for just getting my application accepted, not contingent on if I hit the sign up bonus. I would send the 100 back if the application is rejected of course.

At first I just sent him packing, but due to the sheer number of people that received PMs, we subsequently banned him from that sub also.

This whole issue is simply dumbfounding to me, and I hope that nobody sent him money. His blatant disregard to for human decency in an attempt to defraud people I guess shouldn't shock me (this is the world we live in) but it's still disappointing to encounter somebody attempting to do this to you. EDIT: just wanted to add and get this off my chest - this dude is the SCUM of the earth to me. Ugh. (Sorry, just wanted to type this).

I'm sharing this warning since all of us play in this space and could easily receive a similar PM solicitation. Did anybody else from our group hear from this guy? I've NEVER heard of any activity like this going on in our group, and I'm sure it will stay that way. BUT be aware that if somebody found us and lurked awhile they could probably try to pull a similar scam here. Just be careful! You shouldn't have to pay people to use your link, the only way I'd consider doing something like this is with a friend IRL who I was helping.

I just have to add there are some seriously scummy people breathing the same air as us. My dad has a few rental properties and he had to evict a tenant since they stopped paying rent. It is going to take weeks just to clean the house out. Think of your worst hoarders episode and cover it in roaches and death smell. The carpet is disintegrated the sheet rock is going to have to be replaced ( there is no getting that smell out), rotting food, 4ft of trash throughout the house. Just disgusting. My dad is going to have to pull money out of his retirement savings to pay for so much damage. There's no way he'll get any more money from them, even taking them to court. It infuriates me how crappy some people can be, ( I have stronger words, but this is a family website).