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

[1st*toright]

Oh, oui, oui. The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay 1 night anniversary trip in October (Bonbon points) will be the first time grandma has both kids overnight. Then Ventana 2 nights in March. See - I'm working up to it, lol. Maybe then we can go to Bora Bora for a week.



Haven't worked it out yet, but think we'll spend most of our time at the resort. We're only 2 1/2 hours away, so it's really a very hotel focused weekend trip (especially at that sticker price!).

More about the Ventana. I recently learned from reading Frequent Miler that you can book suites with Hyatt by calling in. He recommended using Twitter to ask the Hyatt Concierge which suites are bookable. They tell me that Vista Hot Tub Suite, Big Sur Spa Suite, and Big Sur Forest Suite are the Premium Suites, bookable for 60k Hyatt points. The Vista Hot Tub Suite was surprising to me because that's the most expensive at about $3000/night (!!!). So now I'm torn. Do I YOLO and blow 120k URs for 2 nights??

120k URs is a lot, but I am a sucker for a great hotel room.

 

[MrPTato]

You don’t need an ADR at Yak and Yeti. Get the Landry’s select membership. It costs $25 but they give you $25 right off the bill. You can show up anytime and you are seated before ADRs. They also give you $25 for your bday (not stackable) but you could use that for a dessert at Rainforest or something. We did it in March. I also paid with some discounted gcs I got at Sams. Any brand works - Bubba gimp, rainforest etc

We have the membership just for the quick entrance...We don't go in March typically so we never use the $25 that my DW gets for her birthday. Maybe I'll signup and make my Birthday for January or May, when we typically go. We signed up at the Rainforest in Burlington but that closed a couple years back. I like seeing the ADR as it reminds me that that will be an AK day. I go through all the ADRs the day before and cancel what I don't need.

 

[LynnTH]

Hmmm do you have just the arrival +? Can you use JetBlue points or get the AA Biz by Barclay.? Some funky DPs lately but I got both JB and AA biz from Barclay.

We both have received the AA Biz from Barclay. Don't know much about Jet Blue - I think they just recently started flying out of MSP. Could be an option.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

My Roomba is Ruby and my Braava Jet is Pearl (she is white). Ruby and Pearl are a good duo. I prefer Pearl with the damp pads. The wet pads leave streaks on the floor. She is good for using every few days on hardwoods and tile. Then every 60 or so days I drag out the steam mop for a deeper cleaning. Pearl is fine for maintenance and to extend time btwn those deep cleans. She wipes up dog drool etc just fine. I spray any spots of mess (drip of ice cream, etc) with my all-purpose cleaner before I turn her on so they can soak a bit. Well worth the money!

Awesome--I'm going to start looking at prices!

Got an email about early booking discounts for ABD for 2020. Can't believe I'm actually looking at them, but suddenly I'm filled with visions of Angkor Wat.

I've never done ABD before. Is the best way to go about it to book through Costco for the Costco Cash Card, and 2% Executive Membership cash back? Then accumulate Disney Gift Cards at a discount as much as possible? I have a brand new Arrival+ burning a hole in my wallet...

Totally on my List of Place I Must Visit

I need some new cards but not sure what is left for me and DH at this point...

Have about $13,000 in Tuition Payments coming up in August/September (and another $13,000 in January). Would love some new cards for SUB. School takes Visa/MC with no fees.

So jealous---dd's uni charges 2.75%

 

[MrPTato]

Casey’s corner is also nuts. I haven’t had any other problems. They really scare me.

I am mildly ok with the ducks as long as they stay like 2 feet away. It's those other birds with the long beaks and legs that freak me out.

 

[speedyfishy]

I am mildly ok with the ducks as long as they stay like 2 feet away. It's those other birds with the long beaks and legs that freak me out.

Yes! Like what are those things lol The ducks aren’t that aggressive

 

[elgerber]

Nice of Chase to send me an email today telling me I was approved for the CIP...when the card arrived yesterday LOL.

 

[Explore]

I discovered yesterday that the Gaylord Opryland (marriott owned) with the new big indoor/outdoor waterpark is a Cat 5 hotel and 35k points. Just thought I'd share in case anyone wants a good way to use their certificates. The FAQ say you can book a transient rate and pay to upgrade to a sound waves package. The waterpark is only open to hotel guests and of those guests, only the ones who purchase the sound waves package (or upgrade to it). Seems like a nice overnight stay for something fun to do for me.
soundwavesgo.com

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center/

That is good to know. Thanks! We love that hotel and may just have to use one of our certs on it.

 

[miztressuz]

Oh man, churning fail here! I am planning to PC P2's CSR, so I wanted to use the travel credit before I PC. AF hit on June 1, so I wanted to PC the card this week. So I went ahead and bought some SW GCs, then noticed the fine print that said I'd used my $300 travel credit for the year and it would reset after my statement closing date in June - which isn't until June 28th!!! So no reason to buy $300 worth of SW GCs this week... And I don't actually have any SW travel coming up soon, so those GCs will have to sit around for a while...

What is the cut-off for getting the AF refunded? Would I be able to use the travel credit after June 28th and still get the AF waived? Is it 30 days after it posts or 45? I know the rules are different for amex v. chase, but can't remember which one.

So annoyed at myself.

If you are going to PC then it's usually 40-42 days for full refund, after that it's prorated.

 

[mamathompson]

For anyone curious, all of the premium magic band selections have been gone from the website today. Only the colored ones are left

I have been looking multiple times a day since booking our adult August trip. I want the castle and he wants Pirates. I can't get both to be showing at the same time. Driving me nuts.


As far as the birds. I am really truly scared of birds touching me. I like them from afar but freak out if they are close. There have been a few times at Disney Ive had to walk away from where we were sitting because I was so freaked out!

 

[Alexle2007]

Does this mean you actually drive yourself to McDonald’s to get food?

Why yes it does since the nearest McDs is almost 6 miles from our house. The only thing close is a local pizza/sub shop and even though it’s less than 1/4 mile from our house, I still drive rather doing delivery

 

[Alexle2007]

Opening at noon?? Thats weird.

There are allowing time for additional maintenance.

 

[Alexle2007]

I discovered yesterday that the Gaylord Opryland (marriott owned) with the new big indoor/outdoor waterpark is a Cat 5 hotel and 35k points. Just thought I'd share in case anyone wants a good way to use their certificates. The FAQ say you can book a transient rate and pay to upgrade to a sound waves package. The waterpark is only open to hotel guests and of those guests, only the ones who purchase the sound waves package (or upgrade to it). Seems like a nice overnight stay for something fun to do for me.
soundwavesgo.com

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center/

Hmmm...I wonder how long it would take for us to drive there from us Williamsburg next month? DH has decided he no longer wants to go to VA Beach but wants a nice pool somewhere.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

We’ve never done DCL because it looks so expensive. I wonder if the Florida rates are worth it. The Florida rates for hotels this summer aren’t great so we booked with our passholder discount

We've sailed on FL resident rates on DCL twice and both times the rates were amazing. Florida resident rates are now posted for cruises from July 29 - August 9. Definitely worth considering!

 

[MrPTato]

Yes! Like what are those things lol The ducks aren’t that aggressive

Ducks are nice to watch as well...but those other things. No thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

DARN YOU CHASE! On my personal login I saw an add for the CIU under my Roth IRA. I hadn't checked there to see if I had offers but everywhere else I've only seen offers to upgrade to the Disney Premier in the ad bar under each account's details. My heart of course soared at my good fortune, and crashed when I realized the APR was variable

 

[PolyRob]

Just booked our first and probably only ADR for our October trip. Going to try out Yak and Yeti for the first time. Got some discounted gift cards and is probably a better use than T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe. Just tired of those two places.

Not that you need another positive review, but Yak & Yeti is very yummy! I also recommend the pot stickers as an appetizer and fried wontons as a dessert (Skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream, honey-vanilla drizzle)

 

[PolyRob]

I'm still on the fence. They were discounted last night still. Guess I should check. Having MSR to meet causes me to spend money more easily.

ETA: Yep, still at the $865 rate...taunting me. What to do, what to do? What portal is that and can you confirm it posted for you?

EATA: It is only about a $114 per pass savings to buy from sams now as opposed to renewing later. BUT, it allows me to not have wasted months if I renew in Jan but don't travel until, say May....so that could be considered a savings too.

It was Ebates. It did not automatically track and I submitted a missing cash back request for both orders and I got the $12.99 no problem.

That was my same justification. Saved money and extended the life of the AP for months they would not be used.

 

[PolyRob]

Casey’s corner is also nuts. I haven’t had any other problems. They really scare me.

Don't eat at America in Epcot

 

[speedyfishy]

Don't eat at America in Epcot

Isn’t that inside?