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

[wendow]

how is spirit airlines in general? a friend of mine wants to try it based on the price.....

We flew them to MCO and back and we were delayed both flights. Both Due to weather in Orlando. I know they grounded all the flights last night at MCO so Spirit couldn’t help that.

Overall, I can’t complain - and if you’ve ever read my posts about Frontier, I complain plenty there. Everyone from check in at Denver to the boarding agents to the pilots and flight attendants, were all very friendly, with the exception of one in Orlando.

Chairs are not comfortable and there is no leg room. We had a 4-hr flight. That was brutal. They’d be great for a 2-hr. I’d cringe to fly again for as long as we did. The price was great though (about 3-4x less per person) and if it wasn’t for spirit’s Pricing, my ds and I would not have gone to join my dh on his work trip.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

FYI: Universal's buy 2 get 3 free promotion ends Tuesday (yes, I'm posting this reminder to myself since I keep procrastinating...haha)

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/deals-specialsPlay more with five days for the price of two. Purchase by Jul. 31 and use by Dec. 20, 2019.

And additional note = you can use URs to buy tickets on this promotion.

My son really wants to do universal, but even with the promo it is $1500 for my family. I don't think I can bring myself to pay that much for Uni.

 

[wendow]

I'm also curious about Spirit @wendow … I'm debating them if we go for SW previews. I haven't flown them since 2017, PHX to DEN, but had a good experience and remember they had better seats than Frontier (more like typical SW seats than Frontier's barely quilted padding over a frame)

I just posted my general thoughts. I thought the seats were very frontier like. So hard on our long flight. I’d fly them again in a heartbeat for shorter flights.

 

[GlamMistress]

Probably no one here follows Miles for Family but just in case
https://milesforfamily.com/2019/07/29/exciting-news-for-the-blog/

I follow them once in a while. The fact is it is very hard for independent blogs to to make money without a network (BoardingArea) these days. The networks own all the eyeballs and that is how you make cash. For a daily blogger that puts a lot of work into a site, it does get exhausting not making any money so I get it.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

So I have a couple travel-related questions:

• For those of you who have booked non-Disney trips using a tour provider (such as Tauck, for example), does that code as travel for Chase?

I need to book cash flights to India. I also have to pay the provider. I am trying to figure out what to do about trip insurance. Let's just say the tickets will be 2-3x the cost of the tour.

• Do you get separate trip insurance, other than what the CSR provides, for non-cruise trips? We've only purchased trip insurance for two trips so far (China, cruise), bc almost everything we've done so far is refundable or not prepaid.

Assuming I buy separate trip insurance, which would you choose?

• buy tickets with CSR, pay tour provider with dh's new Gold?
• buy tickets with Gold, pay tour provider with CSR?

I took a brief look at insure my trip---costs look to be ~$650-800. This is our first MR card. We are 40K UR from the goal for Australia 2020 (though we'd meet that with good future CF quarters, a CIC SUB, and regular spend)

<----- me, today

Yes, tour providers code as 3X for Chase.

Chase insurance covers up to $10,000 pp for travel insurance (I believe). What I have done is purchase insurance for the amount over that (specifically Antarctica and Africa, where the cost pp was more than that). For Peru, because I fear food poisoning or altitude sickness I may look at a plan that covers medical only as I've heard that Chase can make travel claims difficult. Then use Chase for trip interruption / cancellation (since these costs are the bulk of the cost for travel insurance).

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We boarded the plane on time and now an hour after when we were supposed to leave, we’re off the plane. Lightning has grounded the plane for the foreseeable future

That was me for our orlando flights recently. stinks! Hope you finally got home.

 

[smmco]

Amex has been trying to sell me the platinum card for years. I get fliers every couple of months. How do those of you that have it justify the annual fee? I only use uber when I'm on vacation. The airline fee credit would be great if you could still buy gift cards. What makes this card worth it?

 

[Lain]

So I have a couple travel-related questions:

• For those of you who have booked non-Disney trips using a tour provider (such as Tauck, for example), does that code as travel for Chase?

Just chiming in on this part: tour operators will almost always code as travel with Chase. But just to check, you can use the Visa Supplier Locator to see how a particular merchant codes: https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator-app/app/#/home/supplier-locator

Supplier Locator

06897

1 Results
1 TAUCK INC
10 WESTPORT RD, WILTON, CT
Distance
3.38 mi
Industry/MCC
TRAVEL SERVICES - 4722

Business Enterprise Indicator
N/A
Enhanced Data Level
Level II

Looks good.

 

[speedyfishy]

broke the news to DH this morning that it would cost us $2025 to renew for non-Plus passes. I think he was very out of touch with their cost because besides the recent increase, last year I had used URs for 7 day PHs and then we upgraded those. I think I'd like to take a break again before deciding if we want APs or just tickets for the next trip.

I just paid the $2025 to renew our APs too. The first time we got them I did URs for tickets and upgraded them. SO says that we can’t not be annual pass holders. I need to add the cost of them into our budget. I’m hoping to get some bank bonuses to help with the 2k that I just spent on them. But ugh that and the wedding I feel like I have no money. I think I’m going to do BOA and Wells Fargo bank bonuses anyone else have any easy suggestions?

 

[PolyRob]

I can't decide about our preview. I keep wondering if it is not wise to waste points on flight/hotel for basically 1 ride when I could save them for a longer fall trip instead. I think we will end up not going. I would like to go 2-3 more times before the end of the year, and the preview would take up one of those spots.

I am torn. Our APs expire Labor Day weekend so on one hand this could help us skip DHS and the madness that weekend... and I don't want to renew yet. I broke the news to DH this morning that it would cost us $2025 to renew for non-Plus passes. I think he was very out of touch with their cost because besides the recent increase, last year I had used URs for 7 day PHs and then we upgraded those. I think I'd like to take a break again before deciding if we want APs or just tickets for the next trip. We've got the BG tickets from Daily Getaways to use, plus we'll probably do Uni APs again as it's about the same price as tickets for just the one trip in September we are looking at. If I was in your shoes, I'd probably lean towards not going too.

UGH I am in the same boat with my SWGE preview. I was SO pumped during the stalking period and got even more excited that I was able to reserve the ride and cantina. Roundtrip flights are now about $500 regardless of the dates I pick because we are so close to departure (thanks Disney haha). $1,500 in airfare (even on points) is a LOT for a 2/3 night max trip with so-so FP+ availability. The room isn't that big of a deal because there is plenty of resort availability. I just don't know that I can part with 100,000 URs essentially for 1 ride ESPECIALLY because I am going back in October and planned on doing the extra EMH one morning for SWGE. I too think I may be skipping my preview

 

[amalone1013]

We flew them to MCO and back and we were delayed both flights. Both Due to weather in Orlando. I know they grounded all the flights last night at MCO so Spirit couldn’t help that.

Overall, I can’t complain - and if you’ve ever read my posts about Frontier, I complain plenty there. Everyone from check in at Denver to the boarding agents to the pilots and flight attendants, were all very friendly, with the exception of one in Orlando.

Chairs are not comfortable and there is no leg room. We had a 4-hr flight. That was brutal. They’d be great for a 2-hr. I’d cringe to fly again for as long as we did. The price was great though (about 3-4x less per person) and if it wasn’t for spirit’s Pricing, my ds and I would not have gone to join my dh on his work trip.

I'm so torn... I always say never again for Frontier over two hours... and then they have a better flight home than SW (lately...). Looking at AP preview weekend, SW is $150/9800 RRs plus we have CP, leaves at 5pm. Spirit is ~$80pp, leaves at 9pm... are the seats worth 4 more hours at Disney... hmmm...

 

[miztressuz]

Check your AmEx offers- I had the BB spend $250 and get 2500 MR on my Plat and BB spend $250 get $25 back on my Rose Gold. Now I am glad I delayed the purchase of DS laptop for school! Even more savings.

ETA: DH did not have the offers but he only has the HH Biz, Bonvoy Biz and AU on BGR.

Got the cash version on my ED card, nothing on the SPGs or the BBP.
Finally added the extra point offer since I have something to stack with it and realized the extra point is only for online purchases. Oh well, we'll see how that goes.

 

[wendow]

That was me for our orlando flights recently. stinks! Hope you finally got home.

We walked in at almost 2am. Hoping we don’t repeat this when we fly back to MCO in a week. Yes, a week!!! Another night flight. There and back. Think we should have booked morning flights. We’re not on spirit this next trip, but I don’t think this was their fault.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I'm so torn... I always say never again for Frontier over two hours... and then they have a better flight home than SW (lately...). Looking at AP preview weekend, SW is $150/9800 RRs plus we have CP, leaves at 5pm. Spirit is ~$80pp, leaves at 9pm... are the seats worth 4 more hours at Disney... hmmm...

Well, if you'd like my unsolicited opinion...

I am kinda (a lot) frustrated with SWA. I was delayed 90 mins again yesterday getting home from CHS. Luckily, I was at my parents when they sent the first delay, so I didn't sit around the airport for the extra time. The delay just kept getting longer and longer. No clue what the issue was. Our aircraft was delayed leaving Dallas, which put us behind. That is 3 of the 4 flights this month with long delays. I'm over it. From now on, I will try frontier or allegiant or spirit if they have nonstop for much less money (after fees of course) or better flight times, since SW is a hot mess anyways.

I have been a big proponent of SW and haven't flown any other airlines for a decade, but the last 6 months have done me in.

 

[miztressuz]

Question about Chase paperless statement credits. I gave in several weeks ago when they gave me a pop up for a $5 credit to put a card on paperless (sometimes they offer $10 or more, but they seem to only offer me $5 ). I got to pick the card and then pick the card where the statement credit was charged. Since this was a straight statement credit (and not points like the last time ) I went for it. I received the credit a couple weeks ago but now I got the pop up again. It said that there was a limit to one $5 statement per cardmember so does anyone know if that means forever? per year? Or is it per offer and since this is a new offer I could get it again?

I accidentally let the page time out so it's gone now. But if it's like the last time it'll pop up again in the next couple weeks so I'm curious if others have any experience.

OK, update for anyone in the same situation. Got the pop up again as expected, decided to try it. It let me save my new paperless option for another card and then told me I had already redeemed the $5 coupon... so no $5 for me but they got another card on paperless. I'll probably go switch it back now.

Didn't give me a clue as to when I'd be eligible again.

 

[wendow]

I'm so torn... I always say never again for Frontier over two hours... and then they have a better flight home than SW (lately...). Looking at AP preview weekend, SW is $150/9800 RRs plus we have CP, leaves at 5pm. Spirit is ~$80pp, leaves at 9pm... are the seats worth 4 more hours at Disney... hmmm...

With pricing that close, I’d fly SW. Our pricing was like $89 spirit vs $300 SW (one way). it was a huge difference, even though we were only OOP 2 tix. The seats are a big deal on a 4-hr flight. And the free tv. And texting. For 4-hrs, those are vitally important

 

[wendow]

Well, if you'd like my unsolicited opinion...

I am kinda (a lot) frustrated with SWA. I was delayed 90 mins again yesterday getting home from CHS. Luckily, I was at my parents when they sent the first delay, so I didn't sit around the airport for the extra time. The delay just kept getting longer and longer. No clue what the issue was. Our aircraft was delayed leaving Dallas, which put us behind. That is 3 of the 4 flights this month with long delays. I'm over it. From now on, I will try frontier or allegiant or spirit if they have nonstop for much less money (after fees of course) or better flight times, since SW is a hot mess anyways.

I have been a big proponent of SW and haven't flown any other airlines for a decade, but the last 6 months have done me in.

I noticed on the screen in the lounge that flights going to Houston and Dallas both had delays last night so guessing there was weather issues there too. I think we had to fly around some weather coming up from Texas cause it took longer than our normal almost 4 hours to get to Denver.
In your situation, your flights are typically pretty short, right? Like 2’ish hours? I wouldn’t hesitate to fly spirit for those shorter flights.

 

[chattadisser]

You're welcome! I was super stoked since with the SW RR portal bonus that will be a nice savings on DS's laptop.

Do you have it on personal cards? Trying to figure out if that is DH's problem since he only has Biz cards.

Yeah all of ours are on personal cards, no AmEx Biz cards here...yet!

 

[amalone1013]

I just paid the $2025 to renew our APs too. The first time we got them I did URs for tickets and upgraded them. SO says that we can’t not be annual pass holders. I need to add the cost of them into our budget. I’m hoping to get some bank bonuses to help with the 2k that I just spent on them. But ugh that and the wedding I feel like I have no money. I think I’m going to do BOA and Wells Fargo bank bonuses anyone else have any easy suggestions?

Ha! That sounds like something DH would say He is the spender between us and would pay it without thinking too vs I want to analyze everything He's also the type to look at his bank account and be like, I have $X there so it's okay to spend it. So he defers to me as he knows I am trying to make sure we don't fritter away excess money since he has a lot in commissions this year. The other component is that I want to get a Europe trip in soon, and if we get APs again, I will always be looking for an excuse to go down there Because a big cost is already covered! And we need to get our money's worth! And the problem there is vacation time... if I didn't take any more days off this year, after my first pay period in January I would have 17.5 days. DH would have 6 hours. APs make it easy to 'fritter away' DHs vacation time!

UGH I am in the same boat with my SWGE preview. I was SO pumped during the stalking period and got even more excited that I was able to reserve the ride and cantina. Roundtrip flights are now about $500 regardless of the dates I pick because we are so close to departure (thanks Disney haha). $1,500 in airfare (even on points) is a LOT for a 2/3 night max trip with so-so FP+ availability. The room isn't that big of a deal because there is plenty of resort availability. I just don't know that I can part with 100,000 URs essentially for 1 ride ESPECIALLY because I am going back in October and planned on doing the extra EMH one morning for SWGE. I too think I may be skipping my preview

Oh no! Yeah I can see that too if you'll be back soon-ish. And I feel so bad, I am in a FB group with a few dis-ers and they are in the same boat as you - $400 or $500pp for flights. And they're paying cash For us our SW flights were only $149pp each way so much easier to stomach (plus CP and just 2 of us).

Well, if you'd like my unsolicited opinion...

I am kinda (a lot) frustrated with SWA. I was delayed 90 mins again yesterday getting home from CHS. Luckily, I was at my parents when they sent the first delay, so I didn't sit around the airport for the extra time. The delay just kept getting longer and longer. No clue what the issue was. Our aircraft was delayed leaving Dallas, which put us behind. That is 3 of the 4 flights this month with long delays. I'm over it. From now on, I will try frontier or allegiant or spirit if they have nonstop for much less money (after fees of course) or better flight times, since SW is a hot mess anyways.

I have been a big proponent of SW and haven't flown any other airlines for a decade, but the last 6 months have done me in.

Bummer I've always been a big SW fan too. Luckily we (as in DH and I) haven't had any issues really, I think my most recent bad delay was flying out of SNA last March and almost an hour? The biggest thing was we almost hit curfew and wouldn't have been able to leave. Dh has had quite a couple delays recently, but he still prefers them. But his really bad delays the last two trips were both Frontier (and the last flight experience was really bad)

 

[miztressuz]

We flew them to MCO and back and we were delayed both flights. Both Due to weather in Orlando. I know they grounded all the flights last night at MCO so Spirit couldn’t help that.

Overall, I can’t complain - and if you’ve ever read my posts about Frontier, I complain plenty there. Everyone from check in at Denver to the boarding agents to the pilots and flight attendants, were all very friendly, with the exception of one in Orlando.

Chairs are not comfortable and there is no leg room. We had a 4-hr flight. That was brutal. They’d be great for a 2-hr. I’d cringe to fly again for as long as we did. The price was great though (about 3-4x less per person) and if it wasn’t for spirit’s Pricing, my ds and I would not have gone to join my dh on his work trip.

This is basically what a buddy said about Spirit too. He got to fly them a bunch for practically free knowing someone who worked for them, but he said he wouldn't do a long flight. I think he did one that was about 4 hours and said never again, but he didn't mind them for short trips. Sure it was cramped but he ended up knowing some FA's so got some heavily discounted booze inflight to compensate I forget what I asked him about, could have been Vegas, and basically he said short hops are fine, but he'll pay money to fly someone else for anything long. At the time he was a late 20's, do anything for cheap, kind of guy so that said something to me.