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

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Hey all:

We're headed to Orlando and staying at Sapphire Falls 12th-16th doing Universal. Then Headed down to DVC Vero Beach from 16-18th. Then headed back and staying at Animal Kingdom on the 18th-19th.

Originally, I was going to fly back MCO-DAL, but with our Diamond Caesar's I thought I'd check to see what flights were to head to the Bahamas/Atlantis instead about 4 months ago. Turns out, it was only a ~200 point difference/person on SW to fly MCO-FLL-NAS NAS-DAL as it did MCO-DAL when we booked it. Didn't really want to go to the Bahamas, but as the cheapest man on the planet, I can't turn down free.

Clearly, now with the hurricane, things changed.
We're still going to head down to Nassau, but wanted to help with hurricane relief instead and just use the hotel as a base.

We helped when Houston got hit, and it was all very organized and simple. This isn't turning out to be the case (obviously) in the Bahamas.

Any suggestions from anyone who has done anything similar on a group to hook up with? I'd like a way for our young kids to be involved somehow (6 and 10)- so if that means coloring with other kids there or just playing with them, my wife can head to do that while I help with more physical aspects.

Also - going to go ahead and bring 8 checked bags (since we can) full of items. Outside of clothes, anything else? Anything I'm just not thinking of?

Work has me slammed today, so I won't be able to do a ton of research so thought I'd get yall's input before digging into it in the next few days.

It's so wonderful that you want to help, and teach your children to do the same. I think there were good suggestions above, so I won't repeat them, but just wanted to thank you for trying to do something positive for the people there.

Yes! I really liked them! I’m wondering how often they change the shorts

I don't think they change very often. We kept seeing the same ones over a few trips, but I know it's been changed since then. This is something we always try to see, especially when we are hot and tired from walking.
 
OK so much to my surprise DH was OK with me trying the Delta package. It seemed to good to pass up!

I booked a "throwaway" flight (ATL-MCO) and 2 nights at a value (to get Disney tix a 60 days) for October. I put all 4 of us down and got 4 flexible park hoppers 10 days (delta was even doing a 2 day free promotion so it was the price of an 8 day hopper). The total was $3900, so I cashed out 200,000 MRs to = 200K skymiles. That included the $232 travel protection fee. I will get back a voucher for $826 (hotel and flight price). I will then take that voucher and use it to book a room only reservation once we decide on exact dates. Probably April 2020. Hopefully I can upgrade to AP's, I see no reason why not. I spoke with Delta and they will be mailing the park tickets to me tomorrow, so once I have those in my hand I will cancel the reservation. Even if I can't upgrade in my mind it cost me the equivalant of $1200 for 4 10 day park tickets, on the Disney site the are $2500 for the days.
Looks like I can cancel the reservation online. I'm not sure how the voucher works - if it gets mailed to me or I'm given a code. I will update later in the week what happens with that.
In the meantime I am going to book another package and deplete my MRs. A $1500 throwaway package costs $93 for protection (and can use miles at x2 to pay for that) and I will cash out my last 75K MR's and use the voucher towards Disney rooms in April. I may be a new Delta Fan Girl
Do those 10 day tickets have an expiration date? Is it 12/31/2020?
 

Woohoo, getting a refund of my URs for our United flights!

This makes me happy after everything today, because I also remembered that I locked myself out of DHs Barclays AA Biz account and forgot to make the $10 payment on it that was due on the 28th :mad: That one is all on me at least.

Any time you have a booboo like missing a payment you should call. You will get forgiveness at least once in a while. I haven't messed up in forever (knock on wood) but I've forgotten to make a payment or paid 50 cents less or some thing stupid like that and they've always fixed it for me. I'm talking about messing up maybe 3 or 4 times in 30 years, just to be clear, but if there's any possibility of marring my credit I'll get on the phone.

Right now, because I know I'm somewhat absent minded, I make a point of checking every account once a week on either Saturday or Sunday morning. I pay whatever is due at the time. I don't depend on programs but I'm not into you need a budget or stuff like that. I do this because I'm mostly afraid I'll forget to pay.
I keep my 'eyes on account' for other reasons also, such as possible fraud. And I refuse to set up auto payments because I don't like the idea of some computer entity not controlled by me dipping into my checking/savings.
 
Yeah Im just not sure if you can 100% upgrade I'd hate to steer you wrong. We will use the tickets either way and are on the fence about upgrading anyways so for the price I'm taking the risk
Do you happen to know if the ticket vouchers are usable at any time (flexible ticket, 12/31/20 expiration)? We travel Nov 2020, so I would book a trip within the Delta promo and use the vouchers for Nov
 
I make a point of checking every account once a week on either Saturday or Sunday morning. I pay whatever is due at the time. I don't depend on programs but I'm not into you need a budget or stuff like that. I do this because I'm mostly afraid I'll forget to pay.
I keep my 'eyes on account' for other reasons also, such as possible fraud. And I refuse to set up auto payments because I don't like the idea of some computer entity not controlled by me dipping into my checking/savings
I prefer to look at it as a Baby Boomer thing (as opposed to being "old" and forgetful 😜 ). I do the same exact thing, except on Friday!
 
If I'm only wanting to get park tickets for WDW on Delta Vacations package, what's the cheapest suggestion there?
 
Thinking about the next step for DH.

Card history:

Chase Freedom - 12/16
Chase Freedom Unlimited AU - 05/17
Chase Sapphire Preferred - 09/17 (downgraded to Chase Freedom)
Chase Ink Cash - 03/18
Chase IHG - 03/18
Bank of America BankAmericard - 01/18
Chase Ink Unlimited - 02/19

So he is 2/24. I am thinking about applying him for a CIP. I no longer have one, so I wouldn't get a referral bonus, unfortunately. He already has two Chase business cards, so I am not sure what his chances are for a third? We are planning to buy new tires for both cars, so meeting the spend would be pretty easy.

All of our major trips are covered through 2020, but we are hoping to go to Hawaii in 2021. I am thinking I want to keep the flexibility to pursue SW companion passes for both of us for flights, but I would love to build more UR points to help cover some hotel expenses since we plan to do a split between Aulani and somewhere on Kauai. Thoughts? Thanks!
I know there was a time where 3 Chase Biz cards was a difficult proposition so people were hesitant to attempt it. That time, fortunately for you, is not now, haha! Chase biz cards seem fairly easy to get approved for now and some people have as many as 5 or 6. A CIP seems to be a great move for him.
 
I'm thinking about going for a Hilton Biz. The current offer is 125K points with $3,000 spend in 3 months. I'm kicking myself that I didn't go for it last week. I feel like I need to take a break from chase for a little bit. And I can see some uses for Hilton points in my future.
I know it's not as good as the previous offer, but is it an ok offer? I'm guessing it'll be a while before they increase it again, since it just ended.
05/18Chase Ink Preferred - closed 6/19
08/18Chase Sapphire Reserve - planning to PC to a CF by the end of 09/19 (after travel credit resets)
08/18Chase Sapphire Preferred - planning on cancelling 09/19
11/18Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
01/19Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
04/19Chase Ink Preferred 2nd
06/19Barclay Arrival Plus
08/19Southwest Performance Business
It's ok but not great. Keep in mind the plethora of Amex pop-ups associated with Hilton cards. In my mind that means I really really want a Hilton card to be worth the bonus. The last one had slightly more points but also included the Free Night cert and that can worth hundreds of dollars in itself. Personally unless I really needed HH points I'd pass for now and see if that better offer pops up again.
 
Can’t believe it’s less than nine months before this trip. I need to make DLP reservations still. The best deal for what I want right now is through the DLP UK site. But if I go through that one and only put down a deposit on the room, is it possible the exchange rate will sour on me and I’ll end up losing in the end? Tagging @afan in case she has input. I’m also planning to use Capital One Venture miles for this. I’m assuming this would work but not sure where to go looking for DP’s.
The GBP is taking a nosedive due to all the Brexit nonsense. It's at the lowest level it's been in years. Things are not expected to get better any time soon over there so it's likely to fall even lower, making your trip cost less when converted to USD. That's if you book on the UK site.

We booked DLP on Hotels.com, which may also be a good option for you since you get 10x with the Venture card through Jan 2020. We booked a package, 2 nights at DL Hotel which included 3-day parkhoppers. I was a little worried because there were no details about the type of tickets on the Hotel.com website or in the confirmation email, but all was well when we checked in. I guess the only bummer is that you have to pay the whole thing upfront. Watch for a promo code.
 
Most of our trips are kind of like that now since we only live an hour away. We don’t always book FPS and adrs ahead of time. It’s so nice to take it slow and find new things. We go home Thursday. Seems like our town hasn’t gotten hardly anything
I think we are just getting a bit of Dorian now. Driving rain and high winds. She's likely going to head up the coast soon.

So glad that you are enjoying yourself. I am envious -- wish we had driven up for a few days.

Dd's school is back in session tomorrow (already received the e-mail). Parent night for juniors and seniors, which was scheduled for tomorrow, has been canceled and all students that cannot make it back before the weekend will not be marked absent; also all tests and assignments scheduled for this week will be postponed until next week.
 
Thanks for the response. We aren't planning to go back to Disney for a couple of year, so this won't work.

The CSR at Delta vacations I spoke with DIDN'T EVEN KNOW how the tickets would come to me! Ugh. So, what if you wanted to book for just tickets (cancelling both the hotel and flight for the voucher) but not until LATE next year. What are the odds that the tickets would then have a LATER than 12-31-20 expiration? I'm looking for the JUST TIX option as well!
 
Heard back from the hotel. They said it was a “preauthorization” for our stay, and it is specifically for charging no shows. After the preauthorization goes through they waive the charge. It still seems weird but I let the charge go through. Hopefully it’s waived properly. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.

Can’t believe it’s less than nine months before this trip. I need to make DLP reservations still. The best deal for what I want right now is through the DLP UK site. But if I go through that one and only put down a deposit on the room, is it possible the exchange rate will sour on me and I’ll end up losing in the end? Tagging @afan in case she has input. I’m also planning to use Capital One Venture miles for this. I’m assuming this would work but not sure where to go looking for DP’s.

I'd.ask over on the DLP board. I think you can only do a deposit by calling I think all sites require full payment. I booked through the US site and had to pay in full when I booked.

It make take a day or so to get an answet but the DLP board has some good people there..
 
I think we are just getting a bit of Dorian now. Driving rain and high winds. She's likely going to head up the coast soon.

So glad that you are enjoying yourself. I am envious -- wish we had driven up for a few days.

Dd's school is back in session tomorrow (already received the e-mail). Parent night for juniors and seniors, which was scheduled for tomorrow, has been canceled and all students that cannot make it back before the weekend will not be marked absent; also all tests and assignments scheduled for this week will be postponed until next week.
Dh has work off for sure today and tomorrow so he’s actually getting paid to be at Disney lol. Our schools are out through Thursday I believe.
 
Most of our trips are kind of like that now since we only live an hour away. We don’t always book FPS and adrs ahead of time. It’s so nice to take it slow and find new things. We go home Thursday. Seems like our town hasn’t gotten hardly anything

Hope it stays that way. Looks like it will spin past your new home area in the next few hours but it's down to category 2 and lighter winds. Noaa's update at 4 said there was a 60mph gust around 4 at Melbourne Beach. It's actually east of Fort Pierce right about now.
 
The CSR at Delta vacations I spoke with DIDN'T EVEN KNOW how the tickets would come to me! Ugh. So, what if you wanted to book for just tickets (cancelling both the hotel and flight for the voucher) but not until LATE next year. What are the odds that the tickets would then have a LATER than 12-31-20 expiration? I'm looking for the JUST TIX option as well!
The rep I spoke to yesterday was also unsure. She put me on hold to ask but the person she needed wasn't in (holiday and all). The expiration date is posted on the website, so that you have in writing and I would rely on.
 
I know there was a time where 3 Chase Biz cards was a difficult proposition so people were hesitant to attempt it. That time, fortunately for you, is not now, haha! Chase biz cards seem fairly easy to get approved for now and some people have as many as 5 or 6. A CIP seems to be a great move for him.

Thanks! Since having a kid (who is almost 2), I just haven't had the time to keep up with this amazingly fast moving thread so I haven't been on top of changes with the Chase business cards. Glad to hear this isn't a problem any longer because we will likely be looking at each getting SW personal and business cards towards the end of 2020 or whenever it makes the most sense for Hawaii in fall 2021. :D
 
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