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

[CyndiLouWho]

So quiet today, is everyone actually working?

Maybe @SouthFayetteFan is golfing
Work was crazy busy for me, but I don’t post here while at work anyway. One of our patients made the news and not in a good way.

The same guy was at Staples again so I grabbed five cards and had five credit cards all in my name ready to do separate transactions, but the line was getting long and a manger called me over. He said I could get one. I even asked to do them in separate transactions. That was a no go. Anyway, there was a nice lady at the staples a bit further away from me and she let me get $2,000 worth. She said “a lot of people have been coming in and getting these giftcards and using them at Walmart to pay their credit card so they get free airline miles, or something like that.” My response, “ oh, that’s weird”

I’m always afraid someone will ask why I load Serve 2 or 3 times a week. I mean, the GCs I could say I stock up for Christmas gifts or employee bonus/gifts but I can’t think of a legit reason I would load Serve with $200 x2, 3 times a week. Even if I did it with a debit card, not a GC, why would I need to?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Barclays biz card update. Card arrived last Friday, but due to Dorian I didn't open until Monday. Nice shiny card was enclosed; called to activate on Tuesday and everything went smoothly.

Used the card yesterday for my first purchase and it went through no problem. Called today to add dd as an employee and all went smoothly; her card will be here in 7-10 days!

Called Chase yesterday to lower my CLs -- CSR is down to $15,000 and CIP #1 down to $5,000.00. Preparing for my next move with Chase. I still have plenty of time -- just wanted to get the CLs lowered well in advance.

Update on December ski trip (original use for bonbon points); finally cancelled yesterday; dd decided she'd rather go to Macchu Pichu with ds (ABD trip that I booked in summer 2018). Immediately used points to book same hotel (Westin Whistler) for our annual February trip before they implement the peak pricing. Maldives in April is still a go.

I have realized that with dd heading to college in a year our vacations will much harder to plan . I'm grateful that ds still wants to travel with me (at least for the time being).

 

[speedyfishy]

always afraid someone will ask why I load Serve 2 or 3 times a week. I mean, the GCs I could say I stock up for Christmas gifts or employee bonus/gifts but I can’t think of a legit reason I would load Serve with $200 x2, 3 times a week. Even if I did it with a debit card, not a GC, why would I need to?

I have never been asked. I’d probably say I use it to pay my credit card. I don’t feel safe doing it from my main bank or something

 

[disneybirds]

I've been debating whether it is worth it to do a mattress run or two to get to platinum status for next year, or if I should just see if I get a "soft landing" from titanium to platinum if I don't hit 50 marriott nights this year. I just looked at the cost of breakfast at the Hotel Bristol in Vienna (where we are staying for 5 nights) - they have a fancy breakfast buffet for 38 euros per person, and it is what is offered as the breakfast for plat member. So that alone is worth almost $500. Yeah, I think I'm going to make sure I get status for next year.

(never mind that I'd be just as happy with a cup of good coffee and maybe a pastry. DH likes to start his day with protein, and the kids will like a fancy breakfast.)

Not sure how many nights you need, but I am thinking about planning a meeting for 10 nights credit. My DH needs 12 nights to qualify, but all his conferences in the last quarter are in non-Marriott hotels. It might be more of a pain that it is worth, but I am at least going to look into it. There are several Marriotts close to us that have meeting rooms.

 

[NewbieMom]

Delta came through for me this morning and updated my account info. I took it as a sign that I'm meant to spend my 100k biz plat SUB on WDW tickets and not home appliances. I promptly transferred my MRs to Skymiles (thanks to the person who posted about logging out & back in), booked my package with 3 tickets, and now just waiting for my tickets to come through via email. From today's DPs, it sounds like I should expect a call asking why I have more tickets than passengers? Also, i still see the full Skymiles showing in my balance. Do they deduct the miles once they've processed the package? Or did you all see the miles come out immediately after booking? Thank you everyone for posting DPs!

 

[DrFacilier]

Haven't had a chance to check the Dis for a couple of weeks between school starting and being away for Labor Day.

@Haley R @DrFacilier I was going to reply on the SWGE AP preview thread, but it is closed. The top circular button on the R droid's controller makes sound effects when blasters or jets you can purchase separately are attached to the arms. I have been watching YouTube videos and found a very comprehensive review that also outlined each personality chip's sounds.

Thanks! I was wondering why the controls for the R didn't didn't function the same way the BB did since they are basically the same remote. We originally thought the the R remote or droid was faulty. I just heard recently that the R-series has way more in terms of add-ons and customization. It all makes sense now.

@DrFacilier @disneymagicgirl @CyndiLouWho @shairpdrh - The AF on my premier Disney Visa upgrade finally hit 9/1.

The AF also posted on my CSP and CSR. I also have the AF to pay on 2 new CIPs. What an expensive day with Chase. $784 in AFs. At least $95 will get refunded AND to make it worse, the $300 travel credit on my CSR hasn't reset yet. I have to wait for the statement to close LOL

Yeah I thought of you guys when the AF finally posted... like a little over a week before I finally spent the credit on my Disney Visa at WDW lol.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Thank you! And thank you for being the trailblazer.

Awe thanks I’m just so glad it seems to be working out for people with so many unknowns. The idea came to me at like 3am, night shift brain!!!!

Barclays biz card update. Card arrived last Friday, but due to Dorian I didn't open until Monday. Nice shiny card was enclosed; called to activate on Tuesday and everything went smoothly.

Used the card yesterday for my first purchase and it went through no problem. Called today to add dd as an employee and all went smoothly; her card will be here in 7-10 days!

Called Chase yesterday to lower my CLs -- CSR is down to $15,000 and CIP #1 down to $5,000.00. Preparing for my next move with Chase. I still have plenty of time -- just wanted to get the CLs lowered well in advance.

Update on December ski trip (original use for bonbon points); finally cancelled yesterday; dd decided she'd rather go to Macchu Pichu with ds (ABD trip that I booked in summer 2018). Immediately used points to book same hotel (Westin Whistler) for our annual February trip before they implement the peak pricing. Maldives in April is still a go.

I have realized that with dd heading to college in a year our vacations will much harder to plan . I'm grateful that ds still wants to travel with me (at least for the time being).

One of my biggest things right now it that my kids will always want to travel with me. I literally pray for it!!

Delta came through for me this morning and updated my account info. I took it as a sign that I'm meant to spend my 100k biz plat SUB on WDW tickets and not home appliances. I promptly transferred my MRs to Skymiles (thanks to the person who posted about logging out & back in), booked my package with 3 tickets, and now just waiting for my tickets to come through via email. From today's DPs, it sounds like I should expect a call asking why I have more tickets than passengers? Also, i still see the full Skymiles showing in my balance. Do they deduct the miles once they've processed the package? Or did you all see the miles come out immediately after booking? Thank you everyone for posting DPs!

Seems like there was a bit of a delay with the tix on those that had more than people on the reservation. I did all mine on one reservation and ate a larger cancellation fee. Didn’t know how to add more tix at the time. You could call to see where they are at in the ticketing process if you’re worried

Try logging out again and back in again. The miles should be gone!!!

 

[alryan]

-

 

[mamathompson]

I'm so happy for those of you who have made the Delta package work for Disney tickets! Very creative. I need a bunch of tickets for next fall but don't have nearly enough MRs or Delta miles. Hopefully they run it again before then.

 

[StephPlum]

Uggh. Went to staples last night. First place only had 2 VCGs but at least I was able to buy both. Actually they had 5 but 3 had the back strip already torn off so I didn’t grab those. Stopped at anotherstaples on way home and found out how to trigger fraud late whenyou try to buy the same amount at staples 15 mins apart!! But still was able to purchase.

Tonight horrible traffic getting to staples on way home. Get there and they were out. Not too bad since WM is across the road. 3 cards observe and one more to go. Then I’ll stop at FD/DG tomorrow for remainder. A bit of work this time

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Anyone have suggestions where to go for Thanksgiving for 5 nights on Hilton points.
I booked SW to WDW using the trick, but I could move those dates and we could do something as a family for thanksgiving.

So far I looked at:
Aruba- Hilton not available
CHS- DH said no
NYC- DH said no
PHX squaw peak resort- resort looks nice, but what do you do in PHX? Flights about 100k points so not cheap.
Marco Island- viable option, but is a repeat for us

Any thoughts?

 

[AmyAnne]

Delta came through for me this morning and updated my account info. I took it as a sign that I'm meant to spend my 100k biz plat SUB on WDW tickets and not home appliances. I promptly transferred my MRs to Skymiles (thanks to the person who posted about logging out & back in), booked my package with 3 tickets, and now just waiting for my tickets to come through via email. From today's DPs, it sounds like I should expect a call asking why I have more tickets than passengers? Also, i still see the full Skymiles showing in my balance. Do they deduct the miles once they've processed the package? Or did you all see the miles come out immediately after booking? Thank you everyone for posting DPs!

I don't think the call is so much questioning you about why you have more tickets than travelers as just checking that you meant to do that. Under normal (non-2x-redemption) circumstances, I imagine no one does that.

 

[speedyfishy]

Anyone have suggestions where to go for Thanksgiving for 5 nights on Hilton points.
I booked SW to WDW using the trick, but I could move those dates and we could do something as a family for thanksgiving.

So far I looked at:
Aruba- Hilton not available
CHS- DH said no
NYC- DH said no
PHX squaw peak resort- resort looks nice, but what do you do in PHX? Flights about 100k points so not cheap.
Marco Island- viable option, but is a repeat for us

Any thoughts?

Disneyland?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Disneyland?

Not with DH. He is anti-disney. Plus we have APs at wdw. Good idea though!

 

[speedyfishy]

Ugh, I’m a little upset that we are staying at the Hilton when we go to Disneyland Wednesday. I found paradise pier on AA vacations but I don’t have enough miles so it would still be $600 cash and I’m assuming I won’t get my 80,000 miles back that I used for the Hilton. Someone convince me not to switch my hotel. $600 isn’t a lot but I just paid $12,000 for our wedding and paid our car insurance premium. But it’s my birthday. ugh.

 

[NewbieMom]

Try logging out again and back in again. The miles should be gone!!!

Closed browser, and retried logging out/in. Down to 0 miles, lol. Thanks again!

I don't think the call is so much questioning you about why you have more tickets than travelers as just checking that you meant to do that. Under normal (non-2x-redemption) circumstances, I imagine no one does that.

Do they leave a message? I've been bombarded by spam calls ever since I submitted online quotes for mortgage rates, movers, and home warranties. No joke, I get 80 calls a day so I've stopped answering unless it's a known number.

 

[Limes96]

Uggh. Went to staples last night. First place only had 2 VCGs but at least I was able to buy both. Actually they had 5 but 3 had the back strip already torn off so I didn’t grab those. Stopped at anotherstaples on way home and found out how to trigger fraud late whenyou try to buy the same amount at staples 15 mins apart!! But still was able to purchase.

Tonight horrible traffic getting to staples on way home. Get there and they were out. Not too bad since WM is across the road. 3 cards observe and one more to go. Then I’ll stop at FD/DG tomorrow for remainder. A bit of work this time

Are you shopping in Columbus? Just wondering. I was thinking of stopping on the way home from dd's volleyball game. Polaris and sawmill Staples are on my way. Just wondering if it would be a waste of time.

 

[wanderlust7]

Closed browser, and retried logging out/in. Down to 0 miles, lol. Thanks again!



Do they leave a message? I've been bombarded by spam calls ever since I submitted online quotes for mortgage rates, movers, and home warranties. No joke, I get 80 calls a day so I've stopped answering unless it's a known number.

The person who called me left a detailed message with her direct number. Caller ID showed the Delta Vacations number 1-800-800-1504.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Anyone have suggestions where to go for Thanksgiving for 5 nights on Hilton points.
I booked SW to WDW using the trick, but I could move those dates and we could do something as a family for thanksgiving.

So far I looked at:
Aruba- Hilton not available
CHS- DH said no
NYC- DH said no
PHX squaw peak resort- resort looks nice, but what do you do in PHX? Flights about 100k points so not cheap.
Marco Island- viable option, but is a repeat for us

Any thoughts?

Aruba! Can you check the UR portal. The Hyatt there is super nice? The Marriott or Ritz??

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Ugh, I’m a little upset that we are staying at the Hilton when we go to Disneyland Wednesday. I found paradise pier on AA vacations but I don’t have enough miles so it would still be $600 cash and I’m assuming I won’t get my 80,000 miles back that I used for the Hilton. Someone convince me not to switch my hotel. $600 isn’t a lot but I just paid $12,000 for our wedding and paid our car insurance premium. But it’s my birthday. ugh.

you might get your points back. Remember the cancellation policy? You can log in and try to cancel it and see what it says.