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

[hsmamato2]

just for fun...what's more valuable..... 58,500 aa miles, or 38,276 UR? I see the throwaway room on both sites I like.... those are the prices (rate on that night is 580-something!!! ) so I'm guessing it's gonna be a busy day there..... UR is fully cancellable,aa not so much (I don't think) wwyd? One note, I don't value the aa miles very much (hello 60k for one silly purchase) but I highly value the Ur's (even if only inside my head)

 

[bernina]

just for fun...what's more valuable..... 58,500 aa miles, or 38,276 UR? I see the throwaway room on both sites I like.... those are the prices (rate on that night is 580-something!!! ) so I'm guessing it's gonna be a busy day there..... UR is fully cancellable,aa not so much (I don't think) wwyd? One note, I don't value the aa miles very much (hello 60k for one silly purchase) but I highly value the Ur's (even if only inside my head)

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[amalone1013]

just for fun...what's more valuable..... 58,500 aa miles, or 38,276 UR? I see the throwaway room on both sites I like.... those are the prices (rate on that night is 580-something!!! ) so I'm guessing it's gonna be a busy day there..... UR is fully cancellable,aa not so much (I don't think) wwyd? One note, I don't value the aa miles very much (hello 60k for one silly purchase) but I highly value the Ur's (even if only inside my head)

If you aren't 100% on your date or trip yet, I'd book with URs as a backup. Then I'd probably look at booking with AA when closer when every thing is set in stone, since they will charge a cancellation fee if things would change. The UR cancellation is so simple with a fully refundable hotel.

 

[bernina]

If you aren't 100% on your date or trip yet, I'd book with URs as a backup. Then I'd probably look at booking with AA when closer when every thing is set in stone, since they will charge a cancellation fee if things would change. The UR cancellation is so simple with a fully refundable hotel.

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[amalone1013]

I totoally agree with this! The only reason I booked now with AA instead of waiting is because it’s the week of New Years and I was afraid club level would sell out.

Oh yeah I would too then lol

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

For those with Delta cards, you can generate increased support link BUSINESS offers using THIS LINK! Might be worth updating your links on DISchurners.

I believe everybody can generate increased offers in personal cards

I am not an expert on the various Delta offers out there so for those interested in applying, do your research or ask questions to make sure you are getting the best offer.

 

[hsmamato2]

I totoally agree with this! The only reason I booked now with AA instead of waiting is because it’s the week of New Years and I was afraid club level would sell out.

thanks for the replies (@amalone1013 too) I think I may be on target too in thinking this is going to be a busy weekend,and thus EP will be very useful for a couple of days....(?)

 

[bernina]

thanks for the replies (@amalone1013 too) I think I may be on target too in thinking this is going to be a busy weekend,and thus EP will be very useful for a couple of days....(?)

When are you looking at going (sorry, missed that in earlier posts)?

I know for Jan 3/4 we will definitely need it.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

MY ORIGINAL QUESTION "On one of my Amex cards I have a spend $500 get $100 back at Universalorlando.com. It says it excludes single tickets, but has anyone who has added this offer to your Amex account had success receiving the credit for ONLY tickets? I know there has been several variations of this offer and just wondering of anyone has had success. "

Haven't read here of anyone doing it, but if you are going to do it let us know!

I highly doubt just buying tickets will trigger the $100 credit since packages are booked differently on the USO website than tickets.

So to report back. I went through the link on the Amex page and bought 3 of the tickets I needed. It came out to about $535. I did NOT get the "Congrats you used your offer" email that is normal. It posted as UNIV STUDIOS ONLINE TICKETS. I called a couple days later when the credit didn't post and asked the agent if I did qualify, as the offer was set to expire. She put me on hold to research. 10 minutes later she came back on and connected me to someone who was an agent that handles these offers. He said normally I'd have to wait 6-8 weeks but since I've been a member since 1997 yada yada yada he'd expedite. The $100 credit hit my account today.

The offer expires today so anyone who is planning on buying Universal tickets from them and has the offer might as well give it a try. I think I got lucky but didn't have to twist their arm to get them to credit my account. YMMV

 

[miztressuz]

You are not going to get $300 out of 5k AA. But I would still do it because you don’t have plans so you’ll need more points when you make them due to inflation in dynamic pricing and you don’t want to find yourself 5k miles short and have to buy them (although current pricing on that is $200).

Yes, I would. But, I'm not likely to have another MSR that I would be starting immediately so the 6K would be beneficial to me. If you are someone who does an MSR and then immediately starts another as soon as you've met the spend, then you probably don't.
For me though - only 2 cards in 2019, that 5k plus 1k for the spend =6k points would be a good use. I'm in the process of doing 2K with Hyatt for 10k, which is basically the same idea in my world, but it's got be bills, insurance, etc per the terms so is going a bit slower.

So you'd actually get 6k AA miles for spending that additional $1k (since you'd get the base miles too). Simple example...let's say you value AA miles at 1cpp. That's worth $60. You could spend $25 on Plastiq to MS that last $1,000 with a HELOC or mortgage payment if you have either of those. Would you buy $60 in AA miles for $25? You'd obviously have to fill in your own math though if my assumptions are wrong...

Have you considered the offers with a statement credit? That has a much lower MSR and you get the $200 or $250 stmt credit depending on which offer they are running - an AA gift card uses the stmt credit easily - and you still get a bunch of AA miles - 40k I believe.

EDIT: I also like the idea of the higher MSR sometimes because that just helps slow my pacing down if I'm running through MSRs too quickly.

Thanks! Consensus seems like I should just go with the gut Sometimes even if it feels crazy there's method to the madness.

 

[hsmamato2]

When are you looking at going (sorry, missed that in earlier posts)?

I know for Jan 3/4 we will definitely need it.

april 12 is a sunday..... or possibly for friday the 17 but I think sunday is busier

 

[Limes96]

I’ve been canceling and making travel reservations today. Since dd decided to play basketball this winter I canceled our Presidents Day weekend plans on Marco Island. We’re going to make that trip over spring break instead. The HH points needed for the resort on the beach there over spring break are way too high so not going there after all. We’re settling for the Naples Hilton which is not right on the beach but it will save us 80k HH, plus it’s closer to RSW and closer to shopping. So I think we’re ok with the switch. While I was canceling flights I looked up the flight I booked last week as back up for over spring break and was able to get the outbound flight for 3k RR less. I’m happy to report that all my points from canceled reservations posted in a timely fashion. Anyone stayed at the Naples Hilton before?

 

[mmmears]

I'm busy looking at all the stores that have 12% back today on Ebates.

Anyone know if I can use that at Shop Disney to get gift cards?

 

[calypso726]

Holy cats, that sounds intense. Not the way you want to end a vacation but neither is waiting out a typhoon in a county where there's a language barrier. I will definitely be looking at trip insurance for the entire trip when I go back to Europe. Did you have two different ins plans or did the ABD ins bridge the entire trip? My BFF and I are starting to plan a trip now, I hear you on the invisible benefits to business, she's not going to like that but after this I'm calling it mandatory. Glad your made it back home safely.

It was pretty crazy. We had one plan and the insurance was not through ABD. We chose a plan separately by comparing options on insure my trip dot com.

 

[mmmears]

@calypso726 - Safe travels. When you are back, can you please explain how your travel insurance is helping you with all of this? Asking because I do buy it every time we go abroad, but they told me that since the flights were booked on points they don't give a refund on them.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

What advent calendars did you get? I always get one for DD. One year it was Disney Tsum Tsum, last year a really cute Barbie one with a doll on day one and outfits and accessories each day.

We do Lego and American girl ones but last year I found hatchimal ones on clearance at Walmart after Christmas so I stocked up.

 

[bernina]

april 12 is a sunday..... or possibly for friday the 17 but I think sunday is busier

Since that Sunday is Easter I think that whole long weekend (Fri-Mon) will be busy and benefit from express pass.

 

[Judique]

We do Lego and American girl ones but last year I found hatchimal ones on clearance at Walmart after Christmas so I stocked up.

And this reminds me that I've got to start collecting the girl's xmas stuff, and birthday as one has a bd dec 31, and the other is mid January. Oh my! I've been browsing in Costco, Sam's and BJ's and other than advent calendars - they have lego ones, haven't seen anything that blows me away. What are 3 and 4 year olds getting that's hot this year? They will just be turning 3 and 4.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

It was pretty crazy. We had one plan and the insurance was not through ABD. We chose a plan separately by comparing options on insure my trip dot com.

So glad you’re safe. And finding time to post here.

 

[Judique]

And, we are going to NYC for the weekend next weekend. I'm not terribly excited but I committed to go. Daughter has booked the TRYP with free Wyndham nights from some promo last year where she did mattress runs to really inexpensive places.

She has a premium family room booked so lots of beds and 2 baths.
I can't see any show I want to see, and younger DD is not much help. She says 'whatever you want to do'. Maybe I'll just hike the High Line and take a lot of pictures. I've done most of the touristy things already.