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

[disfanforlife]

I only started doing DGC for dues last year. So, when dues time came around Dec of 2018, I had enough cards in my stash to pay my dues, but then I was pretty much tapped out. So, I started doing every DGC offer I could figure out in anticipation of this years trips and paying the dues starting in Dec. I'm there, but gathering the cards has become my job - I'll keep on doing it, but mostly with the idea of collecting a year's worth of dues and trips - that's money I would spend anyway.

I have been doing the same for a few years. I just keep collecting them whenever there is a good offer. For awhile I was getting a lot from Best Buy when swagbucks had extra points but that deal doesn’t work anymore. As is the case with many others.

 

[amalone1013]

I have been doing the same for a few years. I just keep collecting them whenever there is a good offer. For awhile I was getting a lot from Best Buy when swagbucks had extra points but that deal doesn’t work anymore. As is the case with many others.

I miss that deal...

 

[disfanforlife]

I miss that deal...

I know, me too! Last time I went in Best Buy one of the girls who works there said “ haven’t seen you in awhile, where have you been? “ they knew me from coming in buying gift cards!
How about the target/eBay gift card deal? Miss that one too!

 

[magickingdomprincess]

We've been flying SW with kids almost exclusively with kids (now 6 and 8) and never had any problems. I do buy EBCI about half the time, for peace of mind and convenience, especially for the flight back. I figure since we're getting free flights I can afford that to not worry about checking in while on vacation. We've used family boarding once or twice without any problems. We've always all sat together. Used DH's free upgraded boardings once last summer also, just because we figured we might as well use them since it was a perk from his SW card. We luv SW!

 

[LB002]

After reading all of this Southwest family boarding talk, I have another question. I have 2 kids, one is 3 and the other will be 6 is a couple of weeks. So, in just over a year, DD5 will not qualify for family boarding anymore. Normally, this won't be an issue. I will be able to board with younger daughter during family boarding, and DH can board with older daughter during regular boarding.

But, once she turns 7, what happens if I fly alone with both girls? Will the gate agents allow one adult and one over-6 child to board during family boarding, or does it have to be 2 adults? Or should I just choose a different airline if flying alone with a 4 and 7 year old where I can pick seats ahead of time?

As long as one kid is 6 or younger you can all do family boarding together. Aka when I had an 8 and a 5yo, the whole family did family boarding.

If we do end up keeping our March WDW trip it will be our last trip qualifying for family boarding. We had a good run! LOL

 

[LB002]

@EACarlson you can preboard with a carseat?
NGL all of this SW boarding silliness is stressing me out. They are our best option for our August trip but we will have a 1 and 2 year old and 2 car seats.

I posted this a couple days ago and don't know how to post a link, so I am cut amd pasting again. Some friends recommended the boarding procedure (they had twins and a singleton in 2.5 years and had great advice re: travel with kids!)

At those ages I would have DH go on with the carseats during family boarding. He would install the seats and wipe everything down with wipes (airplanes are one of the only places I'm that germ crazy). He would get out the kids water/toys/tablet and set everything up. I would use that time to do one last potty/diaper stop and then me and the kids would be one of the last people on the plane and gate check the stroller. That way the kids spend less time cooped up and DH had everything set up and waiting when we arrived.

We would typically sit 3 (2 kids, 1 parent) and 1 on the aisle across.

 

[afan]

TPG has a tweet talking about a being bougie on a budget. Since they spell it that way it further makes me want to use boujee. Though I will say since this convo came up last week I've seen it with the g so many times when before I rarely saw the word used anywhere.

 

[EACarlson]

@EACarlson you can preboard with a carseat?
NGL all of this SW boarding silliness is stressing me out. They are our best option for our August trip but we will have a 1 and 2 year old and 2 car seats.

I believe this was the case the last time I flew SW, in 2017. They make the preboard announcement at the gate and one of the things was people needing extra time due to car seats. This was MKE-MCO and I was by myself so I didn't have to worry about it. I know on Delta you can go on right after First Class.

At those ages I would have DH go on with the carseats during family boarding. He would install the seats and wipe everything down with wipes (airplanes are one of the only places I'm that germ crazy). He would get out the kids water/toys/tablet and set everything up. I would use that time to do one last potty/diaper stop and then me and the kids would be one of the last people on the plane and gate check the stroller. That way the kids spend less time cooped up and DH had everything set up and waiting when we arrived.

We would typically sit 3 (2 kids, 1 parent) and 1 on the aisle across.

Depending on where you are and the route, this might not work. There is no policy for or against seat saving, and some regular SW flyers will just sit down in those seats, especially if it's the last aisle seats open on the plane.

ETA: I just sent an email to Southwest asking directly about the car seats. I will report back with any answer I receive.

 

[Ngwira]

First time using the Chase Travel portal to book a 2 bedroom condo in Montreal for next Labor Day. Cheapest Hotels were asking $1200 CAD for 4 nights. Booked a premium two bedroom condo for 19,000 UR all in using my CSR. Comes with a washer, dryer, gym and free wifI. Also has a balcony and excellent downtown location. Excited to be going back to Montreal next year!

 

[disfanforlife]

First time using the Chase Travel portal to book a 2 bedroom condo in Montreal for next Labor Day. Cheapest Hotels were asking $1200 CAD for 4 nights. Booked a premium two bedroom condo for 19,000 UR all in using my CSR. Comes with a washer, dryer, gym and free wifI. Also has a balcony and excellent downtown location. Excited to be going back to Montreal next year!

Cool, love going to Montreal!

 

[ten6mom]

Yay Amex. Glad that bonus offer came through on the Hilton Biz.... even though I didn't plan to acquire it QUITE so soon.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Idk whether to like your post or not. It sounds like you had a good trip, but I'm sorry that you were denied for the SW card.

I had the same dilemma and went with a sad face.

Thank you. The door may not be closed and if it is I'll look for a window. This cup is half full.

 

[smmco]

You’ll get there if you want it enough.

. For the life of me I can’t figure out how the 5/24 rule benefits Chase. I’ve put thousands of dollars on Amex cards because of it.

 

[happysavermp]

About the Southwest EBCI, those of you getting boarding class B, are you buying tickets with EBCI the day flights are released? I’m planning on buying tickets on opening day next week for flights during Spring Break and plan to get EBCI since my youngest is now 7. I’m hoping we don’t get B as I’m sure there will be tons of families boarding and I want us all to sit together.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Darn. Just checked the Hilton website to see if my FN cert has shown up and it hasn't, and then the Conrad Osaka is sold out of standard rooms on points for the dates we want to go. Hilton Osaka is still available though, so I went ahead and booked that on points so that once I have my FN certs, I can hopefully just call Hilton and have them apply those and refund my 140k points. Not as ~fancy~ of a redemption as the Conrad, but still much nicer than our usual stays when traveling! I'll keep an eye and see if anything does open up at the Conrad.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

About the Southwest EBCI, those of you getting boarding class B, are you buying tickets with EBCI the day flights are released? I’m planning on buying tickets on opening day next week for flights during Spring Break and plan to get EBCI since my youngest is now 7. I’m hoping we don’t get B as I’m sure there will be tons of families boarding and I want us all to sit together.

Just my experience buying tickets release day ISP to MCO on non stop flights...we have always had A boarding class

But if your flight goes down in price and you change it to get RR points back or a SW credit...it moves you down the EBCI list as if you bought the ticket the day you got the price change

 

[striker1064]

Darn. Just checked the Hilton website to see if my FN cert has shown up and it hasn't, and then the Conrad Osaka is sold out of standard rooms on points for the dates we want to go. Hilton Osaka is still available though, so I went ahead and booked that on points so that once I have my FN certs, I can hopefully just call Hilton and have them apply those and refund my 140k points. Not as ~fancy~ of a redemption as the Conrad, but still much nicer than our usual stays when traveling! I'll keep an eye and see if anything does open up at the Conrad.

Speaking from experience, Hilton's policy is they don't allow you to switch from points to FN. There has to be a standard reward night still available for you to book the FN and cancel the points booking. It's dumb.

Some DPs from Reddit indicated Hilton phone reps can see your FN before you can, so you might try giving them a call.

 

[ep1229]

Any Hilton Honors experts out there... I need some help please...
I got the AMEX Hilton Honors Biz card with the 130K and Free weekend night cert. I met MSR and got the points but one month later, still no certificate. I've called Amex and Hilton and they both say the can't do anything. Anyone know when you usually get it? I wanted to use it for an upcoming trip. Are you able to book a room and then apply it later? Thanks in advance.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Speaking from experience, Hilton's policy is they don't allow you to switch from points to FN. There has to be a standard reward night still available for you to book the FN and cancel the points booking. It's dumb.

Some DPs from Reddit indicated Hilton phone reps can see your FN before you can, so you might try giving them a call.

Thanks! Maybe I'll try that.

 

[smmco]

Speaking from experience, Hilton's policy is they don't allow you to switch from points to FN. There has to be a standard reward night still available for you to book the FN and cancel the points booking. It's dumb.

Some DPs from Reddit indicated Hilton phone reps can see your FN before you can, so you might try giving them a call.

I had to cancel and rebook my two nights at the Waldorf. The rep was able to book one night on points and one night FN all under one reservation. I’m sure mileage may vary with this depending on the rep you get.