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

[wanderlust7]

I love your math, LOL! We are also cruising from Seattle this summer (Alaska on NCL), but I haven;t looked for hotels yet. I will check these out. What were your criteria for location?

There are so many cool things to do in WA state! We will have a week before the cruise to explore, so I have to decide where we are going to go. It will be hard to narrow it down. Planning 2 nights before and 1 night after the cruise in Seattle. I will definitely need coin laundry before we sail.

The Charter Hotel was a good points rate for our dates (late May/June - so probably still border season) at 49k/night. Better than the other hotels downtown. It's only 2 blocks from Pike Place Market, so that had me sold.

Hyatt House is 15k Hyatt points (I transfered URs), also on the lower end for Hyatt points for downtown. The laundry was what drew me, lol. And it'll be super convenient for the Space Needle, Chihuly Museum, and the monorail. Hyatt Place also has laundry, but the more recent reviews seemed a bit mixed (and it's further from the Space Needle). The Hyatt Regency looks nice too (also 15k points), that's what I originally had booked when it was just 2 nights and didn't need laundry.

Planning to go to Tillicum Village, Museum of Flight, and a food tour of Pike Place - all with URs! The Boeing factory tour is also available in the Chase portal, but includes transportation. Thinking an Uber will be cheaper.

 

[mickey squared]

Was originally planning a 2 night pre-cruise stay in Seattle. But then came across the Boeing factory tour. Thought that'd be cool to see, DS especially should be interested. Well, if I add a night, we would be leaving on a Tuesday, but that means if we just take one more day off we have the whole week. And so...that's how 2 nights became 7. Which seems to be a common theme with me!

Decided to book the Charter Hotel, Curio Collection with Hilton 5th night free. 2 rooms (taking parents), so will completely wipe out my HH points and will need like 5000 MRs to top off (lucky I have the transfer bonus on my account). DH is Diamond with the Aspire and I'm Gold (with a whole bunch of cards). Thinking I should have one room under each of us so we get free breakfast for at least 4 (if both rooms under DH, maybe we'd only get it for 2? not too sure). From TA reviews looks like it's $18 credit/person in their restaurant. Put my parents room under DH's account and hoping they get upgraded to the 1 bedroom, which only fits 2. Getting 0.55 cpp, which I guess is acceptable for HH points.

Since HH points balance will be wiped out and we need 2 more nights, booked the Hyatt House right near the Space Needle. They have coin laundry, which will be sorely needed before getting on the cruise. Had an interesting experience booking that with the Hyatt Concierge Twitter account. Online, it's only possible to book a King with a sofa bed for 4. Didn't really want anyone sleeping on a sofa bed, so thought I'd ask if other rooms are bookable on points. She ends up accidentally booking the Hyatt PLACE (not House) for me. But then quickly fixes it after I tell her. However, both my confirmations say 1 adult/1 child for the King without sofa bed. She tells me that there are notes in my reservation for an upgrade to connecting rooms and that's not actually the room types I'll get. So then I call the hotel directly to verify. There are indeed notes and sounds like I'll get a King connected to a Queen. Which will be great. But it makes me nervous not having the 4 occupancy listed in the confirmation that I can see (I can't see any of the notes online). Think I'll call the hotel again when it gets closer. If it all works out, I'll be singing the praises of the Twitter team, lol.

My son attends University of Puget Sound and went on the Boeing tour with some classmates. He loved it! And, that's coming from an Airbus family

 

[Lain]

I want to refer DH for a Hilton Surpass from my Hilton Aspire. I thought you could refer to any personal Amex, but I only have the option to refer to another Aspire. How would I refer him to another Amex? Or am I mistaken? (I believe you can't refer a business card from a personal card).

Do you have any other Amex Membership Rewards points earning cards (e.g., Platinum) from which you could make the supportal? Same with DH when he is supporting you to a new card from one of his card. Supporting from a MR earning card might net you more Hilton points.

The Hilton Aspire earns 25k Hilton Honors points when making a supportal from that card. (Someone correct me if I’m wrong.)

The Platinum card earns 15k Membership Rewards points when making a supportal from that card. However, MR transfers to Hilton at 1:2. So, 15k MR=30k Hilton. But right now, there’s a targeted transfer bonus of up to 50% when transferring MR to Hilton, meaning MR to Hilton is 1:3, and a 15k MR supportal can be worth 45k Hilton.

The Platinum, Biz Platinum, and BBP all earn 15k MR per supportal. A supportal from the BGR/Biz Gold is up to 25k MR for a limited time. Each card can earn a max of 55k MR per year.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/american-express-transfer-bonus-20-30-to-hilton-honors-12-4-2-6/

 

[alryan]

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[wanderlust7]

The Hilton Aspire earns 25k Hilton Honors points when making a supportal from that card. (Someone correct me if I’m wrong.)

I only see 15k supportal on the Aspire from DH's account.

Good point on calculating out what the MR transfer would come out to!

 

[PolyRob]

Walmart BF ad has TS4 for $3.96, regular DVD.

@disfanforlife @wendow Lion King will also be $6 at WM for Blu-Ray, DVD, and digital.

This is definitely what I’ll be after!! Wonder if amazon will match?!

Amazon probably will. It was a beast last year undercutting all the other retailers!

 

[wanderlust7]

I'm thinking of getting a personal card for DH, that would be in addition to Chase and American Express. He is only 2/24, with one coming off in March. I would like to get something that I could use for Disneyland tickets so I am thinking between the Capitol One Venture, 50,000 points, earns 2x points, annual fee waived for the first year, 3k MSR, and GE $100 credit. Or Citi Premier, 60,000 points, earns 3x on travel, 2x on restaurants, and 1x on everything else, 4k MSR, and $95 AF.

The MSR will be completely MS. I know I can MS on Citi, but I wasn't able to find out much about Capitol One. I also feel like there is a better shot at approval with Citi. DH did just get a Citi Biz, but it's been more than 8 days so he should be able to get another. I could use the GE credit for my son. I feel like the Venture is the better deal with the AF waived and GE credit. Any thoughts?

With the Citi Premier, you'd have to buy the tickets through the portal at 1 cpp, and probably pricing is the same as direct (not too sure about that). With the Venture, you can get a little discount with UCT or LMT Club. If you have interest in staying onsite though, you can get Disney hotels with the Premier at 1.25x on direct prices.

If the goal is just tickets, then I'd agree the Venture is the better deal. Approval is a mystery though, so just be mentally prepared for 3 wasted pulls (they pull all 3). Sorry don't know about the MS part.

 

[disfanforlife]

@disfanforlife @wendow Lion King will also be $6 at WM for Blu-Ray, DVD, and digital.


Amazon probably will. It was a beast last year undercutting all the other retailers!

Thanks!

 

[PolyRob]

Here is my take on Frozen 2

Spoiler: “Seriously, I reveal a lot of stuff 🤣“

Overall I enjoyed the movie. I can’t say it was terrible and ruined the franchise. It added and strengthened the story for me overall.

I totally figured out Anna and Elsa’s mom rescued the father and that the people of Arendelle were actually bad building that dam. They mentioned the dam SO many times!

Olaf was pretty much comedic relief until he temporarily died. That was a little sad, but him reenacting the first movie quickly with Sterling K Brown’s reaction was priceless! I am happy Elsa got her freedom and still has that close relationship with Anna. And OMG Anna is a queen now! The scene where Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven were all dressed in her colors was cute.

The salamander/Bruni was ADORABLE! I want him as a plush. So cute. Seriously. I appreciate the cupcake at WDW even more now
(http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019/...rozen-2-cupcake-is-bruni-ful-in-disney-world/)

I also enjoyed how empowering it was for young girls watching. Definitely continued with the theme of straying from a traditional prince saving the princess. Kristoff asking Anna what she needed from him for the battle scene? Kristoff’s song? Good on you Disney!

With all that said, I don’t think the songs were as catchy as the original soundtrack. I honestly couldn’t remember any lyrics or beats. Listening to it as I type this up “Some Things Never Change” is probably my favorite. I will have to listen again and again to reflect.

I really need to see the movie again to unpack it all. There was a lot going on, especially when Anna and Elsa found their parents’ ship and Elsa realized she was the missing element. Hopefully it comes to Disney+ or it looks like this is the next Blu-Ray I purchase

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Here is my take on Frozen 2...

"Seriously, I reveal a lot of stuff" hahaha!! I think I'll get around to seeing this before Jan 1, so I'll just leave this comment here until then!

 

[PolyRob]

"Seriously, I reveal a lot of stuff" hahaha!! I think I'll get around to seeing this before Jan 1, so I'll just leave this comment here until then!

I wanted to give a fair warning for anyone that considered clicking on it!

I eagerly await your review!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I wanted to give a fair warning for anyone that considered clicking on it!

I eagerly await your review!

I wouldn't have high hopes for a review from me, lol. Movies don't really get me to type a lot...if you get 3 sentences you'll be lucky, LOL!

 

[PolyRob]

I wouldn't have high hopes for a review from me, lol. Movies don't really get me to type a lot...if you get 3 sentences you'll be lucky, LOL!

WHAT if I told you Anna and Elsa opened up a bank and started churning CCs around Arendelle?! Would you have more than 3 sentences?

 

[WVMomof3]

I think I need a new dishwasher and I have no MSR. Still waiting on CIP approval since Thursday.
Unless someone can tell me how to fix blinking lights. It did it the other day and I was able to look up a reset by pushing buttons. It ran a cycle and seemed fine. Now lights are blinking again and the reset isn't working. Tried flipping the breaker for half an hour too. Lights stopped blinking after turning power back on until we tried hitting a button. Then blinking started again.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

We don't have a PIN card and haven't had issues in Europe. DD is living there this year and doesn't have a chip & PIN card and likewise is doing fine. These DPs are from 2018-1019 and include England, Scotland, Iceland, Norway (all over), Stockholm, Barcelona, Prague, Copenhagen, and Paris. Of course, YMMV.

We had no problem with contactless cards and with PIN-less cards in card readers this month in Rome.

This is the 8/20 flight. I have not since I keep debating between DEN and Houston. The DEN-BWI flight is 12 1st class seats vs 20 from Houston.

i read somewhere to call United after booking and asked to be waitlisted. All of the flights from LAX to BWI currently have every 1st class available.

@LuckyMamaInDE I just found this great article!

https://frequentmiler.boardingarea....itlisting-for-united-first-or-business-class/

I do this all the time with mixed class tickets (call to make sure the economy list is "waitlisted"), and I have never been put in 1st. You are *supposed* to be ahead of others elites, but the gate agents are in charge if you don't clear by 24 hours, and they don't seem to get that. To give you an idea, a couple weeks ago I was Polaris from LHR to Chicago and waitlisted for 1st from Chicago to SFO. I was #24 on the upgrade list at the gate. Absolutely ridiculous. I tried explaining the concept of waitlist versus upgrade, but they insisted I was #24.

Thanks! Since the flight from SYD to LAX is most critical, we’ll just deal if we need to.

Interesting---I'll keep an eye out. Like Alexle2007, the SYD to US flight (IAH in our case) is the most important part, and the one that is in J.

The Charter Hotel was a good points rate for our dates (late May/June - so probably still border season) at 49k/night. Better than the other hotels downtown. It's only 2 blocks from Pike Place Market, so that had me sold.

Hyatt House is 15k Hyatt points (I transfered URs), also on the lower end for Hyatt points for downtown. The laundry was what drew me, lol. And it'll be super convenient for the Space Needle, Chihuly Museum, and the monorail. Hyatt Place also has laundry, but the more recent reviews seemed a bit mixed (and it's further from the Space Needle). The Hyatt Regency looks nice too (also 15k points), that's what I originally had booked when it was just 2 nights and didn't need laundry.

Planning to go to Tillicum Village, Museum of Flight, and a food tour of Pike Place - all with URs! The Boeing factory tour is also available in the Chase portal, but includes transportation. Thinking an Uber will be cheaper.

I have been known to choose hotels based on laundry So excited for your pre-cruise fun in Seattle! We didn't get to do most things we had planned before our cruise because our flight had been delayed sooooooooooo many hours (in 2015) Pike Place was closed by the time we got there--we're going to need a do-over!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I think I need a new dishwasher and I have no MSR. Still waiting on CIP approval since Thursday.
Unless someone can tell me how to fix blinking lights. It did it the other day and I was able to look up a reset by pushing buttons. It ran a cycle and seemed fine. Now lights are blinking again and the reset isn't working. Tried flipping the breaker for half an hour too. Lights stopped blinking after turning power back on until we tried hitting a button. Then blinking started again.

Have a bunch of MRs with no good use for them? Hello Home Depot gift card...that's how I got my last dishwasher, LOL!

WHAT if I told you Anna and Elsa opened up a bank and started churning CCs around Arendelle?! Would you have more than 3 sentences?

Yes, that would elicit at least 4 sentences guaranteed. It's like Punch Drunk Love meets Frozen...we should totally do this movie...

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

College dd's 5yo (6yo?) MacBook is dead. The Genius Bar dude could offer no hope (after we did the things he suggested).




Bright side, I'll finish my CIP MSR lol

I think we'll go with a MacBook Air from Costco. If the in-store prices are the same as their online prices, it would save $200 over Apple directly, including Apple Care. I'll find out tomorrow!

 

[alryan]

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[WVMomof3]

Have a bunch of MRs with no good use for them? Hello Home Depot gift card...that's how I got my last dishwasher, LOL!

Zero MR cards for me. And I think I would have to head toward you to get to a Home Depot, none that close to me. But I just remembered I do have the Lowes offer on a card. I was going to buy Amazon cards with it but I guess I can use it for an actual Lowes item. And I noticed RMN has 10% off Lowes. Hopefully I can get that to work. I would rather get the dishwasher to work though. lol

 

[Lain]

College dd's 5yo (6yo?) MacBook is dead. The Genius Bar dude could offer no hope (after we did the things he suggested).
View attachment 454621



Bright side, I'll finish my CIP MSR lol

I think we'll go with a MacBook Air from Costco. If the in-store prices are the same as their online prices, it would save $200 over Apple directly, including Apple Care. I'll find out tomorrow!

What about this?

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amazon-apple-macbook-air-13-inch-8gb-ram-128gb-ssd-storage-for-679/
Older model, but the price is good and still an upgrade over a 5-6 years old computer. Read the comments for more.