I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[elgerber]

I got the Aspire upgrade offer too. I would love the points, and I think maybe it might help with get back in good with Amex. I have property and income taxes coming due, as long as they accept those again. But I am not sure I can get any value of the airline or resort credit to make the $450 worth it. I haven't had the Aspire, but I don't care about getting locked out of getting the bonus, as it appears it's usually the same amount anyway.
I am more a hoarder, strictly because we don't have a ton of vacation time, so we can't travel as much as I want to. And when we do Disney we have our DVC so we don't use them there. I am burning right now with one unnamed airline just to be done with them, well as much as I can anyway.
I have a healthy Delta stash, they are the best airline out of here. And I am always tempted to just take all of our MR's to make our Delta stash even bigger. Have yet to actually do that yet.

 

[apollodi]

Has anybody had luck recently in applying a Marriott FNC to an existing points reservation (not points advance?) We are planning a trip to Washington DC over fall break. DH and I will both have 35k FNCs from our Bonblah Biz cards that I want to use on the trip, but they won't arrive until May or June. My DD3 is a really bad sleeper, so I place a high value on getting hotel rooms that have a separate sleeping and living space. The Residence Inn Washington DC Downtown had some 1 bedroom, 2 queen rooms available for my dates at 35k a night. I booked a 2 night reservation on DH's points, and a 1 night reservation on my points. Now, that particular room type is gone (looks like we got the last one).

Ultimately, I want to apply my FNC to my stay, and DH's FNC to one night of his stay, when the FNCs arrive. When I researched whether I can attached a FNC to an existing points reservation, I got mixed reports. Has anyone tried to do this recently? Thanks!

 

[reliev]

Has anybody had luck recently in applying a Marriott FNC to an existing points reservation (not points advance?) We are planning a trip to Washington DC over fall break. DH and I will both have 35k FNCs from our Bonblah Biz cards that I want to use on the trip, but they won't arrive until May or June. My DD3 is a really bad sleeper, so I place a high value on getting hotel rooms that have a separate sleeping and living space. The Residence Inn Washington DC Downtown had some 1 bedroom, 2 queen rooms available for my dates at 35k a night. I booked a 2 night reservation on DH's points, and a 1 night reservation on my points. Now, that particular room type is gone (looks like we got the last one).

Ultimately, I want to apply my FNC to my stay, and DH's FNC to one night of his stay, when the FNCs arrive. When I researched whether I can attached a FNC to an existing points reservation, I got mixed reports. Has anyone tried to do this recently? Thanks!

I have I did it at the westin in georgeotwn, was a PITA though. Lots of emails and back and forth. YMMV. Before you book call the main number from google maps and see if they can do it that's what I did.

Edit the marquis I used to score for 20k a night is now 35k things like this just annoy me. 5k increase? maybe but 15k? Maybe I will be saying the same thing about Hyatt down the road but it seems like points are worth less and less along with my loyalty. This is probably why I try to have 2 buckets of points also with chase and Amex.

2 of the 3 hotels I go there all the time have gone up in points on the new award charts so I think im going to kill the card when my AF comes up. I think im going full Hyatt, I have lifetime platinum anyways and tbh it seems like im getting less then I did with Starwood by a lot. Maybe its time to move on like a car that keeps having problems and you keep throwing money into it

 

[apollodi]

On hoarding vs. burning - I try to do a mix of both. One of the things I value the most highly about this hobby is that it has increased my flexibility with travel. It's often easier to change plans that are booked with points than plans that are booked with cash. This is clearest with Southwest, but it comes up with other points, too. So, I always try to maintain enough of a stash of UR, Southwest, Hilton, and Marriott points that I can make speculative bookings to change or cancel later, while still having points available for other, more solid plans. Above that "base" level, though, I assign a pretty low personal point value, and I use the points. Other points, like Delta, aren't as flexible, so I don't maintain a base for speculative bookings. I'm more willing to burn all of those, then rebuild, if the right redemption comes along.

I did this over spring break, which was supposed to be to Austin on SW flights. We changed plans to visit my parents, since my dad is having some health issues. When I first started thinking about changing the trip, I kept my Austin flights, and booked additional SW flights to the nearest airport to my parents that SW flies to (which is 2.5 hours away so not convenient). When we decided to change the trip for sure, I cancelled both sets of SW flights, along with the hotel I'd booked on the UR portal, and booked more convenient AA flights on the UR portal instead. Now, I'm locked in, but the flexibility wouldn't have been as great if the Austin trip was paid in cash. Hopefully, I can do something similar with the Marriott stay over fall break - use 70k Bonvoy points to hold a reservation until I get my FNCs. It might not work out, but at least I have the flexibility to try!

 

[Alexle2007]

Has anyone stayed at the Doubletree at SeaWorld? DS likes the looks of the pool better than DT at Universal and it looks like we might be able to get some pool time in next weekend since it looks to be in the 80s each day.

 

[WardFam]

I’m on the earn and burn wagon! With a family of 5 it’s pretty easy to go through a lot of points quickly! Especially when we like to add other family members to our travel party also. I love to get a good redemption, but I’m not afraid to book at 1.5 with my CSR. I have loved our family vacations that have become possible through this hobby. Just in the past two years we have been to Disney, London, Paris, Spain, Aruba, Italy and Hawaii (twice!) We a so lucky to get to see this beautiful world!

 

[becauseimnew]

If you were to pick one of these hotels, which would you choose?
These are our options for Christmast week. My first option would be Maui, but that's the only hotel not on the beach. This will be our first trip to Hawaii, hiking & beaches are the most important thing.

Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport - Maui
Courtyard Oahu North Shore - O'ahu
Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel - Island of Hawai'i
Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay - Island of Hawai'i

 

[Alexle2007]

So glad I have already booked our Sheraton Parks for AUS. Both of them are increasing in March from Cat 5 to 6.

 

[Alexle2007]

I’m definitely an earn ‘em and burn ‘em kind of gal. Granted I am new to this so I have very few to actually burn but there are so many places I want to take my family that I can’t imagine ever hoarding my points. I will say though, after reading about @Alexle2007 upcoming trip to Australia, I can potentially see hoarding points for a trip like that. Amazing!

Thanks! I am really excited to make it all happen for basically free for the air (except taxes) and hotels. We'll just need to pay for excursion and meals. It's been a dream to go return for our 20th anniversary where we spent our honeymoon so hoarding made that possible. We certainly did not fly F or Biz class nor stay in swanky hotels so I have definitely upped our game for the return.

 

[tink1970]

I got the Aspire upgrade offer too. I would love the points, and I think maybe it might help with get back in good with Amex. I have property and income taxes coming due, as long as they accept those again. But I am not sure I can get any value of the airline or resort credit to make the $450 worth it. I haven't had the Aspire, but I don't care about getting locked out of getting the bonus, as it appears it's usually the same amount anyway.
I am more a hoarder, strictly because we don't have a ton of vacation time, so we can't travel as much as I want to. And when we do Disney we have our DVC so we don't use them there. I am burning right now with one unnamed airline just to be done with them, well as much as I can anyway.
I have a healthy Delta stash, they are the best airline out of here. And I am always tempted to just take all of our MR's to make our Delta stash even bigger. Have yet to actually do that yet.

I struggled to figure out how I would make it work for me, as well. There are 2 Hiltons across from Disney Springs and thanks to a suggestion by @vanjust14 I booked one night pre-cruise and after the resort credit, I spent less than $100 OOP, which I felt was awesome (and much less than I had budgeted). We were able to walk across the skybridge to DS, have an great meal at Homecomin' and it worked well. The FNC we've applied to one night at the Miami Conrad prior to another cruise (in December) and the room we have reserved is running about $550. I was also able to utilize the airline credit in January when DD decided to fly back to school from Christmas break a day early.

TL;DR--you might surprise yourself with finding ways to use it but if you do your research and you really can't then no biggie-not all cards are the right fit for all people

 

[wanderlust7]

Yes, yes, yes!! As much as I love planning and strategizing, sometimes I envy my DH. All he has to do is use the correct card (haha) and show up for the trip.

LOL. My DH doesn't even need to use the right card, just show up for the trip. Bonus points for not saying he needs a vacation from his vacation.

 

[lorimt]

Thanks for the suggestion! We've never been, but it has me thinking... maybe a cruise even. I'll have to look into Bermuda and some other caribbean destinations. I've heard Turks & Caicos is gorgeous...

I highly recommend Anguilla if you are considering the Caribbean. It’s a little more difficult to get to because you have to fly into St Martin and then take a boat or small plane a short way to Anguilla but it is worth it. The beaches and restaurants are amazing and the people are so nice.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Here's your friendly reminder that Southwest Airlines next schedule release is expected to occur THURSDAY, March 12th!. For those planning to snag flights, set those calendar reminders so you don't forget!

I'm sharing this again now because it previously was listed as February 13th (one week from today) but was pushed back a month. Stay posted as this date is subject to change!

• Currently SW is offering flights through 8/10/20 and this next release will take their schedule out to 10/31/20. I'll try to post additional reminders as the date draws nearer.

For those that care about "release timing" it's been all over the board recently (all times Eastern):

• The release on 12/11/19 went live at 9:10am.
• The release on 10/30/19 went live at 7:15am.
• The release on 9/26/19 went live at 7:30am.
• The release on 8/15/19 went live at 10:41am.
• The release on 5/30/19 went live at 9:20am.

 

[becauseimnew]

anyone had any luck extending at bonblah certificate?

 

[hsmamato2]

LOL. My DH doesn't even need to use the right card, just show up for the trip. Bonus points for not saying he needs a vacation from his vacation.

wait....does my DH have another family???? seriously...just last night while we're having our nightly chat....again.... "wait,what??? I'm going on vacation this spring??? why don't you ever tell me about these things???"...... He's been notified monthly starting last August... which I tartly informed him of..... with the usual follow up..."if you don't want to join,it's ok,you stay home and work,I'm still going dear".... (he always joins lol)
I expect at LEAST 2 more conversations exactly like this before we go..... as far as the 'right' card..... not a chance. I just give him the FU so at least it's always 1.5 points per $ spent...

 

[hsmamato2]

Here's your friendly reminder that Southwest Airlines next schedule release is expected to occur THURSDAY, March 12th!. For those planning to snag flights, set those calendar reminders so you don't forget!

I'm sharing this again now because it previously was listed as February 13th (one week from today) but was pushed back a month. Stay posted as this date is subject to change!

• Currently SW is offering flights through 8/10/20 and this next release will take their schedule out to 10/31/20. I'll try to post additional reminders as the date draws nearer.

For those that care about "release timing" it's been all over the board recently (all times Eastern):

• The release on 12/11/19 went live at 9:10am.
• The release on 10/30/19 went live at 7:15am.
• The release on 9/26/19 went live at 7:30am.
• The release on 8/15/19 went live at 10:41am.
• The release on 5/30/19 went live at 9:20am.

Thanks for the update

 

[wanderlust7]

I got the Aspire upgrade offer too. I would love the points, and I think maybe it might help with get back in good with Amex. I have property and income taxes coming due, as long as they accept those again. But I am not sure I can get any value of the airline or resort credit to make the $450 worth it. I haven't had the Aspire, but I don't care about getting locked out of getting the bonus, as it appears it's usually the same amount anyway.

Just a little clarification that what you're getting locked out of is the ability to get both the sign-up bonus and the upgrade offer. It's not really an "or" but an "and". If it was an or, arguably the upgrade is better since it doesn't take up a spot. But since you're on the fence about the Aspire, I can see 2 would be a hard sell.

 

[elgerber]

Just a little clarification that what you're getting locked out of is the ability to get both the sign-up bonus and the upgrade offer. It's not really an "or" but an "and". If it was an or, arguably the upgrade is better since it doesn't take up a spot. But since you're on the fence about the Aspire, I can see 2 would be a hard sell.

LOL, yeah, having trouble justifying the fee for one, I could never do two.

 

[hsmamato2]

as far as earn and burn.... I seem to burn thru most of my stashes within a year of getting them (mostly) and what I do keep 'in reserve' hardly seems like enough to be called hoarding.... I like a bit of padding so I can just book something random as needed,flexible points are the best for me- like SWA for easy booking-
one exception is my Hilton stash,which is much larger than I anticipated due to easy bonuses last year,and changes of plans so that I didn't use most of them as planned originally. It's not that I can't think of places to use them, it's that the opportunity hasn't yet arisen. (too busy using other points mostly) The upshot of all this HH goodness is,of course popup-land for both players (I'm so not loyal) and a bounty of points that are still waiting to be used..... To me, points are money,yes, but I view them more as free ways to do things vs. a real currency.... (I know they are, just ask my taxes this year) so I use them wherever it looks good to use them...regardless of cash in value. (example, used a Bonvoy FNC at a 25k hotel last month,I liked it way better than the 35k option nearby,and it was free so why not) I'm going to a show soon, used a few UR's to get free admission,rather than add $60 to my weekend budget plans. So I guess I just use them as an opportunist too....sometimes I get a HUGE redemption value,sometimes not.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Does anybody else like to do this:

So having just gotten back from our WDW trip, I'm sitting here thinking what I was doing exactly 1 week ago today, haha! I love doing that when we get back from a trip. 1 week ago right now I was Meeting LaunchPad McQuack and then heading to Finding Nemo the Musical for the 1:00 show!