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

[Judique]

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

I have not stayed at any of these hotels. Nor have I been to Hawaii.

But, reading the reviews, I read a lot of 'outdated rooms' comments for the Sheraton.

I always try to read reviews and I steer clear of 'most' older rooms unless the reviews are consistently good for them.

When reading a review I ignore the ones where they 'didn't recognize my status' ' the front desk was rude' 'they gave me a room where I didn't have a view', etc,
but I concentrate on outdated, not clean, see through thin towels, etc.

The other 3 seem to be average to good Courtyard properties. Now lets see if anyone has stayed at any of them.

 

[orangecuse]

@StephPlum they said they couldn’t see that information, just that it was an approval. I guess I’ll wait until the card comes?

 

[alryan]

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!

Oh yeah, I do that! But right now I prefer to think what I'll be doing in a week, at Universal in 80 degree weather

 

[tink1970]

My DH is the same way, he's good with 2 cards in his wallet. Gas card (CF this quarter) & restaurant card (Amex Green).

But he never remembers when or where our trips are, like ever. We even have it on our shared family calendar.

My DH is the same way but I just figure if there were two uber planners we'd butt heads so I'll do it (and do it correctly thankyouverymuch) and he can coast.

 

[afan]

After the trip to Aruba, which I used AA Points for 7 people. I have a measly 18,500 AA Points. Figured I would just cash them out for a gift card to get rid of them but you have to have at least 25,000 points to cash out even if the gift cards are less. Any easy way to earn 7,000 AA Points that won't cost much. I don't want to have to spend on the AA card as I am constantly doing a MSR and for what I will get out of it probably not worth it. Wasn't sure if anyone had any good tricks...

I think they have a shopping portal. I know they have a restaurant thing. I get emails and ignore them since.theres no where I eat on it but you should be able to link whatever card to it.

 

[becauseimnew]

After the trip to Aruba, which I used AA Points for 7 people. I have a measly 18,500 AA Points. Figured I would just cash them out for a gift card to get rid of them but you have to have at least 25,000 points to cash out even if the gift cards are less. Any easy way to earn 7,000 AA Points that won't cost much. I don't want to have to spend on the AA card as I am constantly doing a MSR and for what I will get out of it probably not worth it. Wasn't sure if anyone had any good tricks...

I signed up for The Economist, like $12 for 12 weeks. I earned 2,000 points, posted about 4 days after. I have a reminder on my calendar to cancel at 8 weeks.

 

[Judique]

edited.

 

[LynnTH]

I think they have a shopping portal. I know they have a restaurant thing. I get emails and ignore them since.theres no where I eat on it but you should be able to link whatever card to it.

I was kind of looking at that. I thought you had to use an AA card. Good to know you can link any card.

 

[LynnTH]

I signed up for The Economist, like $12 for 12 weeks. I earned 2,000 points, posted about 4 days after. I have a reminder on my calendar to cancel at 8 weeks.

Thanks. Will have to look into that.

 

[Alexle2007]

I signed up for The Economist, like $12 for 12 weeks. I earned 2,000 points, posted about 4 days after. I have a reminder on my calendar to cancel at 8 weeks.

I did this with SW for WSJ, Barron's and The Economist for the extra boost I needed to get to CP. Just made the phone call today to WSJ and Barron's. And The Economist you email.

 

[WardFam]

My DH is the same way but I just figure if there were two uber planners we'd butt heads so I'll do it (and do it correctly thankyouverymuch) and he can coast.

Yes! Exactly! Except I do wish DH would get a little more excited about talking about upcoming vacations. Sometimes I need someone to talk to about my excitement! I don’t want him to actually help plan the vacations. Just a little excitement about how awesome I am at planning them along the way. Is that too much to ask? He does love the vacations while we are on them. He just doesn’t want to obsessively talk about them every day before we go like I do.

 

[Alexle2007]

I was kind of looking at that. I thought you had to use an AA card. Good to know you can link any card.

Just keep in mind that your CC can only be linked to one dining rewards program. So if you belong to say SW already with your CSR and then sign up for AA and link your CSR, it will be moved from SW to AA since you can't double dip. I don't think there is a way to remove CCs once they are linked.

 

[shairpdrh]

But he never remembers when or where our trips are, like ever. We even have it on our shared family calendar.

My DH is the same way but I just figure if there were two uber planners we'd butt heads so I'll do it (and do it correctly thankyouverymuch) and he can coast.

Thanks to all sharing their stories of spouses who deny all knowledge of previously discussed travel. The same dynamic is at play in my household and I get so frustrated at times! I do agree it is easier than having two planners!

 

[Alexle2007]

Yes! Exactly! Except I do wish DH would get a little more excited about talking about upcoming vacations. Sometimes I need someone to talk to about my excitement! I don’t want him to actually help plan the vacations. Just a little excitement about how awesome I am at planning them along the way. Is that too much to ask? He does love the vacations while we are on them. He just doesn’t want to obsessively talk about them every day before we go like I do.

That's what we are for DH wants to go back to AUS but he doesn't care about all of the details about how are flights are free and hotels are free, etc. That's why I am glad the Did is here since you all get the excitement!

 

[wanderlust7]

Yes! Exactly! Except I do wish DH would get a little more excited about talking about upcoming vacations. Sometimes I need someone to talk to about my excitement! I don’t want him to actually help plan the vacations. Just a little excitement about how awesome I am at planning them along the way. Is that too much to ask? He does love the vacations while we are on them. He just doesn’t want to obsessively talk about them every day before we go like I do.

This! ☝ I would like some of that.

 

[snugglebug]

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.

That's pretty much me right down to the Hilton stash because I canceled plans lol

 

[elgerber]

Thanks to all sharing their stories of spouses who deny all knowledge of previously discussed travel. The same dynamic is at play in my household and I get so frustrated at times! I do agree it is easier than having two planners!

Mine doesn't really deny, but tends to forgot all details, like dates etc. And almost never looks at any plans, just shows up for what I say (which drives me nuts). When we did NYC in 2014 I got ticked at the whole family and told them they were all to do some research and give me some ideas. I still don't think I got much from that either.

 

[Killer Fish]

Baby Miles was born this morning at 7:45 AM...arrived at the hospital at 6:45 so it was VERY quick. Everyone is doing great!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Today's report of misery... somebody lost 2 million miles and never had the chance to use any...

 

[tink1970]

Today's report of misery... somebody lost 2 million miles and never had the chance to use any...

You're such a ray of sunshine! I kid, thanks for keeping up apprised of the situation, dismal as it is.