I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[becauseimnew]

Hawaii 2022 planning is in full gear. We are either going end of May 2022 or end June 2022 - most likely be end June.
This is the points that I think we'll need
AA 240,000 (6RT Economy Flights)
RR 45,000 inter-island flights
Marriott 480,000
UR 525,000

Hawaiian Luau	45000​
Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve	25000​
Transfer to Hyatt for Regency Maui	105000​
Night Manta Ray Adventure Guaranteed Sighting	30000​
Scuba diving	60000​
Volcano NP B&B	60000​
Need for car rentals	200000​
Total	525000​

Already have:
AA 320K miles
URs 235K working on CIC 75K SUB)
RR 45K (will probably use those and need to replenish these)
Hyatt 141K
Marriott 290K - I think I'm going to have to do a terrible thing and transfer MRs to Marriott (need to transfer 135K during the current promotion)

My goal is to pay for all transportation, lodging & activities with CC points/miles, only have to use "cash" for food and souvenirs.

Was hoping to squeeze in Costa Rica in March 2022, but after really looking at how much Hawaii is going to cost I don't think we'll be able to swing it this year.

 

[570traveler]

2 questions for those with experience flying AA

1. If I used miles to pay for a flight for someone & paid the fees with my Barclays Aviator Red card, will they get free bags? (I will be with them checking in on a different flight). They also have a Citi AA card (but wasn’t used for the flight fees)

2. AA moved our flights so I called and they put us on a better flight (1 connection instead of 2). I was sure to ask that my DS21 and I would sit together and the agent said yes. After hanging up and checking seats, the second flight has a message that seats would assigned at check in (we had economy and there are none left). Called today and was assured that we would get seats on that flight. Just wondering if anyone has been in this situation so I know what to expect!

 

[570traveler]

Hawaii 2022 planning is in full gear. We are either going end of May 2022 or end June 2022 - most likely be end June.
This is the points that I think we'll need
AA 240,000 (6RT Economy Flights)
RR 45,000 inter-island flights
Marriott 480,000
UR 525,000

Hawaiian Luau	45000​
Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve	25000​
Transfer to Hyatt for Regency Maui	105000​
Night Manta Ray Adventure Guaranteed Sighting	30000​
Scuba diving	60000​
Volcano NP B&B	60000​
Need for car rentals	200000​
Total	525000​

Already have:
AA 320K miles
URs 235K working on CIC 75K SUB)
RR 45K (will probably use those and need to replenish these)
Marriott 290K - I think I'm going to have to do a terrible thing and transfer MRs to Marriott (need to transfer 135K during the current promotion)

My goal is to pay for all transportation, lodging & activities with CC points/miles, only have to use "cash" for food and souvenirs.

Was hoping to squeeze in Costa Rica in March 2022, but after really looking at how much Hawaii is going to cost I don't think we'll be able to swing it this year.

Be sure to check the chase travel portal. They have quite a few activities on there (at least for Oahu). Found some luau’s and other excursions. I’m holding off booking until I know for sure we are going!

 

[afan]

2 questions for those with experience flying AA

1. If I used miles to pay for a flight for someone & paid the fees with my Barclays Aviator Red card, will they get free bags? (I will be with them checking in on a different flight). They also have a Citi AA card (but wasn’t used for the flight fees)

2. AA moved our flights so I called and they put us on a better flight (1 connection instead of 2). I was sure to ask that my DS21 and I would sit together and the agent said yes. After hanging up and checking seats, the second flight has a message that seats would assigned at check in (we had economy and there are none left). Called today and was assured that we would get seats on that flight. Just wondering if anyone has been in this situation so I know what to expect!

1. You have to be on the same reservation, it's not just that the card is used.

2. If the flight is too close they will assign seats at the gate and can happen even of you purchase the flight. They'll probably be able to seat you together but be prepared not to be.

 

[wanderlust7]

Hawaii 2022 planning is in full gear. We are either going end of May 2022 or end June 2022 - most likely be end June.
This is the points that I think we'll need
AA 240,000 (6RT Economy Flights)
RR 45,000 inter-island flights
Marriott 480,000
UR 525,000

Hawaiian Luau	45000​
Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve	25000​
Transfer to Hyatt for Regency Maui	105000​
Night Manta Ray Adventure Guaranteed Sighting	30000​
Scuba diving	60000​
Volcano NP B&B	60000​
Need for car rentals	200000​
Total	525000​

Already have:
AA 320K miles
URs 235K working on CIC 75K SUB)
RR 45K (will probably use those and need to replenish these)
Hyatt 141K
Marriott 290K - I think I'm going to have to do a terrible thing and transfer MRs to Marriott (need to transfer 135K during the current promotion)

My goal is to pay for all transportation, lodging & activities with CC points/miles, only have to use "cash" for food and souvenirs.

Was hoping to squeeze in Costa Rica in March 2022, but after really looking at how much Hawaii is going to cost I don't think we'll be able to swing it this year.

Looks like a great trip! Snorkeling with manta rays was very memorable for me.

You can also do interisland for 7500 AA miles on Hawaiian. Availability is good and should have more flight choices than Southwest. We're doing that for our Kauai-Maui flight.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

2 questions for those with experience flying AA

1. If I used miles to pay for a flight for someone & paid the fees with my Barclays Aviator Red card, will they get free bags? (I will be with them checking in on a different flight). They also have a Citi AA card (but wasn’t used for the flight fees)

2. AA moved our flights so I called and they put us on a better flight (1 connection instead of 2). I was sure to ask that my DS21 and I would sit together and the agent said yes. After hanging up and checking seats, the second flight has a message that seats would assigned at check in (we had economy and there are none left). Called today and was assured that we would get seats on that flight. Just wondering if anyone has been in this situation so I know what to expect!

1. You have to be on the same reservation, it's not just that the card is used.

I think if the their card is linked to their AA account and their AA number is entered for the flight, they will be listed as a Citi card holder and have free bags.

 

[amcc]

2 questions for those with experience flying AA

1. If I used miles to pay for a flight for someone & paid the fees with my Barclays Aviator Red card, will they get free bags? (I will be with them checking in on a different flight). They also have a Citi AA card (but wasn’t used for the flight fees)

2. AA moved our flights so I called and they put us on a better flight (1 connection instead of 2). I was sure to ask that my DS21 and I would sit together and the agent said yes. After hanging up and checking seats, the second flight has a message that seats would assigned at check in (we had economy and there are none left). Called today and was assured that we would get seats on that flight. Just wondering if anyone has been in this situation so I know what to expect!

Their Citi AA card should provide the free baggage benefit even if they didn't use the card to pay for the ticket. They just have to make sure their FF number is linked to the Citi card. And it only works on a domestic ticket.

 

[afan]

I think if the their card is linked to their AA account and their AA number is entered for the flight, they will be listed as a Citi card holder and have free bags.

I missed the citi card part.

 

[1GoldenSun]

When did you get it? Are you 4 years out from your bonus? Does you DH have either Sapphire product? Are you open to biz cards? Do you have any Amex cards? They could be helpful for international travel depending on your airline.

I don’t remember exactly and can’t access that information right now but it was more than two and less than four years ago. I don’t think my husband has it, maybe that’s a possibility. I have one biz card and don’t think l want another right now since I have not even a hint of a business. I have Amex Gold Business and what I think is called Blue Preferred. Those two Amex, my Sapphire and my fairly new Bonvoy, plus an over 2-year-old J Jill store card are all I have right now.

 

[570traveler]

I think if the their card is linked to their AA account and their AA number is entered for the flight, they will be listed as a Citi card holder and have free bags.

Their Citi AA card should provide the free baggage benefit even if they didn't use the card to pay for the ticket. They just have to make sure their FF number is linked to the Citi card. And it only works on a domestic ticket.

Thank you! His FF number is attached to his Citi AA card and his FF number is also on the flight reservation. It’s flights to Hawaii. I only had enough miles to book 2 tickets there so I booked DH and DD. Once my miles posted from my Barclays SUB, I booked DS and I. Unfortunately the flight they are one went up in miles so I had to book us on a different flight lol

 

[StephPlum]

Trying to decide what to do. Booking DS a flight and the fastest and cheapest has a 44 min layover in ORD. Usually I try for at least 1 hour for layovers. Would you take this or look for something else?

 

[softballpooh]

My goal is to pay for all transportation, lodging & activities with CC points/miles, only have to use "cash" for food and souvenirs.

So I have Hawaii on our radar for Sept or December '22... I didn't realize I could pay for excursions with points!!!! Is this in the portal? Or a PYB feature? I'm sorry for the questions but this is a game changer! I was only considering flights and hotels for points!

 

[chattadisser]

Trying to decide what to do. Booking DS a flight and the fastest and cheapest has a 44 min layover in ORD. Usually I try for at least 1 hour for layovers. Would you take this or look for something else?

I would take it. Is it just DS? I would say he can definitely do it, I just might not if you had little kids with you for some reason.

 

[punkin]

Trying to decide what to do. Booking DS a flight and the fastest and cheapest has a 44 min layover in ORD. Usually I try for at least 1 hour for layovers. Would you take this or look for something else?

Ohare is huge. I would look for alternatives if possible.

 

[wanderlust7]

So I have Hawaii on our radar for Sept or December '22... I didn't realize I could pay for excursions with points!!!! Is this in the portal? Or a PYB feature? I'm sorry for the questions but this is a game changer! I was only considering flights and hotels for points!

Through the portal. It should be everything on the "things to do" section of Expedia (except Disney tickets).

 

[becauseimnew]

So I have Hawaii on our radar for Sept or December '22... I didn't realize I could pay for excursions with points!!!! Is this in the portal? Or a PYB feature? I'm sorry for the questions but this is a game changer! I was only considering flights and hotels for points!

I found all those activities on the Chase Travel portal. If PYB is still an option I’ll use it that way, but if not I’ll just book them through the portal.

 

[happ]

This is totally off-topic, but I thought I would ask just in case someone has some advice. I went to AAA to upgrade my ID to Real ID. They wouldn't take my Bahamas issued marriage certificate as my proof of name change. My ss card has my maiden name as my middle name, but I was told that doesn't matter. I needed to have a marriage certificate "issued by a municipality" and that the town I was living in when I got married would have an official certificate that I could use. I checked and they don't. I wasn't surprised by this because I don't think we ever filed anything with the town. How am I supposed to prove my name if they won't take the only marriage certificate that I have?

 

[Psychodisney]

Trying to decide what to do. Booking DS a flight and the fastest and cheapest has a 44 min layover in ORD. Usually I try for at least 1 hour for layovers. Would you take this or look for something else?

What airline? If United, that’s a pretty big terminal. When?

 

[georgina]

This is totally off-topic, but I thought I would ask just in case someone has some advice. I went to AAA to upgrade my ID to Real ID. They wouldn't take my Bahamas issued marriage certificate as my proof of name change. My ss card has my maiden name as my middle name, but I was told that doesn't matter. I needed to have a marriage certificate "issued by a municipality" and that the town I was living in when I got married would have an official certificate that I could use. I checked and they don't. I wasn't surprised by this because I don't think we ever filed anything with the town. How am I supposed to prove my name if they won't take the only marriage certificate that I have?

I have seen many issues with marriage certificates reported, seems to vary by state, do you have a passport? I am planning to take my passport and SS card, which both have my married name, and bypass the birth certificate altogether when I try for a real ID. Looks like Virginia says passport or birth cert required.

 

[StephPlum]

I would take it. Is it just DS? I would say he can definitely do it, I just might not if you had little kids with you for some reason.

Ohare is huge. I would look for alternatives if possible.

What airline? If United, that’s a pretty big terminal. When?

Thanks all for helping me think it through. My family loves that I do all the planning. They don’t want to hear my what ifs and what should we do.

Should have added some information. DS23, AA airlines, just carryon luggage, Saturday July 31@11am. Next best option adds ~2 hours travel time and goes from Columbus to Charolette to Kalispell. I hate flying east and then west just on principle. Trying to use his credit from a cancelled COVID flight in 2020. Other wise I would pick Delta which has a better choice. I’ll probably go with my gut and go with the longer layover.