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

[Alexle2007]

Would anyone mind taking pity on this Bonvoy Platinum newbie and hold my hand a little through the process?

We want to take advantage of the 5 Suite Night Awards we get in order to bring another family with us to Disneyland.
I was planning on booking a hotel that offers a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom slew that sleeps 8 among other suite options. Would I be able to book a regular room on points (sleeps 4) and then specifically request (and receive) this particular type of suite to sleep 8?

The hotel would be 200,000 points (50k each night- paying for 4 nights and getting the 5th night free).

Is this doable?
Also, if it is doable, do all 8 of us get the free breakfast?

Just seems too good to be true, but I’m hoping!

Once you book, you can make the suite awards request and you’ll be able to see the rooms that you can select from. Keep in mind though that you don’t actually hear whether you received the upgrade or not until a few days before arrival. Are you prepared with another option, potentially last minute, if the request is not approved?

And no, Marriott is not typically that generous in my experience with free breakfast. It is typically only for 2 guests and they may throw in a younger child.

 

[Alexle2007]

Finally did our taxes and we are getting a small refund but, seriously, how can I owe more Medicare tax. It makes no sense at all that a federal employer cannot withhold properly. It’s not even like I can request to have the amount adjusted in my pay check.

 

[atxbound]

Would anyone mind taking pity on this Bonvoy Platinum newbie and hold my hand a little through the process?

We want to take advantage of the 5 Suite Night Awards we get in order to bring another family with us to Disneyland.
I was planning on booking a hotel that offers a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom slew that sleeps 8 among other suite options. Would I be able to book a regular room on points (sleeps 4) and then specifically request (and receive) this particular type of suite to sleep 8?

The hotel would be 200,000 points (50k each night- paying for 4 nights and getting the 5th night free).

Is this doable?
Also, if it is doable, do all 8 of us get the free breakfast?

Just seems too good to be true, but I’m hoping!

Once you make the reservation, you will have the option to attach the suite night awards. You generally don't find out until about 5 days before check in if you get it. There are no recent data points on flyertalk for SNA at either the Swan or the Dolphin. It looks like the current breakfast offering is $10 at starbucks and there are lots of complaints about long lines in the morning. In short, I wouldn't count on it. If you really want that room, I would recommend booking it.
I have titanium status and I feel like it has never meant less. Services have been cut a lot with the pandemic and the Marriott chain is not enforcing the brand standards. If you push, you may get a sorry from the hotel but that's about as far as it will go.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Not higher unfortunately. Prior to COVID it was the best around.

When it was Orange, pre CapOne, it was the best!

 

[Alexle2007]

Is there a best time to do an Alaskan cruise? We could do anytime in July through mid Aug.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

For those that have no escrow, where are you saving the money? I want to transfer the $500 (my escrow was) to an account every month. But I kinda want to make it separate from my discover account or my chase savings. I guess I could open another savings account. Maybe I should check the current bonus offers, LOL.



His one coach is on adderall himself (so am I). He's actually been checking with us to make sure Brady's been eating enough as when you first start you have no appetite. Brady luckily needed to drop that Rona 20, LOL. But yeah, hockey is such a small community even w/ how large it is in MI. We have probably 15+ rinks within 30 mins of us. So it's nice we have options. But we weren't planning on having to be thrown back into tryouts. I'm just happy his 2 coaches are willing to get him on a team. It's hard to get "picked" when you're only in front of a new coach for 2 hours.

The coaches claimed to understand his ADD and said 95% of the team has it. I know my son is playing off getting cut. But it is kinda messed up. They cut one of their best players and they are looking to play up a level. It'll be interesting to see how the team fairs. The parents I've told are beyond shocked too.

As for his dad, it was a battle to first get our DD onto adderall. She too was struggling in school which is when my DR said he recommends kids start it. And just like DS, DD was night and day on it. Their dad claims since HE didn't need it when he was in school, our kids shouldn't. I pointed out that I didn't need it till my mid-30's. And that it makes a WORLD of difference. Just happy he finally agrees it's life changing.



If you are ever board, check out puck54.com. Read how grown men talk about 8, 9 and 10 year olds playing hockey! My son is AA, but played AAA. AAA is where it's INSANE! We have a team here that a kid flies in from ATL to play with! He's 11! There's rumors of kids from Chicago and PA doing this too. The other thing that REALLY sucks w/ hockey is sometimes it's the family that can get a kid cut. Luckily I know the coaches (well again 3 of them...the 1 is suspect) liked me and I think the ex. I mean I spent nights drinking with them at hockey tournaments, LOL.

We use Ally bank for our “don’t touch” savings. You can set up transfers between banks. Ally also allows you to divide that savings into different buckets, if perhaps you want to separate out Christmas savings, homeowners insurance and property taxes, for example.
https://www.ally.com/bank/online-savings-account/
Not sure how hard you want to push on this, or if you even want your son to have the opportunity to stay on his current team, but the Americans with Disabilities Act requires reasonable accommodations for your son. It seems to me that the coaches were well aware of your son’s diagnosis and recent treatment, and to remove him from the team without any kind of warning seems off. For example, being impulsive, interrupting or disorganized may be symptoms of ADHD but look like ”poor leadership” to a coach. Anyway, bringing up this subject and requesting he be reinstated may be the smoothest path for your son. It seems he has a lot going on right now and the thought of tryouts, a new team and friend group sounds awful.

 

[AmyAnne]

If not working on an MSR, you can break even or do a little better with a few cards (Amex BCB, CIU/CFU if you cash out with CSR, etc.). Plus it gives you some extra time to let your cash sit in your savings account earing 0.50% APY. Fees are 1.96% - 1.99% I believe depending on which of the three options you use.

Do you have any chase cards with a 5x bonus? That might be worth it.

The fees are not as bad as I had expected--although it looks like it's more if e-filing with TurboTax?

Unfortunately I don't have any cards with a 5x bonus but I do have a CIU and CSR, which is 2.4% I think.

 

[platamama]

When it was Orange, pre CapOne, it was the best!

OMG I remember that. Wasn't it like 5%??

 

[pinkxray]

I have finally decided our Hawaii dates for next April. I have been researching pricing for awhile. I knew April would be more expensive than our original June dates. I am starting to be able to see prices for this time next year. Holy moly, they are so much higher than what I was basing it on from! The Turtle Bay room I was expecting to be $800 a night is over $1000.
Nervous to see what the flights will be in a few weeks.

I just applied for the Barclay Hawaiian Biz card. I got the need more info screen. There is no phone number to call. Can I just call Barclays main line? Would like to get the process going to have the spend done soon.

I think I am going to drop a park day from our Nov. trip to help cover the extra cost for Hawaii. I seem to be the only one who wants to go to Epcot so why am I going to pay $500 for it? The kids want Disney Springs and Trex dinner. Think we will do that instead and toss the extra $$ in the Hawaii fund.

 

[pinkxray]

I haven’t used my Barclay card since Jan. Just checked the website to see how much credit I had. There was an extra $90 credit from the holiday promotion that I didn’t know about. (posted April 16)

If you did the Barclay promotion during the holiday check your account!

 

[disfanforlife]

...of course I live here, so... That said, I love my Uggs and if it's under 60 I'm in them One of the benefits of living with my parents this winter was it actually got "really" cold (under freezing) more often so I felt a legitimate reason to wear them

Ooops, I was not thinking about any of you living in the south buying them. I just found it funny that I bought them down there when I never bought any up here.

 

[havaneselover]

Is there a best time to do an Alaskan cruise? We could do anytime in July through mid Aug.

I'd say July is best/most expensive. It can be more rainy in Augst. We did mid-August in 2018 and weather was fine. The later you go, the more the price drops (at least with DCL--I know you don't want to sail DCL).

 

[Judique]

Ooops, I was not thinking about any of you living in the south buying them. I just found it funny that I bought them down there when I never bought any up here.

When I've gone in January and February I've seen younger girls wearing Uggs boots in Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile I was in Croc's flip flops - my preferred park foot attire in the parks no matter temperature or rain or sun. Of course I don't know if these were northern or southern girls. I just noticed the Uggs that day because it was cool and the girls were wearing short shorts. At least their toes were toasty.

When my younger daughter had somewhat of a passion for anything that said North Face on it, I used to buy stuff for her in that store near the outlets where Character Warehouse is.

And, woe is me - Croc's no longer make the slide I like and I'm devastated as the ones I have have reached their limit. The foot bed is no longer as supportive. They lose their cushyness after a few months and a couple of January/February trips. The closest is the croc band flip and that one is not quite as thick in the sole. And gone are the days when I can get 2 pair for about $20. I basically want a flip flop with a thick sole and thong style with the strip that doesn't cause any blisters. I have several pairs of newish nike, puma, reebok athletic shoes and they are comfy and expensive but not as nice for me as a piece of rubber that I can wear in puddles.

 

[Judique]

So, I've got a studio booked at Boardwalk Villas in November. Spent about 12 - 14 days booking that in December 2020. Now I'm thinking of canceling the days I have left and moving the trip to January or February, where I'll have to take whatever I can get.

There are several factors influencing this. One is that food and wine festival starts in July and goes to Nov 20th. Hardly seems like a festival without the usual musical attractions. Doesn't seem special last year and this year. So, I've already reduced 12-13 nights to 6-7. (Don't remember exactly as I was stealing back the points as needed for my other trip.) And, if I go, I'm now attracted to a few nights at Hyatt Grand Cypress since it has been talked up. Plus there are always Marriott free nights in tons of hotels.

The biggie for me is that I've booked the Grand Villa at Hilton Head for Thanksgiving week. Son and Fiance (will be wife by then), both daughters and family want to go - at least right now they do - things can and will change. Son's wife to be is very close to her Mom and I don't know if they've ever been apart on a holiday. So, even though there is enthusiasm I've not in the bank yet.

Whatever happens, I'm going and will keep the grand villa as I've always wanted to book this one for TG. This year I got the strategy down right and was successful. There are only 5 so at the 11 month window I booked 2 nights and then did 7 months for the rest. Once I had Wednesday and Thursday, that sort of locked it in as those are the 2 days most would want.

These villas have fireplaces and the CM's bring you the wood and build the fire for you. And usually at TG it is cool enough some or all of the days to enjoy. I do not have a fireplace in my home so it will be a treat for me. DD has one but it has a wood stove insert which is nice but takes away the ambiance.

And the wedding is in September at Strathmore Mansion for those that know the area. Indoors and outdoors, it will be a micro wedding of under 50 people. One of my sister in laws had one of her weddings there many years ago and it was absolutely beautiful. I casually mentioned it and the bride to be fell in love with it. Although most of her family lives in MoCo now, she is originally a California girl so not as familiar with places.

@Alexle2007 - they almost booked the Antrim 1844 in Taneytown area. I thought it was perfect for a small wedding. Problem was dates - they are very late in securing a venue and would have had to follow a booking rule of 3 months prior for a small wedding, with no guarantee the preferred day would still be available. For September small wedding they would have had to wait until June, basically to give the venue a shot at getting a larger party. I would have loved to go there and spend a few nights - it's so historic looking.

Anyway, I will use some points to help make this all happen! Just wish I didn't have to shop for a dress.....

 

[Alexle2007]

So, I've got a studio booked at Boardwalk Villas in November. Spent about 12 - 14 days booking that in December 2020. Now I'm thinking of canceling the days I have left and moving the trip to January or February, where I'll have to take whatever I can get.

There are several factors influencing this. One is that food and wine festival starts in July and goes to Nov 20th. Hardly seems like a festival without the usual musical attractions. Doesn't seem special last year and this year. So, I've already reduced 12-13 nights to 6-7. (Don't remember exactly as I was stealing back the points as needed for my other trip.) And, if I go, I'm now attracted to a few nights at Hyatt Grand Cypress since it has been talked up. Plus there are always Marriott free nights in tons of hotels.

The biggie for me is that I've booked the Grand Villa at Hilton Head for Thanksgiving week. Son and Fiance (will be wife by then), both daughters and family want to go - at least right now they do - things can and will change. Son's wife to be is very close to her Mom and I don't know if they've ever been apart on a holiday. So, even though there is enthusiasm I've not in the bank yet.

Whatever happens, I'm going and will keep the grand villa as I've always wanted to book this one for TG. This year I got the strategy down right and was successful. There are only 5 so at the 11 month window I booked 2 nights and then did 7 months for the rest. Once I had Wednesday and Thursday, that sort of locked it in as those are the 2 days most would want.

These villas have fireplaces and the CM's bring you the wood and build the fire for you. And usually at TG it is cool enough some or all of the days to enjoy. I do not have a fireplace in my home so it will be a treat for me. DD has one but it has a wood stove insert which is nice but takes away the ambiance.

And the wedding is in September at Strathmore Mansion for those that know the area. Indoors and outdoors, it will be a micro wedding of under 50 people. One of my sister in laws had one of her weddings there many years ago and it was absolutely beautiful. I casually mentioned it and the bride to be fell in love with it. Although most of her family lives in MoCo now, she is originally a California girl so not as familiar with places.

@Alexle2007 - they almost booked the Antrim 1844 in Taneytown area. I thought it was perfect for a small wedding. Problem was dates - they are very late in securing a venue and would have had to follow a booking rule of 3 months prior for a small wedding, with no guarantee the preferred day would still be available. For September small wedding they would have had to wait until June, basically to give the venue a shot at getting a larger party. I would have loved to go there and spend a few nights - it's so historic looking.

Anyway, I will use some points to help make this all happen! Just wish I didn't have to shop for a dress.....

I actually looked at the Antrim 1844 when I was getting married. It is a beautiful venue. It just felt too far out since we were in Catonsville at that time. We actually ended up getting married at the Elkridge Furnace Inn.

Have fun with the planning and dress shopping! I am sure it will be fine.

 

[Alexle2007]

I'd say July is best/most expensive. It can be more rainy in Augst. We did mid-August in 2018 and weather was fine. The later you go, the more the price drops (at least with DCL--I know you don't want to sail DCL).

Thanks. Yeah, it’s hard to justify paying double for DCL than other cruise lines. We are verandah people which makes it pricey.

 

[MarBee]

Once you book, you can make the suite awards request and you’ll be able to see the rooms that you can select from. Keep in mind though that you don’t actually hear whether you received the upgrade or not until a few days before arrival. Are you prepared with another option, potentially last minute, if the request is not approved?

And no, Marriott is not typically that generous in my experience with free breakfast. It is typically only for 2 guests and they may throw in a younger child.

Once you make the reservation, you will have the option to attach the suite night awards. You generally don't find out until about 5 days before check in if you get it. There are no recent data points on flyertalk for SNA at either the Swan or the Dolphin. It looks like the current breakfast offering is $10 at starbucks and there are lots of complaints about long lines in the morning. In short, I wouldn't count on it. If you really want that room, I would recommend booking it.
I have titanium status and I feel like it has never meant less. Services have been cut a lot with the pandemic and the Marriott chain is not enforcing the brand standards. If you push, you may get a sorry from the hotel but that's about as far as it will go.

Thank you! I’m looking for this trip in 2022 so I’m *hoping* things will be more normal by then.

I am eyeing the Residence Inn in Anaheim for our trip. If I find out prior to our trip that they will not give me the 2 bedroom suite, would I be able to then request 2 regular rooms to utilize my SNAs with? I’d prefer the 2 bedroom but as long as there was enough room for everyone I’d be totally fine with 2 regular rooms as a back up.

 

[Judique]

I actually looked at the Antrim 1844 when I was getting married. It is a beautiful venue. It just felt too far out since we were in Catonsville at that time. We actually ended up getting married at the Elkridge Furnace Inn.

Have fun with the planning and dress shopping! I am sure it will be fine.

Yes, it is quite far. I had planned on staying two nights. No way I wanted to drive out there and back on the date. Plus, they were planning on a next morning breakfast for all who stayed. We were pretty sure most would have wanted to sleep there as some are flying in, driving from southern Virginia, etc. Strathmore is much easier - they live a few minutes from it.

 

[havaneselover]

Thanks. Yeah, it’s hard to justify paying double for DCL than other cruise lines. We are verandah people which makes it pricey.

I hear you. We've been saying DCL since 2006 and I'm not fixing what isn't broken but totally get it.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thanks. Yeah, it’s hard to justify paying double for DCL than other cruise lines. We are verandah people which makes it pricey.

If you're not doing DCL, look for a ship that does Glacier Bay. That's our plan for a repeat Alaska cruise. We did DCL and they don't have permission for Glacier Bay which is a National Park and I hear is fabulous.