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

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Ditto from me! I've been to Iceland, but definitely want to go back for a longer trip.

I feel like we only scratched the surface. There’s so much more to see and do. We will certainly be back.

 

[Judique]

We have an intermediate speed just not the highest, I think they go from 50 mbps to 2000. The highest is $300/month just for internet. Too much for me. DH works from home too and didn’t have a problem even with lower speeds

Whoa! No, she doesn't pay that. We have an intermediate speed also.

 

[Judique]

I would use the CIC for the 5x…then transfer the URs to the CSP…and use PYB on other things if you can

For the win!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I would use the CIC for the 5x…then transfer the URs to the CSP…and use PYB on other things if you can

For the win!

Except I don't have enough purchases that qualify for PYB right now. All URs eventually go to my CSP. But $500 of the $1500 purchase price could go on CSP, the rest on CIC, as @Judique suggested, and transfer URs to CSP.
ETA. Now I'm rethinking, again. What about purchase protection. I don't think there's any on CIC.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Ugh! My hubs is in the dog house. I told him numerous times that I was going to apply for a new card soon to hit a new SUB so hold off on the oil prepayment. What does he tell me tonight while we are watching tv, that he put the $$$$ payment on his quicksilver card when the oil lady called him . He saw my expression and immediately said he was going to give them a call tomorrow. They said they were going to run the card in a few days so hopefully that was true.

 

[elgerber]

so there is a Paypal deal for 10%off Target if you pay with Paypal. I buy groceries at Target, so I will use it for that. If I throw in a Target gift card, for a few hundred, do you think that would anger AMEX on an MSR for my Delta upgraded card?

 

[elgerber]

Next question, I need a Visa MSR. I can't meet the CIU spend I don't think, that is the last UR card we don't have, or p2 doesn't have LOL.
Don't want to do SW again until CP is an option and bonuses are higher. dh is 4/24, will be 3/24 in a month or so, and has a pre-qual offer for a US Bank Altitude Connect, 50000 points after $3k. What can we do with those points? Is this a good choice? I don't know what other lower spend options we have at this time that are good. AA miles are useless for us. We are Delta hostages here.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I mentioned I would do a PSA on the benefits of booking through AirBNB should an issue arise with the host. We've stayed in many, many AirBNBs, and have only run into issues twice. Once was in Captiva Island, Florida and the house was listed as dock/waterway accessible, however, the owner's construction blocked access to the dock. Initially the rental company did not want to provide any discount but then immediately changed their tune when I mentioned we could resolve it ourselves or involve AirBNB resolution. They offered a 30% discount and we agreed to provide each other with positive reviews.

Most recently, I'd found a rental on both AirBNB and VRBO. I booked it through AirBNB even though it was more expensive there. During our stay, there were circumstances which made the home uninhabitable and we had to scramble to find new accomodations. The host and I agreed to a 100% refund of the entire stay and to rectify the issue which made it uninhabitable in exchange for not posting a negative review.

Based on these two situations, I think the review systems AirBNB has set up is very powerful. While I've not had to use AirBNB's resolution department, I get the sense that hosts do not want to go that route. If you run into a situation with a host, I think approaching it from a business standpoint goes a long way, as well as being reasonable and calm. Photos are extremely helpful should you need to provide them to a host or AirBNB.

 

[Haley R]

Man these dvc confirmed reservations are killing me lol. I found a 2 bedroom at okw for 3 nights for $920! I don’t think we could deal with switching resorts though when Ds will need a nap(s)

 

[mmmears]

@FreeDiningFanatic - thanks for sharing the great pics and for writing up your trip details. Glad you had such a good time there. We had to cancel our 2020 trip which included 3 days there (I know, not enough) and I just really hope we can get back to Iceland some day.

 

[becauseimnew]

@FreeDiningFanatic LOVE your trip report, I can't believe you only spent $10.5K! We spent $6.5K on our 8 day Disney trip, for 4 people and didn't even pay for airfare or a car rental. We actually spent more money on food than you did in Iceland.

So many places I want to go and not enough vacation time.

 

[Disney Kidd]

I got the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card and have spent the 3000 to receive the 3 free night award. How long does it really take to get it? It says 6-8 weeks, but I'm hoping sooner because I want to use it to stay at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve in November. Also, how will I get it? Will it be in my Chase account, Marriott account, or email?

 

[afan]

so there is a Paypal deal for 10%off Target if you pay with Paypal. I buy groceries at Target, so I will use it for that. If I throw in a Target gift card, for a few hundred, do you think that would anger AMEX on an MSR for my Delta upgraded card?

Does anyone know if amex would have a problem with this while meeting msr? Not worth a discount if the spend doesn't count towards the 4k.

 

[becauseimnew]

I got the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card and have spent the 3000 to receive the 3 free night award. How long does it really take to get it? It says 6-8 weeks, but I'm hoping sooner because I want to use it to stay at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve in November. Also, how will I get it? Will it be in my Chase account, Marriott account, or email?

Point usually post a day after you statement closes, but it seems like certificates take a little while longer. They will post to your Marriott account, you should be able to make the reservations and then apply the certificates when you get them, you have 60 days to apply the certificates.

 

[havaneselover]

Does anyone know if amex would have a problem with this while meeting msr? Not worth a discount if the spend doesn't count towards the 4k.

I'd probably tread lightly if buying only/mainly gift cards. But I'm somewhat risk averse.

 

[elgerber]

Does anyone know if amex would have a problem with this while meeting msr? Not worth a discount if the spend doesn't count towards the 4k.

My spend is lower than that at least. I was thinking, since the payment at AMEX will be coming from Paypal, would Paypal send them info on what was in the Target order? I would only do about $300 on top of my grocery order, which is over $100 on its' own.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I got the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card and have spent the 3000 to receive the 3 free night award. How long does it really take to get it? It says 6-8 weeks, but I'm hoping sooner because I want to use it to stay at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve in November. Also, how will I get it? Will it be in my Chase account, Marriott account, or email?

My certificates posted within days of meeting MSR.

 

[Disney Kidd]

My certificates posted within days of meeting MSR.

I just checked and they are there lol.

Should I book the swan reserve or the dolphin? I'm leaning towards the reserve, but I worry it won't open by November. The site says it will open in October, but the opening date has been pushed back many times.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

@FreeDiningFanatic - thanks for sharing the great pics and for writing up your trip details. Glad you had such a good time there. We had to cancel our 2020 trip which included 3 days there (I know, not enough) and I just really hope we can get back to Iceland some day.

A stopover could be great for a taste, but if you are planning again, I’d try to get 5 days at least, if you can. Thanks again for the pre-trip advice.

@FreeDiningFanatic LOVE your trip report, I can't believe you only spent $10.5K! We spent $6.5K on our 8 day Disney trip, for 4 people and didn't even pay for airfare or a car rental. We actually spent more money on food than you did in Iceland.

So many places I want to go and not enough vacation time.

We’re frugal on certain things and splurge on others. My lils are picky eaters and I wasn’t looking forward to the food there, so it was easier to cook at the rentals. Actually, half of our food spend was spent in the 2.5 days we ended up in Reykavic due to the AirBNB issue.

And OMG, $1500 for car rental was insane but what can you do in Carmageddon?

My son thought our $400 Iceland Air seats were really fancy, I think because of their color palette!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I just checked and they are there lol.

Should I book the swan reserve or the dolphin? I'm leaning towards the reserve, but I worry it won't open by November. The site says it will open in October, but the opening date has been pushed back many times.

I haven’t been to either, but we have the Reserve booked for November. I’m not worried about them opening, but maybe I haven’t been keeping up? I like that new hotel smell

If you are very nervous, I suppose you could book one on points (points advance) and one with certificates. You’d have to be sure to cancel your points ressie within 60 days if you don’t plan to use it.