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

[Judique]

So, some employee has been working on the Amex credits! My $15 cell credit posted sometime this afternoon. They backdated it to yesterday but it wasn't there earlier today.

I had made a payment earlier this month with no results and then made another payment after my cell bill refreshed and that appears to have triggered it.

So, if anyone is hoping for restaurant or cell credits from Sept 1, 2 or 3ish, I called and didn't get a result for the same restaurant I've used each time since February. I was assured it would eventually credit in 6-8 weeks. Easier to just spend another $20 on the card and be done with it as it's more than probable we will do takeout again in the next few days.

 

[wanderlust7]

@calypso726 @iujen94 or other Hyatt gurus - am I thinking through this correctly?

I currently have 34 qualifying nights and I'm aiming for 50 to earn the 2 suite upgrades which I'd like to apply toward our Hawaii Sept 2022 trip. One suite upgrade can be applied toward the full length of stay, correct?

As a WOH card holder I can earn 2 nights for each $5000 in spend and I'll earn 5 nights in December when I reach my anniversary date. They do credit toward my qualifying nights, correct? Or do I need to actually go stay all 16 nights that are left.

If those credit toward my nights, then I should be able to earn 6 by the end of the year on spend and 5 for the anniversary, with one upcoming stay next week. That leaves me 4 nights left to reach 50.

I'm just wondering if I should just do another mattress run to get all of these remaining nights to get the upgrade or if I'll be alright waiting to complete this earn in December. I don't know how quickly suites will sell out for next fall. Grrrr.... I should've just done my mattress run earlier this year to 50 when it was double night credits instead of going to just 30 for Globalist. Sigh...

The 5 elite nights that come with the card is calendar year, so you should have gotten that in January. Yes, it counts and so do the elite nights from spend.

One suite upgrade award applies to the whole reservation, up to 7 nights.

 

[softballpooh]

The 5 elite nights that come with the card is calendar year

Thanks I didn't realize this since I just got the card last December at the end of the month. The elite nights don't carry over do they to apply toward the suites? Meaning- I'll go to 0 next January and start over.

 

[mfly]

We did MSC Seaview in the Med a few years ago. Are you looking at the Seashore? That would be a sister ship. I thought the ship was beautiful. Some service issues being told different things, but we were one of the first sailings. Thought the food in the main dining room wasn't as good as other cruise lines we've sailed, but buffet and specialty dining were good. Kids - did not - like the kids club. Seems they had to do whatever activity was going on, no choice. DS didn't like having to dance lol.

We've also done Disney, Carnival, NCL, and RCCL (long time ago, so probably shouldn't count that). MSC would be on the bottom of my list. But I'd sail them again for the right itinerary and price.

We've sailed them twice. The newer MSC cruise ships are beautiful but it was a matter of beauty over function. Lol. Service was a bit lacking in comparison to other lines. As for food, we felt that the ingredients were top quality but execution could be poor and inconsistent. On lobster night, DH and I had PERFECTLY cooked and seasoned lobsters. BIL had an over salted inedible lobster! BIL was the biggest guy with the biggest appetite and yet it never failed that he was served the obviously smallest portion!! Even the 7 yo got a bigger steak than he did. Pizza is one area that they excelled at. We had the best and freshest pizza at sea on the MSC. And the gelato was the bomb!

We status matched to the highest level loyalty level (Black, I think). Status is retained for 3 years only unless you sail on them in the meantime. So, we will cruise them when the price and itinerary are right. We will just tailor our expectations.

I will try to find my mini trip report for the first time we sailed on her and post it for you (if I find it).

I would also choose Carnival over MSC hands down. Try to avoid the older ships and shorter itineraries as those tend to be less impressive on Carnival (same with NCL and RCL), but the 7+ nt on newer ships are usually much better than anything on MSC.

Thank you all for your help! I think we’re going to just move forward with the MSC cruise with low expectations. We would be on the Seashore, which is a new ship (I believe), so that should be nice?

I also found out that I should be able to status match my Hilton Honors Gold status (which I have through my AmEx Platinum) to get MSC Gold status, and I believe I’ll be able to get an additional 5% + 15% off the cruise fare by booking as an MSC member, which would make it ridiculously cheap.

I’ll let you all know what we think (if we decide to do it)!

 

[wanderlust7]

Thanks I didn't realize this since I just got the card last December at the end of the month. The elite nights don't carry over do they to apply toward the suites? Meaning- I'll go to 0 next January and start over.

I wish it did! But no, all starts over in January. They go by check out date too, so if you want to count any holiday travel, make sure you check out by 12/31.

 

[softballpooh]

But no, all starts over in January.

Boooooooo....off to look at nearby locations for mattress runs between now and December to finish this out. Thanks for your assistance!

 

[wanderlust7]

Thank you all for your help! I think we’re going to just move forward with the MSC cruise with low expectations. We would be on the Seashore, which is a new ship (I believe), so that should be nice?

I also found out that I should be able to status match my Hilton Honors Gold status (which I have through my AmEx Platinum) to get MSC Gold status, and I believe I’ll be able to get an additional 5% + 15% off the cruise fare by booking as an MSC member, which would make it ridiculously cheap.

I’ll let you all know what we think (if we decide to do it)!

I did the status match too. This was before I started churning, so I did it with our lowly DCL status. I think the 15% is only certain sailings. So we only got the 5%. I did Cruise Compete and found a TA giving a lower fare by 13% or so. Was able to stack the 5% to that.

Seashore is the newest ship, should be nice!

 

[elgerber]

So, some employee has been working on the Amex credits! My $15 cell credit posted sometime this afternoon. They backdated it to yesterday but it wasn't there earlier today.

I had made a payment earlier this month with no results and then made another payment after my cell bill refreshed and that appears to have triggered it.

So, if anyone is hoping for restaurant or cell credits from Sept 1, 2 or 3ish, I called and didn't get a result for the same restaurant I've used each time since February. I was assured it would eventually credit in 6-8 weeks. Easier to just spend another $20 on the card and be done with it as it's more than probable we will do takeout again in the next few days.

I just bought more food LOL and got instant emails. I noticed the one I was missing didn’t even code as dining so that one never would have come.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

My gosh is SW quick! DH and I just took our 25 flight and I can already see our A list status through 2022. I did do the 2 required flights for Jan/Feb CP but that must separate. Thank goodness! I had to endure a C11 boarding slot since there were no gate upgrades available.

I can't even cancel a flight. Been trying for days. I booked a conflicting flight and keep trying to cancel the original but SW auto canceled the conflicting flight. Still can't get the original to go away.

 

[snugglebug]

So, some employee has been working on the Amex credits! My $15 cell credit posted sometime this afternoon. They backdated it to yesterday but it wasn't there earlier today.

I had made a payment earlier this month with no results and then made another payment after my cell bill refreshed and that appears to have triggered it.

So, if anyone is hoping for restaurant or cell credits from Sept 1, 2 or 3ish, I called and didn't get a result for the same restaurant I've used each time since February. I was assured it would eventually credit in 6-8 weeks. Easier to just spend another $20 on the card and be done with it as it's more than probable we will do takeout again in the next few days.

I've gotten both dining, but still no cell. I think I'll wait until tomorrow and do another payment. My original payment was on 9/8.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Thank you! I'm flying from DTW but I wouldn't mind taking a positioning flight. I don't have AA points. I only have URs, Delta and MR. Could I convert my UR to Emirates points and book that way?

You can transfer URs to Emirates, but first you'd have to ensure that first class is open for your dates. I have never redeemed with Emirates before, but my (limited) understanding is you'd have to book the seat as soon as it's released as they are very popular.

I would consider driving to Toronto for your flight. There is a 20% redemption bonus on MR transfers to Aeroplan (until September 30th) so you'd save a bit (don't know how many MRs you have). If you don't have enough MRs to transfer to Aeroplan you can use your URs for the balance. If for some reason you don't end up going, Aeroplan would be easier to redeem for flights as they partner with UA. While biz class pods on AC are not first class, they are very comfortable and I would definitely consider the option (bonus that you wouldn't have to take a positioning flight). In the airline miles game, it is best to know your dates a year in advance of the trip and book your award seats the day inventory is released to lock in the best seats at the lowest miles.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

ICYMI - Southwest extended their schedule on 9/16 for flights through April 24, 2022.

TODAY'S UPDATE is that they have now provided their next release date: It will be WEDNESDAY 12/8/21 for travel through September 5th, 2022. This release will cover all summer travel dates! Schedule Release dates and parameters are subject to change so stay posted! Given that this is still over 2 months away, my next reminder won't be for awhile unless something changes.

 

[leeniewdw]

ICYMI - Southwest extended their schedule on 9/16 for flights through April 24, 2022.

TODAY'S UPDATE is that they have now provided their next release date: It will be WEDNESDAY 12/8/21 for travel through September 5th, 2022.

Thanks for posting this!

We've got a trip to Bozeman in June and SW flies there, but not sure how friendly their itineraries are going to be. I'm very hesitant to wait because the other popular Yellowstone/Tetons airport is Jackson (JAC), which due to construction will be closed until just after out trip. So people with plans the same as ours are all competing for fewer flights to the area. Prices are already pretty steep for most airlines, AA is looking 'best' as of now.

 

[Alexle2007]

Has anyone done the smaller RCCL cruise ships? Looking at the Explorer of the Seas for $2000 in a balcony from Puerto Rico the week before/including Christmas. That seems insane!

 

[Explore]

I don’t think Costco accepts MC in store.

Just an FYI, I used a MCGC from Staples at Costco yesterday in store. If it runs as a debit and you use a pin our store will take MC. Our store is about 2 years old so maybe that has something to do with it? But it did work for me.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Has anyone done the smaller RCCL cruise ships? Looking at the Explorer of the Seas for $2000 in a balcony from Puerto Rico the week before/including Christmas. That seems insane!

Ha, we were looking at the same cruise! We've only done larger ships... would also be interested to know others' opinions

 

[LynnTH]

So, I finally found some $500 Visa Gift Cards at Hyvee. They only allow you to purchase $999.99 including fees in a day. So, I bought a $500 and $450 Card. Want to go back today and possibly tomorrow to get some more.

For PYB does the transaction have to be posted by 9/30? Just concerned that it stays pending for a few days and then it won't work..

 

[Alexle2007]

So, I finally found some $500 Visa Gift Cards at Hyvee. They only allow you to purchase $999.99 including fees in a day. So, I bought a $500 and $450 Card. Want to go back today and possibly tomorrow to get some more.

For PYB does the transaction have to be posted by 9/30? Just concerned that it stays pending for a few days and then it won't work..

You need to see it in your available PYB transactions. I haven’t been timing it to see how long it takes.

 

[Alexle2007]

Ha, we were looking at the same cruise! We've only done larger ships... would also be interested to know others' opinions

Same here. I think I might give it a whirl for that price. Especially since I was looking at smaller ships for Alaska. The Explorer was supposed to dry dock and get a major revamp but I think it got only mini things done rather than RCCL putting $60m into it when COVID struck. Even a suite is reasonable at $3300 as a family of 3 and DS is considered an adult.

 

[MinnieMay]

Just an FYI, I used a MCGC from Staples at Costco yesterday in store. If it runs as a debit and you use a pin our store will take MC. Our store is about 2 years old so maybe that has something to do with it? But it did work for me.

This could be a game changer for me. What do you have to do to use it as a debit card? How do you get a pin? Do you have to register the card online?