I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I like the OM/OD VGC offer as I'm able to get cards that play nice at WM for loads. But I can't seem to motivate myself to go grab them. I got back Weds from our trip. I did stop by yesterday and got $400 worth on my CIC#1. Figure I should probably throw some spend on there. Now that I have 2 CIC, I'm torn between using those for 5X URs or using my Hilton card for the 15k FNC spend. So far I've done this and haven't had amex come after me, LOL. I think I'm at $7k towards the $15k thanks to the run I made on the $8k FNC offer. So I have only $8k left to get the FNC. $1800 will be taken care of thanks to car insurance. So I have lots of months left to grab VGCs, LOL. I wish my OD was open later still, they close at 8pm. I have to get my mom from the airport tonight, but her flight out of MCO was delayed and she won't be back now till almost 9...GRRRR.

Trying to use up my 35K Marriott certificates before the devaluation (I have 3 expiring at the end of June). Was going to visit Victoria, BC, at the end of this month but the current weather is cold and rainy, so cancelled the trip. Decided on a 4 night trip to Chicago (I also have another 2x35K certificates that expire at the end of August). Found the Hotel Chicago Autograph Collection from April 12-16, king concierge room for 35K / night. Cash rate for the 12-15 is $322.00 / night (it drops on last night, which is a Friday). Considering this will give me access to the executive lounge (not open on weekends, so only 1 morning I will have to grab something outside of the hotel, most likely Wildberry!) I am very happy with the redemption. Never thought I'd be able to get such good value from the certificates. Haven't booked airfare yet -- need to decide between AC (book economy and use a few of my eUpgrades to bump into biz class or use some of my travel bank credit with United). I am very happy with this redemption and excited to visit Chicago again!

I'm debating using my FNC for Spring Break in Chicago to give my kids SOMETHING. I have four 50k FNC and 1 35k FNC to use. The 50K expire now in June. Not sure if I'd be able to get them to extend. I saw they are dying the river this weekend. DD's bday is 3/17 and we've wanted to go for the river dying. But it's going to be a "balmy" 25 there tomorrow. So gonna pass on that, LOL.

Was a good lunch but I'm still on team zaxbys. Raising canes sauce tastes like zax sauce. Fries were great but chicken had no flavor if you didn't use the sauce and that's what made the difference. I prefer not to use the sauce for my chicken just for fries.

Funny you say this. My really good friend FINALLY tried Zaxbys this week (she lives in MS). She wasn't impressed and says she likes raising canes. We may need to end our friendship, LOL. My BF is on an overnight in MCO and made sure to rub in the fact he's getting Zaxbys. Jerk, LOL!

 

[miztressuz]

Looking at my Ultimate Rewards portal on my CSR, the PYB categories have been extended for Airbnb, Dining and the AF until 6/30/2022. Away expires on 3/31 still. Charities is already good until the end of the year. My existing dining charges have already updated the expiration dates

The same CIC and CIU categories have been extended until 6/30/2022 as well (Internet Cable and Phone).

My Freedoms haven't changed (Just Charities) and I don't have any other PYB eligible cards. Maybe someone can check the CSP and CIP and update us?

 

[M:SpilotISTC12]

I think it depends on when your statement closes....iirc usually a delay of a day or two after statement closes for points to post and oddly, often between noon-1 pm my time (Central). Good luck!

I believe my statement closes tomorrow. If I got them by the end of next week I would pumped!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Looking at my Ultimate Rewards portal on my CSR, the PYB categories have been extended for Airbnb, Dining and the AF until 6/30/2022. Away expires on 3/31 still. Charities is already good until the end of the year. My existing dining charges have already updated the expiration dates

The same CIC and CIU categories have been extended until 6/30/2022 as well (Internet Cable and Phone).

My Freedoms haven't changed (Just Charities) and I don't have any other PYB eligible cards. Maybe someone can check the CSP and CIP and update us?

My CSP has Airbnb thru 6/30/22 and Away 3/31/22. Maybe they add another?
I can’t use either of those.

 

[Babars_Wife]

Booked one night in Aruba with my fine hotel credit.. Then the next two with my venture x. Called the front desk and linked the reservations. Asked at front desk if I needed to check in under separate reservations and they said no they see me here for 3 days under both numbers. Today on check out day I am seeing 1,300$ on my Amex bill pending…. Hope this doesn’t take forever to resolve….

 

[havaneselover]

I'm still getting Dosh credit for od visa gift card purchases. Hoping I can cash out.

 

[disfanforlife]

Just back from 9 day trip. We had crowds some days and others not so bad. Used the Genie + one day in MK and it worked well for us. Another Mk day we just went for early entry rode rides until 11 am and then left.
Our daughter and fiancé were with us part of the trip so we switched to a bigger room when they were with us and switched back to studio when they left. wish I had the bigger room the whole time. It’s easier mentally to switch to bigger than to smaller. Flight was delayed 4 times on the way home. The last time thought it was going to be cancelled but we managed to get out around 4 pm when we were supposed to leave at 11 am. We all got $100 vouchers because one of the first delays was mechanical. Was told delays due to weather would not receive any comps So it was nice to get that.

 

[GZanta77]

Fumbling through a Hyatt booking for Costa Rica next year over Spring Break. Booking cash or points says resort not available. Rooms are available through resort's independent (non-Hyatt) website. I should be in the 13 month booking window. Tabacon thermal resort

I'd love any Costa Rica recommendations. Planning some time in Arenal area, then over to the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo and then perhaps a bit of time in Tamarindo?

I am really trying to take advantage of SW Companion Pass, especially if we still have two by then.

I just booked this same trip yesterday for next January - 4 nights@Tabacon then off to the Andaz for 3 nights. Was hoping to do a 4/4 split, but the flights were a lot less appealing for staying the extra day.

Will be our first time in CR so really looking forward to seeing what everybody raves about.

 

[pinkxray]

Looking at my Ultimate Rewards portal on my CSR, the PYB categories have been extended for Airbnb, Dining and the AF until 6/30/2022. Away expires on 3/31 still. Charities is already good until the end of the year. My existing dining charges have already updated the expiration dates

The same CIC and CIU categories have been extended until 6/30/2022 as well (Internet Cable and Phone).

My Freedoms haven't changed (Just Charities) and I don't have any other PYB eligible cards. Maybe someone can check the CSP and CIP and update us?

Thank you for posting. I have about 60,000 URs and was really hoping to use PYB for dining next month. We will be in Oahu for 9 days and it will be helpful to be able to erase our dining purchases. I plan on putting our rental car from Costco on my CSR plus all off site dining (have gift cards to cover Aulani dining). I am so happy dining at the 1.5 rate is extended!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I should NOT have gone to OD last night and grabbed VGC! I ran in just before they closed. The only VGC they had were the fuel everywhere cards. I grabbed 2 assuming they were like the other "everywhere" cards. I went to the register and asked for $200 on each card. They scanned just fine, and my CIC processed the charge. When they went to activate the cards, the register gave an error. The manager came over and noticed the max on the Fuel Everywhere cards is $100. So the register made her refund me $200 immediately. The other card she was unable to refund. She said it had been activated and I'd need to call the 800 number for OD. She said there is nothing she can do at the store level since it's a giftcard. The $200 refund is pending on my CIC as is the $400 charge.

I tried to check the balance on the card. It's giving me an error. Upon calling Meta, the card hasn't been activated. She told me I have to go back to the store. I said but the card won't activate because they charged $200 to a $100 card! Now on hold w/ OD 800 number who don't understand what I'm trying to explain (I'm sure language barriers). At this point it looks like I have to go back to OD and just demand the money (in cash if need be)! The other thought I had was a chargeback. I have the receipts from what she did last night.

UGH! Any other suggestions?

 

[hsmamato2]

Bonvoy Biz.....any card I can PC this to that's $0 AF? I currently see 2 free nites in my account, exp. 6/30/22.... I don't want this card any longer anyway....

 

[Alexle2007]

Booked one night in Aruba with my fine hotel credit.. Then the next two with my venture x. Called the front desk and linked the reservations. Asked at front desk if I needed to check in under separate reservations and they said no they see me here for 3 days under both numbers. Today on check out day I am seeing 1,300$ on my Amex bill pending…. Hope this doesn’t take forever to resolve….

Which resort? We’re on our way to Aruba right now for 6 nights at Hyatt Regency. I was able to apply one of SNA to the reservation so I am excited to see what our suite looks like. My boys think we are just in a regular room like our last visit. Should be a nice 15th birthday surprise for DS.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

What's the most up to date info on what Amex does with the $200 hotel credit if one cancels a FHR resssie and then rebooks another FHR?

 

[AndreaDM]

Has anyone used the CSP $50 hotel credit yet? Does it credit after your stay? I made a hotel reservation through the portal last week for a one night stay at an airport hotel since we have a 6:25 AM flight, but flight isn't until 3/30 so I didn't know if I'd have to wait until after the stay for the credit to post.

 

[sinnika]

I’m planning a quick trip to Baltimore to see family and want to see the Cherry blossoms. Flying into DCA on the morning of April 7. Any recommendations on a hotel near the Cherry Blossoms or near a metro stop? I have UR points that I can transfer to hotels, but no hotel credit cards. Rarely stay at hotels these days. Are point transfers 1:1 with Hyatt or Hilton?

 

[catsinawindow]

Has anyone used the CSP $50 hotel credit yet? Does it credit after your stay? I made a hotel reservation through the portal last week for a one night stay at an airport hotel since we have a 6:25 AM flight, but flight isn't until 3/30 so I didn't know if I'd have to wait until after the stay for the credit to post.

We booked a hotel for July using the Chase portal and it credited within days even though our stay is still months away.

 

[havaneselover]

Just bought two $50 gift cards at Saks using my Platinum cards. Really wanted to buy a Mackenzie Childs bowl with them but it isn't on the website anymore

And it's snowing here. Cannot wait to get to Naples a week from today. First real vacation since June and can't wait to see dd (it's been 9 weeks--never gone that long without seeing her).

 

[elgerber]

We booked a hotel for July using the Chase portal and it credited within days even though our stay is still months away.

Do we have to book through the portal to use the credit? I don’t think mine even starts till May.

nevermind. Answered my own question. I do wonder though, my credit starts 5/21. Wonder if that is booked after that date or if I could book for 5/22 in advance and use it.

 

[trenty]

Just want to share: I used the 20% and 10% BJs offer to buy Disney GC to pay my DVC dues. Along with other various offers for different merchants earlier this year, I have paid over half my annual dues so far at a 14.2% savings overall. This does not take into account URs/MRs earned or cash back from shopping portals.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Took a little drive this morning to a Marriott about 20 mins from the house to purchase some GCs (my usual Courtyard didn't have any -- I always call before I leave). Was able to use 2 AmEx promos (on my Cdn AmEx Aeroplan card, spend $800 at any hotel save $100 -- I will combine this with my stay to see dd in early April and spend $250 save $50 on my US plat). I will be using my accumulating Marriott GCs at the RC Maldives in September to cover my food and boat transfer (so hopefully very little OOP while I'm there).