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

[becauseimnew]

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-...ry-ban-106-countries-including-us-2022-04-06/
Looks like Japan is going to start opening it's borders, tourist still not allowed but this is progress.

 

[Shannon G]

I am considering planning a trip to Hawaii with my two kids while they are home on Christmas break end of this year/beginning of next year. Looking to do 10 days - 2 weeks, and am undecided as to which islands - I am considering Oahu, Maui, or the Big Island (or some combination of 2 of those). Any tips or tricks as to how to find the best way to use points for flights? I have approximately 137k URS, 119k AmEx Member rewards, and 75k delta miles. based on my limited research thus far, it seems like the best option might be to transfer URS and MRs to United (there are a few dates in that time frame where one way flights are in the 25k-40k miles per person range). Ideally we would fly out of Hartford, but would also consider Boston or NY airports if it results in significant savings (keeping in mind that will mean a 2 - 21/2 drive home from the airport on our return, so it's not my preferred option). Exact dates are flexible, so long as we leave after Christmas and return in time for my daughters to start back to college the week of MLK Day.

Oh, and I also have about 50k SW points, and have a companion pass good through the end of the year, which could help get one of the kids there depending on when we go, but will have expired for the flight home. Also, the only way for me to book it with SW is to do a multi-destination trip, with an overnight on the West Coast, which eats into the time in Hawaii.

Thanks for any tips or tricks!

 

[Judique]

@calypso726 - you may have already read the mail that our Radisson card from US Bank will be discontinued and turned into a fee free US Bank Altitude card in June.

They will refund the last annual fee, but no more Radisson points. I'm disappointed as I've had this card for a long time and always had a small supply of points when needed.

I've checked the Radisson website(s) and no credit card links anymore.

 

[Sheree]

the Churchill war rooms are great

we used Hilton points and stayed at the Paddington Hilton. Great location, executive lounge and rooms were large enough for the 3 of us

went to Arsenel stadium tour which was also fun

 

[iujen94]

I am so behind on this thread, so I apologize if this has already been posted and is old news, but I just saw in the Miles to Memories Facebook group that the AMEX Platinum entertainment credit now also covers Hulu and Disney+!

 

[havaneselover]

Just bought tickets for Mamma Mia in London. Really happy dd chose that. And thanks @CyndiLouWho--that tour looks perfect. Getting really excited.

 

[calypso726]

@calypso726 - you may have already read the mail that our Radisson card from US Bank will be discontinued and turned into a fee free US Bank Altitude card in June.

They will refund the last annual fee, but no more Radisson points. I'm disappointed as I've had this card for a long time and always had a small supply of points when needed.

I've checked the Radisson website(s) and no credit card links anymore.

Yes. I am really sad to see those annual 40k points go. It was always nice to just let them accumulate and use on quick trips to Europe. I will miss that.

 

[wweazel]

We are heading to DC for a few nights the week after Easter - Wednesday to Saturday. We (DH and I plus DD14, DS13 and DS10) are driving from MA and staying at the Grand Hyatt.
We are going to the zoo on the Thursday, but other than that no concrete plans. Will obviously go to monuments and museums. Just trying to figure out a plan. And of course we'll need to eat! I believe there are a few on this board in the DC area.
Any tips/suggestions, must dos would be much appreciated.

The trolley tour is a great way to see several of the monuments, and some at sunset - without having to park and navigate. We have done it on our first evening in town a couple trips and its a great way to set the mood and get into the spirit of DC. The Mint has been on our to-do list the last couple trips but I never seem to get tickets far enough in advance.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I have a couple of questions....I am now at 3/24 on personal cards and will technically go to 2/24 on 7/16.

I am past the 4 year mark for getting a Sapphire Bonus so I am planning to PC my current Chase Sapphire Reserve to a Chase Freedom so that I can go for a MDD of a CSR/CSP combo. My question is do I need to wait 4 days after the product change of 30 days? I have seen some conflicting info. I was not planning on doing it anyway until 5/1 to space it out from my last Chase Biz card. I was also just going to move all of my UR points currently on my Chase Reserve to another card for the time being. Is there anything else I am missing not thinking of?

If I get approved for both I realize it will put me at 5/24 but it would drop back to 4/24 on 7/16. Thanks in advance for any tips/suggestions.

You have to wait 4 days after you PC. Wait 30 days if you close the card, instead of PC. Many of us lowered our CL once we PCed to the Freedom as well, as both the Sapphires need a chunk of credit.

In preparation, I would just reread the MDD how-to guide in Advanced Strategies a few times over just to make sure you get your timing right. You're experienced, so it should go pretty easily for you. Best of luck!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Update on my recent stay at the Sir Albert (a Marriott property in Amsterdam). After reporting the issue (to Marriott) with the hotel using points (30k, which is a steal for the property IMHO) instead of my FNC, a case was opened. The hotel e-mailed me last Friday saying that according to their records everything with respect to my stay was fine and they didn't owe me any points. I e-mailed back and once again explained that they should have used the FNC, not 30K points. On Saturday morning I had a response that they would be refunding 30K points to my account and 150 euros to my credit card for the issues I experienced during my stay (which I was not expecting). I checked my Marriott account this morning and the 30K points are there as well as the FNC. I would definitely stay here again since they resolved the issues to my satisfaction. As I said in a previous post I loved the location, the room was clean and contemporary and the all the staff that I dealt with was very nice.

I'm still having issues getting my money back from Chase for the breakfast that I paid for, but was denied by the hotel. I called last week and spoke with a supervisor who told me that they couldn't refund the money I paid, but would issue me 4K URs within 3-4 days. The points weren't showing yesterday, so I called. Was again transferred to a supervisor who told me that the credit was 2.5 URs and could take 3-4 billing cycles (which is insane). I said that was incorrect as I paid over $40 for the breakfast and 2,500 URs would not cover the cost. She said that was what the case said and that she would have to investigate the discrepancy and get back to me last night. She called me late in the evening and said she was just starting her investigation and would get back to me around 1pm today (no call yet). I am wondering if I can file a dispute with Chase for the $40 since waiting 3-4 billing cycles for the URs is nonsensical. Next stay I would not pay for breakfast (I only paid for breakfast for 1 night booked through the Chase UR portal) as there is a nice patisserie across the street, several good restaurants within a 5 min walk and a grocery store around corner.

I think you are within your rights to file a dispute with Chase for the $40, as you paid for a service and did not receive it. FYI, one of my few experiences disputing a charge was with Uber Eats. Amex immediately credited my account. Uber Eats didn't agree and wouldn't allow me to use the app until I paid the funds Amex rescinded. It actually ended up costing me more $ and time in the long run.

I had been under the impression there was some sort of agreement between Amex and a vendor that they would agree with Amex's decision, but when I tried to address it with Amex, they said they only control what happens on their side. I guess what I'm saying is that Chase could refund your money, but I guess a vendor can still feel you owe the debt. If it's a vendor you plan to use again, and I'm assuming you'll use Chase portal again, perhaps this will create a problem. Perhaps because it's Chase dealing with Chase, you won't have the same issue.

 

[DaveL]

SW just moved my June 11th flight last night. Minimal amount so that is good. So hopefully that is it and they are done messing with my flights...

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

SW just moved my June 11th flight last night. Minimal amount so that is good. So hopefully that is it and they are done messing with my flights...

They messed with so many of our flights this year, it's crazy. Since I have a CP, we were trying to take many small trips this year to take advantage. In one instance (trip to Phoenix), we were going for a long weekend but after the changes would only have 1 full day there so we just cancelled that trip.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I am so behind on this thread, so I apologize if this has already been posted and is old news, but I just saw in the Miles to Memories Facebook group that the AMEX Platinum entertainment credit now also covers Hulu and Disney+!

I was quite happy about this. My annual Disney+ subscription was up for renewal soon, anyway. Ended up doing the Disney Bundle w/ no ads to maximize the credit on DH's Plat. We watch a lot of Hulu also, it'll be nice to have no ads!

ETA: the one annoying thing is that I had to create a new Hulu account (they said the old one can't transfer), so I have to find all our shows and put them on the list again and figure out where we left off... oh well

 

[pinkxray]

SW changed our return trip in June. Instead of a nonstop at 11am it’s 830 to Nashville and then connecting to Hartford. Um, no. Not taking my kids on two flights to get home.
Not sure what to do. This is supposed to be a super quick weekend to celebrate my 40th and DD graduation. But after spending $$$ in Aulani this month it was supposed to be cheap. Dvc points. Airline points. If I have to buy flights for 5 people it is no longer cheap. Really thinking about cancelling but don’t want to tell DD. This was a make up for our snowed out Princess weekend in Feb.

 

[Killer Fish]

Somehow I have 3 Amex platinum cards. 2 will have the fee hit next month so I wanted to use up my Saks credits before I cancel/downgrade the platinum cards.
I bought the each kid a new Corkcicle bottle for Easter. The bottles are beautiful and I have heard good things about Corkcicle.
View attachment 660505

I had no idea these were on Macy's!

I picked up the Captain America one for me and the Black Panther one for my 5 year old....

When my next credits are ready there is a good chance I am going back for more!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

If you like Bombas, I was able to pick up like 4 pairs with the Saks credits (a month or so ago).

 

[hsmamato2]

In my experience with rental cars…usually Alamo, the credit card being using must be in the renters name. I tried to use my CSR once a few years go when the rental was in DHs name and Alamo wouldn’t allow it…even with me there, we had to use one of his cards

You should be able to see when the travel credit resets when looking at the CSR benefits…for example mine says resets after my 8/2022 statement closes

If you PC the CSR prior to the car and hotel stays the CSR travel protection no longer covers those items….but the reservations remain

thanks!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

SW just moved my June 11th flight last night. Minimal amount so that is good. So hopefully that is it and they are done messing with my flights...

I'm the only one hoping for a bigger change and they changed mine 35 minutes. Not enough to get a refund, which is what I want.

ETA: I tweeted at SW and they told me change wasn't significant, no refund. I replied I thought it was significant especially since it's the only nonstop daily. They made an exception and refunded! However the email says refund to card ending xxxx which doesn't match any card I have.

 

[Killer Fish]

After a full week of calling/trying to click on the link in my email they finally over the phone attached me to the 30k points for pay over time on my Amex card. Nothing like free points!

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I think you are within your rights to file a dispute with Chase for the $40, as you paid for a service and did not receive it. FYI, one of my few experiences disputing a charge was with Uber Eats. Amex immediately credited my account. Uber Eats didn't agree and wouldn't allow me to use the app until I paid the funds Amex rescinded. It actually ended up costing me more $ and time in the long run.

I had been under the impression there was some sort of agreement between Amex and a vendor that they would agree with Amex's decision, but when I tried to address it with Amex, they said they only control what happens on their side. I guess what I'm saying is that Chase could refund your money, but I guess a vendor can still feel you owe the debt. If it's a vendor you plan to use again, and I'm assuming you'll use Chase portal again, perhaps this will create a problem. Perhaps because it's Chase dealing with Chase, you won't have the same issue.

UberEats is the worst. I had a dispute with them for double-charging me and they refused to credit back one of the charges. Chase refunded right away, but ever since then I have not received a single promo on the app and if I see a universal promo my account never allows it.

I spoke with Chase UR again this morning (the supervisor never called back yesterday). This time the supervisor contacted the hotel and apparently the hotel is going to refund the money that I paid for breakfast that they denied. The CSR said that I should see the refund in 3-4 days; he also said that they will issue 2,500 URs for the inconvenience (several hours on the phone). We shall see.