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

[georgina]

Getting down to the wire for my WDW trip and was just thinking, With all the cost increases combined with the fact that you can't really plan anything with G+ this is the first trip I have not booked a single sit down meal. I have not bothered to check reservations, but I have to wonder how many else have cut back the same way.

We were celebrating my 60th bday, and I made more TS reservations than usual. Arrival night at Raglan Rd, next night MK closed at 4:30 so we went to City Works, on our planned pool/ resort day we did Narcoossee, and another partial park day the Boathouse. I only bought G+ one day though.

 

[catsinawindow]

A question about using the EBCI and upgraded boarding credits on Southwest CC. We have a trip coming up in July and might as well use some of these credits since I'm planning to cancel the card once the annual fee hits this summer. Am I correct in thinking that I just need to pay for EBCI with the Southwest CC and it will apply a statement credit? Any reason to wait to add EBCI or should I go ahead and do it now? Now the upgraded boarding (that DH has on his Southwest Biz card) that would need to be added/paid for at the gate, if available, correct?

 

[Minnie368]

Hello All,

I applied for the AA aviator business card last night and it went pending. Today I missed a call from Delaware. The status link says it could take up to 10 days to update. Should I call in and talk to someone? I am past 24 months since I closed the last Aviator card. They did pull TU thanks.

It has been my experience and DH’s as well that we ignored the calls. I was called twice and let both go to voicemail. DH was called once and also didn’t answer. We both received approval emails within 24 hours.

 

[reliev]

just got 1k hyatt points for updating my income its been 2 years , just using it as a data point see if anyone gets something similar or better.

Gift cards are 1 cpp. $20 GC = 2000 URs. Some GCs are offered 'on sale' at $20 GC for 1800 URs. Cashback is the same. I can cash out my 160,000 URs for a $1600 deposit into my checking account. Maybe it's not the "best" use in cpp but sometimes it's the best use for me. My goal is not "travel the world in biz class to stay at 5 star hotel suites." I mean that's great but my goal is simply "travel for free" or as close to free as possible.
You may also be thinking of Citi TY points which I do believe are worth less than 1 cpp for cash and GCs and are no longer worth more than 1 cpp even booking through their portal.

the 2 times I've tried to help my parents they didn't get 1 cpp. Pay yourself back is the way to go for sure. I was speaking directly to gift cards. When I looked for Disney gift cards I didn't see them.
Before when I looked it was .5 .7 not 1:1 so it's gotten marginally better. For the price that I've seen gift cards resold at bjs/costco/sams you would think they give us better than even 1:1. I edited this the last time i looked for gift cards was maybe 2017. Also with pay yourself back you can do better than 1:1 also.
Looks like pay yourself back categories changed since last i checked.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

just got 1k hyatt points for updating my income its been 2 years or so just

the 2 times I've tried to help my parents they didn't get 1 cpp. Pay yourself back is the way to go for sure. I was speaking directly to gift cards. When I looked for Disney gift cards I didn't see them.
Before when I looked it was .5 .7 not 1:1 so it's gotten marginally better. For the price that I've seen gift cards resold at bjs/costco/sams you would think they give us better than even 1:1. I edited this the last time i looked for gift cards was maybe 2017. Also with pay yourself back you can do better than 1:1 also.
Looks like pay yourself back categories changed since last i checked.

View attachment 671784

I don’t currently have CSR, just CSP so PYB is charity and Airbnb, useless for me. There are no Disney GCs but all others I see are 1:1. I just recently got Starbucks and Bubba gump to use on vacation. My only other option is cashback or portal, so cash is sometimes best for me. Whatever works. (Agree sometimes gcs are available elsewhere for less. But I currently don’t do in person shopping so it’s not always easy to get those)

 

[leeniewdw]

Getting down to the wire for my WDW trip and was just thinking, With all the cost increases combined with the fact that you can't really plan anything with G+ this is the first trip I have not booked a single sit down meal. I have not bothered to check reservations, but I have to wonder how many else have cut back the same way.

Normally I travel just with my DH and a few years ago we booked the 50s Prime Time cafe. Despite an ADR we waited about 20 minutes for a table. I found it loud, rushed, and really expensive for okay food. So we don't bother with them anymore. But we go on long weekend trips so time is important.

However, we are planning a Nov trip with our grown kids + SOs and feel like a table service dinner might be nice. But boy prices are just crazy to think about 6 adults going to dinner (us paying, lol). I think we're going to shoot for a sit down dinner at one of the monorail hotels on our arrival day before heading to the MVMCP in MK. But I can't really imagine the fancy ones, so now not sure what we'll do. Suggestions for a place on the monorail that's not "fine dining" but does have table service?

Once we have our park days, I just don't want to deal with working around an ADR, G+/LLs, and their own preferences for touring and eating (vegetarian among us).

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Why am I scared to cancel my FNC reservation at the Marriott in NC, and book the AI in Cancun? I think it's because the rooms in NC are no longer available via points. Also there is the debate of buying a 1 way ticket to Cancun for $130 vs, going on my non-rev ($30 in taxes). It'll be on Spirit so I can't cancel the ticket like I could w/ Delta. The other option would be to book Delta. But I think they are $300 one way. I'm not worried about the way home. Worst case I get stuck a day, LOL. Or I take 2 flights to get home, etc.

 

[reliev]

I don’t currently have CSR, just CSP so PYB is charity and Airbnb, useless for me. There are no Disney GCs but all others I see are 1:1. I just recently got Starbucks and Bubba gump to use on vacation. My only other option is cashback or portal, so cash is sometimes best for me. Whatever works. (Agree sometimes gcs are available elsewhere for less. But I currently don’t do in person shopping so it’s not always easy to get those)

I think it might have been Amex not chase the more I'm thinking about it. My parents only do southwest now and cash back he said my setup is too complicated

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Normally I travel just with my DH and a few years ago we booked the 50s Prime Time cafe. Despite an ADR we waited about 20 minutes for a table. I found it loud, rushed, and really expensive for okay food. So we don't bother with them anymore. But we go on long weekend trips so time is important.

However, we are planning a Nov trip with our grown kids + SOs and feel like a table service dinner might be nice. But boy prices are just crazy to think about 6 adults going to dinner (us paying, lol). I think we're going to shoot for a sit down dinner at one of the monorail hotels on our arrival day before heading to the MVMCP in MK. But I can't really imagine the fancy ones, so now not sure what we'll do. Suggestions for a place on the monorail that's not "fine dining" but does have table service?

Once we have our park days, I just don't want to deal with working around an ADR, G+/LLs, and their own preferences for touring and eating (vegetarian among us).

Kona Cafe is not fine dining and good imo. We also liked Steakhouse 71 (I don't eat red meat, though, so can't comment on the steak).

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I should be getting excited for our Yellowstone trip in August, but with gas prices continuing to skyrocket out of control, I know it's gonna cost an arm and a leg to be driving around the park everyday, driving from Yellowstone to Tetons, etc. It's just going to be a lot of gas. No idea what gas prices are out there, but here in SC it's historically one of the cheapest in the nation, and so I know it's going to likely be more, and that just hurts! I feel like domestic travel should NOT cost more than international travel. This trip is costing us more than cruises and international travel has cost us in the past, and that just doesn't sit right with me. We could do our 2 week, 4 island Hawaii trip for about the same it's costing us a week at Yellowstone. *sigh* Someone reassure me that Yellowstone is worth it, lol.

 

[afan]

Normally I travel just with my DH and a few years ago we booked the 50s Prime Time cafe. Despite an ADR we waited about 20 minutes for a table. I found it loud, rushed, and really expensive for okay food. So we don't bother with them anymore. But we go on long weekend trips so time is important.

However, we are planning a Nov trip with our grown kids + SOs and feel like a table service dinner might be nice. But boy prices are just crazy to think about 6 adults going to dinner (us paying, lol). I think we're going to shoot for a sit down dinner at one of the monorail hotels on our arrival day before heading to the MVMCP in MK. But I can't really imagine the fancy ones, so now not sure what we'll do. Suggestions for a place on the monorail that's not "fine dining" but does have table service?

Once we have our park days, I just don't want to deal with working around an ADR, G+/LLs, and their own preferences for touring and eating (vegetarian among us).

Grand Floridian cafe could be a good option.

 

[becauseimnew]

I should be getting excited for our Yellowstone trip in August, but with gas prices continuing to skyrocket out of control, I know it's gonna cost an arm and a leg to be driving around the park everyday, driving from Yellowstone to Tetons, etc. It's just going to be a lot of gas. No idea what gas prices are out there, but here in SC it's historically one of the cheapest in the nation, and so I know it's going to likely be more, and that just hurts! I feel like domestic travel should NOT cost more than international travel. This trip is costing us more than cruises and international travel has cost us in the past, and that just doesn't sit right with me. We could do our 2 week, 4 island Hawaii trip for about the same it's costing us a week at Yellowstone. *sigh* Someone reassure me that Yellowstone is worth it, lol.

I don’t even want to know how much it is costing if you can do 2 weeks in Hawaii for the same price. But you’ll have a great time. Enjoy an new place.

 

[elgerber]

Kona Cafe is not fine dining and good imo. We also liked Steakhouse 71 (I don't eat red meat, though, so can't comment on the steak).

My DD and I really enjoyed the steaks there. This is the only ADR I have, for my short trip with my son in July.

 

[Babars_Wife]

I had to cancel a hotel booked via the UR portal in December and had to cancel after the cancellation window had passed. I called the hotel and they agreed to cancel without penalty. I then called Chase UR, they called the hotel and confirmed they were okay with the cancellation and then refunded me. It took a little while on the phone but worked out. Good luck and let us know if it works out.

Did as @*WDW*Groupie* described. Called the hotel, explained the scenario. They agreed as a one time courtesy to refund everything, minus $50 fee. Since it's booked through 'expedia' that I should call 'expedia' and have them call the hotel directly. Called Chase, told them hotel agreed to give me the refund even though it's supposed to be no refund if cancelled. Transferred to a Chase specialist 20 wait) who then called the hotel. The Specialist said it was too much effort to do the math to put in for points refund minus 50 so she put the full refund through and said Chase could eat the 50$. That's cool. Thanks for your response, I would have just taken the loss without your feedback.

 

[leeniewdw]

Kona Cafe is not fine dining and good imo. We also liked Steakhouse 71 (I don't eat red meat, though, so can't comment on the steak).

Grand Floridian cafe could be a good option.

Thank you both, Kona and GFC were on my list. Steakhouse 71 is more expensive plus I think only had 1 veg option.

I should be getting excited for our Yellowstone trip in August, but with gas prices continuing to skyrocket out of control, I know it's gonna cost an arm and a leg to be driving around the park everyday, driving from Yellowstone to Tetons, etc. It's just going to be a lot of gas. No idea what gas prices are out there, but here in SC it's historically one of the cheapest in the nation, and so I know it's going to likely be more, and that just hurts! I feel like domestic travel should NOT cost more than international travel. This trip is costing us more than cruises and international travel has cost us in the past, and that just doesn't sit right with me. We could do our 2 week, 4 island Hawaii trip for about the same it's costing us a week at Yellowstone. *sigh* Someone reassure me that Yellowstone is worth it, lol.

If you've never been to YNP/GTNP it's worth it to go. We go next month for the 4th time in about 15 years. I'm also a little worried about gas. Yellowstone is HUGE and if you're trying to cover it all, it'll be a lot of driving. If we can do 2 weeks in Hawaii for our week at Yellowstone, then we should be going to Hawaii! Although, we are doing 3 nights at Roosevelt Lodge Cabins, which do not have their own bathrooms, more like a campground with your own cabin, but it's pretty cheap. It's actually our favorite place as it's not a crowded area and we're able to do evening wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley and get back to our cabin just ask it's getting dark (we don't drive in Yellowstone after dark).

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I don’t even want to know how much it is costing if you can do 2 weeks in Hawaii for the same price. But you’ll have a great time. Enjoy an new place.

If you've never been to YNP/GTNP it's worth it to go. We go next month for the 4th time in about 15 years. I'm also a little worried about gas. Yellowstone is HUGE and if you're trying to cover it all, it'll be a lot of driving. If we can do 2 weeks in Hawaii for our week at Yellowstone, then we should be going to Hawaii! Although, we are doing 3 nights at Roosevelt Lodge Cabins, which do not have their own bathrooms, more like a campground with your own cabin, but it's pretty cheap. It's actually our favorite place as it's not a crowded area and we're able to do evening wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley and get back to our cabin just ask it's getting dark (we don't drive in Yellowstone after dark).

Seeing a new place is about the only reason I'm still fighting for this trip. Otherwise, DH would rather abandon and go back to Hawaii instead, lol. Glad to hear you've been back numerous times... that makes me feel like it's a place worth going! I know we could stay in cabins or in a more primitive situation than we are (we are staying in a hotel), but DH and I really aren't "campers", or even close to it. We do prefer our own bathrooms/showers in our room. So that is not the cheapest. Add the expensive one way rental car, and gas. I know it's a HUGE park. We're not doing all of it, but are hitting all the main sites and driving quite a bit every day, so I know it's going to be a lot of gas. I don't know if 2 weeks in Hawaii is still around the same price... but when we went in 2018, it cost us close to this vacation! Granted, we were able to do a lot more on points than we could with this trip. And post covid, it would probably be more like everything else, but maybe not significantly so.
At any rate, I would love to hear your experience @leeniewdw when you guys go next month! It'll make me feel better when you have a great time, lol.

 

[mmmears]

Seeing a new place is about the only reason I'm still fighting for this trip. Otherwise, DH would rather abandon and go back to Hawaii instead, lol. Glad to hear you've been back numerous times... that makes me feel like it's a place worth going! I know we could stay in cabins or in a more primitive situation than we are (we are staying in a hotel), but DH and I really aren't "campers", or even close to it. We do prefer our own bathrooms/showers in our room. So that is not the cheapest. Add the expensive one way rental car, and gas. I know it's a HUGE park. We're not doing all of it, but are hitting all the main sites and driving quite a bit every day, so I know it's going to be a lot of gas. I don't know if 2 weeks in Hawaii is still around the same price... but when we went in 2018, it cost us close to this vacation! Granted, we were able to do a lot more on points than we could with this trip. And post covid, it would probably be more like everything else, but maybe not significantly so.
At any rate, I would love to hear your experience @leeniewdw when you guys go next month! It'll make me feel better when you have a great time, lol.

If it makes you feel any better, Hawaii prices today are nothing close to what it cost in 2018. I'm glad you shared your thoughts on this though, because every time I look at booking something to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons it starts looking far more expensive that what I thought and I end up not booking anything. I guess it's just the way it is there. I'm not a camper, either. I hope you get to go and see something new.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Getting down to the wire for my WDW trip and was just thinking, With all the cost increases combined with the fact that you can't really plan anything with G+ this is the first trip I have not booked a single sit down meal. I have not bothered to check reservations, but I have to wonder how many else have cut back the same way.

We have a trip to DLR in 10 days and apparently everyone there is all about dining res because there is nothing available. Friends in SoCal decided to join us in Downtown Disney for dinner one night and there was literally zero ADR open for a party of 4 or 6. I did end up finding one on Open Table but it's crazy. Personally for this trip I had booked a bunch of stuff in 2020 and rescheduled a couple times before current res. I had decided we would cut back but then I broke my shoulder and they brought back nighttime entertainment with dining packages. So I ended up booking more (um all the dining packages for nighttime entertainment) because it will be easier to have a reserved area than fight crowds with a broken arm. Plus I won't get to go on a lot of rides so I can enjoy dining.

 

[becauseimnew]

Japan is opening up, but taking baby steps to reopen starting June 10th, you must book a tour package - so lame. The daily entry cap is increasing to 20,000 on Wednesday.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/05/26/national/tourism-restart-package-tours/

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

If it makes you feel any better, Hawaii prices today are nothing close to what it cost in 2018. I'm glad you shared your thoughts on this though, because every time I look at booking something to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons it starts looking far more expensive that what I thought and I end up not booking anything. I guess it's just the way it is there. I'm not a camper, either. I hope you get to go and see something new.

That does make me feel better actually! I can honestly say I haven't looked into hawaii stuff since our trip in 2018, but we do want to go back next year, so I guess I better be prepared for sticker shock on that too
It is honestly more expensive than I ever thought a Yellowstone/GTNP would cost in my mind. But I am trying to keep optimistic that it'll be a completely different experience than anything we've done before, and that’s what we’re paying for. It’s just absurd to me that our RC cruise on Harmony of the Seas the week leading up to Xmas, including drink package and excursions, is cheaper than this vacation, LOL.