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

[Sheree]

Interesting, we swear by it. But I would say it really depends on your flight habits. As we fly mostly to Asia and Orlando, we get a lot of use out of it. The Capital One lounge in Dallas is amazing, we also use the PP benefit in Tokyo, HNL, and SFO when we pass through. You can also use Plaza Premium lounges, but they aren't in those airports either. Unfortunately I have found if you are flying United (term C in EWR or much of ORD) its near impossible to get anything but a United Lounge, which often really sucks for mostly anyone. They monopolize all the space, so the only card that would work is the United Club Card.

I would say that the lounge access alone this year has saved me about $300 in airport food or more, but once again I am the exception for a lot of people as I was on about 8 different intercontinental legs this year with a family of 6.

it just seems that even when we fly out of phl and into various airports, the PP lounges don't seem to exist. Paris, Iceland haven't had luck either! I'd love to take advantage of it!

 

[Sheree]

Speaking of Priority Pass through Venture X, has anyone else seen the news that Priority Pass restaurant credits will no longer be available with this card come Jan 2023? I'm seeing mixed messages on whether CSR PP will have similar restrictions, so interested to see how that plays out.

It's listed on a number of sites, here's one (not sure if there's issues with links, I'll happily edit if needed): https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/capital-one-venture-x-priority-pass-lose-restaurants-spas-2022-12?amp

i can never figure out which restaurants at which airports participated! have pp thru csp, amx and venture x

 

[lsutigers03]

I was just approved for another CIC. Between CIC and CIU this is my fourth card. Has anyone gone above this and had Chase start to cut them off? Also if you're approved for one of these cards does that mean you're eligible for the welcome bonus? I'm asking because I don't see the bonus tracker in the app but that may be added later as the card was just approved.

 

[elgerber]

I had Priority Pass with my Venture X. I cancelled that card a few weeks ago. When I log on to PP it says my membership refreshes Dec 7, which was yesterday. DH has an X also, I would like to sign up his PP in my name. Do you think I will have any issues?

 

[chattadisser]

I was just approved for another CIC. Between CIC and CIU this is my fourth card. Has anyone gone above this and had Chase start to cut them off? Also if you're approved for one of these cards does that mean you're eligible for the welcome bonus? I'm asking because I don't see the bonus tracker in the app but that may be added later as the card was just approved.

I've held 5 of the CIC/CIU's at one time. I've started closing a few just because there is no reason for me to have all of them and I'm trying to free up some credit line. I've gotten the message about "if you've held this card in the last 24 months" and I still got the bonus. This was last month so recently. I think the language is just there in case they ever want to enforce it.

 

[reliev]

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

2022 in retro. It is a little sad.
Mar - Tucson/Scottsdale OOP $400 mostly AFs.
May - broke my ankle and was laid up for 2 months and another 4 months of PT so no travel
Sept - Canceled Oregon trip :-(

2023 - plans
March - New Mexico
June - Banff/Jasper NPs
August - Nova Scotia/New Brunswick/PEI
October - TBD

Planning to get Global Entry for the "international" travel plans! My pre-check was expiring in April so replacing it. DH will get GE early as his pre-check is still good for 2 years.

Would love to see a Banff trip report!

Yea I got some personalized offers via Capital One Shopping in Nov. Best I have got since is 14%

I need to pay more attentin to the Cap 1 shopping portal.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

For Universal experts- haven't been in a dozen years and haven't ever stayed onsite. Thinking of Portofino Bay. Club level is about $75/nt- worth it? We'd be booking through FHR, so breakfast for 2 is already included, but we would have 4 peeps.

Any other travel hacking tips for Universal or tickets?

 

[wanderlust7]

Some thoughts on maximizing savings on AirBNB stays and experiences:

1. Use this link to be sure you are earning 3 Avios per $1 on AirBNB stays and experiences
2. I have been purchasing gift cards, with a 14% savings during Kroger's 4x fuel points promotions, or 10% during Meijier's $5 reward per $50 gc. Gift cards are more flexible now that they can be applied to an existing reservation as well as new reservations
3. I now prefer purchasing AirBNB gcs when working towards an MSR as there have been times I reserved an AirBNB and then later cancelled the AirBNB (or they cancelled) and it created potential clawback/unmet MSR issues. With a gc, the funds will just be returned to my AirBNB account in the case of cancellation. A potential con is that you wouldn't have cc protection on your AirBNB stay should a dispute arise between you and AirBNB.

Thanks for the info! Just did a booking with GC for the first time. I was surprised that they applied the GC balance and then calculated the 2 payments. I thought I would only need to get enough gift cards to cover half and then had more time for the rest. Any way around that?

I did the Staples and Best Buy Amex offers, plus the Target $200 Airbnb get $20 Target GC. Feel like I can do better with more time, but not bad on short notice. I'd do the Amex Walmart offer too (have that on 3 cards), but they keep canceling my GC orders!

 

[Best Aunt]

For Universal experts- haven't been in a dozen years and haven't ever stayed onsite. Thinking of Portofino Bay. Club level is about $75/nt- worth it? We'd be booking through FHR, so breakfast for 2 is already included, but we would have 4 peeps.

Any other travel hacking tips for Universal or tickets?

Of the hotels themselves that I've stayed at, my favorites in order of preference were (1) Royal Pacific Resort, (2) Portofino Bay Hotel, and (3) Hard Rock Hotel. If it were a resort-only stay, that would be my order. Hard Rock had the fewest food options, it had one big pool which felt like a party location rather than a place for swimming, it had the worst selection in the gift shop, and it had the least theming. Portofino Bay felt huge. They tried to make the rooms fancy-schmancy, but my room had both bugs near the coffee pot and a sink that kept backing up. Royal Pacific had the best food options and the best theming.

But you probably aren't doing a resort-only stay.

In terms of convenience for getting to the theme parks - Hard Rock Hotel is the winner. No question. I walked from the other two to the Harry-Potter section of the theme parks, and it felt like it took forever. Also, the signage isn't great and I found it very confusing when trying to get back to the other two when alone in the dark.

I did Club Level at PBH and RPR. At PBH it wasn't at all convenient - if I recall correctly, the Club Level Lounge was on the lobby level. Nowhere near my room. The Lounge at RPR was closer to my room.

I haven't stayed at any of the newer hotels there.

There are people on the Universal Hotels thread who can give you better info than I can.

 

[djmeredith]

For Universal experts- haven't been in a dozen years and haven't ever stayed onsite. Thinking of Portofino Bay. Club level is about $75/nt- worth it? We'd be booking through FHR, so breakfast for 2 is already included, but we would have 4 peeps.

Any other travel hacking tips for Universal or tickets?

I had not been in about 6 years, and then went 3 times between Labor Day weekend 2021 and Labor Day weekend 2022. I’ve now stayed at all 3 premier level resorts and Sapphire Falls. SF is our new fav but it doesn’t come with the Express Passes. Royal Pacific is my new fav premier. I splurged for Club level at PFB over Memorial Day week this year. We loved it for breakfast and made it to the afternoon snacks a few times. Only made it to “dinner” and desserts once. For me, it was not worth it. I stressed myself out trying to coordinate our day around the club schedule to get my money’s worth. If the $75 isn’t a stretch for you, then I would do it.

I highly recommend purchasing the refillable cups in the parks if your party enjoys soda and Icees. They are good for a lifetime so you can bring them back on future trips as well. They offer a refillable popcorn bucket as well. We didn’t do that this time but it is still a good deal.

The Universal boards here on the Dis are full of great tips. Be sure to check over there. One of the most popular money saving tips you see is to check the price of the annual passes. Many people buy 1 or more passes just for the room discount and the passes are sometimes cheaper than multi day tix. Some people also upgrade one pass to the higher levels in order to get the additional food and merch discounts. I always buy our tix through UT. You can upgrade those when you get there if you decide to go that route.

 

[sinnika]

i can never figure out which restaurants at which airports participated! have pp thru csp, amx and venture x

You can download the priority pass app and then it’s very easy to check for lounges and restaurants and other privileges based on the airport.

 

[IFlossU]

I'd do the Amex Walmart offer too (have that on 3 cards), but they keep canceling my GC orders!

This is weird. I’ve had luck with Disney gift cards, but I do have them mail me the physical card. Just to improve my odds of having it track correctly with Amex. That’s frustrating they cancel them on you.

 

[elgerber]

I have no Walmart offers on PayPal or Amex. Which cards are you finding it on?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'd do the Amex Walmart offer too (have that on 3 cards), but they keep canceling my GC orders!

I have terrible luck (service) from Walmart. I used my mom's Walmart + to order some tea, shampoo and soap last week. I get a text that they were delivering the shampoo and soap from local store. Then a text saying they attempted deliver but couldn't and will try again later. Huh? They can't leave it on the porch? The tea was shipped and arrived today. Meanwhile I can't cancel the other items, the chat bot can't help and I have no idea how to cancel or get my money back as there is no contact I can find on their website except the chat.

 

[wanderlust7]

This is weird. I’ve had luck with Disney gift cards, but I do have them mail me the physical card. Just to improve my odds of having it track correctly with Amex. That’s frustrating they cancel them on you.

It was an eGC. The lower Airbnb denominations only come like that. I did get one through before they all got canceled. But accidentally used my Walmart GC to pay for most of it so didn't even get to use the offer.

Oh well. I'll probably try physical Walmart GC later. I've read that sometimes chat can fix it but might take multiple attempts. Sounds like a pain. I had a problem with Walmart+ billing before that multiple chats and calls couldn't resolve. They kept charging me even though I canceled AND my account showed no Walmart+. I ended up disputing it to finally get it to stop. So I don't put much faith in their customer service.

 

[wanderlust7]

I have no Walmart offers on PayPal or Amex. Which cards are you finding it on?

It seems to be only on the personal plats.

 

[wanderlust7]

I have terrible luck (service) from Walmart. I used my mom's Walmart + to order some tea, shampoo and soap last week. I get a text that they were delivering the shampoo and soap from local store. Then a text saying they attempted deliver but couldn't and will try again later. Huh? They can't leave it on the porch? The tea was shipped and arrived today. Meanwhile I can't cancel the other items, the chat bot can't help and I have no idea how to cancel or get my money back as there is no contact I can find on their website except the chat.

That happened to me before with some toothpaste lol.

1-800-WALMART might work. I think there used to be a number or maybe a call back function on the website (can't remember), but I don't see it now either.

 

[Sheree]

You can download the priority pass app and then it’s very easy to check for lounges and restaurants and other privileges based on the airport.

thanks I do have the app but nothing seems to pop up to make use of, oh well

 

[reliev]

It seems to be only on the personal plats.

yep sorry got busy with work yeah personal plat for me.