I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 & 2024 (see first page for add'l details)

[happ]

I am probably going to be closing two amex card accounts this month. Are any of the current offers on their co-branded cards particularly good right now?- because I know these cancellations may land me in pop up jail. Already have schwab plat, gold, biz plat, biz green, Hilton biz, Hilton no AF, BBP. Had and since have closed delta biz. Would be most interested in Hilton and Delta. Marriott just seems like the points don't go far. As far as the MR cards, I don't know that any of the ones I haven't already had are worth their AF.

You might have an issue with the Amex four card rule if you apply for another CC before you cancel any. I'm seeing mixed info on google about whether the biz green counts. Maybe someone else can chime in about this.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

For those that have been to Japan, how easy or difficult is public transit there? DH thinks we’re gonna be “lost in Japan” like the song, lol. While I have faith in getting around to different cities using the Shinkansen, once we get to those places it’s a different story using either trains/buses to get around. We’ll be going to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Lake Kawaguchi area. Is transit easy enough to figure out, without knowing any Japanese? Are there any apps or websites you guys would recommend we download before going to help us navigate. DH said “we’ll just take an Uber everywhere” but I’m thinking that will cost a small fortune! I’ve been doing a more in depth day by day itinerary to figure out our days/schedule, and trying to group places that are close together. But inevitably, I think using public transit will be a daily thing there.

 

[Narnia_girl]

What would you do / How would you book?

I'm going to conference in Orlando and need a one-night hotel before the event (end of March). My friend, who is splitting the cost of the room with me, would like to stay near Disney Springs. I'm fine with that and we agreed on the Holiday Inn. Now I'm not sure which way I should book this? The room only price on all these portals is within $167-174.

• Southwest portal earns an extra 2000 Rapid Rewards points. I'm very close to earning the CP so not sure I really need an extra 2000 points, but I'll spend them eventually. I have the Southwest Premier Business card and the Southwest Plus personal card. I think both earn 2X on hotels.
• Chase portal would earn me 5X (CSP) and qualify for the annual $50 hotel credit.
• Capital One portal would earn me 10X using Venture One card.
• Book directly with IHG and the room drops to $159. I have an IHG card which earns 2X there.

 

[afan]

For those that have been to Japan, how easy or difficult is public transit there? DH thinks we’re gonna be “lost in Japan” like the song, lol. While I have faith in getting around to different cities using the Shinkansen, once we get to those places it’s a different story using either trains/buses to get around. We’ll be going to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Lake Kawaguchi area. Is transit easy enough to figure out, without knowing any Japanese? Are there any apps or websites you guys would recommend we download before going to help us navigate. DH said “we’ll just take an Uber everywhere” but I’m thinking that will cost a small fortune! I’ve been doing a more in depth day by day itinerary to figure out our days/schedule, and trying to group places that are close together. But inevitably, I think using public transit will be a daily thing there.

While I haven't been there everything I read says the major cities will have transit signs in English and that google maps works well.

 

[wanderlust7]

For those that have been to Japan, how easy or difficult is public transit there? DH thinks we’re gonna be “lost in Japan” like the song, lol. While I have faith in getting around to different cities using the Shinkansen, once we get to those places it’s a different story using either trains/buses to get around. We’ll be going to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Lake Kawaguchi area. Is transit easy enough to figure out, without knowing any Japanese? Are there any apps or websites you guys would recommend we download before going to help us navigate. DH said “we’ll just take an Uber everywhere” but I’m thinking that will cost a small fortune! I’ve been doing a more in depth day by day itinerary to figure out our days/schedule, and trying to group places that are close together. But inevitably, I think using public transit will be a daily thing there.

Just back! Taking public transportation can be…complicated. Some signage is in English and announcement in English are usually super clear. Almost all trains we were on had a board for all the stops and shows where you are, I found that super helpful. But transfers can take you through long corridors and up/down stairs. Sometimes the signage leading to where you’re going is not in English. Sometimes I got confused which train to get on since there are multiple options.

I used the Japan Travel Navitime app. Google maps also works.

Uber isn’t big in Japan, I think it just calls a taxi, which are pretty expensive. The one taxi we took, the driver didn’t speak English.

Where are you staying? I found Conrad Osaka to Nara fairly easy (1 transfer). Shin-Osaka (Shinkansen) to Universal more confusing (1-2 transfers).

 

[mmmears]

What type of bill did you pay?

DH says he selected wireless, not fiber (we have both).

Update on the AT&T Biz Fiber AMEX offer and using it for non Biz Fiber bills - I had tried to pay my wireless bill first, and it showed up on my statement as “AT&T FASTPAY” and never triggered the offer. I just paid $50 on our internet bill, and it showed up as “AT&T HSIA BUS E-EVR,” which is apparently what you want to see to trigger the credit. I suspect there may have been user error when I paid the wireless bill - my Chrome has been really funky about incognito mode since my son added a “profile” (hooked to his school account) to the Chrome on my computer. I suspect the school doesn’t allow incognito searching, and that that undermined my attempt to open the link in an incognito browser. Fingers crossed this one works!

Edited to add: within minutes I got the email confirming I had used the offer!

So glad it worked for you!

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Just back! Taking public transportation can be…complicated. Some signage is in English and announcement in English are usually super clear. Almost all trains we were on had a board for all the stops and shows where you are, I found that super helpful. But transfers can take you through long corridors and up/down stairs. Sometimes the signage leading to where you’re going is not in English. Sometimes I got confused which train to get on since there are multiple options.

I used the Japan Travel Navitime app. Google maps also works.

Uber isn’t big in Japan, I think it just calls a taxi, which are pretty expensive. The one taxi we took, the driver didn’t speak English.

Where are you staying? I found Conrad Osaka to Nara fairly easy (1 transfer). Shin-Osaka (Shinkansen) to Universal more confusing (1-2 transfers).

Thanks for the info and app recommendation! What you descibe is exactly what we're a little afraid of. We're from NYC so using maps and transit systems aren't new to us. BUT our itinerary has us literally going here, there, and everywhere. And add in a language barrier and well, I don't know, lol. I feel like in Tokyo we'll be able to manage well enough, as it seems like the train system is pretty thorough... but I get more concerned as we venture to Kyoto and Osaka, where it may not be as easy to find someone who speaks English or find our way around as easily, and it's a lot of buses. DH thinks trying to navigate via buses is the worst idea, lol. Although some places I see are ONLY serviced by buses, so there's that.

I'm trying to avoid taxis, as I could imagine a huge bill rather quickly if we rely on that.

We're staying at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, and Hilton Tokyo Bay. We're just daytripping to Nara & Osaka from Kyoto, and to Mt. Fuji area from Tokyo.

 

[wdwpluto]

What would you do / How would you book?

I'm going to conference in Orlando and need a one-night hotel before the event (end of March). My friend, who is splitting the cost of the room with me, would like to stay near Disney Springs. I'm fine with that and we agreed on the Holiday Inn. Now I'm not sure which way I should book this? The room only price on all these portals is within $167-174.

• Southwest portal earns an extra 2000 Rapid Rewards points. I'm very close to earning the CP so not sure I really need an extra 2000 points, but I'll spend them eventually. I have the Southwest Premier Business card and the Southwest Plus personal card. I think both earn 2X on hotels.
• Chase portal would earn me 5X (CSP) and qualify for the annual $50 hotel credit.
• Capital One portal would earn me 10X using Venture One card.
• Book directly with IHG and the room drops to $159. I have an IHG card which earns 2X there.

CapOne portal would also qualify for the $300 travel credit, no?

 

[georgina]

Yeah what I was mostly looking for was the 6x Marriott Points for every $1 spent at Marriott hotels. I travel a bunch for work (enough to hit Platinum after the 15 Elite night credits you get from the card) and then the rest of my Marriott stays for vacation tend to be on points. The point certificate might come in handy every once in awhile though, like if I stay at Flamingo Crossing near Disney World for example you can get a room there for 35k or less.

I just didn't want to pay $650 a year for what essentially amounted to me using the card to get 6x Marriott points and 10 extra Elite night credits. I think the 6x points is worth the $95 annual fee over the No annual fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold card with 3x points (or using my Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3x points). I usually get enough from the AMEX offers to more than cover the $95 annual fee too, although I guess I could switch to Blue Cash Everyday with a $0 fee and still get the AMEX offers.

What do you think?

i get different (better IMO) offers on my AmEx Marriott Biz than on the BCP.

I used 2 35K rewards plus some points to stay at the Swan in Dec. Worth it to me, i thin the rooms were 43,000 and 44,000 so the points were not much over 35,000.

 

[miztressuz]

I don't have any business cards--Should I still be going for the fee free GCs? (Or getting a business card? )

Well I would never dissuade you from picking up a biz card, but it's not absolutely necessary to find fee free GCs useful.

There's two base reasons to go for these deals
1. You get a higher points earning on office supply stores than whatever you would use the cards for. (Unfortunately I think this is only Biz card territory. Drawing a blank on any personals unless it's a rotating quarter.) Or if you have an offer/coupon for Staples or OfficeMax like the ones from Chase or AmEx.
So instead of getting 1x on my trash bill, I can get 3-5x depending on the card used. Or a discount like $10 off or whatever the offer is.

2. You want to earn CC points for purchases that only take debit. These GC can be used like a debit card with a PIN.
I've known a few Dr offices that would only take debit. For co-pays or simple office visits these could be used to put that spend towards a MSR.

They can be useful for deal stacking opportunities as well. (Like use a 10% back discount at Staples to buy a VGC, then use that VGC to buy a discounted DGC at BJ's or something.) But I don't pick up more than I know I can use relatively quickly. Leaving them sit around for long periods increases the chances of losing or forgetting about them. (Hi, my name is Dory )

 

[Haley R]

For those that have been to Japan, how easy or difficult is public transit there? DH thinks we’re gonna be “lost in Japan” like the song, lol. While I have faith in getting around to different cities using the Shinkansen, once we get to those places it’s a different story using either trains/buses to get around. We’ll be going to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Lake Kawaguchi area. Is transit easy enough to figure out, without knowing any Japanese? Are there any apps or websites you guys would recommend we download before going to help us navigate. DH said “we’ll just take an Uber everywhere” but I’m thinking that will cost a small fortune! I’ve been doing a more in depth day by day itinerary to figure out our days/schedule, and trying to group places that are close together. But inevitably, I think using public transit will be a daily thing there.

We went to all of those places except Lake Kawaguchi. We came from Iowa so no previous experience with public transportation lol. Tokyo is very easy to get around and there are trains coming through frequently so if you miss one it’s not a big deal. We used google maps for all of our transportation and it was pretty easy. Once you get over by Kyoto and Nara the trains come less frequently but we thought it was still very easy to get to the stations. There were trains that made multiple stops and ones that went straight through so pay attention to that. If you don’t need to stop the nonstop trains are way faster. The one time we got lost was in Nara and it’s because we had to take a bus to get where we were going. Everything was in Japanese and the driver spoke no English. We got off at a wrong stop and had to walk for awhile but we called it an adventure

We never took an Uber or taxi anywhere. They’re really expensive and not as available compared to the trains. We did use the limousine bus to get from Tokyo Disney to the airport and that was great!

 

[AmyAnne]

Who has done the Hilton Vacation Package where they try to sell you a timeshare in exchange for 150,000 points? DH and I are thinking about doing this (specifically, the resort in Scottsdale AZ) and would love to hear from someone who has done it. There is zero chance that we will be tricked into buying the timeshare but we've wanted to visit AZ and $299 plus 150,000 Hilton points for 4 nights seems like a good deal.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

We went to all of those places except Lake Kawaguchi. We came from Iowa so no previous experience with public transportation lol. Tokyo is very easy to get around and there are trains coming through frequently so if you miss one it’s not a big deal. We used google maps for all of our transportation and it was pretty easy. Once you get over by Kyoto and Nara the trains come less frequently but we thought it was still very easy to get to the stations. There were trains that made multiple stops and ones that went straight through so pay attention to that. If you don’t need to stop the nonstop trains are way faster. The one time we got lost was in Nara and it’s because we had to take a bus to get where we were going. Everything was in Japanese and the driver spoke no English. We got off at a wrong stop and had to walk for awhile but we called it an adventure

We never took an Uber or taxi anywhere. They’re really expensive and not as available compared to the trains. We did use the limousine bus to get from Tokyo Disney to the airport and that was great!

Thanks! Reassuring that trains are the way to go, and also reassuring that buses are confusing and DH is right that we’ll probably get lost I’ll try to find train routes as much as possible! But some out of the way places that I’ve seen are only serviced by bus, or the train stop is just really really far away and would be a loooong walk. Which I’m sure we’ll be doing a lot of anyways, haha.

Oh, thanks for the info about the limousine bus to the airport! We’ll be going straight from Disney to the airport too, so that’s probably a great option for us as well

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

@wanderlust7 and @Haley R did you have or use public Wi-Fi/cell service in Japan? We aren’t doing pocket Wi-Fi, but our T-Mobile cell service includes 5GB of high speed international data, so together we’ll have 10gb which should be enough for navigation. Just wondering if the coverage will be… good enough?

 

[Haley R]

Thanks! Reassuring that trains are the way to go, and also reassuring that buses are confusing and DH is right that we’ll probably get lost I’ll try to find train routes as much as possible! But some out of the way places that I’ve seen are only serviced by bus, or the train stop is just really really far away and would be a loooong walk. Which I’m sure we’ll be doing a lot of anyways, haha.

Oh, thanks for the info about the limousine bus to the airport! We’ll be going straight from Disney to the airport too, so that’s probably a great option for us as well

The majority of people take trains so they’re the most reliable and cheaper. I was a little nervous going there with no experience but it went pretty well and you adapt quickly lol. I think we took a bus 2-3 times. The buses are definitely harder in my opinion but sometimes it’s the only option. We did a lot of walking between stations and stuff to get where we were going. Can you share which places you’re most worried about?

Definitely do the airport limousine! I’m pretty sure we booked that ahead of time online

 

[Haley R]

@wanderlust7 and @Haley R did you have or use public Wi-Fi/cell service in Japan? We aren’t doing pocket Wi-Fi, but our T-Mobile cell service includes 5GB of high speed international data, so together we’ll have 10gb which should be enough for navigation. Just wondering if the coverage will be… good enough?

When we stayed in Tokyo our Airbnb host gave us a pocket Wi-Fi. I can’t remember if we used one when we went to Osaka and Kyoto. I’ll have to go back and look. I feel like we didn’t use one there. I know we didn’t use one at Disney. We stayed at the Hilton so used their wifi there and then in the parks I think used data

 

[platamama]

Do I get the companion pass via straight miles listed in my RR account? I haven't reached my SUB yet, but those points show up there and are part of the total I believe.

I ask because I was one of the many who got a surprise road trip from SW so I am eligible for 25k bonus miles. Those will count towards my CP too right?

We also got a surprise road trip from SW, and got (3) 25K goodwill bonus miles - I deposited all of them in P1's account (since he has a CP til end of this year, so it's like double the value for us). They have posted to his account and there's no movement on the CP tracker for 2023. I don't think those count toward CP.

 

[EACarlson]

Do I get the companion pass via straight miles listed in my RR account? I haven't reached my SUB yet, but those points show up there and are part of the total I believe.

I ask because I was one of the many who got a surprise road trip from SW so I am eligible for 25k bonus miles. Those will count towards my CP too right?

No, you get CP for earning points on "qualifying activities." Some things just don't count for CP. Like the 25 points for your experience during the meltdown. There is a little disclaimer either in the email or on the screen where you redeem them that the points don't count for CP or status.

You might have an issue with the Amex four card rule if you apply for another CC before you cancel any. I'm seeing mixed info on google about whether the biz green counts. Maybe someone else can chime in about this.

The biz green doesn't count because it is a charge card, not a credit card. I believe you are allowed 8 charge cards.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So I can not get a human at Barclay. Everytime I call I get the message that it's outside of business hours. The other number I found had an hour hold time. I guess I'll call as soon as I get to school tomorrow and just put the call on speaker, LOL. I just want the damn Jet Blue Biz card! UGH.

sorry - just getting caught up here! I made my payment on 1/6, and it just went from pending to posted today. No credit yet. I’m a little worried because it shows on my statement as “AT&T fastpay,” which is different than what the OP saw on their bill (AT&T HSIA BUS E-EVR). I’ve also got AT&T internet, so if the wireless doesn’t work, I may try it for my internet too.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex-offers-att-fiber-internet-spend-50-get-50-back-2x/#comments
looking at comments the ATT fastpay didn't post. I would try to pay the internet.

Update on the AT&T Biz Fiber AMEX offer and using it for non Biz Fiber bills - I had tried to pay my wireless bill first, and it showed up on my statement as “AT&T FASTPAY” and never triggered the offer. I just paid $50 on our internet bill, and it showed up as “AT&T HSIA BUS E-EVR,” which is apparently what you want to see to trigger the credit. I suspect there may have been user error when I paid the wireless bill - my Chrome has been really funky about incognito mode since my son added a “profile” (hooked to his school account) to the Chrome on my computer. I suspect the school doesn’t allow incognito searching, and that that undermined my attempt to open the link in an incognito browser. Fingers crossed this one works!

Edited to add: within minutes I got the email confirming I had used the offer!

Mine posted as fast pay. GRRR! I guess I'll try tomorrow for next month's bill. My bill was due today. I saw an offer on one of my Chase cards too for $50 back. I wonder if I could try the "pay w/o signing in" w/ that offer too, LOL. I guess I'll try on firefox, so it shouldn't have any of my "acct" info attached and maybe then it'll work.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

2022 Year in Review

I like to look back to assist with credit card maintenance and see if I've learned anything with my prior year of travel.

This is long (sorry) so feel free to skip!

Jan/Feb-

Stayed in Key West at the Hyatt Centric for a nice break on points-this is a favorite of mine for use of the 1-7 FNC since it doesn't have suites so I don't need to worry that the FNC isn't eligible

Then, since my DF was still very ill, I spent much of the remainder of Jan/Feb flying back and forth between PNS/HSV. I had discovered that I did better if I stayed in a hotel when helping DM, and I'm familiar with 3 in Huntsville-the Hyatt Place, The Jefferson (Hilton Curio) and the AC (Marriott).

DFIL died Jan 31st and DF died Feb 21st and I cannot express how grateful I am to Delta for allowing me to make last minute flights (literally had done laundry and eaten after returning from CA to turn around and fly back to HSV).

Lesson 1-it's good to have status with an airline, if for no other reason, the dedicated phone line!

Lesson 2-hotel points/FNCs are good to have for emergencies/last minute scheduling

Mar/Apr-DH and I recovered from funerals, paperwork and just the emotional exhaustion of two deaths close together.

May-
flew to BOS to help DD move out of her dorm room

flew to MCO and spent 3 nights at Universal HRH with family

Lesson 3-Express Pass and Early Entry is awesome (expensive, but worth it imho), as is the military ticket value

June-
flew very last minute to MAD since DD had lost her wallet in Brussels, then on Iberia to Seville, spent a week in Seville at an awesome Marriott Autograph Collection hotel

not my review but much better photos-

https://thebulkheadseat.com/hotel-review-querencia-de-sevilla/

Lesson 4-Spain is very pork/beef heavy (I lost weight there since I consume neither!)

Lesson 5- Iberia Air is perfectly fine for flying within Spain-old hard product but no complaints

flew Iberia again to Prague, spent a week there in both the Hilton Old Town Prague/Marriott Prague

Lesson 6- DD and I can no longer share a hotel room(she's quite messy)

Lesson 7-Marriott concierge lounge>>>>Hilton Old Town concierge lounge (in Prague)

Lesson 8-public transportation in Europe in record breaking heat is for the young/young at heart (next time, we're ubering)

returned home from Prague via KLM/Air France

Lesson 9-Air France business is fine but not my favorite

July-

flew to Austin where we spent a night at the Driskill Hotel (my favorite Hyatt hotel so far) and then several at Miraval Austin

September-

flew to MCO for a friend's birthday party and MNSSHP

Lesson 10-it rains in Orlando just as much as in Pensacola in September

Oct/Nov

flew to MCO and took back to back cruises on the Wish, DCL's newest ship-for 4 nights we were in a 1 bedroom suite and 3 nights in a concierge family oceanview room. The DCL thread has lots of opinions on the Wish, but I actually like it more than the Fantasy/Dream...it surprised me, too!

Lesson 11-don't downgrade from larger to smaller cabins-the smaller cabin will feel SO much smaller in comparison
Lesson 11.5-apparently I'm a cabin diva too...

Nov

I looked at my Delta activity and was thisclose to obtaining Diamond Medallion status, so I flew PNS-ATL-JFK-EDI for a long weekend to achieve that random goal. Once again, stayed at my beloved Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa and was upgraded to the Castle Suite, which was awesome. They've renovated their lounge, which is lovely, although I don't like their new way of doing evening hors d'overs.

I flew back to the US via KLM and got my first ever Delft gin house, which was oddly exciting.

Lesson 12-T2 at JFK is still terrible, just...terrible-even the skyclub is not good
Lesson 13-if you're allergic to mango, don't eat the appetizer that has it included...also maybe carry benadryl

Dec

no travels, merely planning 2023...

I earned the following status in 2022 for 2023-

Diamond Medallion for Delta
Hyatt Globalist
Hilton Diamond
Marriott Titanium
United Silver via Marriott Titanium
AA Platinum Pro via Globalist status challenge


Amex Cards used the most-BBP, DL Reserve
Chase cards used the most-WoH business,, WoH personal and CSR

Status I will chase for 2023-
Globalist - Hyatt
Platinum -Marriott (with the biz/personal cc I already have 30/50 nights and have 10 reserved through May so this should be easy-ish)
Platinum Medallion-Delta

TL;DR-points, miles, FNCs and other benefits of credit cards remain very helpful in allowing me to travel much more extravagantly than I would without these things... and I've gotten a lot of use out of my beloved pink Away luggage

I love this concept of "what I learned" from the last year of travel. Thanks for sharing!

Just got fancy mail from Amex--200k total for Platinum Biz + Biz checking. I need to read up on this. I can do the spend pretty easily.

I also got my divorce decree in the mail today (somehow I never got a copy) so after 11 years, I am going back to my maiden name (my kids are now old enough that I'm okay having a different last name).

My parents were married for maybe 27 years. My mom got remarried and then divorced and kept her second husband's name, I think because she was still holding on. Now after time has passed and he is remarried, she hates that she has his name. I hate the idea of someday there being an obituary with that name. I think she's considering changing it back to her first married name or her maiden name. Congrats on the new name change; that calls for a vacation celebration, right?

Can't recall if you have an Amex Plat or not, but the Plat does provide uncapped emergency evacuation, whether you paid for the trip using the Plat or not. Only the Plat and Centurion cards have this no cost benefit; some other Amex cards will help arrange it but not pay for it.
View attachment 730587
More details are explained on this benefits page https://www.americanexpress.com/con.../policies/pdf/PGA_Benefit_Guide_Rev_09-17.pdf

Sounds fun! At Andaz, the only free thing we did was stargazing (two guys set up their telescopes at the Jardin location, and pointed out some constellations). Down by the beach, there are free kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment as well as life jackets (but no lifeguards) that you can borrow to explore the area on your own. Transportation to the other beach where the Andaz Beach House is located, or on the Peninsula shuttle (go to other resorts like Four Seasons on the Papagayo peninsula) is also free. Andaz has e-bikes you can borrow to ride around too and that's also free...and is different than the mountain e-biking offered by Papagayo Explorers which is a paid for activity.

I booked most activities online just a couple days before arrival. https://andazpuravida.com/ is the main website to check out the weekly schedule of activities offered on property. You can click on Things To Do>>Book Your Activities Here to see costs. As an example, you'll see a guided snorkeling tour is $25/hr per person but you're welcome to do that for free on your own without a guide.

Anything offered by Andaz can be charged to your room, including purchases at the gift shop. I put a Hyatt* personal cc down as the default payment method. Then on a couple different days, I went to the front desk (functionally speaking, but it's really just a person standing behind a podium so it's not a traditional lobby area) and made two separate one time payments to a Biz WoH cc to make use of the (2) $50 credits that come with that card. They were helpful with that and my credits posted as anticipated. Paying on your CSR for your room charges will code as travel. It shows up as Hotel Hyatt Andaz Papagayo.

Tagging @reliev and @FreeDiningFanatic in hopes this information helps. Sorry if I forgot other travelers who are planning on going here!

*All charges earned 4x WoH points on the credit card. But 5x WoH points from staying there only counted on Andaz items, i.e. not tax and not service charges, nor the waverunner tour I booked that showed up as Swiss Travel.

That's great info about the Amex Plat med evac coverage. Very cool benefit.

Thanks for the CR info as well. I'm 90% sure we are gonna cancel our spring break trip to CR. After 25+ years of traveling as a family, we are nearly honed into our travel style. Nearly 100 degrees for adventure activities doesn't sound like our cup of tea. I think we'll find something else.