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

[GoHorns94]

My family is going on a European cruise this May. Never been to Europe so this was all confusing to me on what to get. Once we found a cruise - I then went to Google Flights and put in our info, to see what airlines popped up.

We are flying into Rome and Flying back from Athens. United showed quite a few flights, so I decided to go with that. ( I did have lots of UR's but I like to hoard them and only use them when necessary). So, Me, DH, DS23 and DD21 all signed up (at staggered times) for the United Biz Card. That way it did not affect any of our 5/24 with Chase. We each got 70,000 points SUB. This was enough for my family plus DS's girlfriend to fly to and from Europe all on points. I did have to move some points from my UR's to United but not a lot. We didn't have enough for business/1st Class but that's OK. Sure beats spending the $ for flights.

So, narrow down where you want to fly in and out of and then look to see who flies there and approx. how many points are needed. Then come back here and all these great people will give you great suggestions.

Great info and plan - thank you for sharing!

 

[catsinawindow]

We saw a full solar eclipse in WY in 2017 and it was incredible. You can see the "diamond ring" photo from that trip as my avatar. There were SO MANY people who also came to see it, I couldn't believe all the people who showed up! The traffic was horrendous.

I think it's a good idea to book at 13 months out. If you book the same room type (i.e. 1 king, or 2 queens, whatever you end up choosing) then it's pretty easy to contact Hyatt a day or two before arrival to ask to stay in the same room.

Hyatt does have capacity limits for points bookings. So the sooner you book, the better your chances of getting a points booking.

I stayed on the Canada side when I went to Niagara Falls, so I don't have anything to offer on that front. Seeing a full solar eclipse is magical. It's best if you can bring a telescope and make a solar lens cover to put over it so you can watch. Definitely bring solar eclipse glasses at the very least.

I'm looking forward to seeing it! I saw a partial eclipse a few years back (might have been the 2017 one, actually) and even that was very cool! Plus, DH and the kids have never been to Niagara Falls so it'll be a fun trip even if the weather doesn't cooperate for eclipse viewing.

Where did you stay on the Canadian side? The only reason we are considering the US side is because of the Hyatt (and Chase UR redemption), but if that doesn't work out for whatever reason, I'd like to consider some other options too!

 

[platamama]

I'm looking forward to seeing it! I saw a partial eclipse a few years back (might have been the 2017 one, actually) and even that was very cool! Plus, DH and the kids have never been to Niagara Falls so it'll be a fun trip even if the weather doesn't cooperate for eclipse viewing.

Where did you stay on the Canadian side? The only reason we are considering the US side is because of the Hyatt (and Chase UR redemption), but if that doesn't work out for whatever reason, I'd like to consider some other options too!

We stayed at the Sheraton FallsView aka Sheraton On The Falls and our room had a view of the falls, and at night we could see them lit up with colors, it was really nice. The Canadian side is the better side for activities - especially for kids - and going on a boat to the Falls. We caught a magic show while we were there and it was awesome. Greg Frewin Magic Show, I think. I love magic shows!

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt Los Altos in Manuel Antonio? Is there an additional fee for over 2 adults? I'm looking for 4 adults, it shows 21K per nt in Rainforest Suite, and says there may be additional fee per person over 2, but I can't find the fee listed anywhere.

ETA: I think I may have found it from previous posts. Is it $150/nt. for an additional 2 persons? Has anyone stayed recently that can confirm?

 

[catsinawindow]

We stayed at the Sheraton FallsView aka Sheraton On The Falls and our room had a view of the falls, and at night we could see them lit up with colors, it was really nice. The Canadian side is the better side for activities - especially for kids - and going on a boat to the Falls. We caught a magic show while we were there and it was awesome. Greg Frewin Magic Show, I think. I love magic shows!

I've heard from others that the Canadian side is better, how hard is it really to cross over if we were to get a hotel on the American side? The Sheraton FallsView looks beautiful, but yikes, those Bonvoy point redemption rates are brutal!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

They let you book rouge? I cringed at paying $310 for a hyatt that would have been only 10k URs. Oh well. Helped me hit the CSP MSR, lol.

Yeah no restrictions. We only have 1 out of state tournament per year and only if enough agree to go. Right now we still don't have enough players. Last tournament the hotel the team booked was nasty from what I heard. There was a group chat going listing all the stuff they found in their rooms, like food in the fridge, pizza down the couch, hair in bathtub . Whole team ended up at our hotel in the pool because their hotel had no pool (or it was closed).

Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt Los Altos in Manuel Antonio? Is there an additional fee for over 2 adults? I'm looking for 4 adults, it shows 21K per nt in Rainforest Suite, and says there may be additional fee per person over 2, but I can't find the fee listed anywhere.

I chatted directly with Hyatt and was told no extra fee. However, the resort itself responded that Hyatt provided incorrect info and correct info as follows:

"Suite Category: 3 Bedroom Rainforest Suite with breakfasts included.



Please take into account that points bookings are valid for 2 guests maximum. In case you plan to have additional guests, the extra guest charge will have to be paid directly at reception upon arrival.



The extra guest fees are as follows:

3 or 4 guests:	redeemed points + $150 per night.
5 or 6 guests:	redeemed points + $300 per night.

*13% sales tax to be added."

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I chatted directly with Hyatt and was told no extra fee. However, the resort itself responded that Hyatt provided incorrect info and correct info as follows:

"Suite Category: 3 Bedroom Rainforest Suite with breakfasts included.



Please take into account that points bookings are valid for 2 guests maximum. In case you plan to have additional guests, the extra guest charge will have to be paid directly at reception upon arrival.



The extra guest fees are as follows:

3 or 4 guests:	redeemed points + $150 per night.
5 or 6 guests:	redeemed points + $300 per night.

*13% sales tax to be added."

Thanks!!! Exactly what I needed. Obviously this is subjective… we’re looking at 4 nts, so our additional 2 adults would need to pay $600 plus tax, total around $680. Is that worth it for a couple who don’t collect points? They do everything with debit cards We’re looking at taking my sister and brother in law with us, using our points and then having them pay the additional fee for themselves. I guess I’m trying to justify the value to them… for $700. They think it’s a lot.

 

[StephPlum]

Re Chase bank bonus. Planning on staggering the opening of accts for P1 and P3. P2 has the most flexible payroll DD. If he does the bonus first and I set up DD into his account, will it be a problem for Chase if I set up the DD into P1's account later? Do banks care if the account name doesn't match the person receiving the payroll DD?

Sorry for the newb questions. I usually don't bite at these bank offers unless they're very good.

It is very easy for me to update my payroll DD so I have put it in my account and DH account when we open for bank bonuses. I haven’t had any problems.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thanks!!! Exactly what I needed. Obviously this is subjective… we’re looking at 4 nts, so our additional 2 adults would need to pay $600 plus tax, total around $680. Is that worth it for a couple who don’t collect points? They do everything with debit cards We’re looking at taking my sister and brother in law with us, using our points and then having them pay the additional fee for themselves. I guess I’m trying to justify the value to them… for $700. They think it’s a lot.

We haven't been yet, it's our upcoming spring break trip. It does include breakfast and it's a suite. If 2 people they only open 1 bedroom, but for 4 people they open 2 bedrooms. Have they seen pics of the property and rooms? They look pretty great and Manuel Antonio is great for wildlife, hiking, etc.

 

[platamama]

I've heard from others that the Canadian side is better, how hard is it really to cross over if we were to get a hotel on the American side? The Sheraton FallsView looks beautiful, but yikes, those Bonvoy point redemption rates are brutal!

When we went in 2019 it was really easy, just drive across the bridge at the border and show passports. But I don't know what Canada's policy is these days. Out of curiosity, I checked the point redemption rates and ugh. Marriott vs Hyatt both being 1:1 transfer partners with URs is such a crazy mismatch in value.

 

[hsmamato2]

My DH has gotten the cruise bug and now wants to do Alaska in Aug. (He seems to have forgotten that I will still be working and not retired like him.) We are looking at this itinerary. Any thoughts on it?View attachment 733470

We did this in 2018 on Holland America (my one and only cruise) and it was WONDERFUL. I have nothing to compare it to but we just loved it. I was skeevy about open/high seas travel, this was perfect for us b/c we could see land almost all the time! I think our glacier day got changed due to weather,and we ended up at Glacier Natl park which was cool. We went in early May and the weather was great.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

We haven't been yet, it's our upcoming spring break trip. It does include breakfast and it's a suite. If 2 people they only open 1 bedroom, but for 4 people they open 2 bedrooms. Have they seen pics of the property and rooms? They look pretty great and Manuel Antonio is great for wildlife, hiking, etc.

Yes, I did show pictures. We are planning to stay there regardless if they go or not, lol. It just seems steep to them, because in Arenal we're just renting an Airbnb (house) and splitting it so it's like $200 each couple. So to ask them to pay almost 700/4 nts is outrageous to them. Of course, if they listened to me and would start using CC to their benefit, then they could just get their own room with points and then it's a non-issue.

 

[KPK02090]

I'm working on the Amex Business Checking bonus for 60,000MR and I swear there used to be a tracker to show what I've done towards it, but I can't find it anywhere now. Anyone know how to find the tracker for that SUB?

 

[Judique]

OfficeDepot offer back up on Chase for 10% off up to $11.

Last time I had 6 offers this time, 3.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Yes, I did show pictures. We are planning to stay there regardless if they go or not, lol. It just seems steep to them, because in Arenal we're just renting an Airbnb (house) and splitting it so it's like $200 each couple. So to ask them to pay almost 700/4 nts is outrageous to them. Of course, if they listened to me and would start using CC to their benefit, then they could just get their own room with points and then it's a non-issue.

Yeah and it’s hard to compare a resort with housekeeping, room service and free breakfast with Airbnb. Both have benefits but not exactly apples to oranges

 

[afan]

OfficeDepot offer back up on Chase for 10% off up to $11.

Last time I had 6 offers this time, 3.

I had three and just one this time but at least it's on my new cic

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I had three and just one this time but at least it's on my new cic

I had 2 none on biz cards

 

[happ]

I'm working on the Amex Business Checking bonus for 60,000MR and I swear there used to be a tracker to show what I've done towards it, but I can't find it anywhere now. Anyone know how to find the tracker for that SUB?

The tracker doesn't always show for me. I can usually get it to appear by clicking links in my account and then going back to the main screen.

 

[AmyAnne]

I had 2 none on biz cards

Same!

 

[elgerber]

posting with the free Delta wi-fi for Skymiles members. It is definitely live . For more interest here are a few sunset photos from Clearwater Beach