I love credit cards so much! v7.0 - 2025 (see first page for add'l details)

[disneybirds]

Just wanted to give a DP for Delta. DH had an ecredit that expired 3/31/25. Since he isn't travelling alot, I didn't realize it until late April and he didn't call until the first week of May. He asked to have it extended, but the CSR said it was already archived and she couldn't do anything about it. I then put in a complaint on the Delta website asking to have it extended. He had someone call him and tell him that they had extended it to 11/30/25 and it was under his profile.

Since we also have a $200 credit from Amex Biz Plat to use, I combined the $100 ecredit and $200 Amex credit to purchase a $300 fare. Amex credit posted in 2 days. Went in yesterday to cancel the flight and the $300 ecredit now shows a 5/22/26 expiration date (day I booked the ticket). I booked a fully refundable flight, but opted for the ecredit since we have upcoming travel. Hope this helps someone!

 

[disneybirds]

As an aside, this was FAR FAR FAR above the FHR redemption we did in Charleston recently. The hotel was fine I guess, but the "breakfast" was awful and the $100 could only be used at the bar because there was not a single other thing to use it on (no restaurant, which probably explains the terrible breakfast).

Thanks for the trip report! Definitely want to travel to Switzerland someday. Are you willing to share the hotel in Charleston? We travel there often.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I hope y'all got your SW flights by yesterday!

 

[eticketplease]

Just wanted to give a DP for Delta. DH had an ecredit that expired 3/31/25. Since he isn't travelling alot, I didn't realize it until late April and he didn't call until the first week of May. He asked to have it extended, but the CSR said it was already archived and she couldn't do anything about it. I then put in a complaint on the Delta website asking to have it extended. He had someone call him and tell him that they had extended it to 11/30/25 and it was under his profile.

Since we also have a $200 credit from Amex Biz Plat to use, I combined the $100 ecredit and $200 Amex credit to purchase a $300 fare. Amex credit posted in 2 days. Went in yesterday to cancel the flight and the $300 ecredit now shows a 5/22/25 expiration date (day I booked the ticket). I booked a fully refundable flight, but opted for the ecredit since we have upcoming travel. Hope this helps someone!

Should that be issuance day with a 5/22/26 Expiration Date?

 

[eticketplease]

I hope y'all got your SW flights by yesterday!

October flights have been done but no such luck with April since they are not out.
Looking forward to assigned seats.
Not looking forward to going from 8 checked bags to 4...

I wonder if they will also become more like other airlines with schedule releases as well.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Following up on the SWA changes today. Does anyone have any insight on whether it will be enough just to charge the ticket (or taxes) with *any* Southwest card (so for example if I buy DD25s separate flight) to get the free bag or whether DD will need a card in her name?

 

[eticketplease]

Following up on the SWA changes today. Does anyone have any insight on whether it will be enough just to charge the ticket (or taxes) with *any* Southwest card (so for example if I buy DD25s separate flight) to get the free bag or whether DD will need a card in her name?

The card holder receives one free bag along with up to 8 others on a reservation as well.
Reservation for 9 = 9 Free bags as long as one of the people is the card holder (not an authorized user)

Your DD would only need a card in her name if she is not on your reservation.

One can use any payment - card/GC/Flight Credit/points and still receive the free bag as long as the CC holder is on the reservation.

 

[disneybirds]

Should that be issuance day with a 5/22/26 Expiration Date?

Yes! I fixed it.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

AMEX DP ~ If it hasn't already been posted (I've been in Alaska on vacation, and only scanned quickly through newer posts):

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I returned from my Zurich, Lake Como and Lisbon trip last week and per my recent opus operandi, got sick within 48 hours of returning (very, very frustrating). I'm so over getting sick when I come back / returning from a trip sick.

In Lake Como I stayed at the magnificent Grand Hotel Victoria Lake Como and this might be my favorite HH redemption ever. I cannot say enough good things about this hotel. The staff was so nice, breakfast was next-level delicious (and the view from my table every morning was truly awe inspiring), the setting on Lake Como was breathtaking, the pool was lovely, the spa downstairs (which I made a point of using on an overcast afternoon) was very, very relaxing (I've never seen anything like it). Loved, loved loved my room. Menaggio was perfect for me -- the restaurants where I had dinner were all excellent and within a 10 min walk of the hotel (everything is walking distance in Menaggio) and you can catch the ferry to Varenna, Bellagio, etc. within a 10 min walk. My room was upgraded 1 category to a park view, but if I opened the doors to the Juliette balcony and turned slightly to my right I had a perfect view of the lake (in many places this would be categorized as a partial lake view). Most nights I opened the doors and marveled at the beauty of the lake with the mountains in the background for several minutes. Considering this hotel would've cost me over US$1,000.00 per night and I used 400,000 HH points I'd say this was an amazing redemption. Would I go back? Heck yes and I certainly hope to next September.

My journey to the hotel was fun! I took the train from Zurich to Como S. Giovanni, then took the local bus to Menaggio. I knew the bus number that I needed and as I was exiting the train station I saw it pulling up, so quickly walked to the bus. The back doors opened right in front of me and people started piling on. By the time we left the station it was packed with travelers with their luggage and locals (standing room, shoulder-to-shoulder). I was lucky enough to get 1 of the last seats (the bus originates 1 stop before the train station). The bus did empty out along the route! I was sitting on the right side of the bus and had stunning views of Lake Como all the way to Menaggio (around 1 hour). The ride was free because the credit card tap on the bus wasn't working. I met a couple on my second day who paid 150 euros for a private transfer from the train station. I'd def take the train again, but those with more than a carry-on and backpack might want to find alternate transportation because it'd be hard to squeeze on the bus and there isn't anywhere on board to store bags.

I took the ferry twice to Bellagio; on my first trip I toured Varenna beforehand. Varenna was lovely, would like to go back and explore more on my next trip. The ferry dock in Varenna is packed with people since day trippers from Milan take the 1 hour train to Varenna (apparently packed like sardines), walk to the ferry dock in Varenna, buy tickets, then hop over to Bellagio. The family in front of me in line to get the ferry from Varenna --> Bellagio told me that they waited in line for 40 mins to buy their tickets. I bought a day pass in Menaggio so escaped the line.

My favorite activity in Menaggio was a 90 minute private tour on the hotel's boat. I'd do it again because it was such a nice way to see and enjoy the beauty of the lake.






Park view from the Juliet balcony in my room








The fruit was replenished every day!






The view from my room (just had to turn slightly to the right) was breath taking!

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I wanted to do some hiking in Menaggio -- the hotel recommended a hike to San Martino church, perched on a cliff in the mountains. Sounded perfect, so I hired a car from the hotel to drive me the 15 minutes to the starting point. The hike was up, up, up with the views getting better the closer I got to the church. On my way up I saw a sign that said 'Menaggio 1km', so I was thinking that I'd just hike back to Menaggio -- more on that (stupid) decision later. I reached the church without difficulty and spent a while walking around; there were some mountain goats up there enjoying the view, so I stayed a while to get some good pics of them! On my way down, I thought I'd hike back to Menaggio; luckily I noted the distance where I started (the route back to Menaggio) on my watch -- the terrain was very steep and a bit treacherous, so after 2 km I decided to head back to the trail that I left -- going back was strenuous and took 50% longer. Not a smart decision when I was on my own -- not sure what I would've done if I had slipped or gotten lost -- at least I got my exercise for the day lol.

When I was almost at the trail head I was greeted by a snake -- not sure why it had never occurred to me that there could be snakes on the hike . It popped out of the rocks on my left and slithered about 1' from my foot across the path in front of me. This is why hiking solo in unknown terrain is probably not a good idea.There are venomous snakes there -- I was asked if this fella had a triangular head -- I was too busy trying not to faint to notice. Way too close of an encounter for me.

















Best pizza ever for only 11 euros. Restaurant was closing between lunch & dinner so I got takeout and ate on a bench in front of the lake.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

The card holder receives one free bag along with up to 8 others on a reservation as well.
Reservation for 9 = 9 Free bags as long as one of the people is the card holder (not an authorized user)

Your DD would only need a card in her name if she is not on your reservation.

One can use any payment - card/GC/Flight Credit/points and still receive the free bag as long as the CC holder is on the reservation.

Okay, thanks for the clarification. Seems weird that they wouldn't require the CC to be used. I suspect that will change! If I add DD as an authorized user, I hope that would work? She travels SW quite a bit without me.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Okay, thanks for the clarification. Seems weird that they wouldn't require the CC to be used. I suspect that will change! If I add DD as an authorized user, I hope that would work? She travels SW quite a bit without me.

On the SW website it says”Primary cardholder”, so I doubt being an authorized user would work

 

[eticketplease]

Okay, thanks for the clarification. Seems weird that they wouldn't require the CC to be used. I suspect that will change! If I add DD as an authorized user, I hope that would work? She travels SW quite a bit without me.

This is exactly how my Delta AMEX works and both AA cards. I think united is the only one that forces you to buy the tickets with the card.

As @palhockeymomof2 pointed out I don’t think adding DD as an authorized user will help in this situation, although she can earn you some points.

 

[afan]

This is exactly how my Delta AMEX works and both AA cards. I think united is the only one that forces you to buy the tickets with the card.

As @palhockeymomof2 pointed out I don’t think adding DD as an authorized user will help in this situation, although she can earn you some points.

Alaska requires the card be used to get free checked bags.

 

[eticketplease]

Alaska requires the card be used to get free checked bags.

Thanks Alaska is a very minor carrier in our area though I’ve considered their card to book AA flights.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

On the SW website it says”Primary cardholder”, so I doubt being an authorized user would work

This is exactly how my Delta AMEX works and both AA cards. I think united is the only one that forces you to buy the tickets with the card.

As @palhockeymomof2 pointed out I don’t think adding DD as an authorized user will help in this situation, although she can earn you some points.

Thank you both. Looks like she'll need to try to apply for her own card then. She just did the Amex platinum so will have to wait a little while. Hopefully she can qualify!

 

[eticketplease]

Thank you both. Looks like she'll need to try to apply for her own card then. She just did the Amex platinum so will have to wait a little while. Hopefully she can qualify!

She could use the $200 airline credit to pay for bags

 

[VGCgroupie]

Amex over here taunting me with a NLL offer on another Amex Biz Platinum

 

[eticketplease]

Amex over here tainting me with a NLL offer on another Amex Biz Platinum

It knows you have a DVC add-on in your future