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

[Haley R]

Speaking of Germany, we're planning to go next May. Is Salzburg worth making a day trip from Munich? We will have 2-3 days in Munich apart from that, and a day in Fussen.

We almost did a day trip from Fussen to Salzburg but decided to spend another day in Fussen. We also drove to the alpine coaster which was amazing

 

[havaneselover]

I just tried to load and it didn't load for me either. I will definitely miss it if it goes away!

I just tried to see if ChatGPT could help and it checks some, but nothing like cashbackmonitor.

 

[tink1970]

Speaking of Germany, we're planning to go next May. Is Salzburg worth making a day trip from Munich? We will have 2-3 days in Munich apart from that, and a day in Fussen.

I've been to Vienna thrice and Salzburg twice...hands down I prefer Salzburg! They have a pedestrian only area that is so nice-old, preserved buidlings with lovely shops (one, of course was just salt!) and if you're a Mozart fan or Sound of Music Fan (I'm neither) it will be right up your alley. Of course everyone enjoys different things but the Old Towne is a very nice way to pass an afternoon imho.

 

[newski_mom]

I just tried to see if ChatGPT could help and it checks some, but nothing like cashbackmonitor.

I also found cashbackholic which is similar, but not set up as good at cashbackmonitor, but it seems to have all of the places that I use.

 

[GZanta77]

Speaking of Germany, we're planning to go next May. Is Salzburg worth making a day trip from Munich? We will have 2-3 days in Munich apart from that, and a day in Fussen.

Salzburg definitely worth a day trip. Prefer it to Munich tbh.

If you are considering a Mozart museum - go to Mozarts birthplace in the old town. That is more interesting than the Mozart Residence.

 

[elgerber]

I asked this in the SW thread, but thought I would ask here too

To be honest, I haven't been paying a ton of attention to the changes. I have a trip booked months ago, totally on points. It was Wanna Get Away, which is now basic. One of the two flights is now a lot cheaper. Because it was on points, I can still cancel and get points back and rebook, correct? I know I would lose free bags on that flight, but we are doing carry on. Are there any issues with this plan?
Edited to add, is there any reason not to just book basic if using points?

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I've been to Vienna thrice and Salzburg twice...hands down I prefer Salzburg! They have a pedestrian only area that is so nice-old, preserved buidlings with lovely shops (one, of course was just salt!) and if you're a Mozart fan or Sound of Music Fan (I'm neither) it will be right up your alley. Of course everyone enjoys different things but the Old Towne is a very nice way to pass an afternoon imho.

Salzburg definitely worth a day trip. Prefer it to Munich tbh.

If you are considering a Mozart museum - go to Mozarts birthplace in the old town. That is more interesting than the Mozart Residence.

Thanks, guys!! I wouldn’t say I’m a “fan” of the Sound of Music, but I watched it something like 20 times as a kid so I do definitely like it, and that might make Salzburg even more intriguing, I guess. I just think Salzburg looks like such a charming little city (town?)! We’ll probably cut the Munich days down to just 2 then, plus a day in Fussen and a day in Salzburg. Might add a day for Dachau depending on DH… he’s still deciding… he’s very into history, but I’d love to not be depressed during the trip

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I asked this in the SW thread, but thought I would ask here too

To be honest, I haven't been paying a ton of attention to the changes. I have a trip booked months ago, totally on points. It was Wanna Get Away, which is now basic. One of the two flights is now a lot cheaper. Because it was on points, I can still cancel and get points back and rebook, correct? I know I would lose free bags on that flight, but we are doing carry on. Are there any issues with this plan?
Edited to add, is there any reason not to just book basic if using points?

I haven’t rebooked any WGA to Basic flights but from what I have read no issues since you are doing carry on bags.
I believe if you book basic with points and need to cancel the $5.60 can go back to your form of payment unlike JB which gives you a travel credit.

 

[elgerber]

I haven’t rebooked any WGA to Basic flights but from what I have read no issues since you are doing carry on bags.
I believe if you book basic with points and need to cancel the $5.60 can go back to your form of payment unlike JB which gives you a travel credit.

I just threw caution to the wind and did it. Yes the fees were refunded to my payment. And points were refunded instantly. And I got back over 14000 points.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I just threw caution to the wind and did it. Yes the fees were refunded to my payment. And points were refunded instantly. And I got back over 14000 points.

Wow that’s great !!

 

[irene6118]

I really don't know too much about credit card rewards/points and need some advice. I got this offer in my email and I'm not sure if it is a good deal or not. I would like to be able to stay at the Dolphin/Swan resorts in the future so i'm thinking about dropping my Southwest Rapid Rewards card or my Disney Visa and getting this instead. I don't like having too many credit cards so I limit myself to just a couple.

"Earn 5 Free Night Awards after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening* with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Each award valued up to 50,000 points. That's a total value of up to 250,000 points! Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 7/16/25." annual fee is $95.

What do y'all think about this? Thank you.

 

[georgina]

I really don't know too much about credit card rewards/points and need some advice. I got this offer in my email and I'm not sure if it is a good deal or not. I would like to be able to stay at the Dolphin/Swan resorts in the future so i'm thinking about dropping my Southwest Rapid Rewards card or my Disney Visa and getting this instead. I don't like having too many credit cards so I limit myself to just a couple.

"Earn 5 Free Night Awards after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening* with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Each award valued up to 50,000 points. That's a total value of up to 250,000 points! Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 7/16/25." annual fee is $95.

What do y'all think about this? Thank you.

I would look at the points required for the Swan/Dolphin at times you may want to go. I used to be able to make good use of my Marriott free nights (35,000 but could add points up to 50,000) but lately the points required have been too high for me to use them. I am a big fan of the Swan. Are you able to add points to those 50,000 nights to supplement the points up to 65,000, then it might be worth it. When DH got that offer a few years ago, we ended up using the free nights at Marriott Sabal Palms instead. It was a nice place, free parking and no resort fees.

 

[georgina]

I have been interested following the Munich/Salzburg discussion. I am doing a solo Danube cruise this fall, and decided to splurge on an extension of 2 nights in Munich and 2 in Salzburg. Includes a trip to Neuschwanstein, I have been singing Sound of Music songs for weeks! More bucket list items

 

[StephPlum]

I have been interested following the Munich/Salzburg discussion. I am doing a solo Danube cruise this fall, and decided to splurge on an extension of 2 nights in Munich and 2 in Salzburg. Includes a trip to Neuschwanstein, I have been singing Sound of Music songs for weeks! More bucket list items

Can I ask who you are cruising with? I’ve been looking at river cruises but can’t find any with low single supplements. Did you find a good deal or opt for paying the single supplement? I may have to do that to get the cruise I want.

 

[Sheree]

Thanks, guys!! I wouldn’t say I’m a “fan” of the Sound of Music, but I watched it something like 20 times as a kid so I do definitely like it, and that might make Salzburg even more intriguing, I guess. I just think Salzburg looks like such a charming little city (town?)! We’ll probably cut the Munich days down to just 2 then, plus a day in Fussen and a day in Salzburg. Might add a day for Dachau depending on DH… he’s still deciding… he’s very into history, but I’d love to not be depressed during the trip

while Dachau is sobering, I found it to be a place I was happy I went to. Not just the history but to put in perspective all I've read and heard. I just felt I was honoring those that lost their lives. Never again

If you're near Garmisch that is definitely a storybook town

 

[miztressuz]

I really don't know too much about credit card rewards/points and need some advice. I got this offer in my email and I'm not sure if it is a good deal or not. I would like to be able to stay at the Dolphin/Swan resorts in the future so i'm thinking about dropping my Southwest Rapid Rewards card or my Disney Visa and getting this instead. I don't like having too many credit cards so I limit myself to just a couple.

"Earn 5 Free Night Awards after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening* with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Each award valued up to 50,000 points. That's a total value of up to 250,000 points! Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 7/16/25." annual fee is $95.

What do y'all think about this? Thank you.

The FNA certificates will expire one year from issuance, and you have to book and stay by the expiration date. So I'd think of a contingency if you can't use them at the Swolphins when you want to travel.

If you have other Marriott points, you can add up to 15k points to a FNA to help out. Often those hotels are above 50k per night and sometimes they play the "66k" game where you couldn't use an award certificate at all. Definitely look at what points availability is around your desired dates. Also Marriott has dynamic points pricing so the points price can go up or down until you have the reservation booked. And you'll still pay the resort fee on FNA nights.

If you can find a use for them in the next year, the 5 certificate bonus is one of the best values. None of the Marriott portfolio of cards offers up 250k in points. I think the highest was 200k a few years back? So value wise it's a good offer, flip side is more restrictive use to achieve that value.

Personally I would only take that offer if I had Marriott points available to top off the certs (or if buying points to do it made sense, or transfers from another account) and was confident I could use them for a primary or contingency stay in the next year. But also I know folks here have been successful with this offer!

 

[hsmamato2]

I asked this in the SW thread, but thought I would ask here too

To be honest, I haven't been paying a ton of attention to the changes. I have a trip booked months ago, totally on points. It was Wanna Get Away, which is now basic. One of the two flights is now a lot cheaper. Because it was on points, I can still cancel and get points back and rebook, correct? I know I would lose free bags on that flight, but we are doing carry on. Are there any issues with this plan?
Edited to add, is there any reason not to just book basic if using points?

I canceled and rebooked a couple of flights last week on point-basic and no prob getting points back and taxes returned. I can live with this since I'm a pretty basic traveler to begin with and always coo

 

[hsmamato2]

The FNA certificates will expire one year from issuance, and you have to book and stay by the expiration date. So I'd think of a contingency if you can't use them at the Swolphins when you want to travel.

If you have other Marriott points, you can add up to 15k points to a FNA to help out. Often those hotels are above 50k per night and sometimes they play the "66k" game where you couldn't use an award certificate at all. Definitely look at what points availability is around your desired dates. Also Marriott has dynamic points pricing so the points price can go up or down until you have the reservation booked. And you'll still pay the resort fee on FNA nights.

If you can find a use for them in the next year, the 5 certificate bonus is one of the best values. None of the Marriott portfolio of cards offers up 250k in points. I think the highest was 200k a few years back? So value wise it's a good offer, flip side is more restrictive use to achieve that value.

Personally I would only take that offer if I had Marriott points available to top off the certs (or if buying points to do it made sense, or transfers from another account) and was confident I could use them for a primary or contingency stay in the next year. But also I know folks here have been successful with this offer!

this offer sounds so tempting! but again, it's the 1 yr expiry that always prevents me from doing it. I have seen some good points prices at Dolphin on various dates in upcoming year, I have to assume it's bc hotels on property are slow to fill with what's going on at this point. (45k/night)

 

[georgina]

Can I ask who you are cruising with? I’ve been looking at river cruises but can’t find any with low single supplements. Did you find a good deal or opt for paying the single supplement? I may have to do that to get the cruise I want.

No, I did not get a good deal. We have done a few Viking cruises now so I went with them. I did book the cheapest room, and will spend most of my time on the upper levels and only use it to sleep. I justify it by looking at how much DH is spending to travel business class to a dive trip in the Pacific at the same time (WAY more than my trip!)

 

[tink1970]

No, I did not get a good deal. We have done a few Viking cruises now so I went with them. I did book the cheapest room, and will spend most of my time on the upper levels and only use it to sleep. I justify it by looking at how much DH is spending to travel business class to a dive trip in the Pacific at the same time (WAY more than my trip!)

I would use that logic, too!

Enjoy the Danube-I've been on it twice and really enjoyed it