DCLMP
PATRIOT
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I learned about it on doctor of credit. I did get a targeted email.
I love credit cards so much! v7.0 - 2025 (see first page for add'l details)
- Thread starter miztressuz
- Start date
DCLMP
PATRIOT
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2020
- Messages
- 6,088
I'd do both. The premier is a better earning card with better benefits. I've cycled through the AA citi twice and Barclays a couple of times, but the cobranded cards aren't great for earning miles.
FreeDiningFanatic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2015
- Messages
- 2,262
Peru trip report: July 2025
Travel group: myself and hubby, late 40s
So I've planned an itinerary for Peru for years and then have backed off, because it's such a complicated trip with planes, trains, busses and automobiles. But my hubby and I have been talking about prioritizing destinations now, which would be harder to travel when we are in our 60s, for example. So after our kids didn't want to leave their cushy suite in the Cayman Islands, I decided to book this trip for just he and I, with only a few months lead time.
Using Alaska miles, I booked business class (but not lie flat) on AA from Chicago-Miami-Lima for 45k + $34/pp. It's really hard to get to South America in lie flat seats and this was the closest thing I could get. Having extra space on the flight and lounge access is always nice. We arrived in Lima at something like 4am and I had made the decision to fly right from Lima to Cusco ($140pp premium economy Latam). We were happy with that decision! We used Taxidatum, an online taxi company, for booking all our taxi transfers. All the drivers were on time and super professional. I like that the price was agreed on in advance online and you can pay in USD or soles. From Cusco, we drove for about 1.5 hrs to the Sacred Valley. Cusco sits at very high elevation in the Andes at over 11,000 feet, higher than any mountain in the US. We acclimated in Urubamba, which sits at 9,400 feet.
DH and I had earned 8 Bonvoy FNC and I had been eyeing Peru for their use and it turned out to be a great use of the FNC. We started our Marriott pilgramage at Tambo del Inka, Sacred Valley, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Wow, this hotel has such a great sense of place. The architecture reminded me a bit of Animal Kingdom Lodge, actually. They offer daily activities, such as interactions with baby alpacas, weaving demonstrations, painting workshops, constellation viewing, llama walking, Pisco sour classes, etc. Those activities and the setting along the Urubamba river, along with their landscaping, truly make you feel like you're in the Andes. While breakfast wasn't included, they offered us a price of $20/pp/day for the whole stay, which seemed reasonable. It was a really good selection and included some made to order items like eggs. They had great touches on the buffet, like salt from the local famous salt mines and peruvian chiles. Again, just a really great sense of place. They have a wonder pool, hot tub, sauna area. We had some massage treatments and they were good and well priced at about $130 for a 90 minutes massage, after discount.
From our base here in the Sacred Valley, we did some day trips to the Maras Salt Mines, Moray architectural site, Ollantaytambo ruins, etc. We used Taxidatum to DIY a tour and that worked great, as our driver parked as we went into each site and was there for us when we finished. We stopped for lunch at Mountain View Experience, which has A-frame lodging, a restaurant and experiences you can book. We were there for lunch and interacting with the llamas and alpacas. The food here was really good and it was so much fun feeding the llamas and alpacas.
After four nights in the Sacred Valley, it was time to start our journey to Machu Picchu! Our hotel had a dedicated Peru Rail train station on site, but with only one daily departure time. I hemmed and hawed on this but ultimately went with this train ride ($145/pp), rather than catching a train in another town. What was sold an amazing panoramic experience didn't quite crack up to be that due to the actions of the train crew, and so honestly, that part of the experience was a let down. Because we had booked this trip so close in, we were limited on the MP tickets we could acquire. We had 3pm tickets for Machu Picchu, so we planned to overnight at the base of MP, known as MP Pueblo or Aguas Calientes. We were staying at Inkaterra, one of two upscale properties in Aguas Calientes. We were supposed to have a meet and greet service at the train station, but the hotel no-showed and we wandered a bit, following a google map that had us going through a construction site. Anyway, it was a very poor arrival to the hotel and we'd been up since 4am. Not really the ideal head space going into this epic, bucket list site. In order to get to MP, you have to take a bus up a mountainside of 14 switchbacks while other busses are passing in the opposite direction. This absolutely terrified me. There was a guide sitting in the seats across from us and as we started the bus ascent, we saw her do the sign of the cross (or crossing oneself). Well, that pretty much put me over the edge and I started nervously laughing while tearing up. Turns out we had just passed some type of memorial and she was crossing out of respect for the deceased, or so my hubby explained to me. Still, very much a nervewrecking ride up if you are afraid of heights. Finally, after every plane, train and bus possible, we arrived at Machu Picchu...
Part 2 here
Travel group: myself and hubby, late 40s
So I've planned an itinerary for Peru for years and then have backed off, because it's such a complicated trip with planes, trains, busses and automobiles. But my hubby and I have been talking about prioritizing destinations now, which would be harder to travel when we are in our 60s, for example. So after our kids didn't want to leave their cushy suite in the Cayman Islands, I decided to book this trip for just he and I, with only a few months lead time.
Using Alaska miles, I booked business class (but not lie flat) on AA from Chicago-Miami-Lima for 45k + $34/pp. It's really hard to get to South America in lie flat seats and this was the closest thing I could get. Having extra space on the flight and lounge access is always nice. We arrived in Lima at something like 4am and I had made the decision to fly right from Lima to Cusco ($140pp premium economy Latam). We were happy with that decision! We used Taxidatum, an online taxi company, for booking all our taxi transfers. All the drivers were on time and super professional. I like that the price was agreed on in advance online and you can pay in USD or soles. From Cusco, we drove for about 1.5 hrs to the Sacred Valley. Cusco sits at very high elevation in the Andes at over 11,000 feet, higher than any mountain in the US. We acclimated in Urubamba, which sits at 9,400 feet.
DH and I had earned 8 Bonvoy FNC and I had been eyeing Peru for their use and it turned out to be a great use of the FNC. We started our Marriott pilgramage at Tambo del Inka, Sacred Valley, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Wow, this hotel has such a great sense of place. The architecture reminded me a bit of Animal Kingdom Lodge, actually. They offer daily activities, such as interactions with baby alpacas, weaving demonstrations, painting workshops, constellation viewing, llama walking, Pisco sour classes, etc. Those activities and the setting along the Urubamba river, along with their landscaping, truly make you feel like you're in the Andes. While breakfast wasn't included, they offered us a price of $20/pp/day for the whole stay, which seemed reasonable. It was a really good selection and included some made to order items like eggs. They had great touches on the buffet, like salt from the local famous salt mines and peruvian chiles. Again, just a really great sense of place. They have a wonder pool, hot tub, sauna area. We had some massage treatments and they were good and well priced at about $130 for a 90 minutes massage, after discount.
From our base here in the Sacred Valley, we did some day trips to the Maras Salt Mines, Moray architectural site, Ollantaytambo ruins, etc. We used Taxidatum to DIY a tour and that worked great, as our driver parked as we went into each site and was there for us when we finished. We stopped for lunch at Mountain View Experience, which has A-frame lodging, a restaurant and experiences you can book. We were there for lunch and interacting with the llamas and alpacas. The food here was really good and it was so much fun feeding the llamas and alpacas.
After four nights in the Sacred Valley, it was time to start our journey to Machu Picchu! Our hotel had a dedicated Peru Rail train station on site, but with only one daily departure time. I hemmed and hawed on this but ultimately went with this train ride ($145/pp), rather than catching a train in another town. What was sold an amazing panoramic experience didn't quite crack up to be that due to the actions of the train crew, and so honestly, that part of the experience was a let down. Because we had booked this trip so close in, we were limited on the MP tickets we could acquire. We had 3pm tickets for Machu Picchu, so we planned to overnight at the base of MP, known as MP Pueblo or Aguas Calientes. We were staying at Inkaterra, one of two upscale properties in Aguas Calientes. We were supposed to have a meet and greet service at the train station, but the hotel no-showed and we wandered a bit, following a google map that had us going through a construction site. Anyway, it was a very poor arrival to the hotel and we'd been up since 4am. Not really the ideal head space going into this epic, bucket list site. In order to get to MP, you have to take a bus up a mountainside of 14 switchbacks while other busses are passing in the opposite direction. This absolutely terrified me. There was a guide sitting in the seats across from us and as we started the bus ascent, we saw her do the sign of the cross (or crossing oneself). Well, that pretty much put me over the edge and I started nervously laughing while tearing up. Turns out we had just passed some type of memorial and she was crossing out of respect for the deceased, or so my hubby explained to me. Still, very much a nervewrecking ride up if you are afraid of heights. Finally, after every plane, train and bus possible, we arrived at Machu Picchu...
Part 2 here
Last edited:
FreeDiningFanatic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2015
- Messages
- 2,262
Peru Part 2- Machu Picchu
A guide had approached us while waiting in line for the bus (Veronica) and we hired her for our tour of Circuit 2B, which is both the iconic panoranic viewpoints and the actual architectural ruins. Wow, it is emotional when you are there. What the Incas did to construct their sites is just beyond imagination. It's dumbfounding. We had a really amazing tour of the site and so many photo ops. But y'all, the elevation is no joke. Even though the elevation is lower here, the climbing up the terraces just takes it out of you. With less oxygen, all of your muscles are just way more fatigued and it's harder to breathe. We'd typically do 2-4 flights of stairs and then take a break, while our guide provided some info. Thank goodness for her- she really had a great pace for us. Afterwards, it's back down the switchback mountain on the busses and then a walk back to our hotel up the steep, steep little town. We had a really amazing dinner at the hotel with local trout from the Urubamba river and then massages afterwards. Perfect end to a really, really memorable day.
The next morning we took Inca Rail (bimodal: train/bus) back to Cusco. Long four hours of travel. I had originally booked Palacio del Inka in Cusco because I liked the more traditional vibe of the hotel and because the JW Marriott- Cusco was our of our FNC point range. A few weeks before the trip, JW Marriott became available in our points range and I switched for this one big reason- the rooms are pumped with oxygen. The FD told us they pump 20% more oxygen into the rooms. I think this was super helpful in allowing us to rest well and our muscles to recover. Breakfast was included and so, so good. Jw also offered a great array of included classes and tours. The JW Marriott was stunningly beautiful and has such a rich Incan history. The historic area of Cusco is so beautiful, with colonial architecture sitting on Incan foundations. The hotel was both near the Plaza de Armas as well as our favorite neighborhood, San Blas. Super steep streets, but so many cute nooks and viewpoints. I liked Cusco much more than I thought we would. We stayed in Cusco for three nights, then flew back to Lima, where we overnighted at JW Marriott Lima before our international flight home.
Flights/taxes: $352/pp
Trains: $217/pp
8 FNC Marriott + points top off vs $4,000 cash rates
Resort fees: $242
Inkaterra hotel, rate inc dinner, breakfast, 2 drinks, 2 massages: $548
Machu Picchu tickets/bus/tour guide: $96/pp
Various taxis: $160
Overall thoughts on this bucket list trip: It should really be up there on everyone's must do list! Even though we did everything in a very comfortable way (biz class, nice hotels, private transport), it is still a lot of logistics and moving. It's a super rewarding trip, though! There will be some out of pocket costs if you do this trip using points and miles, but on the flip side, dining and taxis are really inexpensive. At sunset, we had a soda, beer and appetizer at a rooftop bar at the top of the city in Cusco: $8. A nearly 2 hour taxi ride with meet/greet at airport: $34. While we've been to Mexico and the Caribbean many times, this was our first trip to South America. Peru felt very, very safe. It definitely has us interested in more travel in South America.
A guide had approached us while waiting in line for the bus (Veronica) and we hired her for our tour of Circuit 2B, which is both the iconic panoranic viewpoints and the actual architectural ruins. Wow, it is emotional when you are there. What the Incas did to construct their sites is just beyond imagination. It's dumbfounding. We had a really amazing tour of the site and so many photo ops. But y'all, the elevation is no joke. Even though the elevation is lower here, the climbing up the terraces just takes it out of you. With less oxygen, all of your muscles are just way more fatigued and it's harder to breathe. We'd typically do 2-4 flights of stairs and then take a break, while our guide provided some info. Thank goodness for her- she really had a great pace for us. Afterwards, it's back down the switchback mountain on the busses and then a walk back to our hotel up the steep, steep little town. We had a really amazing dinner at the hotel with local trout from the Urubamba river and then massages afterwards. Perfect end to a really, really memorable day.
The next morning we took Inca Rail (bimodal: train/bus) back to Cusco. Long four hours of travel. I had originally booked Palacio del Inka in Cusco because I liked the more traditional vibe of the hotel and because the JW Marriott- Cusco was our of our FNC point range. A few weeks before the trip, JW Marriott became available in our points range and I switched for this one big reason- the rooms are pumped with oxygen. The FD told us they pump 20% more oxygen into the rooms. I think this was super helpful in allowing us to rest well and our muscles to recover. Breakfast was included and so, so good. Jw also offered a great array of included classes and tours. The JW Marriott was stunningly beautiful and has such a rich Incan history. The historic area of Cusco is so beautiful, with colonial architecture sitting on Incan foundations. The hotel was both near the Plaza de Armas as well as our favorite neighborhood, San Blas. Super steep streets, but so many cute nooks and viewpoints. I liked Cusco much more than I thought we would. We stayed in Cusco for three nights, then flew back to Lima, where we overnighted at JW Marriott Lima before our international flight home.
Flights/taxes: $352/pp
Trains: $217/pp
8 FNC Marriott + points top off vs $4,000 cash rates
Resort fees: $242
Inkaterra hotel, rate inc dinner, breakfast, 2 drinks, 2 massages: $548
Machu Picchu tickets/bus/tour guide: $96/pp
Various taxis: $160
Overall thoughts on this bucket list trip: It should really be up there on everyone's must do list! Even though we did everything in a very comfortable way (biz class, nice hotels, private transport), it is still a lot of logistics and moving. It's a super rewarding trip, though! There will be some out of pocket costs if you do this trip using points and miles, but on the flip side, dining and taxis are really inexpensive. At sunset, we had a soda, beer and appetizer at a rooftop bar at the top of the city in Cusco: $8. A nearly 2 hour taxi ride with meet/greet at airport: $34. While we've been to Mexico and the Caribbean many times, this was our first trip to South America. Peru felt very, very safe. It definitely has us interested in more travel in South America.
Crazed4DisneyinSC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2019
- Messages
- 1,384
Thanks for an awesome trip report! Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for years, and I'd love to get there in the next 3-5. Definitely bookmarking your report!! The logistics is the hardest part to wrap my head around as well with this kind of trip.
My husband is from Ecuador which is right next to Peru, so he's not thrilled about it because as he says, "it's all the same", meaning alpacas, mountains, ruins, lol. He grew up in a very historic city with the old Spanish cathedrals, cobblestone streets, etc and so in a way for him, it just feels like going home and not experiencing a fun, new place. Peru and Ecuador also have a lot of similarities with food, Incan culture, etc. But I really, really want to go. So I'm trying to sell it to him as possibly a pilgrimage with his family (he's 1 of 6)! Or I'd even love to combine Peru/Machu Picchu and then back over to Ecuador/Galapagos.
CaliforniaGirl09
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
- Messages
- 4,123
I just did a dummy booking with my SW priority card, and it was a little confusing (first screen showed booking benefit of seat selection but next screen didn't, however I continued on and seat selection appeared) but does anyone know what happens with a companion pass? IOW will I be able to select a seat for my companion once I book him?
FreeDiningFanatic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2015
- Messages
- 2,262
I think I read on reddit you can select any seat for your companion, including preferred seats if you are A-List preferred. I assumed they meant free, but that wasn't specified.
FreeDiningFanatic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2015
- Messages
- 2,262
This would be an amazing trip with his family! Maybe try to sell it as "we don't have forever to take this trip." I think that mindset has sort of shifted some of our travel priorities for us.
I would love to do the Galapagos as well. On the other hand, I was just watching some videos on Patagonia, specifically some lodge to lodge hiking, and I'm super interested (even though I've never hiked for more than several hours).
So I think Patagonia is on the top of the list?
CaliforniaGirl09
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
- Messages
- 4,123
Thank you!
Crazed4DisneyinSC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2019
- Messages
- 1,384
Oh definitely! We've just recently shifted our Europe trip planned for next year to exchange it for Washington instead (Mt rainier, Olympic national park) kind of because of the same mindset... How many years do we have left to do some of the more intense hikes?! At least that’s my reasoning. Europe will be there, but in my mind that is a trip we can still easily do in 10-20 years if we want to.This would be an amazing trip with his family! Maybe try to sell it as "we don't have forever to take this trip." I think that mindset has sort of shifted some of our travel priorities for us.
I would love to do the Galapagos as well. On the other hand, I was just watching some videos on Patagonia, specifically some lodge to lodge hiking, and I'm super interested (even though I've never hiked for more than several hours).
Patagonia looks amazing as well. Honestly, South America is very underrated in the travel world I feel like, but there is some incredibly beautiful places!
Sorry to hear that. I’ve been there the last few months but the waters parted for us. Guess I just got lucky.
Judique
Dis Veteran, Beach Lover at BWV, BCV, HHI, VB
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2003
- Messages
- 13,318
@FreeDiningFanatic
Thank you for posting your Machu Picchu trip report. I got to relive my DD's trip through yours and went back to check my old phone to look again. Like you she stayed first at the Tambo del Inka and enjoyed it very much! Such amazing journeys!
@Crazed4DisneyinSC encourage your husband to take these trips with you now while you can enjoy the whole experience. I once dreamed of these trips and took others, (can't fit everything in) and eventually as time passed they weren't feasible for my old body and lack of stamina. Your husband will see the area with new eyes through you and will appreciate more what he takes for granted now.
And both of you, don't miss the Galapagos! My DD took a self directed budget trip. @calypso726 took a luxurious cruise (if I remember correctly) and both were enjoyed by me through their eyes. It felt as if I were there living the experiences I had previously dreamed about.
Don't stop dreaming!
Thank you for posting your Machu Picchu trip report. I got to relive my DD's trip through yours and went back to check my old phone to look again. Like you she stayed first at the Tambo del Inka and enjoyed it very much! Such amazing journeys!
@Crazed4DisneyinSC encourage your husband to take these trips with you now while you can enjoy the whole experience. I once dreamed of these trips and took others, (can't fit everything in) and eventually as time passed they weren't feasible for my old body and lack of stamina. Your husband will see the area with new eyes through you and will appreciate more what he takes for granted now.
And both of you, don't miss the Galapagos! My DD took a self directed budget trip. @calypso726 took a luxurious cruise (if I remember correctly) and both were enjoyed by me through their eyes. It felt as if I were there living the experiences I had previously dreamed about.
Don't stop dreaming!
I need to cancel a hotel reservation that was made last November with a CSP that is now closed. The reservation was paid for at the time of booking - so a refund will be given by the hotel. If they refund to original payment method (my closed CSP), will chase move the credit to one of my other active cards? Will they send me a check? How do refunds work on closed cards?
becauseimnew
Planner-aholic
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2020
- Messages
- 3,298
Sofi Bank is at 40K on Rakuten, I've never done it.. anything I should be concerned about?
Bigmace
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2020
- Messages
- 531
Welp just cancelled my SW card after six years.
Crazy thing is might sign up again in mid Sept. Sounds like 100k pts bonus (not hit spend until Jan), +10k companion fare boost pts in Jan + just need to spend $25k for two years of companion fare is an insane deal.
I guess it depends on if SW nerfs the companion fair offer in 2026 though.
Crazy thing is might sign up again in mid Sept. Sounds like 100k pts bonus (not hit spend until Jan), +10k companion fare boost pts in Jan + just need to spend $25k for two years of companion fare is an insane deal.
I guess it depends on if SW nerfs the companion fair offer in 2026 though.
Last edited:
CaliforniaGirl09
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
- Messages
- 4,123
I've had mine for about 4 years, and I"m contemplating doing the same. I just need to figure out whether the bookings I've made for the next month or two are grandfathered for luggage, etc. I want to be in position to go for the companion pass before the end of the year (or roll it into January if they don't change things) Too bad the business card deal sucks, LOL. How difficult has Chase been lately? I'd hate to cancel the card and not get approved for a new one....
Bigmace
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2020
- Messages
- 531
I applied for United card a few months ago and for the first time ever I got the "we will get back to you". Eventually was approved but was strange. Only thing I could think is that our household income has dropped a lot in since the last time I applied for a Chase card. Have had a couple kids since then and my wife works a lot less.
wanderlust7
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2015
- Messages
- 4,827
Noticed a string of standard room availability at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal in early December if anyone was looking to go. It's 190k points now (!) but a good use of FNC.
StephPlum
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 2,010
Chase biz finally likes me again. Approved for CIC with $5K CL on DH referral.. I'm 4/24. I closed most of my other Biz cards so just had an old CIC open. It is linked to DH for transferring URs and I'm scared to close it. I might refer DH for a CIC before Oct (?) I think that is when biz referrals will end.
Before that I tried for Citi Strata Premier and was denied - too many inquiries, recent new accounts, no installment loans (lol I am not going to get a mortgage just to get a CC). I have no Citi cards (cancelled AA cards when they hit the one year mark). That might have dinged me as well. I do have a lot of inquiries (8/24) but my last approved app was April for the CSP. I'll lay low working on my CIC and DH CIC before trying again. Really like the ability to transfer to AA.
Before that I tried for Citi Strata Premier and was denied - too many inquiries, recent new accounts, no installment loans (lol I am not going to get a mortgage just to get a CC). I have no Citi cards (cancelled AA cards when they hit the one year mark). That might have dinged me as well. I do have a lot of inquiries (8/24) but my last approved app was April for the CSP. I'll lay low working on my CIC and DH CIC before trying again. Really like the ability to transfer to AA.
CaliforniaGirl09
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
- Messages
- 4,123
Follow up question to my Chase difficulty one above ...
I referred my daughter and she was approved for a SWA card. Do I need to wait for those points to post before I cancel/reapply? I suspect I do...
I referred my daughter and she was approved for a SWA card. Do I need to wait for those points to post before I cancel/reapply? I suspect I do...
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