I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

PSA: @SouthFayetteFan 's the Southwest Guru who usually posts this kind of information, but he's on vacation so here's a friendly reminder:

Tomorrow, June 28, 2018, Southwest will open their flights schedule through Mar 6, 2019 for sale:

• The next release is: On June 28, 2018 we will open our schedule for sale through March 6, 2019. That could change and you can track it here.
  
• The release times that [SouthFayetteFan's] tracked recently have been 6:55am; 8:10am; and [most recently] was approx. 7:35am eastern. [A] range of 7am - 8:30am continues to be a reasonable expectation...but Southwest can do whatever they want.
• There were some reports of people unable to book via mobile first when they first released [last time] while others were fine booking on the desktop site. (SouthFayetteFan also noticed the ability to search were different on the two versions initially).

 

[wendow]

Because *if* they convert outstanding certs to points it is up in the air how they would decide how many points to assign a cat 1-5 certificate, due to the large range.

ETA:So will they give enough points to cover 7 nights at a cat 1 or enough to cover 7 nights at a cat 5...who knows. That is a gamble. Cat 6 seems like less of a gamble to me.

ETA: I am a noob too, I just read about it on flyer talk.

@wendow I don't know where I am going. I originally thought Atlantis but @speedyfishy talked me out of that. I really just need some SW points and if I end up with marriott points I could always use those for hockey tournaments and stuff like that. I could also save them for Hawaii some day or we may do the Marco island JW marriott again sometime.

I need the SW points too Makes sense on why to do a cat 6. Thanks for explaining!

 

[MrPTato]

Is the tracker for the Discover It delayed a couple days after a purchase posts? I purchased a VGC at the grocery store and the purchase posted on Monday. As of today, I should be just past the grocery cap but it shows no movement and still need to spend more.

 

[trenty]

If I make a purchase at a grocery store tomorrow morning (the 28th) using my Discover IT do you think it would post by the 30th? I want to make sure I get the 5x points as I am almost maxed for the quarter.

If not, I will wait until July 1st and make the purchase at Walgreens (using CF) instead, assuming they carry Disney GC.

 

[miztressuz]

Argh, so the small victory with the NCL cruise transfer to Chase has been wiped out with the Discover savings website being stupid,

I transferred my NCL reservation to Terrence at the Cruise and Tours dept. It was warp speed quick, like within 2 hours of sending the email to NCL they moved it; Terrence said he's never had one show up that quick! He sent me my Chase invoice # and stated "Your final payment date is xx/xx/2019. If we don’t hear from you before that date to use your points for payment, I will give you a reminder call about a week prior. Thanks!" So he's all on board not needing to use my points until then. Now it's down to do we trust him and continue to accumulate points for the next year, or just call up and use what we planned to now... a bird in the hand so to speak.

From that high hubby tried to setup his Discover savings account just now but he got an error after he tried to link accounts. So he has no login information or any account information. We assumed that meant nothing was created but when he went back to start over and got to the linked accounts it said he couldn't link that account because it's still waiting on trial deposits
I'm assuming there should have been a step sometime after the initial deposit where he setup account information? Or is there any chance they'll email him account info? We literally have nothing, it was all contact information up until that point and just when we thought it was trying to open the account it errored out.

 

[amalone1013]

Hmmm way off for insurance. $1700 including deductible on DHs lol

 

[schmass]

@Lain Thank you once again for all the awesome information! I really appreciate it!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

From what I've read, you should be able to book SPG properties with Marriot points beginning Aug. 1. I thought I read they would release the categories this month.

yes, that is what I have read too. I thought the OP was asking to book a night and flight at a Starwood property now.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

OK thanks, I thought the same until I read this article. I was confused if this was currently or after the merger. I guess either way I would need to transfer to Marriott as Swolphin is Cat 5 (currently). I'm so confused.

https://awardwallet.com/blog/when-should-you-book-spg-nights-flights-awards/

ohhhh, I had no idea that existed!

 

[Dancind]

Anyone else using Paypal to buy gift cards through Gyft. com using Chase Ink card? They declined my payment today and I just used it a couple days ago.

 

[tink1970]

Just back from a MQM run (trying to keep my Medallion Status with Delta...I might not do this for 2020 after this trip!) to Denver.

Goals for this 32 hour trip:

1) 5,000 MQMs...if I remain on track I'll be able to decide late this year whether I want to shoot for Platinum for 2019 or be happy with Gold
2) Use my $60 off $300 SPG amex credit
3) Check out Denver Airport Westin (has been listed as one of the best airport hotels in North America...I have a weird goal of hitting as many as possible)
4) Not fight the dogs for bed space and eat meals in peace
5) Top off my current SPG total (I jumped 6,000 points!) before the Big Merge.

The flight from ATL to DEN was very bumpy and several of us (including me) were trying to keep our lunch down when we landed. Boo.

I took an earlier flight and my room was not ready because of housekeeping. Fair enough. I asked whether they had an estimate and the answer was "no, we'll text you." Four and a half hours later I went up to the desk and oh, it was ready they just hadn't told me. Grr...I was truly disappointed with the lackluster customer service provided at both check in and check out. The hotel is new and modern and but steps from the airport but give me the friendly and efficient DTW Westin ANY DAY. This am at 0345 mountain time, the clerk was super unhappy when I asked her to split the bill into two charges (I'm hoping next month's spend will earn me the remainder $60 credit on my Amex Plat as well as using my Amex DL Plat). Sorry, gotta use my credits!

I was able to check out the Denver Westin (briefly), received the CONGRATS Amex email for the one card with a full $300 spend and waiting for all my mqms to post but suspect they will in the next 24 hours. I did eat airport food without begging dogs and didn't have to fight anyone for space, so all goals were accomplished.

Oddly, apparently all hotel rooms in the city were full as well as all rental cars were reserved (I overheard many conversations about this) so there were people sleeping OUTSIDE the Westin on the patio and all over the airport. Weird...anyone know what's going on this week?

Yesterday, in the two hours I was hanging out in the terminal I noticed even TSA precheck and Clear lines were crazy busy so I made sure to be there 2 hours prior to my flight (that is, at 4 am). At that time of day, two hours is not needed (entry to gate approx 20 min) but I can see why the 2 hour recommendation would be made for normal times! Unfortunately boarding was at 0520 and Delta SkyClub didn't open until 0500. American's did at 445 but my only status with them is peon

Next week I'm dropping DD off at a summer program in Durham so I'll be using 2 of the current Hilton Curio offers ($50 off $250) and hoping to order room service to finish off the SPG offer for Amex Plat as well as Amex Dl Plat at the DTW Westin (yes, flying to get more MQMs). Now that I'm maxed out on Amexs and still over 5/24 I have to do something to keep my mind sharp

Not nearly as exciting as Suites over the Pacific but I like my status and flying earns a few skypesos!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Anyone else using Paypal to buy gift cards through Gyft. com using Chase Ink card? They declined my payment today and I just used it a couple days ago.

yes, it is super annoying. Sometimes works flawlessly, other times you want to throw the phone across the room.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

PSA: @SouthFayetteFan 's the Southwest Guru who usually posts this kind of information, but he's on vacation so here's a friendly reminder:

Tomorrow, June 28, 2018, Southwest will open their flights schedule through Mar 6, 2019 for sale:

• The next release is: On June 28, 2018 we will open our schedule for sale through March 6, 2019. That could change and you can track it here.
  
• The release times that [SouthFayetteFan's] tracked recently have been 6:55am; 8:10am; and [most recently] was approx. 7:35am eastern. [A] range of 7am - 8:30am continues to be a reasonable expectation...but Southwest can do whatever they want.
• There were some reports of people unable to book via mobile first when they first released [last time] while others were fine booking on the desktop site. (SouthFayetteFan also noticed the ability to search were different on the two versions initially).

It is time for another release already? I feel like we had one last week.

 

[Dancind]

yes, it is super annoying. Sometimes works flawlessly, other times you want to throw the phone across the room.

I hate when I have to pay for something and can't get extra points! LOL

 

[disneymagicgirl]

From that high hubby tried to setup his Discover savings account just now but he got an error after he tried to link accounts. So he has no login information or any account information. We assumed that meant nothing was created but when he went back to start over and got to the linked accounts it said he couldn't link that account because it's still waiting on trial deposits
I'm assuming there should have been a step sometime after the initial deposit where he setup account information? Or is there any chance they'll email him account info? We literally have nothing, it was all contact information up until that point and just when we thought it was trying to open the account it errored out.

I just looked back at our emails from opening the discover accounts and we didn't get any until about 3 days after opening, when they sent one saying funds transfer for initial deposit was initiated. I actually initiated it when I opened the account, so you may not get an email for a few days yet...if at all. You may have to call.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I hate when I have to pay for something and can't get extra points! LOL

yeah, I often try to buy one when I am almost done shopping and I know how much my bill is going to be. I grab a gyft card before heading to checkout. If it tells me it won't process immediately I just cancel the order.

 

[platamama]

@platamama or anyone else with info, I have another question for you if you don't mind regarding nights and flights. I looked at the award chart and see how the package with the highest amount of miles is the best redemption. I also see that best guess I would need a cat 6, which would be 100K starpoints. I have 75K. Would you recommend purchasing 25K at 35% off to buy the package now or is the unknown too much of a risk?

Edited to add: My scenario is specifically for redeeming at Swan or Dolphin and highest amount of airline miles.

I might not be the best person to ask about buying Starpoints...because I buy as many as I can when they go on sale! Like they are now until 7/20. (If you do this, go through a cashback portal like Topcashback, and if you have an SPG AMEX use that to buy the points for extra points.)

I've redeemed a Cat 1-5 travel package so far for 120K Southwest miles, and based on past experience it is easy to upgrade to a higher category hotel by making a phone call and having enough Marriott points to upgrade. SPG points transfer immediately (I did it while on the phone with the Marriott rep) if you have your SPG and Marriott accounts linked.

Marriott was supposed to release the list of how the hotels fit into the new hotel categories by the end of this month, but I haven't seen any recent news about that. Grrr. I've been planning on upgrading my 7nt hotel certificate with points and attaching it to a reservation once the list is released. I have a bad feeling that when 8/1 rolls around, the travel packages will still exist but will cost many more points. There's rumors that a "floater" certificate like what I have right now will be re-issued with a fixed point value, but it could be as little as 45K points (which is what Marriott currently gives you for a Cat 1-5 7 nt certificate if you want to exchange it back in for points) and upwards of 150K points (which I find highly doubtful though I would love it if that happened).

I would keep the Starpoint sale in the back of my mind if I were you until 7/20, and just keep watching like a hawk for any news of the Marriott hotel category list. Hope it comes out before 7/20! You and others who want to book SPG properties are the ones who are most affected by Marriott dragging this out since you can't reserve award space until 8/1. I made speculative reward bookings months ago in Marriott properties since Marriott lets you do that without having all the points in your account (vs SPG that requires you to have the points to pay for the reservation at the time you make it).

 

[amalone1013]

Oddly, apparently all hotel rooms in the city were full as well as all rental cars were reserved (I overheard many conversations about this) so there were people sleeping OUTSIDE the Westin on the patio and all over the airport. Weird...anyone know what's going on this week?

Whoa! I can see rental cars being an issue due to hail damage. My company flies people in to service equipment a lot, and last summer we had a guy who couldn't get a rental, and had to have a friend he knows in Denver pick him up! But we must be missing something going on, because the Marriott I used points for this weekend, for my grandpa to visit, is $400 a night!

3) Check out Denver Airport Westin (has been listed as one of the best airport hotels in North America...I have a weird goal of hitting as many as possible)

I told DH this and he goes, "the whale?"

 

[tink1970]

Whoa! I can see rental cars being an issue due to hail damage. My company flies people in to service equipment a lot, and last summer we had a guy who couldn't get a rental, and had to have a friend he knows in Denver pick him up! But we must be missing something going on, because the Marriott I used points for this weekend, for my grandpa to visit, is $400 a night!


I told DH this and he goes, "the whale?"

So mystery of the missing rental cars solved...

Tell your DH it isn't MY list...just my quest

 

[magickingdomprincess]

You may not want to get the Marriott Premier Plus or Marriott Biz for DH if DoC's rumor is to be believed. Those could bar him from the SPG Luxury's bonus when that comes out on 8/1 (not sure if this card is on your radar).

Interestingly, if this rumor turns out to be true, Marriott could be in effect forcing you to get Amex's SPG Luxury (and maybe the other SPG cards) first, if you want the bonus, before getting Chase's Marriott cards; and Amex's SPG Luxury and personal cards would add to your 5/24 count, and could bar the applicant from getting the Marriott cards and their bonuses. But who knows what Chase will do?

(There's a small window to get both Amex and Chase offerings, because conceivably, one could apply for the SPG Luxury and/or personal, then get the Marriott cards before Amex reports the SPG cards to your credit report in about 2 months.)

P.S. I've been seeing the SPG Luxury card referred to as SPG Lux on reddit, and I kinda like it so that's what I'll use going forward.

So I've been wondering about this since I just was approved for the Chase Marriot biz, but am waiting to actually receive the card. Would it be possible to put off meeting the MSR and therefore not have gotten the bonus yet, then apply for the SPG luxury card, then finish the Marriott spend and get the bonus? Or, in that example, meet the MSR on the new Amex luxury card, then finish the MSR on the Chase Marriott? Not knowing if I really even want the card I'm not sure the effort/timing would work out, but just curious if that might work? I should have until 9/24 or so to meet the Marriott MSR so it MIGHT be possible.