I love credit cards so much!

[kidsfirsttrip]

The cruise that I have booked is with NCL. I can book excursions, dining, drink pkg etc... directly with NCL on the NCL app even though I transferred my cruise to Chase. But to make payments I have to go through Chase.

ETA: I did not book it with Chase but transferred it so I don’t know if that makes a difference.

Just wondering if I call cruise and tours if I can add on to the reservation and pay in URs. Thanks

 

[miztressuz]

Anyone know if you booked a cruise via URs if you can call chase and add on extras. Like the drink package or excursions? It’s RCL if that matters

I don't do RCL but with NCL and DCL you can do all that yourself even with a TA. Are you looking to use the points to pay for it? Since you can only use your points once you'd probably have to add on when you use your points. Otherwise if you have one booked I'd check the website to see what you can add on yourself, I have to imagine RCL is the same as the rest.

 

[hsmamato2]

I had the 100K upgrade offer show up as a big banner when I logged into my SPG Amex account last week and the terms said it was good thru 10/31/18 so I didn't upgrade. The offer no longer shows up as a banner at the top any longer. But, after a couple of days it showed up again, this time under my Amex offers. Usually my eyes just slide past any of the ones that have the Amex logo since I think they're useless, but that's where it's showing up for me now. Same 100K, it didn't drop down to 15K. Are you saying you had a bigger upgrade offer that is now lower?

yes- when I first checked thru that link with my acct- I had the big offer.now it's offering 15k...... bleh! I will check again but bleh ETA checked again.... it is 15k now. Guess that solves that question for me no thanks.

 

[MKTokyo]

Hi everyone! This is an absolutely amazing thread. I've read back a number of pages, checked CardMatch & I have the 100K Amex Platinum offer. I am an AU on an Amex Gold that was originally opened at least 20 years ago. I also have a Chase Disney Visa of my own that was opened about 3 years ago.

However, there are a few questions that I can't seem to find answers to.

1. I live overseas. I can apply with & use my last address in the US to receive cards/statements/etc. My parents will forward my mail to me. I can make the $5K MSR easily but all of the charges would come from overseas. Would this be an issue?

2. I don't think either Amex or Chase offers redemption through JAL/American. Please correct me if I am wrong I am also interested in the Chase Sapphire cards but I'm thinking that I will wait on those & get the Amex now while they're offering 100K.

3. My mom & I are planning a trip to London together next year. I'm hoping to use the 100K MR for a flight to London via Delta, and I'm hoping it will cover both of us in Premium Economy. I currently have 60K Delta points - am I correct in thinking I can transfer the MR to Delta 1:1 when I go to book the flights & therefore could have up to 160K (+ credit from purchases) to use? (I don't think the flights we're looking at would cost 80K each, but you never know.) I realize this might not be the absolute best use of points but it is important to me. My parents paid everything for me up through my undergraduate university & now that I am in grad school with my own income and household, I really want to start contributing when we travel together, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help/answers! My fiance & I just got back from a trip to Hawaii and I really wish I had read here first.

 

[Judique]

@striker1064 - and anyone else that has a Bank of America card: I was just on the website and noted that they have a free admission feature for certain museums on the first full weekend of each month (they have a calendar for this). For DC it is the Newseum.

Other states have more options. Florida has quite a few, and Tampa has the Florida Aquarium, which is one I may use if the program is still live in January when I am there solo. That will save 24$.

The Newseum is about a $20 savings.

 

[hsmamato2]

Good morning all! Last time I posted, I made a case for the suite of American Express Hilton cards which would currently net you over a million hotel points and a lot of free weekend night certificates if you're in two player mode and had none of those cards yet. This morning, I'd like to present a case for CASH. What? you say... cash, Roni? How boring. Have you not read any of our posts here? Do you not understand the value of traveling for free on fabulous planes and in staying in glorious hotels for a fraction or none of the cost? Ah, but I do... and I have enjoyed all those things very much. But at some point, I got a little tired. I took 7 trips in one year and on the 7th, I came home and thought... you know what? I need to rest. I need that ol' cliche vacation from my vacations. I realized I really like home... my comfy bed, and my little dog and being surrounded by all my favorite people and things. And that's okay. When I finally slowed down, I started to think about how fast it all goes. Not just our points and miles (lets face it, you can burn through a couple hundred thousand for something that lasts a week). But life. I was yearning for something that lasted longer so I'm going to tell you something that will make some of you pass out. I spent a boatload of UR points on a 70 in screen tv that is still hanging in my living room some two years later and has hosted countless movie nights filled with laughter and popcorn and candy and silliness in a room full of millennials I really really love. It plays an app called ArtCast that runs through some of the most beautiful paintings by classic artists and an app that will continuously roll ocean waves, swaying palm trees and thunderstorms when those are the things my heart craves. It makes me happy. That tv, silly as it may sound... was the catalyst for a loooong conversation with myself in my head about what really matters to me, what I, myself find important and lasting... not the bloggers, not reddit, not the internet at large, not the influencers or Instagram or some stranger telling me what the worth of my points are. YOU are the only one who really knows that. And it will take a journey with real highs and some lows, to figure it all out. Those of you who are long time veterans already know this. But there are some new reading here. I know there are. And there are also some of you beginning to wonder... what the heck am I doing and why.

So is it a TV I paid for with Chase points that makes my "Case for Cash?" Nah, it's just my long winded way of saying there are many many ways to make this work for you and... I wish someone had said a few things to me before I got started in all of it myself. I wish I had a me that said Slow down. Take your time. Figure out what you really want - YOU ... not Doc, or the Points Guy or Frequent Miler or Miles to Memories, or reddit, or even the DIS. You. In the end, I realized that for me... I both wanted and needed something tangible that would last a long time, in addition to all the amazing memories we were making in those fleeting weeks that seem to disappear all too fast. Even better? A way to do both. Something lasting, tangible, and magical memory building all rolled into one.

What if I told you that my love of American Express credit cards bought my initial DVC contract for cash? That 50 points at the Boardwalk buys a stay at home mom about to experience Empty Nest syndrome 5 nights and 6 days in a standard view studio villa every year during the Food and Wine Festival all the way through early December and its lovely Christmas festivities and then again through six weeks of winter? You choose... when do you want to go? This is a Disney forum - so I know in my heart that those words will mean a lot to some of you. And if you have any interest in DVC at all... it's possible. And that contract you purchase doesn't disappear in a week or two. It lasts for 20 years or more. Now that is my case for cash. I do not manufacture any spending but I do have two kids in college at the same time and one who finished not long ago so our expenses have been high for several years. If you have a side business, a rental home, college expenses, etc, it adds up fast. For others... the process might be slower and you'll want to save the Schwab Plat card for your very last card. Anyway, that's enough. I'm sorry I keep writing books to you. It's just nice to have a place to talk about it with people who actually get it, or are trying to learn. We have so many good options for these points. SO many. Make sure you're thinking outside the box once in awhile and taking stock in the middle to make sure you're getting out of it what is really important to you. A couple blog posts to get you thinking:

https://windbagmiles.com/2017/11/09...changer-or-at-least-a-game-somewhat-affecter/

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/opening-schwab-brokerage-checking-amex-platinum-credit-card/

http://travelinpoints.com/i-schwabed-out-8k-in-membership-rewards/

I LOVE THIS so easy to get swept up in other peoples dreams..... stay true to your own and enjoy!

 

[hsmamato2]

You know, every time I read about the 10% at Staples amex deal I get jealous, because I didn't have an amex biz when this offer came out. When I got my amex biz, it didn't jump onto it either.

Do I remember that there was some way to get offers added in the past that one didn't get in the first go round? I have a Staples just a few minutes away, and would love that 10% offer!

I got it,learned about the deal this week LATE,but managed two purchases (one with RMN) so I'm satisfied...

 

[amalone1013]

Boooooo... I logged into AMEX and my SPG personal had a banner to enroll in a spending campaign. I thought awesome, they finally gave me one of those spend $3k get 10k pts type of offers since I just passed my AF and didn't cancel. But when I clicked to go to enroll, the image wouldn't load so I couldn't see the details. I just hit enroll now anyways, check my enrollment email - 1xt point per dollar on restaurant and grocery stores through Nov 30th.

 

[hsmamato2]

Check your Amex account and emails. I had the 100k points/$5k in my account but now it says 15k points (though spend is $1k I think, not $5k). I still have the email with link though.

nope nothing.

 

[kmc8826]

So now I am even more confused after reading...let’s say I went with Dec but I wanted to come back to stay in mid Aug 2018, would I be able to use those 2017 points for it? I am sure how you can bank them since it is less than 4 months for the use year? (Which I understand it to be 12/1/17-11/30/18 but have needed to be banked in Aug. Does that mean I would have schedule a trip before the end of Nov to use those 120 points else I would lose them?

It was already answered but yes if buying direct Disney let’s you bank past deadline. As far as UY it mattered for me because I knew I wouldn’t generally be dragging my husband to WDW in June through September so that is why an October UY worked best. (October you bank by end of May). I figured if we went in summer cash/points would work best anyway.

Also make sure you love CCV. I don’t know with 120 points if you have any incentives? I thought about buying there but after our trip ended up deciding on OKW as CCV didn’t work for our family of 5. They will sell the other resorts direct it just involves a waiting list.

If you do end up buying there you have 10 days to rescind. If I were you just tell your guide you need some time. They will send you the paperwork to sign and payment can all be done while you are home.

I spent all yesterday basically stuck inside, obsessing over DVC again. Driving my husband nuts. He's like, just buy the points! I'm so cheap I waffle, waffle, waffle. It's a lot of money - don't want to screw it up!

Part of reason my husband just kept saying do it. I think he was sick of hearing about my research and endless back and forth. We saw the BLT one bedroom on our trip in May and he was just like “whatever make that happen.”

@DisneyMandC are they doing the Toy Story Land Early Morning Magic during your trip? You might want to consider it.

 

[hsmamato2]

Double check the offer when you login to your account. DH's offer was for 100k points/$5k spend (which we promptly accepted). My offer is for 15k points, BUT THE REQUIRED SPEND IS ONLY $1k. I'm still contemplating.

aha.... I see what you mean here...... for 1k it might be something worth doing..... but I have to time it carefully to utilize the perks....

 

[CyndiLouWho]

yes- when I first checked thru that link with my acct- I had the big offer.now it's offering 15k...... bleh! I will check again but bleh ETA checked again.... it is 15k now. Guess that solves that question for me no thanks.

Look on your online account. My 100k offer was in the account not on the link that was posted. I also got an email offer for 100k.

 

[hsmamato2]

I really like your style. When you can give up a Beach Club reservation during Food and Wine and feel ok about it, that says something doesn't it? And for the record, someone over at the Boardwalk is going to feel the same way for the same reasons. That just made me smile.

I took a deep breath this weekend and I'm feeling a little wistful as I always do when fall rolls around. We all have a lot to be grateful for, don't we? Lotta good memories inside of me. For the first time in a long time... I have 0 trips planned. Feels a little strange, a little good, and a lot right. For now.

Carry on you beautiful people. I sure do enjoy reading you all. And hey.. is @Lain in Hawaii right now??? Awfully nice to live vicariously... while I wait for the spirit to move this wild child somewhere new on some other day.

I've gotten to this point a few times over the past few years of travel..... I still LOVE it, but what with all the deals I was going so much that I wore myself out! Now I'm doing about 2 'bigger' trips per year and that feels right to me.....(most of my friends still think that's a crazy lot of trips lol) I too enjoy reading of other peoples adventures....

 

[amalone1013]

How to Survive a Sunday at work: the Dis, a Mickey rice krispy, and knowing you're making double time.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I don't think you will have a problem using the "Refresh" strategy. We use it and I can't think of time we weren't successful even for tougher situations like party of 9 or FOP.

Is it just 2 of you? I did really well with FP+ when DD19 and I went in august. Getting 2 during the day was so much easier than when we all travel. I even got SDD by refreshing a ton while the plane was taxiing to the gate at MCO. It was for like 10-11am and we landed at 8:30. We made it with time to spare!

I’ve always had great luck going in august. We got FOP no problem last year! I think it’s because we’re going Veterans Day weekend and it’s the last weekend of F&W. We knew that going into it though, so we just take what we can get! I always check back in routinely to see if anything opens up. I’m not confident for SDD but if it doesn’t work out I’ll just rope drop it.

 

[DisneyMandC]

@DisneyMandC are they doing the Toy Story Land Early Morning Magic during your trip? You might want to consider it.

No they aren’t. No EMH or anything. I don’t know if they’ll add anything like that later or not, but currently it’s just 9-8 hours at HS that day. Honestly though I probably wouldn’t spend the extra money for it on this trip since we’re also doing universal. If we can’t get it during a reasonable wait or get FPs later, we’ll be back in 2019

 

[striker1064]

@striker1064 - and anyone else that has a Bank of America card: I was just on the website and noted that they have a free admission feature for certain museums on the first full weekend of each month (they have a calendar for this). For DC it is the Newseum.

Other states have more options. Florida has quite a few, and Tampa has the Florida Aquarium, which is one I may use if the program is still live in January when I am there solo. That will save 24$.

The Newseum is about a $20 savings.

Yeah, it's a great benefit. Last year for DC it was also the Newseum, I guess because there aren't that many paid museums here. A few good ones on free weekends in NYC as well, we did that earlier this year at the Natural History Museum.

 

[pillow]

Any tips on where/when to buy tickets for my mom and I to see the Rockettes in NYC this December? Working on spend on SPG Biz but didn't know if there are any website in particular I should purchase from or any cash back options to look at before I buy. Planning to go Dec. 15 if that makes a difference.

If you book via Ticketmaster, you can get gift cards at both Best Buy and Kroger (not sure if you do the 4x fuel points thing or not). The Ticketmaster site allows you to pay with multiple gift cards. I can't recall the limit off the top of my head though.

 

[Livelovedance]

Disney tickets/passes don't code as travel on the CSP, correct? I'm thinking the best place to purchase is the CFU, but I just want to double check.

 

[tink1970]

Hi everyone! This is an absolutely amazing thread. I've read back a number of pages, checked CardMatch & I have the 100K Amex Platinum offer. I am an AU on an Amex Gold that was originally opened at least 20 years ago. I also have a Chase Disney Visa of my own that was opened about 3 years ago.

However, there are a few questions that I can't seem to find answers to.

1. I live overseas. I can apply with & use my last address in the US to receive cards/statements/etc. My parents will forward my mail to me. I can make the $5K MSR easily but all of the charges would come from overseas. Would this be an issue?

2. I don't think either Amex or Chase offers redemption through JAL/American. Please correct me if I am wrong I am also interested in the Chase Sapphire cards but I'm thinking that I will wait on those & get the Amex now while they're offering 100K.

3. My mom & I are planning a trip to London together next year. I'm hoping to use the 100K MR for a flight to London via Delta, and I'm hoping it will cover both of us in Premium Economy. I currently have 60K Delta points - am I correct in thinking I can transfer the MR to Delta 1:1 when I go to book the flights & therefore could have up to 160K (+ credit from purchases) to use? (I don't think the flights we're looking at would cost 80K each, but you never know.) I realize this might not be the absolute best use of points but it is important to me. My parents paid everything for me up through my undergraduate university & now that I am in grad school with my own income and household, I really want to start contributing when we travel together, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help/answers! My fiance & I just got back from a trip to Hawaii and I really wish I had read here first.

First off, to this thread. It is a wonderful group who do their best to help and share.

I'll try to answer your questions the best I can:

1) Don't know but it's worth a try. If it's been your address of record there may not be a problem. I know I've had my parents added as AUs and the cards sent to my address without issue. I think it's worth a shot for 100 MRs (or skymiles or URs).

2) Chase can indirectly offer redemption on American via their travel portal (which is 1.5 cents/UR if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or 1.25 cents via Chase Sapphire Preferred). If you're interested in Chase Sapphire Products (or really, any chase products) conventional wisdom would say get the Chase cards first since Chase has the infamous 5/24 rule.

3) 100K MRs are great, BUT I would urge you to consider Amex co-branded cards if you just want skymiles. There is currently a 70,000 skymile offer on the American Express Delta Platinum $195 fee, $3,000 spend. Add in a delta gold skymiles card a couple of months later and you'll have anywhere from 100,000-130,000 skymiles (the gold amex offer can range between 30,000-60,000). Also, after the Annual Fee for the skymiles amex plat posts you earn a companion fare which is basically buy one rt ticket take a companion free...so you could fly with your mother somewhere round trip in the US in a year from when you get the card (I keep both the personal and the biz just perk).

The Amex Plat is great and I love it but ...

--it has a $550/AF
--there is a transfer charge to Delta (basically a tax, it's small- $0.0006/mile but still a fee
--there are benefits in the AF that you might not be able to maximize overseas


Finally, Skymiles are tricky. There are no published charts and no seemingly rhyme or reason to what they charge. ComfortPlus can range from 1 way fares to LHR from ATL (I don't know where you're flying from) from 50,000 skymiles to 125,000 skymiles-one person one way. Premium Economy/Select holds stead on Virgin Atlantic at 55,000 skymiles but is often not available or sold out. So having as many skymiles as possible is a good thing.


There are lots of articles on the internet on how to best leverage 100,000 MRs, I encourage you to read them and see if MR currency v. straight skymiles v. Chase URs are the best for you. I fly Delta almost exclusively and I try to keep 300,000 skymiles around "just in case." I also have 600,000 MRs for an aspirational trip. That said, American, United, and URs can get you to London (not sure where you and your mother would be flying from) easily as well.


Hope this helps