I love credit cards so much!

[amalone1013]

Thanks, I will PM you dates!!
The gulch is right down the road from the other hotels you were looking at in the Broadway area. You could even walk if you desired. Not trying to sway one way or another, just giving you an idea of proximity.

I sat on the Gulch hotel too long and now it's gone. Decided to do downtown Courtyard as a backup.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Ok, so I need someone to guide my decision here...

I need return flights from our cruise still. My options are delta at a great time and they do DCL onboard checkin. Or SW at 3:30 and we have 2 Cps but we have to sit around the airport for hours plus the prices are high. SW the following day like we normally do but dec is a crapshoot for a pool day at wdw and I'm not paying $600 for park tickets and 2 hotel rooms too. Frontier is an option, also a late flight at 4pm, but cheap. We will do DCL bus or car service so as not to deal with rental car shuttle at port. That annoys me at just the thought of it. DH hate Dis Springs but he would be happy to do a fishing excursion or something at wdw.

1- book thru delta total 52,500 (not sure how I turn my stash into delta points...I have URs, 14k MRs, marriott, and hilton points)
2- book delta thru UR total 48,879 URs basic economy
3- book delta thru UR total 53,554 URs (2 seats main cabin for me and DD2, and 4 basic Econ)
4- SWRR 72,641
5- Frontier thru UR total 41,280
6- Frontier cash out URs 36,000 (go to airport to purchase to save $19/ticket)

Obviously factor in bag cost for delta and frontier.
I could use the 14k MRs to book 1 seat on the delta flight thru their portal...thus decreasing above URs needed.
I also have the $200 AMEX plat airline credit that could be used somewhere.

Seats avail on the delta plane:

My notes:

I'm leaning delta, for easy of onboard airline luggage/check-in, as well as the better flight time. I just don't know the best way to go about it. We usually go back to disney for the night, but will require 2 rooms then, as DD turns 3 on the cruise. I can't stomach the 72k points for SW I don't think. UUGGHH.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Those are good questions. I'd probably cancel with chase and just take a statement credit later once I knew the final price after discount.

I personally would hesitate to recommend that. I'd give up the discounts with Disney before I'd give up the 1.50x UR option.

• If this trip cost roughly $2,200 it would cost less than 150k URs via your CSR at 1.50x
• The $2,200 is roughly comprised of $700 Hotel/$1,500 Tickets.
• Even if Disney came out with a 30% discount on All Stars (which is unlikey) that would save $210 - the tickets won't be discounted
• So in that scenario they'd have a $2,000 trip which in cash would cost 200k URs (a much larger cost).
• Additionally they have avoided this whole Ticket issue with date based tickets (who knows what that could cost)

@MrsAlexis - Given these facts...I'd probably pay all but $200 in URs right now if I could and maybe leave that to be paid via a gift card. IF they can't change the reservation to the discount due to these factors...that would stink but you're still WAY better off having used URs at 1.50x.

 

[gottalovepluto]

With r/churning going wonky today I got re-messaged the old reply to my advice to that person looking to charge like 3 times their CIP CL on Plastiq and his case was literally a link to the story about Tesla guy doing it Remove all my referrals Reddit bot but do NOT go reminding me “but it worked for Tesla Guy”

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Looking for a bit of input. I was thinking about the new pink AmEx. However I did have the Gold AmEx a few years ago (I think I cancelled it about 2 years ago when I got the Chase CSR). Would this mean that I couldn't get the MR bonus?

Also, I have just received the following cards from Chase (completed the MSR on the Hyatt and almost done the MSR on the other):

• July, 2017: Hyatt (for the 60,000 points)
• September 15, 2018: Ink Business Preferred (for the URs)

Would it be too soon to apply for the pink AmEx (if I could get the bonus MR -- if not I won't consider the card)?

 

[Limes96]

Instant approval on my CSR app today!!! Thanks everyone for the advice and help thus far. More to come I’m sure. But for now...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Instant approval on my CSR app today!!! Thanks everyone for the advice and help thus far. More to come I’m sure. But for now...

Congrats!! It feels like we haven't had enough approval dance parties in here recently. They help me get through the day!

 

[miztressuz]

Instant approval on my CSR app today!!! Thanks everyone for the advice and help thus far. More to come I’m sure. But for now...

It's not a double dip but still feels like a little Woohoo cabbage patch is called for. Not sure why, CSR just needs this dance for me

Congrats!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I personally would hesitate to recommend that. I'd give up the discounts with Disney before I'd give up the 1.50x UR option.

• If this trip cost roughly $2,200 it would cost less than 150k URs via your CSR at 1.50x
• The $2,200 is roughly comprised of $700 Hotel/$1,500 Tickets.
• Even if Disney came out with a 30% discount on All Stars (which is unlikey) that would save $210 - the tickets won't be discounted
• So in that scenario they'd have a $2,000 trip which in cash would cost 200k URs (a much larger cost).
• Additionally they have avoided this whole Ticket issue with date based tickets (who knows what that could cost)

@MrsAlexis - Given these facts...I'd probably pay all but $200 in URs right now if I could and maybe leave that to be paid via a gift card. IF they can't change the reservation to the discount due to these factors...that would stink but you're still WAY better off having used URs at 1.50x.

I just tend to change plans alot and would prioritize flexibility over everything else. It seems that sticking with URs will have a good chance of being less flexible. Maybe they just need to call chase and ask.

 

[Limes96]

It's not a double dip but still feels like a little Woohoo cabbage patch is called for. Not sure why, CSR just needs this dance for me

Congrats!

That’s funny. Was hoping to dd this month, but hey we roll with the punches, right?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I just tend to change plans alot and would prioritize flexibility over everything else. It seems that sticking with URs will have a good chance of being less flexible. Maybe they just need to call chase and ask.

Yeah - I'm assuming they're fairly set with the 4 nights at All Star & 7 day base tickets. Once I finalize my booking, resort, dates at Disney I rarely adjust anything - I have to remember that we all plan differently. If the primary concern here is saving the maximum amount of money and getting the most value out of UR points then perhaps it's worth giving up some flexibility. Also, they certainly can't take away the ability to cancel altogether, the reservation is still refundable and the URs would come back in that instance. And then you could book via cash and go another route if necessary (so in that way, flexibility does still exist).

 

[amalone1013]

Me: I should check the weather in Nashville since it will be Dec 1st. *weather.com shows average high 56 and low 36*
I can wear my cute cold weather clothes???

 

[MrsAlexis]

@SouthFayetteFan @disneymagicgirl @gottalovepluto I appreciate everyone's input on this, this is exactly what I needed for my brain to wrap around everything. I emailed the agent at Connexions and asked what would happen if discounts were announced subsequent to my UR payment. She said they can take advantage of the discount but any refund would be cash (not URs). So that leads me to believe that Connexions will hold my reservation as my TA still, but will no longer be tied to Chase to use points. Her request that I use my UR points now is so they can be applied before Chase/Connexions formally split (I am assuming). I can't give up 1.5X UR on the bulk of my purchase, so I plan to pay $1750 using 1.5X UR, and whatever balance is left in April, I'll payoff using discounted gift cards.

 

[MrsAlexis]

Yeah - I'm assuming they're fairly set with the 4 nights at All Star & 7 day base tickets. Once I finalize my booking, resort, dates at Disney I rarely adjust anything - I have to remember that we all plan differently. If the primary concern here is saving the maximum amount of money and getting the most value out of UR points then perhaps it's worth giving up some flexibility. Also, they certainly can't take away the ability to cancel altogether, the reservation is still refundable and the URs would come back in that instance. And then you could book via cash and go another route if necessary (so in that way, flexibility does still exist).

We are pretty much locked in with those dates, as we are doing split stay at AKL that is booked with nonrefundable rented DVC points. There is a small possibility that we would want to cancel the ASports portion, but I doubt it - my 4 year old would be heartbroken if we didn't stay at Sports. My goal was saving money and using URs just can't be beat.

 

[chattadisser]

@disneymagicgirl My vote would be for Delta for the ease of DCL check-in and not having to sit around for hours. Otherwise to me, it gets too pricey because if your like us when we're at Disney we end up just adding more and more till its a trip in and of itself.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

@SouthFayetteFan @disneymagicgirl @gottalovepluto I appreciate everyone's input on this, this is exactly what I needed for my brain to wrap around everything. I emailed Melissa at Connexions and asked what would happen if discounts were announced subsequent to my UR payment. She said they can take advantage of the discount but any refund would be cash (not URs). So that leads me to believe that Connexions will hold my reservation as my TA still, but will no longer be tied to Chase to use points. Her request that I use my UR points now is so they can be applied before Chase/Connexions formally split (I am assuming). I can't give up 1.5X UR on the bulk of my purchase, so I plan to pay $1750 using 1.5X UR, and whatever balance is left in April, I'll payoff using discounted gift cards.

I think this is some GREAT insight here. This also doesn't sound like good news for those of us hoping this is temporary...Why would Chase stop Connexions from booking new Disney trips but still allow them to handle these existing ones...Well, Maybe because as you said a FORMAL SPLIT may be coming. Connexions will continue to be your agent, but you can't use URs anymore.

I think your plan sounds good.

Now we sit here and hope that if they roll Expedia out to CSR/CIP/CSP that perhaps Disney resorts and/or tickets come back as an option!!

 

[Judique]

View attachment 355833
I'll be happy with a slice of red velvet cheesecake each month. The $10 credit should cover the slice and tip.

Is that like 1500 calories?

Not getting the card right now so won't be tempted. I have a standard order at CF of avocado egg rolls to share and also the sweet corn tamale cakes. Rarely order dessert, but can't keep my fork from trying to taste what my family orders!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

We are pretty much locked in with those dates, as we are doing split stay at AKL that is booked with nonrefundable rented DVC points. There is a small possibility that we would want to cancel the ASports portion, but I doubt it - my 4 year old would be heartbroken if we didn't stay at Sports. My goal was saving money and using URs just can't be beat.

Sounds like if you cancelled you'd get your money back in cash. Did you just uncover a secret way to cash out URs at 1.50x??? LOL! Of course nobody can actually take advantage of it because you'd have to already have a pending Disney Vacation booked through Connexions.

 

[MrsAlexis]

I think this is some GREAT insight here. This also doesn't sound like good news for those of us hoping this is temporary...Why would Chase stop Connexions from booking new Disney trips but still allow them to handle these existing ones...Well, Maybe because as you said a FORMAL SPLIT may be coming. Connexions will continue to be your agent, but you can't use URs anymore.

I think your plan sounds good.

Now we sit here and hope that if they roll Expedia out to CSR/CIP/CSP that perhaps Disney resorts and/or tickets come back as an option!!

Here is her response to my attempt at confirming my assumptions:

Agent
To:Alexis
Oct 4 at 11:54 AM


Yes that sounds right. Mainly the problem is Chase Ultimate Rewards is no longer making any new Disney reservations. Connexions is still expected to be associated with Chase at least till the end of the year.

From: Alexis
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2018 11:51 AM
To: Agent
Subject: Re: Request for a takeover



Thanks for the quick reply! So it sounds like Connexions will still hold my reservation until I travel (and allowing discounts to be applied), but will no longer be associated with Chase, and so will be unable to refund me in URs if I overpay - in that case I'll be reimbursed by check. Does this sound right?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Here is her response to my attempt at confirming my assumptions:

To:Alexis
Oct 4 at 11:54 AM


Yes that sounds right. Mainly the problem is Chase Ultimate Rewards is no longer making any new Disney reservations. Connexions is still expected to be associated with Chase at least till the end of the year.

From: Alexis
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2018 11:51 AM
To: Melissa
Subject: Re: Request for a takeover



Thanks for the quick reply! So it sounds like Connexions will still hold my reservation until I travel (and allowing discounts to be applied), but will no longer be associated with Chase, and so will be unable to refund me in URs if I overpay - in that case I'll be reimbursed by check. Does this sound right?

Thanks for sharing...very interesting indeed!