I love credit cards so much!

[afan]

Nov. 10-11. Honestly I'm expecting long lines since we're going over a holiday weekend. We'll just make do or buy passes though. I figure we have two days and last time we went to USO was 10 years ago and only for one day and we still got A LOT done. And that was about 4 days before Christmas.

I've only ever been during the week. I would imagine Sat/Sun would be busy but as long as you rope drop I think you'll be good. We got a lot done that way. Our biggest issue on one of the days was we were ready to take the train from USO to Studios but it was down so we had to walk all the way back through the park and over to Studios.

@tink1970 Thinking about you this morning and praying for all those in your area!

Me too! Watching the storm coverage on tv, it looks crazy. Hope you all stay safe.


Oh and my magic bands are here, yay! Now I feel better. I miss the old Incredibles box though, this new smaller box is a good size but boring.

 

[platamama]

Ok Spg/Marriot..... can I still pool points between household members? I can't find a way to do it on the new site....

up to 50k i believe now.
although there are ways around it. ymmv.

100K per year.

 

[Albort]

100K per year.

View attachment 357331

ahh, 100k it is!
ive read of a way around it though... lol

 

[DisneyMandC]

I've only ever been during the week. I would imagine Sat/Sun would be busy but as long as you rope drop I think you'll be good. We got a lot done that way. Our biggest issue on one of the days was we were ready to take the train from USO to Studios but it was down so we had to walk all the way back through the park and over to Studios.

Yeah, we'll definitely be rope dropping. I don't know if I should head straight to Harry Potter first thing or what? Any thoughts (from anybody here)? It's honestly been so long since we've been I really need to look stuff up. A ton has changed since we were there.

 

[amalone1013]

It looks like it would be around the same cost for:

• Gas to drive home for a weekend, 16hrs RT
• Fly to LNK with United using 20k URs transferred, rent a car, and fly home from OMA with SW using 6600 RRs, which would be around 8hrs total travel time including time spent getting to/waiting at the airport

Flights to LNK are only 10k each, but the flights home are 22k each right now. I looked on the UR portal because cash price is $220pp home, but the flight I want doesn't come up on there. Only one does, and it's leaving at 6am vs 6pm, so I don't want to do that.

Flying from OMA is an 8:30pm flight. It's an extra hour of travel to the travel time to drive up there, but it means 8-9hrs of visiting vs no visiting on a 6am flight. Plus I'd be booking with RRs, so if by chance the later LNK flight went to 10k points or showed up on the UR portal, I could switch.

Need to check with DH tonight and with family to make sure it works. I'd have to book the United flight by tomorrow night to avoid the $75 close in booking fee.

 

[afan]

Yeah, we'll definitely be rope dropping. I don't know if I should head straight to Harry Potter first thing or what? Any thoughts (from anybody here)? It's honestly been so long since we've been I really need to look stuff up. A ton has changed since we were there.

Yes, go to HP first. The only things that have lines that I saw really long were the Hulk, but again had just opened from the rebuild refurb and Minions, but even it wasn't that bad. There's really not anything new and exciting there to most people except HP. Plus it can get crowded so even if you just want to look around go early. I'm not a HP fan and it was the one area that the crowd got to me, more in USO because it seems like once you are in HP there's less place for you to go. And the lockers there are so cramped and crowded.

 

[Haley R]

Thanks...good to know...the trips are in December....and March so plenty of time for prices to hopefully drop

We are going next may/June and booked one of our Japan hotels through chase. I might start to watch it and see if prices change. I didn’t even think about the price going down at all but it would make sense as it gets closer.

 

[hsmamato2]

up to 50k i believe now.
although there are ways around it. ymmv.

ok I will start researching that. altho I can just use Dh's acct like I did with spg back in the day,right? or are there rules about names etc on the room vs the acct usage?

 

[mmmears]

@Lain Thank you for taking the time to write your response to me. From what we were seeing last night, the SPG Lux looked much better than the Marriott, but it's good to see others thoughts on it. Also very helpful to know the "rules" for the cards. As for your note about going for Chase Ink first, yes, that is part of the plan.


I'm working on writing our ideas/long term plan in some format that makes sense and I'd love your thoughts (and everyone else's thoughts, too) on it.

 

[mmmears]

OK, hivemind, I am asking for advice, understanding that things change (I'm looking at YOU Chase). Any insight would be appreciated. DH and I finally went through all the cards we could see out there that we might want to look into and these are the ones that really appealed to us. We are cautious by nature, and also need to cut back on some spending, so we won't be rushing into any of this.

Background is that we each have 2 dumb store cards that will be over 24 months in (1) March/April and (2) July of 2019.

Goal is to keep building our MR stash so we can fly comfortably overseas again, while also getting some Chase or hotel points so we don't spend a ton on hotels (which we did this last trip).

This is what looked good to us, but we can be flexible if there is a better way. P2's #3, #4, and #5 are iffy at best. And we have to take MSR into account.


P2 (currently at 4/5 until March or April 2019)


1) Chase Ink – apply for the CIP now and try to change it to a CIC in one year (after looking carefully this combo seems to max out the benefits for us with our spending habits).

2) AMEX SPG Lux – we have an offer that expires early Dec. for 125K bonus points.

3) Chase Hyatt – we would like the Hyatt points

4) AMEX – Hilton Aspire (or other Hilton) – again we would like the points.

5) AMEX Plat Business - if we could get the 100K but that 10K MSR is what's stopping us from trying so far



P1 (currently at 3/5 until March or April 2019)


1) AMEX gold – would like it for the grocery MRs, plus will pay for itself basically (would like to get this in 2018)

2) CSP – using a referral from P2 (assuming we can still combine the points).


thanks in advance! :

 

[palhockeymomof2]

OK, hivemind, I am asking for advice, understanding that things change (I'm looking at YOU Chase). Any insight would be appreciated. DH and I finally went through all the cards we could see out there that we might want to look into and these are the ones that really appealed to us. We are cautious by nature, and also need to cut back on some spending, so we won't be rushing into any of this.

Background is that we each have 2 dumb store cards that will be over 24 months in (1) March/April and (2) July of 2019.

Goal is to keep building our MR stash so we can fly comfortably overseas again, while also getting some Chase or hotel points so we don't spend a ton on hotels (which we did this last trip).

This is what looked good to us, but we can be flexible if there is a better way. P2's #3, #4, and #5 are iffy at best. And we have to take MSR into account.


P2 (currently at 4/5 until March or April 2019)


1) Chase Ink – apply for the CIP now and try to change it to a CIC in one year (after looking carefully this combo seems to max out the benefits for us with our spending habits).

2) AMEX SPG Lux – we have an offer that expires early Dec. for 125K bonus points.

3) Chase Hyatt – we would like the Hyatt points

4) AMEX – Hilton Aspire (or other Hilton) – again we would like the points.

5) AMEX Plat Business - if we could get the 100K but that 10K MSR is what's stopping us from trying so far



P1 (currently at 3/5 until March or April 2019)


1) AMEX gold – would like it for the grocery MRs, plus will pay for itself basically (would like to get this in 2018)

2) CSP – using a referral from P2 (assuming we can still combine the points).


thanks in advance! :

I’m not familiar with Amex...so I’ll leave that to others..

for Chase...I like your plan to get P2 the CIP...the 80,000URs are a great start for booking hotel rooms....

Random thoughts to earn you more URs
would P2 be open to closing the CIP after a year...so he could get the 50,000 UR bonus opening up a new CIC ?

Would you be willing to open a CIP from P2s referral....this would give you an additional 100,000URs

 

[mamathompson]

Plastiq refused my payment for renting DVC points. They said it is against their terms to pay for vacations. PayPal is going to cost me quite a bit, which leaves me having to pay cash and not earn any points/work towards my MSR.

 

[Alexle2007]

Yeah, we'll definitely be rope dropping. I don't know if I should head straight to Harry Potter first thing or what? Any thoughts (from anybody here)? It's honestly been so long since we've been I really need to look stuff up. A ton has changed since we were there.

Are you staying onsite and doing early entry or rope dropping when the park opens to everyone?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Plastiq refused my payment for renting DVC points. They said it is against their terms to pay for vacations. PayPal is going to cost me quite a bit, which leaves me having to pay cash and not earn any points/work towards my MSR.

No vacations!? Isn’t the whole point to pay bills you can’t otherwise pay with a card? That’s so frustrating. I’m sorry.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Are you staying onsite and doing early entry or rope dropping when the park opens to everyone?

Rope dropping when it opens. We're staying at the Doubletree right across from the park.

 

[Lain]

OK, hivemind, I am asking for advice, understanding that things change (I'm looking at YOU Chase). Any insight would be appreciated. DH and I finally went through all the cards we could see out there that we might want to look into and these are the ones that really appealed to us. We are cautious by nature, and also need to cut back on some spending, so we won't be rushing into any of this.

Background is that we each have 2 dumb store cards that will be over 24 months in (1) March/April and (2) July of 2019.

Goal is to keep building our MR stash so we can fly comfortably overseas again, while also getting some Chase or hotel points so we don't spend a ton on hotels (which we did this last trip).

This is what looked good to us, but we can be flexible if there is a better way. P2's #3, #4, and #5 are iffy at best. And we have to take MSR into account.


P2 (currently at 4/5 until March or April 2019)


1) Chase Ink – apply for the CIP now and try to change it to a CIC in one year (after looking carefully this combo seems to max out the benefits for us with our spending habits).

2) AMEX SPG Lux – we have an offer that expires early Dec. for 125K bonus points.

3) Chase Hyatt – we would like the Hyatt points

4) AMEX – Hilton Aspire (or other Hilton) – again we would like the points.

5) AMEX Plat Business - if we could get the 100K but that 10K MSR is what's stopping us from trying so far



P1 (currently at 3/5 until March or April 2019)


1) AMEX gold – would like it for the grocery MRs, plus will pay for itself basically (would like to get this in 2018)

2) CSP – using a referral from P2 (assuming we can still combine the points).


thanks in advance! :

Just a few quick notes:

1. I thought P2 (DH?) just got an Amex Gold that'll make him 5/24 in less than two months (unless I got my count wrong)?

2. If P2's 4/24 includes the new Amex Gold, then:

a. The CIP would not add to P2's */24 count. The CIP has a $5k MSR, which could keep you busy for a month or two.

b. If P2 applies for the SPG Lux 125k offer in early December, that's another $5k MSR. Amex will not report the SPG Lux until the close of the second monthly statement. While the SPG Lux will add to P2's */24 count, it probably won't show up and make him 5/24 until early February 2019.

c. Now P2 is at 5/24, but with the store card dropping off just a month or two later and bringing him back down to 4/24 in March/April 2019. This could open up the possibility of another one of Chase's 5/24-rule cards.

d. P2 could bide his time at 5/24, waiting to drop back down to 4/24, with an Amex business card (subject to whatever has a best offer at the time) or with P1 (you) taking your turn at a new card, and then when he's back at 4/24, could go for the CIC for 50k UR, if that offer is still available. You mentioned P2 possibly downgrading his CIP to CIC. Downgrading will save you another annual fee, but won't get you another signup bonus. Applying for the CIC directly will get you a signup bonus, and you can just close the CIP if you want when its year is up (or product change that to a CIU).

e. Then get the Chase Hyatt sometime over 5/24.​

A few more thoughts.

1. In planning out your cards, look at it as a roadmap with enough flexibility for detours. New cards come out, other cards are discontinued, signup offers go up to historical highs, and drop back down again.

2. Your plan for P2 assumes certain offers will remain available. For example, the Hilton Aspire is up to 150k Hilton Honors points, but not too long ago it was offering only 100k and will probably drop back down to 100k at some point. When you're ready to apply, the 150k offer may not be available. And because Amex welcome offers are generally once per lifetime, you'll want to apply only when the offer is at or near its historical best. Similarly, I've seen at least one DP recently where someone said they called in for the Biz Plat offer and was told the 100k MR offer wasn't available, only a 75k MR/$20k MSR offer was available (I don't know if they called into some general call center, or a direct line into the Phoenix call center that was giving out the 100k MR offers). If these cards aren't available with their historical high offers, what then? Keep an eye out for alternatives that fit into your overall strategy.

3. I see P2 is missing the SPG Personal card, which I mentioned is rumored to be discontinued in early 2019. If P2 goes for the SPG Lux and earns those 125k Marriott points, what then? That's 2-3 award nights at a decent to nice Starriott hotel. If you'd like to build your Marriott points stash, think about going all in with the SPG Personal before it's discontinued, and the SPG Biz (as long as the offer is at or about 100k Marriott points). The SPG Biz will not add to P2's */24 count and will keep you guys busy for a while with its $5k MSR. The SPG Personal will add to P2's */24 count, but again Amex will typically take about 2 months to report the opening of this new account, so if you have any business with Chase you can work that delay in reporting into your plans.

 

[Lain]

Plastiq refused my payment for renting DVC points. They said it is against their terms to pay for vacations. PayPal is going to cost me quite a bit, which leaves me having to pay cash and not earn any points/work towards my MSR.

Do you have a CIP? Will the DVC member accept Venmo? Venmo is owned by PayPal, is a similar P2P payment service to PayPal, charges a 3% fee for credit card payments, but earns 3x UR on the payment and fee when using a CIP.

 

[wendow]

Plastiq refused my payment for renting DVC points. They said it is against their terms to pay for vacations. PayPal is going to cost me quite a bit, which leaves me having to pay cash and not earn any points/work towards my MSR.

Were you trying to pay a broker, like David's, or was the plastiq payment to an individual? I don't think plastiq allows any payments to individuals.

There would have been a fee with plastiq too, right? You just need to decide how beneficial getting this spend towards a MSR would be, and if the paypal fee is worth that. If you are limited in ways to meet the MSR, the paypal fee may definitely be worth it.

 

[Limes96]

I have a question...the CSR has a perk for membership in the Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection. I’d like to use this next summer for a hotel on a road trip to Quebec. Can I use UR’s to pay for this (2 nights) or do we have to book through the Luxury portal and pay with the CSR?

 

[tink1970]

I woke up to it being cat 4! Where did that come from!? Stay safe tink!

king about you this morning and praying for all those in your area!

Thanks y'all! So far, a little rain and some wind gusts but nothing like what they're showing on the news. Unfortunately, the area where it made landfall is close to DH's work and where he lives throughout the workweek so we have no idea what he'll return to next week. I am sick when I think of everything his co-workers may experience over the next several weeks to months (post Ivan it took our area a good year or more to recover). I have friends working in a shelter in Tallahassee and am concerned about them, too. Prayers help!

@disneymagicgirl- I don't know what to say about next week. The beaches could be fine or they could still be full of junk. Obviously with thousands of people out of power and with roads needing to be cleared, cleaning the beaches won't be first priority. It could be lovely here by early next week (or FWB) or it could be still gross. Honestly, I'd probably go somewhere else (although Chicago sounds cold to me right now!). If I'm able to get out there later this week I can let you know how Pensacola Beach fared, if you'd like.