I love credit cards so much!

[miztressuz]

Different day, different reviewer, same theme: find something to complain about.

Seriously, for the past month, TPG has been running reviews of flights to and from Hawaii, and hotel and resorts in Hawaii — first Maui, Oahu, and now apparently Kauai, and they’ve found the most inane things to complain about in every piece.

Last week was a doozy.

The Royal Hawaiian: It’s too pink! I’m a solo traveler and wish they hadn’t upgraded me to a junior suite when I much rather preferred an ocean view.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village: It’s too big, with too many families with kids, and as a solo traveler, I didn’t feel catered to; they didn’t have my room ready when I showed up an hour before check-in time and then they gave me a dated room with *gasp* two beds!

The Laylow Waikiki: I’m a solo traveler who requested one king bed but got two queens; the hotel is cozy but can get suffocating; my view was of another hotel and it’s not on the beach!

Even the commenters, who are usually TPG Kool-aid drinking cultists called out the reviewer as complaining about everything.

Almost feels like they wanted to point out "negatives" so they don't look like a shill hyping a free trip but have no idea how to actually be objective when writing. Hopefully that works out in favor of others like @gottalovepluto 's point. But whining about trivial details just loses readers... and then you stop getting invited to review trips

 

[Lain]

ROFL!! The Royal Hawaiian was too pink?!! Omg

It’s like... why? how did you pick these places to review? Did she not do any research before her trip? She’s surprised the Pink Palace of the Pacific features a lot of pink? Who complains about too much pink anyway? And the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a family friendly resort, so of course she complains about there being too many families with kids. W.T.F?

 

[mmmears]

It’s like... why? how did you pick these places to review? Did she not do any research before her trip? She’s surprised the Pink Palace of the Pacific features a lot of pink? Who complains about too much pink anyway? And the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a family friendly resort, so of course she complains about there being too many families with kids. W.T.F?

Or like the writer who reviewed DCL and complained that he booked his daughter's makeover at BBB right before they docked at Castaway Cay?

 

[Alice Sr.]

We went to Vero for the first time in late January. it was soooo relaxing! Dh is talking about going back as soon as we can

Oh good! I am even more excited about checking it out. I bought Vero 2 years ago, this will be my 1st stay. I'm taking the whole family in April, we'll have the 3 bedroom Beach Cottage then. I'm am worried about the no see ums on that trip, but we will follow all of the advice and hope for the best.

We have only been to Vero once, but loved it! You may want to keep an eye out on the red tide. The beaches have been closed, but the pool has been open. It affects everyone differently. There is a FB page Disney's Vero Beach Resort Rocks that discusses the resort. Have a great trip!!

I did see that but last I read on the FB site it was anticipated to pass last Saturday. I did not really think there may still be some residual issues so I will check it out again, thanks.

I'll be there Nov 2 to 9. Is the race on Saturday? We will check into BWV that day, and usually some of the races run by the tennis courts on the way from DHS towards Epcot. I'll be watching for you! And cheering you on! Anyone else running that day?

We will be there the 3rd - 10th. I'm going to assume you requested Tennis Courts, lol. I remember a few years back you and I being on a BWV thread about room requests and chatting about our secret favorite standard view. Maybe we will pass each other in the hall.

P2 and I are both running the W&D 5k on 11/2. She's also running the 10k on 11/3. I will be doing no such shenanigans, one is enough for me.

So she's the beauty to your brains good luck to you both.

Oh geez - I hope not. The old portal has generally had great prices for car rentals. I almost always book my car with UR. Ugh.

I did not think of checking out the Chase portal duh. Although, it sounds like I may have missed the boat on better deals with the switch over to Expedia, still worth checking, thanks.

OMG I was not expecting much from Frozen sing a long thing in HS but I have a Frozen craze 2 year old so we went. The “narrators” are great! We ended up watching it twice and the second set of narrators were so funny I was crying! Poor Kristolf could not even speak his lines!
It was also a great break from the heat!

Thanks for this, we might have decided to skip this but the DGD is a little over a year old and digs music and dancing like it's her job. We will make sure we check it out.

Chase doesn’t care what you buy (even gift cards, prepaid cards, and cash equivalents), bill pay services you use, bank accounts you fund, P2P transfers you make, in order to meet their cards’ MSR.

Amex has much more restrictive language in their terms. See Amex Updates Terms to Exclude Peer Payments, Cash Equivalents, & Amex GC from Earning Points.

In practice, you can still use a lot of methods that might seem to fall into these restrictive categories to meet an Amex MSR.

Plastiq payments count towards Amex MSRs, provided you can get your payment through Plastiq's restrictive terms for paying with Amex. I use Plastiq all the time to help hit my Amex MSRs.

A few days ago, I noted:

PayPal payments to merchants are fine and count towards Amex MSRs.

PayPal P2P payments to friends & family are fine too and typically don’t pose a problem with counting towards Amex MSR. I’ve made donations to my daughter’s school/pto with my Amex while trying to meet MSR using the friends & family option (to avoid the recipient incurring the fees), and the payments counted towards MSR, with no problem from the RATs.

The only instance I’ve seen Amex RATs have a problem with PayPal P2P payments is when you use PayPal to pay someone who shares the same address as you.

DPs say Venmo payments count towards Amex MSRs too.

You can usually buy third-party/merchant gift cards, prepaid gift cards like Gift of College, Visa and MasterCard gift cards, and have them count towards Amex MSR -- but to be safe, DO NOT BUY THESE FROM RETAILERS THAT PROVIDE AMEX WITH LEVEL 3 DATA. Office supply stores like Staples/Office Depot/Office Max are notorious for sharing L3 data, which discloses everything you bought in your transaction (so if you bought GCs, Amex will be able to see that and could deny you points or not count that spend towards MSR). Grocery stores and home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, which sell gift cards, generally do not share L3 data. I don't think Walgreens, CVS, Target, or Walmart share L3 data either.

However, even when merchants don't share L3 data with Amex, what you buy could still be a dead giveaway to Amex that you bought what they may consider cash equivalents. A lot of VGCs, MCGCs, and the GOC GCs have $5.95 activation fees. If you buy only a $500 VGC/MCGC/GOC GC with a $5.95 fee, and the total charge on your statement is $505.95, the Amex RATs don't have to think hard to guess what you bought, and they may not award points for, or count that transaction towards MSR or spending bonuses. So it's advised to throw these cards in with your regular shopping so your charges aren't some obvious amount that flashes gift cards.

Ah, the data level share is what @kmc8826 was specifically warning me about (re: purchasing BJ Disney GC's / amex gold spend), that part went over my head, I didn't know L3 data sharing was a thing. It's not worth the chance, between the grocery delivery to the villa and dinner in WDW next week the $2k should be pretty easy. Thanks for this info!

 

[amalone1013]

Wishbone! I used to watch that show with my kids (now 25 and 23), but only the 25yo can remember it. I think they did either Hamlet or Macbeth too

Wishbone! I used to have some books. I also had this awesome 5th grade teacher and every Friday we ended the day with a Wishbone episode.

 

[Alexle2007]

Our 11 year old likes the Wings of Fire series.

ETA: And now that I've read through the rest of the thread, I see that he's already read those!

Yep, DS loves this series! Which led to him reading The Menagerie and the other 2 books in that series by Tui T Sutherland. Masterminds by Gordon Korman was another of his favorite series.

 

[amalone1013]

I had a few new restaurant AMEX offers this morning. $10 off $30 at Macaroni Grill, Rock Bottom, Gordon Biersch... I see split tabs in my future.

Also had $10 back on $20 up to two times through Exxon Mobil Speedpass app. I had it on all of my cards (SPG personals, lux, biz, and Hilton biz) but should stack nicely with 10% back SPG Biz offer plus 4x pts on gas. Then 3% back on Dosh. Guess I'll finally have a reason to drag DH over to the inconvenient Exxon station. 4 times even since I put it on both of our biz cards. It's good until Dec 26th.

DH filled up the other night. He called me before to ask if I had points or anything, but I didn't so I told him wherever. He chose his favorite station, the non-chain one. Then yesterday he told me about how much better his vehicle is performing

 

[Luvdancink]

So I had saved 450K chase UR points for our Disney trip that isn't until Feb 2020. I'm booking for our immediate family as well as for the grandparents as a gift. I also have 500K Marriott points that I've accumulated as well as a bunch of southwest points for airfare. I've been out of the loop for a few weeks on here, but it looks like the UR are now a Disney no go? Suggestions on the best use of what I have? My issue is the need for on site (or at least Minnie van accessible) transportation as I have a kiddo with special needs who will at minimum be carseat requiring, but may need wheelchair ability. Suggestions on how to make best use of what I have, and suggestions on other options to begin accruing? I am currently 5/25 and probably amex maxed this year from the Marriott/SPG situation. We don't travel much due to our little one and her needs. (I am that annoying person sitting on a SW companion pass that has made ZERO trips this year!)

 

[palhockeymomof2]

So I had saved 450K chase UR points for our Disney trip that isn't until Feb 2020. I'm booking for our immediate family as well as for the grandparents as a gift. I also have 500K Marriott points that I've accumulated as well as a bunch of southwest points for airfare. I've been out of the loop for a few weeks on here, but it looks like the UR are now a Disney no go? Suggestions on the best use of what I have? My issue is the need for on site (or at least Minnie van accessible) transportation as I have a kiddo with special needs who will at minimum be carseat requiring, but may need wheelchair ability. Suggestions on how to make best use of what I have, and suggestions on other options to begin accruing? I am currently 5/25 and probably amex maxed this year from the Marriott/SPG situation. We don't travel much due to our little one and her needs. (I am that annoying person sitting on a SW companion pass that has made ZERO trips this year!)

I would hold on to what you have for now since your trip is in 2020 and we don’t know if at some point Disney will become available again.

If they don’t you could transfer points to SW if you need more SW RR points to book flights or put Disney on whatever Chase card you have that codes travel the highest then uses URs as a statement credit

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We used Above and Beyond Alaska in Juneau, too! The glacier hike was the best excursion of our cruise

This is the hike we did https://beyondak.com/trips/mendenhall-glacier-trek/

Unfortunately I have physical limitations that won’t allow me to do strenuous hikes

 

[Oscar Madison]

PayPal P2P payments to friends & family are fine too and typically don’t pose a problem with counting towards Amex MSR. I’ve made donations to my daughter’s school/pto with my Amex while trying to meet MSR using the friends & family option (to avoid the recipient incurring the fees), and the payments counted towards MSR, with no problem from the RATs.

So I could send $1000 to my P2's PP account and she could withdraw the money back into her checking account, and this works for AMEX MSR?

 

[disneybirds]

I did see that but last I read on the FB site it was anticipated to pass last Saturday. I did not really think there may still be some residual issues so I will check it out again, thanks.

Here was the update from yesterday :

S: Indian River County red tide update for October 25.
Indian River County is still experiencing red tide conditions. All beaches in Indian River County will remain closed until further notice. Additional information, including maps of projected 3-day clean-up zones, will be available shortly by clicking on this link: http://calendar.ircgov.com/alerts/

Regardless of the red tide, I hope you have an awesome trip!

 

[1st*toright]

More specific follow-up post: American Express Incognito Mode Offers Now Available On Referral Links.

Like you pointed out, this trick made its way onto reddit earlier this week. Some blogger was bound to write about it.

And I still can't get the 75k to pop up for me, incognito or no....

Yep, DS loves this series! Which led to him reading The Menagerie and the other 2 books in that series by Tui T Sutherland. Masterminds by Gordon Korman was another of his favorite series.

Ooooo - Gordan Korman! He's great - I really like everything I've read by him.

 

[1st*toright]

So, I wasn't able to pull up the Amex Plat 75k offer (even though I tried a bunch of referral links in incognito), so I forgot my plan and decided to apply for the CIC for myself. Yeah, I was supposed to do that app for DH, not me. I'm a little less than 60 days from my last chase app. I got a "we need more time to consider your application" message - no time frame listed. Good? Bad? Its the first one I haven't gotten instant approval for.

Oh, the email says 30 days.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Different day, different reviewer, same theme: find something to complain about.

Seriously, for the past month, TPG has been running reviews of flights to and from Hawaii, and hotels and resorts in Hawaii — first Maui, Oahu, and now apparently Kauai, and they’ve picked the most inane things to complain about in every piece.

Last week was a doozy.

The Royal Hawaiian: It’s too pink! I’m a solo traveler and wish they hadn’t upgraded me to a junior suite when I much rather preferred an ocean view.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village: It’s too big, with too many families with kids, and as a solo traveler, I didn’t feel catered to; they didn’t have my room ready when I showed up an hour before check-in time and then they gave me a dated room with *gasp* two beds!

The Laylow Waikiki: I’m a solo traveler who requested one king bed but got two queens; the hotel is cozy but can get suffocating; my view was of another hotel and it’s not on the beach!

Even the commenters, who are usually TPG Kool-aid drinking cultists called out the reviewer as complaining about everything.

Those reviews were insane! I love how she was like "I left the door closed to the living room part of the suite because it felt so big." WTH? It was super bizarre.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I had a few new restaurant AMEX offers this morning. $10 off $30 at Macaroni Grill, Rock Bottom, Gordon Biersch... I see split tabs in my future.

Also had $10 back on $20 up to two times through Exxon Mobil Speedpass app. I had it on all of my cards (SPG personals, lux, biz, and Hilton biz) but should stack nicely with 10% back SPG Biz offer plus 4x pts on gas. Then 3% back on Dosh. Guess I'll finally have a reason to drag DH over to the inconvenient Exxon station. 4 times even since I put it on both of our biz cards. It's good until Dec 26th.

DH filled up the other night. He called me before to ask if I had points or anything, but I didn't so I told him wherever. He chose his favorite station, the non-chain one. Then yesterday he told me about how much better his vehicle is performing

I had the Exxon deal on my SPG Biz and on DH's Delta card. I'm still getting 10% back from Exxon on my Hilton Biz through the end of November too! I had the spend $50 get $25 back at Plated deal on both of those cards too, so I added that. I still need to place my Boxed order.

 

[amalone1013]

I had the Exxon deal on my SPG Biz and on DH's Delta card. I'm still getting 10% back from Exxon on my Hilton Biz through the end of November too! I had the spend $50 get $25 back at Plated deal on both of those cards too, so I added that. I still need to place my Boxed order.

I've been hoping that there will be a swagbucks deal with plated to use that offer...

 

[WVMomof3]

Haven't read anything since yesterday morning but just wanted to share a few things...

On the Alamo and skip the counter - I did my Alamo through the UR portal on points. I logged in yesterday and had the option to Check in online. I thought that meant skip the counter - nope. Directions said go to Counter. They said you can not skip the counter unless you book directly through the Alamo website. And @SouthFayetteFan you definitely have to have the driver and the credit card the same name. Though it sounded like if you paid with URs, it didn't matter what card you showed them, just any card in your name. I listened to the people check in next to us and they had this issue. The husband had no credit card (say what?? lol) and the wife did but didn't want to drive. They said they would have to pay $15/day extra driver fee. Then the agent said since this is prepaid if you have a debit card in husbands name that will be fine. Good thing for them, it sounded like they were having the car for several weeks.

I told my DH we needed to apply for SW on one of our 3 flights this week. As soon as we took off he was on the app looking at the options. lol We had choice of 50,000 points for the $69 card or the $149 card. We went for the $149 card and got instant approval. I was a little worried because right before we left I added up his CLs with chase and realized he was right at 50%. I knew I didn't have time to lower them so I did not. He was approved with his highest limit at the moment.

 

[JaxDad]

Hi! Mr. Newbie has returned with more questions! Since my last visit, I have successfully obtained a Capital One card and a Chase Sapphire Preferred card. I met the bonus requirements for the Capital One card and will do so for the Chase card after I pay for some car maintenance today.

Here is my question. How do I now make air reservatons, since I am using two different cards? Do I buy them separately, then work with the airline to make sure we are seated together? I will be buying three tickets for next summer. The destination is not locked yet, but it will likely be Salt Lake City or Anchorage. I appreciate any assistance. If you could keep the acronyms to a minimum, I would appreciate it! I don't yet fully speak the thread lingo!

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

What’s your focus? It seems you’re focus is to maximize your cashback with each purchase. If that’s it I’m going to push back and say you’ll get much better bang for buck sock drawering most all of your cards and working on minimum spends to get bonuses. Like the A+, useless as an everyday card but sweet bonus!

At 4/25 my biggest concern is do you want anymore Chase cards that fall under 5/24? Have a CIC in the arsenal for 5% cashback at office supply stores? Just be certain before you leap to 5/24. A+ is rumored to have a 6/24 so I’d prioritize that when you’re done with Chase.

I guess I’m not 100% sure what my focus should be. I have tons of Marriott points and over 100k URs coming soon. I just got JB biz so will have a bunch of those miles. I have some SW miles and a CP. I was planning to earmark DH for the CP for 2020-21. Now I’m not certain it’s really the best bang for our buck. We only used it once this year for a quick flight that would have cost $100 and then we are going to Orlando in Feb but the flight wasn’t a lot either maybe 14K RRs. Will try for a trip or two in the fall. But the boost to our RR account was awesome so may go that route.
I am 4/24 going to go for CIC before I go for a personal. Then I’ll be 4/24 again in March if I get arrival + soon. I like the idea of working on MSRs and sockdrawing but I have a lot of AF cards and it seems like most biz cards come with that. I’ll prob do the BBP next with self referral after CIC... also nervous amex will pop up on me too...