I love credit cards so much!

[trenty]

Flights. But that’s why I’ll be investigating before my next card. Not sure how to use MRs and what they’re good for besides flights.

MRs transfer to hotels - Hilton, Choice, and Marriot/SPG

You can also use the points to get gift cards and to pay your charges (not the best use of points; I have never done that).

 

[hsmamato2]

Yes and yes

Sorry to ask again but how do I keep trackof that free night(don't have any yet) would that be on my card upcoming anniversary? so I should expect to see that in my acct when it passes? I have two cards in my name,diff acct dates- so I should have two diff nights dropped in at those times? (and good for year?) what's the best way to see what hotels in that category are even available? ---ETA---- If I opened my SPG biz last March, will I get a free night on this one? OR no? what's the open date for getting the free night?

 

[570traveler]

Which card company? I think more than one has AA miles. Sounds like an excellent deal. But, you will need to supply a few more details for the air experts.

It’s a Barclay card.

 

[pillow]

Ohh would love to hear any recommendations on Napa...is on our bucket list

So fun! I'm happy to answer any questions, but my knowledge is limited since we were only there for a few days. My friend picked up the hotel since she has an excessive number of Marriott points, so I let her do the planning on this one (she invited me out since she was already out there for a conference). I would also like to explore Sonoma since I've never been. I love pinot noir, which isn't made in Napa, so I would probably also venture over to the Russian River Valley too.

 

[elgerber]

Hh ascend that he just upgrade to recently

Ok, thanks! I closed our Ascends, so I won't bother to look for it

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'm definitely not a super AA user but that sounds like a great deal...if I'm understanding it, 60,500 for $95 AF and 1 purchase? Yep, that's pretty good!

Rates for domestic airlines come out 330 days prior so that's when if I were you I'd start stalking fares. I just did a quick search for PHL-MCO 11-19 to 11-24 (Monday-Sat of this year's Thanksgiving since next year's is out) and RT for 1 person is 25,000. Better yet, available still. If you wanted different dates a 1 person RT could range from 25,000-100,000. Best advice, start fare stalking in Dec.

Safe to guess the AF will post a year after the first one, but I'm sure there's a more specific explanation somewhere.

There are definitely AA experts here like @calypso726 who will hopefully chime in!

@570traveler i agree. Great deal on the miles. I book 330 days out, one way. Then when the route home opens, I book that. I check the website frequently on the weeks up to my dates opening to get an idea what to expect. Then in the day flights open, I am on early. Cheapest flights are generally 12500 each wayang economy. I grab what I can and put them on hold, they will hold a point booking for 5 days. Then I keep looking to see if something better opens up.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I am getting ready to book our first flights using UR's. Booking 8 round trip tickets. Should I transfer my husband's URs to my account first or book some using each account?

Do you all want to be on the same reservation? Need to make one booking then so the URs will have to be in one account.

 

[gottalovepluto]

@570traveler i agree. Great deal on the miles. I book 330 days out, one way. Then when the route home opens, I book that. I check the website frequently on the weeks up to my dates opening to get an idea what to expect. Then in the day flights open, I am on early. Cheapest flights are generally 12500 each wayang economy. I grab what I can and put them on hold, they will hold a point booking for 5 days. Then I keep looking to see if something better opens up.

Wait- AA will hold an award booking for 5 days? Is this all non-partner award bookings?

 

[Alice Sr.]

Bought my 1st Happy card yesterday when I was at Kroger’s (4xfuel pnts) with AMEX gold. Heading over to HD to get Disney GCs. If I get 2 x $50 (also getting a space heater) and pay at self serve with Happy am I going to have to show an ID?

 

[Calfan]

In case this is helpful to others who are planning to apply for a SW personal card in-flight for the 50K bonus offer..I decided to go ahead and apply for DH last night on our flight down to the Bay Area just in case I had any technical difficulties, so I would have another chance on our return flight tomorrow. Very glad I did because it wassn’t super easy to get the 50K offer to come up. I waited until we were about 20 minutes into the flight to try. I had no problem connecting with the SW WiFi, but I just kept getting the standard 40K offer. I was on my ipad so using Safari, but tried both regular mode and private mode. Closed and opened Safari a few times, and only the 40K offer would come up. I asked the flight attendants whether there was a trick to getting the 50K offer to pop up but they were pretty clueless (very friendly, but clueless). I kept playing around, and then somehow the 50K offer just miraculously showed up. My theory is that while I was on SW WiFi the whole time, it took a certain amount of time for my browser to recognize it or something. Once the offer popped up, i had no problems applying for DH, and he got an instant approval! (I did take multiple screen shots of all of the 50K offer language just in case there is any question later about what offer he applied under.). So if you are on a long enoug flight, I’d suggest waiting until about 40 minutes into the flight or so to try to pull the offer up, and just to keep trying if all you get is 40K at first. Not sure what others have experienced....

 

[gottalovepluto]

Question about AA miles...
We just got off an AA flight that offered 60,000 miles with any purchase in 90 days (and paying the $95 fee) plus 500 additional for applying in flight. My husband and I both applied as it seemed like a super deal...hoping that’s the case.
We want to use the miles next thanksgiving. Airline mile redemption is totally new to us...so I’m wondering if the flights around the holidays will be more (pamphlet said 12,500 domestic)??? Also can these points be transferrred to any other airline in case we can’t find what we need? We’d be flying from MDT, ABE or PHL to MCO if that makes any difference.
Second...would would our yearly fee for next year post? Is it one year from when we are approved?
Thanks!

That is a sweet deal on AA miles. Since you’re traveling over a holiday I can’t imagine you’ll find Econ flights at saver level of 12.5k. Savers are hard to find any time of year. I’d plan on the flights being AAnytime Level 2 flights (30k each way) and be happy if you find something cheaper. One of the advantage to AAnytime is you can pick your favorite flight from all the flights they have open so you can book any AA flight you want.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/redeem/award-travel/flight-award-chart.jsp

 

[gottalovepluto]

Bought my 1st Happy card yesterday when I was at Kroger’s (4xfuel pnts) with AMEX gold. Heading over to HD to get Disney GCs. If I get 2 x $50 (also getting a space heater) and pay at self serve with Happy am I going to have to show an ID?

Wouldn’t think so, I’ve never had to show ID at self-checkout anywhere unless I buy alcohol.

 

[gottalovepluto]

RE the Alamo/UR points bookings....is this something new with the big changes? I have an Alamo res. and I checked in online a few weeks back,maybe in Sept(?) I can see my printed ticket etc that I checked in online,and it's already 'paid' in full using UR points(made the res back in the spring) so what does this mean? I'm going to try to avoid the counter when we get to OGG, but if we have to wait in line I'm not anticipating any problems...should I be?

You sound better than me. I think the problems/maybe not problems/nobody knows wth is happening, started when Expedia took over for new bookings... Just the fact that you checked in & have been able to print off that you checked in puts you better than I was doing. Did you sign up to Skip The Counter when you checked in?

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

In case this is helpful to others who are planning to apply for a SW personal card in-flight for the 50K bonus offer..I decided to go ahead and apply for DH last night on our flight down to the Bay Area just in case I had any technical difficulties, so I would have another chance on our return flight tomorrow. Very glad I did because it wassn’t super easy to get the 50K offer to come up. I waited until we were about 20 minutes into the flight to try. I had no problem connecting with the SW WiFi, but I just kept getting the standard 40K offer. I was on my ipad so using Safari, but tried both regular mode and private mode. Closed and opened Safari a few times, and only the 40K offer would come up. I asked the flight attendants whether there was a trick to getting the 50K offer to pop up but they were pretty clueless (very friendly, but clueless). I kept playing around, and then somehow the 50K offer just miraculously showed up. My theory is that while I was on SW WiFi the whole time, it took a certain amount of time for my browser to recognize it or something. Once the offer popped up, i had no problems applying for DH, and he got an instant approval! (I did take multiple screen shots of all of the 50K offer language just in case there is any question later about what offer he applied under.). So if you are on a long enoug flight, I’d suggest waiting until about 40 minutes into the flight or so to try to pull the offer up, and just to keep trying if all you get is 40K at first. Not sure what others have experienced....

This is perfect timing for me, too, thank you! I’m going to try to have DH apply on our way to MCO for W&D half. It’s a long flight from OAK so I’ll wait until we are well under way.

 

[pillow]

We are thinking of going to Costa Rica next Christmas. Where did you stay? Any must dos?

Is rainy season over by Christmas time? I specifically avoided the rainy months and went at the end of March. But you might be ok in late December. Something to double check though.

We flew into San Jose and rented a car (used Southwest points). Driving was a little tricky due to poor signage, but we had a GPS and managed ok. They also have shared shuttles as a way to travel if you don't want to drive. But for 4 of us, a rental car was cheaper + we like the freedom.

From San Jose, we drove to Manuel Antonio National park. Stayed here 3 nights (2 full days) and booked with UR: https://www.fallsresortcr.com

In Manuel Antonio, we did a park tour also booked with UR. It was inexpensive and very worth it (got to see wildlife we would never have spotted on our own). The beaches in Manuel Antonio National park are beautiful + its so much fun to watch the crazy monkeys!

On day 2, we drove up the coast and did horseback riding on the beach - also booked with UR. We were the only 4 on the tour and it was TERRIFIC! http://www.theridingadventure.com

From there, we drove to Monteverde, where we stayed for 3 nights - https://www.casabatsu.org. We couldn't book this one with UR, but it was cheap with cash. This is probably my favorite lodging experience of all time! I loved this place - just can't say enough positive things about it (check out tripadvisor for reviews). In Monteverde, we hiked the cloud forest, wandered around town, ziplined, shopped a little, had ice cream at a creamery. Such a lovely town and the drive to get there is beautiful.

From there, we drove to Arenal/La Fortuna. Stayed here on UR points - http://www.hotelsilenciodelcampo.com
I enjoyed the beautiful grounds here + they have their own hot springs. We drove up to the Arenal Observatory Lodge for the day to hike, and if I go back, I would stay there - mostly due to the property and the access to trails. It wasn't on the UR portal when I was looking unfortunately. We also went to the La Fortuna waterfall, which was also fun.

We flew home from the Liberia airport. If you want beach time thats not Manuel Antonio, this airport is close to beaches. The Marriott Mangroove hotel is close and I believe only 35k points. Plus, there is a Hyatt Andaz that costs only 15k points. We contemplated staying here but really wanted to explore the country. We plan to add more beach time on the next trip.

Also, I really want to go down to the Osa Peninsula - although I think this would be difficult to do on points. We skipped it due to limited time + its quite a hike down there.

Its a beautiful country; the people are friendly. And its fairly easy to travel on your own. I highly recommend!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

So fun! I'm happy to answer any questions, but my knowledge is limited since we were only there for a few days. My friend picked up the hotel since she has an excessive number of Marriott points, so I let her do the planning on this one (she invited me out since she was already out there for a conference). I would also like to explore Sonoma since I've never been. I love pinot noir, which isn't made in Napa, so I would probably also venture over to the Russian River Valley too.

Thanks...I read your last post...it sounds like you’d recommend booking a hotel in town...any wineries you recommend or don’t recommend...we like to go to the smaller wineries on LI...not the big commercial party ones...I mostly drink red wine..while DH will only do white...

 

[Lain]

No worries. We entered the lottery for the Yosemite High Sierra camps loop hike for next Labor Day (ish). If we get chosen, then we would more than likely tack on some days in Monterey (or maybe Sonoma) either before or after that trip. I won't find out until January, so I feel like I can't really plan anything until then.

Napa was fun but apparently it was harvest season and the weekend was crowded! We tried to book a hot air balloon ride last minute and everything was completely booked. We also wanted to do a tasting at Domaine Chandon and that was booked too. We did however do the wine trolley (booked with UR points) and that was a blast! We also Ubered up to Sterling Vineyards and the Castle (don't know the exact name but yes its a castle - crazy). We stayed at the Napa Marriott, which was a terrific hotel (but the location wasn't great as it was a couple of miles outside of town). My friend's platinum status got us free breakfast and free dinner (technically finger foods but was dinner for me). Then there was a complimentary garden tour with champagne, complimentary wine tasting in the evening, a complimentary coffee upgrade each day + free bottled waters in the room. All in all, we had a great time, and oh the WEATHER! Just beautiful.

Yeah, harvest runs from August through October. Several wineries will even let you help crush their grapes for a price. It does get pretty crowded around crush, again especially during the weekends. I guess when I'm thinking lower crowds, I'm thinking November. Or Napa Valley has just gotten ridiculously more crowded in recent years? We don't go up as often as we used to since we have a little one. Chandon is a beautiful property, and I love their sparkling wines. We used to just swing by and order a tasting flight and cheese plate and take in the views. And I'm guessing you visited Castello di Amorosa? Beautiful! Tours and tasting experiences should always be booked well in advance. I'll throw in a recommendation for the tasting experience at HALL Rutherford for next time or others visiting Napa in the future. HALL has probably the most beautiful tasting room in the valley with a vine root chandelier adorned with Swarovski crystals. Their wine is good too. Good luck with the Yosemite camp lottery! That's serious competition.

 

[farmerswife]

My CIC arrived! When I log into my Chase account I don't see it. Do I have to set up a different log in because it is a business card?

 

[pillow]

Thanks...I read your last post...it sounds like you’d recommend booking a hotel in town...any wineries you recommend or don’t recommend...we like to go to the smaller wineries on LI...not the big commercial party ones...I mostly drink red wine..while DH will only do white...

I'm not a great person to ask about wine. The only wine I really love is pinot noir, which they don't grow in Napa. So for me, it was more about the experience. I did the tastings, but I wasn't blown over by any of the wines. I didn't really care though; the wineries are so pretty I could visit them all day and not drink a thing.

The wine trolley visited 4 smaller wineries, and a catered lunch was included (you still have to pay your own tasting fees). It was lots of fun. I skipped the tasting at the last vineyard simply because my head was swimming and I was starting to get a headache. Still fun though. If memory serves, all wineries had both red and whites - sauvignon blanc and cabernets primarily. I particularly liked Sterling - although it is larger and maybe not on your radar. It sits up on a hill and you have to take a tram up. The views from up there were beautiful + the tasting was quiet and very relaxing. I also enjoyed touring the facility to watch the grapes being sorted and de-stemmed.

Even though I loved the Marriott, I probably would try to stay in town if I could. There is a Westin within walking distance of the Oxbow market and the Culinary institute. Plus you can walk to all the restaurants and shops from there. Lots of hotels in town - I recall seeing a Hyatt Andaz too.

@Lain probably has some better advice for you since he is from CA.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

No worries. We entered the lottery for the Yosemite High Sierra camps loop hike for next Labor Day (ish). If we get chosen, then we would more than likely tack on some days in Monterey (or maybe Sonoma) either before or after that trip. I won't find out until January, so I feel like I can't really plan anything until then.

This is the first I have heard of the High Sierra lottery Did you choose guided or unguided? This would be a fabulous trip for dh and I, though that one day marked "very strenuous" is giving me pause.