I love credit cards so much!

[hsmamato2]

I am confused. Your payments have nothing to do the SW bonus points posting since they are tied to your purchases, making the MSR and your statements closing. While not ideal, people don't have their balances paid in full to get the bonus points.

really? why was I under the impression in the past I had to PIF to get the bonus? Ok, so besides that detail...wht do you (or anyone here) think? should I be calling someone? I honestly don't know who,Chase? and I don't know how a payment posts without the proper info attached...

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Cruise experts: I booked with CSR (using points) for our 7 day cruise in February Caribbean. Do I need the extra insurances out there. We obviously have health insurance but I know things get dodgy when you leave the country.

If yes how much coverage. Prices range from $150-$300 so quite a range

 

[wendow]

Anyone who has gotten the Arrival + recently, how long has it taken for the card to show up? I chose the $15 expedited fee on application (then it took 24 hours for approval, hopefully the expedited part sticks). My Sams membership expires Friday and I want to go there to get GC to pay my DVC dues before then. Tick tock, tick tock LOL.

It was definitely about 7 biz days for me. No expedited delivery.

 

[usakiwi]

Thank you! I would have never thought I needed AA points. I did check the UR portal and there were flights in economy for $737 nonstop for this Aug. I am trying to go as little in the summer as we can since when we went in July last time, it was a little cool in Sydney to enjoy and the wine country was pretty nippy.

We’ll probably drive from Sydney to Brisbane and then fly from Brisbane to Cairns and fly Cairns to Sydney. Last time we had someone coordinating and booking the trip for us since it was our honeymoon so it was a lot easier.

Yes! Definitely look into AA for those in country flights...I think they are really reasonable if you are flexible with dates a bit. Also, as to be expected, they have gone very quickly. I was on those flights pretty much at 11 months, but when I was making changes yesterday availability was a bit different (I am looking at end of Oct). Yesterday had to buy DH a business flight for one of them (ASP to SYD) at 20,000 since the 10,000 econ flights were gone. (I had waited to book his because he was short a few points...and of course it went up!)

ETA I am also thinking about using UR portal for our final leg Fiji back to the states. Original plan was to use AA points, but when I found all of my 10,000 AA flights for within country it was actually better to use the points for those and pay about $7-800 to get us home through UR vs what I would have spent on multiple in country flights if I hadn’t used AA points. Unfortunately I didn’t decide until too late in the game to do all of the internal flights or else I would have gathered up waaaay more AA points sooner!

I know not everyone shares the same opinion, but I still really value UR and the portal, I continue to find decent (sometimes amazing) deals for our particular needs.

 

[Alexle2007]

really? why was I under the impression in the past I had to PIF to get the bonus? Ok, so besides that detail...wht do you (or anyone here) think? should I be calling someone? I honestly don't know who,Chase? and I don't know how a payment posts without the proper info attached...

Nope, PIF is not required that's why people will say you are throwing money if you don't PIF though since those 60k points will cost x for the interest you will be accruing. Have your previous payments posted properly to your bank account and CC? I know that my AmEx payment just posted to my CC before the actual funds were deducted from my checking account. So Sat, my AmEx was showing the payment but the actual funds are just showing deducted from my checking today. So it just might be a timing issue. I would probably start with Chase and make sure they have your payments.

 

[wendow]

This morning I pulled up the weather in FL for this weekend, I was like oh mainly 70s that will be nice. DH: What are the lows though? Me: 48, 55, etc. DH: So cold. Me: COLD??? DH: well they have humidity, so cold for me.

Your hubby is right!! Those temps in FL are so cold!! I have to bundle up much more there for those temps than here in CO.

 

[Judique]

I am also in agreement with this. I don't think it's really going to hurt resale for those park resorts. It will still be a great deal cheaper than buying direct and those resorts are always going to be in super high demand. Plus per night points are almost guaranteed to be less than the new resorts, so you could buy less points.
Now, selling your contract for Riviera down the line, might be a bit of an issue.
I have had my points for 17 years, so it doesn't affect me at all, so I don't panic or delve to much into it. But I do see how it's causing an uproar at least at first.

I've had mine since 2000, and like you, have seen the uproar and the emotional 'I'm going to sell' response over and over. I've also seen the 'I'm buying again. Wish I hadn't sold when stuff was $65 a point.'

Likewise, point allocations helped me as much as they hurt me. When I first bought I couldn't afford a weekend as my mindset was 'I bought x amount for this season and Sun- Thurs'. I moved on from that quickly as I added points and my time frames for visiting changed. It's mostly evolved for the best for me.

One thing to not get caught up in - thinking of it as an investment. It's a luxury purchase that no one needs but that many people want. (But in the back of my mind it was nice to know that I could probably sell and set a low price and get ROFR'd and have money in my hand in a very short time if ever I had that big of an emergency.)

I will also reiterate the above about these resorts having low point costs. I always think twice before I pay double in points for a MK resort versus BCV or BWV.

 

[wendow]

I do know what you mean! I just grew up with it and it doesn't bother me, but on our Dec and Jan trips so far usually DH gets cold way before I do, if I get cold at all

I grew up with it too but I’m used to CO dryness now for winter weather. And I chill very easily!

 

[GZanta77]

Cruise experts: I booked with CSR (using points) for our 7 day cruise in February Caribbean. Do I need the extra insurances out there. We obviously have health insurance but I know things get dodgy when you leave the country.

If yes how much coverage. Prices range from $150-$300 so quite a range

Don't want to be difficult but only you can determine need (and risk). We have taken about 10 cruises over the past decade and haven't bought insurance for any of them. We have had two incidents that required a trip to the ships doctor. The first was about $200 which we covered out of pocket. The second was covered by RCCL as it was an accident that happened on a ship excursion.

However, our health insurance covers us for out of country 'emergencies'. Of course you would have to pay and then file a claim. The grey area would be if a medical evacuation off the ship was required. There are insurance policies you can buy that just cover that and/or repatriation. Might be worth looking into.

In any event, definitely worth speaking with your Health ins. to see exactly what they will cover and be very specific that you are going on a cruise.

 

[havaneselover]

Cruise experts: I booked with CSR (using points) for our 7 day cruise in February Caribbean. Do I need the extra insurances out there. We obviously have health insurance but I know things get dodgy when you leave the country.

If yes how much coverage. Prices range from $150-$300 so quite a range

I am of the opinion that the insurance with csr is sufficient.

 

[Alexle2007]

Cruise experts: I booked with CSR (using points) for our 7 day cruise in February Caribbean. Do I need the extra insurances out there. We obviously have health insurance but I know things get dodgy when you leave the country.

If yes how much coverage. Prices range from $150-$300 so quite a range

We have never purchased additional insurance for our cruises but I know others prefer to have it. I don't know if you might incur any weather where you live but do you have sufficient time with your flight if there is a delay to make it to port? We always flew in the day or a couple of days before but there are some people who fly in the day of their cruise...

 

[palhockeymomof2]

really? why was I under the impression in the past I had to PIF to get the bonus? Ok, so besides that detail...wht do you (or anyone here) think? should I be calling someone? I honestly don't know who,Chase? and I don't know how a payment posts without the proper info attached...

My guess is...if you entered the wrong bank account number to pay your chase card from...I’d call chase to let them know of your error and ask what you should do.
If Chase is showing the payment made but it wasn’t taken out of your bank account since the number was wrong...I would think the payment to your Chase SW card will eventually be reversed...

 

[Mopedmom1]

SW Biz approval this morning!

Me too! Double Dance Party!


(Although they only gave me a $5k CL so I know I have met my limit with them unless I slash my CSR CL)

 

[havaneselover]

We have never purchased additional insurance for our cruises but I know others prefer to have it. I don't know if you might incur any weather where you live but do you have sufficient time with your flight if there is a delay to make it to port? We always flew in the day or a couple of days before but there are some people who fly in the day of their cruise...

I would never cruise without it. If you need medical evacuation it is crazy expensive. But if you pay even part of your cruise using csr, you have good coverage.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Don't want to be difficult but only you can determine need (and risk). We have taken about 10 cruises over the past decade and haven't bought insurance for any of them. We have had two incidents that required a trip to the ships doctor. The first was about $200 which we covered out of pocket. The second was covered by RCCL as it was an accident that happened on a ship excursion.

However, our health insurance covers us for out of country 'emergencies'. Of course you would have to pay and then file a claim. The grey area would be if a medical evacuation off the ship was required. There are insurance policies you can buy that just cover that and/or repatriation. Might be worth looking into.

In any event, definitely worth speaking with your Health ins. to see exactly what they will cover and be very specific that you are going on a cruise.

Not being difficult at all. Looking to see what others have done. Excellent idea to check with our health insurance company!!

I am of the opinion that the insurance with csr is sufficient.

Yes that’s what I’m leaning toward. A good friend in HS sister got in major moped accident in Bermuda on a cruise and had to be mediflighted to FL so I have that in the back of my mind though I know very unlikely

We have never purchased additional insurance for our cruises but I know others prefer to have it. I don't know if you might incur any weather where you live but do you have sufficient time with your flight if there is a delay to make it to port? We always flew in the day or a couple of days before but there are some people who fly in the day of their cruise...

We are in Boston so could def hit back weather but doing 3 nights at WDW so that leg would suffer if there was a delay. Good thought for sure!!

 

[usakiwi]

Ok I have weird question (what else is new for me) regarding a bank payment and a cc..... I see a payment I made on 1/4 to a chase cc is still authorizing in my bank acct today(I'm hoping this means the payment counted on 1/4!) and another payment to a chase cc on P2 acct.... I just noticed this discrepancy and looking for some quick advice. I paid $400 to the swa cc balance,planning to finish it all this week. when I went to check the accts today- payment shows it has gone thru and credited to cc acct, but nothing shows on the back acct page.(!!!) when I look for payment details on cc page, I can see the 2 of the last 4 bank acct #'s transposed. I checked the other accts on the same chase page and it shows correctly. I'm super anxious right now about what to do and who to call. I want this payment to post and the credit to show for obvious point bonus reasons by 1/11. I'm scared if I call someone now, it'll take longer than these few days to sort out that 400.00. WWYD? Please help with advice,I'm not looking to scam anyone, I'm just concerned the bonus will be in limbo if I mess with this wight this minute. I did go in and readjust and make sure I finished paying the comple SWA balance today with the correct bank #. If I don't see it in my bank acct,then how did the payment process?

Honestly, if it was me, I wouldn’t worry or do anything. The 4th was only a few days ago and you had a weekend in there as well. Payments often show up on the cc before they show up as being deducted from the bank account. I’d give it a few days before I panicked.

 

[disneybirds]

Between the holidays and trip to Disney, I have tried to read along as much as possible. Just wanted to give you a quick update on our Disney trip that was possible with points and thank everyone for their advice! We did a crazy split stay with 2 nights at the Swan, 3 nights at the Contemporary, and 1 night at AK.

Swan - upgraded to the Deluxe Alcove room (booked for 14,500 SPG points before the merger). Great room with a view of the Dolphin/pool/beach area. We had a rollaway bed brought in so the girls each had their own sleeping space. It fit perfectly in between the pull out sofa and wall. The bathroom configuration is great with a separate sink outside the bath. Sink, toilet, and walk-in shower in the actual bathroom. A refrig in room. I really like staying here except for the walk to the Dolphin to get counter service food.

Contemporary - Garden wing/garden view room. Had a great view of Bay Lake and Discovery Island. I would request the garden wing again since it was so quiet and easy to unload/load stuff from the car. This was our one and only UR redemption at Disney, but definitely worth it since we were able to walk to the room after the NYE fireworks. Enjoyed dinner at CA Grill, but they wouldn't let us up to view the fireworks 30 minutes before our reservation. Room was $2,484 or 165.6K points for 3 nights. Most expensive room I have ever booked!!!

AK - 1 bedroom Savannah view at Jambo. Booked on DVC points. This was a bucket list item and we really enjoyed it. Wish we could have stayed more than one day since we only had about 2 hours in the afternoon to see the animals before the sunset.

Again, thanks for all the advice! When I finally clicked on this thread back in March, I had no idea that I could use my Chase points at Disney. I had only booked rooms through the portal and didn't know about cruise and tour dept. Now, if we can just get Chase to put these rooms back in their inventory!!

 

[havaneselover]

Not being difficult at all. Looking to see what others have done. Excellent idea to check with our health insurance company!!

Yes that’s what I’m leaning toward. A good friend in HS sister got in major moped accident in Bermuda on a cruise and had to be mediflighted to FL so I have that in the back of my mind though I know very unlikely
We are in Boston so could def hit back weather but doing 3 nights at WDW so that leg would suffer if there was a delay. Good thought for sure!!

Yeah a friend of mine had to fly home from the Bahamas with her parents after her mom fell. Her dh and kids stayed onboard (over Thanksgiving).

And when I went to Alaska in August with my mom she had major swelling in one leg. I was worried because my csr coverage only covered my immediate family. She got back to Michigan and ended up in the hospital with blood clots in her lungs (probably from the flight to Vancouver). If I were to cruise again with her, I would have separate coverage for her but use csr for me and my kids.

 

[AmyAnne]

I would never cruise without it. If you need medical evacuation it is crazy expensive. But if you pay even part of your cruise using csr, you have good coverage.

So paying with CSR provides medical evacuation coverage? I don't think I knew that (although I also don't think I had the CSR last time we cruised.)

And I agree--no way would I cruise without medical evacuation insurance.

 

[wanderlust7]

really? why was I under the impression in the past I had to PIF to get the bonus? Ok, so besides that detail...wht do you (or anyone here) think? should I be calling someone? I honestly don't know who,Chase? and I don't know how a payment posts without the proper info attached...

My first payment to CIP I think I typed the bank account number wrong. But it wasn't the last 4, so I couldn't see it. The payment looked like it went through and applied to the balance. But a few days later, there was a returned payment reversal and I got charged a $39 returned payment fee. SM'd about it and was told my bank can't be used for electronic payment. Got the fee waived. I figured I got a bad answer and that I just typed it wrong, redid it and it went through for real.

But exactly, how does a payment post without proper info?? You'd think there would be some check earlier in the process....