I love credit cards so much!

[MrPTato]

And then with AMEX offers (though those aren't necessarily tied to a travel card with them) we've saved $420 on Disney gift cards, $160 on our phone bill, plus $50 on some other miscellaneous offers...

So we might end up paying $640-$1090 in annual fees, but we've gotten around $4700 in value at this point, so...

Wish my Amex offers were like yours.

 

[Ngwira]

Yup, we're thinking two days there. How was the Four points?

To be honest it was just ok. It was definitely dated. But my view may have been colored by the fact that we just left club level at the Grand Floridian the night before (Sugarloaf, not RPC). We were one of the families stranded by Amtrak due to Hurricane Hermine. Auto train was out of service for a week so we ended up driving back to NJ. Anyway, we stayed there one night because Amtrak claimed they would restore service the next day. It was cheap and on points so we stayed...

 

[Ngwira]

Yup, we're thinking two days there. How was the Four points?

Have you looked into a labor day deal? They have deluxe resorts for moderate prices around your dates. We stay at the Grand Floridian every August paying about $280 a night, last year we paid $260 a night inclusive. You could even use your Barclaycard or a Capital One Venture card to "erase" the charge.

 

[amalone1013]

To be honest it was just ok. It was definitely dated. But my view may have been colored by the fact that we just left club level at the Grand Floridian the night before (Sugarloaf, not RPC). We were one of the families stranded by Amtrak due to Hurricane Hermine. Auto train was out of service for a week so we ended up driving back to NJ. Anyway, we stayed there one night because Amtrak claimed they would restore service the next day. It was cheap and on points so we stayed...

That would be a hard change! We're going to start at Four Points/Universal and then move to the Dolphin/BWV. I'm hoping/pretty certain we'll have enough SPG points to add another night to the Dolphin, and drop a night at Four Points. We usually do budget travel, so if it's clean I can handle dated (especially knowing we're going to Disney!).

Have you looked into a labor day deal? They have deluxe resorts for moderate prices around your dates. We stay at the Grand Floridian every August paying about $280 a night, last year we paid $260 a night inclusive. You could even use your Barclaycard or a Capital One Venture card to "erase" the charge.

Our trip is the second half of September, so I don't know if the deals will go that far... I've got ~$500 on my Barclay card currently that I *think* I will be able to put towards DVC rental... If not I'll find something else for it... Or maybe use it to stay somewhere other than Four Points. DF has ~$150 on his Barclay Plus that we're going to put towards the hotel night in Port Canaveral.

 

[amalone1013]

Wish my Amex offers were like yours.

I think I've just been lucky... and also budgeted things to maximize those offers for Disney. Like, I got the $25 of $250 Best Buy one on my card and DF's, and we needed $150 in gift cards for Christmas gifts... so we got them at Best Buy, and added a $100 Disney card, and counted it as paying $75 for the $100 Disney. We did something similar to use the other offer.

And we got three of the Staples $20 off $100 offers... our cards plus DF's mom's card (we signed her up for an SPG card, put a few wedding things on there to help her hit the spend, and transferred 2k points to her so DF's parents now have 3 free nights at the Dolphin). We used all three offers to buy Target cards, then used them to buy Target on the 10% extra day, then Disney = Paid $240, got $333 in Disney

And we used the Ebags offers... Because we (really I) have one carry-on sized suitcase that I got freshman year of college because I used to fly home for breaks. So it's just over 8 years old. I'm surprised it's lasted like it has, honestly. It's made countless trips between NE and CO, by both car and plane, 2 trips to CA, 2 to AZ, 2 to FL, and it went to London. Oh, and to Canada with DF. I can see the seams pulling a bit now, though.

ETA: I just realized I miscalculated my AMEX offer savings on Disney cards - more like $180, so less impressive lol. I'm updating the original post now because I'm a nerd.

 

[MrPTato]

I think I've just been lucky... and also budgeted things to maximize those offers for Disney. Like, I got the $25 of $250 Best Buy one on my card and DF's, and we needed $150 in gift cards for Christmas gifts... so we got them at Best Buy, and added a $100 Disney card, and counted it as paying $75 for the $100 Disney. We did something similar to use the other offer.

And we got three of the Staples $20 off $100 offers... our cards plus DF's mom's card (we signed her up for an SPG card, put a few wedding things on there to help her hit the spend, and transferred 2k points to her so DF's parents now have 3 free nights at the Dolphin). We used all three offers to buy Target cards, then used them to buy Target on the 10% extra day, then Disney = Paid $240, got $333 in Disney

And we used the Ebags offers... Because we (really I) have one carry-on sized suitcase that I got freshman year of college because I used to fly home for breaks. So it's just over 8 years old. I'm surprised it's lasted like it has, honestly. It's made countless trips between NE and CO, by both car and plane, 2 trips to CA, 2 to AZ, 2 to FL, and it went to London. Oh, and to Canada with DF. I can see the seams pulling a bit now, though.

ETA: I just realized I miscalculated my AMEX offer savings on Disney card - more like $180, so less impressive lol. I'm updating the original post now because I'm a nerd.

I have both the BCP and the BCE and the offers almost always mirror or stuff I will never use. I had the staples one back in June on one of the cards and that was it.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

What's the easiest way to see where you stand w/ the 5/24 rule?

I spent yesterday reading up a bunch on the whole Korean/Delta points. It looks like I might be in for a challenge...so I'm glad I have 12 months to try and pull this off, LOL. My husband keeps flip flopping on whether or not he can do a 12 hour flight in coach, LOL. But he may have no choice if he wants it for free. LOL

 

[MrPTato]

What's the easiest way to see where you stand w/ the 5/24 rule?

I spent yesterday reading up a bunch on the whole Korean/Delta points. It looks like I might be in for a challenge...so I'm glad I have 12 months to try and pull this off, LOL. My husband keeps flip flopping on whether or not he can do a 12 hour flight in coach, LOL. But he may have no choice if he wants it for free. LOL

Pull a copy of your credit report and count the number of account opening dates that are January 2015 or later...this will tell you where you stand with the 5/24 rule.

 

[Ngwira]

That would be a hard change! We're going to start at Four Points/Universal and then move to the Dolphin/BWV. I'm hoping/pretty certain we'll have enough SPG points to add another night to the Dolphin, and drop a night at Four Points. We usually do budget travel, so if it's clean I can handle dated (especially knowing we're going to Disney!).

It was clean. My view is probably also soured by the fact that we had a 19 hour drive home ... But yeah, it was fine for budget travel..


Our trip is the second half of September, so I don't know if the deals will go that far... I've got ~$500 on my Barclay card currently that I *think* I will be able to put towards DVC rental... If not I'll find something else for it... Or maybe use it to stay somewhere other than Four Points. DF has ~$150 on his Barclay Plus that we're going to put towards the hotel night in Port Canaveral.

It was clean. My view is probably also soured by the fact that we had a 19 hour drive home ... But yeah, it was fine for budget travel..


We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites in Port Canaveral last August, too. It's the closest hotel to the Port! We could see our Disney Cruise ship from our room! If you stay there, get the park and cruise package, it's a little bit more money but well worth it! I think we paid $180 for the package. Keep checking the room rate up until a few days before you stay. It kept going down! I wouldn't recommend staying in Cocoa Beach or other areas as traffic on the bridge can get pretty backed up. We got to our cruise super early and thus got on the ship early and booked Palo and the "sold out" princess meet and greet due to our port arrival time!
I've heard good things about the residence inn port canaveral, too which is next door to country inn and suites, I think.

 

[Ngwira]

What's the easiest way to see where you stand w/ the 5/24 rule?

I spent yesterday reading up a bunch on the whole Korean/Delta points. It looks like I might be in for a challenge...so I'm glad I have 12 months to try and pull this off, LOL. My husband keeps flip flopping on whether or not he can do a 12 hour flight in coach, LOL. But he may have no choice if he wants it for free. LOL

credit karma is pretty accurate but only lists transunion and equifax but you can pull your experian for free too.

 

[rmonty02]

Started reading from page 1 last week and am now all caught up. Thumbs way up to all of you!!!!

As I feared, the 100K points are going away. I was planning on opening 2 cards (me and DH) one now and one in two months, but have to calculate to see if I can meet spending limits. My question for all of you out there is, if I open two CSP cards and can apply for Global entry for the two of us, would that get my kids in? DS 12 and DS10. Would I have to apply for them too, which would cost me $200. The four of us will be traveling abroad in June.

 

[amalone1013]

I have a CSR question...

I paid the deposit with a DVC rental company with my CSR, and it coded as travel, so I got part of my $300 credit applied to it, even though I didn't expect it and didn't count it as applying to that for budgeting purposes. I just got an email that my dates are sold out. I haven't looked into the other options they sent yet, but in case they don't work and I would get that deposit refunded, would I lose that part of my travel credit? I don't see anything about the travel credit in my card paperwork.

ETA: maybe I should add that this is for my 2016 credit...

 

[Albort]

Started reading from page 1 last week and am now all caught up. Thumbs way up to all of you!!!!

As I feared, the 100K points are going away. I was planning on opening 2 cards (me and DH) one now and one in two months, but have to calculate to see if I can meet spending limits. My question for all of you out there is, if I open two CSP cards and can apply for Global entry for the two of us, would that get my kids in? DS 12 and DS10. Would I have to apply for them too, which would cost me $200. The four of us will be traveling abroad in June.

*CSR?

Your kids will need to apply. They will however get Precheck being with you.

 

[rmonty02]

Thanks Albort. And yes *CSR. Please elaborate on precheck and global entry (same thing?). If only my DH and I have global entry I would not be able to hop in that line if I have my kids without global entry?

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Thanks Albort. And yes *CSR. Please elaborate on precheck and global entry (same thing?). If only my DH and I have global entry I would not be able to hop in that line if I have my kids without global entry?

I would venture that the answer is no, your kids would need to have global entry as well. This is the same as with the Nexus card, which lets you drive through a special lane when going between US and Canada. When DH and I went to get our cards, they let us know that if we have kids (even an infant), they would need to get a Nexus card too or else we could not use that lane.

 

[rmonty02]

I would venture that the answer is no, your kids would need to have global entry as well. This is the same as with the Nexus card, which lets you drive through a special lane when going between US and Canada. When DH and I went to get our cards, they let us know that if we have kids (even an infant), they would need to get a Nexus card too or else we could not use that lane.

I see, so Global Entry is for customs. So based on what Albort is saying if my DH and I have Global entry, my kids can go with us through the TSA lines at the airport. Yes/no? But not through customs without their own approval. TY!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Sorry if this was answered before but I read a few pages & didn't see it.
I have the CSR & CSP. Used my 100k Points & credits for flights & hotel to Disneyland. I bought tickets thru LMTclub which coded as travel so got 3x points. I have purchased tickets direct from Disney before & they weren't coded as travel. Does anyone know if dining ressies (WOC dessert party) from Disney code as dining or just as misc? If I don't get 3x points, I might have to think of a different payment method.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

damn, thats gonna complicate things for me... gonna be hard to get 2 $300 travel credit... :\

I used my $300 credit twice for airline gift cards, bought direct from airline. $300 gift card, instant $300 credit.

 

[calypso726]

Sorry if this was answered before but I read a few pages & didn't see it.
I have the CSR & CSP. Used my 100k Points & credits for flights & hotel to Disneyland. I bought tickets thru LMTclub which coded as travel so got 3x points. I have purchased tickets direct from Disney before & they weren't coded as travel. Does anyone know if dining ressies (WOC dessert party) from Disney code as dining or just as misc? If I don't get 3x points, I might have to think of a different payment method.

Are you staying at a DLR hotel? If you charge everything to the room it will code as travel.

 

[AmyAnne]

I have a few questions about AmEx rewards accounts. I have both a Premier Rewards Gold Card and the Business Platinum Card. In the next 3 weeks or so, I am planning to get rid of the Gold Card - I think. I can't see any reason to keep the Gold card at an annual fee of $195. I opened the card in Jan. 2016, so the annual fee should post soon - will it be okay to call AmEx once the annual fee appears and then cancel, or switch to another (no-fee) card - is that possible? One final question: I have the same membership rewards number for the Gold and the Platinum cards - does that mean I don't need to transfer any points before closing the Gold card, so long as I keep the Platinum?