I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

I'm thinking about that one too. Those bonus categories look good for me. Waiting a bit and then first want to try for Chase Ink and then probably get Discover It.

Yes, do Ink first! Good luck!

 

[DisneyMandC]

My new Chase Freedom card was waiting for me when I got home from work last night... aaaaand I've already hit the minimum spend

 

[CyndiLouWho]

If you get priced out, look into other cruise lines. I took a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska and it was great. They have tons of activities for kids and the adult experience on RC is great. The price was also reasonable enough that I went as my "I took the bar exam" trip right after law school. I was pretty broke back then, but still made it work with some credit card rewards and airline miles to supplement the cost.

I will look at others. I was kind of looking at this as once in a lifetime. Frankly we're not cruise people and it's really Alaska I'm wanting to see. Just wanted to make it fun for DS and we like Disney too of course. DH is firmly in the DCL camp.
I think I can accumulate about $1k in Disney GCs before worrying that I won't use them.

 

[Dugette]

I've posted several times that I'm saving towards a 2019 Alaskan cruise. Prices aren't out yet but the winter cruises are now being released with lots of people mentioning large price increases. If Alaska goes up significantly we will be priced out. Knowing that Alaskan cruise prices won't be released until March-April, how would you continue to save towards a possible cruise? I've been collecting a few cash back bonuses and was planning another Disney Visa and more Disney GCs

I don't really have an answer, but have the same situation as you (or similar). We actually have an Alaskan DCL booked for 2018 because our OBB discount only goes through Feb. 2019, but we would much prefer to take the trip in summer 2019 (since we also have France in 2018 - and just found out about a destination wedding too). I hate to lose the OBB discount by changing, but if I can offset it with enough other savings, I'd like to move it to 2019. It looks like going through Costco would get me a large enough gift card to offset most of the loss of OBB discounts, but if the prices go up significantly, well - we might have to make 2018 work. We booked opening day for the 7 night 8/13 2A1C in a 9B for around $5500 after the discounts (and $200 stateroom credit additional), for reference.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I will look at others. I was kind of looking at this as once in a lifetime. Frankly we're not cruise people and it's really Alaska I'm wanting to see. Just wanted to make it fun for DS and we like Disney too of course. DH is firmly in the DCL camp.
I think I can accumulate about $1k in Disney GCs before worrying that I won't use them.

I love Disney, so I get the appeal of the DCL. But I don't like the price for their cruises compared to Royal Caribbean. I am a diamond member in RC's loyalty club, so I find it hard to cruise with other lines because I can get so much more if I stick with them. And as far as cruises in general, I think they are great, cost effective vacations. This is especially true once you break away from the ho hum Caribbean itineraries and do more adventurous ones. We loved our Norway cruise and can't wait until our Italy/Croatia/Greece cruise next October. Can't beat 7 nights in a junior suite for $2k total.

 

[platamama]

AMEX Offers $25 off $250 at Best Buy available now.

Got it on my BCP and SPG cards.

 

[Lain]

AMEX Offers $25 off $250 at Best Buy available now.

Got it on my BCP and SPG cards.

Got it on my Platinum and PRG and my wife’s AUs. I guess it’s too soon for Offers on my SPG Biz. I set up my online account but get an error where Offers should be. Used the Amex app and browser to add to 4 Cards. Thanks for the heads up; Best Buy offers fill up fast!

 

[tink1970]

Thanks. I’m really sorry for my daughter. Halloween is her favorite holiday and time of year and those CMs’ downer attitudes really rubbed off on her the wrong way

@Lain-so sorry it was less than magical. When DD was little we made a point of going annually and it was her favorite event (my mom's too). Hopefully your Thanksgiving trip will be wonderful-we'll be on the opposite coast doing WDW the weekend before so I'll be thinking of you.

Just curious about the "Delta Hostages" comment and why they're hostages? Delta is the main airline out of my home airport unless we fly to Disney and then we use JetBlue. Didn't know if I was missing something about Delta (haven't delved too deep into their points)

I live and travel to places where Delta flies the most; hence the hostage remark. In order to use our Chase UR my DH and I are flying from Toronto to Edinburgh on aer lingus and flying from Newark to Barcelona to use up American Airlines. Both flights could have been done more efficiently with Delta but wanted to use our miles on other airlines. Certainly a choice to use them but more complicated for sure.

Speaking for myself, flying delta primarily makes UR points less portable/valuable and MR points as well as Delta Skymiles the currency in which I operate. Since Delta and Amex are partnered and Amex has a once in a lifetime rule (normally) this limits how many membership rewards/skymiles can be earned with sign up promotions.
Also, Delta doesn't release milage charts so it's always a guessing game to how many you'll need. "A 70,000 skymile sign up bonus. That's great...it will get me what exactly?" The lack of transparency and fluctuations can be frustrating to estimate. That said, I love Delta and prefer it of the US3.

That's how I interpret being a Delta hostage anyway...

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I don't really have an answer, but have the same situation as you (or similar). We actually have an Alaskan DCL booked for 2018 because our OBB discount only goes through Feb. 2019, but we would much prefer to take the trip in summer 2019 (since we also have France in 2018 - and just found out about a destination wedding too). I hate to lose the OBB discount by changing, but if I can offset it with enough other savings, I'd like to move it to 2019. It looks like going through Costco would get me a large enough gift card to offset most of the loss of OBB discounts, but if the prices go up significantly, well - we might have to make 2018 work. We booked opening day for the 7 night 8/13 2A1C in a 9B for around $5500 after the discounts (and $200 stateroom credit additional), for reference.

I could deal with that price. I'm hoping for that price in June or the 5 day. I've got airfare covered and enough points for 3-4 nights in Vancouver. I'm not actually sure I can get time off for a 7 day cruise plus a couple days in Vancouver

 

[Ngwira]

For debit card requirements: $0.50 Amazon reloads usually work!

Do you know if it works for Wells Fargo?

 

[Ngwira]

Last year Alaska was released 2/22 I believe. I'd be prepared for at least 10% higher than last year's opening day prices. I know my cruise is already up 28%--when DCL sees they can still raise prices even after starting higher, it's just going to keep getting more expensive

I'd just keep buying gift cards.

I'm waiting for the August 2019 prices but will cancel if it's insane.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do you know if it works for Wells Fargo?

I went back and checked my WF from Mar and that's exactly what I did, bonus posted a week later. Everything is subject to change obviously but imho give it a shot. Worst that happens is you have $5.00 sitting in your amazon account for your next purchase.

 

[calypso726]

AMEX Offers $25 off $250 at Best Buy available now.

Got it on my BCP and SPG cards.

My Everyday no fee card had it at spend $250 and get 2500 MR. The Delta Platinum had spend $250 and get $25 back. Thank you!!

 

[jhoannam]

Last year Alaska was released 2/22 I believe. I'd be prepared for at least 10% higher than last year's opening day prices. I know my cruise is already up 28%--when DCL sees they can still raise prices even after starting higher, it's just going to keep getting more expensive

I'd just keep buying gift cards.

We wanted Alaska for May 2019, but if trend continues a May Mediterranean cruise would be cheaper, so we are preparing for that. But then I looked at NCL Med. cruises and it's literally half the price. DH loved the Disney product and doesn't want to cruise with anyone else, but at what point can you continue to justify that huge price difference.

 

[havaneselover]

We wanted Alaska for May 2019, but if trend continues a May Mediterranean cruise would be cheaper, so we are preparing for that. But then I looked at NCL Med. cruises and it's literally half the price. DH loved the Disney product and doesn't want to cruise with anyone else, but at what point can you continue to justify that huge price difference.

I hear you. We are probably done after this

 

[disneymagicgirl]

LOL, Delta Hostages, that cracked me up!! I was a Delta Hostage too, until SW came in several years ago. However, if you want non-stop from here, you are still a Delta hostage.

So funny, because SW and frontier have the nonstops from here. Well, at least to the places I fly.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

You guys see the news on the new Hilton Amex cards coming in early 2018? Looks promising!

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/7a1dy9/american_express_to_launch_new_hilton_cards_450/

I agree, if you stay at Hilton hotels, there's a lot of value there that justifies the high AF. I had to laugh at the bonus multipliers, though; Hilton Honors points are worth so little in redemption value that the 3x bonus on all other eligible purchases makes this basically a 1x card.

I’m gonna investigate this one. DH is diamond at Hilton thru work stays. He doesn’t carry a Hilton cc though. He is using CSR. We get enough Hilton points thru his stays to cover 2 one week long beach resort stays per year in rooms that run about $400/night. I consider that a good value...basically 2 free beach trips a year....what am I missing? Do you mean that it isn’t a good value if you are obtaining them thru spending?

AMEX Offers $25 off $250 at Best Buy available now.

Got it on my BCP and SPG cards.

What am I missing? Is this a gift card option?

 

[Happy_2_B]

what am I missing?

If he is using a CSR at Hilton- and stays enough to be diamond- you could be getting a whole lot more days on the beach if he used an AmEx Surpass instead.

Once the new card comes out- it will be much better than the Surpass- but only for stays at Hilton branded properties IMHO. My plan is to use the new Hilton card at Hilton (at 14 points per dollar it is a no-brainer), and either my CSR, AmEx Platinum, or SPG business (for as long as it remains a viable card) for most other stuff.

 

[JC0712]

Got approved for the CIP today. So excited. I applied Monday and the status message changed to approved today without even going to the 2 week message.

Also, my husband got a Chase Freedom Unlimited to replace the Slate that he has had since 1999. He refuses to pay annual fees on credit cards. I think he'll probably be ready to get a CIC next spring. So, we are making progress.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

If he is using a CSR at Hilton- and stays enough to be diamond- you could be getting a whole lot more days on the beach if he used an AmEx Surpass instead.

Once the new card comes out- it will be much better than the Surpass- but only for stays at Hilton branded properties IMHO. My plan is to use the new Hilton card at Hilton (at 14 points per dollar it is a no-brainer), and either my CSR, AmEx Platinum, or SPG business (for as long as it remains a viable card) for most other stuff.

I am going to have to ponder this. I get what you are saying, but also am thinking that what he earns on stays is plenty for us as far as Hilton points each year. It is nice to accrue more UR points by paying for those stays with csr to use in conjunction for flights and to be able to branch out to other properties/resorts when there isn’t a Hilton in a location we want to visit. Hhmmnnn