I love credit cards so much!

[amalone1013]

Soooo... 80k sign up for CSP?

Also, @calypso726 next up is Dapper Day at Disneyland Paris, right?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

My last SW flight back from Disneyland flew from SNA (Santa Ana) > SFO (San Francisco) and continued on to > PDX (Portland, OR).

Maybe I misunderstood. I have had layovers. I just meant can you stay a day or 2 at that stop and then continue on? Like an extended layover?

 

[Lain]

Soooo... 80k sign up for CSP?

Ouch. My initial impression is that it's not that great of a deal. It requires $20k/30k spend in the first year to get that extra 30k points. Assuming you're optimizing your spend by charging dining and travel to the CSP, the CSP still earns you only 2x UR, and you'd have to spend an additional $16k/$26k to get those extra 30k points that would've put you about where you would've been had you charged dining and travel to the CSR for a 3x UR return in the first place. Not to mention you'd might do better charging non-bonus categories on the CFU for 1.5x UR or the new 3x UR offer.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

We are DVC members, so it would probably make most sense for us to get the tickets and then upgrade paying cash I think. But this is good to know and I'll definitely crunch some numbers to see what would work best for us!

You should be able to. If they call Disney and you have your Dvc membership in your my disney they can confirm that.

 

[amalone1013]

Ouch. My initial impression is that it's not that great of a deal. It requires $20k/30k spend in the first year to get that extra 30k points. Assuming you're optimizing your spend by charging dining and travel to the CSP, the CSP still earns you only 2x UR, and you'd have to spend an additional $16k/$26k to get those extra 30k points that would've put you about where you would've been had you charged dining and travel to the CSR for a 3x UR return in the first place. Not to mention you'd might do better charging non-bonus categories on the CFU for 1.5x UR or the new 3x UR offer.

It reminds me of that Marriott offer. Only worse.

 

[jhoannam]

Is applying for a card every 3 months considered ‘fast’.

I think the recommendation is nothing more than 4 in a 12 month period... including chase business cards.

 

[Lain]

Soooo... 80k sign up for CSP?

Or hey, double dip the CSP at 50k UR/$4k MSR and the CSR at 50k UR/$4k MSR, and you've got an additional 50k UR points for only $4k more in spend (but over the same 3 month period instead of stretched over a year), instead of another 30k UR for an extra $16k/$26k in spend.

 

[Psychodisney]

Thanks. This is what I was looking for. We really just want a nice place for pools and the beach. Keep getting mixed reviews on Atlantis and how busy it is and the extra fees so this may be the way to go. 20,000 Hyatt points does not sound that bad. Do you know if you can book on points a few days before. Would love to know what the weather will be like before booking but not sure that is possible...

I think it would matter it rooms were available. I think the website says if rooms are available fro cash, they should be available on points but I think it could be up to the hotel. When are you going?

 

[wendow]

Good points. Thanks for sharing.

Speaking of SPG, I was following along on the whole SPG thing a short while ago and tried to understand the value of having it. Just out of curiosity, if it doesn’t take up a lot of your time can you summarize the value of that card.
Thanks

SPG is very popular and probably the most valuable hotel points. Their program gives a 5th night free after paying for 4 nights on points. You can also transfer the points to Marriott (1:3 ratio). A lot of us here are after SPG points for Swan/Dolphin stays. It's pretty easy to get 5 free nights just through opening a couple of their cards. However, since they are merging with Marriott, the categories will be changing and it's an unknown where 'Swolphin' will fall. I'm optimistic the points will still work well there

The points transfer to quite a few airline partners at a 1:1 ratio. When you transfer 20k miles, SPG gives a bonus of 5k as well (making the transfer 25k). I don't transfer to airlines yet (only really fly SWA) so I'm not sure how all that works. But seems like a great deal!

There are others here who are SPG experts. I'm not! I just got into the SPG game back in Jan so still a newbie. Ask any questions though and someone here can help, I'm sure!

 

[speedyfishy]

Soooo... 80k sign up for CSP?

Also, @calypso726 next up is Dapper Day at Disneyland Paris, right?

Ouch. My initial impression is that it's not that great of a deal. It requires $20k/30k spend in the first year to get that extra 30k points. Assuming you're optimizing your spend by charging dining and travel to the CSP, the CSP still earns you only 2x UR, and you'd have to spend an additional $16k/$26k to get those extra 30k points that would've put you about where you would've been had you charged dining and travel to the CSR for a 3x UR return in the first place. Not to mention you'd might do better charging non-bonus categories on the CFU for 1.5x UR or the new 3x UR offer.

I pulled it up for an additional 20k in spend. I’m considering it because MSing with Chase is too easy.

 

[wendow]

Ouch. My initial impression is that it's not that great of a deal. It requires $20k/30k spend in the first year to get that extra 30k points. Assuming you're optimizing your spend by charging dining and travel to the CSP, the CSP still earns you only 2x UR, and you'd have to spend an additional $16k/$26k to get those extra 30k points that would've put you about where you would've been had you charged dining and travel to the CSR for a 3x UR return in the first place. Not to mention you'd might do better charging non-bonus categories on the CFU for 1.5x UR or the new 3x UR offer.

My initial impression is same as yours. I'd go for the 3x CFU over this.

 

[WVMomof3]

Ok Here is my trip breakdown

2 adults 2 teens
6 nights Swan - $2390 - Paid OOP $189 the rest on SPG points
4 - 6 day PH - $2044 - Paid OOP $0 the rest on CC points (technically $200 but I still had travel credit)
4 RT flights - $789 - Paid OOP $44.80 the rest on SW points

Total $5223 - OOP $233.80

We need one more night, hoping to use our Marriot Certificate for somewhere close to airport on last night. Cheap flights = terrible flight times, but will deal with it. Just need to pay for food. I think I will stock up on some gift cards from the store for gas points.

 

[amalone1013]

Been meaning to add this, but my phone was being weird and not backing up my photos to google drive and I hadn't messed with it.

Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center - King Room with Sofabed
Corner of Harbor and Katella by Disneyland
12k Hyatt Points/$778 cash for our nights

We spent three nights here for 12k Hyatt points per night, transferred from UR. It was very clean, every time we walked through the lobby they were sweeping, mopping, or cleaning something, even at 1am. Maybe a 10 minute walk tops for two adults. Breakfast had eggs, bacon/sausage, toast, pastries, fruit, coffee, and juice. They had to go coffee cups and flavored creamer in the breakfast room. The room just had regular coffee mugs like you'd have at home. I think they had Seattle's Best in the breakfast room, and just your typical hospitality brand in the room - I didn't try it.

ETA: We didn't try the breakfast because we fell for the siren call of Disney breakfast each morning.

And while we're at it...

Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina - Traditional Marina Tower King Room
10k Starpoints + $30 resort fee/$160 incl resort fees on our night

We watched some planes take off and land from our balcony for a bit. Not as much airport noise plus it ended earlier compared to the next hotel review. There's a shuttle, but we actually just walked over for the night with our little carry-on roller bag. The weather was so nice! Busy roads being by the airport, but I didn't find it sketchy or anything. We paid cash for extra points. And I struggle because to me, at least when I booked it, 10k points is a night at the Dolphin, so that's how I keep thinking of my starpoints. We had drinks and apps in the bar downstairs. The drinks were good, but the apps weren't anything special to us. We were a little disappointed by them.

I don't know if I'd stay here if I was in San Diego for a few days, if I was going to be Downtown a lot or something, but it worked well for us for a night before heading off to BILs wedding. And the girl at the desk was very confused about getting lounge access with SPG business card, but hey, unless you're staying there before August that won't matter!

My Starbucks coffee

And I know how concerned you all were about the trouble we had with the lounge access, so here's DH enjoying his (probably) one and only Sheraton lounge.

Four Points by Sheraton LAX - Deluxe King Room
10k Starpoints/$146 on our night

We stayed here for a night when we did a weekend in Long Beach. I picked this one because it had a shuttle, we just needed one night, and it was similarly priced to other hotels but we got to use it towards an SPG promo for extra points, so that tipped us in its favor. We got in late, almost midnight and caught the shuttle. The only issue was I had done mobile check in, and I think it had been so long since they activated our room keys that they didn't work any more - I had that happen at a Quality Inn in March, where they had made them early and had them on the desk. So we had to troop back down and there was only one person at check-in, but a line of 4 or 5 parties. If planes would bother you, probably not the best choice. But they don't bother us so it was perfect for one night at the start of a trip.

 

[wendow]

Anyone know how Daily Getaways purchases code?

 

[wendow]

Been meaning to add this, but my phone was being weird and not backing up my photos to google drive and I hadn't messed with it.

Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center - King Room with Sofabed
Corner of Harbor and Katella by Disneyland
12k Hyatt Points/$778 cash for our nights

We spent three nights here for 12k Hyatt points per night, transferred from UR. It was very clean, every time we walked through the lobby they were sweeping, mopping, or cleaning something, even at 1am. Maybe a 10 minute walk tops for two adults. Breakfast had eggs, bacon/sausage, toast, pastries, fruit, coffee, and juice. They had to go coffee cups and flavored creamer in the breakfast room. The room just had regular coffee mugs like you'd have at home. I think they had Seattle's Best in the breakfast room, and just your typical hospitality brand in the room - I didn't try it.

And while we're at it...

Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina - Traditional Marina Tower King Room
10k Starpoints + $30 resort fee/$160 incl resort fees on our night

We watched some planes take off and land from our balcony for a bit. Not as much airport noise plus it ended earlier compared to the next hotel review. There's a shuttle, but we actually just walked over for the night with our little carry-on roller bag. The weather was so nice! Busy roads being by the airport, but I didn't find it sketchy or anything. We paid cash for extra points. And I struggle because to me, at least when I booked it, 10k points is a night at the Dolphin, so that's how I keep thinking of my starpoints. We had drinks and apps in the bar downstairs. The drinks were good, but the apps weren't anything special to us. We were a little disappointed by them.

I don't know if I'd stay here if I was in San Diego for a few days, if I was going to be Downtown a lot or something, but it worked well for us for a night before heading off to BILs wedding. And the girl at the desk was very confused about getting lounge access with SPG business card, but hey, unless you're staying there before August that won't matter!

My Starbucks coffee

And I know how concerned you all were about the trouble we had with the lounge access, so here's DH enjoying his (probably) one and only Sheraton lounge.

Four Points by Sheraton LAX - Deluxe King Room
10k Starpoints/$146 on our night

We stayed here for a night when we did a weekend in Long Beach. I picked this one because it had a shuttle, we just needed one night, and it was similarly priced to other hotels but we got to use it towards an SPG promo for extra points, so that tipped us in its favor. We got in late, almost midnight and caught the shuttle. The only issue was I had done mobile check in, and I think it had been so long since they activated our room keys that they didn't work any more - I had that happen at a Quality Inn in March, where they had made them early and had them on the desk. So we had to troop back down and there was only one person at check-in, but a line of 4 or 5 parties. If planes would bother you, probably not the best choice. But they don't bother us so it was perfect for one night at the start of a trip.

Thanks for sharing! Now you have me wanting to move our DL hotel to the Hyatt House. That looks great!

And so glad y'all got the lounge access!

 

[amalone1013]

Anyone know how Daily Getaways purchases code?

It's supposed to be travel. Mine from last year coded travel with CSR. I was looking earlier and found one from two years ago that showed Chase and Barclay coding them as travel.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

VERY surprised of the lack of LAX and SNA on the list...

Me, too. But pretty easy to connect through Oakland or another Nor Cal city, maybe? I'm THRILLED with OAK on the list. That's my local airport. Can't wait to see what competition does to the prices.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks @Lain and @SouthFayetteFan for all the ideas last night. I took a deep breath and applied for CIP. I mean Uh DH applied. Got the 2 week message but had that before denial so I wasn’t very encouraged. But today Approved!
Still need to work out plan with roofer but I’m pretty excited at 80k UR and the 3x categories. Already texted DH to have him call for expedite

Woah!!! Congrats

 

[wendow]

It's supposed to be travel. Mine from last year coded travel with CSR. I was looking earlier and found one from two years ago that showed Chase and Barclay coding them as travel.

That's what I was hoping! I still have Barclay travel $$ and I want to use them soon b/c my 1-year will be coming up.

 

[Lain]

Me, too. But pretty easy to connect through Oakland or another Nor Cal city, maybe? I'm THRILLED with OAK on the list. That's my local airport. Can't wait to see what competition does to the prices.

Have you tried the Escape Lounge at OAK with your Amex Plat?