I love credit cards so much!

[mefordis]

Wow, this has been a true learning experience with points and miles. I need 35k miles on Delta to buy a ticket. I have 33k spg points, so I'm short 2k to transfer 1:1 to Delta for the ticket. To make up the difference I transferred UR's to Marriott 1:1 and then I will transfer them to SPG 3:1 to get the points needed to transfer them to Delta 1:1.

Then, I'll need to take more Marriott miles (from husband's 100k bonus) and transfer them to SPG again to buy another Delta ticket for me. This time just one way since I already bought my First Class ticket on UA with miles. My goal is to spend almost nothing for these flights!

Is this the way you experts would do it? I need to buy these tickets soon since we are going to WDW in mid Nov for the Food and Wine Festival!

Thanks for any input!

 

[mefordis]

I’m so disappointed in Marriott. I think we are going to try Hyatt next since we have Globalist status with them and look into Hilton’s.

What about trying Hilton? I have Gold with Starwood, but now Gold status with Hilton because I got the Amex card. The only time we stay on Hilton properties, though, is when we travel for my daughter's gymnastics meets and stay at Hampton Inn. I'm hesitant to hop around different hotel properties since I like to stick with one loyalty program for more points/perks down the road. I couldn't resist a 100k sign up bonus, though. The points don't transfer very well to other programs, however (I just learned).

 

[Judique]

For anyone who enjoys Five Guys, check your Chase pay. There is an offer for $8 off when you order ahead! I’d rather have free Starbucks lol!

Thanks for the heads up. We get 5 guys probably once or twice a month but I've never dl'ed the ap on my phone til now. That's because I thought I had to have a UR card - but it works on my Hyatt or Disney Chase Visa. It doesn't go on the IHG (mastercard).

Younger daughter signed up also.

5 Guys is our closest burger place and I could (should) walk there. Never have, but it just occurred to me that I could if it EVER stops raining here in the DMV.

 

[hsmamato2]

Does anyone know about the Amex Biz 'rules' for meeting MSR (no MS) as far as gift cards go? I'm trying to get a clear picture before I mess this up, and according to @Albort screenshots, my acct page doesn't show me enough detail for what 'level' of purchase so I can see what they're looking at....wondering if it's safe to mix a costco cash card purchase in with some spend at a grocery ,mix regular purchases with gc there? if I stay away from the visa gc,and just go for branded gc at grocery,will I be ok?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

So far Marriott Int. and Atlantis Bahamas reached out asking for more information and it got forwarded to their “team.”

I really feel bad that my complaining would prevent you from coming, but I would feel awful if you got here and I didn’t disclose the cleanliness issue and your room was dirty too. I really think the response to our issues has been lack luster because my SO and I are young and look like high schoolers. We checked in and they asked us which one of us was over 18. Maybe if we looked more like adults the manager would be more responsive to our complaints.

I remember having a blast here when I was in high school on a family vacation. Maybe I didn’t realize any issues because I was young, maybe we have bad luck and this isn’t the normal procedure, or maybe the hotel is just getting run down and needs an update.

Our towels by the pool also had stains on them. That doesn’t bother me that much because I’m dirty coming out of the ocean and shower when I get back to the room, but maybe what they are washing to clean things here isn’t efficient.

Well, since the online reviews are not good, I have to assume your experience is not out of the norm. It is super annoying if they are age discriminating against you. I have always looked really young and have gotten that alot too. When I was pregnant with my son at age 26, and already an RN, etc, an older lady walked past me and said " such a shame, babies having babies." Ummm, I am a responsible adult and definitely not a baby.

As far as Atlantis, maybe they need to buy some oxiclean in bulk.

 

[hsmamato2]

Taken out of context...this statement is a little WOAH

I was wondering if I was the only one who thought the same....

 

[speedyfishy]

What about trying Hilton? I have Gold with Starwood, but now Gold status with Hilton because I got the Amex card. The only time we stay on Hilton properties, though, is when we travel for my daughter's gymnastics meets and stay at Hampton Inn. I'm hesitant to hop around different hotel properties since I like to stick with one loyalty program for more points/perks down the road. I couldn't resist a 100k sign up bonus, though. The points don't transfer very well to other programs, however (I just learned).

I will try Hilton too. I just don’t have status yet and I can’t get the card yet because I’m 2/90 with Amex. Soon though.

 

[Ngwira]

So far Marriott Int. and Atlantis Bahamas reached out asking for more information and it got forwarded to their “team.”

I really feel bad that my complaining would prevent you from coming, but I would feel awful if you got here and I didn’t disclose the cleanliness issue and your room was dirty too. I really think the response to our issues has been lack luster because my SO and I are young and look like high schoolers. We checked in and they asked us which one of us was over 18. Maybe if we looked more like adults the manager would be more responsive to our complaints.

I remember having a blast here when I was in high school on a family vacation. Maybe I didn’t realize any issues because I was young, maybe we have bad luck and this isn’t the normal procedure, or maybe the hotel is just getting run down and needs an update.

Our towels by the pool also had stains on them. That doesn’t bother me that much because I’m dirty coming out of the ocean and shower when I get back to the room, but maybe what they are washing to clean things here isn’t efficient.

Stained towels are NOT the norm or a sign of a hotel that takes pride in ownership. You are not overreacting. Sounds like a nightmare.

 

[mefordis]

I will try Hilton too. I just don’t have status yet and I can’t get the card yet because I’m 2/90 with Amex. Soon though.

Didn't know about the 2/90. Good to know, thanks! (I wish I could follow everything on this thread but my attention span is null these days!)

 

[kmc8826]

I’m so disappointed in Marriott. I think we are going to try Hyatt next since we have Globalist status with them and look into Hilton’s.

It should not matter if you guys look young or not. That is just poor customer service. They can just look at your identification. I have been way happy with Hyatt. Our trip to Maui the room was all points for all nights and they even upgraded our room. Good luck and I am sorry. You don’t go on vacation to fight battles with people. Disney has its issues but I guess this is showing why we are addicted to it on some level or another!

 

[kmc8826]

Wow, this has been a true learning experience with points and miles. I need 35k miles on Delta to buy a ticket. I have 33k spg points, so I'm short 2k to transfer 1:1 to Delta for the ticket. To make up the difference I transferred UR's to Marriott 1:1 and then I will transfer them to SPG 3:1 to get the points needed to transfer them to Delta 1:1.

Then, I'll need to take more Marriott miles (from husband's 100k bonus) and transfer them to SPG again to buy another Delta ticket for me. This time just one way since I already bought my First Class ticket on UA with miles. My goal is to spend almost nothing for these flights!

Is this the way you experts would do it? I need to buy these tickets soon since we are going to WDW in mid Nov for the Food and Wine Festival!

Thanks for any input!

If you transfer the SPG points to Delta in increments of 20k you get a 5000 mile skymile boost.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

What about trying Hilton? I have Gold with Starwood, but now Gold status with Hilton because I got the Amex card. The only time we stay on Hilton properties, though, is when we travel for my daughter's gymnastics meets and stay at Hampton Inn. I'm hesitant to hop around different hotel properties since I like to stick with one loyalty program for more points/perks down the road. I couldn't resist a 100k sign up bonus, though. The points don't transfer very well to other programs, however (I just learned).

I can vouch for Hilton. I can't think of a single major issue we've had at one and we have stayed exclusively for 10 years. My DH does probably 80 nights a year and usually stays at Hampton or HGI for those. For our sports tourney trips we stay at alot of homewood suites and embassy suites. We also do some full service Hiltons for vacations.

 

[jhoannam]

Wow, this has been a true learning experience with points and miles. I need 35k miles on Delta to buy a ticket. I have 33k spg points, so I'm short 2k to transfer 1:1 to Delta for the ticket. To make up the difference I transferred UR's to Marriott 1:1 and then I will transfer them to SPG 3:1 to get the points needed to transfer them to Delta 1:1.

Then, I'll need to take more Marriott miles (from husband's 100k bonus) and transfer them to SPG again to buy another Delta ticket for me. This time just one way since I already bought my First Class ticket on UA with miles. My goal is to spend almost nothing for these flights!

Is this the way you experts would do it? I need to buy these tickets soon since we are going to WDW in mid Nov for the Food and Wine Festival!

Thanks for any input!

I thought SPG transfers is 20K SPG to 25K airlines miles.
Have you checked the UR travel portal to see how many URs you need if you buy them through the portal?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Does anyone know about the Amex Biz 'rules' for meeting MSR (no MS) as far as gift cards go? I'm trying to get a clear picture before I mess this up, and according to @Albort screenshots, my acct page doesn't show me enough detail for what 'level' of purchase so I can see what they're looking at....wondering if it's safe to mix a costco cash card purchase in with some spend at a grocery ,mix regular purchases with gc there? if I stay away from the visa gc,and just go for branded gc at grocery,will I be ok?

Try clicking on statements/activity.
Try beta version.

Then click on a charge and it shows this.

Is that the info you need?

ETA: I'd like to know this too, because I will sure use those new rebate offers on the hilton biz to buy gift cards for MSR if I can!

 

[SBWB48]

TPG has a review of the Escape Lounge at OAK. I know a few of you will be through this way soon and have (or are contemplating) Amex Platinum for this benefit.

I use this lounge all the time and love it. Was just there on Friday thanks for the link!

We will be there in less than 3 weeks! Will be our first lounge experience, so here's to hoping no issues (seems like crowds shouldn't be) since we plan to use it during arrival, which the TPG reviewer also did (so yay cause I was afraid if that would be an issue !) into OAK for our SF leg of our CA trip!

@CaliforniaGirl09 any suggestions on the best way to get to the lounge? We will be arriving from SW.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Ah! I only happened to see the tag on your post. I haven’t been trying to catch up. Still in Tokyo and have now completed the Disney Parks Grand Slam. All 12 parks and 11 of them we went to this year! The right side of my face still doesn’t work but I’m having a blast. The Tokyo parks have ruined me for Disney parks. Best. Disney. Parks. Ever.

Omg so jealous. I’m on vacation too but not Tokyo! We’re in Flagstaff now, Grand Canyon tomorrow. Flagstaff is nicer weather than Phoenix, no idea why someone would want to live where is 105 degrees.

So glad you’re still able to keep your sense of humor and enjoy your vacation

 

[hsmamato2]

Try clicking on statements/activity. View attachment 326924
Try beta version.View attachment 326925

Then click on a charge and it shows this.View attachment 326926

Is that the info you need?

ETA: I'd like to know this too, because I will sure use those new rebate offers on the hilton biz to buy gift cards for MSR if I can!

ok thanks for that,funny the 'try new version' is only on some of my cards....no I wasn;t lloking for that info tho- looking for the level 1,2,3 data that @Albort seems to be able to see,but I can't. Oh wait Iremembered that backwards, no amex on costco online, (I mixed it up with Discover card )

 

[hsmamato2]

Omg so jealous. I’m on vacation too but not Tokyo! We’re in Flagstaff now, Grand Canyon tomorrow. Flagstaff is nicer weather than Phoenix, no idea why someone would want to live where is 105 degrees.

So glad you’re still able to keep your sense of humor and enjoy your vacation

Lucky.... I've done this trip before and LOVED it

 

[Calfan]

I was reading the Disney Tourist Blog this week about the Tokyo parks since we’re planning to go when we go to Japan in 2020. They also agree they’re the best parks ever! I’m already excite for this trip even though it’s more than 2 years away!

I feel the exact same way. We also have Japan booked for 2020!

 

[Calfan]

We will be there in less than 3 weeks! Will be our first lounge experience, so here's to hoping no issues (seems like crowds shouldn't be) since we plan to use it during arrival, which the TPG reviewer also did (so yay cause I was afraid if that would be an issue !) into OAK for our SF leg of our CA trip!

@CaliforniaGirl09 any suggestions on the best way to get to the lounge? We will be arriving from SW.

The lounge is in terminal 1 near gate 8. You will most likely come in to terminal 2 on SW. Just walk toward baggage claim, but don’t go down the escalators to baggage claim. Instead, keep to the left and just keep walking until you get to a connector to terminal 1. OAK’s terminals kind of form a horseshoe, so you need to go down one arm, across the bottom and back up the other. Should take you no more than 10 minutes. OAK is nice and small.