I love credit cards so much!

[disneymagicgirl]

How did you buy a $112 Walmart GC?

If I remember correctly it was a variable amount e-card.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

If I remember correctly it was a variable amount e-card.

yeah, here is a screen shot.

 

[vanjust14]

Smithfield here!

So nice to see some neighbors!

ETA: Just saw your post about the energy bill being so much higher and was going to say me too, and then realized it was you, haha! We definitely do have some high costs here!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Anyone have any preferred hotels/good point redemption value for Nashville. We've never been before but looks like we'll be doing a work/pleasure trip mid-month. I can expense some of the trip but not all. We have UR and starwood points. Not familiar with the area at all, so any and all advice appreciated (esp if it relates to food ).

I live there. Well here. You know what I mean. ha!

What area will you be in for work? Downtown Nashville? There are a couple Hilton brands down near Broadway I'd choose if I were doing a staycation.

 

[Albort]

Ok so Lowe’s only? That’s ok it’s much closer my house than Staples.

lowes should be fine with MSR. Staples would be a good idea after meeting MSR. can only confirm cobrand cards of getting points, although 10% off is still pretty good deal even without point earning.

 

[vanjust14]

ETA:I must be half asleep, nothing to see here!

 

[spacerangerqueen]

Also check out the Springhill Suites and Residence Inn (Marriotts). They both look very nice and we're staying at the RI in July.

I agree that the RI and springhill both look great! We've currently rebooked at the HOJO mainly for distance reasons.

Just looked at Residence Inn and Springhill. They both look great! I don't think I'll have enough Marriott points though. I currently have 13k Marriott and 32k SPG and those run 140k-160k for our trip. I'll keep them in mind though if I can get some more points. Thanks!

 

[AmyAnne]

I'm about 2/3 through My Dear Hamilton, about Alexander Hamilton's wife, which is by the same two authors that wrote America's First Daughter about Patsy Jefferson. They are history novelizations so they read more like fiction but are based on facts though they do take some liberties with timelines and such to make things work better. Plus, like movies based on old stuff, you can only kind of know, if that, what was actually said etc. They are good authors which is why I picked the book up, but I also wasn't familiar with the Hamilton's so it's been good for that.

Thanks - I'll check it out. I read a different fictionalized account called "The Hamilton Affair" last year in anticipation of seeing the play. It was a good introduction to the basic outline of Hamilton's life. I recall it being good but not great; it did keep my attention all the way through (I have to confess that I read about 3/4 of the Chernow biography before admitting to myself that I really did not want to know that many details).

 

[AmyAnne]

I have flown into ABQ more recently, but flew into Denver on a ski trip in 2008. I really like the ABQ airport - it's fairly small, not busy, no crazy waits for security, easy to get to the rental car lot, etc. It's actually got a kind of charming old-school airport feel to it - like, all the gate signs are physical placards, not digital signs, and the architecture and decor is in a very cozy New Mexican style. And I recall the food court being decent. I'd go with ABQ since it means an hour less drive for you as long as the flight times aren't toooo inconvenient. But Denver is nice enough too - I think it was updated more recently so probably has better food and dining options if that's a concern for you.

I would choose the smaller airport if pricing is similar. Bigger airports are just always going to be harder, more time consuming to get around. I've been to both airports. While Den is much, much larger, I consider Denver a fairly easy airport to navigate. I grew up mostly using Dallas Love Field (easy!) and DFW main airport which I think is so complicated...to this day, it's such a pain, imo. We flew into there a little over a year ago, and they are doing renovations and just making it worse. If price is same, I'd go with smaller airport. If you end up in Denver, not awful. It's a great airport.

Thanks. I think we are going to go with ABQ. Food and dining options would be nice but I think less crowded and not having to drive in Denver are tipping the scales.

 

[afan]

Thanks - I'll check it out. I read a different fictionalized account called "The Hamilton Affair" last year in anticipation of seeing the play. It was a good introduction to the basic outline of Hamilton's life. I recall it being good but not great; it did keep my attention all the way through (I have to confess that I read about 3/4 of the Chernow biography before admitting to myself that I really did not want to know that many details).

I just finished the book. It's over 600 pages but didn't feel daunting to read since it's fictionalized. Since it's from his wife's viewpoint, there are details but it's not all about him. The notes from the author at the end were good to explain how they moved things and what they had to infer. They did use Chernow's book as one of their many resources.

 

[miztressuz]

@mefordis and any others considering Hilton points in the future...

Hilton points are easy to earn...and perhaps for a reason. They can be challenging to use and properties are expensive. There are also limited flexible redemption methods. A good example is their TERRIBLE airline transfer rates (6.67:1 with American; 10:1 with Delta/United)!! Compare that to the new Marriott plan which will work at 2.4:1 when transferring 60k at a time. OR the even more lucrative nights and flights packages! And don’t even get me started on Hilton’s terrible program with using points on Amazon.

I’ve mentioned before that I like to have a backup plan for my points. Marriott points can work for hotels, transfer to airlines, or even cashed out to gift cards. I recently used up all of my Hilton points and have no plans to earn more. For those that like to stay at Hilton properties and understand their value and how to use them, they can be great. For others...I’d probably steer clear.

I'd have to agree with you, but that said, I'm still eyeing up one of their cards for hubby eventually (Hilton's his rewards account). IHG and Marriott generally cover everywhere but we have been to some places lately where their coverage was sparse and their were either 1. inconvenient 2. expensive! or 3. unavailable. Last couple trips a Hilton option was the backup. In Denver we had booked a Hampton Inn but closer to the trip I found availability open up at a more convenient RI for about the same price. And a few weekend trips this year it's been happening too. We've got healthy point balances (for us at least) at both brands so it seems to make sense to add a 3rd program... and who know where the future lies?
(Although everybody's Hyatt reports are making me interested there too someday )

Nope, Chase does make a hard pull on biz apps. Just checked and I'm seeing a new inquiry from Chase on EX and EQ right after my CIC application.

Seconded. But I only had 1 inquiry, EX.

I just finished the book. It's over 600 pages but didn't feel daunting to read since it's fictionalized. Since it's from his wife's viewpoint, there are details but it's not all about him. The notes from the author at the end were good to explain how they moved things and what they had to infer. They did use Chernow's book as one of their many resources.

Might call you the Queen of Hearts now, off with his head! The force is really strong with this one That's a great pic though!
Which reminds me, I think I forgot to set a watch on your TR, I should go do that now... I'm loving your pics there too

 

[afan]

Might call you the Queen of Hearts now, off with his head! The force is really strong with this one That's a great pic though!
Which reminds me, I think I forgot to set a watch on your TR, I should go do that now... I'm loving your pics there too

Thanks! I still think it's funny that probably the only non Star Wars fan on that flight was the rebel spy.

Uploading more pix for the TR now and got annoyed at imgur. I uploaded a few from the app and I can't figure out how to do it without them posting and being public there. They've been done voted, I mean c'mon people really? I was in all 3 pics and they aren't anything funny but they are for my TR. I still don't understand the point of that site so I'm glad I figured out how to upload on the website without posting them.

 

[Haley R]

Is a 15+ hour flight to Tokyo going to be horrible in Economy?

 

[wendow]

Wow, I didn't think the HOJO was even on your radar! We've never stayed there, but hear good things.

It wasn't! I cancelled the Tropicana (no clue why really other than the FOMO here about Hyatt House lol) and I booked Hyatt House. The more I contemplated the distance (fine for the rest of us but hard with wheelchair) and the fact that we always hit RD, which means breakfast on the run so we probably wouldn't really even take time to eat the breakfast at Hyatt, I decided to go back to Tropicana. Well, not only was it not coming up on UR but I couldn't get 5 nights anywhere closer on UR's. I was lamenting on the DL forum and @Angrose came to my rescue (thanks girl!). She found a piecing of nights at Hojo. I booked them and then called and had them link the reservations so we don't have to check out half way through. It's nice too cause we only need one room. Their family suite has 4 queens so we are totally set, much closer and are fine doing our own thing for breakfast, which we'd probably do anyways.

 

[Lain]

Tagging @thevalley - There’s hope for courtesy points on your Hilton Biz: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8og49f/comment/e03mvdp?st=JI16HQVV&sh=5f9d793d

 

[wendow]

Thanks. I think we are going to go with ABQ. Food and dining options would be nice but I think less crowded and not having to drive in Denver are tipping the scales.

Didn't realize you'd have to drive in Denver too. Definitely GOOD choice to go with ABQ! Smart, smart!

 

[Lain]

It wasn't! I cancelled the Tropicana (no clue why really other than the FOMO here about Hyatt House lol) and I booked Hyatt House. The more I contemplated the distance (fine for the rest of us but hard with wheelchair) and the fact that we always hit RD, which means breakfast on the run so we probably wouldn't really even take time to eat the breakfast at Hyatt, I decided to go back to Tropicana. Well, not only was it not coming up on UR but I couldn't get 5 nights anywhere closer on UR's. I was lamenting on the DL forum and @Angrose came to my rescue (thanks girl!). She found a piecing of nights at Hojo. I booked them and then called and had them link the reservations so we don't have to check out half way through. It's nice too cause we only need one room. Their family suite has 4 queens so we are totally set, much closer and are fine doing our own thing for breakfast, which we'd probably do anyways.

Did you book through UR? The setup sounds perfect. And Panera Bread and McDonald’s serve breakfast and are on the way to DLR.

 

[wendow]

Did you book through UR? The setup sounds perfect. And Panera Bread and McDonald’s serve breakfast and are on the way to DLR.

I did book through UR's

And seeing as my boys had never had McD's until 3 weeks ago but thought it was the coolest thing ever, I'm pretty sure we will be stopping there and at Panera. I think the Hojo will work well for us.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

When I log into my account on my computer, there is a box at the top to the right that says:
Rewards
Ultimate Rewards
xxx Points
5% cash back (Apr-Jun) Details

When I click on "Details" it brings me to a page that shows the green progress line towards $75 for the 5% categories.
At the top of that screen, first thing on the blue bar, are three lines. Click on the lines, a menu will open on the left. Look for "Rewards Activity" and that will open a page that has the actual dollar amounts.
Hope this helps!

Thank you so much! I was hoping they had something that added if all up to give what you had left. Apparently there used to be some kind of reveal codes thing on the bar but it’s gone now.

 

[wendow]

@afan Love your avatar!! Did you post more pics of your trip somewhere else? I went back trying to find but I'm not seeing them. Where did you meet Darth Vadar?