I love credit cards so much!

[disneymagicgirl]

So I just booked at ritz grand cayman for spring break. It is currently booking cat 7, and will covert to cat 8 next year. May as well try it while we can. *I'd like to do St Thomas, but they aren't booking right now...I guess still the hurricane damage.) I don't have enough points for the tier 5 nights/flights package. I have 300k-ish marriott and DH has 35k-ish SPG. So I guess I will just go for the hotel redemption. Now I need to research if we can smuggle in DD2 since room occupancy is 4. Surely people with 3 little kids don't buy 2 $1000/night hotel rooms. At Hilton I know they don't ever care if she is in a pack in play, but not so familiar with the other brands. I suppose I also need to ask DH about this idea, but at least I have it on hold.

 

[Judique]

eah, I think I'll just do the Cat 1-5, but I will hold off on actually linking the cert to my ressie until we see what they do - I can't imagine they would do the "here is 45k points" like you voluntarily cancelled the cert. I expect I will still be able to use it on the property I'm looking at (its a decent little hotel, but kind of in the middle of nowhere - not likely to be have its category/point value change a whole lot) whatever they do. The reason that points back might be a better deal than actually using the cert is that I think it will only be a 6 night stay, not 7.

It looks like you can check now to see what points the nights are going to be on your hotel. Someone posted a link here somewhere.

In your case, unless the nights cost is dropping significantly, since you already have a reservation I would add my certificate now to lock in use of the certificate.

With regard to using 6 nights versus 7, remember that your 5th night is free and you would probably only be reimbursed on 6 nights anyway, not 7.

 

[Lain]

Argh, get your Swolphin ressies in now:

Walt Disney World Swan Westin USA 36,000 50,000 14,000 6
Walt Disney World Dolphin Sheraton USA 36,000 50,000 14,000 6

It's moving to a Cat 6, 50k points come Aug 1.

Plenty of new 35k options around Disneyland! Nice way to spend those 35k anniversary certificates.

Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim (the old Hotel Menage) is going down 3,500 to 17,500 (Cat. 3)

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort is going up 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center is going down 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

SpringHill Suites at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center is going down 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Anaheim Marriott staying the same at 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort staying the same at 35,000 (Cat. 5)

And if you have a SPG Lux 50k cert:

Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance (with the water park) is going up 5,000 to 50,000 (Cat. 6)

 

[amalone1013]

So all of us Swolphin fans can cry some more, I ran the math on my reservation in September.

For 6 nights at the Dolphin:

• pre March @ 10kpts = 2.96cpp
• March - July @ 12kpts = 2.47cpp
• Aug @ 50kpts = 0.59cpp (x3 = 1.77cpp)

Swan too, just for kicks:

• pre March - July @ 12kpts = 3.39cpp
• Aug @ 50kpts = 0.81cpp (x3 = 2.44cpp)

 

[DisneyMandC]

I have the NY Marriott Marquis booked at 45,000 points for this December, but haven't actually "paid" yet. Do we think I need to pay in points before it increases to 50,000? Or should they honor my original point booking?

 

[platamama]

So all of us Swolphin fans can cry some more, I ran the math on my reservation in September.

For 6 nights at the Dolphin:

• pre March @ 10kpts = 2.96cpp
• March - July @ 12kpts = 2.47cpp
• Aug @ 50kpts = 0.59cpp (x3 = 1.77cpp)

Swan too, just for kicks:

• pre March - July @ 12kpts = 3.39cpp
• Aug @ 50kpts = 0.81cpp (x3 = 2.44cpp)

I don't "like" the devaluation of Swolphin, but I like that you did the math. Did you pay for your Sept trip with pre-August SPG points to lock in the higher value?

 

[Lain]

I don't have enough points

Starpoints are on sale until 7/20. Has your DH and DD18 bought some this year? Not too late to set up an account for them.

 

[miztressuz]

Delta Suites Vancouver went back to 35,000 (this is a good option pre-Alaska cruise).

I'll have to take a look at options for my London/Paris 2019. London looked okay. I'm not sure about how the change will impact my Paris options. I did see some jump by 15,000 but not many.

I'd definitely pass on Swolphin at 50,000. I haven't stayed there in ages and love the location, but that's a bit steep!

Thanks! I'm starting a sticky note for pre-cruise Vancouver hotels to look at. I can use my SPG "free" night at that one so it's on the list to check out now

Good morning reposting.
Should I link Marriott, spg, ritz accounts or keep them separate? DH is traveling soon and just created a spg account. It mentioned linking accounts so figured I’d check here before linking them.

If you link them now you get status match on the accounts. So you'd get an equivalent status on the new SPG account without having stayed there yet Also you'd be able to transfer points between the two because SPG and Marriott are still separate bookings. So if you had a bunch of Marriott points but want to stay at a Starwoods brand, you'd have to transfer the Marriott to SPG to book it on points.

When they merge the programs in Aug you'll have to do another step to actually combine the accounts. They are supposed to email you to tell you what you have to do to combine them then.

 

[DaveL]

I’d give it a week. Do you have a backup plan to staying at a non-Disney hotel for the Oct trip?

(ETA: Twitter. Lol, no worries. You could make an account entitled Literally Anything today and inquire with them. I’ve used their tweet service a few times, they do watch their DMs but it might take a couple hours to hear back.)

No backup plan yet. The big problem is with traveling with my Mom and Daughter I will have to handle all the bags ect so DME was looking really good this trip. I might just have to sit outside the door and play on the iPad.

 

[amalone1013]

I don't "like" the devaluation of Swolphin, but I like that you did the math. Did you pay for your Sept trip with pre-August SPG points to lock in the higher value?

I actually booked in Jan/Feb before it went up in March, even though I wasn't sure if we'd be taking a trip or not... I only had enough points for 6 nights at the time, that was the only downside.

 

[miztressuz]

As some of you know, I've been following DPs and discussion about Chase double dips followed by lowered credit lines on both newly approved cards: https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-1685#post-59376636

There's a new DP on /r/churning this morning: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/c...s_central_thread_week_of_june_28_2018/e1fny50

The discussion about these credit line reductions seems to think (and I think this too), that on a double dip, Chase's computers considers each application separately, approves each without knowing about the other, and assigns you a credit line based on the assumption of a single application (because it's not exactly typical to see two applications in the same day), which is why you might get two (especially Sapphire) cards with high credit lines. This is kind of supported by today's DP that mentioned the Chase rep said, "your applications were auto approved by the system." Something in these DPs may be causing Chase to review the double dips, which results in Chase manually reducing the credit lines on the two newly approved cards. I'm thinking that the two new credit lines, especially if they're big, may have pushed the applicant way over some percentage of total credit extended to income that Chase isn't comfortable with. It could also be Chase can see what cards you've applied and been approved for, and 2 cards in the same day is atypical that warrants review. Keep in mind that in none of these DPs has Chase closed a newly approved card or told the applicant they can't have two Sapphires or two SW consumer cards; Chase just unilaterally lowers the credit lines on the cards likely to mitigate their risk.

Something to consider if you're planning to double dip.

I would agree that they're looking at separate apps when auto approving, but I have to think this still is a newish change though. When I did it in Apr I did CSR first and got 30+k. When I did the CSP soon after I got the warning asking if I wanted to add more income and when I said no I was still approved but for only the minimum, 5k. So I can't imagine the second app didn't see that first 30+k extended and that's what prompted the much lower CL. Otherwise something is bonkers.

It does sound like the double dip is getting flagged for a manual review (or some other post approval review type) to counteract whatever the auto approver is doing now. I wish we had more DP's of people who are getting the double dip without getting the CL's lowered just to see what the trend is. If only we could make everyone who did it fill out a survey where we could track what the % of lowered CL's are

 

[GusGus16]

Plenty of new 35k options around Disneyland! Nice way to spend those 35k anniversary certificates.

Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim (the old Hotel Menage) is going down 3,500 to 17,500 (Cat. 3)

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort is going up 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center is going down 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

SpringHill Suites at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center is going down 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Anaheim Marriott staying the same at 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort staying the same at 35,000 (Cat. 5)

And if you have a SPG Lux 50k cert:

Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance (with the water park) is going up 5,000 to 50,000 (Cat. 6)

Looking at planning a disneyland trip likely early 2019, wondering if anyone has opinions about the staying at the above hotels...would be my first trip to DL, or if there is some better options without using starwoods/marriott points?

In the early stages of planning the trip thinking of visiting disneyland, san diego and possibly ending the trip in phoenix/tucson, if anyone has opinions or advise. Thanks

 

[speedyfishy]

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/fide...ng-spending-accounts-get-200-bonus/#The_Offer

Anyone doing this? I just opened the accounts and transferred $200 from my discover account to the cash account. Do I need to deposit into the investing account too? Idk how investing works I just do automatic transfers to a target date fund through Vanguard lol

 

[Judique]

So they nickel and dimed a lot of the resorts.

The Sheraton Sand Key in Clearwater went up 5k but is still a category 5 at 35K. That's good at least since my free night will book it. This resort is directly on the Gulf, as opposed to the more expensive Marriott Suites which are across the street but on the Tampa Bay side. I'll take this older Sheraton any day.

I don't like how in SPG used to have cheaper points for cat 1 and 2 on weekends and now all nights are same price - no weekend price break. Examples would be some Aloft hotels - great for a travelling overnight room.

They took a very good TownPlace Suites near me and jacked it up from 10,000 to 17,500 - I didn't like that as it was on my radar if I ever needed a room for someone.

 

[speedyfishy]

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/fide...ng-spending-accounts-get-200-bonus/#The_Offer

Anyone doing this? I just opened the accounts and transferred $200 from my discover account to the cash account. Do I need to deposit into the investing account too? Idk how investing works I just do automatic transfers to a target date fund through Vanguard lol

Found the answer!
You must deposit between $50–$200 to receive your bonus money. You can deposit it all into one account, or split it between both—your choice. Your bonus money will be deposited into to whichever account you choose to fund.

Example: if you put $100 into your Fidelity Cash Management Account and $100 into your Fidelity Account, you will receive a free $100 from Fidelity in each account.

This seems like a super easy bonus. $200 deposit into the cash account get $200 in 7 days account and money needs to remain in the account for 9 months. No fee. Didn’t see the option to fund with a credit card, but I still think it is a good bonus.

 

[christineinvegas]

Done! and welcome!

Thank you!

Hello fellow Las Vegan!

Hi! Another Disney lover and churner! Yay!

The vegans?

Ha! Far from it...doing keto! LOL

 

[christineinvegas]

Starriott updated category list is out: https://points-redemption.marriott.com/category-change

Way to wait to the last minute there Almost not June anymore.

My Sheraton in Carlsbad @ Legoland is going up. Boo. I already booked for September at current rate, so at least there's that.

Plenty of new 35k options around Disneyland! Nice way to spend those 35k anniversary certificates.

Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim (the old Hotel Menage) is going down 3,500 to 17,500 (Cat. 3)

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort is going up 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center is going down 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

SpringHill Suites at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center is going down 5,000 to 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Anaheim Marriott staying the same at 35,000 (Cat. 5)

Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort staying the same at 35,000 (Cat. 5)

And if you have a SPG Lux 50k cert:

Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance (with the water park) is going up 5,000 to 50,000 (Cat. 6)

I have a November reservation for Fairfield Inn. I'm going to look at those other ones though and see if I can get a better deal (closer to Disney).

 

[miztressuz]

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/fide...ng-spending-accounts-get-200-bonus/#The_Offer

Anyone doing this? I just opened the accounts and transferred $200 from my discover account to the cash account. Do I need to deposit into the investing account too? Idk how investing works I just do automatic transfers to a target date fund through Vanguard lol

That looks pretty awesome, I had not seen that before. But, in the FAQ's it says you can deposit it all into one account or split it. It says no min balances on either account, but you have to open both accounts for the bonus. So you can put the $200 into the cash side, and $0 into the investing and they'll deposit the $200 bonus into the cash one. If you don't want to invest in any stocks then the invest one can stay at $0. (If you decide you want to buy a stock you can just transfer money into it then.)

You have to keep $200 in the account for 9 months post bonus or they can claw it back if it dips below at any point (fine print). Thanks for mentioning it, I may just do that. 9 months isn't horrible to leave a small amount in and I've been looking for a new self serve investment option anyway.

 

[tink1970]

The Ritz in Budapest is going up...boo!

It appears that any Ritz in which I'm interested is going up or staying the same (not saying this applies to all R-C, I'm just not interested in Asia nor Kazakhstan!).

Looks like I'll be paying Euro for our pre-river cruise night. That will give me an excuse to book a suite, I guess

 

[speedyfishy]

That looks pretty awesome, I had not seen that before. But, in the FAQ's it says you can deposit it all into one account or split it. It says no min balances on either account, but you have to open both accounts for the bonus. So you can put the $200 into the cash side, and $0 into the investing and they'll deposit the $200 bonus into the cash one. If you don't want to invest in any stocks then the invest one can stay at $0. (If you decide you want to buy a stock you can just transfer money into it then.)

You have to keep $200 in the account for 9 months post bonus or they can claw it back if it dips below at any point (fine print). Thanks for mentioning it, I may just do that. 9 months isn't horrible to leave a small amount in and I've been looking for a new self serve investment option anyway.

Thank you! I have opened an account for SO and I. Seems like such an easy bonus now that the money can sit in the cash account. 9 months is a long time, but no fees and only a $200 deposit makes it worth it for me.