I love credit cards so much!

[Judique]

You can always just earn more, right?

I had this talk with daughter yesterday where she was going back and forth on the value she was going to get for booking with points versus cash. She was at break even and the taxes and fees on cash rooms put booking with points in the plus column. Still, she wanted to do cash. I'm saying 'book with points and earn more'. She's got 5 vacations in the works between now and spring break. October is taking the kids to see her DH's mom. November - Disney with me - no cost to her. Late November - Spain. Dec - visit her Dad over Xmas in Colorado Springs. Spring break - Cayman Islands. She bought one of those Marriott nights and flights deals - hasn't figured it into any of this. (I'm for using it at DL and I said I'd go with her.) It doesn't fit, so there's another trip to take. Spain is multiple cities so she is using individual nights there. She was able to do the avios deal with accounts for everybody and got lie flat seats for this trip. (We all missed quite a few flights to make that work!)

And, she can't use points from my account and let me get elite nights - I have to be there and stay in the room with Marriott's rules to get elite night credits!!! Another reason to ditch Marriott as soon as the points are gone and to start building more UR's and points in other programs - Hyatt for me. Marriott was never the best program for us in the past - and it messed up SPG so I see no reason to continue with them, when we have Hyatt, IHG, Radisson, Omni, and even Hilton, plus all the no name brands out there. I'm just moving on.

 

[calypso726]

Just a drive by post to say Aloha! We are on our way to Maui for the Westin timeshare offer trip. No shower or double bed on this plane but I’m not complaining and neither is the Plane Princess. Lie flat seats from DFW to Maui and we are happy campers!

Mahalo to travel hacking!

 

[AmyAnne]

When I did the DVC tour in January, I mentioned the Disney visa six months and my guide just said, "yes it's great. You can do the whole purchase if you have enough credit." I was looking at 100 points, so over 18k. So I think you can probably do more than 10k.

This reminds me that I have meant to ask about the DVC tour. I assume you did it for the fast passes? Does everyone in your family get FPs or only those who show up for the tour?

I'm considering a tour during our December trip but not sure it's a good use of time.

 

[AmyAnne]

We've given up on the idea of any aid whatsoever, to be honest, so if she gets any sort of scholarships it will be a happy surprise. If DD attends an instate school in Florida it will be essentially free with Bright Futures and the prepaid that we bought when she was young. So of course, she won't attend instate in Florida. At this point, I'm encouraging ANY school that takes credit cards (because I have visions of a British Air companion pass and/or 1.5 MR dancing in my head). I won't even tell you the words I used for the guy who bought the Tesla and ruined the CIP/plastique train (we were waiting for DH to be under 5/24 early in 2019 then going to earn a zillion URs...).

I appreciate the well wishes...she is in love with W&M and is even considering Early Decision for it. Lots of flying or long drives could be in my future. Thanks Amex for the companion passes (I have 2 delta plats/biz and personal) As you know, it's stressful in a different way for parents going through this decision/application/waiting process.

Yes, it's definitely stressful for parents -- in some ways more stressful for parents, because we understand the long-term consequences of these choices whereas kids can be "Oh that's a cool school, I like their football team, so what if it costs $60,000 a year"!

Has your DD considered New College? It was on one of my kids' list -- all four of mine chose liberal arts colleges so I feel like I have at least read about if not visited a good portion of them.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Just a drive by post to say Aloha! We are on our way to Maui for the Westin timeshare offer trip. No shower or double bed on this plane but I’m not complaining and neither is the Plane Princess. Lie flat seats from DFW to Maui and we are happy campers!

Mahalo to travel hacking!

View attachment 347746

My parents own at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. They LOVE LOVE LOVE it, but it is a pricey timeshare. Lucky for me they bought a second every other year week, so every other year they invite all their children and grandchildren who can want to go. I've been to the Maui Westin timeshare with my little family 3 times and once to the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas on Kauai. You will love it!

 

[Artygal90]

I thought the OP was asking about getting the Disney dining plan with just a room reservation, not just making dining reservations.

Yes this is exactly it. I want to be able to book some hard-to-get reservations for 180+length of stay, which you can only get with a room reservation, but won't have enough to pay for the whole package outright. But I will try calling Disney (and Chase too, probably) when it's closer to the time to book and see if they can do only DDP + room. Or, just get up at 6 am every day for a week starting 180 days from when we land and book the whole package when I have enough points

Thanks everyone!

 

[DisneyMandC]

And, she can't use points from my account and let me get elite nights - I have to be there and stay in the room with Marriott's rules to get elite night credits!!!

@amalone1013 did a points booking for her grandfather several months ago and he was able to stay. Not sure if she collected nights or not, or if things have changed since the merger.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Not a glamorous churning success and not along @SouthFayetteFan 's never using cash for trips but... DD decided we had to return to Williamsburg so she can interview at William and Mary....in October.

I was able to use my companion fare with Delta so airfare that would have been $1200 is "only" $600. Something must be going on in the Newport News/Hampton area because all hotels I'd like to book are reserved so booked a Marriott (Williamsburg Lodge) which is at the pricey end but will have $300 credit toward a $600 room. I'm renting a rental car for more than I'd like but will keep going back to check fares (and renting with CSR so at least 3x URs). I keep reminding myself if she attends W&M, this $1000 jaunt will be a drop in the bucket to out of state fees for four years.

All of the Amex offers I would have used (Marriott $60 off of $300; Hilton/Embassy Suites/rental car) expire before we go OR the hotel I need isn't available. I'll keep an eye out for new ones of course but sigh...

William and Mary's Homecoming is October 18-21. Maybe that's it? There are gobs of timeshares in the Williamsburg area. It is completely overbuilt. Maybe you could find a great deal on a timeshare rental for less that a hotel.

My DH and I both went to William and Mary. We LOVED it!!! It is a terrific school. I couldn't get my two kids interested in it though. They both toured. My DS21 applied and got in but chose UVA instead. My DD19 wouldn't even apply. She fell in love with Virginia Tech when we took her brother on college visits. No other school ever measured up to VT for her. I hope you have a great tour, and if your DD attends, I hope she has a wonderful 4 years there like I did. Go Tribe!!!

 

[tink1970]

Has your DD considered New College? It was on one of my kids' list -- all four of mine chose liberal arts colleges so I feel like I have at least read about if not visited a good portion of them

LOL! New College was our first ever college tour. One of my besties attended it and I had high hopes for DD loving it immediately! Unfortunately DD missed a tournament (that they won in NOLA) that weekend so she was already snippy when we took the tour. Then as we landed at home, I received a voice mail that a dear friend of ours had died in Hospice (he had been admitted Friday; died Monday). Our grief sort of overshadowed the tour and DD just can't get over it. I think it would be a great fit for her but she won't even apply

She has quite an array of schools- 21- on her current list...I'm hoping she'll trim is after we get her final SATs so I don't pay 21 application fees

Honestly, I can't imagine going through this process four times!
'

William and Mary's Homecoming is October 18-21. Maybe that's it? There are gobs of timeshares in the Williamsburg area. It is completely overbuilt. Maybe you could find a great deal on a timeshare rental for less that a hotel.

My DH and I both went to William and Mary. We LOVED it!!! It is a terrific school. I couldn't get my two kids interested in it though. They both toured. My DS21 applied and got in but chose UVA instead. My DD19 wouldn't even apply. She fell in love with Virginia Tech when we took her brother on college visits. No other school ever measured up to VT for her. I hope you have a great tour, and if your DD attends, I hope she has a wonderful 4 years there like I did. Go Tribe!!!

Wow-a 'hoo and a hokey, what fun! She fell in love with W&M after the tour last summer and now wants to increase her chances (I guess??) by interviewing. So off we go again. I'd love for her to be in Virginia but try keep my opinions on the down low because, you know, teenage girl.
W&M is a great school with a beautiful campus and wonderful history so fingers crossed!

 

[apollodi]

Come out of lurkdom more often Glad you find our thread helpful! We are definitely fortunate to have a lot of knowledgeable and kind people here!

Thank you! I am going to try to post more often. You are all such a nice group!

Sorry it was an emergency, hope everything is on the mend now. But glad you were able use your points to your advantage, I think that's one of the great usages of them. To not have to worry about how to be there in a stressful time is priceless. You can always just earn more, right?

Thanks, and you are very right. I originally looked at this board because we are planning a Spain/WDW trip next May. We hadn't gotten any new credit cards in about 7 years, so I wanted to reposition our everyday spend to maximize spending categories and maybe collect a couple of bonuses along the way to use on the trips. Now I'm considering applying for more cards to afford more travel for my family. You never know what life has in store and I want to live life to the fullest.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Yes this is exactly it. I want to be able to book some hard-to-get reservations for 180+length of stay, which you can only get with a room reservation, but won't have enough to pay for the whole package outright. But I will try calling Disney (and Chase too, probably) when it's closer to the time to book and see if they can do only DDP + room. Or, just get up at 6 am every day for a week starting 180 days from when we land and book the whole package when I have enough points

Thanks everyone!

What if you book a “placeholder” package or book at the campsite? You will put down a small deposit and you can get all the dining reservations you need. Then cancel it and you will be refunded - but the dining reservations stay with you. Then you can take your time sorting out your real plan.

 

[Artygal90]

What if you book a “placeholder” package or book at the campsite? You will put down a small deposit and you can get all the dining reservations you need. Then cancel it and you will be refunded - but the dining reservations stay with you. Then you can take your time sorting out your real plan.

I thought about that, but was concerned that I would lose my dining reservations. But once they are made, your dining reservations stay with you even if you cancel? Interesting....

 

[shairpdrh]

Wow, good to know! Depending on the credit limits I get and my budget, it’d be great to put a decent amount down (if not all) between two cards! Especially if I can get another card with a longer 0% interest period! Thanks!

Another DP that you can use a card for as much of the purchase as you have the credit to cover. We put ours on our CSR for 3x UR and spaced it over the 4 payments just to spread out the spend. If we had wanted to do what you are trying to do, we would have used a similar strategy. Have fun with the DVC purchase! Buying direct it so quick and easy.

This reminds me that I have meant to ask about the DVC tour. I assume you did it for the fast passes? Does everyone in your family get FPs or only those who show up for the tour?

I'm considering a tour during our December trip but not sure it's a good use of time.

Not the OP, but we thought it was worth the use of time. We spent about 60-75 minutes, but we bought and probably spent 15-20 minutes talking and deciding. We also asked for a tour of the CCV Cabins and that probably took 10-15 minutes. We got the FP for those that attended, but they actually added them for two other travelers on my friends and family list who weren't even traveling with us. Not sure what they will do for you depending how many people traveling with you. I would say it is worth the time if you can get the FP (and try to get a gift card if they are still offering them). We also used it as a quick PM break in the AC. We used the transportation between two places with less than ideal transportation just to really make it worth it.

 

[Livelovedance]

Another DP that you can use a card for as much of the purchase as you have the credit to cover. We put ours on our CSR for 3x UR and spaced it over the 4 payments just to spread out the spend. If we had wanted to do what you are trying to do, we would have used a similar strategy. Have fun with the DVC purchase! Buying direct it so quick and easy.

Thank you so much! I'm excited to make this happen! That is exactly why I'm buying direct - I know it's not cheaper, but it's quick and easy, and I value that simplicity! Now to research a good 0% intro card...

 

[GlamMistress]

This reminds me that I have meant to ask about the DVC tour. I assume you did it for the fast passes? Does everyone in your family get FPs or only those who show up for the tour?

I'm considering a tour during our December trip but not sure it's a good use of time.

I had a mailed offer code, so DH and I each got 3 fast passes and then $200 total Disney giftcards. The Disney issues Fast Passes are special. You can't use them on Mine Train or FoP or those tiers but something like Space Mountain, you can walk right up to and swipe in - no need to make a reservation.

 

[GlamMistress]

Thank you so much! I'm excited to make this happen! That is exactly why I'm buying direct - I know it's not cheaper, but it's quick and easy, and I value that simplicity! Now to research a good 0% intro card...

You could consider the Discover Miles - it has a 14 month 0% period but your miles are doubled at your first year. So you might get around $300 or $400 back and then you could use that for Disney expenses. Just a thought. I don't personally have a Discover, but most here do I think.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Hit the adulting jackpot today. Went to Kroger and picked up a $100 VGC with my 4x fuel points coupon so I can use that the next time I go to Costco. When I got into line with my groceries, the woman in front of me had a HUGE amount of groceries. Her total rang up to $320 and when the cashier asked for her Kroger card, she said she didn't have one, and didn't have a phone number to look up or anything. I quickly asked if she would mind if I swiped mine for her so she could save a little and I could get the fuel points and she told me to go ahead! So after my 4x fuel points coupon, my groceries, and her groceries, I ended up with 801 fuel points (80 cents off/gallon), plus I put $180 towards my SPG Biz MSR

 

[Livelovedance]

You could consider the Discover Miles - it has a 14 month 0% period but your miles are doubled at your first year. So you might get around $300 or $400 back and then you could use that for Disney expenses. Just a thought. I don't personally have a Discover, but most here do I think.

I'm thinking about the Discover It cash back card. We don't fly extremely often, so the cash back might be more useful than the miles, especially with the doubling at the end of the first year! I've been saving my UR points with my Chase cards to transfer to Southwest to book our flights when we do, so I'm already saving on flights there... I also like the 5% category options, like the CF card. I was looking at the Citi Simplicity card with the 18 month 0%, but it offers no rewards so I wouldn't get anything out of it... So much to think about! lol

 

[Ngwira]

We have a Vegas trip planned for spring break and I just wanted to remind everyone that just like airlines have partners, hotels do too in Vegas. Marriott is affiliated with the Cosmopolitan. Hyatt with MGM, IHG is affiliated with the Venetian and Palazzo and finally, Wyndham with Total Rewards which manages Ceasers, Rio, the Linq, Nobu, Planet Hollywood, Bally’s etc.

I used 15,000 Wyndham points to book an expensive Saturday night at Ceasers Palace. Who would have thought Wyndham would be so valuable..lol
I think many people forget about this hotel points program as many don’t want to stay at Super 8s or Travelodge. But it can save the day on occasion.

 

[Albort]

Just a drive by post to say Aloha! We are on our way to Maui for the Westin timeshare offer trip. No shower or double bed on this plane but I’m not complaining and neither is the Plane Princess. Lie flat seats from DFW to Maui and we are happy campers!

what airline is that? United?