I love credit cards so much!

[CyndiLouWho]

Anyone know if I can buy Disney AP at AAA stores with disney gift cards? I see them online but only cc to pay.

Any other suggestion for the best way to purchase an AP...discount-wise?

oh, and PS- sams online is out of the $150 dis GC packs.

No idea, but does AAA discount beat UCT for tix? I’ll join AAA if it does.

 

[jhoannam]

Don’t forget that all of the 110k points need to be earned in the same calendar year. So if you do $2k spend now that 2k in points would be in 2018 and you would to make up those 2k in points in 2019.

Don’t forget that all of the 110k points need to be earned in the same calendar year. So if you do $2k spend now that 2k in points would be in 2018 and you would to make up those 2k in points in 2019.

I would start with applying for the Biz next month, and hope that they increase the bonus to 50K soon. When do you need to CP?

 

[chattadisser]

WARNING...lol!

Ok...so now I'm torn friends. I'd love insight/thoughts from the Disney fans I trust the most...

• Last year we stayed at Beach Club and Poly. It was nice...it worked well. No bus rides except on our AK day.
• This year we were going to do Boardwalk/Contemporary with URs...well we know that blew up
• So I booked BC/Poly again on a TA exclusive offer...was pleased with my pricing
• Discounts come out today and suddenly I have other options...
• I could book Yacht Club & Grand Flo for $49 cheaper than where I'm at now
• I could book Yacht Club & Poly for $24 cheaper than where I'm at now
• I could book Beach Club & Grand Flo for $21 more than where I'm at now
• I could stand pat on BC/Poly

I have no idea what to do, LOL! We've previously stayed at BC/Poly/GF but Yacht Club would be a new resort. HOWEVER is it really that much different than BC? I mean, they're connected and use the same pool!! LOL!

I'm lost...any thoughts guys??

We've stayed at them all and I would stay with BC/Poly. BC doesn't have a lot of food options but the pool with the kids over rides the lack of food options. Being able to walk to two parks from there is nice too. The Poly is a huge sentimental draw for me, we stayed there when the kids were little and memories of letting them dig in the sand on the beach, looking at the castle while listening to the ferry horn - well thats one of my top feel good memories. Oh and the water parade....

That said, none of them are bad choices. YC is a little more quiet and has a nice quiet pool if you don't want the chaos of SAB. GF is nice but to me, unless we were going for an adults only meal, the food options there were a little eh. Loved the Contemporary too, nice food options and either monorail or walk to the MK.

Yeah, I'm not sure if this is helping you or not.

 

[have2getaway]

That has been my experience as well. Outside of the US I have had issues with merchants not accepting Amex. I always have the CSR with me so it wasn’t a big deal but will bring an Amex if I am trying to complete MSR and it has no FTF.

Which reminds me, I brought the Amex BBP with me to China and Japan. For some reason I hadn’t realized that it was going to incur FTFs. When I got home and saw all the fees I groaned for not checking first. I called Amex and plead my case. They saw I had a bunch of no FTF cards and that I’d never done something like that before and they credited back all the fees. I thought that was pretty cool of them to do.

That is very cool of them. That happened to us a couple of years ago on a trip to Canada. I wish I had thought to do that as I was in a similar situation (used a Chase card that incurred the fee, but had ones that didn’t). Mental note if I’m ever in that situation again.

 

[SBWB48]

So I have a bit of a dilemma.

We only have a few more days left in September and Q3. We have about $600 left to max out on our Chase Freedom. I’m seriously considering letting it go and not maxing out the 5x UR.

If I were to max out the CF, it’d be with GCs from Walgreens. But we’re already floating a lot of cash in GCs and we’ve actually been trying to spend that down.

I’m also working on MSRs for the SPG Lux and Biz Plat, so I’ve preferred to use those cards to buy MCGCs at grocery stores instead to take advantage of the last days of the Plastiq Masterpass promo.

Plus, I have the CIC, which earns me 5x UR on GCs at office supply stores and Gyft year round, whenever I need it, and not limited to this quarter. Third-party GC prices and selection are pretty much the same. And although fees may be higher and denominations lower on prepaid cards at office supply stores than at Walgreens, OD/OM/Staples are frequently running deals on VGCs and MCGCs. Even if I really jump on these deals, I doubt I’ll ever hit the $25k max limit on the CIC’s 5x UR category.

With next quarter’s CF bonus category including Chase Pay, I still have the opportunity to earn 5x UR on GCs from Best Buy and online at Walmart.

And with the PRG set to earn 4x MR at supermarkets beginning 10/4, there’s another opportunity to buy GCs with a significant bonus.

Thoughts?

I'm in the same boat. I will not be able to max out either of our CF's this Q. Between all the MSRs I've been working on/still am working on and the cash I'm floating on GCs right now, I just can't do anymore. And I'm ok with that. It'll be pretty easy to max one, and maybe both, in Q4. So, I'm just focusing on hitting MSR right now. I'd like that out of the way so I can just use the cards I have...wait, didn't I say that a few weeks ago...

I'm going to come up $5,000 short on maxing out on my Freedom cards.

Ok! I don’t feel so bad about my wasted $600 in 5x spend!

Now I don't feel AS bad about being $3K short on my 4 CFs...

This quarter has been rough between great offer after great offer in terms of promos AND cards (who knew I'd be here complaining about offers...). To the point where I actually feel for once that I am running TOO fast Also deep in VGCs (not helpful that Costco is the 5x category next qtr, and again, why am I complaining about 5x at Costco!?), Amazon GCs (which now I realize I can get grocery GCs with), a few restaurants, SB for DH, iTunes, and a few others here and there.

However, just broached the subject with DH last night about possibly buying a second set of AP vouchers (bought one pair last year before the recent price increase in Feb) to hedge our costs moving forward, especially with SW land fast approaching, tiered pricing already in sight, and the various milestones in the next 2-3 years that will give Disney reason to likely hike rates. SO, I could definitely add to the Disney GCs stash since I'll likely be depleting some of my existing balance with the APs and have been amassing them whenever I can anytime I can find a minimum 15% off discount of some sort.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

WARNING...lol!

Ok...so now I'm torn friends. I'd love insight/thoughts from the Disney fans I trust the most...

• Last year we stayed at Beach Club and Poly. It was nice...it worked well. No bus rides except on our AK day.
• This year we were going to do Boardwalk/Contemporary with URs...well we know that blew up
• So I booked BC/Poly again on a TA exclusive offer...was pleased with my pricing
• Discounts come out today and suddenly I have other options...
• I could book Yacht Club & Grand Flo for $49 cheaper than where I'm at now
• I could book Yacht Club & Poly for $24 cheaper than where I'm at now
• I could book Beach Club & Grand Flo for $21 more than where I'm at now
• I could stand pat on BC/Poly

I have no idea what to do, LOL! We've previously stayed at BC/Poly/GF but Yacht Club would be a new resort. HOWEVER is it really that much different than BC? I mean, they're connected and use the same pool!! LOL!

I'm lost...any thoughts guys??

YC/BC are our fave resorts! There isn't much difference other than decor. I prefer BC decor but love YC too. I do whatever is avail and cheapest. Our last YC room had a view of the Epcot ball and the one prior had a view of the fireworks. Neither were upgraded views....standard and garden. Now that YC has some food/drink options it is great.

I like poly over GF, but like YC/BC over MK resorts. You can't lose with any of your choices. It is all going to come down to theming I think.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

If you have a Dis Visa check this link for spring pricing. I saw some awesome rates! AKL pool view bunk beds $271/nt, YC GV $289/nt, GF main building CL in the $600s, and I ended up with CSR for $158 or something. I decided to go cheap since we will have quite a few trips between Dec and Aug while DD does the DCP.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/holiday-rooms-visa-cardmember/

 

[FloridaNative8]

WARNING...lol!

Ok...so now I'm torn friends. I'd love insight/thoughts from the Disney fans I trust the most...

• Last year we stayed at Beach Club and Poly. It was nice...it worked well. No bus rides except on our AK day.
• This year we were going to do Boardwalk/Contemporary with URs...well we know that blew up
• So I booked BC/Poly again on a TA exclusive offer...was pleased with my pricing
• Discounts come out today and suddenly I have other options...
• I could book Yacht Club & Grand Flo for $49 cheaper than where I'm at now
• I could book Yacht Club & Poly for $24 cheaper than where I'm at now
• I could book Beach Club & Grand Flo for $21 more than where I'm at now
• I could stand pat on BC/Poly

I have no idea what to do, LOL! We've previously stayed at BC/Poly/GF but Yacht Club would be a new resort. HOWEVER is it really that much different than BC? I mean, they're connected and use the same pool!! LOL!

I'm lost...any thoughts guys??

I've stayed at both BC/YC, and for convenience to Epcot, I would choose BC. I've stayed at the Poly, but not GF yet, so BC/GF would be *MY* choice, only because I'm trying to stay at all of them!

Are there differences in room categories for your options? Or it's all apples to apples? You really don't have a bad option to choose from!

 

[elgerber]

Well I have had 3 terrible experiences/stays at BC (no mousekeeping, rude CL staff, etc) so I'd say that YC is wonderful to me Honestly, I think BC is a little more whimsical and perhaps there are more children (? YC has been said to be"stuffy") but aside from no quick dining options at YC (although you can walk to BW and BC for that easily) you're right, they're almost the same resort. If you and your family love BC/Poly honestly I wouldn't change anything; you're there for your experience and DD's joy!

And although you're the self proclaimed Disney Discount Guru, I always think of you as Legendary Stuff Boys...probably b/c the font is larger

Actually YC does have a quick option now. We walked through there a couple of weeks ago, and the gift shop now has hot made to order sandwiches, bakery items, etc. It looked like a nice option, and that is the one thing I wish the BW had. I have stayed at YC and BC before buying BW and both are nice.

 

[miztressuz]

WARNING...lol!

Ok...so now I'm torn friends. I'd love insight/thoughts from the Disney fans I trust the most...

• Last year we stayed at Beach Club and Poly. It was nice...it worked well. No bus rides except on our AK day.
• This year we were going to do Boardwalk/Contemporary with URs...well we know that blew up
• So I booked BC/Poly again on a TA exclusive offer...was pleased with my pricing
• Discounts come out today and suddenly I have other options...
• I could book Yacht Club & Grand Flo for $49 cheaper than where I'm at now
• I could book Yacht Club & Poly for $24 cheaper than where I'm at now
• I could book Beach Club & Grand Flo for $21 more than where I'm at now
• I could stand pat on BC/Poly

I have no idea what to do, LOL! We've previously stayed at BC/Poly/GF but Yacht Club would be a new resort. HOWEVER is it really that much different than BC? I mean, they're connected and use the same pool!! LOL!

I'm lost...any thoughts guys??

Can't help with first hand experience but I'd pick either option with GF. But since you stayed at both Poly and GF you'd know which you, and the fam!, likes better. GF is a little aspirational for me and after being on trips where other fam stayed at Poly, I'd pay a little more for GF. While Yacht club would be new, does it have the amenities you want or would you be walking to BC anyway? BC always sounds more fun and YC always sounds older/refined/adult? (don't want to say stuffy cuz it's Disney but hopefully that makes sense)

 

[disneymagicgirl]

No idea, but does AAA discount beat UCT for tix? I’ll join AAA if it does.

aaa is well worth the cost in hotel discounts alone.

I pulled some tix prices from the website:

 

[Judique]

Well... I am just now noticing that Marriott and Ritz GCs cannot be used at (former) SPG properties, soooo that is annoying.

Aww....I did bring this up at least twice when I was buying my gift card. First because I was curious and then after I read the back of the card.

 

[tink1970]

I've stayed at the Poly, but not GF yet, so BC/GF would be *MY* choice, only because I'm trying to stay at all of them!

I have stayed at all Deluxe and Moderates and 3/5 of value and it's so much fun to explore a new resort and check it off the list!

Actually YC does have a quick option now. We walked through there a couple of weeks ago, and the gift shop now has hot made to order sandwiches, bakery items, etc. It looked like a nice option, and that is the one thing I wish the BW had. I have stayed at YC and BC before buying BW and both are nice.

LOL! I haven't been back to the YC since I ran the Marathon in 2013 so good to hear--that was so painful, hobbling over to BC for food the am afterwards Between a running injury taking me away from those times at WDW and DD being too cool for WDW I don't think I've been in a park for 3 or 4 years, with no plans to return with all the changes (FP+, magic bands and the new ticket kerfuffle). I sound like a grumpy old man that I still imagine SFF to be!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Reminder: do NOT close an Amex you got a bonus on before the terms say you can. DP of a clawback from someone who opened a new MR card in April and then closed it to get the SPG Lux https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/c..._central_thread_week_of_september_20/e6oof8q/

 

[Happy814]

If you have a Dis Visa check this link for spring pricing. I saw some awesome rates! AKL pool view bunk beds $271/nt, YC GV $289/nt, GF main building CL in the $600s, and I ended up with CSR for $158 or something. I decided to go cheap since we will have quite a few trips between Dec and Aug while DD does the DCP.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/holiday-rooms-visa-cardmember/

Hmm this kind of makes me want to get a Disney Visa..

 

[kmc8826]

Anyone know if I can buy Disney AP at AAA stores with disney gift cards? I see them online but only cc to pay.

Any other suggestion for the best way to purchase an AP...discount-wise?

oh, and PS- sams online is out of the $150 dis GC packs.

The best way I have found to get the AP's is to have a regular ticket bought at a discount and then upgrade it to the AP when you are there with the discounted gift cards. Last time I did that it was with the tickets before they went with expiration dates, but I think the general concept remains the same. If you have the Arrival Plus or the Venture then you can buy the tickets through UCT or Park Savers have the price of the tickets "erased" and then upgrade when there. Uprading is an easy process, but you just need to make sure you have done the math ahead of time and no exactly how much they need to charge you.

@SBWB48 I understand being tempted by another set of AP's! I have one set already for the 5 of us for the future, and then I have another 5 not expiration date 7 day PH's. I am just going to renew our AP's next month, but am already being tempted now that I have the DVC discount to buy another set just to have because I agree the prices are only going up! I started to broach it with my DH though and he started backing away slowly like you do with slightly deranged people. So yes...I am not buying anymore for now. Unless of course I start to really struggle to meet these MSR's in the next 2 months. Then...I guess we will see!

 

[pillow]

True. But I’d be floating that money for at least 3 months, because I have the next 2-3 months worth of Plastiq payments earmarked for MSRs (with a few more new cards in mind), and we still have well over $1k in VGCs we’re trying to spend down, several hundred in Amazon GCs from RMN/Chase Pay/SB deals, and the potential to buy more GCs with the 10% off Lowe’s Amex Offer; CIC 5x UR at office supply stores anytime, or waiting for VGC/MCGC deals; PRG 4x MR at supermarkets after 10/4; and with the CF 5x UR categories for Q4 including Chase Pay and warehouse clubs, that’s either more GCs at Best Buy/Walmart, or money spent at Costco directly on the CF instead of on VGCs. I feel better that the $600 left to max out our CF this quarter isn’t a huge opportunity lost. (P.S. thanks for mathing it out!)

Sometimes it feels good just to "clean house." I don't like having lots of Visa gc's hanging around either, so I get that. Looks like you'll be busy this quarter!

 

[Alexle2007]

Well I have had 3 terrible experiences/stays at BC (no mousekeeping, rude CL staff, etc) so I'd say that YC is wonderful to me Honestly, I think BC is a little more whimsical and perhaps there are more children (? YC has been said to be"stuffy") but aside from no quick dining options at YC (although you can walk to BW and BC for that easily) you're right, they're almost the same resort. If you and your family love BC/Poly honestly I wouldn't change anything; you're there for your experience and DD's joy!

And although you're the self proclaimed Disney Discount Guru, I always think of you as Legendary Stuff Boys...probably b/c the font is larger

I had Mickey waffles and bacon (for DS) at YC a couple of weeks ago for breakfast when we arrived at the resort I was a happy camper!

 

[pillow]

Well I got denied at Walmart with buying a MO with a giftcard. This is the second time this has happened the day after buying $2500 in giftcards. I think I’ll do one at a time from now on lol.

Were you denied at their money center? We had luck once going to customer service after the money center closed for the day. You might want to try it.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

aaa is well worth the cost in hotel discounts alone.

I pulled some tix prices from the website:
View attachment 354273
View attachment 354275 View attachment 354277 View attachment 354276

Hotel discounts wouldn’t help, I use points.
Are those prices for the regular (non hopper) tickets expiring in 12/2019? And which AAA? Mid-Atlantic?
6 day hoppers at UCT are $463 and 5 day non-hopper are $393