I love credit cards so much!

[mmmears]

It sounds awesome but my issue is a bad knee and some of it is phobia rather than real, I think. Like I’m scared to ride a bike, even though I ride a stationary bike, because I’m afraid my leg won’t support me if I stop quickly or fall. The thought of walking on a glacier freaks me out a bit too since it’s a giant slab of ice and I originally injured my leg by slipping on ice and breaking my kneecap. When I walk on snow, ice, wet surfaces, I am constantly looking down to avoid slippery areas. My irrational fears.

I understand - I'm afraid of walking on ice, too. The put crampons on our boots and it was weird but I could walk straight up on the ice without slipping or falling. But even this trip was pushing me a bit out of my comfort zone. We booked a private tour because I didn't want to feel rushed, let another family we knew from school add onto our tour, and I ended up waiting for them.

Initially when I was dreaming about a safari, I zoned in on Tanzania. I would love to go there too, but South Africa seems easier. And I think easier to do with points/miles. I think my goal on that flight would be lie flat seats, which I've never done before, but I'm getting too old for red eyes where I'm up all night. Maybe 2020 or 2021? The Galapagos is on my radar too, but I don't think its doable with points and boy is it pricey!

Ooh yes, me too on the Galapagos. I know 2 people who recently traveled there (separately) on Silversea and they both said it was ridiculously expensive but also amazing. Maybe someday when I have more money.

Yes, I’ve bought our last 3 JB flights through the portal using URs (which is great because we also earn miles on the flights that way!). I’d probably only transfer UR->JB if don’t have enough URs for a flight and want to top off my JB balance for a redemption.

This is soooo good to know, and timely since we are trying to buy a couple of JB Mint tickets tonight. Thanks for sharing!

 

[WVMomof3]

I just re-booked our Alamo car via URs for a week and a half from today. I've never rented from them before but they're cheaper than National and now the drop off at Dolphin is available. I went to "check in" on Alamo website using the confirm info from Chase. All was well, I got the pop up offering skip the counter, put my payment info in and then was told "We're sorry for the inconvenience, but we are experiencing technical issues with this reservation attempt. Please call 1 (877) 222-9075." No interest in calling tbh, I'm gonna wait it out for now and cross my fingers something changes. Also, did the payment page say the price was due on pick-up? That part confused me having just paid that money to Chase/Expedia with UR points. I have a Twitter inquiry into Alamo regarding that.

(Did you see Bank of America Loyalty program listed in the res? I did, lol.)

ETA: Alamo on Twitter is now telling me they see payment is still due on this reservation and asked for a screenshot of my payment to Expedia. (I told them I booked via expedia for simplicity sake.) Giving them full explanation and screenshot of my payment to Chase. Crap. This was supposed to be EASIER!

Just got confirmation from the Twitter team you cannot use Skip The Counter with this type of booking, something about the systems are showing it's a pre-paid voucher. Which is an improvement over payment due I guess. Darn. I'm doing this res for my parents actually and I suspect they might just want to pony up the extra 3k URs and go with their beloved National if that's what it takes to skip the counter...

Edit: they just responded to my q confirming no payment is due with "i am unable to confirm at this point, as it shows a balance due at the counter in our systems. I have left a note on your res regarding our conversation." Nope, nope, nope, I'm throwing in the towel on this!

Tagging @SouthFayetteFan also. They hit us with a $11 “tax” fee I don’t ever remember paying before. This is our 4th rental on UR points. I said to them I don’t think that is right. But then I just let it go thinking I wouldn’t really get charged. I do see it pending.

 

[JKalai]

ETA: Alamo on Twitter is now telling me they see payment is still due on this reservation and asked for a screenshot of my payment to Expedia. (I told them I booked via expedia for simplicity sake.) Giving them full explanation and screenshot of my payment to Chase. Crap. This was supposed to be EASIER!

Expedia is regarded as the absolute worst in the travel industry when dealing with third party reservations specifically. Check out r/talesfromthefrontdesk on Reddit to read the thousands of stories of Expedia screwing things up. Problem after problem here at my resort comes from Expedia and the hotel cannot do anything about it because they take up such a big market share of any wholesale/third party bookings.

Story time on how horrible Expedia is: Last week we had sold out of rooms and closed out all third parties to prevent overselling. Everywhere in town was sold out. For some reason, Expedia decided to open our resort without approval and book 10 rooms when we were already at capacity. Expedia calls and tries to confirm the 10 rooms in which we denied because we would be oversold (we do not walk guests... at all). Even better, the agent tries to charge us a "relocation fee" because they had to relocate the guest. We dug around and eventually found out that they were going around from resort to resort doing the same thing because everywhere was sold out.

I would definitely let Chase know as this isn't uncommon.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Here was the update from yesterday :

S: Indian River County red tide update for October 25.
Indian River County is still experiencing red tide conditions. All beaches in Indian River County will remain closed until further notice. Additional information, including maps of projected 3-day clean-up zones, will be available shortly by clicking on this link: http://calendar.ircgov.com/alerts/

Regardless of the red tide, I hope you have an awesome trip!

Thank you so much for this update and the link! I have saved the site as a favorite so I can check in before the whole family goes in April. I won't be concerned about Red Tide then but we will have our 3 DGD's with us so being aware of any special conditions will be helpful.

 

[GlamMistress]

I bought my resale earlier this year through Timeshare Store. Was following their listings on Twitter and twice weekly emails. I was happy with them it all went through smooth and super quick. Actually less paperwork than buying direct.

Isn’t it a regulatory law that if your flight is booked and needs to be changed/cancelled the airline has to do so without fee? You might want to call right away if you don’t want/need the flight now.

Yeah I just canceled the other flight and moved back to a different day.
I follow the Timeshare Store too! Actually, I follow all the big brokers. Ugh.

 

[GlamMistress]

Heads up guys - from Hilton in my inbox:

We are making some system upgrades. During this time, select features will be offline starting October 30 extending partly through October 31.

Rest assured that your upcoming reservation is secure and we are looking forward to welcoming you upon your arrival. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the hotel directly.

During this time, our website, mobile app, call centers and hotel systems will be temporarily unavailable, along with the ability to book, amend, and/or cancel a standard or redemption reservation.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience.

Best regards,
Hilton Honors

 

[miztressuz]

Your free night will appear after your one year anniversary, so around 11/2019, and expire after a year, so 11/2020. Some have had luck getting those extended but I have called a few times to get my cert extended. Mine expires 3/5/2019, I want to use it 3/29/19. No go so far.

I have heard more people have luck with extension close to the expiration date. So I wouldn't expect someone to move it this far out but maybe get lucky in February?

Thanks for the info. One more question the group. Can my wife apply for the same card with the same bonuses. And do they ever do referrals.

Yes and yes You've hit on a key move to this game. Assuming your wife is eligible for the bonus, then you can refer her to it and get the referral bonus too. Once you get your online account setup there is a Refer a friend link to click. When you go to that generated link you will have the option to apply for the exact same card or choose one of the other SPG cards. That's a newish feature for AmEx, being able to pick the card to apply for even if the referrer doesn't have it.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

That sounds awesome! Thanks for the info - I'll add it to my spreadsheet of ideas

You’re welcome! It is the strangest thing to wrap you mind around. I stayed in San Bernardino (base of mountain) with our 1 year old and dh took the boys up to ski for the day. I believe it is 45 mins up the mountain. Crazy thing was I was down Bottom in shorts and T-shirt and they were up there skiing. Counterintuitive. Haha!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Expedia is regarded as the absolute worst in the travel industry when dealing with third party reservations specifically. Check out r/talesfromthefrontdesk on Reddit to read the thousands of stories of Expedia screwing things up. Problem after problem here at my resort comes from Expedia and the hotel cannot do anything about it because they take up such a big market share of any wholesale/third party bookings.

Story time on how horrible Expedia is: Last week we had sold out of rooms and closed out all third parties to prevent overselling. Everywhere in town was sold out. For some reason, Expedia decided to open our resort without approval and book 10 rooms when we were already at capacity. Expedia calls and tries to confirm the 10 rooms in which we denied because we would be oversold (we do not walk guests... at all). Even better, the agent tries to charge us a "relocation fee" because they had to relocate the guest. We dug around and eventually found out that they were going around from resort to resort doing the same thing because everywhere was sold out.

I would definitely let Chase know as this isn't uncommon.

This does not bode well for the “new” Chase portal. URs just became far less desirable. Despite having more difficulty meeting MSR with Amex, I’ll be looking into MRs before choosing my next card. Plan was for CIC but those UR points seem far less appealing now.

 

[pillow]

Aren’t you headed out this way next spring? ;-)

Just how many columns do you have in that spreadsheet of yours???

Plans are on hold. I have 2 other trips I need to figure out first so that I can see how much vacation DH has left. But if so, I'll definitely put a GOC card stop on my agenda. I was just in Napa with a friend but it was before I had read about the GOC card expansion.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I have heard more people have luck with extension close to the expiration date. So I wouldn't expect someone to move it this far out but maybe get lucky in February

Fingers crossed. Although it stinks not to know you can use your cert ahead because it might be totally booked by the time they say ok to extend it. The agent I talked to wasn’t even sure I could apply a cert to the booking I already have, but if I don’t book now, it will for sure be sold out during Spring Break.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Just how many columns do you have in that spreadsheet on yours???

Plans are on hold. I have 2 other trips I need to figure out first so that I can see how much vacation DH has left. But if so, I'll definitely put a GOC card stop on my agenda. I was just in Napa with a friend but it was before I had read about the GOC card expansion.

Ohh would love to hear any recommendations on Napa...is on our bucket list

 

[Lain]

Just how many columns do you have in that spreadsheet of yours???

Plans are on hold. I have 2 other trips I need to figure out first so that I can see how much vacation DH has left. But if so, I'll definitely put a GOC card stop on my agenda. I was just in Napa with a friend but it was before I had read about the GOC card expansion.

Ohh would love to hear any recommendations on Napa...is on our bucket list

@pillow, I hope you didn't shelve you plans because I never got around to making any recommendations for your trip down the coast. Oops.

I love Napa (and Sonoma) around this time of year. The weather is cooler, the crowds tend to be lower, and the leaves on the vines are starting to change color. I think we're still about a week or two away from peak. I may have to plan a trip up in the next two weeks myself.

 

[hsmamato2]

Yes, it's a nice deal. Others (like me) got an email to spend $2k get 20k points, can use it twice by Xmas. Unfortunately I have no spare spend to put towards this right now...

DH got the 1k/10k 2x offer! I figured it wouldn't hurt to enroll and do that one

 

[hsmamato2]

We were in the Ft Lauderdale airport Weds and they were offering 50,000 SW points for opening a card at the airport. I didn’t check which one it was.

Oh I hope we see this in our airport in DEC!!!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Expedia is regarded as the absolute worst in the travel industry when dealing with third party reservations specifically. Check out r/talesfromthefrontdesk on Reddit to read the thousands of stories of Expedia screwing things up. Problem after problem here at my resort comes from Expedia and the hotel cannot do anything about it because they take up such a big market share of any wholesale/third party bookings.

Story time on how horrible Expedia is: Last week we had sold out of rooms and closed out all third parties to prevent overselling. Everywhere in town was sold out. For some reason, Expedia decided to open our resort without approval and book 10 rooms when we were already at capacity. Expedia calls and tries to confirm the 10 rooms in which we denied because we would be oversold (we do not walk guests... at all). Even better, the agent tries to charge us a "relocation fee" because they had to relocate the guest. We dug around and eventually found out that they were going around from resort to resort doing the same thing because everywhere was sold out.

I would definitely let Chase know as this isn't uncommon.

Woah! Ok, I usually called to confirm UR bookings with the hotel direct but now this has become 100% necessary.

 

[mamathompson]

I am getting ready to book our first flights using UR's. Booking 8 round trip tickets. Should I transfer my husband's URs to my account first or book some using each account?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

@pillow, I hope you didn't shelve you plans because I never got around to making any recommendations for your trip down the coast. Oops.

I love Napa (and Sonoma) around this time of year. The weather is cooler, the crowds tend to be lower, and the leaves on the vines are starting to change color. I think we're still about a week or two away from peak. I may have to plan a trip up in the next two weeks myself.

Thanks...sounds like Oct/early Nov is a good time to go....what about springtime

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

I applied for the Barclay’s Aviator Biz and got instant approval! Now I’m tempted to do it for DW too, but it hasn’t been a month yet since her CIP application. Should I try, or is that tempting fate?

Something I’ve kind of unintentionally done is alternate between myself & DW in having various AF cards. That way we’re not paying the AF on two of the same card at the same time, but can continue getting the benefits of that card for another year.

As a side note, I’m in the same boat as you with the Marriott free nights. I’ll get three of the 35K ones and one 50K one next year. I’m waiting to see what happens when the peak/off-peak pricing on awards goes into effect next year; that will determine how useful/valuable those free nights are to me and if I will keep any of those cards. I’ll also have two IHG free nights, one uncapped and one capped at 40K, that I’m not sure yet how I’m going to use.

I got instant approval a few weeks ago for JB biz for me and then got it for DH a week or so later also instant. The CIP shouldn’t matter....

A lot of my AF cards are new but I will def be dropping at least one if we both have them.

Forgot Marriott is going to peak/non peak. That could def devalue the free nights to me too. When is that happening??

 

[570traveler]

Question about AA miles...
We just got off an AA flight that offered 60,000 miles with any purchase in 90 days (and paying the $95 fee) plus 500 additional for applying in flight. My husband and I both applied as it seemed like a super deal...hoping that’s the case.
We want to use the miles next thanksgiving. Airline mile redemption is totally new to us...so I’m wondering if the flights around the holidays will be more (pamphlet said 12,500 domestic)??? Also can these points be transferrred to any other airline in case we can’t find what we need? We’d be flying from MDT, ABE or PHL to MCO if that makes any difference.
Second...would would our yearly fee for next year post? Is it one year from when we are approved?
Thanks!