I love credit cards so much!

[hsmamato2]

RE the Alamo/UR points bookings....is this something new with the big changes? I have an Alamo res. and I checked in online a few weeks back,maybe in Sept(?) I can see my printed ticket etc that I checked in online,and it's already 'paid' in full using UR points(made the res back in the spring) so what does this mean? I'm going to try to avoid the counter when we get to OGG, but if we have to wait in line I'm not anticipating any problems...should I be?

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

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.

What would you use you MRs for? I’m having a hard time finding a good value for mine.

 

[elgerber]

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

Which cards are you getting these offers on, the regular card, or one of the cards with the AF?

 

[Judique]

As usual, I am busy procrastinating. I'm still painting the little room. Today it is trim and ceiling. Apparently I should have painted the ceiling first. Oh well. I'm not a pro and not going to call one for this small space.

The paint has been sitting a month (since the Sherwin Williams offer on Amex) so I took it over there to get it shook up. Two painters in there offering their best advice (and business cards). Back home and looking for more ways to put this off.

Did I mention the electric was off when I awoke this morning? Had to go over to Panera to get coffee with a discounted gift card of course. It came back on by the time I arrived back home.

So then I decided to call Chase about my Southwest card, looking for a retention offer. They offered me nothing other than next quarter there might be something. Closed it and the $99 will come back. Don't blame them for giving me nada as I hadn't put any spend on the card recently. In fact, it was holding up a big chunk of credit availability that I should have reduced. It was a 5 year card but I've got 5 cards that I've had close to 20 years so not worrying about AoA. I probably would have closed it soon even if they gave me a pittance.

 

[trenty]

What would you use you MRs for? I’m having a hard time finding a good value for mine.

I transfer MRs to jetblue and delta to book flights.

 

[Lain]

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

Spring is nice too. The weather is mild, typically 60s and 70s in the daytime. But we still get rain in spring, although it tapers off in March and April. We don't typically see much rain in the fall until later in November. Crowds tend to be low, definitely during the weekday, but can get busy during the weekends, and definitely during holidays like Valentine's Day, spring break, and Easter weekend. Keep in mind that the grapevines do go dormant over the winter and even though new shoots start breaking out in early spring, the still mostly bare grapevines won't have the same picturesque effect of lush vines covering the rolling terroir that you'll see by summer and in the fall. However, wild mustard is in full bloom in the fields and hillsides during spring and you'll see pops of yellow everywhere.

 

[Judique]

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.

I'd be calling every few days until someone extended it and then I'd book it. Daughter got hers extended for a full year. Shows right on her account along with the new cert.

 

[disneybirds]

We loved Costa Rica too and would love to go back.

We are thinking of going to Costa Rica next Christmas. Where did you stay? Any must dos?

 

[tink1970]

What would you use you MRs for? I’m having a hard time finding a good value for mine.

I've used mine for Delta, BA (currently there's a 1000MR:1400 Avios), and soon Flying Blue. MRs have gotten me to EDI on a spontaneous Christmas trip (whoo hoo!), DD and Mom home from MUC, and DH and me to LHR. The Amex Travel portal isn't a great 1.5 deal like UR but their transfer partners are excellent for my uses (Europe is my current focus, aspirational is Oz/NZ).

 

[Judique]

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!

Which card company? I think more than one has AA miles. Sounds like an excellent deal. But, you will need to supply a few more details for the air experts.

 

[tink1970]

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!

I'm definitely not a super AA user but that sounds like a great deal...if I'm understanding it, 60,500 for $95 AF and 1 purchase? Yep, that's pretty good!

Rates for domestic airlines come out 330 days prior so that's when if I were you I'd start stalking fares. I just did a quick search for PHL-MCO 11-19 to 11-24 (Monday-Sat of this year's Thanksgiving since next year's is not out) and RT for 1 person is 25,000. Better yet, available still. If you wanted different dates a 1 person RT could range from 25,000-100,000. Best advice, start fare stalking in Dec.

Safe to guess the AF will post a year after the first one, but I'm sure there's a more specific explanation somewhere.

There are definitely AA experts here like @calypso726 who will hopefully chime in!

 

[hsmamato2]

Which cards are you getting these offers on, the regular card, or one of the cards with the AF?

Hh ascend that he just upgrade to recently

 

[palhockeymomof2]

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

I’ve seen the booth at MCO every time we are there...our local airport is small and they have never had a booth there

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm so confused about Starriott...if I have spg free night coming up soon(if I keep the card) can I see that logging into the combined acct page? is it a free night at either spg or marriott 35k and under?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

What would you use you MRs for? I’m having a hard time finding a good value for mine.

Flights. But that’s why I’ll be investigating before my next card. Not sure how to use MRs and what they’re good for besides flights.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Spring is nice too. The weather is mild, typically 60s and 70s in the daytime. But we still get rain in spring, although it tapers off in March and April. We don't typically see much rain in the fall until later in November. Crowds tend to be low, definitely during the weekday, but can get busy during the weekends, and definitely during holidays like Valentine's Day, spring break, and Easter weekend. Keep in mind that the grapevines do go dormant over the winter and even though new shoots start breaking out in early spring, the still mostly bare grapevines won't have the same picturesque effect of lush vines covering the rolling terroir that you'll see by summer and in the fall. However, wild mustard is in full bloom in the fields and hillsides during spring and you'll see pops of yellow everywhere.

Thanks for all the information...We live on LI and have many wineries out east about an hour away...none the size of those in CA...but we enjoy visiting them.
Fall is the crazy busy time here..apple and pumpkin picking in addition to the winery tours.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'm so confused about Starriott...if I have spg free night coming up soon(if I keep the card) can I see that logging into the combined acct page? is it a free night at either spg or marriott 35k and under?

Yes and yes

 

[WVMomof3]

I am way behind still but sitting at the pool before our wedding catching up a little. I know someone mentioned the red tide when I was reading last night. We are in Melbourne Beach and it is here. The beach is pretty deserted and has dead fish everywhere. We just walked along the beach and you could feel it in your lungs. Makes you cough. We made it maybe 1/2 mile down the beach then had to turn back. We are
not beach people and since this trip was not a beach vacation we are fine, but would be very disappointed if that was our purpose of the trip.

 

[pillow]

@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.

No worries. We entered the lottery for the Yosemite High Sierra camps loop hike for next Labor Day (ish). If we get chosen, then we would more than likely tack on some days in Monterey (or maybe Sonoma) either before or after that trip. I won't find out until January, so I feel like I can't really plan anything until then.

Napa was fun but apparently it was harvest season and the weekend was crowded! We tried to book a hot air balloon ride last minute and everything was completely booked. We also wanted to do a tasting at Domaine Chandon and that was booked too. We did however do the wine trolley (booked with UR points) and that was a blast! We also Ubered up to Sterling Vineyards and the Castle (don't know the exact name but yes its a castle - crazy). We stayed at the Napa Marriott, which was a terrific hotel (but the location wasn't great as it was a couple of miles outside of town). My friend's platinum status got us free breakfast and free dinner (technically finger foods but was dinner for me). Then there was a complimentary garden tour with champagne, complimentary wine tasting in the evening, a complimentary coffee upgrade each day + free bottled waters in the room. All in all, we had a great time, and oh the WEATHER! Just beautiful.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'd be calling every few days until someone extended it and then I'd book it. Daughter got hers extended for a full year. Shows right on her account along with the new cert.

They keep telling me they can’t do anything and to call closer to expiration. Merger confusion not helping. Figured I’d give it until Jan 1 and the try calling again