I love credit cards so much!

[speedyfishy]

My first world problem: Going to WDW in April, originally had planned on booking with URs. New options are to use remaining URs as a statement credit for the $600 I owe on POP (already paid a $160 deposit a while ago). Or use up all Marriott points for Swolphin, but have to uber there and pay resort fees. I'm leaning towards swolphin, since we've never stayed there. Been to POP several times (and like it). The proximity to EPCOT and DHS are great and we have friends staying at boardwalk so it'll be nice to walk over there also. I know they have disney buses, anyone know if they include the rundisney events for swolphin, i know they do at Disney hotels? DH is doing the star wars races. I've killed the rest of my URs on a CA trip next summer, some went to SW for flights and the rest was 7 nights in hotels. I plan on getting a CIP in a month or two but those rewards will be used for the CA rental car (minivan). So POP and use up UR or swolphin and use up marriott, but have other fees? If I cancel POP, I will have that $160 deposit to offset fees. DH doesn't care either way, he just likes things planned for him.

I’m probably in the minority here but I’d rather stay at Pop than the Swan/Dolphin. I use the magical express. Also, the Swan/Dolphin costs so many Marriott points now I feel like I could get a better value using those points somewhere else. But since you have friends staying at the Boardwalk it may make more sense for you to stay in that area.

 

[speedyfishy]

I did it guys! All my points have posted for my crazy MS run of 32.5k in three months. My haul was 50,000 AA miles plus the match up to 70,000? I forgot lol. And I got 360,000 MR points. Two Biz Gold at 55,000 (including spend), Two Biz Plats at 110,000. Plus two 15,000 points for referring to the Biz gold.

What to go for next? I have the Southwest Biz on the way which I’m not touching until January. And I have two Blue Business to work on. I tried to get SO the Citi AA Biz but he got denied? What else should I go for lol. I’m thinking of trying to find a Citi AA Biz mailer for myself.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

REMINDER: Today, 10/31/18, is the LAST DAY to apply for the elevated 100k Marriott points public offers on the SPG BIZ and SPG LUX.

And HAPPY HALLOWEEN, everyone.

Do the SPG cards have referrals? (sitting on a 125K Lux mailer)

 

[DisneyMandC]

I did it guys! All my points have posted for my crazy MS run of 32.5k in three months. My haul was 50,000 AA miles plus the match up to 70,000? I forgot lol. And I got 360,000 MR points. Two Biz Gold at 55,000 (including spend), Two Biz Plats at 110,000. Plus two 15,000 points for referring to the Biz gold.

What to go for next? I have the Southwest Biz on the way which I’m not touching until January. And I have two Blue Business to work on. I tried to get SO the Citi AA Biz but he got denied? What else should I go for lol. I’m thinking of trying to find a Citi AA Biz mailer for myself.

I can't believe you got all that done! I had anxiety for you!

 

[Lain]

Do the SPG cards have referrals? (sitting on a 125K Lux mailer)

Yes. You can (self-)refer to the SPG cards from another SPG card for 20k Marriott points. But, if the welcome offers drop down to 75k Marriott points after today, you won't do better than the targeted 125k offer even with a self-referral. However, Amex offers go up, go down, go back up again, with a lot more frequency than Chase.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Yes. You can (self-)refer to the SPG cards from another SPG card for 20k Marriott points. But, if the welcome offers drop down to 75k Marriott points after today, you won't do better than the targeted 125k offer even with a self-referral. However, Amex offers go up, go down, go back up again, with a lot more frequency than Chase.

Thanks--I'm planning on dh using the mailer in early December and wondered if he could refer me at some point in the future I've got the SW CP planned next for me.

 

[Lain]

I did it guys! All my points have posted for my crazy MS run of 32.5k in three months. My haul was 50,000 AA miles plus the match up to 70,000? I forgot lol. And I got 360,000 MR points. Two Biz Gold at 55,000 (including spend), Two Biz Plats at 110,000. Plus two 15,000 points for referring to the Biz gold.

What to go for next? I have the Southwest Biz on the way which I’m not touching until January. And I have two Blue Business to work on. I tried to get SO the Citi AA Biz but he got denied? What else should I go for lol. I’m thinking of trying to find a Citi AA Biz mailer for myself.

I was looking at the calendar these past few days wondering if you'd make it, especially with that monkey wrench of your car breaking down thrown into your plans. So glad to see all these big numbers! This puts my own insane Hilton Biz + Marriott Premier Plus + SPG Lux + Biz Plat points haul to shame.

 

[Lain]

Thanks--I'm planning on dh using the mailer in early December and wondered if he could refer me at some point in the future I've got the SW CP planned next for me.

Yes, DH could sign up for the 125k offer, then ideally wait until the SPG Biz or Lux offers go back up to 100k to refer you with a 20k bonus. Because the SPG Lux is a personal card that'll count against 5/24, it's probably better to wait until you've gotten your Chase cards first.

 

[Judique]

My first world problem: Going to WDW in April, originally had planned on booking with URs. New options are to use remaining URs as a statement credit for the $600 I owe on POP (already paid a $160 deposit a while ago). Or use up all Marriott points for Swolphin, but have to uber there and pay resort fees. I'm leaning towards swolphin, since we've never stayed there. Been to POP several times (and like it). The proximity to EPCOT and DHS are great and we have friends staying at boardwalk so it'll be nice to walk over there also. I know they have disney buses, anyone know if they include the rundisney events for swolphin, i know they do at Disney hotels? DH is doing the star wars races. I've killed the rest of my URs on a CA trip next summer, some went to SW for flights and the rest was 7 nights in hotels. I plan on getting a CIP in a month or two but those rewards will be used for the CA rental car (minivan). So POP and use up UR or swolphin and use up marriott, but have other fees? If I cancel POP, I will have that $160 deposit to offset fees. DH doesn't care either way, he just likes things planned for him.

Based on your plans, I'd say blow it out and go to S/D.

You will have many more food options within walking distance and a larger room.

As far as the points go, use them and find some more. Things aren't getting less expensive so do it while you can at this price.

Case in point: this morning I was looking at menus. Allears.net menus have changed format which I dislike, but even more so the prices on the menus have reached ridiculous even in my eyes and I had a high tolerance for high price points coming from the DMV area. I'm glad I've already dined at almost all these restaurants and have had the experience, so no FOMO about most of them.

I had a little interest in Flying Fish, which is easy since its on the BW - I used to love the banana napoleon dessert. Looking at the menu prices and then the pictures: whatever that is it is NOT 'my' memory of the banana napoleon. Also the deconstructed desserts - what the h*** is that???

We will do 'Ohana in room on Friday night (if that isn't gone by Friday). Then the Wave for breakfast last morning. Maybe Raglan Rd or whatever at Disney Springs...

Food in the room with real groceries (we have a one bedroom) requested by daughter. After that, F&W booths, and whatever we see that we like, if we can get in. (I know the limitations here, but we have plenty of offsite options). There are also counter service spots that are still fairly standard.

Anyway, go for the best you can get at todays prices - free Marriott points and use your credit to offset fees.

 

[Judique]

REMINDER: Today, 10/31/18, is the LAST DAY to apply for the elevated 100k Marriott points public offers on the SPG BIZ and SPG LUX.

And HAPPY HALLOWEEN, everyone.

Can't wait to see what the new offer will be. 90% chance it's going down, but they've fooled me before so we will see tomorrow morning!

Happy Halloween to everyone!

 

[speedyfishy]

I was looking at the calendar these past few days wondering if you'd make it, especially with that monkey wrench of your car breaking down thrown into your plans. So glad to see all these big numbers! This puts my own insane Hilton Biz + Marriott Premier Plus + SPG Lux + Biz Plat points haul to shame.

I cut it close but it’s nice seeing all the points in my account. This is probably the biggest haul at once or at least until I go over 5/24. You have impressive numbers too.

 

[Ava]

Yep- vacation time is definitely the limiting factor for us! Also, school schedule (really hard to pull a high schooler our for any length of time) and the fact that DD wants to work all summer (seasonal jobs that require her to commit to the whole season - July 1 until school starts). I like being home for Christmas (and year end is busy for me) so we are kinda limited to spring break for trips that are more than a few days long! I didn't mind the lack of AC - there were good ceiling fans, and you acclimate to the heat pretty quickly (and its generally only in the 80s - not like summers around here!). Didn't have any problems sleeping or anything (lying under just a sheet). Sounds pretty good, actually, as the weather gets colder!

School & work schedules are definitely limiting. My mom has been retired for a few years now and I envy her travels. She goes where she wants whenever she wants - she’s on a week-long cruise with her friends right now! I am thankful that she has the means and health to travel now though, since she didn’t get to very much when my sister & I were kids.

My first world problem: Going to WDW in April, originally had planned on booking with URs. New options are to use remaining URs as a statement credit for the $600 I owe on POP (already paid a $160 deposit a while ago). Or use up all Marriott points for Swolphin, but have to uber there and pay resort fees. I'm leaning towards swolphin, since we've never stayed there. Been to POP several times (and like it). The proximity to EPCOT and DHS are great and we have friends staying at boardwalk so it'll be nice to walk over there also. I know they have disney buses, anyone know if they include the rundisney events for swolphin, i know they do at Disney hotels? DH is doing the star wars races. I've killed the rest of my URs on a CA trip next summer, some went to SW for flights and the rest was 7 nights in hotels. I plan on getting a CIP in a month or two but those rewards will be used for the CA rental car (minivan). So POP and use up UR or swolphin and use up marriott, but have other fees? If I cancel POP, I will have that $160 deposit to offset fees. DH doesn't care either way, he just likes things planned for him.

Do you have a CSR or SPG Lux card? The $300 credit on either of those could be used to cover the resort fees at Swolphin.

All evidence to the contrary, you did a great job! I cut DD off from whining at an early age-told her I didn't speak Whine and if she wanted something she could ask in English-one annoying child trait dispatched.

I tell my kids the same thing - I can’t understand you when you whine, I will answer you when you talk to me in a normal voice. My older one however has developed the annoying habit of asking me the same question over and over even after I’ve said no. So I’ve told her that I will answer once, if I say no that means the answer is no and do not ask me again or you’ll be in trouble. Last weekend we were on our way to the park and she was being so rude and obnoxious that I turned us around and hauled her butt back home while my wife and MIL continued on with our younger one. She cried the whole way home (I’m sure other people on the subway were judging me, sitting there with my crying, sniveling 9-year-old), spent some time pouting in her room when we got there, then eventually came out and apologized for being a jerk. I don’t think she believed I’d actually take her back home when I first said it, but I had absolutely had it with her behavior that morning.

I’ve threatened to take a kid back to the room at Disney before. Thankfully I’ve never had to do it, just the threat of having to sit in the room doing nothing while their sibling gets to stay in the park has been enough to straighten them up.

 

[Judique]

Do the SPG cards have referrals? (sitting on a 125K Lux mailer)

Yes, but it's 20K for the 100K. You'll do better with your mailer which also probably has a longer application window.

 

[platamama]

I did it guys! All my points have posted for my crazy MS run of 32.5k in three months. My haul was 50,000 AA miles plus the match up to 70,000? I forgot lol. And I got 360,000 MR points. Two Biz Gold at 55,000 (including spend), Two Biz Plats at 110,000. Plus two 15,000 points for referring to the Biz gold.

What to go for next? I have the Southwest Biz on the way which I’m not touching until January. And I have two Blue Business to work on. I tried to get SO the Citi AA Biz but he got denied? What else should I go for lol. I’m thinking of trying to find a Citi AA Biz mailer for myself.

Wow, so impressed! Good going.

How about self refer to Amex Gold? The 4x groceries would be right up your alley!

 

[Judique]

Wow, so impressed! Good going.

How about self refer to Amex Gold? The 4x groceries would be right up your alley!

OMG! I think you are onto something here.

 

[striker1064]

Well, I guess just to add to the WDW discussion, we went to MNSSHP last night for the first time. There was a sign saying the party was sold out, so I feared the worst given everything I've read about it.

Honestly, it wasn't that bad at all. It was crowded, but still less than a usual MK day. Since it was evening, it was cooling down as well. We went through most candy lines within 5 minutes. The longest ride wait was ~25 minutes for Peter Pan. Seemed like everyone was having a good time, and the CMs were in good spirits. Even Hallowishes was good.

We stuck around the castle for the Hocus Pocus show after Hallowishes, and that's when things went south. Basically everyone felt the need to record the entire show from start to finish, which obscured our ciew. Then, every parent in front of us put a child on their shoulders. I literally could not see 75% of the stage. It's staggering the number of people who only care about what they are doing and have zero spatial awareness.

Other than that, it was a pretty fun night. We arrived at 5 and left after 11, and it didn't really feel like 6 hours (but we were pretty exhausted).

I will say, waiting 25 minutes for a S/D bus was pretty miserable, and that's been a theme. So far we've stayed at Music, PO Riverside, and AKL, and the bus waits have never been this long.

Also, just to add on to the kids discussion, there were two kids in the bus with us that has clearly been pushed well beyond their limits, so I spent the ride back getting kicked. Since we don't and won't have kids, I'll keep my comments to myself about that.

 

[speedyfishy]

Wow, so impressed! Good going.

How about self refer to Amex Gold? The 4x groceries would be right up your alley!

This is the first card on my list right when I get over 5/24. Soon lol just gotta get the CSP

 

[DisneyMandC]

It's staggering the number of people who only care about what they are doing and have zero spatial awareness.

This is something DH and I discuss all the time. Not just at Disney, but anywhere we go. Nobody has any spatial awareness or concept of other people being around them anymore. It amazes me how people will just come to a dead stop in the middle of a sidewalk to look at their phone or something else without checking to see if anyone is around them. It's really not that hard to move off to the side of the walkway. I had a girl get mad at me when we flew home from OK in August because she was standing right in the center of the moving walkway so I walked right up behind her and said "excuse me" to get her to move. I was cutting it close to my connection and needed to hustle across Detroit. She was yelling things at me as I walked away! I turned around and told her some of us had a plane to catch.

 

[Lain]

I did it guys! All my points have posted for my crazy MS run of 32.5k in three months. My haul was 50,000 AA miles plus the match up to 70,000? I forgot lol. And I got 360,000 MR points. Two Biz Gold at 55,000 (including spend), Two Biz Plats at 110,000. Plus two 15,000 points for referring to the Biz gold.

What to go for next? I have the Southwest Biz on the way which I’m not touching until January. And I have two Blue Business to work on. I tried to get SO the Citi AA Biz but he got denied? What else should I go for lol. I’m thinking of trying to find a Citi AA Biz mailer for myself.

Wow, so impressed! Good going.

How about self refer to Amex Gold? The 4x groceries would be right up your alley!

OMG! I think you are onto something here.

I was totally going to suggest that! @speedyfishy could totally MS the heck out of that $25k/year cap on the supermarket bonus category. At 1.19% fee on a $500 VGC, 4x MR is a total money maker.

 

[Happy814]

Thanks for sharing @striker1064! We are going to MVMCP on Nov 25. We will have a party of 7, 4 of which have NEVER been to Disney. I had heard some joy so great things about the the Halloween parties and I was getting a little worried.