I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[FloridaNative8]

Also - going to go ahead and bring 8 checked bags (since we can) full of items. Outside of clothes, anything else? Anything I'm just not thinking of?

Toiletries, first aid items, diapers, wipes... that would be a good start!

And that's awesome that you get your kiddos involved!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm here now... DH is ready, technically, I realized this morning...

He is 3/24, technically 7/24 including Chase Biz cards. 2 open CIPs and a SW biz.

05/18 CIP 1, closed 6/19
08/18 Bonvoy Brilliant
10/18 SW Biz
11/18 SW Priority
03/19 CIP 2
06/19 CIP 3
06/19 AMEX Plat

 

[Alexle2007]

Does anyone know...do the pay over time 10k MRs count towards the 1099 totals? AmEx is making it too easy to pass up on basically free MRs

 

[amalone1013]

Are you going for it ?

Not sure yet... will be thinking this week lol

 

[bernina]

Hey all:

We're headed to Orlando and staying at Sapphire Falls 12th-16th doing Universal. Then Headed down to DVC Vero Beach from 16-18th. Then headed back and staying at Animal Kingdom on the 18th-19th.

Originally, I was going to fly back MCO-DAL, but with our Diamond Caesar's I thought I'd check to see what flights were to head to the Bahamas/Atlantis instead about 4 months ago. Turns out, it was only a ~200 point difference/person on SW to fly MCO-FLL-NAS NAS-DAL as it did MCO-DAL when we booked it. Didn't really want to go to the Bahamas, but as the cheapest man on the planet, I can't turn down free.

Clearly, now with the hurricane, things changed.
We're still going to head down to Nassau, but wanted to help with hurricane relief instead and just use the hotel as a base.

We helped when Houston got hit, and it was all very organized and simple. This isn't turning out to be the case (obviously) in the Bahamas.

Any suggestions from anyone who has done anything similar on a group to hook up with? I'd like a way for our young kids to be involved somehow (6 and 10)- so if that means coloring with other kids there or just playing with them, my wife can head to do that while I help with more physical aspects.

Also - going to go ahead and bring 8 checked bags (since we can) full of items. Outside of clothes, anything else? Anything I'm just not thinking of?

Work has me slammed today, so I won't be able to do a ton of research so thought I'd get yall's input before digging into it in the next few days.

I don’t have any experience in helping out but my cousin from Florida just posted about coordinated collection efforts they’re trying to do since many folks have school/work off due to the hurricane conditions.

https://solrelief.org/dorian/

https://www.facebook.com/5234168/posts/10114183881314993

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

@wendow looks like no additional charge on Delta for Disney rooms for extra peeps. What are your dates? What resorts? Depending on price dictates the cancelation fee charge - For a $4000 package is was $232 for a $1600 package is was $93

I hadn't even thought of this option to use the Delta promo... I was playing around with summer 2020 options last night and didn't see (or think to look) for park tickets. We have a Fall 2020 WDW trip planned. We don't need hotel in Orlando (DVC) so I didn't even price packages there.

So, if I read correctly, if you cancel you get a Delta credit/voucher for the package amount? Can the voucher be applied to any Delta flights? I could use the tickets at Disney (and upgrade to DVC AP) and the flights for whatever we end up doing summer 2020. Does that sound right?

Some peope have chimed in but yes you get the voucher for the package amount. So you pay getting the double miles redemption and then end up with a voucher. Seems like you can apply the voucher to any vacation package, and the hotel/car package for Disney doesn't require a car at all. So book a package for the amount you know you want to use in the future. Not sure about ticket upgrades. Delta seems to use a hotels.com interface so I'm thinking its the same type of vendor. If those are upgrad

Hey all:

We're headed to Orlando and staying at Sapphire Falls 12th-16th doing Universal. Then Headed down to DVC Vero Beach from 16-18th. Then headed back and staying at Animal Kingdom on the 18th-19th.

Originally, I was going to fly back MCO-DAL, but with our Diamond Caesar's I thought I'd check to see what flights were to head to the Bahamas/Atlantis instead about 4 months ago. Turns out, it was only a ~200 point difference/person on SW to fly MCO-FLL-NAS NAS-DAL as it did MCO-DAL when we booked it. Didn't really want to go to the Bahamas, but as the cheapest man on the planet, I can't turn down free.

Clearly, now with the hurricane, things changed.
We're still going to head down to Nassau, but wanted to help with hurricane relief instead and just use the hotel as a base.

We helped when Houston got hit, and it was all very organized and simple. This isn't turning out to be the case (obviously) in the Bahamas.

Any suggestions from anyone who has done anything similar on a group to hook up with? I'd like a way for our young kids to be involved somehow (6 and 10)- so if that means coloring with other kids there or just playing with them, my wife can head to do that while I help with more physical aspects.

Also - going to go ahead and bring 8 checked bags (since we can) full of items. Outside of clothes, anything else? Anything I'm just not thinking of?

Work has me slammed today, so I won't be able to do a ton of research so thought I'd get yall's input before digging into it in the next few days.

Thats awesome. I've never done anything like it so not sure about the kiddos. Do you think the airport will even be ready? As far as the suitcase - deodorants, tylenol/motrin, feminine products, soap, stuff like that.

 

[bernina]

In non churning news, I just ordered an overpriced sweatshirt for DD from Saks to use the Amex Platinum benefit. Annual fee should hit soon and once the credit clears I plan to close.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Well, DH was supposed to go to a horse show in Raleigh starting this Thursday. They ended up canceling it due to Dorian. While the weekend should be fine, everyone would be moving their horses in and trying to get them ready on Thursday when they're calling for two inches of rain. So DH just canceled his stay at a Marriott so that's 37.5k points back. Plus now we won't have the horse show bills either, so a little extra in our pocket for Disney! 18 days to go!

 

[afan]

Hey all:

We're headed to Orlando and staying at Sapphire Falls 12th-16th doing Universal. Then Headed down to DVC Vero Beach from 16-18th. Then headed back and staying at Animal Kingdom on the 18th-19th.

Originally, I was going to fly back MCO-DAL, but with our Diamond Caesar's I thought I'd check to see what flights were to head to the Bahamas/Atlantis instead about 4 months ago. Turns out, it was only a ~200 point difference/person on SW to fly MCO-FLL-NAS NAS-DAL as it did MCO-DAL when we booked it. Didn't really want to go to the Bahamas, but as the cheapest man on the planet, I can't turn down free.

Clearly, now with the hurricane, things changed.
We're still going to head down to Nassau, but wanted to help with hurricane relief instead and just use the hotel as a base.

We helped when Houston got hit, and it was all very organized and simple. This isn't turning out to be the case (obviously) in the Bahamas.

Any suggestions from anyone who has done anything similar on a group to hook up with? I'd like a way for our young kids to be involved somehow (6 and 10)- so if that means coloring with other kids there or just playing with them, my wife can head to do that while I help with more physical aspects.

Also - going to go ahead and bring 8 checked bags (since we can) full of items. Outside of clothes, anything else? Anything I'm just not thinking of?

Work has me slammed today, so I won't be able to do a ton of research so thought I'd get yall's input before digging into it in the next few days.

I'd also add baby food and formula.

I don't know if they'll have feet on the ground but locally based world vision is normally involved. The news said they had a truck of stuff ready to go and were also monitoring the bahamas. They are a religious based org in case that makes a difference.

If you haven't post the same to facebook and see what your friends may know. I had a friend that volunteered last summer in greece but no one that's done disaster relief type stuff otherwise I'd ask. Always interesting to see who knows things through other people too.

 

[apollodi]

I remember wanting to keep the Arrival for the chip and PIN but not wanting to pay the AF so I called and PCd it to a regular Arrival (not advertised anymore). Is that a possibility? It keeps the rewards open, albeit at a slightly different redemption rate and you have a chip and PIN card, too. I did this abuot 18 months ago which is a lifetime in bank/cc history but it could be an option.

I'm mulling over PC'ing to the regular Arrival if it's offered as an option. On the one hand, it would be nice to have chip and PIN, plus it would help with my utilization to keep it open. On the other hand, I have a lot of CC accounts to keep track of, so cancelling would simplify things. Even though I don't like the card, I'm also going to see if I can get the AF waived. I've actually put almost 30k on it this summer by running contractor payments through Plastiq. I'm putting an addition on and scheduled a ton of contractor payments during that one afternoon where they had the 1.5% glitch back in the spring. So maybe I shouldn't knock the card so much, lol.

Either way, I want to make sure my miles are as gone as they can be before I call!

 

[orangecuse]

@Andysol

OTC medication (may want to check with a group to see whats most needed) and first aid supplies (bandaids, gauze, antibiotic ointment ect)

Batteries and flashlights

If you have room anything to help the animal shelters out like canned cat or dog food

Non-perishable food like canned veggies

Baby items (diapers/wipes/forumla)

I know some of this will be tricky with flying and weight limits. Thanks for being an A+ human

Eta- kids may be able to help at thw animal shelters too like walking pets or playing with them as they are surely short on hands

 

[Judique]

Make sure the offers also have fixed number APRs (not a range). That’s key.

I’m fuzzy on whether you can apply for both CIP and CIU offers on the same day via this method. I seem to recall some on r/churning did and were approved. However, apply for the one you want more first because then the other offer will disappear within a day or two.

ETA I think the better course is to apply for the CIP first and get approved. The CIU offer may then disappear, but check back anyway and if it’s still there then apply for the CIU too.

I applied for the CIP and was immediately denied. I had the variable APR but went for it anyway.

Then, I applied for the other card. I got a we need to review more and if approved you will get a card in 7-10 days. This is the no fee $500 cash back card and it had a 0% apr and then 15.xx after a year. If they give it I'll take it. I have almost a year to go on 5/24 so no loss.

The 3rd offer was a $300 business bank bonus.

 

[snugglebug]

AA MILES UPDATE:
This had not been pointed out previously - the availability issues we're seeing in late July and beyond on AAvacations appears to be strictly tied to rental car availability. Thanks @snugglebug for bringing this to the forefront. (They hadn't actually "gone away" - availability had always remained for 2019, we just weren't seeing any availability for 2020 until last week).

So it's important to point out now that AA does have access to Disney resorts throughout all of 2020 (I can see availability on UseAAmiles for December 2020 even). The problem is you don't want to book on UseAAmiles. AAvacations pricing (in most situations) will save you a substantial amount of miles and you'll want an opportunity to compare the two. So if you're looking at dates of late July 2020 or beyond and cannot yet see availability on AAvacations, the best course of action is to wait.

Good luck all, I'm very glad that Disney Resorts have made a triumphant return to the AA portal. A major question we still have outstanding is: Will Disney Discounts track into the AA portal for 2020? We should know the answer to that within a month or so. IF they do, that's a major win. If they don't it will affect the cpp return on those miles and that would be unfortunate (and can be so dramatic a difference that booking direct could win out). Lots to consider!

EDIT: If you're wondering where UseAAmiles could make sense - an example scenario would be at a moderate resort with a short stay or deluxe with an extremely short stay. Typically a longer stay of any sort and most deluxe stays are going to win out on AAvacations due to the mileage structure. Of course it's always best to compare BOTH! (You can see an example below from my post earlier this week of how I compared every option out there before booking to make sure I was making the best decision possible).

I didn't have time last night to properly format my discovery, thank you for understanding it and putting it into words.

I was checking both sites yesterday for each month for the rest of 2020. I got the "no cars available" message and I'm assuming that's why we aren't seeing the resorts on AAvacations. It makes sense. I remember last time I checked, my "cutoff" was 7/24. Yesterday it was 7/28, so seems to be rolling possibly.

 

[snugglebug]

.

 

[tink1970]

@Andysol - what a wonderful example you and your family are!

Chlorox cleaning wipes, garbage bags (again, recognizing weight limits are real), gloves (work and rubber) and already mentioned but always a good idea-canned food for humans and pets, wet wipes, toiletries, batteries.

 

[Judique]

It’s within a dollar of the refundable rate for one night.

I'd talk to Chase and see what they think. Perhaps they will call/contact the hotel for you? That is assuming it turns into an actual charge.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

OK so much to my surprise DH was OK with me trying the Delta package. It seemed to good to pass up!

I booked a "throwaway" flight (ATL-MCO) and 2 nights at a value (to get Disney tix a 60 days) for October. I put all 4 of us down and got 4 flexible park hoppers 10 days (delta was even doing a 2 day free promotion so it was the price of an 8 day hopper). The total was $3900, so I cashed out 200,000 MRs to = 200K skymiles. That included the $232 travel protection fee. I will get back a voucher for $826 (hotel and flight price). I will then take that voucher and use it to book a room only reservation once we decide on exact dates. Probably April 2020. Hopefully I can upgrade to AP's, I see no reason why not. I spoke with Delta and they will be mailing the park tickets to me tomorrow, so once I have those in my hand I will cancel the reservation. Even if I can't upgrade in my mind it cost me the equivalant of $1200 for 4 10 day park tickets, on the Disney site the are $2500 for the days.
Looks like I can cancel the reservation online. I'm not sure how the voucher works - if it gets mailed to me or I'm given a code. I will update later in the week what happens with that.
In the meantime I am going to book another package and deplete my MRs. A $1500 throwaway package costs $93 for protection (and can use miles at x2 to pay for that) and I will cash out my last 75K MR's and use the voucher towards Disney rooms in April. I may be a new Delta Fan Girl

 

[wendow]

I would price out flights vs getting the travel insurance (which I think is $150 for a reservation for one person)

For a flight look at CLT-MCO or ATL-MCO, those seem to be the cheapest routes and since your not taking the flight who cares if you show up.
I think the better bet would be to book the package at the price for one person, one room and eat the cancelation fee. Then you will get a voucher in the amount of the room/flight (minus the fee but that will be also at 2cpp/mile) Then use the voucher to book the room you want, with everyone in it. I was playing around a bit and the hotel/car option doesnt require you to get car. You can pick DME for free. Then you could use the voucher toward that booking eliminating some of the headache of not showing up for flight or adding everyone to the room. I just need to price out if Delta upcharges for more per room and I"ll get back to you!

Can you book a room & car and get the double points? I thought there had to be a flight included.

Good thought on booking the flight from somewhere else!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[Haley R]

We just watched the short film festival for the first time at Epcot and I loved it! I can’t believe we’ve never done that before. How often do they switch the movies?