I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Alice Sr.]

Yeah, I just checked National and it was $75 more than what I already have with Costco for my March trip. Guess I'll stick with my current reservation. Though I'll keep checking to see if it goes down in either system. Not hopeful since it is spring break for some and I think that is keeping costs the same as what I booked at a few months back.

Have not even looked into getting cars for our spring break trip. I had National through Priceline for Christmas day through New Year's Day. The flight in was late afternoon, they were running out of cars. The Emerald Aisle (if that's what it's called still) choices where all full size trucks, Mustang Convertibles, vans and a Mercedes GL which I grabbed. I had planned on test driving one so I was very happy to have the opportunity to drive it for the week.
ETA per your previous link it is now called Executive Aisle

 

[Haley R]

I just returned yesterday from the parents' Golden Ann'y cruise. Just a few thoughts (and to tie it into credit cards...I used a LOT LOT LOT of disney gc obtained at grocery stores -4X MRs, with amex offers on discounts, and with Discover/Chase 5% promotions, stacking at Sam's) on the cruise itself.

1) I think DCL and ABD are wonderful experiences for multigenerational travel. ABD is more expensive and a smaller experience whereas DCL is obviously anything but intimate! If I won the lottery I'd definitely take our extended family on an ABD...then a DCL in concierge level.

2) I really don't enjoy the larger ships as much any more. Granted, we sailed during a holiday so the ship was full but there are just too many people for me to find it a pleasant experience. I know other lines are mentioned here wrt budget but I cannot imagine myself doing another "large" ship cruise (and those lines) willingly. Guess I'm just a grumpy old person, lol. Viking here I come (in about 6 weeks)! That said, I likely won't rush to cruise the 3 new DCL ships-that will NOT be a priority.

3) Concierge Lounge and whether it's "worth it." Still yes, for me on the Dream/Fantasy-fewer people, canned diet cokes, snacks, DH's beloved fancy coffee machine and did I mention fewer people? That said, there are annoying, entitled people everywhere but often in (much) greater proportion on Concierge Level. Also, now the diet cokes are small cans since littles were wasting so much, sigh.

4) I have 2 more DCL cruises scheduled-one is a Baltic in August on the Magic and for now, a Very Merry Halloween in October on the Dream. I'm going to reschedule the Dream cruise to a Magic/Wonder for sometime. I think my Viking cruise Feb/March will help me decide whether they will be receiving my cruise $$ in the future.

It is often said that there is no wrong way to churn or vacation. I think it's also true that you can outgrow a previous favorite way to vacation and that's okay too. I'm not quite there but close with DCL.

When you talk about outgrowing a vacation spot I think Dh is unfortunately feeling that way about WDW. He normally doesn’t have any desire to go anymore. The crowds bother him and he doesn’t seem to want to ride the rides much since he’s done them a lot. I think when we have the baby it will make things completely different so I’m hoping that changes his mind a little bit

 

[miztressuz]

I had to go look at mine... I was Plat last year but only had 20 some nights so should just be gold this year with the Brilliant status. Plat should expire around the end of February, is that right? Mine shows the 15 cc nights and says I need 26 nights to renew

You know what? I think something is still counting rollover nights, sorta

Not counting the CC nights I had 3 on my account so + 7 would be my 10 needed. Same on hubby's, he had 15 so + 20 would be 50.

So they're not really rollovers, it's seems like it didn't clear out last year's stays maybe?

 

[Alice Sr.]

I also use Costco and for my last two rentals, September and December 2019....the price went down a lot the week before

I had a Costco membership years ago and know I used it for rentals but don't remember how it worked. So you are not locked in to the reserved price? Two drivers are allowed correct? There is a Costco 60 miles away but it might still be worth it even if I just use it for car rentals.

 

[StephPlum]

I had a Costco membership years ago and know I used it for rentals but don't remember how it worked. So you are not locked in to the reserved price? Two drivers are allowed correct? There is a Costco 60 miles away but it might still be worth it even if I just use it for car rentals.

I do it all online with Costcotravel dot com. You put in your parameters and it shows you all the prices, highlighting the lowest ones. No CC is requested, no payment up front. You can cancel and rebook as many times as you like. You do get 2 free drivers.

If I know I will use 2 drivers, I normally go with Costco. If I am going somewhere by myself or just with DS, I check Chase portal and use my CSR URs if that is cheaper.

 

[ambgoph]

I had a Costco membership years ago and know I used it for rentals but don't remember how it worked. So you are not locked in to the reserved price? Two drivers are allowed correct? There is a Costco 60 miles away but it might still be worth it even if I just use it for car rentals.

Yes, one additional driver is free. You can book a new reservation and then cancel the original reservation if the price drops. My last car rental, I rebooked at least 6 times for the lower price. It was fun stalking the rates.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

They really are the worst. I have $354 left in there I need to get out and close it.

Can you just pay yourself $354? I plan to close it as soon as I use GSB to fund another card.

 

[wisconsinmom]

Any thoughts on the Delta Gold Skymiles card mailer offer for 70,000 points? I'm considering it. Is it worth taking up a 5/24 spot when you are at 2/24?

 

[tink1970]

When you talk about outgrowing a vacation spot I think Dh is unfortunately feeling that way about WDW. He normally doesn’t have any desire to go anymore. The crowds bother him and he doesn’t seem to want to ride the rides much since he’s done them a lot. I think when we have the baby it will make things completely different so I’m hoping that changes his mind a little bit

WDW is definitely a different vacation, almost, based on children (if any) and their ages. So hopefully once you have a little experiencing the Magic, it will recur for your DH!

 

[Alice Sr.]

I do it all online with Costcotravel dot com. You put in your parameters and it shows you all the prices, highlighting the lowest ones. No CC is requested, no payment up front. You can cancel and rebook as many times as you like. You do get 2 free drivers.

If I know I will use 2 drivers, I normally go with Costco. If I am going somewhere by myself or just with DS, I check Chase portal and use my CSR URs if that is cheaper.

I use UR points when it's just me also. But for spring break I would like to cover (or at least reserve the rental for my youngest DD so they don't have to dink around with it. Do you know if the 2nd driver can actually pick up the car? I am flying in at a different time then they are. I will already be in Vero when they fly into MCO.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

WDW is definitely a different vacation, almost, based on children (if any) and their ages. So hopefully once you have a little experiencing the Magic, it will recur for your DH!

I totally think seeing thru your child’s eyes is a different experience.

 

[amalone1013]

You know what? I think something is still counting rollover nights, sorta

Not counting the CC nights I had 3 on my account so + 7 would be my 10 needed. Same on hubby's, he had 15 so + 20 would be 50.

So they're not really rollovers, it's seems like it didn't clear out last year's stays maybe?

Hmmmm… I had 24 nights last year so I think you're on to something. That included the 15 from my cc.


Wouldn't it be great if Bonvoy Bonvoyed themselves a bit with this?

 

[Etonduf]

When you talk about outgrowing a vacation spot I think Dh is unfortunately feeling that way about WDW. He normally doesn’t have any desire to go anymore. The crowds bother him and he doesn’t seem to want to ride the rides much since he’s done them a lot. I think when we have the baby it will make things completely different so I’m hoping that changes his mind a little bit

As a couple others have said, children make a huge difference. I had little interest in Disneyland before kids, and now it's one of my favorite vacations. It's even evolved as the kids have gotten older. Just as they outgrew their princess phase and I thought we'd maybe wait a while before coming back, they fell in love with the "big kid" rides.

 

[tink1970]

Any thoughts on the Delta Gold Skymiles card mailer offer for 70,000 points? I'm considering it. Is it worth taking up a 5/24 spot when you are at 2/24?

That's an excellent offer for the Delta Gold card, although I'm not sure which offer you have-is the AF waived? Is there a statement credit? In the end, if you have a long or short term use for skymiles and can make the MSR I'm not sure why you wouldn't obtain it-this is a sold Delta card with a manageable Annual Fee ($95) and a free checked bag. Most people advise getting American Express cards when their sign up bonus is the highest and I'm fairly sure the 70,000 skymiles is the highest offer for the Delta Gold.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I use UR points when it's just me also. But for spring break I would like to cover (or at least reserve the rental for my youngest DD so they don't have to dink around with it. Do you know if the 2nd driver can actually pick up the car? I am flying in at a different time then they are. I will already be in Vero when they fly into MCO.

I book Alamo with Costco under my name,
then the day before our trip do the skip the counter stuff online with Alamo..need to enter both of our DL and a CC
When picking up the car we give them both DLs and the CC used.
So I’m not sure if both drivers have to be there to pick up the car....I do know if it’s just your daughter picking up, the CC would have to be in her name...this is with Alamo

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I had a Costco membership years ago and know I used it for rentals but don't remember how it worked. So you are not locked in to the reserved price? Two drivers are allowed correct? There is a Costco 60 miles away but it might still be worth it even if I just use it for car rentals.

I did “chat” with Costco travel and got the number to enter into the “Contract ID”
for my Alamo reservation. The reservation showed 2 drivers. After I had my reservation I was then able to call Alamo and add two ( three are allowed but I only had 2 left) $50 certificates that I got when Alamo was on sale during the Daily Getaways.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Well, I did. Dh decided he wouldn’t mind tagging along for the trip next week.(Next week!) Now, our trip for 2 is a trip for 5!
I drained my SW points, used my Amex gold credit for EBCI and used More URs to cover a minivan vs compact. Our California Grill adr is cancelled and replaced with Crystal Palace. I was actually about to score a few fast passes for Dh and DS around the same times as my FPs.

Very nervous the crowds will make Dh miserable andI’ll regret this choice but I am so happy my whole family will be there to celebrate if I run the half marathon. (Not sure how thats going to go since the weather is calling for high heat and humidity and I’ve been sick all week)

This is my celebrate life trip. No crowds or toddler meltdowns are ruining my trip! One month ago I was crying while meeting with liver transplant teams and now in a week I get to stay in two of my dream Disney resorts with my family. So grateful and excited.(Also very grateful for my Points! No way would I have paid for the flights if I didn’t have the points. They were over double what I paid for DD and myself)

Fun! Sounds like a great way to take your mind off medical issues. I hope all is well.
@Calfan and I will be there, too, for the half. Leave on Tuesday ... can't wait!

 

[wisconsinmom]

That's an excellent offer for the Delta Gold card, although I'm not sure which offer you have-is the AF waived? Is there a statement credit? In the end, if you have a long or short term use for skymiles and can make the MSR I'm not sure why you wouldn't obtain it-this is a sold Delta card with a manageable Annual Fee ($95) and a free checked bag. Most people advise getting American Express cards when their sign up bonus is the highest and I'm fairly sure the 70,000 skymiles is the highest offer for the Delta Gold.

Thanks! I think I'm going to go for it. The AF isn't waived for the first year but there is a $50 statement credit to be used on Delta.

 

[Alice Sr.]

When you talk about outgrowing a vacation spot I think Dh is unfortunately feeling that way about WDW. He normally doesn’t have any desire to go anymore. The crowds bother him and he doesn’t seem to want to ride the rides much since he’s done them a lot. I think when we have the baby it will make things completely different so I’m hoping that changes his mind a little bit

WDW is definitely a different vacation, almost, based on children (if any) and their ages. So hopefully once you have a little experiencing the Magic, it will recur for your DH!

I was going to say the same thing. Disney does an amazing (magical) job of catering to completely different groups, ages, interests. I do not enjoy any of the rides and have for the most part moved past the restaurants. I actually sold some of my DVCs and contemplated selling out completely but fast forward and the DG babies are the next generation and I would not miss a moment of it. I think your DH will be sucked back in when the baby gets to an age he enjoys it, and if he doesn't then you two can still go. My DH did not love it, he went once a year to meet the minimum expected family obligation and the rest of the times we went without him. I can't tell you how many of my girls friends we dragged down there with us including our German boy exchange student, and him again with his best friend when they came back to visit the following year, and our Japanese exchange student and her BFF that we picked up in Nashville (exchanged with a Nashville family) on the way down. And for the record my Mr. Cynical DH enjoys WDW more now than he ever did, although he hates to travel so he's still not going more than once a year. I think you are positioned well and one way or the other it is going to work out well for you.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Flight dilemma. In June, flight home booked on SW miles/CP, leaves 0800, arrives MDW 5 pm with layover/change planes in SJC. Used 33k miles

I have enough AA miles for a nonstop flight on AA. Would leave 1:30 pm, arrive ORD 7:30p. Cost is 75k miles for all three of us. I could also use Amex credit to upgrade seats slightly.

This would require flying in and out different airports which means using Lyft or booking a car service, which is slightly less convenient but probably a wash compared to parking at the airport for 8 days.

I’m leaning towards the nonstop but have been chicken to pull the trigger as it’s a web special and can’t be changed.

WWYD?