I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[calypso726]

In addition to the AA Executive card, I decided to pick up the Marriott Bon Blah business card while the higher offer is still in play. Both of these will fall into some of my long term plans and potential plan B strategies.

I'm still on a status challenge with AA and am currently Gold but would like to hit Platinum Pro if I can swing it, which may be a route to Hyatt Globalist match next year if I don't manage that independently. The 100k added to my current AA miles will hopefully be used towards booking the Etihad apartment. This is DH's next bucket list plane experience.

I am hoping that when we are ready to pull the trigger on the Etihad apartment, we also have enough Bon Blah points accumulated for something like the JW Marriott Safari at Masai Mara.

Failing that, I'd be delighted with a stay in Venice at Gritti Palace. Currently, those are the two aspirational Marriott properties I have in mind for down the line. We will see how it plays out. This also gives me a reason to lay off Chase a little and I can get back to that in a few months.

 

[pinkxray]

We are headed to Oahu the week after Thanksgiving. Our flights have dropped around $100. The flights are still pretty empty. We have regular economy seats books. To upgrade to the extra comfort seat is $238 per person. Any way Hawaiian airlines will let us upgrade using the difference in flight cost plus whatever extra it is?

 

[StephPlum]

OK..... I'm now in a position to possibly go on an international trip next summer with friends.... Still debating on the location - I have CSP...one of my freedoms used to be a CSR (I' can't remember which) can I upgrade my CSP to CSR? I just paid the AF a couple of months ago- if I upgrade in October, will it lt immediately become CSR? And the TC will be available right away?
So when would the AF hit for that?
I assume it would be the full AF, not the CSR AF minus the CSP AF? And then I would have another TC to use by next October,correct? Anything else I need to know for this?
Also.....CSP vs CSR trip insurance.... do I need an extra insurance just in case on top of that? (I'm thinking yes, but not sure)
Thanks y'all I appreciate all the knowledge here

My 2 cents and full disclosure I’ve not traveled internationally, but I’d get medical insurance at least. After a slip in my yard and breaking a bone, I’m more cautious and paranoid about accidents occurring.

 

[disneylover81]

I am a loyal Southwest customer as well, and I just flew cross country RT this week on SWA. I wouldn't hesitate to take them to Hawaii. I think you'd be surprised how generous their seat size/legroom/entertainment/luggage policy is compared to basic economy on other airlines. My longest leg this time was 3 hrs and 40 mins and it was very comfortable. I checked my suitcase and put my backpack in the overhead so that I would lots of leg room. I would have been fine for another couple of hours.

Thanks for the reassurance because I really wanna fly SWA since I have tons of RR points and DH is my companion, so we could ideally fly for free, but I don’t want to put my kid’s budgets in a bind either. And since I have that 30% off promo, that would help my kids a lot on their flight cost. We are also toying with the idea of taking a day or two to go to Disneyland since none of us have ever been, since we will be in the neighborhood. I see a lot of complaints about Hawaiian airlines lately changing up people’s seats they paid for and things of that nature, so I’m hesitant about them.

 

[disneylover81]

IME the cheapest option from the west coast is American out of LAX. Obviously if you look diligently you may find better deals, but LAX consistently has pretty decent cash and points fares on AA. SW is a decent option. I’ve flown SW 2x west coast to/from Maui. Not my preferred airline for that long of a flight but it works. Hawaiian is another option, but I struggle to find good cash/points flights. Requires being super flexible.

ETA: Using Avios to book AA flights from California is only 13k Avios one way. A great redemption and not too hard to find if your dates are flexible.

Thanks for the tips. I’ll check out AA. Do UR’s convert to Avios? I’m not familiar with them. I only have UR and RR points, as I’m not a big churner. I know in reality just going to Hawaii isn’t like flying across the world like a lot of you do here, but for us it’s the biggest trip we’ve ever taken so I want it to go well but also within my kids budgets.

 

[calypso726]

Thanks for the tips. I’ll check out AA. Do UR’s convert to Avios? I’m not familiar with them. I only have UR and RR points, as I’m not a big churner. I know in reality just going to Hawaii isn’t like flying across the world like a lot of you do here, but for us it’s the biggest trip we’ve ever taken so I want it to go well but also within my kids budgets.

Yes, URs can be transferred 1:1 for Avios on British Airways which is an AA partner. You would need to make sure there's availability first before transferring.

 

[IFlossU]

When do Cap One bonuses post? At statement close, or once minimum spend spend is complete? Hoping to get the Venture X points ASAP.

 

[becauseimnew]

We plan to go to Aulani sometime next September and need help on figuring out where and when to start looking for flights. It’ll be myself and DH. My 25 year old son that will pay for himself, his g/f and their 4 year old. And probably my 18 year old daughter with possibly her b/f and their 1 year old, which will pay for themselves also. Must be budget friendly for my kids as they will be paying OOP. We always fly strictly SWA, but I’m thinking that won’t be very comfortable for the duration of the flight. We want to fly as much nonstop as we can. So far I have gathered that we will need to fly and position somewhere on the west coast. Is that accurate? Where would be the best airport to fly to from MEM? When I earned CP this year, I received a 30% off promo code for SWA that we could at least use for the positioning flight. What would be the best airline that’s cost friendly, but with comfortable seats from the west coast to HNL?

Is there a direct flight from MEM to PHX? We flew to PHX to Maui on SW and had a great experience.

 

[djmeredith]

Thanks for the reassurance because I really wanna fly SWA since I have tons of RR points and DH is my companion, so we could ideally fly for free, but I don’t want to put my kid’s budgets in a bind either. And since I have that 30% off promo, that would help my kids a lot on their flight cost. We are also toying with the idea of taking a day or two to go to Disneyland since none of us have ever been, since we will be in the neighborhood. I see a lot of complaints about Hawaiian airlines lately changing up people’s seats they paid for and things of that nature, so I’m hesitant about them.

I would definitely fly them if it saves you money. I did a few days at DL before the work portion of my trip. I would highly recommend it if you have the time and money. In many ways, it has become my favorite park(s).

But will it be a big deal for Chase?

I don't think so.

 

[elgerber]

I am guessing after 2 weeks of "the status of your application is not yet available" that it's likely going to be a denial. My BoA is already met, and we need another card for property taxes. Back to the drawing board, for my next option, if Chase doesn't respond by mid next week or so.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Since it looks like my $2900 taxes will be able to stay on my Bonvoy, I think I'm sitting at $1800 to hit the spend. I don't want to do that until closer to 3 mos. So early-mid November. I'm just putting small spend on that. I think I moved enough "big" recurring spends to my Hilton Surpass to hit the $15k w/o having to worry about grabbing VGC, LOL.

I was debating the Amex Plat in Dec, or even diving into the Cap 1 realm. But I forgot the Bonvoy put me back at 4/24. And I'll be there till March. So I guess it's just biz cards for me. Which means the CIU since it looks like I have all my MSRs (the bonvoy SUB and surpass $15k) covered.

Does anyone know if barclay is playing nice these days w/ the AAviator biz? It's been 3 years since I got it. I cancelled in Dec 22. I've wanted to get that card again when the SUB is decent. I could maybe do that card next to time w/ the AA/Hyatt offer and perhaps hit one of the spends to extend the offer. Hmmmm.

 

[disneylover81]

Is there a direct flight from MEM to PHX? We flew to PHX to Maui on SW and had a great experience.

There’s supposed to be a direct flight from MEM to PHX according to SWA’s website, but every time I look, there’s a layover so I don’t know what’s going on with that.

 

[disneylover81]

I would definitely fly them if it saves you money. I did a few days at DL before the work portion of my trip. I would highly recommend it if you have the time and money. In many ways, it has become my favorite park(s).

We plan on 5 nights at Aulani and maybe 1-2 nights at DL. Is that going to be doable? Some of my family only has limited vacation days so we can’t go any longer than that. We frequently visit WDW so as far as going to DL, we’d mostly only want to do and see the things/rides that WDW doesn’t offer?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We plan on 5 nights at Aulani and maybe 1-2 nights at DL. Is that going to be doable? Some of my family only has limited vacation days so we can’t go any longer than that. We frequently visit WDW so as far as going to DL, we’d mostly only want to do and see the things/rides that WDW doesn’t offer?

Just chiming in on DL. It's a totally different vibe so even rides that are the 'same' as WDW, seem different IMO. Characters roam the parks unlike WDW. Get tickets for the dessert party for World Of Color if you can swing it. Do whatever you can and stay as close as possible (there are hotels/motels right across the street.)

 

[disneylover81]

Just chiming in on DL. It's a totally different vibe so even rides that are the 'same' as WDW, seem different IMO. Characters roam the parks unlike WDW. Get tickets for the dessert party for World Of Color if you can swing it. Do whatever you can and stay as close as possible (there are hotels/motels right across the street.)

Oh wow! I had no idea about the characters. That’s awesome! We have DVC, but we are pretty much using all our points for Aulani next year. Not sure if we would want to borrow any or if it’s even possible at 7 months at DL resorts. So I’m glad to know that there’s hotels across the street as an option. We know absolutely nothing about DL so thanks for the tips. Would 2 DL days be enough to do close to everything?

 

[hsmamato2]

Oh wow! I had no idea about the characters. That’s awesome! We have DVC, but we are pretty much using all our points for Aulani next year. Not sure if we would want to borrow any or if it’s even possible at 7 months at DL resorts. So I’m glad to know that there’s hotels across the street as an option. We know absolutely nothing about DL so thanks for the tips. Would 2 DL days be enough to do close to everything?

with DL it all depends on your style.... my DH was done within 2 days, my sons and I spent 6 days having a blast! I loved DL when we went,hope to get back there sometime.

 

[hsmamato2]

Sighhhhhhh Venmo. So I managed (after many tries) to get $4800 worth of my payment to go thru on Venmo- ( I had to select 'protect my purchase') I'm assuming that it declined if I didn't click that option was b/c the cc was calling it a cash advance (?) anyway- it won't allow me to pay the final >$400 I owe...keeps decling,is it bc I did too many transactions too fast? Hoping it will allow in the next few days

 

[newski_mom]

I'm so sad - went to my closest Office Depot this morning to get my 10% off Amazon cards and they are going out of business - they also already had all of the gift cards removed!!

Now my closest is about 30 minutes away !

 

[djmeredith]

We plan on 5 nights at Aulani and maybe 1-2 nights at DL. Is that going to be doable? Some of my family only has limited vacation days so we can’t go any longer than that. We frequently visit WDW so as far as going to DL, we’d mostly only want to do and see the things/rides that WDW doesn’t offer?

1 day with Genie+ would probably allow you to do everything you want in DL. I did 3 days using Genie+ with afternoon breaks, and I didn't get to do everything I wanted in the 2 parks. If your choice is between DL and more time in HI, I would choose HI.

 

[afan]

Just chiming in on DL. It's a totally different vibe so even rides that are the 'same' as WDW, seem different IMO. Characters roam the parks unlike WDW. Get tickets for the dessert party for World Of Color if you can swing it. Do whatever you can and stay as close as possible (there are hotels/motels right across the street.)

I agree with this. Pirates, BTM and Small World should always be ridden, they are always a bit different. Peter Pan and TSMM are always the same though the queues will be different.

Soarin the end is always different so worth it to me.

You can also skip little mermaid it's the same.

I would use genie plus, it's way more useful at DLR than WDW. Read on the DLR board about fishing, which if you're able to do it is super helpful.

2 days, depending on when you are going and your park touring style is doable. I like being able to hop there since you can at 11, it's so easy and it makes getting more done easier.