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

[wanderlust7]

Finally got the additional 20k MRs for biz plat+biz checking! More than 7 months after conditions met.

I never contacted Amex, figured they'd eventually fix it.

 

[reliev]

Has anyone been to any of the Hyatt all inclusives in punta cana on points? Which, and would you recommend? Thinking of using our last 3 PTO days for 2024 on a short Wed-Sun DR trip.

For bonus points, what are some must-see places/things to do in DR, preferably close to Punta Cana side.

are you going with kids? zilara and ziva are next to each other I went down this rabbit hole before those seemed best.

 

[reliev]

There has been some talk the last couple of days about tracking everything and covering annual fees with offers, etc.

I track everything in mint.com and feel that I do a pretty decent job, but was just curious how everyone tracks things like the offers from chase, amex, etc.

I go back and forth if it should be a discount on my credit card fees or if it should be a discount on what I'm buying. So for example, with the instacart offer - do you track it as a discount on your annual fee or as a discount on your groceries.

OR, if the card that the offer is on does not have an annual fee, does that change how you track it?

Thanks!

spreadsheet with tabs,

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Ohh, this may be a great idea, actually! Now that my dad has retired to Mexico (3 hours west of Cancun), us daughters (2) have talked about going to visit in the future. Cancun is likely the airport we have to fly into anyways, so we might be able to do half vacation/half visit with my dad. I'll have to look into it to see if it could fit us all, but this sounds like a really great option. Thanks for mentioning!

Is your dad in Merida? A visit to the Riviera Maya is awesome; it's one of my favorite places to vacation. The Conrad Tulum is available through Hilton points and the Kimpton in Tulum also looks solid (haven't been but have stayed in that gated community), though they are on totally different spectrums. I have tons of Riviera Maya recommendations if you want.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

are you going with kids? zilara and ziva are next to each other I went down this rabbit hole before those seemed best.

No kids, adults only.

Is your dad in Merida? A visit to the Riviera Maya is awesome; it's one of my favorite places to vacation. The Conrad Tulum is available through Hilton points and the Kimpton in Tulum also looks solid (haven't been but have stayed in that gated community), though they are on totally different spectrums. I have tons of Riviera Maya recommendations if you want.

He is! We definitely want to visit Chichen Itza and then all the ruins in Tulum area too when we go to visit. Maybe instead of staying in Cancun for part of the trip, we could stay in the Tulum area instead, and looks like I could use FNCs at the Kimpton! Very good options here, thanks!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

You are going to love Qatar first class. When I flew from Male to Doha there were only 2 other passengers in first class. Service was amazing and the food was good. They have a special limo bus that meets you at the plane to take you to the terminal (for first class passengers only) and you have access to the Al Safwa lounge in Doha (it is very nice, but was a bit busy when I was there -- around 11pm!).

What hotel in the Maldives are you staying at (sorry if I missed your post)?

That OMAAT article made me wonder if Ben is on the take from Lufthansa. I would certainly not gush about that cabin. I find that Lufthansa keeps their cabins too warm and without air nozzles at the seats it's not comfortable for me, so I won't fly in them again until the updated planes come in 2024. The food is okay, the first class lounges are nice enough. But I'd rather fly in a biz class seat with air nozzles for each seat.

Thanks for confirming that Qatar first class flight should be a good intro to first class.

I tend to have this mentality (I think from traveling with kids for the past 25 years) that the vacation doesn't really start until we get at the "actual destination." But this is just the 2 of us for our 25th, and so I'm trying to shift that mentality and enjoy the experience of getting there. We have a bit of a pieced together itinerary to get to the Maldives, with stops in Amsterdam and Frankfurt for long enough to get into the cities for a bit, but not necessarily overnights. So, I couldn't get availability at WA Maldives (pipe dream), but had my choice between Conrad Rangali and the new Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Due to our arrival time, we were right on the cutoff of not making a seaplane and needing to overnight in Male. So ultimately we went with the Hilton Maldives Amingiri because it's new and they use a speedboat. We're splitting our time between and overwater suite villa and a beach villa, so we get a taste of each. We have several spa treatments planned, and also planned to do some open water snorkeling and perhaps hand line fishing.

I have been following your Maldives trip with interest. I noted a FT reviewer had positive things to say about the Amingiri's beach villa in comparison to RC's beach villa, which sounds like you loved, so hopefully we'll enjoy our experience as well.

PS, I get the impression Ben is pretty forthcoming, probably too much so, and I think he'd put a disclaimer out if Lufthansa had supported his review. One blogger I just can't read anymore if View from the Wing. It's like Daily Mail or TMZ for travel and points.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

No kids, adults only.

He is! We definitely want to visit Chichen Itza and then all the ruins in Tulum area too when we go to visit. Maybe instead of staying in Cancun for part of the trip, we could stay in the Tulum area instead, and looks like I could use FNCs at the Kimpton! Very good options here, thanks!

Some suggestions for the Riviera Maya area:

- Tulum ruins

- Coba ruins (see if it's still possible to climb to the top of this archaeological pyramid). Can rent bikes here or explore via tuk tuk or use your good ol legs

- Chichen Itza is a day trip away; colonial city of Valladolid is a cool stop on the way there or back

- Tulum beachfront road is very pedestrian and good for a meal, shopping and/or beach clubs. Driving/parking here is a disaster, so best to taxi in, or bikeable from the Kimpton if not dreadfully hot

- Xel Ha and/or Xcaret for "natural" waterparks and adventure

- Akumal is a nearby town to the Conrad. Rent golf carts, eat at beachside restaurant La Buena Vida, snorkel in cheaper alternative to Xel Ha, called Yal Ku Lagoon

- tons of cenotes to swim in Riviera Maya. MapChick is a great resource for this if you decide to rent a car- I'd definitely order a map in advance.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Some suggestions for the Riviera Maya area:

- Tulum ruins

- Coba ruins (see if it's still possible to climb to the top of this archaeological pyramid). Can rent bikes here or explore via tuk tuk or use your good ol legs

- Chichen Itza is a day trip away; colonial city of Valladolid is a cool stop on the way there or back

- Tulum beachfront road is very pedestrian and good for a meal, shopping and/or beach clubs. Driving/parking here is a disaster, so best to taxi in, or bikeable from the Kimpton if not dreadfully hot

- Xel Ha and/or Xcaret for "natural" waterparks and adventure

- Akumal is a nearby town to the Conrad. Rent golf carts, eat at beachside restaurant La Buena Vida, snorkel in cheaper alternative to Xel Ha, called Yal Ku Lagoon

- tons of cenotes to swim in Riviera Maya. MapChick is a great resource for this if you decide to rent a car- I'd definitely order a map in advance.

THANK YOU! These all sound lovely and right up our alley! Now my only problem is, it sounds like we could spend a good week here and not have enough time/not run out of things to do… plus not to mention a few days visiting my dad… we need like 10 days Maybe I need to approach it differently, since this obviously won’t be the last time we visit. Pick 2-3 things each time, and leave stuff for the next visit.

 

[becauseimnew]

There has been some talk the last couple of days about tracking everything and covering annual fees with offers, etc.

I track everything in mint.com and feel that I do a pretty decent job, but was just curious how everyone tracks things like the offers from chase, amex, etc.

I go back and forth if it should be a discount on my credit card fees or if it should be a discount on what I'm buying. So for example, with the instacart offer - do you track it as a discount on your annual fee or as a discount on your groceries.

OR, if the card that the offer is on does not have an annual fee, does that change how you track it?

Thanks!

If it is something I would normally buy I track it as a discount on my CC fee (offers tab on spreadsheet), if it isn’t something I wouldn’t normally buy I discount it from what I bought.
Since I wouldn’t normally use Instacart because the cost of purchasing items on there is normally higher I take the savings from the purchase.
Wireless credit on Plat offers tab, Audible credit - discount on price (I love audible but won’t pay for it). Offer on lululemon - offers tab because I need athletic wear.
I track all offers in one tab, not by card.
Last year I saved $1,700 in offers/card benefits and paid $2,400 in CC fees.

 

[afan]

I know most here don't travel with their pets, and I do stoll need to google. But does anyone have a chain, specific hotel you've stayed at or read about that is better than others for the pet? I'd like to take Tux with me somewhere that has places I can take him but also that has a good experience for him if I leave him in the room.

Ideally I could book on points, though I don't know how easy that is with a pet since I know you have to inform them before arrival of it. Also would prefer driving distance but would consider flying.

It's the most ridiculous problem to have, but I need to plan more trips for next year to use vacation. We can roll it over but I'm accruing 3 weeks a year and we have to start using at 200 hours and I'm at 131 even after Japan. But I also don't want to have to always leave him and I'd rather not do an airbnb though it would be easier probably.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I know most here don't travel with their pets, and I do stoll need to google. But does anyone have a chain, specific hotel you've stayed at or read about that is better than others for the pet? I'd like to take Tux with me somewhere that has places I can take him but also that has a good experience for him if I leave him in the room.

Ideally I could book on points, though I don't know how easy that is with a pet since I know you have to inform them before arrival of it. Also would prefer driving distance but would consider flying.

It's the most ridiculous problem to have, but I need to plan more trips for next year to use vacation. We can roll it over but I'm accruing 3 weeks a year and we have to start using at 200 hours and I'm at 131 even after Japan. But I also don't want to have to always leave him and I'd rather not do an airbnb though it would be easier probably.

We’ve stayed at a lot of IHG properties with our 2 dogs over the last few years (staybridge, holiday inn express, and crowne plaza). This is mainly because it’s the point currency we have, and their pet fees aren’t exorbitant. We always use points, and wind up paying around $25-50 in pet fees. I think one time it was $75, but it was also in a high end beach town. It’s not my favorite thing to do, since my dogs don’t do well in hotels with all the noises, but we do it often when we’re taking longer trips and need to stay over a night on the way there or back. We’ve stayed at Red Roofs before with the dogs also, when nothing else was around. I believe they charge no pet fees at all. Whatever hotel it is, we try not to leave them too long alone in the room. I have a fear of housekeeping coming in (even though we put do not disburb signs on the door), and the dogs escaping. So we’ve really only left them for like an hour or two when going out to eat.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I know most here don't travel with their pets, and I do stoll need to google. But does anyone have a chain, specific hotel you've stayed at or read about that is better than others for the pet? I'd like to take Tux with me somewhere that has places I can take him but also that has a good experience for him if I leave him in the room.

Ideally I could book on points, though I don't know how easy that is with a pet since I know you have to inform them before arrival of it. Also would prefer driving distance but would consider flying.

It's the most ridiculous problem to have, but I need to plan more trips for next year to use vacation. We can roll it over but I'm accruing 3 weeks a year and we have to start using at 200 hours and I'm at 131 even after Japan. But I also don't want to have to always leave him and I'd rather not do an airbnb though it would be easier probably.

Second IHG, specifically Kimptons. I think they have a no fee policy (not sure if this is universal or specific to each property) and if the pet fits through the door, they can stay. I think it's fine to book on points and then inform them.

But, my dogs aren't good travelers. One has to be really comfortable to use the bathroom on a walk, which can create hotel room problems... Also, they want to guard us from every hallway noise. But when we stayed at a Kimpton last year, they had all the amenities, doggy beds, dog bowls, treats, etc. And a sign to put on the door alerting that the room was occupied by a pet.

 

[afan]

We’ve stayed at a lot of IHG properties with our 2 dogs over the last few years (staybridge, holiday inn express, and crowne plaza). This is mainly because it’s the point currency we have, and their pet fees aren’t exorbitant. We always use points, and wind up paying around $25-50 in pet fees. I think one time it was $75, but it was also in a high end beach town. It’s not my favorite thing to do, since my dogs don’t do well in hotels with all the noises, but we do it often when we’re taking longer trips and need to stay over a night on the way there or back. We’ve stayed at Red Roofs before with the dogs also, when nothing else was around. I believe they charge no pet fees at all. Whatever hotel it is, we try not to leave them too long alone in the room. I have a fear of housekeeping coming in (even though we put do not disburb signs on the door), and the dogs escaping. So we’ve really only left them for like an hour or two when going out to eat.

Second IHG, specifically Kimptons. I think they have a no fee policy (not sure if this is universal or specific to each property) and if the pet fits through the door, they can stay. I think it's fine to book on points and then inform them.

But, my dogs aren't good travelers. One has to be really comfortable to use the bathroom on a walk, which can create hotel room problems... Also, they want to guard us from every hallway noise. But when we stayed at a Kimpton last year, they had all the amenities, doggy beds, dog bowls, treats, etc. And a sign to put on the door alerting that the room was occupied by a pet.

Thanks! There are Kimptons around so maybe we'll just do 1 night to see how he does. I'm concerned about him having issues with the noise. But he also barks at the TV when there's animals on so all around a hotel may not be the best option but it's easier to do as a test as well.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So not sure if anyone else did the Sofi/Rakuten offer. But I just saw my 10k MRs posted! So YAY!

Also did anyone else see that the Amex Gold Biz added perks? I was getting ready to cancel mine when the AF posts next month. Maybe I'll see if I can get a retention offer of some kind instead and keep it another year. I should manage to keep the lower AF for the year. So if I can get a decent offer to keep it, it might be worth it.

https://monkeymiles.boardingarea.co...dds-statement-credits-loses-25-points-rebate/

 

[Judique]

Yes, both have the language. But it's not a card family language so the Premier and regular Visa bonus schedule is separate.

They actually moved it out in front on the application page. But if you "Learn more" the "Offer Details" link on that page has the bonus T&C.
View attachment 799338

DD can still get the card, but I had it about a year ago at the $300. Thanks for finding it.

 

[wanderlust7]

So not sure if anyone else did the Sofi/Rakuten offer. But I just saw my 10k MRs posted! So YAY!

Also did anyone else see that the Amex Gold Biz added perks? I was getting ready to cancel mine when the AF posts next month. Maybe I'll see if I can get a retention offer of some kind instead and keep it another year. I should manage to keep the lower AF for the year. So if I can get a decent offer to keep it, it might be worth it.

https://monkeymiles.boardingarea.co...dds-statement-credits-loses-25-points-rebate/

I activated it earlier today and bought Chipotle GC from Staples online. They didn't have $20, so bought $15 and $5, but I forgot their GC can't be combined, so kind of annoying. I forgot they have Target too, think I'll do $10 x2 Target next month.

 

[queenbee99]

Looking forward to reading all this info and learning more about this!

 

[GZanta77]

Also did anyone else see that the Amex Gold Biz added perks? I was getting ready to cancel mine when the AF posts next month. Maybe I'll see if I can get a retention offer of some kind instead and keep it another year. I should manage to keep the lower AF for the year. So if I can get a decent offer to keep it, it might be worth it.

https://monkeymiles.boardingarea.co...dds-statement-credits-loses-25-points-rebate/

Well those changes only confirm that I was right to cancel mine last month.

I only hope that the removal of the 25% rebate on flights isn't an indication of whats to come for the Biz Plat 35% rebate. I have done quite well out of that and don't want to see that cut.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Okay there's another Sofi/Rakuten offer. This time $175 or 17.5 MRs. But I need DPs on what counts as a DD. Anyone know where to look for some DPs?

I activated it earlier today and bought Chipotle GC from Staples online. They didn't have $20, so bought $15 and $5, but I forgot their GC can't be combined, so kind of annoying. I forgot they have Target too, think I'll do $10 x2 Target next month.

Will GCs work? Since Amex is normally so anti-GC, I was wondering if it would work.

Well those changes only confirm that I was right to cancel mine last month.

I only hope that the removal of the 25% rebate on flights isn't an indication of whats to come for the Biz Plat 35% rebate. I have done quite well out of that and don't want to see that cut.

I love Zach (the blog I linked). Sounds like he thinks the Plat might follow suit. Of course it's just a guess I'm sure.

 

[AmyAnne]

Wrong thread!