I love credit cards so much!

[jhoannam]

PSA: Disney is having MAJOR problems at the parks with 3rd party tickets (at least for us).

Just came back from WDW and me and the GF had one of the most frustrating experiences with Disney. I know we don't talk about trip reports on here that much, but I booked this stay with "magical" rates which aren't really talked about broadly on these forums besides this thread and a few others. As you know the "Magical" rates don't come with regular tickets, but convention tickets and a added water park bonus.

- Showed up to Epcot on rope drop the first day, MB not working. CM directed us to the ticket booths, in which a manager got involved because either of the ticket booth agents could find our tickets on one system and not the other. Manager called IT, which took another 30 minutes so she comped us two park hoppers for the day just to not waste any more of our time. Advised us to see guest relations later in the day. Saw guest relations and the CM seemed to know what exactly what was going on. She said we needed to go back to Pop because the hotel system and theme park system weren't communicating with each other. Pop couldn't find out what was going on with our tickets, but said they would comp us another 1 day park hopper and water park tickets. Both comp tickets showed up on MDE later that night.

- Showed up to Blizzard Beach the second day, MB is still not working. GR CM at the gate walked us over to the booth and took nearly 45 minutes with us on the phone with IT to try to solve the problem with our tickets. CM can see the park hopper and comp tickets, but neither is working. CM said that IT "reset" our accounts and it eventually worked. Headed back to the hotel after BB and both of our MB's don't work to get into our room . Headed back to the concierge at Pop, and asked about the additional 1 day hopper for the next day. CM says they can see it on my account and everything is all set.

- Arrived at Magic Kingdom on the last day and guess what... MB's don't work. CM advised us to see guest relations, but the line was nearly 150 people long so we decided to head to Animal Kingdom instead. After another hour or so at GR, the CM fixed it for us again. Told us they have been having problems all week with the systems and it has been absolute hell for the CM's. We thought "great, today is the last day and we won't have any more problems since we are leaving tomorrow." Lunch time came and we headed to Satuli Canteen and guess what... MB won't let us charge anything to our room. THANK GOODNESS we had Apple Pay authorized on our phones because we usually leave our wallets in the safe to pack light for the day.

It sucked because the CM's were so nice about everything and they really tried to fix it, but it's so out of their control. It seemed like it was specifically the 3rd party tickets that was giving our accounts so many issues and if I knew we were going to have so many problems, I would have bought them from Disney direct instead and booked the discounted room at the Swan instead. At every ticket booth we had to go to, there was another guest who had the same exact problem we were having with not being able to access tickets.

I almost feel like posting this in a separate thread, but I don't want to have half the forum asking what a "magical" rate is.

EDIT: We booked the "magical" rates in 2017 and had absolutely zero issues with our stay.

I think it's MDE that's having the issues, not just 3rd party tickets, I keep getting an "Pardon the Inconvenience".

 

[AmyAnne]

OT on this thread I know but that is hilarious So far the past few years with MDE etc has been like putting the lobster in a pot of cold water,and turning up the heat slowly so it doesn't even notice what's happening... I mean we're at the point where they expect people to plan what breakfast they want to eat in 6 months time,what ride you want to ride months in the future(and what time you'll do it) the fingerprinting, the security checks, the intrusive room searches...I could go on but I'll stop here.....let's face it the hoops we're all forced to jump thru at this point are already as far as I'm concerned..... ok sorry to rant OT back to the topics at hand.....

This is my life this morning - trying to reserve breakfast 3+ months in advance and I am having to split my party into groups of 2 to get anything . . .

 

[Judique]

I know! We said it was an investment in Disney, kinda joking, cuz tickets could only go up. But who knew you really could invest without buying stock
(although bought some of that too eventually and who knew I'd kick myself now for not picking up more at $65/share )

Who knew I'd kick myself for buying at $14 a share, and selling at $31 a share after a share split????? It was about the time Edward Jones was bought up by Wells Fargo and WF told them to get rid of the small fry by imposing huge fees on 'small' accounts. I needed to up my share to $250K to remain fee free and I didn't have a stake in WF, just playing a bit with a local Edward Jones, so I pulled out and dropped my pennies with my other investments, none of which would include Disney according to my financial adviser at the time. Disney wasn't always golden, but I had my heart in it for awhile back then, instead of my head - and who knew - I should have followed my heart!!

 

[GZanta77]

Today was my planned day for P2 to DD the Sapphires .......but had a rethink.....and pleased to report a successful CIC app. Data point: This app was made 3 days after dropping to 4/24.

The CSR will most likely be next up....... is it still recommended to wait at least 90 days before the next Chase app, even after a business card?

 

[Haley R]

PSA: Disney is having MAJOR problems at the parks with 3rd party tickets (at least for us).

Just came back from WDW and me and the GF had one of the most frustrating experiences with Disney. I know we don't talk about trip reports on here that much, but I booked this stay with "magical" rates which aren't really talked about broadly on these forums besides this thread and a few others. As you know the "Magical" rates don't come with regular tickets, but convention tickets and a added water park bonus.

- Showed up to Epcot on rope drop the first day, MB not working. CM directed us to the ticket booths, in which a manager got involved because either of the ticket booth agents could find our tickets on one system and not the other. Manager called IT, which took another 30 minutes so she comped us two park hoppers for the day just to not waste any more of our time. Advised us to see guest relations later in the day. Saw guest relations and the CM seemed to know what exactly what was going on. She said we needed to go back to Pop because the hotel system and theme park system weren't communicating with each other. Pop couldn't find out what was going on with our tickets, but said they would comp us another 1 day park hopper and water park tickets. Both comp tickets showed up on MDE later that night.

- Showed up to Blizzard Beach the second day, MB is still not working. GR CM at the gate walked us over to the booth and took nearly 45 minutes with us on the phone with IT to try to solve the problem with our tickets. CM can see the park hopper and comp tickets, but neither is working. CM said that IT "reset" our accounts and it eventually worked. Headed back to the hotel after BB and both of our MB's don't work to get into our room . Headed back to the concierge at Pop, and asked about the additional 1 day hopper for the next day. CM says they can see it on my account and everything is all set.

- Arrived at Magic Kingdom on the last day and guess what... MB's don't work. CM advised us to see guest relations, but the line was nearly 150 people long so we decided to head to Animal Kingdom instead. After another hour or so at GR, the CM fixed it for us again. Told us they have been having problems all week with the systems and it has been absolute hell for the CM's. We thought "great, today is the last day and we won't have any more problems since we are leaving tomorrow." Lunch time came and we headed to Satuli Canteen and guess what... MB won't let us charge anything to our room. THANK GOODNESS we had Apple Pay authorized on our phones because we usually leave our wallets in the safe to pack light for the day.

It sucked because the CM's were so nice about everything and they really tried to fix it, but it's so out of their control. It seemed like it was specifically the 3rd party tickets that was giving our accounts so many issues and if I knew we were going to have so many problems, I would have bought them from Disney direct instead and booked the discounted room at the Swan instead. At every ticket booth we had to go to, there was another guest who had the same exact problem we were having with not being able to access tickets.

I almost feel like posting this in a separate thread, but I don't want to have half the forum asking what a "magical" rate is.

EDIT: We booked the "magical" rates in 2017 and had absolutely zero issues with our stay.

Crap we booked magical rates for October. I really hope they get this figured out. I’m also missing tickets that were comped to my account. I reassigned them to my niece and they have just disappeared.

 

[gottalovepluto]

PSA: Disney is having MAJOR problems at the parks with 3rd party tickets (at least for us).

Just came back from WDW and me and the GF had one of the most frustrating experiences with Disney. I know we don't talk about trip reports on here that much, but I booked this stay with "magical" rates which aren't really talked about broadly on these forums besides this thread and a few others. As you know the "Magical" rates don't come with regular tickets, but convention tickets and a added water park bonus.

- Showed up to Epcot on rope drop the first day, MB not working. CM directed us to the ticket booths, in which a manager got involved because either of the ticket booth agents could find our tickets on one system and not the other. Manager called IT, which took another 30 minutes so she comped us two park hoppers for the day just to not waste any more of our time. Advised us to see guest relations later in the day. Saw guest relations and the CM seemed to know what exactly what was going on. She said we needed to go back to Pop because the hotel system and theme park system weren't communicating with each other. Pop couldn't find out what was going on with our tickets, but said they would comp us another 1 day park hopper and water park tickets. Both comp tickets showed up on MDE later that night.

- Showed up to Blizzard Beach the second day, MB is still not working. GR CM at the gate walked us over to the booth and took nearly 45 minutes with us on the phone with IT to try to solve the problem with our tickets. CM can see the park hopper and comp tickets, but neither is working. CM said that IT "reset" our accounts and it eventually worked. Headed back to the hotel after BB and both of our MB's don't work to get into our room . Headed back to the concierge at Pop, and asked about the additional 1 day hopper for the next day. CM says they can see it on my account and everything is all set.

- Arrived at Magic Kingdom on the last day and guess what... MB's don't work. CM advised us to see guest relations, but the line was nearly 150 people long so we decided to head to Animal Kingdom instead. After another hour or so at GR, the CM fixed it for us again. Told us they have been having problems all week with the systems and it has been absolute hell for the CM's. We thought "great, today is the last day and we won't have any more problems since we are leaving tomorrow." Lunch time came and we headed to Satuli Canteen and guess what... MB won't let us charge anything to our room. THANK GOODNESS we had Apple Pay authorized on our phones because we usually leave our wallets in the safe to pack light for the day.

It sucked because the CM's were so nice about everything and they really tried to fix it, but it's so out of their control. It seemed like it was specifically the 3rd party tickets that was giving our accounts so many issues and if I knew we were going to have so many problems, I would have bought them from Disney direct instead and booked the discounted room at the Swan instead. At every ticket booth we had to go to, there was another guest who had the same exact problem we were having with not being able to access tickets.

I almost feel like posting this in a separate thread, but I don't want to have half the forum asking what a "magical" rate is.

EDIT: We booked the "magical" rates in 2017 and had absolutely zero issues with our stay.

I’d post it in the theme parks/tickets forum, if it’s as widespread as it seems others may have or will encounter it. Do not mention magical anything, just say you bought via a major travel agency (not Dreams Unlimited) who sold convention tickets as normal tickets. You’ve never had issues before but this time.... if anyone presses who was the agency do not respond.

 

[Haley R]

I have mixed experiences. But more recently have had luck with gift card only purchases at Walgreens, staples and Home Depot. Haven’t tried cvs but will this month.



There are some good offers this month so I would say yes!




I don’t have any Disney trips officially planned right now so I focus on gas cards since I go through a lot of spend there. I get target cards at staples since they have them and I also spend a lot there. If you are lucky, you might find some that work for your grocery store but I haven’t gotten that lucky. I also sometimes grab fast food ones that I know I will use.

We actually do have a Disney trip coming up. So if we go to Walgreens which card should I be using (cip or CSR)?

 

[Haley R]

Any of the 3rd party GCs have worked for me, Disney, PF Chang's, ThinkGeek, Amazon, etc. The first time I purchased something small along with the GCs but this time I just purchased $300 in GCs.

I think we might hit up our Walgreens later today. Should I use the cip or the CSR?

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

It's a question of logistics right now. Each company while they were separate had a gift card program that used a payment network. I imagine they used different networks, so just swiping one at the other won't work - sorta like if you tried to swipe an AmEx at Costco. Eventually they'll either setup both networks at all properties to take either legacy card, or reissue one set of cards so they can be used at all properties. But usually this is not high on the priority list. Like my Acme Markets has been part of Albertson's/Safeway for a couple years now but I still can't use a Safeway GC there yet. I can use it at Albertsons, Jewel Osco and someone else in the family, and I imagine that's because they were all integrated on one network before and until we're integrated onto the network Safeway is using I can't get discounted GCs for my groceries dang it

I may occasionally become quite salty that Acme is not yet part of the Safeway GC

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We actually do have a Disney trip coming up. So if we go to Walgreens which card should I be using (cip or CSR)?

In my experience at CVS...both coded 1x....so I would think Walgreens would be the same

 

[Albort]

I think we might hit up our Walgreens later today. Should I use the cip or the CSR?

neither, use Freedom card if you have it.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

What gift cards are good to get at Walgreens with the rmn offer?

I've mainly been getting Amazon but I also bought a bunch of Starbucks before we went to WDW in late July

 

[DaveL]

I think it's MDE that's having the issues, not just 3rd party tickets, I keep getting an "Pardon the Inconvenience".

I won't lie, but I think this worked out in my favor! So we are going next month and have party tickets, DD and I have Annual passes and my Mother a 3rd party ticket. Somehow the party tickets dropped off but I still have physical mailed tickets. I thought it was just something I did so I went to add them and they would not take so for S&G I created three new profiles and tried to add them and it worked just fine. Then later that morning I went to move a FP and noticed I can make three more FP's under those profiles! HAH! After some research looks like this was known in the party threads. I am sure glad tho I looked around sounds like I have to exit and come back in at 4 under the party ticket the FPs to work, no problem as we were planning on an afternoon nap anyway so we could stay out late. Guess I should venture outside of this thread more.

 

[SBWB48]

Congratulations?!

A few people here have gotten the second pop up message. Fortunately, the DPs suggest this blacklist is not permanent, but rather dynamic and you can get off it by putting spend on your Amex cards.

I haven’t had the “unprofitable churner” pop up yet, but I’m nervous about the next time I or my wife applies for an Amex. I’ve got 8 open Amex cards (2 of which I’m working on MSR), and my wife has 2 open Amex cards in her name, so splitting our spend sufficiently across 10 Amex cards is kind of stressful.

ETA: I’ll need to cancel some of these cards next year, but mindful that the number of cards closed could also land me on the blacklist.

This is what has me concerned as far as going for the Aspire. I'm also at 8 cards and DH has 2 (likely 3 soon if I decide to pull the trigger on the Hilton Biz for him since the MP promo has me a bit ahead on MSRs at the moment)

Apparently I need to read up on the ticket changes at some point. Every time they do something I feel so much better about our decision to buy a couple sets of NE tickets in 2011. It was scary committing so much of our savings into Disney tickets at that point in time, but we were fortunate to ride out the recession in our existing jobs and with all the changes since we'd not be getting our Disney fix in. (I thought that might have been the first time hubby seriously considered divorce when I told him I picked up a 2nd set from UCT while they still had 2010 discount prices available.) We grabbed another set of PH's with no expiration dates for a future trip long trip when they announced the expiration date change, so we could avoid whatever shenanigans came up after that. So we joked we're covered for WDW for the rest of our lives now, but it might not be a joke

I grabbed a few 10 day non expiry park hoppers as well. My youngest has used part of one as she comes rarely now. She just got a promotion at work and has more vacation time so she might come in November.

I also bought annual pass vouchers. Most were in the low $500 range when I bought them. Best decision I made! Almost wish I'd bought a couple more. But between them and the non expiry, my ticket needs are met. However, my grand kids will start needing tickets soon, and I can hear my daughter already saying 'tickets are so expensive!'.

Guess I'm not the only crazy to do this. I have a pair of AP vouchers I bought last year (under the assumption the hike was coming in Feb 2018, and even if it didn't, with SW coming, APs are bound to get $$$) and a pair of 7-day PHs from Undercover Tourist when they announced they have old non-expiring tickets for sale early last year as well. I even thought about purchasing another set of AP vouchers back in Feb, the night before the hike, but ultimately couldn't pull the trigger since DH just might kill me.

I’ve had 100% luck with Walgreens and GCs triggering RMN cash back. Staples didn’t work for me online. In store did but I bought school supplies. Others have said staples worked in store. Not tried anywhere else yet.

What gift cards are good to get at Walgreens with the rmn offer?

I think we might hit up our Walgreens later today. Should I use the cip or the CSR?

Unless you have a CF, I don't think it matters which between the CIP and CSR you elect to use since there's not the added 5x UR. CIP and CSR would net 1x at Walgreens either way. I've bought both VGCs and third-party GCs of all kinds at Walgreens and they have always credited with no issues.

 

[Judique]

PSA: Disney is having MAJOR problems at the parks with 3rd party tickets (at least for us).

Just came back from WDW and me and the GF had one of the most frustrating experiences with Disney. I know we don't talk about trip reports on here that much, but I booked this stay with "magical" rates which aren't really talked about broadly on these forums besides this thread and a few others. As you know the "Magical" rates don't come with regular tickets, but convention tickets and a added water park bonus.

- Showed up to Epcot on rope drop the first day, MB not working. CM directed us to the ticket booths, in which a manager got involved because either of the ticket booth agents could find our tickets on one system and not the other. Manager called IT, which took another 30 minutes so she comped us two park hoppers for the day just to not waste any more of our time. Advised us to see guest relations later in the day. Saw guest relations and the CM seemed to know what exactly what was going on. She said we needed to go back to Pop because the hotel system and theme park system weren't communicating with each other. Pop couldn't find out what was going on with our tickets, but said they would comp us another 1 day park hopper and water park tickets. Both comp tickets showed up on MDE later that night.

- Showed up to Blizzard Beach the second day, MB is still not working. GR CM at the gate walked us over to the booth and took nearly 45 minutes with us on the phone with IT to try to solve the problem with our tickets. CM can see the park hopper and comp tickets, but neither is working. CM said that IT "reset" our accounts and it eventually worked. Headed back to the hotel after BB and both of our MB's don't work to get into our room . Headed back to the concierge at Pop, and asked about the additional 1 day hopper for the next day. CM says they can see it on my account and everything is all set.

- Arrived at Magic Kingdom on the last day and guess what... MB's don't work. CM advised us to see guest relations, but the line was nearly 150 people long so we decided to head to Animal Kingdom instead. After another hour or so at GR, the CM fixed it for us again. Told us they have been having problems all week with the systems and it has been absolute hell for the CM's. We thought "great, today is the last day and we won't have any more problems since we are leaving tomorrow." Lunch time came and we headed to Satuli Canteen and guess what... MB won't let us charge anything to our room. THANK GOODNESS we had Apple Pay authorized on our phones because we usually leave our wallets in the safe to pack light for the day.

It sucked because the CM's were so nice about everything and they really tried to fix it, but it's so out of their control. It seemed like it was specifically the 3rd party tickets that was giving our accounts so many issues and if I knew we were going to have so many problems, I would have bought them from Disney direct instead and booked the discounted room at the Swan instead. At every ticket booth we had to go to, there was another guest who had the same exact problem we were having with not being able to access tickets.

I almost feel like posting this in a separate thread, but I don't want to have half the forum asking what a "magical" rate is.

EDIT: We booked the "magical" rates in 2017 and had absolutely zero issues with our stay.

Your experience brought back my dining plan experience. DVC did not always offer the dining plan.

When they did start, I booked it for myself and family and each day, we had the same problems for our whole vacation. We would eat a meal and then the problems began. They would 'fix' it and our door cards wouldn't work - over and over. And the kicker - at the end of the trip - my plan was still showing all the credits.

 

[Haley R]

In my experience at CVS...both coded 1x....so I would think Walgreens would be the same

neither, use Freedom card if you have it.

Ah ok. We don’t have the freedom that’s why I asked csr or cip since those are the only two we have.

We might just plan on going to staples since they have cash back and I think we get 2 or 3x the points with our cip?

 

[Judique]

We actually do have a Disney trip coming up. So if we go to Walgreens which card should I be using (cip or CSR)?

Your Freedom until Sept 30, if you have one.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Ah ok. We don’t have the freedom that’s why I asked csr or cip since those are the only two we have.

We might just plan on going to staples since they have cash back and I think we get 2 or 3x the points with our cip?

Only the CIC offers 5x back at office supply stores. Your CSR and CIP are only going to earn you 1x no matter where you shop.

 

[SBWB48]

Ah ok. We don’t have the freedom that’s why I asked csr or cip since those are the only two we have.

We might just plan on going to staples since they have cash back and I think we get 2 or 3x the points with our cip?

Actually CIP doesn't get any added bonus on office supply stores like the CIC (5x), which is probably what you are thinking of.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Who knew I'd kick myself for buying at $14 a share, and selling at $31 a share after a share split????? It was about the time Edward Jones was bought up by Wells Fargo and WF told them to get rid of the small fry by imposing huge fees on 'small' accounts. I needed to up my share to $250K to remain fee free and I didn't have a stake in WF, just playing a bit with a local Edward Jones, so I pulled out and dropped my pennies with my other investments, none of which would include Disney according to my financial adviser at the time. Disney wasn't always golden, but I had my heart in it for awhile back then, instead of my head - and who knew - I should have followed my heart!!

when my kids were born...we invested their christening, communion etc money in Disney stock....when my son wanted a car he cashed his out at around $33 a share....my daughter has kept hers and is very happy she did so..