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

[mmmears]

I swear I'm in a void on Amex offers lately: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex-offers-marriott-bonvoy-spend-200-get-40-back/

I could use this one next week and didn't get it on any of my cards. I haven't gotten any of the cell phone or satellite offers recently, or gas, or anything else remotely useful

Keep checking daily. I have noticed that when I don't have the offers other people mention here and I check again a day or two later sometimes they are there.

I did get this one, but DH doesn't have it on his LUX, where we need it.

 

[mmmears]

Anyone have advice for a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle? Thinking of doing a one-way car rental and driving to our cruise out of Seattle and then flying back (or vice versa). Looked at one-way car rental prices and while expensive, isn't horrifically so. Oddly, Seattle to SF area looks cheaper than the other way around.

DS wants to go to Confusion Hill (north of Mendocino) for the Gravity Falls connection. Want to see the Redwoods, Oregon Dunes, and maybe Crater Lake but seems a bit out of the way. There's a new Wyndham timeshare in Portland, so might want to stay there (we own and I'm a sucker for new), it would have a 3 night minimum though. Any recommendations for don't miss places or fun places for kids (they'll be 8 and 11 by then)? Or for good places to stay on points along the way or in Seattle (have Hilton, Bonvoy, and URs)?

Just a little stop on 5 before you get to Portland, but easy to exit off the highway and you're right there - Multnomah (sp?) Falls.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

I am SO glad to read this post. Just last night, I applied for the CSR and was approved, but I got cold feet. I literally started panicking, thinking I made a mistake. I had discussed with DH just playing it safe and taking out a CIU, but I just couldn’t resist. It seemed to make sense to do it. We will easily meet the $450 annual fee between our trips to TN and USO next Feb., and still have points left over for even more travel, or to upgrade our tickets to AP’s once again. (DH still doesn’t know I applied), but he won’t care once he realizes how much we’re saving. I had realized after doing my numbers and calculations again today that this card made the most sense for us, and it’s reassuring to hear I wasn’t wrong. Is an MAer (Someone from MA). No, we are from upstate NY (as in an hour north of Lake Placid).

Haha. Yes from MA I figured the Feb vacation thing. NY isn’t far off! You won’t regret the CSR going to Universal. Do you have any URs yet? Once you can transfer them do it (to the CSR) and when you know your dates I’d book. I see RPR for $398 that week so 26800 UR a night . You won’t see much better than that but if you do it’s super easy to cancel and rebook!!!

 

[GlamMistress]

Welp DH was just declined for the Frontier card. Not outright denial (got the delayed message screen of death). Did the online status check and the page said "couldn't offer card at this time."

It's because he has an aviator red that gets no spend. It's a pity, I would actually put spend on the Frontier card. In fact, I was going to push toward status with it. Oh well. We continue to wait for 5/24 I guess.

 

[striker1064]

....Did any DVC members see this news....DVC is starting sales on The Rivera Resort this Wednesday 3/27...
Resort will open 12/16...booking for current DCV members starts on 4/10

DW is ready. We may be buying...

 

[GlamMistress]

DW is ready. We may be buying...

Really? The dues scare me. And the whole resale reduced value thing.

How many points are you thinking?

 

[wed100105]

I am really considering the Amex HHonors Aspire card. I opened the HHonors Ascend in September 2017. I regularly spend quite a bit on it. (I earned a free night certificate last year, so that means I put at least $15,000 on it.) I should wait until October to apply for the Ascend, right? So I'm not paying two AF's. The $450 AF on the Ascend is the deterrent for me. We have a few trips this year that we'll be staying in Hilton hotels, and I would like the diamond status. Otherwise, I don't NEED the airline credit this year, and I don't NEED the $250 resort credit either. (We typically don't spend any money at the resort...) At this point, those bonuses would just be reasons to splurge and take another trip. I should wait, right? Will I have any problems canceling my Ascend if I get an AMEX Aspire?

I am at 3/5 for Chase I believe.

2/2019 Chase Ink Preferred Business - MSR Met
2/2019 Barclay's Frontier Airlines Mastercard - MSR Met
2/2019 AU on DH's AMEX Ascend (I probably shouldn't have done this. I only added it because he had a 5000 points bonus. I didn't realize it would count toward my limit.) *This isn't showing up on my credit report yet though. - MSR Met
9/2017 AMEX Hilton Ascend - MSR Met

I need to wait to open another Chase card until May, right? I have more spending to hit another MSP. Not sure where to go from here though.

 

[striker1064]

Really? The dues scare me. And the whole resale reduced value thing.

How many points are you thinking?

The dues are shocking at first glance, but I have a feeling Riviera is ahead of the curve on this. With the big increase that came this year, I wouldn't be surpisurp if every other resort is in that range when dues statements roll out at the end of the year.

Maybe 200.

 

[GlamMistress]

The dues are shocking at first glance, but I have a feeling Riviera is ahead of the curve on this. With the big increase that came this year, I wouldn't be surpisurp if every other resort is in that range when dues statements roll out at the end of the year.

Maybe 200.

I think we would enjoy owning at Riviera but I am leery of the resale rule on it. I am looking forward to staying there someday!

 

[striker1064]

I think we would enjoy owning at Riviera but I am leery of the resale rule on it. I am looking forward to staying there someday!

This is also an important consideration. I do not think Disney (through ROFR) will allow the resale price to bottom out, but there's no question this will be lower than the others. In that sense, it's a little nerve-wracking. But, the best deal is always buying a resort and staying until expiration, so in that sense it shouldn't matter.

I told DW this is it - we do this and we very likely keep it forever (or 50 years). We're Epcot people and the resort looks great to this point. It makes sense to get it now with the incentives if we are planning to do it at all.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I am really considering the Amex HHonors Aspire card. I opened the HHonors Ascend in September 2017. I regularly spend quite a bit on it. (I earned a free night certificate last year, so that means I put at least $15,000 on it.) I should wait until October to apply for the Ascend, right? So I'm not paying two AF's. The $450 AF on the Ascend is the deterrent for me. We have a few trips this year that we'll be staying in Hilton hotels, and I would like the diamond status. Otherwise, I don't NEED the airline credit this year, and I don't NEED the $250 resort credit either. (We typically don't spend any money at the resort...) At this point, those bonuses would just be reasons to splurge and take another trip. I should wait, right? Will I have any problems canceling my Ascend if I get an AMEX Aspire?

I am at 3/5 for Chase I believe.

2/2019 Chase Ink Preferred Business - MSR Met
2/2019 Barclay's Frontier Airlines Mastercard - MSR Met
2/2019 AU on DH's AMEX Ascend (I probably shouldn't have done this. I only added it because he had a 5000 points bonus. I didn't realize it would count toward my limit.) *This isn't showing up on my credit report yet though. - MSR Met
9/2017 AMEX Hilton Ascend - MSR Met

I need to wait to open another Chase card until May, right? I have more spending to hit another MSP. Not sure where to go from here though.

Yes you have the 3/24 count right....the 3 months in between Chase Cards is a guideline..I’ve been approved with a month and 2 months, .since it looks like that was your first Chase card your probably fine to apply now or next month

 

[amalone1013]

This reminded me of something someone on this board once said

 

[palhockeymomof2]

This is also an important consideration. I do not think Disney (through ROFR) will allow the resale price to bottom out, but there's no question this will be lower than the others. In that sense, it's a little nerve-wracking. But, the best deal is always buying a resort and staying until expiration, so in that sense it shouldn't matter.

I told DW this is it - we do this and we very likely keep it forever (or 50 years). We're Epcot people and the resort looks great to this point. It makes sense to get it now with the incentives if we are planning to do it at all.

Agree with you...We purchased in 2001...never considered it an investment..so not worried about resale...since we plan on keeping it until the end...and if we can’t use it our kids will..
At our age we will not purchase...but the resort looks beautiful

 

[Alexle2007]

Don't forget the fee free MCGC's at Staples. 2k down, ??? to go...

Boo, did that actually start? I stopped by today since I was in the area and didn’t see any signs so I left empty handed. I guess I’ll need to try and make it tomorrow.

 

[mmmears]

FUN!

We did a road trip from San Francisco up to Crater Lake over a Fourth of July weekend a few years ago. We've done another road trip from SF to the Redwoods National and State Parks in late May.

I think the difficulty is some of what you want to see will have you criss crossing from the coast to inland. IIRC, there aren't much in the way of chain hotels that are bookable on points once you pass the North Bay, so your pickins are limited to what you can find on the UR portal.

We LOVE Mendocino and try to visit when we can and make a long weekend out of a trip to Mendocino alone. If you take the 1 all the way up, the Marin Headlands are gorgeous and Point Reyes is cool for the shops, restaurants, oysters, and trails, but beyond that there's just a lot of beautiful windy roads along the coast with small towns scattered in between. The drive from SF to Mendo along the 1 can easily take 5-6 hours with stops. There's the B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena, which we've been meaning to do but we keep running out of time (advance reservations are required). To cut down on time, we usually take 101 to Cloverdale, then head west on 128, which takes you through the Anderson Valley vineyards, Boonville, and eventually several redwood groves as you near the coast, and then merge back onto the 1. Mendo is this quaint little historic New England-style town on a bluff with cool shops, restaurants and B&Bs. There are great hiking trails and little hidden beaches and coves all around. You can rent a kayak and go out on the river or ocean. Or rent a bike and ride some trails. Fort Bragg is just north of Mendo, and it's a bigger town with more modern conveniences, including Starbucks and a Safeway! You can visit Glass Beach, where you can easily spend half a day looking for sea glass, or ride the Skunk Train through the redwoods.

What I'd probably do then is from Fort Bragg on the coast, take 20 back to 101 at Willits, and head north on 101 to Confusion Hill. We've driven past it, but never visited. I think there's a drive your car through a redwood attraction up around there. Eventually, 101 will run through the Avenue of the Giants in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. You'll see some of the biggest redwoods here, such that if you need to cut down your itinerary you could probably skip the Redwoods National and State Parks north of Eureka. We did make our way up to the Redwoods National and State Parks on one trip. We ended up staying at a Best Western in Fortuna, just south of Eureka because everything was booked up for the Kinetic Race over Memorial Day weekend. Ferndale is an old Victorian town with a very cute Main Street. Eureka is cool too. The cove off of Trinidad further up north is absolutely beautiful, and there are some walking trails at the head. We hiked a few trails once at the Redwoods National and State Parks. Our car took a beating getting to Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, but it was worth it. If you plan to hike, bring good water resistant hiking boots.

If you want to visit the redwoods, that'll take you close to the coast since they only extend about 50 miles inland. But if you then want to visit Crater Lake, you need to head inland. I've never done the direct drive from the coast towards inland Oregon, but I guess that's what Google Maps is for. Just be sure the roads in and around Crater Lake are open to cars when traveling. I guess your travels will then take you back west towards the Oregon Coast. I've wanted to make the road trip for years, so I'd love to read your trip report!

P.S. Interesting about rental cars from SEA>SFO being cheaper than SFO>SEA. I've read stories about so many people leaving the Bay Area that moving trucks out of here are $$$$ compared to moving trucks coming in $.

P.P.S. I'll throw in Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms if you're ever traveling up north on the 5. They've been closed for the past 2 years and plan to be closed again this year for replanting. But if and when they reopen, it's this beautiful farm of French and English lavender on a hill with sweeping views of Mt. Shasta. June is the prime time to go when the lavender are at their peak, but they're open into July, and you can pick and buy your own bunches of lavender. In the past, they also serve the best lavender lemonade on the house.

Ooh, thanks for all the tips. The glass beach is on my list of things I really want to see. Do you have any go-to hotels in that area? I've lived here all of my life (except for the college years) and I've never been to Fort Bragg or Mendocino.

 

[DisVegas]

Joined the grAAvy train with a citi business card for plastiq. Got the 7-10 day notification and a day later got the card.

Called Chase this afternoon and quickly got the CIP to merge with my personal accounts. I had no idea this was possible until I checked this thread out. Thanks everyone!

Now I gotta start working on those MSRs!

 

[mmmears]

I have a question. How do you get a spouse on board that doesn't travel with you? My daughter will be going back to home schooling in three years and I want to take her on the ABD China trip but I don't want to sit in economy. I want to learn the secrets of the wise here to get those good airline seats (even business class would be wonderful) but spouse just likes to take our 5% and invest it "for retirement". I know he has a point but so does my butt.

No advice with P2 other than explaining how it makes things so much better and cheaper when you travel. My P2 is on board because he won't do long haul flights in economy - it's just soooooo uncomfortable. Regarding business class seats, we started flying first overseas years ago but now most business class seats (YMMV) are lie flat and we are very happy in business. Haven't flown first in a long time since the business ones have been improved (not that there is anything wrong with first, but we need 3 seats and it's much easier to get them in business).

The Apple Card is Apple’s thinnest and lightest status symbol ever - The Verge

"Apple’s new Apple Card is going to cash in on that base human craving for devices that signal status. Because it’s made out of titanium and stripped of all functional numbers, it immediately looks different. People around you at the supermarket or restaurant don’t need to know the particular credit rating requirements you had to pass to get an Apple Card, they just see the debossed Apple logo and the minimalist design and immediately recognize that you’re a person with disposable income."

The gushing in this article is almost cringeworthy (before the writer launches into the evils of credit cards and their role in encouraging debt). Apple's going to appeal to the same demographic who uses shiny metal cards like the Platinum and CSR everywhere just to show status, regardless if it's the best card for that spend. The irony is using the physical Apple Card to show off your status earns you the worst cash back rate of only 1%!

Thanks to you and everyone on this thread, DH is not tempted by this one... He would have been in the past. Now he's thinking 1% back - that's a bad deal!

 

[Natgridenergy]

Boo, did that actually start? I stopped by today since I was in the area and didn’t see any signs so I left empty handed. I guess I’ll need to try and make it tomorrow.

Yes, yesterday I believe.

 

[miztressuz]

I am SO glad to read this post. Just last night, I applied for the CSR and was approved, but I got cold feet. I literally started panicking, thinking I made a mistake. I had discussed with DH just playing it safe and taking out a CIU, but I just couldn’t resist. It seemed to make sense to do it. We will easily meet the $450 annual fee between our trips to TN and USO next Feb., and still have points left over for even more travel, or to upgrade our tickets to AP’s once again. (DH still doesn’t know I applied), but he won’t care once he realizes how much we’re saving. I had realized after doing my numbers and calculations again today that this card made the most sense for us, and it’s reassuring to hear I wasn’t wrong. Is an MAer (Someone from MA). No, we are from upstate NY (as in an hour north of Lake Placid).

Congratulations! I think that will work nicely for you.

 

[Judique]

The dues are shocking at first glance, but I have a feeling Riviera is ahead of the curve on this. With the big increase that came this year, I wouldn't be surpisurp if every other resort is in that range when dues statements roll out at the end of the year.

Maybe 200.

Usually when the new resorts open, the dues are at their lowest. Then they start inching up each year. There's some historical dues data on the DVC boards:

Copy and pasting here:

A history of DVC Annual Maintenance Fees since 1991

Year OKW VB(s) VB HH BWV VWL BCV SSR AKV BLT VGC AUL VGF PVB CCV

2019 7.23 7.48 9.48 8.56 7.17 7.32 6.94 6.40 7.44 6.40 6.27 7.86 6.38 6.76 7.43

2018 6.72 6.71 8.53 7.72 6.55 6.93 6.44 5.86 6.76 5.92 5.88 7.54 6.13 6.20 7.26

2017 6.41 6.49 8.11 7.27 6.47 6.54 6.27 5.60 6.59 5.62 5.61 7.03 5.90 6.13 7.33

2016 6.01 6.32 8.08 6.82 6.18 6.22 6.13 5.44 6.42 5.28 5.37 6.79 5.71 6.09

2015 5.83 6.30 8.06 6.52 6.07 6.03 5.97 5.17 6.30 5.05 5.15 6.51 5.52 6.03

2014 5.54 6.06 7.75 6.28 6.01 5.93 5.79 4.91 5.79 4.78 4.94 6.43 5.41

2013 5.34 5.79 7.40 6.02 5.84 5.79 5.64 4.81 5.67 4.50 4.58 6.25 5.41

2012 5.20 5.58 7.12 5.93 5.62 5.61 5.50 4.73 5.44 4.22 4.33 5.96

2011 4.98 5.31 6.78 5.68 5.46 5.34 5.28 4.51 5.01 3.89 4.07 5.73

2010 4.87 5.18 6.61 5.57 5.36 5.20 5.15 4.46 4.95 3.78 3.94

2009 4.73 4.97 6.41 5.36 5.21 5.04 5.00 4.34 4.85 3.67 3.82

2008 4.56 4.71 6.04 5.16 5.04 4.87 4.80 4.21 4.71

2007 4.40 4.39 5.63 4.98 4.85 4.73 4.63 4.12 4.62

2006 4.24 4.12 5.27 4.34 4.69 4.61 4.48 3.98

2005 3.86 3.84 4.87 3.86 4.41 4.35 4.27 3.83

2004 3.68 3.67 4.67 3.70 4.25 4.22 4.18 3.80

2003 3.49 3.37 4.37 3.69 4.11 4.05 3.97

2002 3.22 3.33 4.17 3.49 3.92 3.80 3.77

2001 3.13 2.70 3.98 3.32 3.83 3.63

2000 3.16 2.87 4.07 3.25 3.94 3.62

1999 3.16 2.82 3.99 3.18 4.02

1998 3.17 2.76 --- 3.20 3.94

1997 3.14 2.90 --- 3.16 3.84

1996 2.99 2.82 --- 3.16 3.70

1995 2.84 2.76

1994 2.70