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

[mmmears]

This might be old news (I'm trying to keep up here, but falling short of that goal while on vacation), but OOMAT is pushing a "new" public offer AMEX Biz Plat card with a 100K MR SUB. I was surprised that they were offering it to everyone now, until I saw that it was 50K with the first 10K MSR, and then a second 50K once the second 15K MSR is finished. Talk about being in the card company pockets...

 

[wanderlust7]

What about Citi Biz? They don't count in the 5/24 Chase rule do they?

They do not. Ones that I recall being mentioned that DO report business cards to personal credit report are Capital one and Discover.

 

[LB002]

With all the car seat trade in events going on or coming up, I am thinking about trading in an old infant seat to get a travel carseat for DD3. Does anyone have any recommendations for carseats that are easy to transport through airports, then gate check? I'm looking for something inexpensive, lightweight, and not too wide (so it will easily fit in our car seat backpack). Ideally, it would convert from a forward facing carseat to a highback booster. It doesn't need to rear face.

I had my eye on the Cosco Finale, but it says the minimum weight is 30 lbs. DD3 is tiny and just hit 26 lbs. Does anyone have any ideas?

I would ask on the Car Seats for Littles board on FB. We used to use a Cosco Scenera for travel, only $40 and super lightweight, but my kids are in boosters now so I am out of the loop.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Something to watch on DoC...

New Chase Preapproved Offer Method To Bypass 5/24 (“You’re Already Approved”)
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/new-...to-bypass-5-24/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

 

[speedyfishy]

SO has an offer to upgrade to the Delta Plat Biz card for 15,000 points. If he takes the upgrade offer will he be locked out from getting the bonus?

 

[Psychodisney]

I think I need another CIP. Lol

I had the same feeling....so I applied for #3! Fingers crossed.

 

[elgerber]

SO has an offer to upgrade to the Delta Plat Biz card for 15,000 points. If he takes the upgrade offer will he be locked out from getting the bonus?

Yes. If he hasn’t had that card before do not take the upgrade.

 

[Alexle2007]

Has anyone stayed at Gaylord in Orlando? Thoughts on it?

 

[kmc8826]

@PolyRob what is the “break even” for Tables in Wonderland? Can I get it when we upgrade to APs?

Someone also posted a way to get Deluxe Dining package and do some more expensive meals but just doing adult in child for the first part of a split stay. Was it @kmc8826? How do we do fast pass reservations if DH and DS aren’t listed in the room?

For TIW, it depends because you do get some discounts by having the AP. But disregarding any AP discounts you would get, it's $750 to break even. We always get it because it includes alcohol and AP discounts do not.

For the DxDP trick, I think you need multiple rooms to make it work. Put 1 adult and kids in the room with the plan, and all others in the other room. Since credits are pooled, you can pay kids prices and use the credits for anyone including adults. I wouldn't leave any family members off the reservation if you're all in one room though. Unless someone else has a different experience I'd love to hear how you do it!

When I did DDP I had a room booked for myself and the 3 girls and my parents had one booked. I put the 2 that were 9 and under on both my room and my parents. I then split the cost of the entire plan with my parents and it worked really well. Problem is that if you are booking 2 rooms for your entire family (like I have done pre-DVC at CBR) you have to do them separately to be able to have dining plan on just one room (so no guarantee connecting). If you want to make sure connecting you call and book directly with Disney. Then you have two rooms under one reservation number. So either way problematic.

I have actually thought about the idea of a throwaway campsite or value room for just 2 people. It could be worthwhile with the mugs and then the meals. When you pay for the meals they are all just credits...with the deluxe no differentiation between adult and child. That’s how you make it work to pay for everyone.

For fast pass reservations if you are linked to each other it should not be a problem.

Tables of Wonderland works too. And it is definitely simpler than that...and it is a benefit you have for over a year (like 13 months). Not just one trip like the dining plan.

It occurred to me reading this that I should try to go for the FN on my Hyatt card since I already spent 6k on it this year meeting MSR. How he’s are the free nights to use? I honestly still don’t know that much about Hyatt, but I’m wondering if I earned it this year could I use it in Hawaii next year if I tunes it right.

Ugh, that was me this morning. Trying to get ahead before we leave for Disney and of course I have a TON of work right now.

I have found the Hyatt certificates way easy to use. As long as there is a standard room available in the category allowed it is bookable. Now IHG on the other hand...I might just let my first and probably only FN certificate go. I seriously cannot find anywhere eligible to use it. Only places local that will take it are in totally crappy areas...which makes me worry about booking it for somewhere I am not familiar with.

 

[PolyRob]

That’s what I’m looking at a split stay and loading some more expensive character type meals up front but I’d probably have to do a throwaway campsite for DH and DS.
Other option in TiW. DH and I def like to get a few drinks so if it was an approved place we could just order 2 drinks and it’s be 20% off?

Yup! Easy as that. This link is my normal go-to for dining discounts (although Artist Point is outdated and does not currently take TiW): http://allears.net/wp-content/uploads/archive/pl/disc_dining.pdf

With a new AP, TiW may be more beneficial in the long run, especially at lounges

I always have to get some Lapu Lapus and 'Ohana bread pudding!

 

[PolyRob]

Ugh, that was me this morning. Trying to get ahead before we leave for Disney and of course I have a TON of work right now.

DH is working right now on his computer too

I did almost 3 solid hours of uninterrupted work and had to take a snack/DIS break. I hate that feeling before a trip! I usually pick the worst time and have a ton of stuff to do beforehand. The trip is always my light at the end of the tunnel. I am hoping what I do now will just help ease me into Monday.

 

[PolyRob]

SO has an offer to upgrade to the Delta Plat Biz card for 15,000 points. If he takes the upgrade offer will he be locked out from getting the bonus?

Couldn't you app SO for the Delta Plat Biz, and then upgrade him right after approval to get both the SUB and upgrade offer before it disappears? Or is that not allowed?! I feel like I have read about that being done before.

 

[speedyfishy]

Couldn't you app SO for the Delta Plat Biz, and then upgrade him right after approval to get both the SUB and upgrade offer before it disappears? Or is that not allowed?! I feel like I have read about that being done before.

I think that would work but he has five Amex credit cards lol

 

[WVMomof3]

It occurred to me reading this that I should try to go for the FN on my Hyatt card since I already spent 6k on it this year meeting MSR. How easy are the free nights to use? I honestly still don’t know that much about Hyatt, but I’m wondering if I earned it this year could I use it in Hawaii next year if I time it right.



Ugh, that was me this morning. Trying to get ahead before we leave for Disney and of course I have a TON of work right now.

I have not used one yet, so I am not sure! Though looking at Hawaii, I think there are only 2 possible redemption locations: The Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach or the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach. All others look higher than a category 4. I am hoping to get a second free night with staying 30 nights this year. Right now with all DH's travel he has planned for the rest of the year, he is at exactly 50 for Marriott and 27 for Hyatt through the end of the year. I am like please go away 3 more nights in a Hyatt friendly place! haha Hyatt's are ususally tough for him, but he will have had 3 conferences at Hyatt Regencys this year so the nights added up. And with almost 30 nights we are still only at 3 different Hyatt Brands! Grrrrrr

Also, maybe you know this, but for some reason I assumed the spend $15k was for calendar year. It is for your anniversary year. I am now seeing spend $5k for 2 nights credits also. Maybe I need to at least do that this year.

 

[Judique]

I don't think she spent $60k so most likely she signed up with the 2 free night SUB. Thanks for the replies!

I didn't trust my actual memory so I looked and found it on Doctor of Credit. It was 2 free nights, fee waived first year and $200 statement credit with $3000 spend for Chase Bonvoy Boundless.

 

[PolyRob]

I think that would work but he has five Amex credit cards lol

Ahhh, nvm then! lol

 

[Judique]

Another Free Night certificate update - I upgraded from the $85 Marriott card to the $95 Marriott card (I'm sorry I am Bonvoy card name illiterate). I got 2 free nights for a single purchase upgrade. It took exactly 1 week for the nights to post after purchase.

That's great! I'm assuming they are 35K certificates. Have you had to pay the $95 yet?

 

[WVMomof3]

That's great! I'm assuming they are 35K certificates. Have you had to pay the $95 yet?

No to the fee, yes to the 35K certs. I paid my $85 fee on June 1. I received my 25K cert in May and used it in July on our Yellowstone trip in Idaho Falls for a value of $182. I received a prorated refund of $63.81 when I upgraded mid August. No $95 fee yet.

 

[NewbieMom]

With all the car seat trade in events going on or coming up, I am thinking about trading in an old infant seat to get a travel carseat for DD3. Does anyone have any recommendations for carseats that are easy to transport through airports, then gate check? I'm looking for something inexpensive, lightweight, and not too wide (so it will easily fit in our car seat backpack). Ideally, it would convert from a forward facing carseat to a highback booster. It doesn't need to rear face.

I had my eye on the Cosco Finale, but it says the minimum weight is 30 lbs. DD3 is tiny and just hit 26 lbs. Does anyone have any ideas?

We have the evenflo tribute lx for both kids (4yo and 2yo) when we travel. They're very easy to transport. They even work for newborns; both my kids are lightweights.

 

[punkin]

Has anyone stayed at Gaylord in Orlando? Thoughts on it?

Not for years, but about 6 years ago, which was the last time we stayed there, I was really impressed.