I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[SouthFayetteFan]

A bit of a sad commentary on how Disney World has reduced hours despite growing crowd levels:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1228713806169284608

 

[Psychodisney]

Alright experts, I'd like some opinions on advice for my DS26. He's about to do some frequent travel for work that he can charge and get reimbursed for. He has a CSP ( will be 48 mos later this year). His hotel stays will be Hilton. Probably will fly SW from MDW to STL.
He and his GF do a lot of travel (international and within the US). She has a SW CP for 20/21. He signed up for Hilton Honors and asked my advice about a new card. I looked at the Aspire but I'm not sure he'd use the resort credit this year, and maybe not use the airline incidentals. Weaker Priority pass than the CSR and weaker travel insurance.

My recommendation was going to be get the Surpass card for his Hilton stays. That would give him Gold with some nice Hilton points bonus and earnings for $95 AF. Then, upgrade his CSP to a CSR. The travel credit charges would offset his $550 AF, and he'll get reimbursed by his company for the $300 travel charges. He'd have the CSR travel protection for his flights, Priority pass and car rental insurance. He'll use the doordash credit and lyft but doesn't need the GE (already has it).

I guess my biggest question is, will this reset his Sapphire product calendar or not? What do you all think?

 

[TarraLee]

Anyone had any luck with getting an additional reservation/walk-in day if for Droid Depot? I was telling my coworker about it the other day and he thought it was amazing and wanted me to get one for him if I can. I have a reservation but obviously that’s to build my own droid. Didn’t know if I would be lucky enough to be able to get to DH to build one too for my coworker when I do it.

We had no problem with two walk ins in a January, waited about 10 min each time.

 

[disfanforlife]

@disfanforlife here you go.

$550 on CSR minus $300 travel credit I am spending anyway - $250. Difference between $250 CSR - $95 CIP/CSP = $155

I'd still keep it. We booked 4 nights at Ashford Castle with UR points for next year. All in the price of the hotel was $4,117. We "paid" 274,477 UR points through the CSR. If I had a CSP/CIP I would have had to pay 329,372 UR points. That's a difference of 54,895 points. That's a $548 statement credit, CSP/CIP value of $686 or CSR value of $823. For the way I redeem points via UR it is still more vaulable for me to keep the card even if they raise the fee for something I can't or won't use. PCing the card would cost me too much money lost in point redemption.

I get that not everyone goes through and redeems points the way we do. But even those doing once a year redemptions may want to look at their own math before jumping the gun one way or the other.

Let's say you are going to redeem a $500 RT flight for a party of 2. That's $1000. If you hold a CSP or CIP that should cost you 80,000 UR points. If you hold a CSR those flights would cost you 66,666 points. That is a difference of 13,334 points which is equivalent to $166 in the CSP/CIP UR portal. So holding the CIP/CSP over the CSR just cost you $166 in points. If someone is redeeming $1,000 or more via the UR portal each year, then they may be looking at a small loss, or in my case a huge loss by PCing the card if it goes up to $550.

I am bookmarking this!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

One upside if going for MLK next year...maybe I’ll get to see this show:

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Alright experts, I'd like some opinions on advice for my DS26. He's about to do some frequent travel for work that he can charge and get reimbursed for. He has a CSP ( will be 48 mos later this year). His hotel stays will be Hilton. Probably will fly SW from MDW to STL.
He and his GF do a lot of travel (international and within the US). She has a SW CP for 20/21. He signed up for Hilton Honors and asked my advice about a new card. I looked at the Aspire but I'm not sure he'd use the resort credit this year, and maybe not use the airline incidentals. Weaker Priority pass than the CSR and weaker travel insurance.

My recommendation was going to be get the Surpass card for his Hilton stays. That would give him Gold with some nice Hilton points bonus and earnings for $95 AF. Then, upgrade his CSP to a CSR. The travel credit charges would offset his $550 AF, and he'll get reimbursed by his company for the $300 travel charges. He'd have the CSR travel protection for his flights, Priority pass and car rental insurance. He'll use the doordash credit and lyft but doesn't need the GE (already has it).

I guess my biggest question is, will this reset his Sapphire product calendar or not? What do you all think?

Upgrading or downgrading will not affect the 48 month reset. However, having a sapphire card currently open will prevent him from applying for a new one when he is eligible.

 

[afan]

Alright experts, I'd like some opinions on advice for my DS26. He's about to do some frequent travel for work that he can charge and get reimbursed for. He has a CSP ( will be 48 mos later this year). His hotel stays will be Hilton. Probably will fly SW from MDW to STL.
He and his GF do a lot of travel (international and within the US). She has a SW CP for 20/21. He signed up for Hilton Honors and asked my advice about a new card. I looked at the Aspire but I'm not sure he'd use the resort credit this year, and maybe not use the airline incidentals. Weaker Priority pass than the CSR and weaker travel insurance.

My recommendation was going to be get the Surpass card for his Hilton stays. That would give him Gold with some nice Hilton points bonus and earnings for $95 AF. Then, upgrade his CSP to a CSR. The travel credit charges would offset his $550 AF, and he'll get reimbursed by his company for the $300 travel charges. He'd have the CSR travel protection for his flights, Priority pass and car rental insurance. He'll use the doordash credit and lyft but doesn't need the GE (already has it).

I guess my biggest question is, will this reset his Sapphire product calendar or not? What do you all think?

I wouldn't pc the csp if he'll be at 48 months later this year. I'd wait and pc the csp to o e of the freedoms and apply for the csr fpr thr bonus.

What about the amex plat instead of the surpass? Then he could decide between that and the csr which he wants after a yeat.

 

[DisneyMandC]

We had no problem with two walk ins in a January, waited about 10 min each time.

Thank you! We’re going on Thursday so I don’t expect it to be packed. Guess I should pick up another GC.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

A bit of a sad commentary on how Disney World has reduced hours despite growing crowd levels:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1228713806169284608

As a DLR veteran the limited park hours at WDW were one of my biggest shocks. I still don't get it, and I find it very frustrating. I enjoy WDW, but for rides and park time DLR is hard to beat. FP+ can't compare to MaxPass. We do 15-20 rides a day at DLR without trying (i.e. we don't rope drop, we go back for a rest in the afternoon, and don't close the parks down). At WDW we are lucky to do a handful and of those only one or two will be a headliner. I always ask CMs at WDW about the limited park hours and never get a good answer. Tweeting to Disney is like shooting into a blackhole, LOL.

 

[Albort]

Alright experts, I'd like some opinions on advice for my DS26. He's about to do some frequent travel for work that he can charge and get reimbursed for. He has a CSP ( will be 48 mos later this year). His hotel stays will be Hilton. Probably will fly SW from MDW to STL.
He and his GF do a lot of travel (international and within the US). She has a SW CP for 20/21. He signed up for Hilton Honors and asked my advice about a new card. I looked at the Aspire but I'm not sure he'd use the resort credit this year, and maybe not use the airline incidentals. Weaker Priority pass than the CSR and weaker travel insurance.

My recommendation was going to be get the Surpass card for his Hilton stays. That would give him Gold with some nice Hilton points bonus and earnings for $95 AF. Then, upgrade his CSP to a CSR. The travel credit charges would offset his $550 AF, and he'll get reimbursed by his company for the $300 travel charges. He'd have the CSR travel protection for his flights, Priority pass and car rental insurance. He'll use the doordash credit and lyft but doesn't need the GE (already has it).

I guess my biggest question is, will this reset his Sapphire product calendar or not? What do you all think?

id probably get him the $450 Hilton card, he can make some decent bank on hilton stays on that. Not only that, he get diamond and get some nice upgrades(maybe)

CSR resets looks at the bonus earned, not when card is app... so your safe with that. Upgrading and downgrading wont make a difference BUT its best to downgrade a month before app just incase.

 

[stitchfan18]

I recall when I did TSA Precheck, I had to bring the card and pay in person. I'm not sure if this is on a center-by-center basis or something, though.

I vaguely remember a sign about providing a CC in your name for payment, so it is probably a general rule they have.

I also have the Amex Biz Plat and was researching to see if the free Green employee cards received TSA credit. I found several DPs in the comments on sites like Doctor of Credit indicating they did indeed receive the credit. I don't yet have personal experience but will be trying later this year. So if those data points are correct (and I don't have a reason to doubt them), DH could use his employee card and receive the credit. This would not be using your credit which would still be available on your Biz Platinum.

Thanks, I didn't think to check for DP on DoC, I'll head over there! I don't need the credit on my biz plat, but I'm hoping his green card on the account will trigger the credit for him. I'll report back what happens!

 

[DisMommyTX]

DD turns 15 this month, and I'm trying to figure out the best strategy to start building her credit. What are the minimum ages to add her as AU or open her own cards (realistically do they approve 18 yo for SW cards)? Should we add her as and AU to our oldest cards--no AF Hilton AmEx since 2001, Disney Signature Chase since 2003, Carnival Barclays 10+ years. Or put her on a card that gets higher spend (always paid off each month). I'd like to be able to start her on her own cards at 18 so she can start 'paying' her own travel expenses. Any good cards likely to approve first-timers and what are they looking for on the credit history?

 

[DisneyMandC]

I vaguely remember a sign about providing a CC in your name for payment, so it is probably a general rule they have.


Thanks, I didn't think to check for DP on DoC, I'll head over there! I don't need the credit on my biz plat, but I'm hoping his green card on the account will trigger the credit for him. I'll report back what happens!

I was able to pay for my Precheck last month with a card in DH’s name. Not sure if it’s a case by case basis, but I know the lady actually looked at my card because she commented “oh, and you’re getting this for free since this card reimburses you.”

If anyone ever says anything about DH’s name on a card I’m using, I just play dumb and go “oh we just get the card in my husband’s name.”

 

[Psychodisney]

Upgrading or downgrading will not affect the 48 month reset. However, having a sapphire card currently open will prevent him from applying for a new one when he is eligible.

Right, so then PC to a Freedom when he's 48 mos. Apply for a new CSR a month after that.

 

[Psychodisney]

I wouldn't pc the csp if he'll be at 48 months later this year. I'd wait and pc the csp to o e of the freedoms and apply for the csr fpr thr bonus.

What about the amex plat instead of the surpass? Then he could decide between that and the csr which he wants after a yeat.

He understands how to use UR. I'm not sure if he'd want to delve into MR. ALthough, it seems like MRs might be good for their international travel.

 

[Minnie368]

DD turns 15 this month, and I'm trying to figure out the best strategy to start building her credit. What are the minimum ages to add her as AU or open her own cards (realistically do they approve 18 yo for SW cards)? Should we add her as and AU to our oldest cards--no AF Hilton AmEx since 2001, Disney Signature Chase since 2003, Carnival Barclays 10+ years. Or put her on a card that gets higher spend (always paid off each month). I'd like to be able to start her on her own cards at 18 so she can start 'paying' her own travel expenses. Any good cards likely to approve first-timers and what are they looking for on the credit history?

I added both of my kids as AU to our Disney Visa when they turned 16 and started driving. DS got the Discover it student card when he turned 18. They offer 2 for students with no AF. I have to admit I didn’t compare a lot of cards to know what other options were out there but it was a good choice for him. Offered $20 statement credit for good grades, 5% cash back on certain categories, and matches the bonus earned at one year anniversary. Also access to FICO score- which I know a lot of cards offer now.

 

[afan]

He understands how to use UR. I'm not sure if he'd want to delve into MR. ALthough, it seems like MRs might be good for their international travel.

Then why not do a CIP until he can get the csr? More urs and a low af.

 

[Lain]

Do you plan to eat breakfast at the hotel? If not, the Hyatt Place's free breakfast is not a factor. With an 8 a.m. opening, our family would be out the door at 7 a.m. to make it over to the park, get through bag check, and line up at the Esplanade for rope drop. Disneyland (and DCA) typically starts scanning guests through the turnstiles around 7:45-7:50 a.m. and holds guests at the Hub for rope drop. Especially if you're hoping to join a boarding group for RotR, you need to be scanned in before official park opening. I also cannot stress how much you can get done between park opening and 11 a.m. Those first 3 hours or so in the parks, before the masses descend upon DLR will see shorter lines, wait times, and be strategic about pulling FastPasses (or MaxPass if you decide to splurge).

Another thing to consider is Disneyland Park has its EMH/Magic Mornings on Thursdays and Saturdays. Disney California Adventure has its EMH on Fridays. So while the official opening time for the parks is 8 a.m., Disneyland will already have been open an hour before that, since 7 a.m., on Thursday and Saturday, and DCA will have been open an hour earlier on Friday. This means if you're not an EMH guest, even if you're lined up for an 8 a.m. opening at a park at has EMH/MM, you'll enter a somewhat crowded park and be at a disadvantage for FastPasses and lines. (I believe the early entrants still have to wait for official park opening at 8 a.m. in order to join a boarding group.) You may want to open up the park opposite of EMH/MM, i.e., DCA on Thursday and Saturday, and Disneyland on Friday.

What our family typically does for "breakfast," when we're staying at one of the offsite hotels along Harbor, is if there's enough time once we get in line, we'll place a mobile order at Starbucks next to the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney (note there are two Starbucks locations in DTD, so you'll probably want to order from the one further east, closer to the Esplanade), and I'll run and grab some coffee, drinks, and pastries to bring back to the line. We'll juice up and eat in line or at the Hub waiting for rope drop, which usually tides us over well enough until lunch when the crowds start getting heavy.

If you do plan to move hotels (and we've done this), what I'd do is wake up a little early the morning of the move, pack up everything you can (or do this the night before), then come back to the hotel around 10-11 a.m. (when the parks start getting crowded) to finish any packing that's left, get your bags, check out, and take an Uber down Harbor to the Fairfield, check in. (Or just send DH?) Then you can grab a bite to eat offsite (there's a Pizza Hut kiosk at the Fairfield, a McDonald's and Panera Bread nearby) or head back to DLR and grab lunch in the parks, hotels, or DTD.

The Fairfield is a LOT closer to DLR than Hyatt Place -- about a 5 minute walk across the street. Normally, I'd recommend against utilizing the Toy Story Shuttles, because I don't think they save very much time (just footsteps), but from Hyatt Place, the Toy Story Parking Lot is on the way anyway. I think if you go early enough, you won't have much of a wait in line or have to wait for the next bus because of crowds.

@becauseimnew -

As an update to my post, if you’re hoping for RotR, leave your hotel and get there earlier than I suggested. Here’s what DLR looked like this morning (granted, it’s a holiday weekend):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Disneyland/comments/f4a1w7

(This is the entrance near the Disneyland Hotel. Offsite hotel guests typically enter at the Eastern gateway on Harbor.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/Disneyland/comments/f4cx3s

 

[amalone1013]

@becauseimnew -

As an update to my post, if you’re hoping for RotR, leave your hotel and get there earlier than I suggested. Here’s what DLR looked like this morning (granted, it’s a holiday weekend):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Disneyland/comments/f4a1w7

(This is the entrance near the Disneyland Hotel. Offsite hotel guests typically enter at the Eastern gateway on Harbor.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/Disneyland/comments/f4cx3s

DH: Rope Drop challenge accepted.

 

[Lain]

DH: Rope Drop challenge accepted.