I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[EACarlson]

NFCU card holders- is there a way to combine points from 2 or more cards? I have a card with just under the 5K min to cash out and I hadn't planned to put any spend on it, but wanted to cash those points.

I don't believe so, I've never heard anyone talk about being able to do this and there is no sign of it being possible in the card literature I've seen. Might be worth an email or quick call.

Everyone gets waived resort fee on award stays. Globalist also get it for paid stays on eligible rates. As far as I can tell, FHR should be an eligible rate.

Please report back if that is the case. I would be surprised since FHR is a third party booking, usually when you book third party you don't get any status benefits.

 

[sinnika]

I'm hoping the situation in South Africa is a good sign too. My oldest DD had a trip to Europe through school planned for 2020 and they've rescheduled it to this summer. I will be so disappointed if they have to cancel it again. Plus, I'm hoping that we can maybe get over there as a family later in the summer. The unknown has made me hesitant to book anything but as long it refundable, I might see what I can book.

I’m hoping the Covid situation is better next year too. I’m planning 2 trips to Europe- one to the UK in September for a DCL cruise out of Dover. Then a visit back to Germany in November for DGS’s 1st birthday. I’m booking using United points which are refundable as long as canceled 30 days before departure. After this 2 month experience in Europe, I’ve learned you have to go with the flow and expect plans to change. We have one more trip next week to Bavaria before our return to the states. Hopefully Germany won’t go into full lockdown, but if it does, plan B is to enjoy the last week at DD’s home. As long as we are all together, that’s what matters.

 

[calypso726]

In good news it seems like Omicron is fading fast in South Africa so maybe international travel will be feasible next year. I'm just going to give it some time before I make any decisions on my cruise but I'm holding off on London theater tickets and rebooking my plane tickets from Barcelona to London. Surely this has to end some time!

I am hopeful for getting back to international travel beyond cruises that leave a domestic port. We did a 5 night Virgin Scarlet Lady cruise last week which was pretty awesome. So, I am making tentative plans for next year, but nothing that would require more than 2 phone calls to cancel and be fully refunded if needed. That’s my new rule

 

[Alexle2007]

I don't believe so, I've never heard anyone talk about being able to do this and there is no sign of it being possible in the card literature I've seen. Might be worth an email or quick call.

Please report back if that is the case. I would be surprised since FHR is a third party booking, usually when you book third party you don't get any status benefits.

Another travel group I belong to is reporting that you get the Globalist perks including waived resort fees and elite nights. Pretty sweet if you can find the right price.

 

[Psychodisney]

Please report back if that is the case. I would be surprised since FHR is a third party booking, usually when you book third party you don't get any status benefits.

Not Hyatt, but my Dolphin stay for March shows up in my Marriott login and I was able to apply a suite upgrade. Not expecting anything but nice to try.

 

[Psychodisney]

For those enrolled in the Hilton free night when you spend $8K: How long does it take for the free night email to come after you meet your spend?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

In good news it seems like Omicron is fading fast in South Africa so maybe international travel will be feasible next year. I'm just going to give it some time before I make any decisions on my cruise but I'm holding off on London theater tickets and rebooking my plane tickets from Barcelona to London. Surely this has to end some time!

Dd and her bf got Omicron last week (public health estimated their exposure date was December 11th). Both fully vaxxed (no boosters yet); her bf had a cough for a few days; dd however was extremely sick. She was so sick she was borderline going to the hospital. She had 3 days where she couldn't get out of bed and missed her math and stats exams. However she turned a corner (finally) on Saturday, wrote bio chem on Monday and organic chem last night. She's heading home today. It's crazy how contagious this VOC is -- both her and her bf are very, very careful, yet both got it (most likely at the gym while unmasked). I am SO SO ready for this to be over.

 

[havaneselover]

I am hopeful for getting back to international travel beyond cruises that leave a domestic port. We did a 5 night Virgin Scarlet Lady cruise last week which was pretty awesome. So, I am making tentative plans for next year, but nothing that would require more than 2 phone calls to cancel and be fully refunded if needed. That’s my new rule

That is a smart strategy!

Dd and her bf got Omicron last week (public health estimated their exposure date was December 11th). Both fully vaxxed (no boosters yet); her bf had a cough for a few days; dd however was extremely sick. She was so sick she was borderline going to the hospital. She had 3 days where she couldn't get out of bed and missed her math and stats exams. However she turned a corner (finally) on Saturday, wrote bio chem on Monday and organic chem last night. She's heading home today. It's crazy how contagious this VOC is -- both her and her bf are very, very careful, yet both got it (most likely at the gym while unmasked). I am SO SO ready for this to be over.

Oh, gosh. I'm glad she is feeling better. And what dreadful timing

 

[punkin]

Dd and her bf got Omicron last week (public health estimated their exposure date was December 11th). Both fully vaxxed (no boosters yet); her bf had a cough for a few days; dd however was extremely sick. She was so sick she was borderline going to the hospital. She had 3 days where she couldn't get out of bed and missed her math and stats exams. However she turned a corner (finally) on Saturday, wrote bio chem on Monday and organic chem last night. She's heading home today. It's crazy how contagious this VOC is -- both her and her bf are very, very careful, yet both got it (most likely at the gym while unmasked). I am SO SO ready for this to be over.

We were in London last week visiting DD. Around the middle of the week, all her friends started coming down with covid (no idea on what variant, but omicron is rampant in London so that's the assumption). Most of them had no symptoms, just popped in the tests. Her roommate (double vaxxed) got it and he was sick as a dog for about 3 days and then got better! Luckily for DD, she was not exposed to him because she was staying in the hotel with us. We extended the hotel another week when we left so she didn't have to go back to her apartment. So far she has tested negative every day and it's been 7 days since she saw the roommate. We got her a booster on Thursday last week, so we are hoping she has some immunity going forward as well.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Ugh. I'm back with more chase portal airline questions.

We booked flights with American for a spring break trip. On sunday they sent me an email detailing changes to our outbound flight (as in, they want to put us on a plan leaving 36 hours earlier) and that I need to "accept or cancel" this change. And if I cancel I'll be refunded. Does this still hold true since it was booked on points? Will I get the points back or a card refund? I'd like to book a completely different flight at this point (still with american) but I don't want to pay cash to cover the difference so it seems like the "easiest" thing would be to cancel the first flight and rebook the one we want? We almost never fly, so I really have no idea what I'm doing. It seems like it would just be easier to cancel everything and just drive down (and probably cheaper!) at this point. Even eating the cost of the return flights (which I would just hope they change/cancel as well.)



And for anyone following my massive issues with the portal lately: it took a month and a half to get our cruise points back, and the rental car that no one can seem to cancel--alamo says that they won't refund it until we fail to pick up the vehicle. Which means they are essentially holding 30k points hostage for 4 months.

 

[becauseimnew]

Ugh. I'm back with more chase portal airline questions.

We booked flights with American for a spring break trip. On sunday they sent me an email detailing changes to our outbound flight (as in, they want to put us on a plan leaving 36 hours earlier) and that I need to "accept or cancel" this change. And if I cancel I'll be refunded. Does this still hold true since it was booked on points? Will I get the points back or a card refund? I'd like to book a completely different flight at this point (still with american) but I don't want to pay cash to cover the difference so it seems like the "easiest" thing would be to cancel the first flight and rebook the one we want? We almost never fly, so I really have no idea what I'm doing. It seems like it would just be easier to cancel everything and just drive down (and probably cheaper!) at this point. Even eating the cost of the return flights (which I would just hope they change/cancel as well.)



And for anyone following my massive issues with the portal lately: it took a month and a half to get our cruise points back, and the rental car that no one can seem to cancel--alamo says that they won't refund it until we fail to pick up the vehicle. Which means they are essentially holding 30k points hostage for 4 months.

Call American, you should be able to select a flight that works for you. I wouldn’t cancel, from what I’ve read it is a pain to deal with travel portal canceled flights.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Call American, you should be able to select a flight that works for you. I wouldn’t cancel, from what I’ve read it is a pain to deal with travel portal canceled flights.

Right. We are just trying to keep all of the travel expenses on points, and the one that *does* work for us is about $300 more expensive.

Also....Frontier is now available through the chase portal??? Anyone booked one of these yet? Wondering how the add-ons (luggage) work for that. Because I can fly all 6 of us down for $350 (plus whatever luggage is) on Frontier instead of $1100-1500 on American (plus whatever luggage is.)

 

[afan]

Please report back if that is the case. I would be surprised since FHR is a third party booking, usually when you book third party you don't get any status benefits.

Since you can book fhr through a travel agent as well, I don't see these bookings as being through a portal like Expedia would be. Posts on r/churning have also indicated status will still count.

Right. We are just trying to keep all of the travel expenses on points, and the one that *does* work for us is about $300 more expensive

They changed your flight, they should change it to something that works for you without any additional cost. Just find the flights you want to change to before you can and make sure there are available seats in the class you bought.

Computers, not people, are the ones generally doing these changes and why a lot of the time you have to call in to get them fixed. I never even look at the cost, just the flight times I want when it has happened to me.

 

[Herding_Cats]

They changed your flight, they should change it to something that works for you without any additional cost. Just find the flights you want to change to before you can and make sure there are available seats in the class you bought.

Computers, not people, are the ones generally doing these changes and why a lot of the time you have to call in to get them fixed. I never even look at the cost, just the flight times I want when it has happened to me.

My concern is (aside from what will probably be a HUGE hold time since it's the holidays) is that CHASE, not american, informed me of the change. And my recent experiences have all been that the [chase] travel agency has to make the changes. And the ONLY options chase gave us were to accept the changes or cancel. And the flights i'm finding that would prevent my kids from missing additional school, AND don't have massive layovers at this point, are $300-2500 more than what we booked. And I'm pessimistic enough at this point that I don't feel like they will be like "ok no problem we will change your $1000 flight to a $3200 flight no problem/up-charge."

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

What app were people using for passport photos? I'm looking to try and sneak in an appt for the kids prior to the rate going up. HELP!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So update on the tree roots issue. Yesterday I got the camera guy here. Apparently the snake only did a very quick fix, as the camera was hitting water about 10' out. 16' out there is an issue w/ my pipe and then 30' out there is a complete blockage or collapsed pipe as it was BLACK. Now here's the real fun.....seems that repair in 2005 (I was 1 week post c-section w/ a newborn....I don't remember tons, LOL).....they only replaced a very small amount of pipe! Even better, they apparently put in a clean out drain, then covered it w/ concrete (I have a circular driveway). So today I get the fun of dropping $1200 to $1700 to have my pipes water jet blasted. This should clear all blockages and have water running to the street. Then the camera will go back in to see all the damage I have. The tech yesterday was VERY confused as to the repair we had. He's like if they dug everything up, running the pipe to the road is the cheapest part!

I obv didn't have enough time to get a new CC for the charges coming today. I had to put $500 down yesterday. I used the CIU figuring that gets me at least 1.5x. I'm debating if I put the remainder on the Hilton (to hit the $8k spend) or the CIU or the CIC since they both have 0% for awhile. I told my 16yo I'm going to do a few bank bonuses to try and get some money towards this. I also have the $1300 my crypto miner has made since Sept. UGH adulting sucks! Even more when this all happens at Christmas! I guess the "good news" is this blasting should have me root free for at least a year while I decide the next steps.

Right. We are just trying to keep all of the travel expenses on points, and the one that *does* work for us is about $300 more expensive.

Also....Frontier is now available through the chase portal??? Anyone booked one of these yet? Wondering how the add-ons (luggage) work for that. Because I can fly all 6 of us down for $350 (plus whatever luggage is) on Frontier instead of $1100-1500 on American (plus whatever luggage is.)

You could status match right now and get free luggage and seats, etc. Look into it. I think it's $49. And they will match airlines or hotels.

 

[GZanta77]

My concern is (aside from what will probably be a HUGE hold time since it's the holidays) is that CHASE, not american, informed me of the change. And my recent experiences have all been that the [chase] travel agency has to make the changes. And the ONLY options chase gave us were to accept the changes or cancel. And the flights i'm finding that would prevent my kids from missing additional school, AND don't have massive layovers at this point, are $300-2500 more than what we booked. And I'm pessimistic enough at this point that I don't feel like they will be like "ok no problem we will change your $1000 flight to a $3200 flight no problem/up-charge."

I have generally had positive experiences with AA getting rerouted onto better flights after they have made unacceptable changes to my original booking - that said I was not booking through a portal, but I think you should still be able to call AA directly.. Cost should not be a factor - they should be able to put you on flights that work for you at no additional cost.

It will probably be a hassle to call, but for a 36 hour change, I would be all over AA to get better options - just make sure when you call, to have the flight details ready for the changes you want. Good luck.

 

[ski_mom]

What app were people using for passport photos? I'm looking to try and sneak in an appt for the kids prior to the rate going up. HELP!

We took our own photos using the passport photo booth app. It was very easy to use - it put shaded areas around where your shoulders and head should be in the camera lens. It then allows you to upload to a one hour photo place like walmart, walgreens, etc and it prints your pic on a regular 4x6 print and you cut out to the right size (which is indicated on the printed picture).

It was super easy and the only cost was for the printed 4x6 picture.

 

[afan]

My concern is (aside from what will probably be a HUGE hold time since it's the holidays) is that CHASE, not american, informed me of the change. And my recent experiences have all been that the [chase] travel agency has to make the changes. And the ONLY options chase gave us were to accept the changes or cancel. And the flights i'm finding that would prevent my kids from missing additional school, AND don't have massive layovers at this point, are $300-2500 more than what we booked. And I'm pessimistic enough at this point that I don't feel like they will be like "ok no problem we will change your $1000 flight to a $3200 flight no problem/up-charge."

I would call AA and give them your pnr. If they say they can't help I'd push thr issue and ask for a supervisor. If they still won't because it's booked through chase then you need to tell chase to call AA with you on the line to get it fixed. There's no reason chase can't do it other than they don't want to deal with the airline.

 

[Killer Fish]

We had post office appts for our two little ones to get one passport renewal and a first passport back in October. They processed the check in November and this week got a notice in the mail that both of the photos that they received with the applications were "damaged." What a hassle and now we need to mail stuff back in. I don't understand how that happens. Everything looked fine when it was being processed at the post office.