I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[afan]

Hoping for some advice from the travel experts. Next year is our 25th anniversary, so looking for a destination for just DH and I for sometime Aug 2023-2024. Wants:
-Resort feel, preferably boutique size, high level of service
- Good dining scene
- Things to do outside the resort
- New destination for us
- About 5 days

We'd like to keep it to about 9 hours from Chicago O'hare, so no further than Europe.

I wouldn't say we are super well traveled, but here's where we've been or will have been by then:

Paris
London
Rome
Venice
Greek Islands
Iceland
Lots of Mexico
Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii
Cayman Islands
Bahamas
Costa Rica

I'll take any destination suggestions and specific accommodation suggestions as well. I know this is really open ended, purposefully, as I don't want to limit any great ideas.

New Orleans would be my suggestion, not that I've been there yet but I think it ticks all your boxes.

Little did we know he has a tree nut allergy, or at least that is what we suspect as he never eats nuts,

Glad he's ok.

 

[KPK02090]

How quickly does the CSR travel credit get credited?
I’m going to downgrade after the AF posts this month, but need to use the travel credit first. I plan to book a WDW 2023 trip when packages are released on the 8th. Am I cutting it too close?

 

[AmyAnne]

Looking for advice/information about Chase's United cards. I currently have the Gateway card, which I got from downgrading a card that had an annual fee. I've had this downgraded card for slightly more than a year. I have a few flights on United coming up and could use the perks from the Explorer card. If I want to apply for the Explorer card, should I cancel the Gateway card before I apply? Or keep it and cancel after getting the new card? (Also, I am 2/24 and haven't gotten a new Chase card in 14 months.)

 

[wweazel]

Hoping for some advice from the travel experts. Next year is our 25th anniversary, so looking for a destination for just DH and I for sometime Aug 2023-2024. Wants:
-Resort feel, preferably boutique size, high level of service
- Good dining scene
- Things to do outside the resort
- New destination for us
- About 5 days

We'd like to keep it to about 9 hours from Chicago O'hare, so no further than Europe.

I wouldn't say we are super well traveled, but here's where we've been or will have been by then:

Paris
London
Rome
Venice
Greek Islands
Iceland
Lots of Mexico
Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii
Cayman Islands
Bahamas
Costa Rica

I'll take any destination suggestions and specific accommodation suggestions as well. I know this is really open ended, purposefully, as I don't want to limit any great ideas.

Canadian Rockies/Banff/Calgary?

 

[570traveler]

How quickly does the CSR travel credit get credited?
I’m going to downgrade after the AF posts this month, but need to use the travel credit first. I plan to book a WDW 2023 trip when packages are released on the 8th. Am I cutting it too close?

I just booked an Airbnb. It credited as soon as the amount posted. It also credited the $5.60 taxes from SW as soon as they posted.

 

[hsmamato2]

Can someone explain benefit of Global entry, Clear etc like I'm 5? Still working with DS on S Korea plans....but so unfamiliar with these options- what would be useful internationally traveling?

 

[hsmamato2]

Also..... up till recently, we've been a SWA family (such deals) DS flew United last week and it was...a hot mess. I know SWA has had it's moments too but this was something. I found out after the fact that United seems to have this reputation..... how do you all feel?

 

[becauseimnew]

How quickly does the CSR travel credit get credited?
I’m going to downgrade after the AF posts this month, but need to use the travel credit first. I plan to book a WDW 2023 trip when packages are released on the 8th. Am I cutting it too close?

They usually post within a couple of days. I’m pretty sure Chase will prorate the AF if it’s more than 30 days for downgrades.

 

[becauseimnew]

Can someone explain benefit of Global entry, Clear etc like I'm 5? Still working with DS on S Korea plans....but so unfamiliar with these options- what would be useful internationally traveling?

Global entry is fast pass through US Customs (coming from abroad) you also get TSA precheck for 5 years with it.
Clear is only available in the US at a some airports and some big venues (stadiums), you use biometrics for your identity (no ID needed) then they walk you to the precheck line, but doesn’t get you precheck.
You have to apply for GE, then go for an interview - sometimes hard to get appointments depends on where you live, but the interview can also be done when you enter the country.
Clear takes 5 minutes to set up.

 

[Babars_Wife]

Did as @*WDW*Groupie* described. Called the hotel, explained the scenario. They agreed as a one time courtesy to refund everything, minus $50 fee. Since it's booked through 'expedia' that I should call 'expedia' and have them call the hotel directly. Called Chase, told them hotel agreed to give me the refund even though it's supposed to be no refund if cancelled. Transferred to a Chase specialist 20 wait) who then called the hotel. The Specialist said it was too much effort to do the math to put in for points refund minus 50 so she put the full refund through and said Chase could eat the 50$. That's cool. Thanks for your response, I would have just taken the loss without your feedback.

To continue this stupidness. My refund never went through. So I called Chase back again today and spoke to a new Specialist. Turns out my last specialist never actually called the hotel to cancel. The Specialist today called but since I no showed on the reservation instead of calling, I now have a $100 fee instead of a $50 one, and this Specialist was not swayed by the fact that this extra $100 was because their Specialist never did the job! I talked to a Manager who kept running the details "well it wasn't canceled in time and the hotel is exacting a fee but we're getting you most of the money back." well yeah dude, but that fee is because of you guys. Felt like I was in crazy town. Still haven't seen refund processed but hopefully it goes through and I don't have to call them a third time.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

To continue this stupidness. My refund never went through. So I called Chase back again today and spoke to a new Specialist. Turns out my last specialist never actually called the hotel to cancel. The Specialist today called but since I no showed on the reservation instead of calling, I now have a $100 fee instead of a $50 one, and this Specialist was not swayed by the fact that this extra $100 was because their Specialist never did the job! I talked to a Manager who kept running the details "well it wasn't canceled in time and the hotel is exacting a fee but we're getting you most of the money back." well yeah dude, but that fee is because of you guys. Felt like I was in crazy town. Still haven't seen refund processed but hopefully it goes through and I don't have to call them a third time.

I feel for you. Dealing with Chase on my issue was challenging. Try calling again -- the last supervisor that I spoke with was able to process the refund for me and also gave me UR points as a goodwill gesture. It does take a lot of patience as the CSRs aren't able to help -- I would always ask for a supervisor as soon as someone answered the call as the CSRs aren't able to help (though each would insist that they try). And the wait times for a supervisor are painfully long.

 

[EACarlson]

Can someone explain benefit of Global entry, Clear etc like I'm 5? Still working with DS on S Korea plans....but so unfamiliar with these options- what would be useful internationally traveling?

Global Entry is usually very helpful when travelling internationally, Clear depends entirely how things are at your local airport. I think @becauseimnew description below is pretty much perfect for Global Entry.

Global entry is fast pass through US Customs (coming from abroad) you also get TSA precheck for 5 years with it.
Clear is only available in the US at a some airports and some big venues (stadiums), you use biometrics for your identity (no ID needed) then they walk you to the precheck line, but doesn’t get you precheck.
You have to apply for GE, then go for an interview - sometimes hard to get appointments depends on where you live, but the interview can also be done when you enter the country.
Clear takes 5 minutes to set up.

Clear walks you to the front of whatever line you would otherwise qualify for. If you don't have pre they take you to the front of the regular line.

I don't have GE, I do have Precheck and of all the times I've flown since I got Precheck Clear would have saved me an appreciable amount of time twice. Both times at Delta Hubs where there are a large number of people that have Clear and get to skip to the front of the line. I also have issues philosophically with Clear, someone that pays a private enterprise shouldn't get to cut the line at a government run facility like TSA.

 

[happ]

DoC has a fat checking bonus for anyone who likes bank bonuses for up to $450 with Teachers Federal Credit Union and like under $5k of non-Amex cc funding allowed link

If you can generate a link don't forget to post to DISchurners! Never know, maybe someone else here will want to apply as well!
I was denied halfway through the app so I don't get to participate in this one, better luck anyone else who tries! (might be restricted against CA- Edit: nope. Others in CA got approval)

Did you get to a spot in the app to enter the offer code? I got to what looks like the last step, electronic signature, and there wasn't anywhere to enter the code, so I stopped. I cancelled the app and started over, but I still don't see a place for it before the signature step.

 

[Psychodisney]

Also..... up till recently, we've been a SWA family (such deals) DS flew United last week and it was...a hot mess. I know SWA has had it's moments too but this was something. I found out after the fact that United seems to have this reputation..... how do you all feel?

I feel like with SWA, they are pretty transparent. Are things always perfect, absolutely not. But I feel like they try to respect the customer.
I will never book another Frontier flight. Cannot trust them or their schedule.
United is my last choice, even though we are closest to ORD (big hub). I have had marginally better service from AA.

I find that most SWA customers understand how things work and get it. With United and AA, they seem entitled and for what??? I think the boarding process is ridiculous.

 

[reliev]

turo strikes again 230$ cheaper for a 3-day weekend and a 30$ Amex rebate.

 

[jujubiee4]

Also..... up till recently, we've been a SWA family (such deals) DS flew United last week and it was...a hot mess. I know SWA has had it's moments too but this was something. I found out after the fact that United seems to have this reputation..... how do you all feel?

I know what you mean. For vacations we usually use Jetblue. In April we took a cruise and it was
a harried unnerving experience with schedule changes. Even flying in the day before I wondered
if we would make it.

Now we have another one scheduled beginning of Sept. Im going to book with different airline.
However the last 5 weeks my husband's business flights have been cancelled or major changes on
all 3 big airlines..Delta...American..United.

We have to fly cross country and with the time change there is not a lot of leeway even coming
in the day before. What is also infuriating is if you spend a lot of money/points/miles for a "good"
flight and they still change/cancel it!!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

This $100+ gas fill up has me spiraling. My 17yo likes to be lazy. She currently has $400 in her checking account, but $1200 in Harry Styles tickets! I owe my mom and sister $400/ea. Then the rest were on my credit cards. She refs soccer, but hasn't wanted to do it lately. And she THINKS she's going to spend her summer traveling (like 3 weeks in TX w/ her BFFs for example). So she's like I can't get a "real" summer job. I listed an extra set of Harry tickets on StubHub and they sold, so I was excited.....then I found out you don't get paid until a week after the concert! So that'll be MID-OCT! UGH!

I totally applied to both the Hilton and Hyatt Jobs. I told my 17yo at the point I'm applying for a second job, she needs to start to cover some expenses herself. I need to do some new bank bonuses too right now. I'm planning on canceling cable this month and having my mom sign up for a new account at my house. It'll get me 2 years of Internet only for $50/mo! My mom already made the move to YouTube TV and can share her account w/ me. So that will save me $80/mo (or almost 1 fill up, grrrr!).

I will say I'm grateful for my hacking though. It's getting the BF and I a vaca at the end of this month (my cancelled NC trip) (using his flight bennies, and 4 FNC, it will be a very cheap trip) and the trip to NC in Aug w/ the kids. I really need to find some side hustles. And look at other things I can cut from my budget. Adulting sucks!

 

[reliev]

Hoping for some advice from the travel experts. Next year is our 25th anniversary, so looking for a destination for just DH and I for sometime Aug 2023-2024. Wants:
-Resort feel, preferably boutique size, high level of service
- Good dining scene
- Things to do outside the resort
- New destination for us
- About 5 days

We'd like to keep it to about 9 hours from Chicago O'hare, so no further than Europe.

I wouldn't say we are super well traveled, but here's where we've been or will have been by then:

Paris
London
Rome
Venice
Greek Islands
Iceland
Lots of Mexico
Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii
Cayman Islands
Bahamas
Costa Rica

I'll take any destination suggestions and specific accommodation suggestions as well. I know this is really open ended, purposefully, as I don't want to limit any great ideas.

forgot to chime in on this my wife sometimes browses this so my idea for our 10th was Nappa I won't say where but she probably knows it's a Hyatt.

 

[Psychodisney]

Nice new crop of Amex offers this morning. On DH's platinum, he has $25 of $50 at Walmart (in store or online). Not on mine.
I find it interesting how he gets more/better offers than I do. Neither of us use our Amex for much. He has been an AmEx member for longer due to a previous work card.

 

[reliev]

Nice new crop of Amex offers this morning. On DH's platinum, he has $25 of $50 at Walmart (in store or online). Not on mine.
I find it interesting how he gets more/better offers than I do. Neither of us use our Amex for much. He has been an AmEx member for longer due to a previous work card.

didn't get this one but I got 5x up to 1500 points on platinum ill take it. I've been using Walmart + delivery it's free and I don't have to go to the store.