[Albort]

GCM you do with MOs, right? And you have to pay the GC fee, but still think it is worth it for the 2x points on BBP? I am trying to keep this all straight.

BB or MOs will work with Metas. I would double check with points posting though, GCM i believe is the company behind simons mall gc online... i thought the CIP earns 3x on GCM? could be dead though.

 

[Livelovedance]

@wendow if you booked with CSR or CSP (even if just the fees) you are $500 for yourself + $500 for spouse and each child under 18. So if you're with a group of 4, that's $2k. Hotel fully covered, take Uber instead of magical express (covered), lunch, dinner and breakfast, lunch tomorrow (covered), etc. You can spend up to $50 per person on meals without requiring a receipt, but could still eat more if you wanted, you would just need to provide receipt. Character breakfast tomorrow if you want, etc. Put it all on your CSR. Booze covered as well, so live it up. Maybe even take an afternoon flight out.

Another tip is: Restock on toiletries if you're a "carry on" person. Grab a travel toothbrush, aspirins, etc that are in the Hotel shop. We also did Laundry and they covered it if you're short on clothes (could do this yourself or via room service depending on hotel).

ETA: You will want to ask the gate agent at SW for a written letter tomorrow before you fly out. You might get a $50 or $100 voucher/person to boot. But if it's weather or mechanical, they need to provide that to you (it's just a handwritten "fill in the blanks" note they do).

This applies for both the CSR and the CSP??? I clearly didn't value my CSP as much as I should! I use the CSP for the fees when I book SW with points. I need to go check out the travel benefits more closely...

Just chiming in to add that you will be told when that next available flight is before you commit to giving up your seat. Unfortunately the few times I or family members have been on a flight that was bumping people, the next available flight wasn't workable.

This is really good to know, thank you!

 

[speedyfishy]

GCM you do with MOs, right? And you have to pay the GC fee, but still think it is worth it for the 2x points on BBP? I am trying to keep this all straight.

I got through ebates so a $1500 order is like $2 in fees plus max $3 to turn to MOs. So 3,000 MR for $5 is worth it for me. Right now Amex is giving points for GCM I just don’t want them to claw them back. Maybe I’ll just do the Freedom Unlimited but ugh.

BB or MOs will work with Metas. I would double check with points posting though, GCM does in fact sell those Simon cards... i thought the CIP earns 3x on GCM? could be dead though.

I think CIP 3x died. That was awesome. I was doing 10k a month.

 

[jimitrout]

Dh and I started looking at flights to Iowa for Christmas and OMG are they expensive. I have no idea what we're going to end up doing, but I have never in my life paid $153 PER PERSON for a one way ticket. That's with Allegiant and doesn't include bags or seats. It's nonstop which is great, but holy cow. It would end up being like $700 for the two of us. I have a feeling other airlines would be even more. I'm tempted to tell people, "Sorry, we're coming two weeks before Christmas."

We live in Sioux City, Iowa..our local airport prices are terrible, but always fly out of Omaha (southwest) or Sioux Falls...but either is only an hour and half from us.

 

[trenty]

Sure did. Worst lobster I've ever had.

@wendow if you booked with CSR or CSP (even if just the fees) you are $500 for yourself + $500 for spouse and each child under 18. So if you're with a group of 4, that's $2k. Hotel fully covered, take Uber instead of magical express (covered), lunch, dinner and breakfast, lunch tomorrow (covered), etc. You can spend up to $50 per person on meals without requiring a receipt, but could still eat more if you wanted, you would just need to provide receipt. Character breakfast tomorrow if you want, etc. Put it all on your CSR. Booze covered as well, so live it up. Maybe even take an afternoon flight out.

Another tip is: Restock on toiletries if you're a "carry on" person. Grab a travel toothbrush, aspirins, etc that are in the Hotel shop. We also did Laundry and they covered it if you're short on clothes (could do this yourself or via room service depending on hotel).

ETA: You will want to ask the gate agent at SW for a written letter tomorrow before you fly out. You might get a $50 or $100 voucher/person to boot. But if it's weather or mechanical, they need to provide that to you (it's just a handwritten "fill in the blanks" note they do).

I always pay the fees with my CSP. Would this apply to my DS traveling alone with a flight paid for with points but the fees paid for with my CSP? He did have an overnight delay recently - SW took care of lodging and gave him a $200 voucher for future travel. I should have asked Chase for meal money (definitely under $50).

 

[wendow]

@speedyfishy and @Andysol I like the way y’all think Unfortunately we didn’t book with those cards (will from now on though!) so we don’t have those travel protections. I probably used a CIP. Either way, SW is getting us on an earlier flight ( 2-hr layover in MSY now). We bolted for the airport and made it here in time. Bummer for our last day but what can you do?!? Got kicked out of Disney early last time too due to a hurricane!

 

[wendow]

@disneymagicgirl Our flight was cancelled due to forecasted weather. Or so they said. Lots bad lightning storms since we’ve been here. And same when we were here in FL a couple weeks ago. Delayed getting in to FLL (flight had come from MCO) and out of MCO back to DEN.

 

[platamama]

This applies for both the CSR and the CSP??? I clearly didn't value my CSP as much as I should! I use the CSP for the fees when I book SW with points. I need to go check out the travel benefits more closely...

I think the CSP will only kick in after 12 hours of delay, whereas the CSR kicks in after 6 hours.

 

[trenty]

@speedyfishy and @Andysol I like the way y’all think Unfortunately we didn’t book with those cards (will from now on though!) so we don’t have those travel protections. I probably used a CIP. Either way, SW is getting us on an earlier flight ( 2-hr layover in MSY now). We bolted for the airport and made it here in time. Bummer for our last day but what can you do?!? Got kicked out of Disney early last time too due to a hurricane!

You should request some compensation for the inconvenience, travel vouchers maybe.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

@speedyfishy and @Andysol I like the way y’all think Unfortunately we didn’t book with those cards (will from now on though!) so we don’t have those travel protections. I probably used a CIP. Either way, SW is getting us on an earlier flight ( 2-hr layover in MSY now). We bolted for the airport and made it here in time. Bummer for our last day but what can you do?!? Got kicked out of Disney early last time too due to a hurricane!

Glad you’re making it home still today! Did they give you any explanation for the delay? At least they figured out this early they were cancelling and didn't strand you at the airport tonight.

EDIT: Just saw your comment. Weather has to be such a struggle this time of year as they can’t predict when those storms will happen. Bummer it ruins your last day!

 

[Alexle2007]

What a day! SW canceled our flight 2 hours before departure to Orlando. Now we are flying into Tampa instead since all of the later SW flights were full. And I had to get a rental car. Thank goodness for CSR insurance! I’ll be putting in my first claim.

 

[afan]

Thanks for your thoughts. We have been to Portland many, many times, but not during that particular time. The cold, rainy, dreary days do get to me in November and December when we have been there.

Won't be as bad as nov/dec but also possible to not see the sun.

Doesn't seem unreasonable - hard to go very far for less than that during Christmas week (unless you fly Christmas Day)

I always got the best rate between clt and sea when I bought early for xmas. Anywhere between march and june and then I'd just watch the price go up. I know a lot of people say to wait to but flights closer to departure if you are paying cash but I've never found that to be true for xmas at all. The sooner the better.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I always pay the fees with my CSP. Would this apply to my DS traveling alone with a flight paid for with points but the fees paid for with my CSP? He did have an overnight delay recently - SW took care of lodging and gave him a $200 voucher for future travel. I should have asked Chase for meal money (definitely under $50).

I believe his being covered depends on his age. Check the Guide To Benefits for specifics.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

A delay or cancellation at this stage is likely either weather, crew, or maintenance related. It should not be Max related.

Your look yesterday could also just be related to a major weather issue that affected a “hub” of SW. A late morning/early afternoon storm near Baltimore for example could cause widespread SW issues that might not affect other airlines.

Yes, could be weather related, but nonetheless, my most recent trips...4 since Memorial Day...have all been awful with SW. To me, it is becoming a pattern.

 

[wendow]

What a day! SW canceled our flight 2 hours before departure to Orlando. Now we are flying into Tampa instead since all of the later SW flights were full. And I had to get a rental car. Thank goodness for CSR insurance! I’ll be putting in my first claim.

Tons of flights cancelled here!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I got through ebates so a $1500 order is like $2 in fees plus max $3 to turn to MOs. So 3,000 MR for $5 is worth it for me. Right now Amex is giving points for GCM I just don’t want them to claw them back. Maybe I’ll just do the Freedom Unlimited but ugh.



I think CIP 3x died. That was awesome. I was doing 10k a month.

So the GCM visas at metas and won't work with serve? I feel like we need one of those charts for all this....
is your GC a visa? Follow the yes arrow or no to the next box...