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

[CyndiLouWho]

We went to the dolphin pool today and ate lunch at Picabu. We don’t mind the walk in between the two hotels. Having just been at POR and staying at what might have been the furtherest bldg from the lobby and food, I’m totally fine with this walk Definitely can’t wait to eat at The Fountain!

Yeah, we haven’t stayed at anything except Swolphin recently so I feel forget how far things can be. Our first few stays were Dolphin, so it was just very convenient to stop in Fuel on the way in or out, or run down to Picabu. Last stay was our first at Swan and walking over was just a little less convenient. Not a deal breaker by any means, I’d gladly stay at either.

Weirdos like us have to analyze our 27 options before leaving home.

This. So much. I always bring at least 5 plus debit card, no wait I might need this one too. And then I tell DH which to bring as well.

take a nap, chase usually never approves over the weekend.

So true. Anytime I apply over a weekend and don’t get instant approval, I check as soon as I get up Monday and am approved

 

[Lain]

We are booked here for 2 nights next month. I am keeping my expectations on the low side. At this point I wouldn't be interested in putting in the effort to cancel and re-book a different Hyatt property. The trip is next month and I've moved on to planning the next few trips.

We're still in the planning stages for a Japan trip sometime (likely Spring) in 2021, and I think *shock* TPG has me crossing the Park Hyatt Tokyo off my list. The review just vibes a little too much with @*WDW*Groupie*'s earlier impressions of the hotel, that it's dated and resting on its fame of being the setting of Lost in Translation. I love that movie, but I love my points more. I hope your stay changes my mind again.

30k Hyatt/night is "only" 30k UR, but these Cat 7 hotels are Hyatt's second-to-top tier and I'm expecting something amazing for that pricing. UR and Hyatt points may not always be so easy to earn. I've read good things about the Andaz Toranomon Hills, and the Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which I guess was added with the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, looks incredibly luxurious. And then there's the new Park Hyatt down in Kyoto opening later this year...

We recently spent a long weekend at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands, which is another Cat 7/30k per night hotel, and I have mixed feelings about that redemption. We had an amazing view of the California Central Coast, with only Hwy 1 separating us from the same views as on Big Little Lies, but the room, grounds, and amenities were just "ok." Nothing except the location seemed particularly luxurious. When I think how else I could've spent those points, I wonder if I should be setting some higher standards for my redemptions. My wife enjoyed our weekend, but I know she'd be walking on clouds in some of Hyatt's Cat 7 and 8 hotels that I'm eyeing.

I've been toying with doing something insane (what else is new) and going to Africa just for a few days to check off our 7th continent. But I'm not willing to do that unless I can stay at the Giraffe Manor in the main manor and they are booked solid for the dates I can do it and use the BA companion pass. This has now shot up to the top of my bucket list of things to do and so I am planning how to travel hack it for my Bday next year. Actually, my Bday is ALWAYS next year, but I actually mean the one after this next one LOL.

View attachment 424859

If all goes well, that will be me and PlanePrincess for NYE/NYD 2021. Well, minus the dress. He's got the long hair though LOL

So, it looks like I will take it easy for the BA companion pass trip. I've decided we should go back to Ireland, and also visit Northern Ireland assuming fallout from the Brexit outcome this Halloween doesn't throw a monkey wrench into the plans. A longer Ashford Castle stay for that trip is what I'm looking forward to doing and essentially lighting a match to the UR or MR stash to make it happen. #worthit and can't waiting to go on another hawking/falconry stroll.

This looks phenomenal! When we visited WDW a few years ago, we stayed in an Arusha savanna view room, on the 2nd floor, right near the watering hole, and I hear it was amazing. I was knocked out with food poisoning (or the stomach flu?), so DW and the kiddo spent a day watching animals from the balcony. (I think some giraffes even came by.) To this day, DW talks about how this is a must do again whenever we visit the World again.

 

[Haley R]

Wow, seems like something I was going through with Amazon. Credits/refunds are only so good. Fix the root cause of the issue! I guess Walmart doesn't care enough to figure it out

Nah I doubt they care. I saw on their google page people saying similar things and it’s been happening for a year so I don’t think anything will change. Dh still wants to do it for the $10 but I told him I won’t go ever again. I have to go to the store tomorrow to get the turkey that they didn’t give us

 

[Haley R]

While I've never done Walmart Grocery pickup it is the main store I use for household supplies and I am happy with it. However, on our last WDW vacation when we went to Walmart it was so crowded and just not good that I now understand why some people refuse to go there.

I have never had issues like this until we moved down here. I’ve always picked Walmart over Target but this sure is driving me away from shopping with them. They do typically have lower prices than target and that’s why we go thwre

 

[KPK02090]

So, it looks like I will take it easy for the BA companion pass trip. I've decided we should go back to Ireland, and also visit Northern Ireland assuming fallout from the Brexit outcome this Halloween doesn't throw a monkey wrench into the plans. A longer Ashford Castle stay for that trip is what I'm looking forward to doing and essentially lighting a match to the UR or MR stash to make it happen. #worthit and can't waiting to go on another hawking/falconry stroll.

We did the falconry at Ashford castle in April. So cool! DH and I with DS (10) and DS (7) stayed in The Lodge at ashford castle, while my sister, father and my DD (11) (whose birthday is also 1/1!) stayed in the castle. Amazing place.
I know you’ve stayed at Ashford castle before and loved it, but if you’re ever looking for anywhere else in Ireland to stay Ballynahinch Castle is also a beautiful place. And much more reasonably priced. It’s more of a manor house as opposed to a castle, but we all loved it. Beautiful rooms and grounds.

 

[Chancery8]

@Haley R - I hope your niece is staying strong and the surgery went well.

@amalone1013 and @tink1970 - So sorry for your losses. Family drama stinks.

 

[mmmears]

@amalone1013, I'm so sorry. @tink1970, I'm really sorry.

 

[Limes96]

I bought a vgc from GCM through ebates last week. It came a few days ago and it looked like somebody had gotten into the envelope. I registered the card ASAP and set my own PIN number. It worked online. I’m thinking these are the ones you can use the last 4 digits as the pin? But I wanted to set my own since somebody messed with it. Think it will work at WM to load on to Serve with my new pin? It would be great to get that done first thing tomorrow.

 

[Chancery8]

I have already told everyone nothing stays in the car at all. My only issue is that I planned to go straight from SJC to the Disney Museum and Golden Gate before checking into the hotel. I may just burn the time to go to the hotel first, I think it'd help my peace of mind.

Definitely drop your stuff off at the hotel first. When we went to Golden Gate Park a few years ago, the front passenger window of our rental car was broken into during the 1 hour (yes, 1!) that we were in the park walking around. I made sure to leave nothing in the car, and someone still smashed the window. It doesn't seem to matter if it looks empty if it's a rental, I guess burglars assume there is something in the trunk. Two weeks later, my coworker's friend was finishing up their trip out there and before going to the airport, decided to stop somewhere for a bite to eat. When they got back to their rental car, it had been broken into as well. They weren't as lucky, because they had all their stuff with them since they were headed to SFO. They lost their laptop and their luggage - just the actual luggage. The thieves left all their clothes in the trunk! I can only imagine dealing with that headache right before needing to catch a flight.

 

[calypso726]

We're still in the planning stages for a Japan trip sometime (likely Spring) in 2021, and I think *shock* TPG has me crossing the Park Hyatt Tokyo off my list. The review just vibes a little too much with @*WDW*Groupie*'s earlier impressions of the hotel, that it's dated and resting on its fame of being the setting of Lost in Translation. I love that movie, but I love my points more. I hope your stay changes my mind again.

30k Hyatt/night is "only" 30k UR, but these Cat 7 hotels are Hyatt's second-to-top tier and I'm expecting something amazing for that pricing. UR and Hyatt points may not always be so easy to earn. I've read good things about the Andaz Toranomon Hills, and the Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which I guess was added with the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, looks incredibly luxurious. And then there's the new Park Hyatt down in Kyoto opening later this year...

We recently spent a long weekend at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands, which is another Cat 7/30k per night hotel, and I have mixed feelings about that redemption. We had an amazing view of the California Central Coast, with only Hwy 1 separating us from the same views as on Big Little Lies, but the room, grounds, and amenities were just "ok." Nothing except the location seemed particularly luxurious. When I think how else I could've spent those points, I wonder if I should be setting some higher standards for my redemptions. My wife enjoyed our weekend, but I know she'd be walking on clouds in some of Hyatt's Cat 7 and 8 hotels that I'm eyeing.



This looks phenomenal! When we visited WDW a few years ago, we stayed in a Arusha savanna view room, on the 2nd floor, right near the watering hole, and I hear it was amazing. I was knocked out with food poisoning or the stomach flu, so DW and the kiddo spent a day watching animals from the balcony. To this day, DW talks about how this is a must do again whenever we visit the World again.

I'm trying not to get too bogged down on the redemption value. If I were to change it, I'd opt for staying at Henn na, the dinosaur robot hotel, or the Godzilla hotel. At this point, I'm good with crossing off the Park Hyatt Tokyo from the "to do" list. So, I am just tempering my expectations in light of the recent feedback and reviews. I imagine I will enjoy the stay well enough but may not likely wish to return. Unlike Ashford Castle, where I loved the stay, am going back and don't really care how much it costs because that's what points are for anyhow.

When we go back to Japan again, after the expansion at TDS in a few years we will likely try out the Park Hyatt Kyoto. I'm looking forward to branching out onto Hyatt stays, It seems like most of the really nice properties are outside of the US. I will be checking out the ones you mentioned.

While I try to get the most value from the points, I'm often happy that I am just not paying real money despite the cpp. Take next year's Hawaii trip. I've got two rooms at an Emabassy Suites near LAX and I am blowing 100k HH points on them when they are $250 a night. I don't care, I just don't want to shell out more money OOP on this particular trip. Knowing that I can get an over water bungalow in the Maldives for one night that costs $1200 for less points is grating, but I can live with that.

AKV is my favorite DVC simply because I love watching the animals from our balcony. It's such a wonderful experience. Hopefully, you will add it on your to do list and get a do over with no food poisoning.

 

[calypso726]

We did the falconry at Ashford castle in April. So cool! DH and I with DS (10) and DS (7) stayed in The Lodge at ashford castle, while my sister, father and my DD (11) (whose birthday is also 1/1!) stayed in the castle. Amazing place.
I know you’ve stayed at Ashford castle before and loved it, but if you’re ever looking for anywhere else in Ireland to stay Ballynahinch Castle is also a beautiful place. And much more reasonably priced. It’s more of a manor house as opposed to a castle, but we all loved it. Beautiful rooms and grounds.

It is amazing! Looks like the NYD babies have a thing for castles LOL Thank you for the tip on Ballynahinch Castle. I will look into it. May do a split stay, who knows.

 

[alryan]

I bought a vgc from GCM through ebates last week. It came a few days ago and it looked like somebody had gotten into the envelope. I registered the card ASAP and set my own PIN number. It worked online. I’m thinking these are the ones you can use the last 4 digits as the pin? But I wanted to set my own since somebody messed with it. Think it will work at WM to load on to Serve with my new pin? It would be great to get that done first thing tomorrow.

I’m no expert, but I would imagine it would work. I always register and change the pin on mine from Staples. I remember reading something a while back about waiting a few hours before using it after changing the pin, but should be fine tomorrow.

 

[kmc8826]

@Lain and @calypso726 it makes me feel good you have had good experiences with AKV Savanna view. For our Christmas trip planned at about 6 months I was lucky to grab any DVC and got AKV one bedroom Kidani Savanna view. I keep worrying it will be a “waste of points” but it sounds like it won’t be.

For those with family drama I am sorry. It is the worst. You can pick your friends...

In other news I am officially without a MSR now that we had to buy a new TV this weekend at Costco. So tempting to go for something else but I am going to just deal without until at least Septmber 1 (3 months since last Chase business card). DH and I have decided to slow down on spending so no new cards is a big part of that. But really not having a card to use to meet a MSR is a weird feeling.

 

[Alexle2007]

For the 5/24, do the CCs no longer count when they are 24 months old or is it the 25th month that they no longer count? So like my SW from 9/17. Equifax is showing 1 yr, 11 mos so will they drop my count after this month is over? Trying to the Hilton Surpass and applying for the CIP.

 

[calypso726]

@Lain and @calypso726 it makes me feel good you have had good experiences with AKV Savanna view. For our Christmas trip planned at about 6 months I was lucky to grab any DVC and got AKV one bedroom Kidani Savanna view. I keep worrying it will be a “waste of points” but it sounds like it won’t be.

The only times I didn't purposely get a Savanna view for an AKV stay is when it is just DH and I on a last minute weekend trip and I just need a bed. Whenever we are sharing a 2 bedroom or treating friends or family to the accommodations, I always book a Savanna view if we are staying at AKV. If I am planning to spend time at the resort over the parks then I will book a Savanna View even when it is just us. I've never considered it a waste of points. Sitting on the balcony in my jammies, drinking coffee in the morning and watching my beloved Okapi is the best at Kidani. I will say that when I don't book a savanna view, even on quick weekend getaways, I always regret it and feel that missing out on the animals wasn't worth saving a few extra points.

 

[amalone1013]

Why does nothing work when I need it to in the middle of the night because there is nothing to do at work...

YNAB/AMEX are not cooperating, the WDW site is giving me the runaround trying to login and if I get through, it tells me it can't show any of my stuff

 

[Alexle2007]

DS has 2 1/2 weeks off at Christmas (12/19-1/4). We currently have flights booked to Orlando but DS has asked to do something new/different than FL or Punta Cana. We want to escape the cold of the Mid-Atlantic. Would somewhere like Spain or Italy be to cool? Any warmer weather suggestions?

 

[ten6mom]

My 80,000 UR just officially posted (yay!) so I went through the Chase travel portal just to get some ideas on pricing for my preferred Kyoto hotel for late fall 2020. The calendar lets me go at least into November 2020 but all the area hotels say "we are sold out." Can anyone comment on whether they think all the hotels are ACTUALLY sold out, or is it just that you can't book that far out (but the Chase/Expedia website just doesn't tell you that)?

 

[Alexle2007]

My 80,000 UR just officially posted (yay!) so I went through the Chase travel portal just to get some ideas on pricing for my preferred Kyoto hotel for late fall 2020. The calendar lets me go at least into November 2020 but all the area hotels say "we are sold out." Can anyone comment on whether they think all the hotels are ACTUALLY sold out, or is it just that you can't book that far out (but the Chase/Expedia website just doesn't tell you that)?

Congrats! I highly doubt they are sold out. Did you try checking the hotel's direct website to compare?

 

[amalone1013]

My 80,000 UR just officially posted (yay!) so I went through the Chase travel portal just to get some ideas on pricing for my preferred Kyoto hotel for late fall 2020. The calendar lets me go at least into November 2020 but all the area hotels say "we are sold out." Can anyone comment on whether they think all the hotels are ACTUALLY sold out, or is it just that you can't book that far out (but the Chase/Expedia website just doesn't tell you that)?

I've definitely run into that before, where they show as sold out when looking really far out.