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

[Alexle2007]

That's a good idea. I noticed DH grabbed some from work last week. Also I did look this morning and the disposable cups cost a lot less than I remember them being (which was pricing them out in college, considered them for taking to campus so I didn't have to keep track of my mug all day, but felt too poor for them lol).

The hot water heater makes me laugh. I told him that that's the kind of thing we each have a hobby budget for so he can spend that however he wants. I know I will do the actual purchasing though, as he found it on Amazon so he leaves that part to me to decide if we should buy a GC for it somewhere, etc.

That’s what my Keurig is for since I only drink hot tea. I fill the container and lasts a day or two.

 

[platamama]

My new citi AA biz came some time between between Friday and yesterday - so fast!

Yep, mine came on Friday - only a week from approval! Crazy fast for Citi. I've met the MSR already (mortgage and refundable stuff) but have to wait until 9/10 to see if my points post (#3). Argh the waiting...

Hope you had a fun trip!

 

[Alexle2007]

I need help on how to use my UR's/free night certificates! I can get points...I just have a hard time spending them sometimes.

First two nights of our December trip we are homeless. We fly in late Friday night (11:30 pm) and then check into AKV-Kidani Sunday. But I need to figure out where to stay/what to do Friday night and Saturday night.

Which option?

1. Check in Friday night and either use Hyatt free night or Marriott free night certificate. Check out next day and pay cash for night at CBR. (cheapest on property I can get that sleeps 5). Go to WDW Saturday and Sunday.
2. Check in Friday night and stay at Marriott's Cyprus Harbor Villas Friday night and Saturday night. Rooms look huge, have full kitchen, and resort looks okay. I could use the free night certificates for both mine and DH's Brilliant so no out of pocket cost. During Saturday we would just hang out; I guess if motivated could drive to Epcot or something. Has anyone stayed there?
3. Check in Friday night to Hyatt/Marriott by Universal and use free night. Then Saturday use UR's and stay at Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino. HRH would be 23,266 UR's and Portofino only has club level at 32,600. We would then go to Universal (part with more UR"s) either Saturday afternoon and Sunday or just Sunday. Which one of the two hotels/options for those who have been there? (I apologize as I know this has been addressed before but I don't remember).

We last went to Universal 3 years ago. Girls love Harry Potter but for the most part we were underwhelmed and figured out that we are absolutely a Disney family. BUT they want to go again and using UR's on it makes sense. Since Disney was taken away I pretty much have just been cashing out all the UR's and not made a redemption other than a night June 2018.

I also briefly thought about using UR's for Sea World but I think they would rather do Universal.

DH is sick of me asking him and the trip is a surprise Christmas present for the girls so I can't ask them (not that they would be much help). Thanks!

You can’t go wrong with either HRH or PBR club. We have done both. Will you get much use of the club? The PBR club is not far from the lobby and the rooms are located all over the resort. I liked this location since it was easy to get to in the evening coming back from the park to grab a glass of wine and light fare. HRH is closer and an easy walk to US so you can skip the boat. We were just over that HRH to eat breakfast The Kitchen, yummy! If you aren’t going to get much use out of the club, I would go with HRH for the convenience.

We have done SeaWorld also at the holidays and it is decorated very nice. There are a lot of “onsite” Marriotts that you could use your cents on and the hotel gives you “on-time use express pass” included with your stay. We have stayed at the Renaissance which is a quick walk and the Fairfield Inn which has a shuttle.

 

[wendow]

I used my new CIC (PC’d my CIP1 a couple weeks ago) for the first time yesterday at Office Max. Bought 2x $200 MCGC for their $15 off promo. The cashier was very deliberate in her wording...ID with name that matches the name on the card. It made me feel nervous, even though I’m good! Doing it right! But maybe I won’t PC P2’s CIP1 to a CIC. I might just close it.

I bought my first two MCGC's yesterday using my dh's CIC. I swear the cashier didn't even bat an eye. No asking for ID or anything. I could have bought tons too. I wish I had cause I was at a store in a different area and I'm afraid my local store may be hard-nosed.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I gave my friend the Global Entry Credit from my Hilton Aspire this weekend as her bday gift. Realized this morning the Aspire doesn’t have a Global Entry/TSA credit.... I just paid $100 CASH for Global Entry

 

[Lain]

The Apple Card is LIVE!

ETA: Adds Uber and UberEats via Apple Pay to 3% cash back category.

 

[Lain]

I gave my friend the Global Entry Credit from my Hilton Aspire this weekend as her bday gift. Realized this morning the Aspire doesn’t have a Global Entry/TSA credit.... I just paid $100 CASH for Global Entry

I’m sure your friend would’ve preferred $100 cash.

 

[wendow]

I need help on how to use my UR's/free night certificates! I can get points...I just have a hard time spending them sometimes.

First two nights of our December trip we are homeless. We fly in late Friday night (11:30 pm) and then check into AKV-Kidani Sunday. But I need to figure out where to stay/what to do Friday night and Saturday night.

Which option?

1. Check in Friday night and either use Hyatt free night or Marriott free night certificate. Check out next day and pay cash for night at CBR. (cheapest on property I can get that sleeps 5). Go to WDW Saturday and Sunday.
2. Check in Friday night and stay at Marriott's Cyprus Harbor Villas Friday night and Saturday night. Rooms look huge, have full kitchen, and resort looks okay. I could use the free night certificates for both mine and DH's Brilliant so no out of pocket cost. During Saturday we would just hang out; I guess if motivated could drive to Epcot or something. Has anyone stayed there?
3. Check in Friday night to Hyatt/Marriott by Universal and use free night. Then Saturday use UR's and stay at Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino. HRH would be 23,266 UR's and Portofino only has club level at 32,600. We would then go to Universal (part with more UR"s) either Saturday afternoon and Sunday or just Sunday. Which one of the two hotels/options for those who have been there? (I apologize as I know this has been addressed before but I don't remember).

We last went to Universal 3 years ago. Girls love Harry Potter but for the most part we were underwhelmed and figured out that we are absolutely a Disney family. BUT they want to go again and using UR's on it makes sense. Since Disney was taken away I pretty much have just been cashing out all the UR's and not made a redemption other than a night June 2018.

I also briefly thought about using UR's for Sea World but I think they would rather do Universal.

DH is sick of me asking him and the trip is a surprise Christmas present for the girls so I can't ask them (not that they would be much help). Thanks!

I think if it were me, and this was a Christmas gift for my kids, I'd go to Universal since they want to go back there. We've gone there nor stayed in any of the hotels so no perspective on that but that sounds like a nice add-on to your already great surprise trip!

I also fall in the camp of not ever using UR's for redemptions anymore. I redeemed for a rental car last Nov but I only saved about $2 over the cost of paying cash through Costco lol. Hence, this is why we no longer have a CSR anymore. Makes me sad thinking about redemptions for DIsney in the past.

 

[ep1229]

I'm almost done with MSR with CIP#2. I was approved 8/5. I'm thinking of getting Hilton Biz next. How soon can I apply for it? Just wondering if there's a waiting period between applying for biz cards. Thanks in advance.

 

[amalone1013]

Yep, mine came on Friday - only a week from approval! Crazy fast for Citi. I've met the MSR already (mortgage and refundable stuff) but have to wait until 9/10 to see if my points post (#3). Argh the waiting...

Hope you had a fun trip!

Thanks! I plan to try and book refundable stuff today to get it in before whenever statement close will be.

 

[Alexle2007]

I'm almost done with MSR with CIP#2. I was approved 8/5. I'm thinking of getting Hilton Biz next. How soon can I apply for it? Just wondering if there's a waiting period between applying for biz cards. Thanks in advance.

Today, would be a good day AmEx doesn’t care about your CIP.

 

[mmmears]

Ride chicken here. No spinning, no drops, no simulators. They all make me sick. That's why I love Disney parks so much - instead of 1-2 rides I can handle, there are only a few that I can't.

And Mission Space Green is a BIG no. Tried it maybe 10 years ago and felt so, so sick.

 

[wendow]

I'm almost done with MSR with CIP#2. I was approved 8/5. I'm thinking of getting Hilton Biz next. How soon can I apply for it? Just wondering if there's a waiting period between applying for biz cards. Thanks in advance.

No waiting period since these cards are from different banks

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm almost done with MSR with CIP#2. I was approved 8/5. I'm thinking of getting Hilton Biz next. How soon can I apply for it? Just wondering if there's a waiting period between applying for biz cards. Thanks in advance.

You can go for it now. You are aware of how to keep Amex happy, right? I just want to make sure you are prepared to keep regular ongoing spend on this card.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’m sure your friend would’ve preferred $100 cash.

Oh she would have! But I’m traveling to see her in a couple weeks and she said because of that she didn’t want me to bring her a bday gift so I offered her this- lol. I am not telling her what happened!

 

[ep1229]

You can go for it now. You are aware of how to keep Amex happy, right? I just want to make sure you are prepared to keep regular ongoing spend on this card.

Thanks for the replies @wendow @Alexle2007! That's good to know @SouthFayetteFan, thank you. We are traveling a lot in the next year so that shouldn't be a problem. I'll use a support link from Dischurners.

 

[Killer Fish]

Speaking of Global it has been over 2 months now and I am still pending. My wife had interview last week and we applied the same day.

 

[NewbieMom]

I haven't had a chance to skim much over the past 2 weeks because....we are buying a house! After 8 years of house hunting, we have finally found something that we like and is do-able financially (a little bit on the higher end of the budget) but it's the bay area and I feel like if we don't go for it, we'll be renting for the next 20 more years. We submitted an offer today and hopefully will hear back soon!

Question for those of you who have bought a house while in the cc game. We didn't realize this would happen, so in the past few months I have inquiries from Barclays and Citi on my credit report. DH has 1 from Chase. If our scores are still pretty good, will it impact our mortgage prospects?

I had originally planned on app'ing for the new Hilton Biz card expiring 8/28 and eligible for another Citi biz in Sept, but should I lay off the apps? For how long - until mortgage app is submitted or until closed? I really need a new card(s) for all the MSR we'll have with moving costs and some basic upgrades we want to do before we move in.

 

[Alexle2007]

Hmmm...does DS “need” decorations in our room for his 13th birthday Spring Break cruise, I think so Plus that $36.72 will help me with DH’s Hilton Biz MSR plus we need the Internet package that is currently on sale. The deluxe drink package is on sale for $52 a day so glad I got it on the incorrect pricing!

 

[Mopedmom1]

@Haley R just adding on to what @amalone1013 said about parking....just Googled and on sight parking for a 7 night cruise is $136 at Port Canaveral. If you park further away in a private lot you will find a cheaper rate but will have to deal with a shuttle bus and perhaps less security for your vehicle. Remember you will actually be paying for 8 days on a 7 night cruise. Here is an informative website: https://cruisefever.net/port-canaveral-cruise-parking-cost-tips/

Our last cruise at Port Canaveral we had a rental car and it is a pain. Even with navigation. PC is very large and very confusing with roundabout ways and circular, confusing roads. Once you figure out where to return a rental car you then have to wait while they get enough people to fill up the shuttle. The whole process added 45-60 minutes to getting to the ship and starting the fun.

Our preference is having Uber/LYFT drop us right at the check in point for the cruise. $100 rt with tip > hassling with parking and shuttles.

Enjoy your visit with the 'rents!