I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Disneyonmymind]

Regarding the CSR travel credit, it appears the credit is automatically being applied to grocery purchases. I guess there are no downsides to this? I did have some travel expenses coming up but most of the credit is gone. Since groceries are 1x and travel is 3x, I guess this is actually an advantage because I would otherwise lose the 3x bonus points on the travel expense?

I guess the real problem is I don't have a good card that gives a grocery bonus. What are the best options?

 

[havaneselover]

I'm loving the AmEx small business credit! $5 off dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant last night and $5 off a dozen donuts this morning!

We ordered from our favorite Chinese restaurant last night. Tomorrow we hit the overpriced gelato place. I’ve used the offer three times and dd has used it once.

 

[afan]

Regarding Judique's split stay idea, I'm pretty sure Disney bell hop service will transfer your bags from one hotel to the next, so it has less disruption on your day

With them stopping ME luggage service on the 16th I wouldn't count on them moving your bags still. I haven't seen anything saying it's stopped but if you want to do a split stay I'd plan foe moving stuff yourself and then if they are still doing it being happy you don't have to move them.

 

[happ]

We might want to visit other resort hotels just to see what their ambiance (ambiances?) is/are like and perhaps enjoy a tasty beverage. For example, we love the lobby of the Grand Californian and having a drink at the Napa Rose Lounge or Hearthstone, and I particularly enjoy the newly remodeled Trader Sam's with its outside walkup bar. Is that reasonable, time-wise? Should we have an extra night just so we have another day to do this? If so, which resort hotesl would you most recommend visiting?

This may have changed, but it was reported last month that visiting resorts you're not staying at would not be allowed unless you have a dining reservation.

 

[disneybirds]

I'm loving the AmEx small business credit! $5 off dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant last night and $5 off a dozen donuts this morning!

We are loving it as well! We got the $5 credit from our favorite Mexican and Chinese restaurants. My DD's dermatologist also qualified. Considering Chicken Salad Chick and Nothing Bundt Cakes are in the list, we will definitely use them all! Of course we have 40 to use before 9/20 so we need to get cracking.

 

[mmmears]

@ten6mom - we are in CA and don't have jet lag issues going to WDW. I think we are just so excited to be there that we get up for rope drop that first morning. Our first few trips there we spent much of our time over on the DHS/Epcot side of things since there are a lot of attractions at the MK that aren't new to those of us who frequented DL. I also like the Epcot resorts since we could walk to those parks.

 

[afan]

Not making this political, just bummed that the state dept has raised the risk for China and hong kong. I realize a lot can change between now and Sept 2021 but it's starting to feel silly planning it. But we'd already decided to fly rt to Japan in case we had to change to 2 weeks in japan. It'd give us time to go to universal and I know there's a ton to do in japan so it'll still be fun it's just not what we've been planning. So we'll keep watching and if need be drop our night in beijing to see the wall to keep Shanghai and hk we will since it was an added bonus due to being so close.

Just at the moment about it all.

 

[georgina]

question on Cap One Ventures miles, do they credit as you earn, or at statement? I have 3300 coming from a purchase, but I want to use it on that purchase LOL. If it's not till after statement, then I either don't pay in full and pay interest, which I NEVER EVER do, or I can't use that credit amount.

I don't remember exactly when they credited, but I always waited for the statement to close, then used the points to erase the charges. No need to pay in full, you have a good amount of time from statement close to payment date to use the points, it came off the amount due for that cycle. I did the same thing, especially toward the end when I wanted to use up all my credits.

 

[Judique]

I'm loving the AmEx small business credit! $5 off din ner at our favorite Mexican restaurant last night and $5 off a dozen donuts this morning!

I wonder if stand alone Krispy Kreme counts? I drove by it this morning and wanted to stop but made myself keep on going. Now with the possibility of a $5 credit I may have to go through their drive thru tomorrow.

I also didn't continue on to the waffle truck, although I really wanted to. Liege waffles with Nutella, banana and strawberries!!! Yummy!

And, in other news, my coffee maker is now no longer on Costco.com. I wonder if they just sold out? I've been enjoying my coffees and I'm now enjoying Caramel Cookie.

 

[Judique]

This may have changed, but it was reported last month that visiting resorts you're not staying at would not be allowed unless you have a dining reservation.

That's another good reason to get into an area where dining is plentiful and easy to access. Disney as we knew it is replaced by Disney- (minus).

 

[Judique]

We are loving it as well! We got the $5 credit from our favorite Mexican and Chinese restaurants. My DD's dermatologist also qualified. Considering Chicken Salad Chick and Nothing Bundt Cakes are in the list, we will definitely use them all! Of course we have 40 to use before 7/31 so we need to get cracking.

I thought it was 9/30? Off to double check...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Regarding the CSR travel credit, it appears the credit is automatically being applied to grocery purchases. I guess there are no downsides to this? I did have some travel expenses coming up but most of the credit is gone. Since groceries are 1x and travel is 3x, I guess this is actually an advantage because I would otherwise lose the 3x bonus points on the travel expense?

I guess the real problem is I don't have a good card that gives a grocery bonus. What are the best options?

I posted about the Amex BCE new offer the other day. That’s a decent no AF grocery card. If you’re ok with an AF then BCP or Gold might warrant consideration.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

With them stopping ME luggage service on the 16th I wouldn't count on them moving your bags still. I haven't seen anything saying it's stopped but if you want to do a split stay I'd plan foe moving stuff yourself and then if they are still doing it being happy you don't have to move them.

Split stay is also a mess right now because you can’t book tickets longer than your length of stay at the first hotel. It’s messing with my planning for sure because I want to book a package and retain flexibility to cancel if I went with a full refund (vs buying tix separately).

Just to clarify you can buy 5 day tickets with a 4 night stay (or less days) but you can’t buy more (ie 8 day tix).

 

[Eighty8Keys]

I thought it was 9/30? Off to double check...

I just checked and mine says 9/20. I don’t think I could use all 20 of mine before the end of this month so I’m glad for the extra time.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

We are loving it as well! We got the $5 credit from our favorite Mexican and Chinese restaurants. My DD's dermatologist also qualified. Considering Chicken Salad Chick and Nothing Bundt Cakes are in the list, we will definitely use them all! Of course we have 40 to use before 7/31 so we need to get cracking.

I just checked my authorized user account and it had the offer too! Now we have 30 (well 29) so we better get cracking too!! But mine expires 9/20

 

[Judique]

Not making this political, just bummed that the state dept has raised the risk for China and hong kong. I realize a lot can change between now and Sept 2021 but it's starting to feel silly planning it. But we'd already decided to fly rt to Japan in case we had to change to 2 weeks in japan. It'd give us time to go to universal and I know there's a ton to do in japan so it'll still be fun it's just not what we've been planning. So we'll keep watching and if need be drop our night in beijing to see the wall to keep Shanghai and hk we will since it was an added bonus due to being so close.

Just at the moment about it all.

Daughter got to go in January when she traveled to Cambodia for the cousin's wedding. I thought she was flat out nuts to add on China at the time, just because I figured it was enough for her to be gone for the wedding itself (and I was babysitting for a day or two.)

Eight other family members also went to Hong Kong and China separately from her, but had a custom organized tour $$$. She was using points of course and the tour did not sync with that. Then, while she was there, I left for Florida and went to Disney and back before she returned here.

A day or two before her return, Dulles, Lax and a NYC airport started doing some screening for the thing. She came to my house straight from the airport as she left her car here. Came in and I said, 'No hugs'. She didn't know what I was talking about. No news at all reached her while she was gone.

In any case, she (and rest of the family) did not have any problems and now that it's all over I am happy she got to experience Hong Kong and China if only for 5 nights. Looks like it will be some time before that's as easy again. She did a lot of video for us during her trip and posted it privately for family.

She had no problem returning as she came back via Munich - left crossing the Pacific and returned over the Atlantic, in effect going around the world.

She did not travel alone, but met up with another family member that she got a ticket(s) for on points. They flew out of and back into different countries because of location and jobs at the time, but they had an excellent trip all told, and missed any 'ill' effects. Now, it's inconceivable to think of a trip such as that in the near future.

So, that leads me to wonder how these travel bloggers are faring out? Especially the one guy who basically lived in airport lounges and flew all the time?

 

[Judique]

Split stay is also a mess right now because you can’t book tickets longer than your length of stay at the first hotel. It’s messing with my planning for sure because I want to book a package and retain flexibility to cancel if I went with a full refund (vs buying tix separately).

Just to clarify you can buy 5 day tickets with a 4 night stay (or less days) but you can’t buy more (ie 8 day tix).

Is there any way around this such as buying 5 days on a 4 night stay, moving hotels on day 4 and using ticket days 4 and 5 at the next hotel, ie nights 5 and 6? Tickets once started used to be good for 14 days. I guess all the rules have changed. and probably adding that ticket day after the 1st stay doesn't guarantee you getting a park day either. This is where having an annual pass and DVC 'sort of' helps, although some had some serious problems.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We ordered from our favorite Chinese restaurant last night. Tomorrow we hit the overpriced gelato place. I’ve used the offer three times and dd has used it once.

So what does Amex do when 2 credits apply? I got an email that my dinner last night qualifies for small biz credit but I also have the Hilton resort credit. I already have a negative balance from canceling my SW flights.

 

[DaveL]

Split stay is also a mess right now because you can’t book tickets longer than your length of stay at the first hotel. It’s messing with my planning for sure because I want to book a package and retain flexibility to cancel if I went with a full refund (vs buying tix separately).

I am not sure if its a special case or just requires a phone call to guest services but I have a split stay for June 2021 with a 9 day ticket on a 7 day first stay. Online I think it only allows me to book a 7 day ticket.

 

[NewbieMom]

Some months ago (well, OK it was last year some time), someone was kind enough to point me in the direction of a WDW planning organization (can I say that here???). Unfortunately I ended up tossing that idea and now that it's potentially on for November I am wondering if someone can help me out with pointing me in the right direction

I will, however, say that, sadly, in no way is the Polynesian going to be an option, financially. It's like trying to stay at the Grand Californian... there is no way I am paying $600+ a night for a hotel room! Unless someone here can convince me it's "worth it." (and even if it were, I still don't have that kind of money). You may recall that I am strictly a Best Western kinda girl and since I can't use points of any sort... I guess we're gonna have to stay cheap. (Side note.. the BW I was looking at previously is currently "closed indefinitely" so that has me worried. I HOPE it's just until the entire park reopens fully...)

Also, I have some planning related questions.

• So, I will have a bunch of miles on Virgin that i would like to (try to) use before they potentially go out of business. If I were to cancel my ANA flights and get the Virgin miles back, how do I go about booking a Delta flight with those miles? I would love to fly 1st if possible, and I know there will be a plane change between PHX and MCO (too bad about that.).
  • Side note... why are prices between LAX and MCO so much less expensive than between PHX and MCO??? Maybe I'll fly SW to LAX first... my goodness.
• I would be traveling from Phoenix. What do I need to know about jetlag, time change, etc? If I arrived at MCO (I think that's the right one) at say, 8 pm, would it be reasonable to have the next morning be a park day?
• Right how park hopping isn't an option anyway, but does anyone know what the approximate cost difference WOULD be between 5 days 1 park per day and 5 days PHs? I don't necessarily think we will want to hop because it's not as convenient as DL, but I also don't want to feel "stuck" in a certain park if there isn't anything else there I want to see or do. Do you, the experts, feel as though each park is a "full day" park, considering I am a first time visitor?

What else do I need to know about traveling to Florida, in November (weather considerations), transportation once we land, all that? I'm sure there's a ton of things I haven't thought of.

And I haven't even LOOKED at what my UR balance would be after I cancel the Tokyo hotel I have currently booked (although it won't be a ton since most of those URs got transferred to Virgin for the ANA flight). ***EDIT: I just looked and I have about 100,000 URs right now, and that's before canceling the hotel I have booked.**

Sorry to ramble. I'm just trying to see if this is even feasible, and trying to reallocate my points where I can to minimize new spending but still have an amazing trip.

If you really really want to stay at Poly, another option would be to rent DVC points. Especially for a Nov trip, I see a lot of people dumping expiring points (11/30) for cheap, in the $10pp range. A standard view Poly studio prior to Thanksgiving costs 18-20pts (weekday/weekend) so if you find someone selling $10pp, you're looking at $200/night. Of course, renting points is a whole other topic, you'll need to do ample research on to beware of scams, etc. Just a thought!