I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[alryan]

My AmEx dining credit posted today, hopefully those of you who are waiting will get it soon. I'd been waiting because I only have a few more days to cancel my Aspire. I know I'm taking a risk getting the pop up, but I just can't justify the AF. Because of NLL Biz Plats I'm swimming in airline credits and have lots of SW points as well. So even though I would use the credits, essentially I'd be paying for them with the AF.

I got the card for a possible trip to Grand Wailea. I've had to cancel twice. And not knowing what things may look like for Hawaii I decided to use my FNC for DH and I for our anniversary next April at Baker's Cay. I used the other FNC for a girls' weekend at Hilton Sandestin next month.

 

[mmmears]

Anyone been to Finland and care to share an itinerary? I see nonstop flights for $256 RT, economy.

Maybe thinking for January? We’ve never been to a truly cold destination in their winter. (Besides living in Wisconsin, LOL)

I believe there is a hotel there where the rooms are glass domes so you can see the aurora at night, indoors.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I’ve been to Finland a few times but only in the summer. I’ve always wanted to go in the winter and go to Northern Finland to see the aurora borealis. Where did you find the great airfare?

Alerted via Scott’s Cheap Flights about the airfare. A google flights search brings the fare up on Finnair, Chicago to Helsinki.

Interested in the Northern Lights, Snow Castle and Santa Claus Village after a little research.

I’d appreciate any other input!

ETA: Looks like SnowCastle gets terrible reviews. My idea isn’t well researched and doesn’t seem feasible for a January trip.

 

[Albort]

I’ve been to Finland a few times but only in the summer. I’ve always wanted to go in the winter and go to Northern Finland to see the aurora borealis. Where did you find the great airfare?

highly recommend alaska if you want to check out the aurora borealis. recommend finding a tour for it, but not one of those vans that drive up north chasing it. find a cabin instead.
Also, the university of Alaska has a prediction model for the aurora so make sure u check. If your on an iPhone, there is also apps that help u capture it. a tripod will help. If you plan on using on of those fancy cameras, u need a special type of lens to capture it. when we went, there were like 5 ppl with those and none of them had the correct lens.

 

[sinnika]

Planning my next card. Currently 3/5 with Chase. Is the CFU worth a spot? I like the idea of the 5% for groceries up to $12,000 for the first year. Was hoping to purchase Disney gift cards at Kroger in combination with the regular 4x fuel points they offer. I have a Disney Cruise to pay off.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

highly recommend alaska if you want to check out the aurora borealis. recommend finding a tour for it, but not one of those vans that drive up north chasing it. find a cabin instead.
Also, the university of Alaska has a prediction model for the aurora so make sure u check. If your on an iPhone, there is also apps that help u capture it. a tripod will help. If you plan on using on of those fancy cameras, u need a special type of lens to capture it. when we went, there were like 5 ppl with those and none of them had the correct lens.

You had me all wondering what kind of lens is needed. I knew a tripod would be a must. So I googled, LOL. It's suggested you have a wide angle and a low aperture lens. Those can be $$$$, but you can rent them (I have one, but I'd probably still rent a better one if I ever got to shoot them).

Your avg person w/ a camera likely only has the kit lens, hence why no one had a wide angle.

 

[Arcades]

Planning my next card. Currently 3/5 with Chase. Is the CFU worth a spot? I like the idea of the 5% for groceries up to $12,000 for the first year. Was hoping to purchase Disney gift cards at Kroger in combination with the regular 4x fuel points they offer. I have a Disney Cruise to pay off.

CIU is a better option if you can meet the spend or are willing to do some manufactured spending. I recently got the CIU (75,000 UR for $7,500) and can confirm Venmo both codes as Office & Merchandise (not cash advance) and counts towards the MSR (I would not have met the MSR in the first month without my Venmo transactions). If you don't have a non-category daily driver, the 1.5x UR on all is a good option, but I wouldn't waste a 5/24 slot on CFU. Of course, if you're not interested in business cards or the spending requirements for them, then the CFU is worthwhile and you can spread your spend out over the course of the year.

Also, note that you can buy restaurant gift cards, Amazon gift cards and other gift cards to make use of grocery category depending on your store (basically turning any of your spending at any gift card location into 5x).

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Planning my next card. Currently 3/5 with Chase. Is the CFU worth a spot? I like the idea of the 5% for groceries up to $12,000 for the first year. Was hoping to purchase Disney gift cards at Kroger in combination with the regular 4x fuel points they offer. I have a Disney Cruise to pay off.

If you don’t already have the CFF it may be a better option to take advantage of the 3rd quarter 5x bonus on groceries, in addition to the 5x first year on groceries
If it’s instantly approved you can sent Chase a SM asking for expedited shipping..so you can spend the $1,500 by 9/30

 

[LynnTH]

Thanks for your experience…. very helpful! I guess my two questions are, 1) did it feel like reduced capacity? Would love to have a half empty cruise! And 2) what was the buffet situation like? To be honest, that’s really the only reason DH likes cruising If it’s nonexistent now, I’m gonna have to make something up to get him to board haha.

Definitely reduced capacity. I have never seen so many open lounge chairs ever. Plenty of room to sit in the sun or shade. Used the Serenity area for the 1st time. It is huge on the Mardi Gras. Very nice area. Buffets were as always. You did have to wear a mask in the buffet area until you sat down. But otherwise it was all the same.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Definitely reduced capacity. I have never seen so many open lounge chairs ever. Plenty of room to sit in the sun or shade. Used the Serenity area for the 1st time. It is huge on the Mardi Gras. Very nice area. Buffets were as always. You did have to wear a mask in the buffet area until you sat down. But otherwise it was all the same.

Wow, sounds great! Not having to get up at 7am to secure a lounge chair, even better! lol

 

[becauseimnew]

I booked our 15 year anniversary trip! I feel like I overpaid but everything was paid using points, besides the 911 security fee (used CSR to pay).
Everything is refundable so if prices go down I can cancel and rebook. I wish we could do a 5 night trip but we have a 12 day trip in the summer, can only take a weekend trip.
Booked 1 night in San Francisco at SF Proper Hotel, 1 Marriott FNC, want to do the night tour at Alcatraz. Then 2 nights at Alila Ventana Big Sur, DH wanted the suite so booked that 96,000 points
Flights there are on United, 45K miles more then we usually spend but those United miles have been sitting there since I started churning in 2017, might cancel, waiting on SW to release their schedule.
Return flights on AA, 23K miles, didn't want to use AA mile because I'm trying to save them for Japan 2023 but they are the perfect time so I feel OK about this.

 

[elgerber]

Still no dining credits on any of our Amex cards. :-(

Still no approval email from Chase, but this morning there is a new CIC in P2s account!

 

[becauseimnew]

Still no dining credits on any of our Amex cards. :-(

No wireless credits either

 

[sinnika]

If you don’t already have the CFF it may be a better option to take advantage of the 3rd quarter 5x bonus on groceries, in addition to the 5x first year on groceries
If it’s instantly approved you can sent Chase a SM asking for expedited shipping..so you can spend the $1,500 by 9/30

I have the CF (10/2019). So I’m using the 5x on groceries now. Planning to spread the gift cards over the year along with the fuel points from Kroger. Planning to put cable, electric, water bill on autopay using the card for the 1.5 times unless someone recommends something else.

 

[LynnTH]

We haven't decided if we're doing the proctored at home tests or if we'll try to use CVS /Walgreens or something like that.

Curious about the casino offers. How much did you play - was it mostly table games, slots, or does it matter? DH and I are very casual gamblers, but have never really gambled on cruise ships for some reason. Maybe we need try a bit and see if we get any offers.
[/QUOTE]

I would play some every night. Ended up winning a few times so maybe only lost a few hundred total. I read somewhere that they kind of go by the amount of time playing. Both my DS22 and DD20 are getting these offers also and they certainly don't spend as much as me. I think a lot of people are cancelling with all the new restrictions. Only thing different for us would have to be tested - which is not a big deal with these great offers.

 

[Alexle2007]

My AmEx dining credit posted today, hopefully those of you who are waiting will get it soon. I'd been waiting because I only have a few more days to cancel my Aspire. I know I'm taking a risk getting the pop up, but I just can't justify the AF. Because of NLL Biz Plats I'm swimming in airline credits and have lots of SW points as well. So even though I would use the credits, essentially I'd be paying for them with the AF.

I got the card for a possible trip to Grand Wailea. I've had to cancel twice. And not knowing what things may look like for Hawaii I decided to use my FNC for DH and I for our anniversary next April at Baker's Cay. I used the other FNC for a girls' weekend at Hilton Sandestin next month.

We loved the Hilton and Destin when we were there last month. The only bad part is that is not walkable like Clearwater. We had to drive to go to dinner in the evening but there are plenty of options not too far away.

 

[Judique]

Hmm, I have been checking for my $20 credit on my Brilliant. No show.

And, looking at the by the year statement, I didn't get an August credit either.

I will call.

 

[ski_mom]

Just wondered if anyone has ever gone to the Travel & Adventure show? Nancy at Miles for Family posted about going to the one by her in Dallas. They sound really fun, but I would have to fly to one. It sounds like it might be a fun weekend trip though, so just curious about them.

 

[djmeredith]

I reached out to SW about my cancelled flight through their website after I got home. They responded and are sending me a $150 voucher. That covers about 1/2 of the costs I incurred so I am happy with that. I also contacted them on behalf of my juvenile nephew who was traveling with me. So maybe he will get something as well. I did not complain about my official companion pass companion since his ticket was free.

Reporting back to say that SW is also sending my nephew a $150 voucher. I am happy with $300 total in vouchers for 2 tix I booked with RR points. It would be an interesting DP to see if they offer any compensation to a CP traveler but I am not willing to ask.

 

[punkin]

DH just got a 0% APR for 12 months offer on his (ancient) Amex Blue card, which has been sock drawered for years. I think it's coming out of the sock drawer this month!