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

[Artygal90]

Hey all:

We're headed to Orlando and staying at Sapphire Falls 12th-16th doing Universal. Then Headed down to DVC Vero Beach from 16-18th. Then headed back and staying at Animal Kingdom on the 18th-19th.

Originally, I was going to fly back MCO-DAL, but with our Diamond Caesar's I thought I'd check to see what flights were to head to the Bahamas/Atlantis instead about 4 months ago. Turns out, it was only a ~200 point difference/person on SW to fly MCO-FLL-NAS NAS-DAL as it did MCO-DAL when we booked it. Didn't really want to go to the Bahamas, but as the cheapest man on the planet, I can't turn down free.

Clearly, now with the hurricane, things changed.
We're still going to head down to Nassau, but wanted to help with hurricane relief instead and just use the hotel as a base.

We helped when Houston got hit, and it was all very organized and simple. This isn't turning out to be the case (obviously) in the Bahamas.

Any suggestions from anyone who has done anything similar on a group to hook up with? I'd like a way for our young kids to be involved somehow (6 and 10)- so if that means coloring with other kids there or just playing with them, my wife can head to do that while I help with more physical aspects.

Also - going to go ahead and bring 8 checked bags (since we can) full of items. Outside of clothes, anything else? Anything I'm just not thinking of?

Work has me slammed today, so I won't be able to do a ton of research so thought I'd get yall's input before digging into it in the next few days.

Okay, I'm going to get on my disaster relief soapbox...so I volunteered setting up shelters and sorting donations for Katrina evacuees, mucked out houses (and was also a flood victim) after Harvey, and recently spent some time volunteering at a shelter down on the border that provides many of the same services that people need after a natural disaster, namely food, clean clothes, toiletries, and shelter. Frankly, dealing with all the random "stuff" that gets donated after a natural disaster is a huge burden on relief efforts. Someone has to sort everything, throw out the junk, figure out where to store it, and then transport it so actually gets to the people who need it. That all takes money and time away from providing for urgent needs like clean water, food, and shelter.

If you really want to bring physical goods to donate, I would wait to purchase anything until you are able to connect with a group doing work on the ground in the Bahamas and can find out 1) what the particular needs are for both donations AND labor, and 2) what the plan is to get your donations to people in need. What people need right now will be different than their needs in ~2 weeks. IF you are told by someone on the ground that they need X or Y, awesome, bring it in a suitcase. Otherwise, consider donating cash to a well-vetted NGO that can purchase goods at a bulk rate as that is often more efficient use of resources, and then reach out to see what kind of hands-on work, if any, you could do.

In Houston, large swaths of the metroplex were mostly functioning a day or two after most of the Harvey flooding (and thank you for coming down here to help us out ) so we could easily absorb an influx of out-of-area volunteers who needed food, water, shelter, and transportation. I'm not sure that will be the case in the Bahamas, although it does seem that Nassau fared better than the Abacos or Grand Bahama. Your best bet will be to reach out to the Red Cross to see if you and your family can fill a need there. They will be probably be the best organized group operating out of the area for a while. I have also heard about an organization called Team Rubicon that focuses on sending out self-sufficient volunteer groups, but they may be adults-only and require a longer commitment.

I could go on, but I will stop there. It is so awesome that you want to help, but I urge you to do so conscientiously. I don't want to discourage anyone from helping after a natural disaster, but I also believe it is important to do so in the way we are asked and in a way that doesn't put any additional burden on the people who need the most help. Please report back and let us know what you are able to find out as you look more into the project!


/soapbox

PS - I know Red Cross is problematic but they are the first ones who come to mind. Off the top of my head I can't think of another major organization that I know was on the ground in Houston post-Harvey, and they supplied several gross of toiletry kits to the shelter I was working at on the border, so they came to mind first. Obviously YMMV

 

[smmco]

and the sales (at least the ones here) are going until the 11th! I was afraid that we missed the opportunity. So we have plenty of time to choose a new set lol Thankfully I don't use the dryer much during the summer!

Let me know what you buy and how you like it.

 

[Haley R]

A tropical storm hit when we stayed at Kidani in 2009 (had never seen such low crowds for a couple days! had never gotten so wet in the parks!) and the arcade was free. Our kids were 16, 14, and 9 and had the best time

My dryer is dead. The repair dude (who we trust) gave me the side-eye about the state of my same-age washing machine. So now I am shopping online for a new set. Of course, Costco has the best price for the best machines, according to Consumer Reports. And of course, I am working on an Amex MSR

Th arcade here only has one pinball machine so it’s pretty hard to play more than once. I’m hoping when we go down at 10 it’ll be better

 

[PolyRob]

Yet another Delta Vacations update!

@wendow this might apply to your situation. I called and now have another trip on hold. It was no problem to book flights for 3 but say that the room would be for all 5 of us. (I explained I have a companion certificate I would want to use). She said to just make sure you keep track of who already has a ticket and who you need to buy for. She needed names of all 5 of us since all 5 will be on the room.

She wanted to add tickets to it but I kept explaining we will have AP's.

I booked POR for the two nights as it was the cheapest that would fit 5. I did notice that AKV standard one bedroom was not a huge difference and that the Poly room that is there and available is club level. So now I am considering that...

If you buy the basic trip insurance if you cancel you get a voucher to use within a year. If you don't have it you are forfeiting the miles/any cash you have put out. Since these are trips that are far out I feel better paying the extra now and not risk losing everything. The rep I was just talking too was going on "how you can cancel even if you don't like the weather or just don't feel like it."

Wow, it sounds like you are making some great decisions with this promo! So glad it is working out. How much more is the Poly CL!? It is definitely on my list to try and if points can cover it...

I have never flown Delta and I don't even have an account. I also only have a sad 105,000-ish MRs, but this really drives home that fact that diversifying points is a good thing!

 

[PolyRob]

You are approved quickly....looks like we are on the same 3 month application timeline

Thank you! Your auto-approval made me feel good about the app going in. I appreciate it

 

[disneybirds]

I know that several of you have either been to Italy or planning a trip. Given the choice, would you rather go in June and have fewer days (2 travel and 8/9 days touring) or go in August and have more days (2 travel and 10/11 days touring)? I am thinking August may be too hot and I read somewhere that many stores close for 2 weeks in mid August, but it would be nice to have the extra days. We will probably fly into Rome and then out of Milan or vice versa. Suggestions?

 

[smmco]

Wow, it sounds like you are making some great decisions with this promo! So glad it is working out. How much more is the Poly CL!? It is definitely on my list to try and if points can cover it...

I have never flown Delta and I don't even have an account. I also only have a sad 105,000-ish MRs, but this really drives home that fact that diversifying points is a good thing!

I only have 34k. I'm amazed at peoples point balances. I don't think I'll ever be a real churner. I'm too much of a rule follower by nature, and I don't I have the income level for multiple MSR's.

 

[mmmears]

I know that several of you have either been to Italy or planning a trip. Given the choice, would you rather go in June and have fewer days (2 travel and 8/9 days touring) or go in August and have more days (2 travel and 10/11 days touring)? I am thinking August may be too hot and I read somewhere that many stores close for 2 weeks in mid August, but it would be nice to have the extra days. We will probably fly into Rome and then out of Milan or vice versa. Suggestions?

Personally, June, because August in the Med is hotter than the face of the sun and it would take me longer to see the sights and I'd be miserable. I've been in March/April and July/August and there was no comparison. But, as always, YMMV.

 

[PolyRob]

If you had the choice, would you eat at let Cellier, coral reef, akershus, or garden grill for dinner?

I’m thinking no to le Cellier but we’ve never been there. We’ve been to the other two restaurants on the gc deal.

LeCellier would be my top choice...if you can get a reservation....love the cheddar cheese soup and steak....

I agree! Enjoyed Le Cellier when we went there.

Le Cellier!! The cheddar cheese soup is a must. We are having it at our wedding lol

The only thing with le Cellier is the cost. Using the gcs would help with the cost though. I did have the cheese soup at f&w so I’m not sure if I would order it at the restaurant. It’s a tough decision

Another vote for Le Cellier! One of my favorite Epcot meals.

If price is the thing driving you away, Garden Grill dinner will probably be more expensive per person than one steak at Le Cellier. I would personally say Le Cellier tops that list for quality and taste of food, but the other restaurants are more of an "experience." If you find you are dining at WDW a lot with your AP, you may want to look into Tables in Wonderland. I can make up the fee in less than a week when visiting. It also works on alcohol, gives you free valet at the resorts, and you can pay for it with a Disney gift card!

 

[PolyRob]

Nobody has faced recon for this. Always either auto-approved or pending and approved within a week thereafter. So nobody has been asked because nobody has spoken to a person

...yet! I am obsessively watching that status line

 

[PolyRob]

It was indeed the hard tickets for our MVMCP. Somewhat surprised that they are on standard cards and not Christmas related.

Yay! Thanks for confirming back. That was a real headscratcher for a second. LOL Glad your TA was on the ball!

 

[WVMomof3]

I think the Chase World of Hyatt card is rivaling the Amex Marriot/Bonvoyed free nights in how long can we wait to post your free night cert. It has been over 8 weeks from card anniversary and AF was posted on 8/1, still no free night. Just a heads up for anyone thinking about cancelling at a year and collecting their free night without a fee.

 

[smmco]

I know that several of you have either been to Italy or planning a trip. Given the choice, would you rather go in June and have fewer days (2 travel and 8/9 days touring) or go in August and have more days (2 travel and 10/11 days touring)? I am thinking August may be too hot and I read somewhere that many stores close for 2 weeks in mid August, but it would be nice to have the extra days. We will probably fly into Rome and then out of Milan or vice versa. Suggestions?

I've only been to Italy in October. I've been to WDW in June and August. If I can tolerate that heat I'd think I'd be OK in Rome. How hot is where you live in the Summer? I always go places when its cheapest. Weather is such a crapshoot anyway. Every time I cruise in Feb we have rough seas. Hurricane season smooth as glass. My point is you just never know with the weather.

 

[PolyRob]

I’m going for CIP #3 on 9/13 - I’ve been lucky with instant approvals so far, but I’m expecting to utilize the status line this time around!

Fingers crossed for another! It definitely seems possible for those who have had them in the past based on numerous DPs just from today!

I was so afraid I input something wrong or did something bad when it first happened. This is now the... 6th Chase biz app I am waiting on? I feel much more confident and will just keep calling and calling

 

[FloridaNative8]

Fingers crossed for another! It definitely seems possible for those who have had them in the past based on numerous DPs just from today!

I was so afraid I input something wrong or did something bad when it first happened. This is now the... 6th Chase biz app I am waiting on? I feel much more confident and will just keep calling and calling

Good luck to you!!!! Hopefully they don’t make you wait long for your approval (I’m willing it into existence) ☺

 

[LB002]

OK, I bit the bullet and transferred our MR to Delta to take advantage of the 2x promo. My MR balance looks so sad and low now! LOL I am now waiting for the points to show up in my SM account (I was hoping it would be immediate!).

I have 4x 7-day base tickets so even if we can't upgrade to DVC AP we will still have tickets for our trip and a cheap flight/hotel package for $256. The insurance is $148, so we will have to eat that cost.

 

[mmmears]

OK, I bit the bullet and transferred our MR to Delta to take advantage of the 2x promo. My MR balance looks so sad and low now! LOL I am now waiting for the points to show up in my SM account (I was hoping it would be immediate!).

It's so weird - I both love using points for travel and then get really sad when my balance goes down. But really, that's what points are for, so good job booking the Delta deal. If I was planning a WDW trip I'd be using that 2x promo, too.

 

[PolyRob]

-

 

[mmmears]

Update - Marriott says "not to worry" about their website saying we owe them more points. That's the good. The bad is that they won't let us book a larger (sleeps 3) room with points. Which means I either switch hotels, pay with cash, or pay with URs (and get treated like a peasant while using up the URs that I'd rather use for other things). Ugh. Not a Bonvoy fan tonight. I'd really like to use those points.

Oh, and it's getting pretty crowded in the AF lounge tonight.

 

[smmco]

Never say never! You can definitely get a lot of SUBs by following the rules. I have been big on Chase because of the ease and versatility. I really wanted an Amex for the FOMO of Amex offers and wanted a foot in the door for referrals... then self referrals died. I am sitting on the 100,000 SUB from the personal Plat and have to decide my next move. I am 3/24 and only want biz cards for the foreseeable future (wow, my biz is booming!). I have to decide if I should go Amex or Citi AA. Amex seems very versatile, but I want to go slow and steady there not to ruffle any feathers. With WDW resorts showing up on the AA portal again I am leaning towards that. It would be great to cover a last minute stay purely on AA points! I need to decide fast because the CIP3 MSR is completely spoken for in one charge (finishing off a large expense). Once I am approved I am safe for another card. I really only do 1 MSR at a time too and haven't MS at all. Everyone has their own method and timing which is what makes this a great hobby! The only "wrong" IMO would be doing too much too fast.

I have done 7 MSR's since March, but some were in 1-2k range. I'm leaving for London in a week for a DCL cruise. The free hotel nights in London are great and I had 8 nights free at CSR in June, but it took me one year of spending on Capital one Venture to get that. I can't imagine ever having enough points to cover a cruise or a deluxe stay at WDW. It's ok I've been managing cruises and wdw trips for years without points. I really like having the points for the hotel stays that aren't Disney.

I'm close to finishing my Marriott Biz MSR, and then I'll start on the AA Citi Biz. I won't be under 5/24 until March. I'm stuck with business cards until then. Were doing a cruise out of Copenhagen next Summer. I'll need hotel points for that. I plan on applying for a CIP as soon as I can.