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

[happ]

Anyone have experience with the UR Hotel credits? I booked a hotel using the travel portal and am curious how long it typically takes for the credit to show. This is for the new $50 hotel credit on the CSP.

I wish I was a new cardmember and could take advantage of this. I've got to wait until renewal next April.

 

[hsmamato2]

I just checked and they are there lol.

Should I book the swan reserve or the dolphin? I'm leaning towards the reserve, but I worry it won't open by November. The site says it will open in October, but the opening date has been pushed back many times.

DOLPHIN! It's such a great place to stay....the Reserve looks ok, but def farther away from 'the loop' of activity around the boardwalk area,which IMHO is part of the charm of being there!

 

[WVMomof3]

I haven't used it for grub hub. Boxed really came through for us when I couldn't find TP and Clorox wipes during the shutdown, so I just order stuff from them every month.



There are several blog posts with ideas. The 2 I found that worked for us was a resort outside Albuquerque NM and several hotels in Chicago. I find it hard to spend the non-Hilton FNCs.

We are headed to the NM resort next week. Any recommendations for any part of NM? We are also planning on hitting Santa Fe, White Sands and Carlsbad.

 

[Disney Kidd]

I wouldn’t book Reserve actually. Nov could be real busy at WDW, I would hate to be homeless. Swan Reserve bookings for Sept are being moved to Swolphin except the person who booked an award was told to cancel and rebook themselves because Marriott couldn’t transfer the award stay. They were told they had to do this and were given no other options. Luckily there was space.

Sure I would kick myself if the new hotel opens and I was booked at Swolphin but a lot is to be said for having peace of mind for the next 2 months that trip planning isn’t going to go off the rails at the last minute.


For those who haven’t followed the Reserve saga: recently the opening was Sept 1, mid-Sept, late Sept (lots of fanfare about late Sept, even announced it on their FB page but no date commitment) and all of the sudden everything is changing to oct. It’s not bookable until 10/13 but only $1k+ rooms are available with normal priced rooms not booking until 10/31. It’s suspected the $1k room phenomenon (which has been seen multiple times) means they will open at a low capacity for the first couple weeks.

I was excited to try the new reserve, but booked the dolphin instead because of this reason. It's weird because rooms at the swan reserve are 500+ per night during that time, but only 40,000-50,000 points/night while the dolphin is 200-300/night, but 50-60,000 pts/night!

 

[georgina]

I wouldn’t book Reserve actually. Nov could be real busy at WDW, I would hate to be homeless. Swan Reserve bookings for Sept are being moved to Swolphin except the person who booked an award was told to cancel and rebook themselves because Marriott couldn’t transfer the award stay. They were told they had to do this and were given no other options. Luckily there was space.

I should clarify my Reserve experience - was booked with 5 free night certificates from DH opening a Marriott card last fall. It was the Swan/Dolphin reservations people who said they couldn't move me because they had no access to the certificates. Tried to call Marriott, got on hold, and gave up because I wasn't sure they would talk to me about his reservation (he was out of town). When I cancelled the certificates showed up immediately for rebooking, which I wasn't expecting!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I should clarify my Reserve experience - was booked with 5 free night certificates from DH opening a Marriott card last fall. It was the Swan/Dolphin reservations people who said they couldn't move me because they had no access to the certificates. Tried to call Marriott, got on hold, and gave up because I wasn't sure they would talk to me about his reservation (he was out of town). When I cancelled the certificates showed up immediately for rebooking, which I wasn't expecting!

Interesting. Alas I think Swolphin Reservations team has been handling all the rebookings.

 

[Psychodisney]

I have a couple of hyatt free night certificates (cat 1-4) expiring early October. I have no idea where to use them. I might like to go to NYC for a weekend but there's only one cat 4 hotel. Thought of doing the beach like @Judique, but that's also a cat 5. I'm at a loss.

We’re using 2 certificates this weekend at the Thompson Hotel in Chicago. Great neighborhood. Lots of restaurants and energy. I’ll post a review later in the week on the hotel thread.

 

[twincruisers]

We are headed to the NM resort next week. Any recommendations for any part of NM? We are also planning on hitting Santa Fe, White Sands and Carlsbad.

What hotel brand FNC's are you trying to use? Hilton? Marriott? There are good redemption options in NM for points and FNC's depending on what you're looking for.

 

[amylovesdamon]

Frustrated with how few places grub hub has for pick up and why door dash has pu at places gh only has delivery. I don't trust the drivers around here and prefer to pick it up. Just getting tired of only getting to use my gh at Johnny rockets.

I don't eat at cheesecake factory and if the shake shake is still here it's dt seattle. Not interested in boxed. Might just not use it this month and use some of the 31st credit I haven't used yet.

no sure where you live in seattle area, but there's a shake shack in kirkland

 

[afan]

no sure where you live in seattle area, but there's a shake shack in kirkland

Kent. Not going up there for 10 bucks in food. Just picked up red robin. Still not the pizza I'd wanted but I can use dd to pick it up next weekend.

 

[Judique]

I wouldn’t book Reserve actually. Nov could be real busy at WDW, I would hate to be homeless. Swan Reserve bookings for Sept are being moved to Swolphin except the person who booked an award was told to cancel and rebook themselves because Marriott couldn’t transfer the award stay. They were told they had to do this and were given no other options. Luckily there was space.

Sure I would kick myself if the new hotel opens and I was booked at Swolphin but a lot is to be said for having peace of mind for the next 2 months that trip planning isn’t going to go off the rails at the last minute.


For those who haven’t followed the Reserve saga: recently the opening was Sept 1, mid-Sept, late Sept (lots of fanfare about late Sept, even announced it on their FB page but no date commitment) and all of the sudden everything is changing to oct. It’s not bookable until 10/13 but only $1k+ rooms are available with normal priced rooms not booking until 10/31. It’s suspected the $1k room phenomenon (which has been seen multiple times) means they will open at a low capacity for the first couple weeks.

I had a points reservation at Reserve for the 50th. Canceled it well before the dates were moved on the opening. Not happy with Florida and haven't been since the start. So, even though being at Disney might be fine, since I do an onsite with lots of exploring offsite type of trip, I let it go and now I'm probably going to cancel my November trip as well. Have already whittled November down to 7 nights in the standard view studio at BWV. Maybe I'll get there in 2022, who knows? My choice, no problem with others doing what they enjoy or feel.

Still booked at Hilton Head and looking forward to going.

I

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I had a points reservation at Reserve for the 50th. Canceled it well before the dates were moved on the opening. Not happy with Florida and haven't been since the start. So, even though being at Disney might be fine, since I do an onsite with lots of exploring offsite type of trip, I let it go and now I'm probably going to cancel my November trip as well. Have already whittled November down to 7 nights in the standard view studio at BWV. Maybe I'll get there in 2022, who knows? My choice, no problem with others doing what they enjoy or feel.

I feel the same way. I'd like to get back to our house and get some of my precious possessions this year -- maybe November? I'm not sure. Dh was back last week to get a few of the cars started and moved around, deal with some dead batteries on the smoke detectors and get a sensor on the security system replaced. I think that he's going back again in another week or two. I never thought that I'd be gone this long. It's really frustrating.

 

[Alexle2007]

We’re using 2 certificates this weekend at the Thompson Hotel in Chicago. Great neighborhood. Lots of restaurants and energy. I’ll post a review later in the week on the hotel thread.

I am interested in hearing about this one. It was on my list when we went to Chicago a couple of weeks ago but, ultimately, went with the Park Hyatt.

 

[Judique]

Both the Uber credit and the dining credit are pretty useless for me. I doubt I will even get $50 combined benefit from them. That is why I was always so hesitant to get the Gold card. I only signed up with the 20% back in restaurants up to $250 offer. I can’t see me keeping it past the first year. I wish they would have better credits. Small town people are definitely not Amex target audience for any of their credits or most of their offers.

It was a great card the first 2 years for me Enjoyed the $250 plus the dining credit and the $100 airline credit. Now, it's been in the sock drawer for almost all of this year, since I got the retention bonus plus the pay over time deal for 20K MR's. I'm letting it go when my anniversary hits in November. Only keeping it til then on the off chance a good offer or something will be added.

My MR's are safe on my old Optima card. @SouthFayetteFan almost has me app'ing for the Hilton card. But, I got one pop up with Hilton a while back so I'm sort of 'slow' about trying again, especially since there are so many other options.

It seems with Amex, I'm only using the Marriott cards. And, once my son gets the Hawaii trip done, I'll be rethinking 2 of my 3 Amex Marriott cards, since I have a glut of FNC's right now. (Marriott, IHG, Hyatt plus Radisson points).

I think Amex is caught in between being a big player and capturing the small town business. They've made lots of progress with card acceptance, other than losing Costco. That was a big mistake on their part and maybe they've moved on, but I still wish I could use my Amex at Costco, as I could always buy Shop cards with Visa.

 

[Psychodisney]

I am interested in hearing about this one. It was on my list when we went to Chicago a couple of weeks ago but, ultimately, went with the Park Hyatt.

For us the location is perfect, just a couple of blocks from DD. Easy walk to the Mag Mile and lakefront. Tons of restaurants and bars.

 

[Judique]

I feel the same way. I'd like to get back to our house and get some of my precious possessions this year -- maybe November? I'm not sure. Dh was back last week to get a few of the cars started and moved around, deal with some dead batteries on the smoke detectors and get a sensor on the security system replaced. I think that he's going back again in another week or two. I never thought that I'd be gone this long. It's really frustrating.

Hopefully we all can resume a more carefree life style in 2022. I know a two year time period is not set in stone for this misfortune that has attacked our planet, but by the time 2022 rolls around, we'll be at that point. It's time for this to be over.

 

[Judique]

I should clarify my Reserve experience - was booked with 5 free night certificates from DH opening a Marriott card last fall. It was the Swan/Dolphin reservations people who said they couldn't move me because they had no access to the certificates. Tried to call Marriott, got on hold, and gave up because I wasn't sure they would talk to me about his reservation (he was out of town). When I cancelled the certificates showed up immediately for rebooking, which I wasn't expecting!

That's what happened when I canceled. My FNC's were immediately back in my account and are still sitting there. The only time I haven't gotten a canceled night back is when I canceled the day before the cancel policy took effect. I had to call for that, and got it back right away with an extension to use it.

 

[mmmears]

We are headed to the NM resort next week. Any recommendations for any part of NM? We are also planning on hitting Santa Fe, White Sands and Carlsbad.

Sadly, no. That was a trip I had planned out but then we had to cancel our plans due to the shutdown. I had called the resort and they sent me their activity calendar and it sounded (and looked) really nice. If we make it out there, I will definitely stay at that Hyatt though.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Short trip planned for Labor Day week. I cut this down from 7 days to just 3. Drive to Frankenmuth for one night, 2 nights in Traverse City (visit Sleeping Bear Dunes). What is it like in Michigan right now? I am planning on take out food for the most part. Are restaurants open? Thanks.

I've not be in Northern MI this summer, but SE MI, everything is open. Only issue is NO STAFF! My dad went into BWW the other night it was empty but an hour wait because they had 1 cook and 1 waitress. Tonight I saw Chili's was closed at 8pm. I know they no longer open for lunch. Some places close early, some open late, etc. Shockingly, Gretch has been kinda MIA since June when the entire country opened up. You'll wanna check hours but everything is open (well that hasn't closed permanently)

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Sounds like there are a bunch of us sitting on FNC. I wonder if they will be extending again at all. I have 4 Marriott (expire 1/22), 2 IHG (Expire 12/21 and 4/22) and 1 Hilton (expires in 22). I told the BF today we've got a lot of trips to do in the next few months!

Of course if they extended it would be awesome! I'd totally use the 4 Marriott in Feb if I could get them extended even 1 month!

You aren’t a Real Churner if you don’t own something from this MeUndies pack your bags collection

*not a support link lest anyone think otherwise

OMG, I think I need to get these for me and the BF, LOL. He was just telling me this week, he's happy I know so many airport codes so he doesn't have to type them out when he's flying. I joked that I'm going to ace that part of FA training/testing. Though this week he did have a trip and I had to look it up...I now know where MCI is, LOL.