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

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Congrats @Haley R
Great rule to have, coming from someone who once asked "when's the baby due?" while juggling 4 kids in Houston heat at a soccer tournament and there is/was no way another is joining this family. Never wore that dress again! Happy to say I have finally lost all that weight as well.
I was asked once (I have never been pregnant 😣 ) and it was uncomfortable at best. But I have one friend who was pregnant 3 times. She always lamented how she was frequently asked if she was pregnant when she wasn’t but never asked when she actually was (she always lost weight during her pregnancies especially at the beginning)
 
I posted this before with no responses but need a little help with DLR planning.
I’d like to have 1 or 2 ADRs. DS is good with a character meal (no princesses) and wants Mickey and Pluto. Does Goofy’s have Mickey & Pluto?
Thoughts on parades? Any shows? We will likely do WOC dessert party, we did last time.
Must do’s? Tagging @Lain @gottalovepluto and @Albort for any help you can offer.
 
And this reminds me that I've got to start collecting the girl's xmas stuff, and birthday as one has a bd dec 31, and the other is mid January. Oh my! I've been browsing in Costco, Sam's and BJ's and other than advent calendars - they have lego ones, haven't seen anything that blows me away. What are 3 and 4 year olds getting that's hot this year? They will just be turning 3 and 4.
Last year I made DS’s out of the little Chinese takeout boxes and it was the best one ever! I found small items to put in them, wrapped them all individually and stuck them on foam board in the shape of a tree. I am going this route again since he had so much fun with it last year.
 
And this reminds me that I've got to start collecting the girl's xmas stuff, and birthday as one has a bd dec 31, and the other is mid January. Oh my! I've been browsing in Costco, Sam's and BJ's and other than advent calendars - they have lego ones, haven't seen anything that blows me away. What are 3 and 4 year olds getting that's hot this year? They will just be turning 3 and 4.
My DD is asking for a doll house. I think I might get the huge one at Costco. She also wants a battery powered princess carraige ride-on vehicle. She has outgrown her small battery powered vehicle she got her first Christmas, so maybe will do that too.
Otherwise she really likes baby dolls and pretending right now...little people sets, dress up, etc.
 


I was busy this morning. DH applied for and was approved for the Hyatt card (thank you @DisneyMandC ) and I booked our European trip in business class for 260k United miles and $280 round trip. The connections are a bit wonky, but doable (I hope). Does anyone have any idea how to book seats on partner airlines?
 
:rolleyes1 just for fun...what's more valuable..... 58,500 aa miles, or 38,276 UR? I see the throwaway room on both sites I like.... those are the prices (rate on that night is 580-something!!!:scared1: ) so I'm guessing it's gonna be a busy day there..... UR is fully cancellable,aa not so much (I don't think) wwyd? One note, I don't value the aa miles very much (hello 60k for one silly purchase) but I highly value the Ur's (even if only inside my head)
I think AA have the best value when used for flights. I don’t think I’d ever use AA miles for a room unless I just had a whole bunch of them.
 
@calypso726 - Safe travels. When you are back, can you please explain how your travel insurance is helping you with all of this? Asking because I do buy it every time we go abroad, but they told me that since the flights were booked on points they don't give a refund on them.

We will be filing the claim with relevant receipts and documentation when we get back. The flight booked with miles will be refunded by AA since JAL cancelled the flight along with the taxes. The miles will go back to my account. I won’t need to include this with the claim since I didn’t lose anything. We booked the outgoing flight with a CSR to get the 3x and the cost of those two business class tix, the cab ride, the hotel and the flight from NYC back home is what we will be claiming.
 


We will be filing the claim with relevant receipts and documentation when we get back. The flight booked with miles will be refunded by AA since JAL cancelled the flight along with the taxes. The miles will go back to my account. I won’t need to include this with the claim since I didn’t lose anything. We booked the outgoing flight with a CSR to get the 3x and the cost of those two business class tix, the cab ride, the hotel and the flight from NYC back home is what we will be claiming.

So the insurance will pay for the cash business class seats? That's something I've been trying to figure out. (As in, what happens if our flight is canceled or we miss it for some real reason). I bought Allianz with cancel for any reason for next summer since we have aging parents and other issues and the price of the cruise is just too much for me to lose if we can't go.
 
I was busy this morning. DH applied for and was approved for the Hyatt card (thank you @DisneyMandC ) and I booked our European trip in business class for 260k United miles and $280 round trip. The connections are a bit wonky, but doable (I hope). Does anyone have any idea how to book seats on partner airlines?

Congrats on the card and booking the flights!!! I can't help with choosing seats, but just wanted to congratulate you. It feels so good to have that part taken care of when I'm planning a trip.
 
When I saw the typhoon was coming I was able to change our Sunday flight to Saturday. I was still trying to find flights out on Friday using miles with no success.

Then, my Saturday flight and all other flights on ANA or JAL were cancelled for the weekend. I read that over 1600 flights were cancelled. Once that happened, combined with the news reporting about a super typhoon that would be as strong as the one that killed 1200 people back in 1958 coming directly for us, I figured I shouldn’t have a problem with the trip insurance we purchased for the ABD covering an escape plan.

I found same day business class flights for Friday out of Narita (90 minutes away from the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel) with a 5 hour connection in Shanghai. Ww could make it if we left the hotel right away and it would allow a cushion of time to get there early and a buffer for whatever chaos would be happening at the airport. We called China Eastern to book but their ticket office was closed. So we booked it on Expedia. There’s a reason beyond being married to PlanePrincess that I chose business class seats and I will get to that in a bit. Also trip insurance helped with that decision too.

The airport bus transportation wasn’t due to arrive for another 40 minutes so we opted to take a cab. The cab was spacious and immaculate and the seats had what could best be described as fancy white doilies covering them. It was rather charming. I chalked it up to the universe providing me with much needed amusement during a rather stressful morning.

Our flight was for 1:50 pm and the check in counter for that flight was not going to open until 11 am. We made it there little after 10:30 am. I wanted to get there early because I wasn’t sure if we even really had tickets since we booked on Expedia. We only had a confirmation number nothing else. I didn’t know if the flight might be oversold due to all the cancellations. I also knew the airport might be in chaos.

The economy line for check in was already 50 deep. The business class line only had 2 people ahead of us. Since I don’t speak the language I am not sure what was happening while the agent was trying to get us boarding passes. It took forever. The agents on either side of us had a number of people check in get boarding passes and leave while we waited on pins and needles for our gate agent to issue boarding passes. Our agent not only made a phone call but she also had two different people come over to help. I was sweating bullets thinking our Expedia confirmation was not going to fly, no pun intended, and we wouldn’t get boarding passes or on the flight. After what seemed an eternity she was able to get them to issue and print.

We made our way to the lounge and eventually our flight to Shanghai. Thank goodness we had a 5 layover. Our flight sat on the tarmac for over an hour before being able to take off. I knew the airport would be a mess.

Once we arrived in Shanghai I called the MiraCosta and Disneyland hotel to cancel our next two nights. They said they’d refund us and then after much misunderstanding back and forth I was informed that my car keys were at the hotel. Sigh.

We were able to fastpass our way through security at PVG in their VIP line thanks to flying in business class. Good thing too because the other lines were super long.

Once we were sitting in the lounge we booked a one night stay at a Fairfield that included breakfast near JFK. We called to let them know we’d be arriving very late and to please add notes to the reservation about that and not give away the room. We also requested a late checkout and after explaining where we were coming from and why, they gave us a 4 pm checkout. Rather nice to say Bonvoy! and not to have been Bonvoyed.

We got to the hotel and I booked our flights back home for Saturday afternoon. So, I am getting back a day early. AA never sent me a flight cancellation notice. I got the alert from TripIt Pro. I had to call AA this evening and inform them that JAL cancelled our flight. They will be redepositing the miles and refunding the taxes and fees.

So under the circumstances I am glad we had trip insurance for our ABD. I am also glad that we had the coverage dates fixed for the entire trip, not just the ABD part of it. It’s definitely something to think about for international travel. I also realized how our penchant for using miles to book the comfy seats also has other perks beyond comfort.

I’m quoting myself to add a few more thoughts. Bear in mind it was 2 am and I was exhausted when I was writing so it’s possible some of my thoughts may not have come across as intended. When I mention travel insurance and booking in businesses, I don’t mean to suggest that anyone should be doing that as their norm. I know we all have different travel styles and many prefer not to waste points to travel that way and some are slower churners or are booking for more than a party of two. I specifically meant that if that is your norm, but you find yourself in a situation like we had where trip insurance will cover your emergency flight out in business class then go for it. I know some may not think of that option if they normally book in coach. This is what I was trying to get across.
 
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So the insurance will pay for the cash business class seats? That's something I've been trying to figure out. (As in, what happens if our flight is canceled or we miss it for some real reason). I bought Allianz with cancel for any reason for next summer since we have aging parents and other issues and the price of the cruise is just too much for me to lose if we can't go.

It depends on the policy. As best as we can tell after speaking with the insurance agent we should be covered. The flight was cancelled by the airline. There was a disaster heading our way and evacuation was the best way to avoid danger to life. Are we 100% certain? No. But it reasonable to expect under our specific circumstances we will be covered. The policy covers the cost of the ABD and then some. I chose flights and seats that were far less than the total of the policy but still spendy because the airlines were price gouging. I saw some coach seats going for more than what we paid in business and I saw business seats that were nearly 4 times the cost of our seats.
 
It depends on the policy. As best as we can tell after speaking with the insurance agent we should be covered. The flight was cancelled by the airline. There was a disaster heading our way and evacuation was the best way to avoid danger to life. Are we 100% certain? No. But it reasonable to expect under our specific circumstances we will be covered. The policy covers the cost of the ABD and then some. I chose flights and seats that were far less than the total of the policy but still spendy because the airlines were price gouging. I saw some coach seats going for more than what we paid in business and I saw business seats that were nearly 4 times the cost of our seats.

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain. I'll have to look into our policy I guess. It's something that's worried me all along (what if there is a strike, etc?) and why we purchase insurance. DH and I don't want to sound dramatic but 12+ hour flights aren't something we are willing to do in economy at this point, but we can't just purchase some of those $10K seats either. I don't insure every trip this way (last month's week in Oslo was one that I didn't insure like this) but those DCL cruises in Europe and the private tours we book over there is another story.
 
That is what I did. AA miles for hotels. URs for tickets. SW CP and RR points for flights. Just paying for food and drinks.

Tried voodoo doughnuts for breakfast today. Yummmm yummmm.
We are doing this at Christmas. AA miles for 2 nights at RPR, 3-day Park-to-Park tickets with ur, and flights with sw rr points/cp. buying gift cards at Kroger for food.
 
I posted this before with no responses but need a little help with DLR planning.
I’d like to have 1 or 2 ADRs. DS is good with a character meal (no princesses) and wants Mickey and Pluto. Does Goofy’s have Mickey & Pluto?
Thoughts on parades? Any shows? We will likely do WOC dessert party, we did last time.
Must do’s? Tagging @Lain @gottalovepluto and @Albort for any help you can offer.
I'm right there with you. I'm starting to plan meals now and 1-2 ADRs seems about perfect for my crew. From what I've read, I think Cafe Orleans and a gluten free Monte Cristo is a must.

My biggest hold up is the boy who's diet currently consists of taquitos, mini tacos, Amy's frozen enchiladas and Chipotle. This kid may just starve.
 
Quoting myself because I don't want to buy the GCs if they don't count. Anyone?

I am pretty sure they don’t count. If you want to increase your chances of it working out in some other options as well (filler items) so it is not just gift cards you are getting.
 
I was busy this morning. DH applied for and was approved for the Hyatt card (thank you @DisneyMandC ) and I booked our European trip in business class for 260k United miles and $280 round trip. The connections are a bit wonky, but doable (I hope). Does anyone have any idea how to book seats on partner airlines?
I booked Air Canada through United and received both United and Air Canada confirmation numbers. I went to the Air Canada site, entered that number, and discovered that we had been assigned our seats for both legs. I do need to call in to be able to change the seats (need to double check with seatguru and flyertalk first).
 
Used my amex offer at staples and had the email before I left the store. Nice to get 100 for 75 in dis gc.

Usee my offer for dell last night using the link from the offer and and no email yet. So hoping it worked and I don't have to ask for it. Was able to use the 27 in dell rewards towards the garmin as well. Wasn't on sale but had free shipping at least for the faster that'll get it here friday instead of the following week. So weird it takes so long. Expedited would have only gotten it here a day earlier.
 
MY ORIGINAL QUESTION "On one of my Amex cards I have a spend $500 get $100 back at Universalorlando.com. It says it excludes single tickets, but has anyone who has added this offer to your Amex account had success receiving the credit for ONLY tickets? I know there has been several variations of this offer and just wondering of anyone has had success. "




So to report back. I went through the link on the Amex page and bought 3 of the tickets I needed. It came out to about $535. I did NOT get the "Congrats you used your offer" email that is normal. It posted as UNIV STUDIOS ONLINE TICKETS. I called a couple days later when the credit didn't post and asked the agent if I did qualify, as the offer was set to expire. She put me on hold to research. 10 minutes later she came back on and connected me to someone who was an agent that handles these offers. He said normally I'd have to wait 6-8 weeks but since I've been a member since 1997 yada yada yada he'd expedite. The $100 credit hit my account today.

The offer expires today so anyone who is planning on buying Universal tickets from them and has the offer might as well give it a try. I think I got lucky but didn't have to twist their arm to get them to credit my account. YMMV
You definitely got lucky.
 
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