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

[JKalai]

I went to my local Chase branch today to try get the biz checking account set up for the bonus. I was all prepared and then told I have to make an appointment. I will go back on Sat. They said will take an hour. My town only has 8,000 people so it's a smaller branch. I should have just gone 30 minutes away to the bigger city and they might have taken me today.

SO recently switched banks and we tried to do a walk in for opening up a new checking checking account. We were turned away as well and we live in Las Vegas.

 

[AmyAnne]

A little bit of churning frustration for me today... my DH ordered tires from Sam's during their big sale last Sat. I got the email today that they're in, but you pay in store and the only credit card you can use to pay is a Mastercard or Sam's card! What?!? Not sure if it said that when he ordered but I was hoping to use my new SW card to help with MSR. Now to figure out what mastercard to out it on...

Buy Sam's Club gift cards?

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Has anyone booked British Airways to Hawaii? It looks like I can transfer UR's but then I have to call and book over the phone? As the new date release is set for SW on Dec 11th, I need to make a decision. If I stick with SW, that would be going from PDX to somewhere in California.. have a layover.. and then off to Hawaii. So looking at least 9+ hours of travel. If I can somehow book Alaska Airlines with British Airways, then it would be non stop and way less travel time. Can you tell I am not a fan of long flights? 2.5 hours is usually my limit. Thanks!

I've done this, and it's a great deal. We have the Southwest companion pass right now, but otherwise this would be my route to Hawaii. You do have to call in after finding award space on Alaska. The trick is that is has to be the cheapest award fare on Alaska. For me out of Oakland, I think it's the 17.5k one way fare. Once you are sure there is availability call BA and have them book. It's pretty easy and there shouldn't be a booking fee as you can't do it online.

I totally understand about layovers. I just got back from London last night and made the mistake of stopping in Chicago rather than taking the really early direct flight to SFO. I wanted to sleep in a little in London and try out a "nicer" lay flat seat on the LHR to Chicago flight. BIG MISTAKE. The extra travel time was brutal. Of course there was a delay and I didn't get home until almost 7 am UK time. @calypso726 and plane princess will understand the misery of a coach seat for 4 hours after an already long travel day ROFL!!! I used a UA Saver Business award but the Chicago to SFO part never cleared for first. I was on the waitlist at position #24 of over 50!!!! OMG ridiculous. I was supposed to be prioritized as I wasn't technically an "upgrade" but apparently not. The gate agents never get it right. Chicago had also been essentially shut down the day before so it was a zoo. Getting up at 4:30 am would have been much preferable. Lesson learned. The "better" lay flat seat wasn't worth it. Flat is flat!

 

[Samson7256]

Ok how do you book an activity thru here? I can't find anything like that

.

 

[mamathompson]

Just stopping in quick to say thank you for keeping up the news thread! It's so nice when life is too crazy to keep up to be able to do a quick check in.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

I think ticketmaster has a cashback offer via Swagbucks

Cool! I’ll look into that, tonight I plan on trying to get Hamilton tickets during a presale at the Pantages

 

[MountainsAreCalling]

I've done this, and it's a great deal. We have the Southwest companion pass right now, but otherwise this would be my route to Hawaii. You do have to call in after finding award space on Alaska. The trick is that is has to be the cheapest award fare on Alaska. For me out of Oakland, I think it's the 17.5k one way fare. Once you are sure there is availability call BA and have them book. It's pretty easy and there shouldn't be a booking fee as you can't do it online.

I totally understand about layovers. I just got back from London last night and made the mistake of stopping in Chicago rather than taking the really early direct flight to SFO. I wanted to sleep in a little in London and try out a "nicer" lay flat seat on the LHR to Chicago flight. BIG MISTAKE. The extra travel time was brutal. Of course there was a delay and I didn't get home until almost 7 am UK time. @calypso726 and plane princess will understand the misery of a coach seat for 4 hours after an already long travel day ROFL!!! I used a UA Saver Business award but the Chicago to SFO part never cleared for first. I was on the waitlist at position #24 of over 50!!!! OMG ridiculous. I was supposed to be prioritized as I wasn't technically an "upgrade" but apparently not. The gate agents never get it right. Chicago had also been essentially shut down the day before so it was a zoo. Getting up at 4:30 am would have been much preferable. Lesson learned. The "better" lay flat seat wasn't worth it. Flat is flat!

Thanks for the information! I will still have a Southwest companion pass for 2020 so it looks like I will just use that. I will keep the BA trick for future use. The lowest award fare is 15K (in Jan) and 25K in June when we will be going. So it needs to drop to the lowest to book. I wish SW would fly their Hawaii routes non stop from Portland and Seattle!

 

[linzjane88]

Hi Everyone! I started reading Doctor of Credit a few years ago and jumped right into the fun of traveling on points. We usually spend a week at Disneyland every 2 years. Points have also taken us to San Diego and we have our first Hawaii trip planned for next summer. Our home airport is PDX. My travel party consists of Me, DH, and kids (13, 10).

Me
1998? - Capital One
02/16 - CHASE Freedom
05/16 - CHASE Hyatt (closed)
08/16 - CHASE Unlimited
01/17 - CHASE Ink Cash Business
01/18 - CHASE Marriott (will close soon)
05/18 – AMEX Express Hilton
08/18 IHG Premier
11/18 - CHASE Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business (will close in Dec)
11/18 - CHASE Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus (will close in Dec)
07/19 - CHASE Ink Preferred Business

DH
01/16 – CHASE Sapphire Preferred
09/16 - CHASE Freedom
04/17 - CHASE Marriott (closed)
03/18 – CHASE Ink Cash Business (closed)
06/18 - AMEX Express Hilton
02/19 AMEX Hilton Ascend
04/19 CHASE Ink Preferred Business


Has anyone booked British Airways to Hawaii? It looks like I can transfer UR's but then I have to call and book over the phone? As the new date release is set for SW on Dec 11th, I need to make a decision. If I stick with SW, that would be going from PDX to somewhere in California.. have a layover.. and then off to Hawaii. So looking at least 9+ hours of travel. If I can somehow book Alaska Airlines with British Airways, then it would be non stop and way less travel time. Can you tell I am not a fan of long flights? 2.5 hours is usually my limit. Thanks!

I just did about 2 weeks ago for the 3rd time! I fly out of pdx too so our options with URs and British Airways that can be handy are the direct Alaska flights to Hawaii and to Orlando... 12.5 k Avios each way. The available flights you can find on Alaskas website and as long it is the lowest fare available and a direct flight you can book it (for Alaska is the ones that cost 17.5 k miles) via phone. It's annoying having to call but BA reps are very nice and polite so it makes it easy. I don't transfer the UR to Avios until I'm on the phone and the rep confirms they have the flight available that I want. Once they do I send them over and it's an instant transfer so have the rep refresh and your miles are there for the booking. They don't charge you the reservation fee to book because you literally can't do it online. I've never had them try but I'm case you get a newby or something,just know the only thing you have to pay is the usual taxes ($11.20 for a round trip).

Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[kmc8826]

I don't have a Biz Gold anymore but I've tried from two other of my cards in incognito. Hesitant to try any more of mine - I'm not sure if that's on the RAT's radar or not (I would think not but who knows). I might have to reset my reddit password so I can try the links there in incognito.

Definitely don’t self refer. I am really worried about being shut down after doing it two times earlier this year. I was able to refer DH to a personal Gold about 2 months ago with the 50k offer. Copied and pasted the link into incognito.

My Amex gold annual fee hit today. I am definitely keeping the card. It's my oldest card. I just wonder if it's worth calling for a retention offer.

I got a retention of 20k MR’s with $3000 spend. There was also an offer of a reduction on AF (I don’t remember details on it). Definitely call.

 

[trenty]

It’s ok - I’m just having some fun with Trenty and Alt-Trenty. Perhaps that other user is your evil twin!!

So your memory is correct. While I can log in using trenty34, I cannot post or anyting and get a message that my PW was compromised....I guess I switched over to distrenty. I vaguely remember having this discussion with you now. Thanks again

 

[PolyRob]

@wendow so sorry to hear about the abysmal help from Disney+! Have you tried Twitter support? There is a specific account for Disney+ help: https://twitter.com/disneyplushelp?lang=en

I'd get those ridiculous wait times publicly posted. I have a feeling someone may be more willing to help.

 

[MountainsAreCalling]

I just did about 2 weeks ago for the 3rd time! I fly out of pdx too so our options with URs and British Airways that can be handy are the direct Alaska flights to Hawaii and to Orlando... 12.5 k Avios each way. The available flights you can find on Alaskas website and as long it is the lowest fare available and a direct flight you can book it (for Alaska is the ones that cost 17.5 k miles) via phone. It's annoying having to call but BA reps are very nice and polite so it makes it easy. I don't transfer the UR to Avios until I'm on the phone and the rep confirms they have the flight available that I want. Once they do I send them over and it's an instant transfer so have the rep refresh and your miles are there for the booking. They don't charge you the reservation fee to book because you literally can't do it online. I've never had them try but I'm case you get a newby or something,just know the only thing you have to pay is the usual taxes ($11.20 for a round trip).

Let me know if you have more questions.

Thanks! We have never been to Orlando and this will open up more options for free airfare. The BA credit card bonus is one I might look into in the future just to take a break from Chase. So 17.5k is what BA considers the lowest fare for award booking to Hawaii and Orlando?

 

[PolyRob]

Just when I thought I had my Barclays online account under control, it boggles my mind. One account is showing a $0 balance and the other is showing about $350. Why? I paid off everything I have charged on my card + the AF. I even double checked on my spreadsheet. Should I just overpay the thing?

 

[smmco]

Yeah, I’m a boomer, barely, and @SouthFayetteFan is not even close. In fact I’m guessing his parents might be boomers But he still lives in their basement, or so I’ve heard.

That is quite an upgrade.

Went to college eons ago and it wasn’t cheap then. I mean it’s more expensive now, but when I graduated the first job I was offered was $7 per hour. So it wasn’t exactly paying the bills then either.

This is when DS noped out of the rest of the SW movies. He just hates to watch violence. He doesn’t mind reading about it though and is currently obsessed with reading all about every war the US has participated in. He’s up to WWI. I totally don’t understand how he can read about it but apparently his imagination is less graphic than the movies.

It was cheap compared to what it is now. My brother graduated from Cal Tech{ yes that Cal Tech} in the 80's and my parents paid 6k a year. Fast Forward..... and thanks to his Cal Tech education and high paying job he made enough to put both his kids through college debt-free. It only cost him 300k.
I graduated in the 90's it was still pretty cheap. It cost my parents about 15k for 4 years. I went to a normal in-state university.

 

[wendow]

@wendow so sorry to hear about the abysmal help from Disney+! Have you tried Twitter support? There is a specific account for Disney+ help: https://twitter.com/disneyplushelp?lang=en

I'd get those ridiculous wait times publicly posted. I have a feeling someone may be more willing to help.

I did contact twitter through that account. It's been 8 hours and nothing from them.

My dh sat on the chat hold for almost 9 hours and then had to pack up and leave. No one ever showed up. Guess who is babysitting Disney+ chat right now?? Been over an hour so far.

 

[wendow]

Just when I thought I had my Barclays online account under control, it boggles my mind. One account is showing a $0 balance and the other is showing about $350. Why? I paid off everything I have charged on my card + the AF. I even double checked on my spreadsheet. Should I just overpay the thing?

Mine is still BarCray-cray too! I paid the balance of the two accounts combined and now I have a credit on one and still owe on the other lol!

 

[PolyRob]

I did contact twitter through that account. It's been 8 hours and nothing from them.

My dh sat on the chat hold for almost 9 hours and then had to pack up and leave. No one ever showed up. Guess who is babysitting Disney+ chat right now?? Been over an hour so far.

This is absolutely ridiculous! I know Disney IT can be terrible, but the lack of service is outrageous! So sorry you are dealing with this

 

[PolyRob]

Mine is still BarCray-cray too! I paid the balance of the two accounts combined and now I have a credit on one and still owe on the other lol!

That is what I think I will do. $350 isn't that much all things considered. I will just eventually use up the credit. I just want $0 across the board

 

[1st*toright]

Well, the first episode opens in a cantina with some thugs terrorizing another patron, the Mandalorian comes in like a gunslinger in a spaghetti western, a fight ensues and ends with one of the thugs sliced in half by an iris doorway closing on him.

That’s all in the first 5 minutes. It gets tamer from there.

There is a lot of laser blasters and people dying, so if that would be a problem, then I might avoid it. There wasn't anything sexual in the first episode, but not sure if that will change with later episodes.

I think if you are fine with your children watching the original trilogy, you should be fine with The Mandalorian (so far). IMO there have been more brutal scenes in the OT such as Luke's hand getting chopped off and his aunt and uncle getting burnt to a crisp.

Thank you all for your input. Sci Fi violence doesn't bother us too much, but we haven't watched the last of the prequels because the Anikin's mom stuff is upsetting and him getting burned to a crisp is kinda gross. I think we will have to watch the series without her and then go back if its ok - if there is any question, I'd prefer to vet it ahead of time.

This is when DS noped out of the rest of the SW movies. He just hates to watch violence. He doesn’t mind reading about it though and is currently obsessed with reading all about every war the US has participated in. He’s up to WWI. I totally don’t understand how he can read about it but apparently his imagination is less graphic than the movies.

This is interesting because I have a higher tolerance for violent movies than violent/upsetting books. I can shut my eyes to a movie, but can't take back a sentence I just read

 

[wendow]

This is absolutely ridiculous! I know Disney IT can be terrible, but the lack of service is outrageous! So sorry you are dealing with this

Thank you. It is really ridiculous! I'm frustrated and angry with them. And my kids are sad