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

[shairpdrh]

We changed our password yesterday.

We did the same. Better than waiting to find out all of the details, I guess.

I read the BBC article that @Jen and Ashwin linked, which showed Disney+ accounts for sale on the dark web for about half the cost of it from Disney.
If indeed hacking did occur, Disney will have to deal with it soon. You can't take $140 from thousands of people and not provide access. I'm curious how @wendow 's next call will go. The scary part is that the article alluded to the fact that Disney has a one password set up. You log into DVC and MDE with the same username and password and there is no option for 2 part authentication. Several of my credit cards and my bank accounts are offering this feature now. I've avoided it just because of the extra hassle. Now I'm considering it. I also have unique passwords but don't have a password manager. It's pretty cumbersome to say the least.

I don't love using two factor authentication, but I use it when offered and appreciate the extra level of protection it provides.

 

[havaneselover]

I cannot find any GE appointments in Richmond. So I grabbed two at Dulles once the kids get out of school. I'll tie it in with taking my son to the National Air and Space Museum. Wish these appointments weren't so hard to come by. Had no issue getting DD's in Richmond.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Make your reservation even if it's 50 minutes apart and SHOW UP all together. If you wait too long there will be nothing at all. Also, look at tables for 2, 3, 4 even if it is just three you need.

I had a conversation with the hosts and manager at Ale and Compass about bringing my party there in February. There could be up to 12 of us. What they stressed was to get a reservation. They also pointed out how they could put tables together to get larger parties seated. Seven is not a huge party.

I second this. I had a party of nine for Mama Melrose last month. It was the only place that I couldn't get a reservation for all 9 of us at once, so I booked reservations for 5 and 4 separately. Once we arrived, we told them and they put tables together to allow us to all sit as a larger group. Worked perfectly.

 

[Judique]

I'm jumping in not caught up from yesterday, but looking for opinions from concert people. I know there's a few here

I have about an hour to decide what tickets I want to look for on a band presale. We don't do concerts much so I'm torn on location/price point. Based on other concerts in this tour the floor seats and first few stadium sections closest to the stage will be about $130 each so after TM fees I'm guessing $150. The next best seats are around $90+fees and it goes as low as $40+fees for the real nose bleeds.

Since this will be a Christmas present I won't be going nose bleeds this time but can't decide if seeing the band with my own eyes versus Jumbotron is worth $150 a ticket. We've been spoiled a bit since last few concerts and shows we've had really good seats either through luck (lucked into floor seats on one since the artist sold every seat in the house at one price) or a small venue or presale discounts. This time no discounts so trying to decide if it's really that bad being a peasant again.

It's not an idol or super fandom, it's just one of the few bands hubby would like to see in person at least once. And since we have the SW CP for next year and they're playing in a city we've wanted to visit, I've decided we'll just jet off to see them So tickets will be cash (but going towards MSR at least) and the rest of the trip will be brought to you by Chase, AmEx and possibly Discover

So WWYD? I personally like to keep it less than $100 a ticket after all the fees and whatnot so I just can't decide if it's worth paying the extra for the better seats.

My daughter would twist my arm and make me buy the good seats.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I read the BBC article that @Jen and Ashwin linked, which showed Disney+ accounts for sale on the dark web for about half the cost of it from Disney.
If indeed hacking did occur, Disney will have to deal with it soon. You can't take $140 from thousands of people and not provide access. I'm curious how @wendow 's next call will go. The scary part is that the article alluded to the fact that Disney has a one password set up. You log into DVC and MDE with the same username and password and there is no option for 2 part authentication. Several of my credit cards and my bank accounts are offering this feature now. I've avoided it just because of the extra hassle. Now I'm considering it. I also have unique passwords but don't have a password manager. It's pretty cumbersome to say the least.

I use 1 Password for my password management and have found it to be really easy. My parents bought a family plan and we are all using it, so it isn't costing me anything. It did take me some time to set everything up, but I worked at it slowly. I did all of my financial accounts over a few hours all at once. Then, as I went to different websites, like an e-commerce site or such, I would change the password. The next time I went to another website, I would change it and so on. Now, most of the sites that I use regularly have been changed.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I use 1 Password for my password management and have found it to be really easy. My parents bought a family plan and we are all using it, so it isn't costing me anything. It did take me some time to set everything up, but I worked at it slowly. I did all of my financial accounts over a few hours all at once. Then, as I went to different websites, like an e-commerce site or such, I would change the password. The next time I went to another website, I would change it and so on. Now, most of the sites that I use regularly have been changed.

Yep this is us, too. I really like it. I’m about half way through changing all my passwords.

 

[miztressuz]

I am really confused about the Marriott cards now. I got a Chase Marriott personal card in April 2017 and closed it after the first year. I currently have the Amex Bonvoy Business card (applied as the SPG Business card) which I got in April 2018. When might I be eligible for a bonus on the Chase Bonvoy Brilliant card? Reading through the fine print makes my head spin and I feel like I would have to draw myself a diagram to fully understand it.

You're in luck, FM originally did a chart so you could visualize the restrictions but as far as I can tell they haven't updated to include the new Chase Bold card. TPG did here though - https://thepointsguy.com/guide/eligibility-chart-marriott-bonvoy-cards/

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I took some time to reread the rules and it looks like the Amex business card shuts out the Chase Boundless and Bold options.
Eligibility for the new cardmember bonus: The bonus is not available to you if you:

• are a current cardmember, or were a previous cardmember within the last 30 days, of Marriott BonvoyTM American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express);
• are a current or previous cardmember of either Marriott Bonvoy BusinessTM American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express) or Marriott Bonvoy BrilliantTM American Express® Card (also known as the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card), and received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus in the last 24 months; or
• applied and were approved for Marriott Bonvoy BusinessTM American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express) or Marriott Bonvoy BrilliantTM American Express® Card (also known as the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card) within the last 90 days.

It looks like he's eligible for the Amex Marriott Brilliant at this time. I will have to go back and reread my response to you, because I think I alluded that you could get the Boundless.
These are the rules for getting the Brilliant. It does not mention the Amex Biz card which he has.

Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product or the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.

Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) have or have had The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card from JPMorgan or the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 24 months.

As you can see (or read) Amex Biz does not exclude the Brilliant.

So it seems like we would both be eligible for just the Brilliant card then since we both have gotten the Bonvoy Business in the last 24 months. I will be keeping my eye out for a high SUB then. Thanks.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Just an update on my Best Buy Airpod Pro order. I got them last Friday (safely hidden away from DH) and the $30 Amex offer has already credited. I also have $45.75 pending at RMN. This means that I got the full 15% on the Airpods as well as the $55 in gift cards that I added to my order to hit the $300 minimum for the Amex offer. This brought the Airpods down to $189. DH is going to be really surprised when he opens his stocking.

 

[DaveL]

I haven't opened my Disney+ app since day 1 (no time) now I am afraid to do so. I wonder if I was hacked too? Pretty nuts to think the entire platform might have been hacked as @Judique theorizes above.

I can only hope that once they get into my account they pay off the balance on my June trip.

 

[Judique]

You're in luck, FM originally did a chart so you could visualize the restrictions but as far as I can tell they haven't updated to include the new Chase Bold card. TPG did here though - https://thepointsguy.com/guide/eligibility-chart-marriott-bonvoy-cards/

Maybe it's just me but I couldn't make heads or tails out of this chart. It refers to cards you've had and cards you want, but doesn't mention cards you may want to keep. @Lain you are good at putting a perspective on this.

So, one thing has occurred to me. For someone who is comfortable with ditching all the Amex's, Chase could be the best option going forward as every 2 years you could get a signup bonus and a free night each year. That is if you are willing to forego the free nights each year from multiple cards and are happy with just a 35K certificate. I feel as if I need a 50K or greater certificate along with my 35K's and really want another 50K option. (Still thinking of the Ritz card but the time has not come to get it yet.) This would also assume 5/24 eligibility.

 

[wdwcindy]

Hi,

I am looking for the best 0% balance transfer card with the lowest transfer fee. I am 3/24 and I am in AMEX popup jail.

Thoughts?

Thanks!!

 

[elgerber]

Maybe it's just me but I couldn't make heads or tails out of this chart. It refers to cards you've had and cards you want, but doesn't mention cards you may want to keep. @Lain you are good at putting a perspective on this.

So, one thing has occurred to me. For someone who is comfortable with ditching all the Amex's, Chase could be the best option going forward as every 2 years you could get a signup bonus and a free night each year. That is if you are willing to forego the free nights each year from multiple cards and are happy with just a 35K certificate. I feel as if I need a 50K or greater certificate along with my 35K's and really want another 50K option. (Still thinking of the Ritz card but the time has not come to get it yet.) This would also assume 5/24 eligibility.

I was just looking at this chart, it made my head hurt. I know I am 24 months out from the SPG Biz, next Spring, so I am just assuming to wait until then to even attempt any more Bonvoy cards.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Hi,

I am looking for the best 0% balance transfer card with the lowest transfer fee. I am 3/24 and I am in AMEX popup jail.

Thoughts?

Thanks!!

There are 3 cards that I know that have 0% balance transfers with no fees. The BoA BankAmericard, the Chase Stale, and the American Express Everyday.

 

[mmmears]

LAX-SYD- Qantas F Class for 3- 407k MRs w/ 20% bonus (488.4k total)
SYD-BWI- United Biz Polaris (to LAX) and Economy (LAX-IAD/DEN-BWI)- 240k URs transferred to United (80k Biz Saver)—-Still need to book

I still need to get us to LAX but that will probably just be on SW RR + CP.

Fantastic! And thank you for sharing the numbers with me. Looks like it would almost wipe us out, points wise, which is what I expected but then I think about how it's 2 trips to Europe for about the same... I really appreciate this info. And have a great trip! I went there years ago (both A & NZ) and it was awesome!

ETA - the night you wrote about the koala sanctuary it came up on my FB feed. Someone I went to college with knows the person who started the org and she was trying to help fundraise for it. It felt like the universe was telling me to look going back to Australia even though I had never heard about that sanctuary until that day. I also wasn't planning any stops between Cairns and SYD, but now maybe I should.

 

[miztressuz]

My daughter would twist my arm and make me buy the good seats.

Well Ticketmaster helped with that decision some. Every time I tried to buy the good seats I got the "Sorry another customer has already sniped you" error so after 30 minutes of refreshing finally got some in the "biz" class price range rather than "first". And even those it was a fight for too since TM started giving a general error message and I had to reenter the queue... then they thought I was a bot! As usual crazy amount of ticket fees but with the step down in tickets I'm only a few dollars over budget.

So now that I'm committed - both to the show and probably an institution - I guess I have to start researching hotels!

 

[mmmears]

Ours:
EWR-Vancouver-SYD Air Canada biz class 90K UR pp transferred to United
SYD-IAH-EWR United Polaris biz to IAH, economy to EWR 80K UR pp transferred to United

(and I still can't believe we're going to Australia!)

Ooh thank you for sharing, too! This is great info to have. I hope you have a fabulous trip!

 

[wendow]

Seems to me that everyone but Disney is reporting that the Disney+ accounts have been hacked. They will have to respond about this pretty soon. Didn't one of your calls result in advice to shut down your account and open a new one? That would lead me to believe that they realize they've been hacked but haven't got authorization on how to fix it yet. And, it's scary that they are so backward with their IT technology. Safeguarding your customer base should be their number one agenda since that's where the profits come from.

Yes, they wanted us to cancel the subscription and start up another one. Which I am 100% okay with but I want them to fix the pricing. So far, we've not spoken or chatted with anyone on the Disney+ side that I feel competent enough to trust them to do that.
And yeah, considering how Disney uses the 'one login' model and they force you into that, this should concern all of us who have sensitive info stored in our disney accounts!

 

[mmmears]

I use 1 Password for my password management and have found it to be really easy. My parents bought a family plan and we are all using it, so it isn't costing me anything. It did take me some time to set everything up, but I worked at it slowly. I did all of my financial accounts over a few hours all at once. Then, as I went to different websites, like an e-commerce site or such, I would change the password. The next time I went to another website, I would change it and so on. Now, most of the sites that I use regularly have been changed.

We use it here, too. DH is the one who insisted, DD is really good about it, and I'm doing my best to keep up. We started years ago, but only got into this credit card thing 1.5 years ago and DH says there is no way he could even do it if he wasn't using 1Password.

 

[wendow]

Make your reservation even if it's 50 minutes apart and SHOW UP all together. If you wait too long there will be nothing at all. Also, look at tables for 2, 3, 4 even if it is just three you need.

I had a conversation with the hosts and manager at Ale and Compass about bringing my party there in February. There could be up to 12 of us. What they stressed was to get a reservation. They also pointed out how they could put tables together to get larger parties seated. Seven is not a huge party.

Thanks! I'll go ahead and book the one that is 45 mins later (it's the closest we can get).