I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[newski_mom]

Back from our Banff trip last weekend. Most beautiful place I've ever been to! Flew into Calgary Thursday evening on WestJet on Delta points transferred from Amex. Stayed on FNC near the airport in a Residence Inn that was clean and comfortable. Drove up to Lake Louise on Friday. We had booked the Fairmont through Amex FHR. Our room was ready by 10:30 am! Unexpected but appreciated. They also gave us late checkout on Saturday at 4:00pm, also unexpected but came in useful! We loved the Fairmont LL. Great customer service and what a magical location. Enjoyed Morraine Lake and the easy lake shore path and canoes at Lake Louise. I went hiking on Saturday with with DS and DDIL at a few stops along the Icefields parkway while DH enjoyed the resort and watched the British Open.
We headed to the Fairmont Banff for Saturday and Sunday. Booked through Chase Fine Hotels. I've decided I like the Amex perks better. No late check out offered on Monday. Overall, customer service was lacking. We did have a nice room with a great view. Bathroom was tiny but adequate. Enjoyed the spa on Sunday with the mineral pool and outdoor hot tub. Golfed on Monday and enjoyed views on every hole. Headed back to Calgary and stayed at the Hyatt Place also on a free night.
Overall a great trip. Fairmont LL totally worth the splurge. Not sure I feel the same way about the Banff Fairmont. For us, 4 days in the area was perfect.

I'm a newbie at booking through partner airlines, but we're wanting to plan a trip to Banff - so did you book your flight on Delta's website, but you were WestJet planes? Or do you use your Delta points on WestJet's site to book?

 

[Sheree]

You have to type in the password. While there is an app that integrates with my iPhone, there is not one on my TV. So, I pull up the pw on my Bitwarden app on my phone and type it in on the screen. For pw I find myself having to type in like that I tend to turn the symbols off in generation and just put like one in there myself for ease of typing on TV. (You can store any pw you want, you don’t have to use their generated pw.)

@CyndiLouWho

thank you
so i could use the ones i have for hulu, disney etc so i don't have to redo all my tvs, ipad, phone etc! i thought it always auto generated so i was concerned

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

thank you
so i could use the ones i have for hulu, disney etc so i don't have to redo all my tvs, ipad, phone etc! i thought it always auto generated so i was concerned

You can have Bitwarden generate a password for you or you can tell it your password. It's just a password storage system.

When I started the process, I went through my accounts one by one and added each to Bitwarden, organizing by folder as I went. I also took the opportunity to change my passwords for stronger ones generated by Bitwarden. Yeah, it's a pain to change it on multiple devices for streaming services and the like, but it's worth it imo (unless your existing password is already randomized or pretty strong).

 

[Psychodisney]

I'm a newbie at booking through partner airlines, but we're wanting to plan a trip to Banff - so did you book your flight on Delta's website, but you were WestJet planes? Or do you use your Delta points on WestJet's site to book?

Transferred to Delta and booked on the Delta website. Flight was operated by Westjet. My reservation showed on the Delta website. When it was time to check in, the Delta website redirected me to Westjet.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Back from our Banff trip last weekend. Most beautiful place I've ever been to! Flew into Calgary Thursday evening on WestJet on Delta points transferred from Amex. Stayed on FNC near the airport in a Residence Inn that was clean and comfortable. Drove up to Lake Louise on Friday. We had booked the Fairmont through Amex FHR. Our room was ready by 10:30 am! Unexpected but appreciated. They also gave us late checkout on Saturday at 4:00pm, also unexpected but came in useful! We loved the Fairmont LL. Great customer service and what a magical location. Enjoyed Morraine Lake and the easy lake shore path and canoes at Lake Louise. I went hiking on Saturday with with DS and DDIL at a few stops along the Icefields parkway while DH enjoyed the resort and watched the British Open.
We headed to the Fairmont Banff for Saturday and Sunday. Booked through Chase Fine Hotels. I've decided I like the Amex perks better. No late check out offered on Monday. Overall, customer service was lacking. We did have a nice room with a great view. Bathroom was tiny but adequate. Enjoyed the spa on Sunday with the mineral pool and outdoor hot tub. Golfed on Monday and enjoyed views on every hole. Headed back to Calgary and stayed at the Hyatt Place also on a free night.
Overall a great trip. Fairmont LL totally worth the splurge. Not sure I feel the same way about the Banff Fairmont. For us, 4 days in the area was perfect.

Thanks for the trip report. Banff is definitely on our list and this makes me want to go even more. I prefer weather in the 60s if possible, so we'll have to look at when that lines up.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Can someone refresh my memory... Can you now use Airbnb gift cards to pay off your balance? I know they could only be used on the first payment previously, but I swear a few months back this might've changed?

ETA: If yes, do I just add it to my account and it'll pull from there automatically? Or do I need to specifically add the gift card when I go in to make the second payment manually?

 

[newski_mom]

Transferred to Delta and booked on the Delta website. Flight was operated by Westjet. My reservation showed on the Delta website. When it was time to check in, the Delta website redirected me to Westjet.

Thank you!

 

[ahself]

I received an Amex personal plat offer with a 125k SUB, but debated on it until last week without realizing it expired a few weeks back. I called the phone number from the offer letter and the rep confirmed it was expired and offered me 80k instead. I've found plenty of referral offers on reddit with the same 125k SUB that seem to work (e.g. 80k crossed out and showing 125k), but I keep receiving the dreaded pop-up message (both in incognito and not). Is there any hope in getting one of those 125k offers to go through, or am I just looking at fools gold when trying for those? Is anyone aware of any legit 125k offers out there? I couldn't find any after searching for a while.

 

[IFlossU]

I received an Amex personal plat offer with a 125k SUB, but debated on it until last week without realizing it expired a few weeks back. I called the phone number from the offer letter and the rep confirmed it was expired and offered me 80k instead. I've found plenty of referral offers on reddit with the same 125k SUB that seem to work (e.g. 80k crossed out and showing 125k), but I keep receiving the dreaded pop-up message (both in incognito and not). Is there any hope in getting one of those 125k offers to go through, or am I just looking at fools gold when trying for those? Is anyone aware of any legit 125k offers out there? I couldn't find any after searching for a while.

I would look for the offer without using a support link. Just do a search through multiple different browsers, and incognito mode. I’ve typically had luck even if it took a few days of trying. It’s always nice to try and use a support link, but for some reason it does often lead to the pop up. I wouldn’t give up.

 

[orangecuse]

They've been building through out the day for mainline. Not just weather issues, but overcrowding, FAA limitations and crew constraints. I've talked to quite a few people that are here in Oshkosh this week at the air show rather than picking up extra flights for DL, UA and AA.

Oshkosh! My parents travel all over the world every year and my dad never lets them miss Oshkosh haha Never really see anyone else mention it!

 

[orangecuse]

A little WWDCD for everyone-

We met my Wyndham min spend. P2's Wyndham min spend is still pretty far off with a month left. We could

1. Buy some GCs for future expenses (planning to buy $$ broadway tickets in September and could get disney GCs for that trip) to just finish it now (we have the funds to do that if we wanted).

2. Get a new card for currency we have plans for (or MR/UR) that would naturally fall over the spend as it comes up and may feel more "worth" the spend if that makes sense.

We don't really have a plan for the points because we ended up using IHG for RI instead due to my in laws preferences. I am sure wed use them eventually but not sure how much I want to stress about meeting the spend and then keeping track of GCs. We got the card for the free cruise so that alone was "worth" the AF of $95 to me.

WWDCD?

 

[calypso726]

A little WWDCD for everyone-

We met my Wyndham min spend. P2's Wyndham min spend is still pretty far off with a month left. We could

1. Buy some GCs for future expenses (planning to buy $$ broadway tickets in September and could get disney GCs for that trip) to just finish it now (we have the funds to do that if we wanted).

2. Get a new card for currency we have plans for (or MR/UR) that would naturally fall over the spend as it comes up and may feel more "worth" the spend if that makes sense.

We don't really have a plan for the points because we ended up using IHG for RI instead due to my in laws preferences. I am sure wed use them eventually but not sure how much I want to stress about meeting the spend and then keeping track of GCs. We got the card for the free cruise so that alone was "worth" the AF of $95 to me.

WWDCD?

To be fair this seems like a coin toss for your situation. With that said, meeting the next MSR often is accomplished sooner than most of us ever think it will be as we see here on the boards all the time. It may well be possible you can do both.

I'm a fan of not letting the potential bonus go to waste since you never know when the points will come in handy. I recently used some orphan Delta Sky Pesos that had been sitting in my account unused for 6 years to book an unplanned domestic flight for a reasonable amount of miles. I definitely had no plans for those and they saved me from needing to use other miles that were far more valuable to me.

I also wiped out a bunch of Radisson points to book a 2 night pre cruise stay in Athens. While the trip was planned, using Radisson points was not and I was happy to use them since they saved me from using other points that I had a much better use for.

I feel like sometimes having a cushion of points you don't think you have a use for, wind up being the points you need when you have something unexpected come up. Otherwise, they are the "this will do for that" so you can pivot and do something much more fun and exciting with other points for something else. URs and MR are my main go to for points but I absolutely believe in diversifying the portfolio of points and miles. I like to have options. More than once my Plan A doesn't pan out as expected in one way or another.

But if its a hard line in sand between finishing an MSR on points you don't have plans for and choosing a new MSR for points you do have plans for, then of course do the latter.

 

[EACarlson]

Oshkosh! My parents travel all over the world every year and my dad never lets them miss Oshkosh haha Never really see anyone else mention it!

Depends on where you are. It's all that's been talked about around my house for the last few weeks. I can also see the main runway from my living room. 600,000 visitors in a town that normally only has 60,000. Neighbor rented out her house for the week and got $650/night. Our house is twice the size of hers, I think I have my wife convinced once I told her it would pay for a Disney trip.

 

[hsmamato2]

I had to do this for my first Barclays business card. I was hesitant as well, but REALLY wanted the card so I just did it. I was approved within 2 or 3 days, and I’ve never had to do submit anything again for subsequent applications.

Bringing this up again b/c my letter says I have MAIL all those copies to them within 30 days.... I'm leery of sending all of that in an envelope! WWYD? Did you send it thru mail?

 

[Arcades]

A little WWDCD for everyone-

We met my Wyndham min spend. P2's Wyndham min spend is still pretty far off with a month left. We could

1. Buy some GCs for future expenses (planning to buy $$ broadway tickets in September and could get disney GCs for that trip) to just finish it now (we have the funds to do that if we wanted).

2. Get a new card for currency we have plans for (or MR/UR) that would naturally fall over the spend as it comes up and may feel more "worth" the spend if that makes sense.

We don't really have a plan for the points because we ended up using IHG for RI instead due to my in laws preferences. I am sure wed use them eventually but not sure how much I want to stress about meeting the spend and then keeping track of GCs. We got the card for the free cruise so that alone was "worth" the AF of $95 to me.

WWDCD?

Doctor of Credit maintains a list of banks that allow funding a bank account with a credit card: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/does...dit-card-count-as-a-purchase-or-cash-advance/

Since the Wyndham card is a Visa, most banks that allow credit card funding will take the Wyndham card. You create a new bank account, fund it with the credit card to the amount desired (some allow up to $5,000), then once the funds clear you transfer to another account (I prefer pulling from the other account) and pay off the credit card balance. Don't pay off the credit card from the account you just funded directly. With some accounts, you need to leave a minimum balance to avoid monthly fees until you're ready to close it. Some, but not many, have early termination fees (usually $25).

This is a form of manufactured spending, so it's not for everyone, but I figured I'd mention it if you wanted to expand your game.

 

[Terp03]

So I’m under 5/24 and just booked DCL for next summer. Best way to offset the payments would be statement credits with CIC and CIU bonuses with my CSP? PYB with CSR at grocery stores doesn't seem worth it since I would need to upgrade from CSP to CSR. Doesn't look like you can cash in Citi TY points for Disney GCs anymore, too.

 

[Psychodisney]

Thanks for the trip report. Banff is definitely on our list and this makes me want to go even more. I prefer weather in the 60s if possible, so we'll have to look at when that lines up.

Normal temps in July were supposed to be mid 70s. We had mid 80's as highs. I was looking forward to cooler weather too. Can't control the weather.

 

[IFlossU]

Bringing this up again b/c my letter says I have MAIL all those copies to them within 30 days.... I'm leery of sending all of that in an envelope! WWYD? Did you send it thru mail?

I actually did mail mine in. I sent them Priority mail though so I could track them. I was approved the day after they arrived.

 

[AndreaDM]

Depends on where you are. It's all that's been talked about around my house for the last few weeks. I can also see the main runway from my living room. 600,000 visitors in a town that normally only has 60,000. Neighbor rented out her house for the week and got $650/night. Our house is twice the size of hers, I think I have my wife convinced once I told her it would pay for a Disney trip.

We live very close to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the induction ceremony, game, parade, and all festivities are this week. I think we might try to rent our house next year and just go on vacation that week ourselves. Should make enough to pay for the trip.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Bringing this up again b/c my letter says I have MAIL all those copies to them within 30 days.... I'm leery of sending all of that in an envelope! WWYD? Did you send it thru mail?

I sent it. They had no alternatives because they live in the dark ages and I wanted the points. I figure my personal information is all over the dark web anyway #ThanksEquifax