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

[Sheree]

Vent X ins doesn't help with cancelled flights that were booked using their portal. only if we cancelled! I called the other benefit line as well and no dice either. Most I can get is the $40 we spent on food. at least I had the TB $ from my amex plat to use
oh well

stalking FB for Oct flights, still 905k pp one way! Hoping it's considered off season and I'll get lucky next year. If no J then I'll just do econ plus. between them and United I'll be fine.
we also have AA points so maybe I'll look at those options. phl-cdg vs ewr-cdg.

just got notice my instacart is due for renewal. I think I used all my 6 mos, 3mos options. do they reset?

met msr for ciu and amex plat ahead of schedule. I'd like a good united card since I'll probably be using them for my mco trips next year. sw got rid of all non stops from phl , there's one every so often

 

[leeniewdw]

My search for the best RDU to Western Europe continues, lol. I just realized that RDU-Frankfurt starts in June 2024 (we're looking to travel in early fall '24).

I'm finding 70k pts via Aeroplan on Lufthansa for Biz Class. Anyone booked via Aeroplan? It has this note:

* You will need to contact Lufthansa, for information regarding their policies on seat selection, checked baggage, airport standby, lounge access, and priority services.

Looks like fees to change flights or cancel if using the lowest pts to book, but to get a direct flight from our home airport (RDU) for 70k + $76 seems like a good deal.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

My search for the best RDU to Western Europe continues, lol. I just realized that RDU-Frankfurt starts in June 2024 (we're looking to travel in early fall '24).

I'm finding 70k pts via Aeroplan on Lufthansa for Biz Class. Anyone booked via Aeroplan? It has this note:

* You will need to contact Lufthansa, for information regarding their policies on seat selection, checked baggage, airport standby, lounge access, and priority services.

Looks like fees to change flights or cancel if using the lowest pts to book, but to get a direct flight from our home airport (RDU) for 70k + $76 seems like a good deal.

A bit related, but I keep looking and hoping that point bookings become available for the RDU-CDG direct route that Air France started a couple of weeks ago. Currently it can only be booked on cash. But if that were to become available on points and values were similar to JFK, I'd be so happy!

 

[leeniewdw]

A bit related, but I keep looking and hoping that point bookings become available for the RDU-CDG direct route that Air France started a couple of weeks ago. Currently it can only be booked on cash. But if that were to become available on points and values were similar to JFK, I'd be so happy!

Be sure to check Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for this route. I've definitely found award flights on the AF flights from RDU-CDG. At first I thought some of it was phantom flights because I thought the RDU-CDG only went M/W/F, but I've read that RDU-CDG will go daily at some point in 2024, so maybe the flights are valid?

For example, I just did a search on point.me for RDU-CDG on 9/16/24 and it's showing 10k UR for Economy (using the current bonus from UR to VA). Not seeing Biz for that route on that date.

I've been meaning to call about the AF routes but just haven't gotten around to it yet (currently on a boring but lovely drive/condo stay in the FL panhandle where the only points used where for an en route stay).

 

[AmyAnne]

A bunch of people here have stayed at the Hilton. We stayed there this past trip. I have a review here.

We've stayed at the Sheraton before too, but it was 7 years ago before I got into the points game. They have coin laundry that the Hilton doesn't have. But I think you'd need Platinum status to have free breakfast there. The Hilton you just need Gold, which you can get with the Surpass, Hilton biz, or a plat.

Have also stayed at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel and the MiraCosta. TDH is right outside TDL, MiraCosta is attached to DisneySea. We had a Venice view at the MiraCosta and it was cool seeing into the park when it's empty. They also have more expensive rooms where you can watch the lagoon show. I feel like the Hilton and Sheraton are good enough though and I don't need to spend the extra money for the Disney hotels. You do get 15 minutes early entry, but we're not early people and didn't even take advantage of that.

You may know this already, but August will be hot and humid. Likely crowded too since school is out and Fantasy Springs will be recently opened.

This will be a quick trip and we will likely be spending most of our time in the parks so I'm thinking Hilton will be a good choice.

And thanks for the weather tip. That was actually the first thing I looked up so I am aware. It's possible we can push the trip in to September but August would be easier--parents of young kids, travel with them as much as you can while they do not have full-time jobs that require approval for scheduling time off!

We're planning for Nov 2024. Since it's our first time we're going to spring for one of the Disney hotels, have to decide between the two wanderlust mentioned. Gotta have the Disney theme follow me to my room and to bed, lol.

It's Mickey math for me: flying on points, staying elsewhere in Japan on points, all mean I can reason spending more on a Disney hotel

This is my logic for WDW. And it might turn out to be my logic for Japan too! What factors are you using to decide between the two?

Add me to the Japan 2024 crowd as well! @Haley R, I think we will be there the same time as you guys. We will be there May 20-June 1. My nephew (HS senior) decided on a Pacific Theater WWII trip for his grad gift. We were planning Israel until a few weeks ago, so we had to pivot. I just booked our tix today from home airport to HNL and HNL to Tokyo. We are going to stop and do Pearl Harbor. I have only spent about $150 so far and that wa only because I wanted to put $113 on my CSP instead of using a credit so that I would have the protection. I still have a $150 United credit, so I am hoping United's prices for the return flight home will drop so that I can use that and my UR to book us home. Didn't get biz so far, but I did get United Premium Select to HNL. It was free (credits from my downgrade in May) and a day time flight, so I am fine not having biz. I will be slumming it in Delta Comfort+ to Tokyo, lol.

I feel like this is a beginner question but are the upgraded economy but not biz seats (United Premium Select; Delta Comfort+) on international flights different/better than on domestic?

 

[havaneselover]

We're planning for Nov 2024. Since it's our first time we're going to spring for one of the Disney hotels, have to decide between the two wanderlust mentioned. Gotta have the Disney theme follow me to my room and to bed, lol.

It's Mickey math for me: flying on points, staying elsewhere in Japan on points, all mean I can reason spending more on a Disney hotel

This is sort of how I'm thinking. Used URs for plane tickets. I've got five days in Tokyo covered by points and have three FNCs for Osaka. So that leaves me figuring out two nights at Disney. I'm tempted to splurge but haven't decided yet.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I feel like this is a beginner question but are the upgraded economy but not biz seats (United Premium Select; Delta Comfort+) on international flights different/better than on domestic?

We've never flown E+ on domestic flights, but what I can tell you is we flew United economy TO Japan, and it was awful. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. For the flight BACK we upgraded to economy+ (premium plus is actually what I think it's called with United), and it was great. Free alcohol (I'm talking to you, Buffalo Trace), you get the little amenity kits with socks, lip gloss, some other stuff, cozier blankets, I think we got upgraded food choices but can't say for sure. I know we got so many snack services. But the extra space with the leg rest was WELL worth the cost. I was actually able to sleep.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Be sure to check Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for this route. I've definitely found award flights on the AF flights from RDU-CDG. At first I thought some of it was phantom flights because I thought the RDU-CDG only went M/W/F, but I've read that RDU-CDG will go daily at some point in 2024, so maybe the flights are valid?

For example, I just did a search on point.me for RDU-CDG on 9/16/24 and it's showing 10k UR for Economy (using the current bonus from UR to VA). Not seeing Biz for that route on that date.

I've been meaning to call about the AF routes but just haven't gotten around to it yet (currently on a boring but lovely drive/condo stay in the FL panhandle where the only points used where for an en route stay).

Yeah, I checked out VA after the last time you mentioned it to me but I could only ever get economy to show up. Then I forgot to keep checking, thanks for the reminder. Gotta have the lie flat seats for such long flights.

BTW, I have called AF and they have no idea why that direct route doesn't show up for point bookings. I hope the same as you, that it'll change in 2024 when the route becomes daily. I would be so excited to see, say 55K RDU-CDG availability on J down the line

 

[leeniewdw]

Yeah, I checked out VA after the last time you mentioned it to me but I could only ever get economy to show up. Then I forgot to keep checking, thanks for the reminder. Gotta have the lie flat seats for such long flights.

BTW, I have called AF and they have no idea why that direct route doesn't show up for point bookings. I hope the same as you, that it'll change in 2024 when the route becomes daily. I would be so excited to see, say 55K RDU-CDG availability on J down the line

Yeah, I found the Biz class seats when I first started messing around with VA but it was before my travel date window opened....now not seeing them, naturally.

Good luck!

 

[jujubiee4]

Be sure to check Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for this route. I've definitely found award flights on the AF flights from RDU-CDG. At first I thought some of it was phantom flights because I thought the RDU-CDG only went M/W/F, but I've read that RDU-CDG will go daily at some point in 2024, so maybe the flights are valid?

For example, I just did a search on point.me for RDU-CDG on 9/16/24 and it's showing 10k UR for Economy (using the current bonus from UR to VA). Not seeing Biz for that route on that date.

I've been meaning to call about the AF routes but just haven't gotten around to it yet (currently on a boring but lovely drive/condo stay in the FL panhandle where the only points used where for an en route stay).

Are you on a trial membership or just paid to sign up? I'm debating signing up because now i just stalk
the sites every day. Got return trip booked but need the arrival.

 

[djmeredith]

I feel like this is a beginner question but are the upgraded economy but not biz seats (United Premium Select; Delta Comfort+) on international flights different/better than on domestic?

I flew United Premium Plus (or whatever they called the mini cabin behind Polaris) in May when they downgraded us from Polaris. It wasn't great for our overnight flight to LHR, especially since they put us in the bulkhead by the lavs. However, it was way better than regular economy! I looked at some videos before I booked the flights and was willing to roll the dice since it saved me a lot of money/pts.

We've never flown E+ on domestic flights, but what I can tell you is we flew United economy TO Japan, and it was awful. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. For the flight BACK we upgraded to economy+, and it was great. Free alcohol (I'm talking to you, Buffalo Trace), you get the little amenity kits with socks, lip gloss, some other stuff, cozier blankets, I think we got upgraded food choices but can't say for sure. I know we got so many snack services. But the extra space with the leg rest was WELL worth the cost. I was actually able to sleep.

I work a mile down the road from Buffalo Trace distillery.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I work a mile down the road from Buffalo Trace distillery.

How cool! That may be a little dangerous if I were that close to their distillery!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Yeah, I found the Biz class seats when I first started messing around with VA but it was before my travel date window opened....now not seeing them, naturally.

Good luck!

Oh, you have seen them?! That's great to know!

I don't have a need rn, we're booked in J, out of JFK for the two trips to Europe we have in the next year. But for the 2025 and thereafter, I would love the ability to skip the reposition flight (although we do make it fun by seeing a Broadway show the day of the flight since the flight is usually late at night).

 

[wanderlust7]

A couple PSAs -

Mint is migrating to Credit Karma. What I gather from r/mintuit posts is that there's a prompt to "link" to CK, but that migrates everything and then you can no longer access Mint. The CK functionality sounds very poor. So far, my Mint looks the same. I'm going to hold off migrating as long as I can and will be downloading transactions.

If anyone is using the biz gold credit on Staples online, make sure that your transaction posts. The first one I did worked fine, but two others dropped off. I bought Target GC on 10/12 and got them the next day. Lots of DPs on r/churning about this, though they eventually reappear, with the longest DP at 2 weeks. But mine is already past that. Hope they reappear soon or I might have to go in store to reuse it.

 

[leeniewdw]

Are you on a trial membership or just paid to sign up? I'm debating signing up because now i just stalk
the sites every day. Got return trip booked but need the arrival.

I did the trial but then sub'd. I've had it for 2 months and will probably cancel soon. I feel like now that I know the routes that we'd possibly use, I feel more comfortable searching directly. But it's been helpful for someone like me that's doing their first Western Europe award trip. (We did Ireland this summer, but that was easy since there are only 2 airports and I had my 100k avios from the Aer Lingus card, etc)

Oh, you have seen them?! That's great to know!

I don't have a need rn, we're booked in J, out of JFK for the two trips to Europe we have in the next year. But for the 2025 and thereafter, I would love the ability to skip the reposition flight (although we do make it fun by seeing a Broadway show the day of the flight since the flight is usually late at night).

I definitely saw 58k biz class seats for maybe August and early Sept? I got all confused because they had seats in J but it was on a Tuesday. Then I realized that AF was going daily in June 2024 so maybe those were valid? Anyway, I'm not seeing the for our desired dates now however.

 

[jujubiee4]

I thought I read somewhere recently (points guy/ frequent miler?) AirFrance/KLM were going to lower
the points to Europe. I just can't remember where I recently saw that.

Someone posted about using LifeMiles/MilesAndMore. I never heard of the programs but I signed up
Will definitely keep an eye out. Would like to book United or Delta but at lower point totals than
their overpriced sites.

I felt like a lot of people were going to Europe last summer but seems like plenty more are booking
for next summer lol.

 

[wanderlust7]

Are you on a trial membership or just paid to sign up? I'm debating signing up because now i just stalk
the sites every day. Got return trip booked but need the arrival.

You can get free point.me access through a free Bilt Rewards account, it just doesn't have the airlines that Bilt points don't transfer to.

I don't have the Bilt card or rent, but another nice thing about signing up for a free account is their Rent Day games for free points. People will post the answers on r/churning so it's easy. It's only a few hundred points each time, but hey free is free.

 

[lmross]

My search for the best RDU to Western Europe continues, lol. I just realized that RDU-Frankfurt starts in June 2024 (we're looking to travel in early fall '24).

I'm finding 70k pts via Aeroplan on Lufthansa for Biz Class. Anyone booked via Aeroplan? It has this note:

* You will need to contact Lufthansa, for information regarding their policies on seat selection, checked baggage, airport standby, lounge access, and priority services.

Looks like fees to change flights or cancel if using the lowest pts to book, but to get a direct flight from our home airport (RDU) for 70k + $76 seems like a good deal.

I book via aeroplan all the time. There's no secret - that note is just CYA that basically says you follow LH policy when you book a LH ticket regarding luggage and such.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

My search for the best RDU to Western Europe continues, lol. I just realized that RDU-Frankfurt starts in June 2024 (we're looking to travel in early fall '24).

I'm finding 70k pts via Aeroplan on Lufthansa for Biz Class. Anyone booked via Aeroplan? It has this note:

* You will need to contact Lufthansa, for information regarding their policies on seat selection, checked baggage, airport standby, lounge access, and priority services.

Looks like fees to change flights or cancel if using the lowest pts to book, but to get a direct flight from our home airport (RDU) for 70k + $76 seems like a good deal.

From what I know of Lufthansa they only release award seats around 2 weeks before departure. I haven’t seen any Lufthansa seats on AP for quite a while. If you see them and are sure the inventory is legit then I’d grab them. I can tell you that Lufthansa biz class seats were 2x3x2 on our last flight with them, so you’ll want to pre-book your seats so that you’re not stuck in the middle seats. Upper deck on the bigger planes is nice if you can get those seats. AP charges to cancel tickets, I believe $75.00 per person.

 

[lmross]

From what I know of Lufthansa they only release award seats around 2 weeks before departure. I haven’t seen any Lufthansa seats on AP for quite a while. If you see them and are sure the inventory is legit then I’d grab them. I can tell you that Lufthansa biz class seats were 2x3x2 on our last flight with them, so you’ll want to pre-book your seats so that you’re not stuck in the middle seats. Upper deck on the bigger planes is nice if you can get those seats. AP charges to cancel tickets, I believe $75.00 per person.

That's first class you are thinking of. Business class seats are released consistently at the beginning of the booking window, then again close to departure (route depending). Lots of award space on the RDU <> FRA route next year (hoping to snag some for December myself). I think it's roughly $75 USD for a change and $100 USD for a redeposit of miles (ie cancellation).

Sometimes you can find the same route on lifemiles for cheaper, but I hear they are atrocious to deal with.