dianajo67

1 hour ago, jules815 said:

 

Interesting. We have a Sapphire Preferred and our newest Chase card is a Freedom Unlimited which has no annual fee and gives 1.5 on most purchases, 5 on travel, 3 at pharmacies, etc. This is the card we've been using like a debit since May and putting EVERYTHING on it.  Just learned that Sapphire gives 3 points for streaming services, so about to make that change. 

 

I'm interested in the Sapphire Reserve, we get upgrade offers often, but that annual fee is the only thing holding me back. Question though. Does the reserve card grant access to all airport lounges, and would it include my spouse? If it wouldn't ding our credit, I wouldn't have a problem closing one of the other cards.

 

Really appreciate all the info. Like I said, starting to climb the walls since my knee surgery, and this has given me something fun to do and get excited about planning our next trip. 

I’m hesitant to answer about the airport lounges as my hubby is the EXPERT and he is out of town.  We’ve used the reserve card for lounge access for both of us in the past, but terms and conditions do change over time.  I’m having a very vague memory of my hubby saying that the terms were changing and guests would no longer be allowed in the lounge with the reserve card.  Please don’t hold me to this as we have so many cards with lounge access that I could be mixing up cards.  I’m great educating folks on the macro benefits of playing the points game, but defer to my hobbyist hubby for the latest deals.  I excel at “spending” the points!!

On another note…we use our Freedom Unlimited as our everyday card if we don’t have a card with a great incentive.  Use it for groceries, gas etc as the 1.5% is not terrible….and I can move those point to my Reserve card when I redeem them.  Use the Reserve for dining out as it’s always 3 percent!  The annual fee is not a big deal as you get a $300 credit as soon spend $X ($300-500 on travel —can’t remember exactly as we have zero problem doing this within a year…usually first month!). More than make up the rest with the 50% increase in value of points when purchasing hotels.

Hubby is very enthusiastic at playing the points game.  I was VERY cautious getting involved and resisted for several YEARS.  The results have convinced me it’s worth it!  Hubby is very generous with his expertise and has helped many of our neighbors and his coworkers get set up with the right cards etc based on their individual circumstances.  We don’t push it on anyone and really only get into it with family/friends who express interest. 

23 minutes ago, jules815 said:

 

Question. When I'm on the Ultimate Rewards portal, it's only showing the points I have so far on our Freedom card. Sapphire is listed, but currently has no points. I'm about to start using Sapphire for monthly streaming services. Is it necessary to combine points and have them on one card when booking travel thru the portal? Or will it automatically combine the points? Does that make sense??

 

You have to consolidate all your points onto the Sapphire card to get the 1.25 or 1.5 redemption ability.   When you log into ultimate rewards and hit the three lines up in the upper left hand corner and scroll to the bottom of the pop up list, you’ll see the option to “combine points”.  Hit that and move the points from card A to card B.  I KNOW this works if you have the RESERVE card.  We don’t have the PREFERRED card anymore so I don’t know 100% if you can move points to that card.   My gut and very sketchy memory tell me that you have to have the RESERVE card in order to get the benefit of moving the points from other Freedom cards. Hope this helps you! 

The only way I would consider an additional $1K for the grand is if the free drinks in the suite lounge appeal enough to cancel my deluxe beverage package and I think I might actually use the free room service for meals from the MDR.  

4 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

When Chase uses Expedia do you also get Expedia points?

BTW, we almost cruised together.   In January we cruised Harmony the week before you did.

Don’t know the answer to that.  Sorry!  Hubby got Covid on that cruise.  My parents and I didn’t get it! 

23 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Confused, please explain.  If a point is worth either 1.25 or 1.50 how is the benefit different if used for air, cruises or hotels.

One more thing.  The 1.25 and 1.5 are for specific cards (Preferred or Reserve) and have to be used through the portal (which can have higher rates than booking direct).  Regular chase points are only worth 1.0 through the portal, but those points can be moved online to go against the “higher redemption value” cards.  

We also cancel cards that have annual fees if we aren’t going to use them regularly.  We’ll get them for the sign up bonus points, keep for a year, and then cancel.  Used to think that would hurt our credit rating, but haven’t found that to be the case at all.  We had to get rid of our preferred card to make room for the reserve for example.  Chase monitors how many chase cards you have.

1 minute ago, nelblu said:

Confused, please explain.  If a point is worth either 1.25 or 1.50 how is the benefit different if used for air, cruises or hotels.

We have airline specific points for Southwest and American that we use.  Those flights are easy to cancel up until the day of the flight if needed and the points are put back in our account.  If we use the Chase points for air, you either need to purchase the equivalent of refundable tickets which is way more expensive and wastes points or there are other restrictions.  Especially since Covid, I’m hesitant to book air through third parties (Chase uses expedia) because of the hassle getting customer service if needed.  You also can’t transfer points from chase to American.  (AMEX points can be transferred to Delta and used as Delta points!). I do look at fares occasionally, but they are generally higher on the chase portal than booking direct for some reason.  Same issue with cruises through third party.  We normally book refundable deposit these days and I cancel and book different cruises if I find better deals or we just decide to do something different.  Love flexibility to change my mind.

As far as hotels go, Chase portal often has sales  on varying hotels (dollar rates) that really make our points go a long way.  Hotel prices are more dynamic than cruise or air fares and there are many hotels in the places we travel.  This enables us to grab super great deals, especially if we book ahead.  For example, we’re going to Italy in September and paying the equivalent of $200 per night in points for a $300 per night hotel room.  Nothing against using for cruises or air, but it’s worth it to us to get airline specific cards (we also have hotel cards for the free annual nights!) for the free bags etc.

10 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I noticed that card while on TPG website.  Sounds good.  Wish I could see the portal so I knew what I could buy with the points.  I take it you can book Southwest through it.

We also use the Chase Sapphire Reserve for travel and have the Freedom and Freedom Unlimited for the rotating categories to get 5% each quarter.  Nice thing is that we can pool all those points under the Chase Reserve Card in order to get 150% value during redemption for travel.  Preferred is 125%.  In fact, points from chase cards in my husbands name can be transferred to my reserve account as well.  I don’t think you can do that with any cards other than the Reserve (possible Preferred as well, but not sure).  We play the same game with a few other cards (AMEX platinum gave us 10% rewards for first 6 months on groceries/gas last year!). Points from the AMEX card work well for those who fly Delta.  My hubby does this as a hobby and routinely gathers our cards each month and puts stickies on them so I know which card to use for what.  According to hubby’s spreadsheets, we about $50,000 in points value right now from doing this and basically paying for everything with cards.  Looking forward to hubby’s retirement in a couple years so we can use them more regularly.  We closely coordinate what cards we each have as well for max benefit.  The points game works, but it is also work to work it!

One thing we do not use our points for is booking cruises.  It hasn’t shown itself to be the best value for the points.  Where it really shines is in hotel booking…so if you like to have land-based trips in conjunction with cruises, it’s wonderful.

Please start writing NOW!!  You’re a talented writer and we all get great info!  Going on Odyssey Sept 19.  Was on in March with my son as a delayed graduation present.   Will be interested in comparing my notes to yours!

1 hour ago, RachelGray said:

I don't want to get into any back and forth on Covid opinions or my views on testing per se, I'm simply here to find out people's true opinions on what the change will mean in reality re pre boarding. We are due to sail from Vancouver on the 14th August, following a 2 week multi-site break (we are from the UK)...this is a very long awaited holiday for us to celebrate the end of major exams and big life changes.

Do people actually feel the CDC change in stance will make a diff to Royal Caribbean's testing protocol and if so, how long do you think it'll take to come into affect? 

Just my GUESS…..Would not surprise me if Royal makes testing changes in Europe quickly as most countries no longer require testing or even proof of vaccination.  The Caribbean is another story.  Several locations require proof of vaccination and a few still require negative covid tests.  Until that changes, I don’t think the testing will go away for U.S. ported cruises.  Expect there to be pressure on those island to “get with the program” and ease requirements.  My GUESS is 1 October for the Caribbean and 15 August for Europe.  No guesses regarding Asia and Cruises that hit Canada (sorry as I know you’re sailing out of there) as I don’t cruise there and haven’t been following.

Appreciate the input.  I think I’l just “borrow” hubby’s access when I need to have simultaneous access.   Tom is pretty easy going.  In any case, we’re on Explorer which has the worst internet access of any ship I’ve ever been on.  I’ll be lucky if I get any access at all!  Was just wondering if anyone had ever done this before.  Was hoping I would just get the equivalent of a 2 device access with a single log on.

12 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Do you know you can logoff one device then login the other device without having to buy a separate plan?

If you have 2 devices under name I would think login would be the same for both.    Might have to visit voom desk once onboard.

I need to have 2 devices logged on simultaneously at times and hubby likes to have his log on active all the time.  Since the key was the same price as a single device internet, that was a pretty easy decision for me.  We have a tender port and will feel better with the priority departure.  I usually get the 3 device package for hubby and me.  I’m not usually a fan of getting the Key, so this’ll be the first time.

If I have the key that comes with internet access for one device and then I buy a “regular” one device internet access, how will that work?  Will Royal consolidate the two different purchases into a single account onboard or will I have different access codes for each purchase?

Formal Nights are Days 3 and 8 on the 9 Night Odyssey.  We’re going to be on the 19 September Cruise.  I had already researched this!

I just received an invite for my Odyssey cruise departing 19 September.  Considering that it is heavily booked, I’m kinda surprised!  Several categories I can bid on are showing completely sold out.

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Thanks!  Totally forgot about that.  Barcelona hotel for 3 days coming up in October.  Just added a note to pack 2 of them.  😉   

I actually travel with compressed, disposable washcloths to use in hotels in Europe.  Super inexpensive.  They work great to keep the luggage weight down but aren’t quite as nice as cloth.  I use them to wash my face when I’m not able to jump in the shower.  Glad I don’t have to pack real ones for the cruise.  Trying to stay with one suitcase and backpack.

Guess the title gave away the question!   I’m asking the question as I know many, if not most, European hotels do not provide washcloths!  Since Royal provides kettles in some stateroom categories for European cruises, but not for US based cruises, I thought they might also follow the washcloth “rule” as well.   Please advise to help us with packing for our first European cruise…Odyssey from Rome!  Thank you!

I guess there is a can shortage so we’ve had bottles of water this week.  I was surprised by the plastic straws though!  So much better than the paper ones!  Got them at the pool bar.

Onboard.  All went well getting on, but a couple of my purchase (casita and teppanyaki) were not in the system despite clearly having receipts and them being posted in my order history.  Took a few days for the folks onboard to work with corporate to figure it out.  I swear the first guest services person treated me like I created a fake website or something when I showed my order history.  Have to believe this whole pile of stuff is part of the same big computer glitch on royals part.  I did get an apology from the beverage manager onboard who runs the casita rentals.  All good on the end.

37 minutes ago, long4acruise said:

Wishing you and your son a great cruise on Odyssey!

Try to take a few deep breaths and tell yourself all will be OK.  I know it's stressful but do remember one can attract more bees with honey than vinegar as I'm sure the Port agents will assist you favorably. I always take my initial and final invoices, j.i.c. any issues. 

Called the same day travel emergency number and got transferred to someone who can make things happen.  I forwarded my emails etc. for them to review.   They were mystified by the emails, but assured me that everything in the system is fine and that I’m good to go.  They did a thorough look through everything important.

23 minutes ago, novicetraveller said:

Are you sure you don't owe $0.0000001? Are you sure? Eh? 🤪

If there is reports of a raging lunatic at Port Everglades today, it may be me!!  My hubby is the calm one in our family and he’s not traveling with us.  It’s just me and my son with autism!

This morning I got a different email that I owe for the entire cruise fare and to check the attached invoice for details.  Yesterdays e-mail said I owed, but showed a 0.00 balance in the email itself.  Of course, the attached invoice still shows 0.00 balance due.  This is so unsettling for me.  They had better not be cancelling my cruise! They said ignore the email I received yesterday, but I have previous experience where the port folks and the main office are not on the same page.  Fully expect issues checking in.  

Both CS and resolutions confirm there is no balance due.  They can see the message that I owe something.  They put in a trouble ticket and are telling me to ignore the message.  I won’t be completely relaxed until I’m onboard and in my chosen cabin tomorrow.  Royal IT at its best!

On our way to the airport for the Odyssey 6-12 March cruise.  Woke up this morning to an email from Royal saying they have not received my final payment.  In the same email, it shows a zero balance due and the attached invoice also shows zero balance due.  I had paid in full when I made the booking last month.  When I log on to the website, it shows the “pay remaining balance” as “clickable”…but again…when I go through the process to “pay” , it shows everything paid in full.  Of course, customer service is closed right now.  Sent a tweet and an email.  I really Do Not need this stress right now!  Anyone else have this happen?

We applied a few FCCs to our March Serenade cruise that Royal Cancelled.  We requested a refund instead of the 1.25 FCC for new money that Royal offered.  I expect to get my original FCCs (the ones we applied) back and cash refund for everything else.  My question is should I expect them to reactivate the originally applied FCC numbers or will they issue a completely new FCC numbers in place of the original numbers?

16 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Sail by Dec 31 2022 or 12 months from date of cancelled sailing whichever is further. 

Still confusing to me.  All of my fccs had “expiration” of Apr 22, but different sail by dates…some as late as Apr 23.  So is everything now “expiration” at those sail by dates.  The letter above says can now be used up to “expiration” on the certificate.  “Expiration” was Apr 22.