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

[palhockeymomof2]

Well it was a nail biter but dh was approved overnight for CIP #3!!! Love me some CIPpy cup!

Congrats

 

[PolyRob]

Speaking of Chase going wonky in the last couple days, also reports of trouble PCing cards. A couple we're mentioned couldn't go to a card you already hold. Hoping this is just part of whatever glitch they are having at the moment.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/c885uq/_/esmefbe

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/c885uq/_/eskub53

Argh, can't find the 3rd one, it was someone trying to PC a CSP/CSR to a freedom after the AF posted and could only get a plain Sapphire. Since the AF posted it had to be after their anniversary date so that's weird. Nevermind, found that one, it's already linked, it's was something else I was looking for and now can't think of the keywords. Was pretty sure I saw 3 separate issues in the last couple days.

Ugh I wanted to refer for a CIP today. I know those links are still good, but IDK if I should hold off if there is an overall IT glitch out there.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Can I still be a member of this group if I just ordered checks??? If it makes it better, I paid for them using my Amex to go towards MSR!!

 

[Lain]

Can I still be a member of this group if I just ordered checks??? If it makes it better, I paid for them using my Amex to go towards MSR!!

I have Plastiq send my checks.

 

[Limes96]

Speaking of Chase IT issues, I noticed a new feature on my Chase app this morning. They call it “daily snapshot”. Nothing to do with referrals or PC’s, but maybe that’s one thing they’ve been working on this week.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I have Plastiq send my checks.

Lol, unfortunately the folks at the horse show don't appreciate when you say "I'll have a check sent to you in approximately ten business days" and then leave.

 

[Lain]

so with prime day are there really decent deals? how does that affect the prices of the items? wondering if I should wait to order the rest of the kids school supplies or just go ahead and order them now.

Prime Day is kind of hit or miss. Every year, Amazon recruits a lot of their marketplace (third-party) sellers to offer up "deals" and charge their sellers a premium for the privilege of taking part in Prime Day, but a lot of products are like essential oils and diffusers, bed sheets, blankets and comforters, home cleaning tools, etc. Basically, a lot of stuff you don't need. Amazon does offer deals on stuff they sell directly, but it takes some effort to weed through all the other junk. Deals websites like Slickdeals, DansDeals, Kinja, and even DoC always curate a list of the best deals. They'll also provide their affiliate links to earn a commission on your purchase. I've shopped through DoC's Amazon links for the past two Prime Days, because it's the one time of the year I feel like he can make some really good returns on the excellent service he provides.

 

[Lain]

Lol, unfortunately the folks at the horse show don't appreciate when you say "I'll have a check sent to you in approximately ten business days" and then leave.

"The check's in the mail."

 

[amalone1013]

Made it to 1755. DH just encouraged me to buy wifi on the plane tomorrow to catch up

Made it to this quote from myself on page 1825. Had to comment because, turns out wifi was broken on the plane home anyways

 

[tink1970]

Back home after our 2 week Europe 3 generational trip for DD's graduation. I'l try to break down my posts so I don't overwhelm everyone

First, flights.

We did a positioning flight to PHL paying OOP. It's really not worth it to fly in First for such short hops unless you need the extra bags (IMHO). I'll have an allowance of 3 bags weighing up to 70 lbs when I fly up with DD to college, I do figure I can take advantage of 210 packed lbs, lol.

Then we flew direct-PHL-BUD AA Biz (using 330.000 AA miles ). I'd read only negative reviews and it was indeed, nothing great. If I have the miles and the need, I'd do it again, but only if there weren't another option.

MUC-AMS-PRG was economy on KLM. KLM is awesome and I'm always happy when I fly them in Europe (I've found their premium econ TATL to be meh). AMS is so much easier to transit than CDG. Only downside to AMS is their rough tp, lol.

PRG-CDG on Czech Air economy was the closest I've ever been to flying a LCC. It was a seat and that's it. I'd likely avoid it in the future.

CDG is, in my DD's words, "the 5th ring of he!!." I need to remember why it's worth the extra taxes and fees to fly through AMS when booking Flying Blue in the future. It really does stink (literally and figuratively).

CDG-MUC was on Air France (economy) and they have good service as well. It's really a tie between them and KLM but KLM staff are so friendly, that makes me lean towards them, especially for pm flights. I've had really good pastries with AF on am flights

MUC-IAH was on United and when I went to check in, was initially annoyed that my seat had been changed, until I realized we had a new 767-300 seat conversion to the new Polaris seats. Whoo hoo!!!

This was the best biz product (for only 70,000 United Miles!) and service I've had (and you know I'm a big DL fan). It was really really impressive and I told the FA how much I appreciated her stellar service (anyone who says "I'm not going to let you run out of Diet Coke" is a friend for life, lol). She actually got a little choked up...

Mom and DD flew comfort plus from MUC-ATL on Delta (with Skymiles). Despite a 3 HOUR tarmac delay, they said it was a better product than AA biz coming over (what does that say about AA?). The crew was excellent, kept them informed, fed and hydrated.

So for me, 6 airlines and the best experience for me in business was United while economy KLM>AF>>>Czech Air. Delta first domestic short hops not worth it (to me) but still worth it transcontinental.

Hope this is helpful for someone out there comparing airlines. I have learned that United/URs and MRs stil are valuable for me for flights, AA less so unless I can use them for partner airlines.

 

[Lain]

DoC is reporting a new round of targeted offers to upgrade the legacy Amex SPG/Bonvoy card to the Bonvoy Brilliant.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/targ...ess-marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-upgrade-offers/
No mas for me (maybe because I already have a Bonvoy Brilliant?).

Note that @vanjust14 has been having a hell of a time with Amex honoring the bonus on the upgrade offer after she upgraded her card and met the MSR several months back. If you find yourself targeted for an offer and decide to accept it, take screenshots of everything just in case.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Sometimes you get good deals, but sometimes I find people just randomly buy things thinking it is a great deal.

I always verify Amazon prices with https://camelcamelcamel.com/

You copy and paste the Amazon link and it tells you the highest and lowest selling prices and what dates they sold at these prices so you can gauge the deal better.

Prime Day is kind of hit or miss. Every year, Amazon recruits a lot of their marketplace (third-party) sellers to offer up "deals" and charge their sellers a premium for the privilege of taking part in Prime Day, but a lot of products are like essential oils and diffusers, bed sheets, blankets and comforters, home cleaning tools, etc. Basically, a lot of stuff you don't need. Amazon does offer deals on stuff they sell directly, but it takes some effort to weed through all the other junk. Deals websites like Slickdeals, DansDeals, Kinja, and even DoC always curate a list of the best deals. They'll also provide their affiliate links to earn a commission on your purchase. I've shopped through DoC's Amazon links for the past two Prime Days, because it's the one time of the year I feel like he can make some really good returns on the excellent service he provides.

Thanks I might just go ahead and order their markers tomorrow when I get back home. Need to buy some discounted amazon cards first.

 

[miztressuz]

Can I still be a member of this group if I just ordered checks???

Sure! So long as it's from a new bank account bonus

If it makes it better, I paid for them using my Amex to go towards MSR!!

D'oh Well @amalone1013's back, there might be snacks in the clubhouse again

 

[tink1970]

Hotels!
Philadelphia Airport Marriott
Budapest Marriott
Prague Hilton Old Town
Munich Airport Hilton

PHL Airport Marriott-booked 2 rooms-1 using a 35K certificate and 1 OOP (executive lounge). The rooms were fine (basic) and executive lounge staff was friendly with light pm snacks, dessert and breakfast. If, for some reason, we decided to fly AA again (so not likely), it was a good use of a 35K certificate. Flying into PHL on Delta meant we had to call the shuttle so that was rather unexpected.

Budapest Marriott-we were given early check in AND an upgrade. I used a 50K certificate plus OOP. We had a great view, the executive lounge was bountiful and I had only a little regret about changing from the R-C to this hotel (Marriott has a better location, especially for a river cruise, IMHO).

Prague Hilton Old Town-paid OOP for an executive suite. DD was able to sleep on the couch, which was made up for her when we arrived. The room was quite large and comfortable, although my DM, who had never seen a bidet, used it as a drying rack . The executive lounge was nice, although the food wasn't as good as the Budapest Marriott BUT Hilton is a coke company so...diet coke was good. The a/c wasn't as strong as I'd like but the fact that it existed during the heat wave was appreciated.

Munich Airport Hilton-paid OOP for two rooms-we were upgraded to new, larger rooms (big bathrooms!) in the North tower and they were nice enough. The a/c and wifi were weak, but it was a heat wave AND there seemed to be a conference going on. It was a quick walk to Terminal 2 (Lufthansa/United) and a little longer walk to Terminal 1.

I'd stay at all of these again, although I'd probably try to get executive level rooms at the MUC Hilton.

 

[tink1970]

Well @amalone1013's back, there might be snacks in the clubhouse again

Ahem, I stock the beverages!

 

[Haley R]

That will mean you don't have the higher points value in the UR portal,correct?

Yes that’s correct but we’re okay with that. We don’t want to open another CSR right now when we are fine getting the CIPs

 

[Haley R]

This makes 4 for him as well! I was nervous about that too so I lowered all other biz cards to $500-1000 each.

I really need to start lowering some of ours. I think most of ours are $9,000

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

FYI - Southwest AGAIN changed the release date, now to August 15th.

Speaking of Chase IT issues, I noticed a new feature on my Chase app this morning. They call it “daily snapshot”. Nothing to do with referrals or PC’s, but maybe that’s one thing they’ve been working on this week.

I saw that yesterday! It could have been there earlier, but I hadn't checked the app in couple days.

MUC-IAH was on United and when I went to check in, was initially annoyed that my seat had been changed, until I realized we had a new 767-300 seat conversion to the new Polaris seats. Whoo hoo!!!

 

[tink1970]

Tours!

I had booked Gabriella at Gabriella's Private Tours Budapest-a 4 hour driving tour of Budapest day 1 and a coffee and cafe tours day tour day 2. She was a wonderful guide and I would highly, highly recommend her to anyone who needs a guide in Budapest.

In Prague, we booked two tours with private-prague-guide. Vaclav was a wonderful guide-4 hours walking and using a tram with an architectural focus and I think we saw almost everything in that lovely city (I was too tired to see the couple of things I haven't...I'll just go back). Day 2 we did a Jewish Quarter tour with Hana; it was very sobering but good, as well.

Transportation-

At the Budapest airport, we collected our bags and booked a taxi-easy and cheap.

In Prague, since we were flying in so late (11 pm) I arranged a driver through prague-airport-transfer. They were prompt and efficient and it was clean and safe, so I also recommend (although the driver who picked us up at the airport had "forgotten" his cc reader-fortunately I had local money-czk, while mom had Euro so it wasn't a problem).

ABD...next post.

 

[Killer Fish]

Man our car registrations were so expensive today! They were like $800, but I guess that's money towards our new MSR.

Florida can be annoying that way....When we moved to Tampa from Southern California ours skyrocketed. I remember seeing some list that had Tampa as something like the 8th highest city in the country for Car insurance. Oh well I will deal with that cost for every other advantage over SoCal.