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

[wendow]

@amalone1013 it is clear that you should add onto your AofA stay now with my PLE deal. You likely won't be able to leave Monday anyways.

I’m almost ready to book!

 

[tink1970]

I would really not recommend basing your decisions on the category of a storm. Every storm is unique and the Saffir-Simpson Scale is a bit outdated - unfortunately, we just don't have anything better right now.

I'm not saying to definitely evacuate for Dorian - I'm just encouraging everyone to have a plan in place every year and know what you will do and where you will go, and above all else listen to local authorities. They know flood levels, population density, etc better than anyone else.

ITA-when Ivan hit land it was "only" a Cat 3, yet the 118 tornadoes it spawned took roofs off, downed tress and it was months before life was normal again, years before our area bounced back. I don't say this to be an alarmist, but have a plan and prepare and if it looks like you're in the path, reassess, reassess and as @striker1064 says, listen to the local authorities who have lots of information-current and historical.
Each one of these storms behaves differently and the outcome can be anything from a little rain to destruction.

 

[PolyRob]

Do they allow cats though? I thought it was just dogs

OHHH good point. IDK why I was thinking all small pets, you're right, it is only dog because it is the "dog policy." You'd think all this "industry standard" talk would allow cats at those places too. I will edit my original post.

 

[Tikitoi]

I think I got ours about 2 or 3 months out. I think mine was really just sheer luck because it was a pretty spur of the moment decision. I had 25k United miles expiring and I was like "oh hey look, we can go to Disneyland" lol.

Wow. Nice. Maybe I just need to give it a little more time.

 

[FloridaNative8]

Okay - I would love some advice/expert eyes on my current strategy! We finished P2's CIP #2 pretty quickly, so we've been without an MSR for about a month (which feels so strange!). We're using our AMEX Gold for purchases right now.

8/21/18 - CIP #1 (P1)
10/24/18 - CSP (P1)
1/4/19 - CIP #1 (P2)
3/13/19 - CIP #2 (P1)
5/3/19 - Citi AA Biz (P1)
5/7/19 - Aviator Biz (P1)
6/13/19 - CIP #2 (P2)

I'm planning to go for CIP #3 for me around 9/13, then for P2 early December (I'm chugging on that cup as long as I can!). I'm also planning to PC the CSP to the CSR for the 1.5x redemption rate. DH just got a new job, and while we are still planning on a snow trip (not sure to where yet) and Disneyland next year (most likely in the summer), it'll be next week at the earliest until I know more date details for those 2 trips. We also have an RCCL cruise booked for March 2021. I wasn't planning to use any URs for that, but I'm not against it either!

Since I don't need SW CPs until the summer, I'm thinking of doing the SW DD early next year. I'll be flying on SW in mid February for a work trip, if that matters.

I put regular spend on the one AMEX I have... I know that MRs are more beneficial for international travel (which I'd love to do in the future), and our current MR stash is 300K+. Would it be worth a shot for another AMEX?

I appreciate any thoughts/advice!

 

[chattadisser]

Our very first AA flights (in March) were booked using a corporate travel agent. I created the accounts right before the flights were booked. Perhaps that's why?

I just hope we keep receiving these mailers until I can use them

Oh good idea! I just went and added my AA info to my corporate travel info just in case that helps. I don't really think it will generate a Biz mailer for me but who knows?? I don't have an immediate need for the mailer but if I could get one sent to me easily, I'd take it.

 

[wendow]

OHHH good point. IDK why I was thinking all small pets, you're right, it is only dog because it is the "dog policy." You'd think all this "industry standard" talk would allow cats at those places too. I will edit my original post.

The problem with allowing cats is that they lick their fur, and their saliva (which is where the allergenic material is found) gets on their hair. It’s sticky and since they shed like crazy, it gets everywhere. It sticks to the walls and embeds itself in the carpet, bedding, everywhere making it very hard to clean up. Dogs are easier to manage from an allergy perspective.

And overall, a lot more people have more severe cat allergies than dog allergies.

 

[PolyRob]

The problem with allowing cats is that they lick their fur, their saliva (which is where the allergenic material is found) gets on their hair. It’s sticky and since they shed like crazy, it gets everywhere. It sticks to the walls and embeds itself in the carpet, bedding, everywhere making it very hard to clean up. Dogs are easier to manage from an allergy perspective.

And overall, a lot more people have more severe cat allergies than dog allergies.

This is all very good to know!

 

[FloridaNative8]

ITA-when Ivan hit land it was "only" a Cat 3, yet the 118 tornadoes it spawned took roofs off, downed tress and it was months before life was normal again, years before our area bounced back. I don't say this to be an alarmist, but have a plan and prepare and if it looks like you're in the path, reassess, reassess and as @striker1064 says, listen to the local authorities who have lots of information-current and historical.
Each one of these storms behaves differently and the outcome can be anything from a little rain to destruction.

We rode out Ivan (pre-kids!) in FWB, and I worked in Navarre. Although I've seen my fair share of hurricane destruction, it was so eerie to see whole houses gone that were previously on stilts on the sound. I flew out of Pensacola a few months later and all you could see were blue tarps on houses.

 

[wendow]

Also! I love cats. We had cats prior to kids. It saddens me I can never have a cat again so nothing but love from me for kitties

 

[Kawnipi]

How much time before a hurricane hits should I allow to drive out of Orlando? I am assuming it will hit sometime on Monday so I want to leave early enough to get out of dodge. Trying to figure out how much time to allow. I would be driving back to Indiana.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

How much time before a hurricane hits should I allow to drive out of Orlando? I am assuming it will hit sometime on Monday so I want to leave early enough to get out of dodge. Trying to figure out how much time to allow. I would be driving back to Indiana.

Hard to say. Watch the models and pay attention to the forecasts as the time for Dorian's arrival can and will change. Judging on the current forecasts I'd say sometime on Sunday morning or afternoon. I'd want to be long gone before she lands.

 

[1st*toright]

Any recommendations for Las Vegas hotels within Marriott/spg? Need to book a hotel soon and prices seem about the same for most of them.

The Cosmo is a Marriott.

I second the Cosmopolitan. The chandelier bar is fun, and China Poblano is a really yummy, fun restaurant. If you swing for a room with a view you can see the Bellagio fountains.

 

[Haley R]

Also! I love cats. We had cats prior to kids. It saddens me I can never have a cat again so nothing but love from me for kitties

My mom hates cats so I grew up not liking them either, although I was never around them. Once Dh and I got into college we adopted our first cat and now we have two.

 

[amalone1013]

This city we live in is as boring as heck, but my 800.00 dollar mortgage and 1% percent property taxes is the payoff.

I would join you in a heartbeat!

I haven't been on here since Monday and I find myself 28 pages behind. Think I will just check the reddit new thread.

So this morning....Well i did it. cancelled my CSR grand destino tower room and did the priceline deal. It was indeed AofA. It was $76/night. I had a 12% off email promo code bringing it down to $66.88 and I went thru topcashback to maybe get another 5% off. If that tracked with my promo code it will be $63.54/night. Crazy town. How could I pass that up?

Gaahhh, hope I don't hate it! DD3 kept asking for LM rooms once she saw the video when I was checking them out on youtube. It actually says room type decided at check-in, but I assume we will get a LM room, not a suite. If we get a suite, well that will be an amazing deal for sure. I didn't tell her we are doing LM just in case.

I was going to ask when you got in, but saw in a later post. We are leaving at an ungodly early hour Tuesday.

Our wedding was Oct 13, 2016 at WDW

My birthday

We're at AoA, so same difference lol

@amalone1013 it is clear that you should add onto your AofA stay now with my PLE deal. You likely won't be able to leave Monday anyways.

D'uh. I mean really, you should see the sample resignation letter DH wrote me the other day.

Sorry Boss, I couldnt handle this **** today... might be in tomorrow.... but realistically i will probably not. Good luck!

I understand your DH's concern. I was just telling my family the other day when planning future trips that we need to book BC/YC and CR Atrium for WDW's 50th anniversary because it is early October and we could get hit by a storm. There are places to roam and eat rather than being stuck in just a room if we are staying inside main buildings. I closely followed Irma and thought I would go crazy. AKL, WL, BWI, CSR Tower, and GF RPC would also suffice

DH followed Irma so closely I thought I would go crazy. We flew in right after for our wedding.

Where are you booked?

AoA

Also! I love cats. We had cats prior to kids. It saddens me I can never have a cat again so nothing but love from me for kitties

Me too! We had a dog growing up because my dad is severely allergic. Unfortunately, I feel like I've been developing allergies to cats in recent years

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I can't remember what category Irma was when she hit us. Dd and I stayed (dh was in Toronto); we looked at so many options -- I don't like driving long distances (it makes me very, very tired), so driving north and staying with my BFF in Milton, GA was out. I was going to go with a friend in a chartered plane but he dragged his feet (due to his elderly mom and dog) and we missed out on the last few private planes with availability and the last flight to Toronto didn't have any room left for dogs (AC only allows 4 fur babies per flight). So we were stuck here. We knew which neighbors were staying and which were leaving, just in case. We knew who had full house generators and who did not (we do thankfully).

Here are a few pics of the damage. The first is right up the road from us (the main road around our community) and the second is a house a few houses up the street (there were several other houses that had downed trees like this one). I have a video that I took during a bit of a lull in the wind / rain but I can't seem to post it.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I’m almost ready to book!

Well you do have those handy SW airline vouchers...

 

[mmmears]

The problem with allowing cats is that they lick their fur, and their saliva (which is where the allergenic material is found) gets on their hair. It’s sticky and since they shed like crazy, it gets everywhere. It sticks to the walls and embeds itself in the carpet, bedding, everywhere making it very hard to clean up. Dogs are easier to manage from an allergy perspective.

And overall, a lot more people have more severe cat allergies than dog allergies.

DH and I have issues with them both. I haven't noticed cats being worse than dogs. He's sad because he always had a cat growing up (and one dog). It's made us take our beloved YC off the list of places we can stay. Oh, and I had issues while just standing and watching the kids play with the petting zoo animals at our block party last week, so apparently I'm allergic to one of more of the following: alpaca (yes, we had an alpaca LOL), chickens, bunnies, pigs, sheep, and goats. I wasn't allergic to anything as a kid.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

How much time before a hurricane hits should I allow to drive out of Orlando? I am assuming it will hit sometime on Monday so I want to leave early enough to get out of dodge. Trying to figure out how much time to allow. I would be driving back to Indiana.

The earlier the better. As soon as they start issuing evacuation orders, traffic will build more and more.

 

[wendow]

My mom hates cats so I grew up not liking them either, although I was never around them. Once Dh and I got into college we adopted our first cat and now we have two.

I grew up with a cat. She tolerated me dressing her up in baby clothes and let me push her around in a stroller. She was my bf all during my hard school years. She was an amazing cat!

Then dh and I adopted two cats right after we got married but once I got pregnant, my grandma cautioned me against having a newborn and a cat (one of ours had scratched me pretty severely) so right before dd was born, we rehomed them. Sometimes I wonder if dd has such a severe cat allergy because of me breathing so much cat dander while pregnant with her...? I also craved peanuts while pregnant with her. Normally I don't eat them or pb but when I was pregnant with her, I craved both. She has a very severe peanut allergy as well.