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

[orangecuse]

I got shingles at 21! Not just for the olds!! Hahaha

Hilton MSR should be met with our Hilton stay this week (how nice haha). Now we can focus on the Plat exclusively since the Barclays MSR just needs next month mortgage payment via Plastiq.

 

[hsmamato2]

No idea what is going on since I still can't get Universal resorts to appear and I am on a totally laptop than what I tried last night.

So I’m not the only one.

 

[amalone1013]

I think we're about the same age and I also got the chicken pox vaccine as a kid. Never had the chicken pox. I think we're supposed to be pretty well covered, as I actually looked this up not too long ago when talking with some coworkers about it. I've been exposed to a couple people with shingles and never had any problems.

That makes me feel better! The only person I've been around with Shingles was my grandma, she picked it up when she was doing chemo. But I think I was in college at the time anyways, so I wasn't home. I didn't see her until month two or three with shingles and she was past the contagious window.

 

[Ngwira]

The family seems to be learning towards M Life properties or the Palazzo. Ideas?



Thanks!! Food is a big one for us, so jotting these down



Loving the addition of the caution signs LOL.

@Ngwira I lost your quote, but thank you for the suggestions and ideas! I definitely forgot about Chase luxury.

For some reason, the weekend we are planning to go (9/21-9/24), the cash rates ($320+) seem quite a bit higher than usual or relative to surrounding weekends. Any ideas as to why?

Weekends in Vegas are always high but it's possible there is a big convention happening that weekend. You can google "Las Vegas convention calendar" to see what's going on. If all else fails, hotwire and if you can get a promo code, even better.

I'm getting ready to book two nights for next summer and I'm waiting for hotwire to load the June calendar. IHG wants $400 a night for the Palazzo and booking direct is high also. Too rich for my blood..lol But I'll pay $120 a night cash to save my precious Chase points!

 

[Albort]

The family seems to be learning towards M Life properties or the Palazzo. Ideas?

mLife properties can be booked via Hyatt, although u should check price and points required. it could be worth paying cash. mLife however, there isnt a way to void the resort fee like Caesar's properties so keep in mind, whatever ur rate + $36 a day. Free parking though.
Palazzo is an IHG property. You can look around there if u want to book on points. i believe a lot of ppl use their free annual nights there.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

So I’m not the only one.

Looks like there are 3 of us with the same problem....I have tried on my iPad, iPhone and desktop...same 68 hotels show up for any dates I put in

 

[elgerber]

I had shingles 6 years ago, so at the very tail end of 43.

 

[calypso726]

Have you seen the castle village in Turkey?

https://www.businessinsider.com/turkey-abandoned-disney-castles-villas-2019-1

OMG! I wanted my castle and turrets to be something unique in the neighborhood. Now I gotta worry about cookie cutter castles. LOL

I will gladly take all your tips and tricks for a trip to Scotland! DH and I are still trying to figure out where to take our 10 year anniversary trip. Which will have to be in year 11 as our anniversary was last week, ha! Our top 2 contenders are Scotland and Hawaii so basically opposite ends of the spectrum.

I always recommend planning at least 2 years out and having backup plans in place. If you are visiting Edinburgh there are a couple of Radisson properties and a Hilton on the Royal Mile. There is a nice Sheraton too. These are all bookable with points from their respective credit cards. I haven’t stayed at the Hilton here yet but have stayed at the other three.

Outside of Edinburgh it’s harder to find chain hotels that can be booked with points. B&Bs are everywhere as are other unique and charming hotels. I’d recommend travel cash back cards to wipe off the charges with points on a statement credit. Some may be bookable through the UR portal though and I’d check there first. Flights can be tougher since you wind up dealing with partner airlines or dynamic award pricing to try and avoid exorbitant taxes and fees. I am somewhat lazy and will simply fly BA in first and suck it up on the taxes and fees. In my head it’s simply the cost of a first class ticket.

This is our 5th trip to Scotland in 6 years. I love the country and it is so different from area to area. The history and the stories are as rich and vast as the landscape.

We’ve been to Hawaii twice since 2017 and have two more visits planned. Both are amazing places to visits and experience. Given a choice, I’d choose Scotland every time. Scotland has captured my heart.

You can be like the guy on house hunters a few weeks ago. He was adamant that thr house they get in TX have a turret. I think his wife thought he was nuts. I think only one of the three had a turret and I didn't see what they decided on so no idea if he won or not.

I’d be fine with that but in Central Florida.

I agree. This couldn't have been said any better. Sometimes, it takes a reminder like this for hoarders (I too am one). I'm planning a trip with my family to Vegas in September and with additional family members this time (usually, it's always just DH and I, so easy!) and originally, I contemplated a suite to save some points over two rooms. Then, I sat and thought to myself. This could be the only trip I have left with my entire family going together as a unit in this 'chapter' of our lives since little brother is growing up and everyone is starting to have their own lives. In addition, the nightmare of 4-5 adults being cramped together and one bathroom trying to get ready in the morning

Ultimately, I have a healthy UR balance, so what's the need to keeping saving those URs for 'future' trips that may or may not manifest when I can try to ensure everyone is comfortable 'now'. The points can be replenished, but I can't guarantee I can use them for the same memories down the road. I have to always remind myself, there's a difference between stretching points, but also splurging when splurging is warranted.

On a related note, I've never been to Vegas, so was hoping to get recommendations since we appear to have plenty of recurring visitors? Hotel recommendations? I am deciding between Bellagio and Palazzo, I think. Must dos?

I haven’t stayed at Palazzo yet. We liked the Bellagio but loved The Wynn. Must do Cirque shows. We loved the show Absinthe. I actually enjoyed it better than some of the other high end productions. But keep in mind I also like South Park and Cards Against Humanity.

 

[hsmamato2]

I had shingles at 50. It was awful. I know it’s getting more common than it used to be.

 

[Alexle2007]

Looks like there are 3 of us with the same problem....I have tried on my iPad, iPhone and desktop...same 68 hotels show up for any dates I put in

@hsmamato2 - When I put in Univerisal's in the search, I can see Cabana Bay but when I click on it, I get nothing but the long list. I am just going to with it that the AP is a better option at $950 for 6 nights in a pool side room. I had thought about the Sheraton since I could get it for about $650 but my mom needs a zero entry pool and DH wants a nice pool since he'll probably be getting lots of pool time too.

 

[mmmears]

Playing catch up again today!

Apparently today is quote Lain day!

I completely agree with using points and not hoarding.

I’m finishing up our 2 week 3 generation grad trip. TBH it’s harder to manage my mother who has multiple medical issues- good health is a blessing and ideally traveling is done when you still physically can.

In addition,yesterday an acquaintance died at the age of 54–we never know how much time in life is left.

TL;DR- saving points/miles for trips makes sense to me but keeping a large stash in lieu of a trip does not to me. It’s a balancing act for sure.

Okay, off to the airport and check out Czech Airlines
Flying to Munich and spending the night there, then flying United biz home tomorrow. I’m ready to get back!

I agree, especially trips with parents. There were a few trips we took in the past that were not financially the best idea because we were saving up for the house or had just come back from a very long trip, but I have no regrets because, as you said, it gets to the point where either you may lose them or they can't travel anymore. I have one of each and honestly treasure the time we spent together and the memories made from those trips.

Ok need some advice this morning on what to do for my next card now that Hilton personal isn't on the table. Couple ideas...

1. Amex Rose Gold- yeah, I know I JUST said that I got the pop up. But, I did have a message appear several times when logging into Amex recently telling me that I was pre-approved for the gold card. So I'm wondering if I try that again now and see if I get the pop up. I do think I could make good use of this card, plus I have no MR earning cards yet.
2. Capital One Venture- branching out to Capital One for the first time since I have nothing with them except an old AU on my mom's card. I need a GE credit here soon, so this would be a good one for me.
3. BoA Premium Rewards- I know how you feel about this one, @SouthFayetteFan lol. I am a longtime BoA customer and do all my banking with them and have my very first CC with them, so I think I could probably get this card easily. Again, GE credit is there. Not sure how useful their points are there so maybe someone can chime in? I have the old Amerideals card with them, so I've only ever used it for cashback.

Future travel plans:
1. Japan: need more hotel points, or something that can erase hotel charges.
2. Hawaii: need United miles to get there most likely. Obviously need more hotel points too.

I'm locked out of GrAAvy train until mid August, locked out of Chase on my account until at least October, but honestly I should probably cool it with them until like January 2020 since I now have seven cards with them. I'm cancelling my Barclays Aviator Biz card this month, and maybe can get something else with them in the next couple months? Thoughts? I'd love to know if I'm missing something or leaving a great card off the table!

I'm not an expert, but I'll just say that I love my Amex gold and it's a keeper card for me.

 

[afan]

I think we're about the same age and I also got the chicken pox vaccine as a kid. Never had the chicken pox. I think we're supposed to be pretty well covered, as I actually looked this up not too long ago when talking with some coworkers about it. I've been exposed to a couple people with shingles and never had any problems.

You can't get shingles if you haven't had chicken pox.

I got chicken pox summer after 8th grade, so older than normal. Next year or so the vaccine came out. I was so annoyed.

Also the only reason we don't get the shingles vac earlier is because ins won't pay til you hit 60 I think it is. Nevermind all the people I know that got it before their mid 30s. Dr said if I wanted to pay but I don't think it's cheap or ecen reasonably priced.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

@hsmamato2 - When I put in Univerisal's in the search, I can see Cabana Bay but when I click on it, I get nothing but the long list. I am just going to with it that the AP is a better option at $950 for 6 nights in a pool side room. I had thought about the Sheraton since I could get it for about $650 but my mom needs a zero entry pool and DH wants a nice pool since he'll probably be getting lots of pool time too.

I have been checking pricing on two stays that are booked in Marriott Vacation Clubs on points....cannot get any of the MVCs to show up at all....

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

So dh and I both have the 75k/$5K biz mailers w July 31 expirations. What are the odds of us ever receiving biz mailers if we don't use them?

Do you mind sharing how you think you got targeted for the AA biz mailers? I'd love to have either myself or dh receive them (he's a very frequent flyer on AA); all I ever received was personal AA mailers but they seem to have stopped a few months ago.

 

[Ngwira]

mLife properties can be booked via Hyatt, although u should check price and points required. it could be worth paying cash. mLife however, there isnt a way to void the resort fee like Caesar's properties so keep in mind, whatever ur rate + $36 a day. Free parking though.
Palazzo is an IHG property. You can look around there if u want to book on points. i believe a lot of ppl use their free annual nights there.

You can't do that anymore since IHG free night certs only go up to 40,000 points now. Palazzo is 70,000 points now, sadly.

 

[LynnTH]

Current list of AA Business CC Offers:

There are 4 Citi AA Business offers that I know of right now:

• Citi 40k + $200 stmt credit / $2k MSR
• Citi 65k / $4k MSR
• Citi 70k / $4k MSR
• Citi 60k / $3k MSR

Barclays also has one:

• Barclays Up to 75k / $1k MSR (this also requires an employee card and a purchase for the last 10k miles AND you do pay the $95 AF)

I can no longer find a Citi link with the $250 Stmt Credit (RIP the add'l $50)... I also can't find a Citi 75k / $5k link right now. Am I missing any links that anybody is aware of?

FYI: 75k / $5k is still available via Citi Mailer if you can get you hands on one of those.

Also worth noting that there are still VERY mixed DPs on using a public offer for Citi Biz # 2 and beyond. You might get your points...you might not...

Just figured I'd share this info here since I was updating some information while answering a PM.

What is the rules for opening Barclayss AA Cards. I opened one 8/1/18 and DH opened one 9/11/18. Still open. Do we have to wait a year to close these and can we reapply?

 

[calypso726]

Drive by post:

Can you believe it? Two sets of standing stones and I’m still here in this century. That’s ok I suppose. Like most women and some men, who watch or have read Outlander, I love Jamie Fraser. But I love PlanePrincess more.






We left the Orkney Isles and are headed to Stornoway in the morning. Tonight we are at the Highland Hotel. I’m not going to write up a review because if you are in this village then this is where you are staying anyhow. But suffice it to say I’d definitely give it a better review than that Holiday Inn in Inverness.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I have a confession. I have some hoarding tendencies, so I totally understand holding onto points for future plans. But points are meant to be spent. You can always figure out ways to get more points...

Woah. Missed @Lain dropping Truth Bombs on here last night! Truer churning words might never have been spoken.

As one with a tendency to hoard points as well, the best churning decision (turned into one of the best life decisions honestly) I ever made was last summer when I decided it was time to start spending those precious points. And after spending the points I did indeed end up acquiring more and all I need to do is add some cash to this stash and I’ll be ready to book my next trip! (Ack- reminds me I need to trip report my week in Hong Kong lol!)

 

[calypso726]

You can't do that anymore since IHG free night certs only go up to 40,000 points now. Palazzo is 70,000 points now, sadly.

That still depends on when your AF and Free night posts. If it is before May, I believe, then the card holder may have one unrestricted free night left. Ours are March and April. DH and I still have one unrestricted free night each in our accounts. We are likely going to the Willard again to try and catch the cherry blossoms.

 

[DisneyMandC]

What is the rules for opening Barclayss AA Cards. I opened one 8/1/18 and DH opened one 9/11/18. Still open. Do we have to wait a year to close these and can we reapply?

Piggybacking off this, when should you cancel barclays cards/how are they about refunding AFs? Need to cancel mine this month and not sure how and when to do it.