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

[mmmears]

That was just my list. I didn’t include the PlanePrincess list which basically looks like mine and then some. He’s got a few cards that are getting cancelled too. We will be going AU on a couple of cards next year once we get under 5/24 and manage to get CIP and Hyatt cards.

The next challenge that determines whether or not I keep the personal Plat long term will be finding a work around on triggering the airline credit since GCs no longer work.

Ah, that does make me feel better. That was for both of us, plus we do pay AU on DH's Plat but we've been doing that for years at this point. I agree about finding a way to trigger those credits or some of the cards are going to have to go. DH doesn't think he'll hold onto his Plat Biz for another year, but I think it's actually earning its keep at the moment. It's work but I am tracking it all to make sure those AFs are worth it.

Just switched our August 2020 Disney cruise to Alaska! Looking forward to exploring Seattle and seeing Alaska again. I figure I can use my two $300 Marriott gift cards for the first two nights in Seattle. Hoping my 70k aa miles will cover a night in Vancouver and one in Seattle on the way back. Will be flying bwi to Seattle on swa with points and companion pass. And maybe we can catch a mariners game in Seattle.

Nice! I love a nice beach, so I'm surprised to say that my 2 favorite cruises were colder ones (Alaska and N/I/S). We liked last year's so much that we are going back. And I'm not someone who likes cold weather! I hope you have a great time in Alaska!

 

[Lain]

Bought our HHN tickets today so $75 to go on DHs Platinum. I want a new AMEX for organic spend

Amex BBP or Gold.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Amex Platinum airline credits are super helpful when your DD attends college 1361 miles away, just fyi. Checked bag fees? Done and refunded.

Also, I Ubered for the first time ever this week and used the Uber Amex credit...kind of exciting and frankly the only two things that went right, Churning at College-wise. The rest was just a comedy of Bonvoy-ed errors that make me want to cry if I think about it. So instead, going to be excited about being an Uber Amex credit using veteran.

Where is your dd going to college? We are in the process of finalizing choices for dd (she's a senior). It's so hard.

 

[Lain]

When people do this (pop up/new card applied for immediately and no pop up) are the bonuses posting without problem? Any delay? (Yes, I have trust issues with Amex).

FWIW, I haven’t seen any DPs of bonus denials after not getting the pop up since Amex paid out denied bonuses back in March.

As you may recall, the no pop up bonus denial was a thing Amex was doing under their “sole discretion” language, and no one could be sure whether they’d get the SUB until it actually posted. I know a few of us got hit with that. This seems to have prompted some complaints to CFPB and arbitration. For whatever reason, it seems Amex gave up on this tactic, as there haven’t been any recent reports of it happening, and ultimately paid out the denied bonuses.

My guess is if you don’t get the pop up on an app, even if you use @Albort’s workaround, and you meet the MSR, Amex won’t (can’t?) deny you the SUB and the bonus will post timely (barring glitches in Amex IT).

I know @schmass tried @Albort’s workaround and is about a month into MSR. She could probably provide a DP soon.

 

[tink1970]

Where is your dd going to college? We are in the process of finalizing choices for dd (she's a senior). It's so hard.

A tiny liberal arts college in Worcester, MA-Clark University. She had free rides to FSU and UF so of course she went with the distant, expensive, no football program choice, lol. Senior year IS crazy between narrowing options and making big decisions but I believe she's where she'll thrive. Good luck-this year will fly by for you and your DD.

 

[vanjust14]

@vanjust14 and other NE peeps- I’m hanging out at the PVD Escape Lounge and if you ignore the people who cannot control the volume on their electronics it’s very very nice!! I really like PVD and am so glad I can fly it versus BOS.

Oh great, thanks for letting me know! I really want to check it out. PVD is nice because it's so small. I hope you are ok after dropping DD off this weekend!

 

[amalone1013]

Amex BBP or Gold.

I've been debating the Gold since it seems like a high earner, especially as we don't really have anything with a grocery store bonus. I'm kind of torn on trying for a Plat for myself, or getting me or DH a Gold... I think when I looked the other day I could support myself to a Gold from DH for 40k plus support bonus for $2k spend, vs the regular 50k for $2k spend. If airline credits would cover upgraded boarding that could be a game changer. I attempted asking that on reddit, no response so far - should have asked on a weekday lol. But apparently that was an offensive question as I've already been downvoted I swear I asked in the question thread.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

A tiny liberal arts college in Worcester, MA-Clark University. She had free rides to FSU and UF so of course she went with the distant, expensive, no football program choice, lol. Senior year IS crazy between narrowing options and making big decisions but I believe she's where she'll thrive. Good luck-this year will fly by for you and your DD.

She must be very smart -- I hear UF is hard for FL students to get into. My dd has BU and (hopefully WPI -- one of my top choices for her) on her 'short list'. It's far, but I LOVE Boston! Can you fly Jet Blue direct to Worcester?

 

[Ngwira]

I posted this when I got back.

I need to stop going to these. It was busy all night. Normally we are able to hit all the major attractions. This time we missed pirates, the mine train,space and splash. There just wasn’t enough time and all the waits were crazy. The lines to buy the popcorn buckets were insane too. I like that for the haunted mansion set it was actually a drink, popcorn,and donuts. We only did the teacup overlay attraction and that was cute. The monsters overlay was just a never ending monster show. We stopped in to get candy. They gave out handfuls of candy which was nice last year we would just get two or three pieces at each stop. The new additions to the parade were cute. SO liked the fireworks show and I thought the projections were cute, but it felt like a stage show story and not a fireworks show.


Now being home for awhile it was fun and we had a good time there was just so much we never got the chance to do because of crowds. I think I waited 30 mins in line at Pesco bills for the worms and dirt snack and the sipper.

Thanks for your review! Sorry about the crowds but I’m glad you guys enjoyed it. I heard the weather was great that night.
How was club level at the Contemporary?

 

[tink1970]

Oh great, thanks for letting me know! I really want to check it out. PVD is nice because it's so small. I hope you are ok after dropping DD off this weekend!

Oh my, it is SO nice! Small, but the food was the best (with the exception of make your own guac in the Admiral's Club) I've ever had in a lounge. PVD is such a sweet small easy airport and this is the cherry on top, for sure. Please PM me if you have any questions about it. I even took a couple of photos of the spread...because I'm a weirdo

 

[Hoosier John]

That is an absurdly high CL from Barclays. Only because I'm curious, is this your first card from them? It's unusual for them to give such a high limit on your first card - they start you off slow.

My one and only Barclay (Uber) from Nov 2018 has a CL of $12k. Is that more what you expected?

 

[WVMomof3]

I am also doing the college drop off this weekend for my Sophomore. She can't move into the dorm until tomorrow, but we arrived here yesterday. She had an interview today for babysitting for a family that is close to campus, so I think that will be a good part time job for her. She is 7 hours away, but the nice thing is we have free lodging when we come here because a family member has a Condo here they keep just for the occasional football weekend. DD21 will be living at home for her Senior year. But that can also come with tears. haha I really miss them when they are gone, but living back at home after she was on campus her first 2 years plus her Study Abroad, so it is an adjustment with all of us to have her back home full time. Good luck with everyone else sending them away!

 

[tink1970]

She must be very smart -- I hear UF is hard for FL students to get into. My dd has BU and (hopefully WPI -- one of my top choices for her) on her 'short list'. It's far, but I LOVE Boston! Can you fly Jet Blue direct to Worcester?

LOL- my DD is an excellent test taker which works to her advantage because yes, it seems pretty challenging for FL residents to gain acceptance to UF-some of her classmates were heartbroken around acceptance time

Jet Blue flies from ORH (Worcester) directly to MCO but that's a good 6 1/2 drive from us so she'd have to fly Silver to MCO and then B6 to ORH. It was easier for us getting her there to fly Delta PNS-ATL-PVD and rent a car at PVD for move in. She'll probably train to BOS and fly home from there for Christmas.

We saw several students and their families from WPI at the hotel-if you have questions about the hotel situation in Worcester I am happy to answer questions about what's worked best for us.

 

[wendow]

My Lyft experiences have been fine. I’ll never spend 40 something dollars to go a couple of miles again. To each their own. I use Lyft and Uber in all cities I travel to.

The lyft we took to MCO from Swan last week was awesome. The driver picked us up in a minivan, she had water bottles for everyone, coloring books and crayons for the kids, chargers for our phones all over, etc. She and I chatted the whole way. Her dh is a CM and has been for 17 years so was interesting to talk to her. We’ve used lyft a lot in Orlando and some other cities and never had a bad experience either.

 

[speedyfishy]

Thanks for your review! Sorry about the crowds but I’m glad you guys enjoyed it. I heard the weather was great that night.
How was club level at the Contemporary?

I’ll probably continue to go to the parties but the after hours events are so much better.

I have mixed reviews on the Contemporary. I absolutely loved being on the 12th floor of the contemporary. We had a lake view room which was perfect for watching the water pageant. The lounge was really small, but I got some snacks and we went to watch the fireworks at night. We sat next to this older couple that had the staff turn off the lights (they were saying that’s what they did at the poly club level lol) the four of us were sitting in chairs back by the doors and this guy stands behind us and all of a sudden he just walks and stands right in front of me. Another guest said he was blocking our view so he eventually moved, but it was so bizarre. Do people have any self awareness? do not recommend watching the fireworks from the lounge though. It was too small to accommodate even the small number of guests up there that want to watch the fireworks.

The staff was also meh. I went to the lounge a few times by myself and I watched about three cast members go up to every single table, but mine and ask if they needed anything. Never got offered an alcoholic beverage at check in. The check in guy was also brief didn’t explain anything to us about when food would be out anything about the resort etc.

The beds were very comfortable and it was a big room. The bathroom is weird. The sinks were at my knees and the water pressure was awful.

Now for the worst thing. I didn’t notice anything until my SO says “if I tell you something will you promise not to complain.” Uhhh no he says ok and stops talking so I eventually said fine. He found 6 bugs by the sinks in the bathroom. We took pictures and he agreed I can send an email. He is tired of me making a scene, but come on that’s gross. What saved this hotel is the location. I loved walking to my room and seeing space mountain and the castle.

 

[wendow]

Is that the one with lounge access? Their lounges are so nice! But I agree—no $450 annual fee cards for me (except csr and spg luxe

I’m honestly not sure. I would hope so for that AF! AA doesn’t have a big presence in Denver so I’m not even sure if we have their lounge here. I’ve not flown AA in 20 years or so lol!

 

[speedyfishy]

The driver picked us up in a minivan, she had water bottles for everyone, coloring books and crayons for the kids, chargers for our phones

I am so paranoid. I would never eat or drink anything I get from a Lyft driver. lol my friends do all the time and even take gum and that’s hard to tell if it has been messed with. My SO says it’s also very easy to get your data from a phone when it’s plugged into a USB charger. Idk how to do it, but he can so I avoid doing that.

 

[wendow]

I am so paranoid. I would never eat or drink anything I get from a Lyft driver. lol my friends do all the time and even take gum and that’s hard to tell if it has been messed with. My SO says it’s also very easy to get your data from a phone when it’s plugged into a USB charger. Idk how to do it, but he can so I avoid doing that.

The water was sealed but we were downing water from swan (they gave us 6 bottles per room, per day!) so we didn’t drink hers. Just nice she offered. Didn’t know about the chargers! I’m not sure if anyone used them or not. I know I didn’t.

 

[speedyfishy]

The water was sealed but we were downing water from swan (they gave us 6 bottles per room, per day!) so we didn’t drink hers. Just nice she offered. Didn’t know about the chargers! I’m not sure if anyone used them or not. I know I didn’t.

I feel like you can tell with water, but gum is just in a little wrapper. I lectured them. They didn’t die, but you never really know. And honestly I bet most Uber and lyft drivers don’t know how to pull the data from a phone plugged into their car but I don’t risk it.

 

[AmyAnne]

A tiny liberal arts college in Worcester, MA-Clark University. She had free rides to FSU and UF so of course she went with the distant, expensive, no football program choice, lol. Senior year IS crazy between narrowing options and making big decisions but I believe she's where she'll thrive. Good luck-this year will fly by for you and your DD.

My kid's story x4. Two are now in grad programs at big U's with big-time sports and they are enjoying it, but liberal arts colleges have so much else to offer for undergrads.