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

[amalone1013]

Walking through MCO with two laptops (YES, you heard me… two) in my “personal item” made me realize I need to get a new backpack for flying. I no longer want to physically wear one. I need something that sits nicely on my carry-on. Too bad the Amex Ebags offer is gone and I don’t have a Chase one. Considering the "Professional Flight Laptop Backpack:" https://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/professional-flight-laptop-backpack/348313 I know the Motherlode series is popular, but I didn’t see straps for it to sit on my suitcase?

No straps like that on the motherlode.

DH has the flight bag. He uses it as his everyday work bag and then can easily fit a packing cube if he needs to travel for a few days for work and still fit it under the seat. And it has the strap to hook it to a carry on handle. Everyday he carries laptop, charger, binder, graph paper pad, drawings for work, measuring tape, laser measurer, graphing calculator, headphones, miscellaneous stuff like keys/pencils/batteries. It's nowhere close to full. He keeps everything in the small front pockets and the laptop pocket, and really only gets in the middle pocket when he puts in clothing/toiletries for travel.

Does anyone have experience taking the motherlode Junior from eBags on a spirit flight as your personal item? It wouldn’t be stuffed full, closer to the size of a regular backpack with just plane necessities.

I'm pretty sure we've taken them on Frontier, and I know DH has taking the Professional Flight bag on Frontier. I would think if it is not full, still squishy, you could get away with it...

I want Dh to apply for his CIC because my CIP is almost done but we’ll be on the cruise until the 9th so I’m not sure if we should wait until we get back or not. We’re holding our mail if that makes a difference?

Do you have informed delivery? I'd probably do it if I was having my mail held... and then if it wasn't there you could double check informed delivery to see if it had come yet...

This is totally OT from this discussion (altho I'd go if it was the only MK day) it reminds me of our DL trip a few years back, me planning for the Dis noob side of the family..... I insisted (after reading reports) that we needed to pay for World of Color party to get easy entry,seats,avoid the crowds etc. since we had my MIL with us and I was concerned for her. Well....I'm still hearing from the peanut gallery over that decision..... (it was badly run,we stood in a long long long line with crowds,etc,it was so not worth it) 'I can't believe we paid for nothing! wow that was overpriced'....you know. stuff like that..... I ignore it lol but it annoys me,since I forewarned them I was working based on info from other sources,I don't have a crystal ball! I guess I've been forgiven since then but they haven't forgotten that extra $80 pp

My ILs and DHs aunt are great to travel with, they are like you plan everything because you know and we will follow. And they do. The only thing we have to add in is smoke breaks We did DLR and DHs cousin and family invited themselves along and they were HORRIBLE. Pretty much what you are describing (though they had a lot of overreacting honestly, and also things they brought upon themselves, so... )

 

[Haley R]

I'm also the nerd that looks for little libraries everywhere I go....my fave was by the pool in Maui..... that still makes me happy just thinking about it!

I think my problem would be that my taste in books is kind of specific

 

[DisneyMandC]

My ILs and DHs aunt are great to travel with, they are like you plan everything because you know and we will follow. And they do. The only thing we have to add in is smoke breaks We did DLR and DHs cousin and family invited themselves along and they were HORRIBLE. Pretty much what you are describing (though they had a lot of overreacting honestly, and also things they brought upon themselves, so... )

This is my fear about traveling with basically... anyone lol. I knew our WDW trip with ILs and my mom would be great because my ILs just want to do whatever we want to do and as long as my mom is doing something and not sitting still, she's happy (gee, I wonder where I get it...). I'm very hesitant to travel with anyone else though, even my best friend.

 

[Haley R]

No straps like that on the motherlode.

DH has the flight bag. He uses it as his everyday work bag and then can easily fit a packing cube if he needs to travel for a few days for work and still fit it under the seat. And it has the strap to hook it to a carry on handle. Everyday he carries laptop, charger, binder, graph paper pad, drawings for work, measuring tape, laser measurer, graphing calculator, headphones, miscellaneous stuff like keys/pencils/batteries. It's nowhere close to full. He keeps everything in the small front pockets and the laptop pocket, and really only gets in the middle pocket when he puts in clothing/toiletries for travel.


I'm pretty sure we've taken them on Frontier, and I know DH has taking the Professional Flight bag on Frontier. I would think if it is not full, still squishy, you could get away with it...

Do you have informed delivery? I'd probably do it if I was having my mail held... and then if it wasn't there you could double check informed delivery to see if it had come yet...

My ILs and DHs aunt are great to travel with, they are like you plan everything because you know and we will follow. And they do. The only thing we have to add in is smoke breaks We did DLR and DHs cousin and family invited themselves along and they were HORRIBLE. Pretty much what you are describing (though they had a lot of overreacting honestly, and also things they brought upon themselves, so... )

Okay thanks. I’ll ask Dh what he thinks about going ahead and applying

 

[amalone1013]

Okay thanks. I’ll ask Dh what he thinks about going ahead and applying

Your cruise is a week, right? So if you apply the day before you go, it would probably be just coming when you get home anyways since they usually seem to take a week.

 

[Haley R]

Your cruise is a week, right? So if you apply the day before you go, it would probably be just coming when you get home anyways since they usually seem to take a week.

Yeah it’s a week long cruise and we get back on a Saturday so it’s possible it could come in on the Monday after too. I’ll ask Dh what he thinks. Thanks for your help!

 

[chattadisser]

It’s embarrassing how little experience I have flying domestically (we usually drive). I’m booking flights to NYC as a Christmas gift for the family. We will be staying near Columbus Circle. Of NWR and LGA, which is preferable? I see that LGA has no lounges but I don’t think that will be the final deciding point - traffic, getting there (transit connections or Uber) and ease of security are more important. The flight is on a Sunday around 5 pm if that makes a difference.

I've flown in to both and found distance/traffic to be comparable for both. I flew into LGA and then Ubered to downtown, and flew into EWR another time and Ubered to Time Square. Both ran me around $50. I sat in more traffic coming from LGA, but that was only because we were in prime morning rush hour time on a weekday. I feel like there might be a bunch of construction going around on LGA though, so maybe look into that? I don't keep up with any of that, but I thought I recalled someone saying that.

I have never flown into NWR for NYC. We always go through LGA but, it is construction hell right now. I've read reports of people getting out on the highway to try and walk to make their flights. We were through there in June and we had no problem but our flights were basically in the middle of the day. I think you combine rush hour with LGA construction and then you have a problem. And Sunday at 5PM you will have traffic from people coming home from the weekend. So I'd say it depends on cost and time of arrival/departure.

ETA - I see you chose NWR, probably a good idea!

 

[tink1970]

I'm very hesitant to travel with anyone else though, even my best friend.

I get that completely, my DD was my favorite travel partner but I don't expect she'll have much time for traveling with me anymore (), my DM was pretty good when she was younger but now I can't sleep in the same room with her-her sleep apnea keeps me on my toes-am I going to have to resuscitate her-which isn't good for sleep-no sleep equals bad mood. Now my favorite travel partner is...me, which sounds horrible but is true.

 

[IFlossU]

Thanks, his also closed the 19th. He didn't earn the bonus until after that date, but even the 1175 base miles he earned are still not in his Hawaiian account.

That’s frustrating! If you wouldn’t mind posting when you see his miles I’d appreciate the info. I’m looking at getting the Hawaiian Biz this Spring and I’m curious how long I should expect to wait.

 

[elgerber]

That’s frustrating! If you wouldn’t mind posting when you see his miles I’d appreciate the info. I’m looking at getting the Hawaiian Biz this Spring and I’m curious how long I should expect to wait.

And this is a personal card. I have never had issues with Barclays personal before.

 

[elgerber]

And this is a personal card. I have never had issues with Barclays personal before.

Kind of update. Messaged Barclays and they said there is no Hawaiian account number on his credit card account (even though I entered on the app) and it can take 30 days to have one assigned. Then we will have to merge the accounts. Darn good thing I am not in a hurry to use these.
I dread to think how my Biz miles on my card are going to turn out.

 

[wendow]

Does anyone have experience taking the motherlode Junior from eBags on a spirit flight as your personal item? It wouldn’t be stuffed full, closer to the size of a regular backpack with just plane necessities.

I'm not sure how big that backpack is in comparison to the full size backpacks that disney sells in the parks (used to be offered as a purchase with a purchase item). We have several of those and ds8 and I each carried one in July on our spirit flights. They were slightly over the measurements that spirit posts as acceptable sizing for a personal item. They were not stuffed full and we could fit them under the seat. Has to go under the seat or you will be charged.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

This is my fear about traveling with basically... anyone lol. I knew our WDW trip with ILs and my mom would be great because my ILs just want to do whatever we want to do and as long as my mom is doing something and not sitting still, she's happy (gee, I wonder where I get it...). I'm very hesitant to travel with anyone else though, even my best friend.

I personally find that traveling with others is all about expectations. If people have really different expectations for how a trip will go, then it isn't going to work.

I have traveled with both of my best friends and had amazing trips. I went to WDW and on a Bahamas cruise with one friend and with the other one I have gone on 2 cruises. Each time we kept things pretty low key and it worked out well. I also have taken 4 trips (Barcelona, Caribbean cruise, Memphis and Vegas) with just my mom and had an awesome time.

We just got back from WDW 2 weeks ago on a trip with my parents, my brother and SIL plus SIL's mom and her partner. We had an amazing time because everyone had good expectations as to how things would go. We had several fastpasses and ADRs together as a big group, but we also expected to spend time separately as well. My parents, DH, DD and I spent the most time together because I know my parents wanted as much time as possible with their only grandchild. It all worked out swimmingly and everyone had an amazing trip. My parents are now considering joining us on our Hawaii 2021 trip.

 

[jhoannam]

So I failed at going to Lowe’s for the $15/100 Amex offer. It ends today, am I too late?

 

[amalone1013]

Darn Verizon offer, got it on my account and DHs.
*looks at new phones again...*


@jhoannam I have done them on the last day before and have had them credit with no issues, I just try to avoid it for ease of mind. If you really want it I'd just go ASAP today, I think you would have a good argument if it doesn't credit (take screenshots!) but just keep in the back of your mind there'd be a chance you miss the $15. Have to decide if it's worth the risk for you

 

[IFlossU]

Kind of update. Messaged Barclays and they said there is no Hawaiian account number on his credit card account (even though I entered on the app) and it can take 30 days to have one assigned. Then we will have to merge the accounts. Darn good thing I am not in a hurry to use these.
I dread to think how my Biz miles on my card are going to turn out.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like it’s good you contacted them otherwise how would you have known they didn’t have his #. Good grief what a hassle. I’m sure it will all work out, but it’s much nicer when it all goes smoothly without having to deal with the bank.

ETA: Is your biz card Hawaiian/did you have any trouble with approval? I’ve read the AA Biz gave people a hard time

 

[LynnTH]

Thoughts on a MVMCP...we *were* planning to go on Dec 15. We've only been to one party, ever, and that was a MVMCP back in 2014. I keep reading how busy the parties are and people are done with them and don't feel it's worth it. I'm so torn over what to do. My mom and stepdad are joining us on this trip. They've not been to wdw in 8-9 years and I talked my mom into doing the party. She's so excited about the parade and seeing the park decorated at night. There are parties 3 of our 4 nights there and I think the one night there is no party at MK is our Epcot night since dd is singing in the CP. I just don't know what to do. If it is going to be totally crazy, I need to talk my mom in a different direction but I know she will be disappointed. As will my kids. As will dh & I....

That's the night we have booked for the MVMCP Party. We are just taking quick trip down as never been at Christmas and I have points... So just doing the party on that Sunday and then I bought the 2 day Afternoon Tickets. So as of right now will do Hollywood Studios on the 16th. And Epcot on the 17th. (they are open until 11:30 that night). Having breakfast at Ale & Compass at Yacht Club that gets us seating for the Candlelight Processional that evening. Can't wait!! Now I hope the weather cooperates.

 

[elgerber]

.

 

[wanderlust7]

I'm hoping you guys can help me. I'm no stranger to bargain hunting but I just never got into MS or CC flight points offers. My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy (basing out of Rome) in May 2020 and I am looking at flights. We live in Wilmington, NC and can fly out of Charlotte, Raleigh, Myrtle Beach or Charleston without too much extra time being added to the trip. Right now Expedia out of Raleigh seems my best bet. Is it even too late to play the points game? Id have to apply and meet the spend for whatever card. And what kind of trade off could I expect? If its too late to do or get a meaningful discount from playing the CC points game does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy tickets? Someone elsewhere suggested Googleflights and while they did give me different flight options their base prices were 30% more expensive than Expedia. Hoping for business class or better so that we can hopefully get some sleep on the flight. Also hoping for only one connection, preferably in the US so we only have to do customs once outbound. Thanks for any advice that can be offered.

Most airlines release their awards seats somewhere around 330 days before. If you get the miles and find no availability, do you have other plans for them (another trip perhaps)? Google Flights is great for finding the route possibilities. Then you can go to the individual airline website to see what mileage availability looks like. Don't forget to click through all the way to where they show you the fees and taxes. I learned that the hard way, lol. British Airways has especially high fees.

If you don't find mileage availability, another option is to get Chase UR points. If you get the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you'll get 1.5x in redemptions. So a $2000 flight would be about 133,000 URs. If you're open to business cards, the Chase Ink Preferred has the best sign up bonus. But even then it may be hard to rack up enough points for business class flights in this short time.

 

[Ngwira]

It’s embarrassing how little experience I have flying domestically (we usually drive). I’m booking flights to NYC as a Christmas gift for the family. We will be staying near Columbus Circle. Of NWR and LGA, which is preferable? I see that LGA has no lounges but I don’t think that will be the final deciding point - traffic, getting there (transit connections or Uber) and ease of security are more important. The flight is on a Sunday around 5 pm if that makes a difference.

I would fly into Newark (EWR). You can take the train, New Jersey Transit or even Amtrak to get into Manhattan (Penn Station) and then uber to your hotel. You will have much more traffic coming from Queens (LGA).