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

[calypso726]

Some of you may recall that my dh travels a lot of business. He just texted me this morning that he was involved in a serious car accident on Saturday. A paralegal talking on his phone, driving in the far right lane (dh was in the far left lane going the same direction) decided to suddenly make a u-turn, cut across 3 lanes and dh drove into him (obviously couldn't avoid him). Dh said his car cut right through the unibody at the wheel well of the other vehicle (2019 Acura small sedan). Thankfully dh seems to be okay, but his car (he's in Toronto) doesn't look great. The road was closed for 4 hours because the paralegal who drove into him was unconscious and apparently there was blood all over his car. I wish dh had told me sooner and maybe by phone. He sent me a video of the scene with the firefighters and police cars everywhere. Thanks for listening -- it's weighing heavily on my mind because it could've been so much worse if dh wasn't driving such a safe, well-made vehicle. Trying to work but finding it hard to concentrate.

Oh my goodness! So glad to hear he is ok.

 

[smmco]

I stayed there last summer. Here's my review. While we had issues with the room AC, it was overall a really nice hotel. It is probably a solid mile walk to the entrance of DL though, so just keep that in mind. It didn't bother us, but if you have kids or don't like a long walk at the end of the day, you may dislike it. I think I paid $124/night when I went in July 2018. The room rates definitely vary wildly.

I'll check out your review. He's 15 he can walk.

 

[GZanta77]

The only problem with trying to go earlier like June is we would have to book earlier. The baby would only be about a month or so old next June and idk if that’s enough time to really see how things go. We wouldn’t take the baby on a plane until July. Dh sounds like he wants to go no matter what though.

The good thing about Virgin award flights is you can change them for $50. Pretty sure you can even cancel for the same fee.

 

[Haley R]

The good thing about Virgin award flights is you can change them for $50. Pretty sure you can even cancel for the same fee.

That’s nice to have the option. We’ll try to avoid that if possible but still nice if for some reason we book and need to cancel or change

 

[smmco]

Another thing I've discovered is that some of the hotels like the Courtyard Marriott are a lot cheaper when booking a package through Disneyland then booking separately. 4 night, 3-day package at the Marriott is around 1850 with tickets, park hoppers and max pass vs just 1600 for the room booking through Marriott.
The Hilton is a mixed bag with reviews. I'll have to think about it.

 

[wendow]

Why is she weirded out? I mean they might not be the best roommates are far as having things in common but it wouldn’t weird me out to have a 20 yr old roommate. Lots of people going back to school in their 40’s and 50’s. We have a few older residents in our hospital’s program every year.

Well, I can totally see why a 19yo (and all those on the FB group with her) would be weirded out. They are all a bunch of kids looking to have the roommate experience that has become well-known in the DCP world. That doesn't include rooming with someone who is old enough to be your mother. This has nothing to do with judging anyone who chooses to go back to school later in life - I'm 100% in favor of that - but do those folks typically live in the dorms with the young students...?? I've never seen that happen and I've known quite a few go back to school in their 40's. Usually those folks aren't wanting to live among a bunch of college kids but instead have lived on their own and maybe even are married. And I'll just also say that the 51yo man who is hanging out on a FB group with a bunch of 19 and 20yo's trying to act cool is also odd.

 

[PolyRob]

OOh, same here. I actually ran out of it this weekend and was going through withdrawals. Managed to buy some more though, so it's all good.

Oh my. Running out is my biggest fear. Glad you were able to resolve that issue. LOL

I used a bunch of my Stop & Shop $20 GC coupons on the Coke Zero bottles that are $0.88. I think I have enough for weeks

 

[PolyRob]

I applied for the BA Chase card yesterday and got the "need more time" message. My identity monitoring showed that they'd pulled from Experian. I just got another notice (24 hours later) that they pulled a second report from Equifax. That seemed weird to me ... is that normal?

I had to call and recon a CSP for my mom a few months back. Chase pulled one report with the online app and auto-denied. The CSR rep said there wasn't enough credit history. She asked if she could pull another report and voila. Multiple cards showed up and she was approved! Maybe it was to see more credit history?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Well, I can totally see why a 19yo (and all those on the FB group with her) would be weirded out. They are all a bunch of kids looking to have the roommate experience that has become well-known in the DCP world. That doesn't include rooming with someone who is old enough to be your mother. This has nothing to do with judging anyone who chooses to go back to school later in life - I'm 100% in favor of that - but do those folks typically live in the dorms with the young students...?? I've never seen that happen and I've known quite a few go back to school in their 40's. Usually those folks aren't wanting to live among a bunch of college kids but instead have lived on their own and maybe even are married. And I'll just also say that the 51yo man who is hanging out on a FB group with a bunch of 19 and 20yo's trying to act cool is also odd.

Yes trying to act cool and 19 when you’re 50 is odd. I guess my definition of weirded out is different than odd. But is it cheaper to be in the dorms than in an apartment? Maybe it’s a money thing.

 

[PolyRob]

I finally got around to trying out the Xfinity mobile and home offers on my Chase cards with my cable, internet, and phone bill. I had both home and mobile on my CF, and mobile on 2 biz cards. Just split this months bill up to see if anything happens.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

The only problem with trying to go earlier like June is we would have to book earlier. The baby would only be about a month or so old next June and idk if that’s enough time to really see how things go. We wouldn’t take the baby on a plane until July. Dh sounds like he wants to go no matter what though.

I can’t offer much advice here, but for what I can...
1) we flew Virgin PE from LAX to LHR, and the LHR to JNB this past May, both 10+ hours . It was phenomenal and I agree with the other posters - 3 PE seats will keep you happy. I don’t think it’s worth upgrading to business but I’m also cheap. In fact, on our LHR-JNB flight there was a mom flying solo with a 5 month-old in the middle section next to us. They managed quite well and the flight attendants and fellow flyers (guilty) had a good time keeping baby entertained so mom could eat/go to the bathroom, take a nap, etc.

2) if you do end up getting the middle seat, and even if you don’t, look into the Doona. I saw a couple fly with it last year and have been obsessed ever since. DH and I know we’ll be getting it when we have our little. It’s a car-seat stroller combo that’s FFA approved and also makes traveling on public transport/ubers/taxis, etc. super convenient and super safe. I think anyone that’s on the move or travels a lot with a baby could benefit.

 

[LB002]

Oh they're crazy expensive in London and more so for "family rooms." That said, I've found Marriott and HIlton both at least HAVE rooms for four, whereas a lot of other properties do not. Another thought would be a B&B with a "family room" although often they have 3. Europe as a whole is not quite as family friendly IN HOTELS as we are accustomed to here, in my experience.

This is exactly why I looked at Airbnb!

 

[Haley R]

I can’t offer much advice here, but for what I can...
1) we flew Virgin PE from LAX to LHR, and the LHR to JNB this past May, both 10+ hours . It was phenomenal and I agree with the other posters - 3 PE seats will keep you happy. I don’t think it’s worth upgrading to business but I’m also cheap. In fact, on our LHR-JNB flight there was a mom flying solo with a 5 month-old in the middle section next to us. They managed quite well and the flight attendants and fellow flyers (guilty) had a good time keeping baby entertained so mom could eat/go to the bathroom, take a nap, etc.

2) if you do end up getting the middle seat, and even if you don’t, look into the Doona. I saw a couple fly with it last year and have been obsessed ever since. DH and I know we’ll be getting it when we have our little. It’s a car-seat stroller combo that’s FFA approved and also makes traveling on public transport/ubers/taxis, etc. super convenient and super safe. I think anyone that’s on the move or travels a lot with a baby could benefit.

I looked more into PE with VA and it looks like a great product. I like the snack area lol. The only thing I would be worried about is the taxes and fees but that’s just part of it I guess.

I looked at the Doona and it’s pretty cool. I had never seen or heard of it before. I don’t think we’ll get one though because it’s over double what we’re planning to spend. This is the stroller/car seat we’re planning on getting. It’s actually on sale on Black Friday at target for $100 off plus we have the 5% off: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CSECET0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2Gk3DbSEE8K7Y

 

[wendow]

Yes trying to act cool and 19 when you’re 50 is odd. I guess my definition of weirded out is different than odd. But is it cheaper to be in the dorms than in an apartment? Maybe it’s a money thing.

It's not cheap to be in the dorms. I actually think cost would be less in a non-DCP housing situation. And there are plenty of FB pages for CM's looking for roomies - whether they are PT/FT CM's or CP's - If I were an older CP, I'd look for a CM to room with who wasn't in the CP. As a woman in my 40's, I would know, without any doubt, that none of those kids would want me for their roommate, yk??

 

[alryan]

I applied for the BA Chase card yesterday and got the "need more time" message. My identity monitoring showed that they'd pulled from Experian. I just got another notice (24 hours later) that they pulled a second report from Equifax. That seemed weird to me ... is that normal?

I'm not sure about the delay for the second pull, but they always pull both for me.

 

[kmc8826]

I have to buy a Bj's membership, unless I can add $140.58 in Disney gift cards & $10 membership, will those be charged separate? Should I pay for the membership first? Or how do I do the one day pass?

If you do buy the $10 membership that lasts a year I am fairly certain it will bill separately. Mine was charged and shows up on statement as “BJ‘s Club Membership” for $10.73. I was worried about being shut down so I just renewed the online membership one I had before. I also did not want to use all my offers on one day...I preferred to spread it out.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

I looked more into PE with VA and it looks like a great product. I like the snack area lol. The only thing I would be worried about is the taxes and fees but that’s just part of it I guess.

I looked at the Doona and it’s pretty cool. I had never seen or heard of it before. I don’t think we’ll get one though because it’s over double what we’re planning to spend. This is the stroller/car seat we’re planning on getting. It’s actually on sale on Black Friday at target for $100 off plus we have the 5% off: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CSECET0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2Gk3DbSEE8K7Y

Yeah, we definitely didn’t go without on our trip haha. Are the taxes and fees more on that one? I don’t quite remember. Let us know what you end up booking!

and yeah that’s completely fair, it is pricey. I think your option looks great, especially with the deals you’re getting!! Nice score!

 

[Haley R]

Yeah, we definitely didn’t go without on our trip haha. Are the taxes and fees more on that one? I don’t quite remember. Let us know what you end up booking!

and yeah that’s completely fair, it is pricey. I think your option looks great, especially with the deals you’re getting!! Nice score!

I only looked for a quick second tonight but I saw something like 330k miles and I think it said $1700 in taxes and fees. That was for a week in June. It was more expensive for July and August.

I’m pretty excited that target is having a deal on the exact car seat and stroller combo we wanted!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Wow this is fantastic! Thank you so much! Doing one way flights to London and Edinburgh is a good idea. I want to spend time in both places but probably more time in London. We will for sure do a week but I’d like to do 10 days if possible. That would give us time to settle in and really enjoy it. Would it work to start in London, take the train, then leave from Edinburgh or vice versa?

I know BA has some high fees and charges. Is VA any better? That’s good to know that you recommend them. We went through them for our Japan trip using URs and they booked us a partner flight with ANA. They did spell dh’s name wrong so we’ll have to be extra careful this time lol.

What do you think about when to go? We were thinking July or August but I didn’t realize that’s their school break. Is the weather chilly in September?

VA definitely has the high fees, too, but as i said in our PM, for me it's a balancing act of convenience (no stopovers), availability (I can usually find awards), and fees. The thing with weather in London is you never know, but I personally LOVE the fall. I did get hit with some rain in early October this year, but that can happen any time. I think September is a great travel month because you'll be after a lot of the tourists.

I think with a baby, I'd lean to doing the short route on the way so start in London (MCO to LHR/LGW), take the train from London to Edinburgh, and then fly from Edinburgh home. That way you don't have to clear customs before catching your connecting flight, which keeps the time down. Since EDI to London is a domestic flight, you won't have to leave as much time between flights as if you were connecting the other way.

Great post.......and pretty much mirrors my thoughts on BA v Virgin in PE. I will take Virgin every time given the choice.

Great minds

The good thing about Virgin award flights is you can change them for $50. Pretty sure you can even cancel for the same fee.

I forgot to mention this--we've taken advantage and it's one of the reasons I always book award flights for DD.

I had to call and recon a CSP for my mom a few months back. Chase pulled one report with the online app and auto-denied. The CSR rep said there wasn't enough credit history. She asked if she could pull another report and voila. Multiple cards showed up and she was approved! Maybe it was to see more credit history?

We have tons of credit history so I doubt that's it, but maybe they were trying to see if there were any recent cards not showing up on both? Thanks for the DP though!

I'm not sure about the delay for the second pull, but they always pull both for me.

Ah, okay. Thanks. I haven't noticed this before, but I haven't applied for a card since I got my experian.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I looked more into PE with VA and it looks like a great product. I like the snack area lol. The only thing I would be worried about is the taxes and fees but that’s just part of it I guess.

I looked at the Doona and it’s pretty cool. I had never seen or heard of it before. I don’t think we’ll get one though because it’s over double what we’re planning to spend. This is the stroller/car seat we’re planning on getting. It’s actually on sale on Black Friday at target for $100 off plus we have the 5% off: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CSECET0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2Gk3DbSEE8K7Y

I did a lot of research before the 1st and likely only grandchild. Loved the Keyfit car seat. DGDs Keyfit car seat later went through 3 more friends after she was done and held up well. A number of mothers have brought their little ones up to visit on our labor and delivery unit and have had the stroller/Keyfit combo and they seem nice.
Again, being “That Grandma” I did a fair amount of online research regarding strollers. I spent some time at Disney looking at strollers and talked to a few guests. We settled on the Bob stroller which would be considered a jogging stroller. I believe it may have an attachment that allows compatibility with the Keyfit. The strollers with small wheels might be a little tougher to try jogging with if that would be the plan later.