I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[CyndiLouWho]

My Gmail is my first and last name. I have a 'not common' last name. My AOL is a combo of initials and numbers and very short and has been spoofed a few times.

My last name is in the top 5 most common in the US. My maiden name very uncommon and I always had to spell it. Imagine my surprise when I was asked to spell my married name which is akin to Smith.

Two days to decide what to book next summer on DCL. There's a 9-day Greek Isles cruise with a stop in Croatia that has caught my eye. But it leaves Rome the day after school ends. I'm thinking the last half day of school should be okay to miss but knowing DS he'll still have half his stuff not turned in. And it doesn't seem to be easy to get a non-stop to Rome from the DC area. Maybe next year there will be more flights with things hopefully being better.

I'm sure it would be fine. I made the mistake of booking our AK cruise the week after school was out and that's the year we had 6 snow days used. They extended school a full week, which DS missed. Oopsie. School board has now adjusted calendar to add in a few extra days plus this year being remote much of the year, they just revert to remote instead of a snow day.

 

[GlamMistress]

Two days to decide what to book next summer on DCL. There's a 9-day Greek Isles cruise with a stop in Croatia that has caught my eye. But it leaves Rome the day after school ends. I'm thinking the last half day of school should be okay to miss but knowing DS he'll still have half his stuff not turned in. And it doesn't seem to be easy to get a non-stop to Rome from the DC area. Maybe next year there will be more flights with things hopefully being better.

I've got my eye on that cruise too. It is hard to decide. Plus there's the issue of cost... there's only so much I will pay for DCL after all!

 

[EM Lawrence]

Is there any general wisdom about how long the current Amex bonus offers will hang around? I think it could be worth it to get an Amex Platinum for myself (DH has Platinum, I have a Gold) but we can only spend so much on the 10X for groceries and gas at once. If I wait until the 6 months is over on those bonus categories on his card, how likely is it that the offer will still exist for me to take advantage of with my own card? By offer I mean both the increased sign up and the 10X bonus category on groceries and gas.

In May, I will be at 3/24, so getting the Platinum would put me at 4/24. I’m trying to decide if it would be worth it.

 

[EACarlson]

Are Amex business cards usually an immediate yes or no? I just applied for a Hilton Biz and got a "Pending Review." First time I've ever seen that from AMEX.

 

[havaneselover]

I've got my eye on that cruise too. It is hard to decide. Plus there's the issue of cost... there's only so much I will pay for DCL after all!

I hear you. I had my Iceland/Norway cruise paid in full so I've got a decent future cruise credit plus $7,500 in gift cards burning a whole in my pocket. I'm guessing 2A 1 C (yay--dd can eat at Palo) in a 9C is going to be $10-11K with OBB but I'll find out on Tuesday.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Are Amex business cards usually an immediate yes or no? I just applied for a Hilton Biz and got a "Pending Review." First time I've ever seen that from AMEX.

Recently for my first Amex biz app, I received immediate approval. My husband got a “pending review,” also his first Amex biz app. They also provided a phone number to call to provide more information. It was just an automated line and once they synced up his cell phone and he confirmed his SSN (or last 4), he received instant approval via the automated system.

 

[Mopedmom1]

First, for what ever reason, even though a mile apart, our old and new houses are different phone exchanges and even though you can use your cell number anywhere apparently land lines have different rules. So the account and number wouldn't carryover. Second, we had six weeks we lived with my sister between houses and Comcast wouldn't let me keep an account, I had to cancel and open a new one. In many cases moving that close wouldn't cause much disruption.

I didn't have a Comcast phone number to contend with. In fact the new location doesn't even allow me to use a Comcast phone. It is a small, privately owned monopoly. And a pain in the behind, I might add. I guess I need to consider myself lucky I got to keep my email!

We actually lived in both places for about 12 weeks but I don't remember if we were able to have tv/internet at both or if we had to pare it down to one. I suspect the latter.

 

[elgerber]

Sorry to keep beating the AMEX horse LOL, I've been in pop-up jail so long, I am out of touch. If I get DD the Delta gold, I might just use it for my property taxes, which covers the spend. Taxes are still ok yes?
And the offer for the $200 credit at a home improvement store, could she buy some gift cards at Home Depot and a couple of candy bars and get the credit?

Did anyone have any thoughts on this?
Thanks!!

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Just a little vent. My Peleton bike+ was delivered on Friday. Went to clip in this morning and realized that they didn't send the cleats for the shoes (I ordered the Peleton shoes with the bike as my current ones have an SPD clip) . I expected much better from them considering the cost.

On the plus side I was able to do 2 classes (60mins and 20mins) with my old cleats (on the flat side of the pedal and no standing) followed by 10 mins abs and LOVED it. Now I just need the cleats for the Peleton shoes so I can have a better ride.

 

[platamama]

SW change dp: I was able to change a 5/15 flight, but not a 5/22 flight.

ETA: Also able to change flights booked for 5/9 and 5/10.

 

[ep1229]

I have the Bike+ and also bought the bike shoes. It has the delta clips attached to the shoe already. Did you get something different?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I have the Bike+ and also bought the bike shoes. It has the delta clips attached to the shoe already. Did you get something different?

No clips at all. Just a shiny flat surface on the bottom of the shoes.

 

[Alexle2007]

SW change dp: I was able to change a 5/15 flight, but not a 5/22 flight.

ETA: Also able to change flights booked for 5/9 and 5/10.

Thanks! I can book our June flights now for vacation.

 

[IFlossU]

Thanks! I can book our June flights now for vacation.

Did you enjoy Hawaii? I’m still on the fence about our trip. It sounded like your testing process went pretty smoothly though. Just not sure how I feel about it. Would you go again?

 

[afan]

It's almost the end of the quarter, those with streaming stuff on your freedom don't forget to change it after it charges March. If you have a discover, it's one of the categories and what I switched netflix to.

 

[becauseimnew]

It's almost the end of the quarter, those with streaming stuff on your freedom don't forget to change it after it charges March. If you have a discover, it's one of the categories and what I switched netflix to.

Thanks for the reminder, I’m going to buy some Netflix, Amazon & Apple gift cards at Staples with my new CIC.

 

[Explore]

That stinks! Our shoes came right away, shipped separately. My husband did have to attach the clips to the shoes. We considered it rude of them to send them right away since we had to wait 11 weeks for the bike. But I guess if something was wrong we would have had time to fix it. I would be pretty bummed, too. Hopefully they will make it right. Their customer service is probably one of the absolute worst we have ever dealt with. Good luck! All four of us ride our bike+ almost every single day.

Just a little vent. My Peleton bike+ was delivered on Friday. Went to clip in this morning and realized that they didn't send the cleats for the shoes (I ordered the Peleton shoes with the bike as my current ones have an SPD clip) . I expected much better from them considering the cost.

On the plus side I was able to do 2 classes (60mins and 20mins) with my old cleats (on the flat side of the pedal and no standing) followed by 10 mins abs and LOVED it. Now I just need the cleats for the Peleton shoes so I can have a better ride.

 

[afan]

Thanks for the reminder, I’m going to buy some Netflix, Amazon & Apple gift cards at Staples with my new CIC.

That's a good idea. I'll make a note to use my freedom at Lowe's for some netflix along with whatever other gc I need to get in the 2nd quarter.

 

[MKTokyo]

Would love to hear about Super Nintendo World after you go.

I'll do a mini review! I never seem to finish the long-form ones.

YAY on your shots!!!

I like it and intend on returning for my third trip next month (making use of my AP!). That said it’s a mixed bag, some hate it. It’s my life escape this year as I cannot travel abroad and life is dang stressful so I’m enjoying this weird hopefully once in a lifetime version of WDW. I also have a sneaky suspicion prices are gonna up, up, up and away once the normal stuff comes back and the 50th kicks off so I am not convinced the value proposition argument fits everyone, 20% cheaper for no shows or M&Gs? Count me in (#ChildlessMillenial)

Like:
-spacing. I don’t like people up in my business to the point I can panic. I can’t do fireworks shows without a desert party for some bubble space or parades. Now I don’t have to avoid those areas of the parks
-characters, I don’t do character M&G so I’m loving the random characters popping up and mini drive by cavalcades
-buses. Everybody gets a seat!
-Skyliner. Private cabins!
-no rope drop crowds
-no security backups at park entry (that should be here to stay as the new tech isn’t going anywhere)
-no FP keeps lines moving at a steady pace
-dining, I no longer feel like I’m dining with the parties next to me and people are far enough away my klutzy self will no longer spill water in a strangers lap (LTT 2019 )

Dislike:
-plexiglass. It ruins Frozen. I actually don’t mind it on ROTR but some very much do. I think they added it to MFSR? I haven’t done it since COVID started as I don’t like MFSR. It’s being tested on Na’Vi
-hours, Disney dribbles out extensions every week but this is very annoying for planning and even extended they aren’t as long as they used to be
-buses (lol, I know but there is good and bad to some COVID aspects) lines get long and backed up first thing in the morning
-Skyliner, line at night to get out stretches back to BC (was about 25 mins)
-ADRs, it’s harder to get ADRs now than before due to capacity

I'm almost positive that prices are going up BIG TIME in 2022, especially because there was no February increase this year. Somebody has to pay for Tron & I'm sure they did the math to figure out exactly how much more they can squeeze out of people

I love the idea of personal space. It's been so long since we were last at WDW that we haven't even been on MSFR or ROTR so I suppose we won't know what we're missing. I looked at the ADRs to see what's available & some of our favs are, some aren't, but if we go I guess we will be having a new dining adventure. DH wants to build a lightsaber and currently no appointments for that either, but maybe we can try for an early or late one when they extend the hours.

We’ve been twice during the pandemic and are holding a ressie for Thanksgiving again. We enjoyed the extra spacing and the calvacades were a good substitute for the parades. A lot of dining was closed, so if you are going specifically for certain dining locations, you should check online first. We would certainly go back. My only complaint on the last trip is that not every group respected the six feet distancing. But, if I were vaccinated, that issue is resolved.
Where are you thinking of staying? We stayed at the Riviera, Poly and AKL Kidani. If you are paying a premium to stay somewhere like the Poly, with the monorail closed, no fireworks and no water show, I could see being disappointed.

Our Kidani waitlist was confirmed (yay!) so that's where we would be headed... looks like Sanaa is doing mobile pickup so that's one dinner down, if we can't get in. Without the evening shows I am wondering what we can do at night... we aren't "nightlife" people but we don't want to be in at 8 either. We can do movies, bowling... I'll have to see what else is running. It stinks that the water pageant isn't running. Trying to get in later at Narcoossee's would have been nice.

Congrats on vaccinations all around! I am hoping to visit NY again once things get normal-ish.

We have been going to WDW fairly often since the pass holder preview last July. Through November to January we were there every weekend. Under the circumstances, the cavalcades are a decent substitute to the parades. The distanced characters placed in strategic areas are better than no characters. I do miss the night time fire works. Before being fully vaccinated, WDW was about the riskiest thing I was comfortable doing because of the safety measures they have implemented. I have not been on a plane since the winter of 2019. For me, that's insane, but here we are LOL Planning to break that no plane streak in May with a trip to Hawaii.

Dining has not been an issue. I have tended to stick to outdoor dining at Wine Bar George, Jaleo, STK, The Boathouse, Three Bridges, Paddlefish, Art Smith, Paradiso 37, Terralina, and Geyser Point for the most part. Of course there are many more quick service options for outdoor dining too.

WDW is close and we go often so no big deal for us and we are able to enjoy it as things stand. I expect that when DLR opens up, the experience will be similar to WDW. With that in mind, I would still have no problem hopping on a plane to do a DLR trip which is something we have planned for late summer this year.

We still find it to be fun. If we didn't, we wouldn't go. It's been a whole two weeks since we were last there and I'm already itching to return

The cavalcades do look like fun, even if they aren't full parades! The pictures/videos of them feel very "Disney."

I will admit I was extremely nervous to fly to the US but we were able to verify that there was nobody else booked in our cabin and we didn't have to use public transportation at any point, so we went for it. It felt like everyone around us was a pandemic frequent flyer who knew exactly what to do, and had it down to a science. I told DH I felt safer in the airport and on the plane than I did at the grocery store.

I think I am leaning towards going. Some of the altered/halted experiences really stink and we will miss them but I think it will be worth it just to get back to one of our favorite places.

 

[stitchfan18]

It stinks that the water pageant isn't running.

It did return in December, so unless they discontinued it again, Electric Water Pageant is back!