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

[palhockeymomof2]

My 6am flight out of ISP changed to 5:20am. That's a bit too early - but not changing it.

Yea I’d keep it too...I noticed Saturday has 2 non stopflights and the rest of the week only 1

 

[alryan]

I would try to go. I know it's a hassle but sounds like everything is lined up.

Having just went to Oahu in March, I will say I am glad we did it and a lot could change before Aug. I know PA just announced 100% capacity for everything beginning 5/31.

Thanks for the encouragement. I did change our flight out to California to spend a few days there. But then I realized it can't be more than three days because I don't want to have to try and get our Covid tests done there. So flights are all set. I think I'll just plan on going. If something happens and we have to cancel I'll try to get the certs extended. I'm hoping that the rapid on arrival test won't be needed by then.

 

[alryan]

Grrr...I need 8/17 and 18 to walk back to early July. The airfare prices to Aruba are ridiculous! I might just end up at Key West instead rather stomach the prices.

So close. Seems like prices are getting high for everything. I looked at prices to return to Punta Cana and they are close to $500 one way, probably similar to Aruba. I guess we should be happy we took advantage of the low Covid prices while we could. Hope you can make Aruba work, but Key West sounds like a good second choice.

 

[LB002]

Thanks, I saw that after I had figured it out on my own. I was looking for my brother, who was able to save about 5k/flight to pick the exact flights he wanted.

I told myself that with this next change window I would make a decision about Hawaii. I change my mind depending on the day. After reading your post I was leaning toward going. Then the news about a second rapid test on arrival in Maui had me leaning no. But I have three FNC expiring in August and 4 in May. There is absolutely no availability for the Grand Wailea when we could go. I even checked during non school times and just have my husband and I go, and there is still nothing. So then I think, just go. It won't be the same as pre Covid, but I don't know when we will get the opportunity to stay at the Grand Wailea using 7 FNC.

Having just come back from HI and done the testing, I say GO! Also, there is a rumor they will change the program and waive testing requirements if you are vaccinated (helpful if that applies tonyou).

 

[Alexle2007]

Final rant! Why can’t Hilton add our FNC to our member account. It is so silly to need to call, especially with a 30 min wait.

 

[LB002]

I was wondering about Benadryl. I was planning to ask his pediatrician what she thought.

I know you've already gotten a lot of advice, but we have travel often with our kiddos since they were infants, so throwing in my two cent!
- His own seat/car seat will be most familiar (although sounds like he hates. ☹). We had a Cosco Scenera car seat for travel- super lightweight and easy to travel with.

- Have 1 parent get on first to install car seat, wipe everything down, get toys set up. The other parent takes baby/kid for last diaper/potty stop, run around the airport, etc and board the plan with the last boarding group. Baby spends less time in the seat, and parent has time to set up without wiggly baby to juggle/people waiting behind you

- Those ear things look great. I received advice to feed baby at takeoff/landing. Didn't realize she got motion sick. I got puked on EVERY flight until she was able to tell me the plane "hurt her tummy". We now use dramamine and those wrist bands. Anyway, bring changes of clothes on board for all of you!

- I always resisted benedryl. Didn't use it last year for HI and regretted it. We used it this year for HI and worked GREAT (kids are 7 & 10). Kids actually requested it for flight home. Obviously talk to Dr and do a trial run in advance.

- Do whatever it takes to entertain/keep baby happy. If that's a pacifier, snacks or screen time you usually limit at home, new toys (we call them "plane prizes" - small new toy/activity to entertain). They get a lollipop for takeoff (we did tic tacs for latest flight with masks). My kids actually ENJOY travel bc of these "treats". My 7yo told me he doesn't mind the flight to HI because I'd never let him watch his Kindle for that many hours straight at home!

- Toddlers are the worst to fly/travel with. They are old enough to want to me moving around, but too young to reason with. As another poster said - expect the worst, hope for the best! It gets better.

 

[LB002]

Final rant! Why can’t Hilton add our FNC to our member account. It is so silly to need to call, especially with a 30 min wait.

My theory is they hope you lose it and never redeem.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Grrr...I need 8/17 and 18 to walk back to early July. The airfare prices to Aruba are ridiculous! I might just end up at Key West instead rather stomach the prices.

Is there anything in the 7/11-8/14 window that is the same price or points you paid? Because if there is, you could change to that and then change to the early July, as long as it’s within 30 days of the date you want.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

So I did the Goldbelly Amex offer for Texas Brisket for my husband’s upcoming birthday. Also used 20% off with promo code AIRJORDAN. So out of pocket will be $85 for 6-7 pounds of Texas Brisket. Still seems pricey to me but he actually mentioned a buddy had it shipped and it was so delicious. He deserves it and we would spend way more than that at a restaurant.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Ugh... I Twittered SW yesterday afternoon and they still haven’t replied.
They changed our flight but drop the first leg, of our departure.
Now to wait on hold for forever.

I’m sure it’s too late, but I have had really good luck with the chat option through the app.

 

[platamama]

Did you see this?
https://onemileatatime.com/buy-southwest-points/
So you'd be paying 1.57 cpp. If you have UR to transfer, are you getting more than that with your URs? They can be redeemed for ~1.2 cpp. So then the question is is it worth the price differential for the flexibility?

It's possible to convert travel funds to a Luv voucher to extend them. But it costs $100. So would only make sense it you had a lot.

Agree the option to convert the travel funds was really awesome! Not sure what I would have done with all of mine if they didn't offer that!

But, but, I'm like Smaug of URs.

I do totally see your point about transferring URs, and as long as I have a CP then I can get 2.4c per UR by redeeming with SW. I've been doing pretty well with transferring to Hyatt too. But sometimes booking through Chase travel at 1.5x is better than transferring URs (I'm looking at you, United) so I want to keep a decent stash of URs at the ready.

So I am viewing at it as paying 1.57 cpp and getting 2.4 cpp out (bc of CP, with the caveat being that I need a new CP for 2022-2023). I gotta say, the change window is amazing and that stretches the cpp of each RR even further, for however long it lasts. I love being able to speculatively book with RRs knowing that I'll get all the RRs back if I cancel with no expiration. It's hard to put a concrete dollar value on that flexibility, but I am willing to pay something for it.

 

[becauseimnew]

I’m sure it’s too late, but I have had really good luck with the chat option through the app.

Not too late, it’s been almost 24 hours! I’ll give jet a try!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Thanks, I saw that after I had figured it out on my own. I was looking for my brother, who was able to save about 5k/flight to pick the exact flights he wanted.

I told myself that with this next change window I would make a decision about Hawaii. I change my mind depending on the day. After reading your post I was leaning toward going. Then the news about a second rapid test on arrival in Maui had me leaning no. But I have three FNC expiring in August and 4 in May. There is absolutely no availability for the Grand Wailea when we could go. I even checked during non school times and just have my husband and I go, and there is still nothing. So then I think, just go. It won't be the same as pre Covid, but I don't know when we will get the opportunity to stay at the Grand Wailea using 7 FNC.

Between your companion passes and your 7 FNC and everything being all set already, it seems such a shame not to go. I know that feeling of vacillating based on the day. I do hope you’ll be able to make it work.

 

[becauseimnew]

I’m sure it’s too late, but I have had really good luck with the chat option through the app.

PS No wait on the chat option. Reservation fixed.

 

[georgina]

If extended warranties have any value for you, the Citi cards extend the original manufacturer's warranty 24 months. Amex and Chase only do 12 months extended warranty.

Good point, but I never think about that when making purchases. I would have to use the card on the purchase to get that benefit !

 

[Alexle2007]

Is there anything in the 7/11-8/14 window that is the same price or points you paid? Because if there is, you could change to that and then change to the early July, as long as it’s within 30 days of the date you want.

I hadn’t booked anything yet since I have been debating what to do. I am sure there will be another round so I might just hold out until next week or so and I can walk it back to early July.

 

[trenty]

Yea I’d keep it too...I noticed Saturday has 2 non stopflights and the rest of the week only 1

Yep. Not worth it to change to a flight with a stop. I hope they don’t mess with my return flight too much.

 

[elgerber]

Holy smokes, dd decided we should sell our Harry Styles tix . Prices were insane on stubhub so I listed wayyyy lower than the others in similar sections, thinking that would work. Well I guess I went too low, they sold in 20 minutes!! We made a profit of over $200 a ticket LOL, guess I should have gone for more. Judging by the guys email address, I suspect he might resell them, but oh well.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Have you tried meclizine (non drowsy dramamine) to see if that helps at all? While I don't know the reason for the ear issues and altitude, I do know that it helps me when my ear crystals get loose and want to party. If I'm lucky and notice it coming on and take some I can avoid thr epley maneuver to get them back in place.

Also lets me ride tower of terror without getting an upset stomach cause I have issues with the up and down. Nothing like horseback riding and an uncooperative horse to teach me that.

My doctor originally gave me some medicine for seizures (off label usage). That worked but made my hands so tingly are weird feeling. Now I pop a Xanax, a sudafed if I'm any kind of stuffy, and use the earplanes. They've worked. I did puke 2 summers ago when the turbulence was INSANE. Back to back shakey flights, I couldn't take it anymore, LOL

Not sure yet. Hoping to make it to Delaware the first night, then take our time with the rest of the trip. Any suggestions on a good route that would have some stuff to see along the way?

Looking at your route, you're kinda far from my "beach towns". Sorry, LOL.

Final rant! Why can’t Hilton add our FNC to our member account. It is so silly to need to call, especially with a 30 min wait.

So they can mess it up like they did when I tried to use mine in Feb. Apparently when you book there's a drop down menu where the rep picks FNC vs points. Mine didn't do that, and I didn't catch it till a month later. Luckily a call to the diamond line and the righted the wrong. I was NOT happy though.

I am dragging my feet on trying to plan any summer trips. I have so many rental car options on hold, and I'm not sure any will work. UGH. And with the rates raising everywhere, who knows if I'll be able to pull anything off. I'm with the others who said good thing I traveled a bunch while it was cheap. Ironic all my travel will have been during the "peak" of quarantine vs now like most.

 

[Haley R]

I know you've already gotten a lot of advice, but we have travel often with our kiddos since they were infants, so throwing in my two cent!
- His own seat/car seat will be most familiar (although sounds like he hates. ☹). We had a Cosco Scenera car seat for travel- super lightweight and easy to travel with.

- Have 1 parent get on first to install car seat, wipe everything down, get toys set up. The other parent takes baby/kid for last diaper/potty stop, run around the airport, etc and board the plan with the last boarding group. Baby spends less time in the seat, and parent has time to set up without wiggly baby to juggle/people waiting behind you

- Those ear things look great. I received advice to feed baby at takeoff/landing. Didn't realize she got motion sick. I got puked on EVERY flight until she was able to tell me the plane "hurt her tummy". We now use dramamine and those wrist bands. Anyway, bring changes of clothes on board for all of you!

- I always resisted benedryl. Didn't use it last year for HI and regretted it. We used it this year for HI and worked GREAT (kids are 7 & 10). Kids actually requested it for flight home. Obviously talk to Dr and do a trial run in advance.

- Do whatever it takes to entertain/keep baby happy. If that's a pacifier, snacks or screen time you usually limit at home, new toys (we call them "plane prizes" - small new toy/activity to entertain). They get a lollipop for takeoff (we did tic tacs for latest flight with masks). My kids actually ENJOY travel bc of these "treats". My 7yo told me he doesn't mind the flight to HI because I'd never let him watch his Kindle for that many hours straight at home!

- Toddlers are the worst to fly/travel with. They are old enough to want to me moving around, but too young to reason with. As another poster said - expect the worst, hope for the best! It gets better.

Thanks for the tips! We do plan do have Dh board first and I’ll keep ds with me to run around the airport until about the last second to board. His pediatrician said they don’t recommend meds at this age so we’ll just go without. I’m planning on using his pacifier a ton. It should help a lot. He loves his pacifier. So far he’s never been interested in watching anything. Maybe that’ll be different on the plane but he doesn’t have the attention span to sit and watch something