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

[Psychodisney]

It's no more than 5 minutes from MDW. With ParkNFly I've never had to wait. Everytime I've used them I land, get my bag and the shuttle has been there waiting. From walking out of the terminal to getting on 55, maybe 20 minutes.

I‘ll second that. Ends up being more convenient for sure!

 

[ski_mom]

I was just going to comment on all of the passport talk - when we got our passports, we took our own photos using the passport photo booth app. It was very easy to use - it put shaded areas around where your shoulders and head should be in the camera lens. It then allows you to upload to a one hour photo place like walmart, walgreens, etc and it prints your pic on a regular 4x6 print and you cut out to the right size (which is indicated on the printed picture).

It was super easy and the only cost was for the printed picture.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We haven’t taken any $100 flights either- I wish!! Lots of DPs about booking any flight for $100, which triggers the airline credit, then cancel and get SW credit. I’ll leave it at that but flyertalk has more info.

I know that hack, but I'm not comfortable with that level of 'honesty'

I‘ll second that. Ends up being more convenient for sure!

So I found a cheaper rate at ParkNFly by booking through way.com. Any idea if they're reliable? Not sure why they're cheaper than direct with PNF but for 10.50 per day, I'll take it if they're legit.

 

[havaneselover]

I know that hack, but I'm not comfortable with that level of 'honesty'

So I found a cheaper rate at ParkNFly by booking through way.com. Any idea if they're reliable? Not sure why they're cheaper than direct with PNF but for 10.50 per day, I'll take it if they're legit.

I've used Way to park at DCA and it was perfectly fine.

 

[Psychodisney]

So I found a cheaper rate at ParkNFly by booking through way.com. Any idea if they're reliable? Not sure why they're cheaper than direct with PNF but for 10.50 per day, I'll take it if they're legit.

I'm not familiar with that but I've had some cheaper rates with Groupon.
The only problem with using Groupon and probably way.com in you don't have a reservation. The lot has never been full when we show up. However, last week at PreFLight at ORD, the lot was full! Only reservations were being allowed in.
As a backup, the ParkNFLy people have told us to make a one day reservation for the day we are starting our parking. That way you are guaranteed to get in.

 

[jujubiee4]

Friday I downgraded my CSR to Freedom Flex and I know it sounds weird but i feel a bit empty. lol
Normally I have no qualms about closing any card but for some reason this one stings a bit.

I remember the hoopla when they first announced the launch and the excitement. Oh well...even
the customer service rep sensed my remorse and said you can always get it again in the future. I logged
in right after the phone call to take one last look and it was already gone! lol

 

[pinkxray]

We returned from our stay at Portofino Bay/Universal. It was a pretty fun trip and I am glad we decided to go. We followed the mask indoors policy even before Universal went back to encouraging it. Kids and I wear a mask all day at school/work so it wasn’t a big deal. DD16 gave me a dirty look every time I made her wear it but I told her before we left if she didn’t wear it we would cancel. DD4 and DS6 aren’t vaccinated so Didn’t feel comfortable not having us all masked.

Our SW flights were all great, everyone working in both airports did a great job and were friendly.
We used Tony Hinds instead of our normal car rental and that worked fine. Cost around the same as what we would have paid in parking fees. Didn’t miss having a car at all.

We added a day last minute so no Ap rate was available. I used the Amex platinum hotel credit and booked Portofino. Got the $200 credit the next day. Still waiting for dining to hit my card, hopefully Amex credits the resort credit properly.

Also saved my Uber eats credits for July. We had chick fil A and TGIfridays in the hotel.

We are booked at Copper Creek 3 nights and Hard Rock 3 nights in Dec. Really looking forward to it.

I booked DD16 and myself for a weekend at Disney for the Princess 10k. Even opened a new SW card before this trip to work on getting flights. DD16 was acting like a spoiled brat the whole trip and I’m thinking of cancelling. I’ll use the SW points eventually but still annoyed at her. We were going to stay at BW and GF using our DVC points and I’m bummed to cancel my reservations. Going to leave it for now.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'm not familiar with that but I've had some cheaper rates with Groupon.
The only problem with using Groupon and probably way.com in you don't have a reservation. The lot has never been full when we show up. However, last week at PreFLight at ORD, the lot was full! Only reservations were being allowed in.
As a backup, the ParkNFLy people have told us to make a one day reservation for the day we are starting our parking. That way you are guaranteed to get in.

Groupon had a max 5 day (we'll be gone 10 days) and it was only a few dollars different. Way.com looks like it makes a reservation, so I'll go with that.
Thanks @havaneselover for confirming Way works.

 

[pinkxray]

I think I finally met my MSR for upgrading my Amex Gold to Platnium.(75,000 MR for $5000)
Hotel charges posted today and that pushes me over. Usually Amex MRs hit as soon as I meet the spend. Will they hit Monday or statement close?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thanks for this report! We are leaving for Orlando Thursday and I have qualms. We are all vax'd but still mask indoors (which DS complains about). I have thought about canceling a million times but have decided to go ahead. We will eat outdoor only (or in room) and mask indoors.
I feel you on the 16 yo. My sister took nieces (12 & 15) and nephew (12) to pool last night for swim team end of season party and took my son (12) as company for nephew. DS told me 15 yo was awful and my sis got so mad on the way home she stopped the car and told niece to walk home (we only live a mile apart). She wouldn't get out, so my sis apparently told her she won't be getting her drivers permit as planned. DS said he's never seen his aunt so mad. Niece goes from pleasant and helpful to selfish and bratty in minutes.

 

[jujubiee4]

I booked DD16 and myself for a weekend at Disney for the Princess 10k. Even opened a new SW card before this trip to work on getting flights. DD16 was acting like a spoiled brat the whole trip and I’m thinking of cancelling. I’ll use the SW points eventually but still annoyed at her. We were going to stay at BW and GF using our DVC points and I’m bummed to cancel my reservations. Going to leave it for now.

Anyone who has/had teens know the feeling. My mom wouldn't or couldn't do nearly the
mother daughter trips I do for my girls. Nothing screams louder than unappreciation. She will grow out of it.....sometime. lol

 

[chattadisser]

I booked DD16 and myself for a weekend at Disney for the Princess 10k. Even opened a new SW card before this trip to work on getting flights. DD16 was acting like a spoiled brat the whole trip and I’m thinking of cancelling. I’ll use the SW points eventually but still annoyed at her. We were going to stay at BW and GF using our DVC points and I’m bummed to cancel my reservations. Going to leave it for now.

I feel you on the 16 yo. My sister took nieces (12 & 15) and nephew (12) to pool last night for swim team end of season party and took my son (12) as company for nephew. DS told me 15 yo was awful and my sis got so mad on the way home she stopped the car and told niece to walk home (we only live a mile apart). She wouldn't get out, so my sis apparently told her she won't be getting her drivers permit as planned. DS said he's never seen his aunt so mad. Niece goes from pleasant and helpful to selfish and bratty in minutes.

I hear you on the teenager. Oldest DD turns 16 next week and we just got back from a week and a half trip and I swear at times I felt like I was traveling with a toddler again. Mood swings and I felt like I was feeding her all the time. And of course, just like a toddler, she didn’t want what everyone else was having but also couldn‘t tell you want she wanted. There were moments during the trip that I thought “I’m never taking you anywhere again”. I try to remember being that age because I wasn’t a peach myself but its hard. I think it was also hard because our last trip was a year and a half ago and she didn’t act like that then.

 

[Judique]

We returned from our stay at Portofino Bay/Universal. It was a pretty fun trip and I am glad we decided to go. We followed the mask indoors policy even before Universal went back to encouraging it. Kids and I wear a mask all day at school/work so it wasn’t a big deal. DD16 gave me a dirty look every time I made her wear it but I told her before we left if she didn’t wear it we would cancel. DD4 and DS6 aren’t vaccinated so Didn’t feel comfortable not having us all masked.

Our SW flights were all great, everyone working in both airports did a great job and were friendly.
We used Tony Hinds instead of our normal car rental and that worked fine. Cost around the same as what we would have paid in parking fees. Didn’t miss having a car at all.

We added a day last minute so no Ap rate was available. I used the Amex platinum hotel credit and booked Portofino. Got the $200 credit the next day. Still waiting for dining to hit my card, hopefully Amex credits the resort credit properly.

Also saved my Uber eats credits for July. We had chick fil A and TGIfridays in the hotel.

We are booked at Copper Creek 3 nights and Hard Rock 3 nights in Dec. Really looking forward to it.

I booked DD16 and myself for a weekend at Disney for the Princess 10k. Even opened a new SW card before this trip to work on getting flights. DD16 was acting like a spoiled brat the whole trip and I’m thinking of cancelling. I’ll use the SW points eventually but still annoyed at her. We were going to stay at BW and GF using our DVC points and I’m bummed to cancel my reservations. Going to leave it for now.

I can empathize with you on the 16 year old. My son was my problem and it was the end of Disney for a couple of years until he turned 21. Then he went to 'meet up with a girl'. Oh my.... Anyway that fizzled and he hasn't gone back since. He's 37. He and fiance are joining us at TG at Hilton Head - they will be married by then.

Older daughter took time off and then went back.

Younger DD doesn't go much now but she will go for a couple of days. She probably logged 60plus trips between age 4 and now. She'll be 29 in a week or more. Just her and I would go 3,4 or 5 times a year when the others quit especially after I had DVC.

Not much sense in ruining your own time there if they don't wish to go. Take one of the younger 2 or find a friend that wants to go if that works. Good luck! It gets better later. Especially with grandchildren but you have younger ones to enjoy now.

 

[havaneselover]

I completely sympathize with those struggling with traveling with teens. My two take turns being moody and ungrateful. It's so draining. My son is generally much worse but I've had a few tough trips with dd too. Next summer we are supposed to do a 9-day Greek Isles Disney cruise and I'm hoping DS says he doesn't want to come. It's so complicated because I desperately want to enjoy these experiences with both kids, but he, in particular, makes it tough to enjoy most anything because he complains so much and is so negative.

 

[jujubiee4]

I completely sympathize with those struggling with traveling with teens. My two take turns being moody and ungrateful. It's so draining. My son is generally much worse but I've had a few tough trips with dd too. Next summer we are supposed to do a 9-day Greek Isles Disney cruise and I'm hoping DS says he doesn't want to come. It's so complicated because I desperately want to enjoy these experiences with both kids, but he, in particular, makes it tough to enjoy most anything because he complains so much and is so negative.

Now that we are sharing stories one time family was on Disney Cruise. DD was I think 15 and when
it came time to go down to dinner she was dressed inappropriately. I told her to change which caused
and argument. She changed but was rude and sullen during dinner. I told her because of her mouth she
would not go on the next day's excursion. I think she thought I was kidding. The next morning Dh took
other kids and left for excursion. Honestly she cried so hard in room I thought security would come
knocking. I almost gave in but just sat on verandah calmly drinking coffee and reading a book.

We were out that money for her part of excursion but I did not care. Sometimes you have to take a stand
and stick to it. I noticed after that on future cruises when I tell everyone to go dress for dinner she brings something to me and asks "Is this alright"?


I use to think it was just girls that were the problem because my friends that have sons seem to have it
easy. My mother n law raves about my husband being the easiest to raise next to his sisters. My own brother has been a sweetheart his whole life and never a problem. But i guess looking at some other post
son's can be brutal also. lol

 

[wanderlust7]

Now that we are sharing stories one time family was on Disney Cruise. DD was I think 15 and when
it came time to go down to dinner she was dressed inappropriately. I told her to change which caused
and argument. She changed but was rude and sullen during dinner. I told her because of her mouth she
would not go on the next day's excursion. I think she thought I was kidding. The next morning Dh took
other kids and left for excursion. Honestly she cried so hard in room I thought security would come
knocking. I almost gave in but just sat on verandah calmly drinking coffee and reading a book.

We were out that money for her part of excursion but I did not care. Sometimes you have to take a stand
and stick to it. I noticed after that on future cruises when I tell everyone to go dress for dinner she brings something to me and asks "Is this alright"?


I use to think it was just girls that were the problem because my friends that have sons seem to have it
easy. My mother n law raves about my husband being the easiest to raise next to his sisters. My own brother has been a sweetheart his whole life and never a problem. But i guess looking at some other post
son's can be brutal also. lol

Great story! Sometimes you just have to put your foot down. DH is a lot better about that than I am! Reading these stories, a bit worried about how DS will be as he gets older. At 12, he is already jaded and will go "I don't wanna" to a lot of things. But then he seems to enjoy himself when he goes. I call it his idontwannaism lol.

 

[Haley R]

Super excited for the teenage years….gotta get through toddlerhood first Tantrum galore over here

 

[elgerber]

My dd was a MONSTER when she was a baby/toddler, she screamed all the time. No one could take care of her but me, and even for me she screamed. She literally cried for the first 8 hours after she was born. But older child/teen/young adult years, she has been a dream. I am so grateful!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

My dd was a MONSTER when she was a baby/toddler, she screamed all the time. No one could take care of her but me, and even for me she screamed. She literally cried for the first 8 hours after she was born. But older child/teen/young adult years, she has been a dream. I am so grateful!

DS was adopted in China. They handed us a 20 lb 12 month old. He was quiet at first, falling asleep on the way back to the hotel. Our guide even said “Oh you have good baby”. Until he woke up at the hotel. He started crying and wouldn’t stop. Apparently other guests could hear him screaming because eventually a maid knocked on the door. She tried to calm him by speaking Chinese soothingly. No dice. He continued to scream. She left and returned with her supervisor. Supervisor marched in, motioned to hand her the baby, spoke to him in Chinese and rocked him. She took him into the bathroom and started running water and threw in a rubber duck she brought. Drew his attention long enough to stop his crying. She also gave him a teddy bear as she left. He was quiet for about 10 minutes before he started screaming again. The only time he stopped crying was when we had room service. One look at food quieted him down, he couldn’t scream and eat. (Still true) He fell asleep that night laying on me and every time I put him down he woke up. He’s still not a great sleeper.

 

[chattadisser]

Super excited for the teenage years….gotta get through toddlerhood first Tantrum galore over here

The only redeemable part of tantrums during the toddler years is that no one looks at you disapprovingly when you carry them out football style out of Home Goods leaving the full cart behind. Not that I ever had to do that . I will say it hurts my heart at times that these great family trips that I have planned in my mind may not come to fruition as I’d hope between the ungrafefulness and the “I don’t want to go there”. I never got to go on family vacations as a kid but I think I may have over romanticized them too.