I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[Best Aunt]

So I’m considering a solo trip for a few days in December. Just me, not my family lol.

I considered like going tj the jersey shore or just into Philly or something, but I think I want to go to Disney. I have a friend who works for abc who could give me a 1 day park hopper. I’m getting a $1500 bonus and want to keep everything under that.

So; Orlando or Anaheim? I live in PA, so Orlando is clearly the easier choice. Stay in the bubble, hit mk and epcot on one day and just chill another day or 2. Could probably swing a moderate resort.

Anaheim- want to see the haunted mansion holiday overlay. But a lot more travel time, a time change, I’m a little nervous staying at an offsite place alone with the walk, and I can’t afford on-site. Any off site place wouldn’t have a nice pool like a Disney world moderate to relax by.

This is all semi hypothetical, I have a weeks pto im saving for the likelihood of covid and missing work. No one in my house has had it yet, so it seems inevitable.

Several years back, I was going to be in LA, so I added a few days at Disneyland to the end of my trip. It was my first time going to Disneyland. I stayed at the Paradise Pier hotel. I was solo on one of those days. When I was walking back to the hotel alone in the dark, I was not a happy camper. I found it hard to see where I was supposed to go.

I've been told that the off-site hotels are actually easier to get to from the parks than the on-site hotels. Some of them are directly across the street from the park entrance. You can get more info on the Disneyland forums.

When deciding FL vs CA, I think the first step would be to look for flights for the days you want. Not for pricing - check to see if there are any flights on your days at all. If your local airport is big, it might not make a difference. If your local airport is small, you might find that some airlines only fly between the airports on certain days of the week. If the flights are limited, you could have a problem if your flight gets cancelled. There might not be any alternatives for days.

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is about 15 miles from Disneyland. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is about 13 miles from Disneyland. LAX is about 40 miles away. Burbank (BUR) is about 42 miles away. This webage talks about the CA airports, and how to get from the airports to Disneyland:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/getting-here/by-plane/

 

[havaneselover]

Ok, totally off topic. But have AmEx Saks credits to burn. Does anyone own the Veja sneakers. Are they worth the cost? They remind me of the Tretorns I wore in middle school.

No but they are cute and sustainable and reviews look good.

I took forever to find a white sneaker I love and finally settled on Adidas Superstars (tried Superga and leather converse in the process and couldn't find one that was comfortable). Luckily I can often find super cute Superstars < $50. I got a Mackenzie Childs bowl which I love and Cole Haan sandals with my last two Saks credits.

 

[havaneselover]

On the car front I'm now seriously considering the Hyundai Tuscon Hybrid. I've had four Hondas in a row and I'm so loyal but the Tuscon's reviews are uniformly excellent and the warranty is better. Plus I can actually get one at MSRP whereas Hondas seem to be going well over MSRP right now.

 

[hsmamato2]

On the car front I'm now seriously considering the Hyundai Tuscon Hybrid. I've had four Hondas in a row and I'm so loyal but the Tuscon's reviews are uniformly excellent and the warranty is better. Plus I can actually get one at MSRP whereas Hondas seem to be going well over MSRP right now.

Just a generic shoutout...I love my 13 yo Sonata...the warranty was amazing,never had to use it b/c she still runs like a top...I'd buy a Hyundai all over again

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

On the car front I'm now seriously considering the Hyundai Tuscon Hybrid. I've had four Hondas in a row and I'm so loyal but the Tuscon's reviews are uniformly excellent and the warranty is better. Plus I can actually get one at MSRP whereas Hondas seem to be going well over MSRP right now.

I have a 17 Tucson and still love it. We also have a 2009 Hyundai and that thing is still kicking and works great, still no issues! We are so loyal to Hyundai, nothing but great experiences. Once when we did have an issue at year 11 (1 year past warranty), I wrote to Hyundai and they reimbursed me the $400 for the repair. In my opinion, a great company.

 

[djmeredith]

Ok, totally off topic. But have AmEx Saks credits to burn. Does anyone own the Veja sneakers. Are they worth the cost? They remind me of the Tretorns I wore in middle school.

No but they are cute and sustainable and reviews look good.

I took forever to find a white sneaker I love and finally settled on Adidas Superstars (tried Superga and leather converse in the process and couldn't find one that was comfortable). Luckily I can often find super cute Superstars < $50. I got a Mackenzie Childs bowl which I love and Cole Haan sandals with my last two Saks credits.

OMG, it literally took me a year to find the perfect white sneaker! I didn't try to the Veja because of price, but I saw a million middle aged women wearing them around D.C. this summer.

I probably ordered 20 pairs from various places and also shopped locally. I have had 2 foot surgeries on my left foot and have a bad back, so comfort is hugely important. However, I also wanted stylish since the white sneaker look is so popular right now. A couple of weeks before I left for Europe this summer, I finally settled on the Adidas Vulc Raid3R, but I added a Dr. School's women's cushion insert. I still couldn't walk around all day in them because of my issues but most people probably could.

A couple of additional side notes. For regular tennis shoes, I usually go with Hoka One One; the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. They only had one all white style, which I ordered, but it was a weird design so I didn't keep it.) My teen nephew introduced me to Crep Protect. I highly recommend it for any sneaker, but especially for white and/or expensive ones. Spray it on per the instructions and it will keep it very clean.

 

[havaneselover]

OMG, it literally took me a year to find the perfect white sneaker! I didn't try to the Veja because of price, but I saw a million middle aged women wearing them around D.C. this summer.

I probably ordered 20 pairs from various places and also shopped locally. I have had 2 foot surgeries on my left foot and have a bad back, so comfort is hugely important. However, I also wanted stylish since the white sneaker look is so popular right now. A couple of weeks before I left for Europe this summer, I finally settled on the Adidas Vulc Raid3R, but I added a Dr. School's women's cushion insert. I still couldn't walk around all day in them because of my issues but most people probably could.

A couple of additional side notes. For regular tennis shoes, I usually go with Hoka One One; the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. They only had one all white style, which I ordered, but it was a weird design so I didn't keep it.) My teen nephew introduced me to Crep Protect. I highly recommend it for any sneaker, but especially for white and/or expensive ones. Spray it on per the instructions and it will keep it very clean.

I think my quest was 5 years. I kept trying to convince myself that I loved Supergas (after all, Kate Midleton wears them), but they were just not comfortable. Same with my fancy leather low top converse. And lol on the middle aged women of DC. I probably haven't been looking but probably what the middle aged women of Richmond are wearing too

 

[djmeredith]

I need some advice about the plan for my next few cards. I need to earn as many points as possible in the next few months so I can get 2 tix to Hawaii for next summer. I am probably going to do economy or economy plus for outbound and I would like to do biz on the return. I have myself, P2, and P3 to help. I thought I was going to get Chase cards and use the UR on United tix. However, I checked last night and Delta's redemption rate had dropped and was very comparable. So now I am torn about going after MR or UR. I blew all my pts on my Europe trip, so I only have around 10K UR and 19K MR to start with. I am leaning towards United since their redemption rates are normally less than Delta. I am willing to even do different airlines each way. What are your opinions on UR vs. MR for this scenario?

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Ok, totally off topic. But have AmEx Saks credits to burn. Does anyone own the Veja sneakers. Are they worth the cost? They remind me of the Tretorns I wore in middle school.

I just bought a pair and have only worn them once, but so far I really love them! I think they're super cute and seem pretty comfortable, although I'm still breaking them in. I have wide feet and it's sometimes hard for me to find shoes that are comfortable. I'd say go for it!

 

[wanderlust7]

I need some advice about the plan for my next few cards. I need to earn as many points as possible in the next few months so I can get 2 tix to Hawaii for next summer. I am probably going to do economy or economy plus for outbound and I would like to do biz on the return. I have myself, P2, and P3 to help. I thought I was going to get Chase cards and use the UR on United tix. However, I checked last night and Delta's redemption rate had dropped and was very comparable. So now I am torn about going after MR or UR. I blew all my pts on my Europe trip, so I only have around 10K UR and 19K MR to start with. I am leaning towards United since their redemption rates are normally less than Delta. I am willing to even do different airlines each way. What are your opinions on UR vs. MR for this scenario?

If you can, both? United and Delta awards are dynamic, so hard to say what it'll look like by the time you book. Maybe you'll end up MR one-way and UR the other.

If you're okay with high MSR and AF, you can amass more MRs faster than you can URs.

 

[Alexle2007]

I just bought a pair and have only worn them once, but so far I really love them! I think they're super cute and seem pretty comfortable, although I'm still breaking them in. I have wide feet and it's sometimes hard for me to find shoes that are comfortable. I'd say go for it!

Did they run big? I read if you are 1/2 size to go down so I would order a 6 instead of a 7.

 

[havaneselover]

After my stay at the ritz-Carlton Atlanta my cs platinum is getting another year in my wallet. Fhr benefit is so nice. Was a great weekend. Good weather. Dd and I explored some new shopping destinations and found a Culver’s. But seriously she switched lanes nonstop and I almost got out and walked she was making me so anxious.

 

[Alexle2007]

I think my quest was 5 years. I kept trying to convince myself that I loved Supergas (after all, Kate Midleton wears them), but they were just not comfortable. Same with my fancy leather low top converse. And lol on the middle aged women of DC. I probably haven't been looking but probably what the middle aged women of Richmond are wearing too

I have the Supergas also and went down being a 1/2 size and they still feel big and heavy. So my search continues.

 

[Alexle2007]

Thanks @havaneselover @djmeredith @magickingdomprincess I think I will order the Veja and Adidas to try. I have lots of walking to do in Chicago next weekend so I wanted something cute and comfy.

 

[havaneselover]

1st time clear was useless in atl. Precheck is much faster. Glad I’m not paying for clear!

 

[chattadisser]

After my stay at the ritz-Carlton Atlanta my cs platinum is getting another year in my wallet. Fhr benefit is so nice. Was a great weekend. Good weather. Dd and I explored some new shopping destinations and found a Culver’s. But seriously she switched lanes nonstop and I almost got out and walked she was making me so anxious.

I had to laugh at this as I drive in Atlanta traffic quite often and you get used to the nonstop lane changing and everyone driving 80+. Glad you had a good experience with the Ritz, I have considered using it for a staycation-esque since we're only about an hour away.

1st time clear was useless in atl. Precheck is much faster. Glad I’m not paying for clear!

This has been my experience the past three times going out of Atlanta. Pre-check is faster than Clear. I got the Clear since it was free but I haven't even used it yet because the lines are always so long - at least in the Delta terminal.

 

[Psychodisney]

Thanks @havaneselover @djmeredith @magickingdomprincess I think I will order the Veja and Adidas to try. I have lots of walking to do in Chicago next weekend so I wanted something cute and comfy.

I’ll be in Chicago next weekend too! Staying at the Gwen for the first time. Hoping a Marriott suite upgrade comes through.

 

[EACarlson]

1st time clear was useless in atl. Precheck is much faster. Glad I’m not paying for clear!

Is this because Clear has it's own screener now rather than just cutting off the Pre line like they do at MSP?

 

[chattadisser]

Is this because Clear has it's own screener now rather than just cutting off the Pre line like they do at MSP?

Yes, they have separate lines for Clear and Pre, the issue is they don't have as many screeners for Clear as they do for Pre. I think there are only 2 for Clear and like 8 for Pre.

 

[Alexle2007]

I’ll be in Chicago next weekend too! Staying at the Gwen for the first time. Hoping a Marriott suite upgrade comes through.

Nice! We’ll be down the street from you at the Park Hyatt in a Gold Coast suite. Although the Presidential suite seems to still be available so I have thought about inquiring to see if we can move there and really impress my friends.

Any dinner recommendations or fun things for 3 ladies to do?