I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 & 2024 (see first page for add'l details)

[wanderlust7]

Who-hoo. Husband finally asked his boss if he can take 3 weeks off next June into July to go to Japan. It is ok. Now the important question. JAL or ANA? We will be paying cash. Both go out of JFK, but JAL flies into Narita and ANA into Haneda.

Haneda is more convenient if it doesn't cost more. Also, see if you can do open jaw (multi-city) for similar price. Into Tokyo and out of Osaka (or vice versa), saves you a trip back on the shinkansen. Assuming you're adding Kyoto/Osaka to your itinerary.

 

[reliev]

Who-hoo. Husband finally asked his boss if he can take 3 weeks off next June into July to go to Japan. It is ok. Now the important question. JAL or ANA? We will be paying cash. Both go out of JFK, but JAL flies into Narita and ANA into Haneda.

jal has the better food fwiw if you can get on that new product I've seen it as low as 4k cash. Narita is the best lounge I've ever been to in my life. that being said I've never flown ANA. Narita is closer though.

 

[Eighty8Keys]

Off the top of my head enjoyed Slow Horses, Servant, For All Mankind, Foundation, Dark Matter. There are several others depending what you are into.

Ooh, loved Dark Matter. We need to finish up For All Mankind. We got side tracked in the middle of season 3.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Haneda is more convenient if it doesn't cost more. Also, see if you can do open jaw (multi-city) for similar price. Into Tokyo and out of Osaka (or vice versa), saves you a trip back on the shinkansen. Assuming you're adding Kyoto/Osaka to your itinerary.

We’re actually planning on nesting a Seoul trip into the Japan trip. So start in Tokyo and making the way down to Osaka. Take Korean airlines from Osaka to Seoul, when done fly back to Tokyo. Couple ending days maybe shopping in Tokyo and then flying back home. My daughter has an insane list of CDs she wants to buy and I don’t want to lug those around.

 

[georgina]

Incidentally, what's good on Apple TV? Have a 3 month trial. Have seen Ted Lasso previously.

As Carl Hiaasen fans, we enjoyed Bad Monkey, haven't seen that one mentioned.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I was the one who asked about the airports. I don't know if we've gotten far enough into Fall that you've had your trip or time to post about it, but curious if you have!

We have our flights booked -- we're going to be gone for almost 3 weeks and ended up flying into Munich, then out from Geneva (was able to book these with only 1 connection from our home airport RDU. Switzerland was always part of the plan, but we added Munich because the dates/pts worked and we want to spend time in the Dolomites anyway).

Our current question is how we want to travel from Italy to Switzerland. Originally we were going to end our time in Italy with a few days in Comogli and then train to Switzerland. But that seems like a long day and lots of connections/transfers. We may re-order things and end in Florence and then just fly to Zurich from there. Any thoughts about flying OUT of Florence (we aren't going further south than Florence)?

I got back yesterday afternoon! I will never again use the Florence airport, so I'm afraid I can't answer your question. But since Roma is only 1h20m and Milan 1h by high speed train, I'd look at either of those options since they would have much better flight options.

 

[KPK02090]

I have a Jet Blue flight coming up in a couple of weeks. I have a Jet Blue plus card - but I booked with points and used my CSR to pay the taxes. So I think that means I don't get free checked bags, right? I also have an Amex Biz Platinum and have selected Jet Blue for the airline fee credit. So should I just add the bags to my ticket in advance and use the Amex Biz platinum to pay. Anything else I'd need to do? Thanks!

ETA: when I select to add a bag for me and my daughter it looks like we each get one free. Does that seem right, even though I didn't use the Jet Blue card when booking? not that i'm complaining if they're free - just don't want any surprise fees later on.

 

[EACarlson]

I have a Jet Blue flight coming up in a couple of weeks. I have a Jet Blue plus card - but I booked with points and used my CSR to pay the taxes. So I think that means I don't get free checked bags, right? I also have an Amex Biz Platinum and have selected Jet Blue for the airline fee credit. So should I just add the bags to my ticket in advance and use the Amex Biz platinum to pay. Anything else I'd need to do? Thanks!

ETA: when I select to add a bag for me and my daughter it looks like we each get one free. Does that seem right, even though I didn't use the Jet Blue card when booking? not that i'm complaining if they're free - just don't want any surprise fees later on.

Not sure if JB is any different but with AA and Delta, you just have to hold the card. I've never used either card to book a flight and get free bags on both.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Incidentally, what's good on Apple TV? Have a 3 month trial. Have seen Ted Lasso previously.

Don't judge me- I like to watch tv before bed

Disclaimer- really good, airing now
Defending Jacob
Shrinking
Slow Horses
The Morning Show
Silo- really good futuristic dystopian and thought provoking (Season 2 coming this month)
Bad Sisters (Season 2 coming this month)
Presumed Innocent
Masters of the Air- I'm a sucker for anything WWII

Question for those of you who have a legitimate business...

I have a (very small... debating whether I want to attempt expanding) side hustle. I could leave it as something fun, or I could really try to go all in and actually make money doing it. (It would NOT be a lot of money... maybe $2000 income a year if it takes off). It's making pinback buttons on demand at band competitions, so not a huge market!

Because it's so tiny, do you think it's worth setting up an LLC and a business name and such? I would want a basic website (which I think my husband will do for me) and business cards and I'd have to buy some more equipment (a pop up tent, some tables, things of that nature), but I don't really know what the pros and cons are, and it really might not be a moneymaker at all. It may continue to only be something I do for fun in my spare time.

How do I decide?

I’d go with no because it costs a few hundred to set up a LLC with the state. Costs depend on the state. And then any other taxes (at the time for my state there was a $250 business entity tax every other year). I did have an LLC for a while, but it was making $30-40k in profit. So yeah I needed a LLC. But for $2k…nah.

You also have to keep receipts and such as backup for a Schedule C. And tax time will be more expensive because you have to upgrade to the more expensive tax software tiers that have the schedule C. Make sure you think of all these extra expenses when deciding on whether to go forward.

Exactly what @Twilghtsprkle said.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I have a Jet Blue flight coming up in a couple of weeks. I have a Jet Blue plus card - but I booked with points and used my CSR to pay the taxes. So I think that means I don't get free checked bags, right? I also have an Amex Biz Platinum and have selected Jet Blue for the airline fee credit. So should I just add the bags to my ticket in advance and use the Amex Biz platinum to pay. Anything else I'd need to do? Thanks!

ETA: when I select to add a bag for me and my daughter it looks like we each get one free. Does that seem right, even though I didn't use the Jet Blue card when booking? not that i'm complaining if they're free - just don't want any surprise fees later on.

You will each get a free bag since you hold the card

 

[wanderlust7]

We’re actually planning on nesting a Seoul trip into the Japan trip. So start in Tokyo and making the way down to Osaka. Take Korean airlines from Osaka to Seoul, when done fly back to Tokyo. Couple ending days maybe shopping in Tokyo and then flying back home. My daughter has an insane list of CDs she wants to buy and I don’t want to lug those around.

We did something similar last trip. KIX-GMP on Korean Air using Delta miles. I was surprised they fed us a full meal on the short flight in economy.

 

[wanderlust7]

DH had a personal slot open up, so went for the Hawaiian card 70k with 1 purchase. Instant approval, so figured might as well go for the biz since the pulls likely combine. Went pending then denied. Reason is CL too high. Could probably recon and move CL over, but not sure it's worth having him call. Spend is a bit high for the amount of points (50k/$4000).

Showed as 2 TU pulls initially, only 1 two days later. No harm no foul I guess.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

We did something similar last trip. KIX-GMP on Korean Air using Delta miles. I was surprised they fed us a full meal on the short flight in economy.

I was looking at cash prices and it doesn’t cost that much more over taking the train back to Tokyo. So I figured why not. Plus hotels in Seoul seem much easier to figure out for 4. Hate the fact that so many Japanese hotels have a max of 3 in the room. I found Mimaru which I think I will use in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka. But I think I want to spend a night in Hakone so I need to figure some place for that.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Weird US Bank thing- personal cards get offers, business cards don't. If you have a personal profile and a business card is added your offer section disappears. Biz card is auto-added on approval. I'm going to try to see if I can get them put on different profiles once the biz card comes in and get around this (unless anyone here knows? I know US Bank is bit of an oddball and not too many of us play in their sandbox )

Tried to separate them out but US Bank says there is no way to remove the biz card from my personal login. The bonus is more than I'll lose on offers obvs but I am admittedly pissed, what a stupid IT thing. I was able to make a biz login for the card but it did no good, still shows on personal login. I tried making a new login for my AR since it let me do one for the biz card but no dice.

 

[wannabee]

I'm planning to cancel my Amex Delta card, I have an upcoming trip booked on points. Willi still get free bags or will Delta know I canceled the card?

 

[djmeredith]

My personal Plat AF just posted. I think I've decided to close it. The first and second years I was able to come out ahead, but it doesn't look like I would be able to break even if I keep it another year. I got a retention bonus last year. Does that make me ineligible for one this year?

 

[georgina]

This may have been posted and I missed it - I got a notice from going dot com that the elevated CIU bonus ends Nov 7 at 7 AM. I have 3 open Chase biz cards; my CIP AF will post Nov 1, do I have to wait for the statement close on Nov 4 to close it? Then apply the next day for a CIU?

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Ever since first visiting Iceland three years ago, I've been researching what destinations are similarly awe-inspiring. The Faroe Islands have come up time and time again. Stumbled on an economy fare RT for $409 (economy light) for peak season 2025. Booked economy standard for $530 RT through Chase portal for 35kURs a person.

Really excited for this trip and some unique lodgings, like turf houses and a boathouse stay. And it's looking surprisingly affordable. Puffins here we come.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

My personal Plat AF just posted. I think I've decided to close it. The first and second years I was able to come out ahead, but it doesn't look like I would be able to break even if I keep it another year. I got a retention bonus last year. Does that make me ineligible for one this year?

My understanding is 13 months from date you accepted the retention bonus.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

This may have been posted and I missed it - I got a notice from going dot com that the elevated CIU bonus ends Nov 7 at 7 AM. I have 3 open Chase biz cards; my CIP AF will post Nov 1, do I have to wait for the statement close on Nov 4 to close it? Then apply the next day for a CIU?

The recommendation is to keep the card one year so assuming the CIP has been open that long you are fine to close it. I’d wait at least 3-4 days to apply for the CIU to make sure the CIP is out of the system