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

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Once you get used to traveling with carry-on only you won’t go back. Items I find very useful are a large Rimowa carry-on with built-in suppression straps (you wouldn’t believe how much this can fit!) and a travel backpack similar to This one. I also pack an ABD duffle that zips closed for items I buy to carry home in. For a handbag I carry a Longchamp le pliage (it fits a lot of stuff!) and I always have a much smaller bag / fanny pack that I use in cities that I visit. I usually drop laundry at a same day wash and fold at least once if I travel during the summer (though hotel laundry was very inexpensive in Bali so I used that). A weekend trip for me is my Tumi backpack!

Quick review on the Thompson Central Park. I called the hotel in advance of my stay and asked for a quiet room because there are many complaints about noise issues online. When I arrived at about 1:30 my room was ready. It was at the 57th street end of a corridor on the 19th floor. Aside from a muffled siren that I heard once, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop! I slept like a baby because the bed and bedding were both excellent! The room was very clean, staff at the front desk were super nice, location was amazing and best of all it cost me nothing because I used 29k Hyatt points. The only (me) issue was the room had a tub/shower combo but for 1 night I can deal (pics online show rooms with a shower only so it never occurred to me to ask for a shower only which I usually do). Not a big deal at all. I’d probably stay here again if I could get a room on points.

After a blissful night sleep I awoke, showered and was ready to go by 6:15. Since it was so early I decided to take the E train to Jamaica station for the Air Train. I was at T8 in about an hour. The subway was pretty full but I was able to get a seat; the ride was uneventful. Oh the subway ride was free because the gentleman at the station saw me about to tap my phone and opened the side gate for me, winked and said have a nice day! Air Train cost $8.50. Flat rate taxi would have been: $82.00 and Lyft $69.99 (current promo to save $25 on airport rides when you link your Lyft and DoorDash accounts taken into account) + tip. Time for car to airport 45 mins. The 57th street station for the E train does not have any escalators, something to be aware of for those with luggage / mobility issues.

Before I left home I gathered a huge bag of coins that I had lying around and used that to pay for some delicious food at the Bryant Park Christmas market (chicken empanadas and a dumpling) and also a piece of chocolate bark from Laderach. The only time I used my Visa was for a salad and few small things for dd and ds at Whole Foods and muesli at Fresh & Co for a quick breakfast in my room this morning (the rooms at the Thompson have mini fridges so I was able to purchase last night and have ready this morning). I must say that everyone that I met in NYC was super friendly! I am a huge fan of a quick trip to NYC to reposition (same for Chicago — I LOVE both cities and it alleviates any pressure of making an international connection).
We'll be staying 2 nights at that Thompson next June! Glad to know the bedding is nice, I have trouble with that sometimes. I'll likely also ask for a quiet room
 

Schwab Platinum question. DH and I have a joint brokerage account. My understanding is we can each apply for the Schwab Platinum card with this account. However, when I click the application it pre-fills my name and doesn’t allow me to change it to his name. Has anyone had experience with this? I’d like to get him his own Platinum card while the offer is elevated.
i think they have to use their login, I haven't signed up yet hoping the sub comes back I guess lol.
 
Not sure if you were offering GoH at a Hyatt property before the end of the year. I have a stay at the Thompson Central Park tomorrow night enroute to London and I'd love 1, if there are any available!
if your still looking for one dm me your info I have 4 expiring. if you mean guest of honor right? my SNA are already done they expire at the end of feb.
 
Have you looked on flyertalk for dps? They are where I check to make sure I can still use credits how I have been. Though with amex changing it to cover airfare it's much easier now but I know AS gc has worked for amex before, not sure if it would for bofa, but they would know.
Yeah. I look over there. At least I have another year to use the next $300 - so, should be able to come up with something that I could use.
 
This sounds similar to Chase Sapphire reserve. Do you like it better?
I have the CSR Also. The $300 Travel Credit is much easier to use on the CSR. But the BOA comes with $300 Airline Incidental Credit each year along with $150 Lifestyle Credit Each Year (Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Gyms - so easy to use). But it also comes with PP that includes restaurants (most cards have downgraded to just lounges) and you can add 3 other People to get PP and they each can brin 2 people. So, now DH, DD and DS as well as me have this - nice when traveling with a bunch of people. We can all get into the lounge/restaurant. My DD was able to use it a few times this past week with her friends when flying to Vancouver for TS Concert. Many flight delays - they were taking advantage of the free liquor (LOL).
 
Yikes on all of that and glad you managed to get things sorted. Thank you on the reminder that there's a Christmas market at Bryant park. Hopefully it is still open when we go to NYC in a few weeks. I will have to check into that. Also, kudos on managing to travel carry on only. I have been struggling to do the same. I am a chronic over packer. Despite having been on the Travel Fashion Girls FB group for years, which the members strongly advocate for carry on only style travel. I have improved, but am hard pressed to manage it for trips longer than a weekend. I am in the process of building a capsule wardrobe to help me get there.
The Winter Village is open until like March, you’ll be fine unless you want to do a ton of shopping there. The main holiday shops usually close right after New Year’s but the ones by the rink and a handful of others stay open for the whole duration.

Carryon only is a nonstarter for me because of the liquids rule alone but capsule wardrobes make me feel like a 6 year old getting dragged to the bank. I’m an unrepentant maximalist though tbf
 
Once you get used to traveling with carry-on only you won’t go back. Items I find very useful are a large Rimowa carry-on with built-in suppression straps (you wouldn’t believe how much this can fit!) and a travel backpack similar to This one. I also pack an ABD duffle that zips closed for items I buy to carry home in. For a handbag I carry a Longchamp le pliage (it fits a lot of stuff!) and I always have a much smaller bag / fanny pack that I use in cities that I visit. I usually drop laundry at a same day wash and fold at least once if I travel during the summer (though hotel laundry was very inexpensive in Bali so I used that). A weekend trip for me is my Tumi backpack!

Quick review on the Thompson Central Park. I called the hotel in advance of my stay and asked for a quiet room because there are many complaints about noise issues online. When I arrived at about 1:30 my room was ready. It was at the 57th street end of a corridor on the 19th floor. Aside from a muffled siren that I heard once, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop! I slept like a baby because the bed and bedding were both excellent! The room was very clean, staff at the front desk were super nice, location was amazing and best of all it cost me nothing because I used 29k Hyatt points. The only (me) issue was the room had a tub/shower combo but for 1 night I can deal (pics online show rooms with a shower only so it never occurred to me to ask for a shower only which I usually do). Not a big deal at all. I’d probably stay here again if I could get a room on points.

After a blissful night sleep I awoke, showered and was ready to go by 6:15. Since it was so early I decided to take the E train to Jamaica station for the Air Train. I was at T8 in about an hour. The subway was pretty full but I was able to get a seat; the ride was uneventful. Oh the subway ride was free because the gentleman at the station saw me about to tap my phone and opened the side gate for me, winked and said have a nice day! Air Train cost $8.50. Flat rate taxi would have been: $82.00 and Lyft $69.99 (current promo to save $25 on airport rides when you link your Lyft and DoorDash accounts taken into account) + tip. Time for car to airport 45 mins. The 57th street station for the E train does not have any escalators, something to be aware of for those with luggage / mobility issues.

Before I left home I gathered a huge bag of coins that I had lying around and used that to pay for some delicious food at the Bryant Park Christmas market (chicken empanadas and a dumpling) and also a piece of chocolate bark from Laderach. The only time I used my Visa was for a salad and few small things for dd and ds at Whole Foods and muesli at Fresh & Co for a quick breakfast in my room this morning (the rooms at the Thompson have mini fridges so I was able to purchase last night and have ready this morning). I must say that everyone that I met in NYC was super friendly! I am a huge fan of a quick trip to NYC to reposition (same for Chicago — I LOVE both cities and it alleviates any pressure of making an international connection).

Thanks for the tips. We are staying at the Thompson for this trip. I may have to bite the bullet and get a hard side carryon. I wound up having to gate check my trusty Travel Pro for the Air Canada flight last week even though it was the right size before I packed and overstuffed it :rolleyes: I usually bring an ABD duffle as well in case I want to bring back stuff.


The Winter Village is open until like March, you’ll be fine unless you want to do a ton of shopping there. The main holiday shops usually close right after New Year’s but the ones by the rink and a handful of others stay open for the whole duration.

Carryon only is a nonstarter for me because of the liquids rule alone but capsule wardrobes make me feel like a 6 year old getting dragged to the bank. I’m an unrepentant maximalist though tbf

Awesome! I am hoping we can squeeze in a visit. We are flying in on a Friday night and then out Sunday morning. I used FIND credits to get tickets to see & Juliet and Suffs on Saturday.

I know capsule wardrobe does seem like Garanimals for adults. I'm mostly ok with that idea for most trips. Some trips, I want a specific outfit(s) or look for different days and places. My issue is also liquids and hair care. For a short trip, the curls can do whatever they want without much protest from me. For a longer trip, they require attention which means specific shampoo, conditioner etc. as well as the right blow dryer and diffuser.
 
So, did anyone do the 20k bonus from Chase? Do I have to pay it now, or can I do the pay later option? I can book 2 hotels now in areas that don't have Hyatts and get 40k points without paying until later. Does anyone know how that works? Also, does it have to be booked with the same card, and do you still get the Chase bonus, i.e., 5-10x? thanks in advance
 
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ATTN: Amex Biz Plat cardholders! There is a write-up this morning on FM about a new benefit on the card (and here I was planning on closing it within the next week, but this changes my mind at least for another year). $200 Hilton credits annually, divvied up quarterly just like the Surpass card. I enrolled in the benefit and within a few minutes had received my confirmation email.
 
i just played with it seems like I have to pay up front guess ill do it down to the wire lol
 
ATTN: Amex Biz Plat cardholders! There is a write-up this morning on FM about a new benefit on the card (and here I was planning on closing it within the next week, but this changes my mind at least for another year). $200 Hilton credits annually, divvied up quarterly just like the Surpass card. I enrolled in the benefit and within a few minutes had received my confirmation email.
This works already after enrolling, right? I can go pick up a $50 Hilton gift card, then, for Q4 2024?
 
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