I love credit cards so much! v7.0 - 2025 (see first page for add'l details)

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Thanks for such a detailed trip report! This was a bucket list trip for me before kids, but since I didn't make it, I was going to wait until we can go without them. But I do want to prioritize more active trips sooner. How easy/difficult would you say this trip is for kids (ages 8-12)? If you were to do-over, would you just use taxidatum instead of the Peru Rail train to MP?

I think 8-12 is a good age if your kids are okay moving every 3-4 days or so, maybe a little more often. They will really like all the animal activities. And, Peru has the really nice bonus of the summertime being winter, so it's a perfect trip during school break, without the weather being scorching (was about 30 at night to high 60s daytime). I think most of our hotels had pools or hot springs of some sort. And there's lots of souvenir shopping (pretty inexpensive), which kids love.

So, you can't taxi to MP, you have to take a train. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't overnight in Aguas Calientes and would either:
1. Just ride a regular train on Peru Rail or Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo to MP. This has the advantage of cutting significant time off the train ride as well. We just didn't do it because the train station was onsite.
2. I personally would probably really splurge and book the Hiram Gingham train. It is expensive, but everyone raves about the experience. If you book enough in advance, it also includes your tickets to MP and a guide, so you're basically led through the whole experience. I didn't book this because we had the train station onsite and because we were so close in when booking our trip there were very few MP tickets left and I had to grab them myself or risk them selling out.

Also, Starlodge is something I've always dreamed about, these pods suspended from the side of a mountain. Despite my fear of certain heights, my mind says I can do these things (I probably can't). I think I do better if I have some level of control. I think minimum age is 12. On our train, a tween was reprimanding her dad for not booking them there

 

[chattadisser]

I need my memory refreshed on the order to apply for new cards. I'm at 1/24 for Chase and as of August are eligible for the CSP MSR again. I am also at a point this month where I can get another CIP. I've got several big bills this month that I'd like to use the MSR on these cards for. Is there any particular order I should apply for them in? I know that normally for CIP you shouldn't apply within 30 days of another application so should I apply for them both the same day? I don't have a problem applying the same day, just wondering if there is any reason to space them out.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Re Citi Strata Elite:
A comment on DOC says that the elevated offer can still be obtained, though bankers may be less willing to share links over the phone

"Citi has advised bankers to only share the email link with clients who stepped foot in the branch but no mechanism to really enforce this, so just an FYI if bankers are hesitant or refuse to send out a link.

Links are UNIQUE to each client, as of right now their is no stated expiration date on the 100k OFFER anyone who says otherwise is simply speculating/ spreading rumors"

 

[wanderlust7]

I need my memory refreshed on the order to apply for new cards. I'm at 1/24 for Chase and as of August are eligible for the CSP MSR again. I am also at a point this month where I can get another CIP. I've got several big bills this month that I'd like to use the MSR on these cards for. Is there any particular order I should apply for them in? I know that normally for CIP you shouldn't apply within 30 days of another application so should I apply for them both the same day? I don't have a problem applying the same day, just wondering if there is any reason to space them out.

There's a soft rule of 1/30 applications for biz cards and 2/30 for personal. So I would do the Ink first. If it's instant approval, I think you can do CSP the same day, but there's no advantage to it (inquiries don't get combined). If it goes pending, I think I'd wait until it's approved first.

Usual rule of thumb of 3 months still applies, so hopefully you average out to that.

 

[NewbieMom]

I think 8-12 is a good age if your kids are okay moving every 3-4 days or so, maybe a little more often. They will really like all the animal activities. And, Peru has the really nice bonus of the summertime being winter, so it's a perfect trip during school break, without the weather being scorching (was about 30 at night to high 60s daytime). I think most of our hotels had pools or hot springs of some sort. And there's lots of souvenir shopping (pretty inexpensive), which kids love.

So, you can't taxi to MP, you have to take a train. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't overnight in Aguas Calientes and would either:
1. Just ride a regular train on Peru Rail or Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo to MP. This has the advantage of cutting significant time off the train ride as well. We just didn't do it because the train station was onsite.
2. I personally would probably really splurge and book the Hiram Gingham train. It is expensive, but everyone raves about the experience. If you book enough in advance, it also includes your tickets to MP and a guide, so you're basically led through the whole experience. I didn't book this because we had the train station onsite and because we were so close in when booking our trip there were very few MP tickets left and I had to grab them myself or risk them selling out.

Also, Starlodge is something I've always dreamed about, these pods suspended from the side of a mountain. Despite my fear of certain heights, my mind says I can do these things (I probably can't). I think I do better if I have some level of control. I think minimum age is 12. On our train, a tween was reprimanding her dad for not booking them there

Thanks for the additional info. I may have to look into planning this trip.
RE: Starlodge no way will I sleep in one of those! I would be too afraid, but I'm sure my kids would love it!