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

[AndreaDM]

Looks like we'll be joining several of you in London this year! Unfortunately, I'm a bit late to planning and our flight options don't look too good. As discussed above, most of the flights are daytime coming home. My kids actually sleep their regular hours on planes, so I actually prefer the redeye. But 10-12 hours daytime on the plane, I'm not sure how I'll keep them entertained!

Has anyone been out to Peppa Pig world? My daughter's absolute favorite character/show is Peppa Pig so it's a must-do. Is it easy for us to get there from central London? Any other must-do? It'll be husband and kids first time in London. (I went many years ago in college.)

Also has anyone looked at Conrad St. James? We're looking at staying there, as Hilton is preferred. They seem to be playing some game with standard room availability as there's nothing available either close in or calendar open.

We stayed at the Conrad back in September for 5 nights with the 5th night free. Had a great stay, the breakfast was good, location was good. The room got a little small for 5 days but it was just the 2 of us so it was fine. Let me know if you want any specifics!

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

I don’t know how sporadic you can be but with a nice stash of transferable miles it can make sporadic international trips very possible, so you wouldn’t really have time to dread bad things happening while you’re gone. Routes that aren’t normally available can pop up last minute and if you aren’t really dedicated to one particular place you can follow availability. Something like seats.aero can help with searching for tickets like that.

I can be very sporadic and I have a semi-nice stash of transferable miles!

You do make a good point - if I booked spur of the moment trips I wouldn't have time to dread bad things happening. I really hadn't thought of that, I guess because I'm still mourning my babies and am, quite honestly, still a bit traumatized that it all went down the way that it did.

I'm not trying to now bring anyone down - so don't read the rest of this if you're triggered by furbaby loss. But our trips last year were supposed to be epic milestone vacays, and turned out to be weeks (and months) of sadness and crying and "if we hadn't gone". My husband practically drug me out of the house to Colo over new years because I simply had no desire to leave my home, and leave our two cats behind just in case '24 decided to be additionally cruel. We're still not recovered, but are making strides towards leaving the past in the past. It's just going to take more time. I do thank you all for caring. I truly do.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I can be very sporadic and I have a semi-nice stash of transferable miles!

You do make a good point - if I booked spur of the moment trips I wouldn't have time to dread bad things happening. I really hadn't thought of that, I guess because I'm still mourning my babies and am, quite honestly, still a bit traumatized that it all went down the way that it did.

I'm not trying to now bring anyone down - so don't read the rest of this if you're triggered by furbaby loss. But our trips last year were supposed to be epic milestone vacays, and turned out to be weeks (and months) of sadness and crying and "if we hadn't gone". My husband practically drug me out of the house to Colo over new years because I simply had no desire to leave my home, and leave our two cats behind just in case '24 decided to be additionally cruel. We're still not recovered, but are making strides towards leaving the past in the past. It's just going to take more time. I do thank you all for caring. I truly do.

 

[becauseimnew]

I have to buy Disney Tickets this month, it's $5K in tickets. I kept trying for Amex Biz Gold card but never got passed PUJ.
I just closed 2 Chase business cards, i'm at 2/12 in Chase business cards hoping this SW card gets approved.
I've considered applying for the amex biz plat, but I just missed triple dip season. Would it be a bad idea to try to apply?

 

[GZanta77]

Has anyone been out to Peppa Pig world? My daughter's absolute favorite character/show is Peppa Pig so it's a must-do. Is it easy for us to get there from central London? Any other must-do? It'll be husband and kids first time in London. (I went many years ago in college.)

Also has anyone looked at Conrad St. James? We're looking at staying there, as Hilton is preferred. They seem to be playing some game with standard room availability as there's nothing available either close in or calendar open.

I had to look up Peppa Pig World and was surprised to find it is at Paulton's Park. We used to live about 30 mins from there and visited a lot when the kids were young. It was a great theme park for under 10yo's.

I would say it is not great to get there using public transport. Maybe about 75 mins to Southampton Airport on the fast train from Waterloo and then a taxi ride. I see they have info on their website about fixed rate taxi prices with Radio Taxis.

Alternatively could rent a car for the day from the Southampton airport.

 

[jujubiee4]

We will also be going to London this fall for a back to back DCL cruise. I def prefer daytime flights.
I actually like breaking up the flight as anything over 5 hours makes me want to scream . lol
Last summer for our Med cruise I arranged us flying from Calif with stop in DC then on to Barcelona.

This fall I can't do that we are pinned in as I don't want to stop anywhere East as it will be hurricane
season so it is nonstop to Heathrow from the West.

* On another note on Amex cards this morning I saw Delta spend 1000 get 200 back if anyone is looking.*

 

[NewbieMom]

I had to look up Peppa Pig World and was surprised to find it is at Paulton's Park. We used to live about 30 mins from there and visited a lot when the kids were young. It was a great theme park for under 10yo's.

I would say it is not great to get there using public transport. Maybe about 75 mins to Southampton Airport on the fast train from Waterloo and then a taxi ride. I see they have info on their website about fixed rate taxi prices with Radio Taxis.

Alternatively could rent a car for the day from the Southampton airport.

Yeah from my limited research, the public transportation out there isn't great. The train/taxi might be our best option.

 

[NewbieMom]

I have to buy Disney Tickets this month, it's $5K in tickets. I kept trying for Amex Biz Gold card but never got passed PUJ.
I just closed 2 Chase business cards, i'm at 2/12 in Chase business cards hoping this SW card gets approved.
I've considered applying for the amex biz plat, but I just missed triple dip season. Would it be a bad idea to try to apply?

I was able to pull up the Biz Plat 250k offer on 1/2 (instant approval) and missed triple dip too. It was worth it though for 250k MRs!

 

[NewbieMom]

We stayed at the Conrad back in September for 5 nights with the 5th night free. Had a great stay, the breakfast was good, location was good. The room got a little small for 5 days but it was just the 2 of us so it was fine. Let me know if you want any specifics!

How far in advance did you book? I wonder if they release rooms closer to date? I'm not seeing anything even for late January stays right now. Are you diamond/gold? If so, there's breakfast included right? Did the lounge access have food/drinks? Assuming no room upgrade either since you mentioned the room is small.

 

[mmmears]

Bruges and Hamburg! They looked like relatively kid friendly ports for kids who like to travel but are too young for serious historical sights just yet!

Bruges is really pretty. You can take a canal cruise there and there's no need to book it in advance (refreshing change from most other destinations where you need to pre-book everything). There are a lot of chocolate shops there. Nine are part of the Bruges Guild and they are all really great. I bought some at one of them for my DM and DD and both have told me it was the best chocolate they have ever tasted. Of course, I forgot to buy some for me to try.

How far in advance did you book? I wonder if they release rooms closer to date? I'm not seeing anything even for late January stays right now. Are you diamond/gold? If so, there's breakfast included right? Did the lounge access have food/drinks? Assuming no room upgrade either since you mentioned the room is small.

I have noticed that a lot of hotels are playing games with those base level rooms. Have you tried searching for a longer stay? Or a shorter one? That's how I eventually was able to book the WA Amsterdam when they were playing games with availability.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I went there such a long time ago though... I actually went there because of a college admissions question which was something like plan an activity for a day for less than $10 and carry out the activity and write about it - at that time the Tree Top Walk was fairly new so decided it would be a nice fun activity to do! I haven't been back since though, though with this thread I'm now vaguely thinking about maybe going back one weekend or something to see what it's like now...

Do you think taking my adult ds to Sentosa Island would be worthwhile? I didn't go last time because not much there piqued my interest (we are not into US). Would it make sense to go and just walk around?

 

[Judique]

Banner hasn’t changed but a couple days ago they locked out the ability to even order them.

Oh well. I'll actually be able to use the credit organically (and I forgot I had that ability.) After that I plan on closing my card and later apply for an Aspire. They've been hounding me with upgrading to the Aspire but I won't do it.

Guess somebody at Hilton or Amex figured out the gift card thing and probably stopped it until they can take it away from the card. It didn't make sense to me that gift cards were still available through the business side, albeit with some hoops. Same denominations.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

How far in advance did you book? I wonder if they release rooms closer to date? I'm not seeing anything even for late January stays right now. Are you diamond/gold? If so, there's breakfast included right? Did the lounge access have food/drinks? Assuming no room upgrade either since you mentioned the room is small.

When I stayed there in spring, 2022 ds and I both got upgraded to executive rooms. The lounge was quite good -- had a nice afternoon tea with scones, though I only made it once. I understand they no longer serve the scones with tea. You can have breakfast in either the lounge or restaurant and I'd recommend the restaurant since you can choose 1 hot dish along with the continental buffet (we never tried the lounge breakfast). Evening canapes were okay, though I wouldn't go out of my way to get there in the time slot since London has so many amazing restaurants. The lounge was busy during the evening service since the bar is included (I don't drink so this wasn't a priority for me).

I'd probably stay there again, but London is flush with points options, so I'm not sure. I did like that it's right across the street from the tube station, but it's the circle line which means you have to connect to really get anywhere. The Park Lane Hilton is pretty highly regarded on FT and the location is better IMO. Some of the rooms look a bit outdated, but if that's not an issue then I'd probably go with it for the better location. They also have a lounge for snacks and drinks. My hotel preference is to be close to a tube station with at least 2 lines, preferably 3 and even better if the Lizzie line is 1 of them (for ease of airport commutes).

 

[NewbieMom]

I have noticed that a lot of hotels are playing games with those base level rooms. Have you tried searching for a longer stay? Or a shorter one? That's how I eventually was able to book the WA Amsterdam when they were playing games with availability.

Great suggestion! Unfortunately same result with this particular hotel but looks like we may consider WDWGroupie's suggestion.

When I stayed there in spring, 2022 ds and I both got upgraded to executive rooms. The lounge was quite good -- had a nice afternoon tea with scones, though I only made it once. I understand they no longer serve the scones with tea. You can have breakfast in either the lounge or restaurant and I'd recommend the restaurant since you can choose 1 hot dish along with the continental buffet (we never tried the lounge breakfast). Evening canapes were okay, though I wouldn't go out of my way to get there in the time slot since London has so many amazing restaurants. The lounge was busy during the evening service since the bar is included (I don't drink so this wasn't a priority for me).

I'd probably stay there again, but London is flush with points options, so I'm not sure. I did like that it's right across the street from the tube station, but it's the circle line which means you have to connect to really get anywhere. The Park Lane Hilton is pretty highly regarded on FT and the location is better IMO. Some of the rooms look a bit outdated, but if that's not an issue then I'd probably go with it for the better location. They also have a lounge for snacks and drinks. My hotel preference is to be close to a tube station with at least 2 lines, preferably 3 and even better if the Lizzie line is 1 of them (for ease of airport commutes).

Thank you for suggesting the Park Lane Hilton! I actually really like that it's by the 2 parks. It'll give the kids open space to run around, and as you mentioned very close to multiple stations. I'll talk it over with DH and hope to book soon. Bonus that it's widely available on points (and I have 2 FNC)!

 

[mmmears]

Great suggestion! Unfortunately same result with this particular hotel but looks like we may consider WDWGroupie's suggestion.



Thank you for suggesting the Park Lane Hilton! I actually really like that it's by the 2 parks. It'll give the kids open space to run around, and as you mentioned very close to multiple stations. I'll talk it over with DH and hope to book soon. Bonus that it's widely available on points (and I have 2 FNC)!

I agree - Park Lane is in a better location.

 

[GZanta77]

Do you think taking my adult ds to Sentosa Island would be worthwhile? I didn't go last time because not much there piqued my interest (we are not into US). Would it make sense to go and just walk around?

I went with DD20 just over a year ago. We did spend Christmas Day at US, but also spent the better part of another day just roaming around the beaches and the World War 2 Fort. We also did the Skyline Luge which was fun.

 

[afan]

Oh well. I'll actually be able to use the credit organically (and I forgot I had that ability.) After that I plan on closing my card and later apply for an Aspire. They've been hounding me with upgrading to the Aspire but I won't do it.

Guess somebody at Hilton or Amex figured out the gift card thing and probably stopped it until they can take it away from the card. It didn't make sense to me that gift cards were still available through the business side, albeit with some hoops. Same denominations.

It happened when a credit or something got added to I think the biz plat. It triggered a bunch of people buying it within the last 2 months and then all the people that forgot to use it.

I haven't seen anyone on reddit think the reason is because it was figured out and that's why. They do think they are really out given the timing of it all.

In the end the money is still with hilton. I'll use mine organically this quarter and then my Aspire in may at a waldorf. Maybe I'll find a use for the Surpass in London, staying at the westminster curio.

 

[georgina]

New situation for me - applied for a CIC on 1/1, heard nothing so assumed denial, but got a letter today asking to verify my TIN (SSN). Letter says I can take it into a Chase branch to fax it for free. It's not like I don't have any current open Chase cards, weird.

Letter is dated 1/1; we did not have mail delivery here Monday or Tuesday due to the snowstorm, so it could have come earlier. Says I need to reply within 14 days of 1/1. Guess I will walk it over to a branch tomorrow.

 

[afan]

Can you close a boa biz card via sm or do you have to call? It's on my list to do next fri.

 

[eticketplease]

I downgraded my CSR to a CFU. I already have the OG Freedom and CFF. So I thought why not get the CFU. I'll close one of my CIU now that I have the CFU. Then I can try for another Ink someday, LOL. I need to active my PP for the Venture X now that I lost my CSR one. Do I need to create a new PP account, or can I just apply the Venture X card to my existing one?

We always downgrade to original freedom’s so that I have more 5x categories spending opportunities and if warehouses are an option like one year I can use it at Costco.

As far as PP I have two accounts but both of mine are active. I’m not sure if you can use your existing one as it has an account # on it. Venture X is annoying as PP is only valid for one year where I think the CSR one is good for 3 years before they send another card.