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

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Instant approval for CIC. 2 Inks open (CIU & CIC). Closed SW biz on December 9.
1/24 with last card 6/2024

Congrats! Did you have any balances?

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Trip Planning Starting!!!! Not in 2025 but 2026.

2026 is the year of our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We are thinking of doing an around the world Disney Trip to all 5 parks!!!!!!!!!!!

It's going to wind up being a longer trip because we don't want to hit one park and then run to the next park. It's going to be in the Fall 2026, aiming for Sept/Oct 2026, if possible....

I know nothing about any of the other parks except WDW and a lot of WDW has changed and I have not kept up. Last time I was at DL in CA was in 2017 and forgot all my planning. I'm off to look for trip reports!

If anyone has any links to some good reports or advice, I'm all ears! I'm just starting and only have the idea of the trip at this point.

We are thinking of driving up to Orlando from Miami at the end of Aug or the beginning of Sept 2026 and spending at least 4 days there to do 1 park, 1 day. We could stay at our DD's house, or my Aunt's house, or some DVC resort. We are the most flexible on this part of the trip.

We would then fly from Orlando to Anahiem and spend 2-3 nights? We will try to get into the DVC there or at a walkable hotel as a 2nd choice.

We have some family thinking about a 16 night cruise from the west coast to Japan, which is how we started thinking about this trip. Not sure if we will join them but there is a small possibility.

If not, we will fly from somewhere on the west coast to Japan. Is 2 days per park enough? So, maybe a week in Tokyo max? Not going to visit other places in Japan other than Tokyo, otherwise, we will never get home! Although, DH mentioned the Bullet Train as a maybe on his wish list.

Fly from Tokyo to Shanghai. I think they give you 10 days in transit before requiring a visa? Not sure, will double check, Anyway, is 2 park days enough? How many days to visit the sights in Shanghai?

I think DH said that there was a high speed train to Hong Kong from Shanghai? If so, we may do that, or fly.

2 nights near the Hong Kong DL? How many park days needed? We haven't been to Hong Kong since 1997. Haven't decided how long to stay. 5-7 nights?

Onward to Paris DL by air. The Marriott has a timeshare near Disneyland Paris, will try to exchange into it. Want to do some day trips to Versailles and other places from there in addition to DL. Is 2 park days enough? We want to do the Louvre, Notre Dame (I think the repairs are completed?) and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Not sure I want to do day trips from the Disneyland area. Was thinking of adding a few nights in Paris either before or after the week in the Disneyland timeshare.

After Paris, we are looking to do a transatlantic cruise from Europe (Barcelona most likely) back to Miami, FL. We found a few westbound cruises to choose from, beginning on 10/23/2026 all the way to 11/23/2026. So, depending on when actually we start the trip in WDW and how long we take in each country and where else we go in Europe, we will see which cruise fits when we can or want to go back.

We are looking at a minimum of 2 months and up to 3 months. We have a budget in mind but no clue how much we will be going over the budget!

We are in the dreaming stage where we are planning our DREAM trip, if time and money was not limited. When we actually add up the time and $$$, the trip may very well shrink!! Lol.

I'm off to watch some YouTube Videos tonight. Please point me in the right direction to help me plan this epic trip!

TIA!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Which SW personal card is everyone getting? We normally apply for the Priority ($149), but DH has the Business Performance so I'm wondering if I should just apply for the Plus ($69)

We apply for the priority, since we use the 4 upgraded boardings and $75 SW credit, the card is well worth it for us

 

[hsmamato2]

aaaahhhh so tempted by that SWA offer but I have to keep reminding myself that my newer life circumstances means I don't need a cp anymore.... usually it's just me flying so it would actually be a poor offer for me at 30k and also just got a CiC last month so gotta wait....after so many years of conditioning and cp use it's hard to shift my mindset!

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Trip Planning Starting!!!! Not in 2025 but 2026.

2026 is the year of our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We are thinking of doing an around the world Disney Trip to all 5 parks!!!!!!!!!!!

It's going to wind up being a longer trip because we don't want to hit one park and then run to the next park. It's going to be in the Fall 2026, aiming for Sept/Oct 2026, if possible....

I know nothing about any of the other parks except WDW and a lot of WDW has changed and I have not kept up. Last time I was at DL in CA was in 2017 and forgot all my planning. I'm off to look for trip reports!

If anyone has any links to some good reports or advice, I'm all ears! I'm just starting and only have the idea of the trip at this point.

We are thinking of driving up to Orlando from Miami at the end of Aug or the beginning of Sept 2026 and spending at least 4 days there to do 1 park, 1 day. We could stay at our DD's house, or my Aunt's house, or some DVC resort. We are the most flexible on this part of the trip.

We would then fly from Orlando to Anahiem and spend 2-3 nights? We will try to get into the DVC there or at a walkable hotel as a 2nd choice.

We have some family thinking about a 16 night cruise from the west coast to Japan, which is how we started thinking about this trip. Not sure if we will join them but there is a small possibility.

If not, we will fly from somewhere on the west coast to Japan. Is 2 days per park enough? So, maybe a week in Tokyo max? Not going to visit other places in Japan other than Tokyo, otherwise, we will never get home! Although, DH mentioned the Bullet Train as a maybe on his wish list.

Fly from Tokyo to Shanghai. I think they give you 10 days in transit before requiring a visa? Not sure, will double check, Anyway, is 2 park days enough? How many days to visit the sights in Shanghai?

I think DH said that there was a high speed train to Hong Kong from Shanghai? If so, we may do that, or fly.

2 nights near the Hong Kong DL? How many park days needed? We haven't been to Hong Kong since 1997. Haven't decided how long to stay. 5-7 nights?

Onward to Paris DL by air. The Marriott has a timeshare near Disneyland Paris, will try to exchange into it. Want to do some day trips to Versailles and other places from there in addition to DL. Is 2 park days enough? We want to do the Louvre, Notre Dame (I think the repairs are completed?) and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Not sure I want to do day trips from the Disneyland area. Was thinking of adding a few nights in Paris either before or after the week in the Disneyland timeshare.

After Paris, we are looking to do a transatlantic cruise from Europe (Barcelona most likely) back to Miami, FL. We found a few westbound cruises to choose from, beginning on 10/23/2026 all the way to 11/23/2026. So, depending on when actually we start the trip in WDW and how long we take in each country and where else we go in Europe, we will see which cruise fits when we can or want to go back.

We are looking at a minimum of 2 months and up to 3 months. We have a budget in mind but no clue how much we will be going over the budget!

We are in the dreaming stage where we are planning our DREAM trip, if time and money was not limited. When we actually add up the time and $$$, the trip may very well shrink!! Lol.

I'm off to watch some YouTube Videos tonight. Please point me in the right direction to help me plan this epic trip!

TIA!

I am SO excited for this trip of yours and I'm not even going!! We are also planning a 4-6 week vacation in 2026, but haven't narrowed it down to where we want to go yet. On the plate currently is back to Europe (Paris, London, Cotswolds?, maybe Scotland), Greece, Egypt and Fiji.

2 park days was enough for us at DLParis. But if you can do 2.5 days or even 3 it might be better. We really drug with the time change difference, and DLP was the first stop on our European trip so we had to fly through DLParis like Tinkerbell herself. I wish that we had done 3 days there, but we only alloted for two before heading into Paris proper. We vowed that we'd never go back to DLP, but have found ourselves thinking that we'd like to go back one day and maybe take grandkids or adult kiddos.
The Louvre can be a full day event if you want it to be. We hired a private tour guide to take just the three of us on a three hour tour ( a three hour tour ), and we plan to go back and spend an almost full day there next time. Yes, Notre Dame repairs appear to be complete. Versailles is also a full day excursion.

A lot of folks on this board are very familiar with hotels in the Paris area and gave me really good advice on both Paris and London.

Please keep posting here about this trip, and congrats on 30 years of marriage!

 

[becauseimnew]

We apply for the priority, since we use the 4 upgraded boardings and $75 SW credit, the card is well worth it for us

I applied, application went pending. Fingers crossed it gets approved.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Trip Planning Starting!!!! Not in 2025 but 2026.

2026 is the year of our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We are thinking of doing an around the world Disney Trip to all 5 parks!!!!!!!!!!!

It's going to wind up being a longer trip because we don't want to hit one park and then run to the next park. It's going to be in the Fall 2026, aiming for Sept/Oct 2026, if possible....

I know nothing about any of the other parks except WDW and a lot of WDW has changed and I have not kept up. Last time I was at DL in CA was in 2017 and forgot all my planning. I'm off to look for trip reports!

If anyone has any links to some good reports or advice, I'm all ears! I'm just starting and only have the idea of the trip at this point.

We are thinking of driving up to Orlando from Miami at the end of Aug or the beginning of Sept 2026 and spending at least 4 days there to do 1 park, 1 day. We could stay at our DD's house, or my Aunt's house, or some DVC resort. We are the most flexible on this part of the trip.

We would then fly from Orlando to Anahiem and spend 2-3 nights? We will try to get into the DVC there or at a walkable hotel as a 2nd choice.

We have some family thinking about a 16 night cruise from the west coast to Japan, which is how we started thinking about this trip. Not sure if we will join them but there is a small possibility.

If not, we will fly from somewhere on the west coast to Japan. Is 2 days per park enough? So, maybe a week in Tokyo max? Not going to visit other places in Japan other than Tokyo, otherwise, we will never get home! Although, DH mentioned the Bullet Train as a maybe on his wish list.

Fly from Tokyo to Shanghai. I think they give you 10 days in transit before requiring a visa? Not sure, will double check, Anyway, is 2 park days enough? How many days to visit the sights in Shanghai?

I think DH said that there was a high speed train to Hong Kong from Shanghai? If so, we may do that, or fly.

2 nights near the Hong Kong DL? How many park days needed? We haven't been to Hong Kong since 1997. Haven't decided how long to stay. 5-7 nights?

Onward to Paris DL by air. The Marriott has a timeshare near Disneyland Paris, will try to exchange into it. Want to do some day trips to Versailles and other places from there in addition to DL. Is 2 park days enough? We want to do the Louvre, Notre Dame (I think the repairs are completed?) and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Not sure I want to do day trips from the Disneyland area. Was thinking of adding a few nights in Paris either before or after the week in the Disneyland timeshare.

After Paris, we are looking to do a transatlantic cruise from Europe (Barcelona most likely) back to Miami, FL. We found a few westbound cruises to choose from, beginning on 10/23/2026 all the way to 11/23/2026. So, depending on when actually we start the trip in WDW and how long we take in each country and where else we go in Europe, we will see which cruise fits when we can or want to go back.

We are looking at a minimum of 2 months and up to 3 months. We have a budget in mind but no clue how much we will be going over the budget!

We are in the dreaming stage where we are planning our DREAM trip, if time and money was not limited. When we actually add up the time and $$$, the trip may very well shrink!! Lol.

I'm off to watch some YouTube Videos tonight. Please point me in the right direction to help me plan this epic trip!

TIA!

Sounds epic!

Starting with WDW is probably smart, if it gets hurricane whacked it's easier to adjust domestic flights to CA than an international points booking. 1 day DL Hong Kong included in 5 nights in Hong Kong will be enough for everything you may want to do there.

 

[ten6mom]

Good morning!

I need to get from Phoenix to Oxnard, CA for work, and it says the closest airport to Oxnard is Santa Barbara.

I will probably have to fly southwest because it's for work and I believe it will be least expensive, but I would have to change planes in either Oakland, Las Vegas, or Sacramento (there are no directs).

Of those three airports to have to change planes in, do you think it matters one way or another? Or should I just go with the shortest overall duration?

I figure if anyone will know about any potential issues with changing planes in those airports, it will be this group!

 

[wanderlust7]

Good morning!

I need to get from Phoenix to Oxnard, CA for work, and it says the closest airport to Oxnard is Santa Barbara.

I will probably have to fly southwest because it's for work and I believe it will be least expensive, but I would have to change planes in either Oakland, Las Vegas, or Sacramento (there are no directs).

Of those three airports to have to change planes in, do you think it matters one way or another? Or should I just go with the shortest overall duration?

I figure if anyone will know about any potential issues with changing planes in those airports, it will be this group!

Burbank isn't all that much further and you can avoid the connection.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Which SW personal card is everyone getting? We normally apply for the Priority ($149), but DH has the Business Performance so I'm wondering if I should just apply for the Plus ($69)

I always go for the priority because we don't hold the card past the first year. So, $149 annual fee ends up totally wiped out by the year 1 $75 credit plus the year 2 $75 credit. I wait for the AF and RR anniversary points to hit, buy my $75 gc on the SW site, then close the card.

If you're looking at it as a keeper card, maybe not the way to go...

 

[ten6mom]

Burbank isn't all that much further and you can avoid the connection.

And this is why this thread is the best.
Looked at Burbank and it's actually cheaper, too!

 

[LynnTH]

Instant approval for CIC. 2 Inks open (CIU & CIC). Closed SW biz on December 9.
1/24 with last card 6/2024

Gives me hope!! Just Closed and Lowered some Credit. Both DH and I now only have 2 Biz cards each opened with Chase and way below Credit Limits. Will try for one next week (have to wait 30 days from my denial)

 

[reliev]

Just canceled instacart no retention offer

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Looking for help/advice on Cancun(or alternatives) my son wants us to go with his family in June to an all inclusive. He mentioned Ava, the resort looks beautiful but the reviews seem to be all over the place and it looks like the airport is right behind it.
Has anyone stayed here or has any recommendations on other hotels.
He was looking at Ava since they have stayed at Unico and loved it

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Off topic but for anyone flying SW tomorrow they open up flights thru 10/1

 

[afan]

Before I do a deep dive, does anyone have experience providing the banks with a power of attorney to keep on file so they'll talk with the POA if necessary?

Wondering how easy/complicated it's going to be.

 

[havaneselover]

Before I do a deep dive, does anyone have experience providing the banks with a power of attorney to keep on file so they'll talk with the POA if necessary?

Wondering how easy/complicated it's going to be.

I would think you just have to schedule an appointment. Which reminds me I still have to make an appoinmtment with Chase to make my bank account PoD to my trust.

 

[becauseimnew]

Denial for SW card:
We based our decision on the following reason(s)
• Too many requests for credit or opened accounts with us

I have 6 open cards, 4 personal all 4+ years, 2 business cards opened 4/24 & 9/24.
First personal card denial from Chase

 

[Best Aunt]

Before I do a deep dive, does anyone have experience providing the banks with a power of attorney to keep on file so they'll talk with the POA if necessary?

Wondering how easy/complicated it's going to be.

Around here, you do not have to make an appointment [to get a Power of Attorney entered into a bank's records]. But the procedure depends on the bank. Sometimes you sit with a person at a desk (as opposed to a teller) and they enter it into the records immediately. Sometimes they have to send it to a back office for review. Sometimes they make you sign something saying that it's still in effect. Do not let them tell you that the account holder must sign on the bank's own form; if they try to pull that, have your lawyer contact them.

Be prepared to provide a copy of the driver's license of the bank account holder and of the person appointed.

Also, be prepared to provide the bank account number(s).

 

[afan]

I would think you just have to schedule an appointment. Which reminds me I still have to make an appoinmtment with Chase to make my bank account PoD to my trust.

Around here, you do not have to make an appointment [to get a Power of Attorney entered into a bank's records]. But the procedure depends on the bank. Sometimes you sit with a person at a desk (as opposed to a teller) and they enter it into the records immediately. Sometimes they have to send it to a back office for review. Sometimes they make you sign something saying that it's still in effect. Do not let them tell you that the account holder must sign on the bank's own form; if they try to pull that, have your lawyer contact them.

Be prepared to provide a copy of the driver's license of the bank account holder and of the person appointed.

Also, be prepared to provide the bank account number(s).

Thank you both! I'm not as worried about bofa because I'm already on that account. Need to sort out Discover which doesn't have b&m.

We use the same financial advisor so I can ask him about it.

More concerned with the conversation that's going to have to happen but am hoping she'll initiate it without my having to after stuff came to light yesterday. She's got until Saturday, this isn't something I want to deal with during the work week. She already gets defensive about things she shouldn't and has always been secretive about some things which makes it super fun.