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


So I actually did my solo trip to DC last week! 3 nights,4 days- I really enjoyed it! Booked a hotel nearish the National Mall on points (Hyatt natl mall) and had a blast sightseeing on my own schedule- it was a short flight on AA from my home airport, easy to navigate and get the metro,I did notice I needed something small and valueless to hold my table at a restaurant if I needed to get up etc, but otherwise it was so relaxing. One main difference for me was the idea that going back to my hotel room in evening meant quiet relaxation, which is different (for me) in that when I travel with friends or family, it's like a hangout,more stuff to do vibe, instead I just enjoyed movie or good tv shows.... I won't hesitate to try solo again after this!
We have the Hyatt booked for a teen son/mom DC trip. What did you think of it?
 
Is there a VPN anyone here recommends? On our trip to Canada my younger daughter couldn’t access some shows due to geoblocking. So I want something set up for when we go to Japan so she can still get to all her shows.

I had Proton VPN on my iPad but it wouldn’t let me pick the country so even though US was closest, it didn’t always pick it. Then it made you wait before you could try for another location.
I've been happy with Surfshark. It's actually my DD's (she went to school in England so had it to watch stuff at home). Now I use it to set up my Tesco orders ahead of arriving in London, LOL. But I've also watched shows on it.
 
Is there a VPN anyone here recommends? On our trip to Canada my younger daughter couldn’t access some shows due to geoblocking. So I want something set up for when we go to Japan so she can still get to all her shows.

I had Proton VPN on my iPad but it wouldn’t let me pick the country so even though US was closest, it didn’t always pick it. Then it made you wait before you could try for another location.
Often on Rakuten there are major incentives for NordVPN that allow you to earn Amex MR points... I think I may have been paid to get NordVPN or close to it...
 
Is there a VPN anyone here recommends? On our trip to Canada my younger daughter couldn’t access some shows due to geoblocking. So I want something set up for when we go to Japan so she can still get to all her shows.

I had Proton VPN on my iPad but it wouldn’t let me pick the country so even though US was closest, it didn’t always pick it. Then it made you wait before you could try for another location.

I have NordVPN and Surfshark - both basically free through Rakuten offers. I like them both, but find that surfshark encounters blocking more often these days especially on ESPN.

NordVPN has more servers overall so I can usually find one that will work without too much effort.

Incidentally, just back from a europe trip and used NordVPN most days. I generally like to be using a VPN when on hotel wifi. Visited Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest on this trip - enjoyed them all, but have to say we loved Budapest the most.

ETA: Just for relevance to this thread.......Spent almost 2 weeks in Europe and I think our total OOP cost for flights and hotels was under $600. Most stuff booked using points gained from credit cards, and stayed in some nicer hotels than we would have had we been paying cash rates.
 
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im assuming for chase? its under benefits in rewards and the sub card menu. Says something like new account bonus, amex is similar. But its been a while since I did a sub. If it didn't populate could be bugged too.

found this from chase View attachment 966219
Thank you. I found it in the app. I could not find it when logged on via my laptop.
 
We have the Hyatt booked for a teen son/mom DC trip. What did you think of it?
it was.... decent. Clean enough, easy walk straight up 4th st to get to mall- I feel like it wasn't a premier hotel or anything (almost like it didn't;t know what type of hotel it is, basic budget or nicer lol) but the breakfast was great and plentiful every day (a big plus for me) You have to get creative for dinner as it's in an area of businesses, so not much in the way of restaurants right nearby, the wharf isn't far (and they have a free shuttle) with lots of choices,I went there one evening, or I stopped and grabbed something closer to mall area for a quick dinner. Overall for 'city prices' I'd stay there again. My main goal was walkability and it had that. Lobby on 3rd floor was bit odd but overall satisfactory.
 
Woke up this morning and logged into my Discover account and saw the message..."Welcome to Capital One". Logged into my Capital one cards and saw nothing. Will be interesting to see if anything changes or merges. Would be nice if the Discover 5x times quarters can be apply to Capital one but i'm sure wishful thinking.
 
When accepting an upgrade through AMEX when do you start getting the benefits of the new card? My DH just upgraded his Delta Gold to the Delta Platinum. They prorated the annual fee, when can we expect the companion cert to be available?
 
I have NordVPN and Surfshark - both basically free through Rakuten offers. I like them both, but find that surfshark encounters blocking more often these days especially on ESPN.

NordVPN has more servers overall so I can usually find one that will work without too much effort.

Incidentally, just back from a europe trip and used NordVPN most days. I generally like to be using a VPN when on hotel wifi. Visited Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest on this trip - enjoyed them all, but have to say we loved Budapest the most.

ETA: Just for relevance to this thread.......Spent almost 2 weeks in Europe and I think our total OOP cost for flights and hotels was under $600. Most stuff booked using points gained from credit cards, and stayed in some nicer hotels than we would have had we been paying cash rates.

Of the five cities you listed, Budapest is my favorite! Salzburg's Old Town though, is also charming...and I did spend waaay too much on, yes, salt 🤣. I'd really love to return to both someday. Okay, back to regularly scheduled programming...
 
20 days until our trip to Yellowstone. Re-reading trip reports.
Any last minute suggestions? I did get a travel guide and map to take. Anything I might be missing? Are the self guided driving audio tours worth it?
just got back. we did the entire park on our own. where are you stayng? which entrance are you using? we rented a nisssan rogue. some parts were scary driving! Nothing from Cody WY to east entrance. West yellowstone (wet entrance) is a cute town. Great Bar=b=que.
how long you spending? are you hikers?
we went from Rapid City SD (wall, Rushmoore, Crazy Horse) to Gillette WY to Cody WY to Yellowstone, to Grand Tetons to Bozeman
 














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