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

[mmmears]

They are fee free. I bought four this morning to finish off my car insurance 6-month premium.

Thank you so much. I went there and got the max!

 

[*pixie*]

If I add myself as an AU on DH’s CSR, does that impact me being approved for the Amex Platimum on my own?

 

[havaneselover]

Just ordered currency for tipping in GB, Belgium, Norway, and Canada. Two cruises in a month is feeling a little crazy.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Just ordered currency for tipping in GB, Belgium, Norway, and Canada. Two cruises in a month is feeling a little crazy.

Did you just use your bank? Or do you have a preferred company you like?
I ordered Yen from TD Bank when we went to Japan. I’m thinking of doing the same when we go to Asia later this year, but if I recall there was a minimum order amount on TD, and it’s probably more than I need for some of the countries we’re going to.

 

[havaneselover]

Did you just use your bank? Or do you have a preferred company you like?
I ordered Yen from TD Bank when we went to Japan. I’m thinking of doing the same when we go to Asia later this year, but if I recall there was a minimum order amount on TD, and it’s probably more than I need for some of the countries we’re going to.

I just used my bank (Wells Fargo). Probably a lousy exchange rate, but I only needed a small amount (strictly for hotel/excursion/tour tips) so I didn't really care. It was a $200 minimum, but that could include up to five currencies.

 

[orangecuse]

All of our flights and hotels are booked for Hawaii next June! Now to try and not tell the kids before Christmas, I am not great with surprises haha

We also have our cruise on Star of the Seas coming up so I am antsy for the vloggers to get on it and make some videos for me to watch!

CC news- we grabbed the Barclays AA cards before they disappear. We will use those miles for a trip to celebrate a milestone bday for my dad next summer.

 

[2vets]

Bummed. We had to cancel our big trip out west (we were supposed to leave Wednesday) because DH had complications with kidney stones. At least it was 90% refundable. We probably won't be able to do this trip again until next Summer (but of course we had other trips planned) as school starts in a few weeks and my work schedule has to be set months in advance. Anyway, I'm trying to be grateful that it wasn't something more serious and also trying to figure out if we we can sneak away for a last minute short stay at WDW of Universal or if we should just save money and wait.

So sorry. If it makes you feel any better at all, I live in San Diego, and it really nuts right now up and down the coast. Wishing a fast recovery for your DH!

 

[IFlossU]

If I add myself as an AU on DH’s CSR, does that impact me being approved for the Amex Platimum on my own?

No

 

[*pixie*]

No

Thank you!

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I just used my bank (Wells Fargo). Probably a lousy exchange rate, but I only needed a small amount (strictly for hotel/excursion/tour tips) so I didn't really care. It was a $200 minimum, but that could include up to five currencies.

Thanks! I didn't even think about getting multiple currencies to make up the minimum. Just checked with TD Bank, and the minimum is $250 but they do allow several currencies to make up the minimum, so that's cool. The bad part: they don't have 2/3 of the currencies I need - Cambodian Riel and Vietnamese Dong

 

[StephPlum]

If I add myself as an AU on DH’s CSR, does that impact me being approved for the Amex Platimum on my own?

No but it may impact your 5/24 status with Chase. Is it a new card within the last 2 years?

 

[StephPlum]

Germany/Austria next May is booked - flights and hotels. Though I wanted to stay at a Hyatt in Vienna but both the Park Hyatt and Andaz say they are unavailable. I was able to use my 2 Bonvoy FNCs + points to book in Nuremberg. I like how easy they make to it use FNCs in the same trip. Compared to IHG where I had to make three separate reservations to use my 3 FNCs at the same hotel.

 

[EACarlson]

I need help. I've been selected to represent the US as an Umpire at the European Championships in Regensburg Germany. This will be my first international trip. Can anyone explain like I'm 5 what I need to know when travelling in Europe. I've already got the Passport and Global Entry. How much cash should I carry? Any credit card issues I should be aware of? Anything else I need to know? Any products that are suprisingly useful? I think I'm going to get an eSim for my phone to use while there, anyone have recommendations?

 

[wanderlust7]

I need help. I've been selected to represent the US as an Umpire at the European Championships in Regensburg Germany. This will be my first international trip. Can anyone explain like I'm 5 what I need to know when travelling in Europe. I've already got the Passport and Global Entry. How much cash should I carry? Any credit card issues I should be aware of? Anything else I need to know? Any products that are suprisingly useful? I think I'm going to get an eSim for my phone to use while there, anyone have recommendations?

Sound exciting! Congrats!

We used very little cash in Germany. Credit cards work fine. You'll want to use one that doesn't have foreign transaction fees. I have down in my spreadsheet we used about 200 euros over 9 days in Germany, 4 in Amsterdam, and a couple cruise ship stops.

I can't remember if we used Ubigi or Airalo for eSim that trip. I recently found Mobimatter, which is even cheaper, but we've only used them in Japan and China.

In Germany, if paying at a restaurant with cc and you want to add a tip, ask them to please charge x amount. There isn't a tip line on receipts like we have here. 5-10% is supposed to be typical. Also, restaurants don't tend to serve tap water, so you'd need to buy bottled. Or just have a beer because it's about the same cost lol.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I need help. I've been selected to represent the US as an Umpire at the European Championships in Regensburg Germany. This will be my first international trip. Can anyone explain like I'm 5 what I need to know when travelling in Europe. I've already got the Passport and Global Entry. How much cash should I carry? Any credit card issues I should be aware of? Anything else I need to know? Any products that are suprisingly useful? I think I'm going to get an eSim for my phone to use while there, anyone have recommendations?

Congratulations!

A few things I always have with me:

• a good portable charger (at least 1.5 charges)
• a few hundred euros
• an extra credit card (1 on my person, 1 in hotel safe -- always good to have backup)
• speaking of the hotel safe, use it to store your passport, tablet and excess cash -- I usually have 50-80 Euros on me, the rest in the safe
• good lock on your suitcase just in case your hotel room doesn't have a safe (keep valuables in your suitcase and lock it when you leave the room for the day)
• the train system in Germany is amazing, so I'd recommend spending some time in Heidelberg and Cologne (both easily accessible from Frankfurt) at the beginning or end of your trip
• a decent fanny pack for the plane so your passport is always on your person, not in a bag above your seat
• a lot of content on your iPad/tablet for the plane and regional trains is always good
• excellent ear plugs (I use Loop) since noise insulation at hotels isn't always good; they're also useful for trains and planes

You don't say when you're going -- this summer or next? German food is amazing, water is safe to drink, people are nice -- I love Germany. If you fly into Frankfurt early morning and need a few hours of shut eye and a shower, the HGI at the airport is nice and has day rooms.

 

[EACarlson]

Congratulations!

A few things I always have with me:

• a good portable charger (at least 1.5 charges)
• a few hundred euros
• an extra credit card (1 on my person, 1 in hotel safe -- always good to have backup)
• speaking of the hotel safe, use it to store your passport, tablet and excess cash -- I usually have 50-80 Euros on me, the rest in the safe
• good lock on your suitcase just in case your hotel room doesn't have a safe (keep valuables in your suitcase and lock it when you leave the room for the day)
• the train system in Germany is amazing, so I'd recommend spending some time in Heidelberg and Cologne (both easily accessible from Frankfurt) at the beginning or end of your trip
• a decent fanny pack for the plane so your passport is always on your person, not in a bag above your seat
• a lot of content on your iPad/tablet for the plane and regional trains is always good
• excellent ear plugs (I use Loop) since noise insulation at hotels isn't always good; they're also useful for trains and planes

You don't say when you're going -- this summer or next? German food is amazing, water is safe to drink, people are nice -- I love Germany. If you fly into Frankfurt early morning and need a few hours of shut eye and a shower, the HGI at the airport is nice and has day rooms.

I'm going to Regensburg in October. I don't think I'm going to have time to explore outside of that area, I've basically got one day, but there will be six of us that will have to come to some understanding on what we are doing.

 

[reliev]

just a data point sw flights that i was seeing for 600$+ have come back to normal prices from what im used to paying 225-275 going to bwi, jetblue had a schedule change and I was able to get mco-bwi for what im used to paying hopefully this is a trend again and not a one off.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

For those of us who fly SW the new schedule opens 7/29 with assigned seating for flights 1/27/2026 to 4/4/2026.

 

[*pixie*]

No but it may impact your 5/24 status with Chase. Is it a new card within the last 2 years?

My DH just opened the CSR, but it's been several years since I've applied for a new card.

 

[GZanta77]

I need help. I've been selected to represent the US as an Umpire at the European Championships in Regensburg Germany. This will be my first international trip. Can anyone explain like I'm 5 what I need to know when travelling in Europe. I've already got the Passport and Global Entry. How much cash should I carry? Any credit card issues I should be aware of? Anything else I need to know? Any products that are suprisingly useful? I think I'm going to get an eSim for my phone to use while there, anyone have recommendations?

Congrats. I had to google Regensburg - looks like a nice city with some interesting architecture. As it is a stop on the Danube River cruises, they will be well versed in handling tourists so you shouldn't have any problem finding English speakers.

You have received some good tips above. If your main card is an Amex, make sure to have a Visa or MC as well. I still run into many places in Europe that either don't take Amex or don't want to. If you have a debit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees and reimburses ATM fees - this is the easiest way to get cash. Just hit the ATM at the airport on arrival.

You will need a US/Europe adapter for the electrical sockets. Note: They commonly use 220V in Europe as opposed to the 110V in the US. Your phone/ipad/laptop will make the power adjustment - but things like hairdryers won't work unless they are dual voltage.