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

[havaneselover]

How do you request a match from Chase? I recently got a CIC (spend $6k over 6 months and get 75k URs). I've already met the MSR (in about a week). There's a new offer for 90k URs for spending $6k in 3 months.

 

[chattadisser]

How do you request a match from Chase? I recently got a CIC (spend $6k over 6 months and get 75k URs). I've already met the MSR (in about a week). There's a new offer for 90k URs for spending $6k in 3 months.

In the past I just SM'ed them and asked for it. Thanks for posting about this, DH just got a CIC Monday so I will be SM'ing them too.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

How do you request a match from Chase? I recently got a CIC (spend $6k over 6 months and get 75k URs). I've already met the MSR (in about a week). There's a new offer for 90k URs for spending $6k in 3 months.

Yep, same as @chattadisser, we've always done it via SM. Also thanks for posting about this... I've been wanting to get a CIC before the business support goes away. I guess this elevated offer is my sign! I'll have to wait a few days to see if support links update.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Yep, same as @chattadisser, we've always done it via SM. Also thanks for posting about this... I've been wanting to get a CIC before the business support goes away. I guess this elevated offer is my sign! I'll have to wait a few days to see if support links update.

I've been seeing chatter about October/biz cards. What did I miss?

 

[chattadisser]

I've been seeing chatter about October/biz cards. What did I miss?

Beginning 10/6, I think that's the date, you will only be able to get support points for "new" businesses. So, if you've been doing what a lot of people have been doing, supporting via family and friends, these support points are going to go away.

 

[StephPlum]

I hope that you do a trip report!! I've been eyeing these for next fall.

I did the same itinerary or a very similar one in 2023. Loved it. Trip report starting from this post.

I did the same ship/itinerary as @wunderlust7.

Part 1
I stayed in London for 3 days prior. Hotel The Clermont, Victoria. I booked on the Chase portal with points boost (got .0185 redemption). I rebooked this several times as the price lowered. I booked a classic, single room with 1 twin bed but ended up with a full or queen, not sure. The room was larger than the one I had in Rome, plenty large enough for a solo. The bathroom was tiny, though with the 3/4 shower wall that is now common and lets water get on the floor. My room was on the 5th floor and overlooked the bus depot but was extremely quiet. They have a pillow catalog and you can order a specialty pillow that suits you. I used the pillows that were in the room and they were nice and firm (I like that). If they had been down or too soft, I would have changed. Some of the best I've slept on.

There is also a food hall across the street and I ate there as well. I added on breakfast at the hotel, but for 25 pounds, I would not do that again. I'd go to the food hall to Eggslut. The hotel is right beside Victoria Station with underground, train and bus services. Very, very convenient to travel anywhere in London. Also, just about a block away is the Victoria Coach Station where I took the National Express to the Southampton Cruise port. I'd do that again. Was very easy to take the National Express and there was only one stop between Victoria and the Port. I was able to walk to Buckingham Palace from the hotel ~ 10 mins.

The first day I was exhausted. I took a 6PM flight from JFK which landed at 6:20AM. I visited the arrivals lounge, showered and ate some breakfast. It also took me awhile there to get my esim to work (user error). After dropping off my luggage at my hotel, I walked around a bit, visited Buckingham Palace (outside only) and then when my room was ready - despite me saying don't sleep - I napped for about an hour. Luckily I was still exhausted and was able to sleep and get on track the next day.

For the cruise:

First stop was Bruges. I did an NCL excursion but wish I had done it on my own. There wasn't enough OYO time built in. We did a canal ride and a walking tour. I did get a waffle (part of the excursion), lunch and chocolate (highly recommend Pralinette and Dumon chocolatiers).


Second stop was Amsterdam. I did a canal boat tour that started and ended right at the cruise port. That was convenient. Then I did the rest of the day on my own. Lunch at The Panty (highly, highly recommend). It is near the Rijksmuseum which took up most of my afternoon. Grabbed a Stroop waffle on my way back to the ship. Went through the lock and next was day at sea. We spent a bit of time in the lock as they try to fill it up and we waited on another ship to enter after us.

 

[StephPlum]

Part 2 Norway
Third stop was Bergen. I did this on my own. Rode up the Floibanen (funicular). Recommend doing this early and buying tickets on line beforehand. I had no wait as I had my ticket. Coming back down, there were lines to buy tickets and lines to get on the tram. At the top there are shops, WC, play areas and hiking trails. I hiked to two lakes that were pretty - maybe an hour round trip. Then I visited the fish market (Uggh to see whale steak on the menu) and Bryggen for more souvenir shopping.

View from top of funicular





Fourth stop was Geiranger. We arrived late because we left Bergen late. One of the breakers blew in the engine room and it took ~4 hours to get a new one. Not as simple as going to Home Depot to grab a replacement. But arriving late meant we sailed into the fjord at a decent time like 9am and not 5am. This was the main reason I chose this cruise. There is some talk of limiting large cruise ships in the smaller fjords. That’s been delayed but I had booked when it was slated to start after 2026. Being later in the year, I didn’t get 7 sisters but more like 5 sisters. There were still flowing waterfalls but earlier they are more forceful. It was still amazing. I did an excursion Mount Dalsnibba and Eagle Road with Norway Excursions AS. They were wonderful. As I said we left Bergen late so we didn’t get to Geiranger until after my tour was to depart. They moved it automatically and sent an email. I also did the RIB boat here that got you up close to the waterfalls in the fjord and the mountain farms.


Fifth stop was Alesund. This was actually my favorite. I did another excursion with Norway Excursions AS. We saw multiple fjords, Gudbrandsjuvet ravine, the strawberry field area (bummer too late in the season), waterfalls, Reinheimen NP, Troll Road and Troll Wall. We had amazing weather with clear views at all stops.

 

[elgerber]

How do you request a match from Chase? I recently got a CIC (spend $6k over 6 months and get 75k URs). I've already met the MSR (in about a week). There's a new offer for 90k URs for spending $6k in 3 months.

Oohhhh, I just got a CIC about a month ago. I wonder if it's too late?

 

[StephPlum]

Part 3 Iceland
Another sea day going from Norway to Iceland.

Sixth stop Akureyri. This was another great stop. I did an excursion with Iceland Highlights. Godafoss waterfall, Turf House and Forest Lagoon. I opted to skip Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik for this lagoon. It isn’t blue and doesn’t have silica and it wasn’t overly crowded. Mostly the folks from the bus tour. Very relaxing. Right by the Turf House was a farm with Icelandic ponies! I do wish I had done a horseback ride.



Seventh stop Isafjordur. I think wunderlust7 didn’t get this port. But now the pier is complete and no tendering needed. I walked around the town and shopped, also visited the Heritage Museum.

Eighth stop Reykjavik (overnight). First day I did a golden circle excursion – Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir area and Thingvellir NP. No puffins, I was about 2 weeks too late to see them. On the drive, you could see steam vents at a lot of places, not just the geysir area. Really reminded me of Yellowstone.



Then second day I disembarked and made my way to the hotel for one night. Center Hotels Plaza (booked on Chase @ .015). Would not recommend. It was fine for one night but a little older, service was non-existent and the breakfast area was super packed in the morning. I booked a 2 twin room and got that. Luckily one of the twins was actually sleepable. The other one was very uncomfortable. My room overlooked a “courtyard” of about 3 feet wide and was full of pigeons that woke me up very early the next day. This day I went to the church, the Settlement museum, walked by the waterfront (several plaques showing before and after scenes that were quite interesting) and shopped. I got back to the hotel after lunch to see if my room was ready and it started pouring rain (luckily the only day it rained my entire trip). Note – everything in Iceland is expensive. I had fish and chips for lunch (excellent) that was $32.

Keflavik Airport. I took the flybus - there was a pickup stop a block from the hotel but had to transfer then at the main bus stop. At the airport, I think I had to show my passport 4 or 5 times. The first person to screen me asked me crazy questions like what was my favorite and least favorite book. Compared to arriving in ORD where no one said anything to me and I got through customs/passport (global entry) in 5 minutes. It was very smooth but not usual for Chicago, I guess.

Overall:
I had great weather for being late in the season. I’m thankful for that. I did miss the puffins and the strawberries. So if that is important, I’d schedule your trip around optimal times for that. Some people said they saw the northern lights from the ship or in Reykjavik. I unfortunately was never awake at the time for that. So if there is a clear night, stay awake or wake up and you may be able to do that. I liked NCL and my first cruise. NCL is great for solos, I was able to use the solo lounge and meet up with other solos but nothing forced. The food was average, nothing spectacular. I did have 2 specialty dinners - Japanese and Cagney's that were good. But I didn't pay extra for any more. Entertainment was good - I saw the live shows: Bossa Nova Beat and Rumors, a magician/comedian and a crooner singer in the theater. There was also other entertainers in the atrium or bars. I have nothing to compare to but I'd sail with NCL again for the right itinerary and price.

 

[wanderlust7]

Oohhhh, I just got a CIC about a month ago. I wonder if it's too late?

There's usually a cutoff date, which we'll find out as DPs come out. I think a month is likely to be matched. There's some chatter that CIC matches might be more uncertain since the 75k offer is tiered. We'll just have to see.

I sent off the SM requesting match for my CIU from a little over a month ago. DH's is almost 2 months ago, so I might wait on DPs for that.

I hope the CIP will get elevated since I have a large spend coming up that can't be split.

 

[wanderlust7]

Seventh stop Isafjordur. I think wunderlust7 didn’t get this port. But now the pier is complete and no tendering needed. I walked around the town and shopped, also visited the Heritage Museum.

Yes, we had to skip that port. Glad you got to go! I enjoyed your trip report. Makes me want to go back.

 

[tink1970]

Part 3 Iceland
Another sea day going from Norway to Iceland.

Sixth stop Akureyri. This was another great stop. I did an excursion with Iceland Highlights. Godafoss waterfall, Turf House and Forest Lagoon. I opted to skip Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik for this lagoon. It isn’t blue and doesn’t have silica and it wasn’t overly crowded. Mostly the folks from the bus tour. Very relaxing. Right by the Turf House was a farm with Icelandic ponies! I do wish I had done a horseback ride.
View attachment 1003426
View attachment 1003427

Seventh stop Isafjordur. I think wunderlust7 didn’t get this port. But now the pier is complete and no tendering needed. I walked around the town and shopped, also visited the Heritage Museum.

Eighth stop Reykjavik (overnight). First day I did a golden circle excursion – Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir area and Thingvellir NP. No puffins, I was about 2 weeks too late to see them. On the drive, you could see steam vents at a lot of places, not just the geysir area. Really reminded me of Yellowstone.
View attachment 1003428
View attachment 1003429

Then second day I disembarked and made my way to the hotel for one night. Center Hotels Plaza (booked on Chase @ .015). Would not recommend. It was fine for one night but a little older, service was non-existent and the breakfast area was super packed in the morning. I booked a 2 twin room and got that. Luckily one of the twins was actually sleepable. The other one was very uncomfortable. My room overlooked a “courtyard” of about 3 feet wide and was full of pigeons that woke me up very early the next day. This day I went to the church, the Settlement museum, walked by the waterfront (several plaques showing before and after scenes that were quite interesting) and shopped. I got back to the hotel after lunch to see if my room was ready and it started pouring rain (luckily the only day it rained my entire trip). Note – everything in Iceland is expensive. I had fish and chips for lunch (excellent) that was $32.

Keflavik Airport. I took the flybus - there was a pickup stop a block from the hotel but had to transfer then at the main bus stop. At the airport, I think I had to show my passport 4 or 5 times. The first person to screen me asked me crazy questions like what was my favorite and least favorite book. Compared to arriving in ORD where no one said anything to me and I got through customs/passport (global entry) in 5 minutes. It was very smooth but not usual for Chicago, I guess.

Overall:
I had great weather for being late in the season. I’m thankful for that. I did miss the puffins and the strawberries. So if that is important, I’d schedule your trip around optimal times for that. Some people said they saw the northern lights from the ship or in Reykjavik. I unfortunately was never awake at the time for that. So if there is a clear night, stay awake or wake up and you may be able to do that. I liked NCL and my first cruise. NCL is great for solos, I was able to use the solo lounge and meet up with other solos but nothing forced. The food was average, nothing spectacular. I did have 2 specialty dinners - Japanese and Cagney's that were good. But I didn't pay extra for any more. Entertainment was good - I saw the live shows: Bossa Nova Beat and Rumors, a magician/comedian and a crooner singer in the theater. There was also other entertainers in the atrium or bars. I have nothing to compare to but I'd sail with NCL again for the right itinerary and price.

Thanks for the photos of Iceland-we were on a Canada/Greenland/Iceland cruise earlier this summer and I fell in love with the beauty of Iceland . Fortunately I did see whales, puffins, etc which I think was one reason I didn't love Norway...the absence of fauna left me thinking "meh." But that's why we're blessed with different options for travel! Glad you enjoyed your cruise-I'm lazy and hate to pack/unpack (well, hate packing efficiently to begin with) so imho, it's the perfect way to travel!

 

[wanderlust7]

Supports are showing the 90k CIU/CIC SUB. Didn't even have to regenerate the link.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Supports are showing the 90k CIU/CIC SUB. Didn't even have to regenerate the link.

Great news! I closed a CIC week before last, snoozed it until today to app my new one on P2's referral link.

Procrastination paying off right there!