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

[afan]

Not really CC related, but I always think this is the best place to ask for travel advice. DH and I are planning a different anniversary trip than our normal WDW for May 2026. We weren't able to go on the planned Alaskan cruise this year with my parents and sisters, so our travel agent allowed us to take the money we had already paid toward it and apply it to another one, so we booked a quick cheap 3 day cruise. Then the plan is to go to Universal as soon as we get back from the cruise. Is the best option to take the cruise bus back to MCO from Port Canaveral, then get on a bus from MCO to Universal? I am open to better suggestions if there are any. This will be our first time to Universal so we have no idea how to plan. I'm looking at staying at either Hard Rock or Royal Pacific since they have the included Express Passes. How many days should we go there? We aren't interested in the Water Park, so just the 3 theme parks. After leaving Universal, we want to spend the rest of our vacation at WDW until we head home Saturday night. What's the best way to get from Universal to Disney? I guess what I am asking is how good of a plan is this? I can modify anything except the cruise portion. We have DVC & WDW AP's, so Disney always feels like a "free" vacation, Universal will cost us completely out of pocket so I don't want to spend more time (or money) than we need to there.

As of now, I am thinking:
Thursday, 4/30/26 - Fly to MCO, stay at Hyatt MCO
Friday, 5/1/26-Monday 5/4/26 - MCO to Port Canaveral for 3 Day Cruise
Monday, 5/4/26-Thursday, 5/7/26 - head to Universal (or should we leave Wednesday for WDW?)
Thursday, 5/7/26-Saturday, 5/9/26 - WDW
Saturday, 5/9/26 - Fly Home on 7:40 pm flight

Have you done Univeral before? To me it all depends on how much time you think you'll need.

For me, with what's closed, what I've already seen and rides I can't/won't do I find 1 day is more than enough for IOA and USO with hopping between. It wouldn't even need to be a full day. Then I'd do 1 day at Epic but if I had express pass from the hotel (no idea id it works at Epic, I haven't paid attention to that) I'd be good to move to Disney after 1 night at Uni.

I don't know the cost of everything, but I'd look at Uber to see the cost to go straight to the Universal hotel. Going via the airport seems out of the way. Last time we did USO we stayed at Disney and took an Uber over and back, it wasn't too bad but it was several years ago.

 

[georgina]

Have you done Univeral before? To me it all depends on how much time you think you'll need.

For me, with what's closed, what I've already seen and rides I can't/won't do I find 1 day is more than enough for IOA and USO with hopping between. It wouldn't even need to be a full day. Then I'd do 1 day at Epic but if I had express pass from the hotel (no idea id it works at Epic, I haven't paid attention to that) I'd be good to move to Disney after 1 night at Uni.

I don't know the cost of everything, but I'd look at Uber to see the cost to go straight to the Universal hotel. Going via the airport seems out of the way. Last time we did USO we stayed at Disney and took an Uber over and back, it wasn't too bad but it was several years ago.

NO, the hotel express passes are not for Epic. With the EP for US/IOA 1 day might be enough for those 2 parks, but they need to do some research. Same for Epic, they may not be able to do everything so they should do some research into rides, single rider lines, and what they most want to see/do. One night for 3 parks is pushing it, there is a lot to see at Epic.

Personally I have done so much at WDW that I need less time there these days, but I am a thrill ride person and enjoy Universal a great deal.

 

[disneylover81]

NO, the hotel express passes are not for Epic. With the EP for US/IOA 1 day might be enough for those 2 parks, but they need to do some research. Same for Epic, they may not be able to do everything so they should do some research into rides, single rider lines, and what they most want to see/do. One night for 3 parks is pushing it, there is a lot to see at Epic.

Personally I have done so much at WDW that I need less time there these days, but I am a thrill ride person and enjoy Universal a great deal.

Have you done Univeral before? To me it all depends on how much time you think you'll need.

For me, with what's closed, what I've already seen and rides I can't/won't do I find 1 day is more than enough for IOA and USO with hopping between. It wouldn't even need to be a full day. Then I'd do 1 day at Epic but if I had express pass from the hotel (no idea id it works at Epic, I haven't paid attention to that) I'd be good to move to Disney after 1 night at Uni.

I don't know the cost of everything, but I'd look at Uber to see the cost to go straight to the Universal hotel. Going via the airport seems out of the way. Last time we did USO we stayed at Disney and took an Uber over and back, it wasn't too bad but it was several years ago.

We have never been to USO. It’s just DH and I so no kids or anything to worry about or to slow us down. We want to try and do all the things. I was thinking with EP, we could get a lot done in a short time. It sounds like the parks are all close together and we don’t need anything more than a 3 day ticket. Y’all have been very helpful. I will check out Uber options for transportation. We don’t typically use Uber so that’s all new to me. How far is USO from WDW? I thought about staying at WDW and going to USO each day, but I just imagined lots of wasted time and traffic.

 

[trenty]

Anyone ever experience a delay when transferring URs to EMIRATES? I transferred about an hour ago and the Skyward Miles are not in my Emirates account yet.

 

[AmyAnne]

I think I'm getting 6 pairs of socks. At least they're mostly cotton, which is hard to find. We're trying to eliminate polyester from the fabrics in our home to avoid breathing in more microplastics

This reminded me that cotton socks is on my agenda (finally have switched most of our dishes to glass). I had a bit of time this afternoon so I stopped in Lululemon and picked up 3 pairs of socks. Most of the socks are about 75% cotton (and $14 if I remember correctly), but the "rag" socks are 90% (and $22). Next quarter I will see If my daughter wants anything besides socks.

 

[calypso726]

Lululemon in store gift card purchase credited.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

This reminded me that cotton socks is on my agenda (finally have switched most of our dishes to glass). I had a bit of time this afternoon so I stopped in Lululemon and picked up 3 pairs of socks. Most of the socks are about 75% cotton (and $14 if I remember correctly), but the "rag" socks are 90% (and $22). Next quarter I will see If my daughter wants anything besides socks.

Which dishes did you switch to glass? Like baking pans and storage containers? Or actual dishes?

I'm getting the rag socks, too

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Lululemon in store gift card purchase credited.View attachment 1008210

I was waiting for this--thanks for posting!!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Edit: just looked at my email again. Not a coupon code the ring is just on sale this week.

If you sign up for Oura emails, they will send out a 15% off coupon about a week later.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Which dishes did you switch to glass? Like baking pans and storage containers? Or actual dishes?

I'm getting the rag socks, too

We use no plastic. Have been plastic free for at least 11 years. All plates, cups, bowls, baking dishes are glass. Cooking pans are stainless steel. Actually I have some small pots that are glass also (visons by corningware).

 

[AndreaDM]

I have to share my redemption I just completed, someone reassure me this was a good deal. My daughter is graduating from college in May and her gift is a trip to Japan. She wanted to go next September, so I've been watching sites and trying to figure out my best course of action. I was on FlyingBlue since Chase has a 20% transfer bonus and noticed 2 Biz seats available on JAL from ORD on 9/15. I logged onto Chase, transferred those points so fast and then back to FB to book the JAL flights, it was a total of 279,000 for 2 one-way. I'm sure there are better redemptions, but honestly I was so excited to see that option. It's fully refundable if I find something better. We will just have to book a quick flight from Ohio to ORD and then it's direct to HND.

Oh, and yes, I will have to figure out how to return, it may be in economy lol!

 

[kandb]

I applied for a Chase Unlimited business card today and it said "unable to approve your application. You will receive a letter in 7 to 10 days with our decision". Is this most likely a denial and is there anyway to check before the 10 days? I remember in the past, there was a phone number to call. Thank you.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

We use no plastic. Have been plastic free for at least 11 years. All plates, cups, bowls, baking dishes are glass. Cooking pans are stainless steel. Actually I have some small pots that are glass also (visons by corningware).

Same here, but our dishware we eat out off is ceramic. So I was wondering if they had glass plates, sounds nice and modern lol

 

[VGCgroupie]

Same here, but our dishware we eat out off is ceramic. So I was wondering if they had glass plates, sounds nice and modern lol

Yes and they are actually so cheap too. You can get individuals at Walmart but there are higher end sets too like Duralex, but TBH our Walmart plates have held up for years.

 

[calypso726]

I was waiting for this--thanks for posting!!

You’re welcome. I did a larger gift card purchase and split payments between mine and DHs cards. My BFF did a single $75 GC purchase on one card and it also credited. So both methods credit if someone has multiple cards.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I applied for a Chase Unlimited business card today and it said "unable to approve your application. You will receive a letter in 7 to 10 days with our decision". Is this most likely a denial and is there anyway to check before the 10 days? I remember in the past, there was a phone number to call. Thank you.

Do you have any Chase business cards ? If so you can log into your business account to find the letter there. Since they said they are unable to approve it sounds like a denial.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I applied for a Chase Unlimited business card today and it said "unable to approve your application. You will receive a letter in 7 to 10 days with our decision". Is this most likely a denial and is there anyway to check before the 10 days? I remember in the past, there was a phone number to call. Thank you.

Try this one 888-338-2586

 

[djmeredith]

I have to share my redemption I just completed, someone reassure me this was a good deal. My daughter is graduating from college in May and her gift is a trip to Japan. She wanted to go next September, so I've been watching sites and trying to figure out my best course of action. I was on FlyingBlue since Chase has a 20% transfer bonus and noticed 2 Biz seats available on JAL from ORD on 9/15. I logged onto Chase, transferred those points so fast and then back to FB to book the JAL flights, it was a total of 279,000 for 2 one-way. I'm sure there are better redemptions, but honestly I was so excited to see that option. It's fully refundable if I find something better. We will just have to book a quick flight from Ohio to ORD and then it's direct to HND.

Oh, and yes, I will have to figure out how to return, it may be in economy lol!

Congratulations! IIRC, our return flight was a "daytime" flight with us arriving home in late afternoon. I didn't mind Premium Economy since I didn't care about lie flat. So, you might at least be able to find a good deal on PE.

 

[AndreaDM]

Congratulations! IIRC, our return flight was a "daytime" flight with us arriving home in late afternoon. I didn't mind Premium Economy since I didn't care about lie flat. So, you might at least be able to find a good deal on PE.

Yeah, I'd be happy with PE on the return.

I know there are all these data points of booking Japan for 60-80K, etc. one way but those seem extremely hard to get, or there's only one seat available. I know I "paid" 139.5K pp but with the Chase bonus transfer it was less and I'm happy with it.

 

[wanderlust7]

Yeah, I'd be happy with PE on the return.

I know there are all these data points of booking Japan for 60-80K, etc. one way but those seem extremely hard to get, or there's only one seat available. I know I "paid" 139.5K pp but with the Chase bonus transfer it was less and I'm happy with it.

If you have Capital One miles, you might want to consider transferring directly to JAL. This is new, just started today. Link Availability directly through JAL is better than through partners.

The release pattern for the return flight through partners has been weird lately. 4 in economy, 2 in premium, 2 in biz, 1 in first at calendar open is typical. But lately the return doesn't seem to have the premium or the biz.

JAL account needs to be 7 days old to redeem Capital One miles (vs 60 days usually). Website didn't work to check availability for my <60 days account, but app did. Another thing to watch out for is JAL miles expire in 3 years with no ways to extend.