I love credit cards so much!

[bernina]

I haven't done RCCL, but I thought I had seen Celebrity gift cards as redemption options in some portal but not seeing them now. You can cash our MR's for Carnival at 1 cpp, and you can find them discounted places it seems; but that's probably not helpful But RCCL is not as easy to find discounts on outside of travel agent incentives. I'm not sure I've even seen an AmEx offer them, but we've seen offers on the Carnival lines and Norwegian. Are you Costco folks? I hear good things about the incentives booking travel though them.
Of course, finding a good CC like your Priceline to erase some of it is good too on top of TA's.

I’ve used Costco Travel to price out the cruises. They’re actually looking very good at $3300 for 2A, 1C in an interior view balcony (they look onto ship areas instead of ocean). Only a few hundred more for true ocean view. Plus $165 Costco cash card. Just not sure how Costco travel codes and if it will trigger travel category for amex, Chase, Barclay, etc. I’m sure I can find some DP on flyer talk or elsewhere.

 

[vanjust14]

How does everyone here feel about expensive luggage? I have a samonsite luggage set that’s 10 years old and it starting to fall apart. I also have a Delsey hard sided luggage that I got about three years ago. After 6 trips there are scuff marks and the wheel is getting banged up.

My SO loves the away luggage pieces. It’s about $300 for a checked bag or $700 for a set. Is this reasonable? My other luggage sets were gifts from my parents so I’m pretty clueless.

I’m not too picky on looks but it has to be functional and appear durable (unfortunately you never know until you start using it). Our last few purchases have been at Marshall’s. We use backpacks for carry on so don’t need matching sets. We get the large spinners (4 wheels with ball bearings). I have a hard sided Samonsonite that I love and it’s survived the past 5 years pretty well. Some scuffs and dents but no issues. DH bought a similar one but brand was Kenneth Cole Reaction (also from Marshall’s). One of the wheels broke off during a trip which was mildly inconvenient. When we got back he contacted their warranty site and they shipped out a brand new one for no charge. So definitely great customer service there. It was 2+ years old and no receipt.

Each of these were probably $70-$90.

I also purchased my luggage at Marshall's. I like buying individual pieces rather than a set. I LOVE my Calpak Hardside spinner luggage. I'd say it was about $90 and it's huge (and hot pink!). I've never had expensive luggage so I can't really compare. I've had cheap luggage though and I would definitely buy the Calpak again.

 

[amalone1013]

How does everyone here feel about expensive luggage? I have a samonsite luggage set that’s 10 years old and it starting to fall apart. I also have a Delsey hard sided luggage that I got about three years ago. After 6 trips there are scuff marks and the wheel is getting banged up.

My SO loves the away luggage pieces. It’s about $300 for a checked bag or $700 for a set. Is this reasonable? My other luggage sets were gifts from my parents so I’m pretty clueless.

We picked up two of these when AMEX had an ebags offer: https://www.ebags.com/product/trave...carry-on-rollaboard/311978?productid=10417655
Between AMEX and Ebags promos they were $80-$90 each. They've held up well sometimes checked, sometimes as carry-on. I haven't gotten anything larger because I'm trying to work on traveling lighter... and just bringing a big tote/duffel for souvenirs on the way home if needed

 

[miztressuz]

How does everyone here feel about expensive luggage? I have a samonsite luggage set that’s 10 years old and it starting to fall apart. I also have a Delsey hard sided luggage that I got about three years ago. After 6 trips there are scuff marks and the wheel is getting banged up.

My SO loves the away luggage pieces. It’s about $300 for a checked bag or $700 for a set. Is this reasonable? My other luggage sets were gifts from my parents so I’m pretty clueless.

I think personally I couldn't do it. And I'm a person that prefers quality over quantity in most things, so I'll pay a little more if the value's right to get something I won't be throwing out in a year. That said, unless you have several personal recommendations for the product so you know what you're getting for that kind of money, luggage is a craps shoot. I'd hate to spend several hundred dollars and find out after 2 years it wasn't any better than our Kmart set we spent a fraction on. But if you know people with first hand experience and it's something you'd truly love it's not the most horrible price I've seen for luggage.
We have two sets of Kmart type luggage, I think ones Concorde? and the other is probably Embark. While we don't travel frequently, these cheapo sets lasted through 3-4 overseas trips and at least 5 cruises plus our usual jaunts to Disney and whatnot. It was probably after 10 years that we started throwing pieces of each set out. I felt bad throwing the one out after all the abuse we made it endure, especially our trans-atlantic cruise where we schlepped all 28" of it on 5 trains, 2 planes and a cruise ship. We got our money's worth and then some
I think the most we've spent on a piece of luggage is our Eagle Creek duffle bag. I love it, hubby doesn't. But I think I spent about $100 on it and it's got a lifetime warranty. I bought it for the TA cruise trip (I think it's been on most trips since) and I think it being soft has helped it endure. There's some rubbing on the bottom from how I wheel it sometimes, but otherwise it's in great shape. If you don't balance the load right in it, it gets awkward to wheel which is why I think hubby is not fond of it. But we've had it 5 years and can easily get another 5 or more out of it, plus the lifetime warranty if something crazy happens to it.

Wow wordy, TL;DR: Would you rather spend $70 every year or two over 10 years on luggage or $700 now and hope it lasts 10 years?

 

[speedyfishy]

I’m not too picky on looks but it has to be functional and appear durable (unfortunately you never know until you start using it). Our last few purchases have been at Marshall’s. We use backpacks for carry on so don’t need matching sets. We get the large spinners (4 wheels with ball bearings). I have a hard sided Samonsonite that I love and it’s survived the past 5 years pretty well. Some scuffs and dents but no issues. DH bought a similar one but brand was Kenneth Cole Reaction (also from Marshall’s). One of the wheels broke off during a trip which was mildly inconvenient. When we got back he contacted their warranty site and they shipped out a brand new one for no charge (suitcase, not just a new wheel). So definitely great customer service there. It was 2+ years old and no receipt.

Each of these were probably $70-$90.

We picked up two of these when AMEX had an ebags offer: https://www.ebags.com/product/trave...carry-on-rollaboard/311978?productid=10417655
Between AMEX and Ebags promos they were $80-$90 each. They've held up well sometimes checked, sometimes as carry-on. I haven't gotten anything larger because I'm trying to work on traveling lighter... and just bringing a big tote/duffel for souvenirs on the way home if needed

Thanks everyone! You guys gave me some good options to look into. I’ll probably keep my Delsey for a bit longer, but my luggage set should be replace. The wheel functionality has really improved in the last 10 years and I struggle to move through the airport with it. It’s also black. I’m never getting black luggage again.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do stores actually allow you to put gift cards on a credit card? One local store for sure won't allow gift cards to be put on credit cards - you have to use cash or a debit card.

Many big stores like Target, Walmart, Loews & Best Buy do. I remember JC Penny did a couple years ago but haven’t tried it since. As far as local grocery type stores I find it’s some do some don’t- for instance the Raleys where I travel to periodically in NV doesn’t, the Save Mart at home in CA does.

 

[speedyfishy]

I think personally I couldn't do it. And I'm a person that prefers quality over quantity in most things, so I'll pay a little more if the value's right to get something I won't be throwing out in a year. That said, unless you have several personal recommendations for the product so you know what you're getting for that kind of money, luggage is a craps shoot. I'd hate to spend several hundred dollars and find out after 2 years it wasn't any better than our Kmart set we spent a fraction on. But if you know people with first hand experience and it's something you'd truly love it's not the most horrible price I've seen for luggage.
We have two sets of Kmart type luggage, I think ones Concorde? and the other is probably Embark. While we don't travel frequently, these cheapo sets lasted through 3-4 overseas trips and at least 5 cruises plus our usual jaunts to Disney and whatnot. It was probably after 10 years that we started throwing pieces of each set out. I felt bad throwing the one out after all the abuse we made it endure, especially our trans-atlantic cruise where we schlepped all 28" of it on 5 trains, 2 planes and a cruise ship. We got our money's worth and then some
I think the most we've spent on a piece of luggage is our Eagle Creek duffle bag. I love it, hubby doesn't. But I think I spent about $100 on it and it's got a lifetime warranty. I bought it for the TA cruise trip (I think it's been on most trips since) and I think it being soft has helped it endure. There's some rubbing on the bottom from how I wheel it sometimes, but otherwise it's in great shape. If you don't balance the load right in it, it gets awkward to wheel which is why I think hubby is not fond of it. But we've had it 5 years and can easily get another 5 or more out of it, plus the lifetime warranty if something crazy happens to it.

Wow wordy, TL;DR: Would you rather spend $70 every year or two over 10 years on luggage or $700 now and hope it lasts 10 years?

Thank you! I’d hope this luggage would last a long time, but I don’t know how it will hold up. We went to their store in NYC and they were very nice but $700 nice? Idk. Maybe we will try out just one piece and buy a set after we see how it holds up. But even $300 for a piece is expensive.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I am wondering about paying our life insurance through plastiq. Our insurance company won’t take credit cards. I’m thinking this would be no problem.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm ready to engage player 2! So, DH is also 0/24, nothing but a downgrade on his Amex Delta to a lower fee option in the last 2 years. He does have an employee card on my recent CIP, will that cause any issues? He's at around 30% of combined income (that I will use on the apps) with Chase credit limits (including $5K on 1 business card, Chase Ink Plus). He has 5+ years excellent credit history with Chase.

I'd like to refer him to CIP for the 80K + 20K (referral bonus).
CSP/CSR double dip (will use Reddit links if any out there).
Then maybe also the Amex Hilton Biz 125k offer since I plan to get that and 250k is better than 125k I'll be using one of the Reddit links when we apply for that.

Need some help on timing for him. I had planned to do the CIP first, but I'd really like access to the 1.5 redemption multiplier that comes with CSR so does anyone see issues with doing the double dip first? Anything I need to know/plan if I plan to use the travel credits and global entry credits?

So, refresh my mind, apply early enough on a business day to allow for a recon call if needed for card #2. Do I need to use separate browsers/incognito? Anything else?

I don’t see an issue doing the double dip first. If possible I’d try to put 4 months between the double dip and the CIP application then.

 

[miztressuz]

Thanks everyone! You guys gave me some good options to look into. I’ll probably keep my Delsey for a bit longer, but my luggage set should be replace. The wheel functionality has really improved in the last 10 years and I struggle to move through the airport with it. It’s also black. I’m never getting black luggage again.

I still can't believe how many black bags come out the airport carousel... or the sea of black in the cruise terminal. I hope more people don't catch on and it stays that way so I can find my blue and purple bags just as fast! Good thinking!

 

[miztressuz]

I’ve used Costco Travel to price out the cruises. They’re actually looking very good at $3300 for 2A, 1C in an interior view balcony (they look onto ship areas instead of ocean). Only a few hundred more for true ocean view. Plus $165 Costco cash card. Just not sure how Costco travel codes and if it will trigger travel category for amex, Chase, Barclay, etc. I’m sure I can find some DP on flyer talk or elsewhere.

That does seem good. It's good to have options, Costco vs UR, what's going to get you the best deal.

 

[speedyfishy]

I still can't believe how many black bags come out the airport carousel... or the sea of black in the cruise terminal. I hope more people don't catch on and it stays that way so I can find my blue and purple bags just as fast! Good thinking!

I remember my parents asked if I wanted my set in black or navy and I went with black. I had no idea how annoying a black bag would be. My Delsey is purple and huge so I always spot it easily. But SO uses my black bag and we struggle to find it.

 

[miztressuz]

I remember my parents asked if I wanted my set in black or navy and I went with black. I had no idea how annoying a black bag would be. My Delsey is purple and huge so I always spot it easily. But SO uses my black bag and we struggle to find it.

Yeah our first sets were black, because really at the time there wasn't too many other options. For those bags we have colored luggage tags and lime green luggage locks, it makes them pretty easy to spot now.
I lucked out on the last bag I bought, turns out the purple one was cheaper than black or brown so purple it was I think on one trip we saw a similar one, but the lime green luggage lock gave ours away!

 

[Lain]

Looks like today's spending towards MSRs will be at the drug store... DH just texted me that he had to pull over on the side of the road on the way to work and got sick and is now on his way home. UGH. Apparently there is a bug going around, but I really do not want to get sick since I already have to take this Friday off for a horse show! Looks like I'll be purchasing anti-nausea meds and some Clorox wipes, because I'll be wiping down everything in the house tonight!

So not how I want to meet spends either. Hubby just did a bout of something crazy I'm trying my darnest to avoid too, but the longer it goes on my odds get worse. Good luck avoiding it! If you can just make it until Friday and you're out of the house maybe you'll get spared!

As someone who’s spouse got hit suddenly with a nasty flu-like bug, then passed it onto me to knock me out bad over the weekend, let me commiserate. Good luck, you two. And stay healthy!

 

[Alexle2007]

How does everyone here feel about expensive luggage? I have a samonsite luggage set that’s 10 years old and it starting to fall apart. I also have a Delsey hard sided luggage that I got about three years ago. After 6 trips there are scuff marks and the wheel is getting banged up.

My SO loves the away luggage pieces. It’s about $300 for a checked bag or $700 for a set. Is this reasonable? My other luggage sets were gifts from my parents so I’m pretty clueless.

We typically purchase our luggage from TJ Maxx knowing we will need to replace it in a few years since we fly quite a bit. Pretty sure DH would have a heart attack if I paid $700 for luggage.

 

[Alexle2007]

We picked up two of these when AMEX had an ebags offer: https://www.ebags.com/product/trave...carry-on-rollaboard/311978?productid=10417655
Between AMEX and Ebags promos they were $80-$90 each. They've held up well sometimes checked, sometimes as carry-on. I haven't gotten anything larger because I'm trying to work on traveling lighter... and just bringing a big tote/duffel for souvenirs on the way home if needed

Great idea! I usually throw in an extra backpack but a duffle bag would allow even more room!

 

[Alexle2007]

I’ve used Costco Travel to price out the cruises. They’re actually looking very good at $3300 for 2A, 1C in an interior view balcony (they look onto ship areas instead of ocean). Only a few hundred more for true ocean view. Plus $165 Costco cash card. Just not sure how Costco travel codes and if it will trigger travel category for amex, Chase, Barclay, etc. I’m sure I can find some DP on flyer talk or elsewhere.

Which RCCL cruise ship? We did the Allure of the Seas over Spring Break last year for 2A, 1C for an extended balcony for $3800.

 

[Calfan]

Many big stores allow gift cards (including visa/mc gift cards) on credit card. CVS, Kroger, Walmart, Meijer, Staples are just a few examples. There are many more. But some stores and even big chains are much more strict and require cash or debit like you said.

If you're looking to meet MSR on a specific card we can give you some suggestions on the best stores to take advantage of any category bonuses.

Don't forget Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, United, Shaws, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Star Market, Pavilions and whatever other Albertsons Companies banners I'm forgetting. They all sell gift cards and allow payment by cc (and code as grocery for any grocery category bonuses). Ok, shameless plug for my employer over, lol

 

[bernina]

Which RCCL cruise ship? We did the Allure of the Seas over Spring Break last year for 2A, 1C for an extended balcony for $3800.

$3317 is on Oasis for 7 nights out of PC.
$3038 is on Allure for 7 nights out of Miami.

Both from Costco with $165 cash card and include (a very small) RCCL Crown & Anchor discount (like seriously a few dollars!) Both boardwalk view (or whatever it's called on Allure) balcony rooms.

 

[wendow]

I am wondering about paying our life insurance through plastiq. Our insurance company won’t take credit cards. I’m thinking this would be no problem.

Insurance is an allowed category, even for Amex, so should not be an issue.