I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

I always go for the hand mixer because it's all I've ever had. DH always goes for the stand mixer hes more determined than I am about getting a stand mixer, I'm wishy washy for the most part

I love it 'in theory' but it's just too big for me. I kept it on the counter for years hoping that would make me want to use it but I just always thought the hand mixer was easier and now, I've taken it off the counter and it's in the garage...never to be used again...I even made a dessert tonight and I was too lazy to get the hand mixer out. I just stirred it super fast with my spoon and got an arm workout The dessert still turned out great!

 

[disneedee]

thanks... kinda expect it being late already(took amtrak to SD, was 45 mins late)... we just wanted to check out the view from LA-->Seattle... was the late being the reason u dont recommend or is there something else too?

Nothing else. Sitting in the terminal for hours, and on the tracks waiting for freight trains to pass. Guess the freight trains owned the tracks and Amtrak has to get off when they need them. At least that was what they told us. Also don’t really see the scenery that we thought we would as it did not go down the coast between pdx and sanjose. Saw lots of back yards with rusty fences,cars,trash. This was several years ago. Maybe it has got better.

 

[trenty]

So previously, Target gift cards purchased from Gyft could be scanned and used directly from the Gyft app, or loaded to the iPhone’s Apple Wallet. Now, you have to enter the Target gift card’s number and access code into the Target app; it takes a moment to register; then you can use it like any other gift card in the Target app -- which means you have to request the access number (by email) if you don't have it handy at checkout.



I'm so sorry to hear that. I swear by these gift card apps and they're a key part of my strategy to maximize spend and earn lots of points and miles. So I always recommend them, and I'm sad to read when people who've taken my suggestions report problems. I know Gyft has made some people here want to throw their phones at the wall, and MPX has its downtimes and issues. I will say that I've earned almost 12,500 MileagePlus miles from using MPX this year, not to mention the underlying UR, MR, and SPG points on the credit cards I tend to use as payment. I'd encourage you to stick with it because these gift card apps do tend to be hypersensitive to anything it perceives to be fraudulent, especially if you're a new user, but they get better once you've been using them for some time.

I can see the potential of MPX. I wish it worked. Most upsetting is the loss of the points since that is the reason to use the app in the first place. I will wait to see what happens with the charge on my CC for the gift card that did not process before I try to use it again.

 

[striker1064]

Nothing else. Sitting in the terminal for hours, and on the tracks waiting for freight trains to pass. Guess the freight trains owned the tracks and Amtrak has to get off when they need them. At least that was what they told us. Also don’t really see the scenery that we thought we would as it did not go down the coast between pdx and sanjose. Saw lots of back yards with rusty fences,cars,trash. This was several years ago. Maybe it has got better.

This is correct. Amtrak uses the freight railroads. The only place in the country where Amtrak owns the rails - and thus why it is so popular - is in the Northeast Corridor, so you typically don't see delays. But yes, delays are unfortunately common on the long distance routes. The freights are supposed to let passenger rail through first, but they don't, and when one delay happens, it just causes constant downstream delays and there's not much that can be done.

Sometimes, trains do make up time. The schedules have some padding in them. But it's usually not enough.

If you can deal with being delayed and make sure you're not going somewhere time-sensitive, taking a long train ride can be pretty fun. But if you can't handle not being on time, stay away from Amtrak (unless you're riding the NEC).

 

[palhockeymomof2]

What's the best strategy to apply for the SW Business and SW Premier cards? Apply for both on the same day? Spaced 30 days apart? Spaced 3 months apart? (making sure that all the points post early in the year to maximize the Companion Pass, of course). I've got everything with my CIP set up and now just have to wait for my organic spend to work through the MSR, so now I'm kind of twiddling my thumbs over here and looking to the next step in The Plan...

Last year I applied for both on 10/31....business first then personal..had until the middle of January to complete the spend .made sure I finished it on both cards in January and now have the companion pass for 2018 & 2019

 

[pinkxray]

Due to some issues at daycare my kids will be starting a new place on Monday.
I pay over $500 a week and was able to use a credit card to rack up points and meet spends for bonuses.
New daycare doesn’t take credit

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Just applied for and was approved for the citi AA biz card! Very glad I have 4 months to meet the msr for this one, been applying for so many cards lately I'm ready to slow down! Hoping this will be my last before trying for CIP in Nov.

 

[Ava]

I really want to pull the trigger on these flights to Puerto Rico for next Feb. I’ve got 4 tickets on Delta in premium economy (which for some reason is pricing at less than main cabin?) for $435 each round trip, a little under 116K UR points total. I feel like that’s a good price for a peak travel week from NYC (Presidents Week) but I also wonder if the main cabin seats will come down to lower than that if I wait. There are a lot of main cabin seats still available, and it’s only a 4-hour flight so we don’t need any upgraded seats. But if I wait and all the prices go up I’ll be mad, lol. This is the part I hate about booking flights, the prices constantly change and I don’t fly enough to really know what’s a good price and what’s high.

 

[Alexle2007]

So funny, all this talk about cruises and DH says to me this morning for us to skip our usual Christmas trip so we can do a cruise next year instead. I'd prefer it to be a European one but pretty sure he meant like Harmony or Symphony so back to the Caribbean. Even a Southern one would be nice to see different islands that the same ones we have already been to and probably just stay on the ship during port days.

 

[snugglebug]

Ugh. I'm trying to book my fastpasses and the system isn't recognizing my park tickets, only my MNSSHP tickets. We're only doing one park day and my only goal was fastpass for FOP. I was looking forward to going back to bed.

Disneyland is sounding really nice this morning. I miss the old paper fastpasses.

 

[miztressuz]

Just applied for and was approved for the citi AA biz card! Very glad I have 4 months to meet the msr for this one, been applying for so many cards lately I'm ready to slow down! Hoping this will be my last before trying for CIP in Nov.

Congratulations!

ETA plus a bonus, the band for the dance party I don't remember touching them but it works!

 

[Natgridenergy]

Due to some issues at daycare my kids will be starting a new place on Monday.
I pay over $500 a week and was able to use a credit card to rack up points and meet spends for bonuses.
New daycare doesn’t take credit

Plastiq?

 

[amalone1013]

Due to some issues at daycare my kids will be starting a new place on Monday.
I pay over $500 a week and was able to use a credit card to rack up points and meet spends for bonuses.
New daycare doesn’t take credit

Plastiq was my thought too!

 

[shairpdrh]

Ugh. I'm trying to book my fastpasses and the system isn't recognizing my park tickets, only my MNSSHP tickets. We're only doing one park day and my only goal was fastpass for FOP. I was looking forward to going back to bed.

Disneyland is sounding really nice this morning. I miss the old paper fastpasses.

The system was not great today. I had different issues, but was pretty fed up by the end. I didn't get FOP or SDD (not a huge shock, but annoying). Hope you find something between now and your trip!

 

[1st*toright]

I think you are right about the narrows. Late April may be too early. Darn.

We were in Zion in mid April this year and the narrows hike was open. I think its hit or miss that time of year. We didn't do it because my little one isn't a strong swimmer (she was barely 5 at the time) and it didn't sound fun to try to manage a little one on that hike. We didn't do Angel's Landing either becasue both DH and my older kid are terrified of heights. Even missing out on 2 of the headliners, we LOVED Zion and had a great time doing a bunch of the other hikes. DH and my older kid biked the length of the canyon - really easy and fun. We loved Bryce, too - like another planet. I think if DH had his way, every vacation would be to the Utah parks... It was an amazing trip (for everyone other than my older kid who was really tired of having to deal with her fear of massive drop-offs everywhere we went. DH is scared of heights, but is also a photographer, so the view was worth the fear for him).

 

[amalone1013]

Update on DHs vehicle is the shop will be done Friday or Monday, and then we will trade out for my car. That will have been about two weeks.

I'm secretly hoping for Monday so that 1. My Hilton biz should hopefully be here and 2. I will be there... just because I am going out of town starting tomorrow, and I'm not sure I can get DH to take a card with my name to the shop to use... Even though they know us and it would be fine. But last night he wouldn't even take my Freedom to the gas station Maybe I will just suggest he ask the shop if it can be picked up Monday, if it will be done Friday... Actually, he is going to an event for most of Friday anyways so picking it up would be difficult.

Hopefully by early next week I can pick out another card... guess I will go big now that I've added up how much Universal tickets will be costing!

 

[Judique]

Shocking to you probably, but the ADRs don't make a difference to me too much. I would rather eat a churro or a mickey bar than sit down and eat at a restaurant. I’m pretty cheap, so combination of too much money and wastes too much time. Though, my DS wanted Chef Mickeys this trip because he remembered it from our last trips. Two months out and I could not get a breakfast for any of our 6 days. I wasn't too upset because it is so darn expensive, I offered to take him to a Shoneys breakfast buffet instead. I did manage to get a Crystal Palace breakfast though and he about made himself sick trying to get our $$s worth. lol I guess I have taught him to be cheap like me.

Not shocking at all!

#1 - Eating sit down meals at Disney every day is expensive!

We did it when they first came out with the dining plans and that was relatively cheap compared to now.

I've made exactly one ADR for our November food and wine trip. At 'Ohana because we like it and have great memories of when the kids were younger and we kinda want to relive some of that with the grandbabies. We will pay for 3 adults because the babies are under 3, so this will be the one time it will be almost reasonable. Still that's $200 once you add tax and tip and if anyone wants a cocktail.

I've done Chef Mickey 5-6 times over 30 years - liked it but not willing to fight for adr's. People used to rave over the parmesan mashed potatoes.

We may do other sit downs while there because older daughter doesn't go very often and she may want to choose something. There are still plenty of great options where you don't have to plan in advance. I think this is ignored because everyone gets locked into 'what people are talking about' is what they have to score.

But, I'm happy to follow my own plan: breakfast in my villa with full kitchen, and I realize not everyone has this option. Throughout the day it will be food and wine kiosks, quick service, snacks, and then maybe dinner onsite, offsite or in room depending on our desires - very few locked in plans. Flying Fish is right on the Boardwalk and Yachtsman Steakhouse is a short walk as are Blue Zoo, Shula's and the Italian restaurant at Swan - rarely need a reservation.

Of site - I like to go over to Celebration for a pizza and a glass of wine at Antonios, and sometimes I like to go to the Columbia Restaurant which is also in Celebration. There is a Mexican restaurant right on 535 which we went to by accident. Been back several times because it is very good. Not just a pinto bean and rice place - outstanding seafood and other options.

Bottom line is we don't spend thousands on Disney food and we eat well and also try to eat fresh and healthy.

 

[Judique]

Just as I tell myself I'm done with Prime day they put up a Kitchenaid stand mixer deal...

So, did you buy it? I've had one for years. From a Lowes deal back in 2008 for $125 - its an Artisan which is fine for us as we are not heavy duty cooks. Mine is pink ribbon pink and I do love it and haven't tired of the color even though most of my other stuff is stainless.

 

[Natgridenergy]

If I get a refund from a travel related purchase that was reversed with a CSR travel credit, will they reverse the travel credit also?

 

[Judique]

This is correct. Amtrak uses the freight railroads. The only place in the country where Amtrak owns the rails - and thus why it is so popular - is in the Northeast Corridor, so you typically don't see delays. But yes, delays are unfortunately common on the long distance routes. The freights are supposed to let passenger rail through first, but they don't, and when one delay happens, it just causes constant downstream delays and there's not much that can be done.

Sometimes, trains do make up time. The schedules have some padding in them. But it's usually not enough.

If you can deal with being delayed and make sure you're not going somewhere time-sensitive, taking a long train ride can be pretty fun. But if you can't handle not being on time, stay away from Amtrak (unless you're riding the NEC).

I haven't heard of delays with Auto train, but I also haven't been following it much as I figured I'd never use it. Is this also the case? Possibly sitting on the side track for hours? I guess so long as I have my roomette, I might not mind so much.