I love credit cards so much!

[Alexle2007]

So, I don’t follow the news much these days (used to follow the political stuff avidly but got burned out!). I’m aware there’s a govt shutdown. Does that mean anything for my kids getting their passports renewed soon? Also I have an appt for GE interview coming up in less than two weeks. Are they still doing those?

Passport info: https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...ea/passport-services-government-shutdown.html

 

[DisneyMandC]

Amex Staples credit posted just now! $300 more to spend with them to max that out. Thinking I'll do the $200 fee-free VGC next week and take it to BBY (thanks @amalone1013 for that idea!) and then just pick up another $100 in Disney GCs.

Oh and it is snowing here.

I can't remember... do you live near me? Of course, I know this storm is huge. I'm Richmond, VA. Not supposed to start here until tonight.

 

[GlamMistress]

Amex Staples credit posted just now! $300 more to spend with them to max that out. Thinking I'll do the $200 fee-free VGC next week and take it to BBY (thanks @amalone1013 for that idea!) and then just pick up another $100 in Disney GCs.



I can't remember... do you live near me? Of course, I know this storm is huge. I'm Richmond, VA. Not supposed to start here until tonight.

No, southern Ohio.

 

[1st*toright]

So, I don’t follow the news much these days (used to follow the political stuff avidly but got burned out!). I’m aware there’s a govt shutdown. Does that mean anything for my kids getting their passports renewed soon? Also I have an appt for GE interview coming up in less than two weeks. Are they still doing those?

Pretty sure the answer on the global entry is going to be a no - my husband was supposed to take my daughter for hers, and it was cancelled. The state department issues passports and they are part of the shutdown, so I'm guessing it would be a no on actually getting passports, but as far as I know, post offices will still be accepting applications (processing will likely take longer).

Not to get political, but gov. shutdowns are terrible - we have fed employees sit around for weeks, incurring late fees or getting into debt if they live paycheck to paycheck, then we turn around and pay them, so the taxpayers spend money for services that were not being provided. So it hurts fed employees AND wastes money (not saying the employees shouldn't get paid after the fact, just that its dumb to hold them hostage then spend the money anyway on nothing). Opinions about who to blame are a dime a dozen (there is plenty of blame to go around) but the fact that this situation is even a possibility within our system is a serious problem. So sorry to anyone who is going without a paycheck at the moment!

Here's hoping it will end quickly and won't affect your GE appointment!

 

[1st*toright]

Passport info: https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...ea/passport-services-government-shutdown.html

And as usual, @Lain is quicker on the draw than me....

 

[Lain]

So aside from buying discounted Disney GCs and cashing out URs to “reimburse” yourself, is there any viable and scaleable (ie you can earn a lot of pts easily) churning avenue to Disney Cruises right now?

The death of URs for Disney frustrates me continually, lol.

I'm interested too. My wife wants to do a Disney Cruise.

(Meanwhile, I've always wanted to travel on one of the Cunard Line ships.)

 

[striker1064]

Oh, and, on the upside, the woman working the gift card counter at Saks Fifth Avenue knew what was up - I explained I wanted to get gift cards and make 4 $50 payments. She asked if I had Amex Platinums and we went from there. Super easy and painless, if you're ever in NYC and need a way to use the Saks credit.

 

[Lain]

And as usual, @Lain is quicker on the draw than me....

You mean @Alexle2007.

 

[striker1064]

I can't remember... do you live near me? Of course, I know this storm is huge. I'm Richmond, VA. Not supposed to start here until tonight.

I know we are getting 4-6" (maybe more) in DC. The ingredients are still coming together but this is looking like a boom for us.

Actually kind of concerned about getting home tomorrow morning. We'll see how Amtrak handles it, I'm not totally sure.

 

[Lain]

We have checked in to the hotel I've long touted as the best value Marriott category 5 free night you can use, that being the Residence Inn Manhattan/Central Park. We got here around 9 AM (early train), and even though our room wasn't ready yet, they allowed us onto the 3rd floor to have breakfast. That was nice. Breakfast is free for all staying at the Residence regardless of status.

P2 is Platinum Elite from the Ritz card. Once the room was ready, we were given a Platinum gift choice of 250 Marriott points or any one item from the snack bar. I just grabbed a local beer.

Thanks to status, we were upgraded to a Studio Grand Times Square Room on the 61st floor. It's a corner room with a view of the ball drop, for an idea of perspective. The view is of course incredible. The room? Not so much - it's small (although I knew that). It's also surprisingly not very clean. There's mold and mildew in the shower, and visible dust all around the bathroom mirror.

I have to say I'm really shocked. I've always heard how great this hotel is and it's consistently rated highly. I know mold happens in showers but I wouldn't expect it here.

Hopefully anyone else coming here soon has a better experience. We both remarked how glad we were to only be spending one night. I'm curious if this is just a bad room or an endemic problem.

Will post pictures after we get home tomorrow.

Don't know whether to like or not...

 

[gottalovepluto]

You can get the biz United card if you currently have the personal one right? (Helping my Mom chose her next Chase card.)

 

[MarBee]

I am going to head to Staples this morning. I have the 30% off on my CSR and CF. Any good/bad experiences? Hoping to snag a Disney GC, but I don't remember if they sell them in store. Also need invitation envelopes and a cork board (for my ever expanding pin collection...opps).

So I haven’t read through all this but I have been cleaning up on this offer with gift cards at Staples. No issues, and my staples sells Disney gc but only in increments of $50.

 

[Limes96]

Expecting 3-6” snow here in west central Ohio

 

[WVMomof3]

I know we are getting 4-6" (maybe more) in DC. The ingredients are still coming together but this is looking like a boom for us.

Actually kind of concerned about getting home tomorrow morning. We'll see how Amtrak handles it, I'm not totally sure.

Putting DD on the Amtrak tonight from Pittsburgh to Indiana. Was more worried about getting to the train then her on the train. Was thinking it would be much safer than driving. Now to worry some more .... thanks @striker1064.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I know we are getting 4-6" (maybe more) in DC. The ingredients are still coming together but this is looking like a boom for us.

Actually kind of concerned about getting home tomorrow morning. We'll see how Amtrak handles it, I'm not totally sure.

I'm southwest of Richmond so I'm in the 4-6" range too (depending on which news channel you watch). Definitely higher than if I was southeast though. Filled up all my horses' water troughs and buckets this morning and an extra trough in case we lose power and have no water. I carried home a ton of work in case I can't get off the farm Monday and need to work from home.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

You can get the biz United card if you currently have the personal one right? (Helping my Mom chose her next Chase card.)

Yes that’s how I understand it

 

[Albort]

You can get the biz United card if you currently have the personal one right? (Helping my Mom chose her next Chase card.)

yes, they are treated as different product. just think of it like SW where u can get the biz version and personal version.

 

[striker1064]

Putting DD on the Amtrak tonight from Pittsburgh to Indiana. Was more worried about getting to the train then her on the train. Was thinking it would be much safer than driving. Now to worry some more .... thanks @striker1064.

No need to worry. Amtrak 100% will cancel if they feel it's unsafe.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Any SW/companion pass experts here? DH's new SW Plus has a statement date of the 17th. We are trying to hurry up and make MS so that he gets his bonus points (50,000 since he applied in flight and got the extra), and the companion pass since he made MS on the SW Biz card this week. If he makes MS today (the 12th) that should be plenty of time for the charge to hit by the 17th....but when exactly will he get the bonus points and CP? He and my DD just decided to come on our March Disney trip and I'm trying to use these points and CP for their flights.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Any SW/companion pass experts here? DH's new SW Plus has a statement date of the 17th. We are trying to hurry up and make MS so that he gets his bonus points (50,000 since he applied in flight and got the extra), and the companion pass since he made MS on the SW Biz card this week. If he makes MS today (the 12th) that should be plenty of time for the charge to hit by the 17th....but when exactly will he get the bonus points and CP? He and my DD just decided to come on our March Disney trip and I'm trying to use these points and CP for their flights.

Usually the bonus points post on the first statement after the MSR is met...but sometimes if it’s met very close to the statement close date they don’t post until the following months statement closes....