Holy Smokes, can't believe how much some of you pay for luggage.
I guess if you travel frequently it may be worth it. My current set is from Target, that I got for 75% off. I think I paid about $15 for the roller bag and about $10 for the carry on bag. lol I knew buying it, it would not last long, but I just loved the colors, teal, green and pink. Very loud and I love it. It has actually lasted better than I expected. It has flown to Universal twice, Disney once, Ft. Meyers Beach, New Orleans and Las Vegas and gone on many road trips. Most of the time as carryon, but I have checked it a few times. I bought my DH a more expensive one recently because he travels for work frequently and he always says he wishes mine were not so girly looking or he would use it because it rolls so nicely. We still have a set that we got as a wedding gift almost 24 years ago that we still use if we need a bigger bag. One of the pieces may or may not have duct tape on it currently
but it still works so I am good. lol
I got tired of replacing luggage every year and did some research on the brands that were recommended by frequent travelers. I wanted something that was durable, with great zippers, and with a super easy for wheeling about. I was pretty close to deciding on a Briggs & Riley carry on that was about $549. Since I'd never paid more than about $100 for checked bags I was having a hard time accepting the price tag. I also saw that many flight attendants and frequent travelers swore by the TravelPro Magna 2 Platinum carry on. Ebags had this one for $254 and I considered it a compromise. I now have it in checked size, domestic carry on and international carry on. Needless to say, I am quite happy with the luggage and anticipate it lasting for many years.
Think I would need a reservation for Beaches and Cream for a lunch time? We had talked about going here a couple years ago. Beginning of March on a Sunday but hate to make reservations as not knowing how quick things go after landing. Wanted to check Jelly Rolls a couple years back but probably pass this round with little ones.
Oh Jelly Rolls is so much fun, but definitely and adult night out. We have gone to Beach & Cream without reservations a number of times on a weekend and the standby wait hasn't been more than 20 minutes. You can always swing by and play it by ear.
Question for those familiar with the Amex Hilton cards...
I had a Citi Hilton card that turned into the lowest Amex Hilton when they took over.
- Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product or the Hilton Honors Surpass Card
Am I locked out of any bonuses for the Aspire or the Ascend cards?
I have had the Surpass card. I currently hold the Aspire and didn't upgrade. It's a different product.
Which Westin were you at? I just got an offer for The Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas and thinking of taking it. Good to hear the timeshare presentation was low-key and not pressuring.
That's the offer we got!
Well there you go. I still don't have Precheck (or Global Entry), so I line up with the plebs. I have all these cards that offer credits for it, but I keep putting it off. SMH.
How do you not have Global Entry or Precheck? Recall that at least I had a good reason for not having blown through all existing Amex MR cards
You make me feel better that I haven't either...
I can honestly say that Global Entry with the pre check has saved us hours. I can recall one time getting back into the US and the line at Border Control was so long that they made passengers coming off the plane wait in the corridor leading to customs because there was no more room to line up. Passengers with Global Entry were allowed to by pass this holding area and get to the kiosks. There was no line at the kiosks and we were through customs in less than 2 minutes. I could see that those who were in the holding area would like be there for well over an hour and maybe even longer.
As for pre-check, we have often had only a few people in line with us while the regular line is backed up. We get through in a few minutes and having done those long lines before I know they can take 20 - 40 minutes to get through. The more time we are in line, the less time we are in the lounge.
And this is my beef with Disney. You have to decide over 6 months early when you want ice cream. Seriously??? I just think it is getting ridiculous, but clearly there are still many people who love it enough that they don't mind. Don't shun me people.
No shunning. We have a Beaches & Cream tradition with friends that we travel with to
MNSSHP every year, going on 16 years now. They only come once a year with us and they make sure to get those reservations at 6 months out. Although, we all preferred it when we could show up. Now we have to guesstimate what time we will be done with our annual guys vs girls mini golf tournament. Much more inconvenient than just heading over after getting schooled by or wiping the floor with the guys. When it's just DH and me, no reservations, walk up and wait.
We had the kitchen sink last year and 3 of us finished it.
This is on my bucket list. I have not had a kitchen sink, but I am game to try.
I've said before on here that I am a bigger US fan than WDW fan now. Shunning can commence. I do loooooove Harry Potter. I second the P2P tix. You have to ride the Hogwarts Express - very cool. Be sure to ride both ways as it is different in each direction. I love all the HP rides but Escape from Gringotts is my absolute favorite (may have ridden 10 times during my first visit). The way they have designed Diagon Alley, you just feel immersed. On the Hogwart's side, I did see the Christmas light show on the castle. I hear they now have a non-holiday show. I assume it is just as great so don't miss it.
We are headed to Halloween Horror Nights this weekend. I know it will be super scary because we are taking TEENAGERS
I am looking forward to riding Escape from Gringotts since it is open that night. I have yet to ride Hogwarts Express since I haven't been back to US besides
HHN since it was built. I suppose when I ease up on the travel schedule a bit we can spring for an AP at US. We love Harry Potter too!
)
It's been years since we've received any cc mailers because we opted out of everything
Surrounding areas in MA are listed and its only 10 miles away via mostly highway. I'll try it out!
