I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[mmmears]

We're doing a Greece cruise in October 21 on NCL. I booked just about the cheapest cabin possible for this one because it is over 700 days away and I figure I can watch prices and move up to a higher category when the fare drops, etc.

I kind of just decided to get heavily back into cruising I guess. We took two this year (DCL and RCCL) and will do another DCL in Feb. They end up being cheaper and less hassle.

Us, too. We really didn't think it would be something that worked with our travel plans, but last summer's cruise proved us wrong. I have found that it's much easier for me plan trips when at least part of the time we are on a ship. Less packing and unpacking, too!

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

So I just tried impossible burger ground beef. My FIL works for a restaurant and made a traditional middle eastern type of hamburger (kefta) using it. It actually tasted just like ground beef. Kefta is normally ground a bit finer so the texture was more like a burger but I think as an actual burger or meatloaf you’d never notice the difference.

I have to admit I’d prefer to just use ground beef because well, chemicals. But I suppose it’s good to have a meat free option, I’m sure it has less of an environmental impact than ranching as well.

I like both Impossible and Beyond products, with a slight edge to Impossible. I will order it when out, especially when I can't tell where the regular beef is from. We get our beef (and pork and chicken and eggs) from a local farm. I've been there many, many times and I know how they treat their animals. Big commercial operations squick me out---I'd prefer to just eat vegetarian or vegan.

 

[bernina]

I agree. We have been on about 10 cruises or more. Started taking the kids when they were 6 and 8. They are now 18 and 20. Most cruises have been with Carnival and a few with RCCL. Have had a great time on all of them and never seen the ‘party’ atmosphere. And we go normally go during spring break. Lots of rumors over the years with Carnival being such a party ship. We have not seen that. Any cruiseline can have rowdy guests.

I’m starting to hear some really good things about Carnival. I have to admit I always assumed it was a younger party crowd but clearly I was wrong. Glad to hear you’ve had a great experience as well.

 

[schmass]

MSR Sunday:

P1: about halfway through my CIP and just applied for Aa Biz (pending)

P2: finally spent enough to get the free weekend night on Hilton Biz so is working on his BBP now

 

[Calfan]

Greetings from Maui! This was my first time flying SWA to Hawaii and, thanks to my A-List status that I got on a promo and got extended to year end, I scored an exit row aisle seat! Awesome legroom for coach. Also a super fast flight from OAK. We landed 30 minutes early. We even got free snack boxes and cookies!

 

[happ]

So I just tried impossible burger ground beef. My FIL works for a restaurant and made a traditional middle eastern type of hamburger (kefta) using it. It actually tasted just like ground beef. Kefta is normally ground a bit finer so the texture was more like a burger but I think as an actual burger or meatloaf you’d never notice the difference.

I have to admit I’d prefer to just use ground beef because well, chemicals. But I suppose it’s good to have a meat free option, I’m sure it has less of an environmental impact than ranching as well.

I tried the Impossible Burger sliders at the Nomad Lounge and disliked them. I usually like veggie burgers, but those sliders had a weird chemical taste, almost like they were cooked over propane.

 

[happ]

MSR Sunday - About $500 to go on CIP

 

[Alexle2007]

Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress? It looks really nice and they have a lot of amenities included like kayaking and paddle boats and other things. Your thoughts on it? It’s only 12k a night but is going through $329 a night (without taxes) Christmas week. That seems like a steal!

 

[bernina]

Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress? It looks really nice and they have a lot of amenities included like kayaking and paddle boats and other things. Your thoughts on it? It’s only 12k a night but is going through $329 a night (without taxes) Christmas week. That seems like a steal!

Yep. It’s really nice and a steal at 12,000 points in my opinion. Great pools, good food, rooms are gorgeous and large. We had a great experience. SIL has stayed there as well and also highly recommends.

 

[WVMomof3]

Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress? It looks really nice and they have a lot of amenities included like kayaking and paddle boats and other things. Your thoughts on it? It’s only 12k a night but is going through $329 a night (without taxes) Christmas week. That seems like a steal!

Are you able to book on points? I have been having a hard time finding point availability on Hyatt lately. If you can now and are thinking about it, I would definitely go ahead and book it and cancel later if you change your mind.

 

[mmmears]

It's a 5 night with 2 days at Cabo. I've always wanted to go there and this is cheaper than a land only option. We'll see. My gut tells me Disney pricing is going to be bonkers - we'll know soon enough.

I was looking at that itinerary when we had the Amex deal with Princess, but we just couldn't make it work. I really wish we could have tried that one since then I'll know what I think about their cruises and would feel more confident booking a longer one if I liked this one. DCL to Cabo was more expensive, and only 4 days. We had that one booked but switched to the Magic in Europe with our placeholder.

 

[mmmears]

RT from Venice (we've never been) - I am thinking I will fly into Athens first, tour there and then fly on to Venice to start the cruise and then just fly home from Venice as well. Of course, that is all dependent on what flights I can get on miles. I'll reverse the plan if I have to and do Athens on the back end. It doesn't really matter to me.
View attachment 439915

That looks like an incredible itinerary! Which cruise line is it - is this one Princess too? (Asking so I can file it away for future thought).

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Did she have 4 when she went for #5? I, I mean he, just got the 2 SW cards, can’t cancel those. Use the CIC. I guess I could give up the CIU since DH has CFU. But I like them allll

And to return the football love.

Sorry I can’t be that DP, lol. We had closed 1 so only 3 open at the time of app 5. I’m not sure you need to close any. I’d maybe reduce the CL way down on 1 or 2 of them though to free up some space.

Bears looked great today. My Steelers gif was a bit tongue in cheek as it was of the currently unemployed and potentially insane Mr. Antonio Brown. What a debacle his last 9 months have been...

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Well persistence paid off. Been checking the Marriott app everyday for availability and today the grand chateau opened up. I also booked my flight on sw points as there are only 5 seats left. I’ll convert my reservation to cp once DH has his ticketed. Right now it’s just reserved.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Did she have 4 when she went for #5? I, I mean he, just got the 2 SW cards, can’t cancel those. Use the CIC. I guess I could give up the CIU since DH has CFU. But I like them allll

And to return the football love.

I had 4 Chase business cards open when I applied for the 5th and was auto approved...planning on cancelling the SW business card in October once the anniversary RR points hit my account

 

[wendow]

MSR Sunday:

P1 - none. My last new card was an Amex gold that I got at the end of Aug and met the spend in one swipe paying college tuition.

P2 - none. Waiting for a Citi AA biz

P3 - none. Wasn't approved for last app and waiting however many days it takes for the app to drop out of Chase's system (35 days currently)

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[amalone1013]

Barclays Aviator Business 75,000 Mile Working Link:
https://www.barclaycardus.com/apply...-619e-4adc-94bc-c5c16985bc98&hctky=1704606708
EDIT: I do believe this matches the all-time high offer on this card...

The offer for this card has been all over the board recently. Per DoC the link above should have this offer:
Earn up to 75,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles

• Earn 65,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
• Earn 10,000 miles when a purchase is made on an employee card
• The $95 Annual Fee is NOT waived

Just a reminder that this card carries some odd baggage with it:

• Some people have reported significant issues getting approved (asking for biz documentation and such) - Others have not had that issue
• Barclays can be weird about churners - some get caught up in too many accounts/too many inquires - others don't
• The website is a TRAIN WRECK

YMMV on the issues here but figured I'd put it out there - here is DoC's full writeup:
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/barclays-business-aviator-bonus-now-75000-miles/

Don't forget that not only is the website a train wreck, but it's some weird special "only this card" website and not with the normal Barclays cards

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Sorry I can’t be that DP, lol. We had closed 1 so only 3 open at the time of app 5. I’m not sure you need to close any. I’d maybe reduce the CL way down on 1 or 2 of them though to free up some space.

Bears looked great today. My Steelers gif was a bit tongue in cheek as it was of the currently unemployed and potentially insane Mr. Antonio Brown. What a debacle his last 9 months have been...

Bears game was pretty good considering they lost their starting QB after only a few plays. I will admit to not following much of other teams’ shenanigans. DS will watch nearly any sport, any time, but I pretty much limit football to Bears and Packers. I’m a Bears fan, DS is a Packer fan (but he will cheer for Bears with me when they are not playing GB. Today he was rooting against the Vikings. Lol)

As for the cards, I plan on canceling one of the SW cards but they are pretty useless after the bonus. I can reduce everything but CIC to 1k. He has to wait a few months anyway.

 

[amalone1013]

Reloaded our toll account, so now I've finally used up my VGCs from the last Safeway $10 off a variable card promo which was back in June

Now I'm just floating my $500 I picked up yesterday, $200 from yesterday from my Kroger, and the 2x$50s/2x$100s from that last coupon round... Hmm, that's still a lot

Also a $50 MCGC that will go towards the auto loan.

And I applied for a job! And have a list to keep tackling tomorrow. Fingers crossed!