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

[Judique]

Thank you!

thank you. I think @Judique has stayed at some Marriott properties too, so maybe she will come along with info.

Near Disney, I've stayed at the two mentioned, Gaylord and Orlando World Center. But it's been over 10 years since I've stayed so they were very nice then, but I can't really add anything up to date about them. These days I'd probably choose the ones in Marriott Village (mostly 25K) for close to Disney and convenience, or the one in Celebration - from memory I think it's the Bohemian, to give it a try. Also, some of the timeshares are 35K - @palhockeymomof2 stayed at one recently that caught my eye.

 

[Judique]

We loved Marriott Lakeshore Reserve...beautiful resort and pool....it was about 15 minutes from Disney so not as close as other properties

That's the one I was trying to remember.

 

[tink1970]

@mamathompson - My mother ans DD preferred their comfort + seats on delta to biz on AA so if you have MRs or skypesos something to think about...of course I’m a delta fangirl and apparently all the women I travel with are, too.

@bernina - I’m looking forward to watching Stumptown and Modern Family when I get back. Thanks for letting me know they’re good (MF has been weak the past couple of seasons).

London is cold to this Southerner! No rain yet but apparently it’s coming.
We’re at John Lewis waiting for our bespoke kit kats and then headed to Churchill War Rooms- the official ABD begins tonight. TTFN!

 

[speedyfishy]

So I'm working on strategy for a 2021 trip to Italy. Business and First class are likely out since we are such a large group. For the experienced travelers, what would be your second choice of airline/seat? If we don't have Business we will likely take a positioning flight to the East Coast somewhere to minimize the length of the flight over.

I’m flying Delta comfort from JFK in April.

did anyone catch Modern Family this week? The refrigerator scenes were hilarious. We both laughed out loud a few times.

I loved it!

 

[smallsy]

So this morning my good cholesterol reading was so low it didn't even register. And the nurse told me about how you can't really do anything to raise your good cholesterol level, you're just born with it.

OMG this drives me crazy when health providers say this crap! It’s literally my job to help correct lipids and prevent heart disease by helping people do things like eat healthy fats and exercise, and nurses like this are undermining any potential motivation a patient might have to make changes when they say it’s all genetic and you can’t do anything about it HDL can have genetic tendencies and is arguably the hardest lipid to budge, but I’m pretty sure not exercising and eating crap will make it worse soooo yeah. Ugh.

It just seems strange to say my good cholesterol went from 50-60 range over the last few years with 50+ being 'good' for females and then today she got <15

Yeaaaaah that’s lab error. If you can even call that a lab. I’d never trust a finger stick result. I work in cardiac rehab, and the lowest HDL I’ve ever seen is 17. And that was in a patient that had terrible family and personal history. HDL will take a small hit with weight loss and some meds but it’s never that much of a shift.

That nurse is spreading fake news lol! You can raise your good cholesterol. It involves the usual suspects - exercise, lose weight, eat good fats ( like avocado, olive oil, nuts, etc).

yep and limiting refined carbs (like pop tarts ) and in some cases enjoying a little

 

[palhockeymomof2]

One week from tomorrow we will be at Lakeshore Reserve for 13 days. There will be 9 of us in a 3BR townhouse. We have 8 park days and 5 resort days. My BFF has been taking each of her grandchildren for “their” Disney trip. We have done 8 trips together so far. I plan she cooks, we travel well together.

Enjoy it...the pool and lazy river were never crowded 2 weeks ago, plenty of chairs

 

[palhockeymomof2]

That's the one I was trying to remember.

We have also stayed at Marriotts Royal Palms in the same complex as the Marriott World Center...it’s closer to Disney but a bit more spread out....we were in the last building by a road so more road noise, but nicely redone rooms, golf course view and a screened in patio

 

[Lain]

Has anyone taken advantage of this?
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/shell-app-link-chase-pay-save-30¢-per-gallon/You can get a one-time savings of 30¢/gallon, up to 20 gallons, by linking Chase Pay with the Shell app. Chase Pay transactions earn 5x UR on the Chase Freedom this quarter. As a Shell Fuel Rewards Gold member, you regularly save 5¢/gallon and can earn rewards for further discounts.

I’ve been taking advantage of the [targeted] Amex Offer for 10% back at Exxon/Mobil (up to $100 back) that runs until the end of the year and stacking it with earning rewards through the Speedpass+ app with my Amex BGR (3x MR gas + 10% back Amex Offer) linked as the payment method.

There’s also a new Amex Offer out this morning for spending $25+ in a single transaction at BP/Amoco using the BPme app by 12/31/19, and you’ll get 1,000 MR (I’m assuming there’s a $10 statement credit version too). I added it to my BGR for the 3x MR on gas.

 

[1st*toright]

I have to explore this with DH. The "moving money around so that bills got paid and everything else went into savings" plan is what we have been doing for years. Not very effective, LOL

There are a few YNAB fans in this group (check Dischurners if you're thinking of signing up). They offer a 1 month free trial. It is a little different from other budgeting methods. I tried to set it up on my own without any context and was super confused (and I'm a CPA), but after I watched a couple of their webinars, I got it, and it has been really helpful for us. It really helped us see where we were spending money stupidly (how many camera bags does my DH actually need?), and where we could be using those dollars in a more impactful way (we travel a LOT more because we budget more money towards travel - churning has helped here too).

 

[havaneselover]

Just got a $15 Uber eats gift card from Groupon for $5. It said it was invite only. Will use with my platinum Amex credit.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Wow - this is not a drill people: Jan-Mar Disney discounts are OUT!! Pretty strange to see a Friday release! It seems they did not do the additional 10% for Visa this year though, I'm slightly bummed about that. I'm getting 25% off at Yacht...but I REALLY wanted 35%!!! Haha!! Beggars can't be choosers I guess! Now you all can see one of the few things that will get me out of bed before 9am!

I just saved $626 off our package cost AND I'm getting a $120 Disney Gift Card when we check-in! I'll take it!

 

[Judique]

@mamathompson - My mother ans DD preferred their comfort + seats on delta to biz on AA so if you have MRs or skypesos something to think about...of course I’m a delta fangirl and apparently all the women I travel with are, too.

@bernina - I’m looking forward to watching Stumptown and Modern Family when I get back. Thanks for letting me know they’re good (MF has been weak the past couple of seasons).

London is cold to this Southerner! No rain yet but apparently it’s coming.
We’re at John Lewis waiting for our bespoke kit kats and then headed to Churchill War Rooms- the official ABD begins tonight. TTFN!

Thanks for the update! I may actually put aside my aversion to flying to do a London/Scotland/Paris/Spain/Italy excursion but not anytime soon. Even though I bought a John Deere with my MR's, I've accumulated a decent stash, so free seats are possible, and I've got Radisson points along with a big bunch of Marriott. I've noted the War rooms as something I might have interest in. I've also not yet watched Stumptown but may give it at least a onceover. MF is a sometimes thing - so many stereotypes in that show, but I guess that's part of the humor.

 

[elgerber]

Back from our final Illuminations viewing trip. Hopefully I didn’t miss anything exciting . I was denied for the Barclays Hawaiian Biz. No letter yet so I have no idea why. Would it be dumb to try for the personal after being denied for the biz?

Replying to myself, to see if anyone has any thoughts on my dilemma above?

 

[Judique]

OMG this drives me crazy when health providers say this crap! It’s literally my job to help correct lipids and prevent heart disease by helping people do things like eat healthy fats and exercise, and nurses like this are undermining any potential motivation a patient might have to make changes when they say it’s all genetic and you can’t do anything about it HDL can have genetic tendencies and is arguably the hardest lipid to budge, but I’m pretty sure not exercising and eating crap will make it worse soooo yeah. Ugh.

Yeaaaaah that’s lab error. If you can even call that a lab. I’d never trust a finger stick result. I work in cardiac rehab, and the lowest HDL I’ve ever seen is 17. And that was in a patient that had terrible family and personal history. HDL will take a small hit with weight loss and some meds but it’s never that much of a shift.
yep and limiting refined carbs (like pop tarts ) and in some cases enjoying a little

Love that we have people on here who can give their knowledge on different subjects. I think the lab mistake may have worried @amalone1013 just a teeny speck, and to immediately hear lab mistake from so many health professionals probably helps. It's always best to follow up with your own physician, but it doesn't hurt to hear positive dialogue.
And, I usually enjoy a glass of red wine on vacation. However I stopped by a little bakery in Berlin on Wednesday during my wanderings, looking for a sandwich to take back to my ocean facing balcony. Got a croissant with Italian cheeses, and a bit of spinach and red pepper which was delicious! (Also a peach dumpling with a bit of caramel and peach reduction to pour over once I was ready to eat - hold the ice cream - had to draw the line somewhere!).

Anyway, back in my room, I just wasn't feeling the bottle of water with the croissant so went down to get a glass of wine. No one around, but I could hear rumbling in the kitchen area back of the breakfast area. Oh, the bar was 'open' just no one there. Anyway I called out and the breakfast lady came out and poured me about 8-10 ounces of a pinot - a very delicious pinot. I wasn't trying to be fussy so just agreed with the first open bottle she put her hands on in their fridge. Took it back to the room and enjoyed it so much I fell asleep for a couple hours!

And then at checkout, not on my bill. Needed the charge to get to $250 but the girl says 'oh just forget it since they didn't charge you'. I said, well thank you, but I need to get some snacks for the ride home, so I picked up enough to get over $250 and got a printout to make sure it was at least $250. That was the 3rd time I tried to get charged for something at the desk. They just don't want to take my money! But 3rd time was the charm after I said 'my bill has to go over $250 for reimbursement purposes'.

 

[Judique]

We have also stayed at Marriotts Royal Palms in the same complex as the Marriott World Center...it’s closer to Disney but a bit more spread out....we were in the last building by a road so more road noise, but nicely redone rooms, golf course view and a screened in patio

I especially like the screened in patios. Had one at Vistana Villages - oh, forgot I've stayed there, wonder how many points for that one? It's fairly convenient to Disney.

 

[wendow]

I especially like the screened in patios. Had one at Vistana Villages - oh, forgot I've stayed there, wonder how many points for that one? It's fairly convenient to Disney.

I think that one went up to a cat 6 along with swolphin

 

[Judique]

Has anyone taken advantage of this?
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/shell-app-link-chase-pay-save-30¢-per-gallon/You can get a one-time savings of 30¢/gallon, up to 20 gallons, by linking Chase Pay with the Shell app. Chase Pay transactions earn 5x UR on the Chase Freedom this quarter. As a Shell Fuel Rewards Gold member, you regularly save 5¢/gallon and can earn rewards for further discounts.

I’ve been taking advantage of the [targeted] Amex Offer for 10% back at Exxon/Mobil (up to $100 back) that runs until the end of the year and stacking it with earning rewards through the Speedpass+ app with my Amex BGR (3x MR gas + 10% back Amex Offer) linked as the payment method.

There’s also a new Amex Offer out this morning for spending $25+ in a single transaction at BP/Amoco using the BPme app by 12/31/19, and you’ll get 1,000 MR (I’m assuming there’s a $10 statement credit version too). I added it to my BGR for the 3x MR on gas.

For the month of October I'm drowning in gas offers but come November the BP one will come in handy. I was able to add it to 2 cards, my gold and daughters au Bonvoy reg. I'll use the first $25 off $10 - my offer on the Gold MR card on my way to Disney.

 

[ski_mom]

There are a few YNAB fans in this group (check Dischurners if you're thinking of signing up). They offer a 1 month free trial. It is a little different from other budgeting methods. I tried to set it up on my own without any context and was super confused (and I'm a CPA), but after I watched a couple of their webinars, I got it, and it has been really helpful for us. It really helped us see where we were spending money stupidly (how many camera bags does my DH actually need?), and where we could be using those dollars in a more impactful way (we travel a LOT more because we budget more money towards travel - churning has helped here too).

I think I need to look at it again. I tried it a few years ago and also had trouble setting it up (also a CPA, but work as the controller at my company) and just couldn't ever make it work for what I wanted. I went back to my excel spreadsheet, but now that money isn't as tight, I really slack on it because it takes so much time and effort with the multiple credit cards / bank accounts. I know I'd also feel better about more travel if I could better track what we actually spend better.

 

[smallsy]

Has anyone seen a Disney+ discount package that includes Hulu or espn? It seems like all the early offers are just for Disney+

 

[hsmamato2]

Quick question for those of you who accumulate SW RR points but have two cardholders: do you just work from two banks of RR points? I have control issues and would want all the points in my account, LOL!

we have two accounts and I use them both as needed. Dh wouldn't know how to do it lol