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

[LB002]

Got my Kohl's black friday order placed. Ninja Foodi Air Fryer oven is on the way. Used my 10% off Amex offer since I'm swimming in fuel points and didn't want to buy a Kohl's gift card. Only bummer was it wasn't available in a store nearby so I have to wait for it to arrive

I was up for the Kohls BF sale and 25% code overlap but couldn;t find anything we needed. I did a bunch or orders during the Veterans Day sale a couple weeks ago. I was tempted by the kids FitBits for my niece and nephew, but I have a Best Buy GC earmarked for that (we really worked that Stop & Shop GC promo last weekend!)

However I did get caught up in the Tea Collection (kids clothes) BF sale launch! And that was AFTER paying bills and projecting the next few months and vowing to cut down discretionary spending. Whoops! Kids clothes and travel are my two spending weaknesses.

Honestly, so many retailers have already launched great deals already. We stocked up on GCs to cover a few items I specifically know I am buying this week (and Disney), and then I am pretty much done with gifts. And we now have a LOT of $20 Stop and Shop coupons for groceries, LOL.

 

[GZanta77]

Do you think flying into LGW would be bad? I have no idea. I looked it up and it said 30 minutes by train. Obviously with a one year old that wouldn’t be ideal but it might be better than a layover somewhere.

I wish we had more Amex points. Dh will get 20k from his BBP that we’re working on now. I’m not sure if we can join points like you can with chase. Do you think it’s realistic to get enough Amex points by next summer to book? If so, we could switch gears to them

Flying into LGW is fine - it is easy to get into central London on the Gatwick Express and really not much quicker from Heathrow.

If it were me, especially travelling with a baby, I would save some UR's and $$$ and look to fly Virgin Premium economy. With a baby in tow, you're not going to get more than a few minutes nap here and there anyway. Babys on airplanes are hugely unpredictable. Our DS refused to sleep on a plane as a baby (and pretty much still does), although long haul he would typically drift off just before landing when he was beyond exhausted.

Also, don't rule out flying from London to Edinburgh. BA short haul reward seats can often be had cheaply with low fees. There really isn't that much to see when going by train.

 

[LB002]

@Haley R

You have to go into your Membership rewards to see whether you're targeted for the transfer bonus for HH

1) login to American Express
2) on the right there is your MR total and under that, a bar that says Explore Rewards-click on that
3) you're then on the MR page-the 5th tab over says "transfer points" with an arrow, click on that
4) there will be "featured" with a couple of offers (I currently have bonuses to transfer to Jet Blue and Flying Blue) and above it "View All"
5) all of the loyalty programs you have linked your account to will be listed, then under that airlines you've not linked and then hotels (my hilton has the 40% bonus). This is where you see your bonus for transfer, no under Amex Offers.


I know you feel that URs are the way to go and just playing with dates from MCO to LHR, if you're flying economy then you're correct. Having flown multiple, multiple times to the UK in business and first, if you think that's a good way to utilize points, I would respectfully disagree. MCO-LHR is going to be 1 stop on Virgin, Delta, Aer Lingus, American, British Air, TAP. MRs transfer (often with bonuses) to Virgin, Delta, British Air, and Aer Lingus. Taxes and fees to the UK are still high so factor those in when you're planning to pay for your trip.

Thanks for this. @Lain had mentioned there was a transfer bonus and I looked to see if it would be worth transferring our MRs and didn't see it. I was legit amazed that Lain was wrong! I guess I just wasn't targeted.

 

[LB002]

Some of you may recall that my dh travels a lot of business. He just texted me this morning that he was involved in a serious car accident on Saturday. A paralegal talking on his phone, driving in the far right lane (dh was in the far left lane going the same direction) decided to suddenly make a u-turn, cut across 3 lanes and dh drove into him (obviously couldn't avoid him). Dh said his car cut right through the unibody at the wheel well of the other vehicle (2019 Acura small sedan). Thankfully dh seems to be okay, but his car (he's in Toronto) doesn't look great. The road was closed for 4 hours because the paralegal who drove into him was unconscious and apparently there was blood all over his car. I wish dh had told me sooner and maybe by phone. He sent me a video of the scene with the firefighters and police cars everywhere. Thanks for listening -- it's weighing heavily on my mind because it could've been so much worse if dh wasn't driving such a safe, well-made vehicle. Trying to work but finding it hard to concentrate.

Oh, no. I am so happy to hear that everyone is going to be OK, but that is terrifying.

 

[Judique]

I would have to second what @Judique said. The trauma team would remove all piercings so they don’t get in the way of any diagnostic imaging. At that time, the team was way more concerned with caring for your daughter than keeping track of where her earrings were put. Clothes are cut off, IVs started, cardiac monitors placed, vital signs monitored, labs done, X-rays, MRIs done and surgical teams called. By the time the patient leaves for surgery the room truly does look like a tornado went through. Sad to have lost the earrings but I also would prefer to give the team the benefit of the doubt.

I am actually happy that you and @tink1970 gave me a new perspective on this.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Any tips on MRs for London? It's on our short list and hotels are SO EXPENSIVE!

Conrad London is a Hilton property; if you have a few weekend night certificates you could do Friday, Saturday and Sunday night there. If you have Aspire you'd get free breakfast as well. Just a thought.

I LOVE London and have stayed at several properties. As long as you are close to a tube station you can get anywhere you need to go in the city. My recent favorite is the Beaumont; I loved the Corinthia, but had some serious issues with safety / service there so not sure I'd stay again, but it is really, really nice.

 

[wanderlust7]

Anyone looking to book the Hilton Tokyo Bay with cash? Hilton 50% off sale starts tomorrow.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Oh, no. I am so happy to hear that everyone is going to be OK, but that is terrifying.

Thank you. Not sure how the paralegal is doing. He was hurt pretty badly -- according to dh he's still in the hospital. I am worried that he might try to sue us, even though it was clearly his fault. He had 3 charges laid against him: using a phone while driving, illegal u-turn and cutting across 2 live lanes of traffic in an unsafe manner. Obviously his fault, but it might not stop him from suing.

 

[LB002]

Conrad London is a Hilton property; if you have a few weekend night certificates you could do Friday, Saturday and Sunday night there. If you have Aspire you'd get free breakfast as well. Just a thought.

I LOVE London and have stayed at several properties. As long as you are close to a tube station you can get anywhere you need to go in the city. My recent favorite is the Beaumont; I loved the Corinthia, but had some serious issues with safety / service there so not sure I'd stay again, but it is really, really nice.

Great advice, we are Hilton people and should definitely have some free nights and breakfast with our Aspire.

What happened at the Corinthia?

I've been to London several times for work, but I am looking forward to taking the family. It will be the kid's first international trip!

 

[Haley R]

Flying into LGW is fine - it is easy to get into central London on the Gatwick Express and really not much quicker from Heathrow.

If it were me, especially travelling with a baby, I would save some UR's and $$$ and look to fly Virgin Premium economy. With a baby in tow, you're not going to get more than a few minutes nap here and there anyway. Babys on airplanes are hugely unpredictable. Our DS refused to sleep on a plane as a baby (and pretty much still does), although long haul he would typically drift off just before landing when he was beyond exhausted.

Also, don't rule out flying from London to Edinburgh. BA short haul reward seats can often be had cheaply with low fees. There really isn't that much to see when going by train.

We’ve never flown premium economy. Is it a huge difference from business on virgin flights?

Dh likes trains that’s why I thought taking the train would be fun. Is it a pretty long ride?

 

[PolyRob]

I was up for the Kohls BF sale and 25% code overlap but couldn;t find anything we needed. I did a bunch or orders during the Veterans Day sale a couple weeks ago. I was tempted by the kids FitBits for my niece and nephew, but I have a Best Buy GC earmarked for that (we really worked that Stop & Shop GC promo last weekend!)

However I did get caught up in the Tea Collection (kids clothes) BF sale launch! And that was AFTER paying bills and projecting the next few months and vowing to cut down discretionary spending. Whoops! Kids clothes and travel are my two spending weaknesses.

Honestly, so many retailers have already launched great deals already. We stocked up on GCs to cover a few items I specifically know I am buying this week (and Disney), and then I am pretty much done with gifts. And we now have a LOT of $20 Stop and Shop coupons for groceries, LOL.

I only have one $20 S&S coupon left! I think I may need more gift cards

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thank you. Not sure how the paralegal is doing. He was hurt pretty badly -- according to dh he's still in the hospital. I am worried that he might try to sue us, even though it was clearly his fault. He had 3 charges laid against him: using a phone while driving, illegal u-turn and cutting across 2 live lanes of traffic in an unsafe manner. Obviously his fault, but it might not stop him from suing.

So glad your DH is ok.........and unfortunately even when someone is clearly wrong it may not stop them from suing

 

[reliev]

Thanks so much for this info! Looks like my husband shouldn’t apply then either...lol

yep I can't remember the last time I carried a balance.

 

[Haley R]

I’ll be buying our MVMCP tickets tonight and need to decide about our hotel. I was all for using MRs for Hilton but now I’m thinking maybe we should keep those. On the other hand, I’d like to use our gold status at a Hilton for breakfast (gold will expire in May). Ugh idk what to do

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

yep I can't remember the last time I carried a balance.

I can... the answer is never,

 

[GZanta77]

We’ve never flown premium economy. Is it a huge difference from business on virgin flights?

Dh likes trains that’s why I thought taking the train would be fun. Is it a pretty long ride?

Sure its a huge difference - in both price and experience. I'm cheap though and I find Premium Economy a perfectly acceptable way to travel for anything under 10 hours.

Train ride will be about 4 - 5 hours....but it leaves from central London and delivers you to the centre of Edinburgh. If you fly, you need to get out to heathrow, check-in, wait etc. At the other end, you will probably need to get a cab from Edinburgh airport. So all told, flying might not be much quicker and if DH is into trains, then go for it. I have tended to fly, but I was not based in central London and I have been able to get flights from about $35 plus a small amount of BA Avios.

If you are looking to book the train, the best prices are usually available 8 - 12 weeks before travel.

 

[Haley R]

Sure its a huge difference - in both price and experience. I'm cheap though and I find Premium Economy a perfectly acceptable way to travel for anything under 10 hours.

Train ride will be about 4 - 5 hours....but it leaves from central London and delivers you to the centre of Edinburgh. If you fly, you need to get out to heathrow, check-in, wait etc. At the other end, you will probably need to get a cab from Edinburgh airport. So all told, flying might not be much quicker and if DH is into trains, then go for it. I have tended to fly, but I was not based in central London and I have been able to get flights from about $35 plus a small amount of BA Avios.

If you are looking to book the train, the best prices are usually available 8 - 12 weeks before travel.

I was just looking at AA business class from MCO and cash for 3 people would be $11k. That’s for nonstop flights. When I tried going by miles there weren’t any nonstop flights available. I looked at random weeks next June and July.

 

[DaveL]

Received all the gift cards from the BJs deal. Those 3pk $50 were hard to scratch off. All entered into DGC site and combined 100 emails later.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Great advice, we are Hilton people and should definitely have some free nights and breakfast with our Aspire.

What happened at the Corinthia?

I've been to London several times for work, but I am looking forward to taking the family. It will be the kid's first international trip!

The lock on our balcony door was broken -- I called the front desk to have security fix it while we were out for the day. When I got back they left me a message saying it was fixed. Perfect. Except I must have had jet lag because I never thought to check it. Two or 3 days later I want to stand outside and the door was unlocked -- they never fixed it. Wouldn't have been a big deal if we were on a high floor, but we were on ground level and all the balconies connected, so anyone in our inner courtyard could've walked in the room at any time, day or night. Since dd and I travel alone I take our security very seriously and that really scared me. Yes I should've checked, but I trusted them and it could've gone very wrong. They were incredibly apologetic and offered us a free dinner and I think comped a night, but still. I think the reason we were lucky that nothing happened is it was during the Olympics and the hotel was full of high-profile people. Dd is now a bit paranoid and checks all windows and doors twice before going to bed. But like I said it is a really nice property, very close to a tube station and you can walk to the London Eye from there.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I was just looking at AA business class from MCO and cash for 3 people would be $11k. That’s for nonstop flights. When I tried going by miles there weren’t any nonstop flights available. I looked at random weeks next June and July.

Try to have your dates nailed down when the booking window opens for 2021 and you should get the flights you want on miles. The cash price is insane. Lucky baby will get to fly in business class at such a young age!