Time for a new SUB. Just finished both INK Cash and AMEX Gold for DH. So, my turn for a new card. I am 3/24. Last card was an INK Cash in November. I currently have 3 INKS open, will close the oldest one. Was looking at 100,000 United Biz SUB or US Bank Biz Triple Cash Rewards for $500 Bonus.... but then I got to thinking maybe try another INK. Would still be better than these with 40,000 Referral and 75,000 SUB....
Any other good options out there right now with increases SUBs? I did look through DOC's list but didn't come up with much else. Between DH and I we currently have about 1,100,000 UR's, A bit over 600,000 MR's , About 225,000 Cap One and a few other Misc Hotel/Airline Points.
Have a Cruise coming up in September but that is paid for. Next big trip is going to be back to Europe probably May/June 2025. Trying to decide on River Cruise or Tour. Leaning towards Tour Group as we then can stay a few days at each place. Probably looking at something that goes to Germany, Austria and Prague. Points can help with airfare unless they have a special price included in tour. So, may need to use points to cash out 1:1 even though not best value.
I'd definitely do the INK. I find URs incredibly flexible and can never have enough. I'd love to apply for another but am still finishing the SUB on dd's and won't be able to meet another big MSR until dd's tuition and res in September.
Yesterday I applied for another Cdn card for 35k points, which will be transferred to BA (when a 30% bonus hits -- usually twice / year). This card is amazing because you can apply every 90 days and the only requirement is 1 purchase. Hopefully this card never tightens up because the AP cards here have been completely neutered and AC has implemented a strict new rule about no more than 2 cc bonuses per year (several people have had their accounts frozen, so I won't take any kind of risk, especially since I got 2 cc SUBs last year).
Macchu Picchu is amazing! I wanted to climb up to the Moon Gate, but my lungs wouldn't allow it. I consider myself somewhat athletic (not as much as I was 10 years ago, but not bad for my age), but I couldn't get deep breathes and was really struggling (I do suffer from altitude sickness). Ds and dd practically ran up with the
ABD group and shared their amazing pictures with me. However even if you don't climb up the views are still spectacular!
What DD was trying to plan for was acclimating to the elevation. I asked her was she hiking up and no, she was taking the bus up the mountain. From what I've read, the hike up is up to an hour and a half. Not sure if she will hike down. She's also planned on doing at least one of the planned routes while up there.
She has been working out for the past few years, post a couple of operations, one being a breast reduction. I would say she is almost athletic at this point at age 45.
Getting there: for her she looks for the least expensive barebones flight and this was into Ecuador, and since she left from Dulles, it's probably stop in Miami on the way to Ecuador, then bus to Lima where she will spend an extra day. Then Latam to Cusco. No fancy hotels, just IHG, Hilton and Marriott. Using up whatever points she has. After the mountain her and friend have about a week in other towns before flying back via Lima (Latam) to Miami and Delta back home.
She often makes convoluted travel arrangements to get best bang for buck and to see more. No one bringing a family along would do all this. Her and her travel companion both speak the languages and are very well traveled.
I'm not sure if there is an option to climb all the way down. We took the bus up to the gate and back down -- the bus ride is no joke. I could barely look out the windows going down; the road turns and twists and there are vehicles coming in the other direction on a very narrow road.
ABD had us a few days in the Sacred Valley before heading to Macchu Picchu -- it didn't help me at all unfortunately (though ds and dd had no problems at all). Ds and I both got altitude sickness in Cusco for a day, but at least for me, it wasn't too bad.
Neither of these pics were from the Moon Gate (note the rainbow in the first pic)!
While this is totally true, I have limited PTO so can only take 5 days at a time which gives us 9 days. If it takes 2 days there and 2 days back I’m not willing to travel that much for 5 days. We went to London a few years ago and I absolutely hated the flights, too long and too uncomfortable even in biz class. Just my personal preference. I really want to take DS to China but am dreading flights. For him though I’ll do it, plus I’ll somehow I’ll finagle 2 weeks off.
We flew AC Rouge and regulars here know of my hatred for AC Rouge. It never should have been brought into service and should be permanently removed. Neither dh nor I will fly them, but in this case it was the only direct route to Lima. Thankfully it wasn't a red eye (if it was I wouldn't have done it); as expected it was horrible -- seats in "biz class" (nowhere near actual biz class) were cramped and uncomfortable, food was pretty bad and the bathrooms were beyond disgusting by the time we landed. Dd and I flew AA biz class back to MIA; I gave ds the option of flying AC Rouge direct or AA biz class with a connection; he chose the former and totally regretted it. I am so glad that we took the trip but don't see myself going back to Peru.
. I just use my Venture X and get at least the 2 points.
