I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[iujen94]

I do! I bought them for Peru and I find that I enjoy the stability that they offer when I'm hiking. I could rent shoes or boots in Norway, but I don't want to have to deal with blisters on the kind of hikes that I am doing.


I have plenty of base layers from years and years of skiing. I thought about trying to cut down on packing and use Merino wool items instead of packing base layers (I don't think many of the ones that I own would look good as stand-alone pieces, unlike some of the Unbound pieces I am eyeing). But the cost of Merino is holding me back.


I am okay tipping 20% at establishments where service warrants it, but I won't do it at cafes where I am basically serving myself (I tip a token amount). People here are getting upset at the 'new' tipping etiquette -- some restaurants have 22% as the lowest amount, which I think is excessive. I tipped 20% after my pedi this morning and the girl gave me a look to indicate she didn't approve. Tipping culture is becoming a hot topic here. Yes, I did tip more during and just after COVID, but unless it's warranted I don't feel the need to tip excessively any longer. Actually I rarely eat out because the cost has gone up SO much in the past few years.

It drives me NUTS how many places now have a tipping option on the check out screen!! If you aren’t bringing me food and/or clearing my table, I don’t feel obligated to tip (and I’m generally a chronic over-tipper).

 

[GZanta77]

Just been notified by Celebrity Cruises that they are cancelling our Feb 2025 South America cruise. I used a bunch of Amex Offers when booking this and am now set to lose something like 90k MRs. So annoying!!

Now I have to figure out which cards I used to determine if they are all still even open.

 

[orangecuse]

Thanks for the input. Trying to avoid the logistics of managing airfare for 7 people. It’s our first cruise and want to keep it simple, if possible. Time at see on the ship is fine. But I do see your point.

If you are really okay with MSC then you can get a free one via

Wyndham Biz (provides Wyndham Diamond) to running status match to various casinos. Search this thread for casino and someone just did ALL of the casino matches to get the free MSC cruise. I only did some of them to get free Holland/Carnival.

Points wise UR is your best bet to just cash out to yourself or a travel eraser. Back in the day I used a Barclay Arrival to erase a cruise deposit. Now I think Venture or Citi would be your best choice to erase the travel charge. MR/Amex is probably the least useful for cruises value wise.

Just cruise advice- we cruise a lot and have tried different lines

MSC- European line and read reviews carefully. Some reports they lower quality of food for US cruises. Mixed reports on entertainment. Some really like them!

Royal- nice middle of the line cruise line. Likely to be families, especially if you choose 7+ days out of NY/NJ. We just did their Canada cruise and it was great. They also have a really nice private island that most of their NJ Caribbean cruises will stop at. Food is good but not wow. We don't need wow on a cruise and their buffet has a good mix of options. Symphony will be going out of NJ soon and I would highly recommend that boat, the ice show, aqua show, and boardwalk/carousel were great. Some extra charge restaurants but we never needed them.

Norwegian- watch for upcharging. Lots of extra spending due to the way they structure their food/drink. Some people are really loyal to them though so don't let my one negative experience deter you.

Carnival- You didn't list carnival but its another good option, they have one of their newer ships running from NY and have some "journeys" from NY and Baltimore which are more adventurous routes. Great deck food, decent dinner food, and while they get a bad rap due to 3 day party cruises- most of your companions on 7+ day cruises will be over 65 or young families.

Other ports- make sure to look at Baltimore too if you are okay with a smaller/older ship. Really easy port. NJ is also a really easy port as is NY. No complaints.

 

[orangecuse]

Just been notified by Celebrity Cruises that they are cancelling our Feb 2025 South America cruise. I used a bunch of Amex Offers when booking this and am now set to lose something like 90k MRs. So annoying!!

Now I have to figure out which cards I used to determine if they are all still even open.

That sucks! My parents have had a few cruises cancelled/changed significantly in the last few weeks by both Celebrity and Viking. I prefer to book cruises early for the lowest rates but I hate that they can change things!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Just been notified by Celebrity Cruises that they are cancelling our Feb 2025 South America cruise. I used a bunch of Amex Offers when booking this and am now set to lose something like 90k MRs. So annoying!!

Now I have to figure out which cards I used to determine if they are all still even open.

Me too! We might have been on the same sailing. Couldn't Celebrity just keep the money for now to use in a future cruise? I would rather have future cruise credit then lose all the MRs!

 

[ten6mom]

Just read an article in The NY Times about restaurants adding fees for paying with a CC. Ran into this myself a few days ago on vacation in Wisconsin. 4% fee if paying by card. I used cash instead. It’s a touristy area.

I’ve decided to stop supporting those establishments. I don’t like being nickel-and-dimed.

I’m also done tipping for crappy service. During COVID I felt bad for those in the service and food industry, and tipped 20% for everything. I’ve gone back to 10% for okay service, 15% for good service and 20% for great service. The service has really gone down hill since COVID.

I hope this isn't a trend. A small locally owned bakery near my work charges a % now, but that's the only business around me that I have seen it.

I've been seeing this even at some chain places around here... and it is not a touristy area. Just roll it into the cost of the food or something! Ugh. Even if I'm not trying to collect points or miles, I almost never carry cash.

 

[Judique]

I have a thin l/s merino wool sweater that I love. I can't say that I've done any strenuous hiking in it but I would agree it does resist odor. I love it because it keeps me warm but it's very thin. I also have merino wool long underwear that I love for the same reason. I bought them about 20 years ago for a baselayer for XC skiing and they wear like iron. Definitely would recommend merino wool.

I assume it's sort of cool in Scandinavia in September? Whenever I go on a cool weather trip, I always take several of the 32 Degree l/s lightweight base layer that are sold in 2 packs at Costco (but also available on 32 degree website). I wear them all winter under other clothes (either l/s tees, hoodies sweaters, or cardigans) and also sleep in them. TBH, I love them! They are super thin and take no space in your bag plus you can wash them out in the hotel sink and they dry in no time.

I have many of those 32 degree layering long sleeved tee's. They are also my basic layer in fall and winter. They also make the bottom pieces and summer short sleeve ones. Love them also.

Costco also sold a thin merino wool l/s sweater the last couple of years. I wore out the first one I bought because it was so comfortable. This past year I picked up more of them on the website in several colors. If I remember correctly it's branded as Katherine Barclay.

 

[Haley R]

If anyone was wondering, my 3 year old’s favorite part of the Neuschwanstein castle was the street cleaner

 

[trenty]

If you are really okay with MSC then you can get a free one via

Wyndham Biz (provides Wyndham Diamond) to running status match to various casinos. Search this thread for casino and someone just did ALL of the casino matches to get the free MSC cruise. I only did some of them to get free Holland/Carnival.

Points wise UR is your best bet to just cash out to yourself or a travel eraser. Back in the day I used a Barclay Arrival to erase a cruise deposit. Now I think Venture or Citi would be your best choice to erase the travel charge. MR/Amex is probably the least useful for cruises value wise.

Just cruise advice- we cruise a lot and have tried different lines

MSC- European line and read reviews carefully. Some reports they lower quality of food for US cruises. Mixed reports on entertainment. Some really like them!

Royal- nice middle of the line cruise line. Likely to be families, especially if you choose 7+ days out of NY/NJ. We just did their Canada cruise and it was great. They also have a really nice private island that most of their NJ Caribbean cruises will stop at. Food is good but not wow. We don't need wow on a cruise and their buffet has a good mix of options. Symphony will be going out of NJ soon and I would highly recommend that boat, the ice show, aqua show, and boardwalk/carousel were great. Some extra charge restaurants but we never needed them.

Norwegian- watch for upcharging. Lots of extra spending due to the way they structure their food/drink. Some people are really loyal to them though so don't let my one negative experience deter you.

Carnival- You didn't list carnival but its another good option, they have one of their newer ships running from NY and have some "journeys" from NY and Baltimore which are more adventurous routes. Great deck food, decent dinner food, and while they get a bad rap due to 3 day party cruises- most of your companions on 7+ day cruises will be over 65 or young families.

Other ports- make sure to look at Baltimore too if you are okay with a smaller/older ship. Really easy port. NJ is also a really easy port as is NY. No complaints.

ETA: I love this thread. I don't post here often. But I read it every day. Everyone is so helpful and nice.

Thank you! I just did some research about the Wydham Biz. If we want to cruise in July, I don't think I have enough time. And, I am not set on MSC. But if we love our first cruise, I am definitely looking into this card again.

I did look at Carnival after my initial post. They only have two leaving from NY in July. We might be interested in one of them. Leaning towards Royal out of NJ at this point, but still not sure.

One of my issues is our traveling party will be 3 couples and 1 single. Getting a room for the single is pricey. Putting her in one of the other rooms will require a suite type situation. One of the lines (forget which one) had a 2 bedroom suite available - breaking our party up into 5 and 2. The 2 would be me and DH. The 5 would be our 3 adult kids and 2 SOs. This is also a very pricey option and would give the kids a better room than mom and dad. LOL

A friend of mine gave me a TA to work with. I think I am going to do that since this is all overwhelming.

 

[punkin]

Did anyone know which credit report Chase checks for the CIP? I have to unfreeze and would just like to unfreeze one if possible.

 

[punkin]

Did chase change their business application? It's been a while since I applied for a card. The business type that I had been using is no longer a choice and they now have a private household choice . I'm very confused.

 

[punkin]

Did chase change their business application? It's been a while since I applied for a card. The business type that I had been using is no longer a choice and they now have a private household choice . I'm very confused.

Also... they now want my SS number and an EIN (optional). Should I leave the EIN blank or put in my SS again?

 

[Arcades]

Also... they now want my SS number and an EIN (optional). Should I leave the EIN blank or put in my SS again?

If you're applying as a sole proprietorship, then you use your SSN in place of the EIN. If it's any other type of business, I would hop on the IRS' website and get an EIN assigned to the business/"business".

You can also get an EIN assigned to a sole proprietorship and Chase will view that as a different business to the extent it matters with regard to velocity or making it appear as if you have separate businesses that need additional lines of credit.

 

[becauseimnew]

We almost always tip > 20% unless service is average. Rarely less than 20% ever. Some places we go to locally still are short staffed. Last night the bartender was covering part of the dining room. Service was slower than normal, but it wasn’t her fault.

I’m not opposed to tip less than 20% but I have to feel confident the service was totally the servers fault.

I'm not talking about things that are out of their control, I really have noticed a decline in service. Like having to ask to get my water refilled when there aren't many customers is unacceptable. I waited tables all through high school and college, so I get when things are out of the servers control.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Just been notified by Celebrity Cruises that they are cancelling our Feb 2025 South America cruise. I used a bunch of Amex Offers when booking this and am now set to lose something like 90k MRs. So annoying!!

Now I have to figure out which cards I used to determine if they are all still even open.

No chance they can move the money to another sailing?

 

[punkin]

If you're applying as a sole proprietorship, then you use your SSN in place of the EIN. If it's any other type of business, I would hop on the IRS' website and get an EIN assigned to the business/"business".

You can also get an EIN assigned to a sole proprietorship and Chase will view that as a different business to the extent it matters with regard to velocity or making it appear as if you have separate businesses that need additional lines of credit.

Thank you. I just got approved!

 

[punkin]

Did anyone know which credit report Chase checks for the CIP? I have to unfreeze and would just like to unfreeze one if possible.

Sorry to quote myself, but in case anyone is interested, they pulled Experian.

 

[GZanta77]

No chance they can move the money to another sailing?

You'd think it would be reasonably simple, but prior experience tells me to let whatever processes they have play out for the mass cancellation.

 

[wanderlust7]

One of my issues is our traveling party will be 3 couples and 1 single. Getting a room for the single is pricey. Putting her in one of the other rooms will require a suite type situation. One of the lines (forget which one) had a 2 bedroom suite available - breaking our party up into 5 and 2. The 2 would be me and DH. The 5 would be our 3 adult kids and 2 SOs. This is also a very pricey option and would give the kids a better room than mom and dad. LOL

There are regular cabins that fit 3 or 4 people. 2 cabins with 3 and 4 people would be the cheapest. Or if you want your own, a 2/2/3 split should be cheaper than 2 and 5 in a suite.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

You'd think it would be reasonably simple, but prior experience tells me to let whatever processes they have play out for the mass cancellation.

I'm going to try. I'll call them later today during a break and see if we can do something because I don't want to loose all the MRs, and we were happy to try out Celebrity cruises anyway.