I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Judique]

ahh...I had to stick my 2 cents in on the Mousecellaneous Board...

waiting now to get blasted

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/asia/india-lockdown-coronavirus-intl/index.html
India has ordered a "complete" lockdown for a minimum of 21 days, effective midnight local time tonight.

This is very likely to impact a lot of call centers and customer support operations, including ones used by many banks and airlines. Anecdotally, we've already been seeing Chase SM response time slip from the usual within a day to 2-3 days.

The thought of India on lockdown is shocking to me. The cities are so crowded! And in the countryside, people live very closely together with public pumps for water I am thinking of everyone we met in December.

Apple pay is an option if it's accepted. I don't do any apple so I'm pretty oblivious.

Why don't you just swipe his card? Chances are pretty slim anyone will call you on it. No one asks for ID anymore at least in my world. Plus most of the time others don't even handle your card.

Thanks. I'm not sure if the small local store (a natural foods co-op) that we're trying to keep supporting using Apple Pay. I'll check next time I'm there.

I guess my question is whether or not I'd need to sign for the charge. I know at this particular store I've had to sign when using my Plat.

I put all of DH's cards on my apple pay and use when making MSR. I haven't had a problem yet.

Thanks! I'll add his later on.

DH officially earned his CP yesterday. Hopefully we’ll get to use in 2020.

Who's still planning Fall WDW trips?

Not the fall because of college schedules, but we're thinking about booking during the holidays Younger dd will turn 21 on Dec 30, and we've all wanted to see the holiday decorations. Once my head is in a better place, anxiety-wise, I'll start planning something. I'm scared to book using DVC points until we know how things are progressing.

Well we have our first covid-19 positive patient at my nursing home. Just got the confirmed results a couple hours ago. I knew it was coming. We swabbed and sent away for testing yesterday before sending her to the ER- 85 yo woman with a very full medical history- woke up with a temp and couldn’t get her oxygen above 80%. No word back on how she’s doing. She was admitted to our facility mid-February and we haven’t been allowing visitors for about a week and a half so I have to think it came through staff somehow. We’ve been screening every employee and taking temps every morning before entering the facility so must be someone asymptomatic. Of course I’m assuming a lot, but that’s what seems to make the most sense. Tomorrow will be an interesting day for sure. Praying for the patient and her family (who the hospital hasn’t let see her yet). And prayers please for all of our other patients at our facility. Some have been there since I started there back in 2007 so they truly are like family.

I'm so sorry

I was out front when the mail arrived yesterday. CVS sent my prescription that way. I guess I was expecting a delivery driver, but this worked fine.

And, the driver handed me my mail directly. He had a can of Lysol and gloves and sprayed the package with the Lysol first.

I took it, dropped it on my porch and ran to a sink to wash my hands! I should have had him put it in the box and then got it out with gloves as I have been doing. I 'look' at my mail, but I haven't opened anything as none is off major importance other than yesterday's package of pills. Is anyone else afraid of their mail? I mean cautious in handling the mail?

I'm the only one touching the mail, dropping things straight into the recycling and setting the others onto one table to wait, then washing my hands.

 

[Lain]

DH's Amex Plat fee just posted :'( The Uber, Saks, and airline credits have all been fun for the past year but not enough that I'm willing to drop another $550 to keep them for another year. That's over an entire month's Roth IRA contributions for one of us. I never did get around to signing him up for Pre-Check or GE...

He does still have about 12k MR lingering from when I signed him up for Pay-Over-Time. I'd like to transfer those to Virgin whenever they have another transfer bonus running. Are there any no-fee downgrade options available that would allow me to save those MR and transfer them later? Will Amex claw back the credits that were already issued when I cancel?

There are no no-fee downgrade options for the Amex Plat. If DH does downgrade to a card (the only options, Gold $250AF or Green $150AF), be sure he’s already gotten those cards’ SUB because downgrading to a card counts as having or having had that card for the purposes of bonus eligibility, i.e., downgrading makes him ineligible for the SUB on that card even if he’s never gotten it before and tries to apply for that card later.

DH could sign up for a BBP via your supportal (before canceling the Plat), which is a $0AF biz card (so doesn’t count against 5/24), earns and holds MR (so he can cancel the Plat and the MRs stay alive with the BBP), and earns 2x MR on everything up to $50k/year spend (so it’s actually a decent non-bonus category, non-MSR daily driver). And if it matters, the BBP offers a 0% APR for 12 months.

I would, however, suggest you consider having DH call into Amex for a retention offer on that Plat. I’ve been seeing a lot of recent DPs that say Amex is offering a $500 statement credit or 50k MR, no spending requirement, to keep the Plat for another year. This pretty much negates the AF when you consider the credits, and $500/50k MR retention offers are about the best Amex offers on the Plat. Folks have been calling in to cancel and say they have the Plat for the travel benefits (e.g., 5x MR on flights, travel insurance, lounge access, Marriott/Hilton Gold status, etc.), but due to the coronavirus pandemic, shelter-in-place and travel restrictions, and all the canceled flights and shuttered hotels, can’t travel now and don’t know when they’ll be able to travel again. Of course, other factors may affect the retention offer DH gets, including his spend, spending patterns, cardmember history, the internal numbers Amex is trying to maintain/hit. Keeping the Plat a second year will probably help to keep DH from ending on the pop up list.

Worth a try. Amex retention department: 1-800-452-3945.

 

[WVMomof3]

I went to Sams around 10:30 this morning and I haven't seen it that dead in a long time. Both Sams and Walmart parking lots were very empty. Aldi's also was quiet. I had no problem finding everything I needed.

 

[amcc]

With that announcement the mayor of Miami got it you’d think the rest of the politicians in the state of FL would start taking this more seriously!

The problem is that Miami is really a rather small city in a huge metropolitan area. Most of us say we are from Miami for expediency but we don’t live in the city proper. For example, most (all?) beaches aren’t in Miami.

I need a haircut. I channel surfed and caught a stylist on TMZ who was explaining how to cut one's bangs. One of my employee's whose side job was a stylist (or maybe it was his main job lol) showed me that ages ago, and I've done it and ended up with bangs that were angled off to one side. I actually wear it brushed to the sides but it starts with the equivalent of bangs. I wonder how many of us will resort to chopping at our own hair before this is all said and done?

I asked my mom to look at YouTube and figure out a way to cut my hair. It’s so hot out already and it badly needs a trim. I like that bench for the deck. IKEA will be one of my first stops when we get our house back!

 

[disfanforlife]

ahh...I had to stick my 2 cents in on the Mousecellaneous Board...

waiting now to get blasted

What's going on over there? Which thread?

 

[elgerber]

What's going on over there? Which thread?

Yes please, we want to see!

 

[georgina]

I went to Sams around 10:30 this morning and I haven't seen it that dead in a long time. Both Sams and Walmart parking lots were very empty. Aldi's also was quiet. I had no problem finding everything I needed.

It's been quiet around here too. Stopped in at the Post Office to mail a care package of old jigsaw puzzles to DD in San Francisco, she and her housemates wanted some and I feel bad for her being stuck in the house on her 25th bday. No line at the PO but the cranky old guy who works there was ranting about people not staying home. Stopped at Giant Eagle to get some lettuce and yogurt, again not many people.

 

[Limes96]

Just got the email from AAVacations with all the info I need regarding my travel voucher credit from my cancelled 3/16-18 CBR stay. Expiration date is 3/22/21 so we need to use it by then. I’ve read these vouchers can be a pain in the rear to use. Hopefully it won’t be too difficult.

 

[elgerber]

MN now has a 2 week "stay at home" order, starting at midnight Friday. Not exactly sure what that means, it was kinda vague.

 

[miztressuz]

Well Amex is Johnny on the spot now. Is it pretty much over with AmEx taking 2 statement cycles to report new cards? I know there's been exceptions but I see more mentions of first statements now.

Applied/approved on 3/2 for my Green card, they closed my statement on 3/22, notified today from credit monitoring that I had a new trade line. So oops, 5/24 for a couple weeks. I had wondered what it would feel like when I dropped to 2/24 on 4/17 but if I go for the Marriott Brilliant card I'll just be 4/24 again - it's like not passing Go on Monopoly

I feel like I'll now be perpetually 4/24 for the most part. Flirting with 5/24 for a few weeks at a time before resuming the status quo

 

[Judique]

What's going on over there? Which thread?

Mousecellaneous - does David's tell you if the renter cancels?

It's a load of armchair lawyers and repetitious posts. But with time on my hands I read most of it. I should know better. I used to be on the DVC boards a lot back a few years ago. Now I mostly lurk.

My real feelings - I hope everyone gets together to balance things out and mitigate losses. Share the pain three ways. Owners, brokers, renters who participated in a venture that has risks. That said, I would rent as an owner or renter if need be. The risk has been very small for the last 28 years.

My biggest peeve - the guy whose owner apparently tried to work with him to rebook and the window was all the way to feb 2021 and he came up with excuse after excuse - just wants his money.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

DH rope dropped (love that @snugglebug ) Safeway in Oakland today and he said it wasn't quite as Hunger Games as last week, but there were still 20+ people ahead of him. We are trying to go only once a week to minimize our exposure, but it's tough as we have a small fridge, four people now with the kids home, and are used to shopping almost daily. He was finally able to find ground turkey, which is a staple for us, jack cheese, and pasta. Still no tortillas, TP, or cleaning products. @Calfan isn't going to like this, but we may have to venture to Lucky's or Whole Foods later for the cleaning products. I'm really regretting not putting in the "magic toilets" right away like I was planning after our return from Japan. No TP necessary with those. Sigh.

I was finally able to get through to Virgin Atlantic today about DD20's one way trip that was cancelled from LHR to SFO next week. The agent refunded the miles right away, but said it could take up to 90 days to get the taxes back. Normally I would have complained and pushed on that, but after Richard Branson donated a plane to bring PPE to Oakland I'm giving them a pass

 

[disfanforlife]

Mousecellaneous - does David's tell you if the renter cancels?

It's a load of armchair lawyers and repetitious posts. But with time on my hands I read most of it. I should know better. I used to be on the DVC boards a lot back a few years ago. Now I mostly lurk.

My real feelings - I hope everyone gets together to balance things out and mitigate losses. Share the pain three ways. Owners, brokers, renters who participated in a venture that has risks. That said, I would rent as an owner or renter if need be. The risk has been very small for the last 28 years.

My biggest peeve - the guy whose owner apparently tried to work with him to rebook and the window was all the way to feb 2021 and he came up with excuse after excuse - just wants his money.

Same, I used to be on it a lot back before and right after we bought in to DVC. I am going to go look.

 

[elgerber]

Mousecellaneous - does David's tell you if the renter cancels?

It's a load of armchair lawyers and repetitious posts. But with time on my hands I read most of it. I should know better. I used to be on the DVC boards a lot back a few years ago. Now I mostly lurk.

My real feelings - I hope everyone gets together to balance things out and mitigate losses. Share the pain three ways. Owners, brokers, renters who participated in a venture that has risks. That said, I would rent as an owner or renter if need be. The risk has been very small for the last 28 years.

My biggest peeve - the guy whose owner apparently tried to work with him to rebook and the window was all the way to feb 2021 and he came up with excuse after excuse - just wants his money.

So far you haven't even caused a ripple LOL

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I was in Mexico last week, on a family trip to celebrate my grandma's 85th. Things were a little scary the last 2 days wondering if our fights would be cancelled, but everything went smooth. DDs weren't able to complete their GE interview, this was our one chance without having to travel 4 hours one-way to have an interview - at least this will give me a chance to apply for DH's GE so we can hopefully get 3 interviews scheduled at the same time at DFW.

I just skipped about 100 pages since I didn't think anything big happened in the churning world last week. But then I was just on Reddit and I saw this comment... what the heck is he referring too?

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/fonsg9/_/flgka2e

Nothing new there luckily - just somebody who finally read fine print that’s been there all along.

Why do they do this?
https://millionmilesecrets.com/news...709f2ae41&utm_source=email&utm_term=Read More

That’s actually an old article that they’re just re-posting again (maybe for the 3rd time). Still...your point hold

 

[Disneyonmymind]

So its been 6 days and no approval for DD's CIP. It still says 30 days. Has it taken this long for anyone else and still get approval? If she gets approval, it will be her first Chase card.......... I don't know if I should remain positive or start working on Plan B

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Mousecellaneous - does David's tell you if the renter cancels?

It's a load of armchair lawyers and repetitious posts. But with time on my hands I read most of it. I should know better. I used to be on the DVC boards a lot back a few years ago. Now I mostly lurk.

My real feelings - I hope everyone gets together to balance things out and mitigate losses. Share the pain three ways. Owners, brokers, renters who participated in a venture that has risks. That said, I would rent as an owner or renter if need be. The risk has been very small for the last 28 years.

My biggest peeve - the guy whose owner apparently tried to work with him to rebook and the window was all the way to feb 2021 and he came up with excuse after excuse - just wants his money.

Also use to post there and enjoyed reading posts, but it did feel like a few years ago a new group of people came on, Some don’t seem to understand how a timeshare works, while others appear to disagree with everything DVC does, I don’t understand why they don’t sell since they seem to mistrust DVC

 

[Calfan]

DH rope dropped (love that @snugglebug ) Safeway in Oakland today and he said it wasn't quite as Hunger Games as last week, but there were still 20+ people ahead of him. We are trying to go only once a week to minimize our exposure, but it's tough as we have a small fridge, four people now with the kids home, and are used to shopping almost daily. He was finally able to find ground turkey, which is a staple for us, jack cheese, and pasta. Still no tortillas, TP, or cleaning products. @Calfan isn't going to like this, but we may have to venture to Lucky's or Whole Foods later for the cleaning products. I'm really regretting not putting in the "magic toilets" right away like I was planning after our return from Japan. No TP necessary with those. Sigh.

I was finally able to get through to Virgin Atlantic today about DD20's one way trip that was cancelled from LHR to SFO next week. The agent refunded the miles right away, but said it could take up to 90 days to get the taxes back. Normally I would have complained and pushed on that, but after Richard Branson donated a plane to bring PPE to Oakland I'm giving them a pass

No worries. All's fair in the time of Coronavirus! We do have hiring notices out in all of our Divisions. We are looking to hire something like 30,000 people company-wide to help restock shelves, deliver groceries, etc. We are working with companies like Hilton and Marriott to hire their furloughed employees as well:

https://www.albertsonscompanies.com/newsroom/part-time-jobs-to-furloughed-employees.html

 

[Judique]

I went to Sams around 10:30 this morning and I haven't seen it that dead in a long time. Both Sams and Walmart parking lots were very empty. Aldi's also was quiet. I had no problem finding everything I needed.

But did you need toilet paper? Sorry, had to ask!