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

[Eighty8Keys]

Did Costco this morning to get Trail mix and goldfish for our upcoming trip! No stocking up except they finally had the thin pork chops I like and grabbed a pack of those. They opened about 10 mins early, were handing out wipes which slowed down entering. But I was back in my car in 20 mins. Fastest Costco trip ever. It was starting to get busy when I Ieft. Best part, gas was under $2/gallon. That is low for around here.

I love those thin pork chops too. Those are the only ones I buy. They cook in minutes which is perfect for after work when the last thing I want to do is cook dinner.

 

[StephPlum]

@StephPlum Under $2 is definitely low! I didn't see a price that low all the way to Florida and back, but did snatch some sam's club gas in Florence, SC at $2.04 both ways. And, I used my $10 referral bonus to buy a box of trail mix packages. Karr's. Didn't even look around - grabbed the first thing I found.

Last week was $2.25/gallon. It has been coming down here in central Ohio. But it hasn't been under $2 for a while.

We like the Kirkland brand Trail Mix. I buy the big bag and make individual servings for our backpacks. DS also takes it to college for snacks. In fact he went through the big bag himself since the beginning of school. Hence the reason I needed to make a Costco trip today.

 

[StephPlum]

I love those thin pork chops too. Those are the only ones I buy. They cook in minutes which is perfect for after work when the last thing I want to do is cook dinner.

They are so cheap too. It is just DH and me now so that one pack is less than $2 a meal.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Sam’s club was also bonkers today! So many people, way more than usual. Just got home, but I may have to go back out because I forgot to get my free beer. Free Stella Artois anyone?!

 

[Haley R]

Finished at beaches and cream and now I’m laying in bed at POR before our dinner here. Dh went on a run because he’s had so much sugar today lol. He was bouncing off the walls.

We got quite a few good maternity pictures today and are doing the rest at MK tomorrow

 

[IFlossU]

I have 1 night booked at Swan with 40k points for this Fall. I need to book 2 more nights with cash. Booking directly with Marriott is $30 more than booking a package through Disney. I don’t have a Marriott card, I have Gold status, and I don’t have a need for Marriott points right now. Is there any reason I should book directly with Marriott? Would it be easier to link my cash reservation to my points reservation? Or should I just book with Disney? Any thoughts?

 

[smmco]

You can't really say what the mortality rate is at the beginning of an outbreak. You test the people who get really sick at the beginning and not the people who also got sick but stayed at home. Now there is fear, more people go to the doctor to get tested and then you'll eventually start seeing a more accurate rate.

That’s if we ever start testing people. All winter my hospital has had numerous pneumonia and acute respiratory distress patients that test negative for the flu, but we’ve never tested for CV. I figure at some point the hospitals in the US will have the ability to test everyone with symptoms. I don‘t think the numbers are accurate.

 

[smmco]

Sam’s club was also bonkers today! So many people, way more than usual. Just got home, but I may have to go back out because I forgot to get my free beer. Free Stella Artois anyone?!

How do you get free beer?

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

How do you get free beer?

There’s a rebate on Stella through today.

 

[Shoshannah]

It's good to get everyones viewpoint.

I think a certain level of fear is what is causing me to follow the CDC and all the other written reports. I'm certainly not crippled by fear, but I found myself spending a few extra seconds to wash hands more thoroughly, to use the stinky soap that I hate in public bathrooms, and to try to get through doors etc without as much contact as usual during my recent Disney trip. And, my trips are not being canceled here in the US. But - I would probably not consider international travel at this time to any of the level 3 or even level 2 countries.

While getting on Haunted Mansion the CM didn't have time to make the usual announcements to get up close and too personal with fellow riders. We sort of did a quick walkthrough as it was not busy. I was thankful for that as I don't like to be smushed up with people.

But, back to your post - do you think the rate is accurate for the many victims we are hearing about in China, particularly at the epicenter? Or that there are many unreported cases that would actually make it much lower?

I think it is always wise to use caution and do the extra hand washing and keeping your hands away from you face and such! I hate how Disney squishes everyone together. They especially did it at rope drop for Pandora and Hollywood Studios last month...we were packed in like sardines.

I think there would have been a LOT of unreported cases in China. Think about it here even...there are so many people I know right now that are sick and haven't gone to the doctors. My daughter just even went Thursday night since she's been sick and had a sore throat for over a week. They tested her for strep, but nothing else.

I know this is the budget board but below this is what WHO has said about it. I'm NOT saying this shouldn't be taken seriously though.

"The World Health Organization (WHO) had mentioned 2% as a mortality rate estimate in a press conference on Wednesday, January 29 [1][2] and again on February 10. However, on January 29 WHO specified that this is a very early and provisional estimate that may change. Surveillance is increasing, within China but also globally, but at the time:

1. We don't know how many were infected ("When you look at how many people have died, you need to look at how many people where infected, and right now we don't know that number. So it is early to put a percentage on that."[1][2]).
2. The only number currently known is how many people have died out of those who have been reported to the WHO.
3. It is therefore very early to make any conclusive statements about what the overall mortality rate will be for the novel coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization [1][2]."

 

[Judique]

I think it is always wise to use caution and do the extra hand washing and keeping your hands away from you face and such! I hate how Disney squishes everyone together. They especially did it at rope drop for Pandora and Hollywood Studios last month...we were packed in like sardines.

I think there would have been a LOT of unreported cases in China. Think about it here even...there are so many people I know right now that are sick and haven't gone to the doctors. My daughter just even went Thursday night since she's been sick and had a sore throat for over a week. They tested her for strep, but nothing else.

I know this is the budget board but below this is what WHO has said about it. I'm NOT saying this shouldn't be taken seriously though.

"The World Health Organization (WHO) had mentioned 2% as a mortality rate estimate in a press conference on Wednesday, January 29 [1][2] and again on February 10. However, on January 29 WHO specified that this is a very early and provisional estimate that may change. Surveillance is increasing, within China but also globally, but at the time:

1. We don't know how many were infected ("When you look at how many people have died, you need to look at how many people where infected, and right now we don't know that number. So it is early to put a percentage on that."[1][2]).
2. The only number currently known is how many people have died out of those who have been reported to the WHO.
3. It is therefore very early to make any conclusive statements about what the overall mortality rate will be for the novel coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization [1][2]."

I'm going to say the whole issue is pretty relevant to this thread as here we 'love' credit cards mostly to earn points and bonuses for travel.

Now after all the work that has gone into preparing for trips, especially international trips to Japan, China, Australia, plus all the European trips, and cruises, all costing a small fortune, with the spread of this virus, our Dis friends here have to consider whether they will actually go, get canceled out, buy insurance - maybe more than they originally intended, and many more roadblocks that are popping up.

There is even some talk of the Olympics being canceled.

Plus, we have to keep up the momentum here! We may not have any huge credit card news recently other than some approvals for some lucky individuals, but something always pops up. If there is nothing to read on the thread even it could fade into the background. We've even resorted to discussing pop tarts at times.

 

[stitchfan18]

I didn't realize that I could switch my companion for my CP until I got the card and info booklet from SW a couple weeks ago. DH and I both have our CP and have our DD's as companions. We are flying as a whole family in May (booked) and September (will book on the 12th,) and DH and I have a trip without the kids planned in August. DH and I are booked for our August trip on SW travel credits, so I was going to cancel his ticket now and rebook on points to save his place until I switch him to my companion after our May trip. I want to use DH's travel credit toward our September trip so it doesn't expire. I am planning to book DD with points on our September flight just to save her spots. Does this plan sound right? Since this is my first time with CP, I just want make sure I under stand switching companions before I cancel and rebook DH's August tickets.

 

[amcc]

The university I work for cancelled all university travel to Italy including study abroad and is giving anyone over there a week to come back. They will then self isolate for 14 days. Study abroad is such a great experience for these students and I hate that it is being tainted by this.

 

[disfanforlife]

I didn't realize that I could switch my companion for my CP until I got the card and info booklet from SW a couple weeks ago. DH and I both have our CP and have our DD's as companions. We are flying as a whole family in May (booked) and September (will book on the 12th,) and DH and I have a trip without the kids planned in August. DH and I are booked for our August trip on SW travel credits, so I was going to cancel his ticket now and rebook on points to save his place until I switch him to my companion after our May trip. I want to use DH's travel credit toward our September trip so it doesn't expire. I am planning to book DD with points on our September flight just to save her spots. Does this plan sound right? Since this is my first time with CP, I just want make sure I under stand switching companions before I cancel and rebook DH's August tickets.

You can change your companion up to 3 times per year I believe, so yes, it sounds good!

 

[afan]

The first US casualty has happened, same county as me but I'm in the south and they were in the north. There's also a nursing facility that may have an outbreak, they are waiting for the rest results and the CDC to come in after 2 people have confirmed cases, one a resident and the other a healthcare worker there. Has also put a fire dept station on quarantine because they didn't know what was happening when they were called to the facility. I think it's this type of thing that is why people are worried in the US and preparing.

The store had plenty of bread and paper products. Bath & Body Works had plenty of hand sanitizer. Still not concerned but it's a bit worrisome about the first responders though I imagine that there's already been info passed out to 911 operators, dispatchers etc to make sure the right questions are asked and answers given to prepare them, just hoping they are given the items they need to stay safe.

 

[AmyAnne]

The university I work for cancelled all university travel to Italy including study abroad and is giving anyone over there a week to come back. They will then self isolate for 14 days. Study abroad is such a great experience for these students and I hate that it is being tainted by this.

Agreed. But also so glad none of my kids is in China right now; between three of them, there were five years in a row when one of them was in China for some part of the year.

I went to Staples to get one last fee-free Visa and noticed that the store had a huge display of hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes at the very front of the store. Pretty full and marked down (but still over-priced considering that most everything in Staples is over-priced).

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

The university I work for cancelled all university travel to Italy including study abroad and is giving anyone over there a week to come back. They will then self isolate for 14 days. Study abroad is such a great experience for these students and I hate that it is being tainted by this.

DD will be in Vienna this summer interning at a European law institute. I hope there won't be any disruption.

 

[needsomesun]

Been gone all week so skipping through posts. Went on a cruise, then spent today at DHS. Had a great day. It seemed really busy, people everywhere, but we were able to do everything we wanted to. Arrived 1 hr before opening. Didn't bring a bag because I wanted to speed through the gates. However, there was zero line at bag check when we arrived so if you're a bag person, don't worry about it. Thanks to my 14 yr old, we were in boarding group 27. I couldn't get the "join boarding group" to refresh at all. DH was on it, but slowly trying to check off everyone in our party. Meanwhile, DS was on and got us in immediately. We went over to Smugglers first, which said 90 min wait. We waited about 40 mins. We were called for RotR at 8:48am. Went about an hour later. Ride was fantastic, this coming from someone who is not a star wars fan. Unfortunately, it broke down towards the end of our ride and they escorted us out. Fortunately, they gave us a fastpass and we did it again later. Boys each built a light saber, which was a ridiculous price (birthday presents), but they loved it. And blue and green milk is disgusting. That's it for now.

 

[tink1970]

Planning my trip to Hawaii for Jan 2021. Flights are now open for my outbound dates. Trying to pick AA flights. I'll be going CMH - DFW - OGG or HNL. Is there a big difference between a 777-200 and a 787-9 first class seats? They are both lie flat. Not sure if I should worry about one vs the other or just pick where I want to go first (Oahu vs Maui).

I always look up flights and seat configuration on seatgurudotcom- sometimes planes change but it’s a good starting point to get an idea if one plane type is preferred to another

 

[mmmears]

I always look up flights and seat configuration on seatgurudotcom- sometimes planes change but it’s a good starting point to get an idea if one plane type is preferred to another

I do the same. I also look at youtube sometimes, because if I'm lucky enough to find a recent video of the plane that also helps me figure out if there's a marked difference.