The Goat Pen

airfare is what is holding me back

I was looking at $5K in airfare alone planning in advance

I dunno if its the most efficient use of a credit card, vs having some kind of cash back card or whatever, but basically I've just had an airline sponsored credit card for years, starting with Continental and then United that I basically pay for everything on to get the miles rather than use a checking account debit card. So in the last 5 years Ive paid for flights to Denver, Miami, London (x2), and New York (x2) for only a total of about $750 maybe between the airline taxes you still have to pay and the annual card fees for that period of time.

Probably get about $1,900 in travel credit from Chase Sapphire Reserve each year since they give triple points on dining entertainment travel. A lot of it is business travel so it's gravy to me.

I'm with Rat, I have no desire to tour Europe. Never been there and will probably only go to England one time so the kids can see some EPL games.

On a side note, to show how old I'm getting, the Mrs is dragging me down to Florida in two weeks to scout retirement condos...I am not a beach person, but she is so insistent on this, I may have to concede. Hoping something comes up while we're down there to discourage her from wanting to move there.

eCat wrote:airfare is what is holding me back

I was looking at $5K in airfare alone planning in advance

try norwegian

aTm wrote:I dunno if its the most efficient use of a credit card, vs having some kind of cash back card or whatever, but basically I've just had an airline sponsored credit card for years, starting with Continental and then United that I basically pay for everything on to get the miles rather than use a checking account debit card. So in the last 5 years Ive paid for flights to Denver, Miami, London (x2), and New York (x2) for only a total of about $750 maybe between the airline taxes you still have to pay and the annual card fees for that period of time.

I figured you to be a Magnises guy instead of some boring airline card.

Always assume the most boring option possible...

With you we always do

sardis wrote:Probably get about $1,900 in travel credit from Chase Sapphire Reserve each year since they give triple points on dining entertainment travel. A lot of it is business travel so it's gravy to me.

I'm with Rat, I have no desire to tour Europe. Never been there and will probably only go to England one time so the kids can see some EPL games.

On a side note, to show how old I'm getting, the Mrs is dragging me down to Florida in two weeks to scout retirement condos...I am not a beach person, but she is so insistent on this, I may have to concede. Hoping something comes up while we're down there to discourage her from wanting to move there.

You will love the beach life. Once it becomes normal every day living you will never forget me.

See what I did there? Now when he goes to the beach he will always think of me. I crack myself up sometimes. Bluecat is still looking for his hotel key.

wife and I booked an alaskan cruise tonight for next year.

I have some airline miles saved up so I think I can swing us some delta tickets on the cheap.

Leaves out of Seattle. Think we might go a day early and tour the feces lined streets of that great American Sanctuary city.

just got back from a Norwegian cruise to the Caribbean. hurricane still has tortola and st Thomas screwed up
first cruise now the wife says that we will be cruise people

crashcourse wrote:just got back from a Norwegian cruise to the Caribbean. hurricane still has tortola and st Thomas screwed up
first cruise now the wife says that we will be cruise people

took the kids on Disney cruises when they were young, then took the extended family on a cheap carnival cruise 5 or 6 years ago

It took that long to make me forget how bad I hated it. I've had some fun money stashed aside for awhile. Was planning on buying a motorcycle eventually but I think I'm past that in life, so I'll put it toward the cruise.

Cruises are ok. Watch out for the shrimp omelets.

I don't think I could stand a cruise. When I'm on vacation, I'm trying to get away from other people, not be crammed in with them. We always rent a car wherever we go so we can find a secluded beach or some out of the way beach bar with few patrons, or just to drive around and check things out...

my experience has been cruises are great for about 3 days - then you've seen , eaten and participated in everything you've cared to.

This was a bucket list thing for my wife, and to be honest I'd like to say I've seen Alaska too

For spring break next year we're renting a car and driving down small towns that are along the Mississippi -Tunica, Vicksburg, Natchez - stopping at whatever catches our eye, ending up in New Orleans and then doubling back up thru Tuscaloosa. That's a red roof inn kinda vacation.

Speaking of getting to out of the way places, this weekend we are hiking Lake Vesuvius - about 2.5 hours away in Appalachia country.

Actually I would consider an Alaskan cruise, that would probably be cool (no pun intended), but no interest in Caribbean or any other tropical cruise...

Are you going to camp at Vesuvius or stay at a hotel/cabin?

hedge wrote:Are you going to camp at Vesuvius or stay at a hotel/cabin?

no its just a day trip. You can get to Appalachia here in less than 3 hours.

They have a nice 7 or so mile loop around the lake. We hike it and carry a bag with us to pick up trash people leave behind so its a thing we do before the weather gets too hot

We choose places 2 or 3 hours out because I'm bored with all the stuff locally - and its a cheap weekend activity.

"We hike it and carry a bag with us to pick up trash people leave behind"

That's a good deed, Woodsy Owl...

hedge wrote:"We hike it and carry a bag with us to pick up trash people leave behind"

That's a good deed, Woodsy Owl...

Boy Scouts got me started doing that. I feel good about doing it, but mostly I'm mad at people who don't understand leave no trace.

eCat = disgruntled do-gooder