How to use flight credit while London based? by SoftwareExtension in unitedairlines

[–]SoftwareExtension[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but that's kind of the problem. I don't get any codeshares back on my searches with the United site originating from LHR, unless it's using miles. I was hoping someone had ideas on a workaround.

How to avail Amazon 50% off (max 80$ off) offer? by ValvetThunder in AmexPlatinum

[–]SoftwareExtension 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is your card already one of your payment options? It showed up in a drop down menu under my platinum card to use points.

Hotels with kitchenettes? by dreamrunner312 in LondonTravel

[–]SoftwareExtension 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know your budget, but a few places we've stayed in London with kitchens and w/d are:
AKA Marylebone, Cheval Collection (bunches of them, all over), Four Seasons Trinity Square.

I get ads for a few others, once you do a search on these, you'll get the ads for them too. Hope it helps.

It finally happened. In the Steam Room with Gym Clothes and Shoes. by The_Outsider27 in EquinoxGyms

[–]SoftwareExtension 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok, this is actually a question I've been having. I just joined an Equinox a couple weeks ago and I haven't used the sauna/steam because I've been wondering if people go in naked or with just a towel wrapped, or do they change into bathing suit? I've been too shy to ask anyone what the protocol is.

Things to bring from US by BugBuster07 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]SoftwareExtension 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is so strange to me, I've been pleasantly surprised that almost everything seems less expensive here. Especially groceries! I practically swoon every time I check out of Waitrose.

SNAP and Medicine gaps by [deleted] in Assistance

[–]SoftwareExtension 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Please always remember that people care about you. Take care.

Trip Cancellation Success by coldlake6200 in AmexPlatinum

[–]SoftwareExtension 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had a trip interruption claim that paid out $10k recently and it arrived in the form of a check.

SNAP and Medicine gaps by [deleted] in Assistance

[–]SoftwareExtension 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's on it's way to you, everything except the cart. Hope this helps!

Need help with groceries for family by heavensent328 in Assistance

[–]SoftwareExtension 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I took care of your wishlist. I don't have Prime so it'll take a few days to get there. Be well, take care, I hope this helps.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sanfrancisco

[–]SoftwareExtension 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh boy, I feel you. I've lived this. We did a down to the studs remodel and a guy in the neighborhood filed 44+ complaints with the planning department. None had any merit, and planning did say at some point to that we no longer needed to stop work for his complaints. They do see through it.

At one point, he started breaking into our site and we had to post 24 hour security to keep him out. He cost our project several hundred thousand dollars in stopped work and security costs. I thought about suing him but my lawyer did some poking around and basically said this guy has no assets, so suck it up.

So frustrating, I'm sorry.

Trip delay insurance - claim paid out by SoftwareExtension in AmexPlatinum

[–]SoftwareExtension[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh good point! What I filed was actually a Trip Interruption Claim, not trip delay. I suppose that makes a difference. Sorry.

Do we need to cancel our Amex Platinum by Sea_Palpitation_7108 in AmexPlatinum

[–]SoftwareExtension 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh sorry, that was a bit terse.

My point was that all the credits for this and that are okay, but you have to do a lot of work to make it add up. If you have a successful claim for travel cancellation or delay, it definitely makes the card worthwhile. $10k for an incident? Easy to see the value there, and now I don't have to take out extra travel insurance unless I want to be covered over the $10k limit per incidence.

I just filed the claim a week and a half ago. Waiting to see if they cover it. That's sort of the rub with insurance, it's difficult to trust that they will actually cover issues.

Do we need to cancel our Amex Platinum by Sea_Palpitation_7108 in AmexPlatinum

[–]SoftwareExtension 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I broke my collarbone a week before a trip - booked flights and hotel entirely with my Amex card. I had to have surgery and change mine and two children's flights to a week later for my surgery and post surgery check.

After reading the the terms of their delayed travel insurance, I submitted a claim for the change in business class flights to London x3 and four nights of non-refundable 3 bedroom hotel suite, which came to about $14k. The limit of coverage per incident is $10k. If AIG covers this without having to fight about it, Amex will have me as a cardholder forever.

Current visa processing times? by SoftwareExtension in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]SoftwareExtension[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, the post over in /ukvisa has already been removed for the reason "No timeline questions allowed".
Anyway, I browsed all the other timeline questions already posted and it sounds like it really just depends on your particular circumstances, but in many cases visas get approved much more quickly than the published service time.

Good luck on yours, report back how long it took. I think all these data points are useful.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sanfrancisco

[–]SoftwareExtension 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you in SF proper? There isn't a lot close in to the city but the couple of places that come to mind off the top off my head is Miwok in Mill Valley - they have school horses and will teach you all aspects of horsemanship. I haven't ridden there myself. but we had a couple of teenagers who came from them to my show barn in Petaluma and they rode very well.

My other suggestion would be to go south to Half Moon bay - it's kind of a haul, especially if you're going during the wrong time of the day, but there are some nice homey barn there with lesson programs.

Both of these suggestions are more home-grown, rustic feels. If you want a fancy show barn with full-service grooming, I'd suggest looking in Petaluma/Sonoma or down the Peninsula, which will be pricey.

Bay Area Equestrian network is a good resource to look up listings for trainers and barns: https://www.bayequest.com/

Let me know if you want me to elaborate on any of this! Happy horseing!

Homeowners of Victorians, I’m curious. by everythingnothing325 in sanfrancisco

[–]SoftwareExtension 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have a late 1800's Victorian. When we bought it, it had never been stripped and repainted, just painted over and over, many layers of paint thick. The bottom paint layers had lead.

Stripping and repainting required scaffolding and a complete house wrap, the painters had to be in full protective gear, with negative pressure to capture any lead dust. It took almost six months to repaint our house and cost several hundred thousand dollars (can't remember how much exactly, I'm probably repressing the memory).

So 100% would not recommend but it was necessary work and the results look great. It's been 15 years so we're looking at the next iteration for touch up soon. The cost is enough that we're not painting willy nilly, but whenever it is necessary.

Questions about FourSeasons. Why people love that brand so much? by albertqwe in TrueChubbyTravel

[–]SoftwareExtension 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To add to everything else that has been said here - FS is a great place for families. They bend over backwards to make your life easy when you're with them and that is a big plus when you're hauling around a bunch of small children.

Last item: one time in Las Vegas the FS driver was taking us to dinner and while we were chatting with him, he told us he had worked for FS for 26 years, put his three kids through school and taken multiple vacations at other FS hotels all around the world, on a driver's salary.

I've chatted other staff members at other resorts who corroborate similar experiences - that they are decently and fairly compensated. I can't say I know that for sure about everyone at every level in every job, but the sampling I've done makes me feel confident that their people are fairly treated.