u/nehpets4627

Some background... I used to travel domestically for work 1-2 times per month and internationally 1-2 times per year from 2006 to 2019. That went away in 2020, a job change had me down to 3-4 times per year from 2022-2025, and a promotion (plus backfilling while I build out my team) in early 2025 now has me back to regional (car) travel 1-2 times per month, domestic air travel 6-10 times per year, and international (only Europe) once a year.

After my most recent trip, I decided my general travel kit could use some upgrades. This was mostly spurred on by my Travel Pro Platinum 7 20" 2-wheel banging every armrest in DL economy as I tried to thread the needle of the aisle (that I swear is narrower now, even though the seats are narrower too).

Over COVID, I got really into thrifting. I don't need to because of income, but I enjoy the hunt. So, with that mindset, I decided to see just how far I could stretch $200 to upgrade as much of my travel kit as possible. None of this gear NEEDS to be replaced; all is functional, and most show little to no wear. Some items are showing their age in terms of features/technology, no longer fit my style, or I could just afford a major upgrade thanks to thrifting. So after 4 nights of idle evening hotel time, this is what I scrounged up... I came in about $50 under budget, but I'm still looking for a few things with less urgency (toiletry bag) and may need a few replacement parts (headphone ear cups, maybe battery).

Carry-on / Roll-aboard: $80 (eBay)
Level 8 Luminous (replacing Travel Pro Platinum 7 2-wheel)
The armrest knocking that spurred this whole exercise had me looking for a 4-wheel spinner bag. The only time I had tried one in the past was a cheap American Tourister circa-2010, and that sufficiently turned me off to them (mostly tipping when going from smooth to carpeted surfaces) to keep me away for 15 years. My priorities were light but not flimsy, good wheels, and a solid handle. After rabbit-holing for a few days, I settled on the Level 8 Luminous, mostly for the handle. I wanted Hinomoto wheels and liked the price/features of the Quince, but its handle looked to have more flex than I'd want to put up with. I found a very lightly used grey model on eBay and ended up winning it for $80 shipped. If I'd been more patient, I probably could have done better on a higher-end name-brand bag at ShopGoodwill or a local Goodwill (though it seems the good stuff is all going to the website these days) if I'd been more patient. I may keep looking for something nicer, a hybrid or soft-side with a laptop compartment, and give this one to my girlfriend for our Europe trip next spring.
Briefcase: $30 (ShopGoodwill)
Tumi Alpha 2 Medium Briefcase (replacing Travel Pro Crew 9 Briefcase)
This one probably needed to be replaced the most... a good bit of freying and in need of a good once-over with a lighter after every trip, but my main gripe was the fold-out design. It was a gift ~2012... I wouldn't have picked it for myself. I'd always wanted a Tumi or B&R and could never justify the price, new or even used at eBay prices... but I found a VERY good-condition Tumi Alpha 2 Medium Briefcase. I knew I didn't want an expandable model to keep thickness down, and I wanted a pre-Samsonite-acquisition design (not sure about the manufacture date; could be either). The bag shows very minor signs of carrying, but the shoulder strap is still inside, wrapped in paper. The branded luggage tag is missing, but that's around $15 if I decide it's even worth replacing.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: $33 (ShopGoodwill)
Sony WH-1000XM4 (replacing Anker Soundcore Q30)
My Soundcore Q30s probably didn't need to be replaced immediately. Their Active NC performance is great; they're comfortable with minimal pressurization and in fine condition. Their only shortcoming is that battery life has dipped to only 4-5 hours on a full charge... plenty for domestic trips IF I remember to charge them at my destination, marginal for flights to Europe. I considered a used pair of Q45s I saw on eBay for $31, but I instead picked up a pair of black Sony WH-1000XM4s for $22 from ShopGoodwill. I went this route because they should be better overall quality to begin with, and (more so) replacement parts are readily available along with plenty of repair instructions/walkthroughs... It's a good thing too, because these came with aftermarket ear memory gel ear cups that feel amazing and stay cool, but are in a hideous blue/grey/black geometric pattern that I'm not sure I can stomach in the long term.
Bag Tracking: $0 (Amazon Vine)
Knock-off AirTags (replacing Panic when I leave my bag at TSA)
I picked up a 4-pack of knock-off AirTags (work with Apple FindMy, but no distance/direction when you get close) several months ago... I tested one of them, and it lives in my firing range bag, but the other three sat in my desk drawer until now. Two are card-style and can be wirelessly charged, and two are more akin to a Tile in form factor with replaceable coin cells... so not as compact/discrete as actual AirTags, but it's hard to beat free.
Charger/Cable Pouch: $10 (Facebook Marketplace)
Tumi by Delta Amenity Kit Pouch (replacing Eagle Creek Pack-It Pouch S)
This one was completely superfluous... mostly because I know I have one of these in a drawer or bag somewhere from a flight to India several years back, but also because I have a perfectly functional Eagle Creek Pack-It Pouch Small... but sometimes you just want things to match. I found someone (likely current/former Delta employee) selling these on FBM for $5 pouch-only and $10 for full kits. He let me have 3x pouch-only for $10, so now I have spares that can also get lost in a drawer/bag at home.
Toiletry Bag: $0 (Eagle Creek Lifetime Warranty)
Eagle Creek Pack-It QuickTrip S (replacing Eagle Creek Pack-it Cosmo)
I'm going to keep an eye out to replace this with a Tumi of some sort, but I remembered Eagle Creek's lifetime warranty and my Pack-It Cosmo had worn through about 30% of the waterproof liner inside the mesh and had a small (1/4" or so) tear in the bottom... so I filed a warranty repair request, submitted pictures, and they just replaced it with a current model Pack-It Quick Trip S. It's a bit smaller and less compliant, but it will do the job while I look for a deal on something else... or for another decade if the last one is to go by.
Travel Shoes: $8 (ShopGoodwill)
Johnston & Murphy Cort 2.0 Perf (replacing Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Wingtips)
I've been a Cole Haan ZERØGRAND guy for quite a while now, mostly after I walked CES for 3 days in a pair of leather-sole J&Ms, and my feet have never hurt as much. But I've decided to save the ZERØGRANDs for trade show use because the soles compress and wear pretty quickly, and I'd like to get more than a year out of my latest pair. I found a great pair of J&M Cort 2.0 Perfs in Tan Full Grain at a local Goodwill for $8, and I can't tell they're not brand new... the soles still have the shine of a new pair, and the new-leather smell is still there too. I have a bad feeling these will become my regular non-sneaker shoes, so they may not stay travel-specific.

Some background... I used to travel domestically for work 1-2 times per month and internationally 1-2 times per year from 2006 to 2019. That went away in 2020, a job change had me down to 3-4 times per year from 2022-2025, and a promotion (plus backfilling while I build out my team) in early 2025 now has me back to regional (car) travel 1-2 times per month, domestic air travel 6-10 times per year, and international (only Europe) once a year.

After my most recent trip, I decided my general travel kit could use some upgrades. This was mostly spurred on by my Travel Pro Platinum 7 20" 2-wheel banging every armrest in DL economy as I tried to thread the needle of the aisle (that I swear is narrower now, even though the seats are narrower too).

Over COVID, I got really into thrifting. I don't need to because of income, but I enjoy the hunt. So, with that mindset, I decided to see just how far I could stretch $200 to upgrade as much of my travel kit as possible. None of this gear NEEDS to be replaced; all is functional, and most show little to no wear. Some items are showing their age in terms of features/technology, no longer fit my style, or I could just afford a major upgrade thanks to thrifting. So after 4 nights of idle evening hotel time, this is what I scrounged up... I came in about $50 under budget, but I'm still looking for a few things with less urgency (toiletry bag) and may need a few replacement parts (headphone ear cups, maybe battery).

Carry-on / Roll-aboard: $80 (eBay) Level 8 Luminous (replacing Travel Pro Platinum 7 2-wheel)
The armrest knocking that spurred this whole exercise had me looking for a 4-wheel spinner bag. The only time I had tried one in the past was a cheap American Tourister circa-2010, and that sufficiently turned me off to them (mostly tipping when going from smooth to carpeted surfaces) to keep me away for 15 years. My priorities were light but not flimsy, good wheels, and a solid handle. After rabbit-holing for a few days, I settled on the Level 8 Luminous, mostly for the handle. I wanted Hinomoto wheels and liked the price/features of the Quince, but its handle looked to have more flex than I'd want to put up with. I found a very lightly used grey model on eBay and ended up winning it for $80 shipped. If I'd been more patient, I probably could have done better on a higher-end name-brand bag at ShopGoodwill or a local Goodwill (though it seems the good stuff is all going to the website these days) if I'd been more patient. I may keep looking for something nicer, a hybrid or soft-side with a laptop compartment, and give this one to my girlfriend for our Europe trip next spring.
Briefcase: $30 (ShopGoodwill) Tumi Alpha 2 Medium Briefcase (replacing Travel Pro Crew 9 Briefcase)
This one probably needed to be replaced the most... a good bit of freying and in need of a good once-over with a lighter after every trip, but my main gripe was the fold-out design. It was a gift ~2012... I wouldn't have picked it for myself. I'd always wanted a Tumi or B&R and could never justify the price, new or even used at eBay prices... but I found a VERY good-condition Tumi Alpha 2 Medium Briefcase. I knew I didn't want an expandable model to keep thickness down, and I wanted a pre-Samsonite-acquisition design (not sure about the manufacture date; could be either). The bag shows very minor signs of carrying, but the shoulder strap is still inside, wrapped in paper. The branded luggage tag is missing, but that's around $15 if I decide it's even worth replacing.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: $33 (ShopGoodwill) Sony WH-1000XM4 (replacing Anker Soundcore Q30)
My Soundcore Q30s probably didn't need to be replaced immediately. Their Active NC performance is great; they're comfortable with minimal pressurization and in fine condition. Their only shortcoming is that battery life has dipped to only 4-5 hours on a full charge... plenty for domestic trips IF I remember to charge them at my destination, marginal for flights to Europe. I considered a used pair of Q45s I saw on eBay for $31, but I instead picked up a pair of black Sony WH-1000XM4s for $22 from ShopGoodwill. I went this route because they should be better overall quality to begin with, and (more so) replacement parts are readily available along with plenty of repair instructions/walkthroughs... It's a good thing too, because these came with aftermarket ear memory gel ear cups that feel amazing and stay cool, but are in a hideous blue/grey/black geometric pattern that I'm not sure I can stomach in the long term.
**Bag Tracking: $0 (Amazon Vine)**Knock-off AirTags (replacing Panic when I leave my bag at TSA)
I picked up a 4-pack of knock-off AirTags (work with Apple FindMy, but no distance/direction when you get close) several months ago... I tested one of them, and it lives in my firing range bag, but the other three sat in my desk drawer until now. Two are card-style and can be wirelessly charged, and two are more akin to a Tile in form factor with replaceable coin cells... so not as compact/discrete as actual AirTags, but it's hard to beat free.
Charger/Cable Pouch: $10 (Facebook Marketplace) Tumi by Delta Amenity Kit Pouch (replacing Eagle Creek Pack-It Pouch S)
This one was completely superfluous... mostly because I know I have one of these in a drawer or bag somewhere from a flight to India several years back, but also because I have a perfectly functional Eagle Creek Pack-It Pouch Small... but sometimes you just want things to match. I found someone (likely current/former Delta employee) selling these on FBM for $5 pouch-only and $10 for full kits. He let me have 3x pouch-only for $10, so now I have spares that can also get lost in a drawer/bag at home.
**Toiletry Bag: $0 (Eagle Creek Lifetime Warranty)**Eagle Creek Pack-It QuickTrip S (replacing Eagle Creek Pack-it Cosmo)
I'm going to keep an eye out to replace this with a Tumi of some sort, but I remembered Eagle Creek's lifetime warranty and my Pack-It Cosmo had worn through about 30% of the waterproof liner inside the mesh and had a small (1/4" or so) tear in the bottom... so I filed a warranty repair request, submitted pictures, and they just replaced it with a current model Pack-It Quick Trip S. It's a bit smaller and less compliant, but it will do the job while I look for a deal on something else... or for another decade if the last one is to go by.
Travel Shoes: $8 (ShopGoodwill) Johnston & Murphy Cort 2.0 Perf (replacing Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Wingtips)
I've been a Cole Haan ZERØGRAND guy for quite a while now, mostly after I walked CES for 3 days in a pair of leather-sole J&Ms, and my feet have never hurt as much. But I've decided to save the ZERØGRANDs for trade show use because the soles compress and wear pretty quickly, and I'd like to get more than a year out of my latest pair. I found a great pair of J&M Cort 2.0 Perfs in Tan Full Grain at a local Goodwill for $8, and I can't tell they're not brand new... the soles still have the shine of a new pair, and the new-leather smell is still there too. I have a bad feeling these will become my regular non-sneaker shoes, so they may not stay travel-specific.

I just rolled the dice on the 11,200 mile new internet signup with Xfinity through C1 Offers. I did a screen recording of the entire process if/when it doesn't track/post correctly. Installation is on 05/26, so the 40-day requirement will be met on 07/05. I assume the 90-day waiting period starts then, so I suppose I won't have any recourse if it doesn't post until around 10/02.

Fingers crossed...

I just rolled the dice on the 11,200 mile new internet signup with Xfinity through C1 Offers. I did a screen recording of the entire process if/when it doesn't track/post correctly. Installation is on 05/26, so the 40-day requirement will be met on 07/05. I assume the 90-day waiting period starts then, so I suppose I won't have any recourse if it doesn't post until around 10/02.

Fingers crossed...

I just rolled the dice on the 11,200 mile new internet signup with Xfinity through C1 Offers. I did a screen recording of the entire process if/when it doesn't track/post correctly. Installation is on 05/26, so the 40-day requirement will be met on 07/05. I assume the 90-day waiting period starts then, so I suppose I won't have any recourse if it doesn't post until around 10/02.

Fingers crossed...

Has anyone that purchased an iPhone 17e on the $300 off + $300 bill credits offer started getting their $25/mo credits yet?

I purchased on March 30 with the offer active. I paid first month at $65 and second month at $60 with AutoPay.

What are the odds the credit hit on/before my third payment coming up on May 28?

TLDR: Will Total unlock a phone for international travel to a non-International-Roaming country prior to the 365-day unlock period?

I picked up the iPhone 17e on the $300 discount/$300 bill credit offer when it was first released. I have some international travel coming up at the end of the year (about 3 months before I clear the 365-day unlock requirement) to the UK (not covered under the included International Roaming). Will Total / Verizon Value unlock my phone for use on a short-term eSIM (probably Lyca) for this travel?

Worst case, I still have my unlocked iPhone 13 from the free-with-3-months offer around a year ago that I then ported to US Mobile and have used on both Warp and Dark Star (so I know it's successfully unlocked)... but I'd prefer to use my current phone if possible.

Thoughts?

I've had a handful of C1 Offers fixed-miles in-store offers get paid out as cash-back statement credits on VX. These were spend-$10-get-1000-miles type offers for in-store purchases from QT, Dollar General, etc. I've had other similar offers post correctly to my awards/miles balance. Offers were activated with the VX selected in Offers and showed as Miles offers.

Has anyone seen this before, have any idea why it happens, and/or how to ensure they post correctly as Miles? I probably won't pursue correction for these, but I'd prefer future similar offers post as Miles since I have a redemtion plan that will result in much more than $0.01/mile redemption rate, especially since I'm about to do the 11,200 Miles offer for Xfinity internet.

I've had a handful of C1 Offers fixed-miles in-store offers get paid out as cash-back statement credits on VX. These were spend-$10-get-1000-miles type offers for in-store purchases from QT, Dollar General, etc. I've had other similar offers post correctly to my awards/miles balance. Offers were activated with the VX selected in Offers and showed as Miles offers.

Has anyone seen this before, have any idea why it happens, and/or how to ensure they post correctly as Miles? I probably won't pursue correction for these, but I'd prefer future similar offers post as Miles since I have a redemtion plan that will result in much more than $0.01/mile redemption rate, especially since I'm about to do the 11,200 Miles offer for Xfinity internet.

I've had a handful of C1 Offers fixed-miles in-store offers get paid out as cash-back statement credits on VX. These were spend-$10-get-1000-miles type offers for in-store purchases from QT, Dollar General, etc. I've had other similar offers post correctly to my awards/miles balance. Offers were activated with the VX selected in Offers and showed as Miles offers.

Has anyone seen this before, have any idea why it happens, and/or how to ensure they post correctly as Miles? I probably won't pursue correction for these, but I'd prefer future similar offers post as Miles since I have a redemtion plan that will result in much more than $0.01/mile redemption rate, especially since I'm about to do the 11,200 Miles offer for Xfinity internet.

Has anyone used C1 Offers for Xfinity Internet activation? Did it track correctly, and how long did it take?

I'm considering switching back after quite a few years on ATT Fiber because of price creep and no retention offers.

Has anyone used C1 Offers for Xfinity Internet activation? Did it track correctly, and how long did it take?

I'm considering switching back after quite a few years on ATT Fiber because of price creep and no retention offers.

Has anyone used C1 Offers for Xfinity Internet activation? Did it track correctly, and how long did it take?

I'm considering switching back after quite a few years on ATT Fiber because of price creep and no retention offers.

How long do C1 Offers In-Store offers take to track/post? I'm new to using/tracking C1 offers, and I'm just getting a feel for how often and how much I need to monitor things. In-store offers seem to be the most opaque to track.

Straight-forwards question... is the suggested 7-day CLI request done 7-days from approval, or 7-days from physical card activation?

How many billing cycles do you need to keep Paramount+ for the C1 Offers bonus to post properly? I assume the trial plus one paid cycle? Right now I'm seeing 1600 miles, which, at one paid month at $8.99, would be almost 200x and, worst case, $16 at 1cpm.

I'm trying to use the Hilton 5x offer from C1 Offers. When clicking through from C1 Offers, it takes me to the main Hilton website. As soon as I enter a location and check-in/check-out date, the site opens a new tab. As soon as I select a property, it opens another new tab. The terms on C1 Offers say the transaction must be completed within the window opened by clicking through from C1 Offers.

Is the website's inherent behaviour of opening a new tab each step of the way going to cause an issue? Does anyone have a data point of a C1 Offers Hilton bonus posting correctly despite the website behaviour?

Just learning the ropes here...

Does anyone see a standout merchant on Offers for a Macbook purchase? I haven't decided between a Neo or an M4 Air. Both price and rewards are being considered... I'm leaning towards a refurb M4 Air direct from Apple, but a good Offers reward might skew me towards the Neo.

I'm seeing 4x eBay, 3x Best Buy (Apple excluded), and the usual 2x at a handful of others (Walmart (Apple Excluded), Target (both Apple and Home Electronics excluded), Apple [though the Neo is a listed exclusion]).

Alternatively, does anyone know if jumping from Offers to Apple and then into the Education store (which opens in a new tab) will still qualify for the Offers 2x?

Thanks in advance!