u/Avoocado_Toasty

I will be in Bangkok for a total of 5 days. I want to do a lot of shopping (few outfits, souvenirs, makeup, shows, decor etc), both in large malls, markets and boutiques. Seems like most places do accept credit card, except maybe the stalls in the market. Is $2k USD converted to Thai baht reasonable? Perhaps a tiny bit more, $3k? Then the rest I can cover through card?

I plan to obtain the bhat here at my local bank and bring it over.

Thank you!

Hi,

I hope this is within the rules, I’m not asking for TA recommendations per se, but trying to understand how I can better research one. Reading through multiple posts, it seems that the relationship a TA has with a hotel is extremely important, not simply that they are a high volume TA and region is important. So for example, someone who specializes in Europe might not have the same connections to hotels in Asia. Is there a way to find a TA with great connections to hotels in the country I’m interested in? I am heading to Bangkok and interested in the FS. There are many FSPP TAs, but how do I find the right one for me?

Looking at a 2 night stay in Bangkok in 3 weeks. Both hotels are next to each other, but do they share property access? Which would you recommend? We are a couple attending a wedding in Bangkok. Should we book through a TA? It might help for FS upgrades. Thanks for the advice!

Had a 4 night trip at the end of May. Played mostly craps with an average bet of $150 and bet for dealers every roll. Played about 6-7 hours per day. Lost $7k for the trip. This is double my usual play.

In July offers went from discounted weekend rooms ($100-200/night) $100RC/$50FP to barely discounted rooms weekends $300-400/night and occasional comped weekdays and $50RC. Basically maybe 20% off per night compared to nonmember rates. I have always mainly played craps with minimal slots and BJ.

During the may trip I also paid $6k for sky suites and 2k for regular room for my friends, couple k on food and did not ask for any comps. Can someone help me understand the drop in offers? Honestly I would be happy with free base rooms.

Shifting some play to V/P this upcoming trip as they still give me free suites even on weekends.

I am platinum status (half of points are from MGM CC though)

I posted this on a finance sub, but they suggested I post this here.

My husband (37M) and I (37F) are considering having a child via surrogate.

He wants a kid ASAP while I on the fence, leaning towards no. Mainly because I feel I would not be able to manage my career and lose my financial and personal freedom. I also don't have this maternal desire that most have.

I am a subspecialty surgeon and finished 8 years of post medical school training 2.5 years ago. I am very invested in what I do and spent my 20's and most of my 30's in medical school, residency and fellowship.

I did not save/spend much during residency so I am trying to catch up and aggressively save for our retirement/future/home. I also have more free time compared to before so we can take trips together and enjoy life a little more.

I am unable to carry a baby, so our next option is surrogacy which will cost $250-300k based on a few meetings I have had with agencies and research. I do have eggs frozen from years ago.

Anyway, financially it’s a huge hit. Basically all of our liquid savings. That and it’s not guaranteed to have a healthy baby. I think the biggest issue is that I would be happy with a child-free life. He would not. Before we got married I was open to children via surrogate, but the uncertainty of having a health baby, difficulty with surrogacy matching and financial constraints are tough.

My main issues are these:

1. We have a big gap in finances. I make 7-8x him. I cannot leave my job and devote my life to a child. Both for selfish (worked hard to get here) and money reasons (be able to afford a good life for my family).

2. He says he will be the primary caretaker. But I haven't seen much good effort. For example, Regarding surrogacy, I have done 99% of the research, meetings with agencies, speaking to other people who have undergone surrogacy, egg freezing, genetic testing etc. so far. He wants to try, but he either doesn't have the bandwidth or medical knowledge to do it correctly. For example, he was supposed to fill out an intake form for an agency and told them I do not have eggs frozen and will need to undergo it. He was present for my entire cycle and even drove me to and from the egg retreival appointment when I did have my eggs frozen. I guess he...forgot?! Anyway I had to get that form back and fill it out properly.

3. I would be happy being child-free. He has always known this, but it was my fault giving him hope with the idea of surrogacy. I was open it it - but for the reasons above I am very hesitant. Plus, as the female/mom, a lot of the childcare will still fall on me. There is evidence behind this.

I know it is unfair for him. I suggested couples therapy and if he really wanted a kid over our marriage, then we would have to get divorced. He is weighing is options currently.

Thanks for any advice.

My husband and I are considering having a child via surrogate. We are both 37.

He wants a kid ASAP while I am not 100% in and would like to enjoy the rest of my 30’s first.

I am a subspecialty surgeon and finished 8 years of post medical school training almost 3 years ago.

I did not save much during residency so our investments are at 250k, retirement 350k and have 150k in the bank account. My income is 700k and his is 100k. We rent.

Surrogacy will cost 300k-350k. Those 150k-200k numbers that are published omit a lot of expenses. Not interested in surrogates outside the US.

Anyway, financially it’s a huge hit. Basically all of our liquid savings. That and it’s not guaranteed to have a healthy baby. I am not physically capable of carrying. I think the biggest issue is that I would be happy with a child-free life. He would not.

But if we were to go thru with it, is it unreasonable to enjoy the rest of my 30s since I just recently started making real money then consider a child in my 40s? That would allow me to save a bigger nest egg so we don’t wipe out our savings. Anyone with older parents? Or had kids later in life?

Thanks.

I am planning my birthday in Vegas this November and would like to book a table at Omnia nightclub.

Who is the best person to contact? From reading here - a promoter who works directly for them. Do I call the club and ask for a name? Otherwise there are some active on social media, but they are probably independent promoters and I’m not sure how much authority they have for tables.

I would like to get a table close to the front and there are quite a few tables going for the same price but location is hit or miss.

Thank you! 🙏

Hi everyone, appreciate the clarification on this.

If I book an Home Away From Home hotel for end of August before June 30, am I correct in thinking it will not use the Jan-June hotel credit because there is no way to prepay? At checkout there was note that the credits will be applied to my statement after my stay. Since that will trigger in August, then it will use my July-December credit?

Is there anyway to just prepay for the hotel? There is no option on the Bilt travel platform.

Thanks!

I am trying to convince my husband to go both weekends next year. Arrive Friday and leave Sunday the next week. That way we could go to more sets and actually explore EDC and go to more than 3 stages. Also I love the city itself, the great food, entertainment and gambling, which I can do midweek.

It will be an expensive trip though for a 9-10 day hotel stay. Time to save up now! 😬