u/bostunyee

I’m flying Boston (BOS) → London Heathrow (LHR) → Istanbul (IST) on one British Airways booking.

My first flight, BA212 BOS-LHR, was delayed (4 hr), which means I can no longer make my original connection BA700 LHR-IST.

Original itinerary:

• BA212: BOS → LHR
• BA700: LHR 09:00 → IST 15:00

BA has now rebooked my second leg to:

• BA718: LHR 12:50 → IST 18:55

So my scheduled arrival in Istanbul changes from 15:00 to 18:55, which is 3h55m later.

Assuming I actually arrive around 18:55, would I be entitled to any UK261 compensation? Would this be £260 because it is under 4 hours, and £520 if the actual arrival/door-opening time ends up being 19:00 or later?

I’m flying Boston (BOS) → London Heathrow (LHR) → Istanbul (IST) on one British Airways booking.

My first flight, BA212 BOS-LHR, was delayed several times (4hr 15 min), which means I can no longer make my original connection BA700 LHR-IST.

Original itinerary:

• BA212: BOS → LHR
• BA700: LHR 09:00 → IST 15:00

BA has now rebooked my second leg to:

• BA718: LHR 12:50 → IST 18:55

So my scheduled arrival in Istanbul changes from 15:00 to 18:55, which is 3h55m later.

Assuming I actually arrive around 18:55, would I be entitled to any UK261 compensation? Would this be £260 because it is under 4 hours, and £520 if the actual arrival/door-opening time ends up being 19:00 or later?

We’re a nonprofit that hosts an annual gala in a hotel ballroom. Every year, the hotel’s AV package adds at least $5,000, so we’re considering buying our own sound system and reusing it every year.

We already own one JBL PartyBox and were thinking about buying 3–4 more, but I’m wondering if it would make more sense to invest in an actual PA system instead.

Ideally, we want something fairly simple:

• 4 speakers around the ballroom
• Music from one laptop/phone
• 1–2 wireless microphones for speeches
• Everything connected to one mixer/source so all speakers play the same audio
• Easy enough for volunteers to set up and use once a year

Would multiple JBL PartyBoxes work for this, or would you recommend powered PA speakers + a small mixer instead? What setup would you recommend? Thank you!

We’re a nonprofit that hosts an annual gala in a hotel ballroom. Every year, the hotel’s AV package adds at least $5,000, so we’re considering buying our own sound system and reusing it every year.

We already own one JBL PartyBox and were thinking about buying 3–4 more, but I’m wondering if it would make more sense to invest in an actual PA system instead.

Ideally, we want something fairly simple:

• 4 speakers around the ballroom
• Music from one laptop/phone
• 1–2 wireless microphones for speeches
• Everything connected to one mixer/source so all speakers play the same audio
• Easy enough for volunteers to set up and use once a year

Would multiple JBL PartyBoxes work for this, or would you recommend powered PA speakers + a small mixer instead. What setup would you recommend?

I fly around 50–60 times a year for work, mostly in business class. I initially chose United because my home country’s airline is also in Star Alliance, but MileagePlus hasn’t felt very rewarding so far.

I’m open to switching airlines or alliances. Which airline loyalty program would you recommend for earning both useful miles and valuable elite status?

I travel for work and take around 50–60 flights per year. I try to fly United because my home country’s airline (Turkish Airlines) is part of Star Alliance.

However, earning United miles and status still feels very slow. Does anyone have advice on the best strategy for earning both MileagePlus miles and Premier status?

So far in 2026, I’ve reached:

• Premier Silver
• 33,446 miles (14k from Mileplay challange)
• 14 PQF
• 4,476 PQP

I recently started investing in ETFs, mainly VOO and QQQM, and I’m currently down about 7% after the recent market drops.

I’m investing for the long term, so I’m not planning to panic sell. However, I’m curious how others approach buying during downturns. Do you continue investing the same amount regularly, increase your contributions when the market drops, or keep some cash and wait?

I’d also appreciate any thoughts on holding both VOO and QQQM.

Hi! I’m a Northeastern student and part of a nonprofit organization. I found a conference room in Ryder Hall that fits 10 people. Would I be allowed to reserve it for a small meeting if the other attendees are not Northeastern students? Are outside guests allowed, and how does the check-in process work? Thanks!

Our meeting date/time is Sunday 9am-11am (once a month)

We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit looking for a free space to hold an in-person meeting once a month. We’re usually no more than 10 people and only need a quiet room for about 1–2 hours.

Does anyone know of libraries, community centers, universities, or other organizations in the Boston/Cambridge area that offer free meeting rooms to nonprofits?

Hi everyone,

My STEM OPT biometrics appointment is at 8:00 AM (when the ASC opens).

Besides the appointment notice and my passport/ID, is there anything else I should bring? Also, how long does the appointment usually take? If I'm first in line, is it realistic to be done by 8:30 AM?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I applied for STEM OPT and received a biometrics appointment for this Friday.

What documents should I bring besides the appointment notice and my passport/ID? Also, what is the appointment process like and about how long does it usually take?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I just received my USCIS biometrics appointment notice, but unfortunately the appointment date falls during a required work trip that I can't easily change.

I saw that USCIS allows biometrics appointments to be rescheduled if you request it before the appointment and have good cause. Has anyone here gone through this process?

• Was it difficult to reschedule?
• How long did it take to get a new appointment?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

My H-1B has already been approved (change of status effective October 1), and I'm currently on initial OPT, which ends on July 7. I also have my Cap-Gap I-20.

Would there be any downside to applying for STEM OPT as a backup, just in case? Could having both a Cap-Gap extension and a pending/approved STEM OPT application cause any issues?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm currently on F-1 OPT. My initial OPT ends on July 7, and my H-1B change of status has already been approved with an effective date of October 1.

I recently received my Cap-Gap I-20 extending my work authorization until H-1B starts.

Last time I went to the Massachusetts RMV, I couldn't get a REAL ID because my I-20 was valid for less than one year.

Has anyone in Massachusetts successfully obtained or renewed a REAL ID using a Cap-Gap I-20? Or will I need to wait until October 1?

I'd rather not carry my passport every time I fly domestically if I can avoid it.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm currently on F-1 OPT. My initial OPT ends on July 7, and my H-1B change of status has already been approved with an effective date of October 1.

I recently received my Cap-Gap I-20 extending my work authorization until H-1B starts.

Last time I went to the Massachusetts RMV, I couldn't get a REAL ID because my I-20 was valid for less than one year.

Has anyone in Massachusetts successfully obtained or renewed a REAL ID using a Cap-Gap I-20? Or will I need to wait until October 1?

I'd rather not carry my passport every time I fly domestically if I can avoid it.

Thanks!

My initial OPT EAD expires on July 8, 2026, and my H-1B change of status has already been approved with an October 1, 2026 start date.

I recently received a cap-gap I-20 after my DSO submitted a SEVIS data-fix request. Before the fix, my OPT end date was July 8, 2026. After the fix, my I-20 now shows my post-completion OPT end date as April 1, 2027, and my STEM OPT recommendation starts on April 2, 2027.

My understanding is that the April 2027 date is related to the cap-gap correction and not a normal OPT extension.

I am planning to apply for STEM OPT only as a backup, since my H-1B is already approved. As far as I know, STEM OPT and H-1B are separate processes.

In this situation, do I still need to file my STEM OPT application before my original OPT EAD expiration date (July 8, 2026), or can I rely on the updated April 2027 date shown on the I-20?

Has anyone had a similar cap-gap data-fix that changed their OPT dates? Any issues with STEM OPT filing or USCIS processing afterward?

Has anyone dealt with a Lyft phone number ownership issue?

I'm trying to create a Lyft rider account using my phone number, but Lyft keeps telling me:

>

The problem is that this is my phone number, and I cannot create a new account because the number is already attached to someone else's Lyft account (possibly a driver account from a previous owner of the number).

I've tried contacting Lyft support by email and phone, but I keep getting generic responses and no resolution.

Has anyone successfully gotten Lyft to remove their phone number from another person's account? If so, what was the fastest way to reach someone who could actually fix it?

Thanks!

I'm in East Boston near the waterfront and have a strong sewer smell coming from both bathrooms, especially after rain.

The landlord sent a plumber who checked the toilet and sink plumbing but couldn't find anything wrong. The smell still comes and goes - sometimes it's gone for a few days, then comes back very strongly.

My upstairs neighbor says they don't have this issue. Also, the smell seems limited to the two bathrooms, not other rooms in the apartment.

Has anyone in East Boston experienced this? Any idea what could cause it or how it was fixed?

Hi all,

My spouse and I filed our federal tax return as Married Filing Jointly and mailed the paper return to the IRS on April 10, 2026.

It's now been over 2 months, but when I check my IRS account and "Where's My Refund?", there's still no sign that the return has been received or processed.

Is this normal for paper-filed returns this year? How long did it take for yours to show up in the IRS system?

I'm not too worried about the refund timing itself - I just want to know whether it's common for a paper return to not appear at all after this long, or if I should contact the IRS.

Thanks!

Selling 1 Category 1 ticket for Turkey vs Paraguay at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

📍 Section 120, Row 6, Seat 19
💰 Face value: $900 (selling at cost)
🎟️ Mobile transfer available

DM if interested.

https://preview.redd.it/jsn6h5c94k7h1.png?width=1636&format=png&auto=webp&s=56095b2f35d4c4862245717416ef8e3fc840a404