Janice H.

I have dealt with Kohls a lot since Black Friday and have several points to make.
1. I placed several orders online, which if combined right would have resulted in more Kohl's cash. So combine your purchases to maximize the Kohl's Cash. Received two Kohl's orders at my house from UPS or FEDEX, but the truck wasn't identified as either. You can track your online order and the last one said "delivered". Couldn't find that order and called customer service. While speaking to her, noticed that it said "mailbox" - so I ran outside and down the driveway with my cordless phone and voila! There it is in the mailbox. OK - my silly fault. Customer service was polite but if I have a general question, I prefer to call my local store.
2. This is the only place I could find a decent selection of Black Hills Gold and with two discounts, the price was excellent. The Kohls Cash was a bonus. Downside would be if you need a ring sized, it is not included like it would be at a jeweler. You would have to take it to a jeweler to size it and that adds considerably to the cost. I ordered 3 different styles and ended up keeping an inexpensive silver one with gold embellishments. It fit and I liked it the best. Was able to "model" the rings for my husband (without dragging him "kicking and screaming" to the store), select one and return the others to the store easily. I like being able to "model" or compare purchases and ask the opinion of my husband or daughter in the comfort of my home.
3. Black Friday prices are excellent, depending on what you are purchasing, especially with the Kohl's Cash. Ordered online instead of fighting the crowds. However, I wanted to use the $10 Black Friday coupon and went to the store at 1:00 pm, when I expected the crowds to be gone. Wrong! The checkout line wrapped around to the rear of the store and I estimate it would have taken more than an hour in line. Crabby husband waiting in the car, so I gave my coupon to a random stranger, who appeared to be willing to brave the long checkout line. Second time I have tried Black Friday shopping at Kohl's, but think I finally learned my lesson. Was happy with my online bargains.
4. Kohls Cash: Understand the rules before you calculate the final price. The Kohls Cash will be applied first and if there is a balance, any % discounts will be applied to the balance, not the other way around. Used my Kohls Cash to purchase a sweater and shoes for my Grandson. They were on sale and free with my Kohls Cash.
5. For my online orders, I log into UPromise and then Kohls. This gives me an extra discount, which is paid as a separate rebate. UPromise gives discounts on a wide variety of companies, and it's pretty easy to work with. I selected to have them send me my earnings automatically, and they are automatically transferred to my checking account when the earnings reach $10.

I do not elect to have my online shopping earnings deposited into a 529 account. I have chosen to have the earnings automatically transfer to my checking account once I have accumulated $10. Did a lot of online shopping on Black Friday, and there were some excellent discounts and higher than normal upromise earnings. Have been receiving my earnings as promised. If you are getting a special offer by email from a company (eg a vitamin company) double check the final price if going through UPromise and make sure you are getting the same discount. This doesn't seem to be an issue with most stores such as Kohls. A stores Upromise % earnings may fluctuate but they will be clearly stated and some promotions are exceptional. I have earned $279 so far and it has been paid to me. I would have earned more, but I often forget to log in through UPromise.
It's easy to log in; I just forget about it sometimes. Really like the automatic transfer of my earnings.

Had an issue with a double booking and Wyndham Rewards customer service straightened it out and removed the charge. Hotel is very convenient from Paddington Station (where Heathrow Express ends). Decent breakfast is included (often not included in the UK). US visitors, remember to bring your own washcloth (not usually provided in the UK). This hotel fills up quickly and you must book far ahead, especially families. If available, check out Wyndham Reward points for the "go faster" award, which makes their rate a real bargain, especially with the free breakfast. This is a good hotel to use the "go free" award. If you have enough points, you will be getting a good value for your points. If arriving at Heathrow, make your Heathrow Express booking over 90 days ahead and on a weekend for dirt cheap rates and a quick, convenient, comfortable way to arrive at Paddington Station in London. Non air conditioned rooms can be stifling in hot weather. Ask for the 2nd floor at the front of the hotel for better circulation. Very glad I made this reservation for a party of 4, primarily for price and location.

Homeaway worked similarly to airbnb for us to find a lovely home in the UK. This area was very difficult to find a listing that suited our party of 2 Grandparents, 2 Parents and 2 (opposite sex) children. This listing had a good number of reviews, so I trusted that it would not cancel and leave us scrambling for something at the last minute. It was a lovely property in a really small village, but close to the siteseeing, friends and relatives that we wanted to visit. The full kitchen, wonderful shower, washer and dryer and relaxing living room were great. Had no problems and would search Homeaway when looking for another listing. However, I am careful to look for lots of reviews on a property to authenticate the owner's representation of it. I want a listing that doesn't show owner cancellations that make me nervous about their reliability. This was our first experience with Homeaway and it won't be the last.

There is no kiosk at the airport to self print your boarding passes. If they have to print them, they charge 55 pounds each. If you can't get the boarding pass on your phone or have trouble accessing them, find a library where you can pre-print them. No excuses, you will be charged dearly and end up standing in yet another line and eating up the time you need to check in, get through security and get the long distance to your boarding gate.

This is a good hotel with excellent proximity to Paddington Station (& Heathrow Express). Must book early in high season. It can be hot in summer and the location of your room can make a big difference. Good breakfast is included, which is a big bonus for a family of 4. Had a problem when booking online at Wyndham Rewards and attempted to correct this directly with the hotel. They accidentally double booked us which we finally got straightened out with Wyndham, but that is an unusual circumstance. Using Wyndham Reward points for this hotel is an excellent value when there's availability. Made this reservation for my son and he preferred a second floor room at the front of the building (at least in the summer). Americans, bring your own wash cloth. UK motel/hotels generally do not provide them.

The hotel is fine. Just be aware that unless you can figure out the local bus to the Ramada and deal with the location where they stop, you will have to use a local taxi. They do not have a shuttle to the airport. The taxi cost 15 pounds each way for my husband and I, plus tip. Added considerably to the cost of the motel, so factor this in. Like many UK motels, breakfast is not included but there are options close by.

After my latest issue, I would recommend extreme caution if using an Airbnb gift card. After entering my gift card information, it would not apply to my booking. A customer service rep. Said I would have to cancel the booking and rebook. Airbnb has no way that you can track your own gift card usage or balances yourself. Unlike most retailers and services, there is no way to look up your gift card information. Your balances may be eliminated without any compensation and you will have to fight to get this credit back. If you use a gift card and the 1st payment is less than the gift card, you will lose the balance. It cannot be applied to the 2nd payment according to 2 different phone reps. And several different online reps. You must select to pay a balance that is greater than the gift card. Heaven only knows how difficult it is to be credited with a gift card balance in the case of a cancellation by the host, due to weather difficulties or ill health. I have had many good stays through airbnb, sometimes a very good value, but their gift cards are very risky.
One booking was not very clean and had cosmetic issues, but it was such a good value that I felt it was worth doing some cleaning myself.
Check reviews and pay particular attention to past cancellations by the host. In many locations, it would be extremely difficult to find an alternative booking in high season. Sometimes hosts have the property for sale and they will cancel if it is sold. Ask them, especially if it is high season and an in demand location.
The other issue is that the price shown on the location map will vary greatly from in season prices and actual prices for your dates.
Look for lots of reviews to give an overall picture of the acceptability of the property.