Chase Sapphire Reserve question(s)

[GPC0321]

I know these are answered in the big "I love Credit Cards" thread, but I can't find them. I'm contemplating the CSR, but I have questions.

1. Will making deposits into a Disney Vacation Account with the CSR count as "travel" and trigger the $300 travel credit?

2. If I apply for this card (and hopefully get approved) in late November or early December, will I be able to use the $300 travel credit this year and then turn around and get another one in 2017?

3. My flights and hotel are taken care of already. Park tickets will be paid for with the 100,000 sign-up bonus points ($1,000 cash back, correct?). How else can I use the $600 of travel credit if the DVA deposits don't code as "travel"?

4. Can I product change this card to a Freedom Unlimited after a year? I don't travel enough or eat out enough to justify keeping it with that high fee, but the sign-up bonus is too tempting with a trip coming next year.

5. I've been a Chase cardholder for about 25 years. I have excellent credit in the 785-805 range, and I always pay my bills. I've opened three credit cards just this past month (SW Premiere and Disney with Chase, and a Sam's Club Mastercard). I pay my balances in full before or at my statement's release. Do I stand a decent chance of getting approved? I'm worried about the three cards in such a short time, but hopefully my responsible payment of those cards proves I'm not a risk?

I think that's all of my questions for now! Thanks in advance!

 

[Albort]

1) im not familiar with DVA but it seems like a lot of data point in the "I Love Credit Cards" show that it does trigger the $300 travel credit.(dont quote me)

2) Yes, if you apply this year, u will have $300 travel credit + $300 travel credit for next year.

3) using ur UR points to pay for your ticket works, u can either redeem cash into your bank account, or pay for the ticket and use statement credit. These are usually not a good idea, the redemption rate is at a standard $.01 per point. Its best to redeem them for travel. If DVA doesnt code as travel, there are a few datapoints on buying gc from airlines and such. ill have to look that up...

The following items have been reimbursed:

• Airline purchases, fees & gift cards
• Delta eGift Cards
• Hyatt G.C.
• Hotels
• Uber, Lyft
• Transit fees such as MTA, FastTrac, Metrocard, etc.
• Parking meters: Chicago; Portland, OR; San Francisco
• E-Z Pass, Sunpass prepaid tolls
• Way2Ride taxi fares
• RiverLink tolls
• Disney Vacation account funding
• Royal Caribbean drink package
• AA e-gift certificate
• Airbnb
• hotels.com
• Cruise bookings

The following items have NOT posted as travel/been reimbursed:

• e-gift card from Airline, except Delta Please list specifics.
• AAA membership
• Alaska Airline e-gift cards
• Points.com (Southwest)
• Not all parking meters - Michigan State University (MSU Police Dept. 1x)
• Walt Disney tickets directly from Disney.com
• Vacation Rental by Owner/HomeAway

4) yes u can. I just changed my CSP to Freedom Unlimited just a week ago. you can also try for a Regular Freedom if u already have one.

5) You should be fine. If not, you can always ask why you were declined via recon and they may be able to change whatever needs to change and approve u for the card.

 

[GPC0321]

Thanks, Albort! I'm kind of excited about the DVA working!

If my figuring is correct, the CSR will pay for our park and MVMCP tickets AND reimburse my annual fee:
Our total for park and MVMCP tickets should come to around $1140. What I plan to do is deposit $300 into the DVA this year (and get the $300 credit), and $300 next year (another credit) for a total of $600 in the DVA. Then I'll put $550 of the $1,000 cash back into the DVA which would equal $1150 in the DVA, just enough to cover our park/MVMCP tickets! And the remaining $450 from the cash back reimburses me for the annual fee!
It seems too good to be true!

Regarding #5 and getting approved, I wonder if asking them to lower my Freedom's limit would be wise? It's about twice what it needs to be (actually, it could be less than that). Would that improve my odds of getting approved, or at least a good bargaining tool if I need to call them?

 

[Albort]

Regarding #5 and getting approved, I wonder if asking them to lower my Freedom's limit would be wise? It's about twice what it needs to be (actually, it could be less than that). Would that improve my odds of getting approved, or at least a good bargaining tool if I need to call them?

If your denied because of too much credit, u can call recon and have them move credit around, then get approved with Recon right there and then. At least thats what DP show.

Also, dont forget to apply for Global Entry or TSA precheck. That will expedite u through security. Its also included in your CSR benefits and hence knocking your AP down by another $100. :]

 

[tinker&belle]

So if I applied for this card could we pay $300 toward an already booked cruise in October (cruise is in 1 year so just pay toward the payoff) and then pay another $300 toward same cruise in January and have it reimbursered? So we would net $150 after the yearly fee from that plus get a free TSA check for 5 years plus 100K rewards????

 

[GPC0321]

using ur UR points to pay for your ticket works, u can either redeem cash into your bank account, or pay for the ticket and use statement credit.

And do I understand this correctly? If I use the CSR to make two $300 deposits (2016 and 2017) into the DVA, they code as "travel" and I get reimbursed for them. Do I also get 3X points for those spends since they are travel? So I get 900 points for each deposit for a total of 1800? Is that right???
And rather than using the 100,000 as cash back, I guess it makes more sense to use it as statement credit. That way I use the CSR to deposit the remaining $550 into DVA, get 3X points (1650) for that, and can pay it and my annual fee back by crediting the full $1,000 back to the card.
And with the $4,000 minimum spend, that's another 4,000 points. So....1800+1650+4000=7450 points = $74.50! That's enough for my Vera Bradley Mini Hipster when I get there! LOL!

Oh, I want this card!

 

[Traveling on cc points]

Please please don't redeem UR points for cash back, it actually hurts my heart a little when people do this. You can transfer your 100,000 points (or how ever many you need) to a participating airline to cover your flights but put your tickets and incidentals on your credit card to earn more points and save the rest of your points for a future trip.
I have the reserve and so many things count towards travel. Uber, train tickets, parking at the airport. I don't think most people will have a hard time hitting the $300 a year with everyday spend but if your close by the end of the year buy a gift card directly from your airline or hotel of choice.

 

[GPC0321]

Please please don't redeem UR points for cash back, it actually hurts my heart a little when people do this. You can transfer your 100,000 points (or how ever many you need) to a participating airline to cover your flights but put your tickets and incidentals on your credit card to earn more points and save the rest of your points for a future trip.
I have the reserve and so many things count towards travel. Uber, train tickets, parking at the airport. I don't think most people will have a hard time hitting the $300 a year with everyday spend but if your close by the end of the year buy a gift card directly from your airline or hotel of choice.

The thing is, my flights are already paid for via my Southwest Premier's sign-up bonus (or soon to be). And we're renting points from a DVC owner for our stay (already paid half of that), so that's taken care of as well. My goal is to get the Disney park and MVMCP tickets paid for, and this card can do that if I use the 100,000 points as statement credit or cash back. It may not be the best use of those points for some, but it is for me at this time.
The card will be product changed to a Freedom Unlimited after I've had it a year, because I just don't travel enough to justify keeping a card like this with the annual fee, etc. But if I can get approved and make use of the awesome sign-up bonus and travel credits to pay for our tickets, I'm definitely going to try.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

The thing is, my flights are already paid for via my Southwest Premier's sign-up bonus (or soon to be). And we're renting points from a DVC owner for our stay (already paid half of that), so that's taken care of as well. My goal is to get the Disney park and MVMCP tickets paid for, and this card can do that if I use the 100,000 points as statement credit or cash back. It may not be the best use of those points for some, but it is for me at this time.
The card will be product changed to a Freedom Unlimited after I've had it a year, because I just don't travel enough to justify keeping a card like this with the annual fee, etc. But if I can get approved and make use of the awesome sign-up bonus and travel credits to pay for our tickets, I'm definitely going to try.

I understand your predicament, I truly don't want to make it seem like I'm judging your decisions, I just wanted to make sure you understood the value of UR points. I wish I could buy those 100,000 points from you for $1,000 but chase doesn't allow that unfortunately. As long as you are under 5/24 and have a decent credit score you should be approved with no problem. Good luck!!

 

[GPC0321]

I understand your predicament, I truly don't want to make it seem like I'm judging your decisions, I just wanted to make sure you understood the value of UR points. I wish I could buy those 100,000 points from you for $1,000 but chase doesn't allow that unfortunately. As long as you are under 5/24 and have a decent credit score you should be approved with no problem. Good luck!!

I hear ya! Believe me, if I hadn't already gotten the Southwest card and wasn't well on my way to that 50,000 sign-up bonus, I would be doing exactly what you say. And if I could get $.015 per point via UR to somehow purchase Disney park tickets, I'd be all over it, lol!
But I figure I'll be a lucky duck to get approved and get $1150 worth of my trip paid for, plus the annual fee refunded. I totally understand why it makes your head hurt though, lol!

 

[tinker&belle]

Does this card count toward the 5/24?

 

[GPC0321]

Does this card count toward the 5/24?

Yes.

 

[calypso726]

Thanks, Albort! I'm kind of excited about the DVA working!

If my figuring is correct, the CSR will pay for our park and MVMCP tickets AND reimburse my annual fee:
Our total for park and MVMCP tickets should come to around $1140. What I plan to do is deposit $300 into the DVA this year (and get the $300 credit), and $300 next year (another credit) for a total of $600 in the DVA. Then I'll put $550 of the $1,000 cash back into the DVA which would equal $1150 in the DVA, just enough to cover our park/MVMCP tickets! And the remaining $450 from the cash back reimburses me for the annual fee!
It seems too good to be true!

Regarding #5 and getting approved, I wonder if asking them to lower my Freedom's limit would be wise? It's about twice what it needs to be (actually, it could be less than that). Would that improve my odds of getting approved, or at least a good bargaining tool if I need to call them?

Do not lower your credit limit. If they need more credit after you lower it to open the card it will go to a secondary review on the recon call. You are better off using the existing credit and shift it over to open the new card.

So if I applied for this card could we pay $300 toward an already booked cruise in October (cruise is in 1 year so just pay toward the payoff) and then pay another $300 toward same cruise in January and have it reimbursered? So we would net $150 after the yearly fee from that plus get a free TSA check for 5 years plus 100K rewards????

Yes, yes and yes

And do I understand this correctly? If I use the CSR to make two $300 deposits (2016 and 2017) into the DVA, they code as "travel" and I get reimbursed for them. Do I also get 3X points for those spends since they are travel? So I get 900 points for each deposit for a total of 1800? Is that right???
And rather than using the 100,000 as cash back, I guess it makes more sense to use it as statement credit. That way I use the CSR to deposit the remaining $550 into DVA, get 3X points (1650) for that, and can pay it and my annual fee back by crediting the full $1,000 back to the card.
And with the $4,000 minimum spend, that's another 4,000 points. So....1800+1650+4000=7450 points = $74.50! That's enough for my Vera Bradley Mini Hipster when I get there! LOL!

Oh, I want this card!

Yes. If your needs justify the statement credit then it may make the most sense for your circumstances and goals. Personally, I would never, ever use my UR points for a $1,000 statement credit or even for $1500 towards paying for travel. I would much rather transfer 100,000 UR points to an airline partner and convert them to miles so I can book an international flight in first class that prices out at $7,000 - $11,000

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

So if I applied for this card could we pay $300 toward an already booked cruise in October (cruise is in 1 year so just pay toward the payoff) and then pay another $300 toward same cruise in January and have it reimbursered? So we would net $150 after the yearly fee from that plus get a free TSA check for 5 years plus 100K rewards????

Next years $300 would be credited to you on the anniversary date of when you opened the card. So if you opened the card today it would be Oct 2017 that you would get the 2017 $300

As for transfering the 100K points to SWA the total dollar amount for those point would be $1750. It takes 10K points to purchase a $175 ticket so you will gain $1750 in free travel. So you will cheat yourself out of $750 if you take a $1k statement option. So I would do the point transfer to get 75% more out of my credit card deal.

 

[Albort]

Next years $300 would be credited to you on the anniversary date of when you opened the card. So if you opened the card today it would be Oct 2017 that you would get the 2017 $300

I dont think thats how it works. Flyertalk wiki states you can have 2 $300 with one annual fee posting...

$300 Annual Travel Credit: A statement credit will automatically be applied to your account when your card is used for purchases in the travel category, up to $300 in statement credits annually (“annually” means the year beginning with your account open date through the first December statement date of that same year, and each 12 billing cycles starting after your December statement date through the following December statement date).

 

[GPC0321]

Yeah, from Chase's site in the Offer Details section about the CSR:

"Statement credit(s) will post to your account the same day your travel category purchase posts to your account and will appear on your monthly credit card billing statement within 1-2 billing cycles."

 

[calypso726]

Next years $300 would be credited to you on the anniversary date of when you opened the card. So if you opened the card today it would be Oct 2017 that you would get the 2017 $300

The travel statement credit will be received this year (2016) on a $300 travel purchase so long as the travel purchase posts in 2016. Those who wait until December to get the card may be cutting it close. The credit can be received again for travel purchases made Jan. 1 or later of 2017. Many of the other major travel credit cards that offer big statement credits for airline purchases that I know of work the same way: Amex Platinum, Citi Prestige, American Airlines executive card etc.

 

[Alexle2007]

I think I need to apply for this! We just booked a trip to Punta Cana for Christmas and have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked for Spring Break next year and I am sure we will be doing lots more travel. Do I have to use a special link to get 100k bonus?

 

[calypso726]

I think I need to apply for this! We just booked a trip to Punta Cana for Christmas and have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked for Spring Break next year and I am sure we will be doing lots more travel. Do I have to use a special link to get 100k bonus?

No, but if there is a particular blogger that you are following and learning about travel hacking from it is nice to use their link so they get something back. I rotate blogger links for my apps since I follow several of them.

 

[Psychodisney]

If I opened a CS Preferred this year, will I be able to convert it to a Freedom or will I need to wait?