I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[palhockeymomof2]

I always ask for a match via chat after I set up my online account.

Thanks...do you wait until after the MSR is met ?

 

[GlamMistress]

Opinions, friends: is it worthwhile to spend $15k on the Hilton Ascend for the free weekend night? I can always use another free night somewhere. Wondering who else does this here as part of a spending strategy.

 

[speedyfishy]

Thanks...do you wait until after the MSR is met ?

I have asked before I put any spend on the card.

 

[speedyfishy]

Opinions, friends: is it worthwhile to spend $15k on the Hilton Ascend for the free weekend night? I can always use another free night somewhere. Wondering who else does this here as part of a spending strategy.

Do you MS? I feel like you could hit a lot of MSR for 15k but MSing 15k isn’t hard for me so when I get this card I plan to do it. I’m MSing the 15k on the Hyatt card for a free night.

 

[GZanta77]

Opinions, friends: is it worthwhile to spend $15k on the Hilton Ascend for the free weekend night? I can always use another free night somewhere. Wondering who else does this here as part of a spending strategy.

I wouldn't, but it depends on your situation. $15k spend would cover MSRs on 4 - 5 new cards - let's say an average SUB value of $700 - that could be $3500 in value. You are unlikely to get that from a Hilton Free night.

If however, you are precluded from opening new cards, or you have excess spend that outpaces your ability to open new cards - then you might consider it, but even then there may be better options depending on which cards you hold. That said, going for the free night would likely yield 2 free nights due to the Hilton miles you will accumulate on the spend. I guess you could get $1000+ value from this strategy.

 

[GlamMistress]

Do you MS? I feel like you could hit a lot of MSR for 15k but MSing 15k isn’t hard for me so when I get this card I plan to do it. I’m MSing the 15k on the Hyatt card for a free night.

I don't but I considered it for this - I will say the value for MS comes in at $40k spend because then you become a Diamond. That unlocks another night.

 

[GlamMistress]

...you have excess spend that outpaces your ability to open new cards -

This is generally my problem. I've one of the older churners here. I don't necessarily mean in age. I mean in terms of how long I've been at this hobby. So all the restrictions hit me pretty hard. So I am essentially resetting and giving myself long breaks in between cards so I can get new ones. At least having spend challenges gives me something to focus on in between.

I do think you can get outsized value from Hilton but you have to be careful - but there are certainly great deals left. I just looked at a weekend night in Puerto Rico. One of the hotels wants nearly $700 for a Sat. night stay. To me, that's a good use of a cert!

 

[speedyfishy]

I don't but I considered it for this - I will say the value for MS comes in at $40k spend because then you become a Diamond. That unlocks another night.

It really depends. Personally for me I can MS 15k in 4.5 hours. (An hour and a half for for three days and I typically do it when I have other errands to run) also, the cost of MS is small for me because of GCM and ebates. So I’d definitely do the 15k but your situation maybe different. For the 40k I’d have to do the math again and see how much I’d use the diamond perks.

 

[speedyfishy]

So all the restrictions hit me pretty hard. So I am essentially resetting and giving myself long breaks in between cards so I can get new ones. At least having spend challenges gives me something to focus on in between.

This is something that I am also hitting a wall with too. I’m trying to focus on more MS for category bonuses instead of MS for MSR. I basically can only get Citi cards right now and lower tier cards like PNC and TD. I may also go for a BMO Harris $200 bonus.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Shhhh don’t tell @disneymagicgirl

It really did make me sad for a second.
I've never not gotten an instant approval on a personal app...just chase biz apps.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I know, sorry! I hesitated to celebrate.

Celebrate away! And congrats!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Oh, man, how annoying! Why do the portals hate us having Disney?

I guess you have to look at it as still free disney hotels, even if the value isn't great...free is free. So if there is no other use for x miles for someone, then it is still an easy way to get free...for now...and also slow the roll, like you said.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Looking at my business cards they all close 6 days after the due so maybe it will close today

It closed at midnight I guess b/c the points are now there!!! Whoohooo!!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

My CIP 2 has a payment due date of 5/21 and just closed. 101k URs in my account!

me too! Yay for us!!!

 

[Natgridenergy]

Oh, man, how annoying! Why do the portals hate us having Disney?

I guess you have to look at it as still free disney hotels, even if the value isn't great...free is free. So if there is no other use for AA miles for someone, then it is still an easy way to get free...for now...and also slow the roll, like you said.

This is exactly how I am looking at it. If Citi wants to hand out AA miles like candy, I will gladly accept and spend them on free Disney hotels. I am staying at BC in November for free for signing up for a couple of credit cards. I'm happy with that.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Hmm yes, definitely something to consider. Our rooms have always been ready early at BC. I don’t think we’ve ever waited past 1:00. But poly has been a different story. Not only is not usually ready early but I can almost guarantee it won’t be what we requested and I have to go see if they can accommodate us.

Has this been anyone else's experience as well? I know I can't count on a room being ready early at all, but just curious if poly has a trend. I had to shuffle our trip by a day to accommodate hockey tryouts. We went from amazing flights to a 5am arrival and a 9pm departure. Uggh. Anyways, I'm worried about getting up at 3am and not having a room til 4pm, so I am considering paying 2x as many points for a later flight on arrival day. If I thought there was a decent chance of getting the room closer to lunch time we'd just stick with the cheap flights and look forward to nap time.

 

[wendow]

Has this been anyone else's experience as well? I know I can't count on a room being ready early at all, but just curious if poly has a trend. I had to shuffle our trip by a day to accommodate hockey tryouts. We went from amazing flights to a 5am arrival and a 9pm departure. Uggh. Anyways, I'm worried about getting up at 3am and not having a room til 4pm, so I am considering paying 2x as many points for a later flight on arrival day. If I thought there was a decent chance of getting the room closer to lunch time we'd just stick with the cheap flights and look forward to nap time.

We’ve only stayed there twice and had it happen both times but I made building requests and one time, we needed connecting. I’m pretty sure one year they could accommodate us early if we dropped the building requests or were willing to not connect. If you are only needing one room, I’m sure that will help.

ETA: I also remember one of our trips that the resort was 100% sold out.

 

[nickle831]

LOL Okay I have changed up my strategy. It's funny how quickly it changes as I consider what trips we may take in the next couple of years.
I am 3/24 with one dropping off in July. (CSP, BofA, Best Buy)
I am working on my first Amex Bonvoy business card with the $5000 spend. I'm almost done with this one, but it stressed me worrying about hitting such a high spend, so I won't be doing the MDD when I sign P2 up this summer for CSP with my support link.

My new plan for P1 is:
IHG premier for at least the 80,000 sign up. I may or may not hit the $5000 in 6 months depending on what other cards I'm working on, but I'm not to worried about that part. Going to apply this weekend since it expires on May 1st. This will put me at 4/24. I like the hotel cards with the annual free night.

Then the Citibiz spend $2000 40,000 pts/$250 statement credit with the possible match. Julyish time frame. Wanting to get on the GrAAvy Train. Keeping fingers crossed it doesn't go away. (This card and the IHG card they don't have to have any certain time frame between the apps correct? When I finish spend for IHG, I can go for the Citibiz correct?)

Then in August/Sept I'm going to go for one of the Chase business cards. Not sure which one yet.

That should keep me busy.

P2
Is it frowned on if I refer him to Bonvoy for the 20,000 pts, but not go for the spend on that card. We'll just use it occasionally throughout the year to keep the Amex Gods happy, and the Marriott free night will be useful next year. I'm still debating this one since the AF has gone up.

June-CSP with my support link

Oct-Chase business (support from whichever one I go for)

 

[afan]

May not matter but just a heads up. There's a link to our thread in today's Dis newsletter. They link to 10 threads everyday and I'm guessing just use metrics of what's busy. I didn't think it'd get put out there cause of the topic but it's there.

Welcome to anyone that found us via the newsletter!

 

[Lain]

My new plan for P1 is:
IHG premier for at least the 80,000 sign up. I may or may not hit the $5000 in 6 months depending on what other cards I'm working on, but I'm not to worried about that part. Going to apply this weekend since it expires on May 1st. This will put me at 4/24. I like the hotel cards with the annual free night.

P2
Is it frowned on if I refer him to Bonvoy for the 20,000 pts, but not go for the spend on that card. We'll just use it occasionally throughout the year to keep the Amex Gods happy, and the Marriott free night will be useful next year. I'm still debating this one since the AF has gone up.

1. Remember to sign up using the link posted on DoC for the additional $50 statement credit.

2. No. The card issuers are probably hoping their new customer acquisitions don’t hit the MSR to get the SUBs. Just keep in mind that Amex wants to see regular spend on their cards in order to keep approving you for more cards with bonuses.