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

[Judique]

I was just poking around on the Hotel Republic (Marriott property in San Diego) site, after reading someone's review in a TR. Put in a weekend in January - yes that should be low season, but still it's a Category 6 so they want 100k points for a weekend when cash rates are $180/night before taxes. Talk about #bonvoyed.

Also this hotel is ringing a bell, @Albort have you stayed or talked about it in the past?

haha....I can tell you that points prices in low season make no sense, until you see what Marriott pays the hotel. Then it works for them.

In OC, Md, a category 6 that is $400ish in summer can be $71 in February. Needless to say I only use points or certs if it is XX $$.

 

[janetarn]

Thanks so much for your help! We received an invitation/pre-approval for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card with a $95 annual fee. Travel and restaurants are 2x points. We will receive 60,000 bonus points after 3 months. Is this something we should get? Are there better alternatives?

APPROVED within the last 24 months: 12/18 - BofA Spirit World
Approved PRIOR to the last 24 months: CHASE Disney Premier Rewards (currently used exclusively). We use the rewards towards flights. We receive 2x points for gasoline, grocery stores, restaurants, flights, and Disney. There is a $49 annual fee.

• What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? $3,300/MONTH
• Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month or do you carry any balances/pay any interest? PAY IN FULL
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? DETROIT DTW
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? PROBABLY DELTA
• Does SOUTHWEST service your airport? YES
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? NO
• Do you currently have any travel points in any program? (if so, which programs and how much) DISNEY REWARDS 100. SPIRIT 38,099.
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? (i.e. Disney World Trip, Cruise, European Trip, Cash Back to pay-off a mortgage or student loans, etc. - you can have multiple goals too!) AIRFARE
• Who does your travel party consist of? (Spouse, Kids (& ages), other relatives/friends) ME & SPOUSE, SOMETIMES CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN

 

[Alexle2007]

Gotta love, DH! He just completely changed up the Christmas plans. Thank goodness, I had only booked the one-way return flight. He's now decided we should go BWI-PUJ, spend 6 night in Punta Cana, PUJ-FLL, rent a car go to somewhere in FL, fly home from FL (TBD) to BWI since DS has 2 1/2 weeks off of school. So I have changed our flight home that I had booked and I am going to wait it out a bit to see if prices drop any for the other 2 flights we need.

 

[StephPlum]

I know what you mean. I wanted to apply for another Chase card, but need to wait a week. So now I find myself with a Citi AA card on the way. It just felt so wrong to not have a MSR I'm working on.

Yeah. He just got a citi biz but that is easy to knock out with the mortgage payment.

 

[Alexle2007]

Grrrr...double post.

 

[CoP Luv]

So I am trying to figure out how to make the Amex Plat work better for us. Ever since AA stopped working for GC credits, I am kind of at a loss of what to do. We don't fly SW (too far, and TBH quite expensive - $500 for a flight that was $200 on other airlines) or Delta (also really expensive and always with a stop).

However, I was reading up on using my travel credit (and potentially DH's once he gets his) on Delta GC.

Now, I will fully admit that I am not an avid reader on this thread or other travel hacking sites, but I saw this in the FAQ's:

HOW DO I REDEEM A DELTA GIFT CARD?

• Gift Cards may be redeemed for any Delta-marketed flight worldwide by visiting delta.com or by calling 1-800-221-1212.
• Gift Cards may only be redeemed for the cost of air transportation, including taxes, fees, and surcharges imposed on the air transportation. They may not be used for any additional fees (including baggage fees) or for any other products or services (including upgrades, in-flight purchases, premium seating, mileage booster, SkyMiles Cruises, cargo, hotel stays, or car rentals).
• Gift Cards may now be used toward Delta Vacations® packages

So I searched my dates for WDW and sure enough, a few Disney hotels came up. So can I really book a Delta vacation (air and hotel) and use my Delta GC's from my Amex Plat???

 

[StephPlum]

I had the same issue in February. I was able to get the 1000 points through email, but it took weeks! I sent the inquiry 3/6, and got the points 4/17.

Uggh. Hopefully I can resolve through email quickly but not counting on it.

 

[StephPlum]

I can not find an end date for our status on our Marriott account. But I am pretty sure when we earned status last year it was through February 2020. It doesn't matter when you earn it. So this year would be Feb 2021.

Also, I never received an email about my SPG free night. It was about 6-8 weeks. Is that what you are asking about or Marriott biz? I think we did for the Chase Marriott personal and it was right on anniversary date. I take that back, it seems like I got an email for SPG that said coming soon. But don't think I got one when it actually posted.

Cool on the 2021. That is longer than I thought.

Yeah, I am asking about the SBG biz free night. So just a few more weeks max to wait

 

[ep1229]

Sorta

Carry-on luggage---do you prefer hard- or soft-sided? Why?

Favorites that are international size?

Anyone have an Away regular size carry-on?

The wheels on our current spinners are starting to misbehave. We got the set at Costco before traveling to China w dd just about 5 years ago so they have lots of miles and flights on them! I'd like to get new bags for dh and I before we go to Rome in November and, fingers crossed, India in December.

I like this brand https://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/tls-hybrid-spinner-carry-on/349323?productid=10594711 It's a hybrid (soft & hard) and it's expandable. I've taken it on a few trips and the design is very well thought out.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks so much for your help! We received an invitation/pre-approval for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card with a $95 annual fee. Travel and restaurants are 2x points. We will receive 60,000 bonus points after 3 months. Is this something we should get? Are there better alternatives?

APPROVED within the last 24 months: 12/18 - BofA Spirit World
Approved PRIOR to the last 24 months: CHASE Disney Premier Rewards (currently used exclusively). We use the rewards towards flights. We receive 2x points for gasoline, grocery stores, restaurants, flights, and Disney. There is a $49 annual fee.

• What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? $3,300/MONTH
• Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month or do you carry any balances/pay any interest? PAY IN FULL
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? DETROIT DTW
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? PROBABLY DELTA
• Does SOUTHWEST service your airport? YES
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? NO
• Do you currently have any travel points in any program? (if so, which programs and how much) DISNEY REWARDS 100. SPIRIT 38,099.
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? (i.e. Disney World Trip, Cruise, European Trip, Cash Back to pay-off a mortgage or student loans, etc. - you can have multiple goals too!) AIRFARE
• Who does your travel party consist of? (Spouse, Kids (& ages), other relatives/friends) ME & SPOUSE, SOMETIMES CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN

Welcome ....the Chase Sapphire Preferred CSP offer you saw is a a good one...the 60k UR points is higher than the usual 50k offer

You are in a great place 1/24....if your DH would also open cards, you can accumulate a lot of chase UR points which can be used to book airfare, hotels etc
If you are open to opening Chase business cards....I sell sometimes on eBay and have some...the Chase Ink Preferred CIP bonus is 80k URs..
You will get lots of great advice here

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Thanks so much for your help! We received an invitation/pre-approval for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card with a $95 annual fee. Travel and restaurants are 2x points. We will receive 60,000 bonus points after 3 months. Is this something we should get? Are there better alternatives?

APPROVED within the last 24 months: 12/18 - BofA Spirit World
Approved PRIOR to the last 24 months: CHASE Disney Premier Rewards (currently used exclusively). We use the rewards towards flights. We receive 2x points for gasoline, grocery stores, restaurants, flights, and Disney. There is a $49 annual fee.

• What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? $3,300/MONTH
• Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month or do you carry any balances/pay any interest? PAY IN FULL
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? DETROIT DTW
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? PROBABLY DELTA
• Does SOUTHWEST service your airport? YES
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? NO
• Do you currently have any travel points in any program? (if so, which programs and how much) DISNEY REWARDS 100. SPIRIT 38,099.
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? (i.e. Disney World Trip, Cruise, European Trip, Cash Back to pay-off a mortgage or student loans, etc. - you can have multiple goals too!) AIRFARE
• Who does your travel party consist of? (Spouse, Kids (& ages), other relatives/friends) ME & SPOUSE, SOMETIMES CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN

If you are open to business cards I’d do the CIP since it’s 80k for $5k spend in 3 months. Then if you are in 2 player mode refer your spouse. I also think the links on dischurners are for 60k for the CSP.

 

[ten6mom]

I am ready for CIP #2 for me, ...

Newbie question! When you say this, do you mean you've had the CIP at some point before, and then closed it, and then got one again (with the SUB, of course)?

Thank you!

 

[Lain]

 

[ten6mom]

If you used a DISchurners link - please PM that user and let them know so they can thank you! It's always nice to give back to the community

I did, and I did! Thanks again!

 

[ten6mom]

The only thing I get at Starbucks is a green tea frappacino, no syrup, no whip, with almond milk. This was born out of the fact I can't stand their coffee and I don't like sweet things. (Unless I'm on a cruise and it has alcohol in it!)

Off topic but I am going to try this! I DO like sweet things but I'm always trying to reduce my sugar intake. I like the Matcha but it's already sweetened which is unfortunate. Thanks for the idea!

 

[miztressuz]

Need help with a status question. I am one stay away from gold status on Marriott. If I stay in July, when does that gold end? Next July? At the end of this year? End of next year?

It's like the SW CP, you get it for the rest of the year you earned it and then all of the following year. I think they spill over a bit and it may go as late as Feb 2021 if they keep to previous years. You keep the status perks but only the year you earned the nights counts towards Lifetime status (if you care).

Was checking my Marriott account and I didn’t get credited my 250 points per day where we skipped housekeeping in Colorado Springs. That was 1000 points. Used the missing stay form and put that in the comments. Will see if that works or if I actually have to call them.

Question on free night from the biz card. I think I saw 6-8 weeks DPs on receiving. Does that sound right? I might use on next trip to Seattle in July so hoping it Shows up in next two weeks (which will be 8 ). Does it just show on you activity page or do you get an email? What should I look for?

You'll see it in the Marriott activity page, no email. AmEx is unpredictable, looks like the batched some Feb and Mar anniversaries and we all got them on May 2, so some people had been waiting 9 or 10 weeks and others 6-8. Saw a DP on r/churning someone got theirs today so maybe another batch went out?

 

[Lain]

@ten6mom - you'll want to check your PM on reddit and read the thread about two CIPs with SSN on the subject.

 

[elgerber]

I'm not sure if my question got lost or not LOL, we move so fast. Does AMEX usually offer a bonus on the Delta Blue, and can I still get 15k miles for referring from my Plat if they get the Blue?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks so much for your help! We received an invitation/pre-approval for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card with a $95 annual fee. Travel and restaurants are 2x points. We will receive 60,000 bonus points after 3 months. Is this something we should get? Are there better alternatives?

APPROVED within the last 24 months: 12/18 - BofA Spirit World
Approved PRIOR to the last 24 months: CHASE Disney Premier Rewards (currently used exclusively). We use the rewards towards flights. We receive 2x points for gasoline, grocery stores, restaurants, flights, and Disney. There is a $49 annual fee.

• What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? $3,300/MONTH
• Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month or do you carry any balances/pay any interest? PAY IN FULL
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? DETROIT DTW
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? PROBABLY DELTA
• Does SOUTHWEST service your airport? YES
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? NO
• Do you currently have any travel points in any program? (if so, which programs and how much) DISNEY REWARDS 100. SPIRIT 38,099.
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? (i.e. Disney World Trip, Cruise, European Trip, Cash Back to pay-off a mortgage or student loans, etc. - you can have multiple goals too!) AIRFARE
• Who does your travel party consist of? (Spouse, Kids (& ages), other relatives/friends) ME & SPOUSE, SOMETIMES CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN

Hi there - welcome to the thread. Normally I'd send you a PM inviting you to our DISchurners reddit group but you have to have 10 posts to PM on the DIS...and you don't yet, lol! So Here:

Would you be interested in joining our private reddit group DISchurners? To join I just need your reddit username (or you can join at reddit.com and just let me know). In that group we have some of our best tips listed out as guides and you can also support another DISer when you apply for a card or share support links of your own! Let me know and I can get you all setup.

Before we start dishing out advice, it's best to ask if you have considered a small business card. Do you have any sort of activity or side hustle that earns money (i.e. selling on ebay, teaching piano, babysitting, tutoring, mowing lawns, a notary, etc.) The reason I ask is that some of the most lucrative offers out there are on business cards. IF you qualify, then that would greatly change my recommendations.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offer you saw is just the everyday standard offer. It's a good offer, don't get me wrong, but it's the standard offer. IF you happen to go for that card, you might consider using one of our DISchurners link to give back to this community which would be awesome. However, it may not be the best card for you now anyways.

Is Airfare truly your only travel need? If so, where do you come up with funds for hotels and/or other cash for your trips? I'm hesitant to recommend a Southwest card for you right now because it's not the optimal time to earn their companion pass (CP). If we looked at SW cards near the end of 2019 it's possible that you could earn a CP and your spouse could fly for free with you for all of 2020 and 2021 (anytime you fly).

And if airfare is truly your sole focus, then we probably should talk about your preferred airline choices before making recommendations. If you don't like Southwest or you prefer Delta or something else, that would greatly affect recommendations. You said Delta is your preferred but why is that? Is it because they service the routes you need or because you used to fly them a lot or because you have points with them? Also - is this domestic airfare or international or a mix of both?

At any rate - let me know your thoughts on the business cards and we can drill in a little further here

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Newbie question! When you say this, do you mean you've had the CIP at some point before, and then closed it, and then got one again (with the SUB, of course)?

Thank you!

Right now you're probably seeing a lot of jokes like "drinking from the CIPpy cup" or such. What that means is that there is a loophole that Chase does NOT enforce their 24 mo. language on CIP bonuses. You can earn a bonus on a CIP and then come back and get another one a few months later and earn the bonus again. This is a loophole, it likely will close at some point, but for now we are taking what we can get