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

[kidsfirsttrip]

The perfect scenario for number 2 would be.

Apply for no fee card
After one year upgrade offer to the $95 Ascend pops up
Apply for Ascend
After approval, take upgrade offer from no fee card to a second Ascend.
One year later upgrade offer pops up on one of the Ascend cards for the Aspire.
Apply for the Aspire.
After approval, take upgrade offer from Ascend card to the Aspire.
Cancel the other Ascend card.
After one year cancel or downgrade your second Aspire.
Unless you are me. In that case, keep both Aspire cards. Seriously though, there are a number of travel hackers with 2 Aspire cards or trying to upgrade their way to two like I am.

Could something like this work for the biz plat? I have the upgrade offer. Get the card now and upgrade afterwards and have 2 cards. I would wait until closer to the end of year one but it’s an argument for keeping my green or gold biz

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

I can’t imagine explaining that strategy to my buddy who recently got an everyday card using the strategy I outlined.

He was just trying to figure out how to stop spending more than he earned . I’m not sure he’s ready for MOs and VGCs. He needs to stop paying overdrafts and find a way to pay more than his minimum pmt. LOL!

Haha! I forget we are totally not “normal” here. But for non normals it could work!!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Haha! I forget we are totally not “normal” here. But for non normals it could work!!!

It is tough to imagine not being “us”. I was trying to talk to this friend and it’s really a mess. But the interest he’s paying is killing him. He’s barely getting anywhere so doing the bal xfer on his CC debt should save him A lot of interest. I told him he needs to put ALL excess money to paying it off though. I’m not sure he can actually do that but it seems there was little risk with 0% APR. I’m not sure he can make it worse...I hope.......

 

[marsh0013]

Lol this is what I need to do.



I’m not seeing a lot of loaded contracts on the resale market. A lot of the ones that are available are stripped. Maybe it has next years points. I do eventually also want the membership card. This is probably BS but the guide said soon resale contract sales will only be allowed to stay at the resort they buy at. He said they are doing that now for the Rivera and the older resort resales can’t stay there but soon if you buy poly resale you can’t stay at the Boardwalk. I think that’s BS and he was trying to get us buy direct. I’m pretty sure that restriction would have to be in the deed.

Starting with riviera, anyone who buys resale at riviera can only use those points to stay at riviera. Same for reflections and all others going forward. And anyone who buys resale in the "legacy 14" (i.e., currently anything other than riviera) can use those points at the L14 but not riviera. So if he told you otherwise, that's bull.

Definitely read up on the ROFR data. Our contract was listed at $105 but we offered $113. I was taking no chances on it being taken back. And we got partial 2018 banked, all 2019, and all points forward. I've been looking since before the new restrictions were announced earlier this year. I wasn't buying a stripped contract. Took time to find it, and we bought a different use year than we already own, so you may need to be patient. Although, I know as someone who already owns, and doesn't need the points to book anything soon, that it was easier for me to have that patience. Good luck!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

It is tough to imagine not being “us”. I was trying to talk to this friend and it’s really a mess. But the interest he’s paying is killing him. He’s barely getting anywhere so doing the bal xfer on his CC debt should save him A lot of interest. I told him he needs to put ALL excess money to paying it off though. I’m not sure he can actually do that but it seems there was little risk with 0% APR. I’m not sure he can make it worse...I hope.......

Oh and of course I should add that he wants to do what I do and earn tons of travel points. I’m like, we are sooo not there yet dude!!

 

[calypso726]

Wow. That's a fantastic strategy. I'm writing this one down for him. He's at 4/24 and I'm so cautious about letting him get that last card, but I can see us going forward later this year. It would help if I know we could actually use the points/nights on an upcoming trip. Thank you so much.

Thanks for this info!! This is exactly what I was looking for earlier too. I'll plan on the no fee card next month (fingers crossed) once I get my CIP2.

You're welcome @mmmears and @DisneyMandC - Here is a link to the process with more on Ask Sebby's You Tube channel

I sent my BFF a screen shot of my savings via cc/points and she couldn't understand all these cards I have. She asked if that was really better than a 2% cash back card. I said well, our family went on over $20k worth of free travel this year. Did you get that much back with your 2% card?

Yasss! I am totally stealing that response

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Oh and of course I should add that he wants to do what I do and earn tons of travel points. I’m like, we are sooo not there yet dude!!

Ughh. I heard the amount of cc debt the average American has is astronomical. It takes a lot of discipline and strategy to do what we do. Not for everyone for sure!

 

[calypso726]

Could something like this work for the biz plat? I have the upgrade offer. Get the card now and upgrade afterwards and have 2 cards. I would wait until closer to the end of year one but it’s an argument for keeping my green or gold biz

I don't see why not.

 

[RoyalJay]

First, a DP from a total idiot, me, RoyalJay. A total flipping idiot. I’m a lawyer by trade, but apparently I don’t read so well, because I went and applied for a CIP using a fictitious business name. I’ve actually gotten two biz cards in the past two years using that method (Chase Marriott and Amex Delta), and I just didn’t read well enough all of the great advice on here before applying for the CIP. It started out at 2 weeks, then went to 7-10 days so I called. They said they just needed proof of trade name. I actually took the steps of registering the trade name and sending in the stamped copy showing approval. That didn’t work, they said I need a certificate. I’m working on that now. Will let you all know if I overcome my stupidity. This is actually for a legitimate business I’m starting up, so it’s worth the trouble, but I sure could have avoided it.

All of that said, I have a number of questions in the interim, and am wondering if you guys can help.

1. I won’t be able to turn in my certificate of trade name until next week at the earliest. In the meantime, I have some big spend pending and want to put that towards an MSR. Can I apply for a Citi AA biz (using my own name of course, duh), or will that show up when Chase gets my certificate and re-analyzes my CIP app? Should I just bite the bullet and wait until after the CIP is reconned?

2. Once I do apply for my first AA biz, do I just apply straight out or use a link?

3. How does one go about getting the mailers? I just recently applied for an AA rewards account. Is that the secret? And if so, should I go ahead and sign up all of my family members, or space them out?

4. After getting my first AA biz, how long do I wait before applying for a second (assuming I get a mailer or a code some other way)?

5. After getting my CIP, I understand I wait 90 days before going for CIP 2. Do I apply in a different name? Since I’ve gone to the trouble of getting this trade name, should the second one be in the trade name or just my personal name?

6. P2 for me is a bit reluctant. If I can get her to apply for a CIP, is there any timing considerations with my applications, or are they completely unrelated? In other words, can we both apply at the same time, assuming we can meet the MSR?

7. For both CIP and AA biz, am I reading it correctly that you wait a year before cancelling?

Thank you all for all of your advice and wisdom. I love lurking on this thread, I just wish I could retain more of what is passed on!

 

[wanderlust7]

We're back from SWGE. Managed to do everything we wanted to thanks to advice from @Lain. Had the 8 pm to midnight slot. Got to Hungry Bear about 7:10 pm. Was planning to get there a little earlier than that, but had a ride slow down on Pirates. Joined the line and didn't wait long before we were let into the holding area. Another short wait and we were held at the entrance by 7:30. We were in front enough that we could see the front, lol. We couldn't see the end of the crowd. Followed the CM with the staff to get on the list for Oga's Cantina. Confirmation text time stamp is 8:13, so not too bad. Got return time in 1:30-1:45 hours. We then joined the line for Droid Depot. Looking at my photo time stamps, that line took almost an hour. We were done at 9:30. They were out of the droid backpacks and the metal gift cards. Thanks for the heads-up @Lain, since DS wanted a backpack, so I could mentally prepare him.

I had mobile ordered food at Docking Bay 7 while in line to get into SWGE with a 9-9:30 pick-up time. Probably should have eaten beforehand, but we had a late lunch and weren't hungry earlier. So we rushed over and I hit arrived on the app. Then I remembered fireworks was starting, so we watched a bit while the order was preparing. We didn't watch the whole thing since the order was done and I was worried our Cantina time was coming up - indeed, got the text as I was picking up the order! So then we had to scarf down our dinner. No time for dessert (why did I order it??). Got a box to put it in and rushed off to the Cantina. Where, of course, more standing in line. Why didn't I just box everything and eat dinner in line? LOL. I ate the Oi-oi Puff the next morning, it was good.

Line was maybe 15-20 minutes. We got standing spots at the bar. Already knew what we wanted and ordered quickly. DS had the Jabba Juice and I had the Carbon Freeze. They both come with popping pearls. The Carbon Freeze has dry ice in it, so fun watching the pearls bounce around. A little hard to drink until it calms down a bit though. Both were really good. The Jabba Juice is a little sweeter. We finished our drinks, took some photos, and were out in maybe 10 minutes. Then off to Smuggler's Run, where the posted time was 25 minutes. But mostly it was just walking through the line. We both got gunner. Second time, posted wait was 15 minutes. DS got gunner and I got engineer. I offered to switch, but he didn't want to. Got to watch the action more as engineer - less frantic button pushing, lol.

The rest of the time, we shopped. DS "adopted" a porg. It's a puppet, the wings and mouth move and it squawks. He got one of the small ones that sit on your shoulder (magnets) too out in Tomorrowland. All in all, a great time, if a little hectic. Would like to visit again in the daytime. Thought we'd have enough daylight hours in the beginning, but most of that time was just in line.

Hmm...do people here care about spoilers? I'll just post 1 photo.

 

[cajunmommy]

Positive sign!

But don’t waste a 5/24 slot on a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Visa.

I got a flurry of texts listing more details, but I told him to be patient. Better options await!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I got a flurry of texts listing more details, but I told him to be patient. Better options await!

Yes - love the enthusiasm but make sure you confiscate the keys lol. This isn’t a car he can drive on his own

 

[Lain]

We're back from SWGE. Managed to do everything we wanted to thanks to advice from @Lain. Had the 8 pm to midnight slot. Got to Hungry Bear about 7:10 pm. Was planning to get there a little earlier than that, but had a ride slow down on Pirates. Joined the line and didn't wait long before we were let into the holding area. Another short wait and we were held at the entrance by 7:30. We were in front enough that we could see the front, lol. We couldn't see the end of the crowd. Followed the CM with the staff to get on the list for Oga's Cantina. Confirmation text time stamp is 8:13, so not too bad. Got return time in 1:30-1:45 hours. We then joined the line for Droid Depot. Looking at my photo time stamps, that line took almost an hour. We were done at 9:30. They were out of the droid backpacks and the metal gift cards. Thanks for the heads-up @Lain, since DS wanted a backpack, so I could mentally prepare him.

I had mobile ordered food at Docking Bay 7 while in line to get into SWGE with a 9-9:30 pick-up time. Probably should have eaten beforehand, but we had a late lunch and weren't hungry earlier. So we rushed over and I hit arrived on the app. Then I remembered fireworks was starting, so we watched a bit while the order was preparing. We didn't watch the whole thing since the order was done and I was worried our Cantina time was coming up - indeed, got the text as I was picking up the order! So then we had to scarf down our dinner. No time for dessert (why did I order it??). Got a box to put it in and rushed off to the Cantina. Where, of course, more standing in line. Why didn't I just box everything and eat dinner in line? LOL. I ate the Oi-oi Puff the next morning, it was good.

Line was maybe 15-20 minutes. We got standing spots at the bar. Already knew what we wanted and ordered quickly. DS had the Jabba Juice and I had the Carbon Freeze. They both come with popping pearls. The Carbon Freeze has dry ice in it, so fun watching the pearls bounce around. A little hard to drink until it calms down a bit though. Both were really good. The Jabba Juice is a little sweeter. We finished our drinks, took some photos, and were out in maybe 10 minutes. Then off to Smuggler's Run, where the posted time was 25 minutes. But mostly it was just walking through the line. We both got gunner. Second time, posted wait was 15 minutes. DS got gunner and I got engineer. I offered to switch, but he didn't want to. Got to watch the action more as engineer - less frantic button pushing, lol.

The rest of the time, we shopped. DS "adopted" a porg. It's a puppet, the wings and mouth move and it squawks. He got one of the small ones that sit on your shoulder (magnets) too out in Tomorrowland. All in all, a great time, if a little hectic. Would like to visit again in the daytime. Thought we'd have enough daylight hours in the beginning, but most of that time was just in line.

Hmm...do people here care about spoilers? I'll just post 1 photo.

View attachment 408711

That’s funny, because I’d like to visit again at night!

Did Docking Bay 7 still have metal sporks? I’ve read that so many people are stealing them (and selling them on eBay for $70 each!) that Disney will be switching over to plastic sporks. SMH. This is why we can’t have nice things.

 

[wanderlust7]

That’s funny, because I’d like to visit again at night!

Did Docking Bay 7 still have metal sporks? I’ve read that so many people are stealing them (and selling them on eBay for $70 each!) that Disney will be switching over to plastic sporks. SMH. This is why we can’t have nice things.

Not sure how to react to this post. I want to all at the same time.

We got plastic utensils. I didn't ask though. Had read about the metal sporks, but then completely forgot about it once we were there. I guess it doesn't surprise me that people steal them. It's crazy how much SWGE things are going for on eBay!

 

[mmmears]

Thanks to everyone posting the Star Wars Galaxy's Edge mini reports. I'm really enjoying them.

That’s funny, because I’d like to visit again at night!

Did Docking Bay 7 still have metal sporks? I’ve read that so many people are stealing them (and selling them on eBay for $70 each!) that Disney will be switching over to plastic sporks. SMH. This is why we can’t have nice things.

This is just so sad.

 

[disneedee]

Well I can’t get squat out of Amex but guess what just showed up in my SW account tonight? 15k bonus points for the 15% bonus offer in feb/mar/April! Guess the bonus miles did work!

I got them too!

 

[gottalovepluto]

-

 

[PolyRob]

I’m not seeing a lot of loaded contracts on the resale market. A lot of the ones that are available are stripped. Maybe it has next years points. I do eventually also want the membership card. This is probably BS but the guide said soon resale contract sales will only be allowed to stay at the resort they buy at. He said they are doing that now for the Rivera and the older resort resales can’t stay there but soon if you buy poly resale you can’t stay at the Boardwalk. I think that’s BS and he was trying to get us buy direct. I’m pretty sure that restriction would have to be in the deed.

It does seem like he was trying to force your hand. I have to say the guide I was randomly assigned is super laid back and has never pressured me. It may be best to get a different one.

 

[kmc8826]

has anyone that bought DVC resale paid a portion with a credit card? Trying to do the math and see if it makes sense to buy direct if I can pay with a credit card and get the extra welcome home points.

I understand wanting direct first for immediate points. I did the cheap direct and then jumped on the resale BLT. If I were you I would have a hard time paying $220 for Poly direct when they are going resale for $145 and passing ROFR. I bought through Timeshare Store and it was painless. Made the $2000 deposit on credit card but rest had to be certified check or wire transfer. Title company decides if anything by credit card. I would ask ahead of time.

 

[Lain]

Not sure how to react to this post. I want to all at the same time.

We got plastic utensils. I didn't ask though. Had read about the metal sporks, but then completely forgot about it once we were there. I guess it doesn't surprise me that people steal them. It's crazy how much SWGE things are going for on eBay!

We had metal sporks when we dined at Docking Bay 7 on Saturday, and it was kinda cool. They were heavy and had a very mechanical/utilitarian feel. My wife jokingly bet people were taking these home. We did not, because we aren’t thieves. Then about two days ago, I read this was actually a problem and that the sporks were going for ~$70 on eBay! My wife had the pleasure of saying, “I told you so.” No way would I ever imagine a single piece of used silverware from a theme park would sell for $70 on eBay!

How did your DS like Oga’s, Droid building, and SWGE in general? I’m sorry so many things seemed to be sold out.