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

[kidsfirsttrip]

Sorry guys, this is my final update: Moved up the chain again to talk to another supervisor and am now being told regardless of what offer I saw or applied through, my account was not eligible for the upgrade offer


Best he could do was 20,000 points and refunded the $300 prorated AF after downgrading.

The end. sigh

Ugh. How old was the card you upgraded?? That’s crap. @speedyfishy filed some sort of complaint and her DH got some miles that weren’t given? Would that maybe work?
I hope you used that $300 credit at least?

 

[wanderlust7]

Sooo I've gone back to the first time I posted on this thread and am going back to try to compile all of your helpful notes and tips into one place. I cannot thank you all enough for all the advice so far.

BUT

I have just now been researching JAL vs ANA and I think I'd rather go with JAL! I think they offer more nonstops between LAX>NRT and KIX>LAX (which is what we did last time) and based on the very tentative itinerary I have put together, I think that's what I'd prefer to do for the upcoming trip.

So now, while I am still definitely doing the CIP for the 80,000 UR points, I have another goal of acquiring enough AAdvantage miles for JAL business class. According to some recent (2019) articles I am reading, this will require 240,000 AAdvantage miles. Is this possible to do in a little over a year, do you think? Without going way over my normal spending habits? I've seen posts about the grAAvy train but I don't know whether that's a reasonable, achievable goal.

Thoughts? (I am running to check the reddit thread right now)

ETA: As far as I can tell, the reddit thread indicates that the best signup offers are via mailers. But there is a 70,000 AAdvantage miles Citi card application link on a website that I shall not name here because I know you all hate it.... I have learned that much! That's 10,000 more Miles than the email offer I got (I do have an AAdvantage account, although like the others it's empty). Is the 70,000 offer about the best I can hope to get? It's for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®World Mastercard® .

You don't need a mailer if it's your first time getting the Citi AA Biz. A mailer is to get around the 24 month restriction on getting the SUB.

The e-mail offer you got, is it for a personal or biz card? And does it have a 9 or 12 digit code?

There's also the Barclays Aviator Biz. That's 75k AA miles for $1000 spend and 1 purchase on an employee card. $95 AF not waived.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

@SouthFayetteFan
I’m so conflicted. Lol. I had a good plan but was derailed. I planned on CP earlier in the year but my app was denied (AU that credit bureau won’t remove but amended, apparently Chase didn’t like it). Still want CP, would do a 3-4 day trip in fall plus a few in 2020. Or wait until end of year to get CP for 2020/21 and apply for CIP for either me or DH. No current SW cards.

 

[needsomesun]

I want to try and drive to Disney once...maybe when the kids are older. Its a 21hr ride according to Google. I for sure don't want to drive back though!

We (family of 5)drive 24 hrs to FL 1-2 x/year. It's not my favorite thing to do, but if it gets us more vacations, I"m all for it

 

[vanjust14]

Still waiting for my 80000 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had numerous people confirm my offer is attached though. How did you escalate?

I just kept asking to talk to the supervisor, and then the supervisor's supervisor. They weren't too concerned with helping me.

Whoa this is horrible. I can't recall if you have an AmEx Plat but if you do, I would suggest calling the customer service number on that card and seeing if you can get someone who is more interested in helping you. The few times I have called the Plat CS number, I have gotten reps that really seem to want to make whatever I want happen -- the last time was when I called to convert my Plat to a Gold and I was worried that I was going to get a hard time about downgrading and having multiple Plats but the CS rep was just super helpful. Might not make a difference but possibly it could.

No, I don't unfortunately.

Ugh. How old was the card you upgraded?? That’s crap. @speedyfishy filed some sort of complaint and her DH got some miles that weren’t given? Would that maybe work?
I hope you used that $300 credit at least?

It was 14 months old. Hopefully @speedyfishy can give me some help, I'd like to complain somehow, I just don't know how. Yes, I did use the $300 credit at the Swan where I got horrible customer service, lol.

 

[speedyfishy]

I just kept asking to talk to the supervisor, and then the supervisor's supervisor. They weren't too concerned with helping me.

No, I don't unfortunately.

It was 14 months old. Hopefully @speedyfishy can give me some help, I'd like to complain somehow, I just don't know how.

I have done CFPB complaints. The missing points though he just got it was part of a glitch, but the CFPB complaint may help you

 

[elgerber]

I have done CFPB complaints. The missing points though he just got it was part of a glitch, but the CFPB complaint may help you

So this might help my situation?

 

[PolyRob]

Sorry guys, this is my final update: Moved up the chain again to talk to another supervisor and am now being told regardless of what offer I saw or applied through, my account was not eligible for the upgrade offer

Best he could do was 20,000 points and refunded the $300 prorated AF after downgrading.
The end. sigh

How ridiculous! I am happy you got the prorated fee back. That is honestly the LEAST AMEX could do.

Did the “incorrect rep” confirm the offer on your account via Chat? If so, you have some great proof and I think it’s worth continuing the fight!

We just need to find you the right person/email/number to reach out to!

 

[PolyRob]

Got SO the Schwab Platinum. I should have 600,000 points to cash out by the end of July if all goes well. I also cashed out 95,000 of my points for $1200. This will help with the DVC and wedding costs.

I’m thinking this should also be my plan for MRs. just starting with my first card, but anything I get/earn can chip away at a contract!

 

[vanjust14]

How ridiculous! I am happy you got the prorated fee back. That is honestly the LEAST AMEX could do.

Did the “incorrect rep” confirm the offer on your account via Chat? If so, you have some great proof and I think it’s worth continuing the fight!

We just need to find you the right person/email/number to reach out to!

Yes, it was on chat! They seem to keep skipping over that chat though and when I bring it up say he was wrong.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Returned from Japan (gone almost 3 weeks) on Monday, returned to work on Tuesday and for some reason jetlag is hitting me a bit harder than I anticipated. Japan was AWESOME -- dd and I spent 3 days in Kyoto on our own (LOVED Kyoto) before joining our ABD tour. The ABD tour was beyond amazing -- this is 1 trip that I'd actually consider doing again, which is something I've never said before (it was our 8th trip with them).

As some may recall we did 3 nights (after our 2 nights / 3 days at Tokyo Disney booked through ABD {for the extra FPs which were lifesavers with the crowded parks -- on our last day we rode 11 rides between 10am and 4:00pm with just FPs, including my favorite, Toy Story 3 times}) Park Hyatt on points / cash combo. I wanted to give a bit of a review.

The staff at the hotel are very nice and service was great. However I wouldn't recommend this hotel. There are a few reasons: i) location is not great -- it is in the Shinjuku (business) district and a 10 minute walk from the subway, which is a huge pain ii) we had a park king one bedroom suite (on cash / points), which needed a refresh; it was very nicely done when the hotel opened (maybe 15 or so years ago), but it's showing wear, the furniture is outdated and there are mirrors everywhere (including in the commode room) was odd and definitely dated the room (though the view of Mount Fuji was amazing -- probably my favorite part of the room iii) the hotel is located on the 41st floor of an office tower; to access the guest elevators you must take an elevator to the 41st floor, then walk down and around a few corridors to access the elevators to the guest rooms; not a huge deal, but not my favorite set up either -- allow 5 - 7 minutes to get to the front of the hotel; also there were a few times when business people were attending an event on the 39th floor (which shares the hotel elevator) and we experienced a bit of a wait and iv) $50.00 per person for the breakfast buffet!!! Dd and I ordered off the menu on our first morning (thinking I could save a bit of money, but it ended up costing more); the next 2 mornings I picked up pastries / yogurt at a cafe the night before and we ate in the room.

Edited to add 1 final point about the hotel: I visited the New York Bar on my last night to see what the hype was about (while I don't normally go to bars solo I felt it was a *must do* at this particular hotel; there was a nice jazz band playing and I enjoyed the music; I ordered a drink and secured a window seat (gorgeous view), HOWEVER the bar allows smoking (I didn't even realize this was allowed) and the table of 6 next to me were all smoking. I managed a few sips of my drink, got the bill and went to leave, alas the band pulled me back in for a few more songs, but I stood closer to the exit where the smell of smoke wasn't as pervasive. I'd say the bar is riding on its reputation from Lost in Translation because it didn't do much for me (my view may have been different if it was non-smoking). Just my $0.02 of course!

With ABD we stayed at the Peninsula and it was GORGEOUS. Location was ideal -- a brief 2 or 3 minute walk to 2 subway lines and walking distance to a plethora of shops / restaurants. If we visit Tokyo again I'll stay at the Peninsula -- the location of the Park Hyatt was a huge detractor for me.

Any questions let me know.

We both LOVED Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Shirakawa-go, Odawara, Takayama and Hakone) -- it's a spectacular country with delicious food and some of the kindest people I have met while traveling. DisneySea was my favorite of the 2 Disney parks by a wide margin.

 

[StephPlum]

Oh also, dh’s points finally posted from CIP 2 and I transferred them to his CSR. We have some choices coming up with two cards hitting their one year mark: my CIP1 and dh’s CSR. Should I get CIP2 or a CSR?

My mom is a huge germaphobe. I kinda don’t care. I most likely won’t die. I mean I wash my hands and clean. I hate the apartment being dirty but I’ll eat at a buffet and I don’t wipe down the plane tray and I’ll touch the TV remote. I’m fine so far lol

Same!

Count me in the "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" camp. I just walked up the steps to the cafeteria at work holding on the handrail and then got my salad from the salad bar. RISKY! Out of my household I am the least concerns with germs but I would say I get sick the least! DH is very much a germaphobe and washes his hands so much in the winter they dry out. Doesn't help as he is sick more often than me.

Southwest Credit Card Listing

So Here's a rundown of the FIVE credit cards that Chase now has with Southwest and the various features/benefits:

Personal
1) Southwest Plus

• $69 Annual fee
• Standard signup bonus of 40k RR pts / $1k MSR available via public AND support link
• Elevated 50k / $2k MSR offer is typically available via in-flight links which we share on DISchurners from time to time
• Limited time 60k / $2k MSR offers come out periodically throughout the year
• 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Card is subject to 5/24 to get approved AND counts as a "5" slot in your 5/24 once approved

2) Southwest Premier

• $99 Annual fee
• Standard signup bonus of 40k RR pts / $1k MSR available via public AND support link
• Elevated 50k / $2k MSR offer is typically available via in-flight links which we share on DISchurners from time to time
• Limited time 60k / $2k MSR offers come out periodically throughout the year
• 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• 6,000 anniversary points each year.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Card is subject to 5/24 to get approved AND counts as a "5" slot in your 5/24 once approved

3) Southwest Priority

• $149 Annual fee
• Standard signup bonus of 40k RR pts / $1k MSR available via public AND support link
• Elevated 50k / $2k MSR offer is typically available via in-flight links which we share on DISchurners from time to time
• Limited time 60k / $2k MSR offers come out periodically throughout the year
• 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• No foreign transaction fees
• $75 Southwest annual travel credit
• Four Upgrade Boardings per year when available
• 20% back on inflight drinks and WiFi.
• Card is subject to 5/24 to get approved AND counts as a "5" slot in your 5/24 once approved

Business
4) Southwest Premier Business

• $99 Annual fee
• Standard signup bonus of 60k RR pts / $3k MSR available via public AND support link
• 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• 6,000 anniversary points each year.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Card is subject to 5/24 to get approved BUT DOES NOT count as a "5" slot in your 5/24 once approved

5) Southwest Performance Business

• $199 Annual fee
• NEW (Standard?) signup bonus of 80k RR pts / $5k MSR available via public link
• NO support link currently but stay posted as that might change
• 3 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines flights and hotel/car rental partners
• 2 points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising
• 2 points per $1 spent on internet, cable and phone services
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• 9,000 anniversary points each year.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credit
• Four Upgrade Boardings per year when available
• Inflight WiFi Credits: Up to 365 x $8 credits per year for all SW inflight WiFi transactions
• Card is subject to 5/24 to get approved BUT DOES NOT count as a "5" slot in your 5/24 once approved

Thanks, this is my first bookmark so I can refer later.

 

[PolyRob]

Yes, it was on chat! They seem to keep skipping over that chat though and when I bring it up say he was wrong.

Written proof! Regardless of actually receiving the offer, Amex should just honor it in good faith because its own support rep told you so!!

I really don't get these businesses

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

@SouthFayetteFan
I’m so conflicted. Lol. I had a good plan but was derailed. I planned on CP earlier in the year but my app was denied (AU that credit bureau won’t remove but amended, apparently Chase didn’t like it). Still want CP, would do a 3-4 day trip in fall plus a few in 2020. Or wait until end of year to get CP for 2020/21 and apply for CIP for either me or DH. No current SW cards.

I totally understand! This is such a good problem to have though - it's like you can't go wrong. It really feels like it's an awesome time to be a churner right now. BUT with trying to adhere to responsible pacing it's hard, I just want ALL of the cards, right now!! LOL!

 

[1st*toright]

I'm so upset and completely done with AMEX. They will not give me my 100,000 points for my Bonvoy Brilliant upgrade!!!!! I'm so mad right now. I've tried everything and they won't budge.

Now I'm nervous that my upgrade from the Biz Green to the Biz Plat won't work. 10k of spend would be a big waste if they are going to be pains about giving the points offered in the upgrade...

 

[PolyRob]

I just walked up the steps to the cafeteria at work holding on the handrail and then got my salad from the salad bar. RISKY!

 

[speedyfishy]

So this might help my situation?

I would try it but I know some people aren’t a fan of filing a CFPB complaint.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Yes, it was on chat! They seem to keep skipping over that chat though and when I bring it up say he was wrong.

Have you tried Twitter or emailing an exec?
Here’s a list of contact info
https://www.creditcardinsider.com/learn/backdoor-credit-card-company-phone-numbers/

 

[elgerber]

Have you tried Twitter or emailing an exec?
Here’s a list of contact info
https://www.creditcardinsider.com/learn/backdoor-credit-card-company-phone-numbers/

I tried Twitter for my issue, got me nowhere. Just another chat with someone who said I can't do anything until it's been 3 months.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I totally understand! This is such a good problem to have though - it's like you can't go wrong. It really feels like it's an awesome time to be a churner right now. BUT with trying to adhere to responsible pacing it's hard, I just want ALL of the cards, right now!! LOL!

Exactly. I want ALL the cards. #churnerproblems
I think I’ll hold off on SW cards. By January, DH and I will both be 0/24. I think I’ll work on CIP and AA Biz cards for now.