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

[palhockeymomof2]

So all the bank bonus and 1099 talk again has me confused. do I need to report DDs PNC bonus? Trying to finish up her taxes. It doesn't really make a difference as her income so low that she wont pay anything anyway, but want to make sure they are done correct.

I’d report it since she wouldn’t pay anything anyway

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thank you! I looked on reddit and didn’t see a Hilton referral link for you. I’d like to give you the referral if possible.

Hi. I appreciate it but ..i don’t have a Hilton card...so please support another person here

 

[Lain]

I'm behind and trying to catch up, but I have a question. DH has the AMEX AT&T offer, prepaid 2 AT&T bills last night, and has no email from AMEX (or anything else) saying he used it. What did he do wrong? And is there a way to fix it?

Sometimes the “you just used your Amex Offer” email doesn’t come or ends up in the junk box. Doesn’t mean you did the offer wrong. Just check for the points in 2-3 days.

 

[Lain]

Since you have an eBay business...maybe the Hilton business card...
You could save your 5/25 slots for Chase cards

Thank you! I looked on reddit and didn’t see a Hilton [support] link for you. I’d like to give you the [support] if possible.

It’s wonderful you want to support a fellow DISer. However, We try to keep talk of using or soliciting specific person’s links off the DIS per this board’s rules.

I don’t think @palhockeymomof2 mentioned this in her recommendation, but I must caution you that if don’t already have a relationship with Amex (the longer, probably better), be prepared to commit yourself to keep spending on your Hilton Biz long after you’ve met the MSR on that card or risk being labeled a “gamer” who is only opening cards with Amex for their bonuses, and ceases (or significantly reduces) spending on the cards after you’ve met the MSR to earn the bonus. In the past half year, Amex has really stepped up their efforts against churning — some would say overzealously so. If your history of opening and closing cards, or spending pattern lands you on this naughty list, Amex will start displaying a pop up warning that you are not eligible for a bonus the next time you try to apply for a new card with them, or worse yet you may not even get the pop up warning and find that your bonus never posts despite meeting MSR, and when you inquire Amex will tell you it’s denied because of rewards abuse.

ETA: I don’t want to scare you off of Amex. They just want good customers that’ll actually user their cards regularly (because Amex earns their money from “swipe” fees from the merchants you pay), who will keep their cards long term and preferably keep spending and paying annual fees. Amex loses money on gamers. Just be careful with how you open, close, and use your Amex cards.

The Hilton Biz is a good card. Most importantly for you right now, it won’t add to your 0/24 count and you can save those slots for Chase. It earns 12x Hilton points when used to pay for Hilton stays, and gives you complimentary Gold status that will give you another 18x Hilton points for hotel stays. Gold status gets you upgrades and breakfast too. Since you have an eBay business, the Hilton Biz earns 6x Hilton points on gas and shipping. When you spend $15k on the Hilton Biz in a calendar year, you earn a free weekend certificate, so that provides some incentive to keep spending on the card. The Hilton Biz comes with 10 Priority Passes to airport lounges that’s nice if you don’t have another card that gives you a membership. But the Hilton Biz does carry a $95 annual fee that’s not waived.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[Oscar Madison]

Out all day yesterday...so you’ve probably had reply’s...but

Unfortunately CSP does not give you lounge access....you’d need the CSR

CIU would be a good next card for you...
or you could apply for an EIN and have DH refer you for another CIP
Or if you wanted lounge access go for the CSR/CSP modified dd

Just make sure to look at your chase CLs and reduce if needed before applying

Yes, I've been using SM to reduce CLs on a number of cards. Thank you!

 

[happ]

So all the bank bonus and 1099 talk again has me confused. do I need to report DDs PNC bonus? Trying to finish up her taxes. It doesn't really make a difference as her income so low that she wont pay anything anyway, but want to make sure they are done correct.

I read somewhere that since the bonus required the debit transactions that it was considered a rebate. I don't know if that's true, but I contacted PNC to ask why I hadn't received a 1099 and whether it was available online. The rep looked at my account for a few minutes, told me the amount of interest earned, and then said that I had not earned enough to warrant a 1099. If the bank is not reporting it as income, then is it income?

 

[AmyAnne]

Unfortunately she knows me too well to believe that threat. Now I’m considering spring break on The fantasy since it’s the same cost as mid-August.

Ha I can relate to this -- thank goodness for scouts or my kids never would have been camping. Neither DH nor I have any interest. But two of our kids have done extensive camping trips with scouts, one even working several summers as a camping guide.

 

[pix13dust]

It’s wonderful you want to support a fellow DISer. However, We try to keep talk of using or soliciting specific person’s referrals off the DIS per this board’s rules.

I don’t think @palhockeymomof2 mentioned this in her recommendation, but I must caution you that if don’t already have a relationship with Amex (the longer, probably better), be prepared to commit yourself to keep spending on your Hilton Biz long after you’ve met the MSR on that card or risk being labeled a “gamer” who is only opening cards with Amex for their bonuses, and ceases (or significantly reduces) spending on the cards after you’ve met the MSR to earn the bonus. In the past half year, Amex has really stepped up their efforts against churning — some would say overzealously so. If your history of opening and closing cards, or spending pattern lands you on this naughty list, Amex will start displaying a pop up warning that you are not eligible for a bonus the next time you try to apply for a new card with them, or worse yet you may not even get the pop up warning and find that your bonus never posts despite meeting MSR, and when you inquire Amex will tell you it’s denied because of rewards abuse.

The Hilton Biz is a good card. Most importantly for you right now, it won’t add to your 0/24 count and you can save those slots for Chase. It earns 12x Hilton points when used to pay for Hilton stays, and gives you complimentary Gold status that will give you another 18x Hilton points for hotel stays. Gold status gets you upgrades and breakfast too. Since you have an eBay business, the Hilton Biz earns 6x Hilton points on shipping. When you spend $15k on the Hilton Biz in a calendar year, you earn a free weekend certificate, so that provides some incentive to keep spending on the card. The Hilton Biz comes with 10 Priority Passes that’s nice if you don’t have another card that gives you a membership. But the Hilton Biz does carry a $95 annual fee that’s not waived.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Thank you!!! Sorry about breaking the rules. Yikes! ( that’s my life in a nutshell, lol!). I appreciate the extra info. We do stay at Hilton’s several times a year, so this will be a good fit I think.
Pardon my ignorance- what’s a priority pass? ( please say it’s another name for a fast pass)

 

[GusGus16]

Priority pass is lounge access at certain airports, for example MCO has a PP (priority pass lounge) that if you hold the PP you are eligible to use.

 

[Lain]

Thank you!!! Sorry about breaking the rules. Yikes! ( that’s my life in a nutshell, lol!). I appreciate the extra info. We do stay at Hilton’s several times a year, so this will be a good fit I think.
Pardon my ignorance- what’s a priority pass? ( please say it’s another name for a fast pass)

Lol. Sorry, I’m typing this on an iPhone so I may be missing some things that I’ve gone back to add to my earlier post.

Priority Pass is a network of lounges and restaurants at airports around the world. Some are lounges owned and operated by airlines but sell access to Priority Pass to make available to their members, some lounges are independently owned, and Priority Pass has been increasingly adding airport restaurants and giving credits to use for food and drinks. The quality of these lounges and restaurants vary. You can locate them and their rules on the Priority Pass app or website. A lot of credit cards have been including this perk to entice travelers, which has led to overcrowding or lines at some lounges and restaurants. It’s still a nice perk and the idea is to give you a place to relax, eat and drink before (and some places after) your flights, that’s nicer than sitting at the gate.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Southwest Update via "Beat of Hawaii"
https://beatofhawaii.com/southwest-hawaii-airline-update/

Nothing different than what was shared here before but just another source showing that ticket sales could begin any day now!

Southwest's next system-wide schedule extension is Thursday 3/14 so as anticipated and previously discussed, Hawaii flights will likely be released separately (and ASAP).

 

[Judique]

A new account for recurring direct deposits of SS income? I see bank bonuses in your future

Lol! Hadn't really thought of that! I do have a little puddle of money I have to do something with soon that would satisfy a couple of these bank bonuses, but I'm probably just going to keep it/place it in a new retirement account.

Money doesn't make much of an impact on me now that I'm older (and have enough). I like the credit card game probably because it seems like I'm getting something extra for doing regular things like paying the electric bill. I'm drawn to credit cards but not so much to bank bonuses - I don't know why.

 

[pix13dust]

Lol. Sorry, I’m typing this on an iPhone so I may be missing some things that I’ve gone back to add to my earlier post.

Priority Pass is a network of lounges and restaurants at airports around the world. Some are lounges owned and operated by airlines but sell access to Priority Pass to make available to their members, some lounges are independently owned, and Priority Pass has been increasingly adding airport restaurants and giving credits to use for food and drinks. The quality of these lounges and restaurants vary. You can locate them and their rules on the Priority Pass app or website. A lot of credit cards have been including this perk to entice travelers, which has led to overcrowding or lines at some lounges and restaurants. It’s still a nice perk and the idea is to give you a place to relax, eat and drink before (and some places after) your flights, that’s nicer than sitting at the gate.

Ooooo, fancy! I suddenly feel very important

Update: I was instantly approved for the Hilton biz. I was going to order everything this week for my daughters bathroom remodel, but I’ll wait for the card to do so.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

CONGRATS!!! Make sure to follow @Lain's advice of putting continued spend on this Hilton card (beyond the MSR - Minimum Spend Requirement). I would commit to keeping that card for a couple years with some sort of regular spend on it if you are hoping to continue to get AMEX card bonuses in the future Here's an excerpt of that comment for convenience:

...if don’t already have a relationship with Amex (the longer, probably better), be prepared to commit yourself to keep spending on your Hilton Biz long after you’ve met the MSR on that card or risk being labeled a “gamer” who is only opening cards with Amex for their bonuses, and ceases (or significantly reduces) spending on the cards after you’ve met the MSR to earn the bonus. In the past half year, Amex has really stepped up their efforts against churning — some would say overzealously so. If your history of opening and closing cards, or spending pattern lands you on this naughty list, Amex will start displaying a pop up warning that you are not eligible for a bonus the next time you try to apply for a new card with them, or worse yet you may not even get the pop up warning and find that your bonus never posts despite meeting MSR, and when you inquire Amex will tell you it’s denied because of rewards abuse.

ETA: I don’t want to scare you off of Amex. They just want good customers that’ll actually user their cards regularly (because Amex earns their money from “swipe” fees from the merchants you pay), who will keep their cards long term and preferably keep spending and paying annual fees. Amex loses money on gamers. Just be careful with how you open, close, and use your Amex cards...

 

[Tikitoi]

You used to be able to put multiple rewards members on a booking, only the primary guest would get credit for the room night but it usually worked to get the status of the other member, IIRC. I’m going to try with my SPG cert, it’d be great if it counted for hubby’s account but I’m mostly looking at using the Platinum status if we stay somewhere without breakfast or throw the extra welcome points into his account. They changed the site so you can’t add extra guests online but you’re supposed to be able to call to have their names added, you can try the reservations line or the hotel directly. (the site even says if you want to book a room for someone else through your rewards account you have to call in as you can’t change the name) I think it was more successful to have multiple rewards numbers added to one reservation calling the hotel directly. If you just want to book with multiple guest names you could probably get away with the reservation line.

Thanks for the response. But found out in my case since I'm not going to be there that I would get no points. Because the reservation has to match the name on the account. Plus by booking through the link she was provided she's already getting a discounted rate. Came out to less than $200 for Fri-Sunday.

 

[Lain]

Ooooo, fancy! I suddenly feel very important

Update: I was instantly approved for the Hilton biz. I was going to order everything this week for my daughters bathroom remodel, but I’ll wait for the card to do so.

Pardon my ignorance- what’s a priority pass? ( please say it’s another name for a fast pass)

Congratulations!


​

Amex offers 4 Hilton credit cards with bonuses (3 personal cards you might not want to get until you’re done with Chase, and 1 business card that you’ve just been approved for). You’ll make your way through them eventually. If you can convince your DH to sign up for some cards, you can refer him to those same 4 and more than double up your points. Since Hilton makes it super easy and free to combine points, you can end up with quite a stash.

I have to add — did you see the recent news that the Hilton Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando joined the Walt Disney World Hotel program and will offer their guests EMH and 60 days advance FP+ benefits? Those could be somewhere you might eventually want to use your points or free weekend at.

 

[Brian4891]

Hi everyone. I just got back from a week at Disney. It was an amazing trip with my wife and 3 kids and we are now hooked! We are already talking about our next trip!

We stayed at the Dolphin using free nights that my wife and I had earned several years ago through the SPG card. I am not new to the points/miles game but I am new to it as it relates to Disney.

Before my wife and I had started having kids 6 years ago we would use points and miles for lots of trips. When we started having kids we stopped traveling as much but continued to earn points through sign up bonuses and spending.

We now have over 600K Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and I’m trying to figure out how to best put them to use for a Disney hotel, but with none of the hotels being part of a loyalty program I’m not sure how to get the best value. Are there any tricks or general advice people can offer? Is the Swan and Dolphin the only way and is that a good value anymore? Any tips would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[miztressuz]

Thanks for the response. But found out in my case since I'm not going to be there that I would get no points. Because the reservation has to match the name on the account. Plus by booking through the link she was provided she's already getting a discounted rate. Came out to less than $200 for Fri-Sunday.

So that's the official rules but in practice, if you have multiple guests on the reservation it's hard to actually police. I figure it's worth a shot, the worst thing that happens is I don't get points I wasn't going to get in the first place. We only did it once recently, I think, when hubby at the last minute got called to work that weekend. As it was a family event I went on and he was going to try to come in later, which never happened unfortunately. I had been added to the reservation so I could checkin without him. Front desk did ask if he'd be joining me since it was his member # and I said yes, he's just stuck at work so we came separately. After that it's not like they really check and now with mobile/express checkout you could never even see the front desk again.

We used to do it more often in the past when we were booking for my IL's too, but don't have as much opportunity to try it out now. Used to be an easy way to get nights since you could earn for up to 3 rooms on one number, but they supposedly killed that now with the new program and it's only 1 room per number (which sucks if you paid for 2 or 3 for your family)

Sounds like she got a good rate and it wouldn't really be a lot of points earned anyway. It's an option to try but not always worth the hassle

 

[Lain]

Most of us here that are focused on Chase URs for Disney have accepted the fact that we have to cash them out at 1cpp. Unfortunately, there's no other way to use those points for Disney hotels.

Also, Swan & Dolphin are not on the UR portal either. Your 2 ways to use points for that are (1) to cash out again as mentioned above or (2) transfer to Marriott which is a pretty bad proposition.

The big buzz on the thread right now is using AA Miles for Disney hotels. Many of us are embracing that plan but there is always a risk that they could go away there too.

You might have interest in joining our Reddit group DISchurners which has a whole thread of Disney trip tips and how to use points. I'll drop you a PM about it once you have 10 messages. (Until then you can't actually send PMs haha)

@Brian4891 - I'd add another layer to this is to pair buying Disney Gift Cards at a discount (see the Disney Gift Cards Deals thread for the latest), which can get you upwards of ~20% off for Disney, and cashing out UR to cover the discounted cost of the Disney Gift Cards. It is a lot more work, and some gift card deals can't be done in volume so it can take a while to amass the amount of Disney Gift Cards that you need at the discount that you want. However, if you can get an average discount of 20% on Disney Gift Cards, that's comparable to the CSP's 1.25x UR redemption on the UR travel portal when Disney hotels were previously available.