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

[Lain]

I learned a lesson this week. I upgraded to the Amex HHonors Aspire card and realize now that I have no time/plans/availability to utalize the airfare and resort credits this year; if you're looking at this card, be aware that the $250 resort credit is limitted to around 250 Hilton resorts around the world---predetermined at www.hiltonresorts.com. I did not realize this and the resorts don't work out well for us this year. So much so that we're having to plan another trip just to utliize the resort credit benefit! (Woo-hoo from me, grumbles from DH...) DH emailed me back this afternoon (after 48 hours of me throwing out ideas) and told me vacationing was getting to be too much work. Anyway, be mindful that the resort and airline credits have stipulations and research them before you determine the "value" of the benefits vs. the annual fee.

Most of us are aware of the benefits and restrictions.

If you won't be able to use your airline fee credit this year, you can use the Aspire's $250 airline fee credit to buy gift cards for Southwest or Delta to trigger the reimbursement. Keep in mind that buying airline gift cards does not technically count as a type of fee that triggers a reimbursement credit, but in practice it still works with Southwest and Delta. This can stop working at any time. Do this ASAP before this is killed just like AA recently.

If you haven't done so already, select Southwest or Delta (whichever works better for you) as your preferred airline.

If you selected Southwest, you can buy up to a single $250 Southwest e-Gift Card to send to yourself here: https://www.southwest.com/gift-card/create-card.html

If you selected Delta, you will have to buy gift cards in $50 denominations (anything higher won't trigger the credit), so for $250 put 5x $50 Delta gift cards in your cart here: https://www.delta.com/egift/eGiftPurchase.action?icid=PROD_eGift_Launch[*

 

[LynnTH]

Ok. So I decided to try for the Alaska Airlines Business Card and see what happens (Don't have any BOA cards) and if all goes well - then sign DH up for one also.

Well, I got this email today:

n addition to this email, you’ll receive a letter by mail listing the information we need. Please read that letter carefully because it contains important regulatory disclosures concerning your credit application that are not contained in this email.

You can provide this information using IntraLinks®, our third party provider. IntraLinks is a secure document exchange tool that you can use to provide information in a secure manner. Look in your inbox for instructions from IntraLinks® on how you can take advantage of this option.

Whether you send information electronically or by mail, you only need to submit the information once.
Please provide the following:

• Proof of business ownership or authorization to borrow on behalf of the business (e.g. corporate resolution, organization's meeting minutes, articles of incorporation, articles of organization or certificate of incorporation).
• Verification of the legal structure of the business. Verification may include Articles of Inc/Articles of Org/Cert of Trade Name/Partnership agreement. For Non-Profit, provide primary mission (U.S or International) & legal classification (e.g. 501(c)(3)).
• The two most recent accountant prepared, year-end business financial statements/tax returns
• Your two most recent years of federal personal tax returns with all schedules. If you filed a tax extension, please provide a copy of your most recent W2 forms or, for sole proprietorships, an internally prepared year-end profit and loss statement.

So, now what?? I applied as Sole Proprietor and used SS #. Has anyone gotten this before and what did you do?? Not sure how to proceed on this or if I just let it go.

 

[speedyfishy]

Yeah, I mean what's 2 or 3 more AA Biz cards and a little Venmo going to hurt?

I plan on earning 375,00+ every 95 days between SO and I. Do we even need DVC???

 

[Natgridenergy]

I plan on earning 375,00+ every 95 days between SO and I. Do we even need DVC???

Lol, are you both doing personals also?

I am, have done nothing for DW yet, thinking of putting her on the Biz only track.

 

[speedyfishy]

Lol, are you both doing personals also?

I am, have done nothing for DW yet, thinking of putting her on the Biz only track.

Yeah we are both over 5/24. No plans to go back under. The extra CIPs would be nice but that’s $1000 in value two personal AA cards could be 1500 towards Disney assuming the 1 cent per point.

 

[WVMomof3]

Just applied for DH CIP #1. Waited 30 minutes to call, at 2 weeks already. Good sign I hope!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Just applied for DH CIP #1. Waited 30 minutes to call, at 2 weeks already. Good sign I hope!

30 minutes???? I can’t wait 30 seconds

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Dh just told me we have a $3500 spend to do within a week or so (a donation we make annually but they want us to do it early in the year so we can be one of those "match this donation" people lol). I'm going to work really hard to convince him that he should really try a CIP (he's a reluctant P2, resistant to business cards).

 

[calypso726]

I don’t post much here but I read ALL the posts and I really like when people post how they used their points so I am going to do the same.
My redemption is meek comparing to the Queen @calypso726 but we are pretty happy with it!
My DH wanted a long weekend on the beach to escape the winter here in MA so I book 2 days at the beach in the Tampa area, but since most of the trip was paid with points we ended up adding 2 days for Legoland and 1 extra day at the beach, making our weekend get away a 5 day vacation.
So for numbers/points:
4 Round Trip tickets from Manchester,NH to Tampa - xxx points used plus CP and $44.80 in fees/taxes
5 days Car Rental - Alamo Midsize SUV - 11,953 URs (179.30) - cancelled and rebooked multiple times when the price dropped
3 2-day Legoland Tickets - 17,193 URs ($257.90)
2 nights Legoland Beach Retreat - $242.22 (was planning to use points but got a great deal from last minute travel web site)
2 nights Doubletree Beach Resort by Hilton ( North Redington) - 60k Hilton points (Points came from the Hilton Honors bussiness card sign up with $95 fee)
1 night for $278.18-45(Amex offer)=$233.18

Total cost=$1731.60
Total OOP= $617.20 ( I only included the Hilton cc fee, not my CSR or both SW cards since we “paid” for those on my last trip)
That is over 60% of the trip paid with points! I could probably cash my points from my Discover Miles to cover half of the OOP but I will save that for next trip!

I love reading about how others redeemed their points and were able to save money or take a trip. That sounds like a wonderful trip!

I love seeing everyone's updates, whether you're in the earning or redeeming processes!

I learned a lesson this week. I upgraded to the Amex HHonors Aspire card and realize now that I have no time/plans/availability to utalize the airfare and resort credits this year; if you're looking at this card, be aware that the $250 resort credit is limitted to around 250 Hilton resorts around the world---predetermined at www.hiltonresorts.com. I did not realize this and the resorts don't work out well for us this year. So much so that we're having to plan another trip just to utliize the resort credit benefit! (Woo-hoo from me, grumbles from DH...) DH emailed me back this afternoon (after 48 hours of me throwing out ideas) and told me vacationing was getting to be too much work. Anyway, be mindful that the resort and airline credits have stipulations and research them before you determine the "value" of the benefits vs. the annual fee.

We enjoyed our first weekend as diamond members with a free breakfast (for all 5 of us) both days at the Hilton Garden Inn in Elizabethtown, KY. It's been hit or miss before whether the kids' meals were comped as well when we were gold....so this could be a nice perk or just a lucky break for us. Either way, it was great.

I'm sorry you had not realized it before. I know the thread moves fast. I have posted the link to what Hilton considers resorts. Keep in mind that a reservation at the US resort properties must be booked through the hotel. See wiki below copied from FT

Also, you might want to make a reservation at a qualifying resort for next year and then make a pre-payment on your reservation to trigger the credit. This way you don't lose the first year's resort credit.

ELIGIBLE RATES
1) Do you have to book directly through Hilton in order to receive the resort credit?
NO. See below.

2) If I’m booking at Hilton.com or through the Hilton app, etc., are any rates not eligible for the resort credit?
Any rates charged by the hotel directly will trigger the credit. Advance purchase rates for properties in the USA are charged by Hilton Corporate in Tennessee and WILL NOT trigger the credit. Advance purchase rates for properties outside the USA are typically charged by the hotel directly, so these WILL trigger the credit.

3) I have to book through my corporate travel agent or use my corporate rate code at Hilton.com, will I still get the resort credit?
YES. Any rates that are charged by the hotel directly will trigger the credit.

4) What about bookings through Orbitz, Expedia, and other online travel agencies?
As long as the rate is “pay at hotel” then it will trigger the credit. Prepaid and other special rates that are charged directly by Orbitz or Expedia, etc. and not the hotel will not trigger the credit.

5) I’m looking at an eligible hotel that charges a refundable one-night deposit for all bookings, can I get the resort credit for this?
YES. As long as the deposit is charged directly by an eligible hotel to your Aspire, it will trigger the credit.

6) I see the Aspire also offers a $100 property credit at certain Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties. What is the difference? Can I combine both credits?
YES, these are different credits but it is possible to combine them. In order to be eligible for the $100 property credit you must book a specific rate via the www.hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com website. The $100 property credit will be applied by the property at check-out before you card is charged, while the $250 resort credit will be applied by AMEX a few days after the charge appears on your statement.

For example, say you book the qualifying property credit rate via the website above for 2 nights @ $250/night, and then charge $100 in dinner to your room. At check-out, your preliminary folio is $600. The front desk will apply the $100 credit, making your final folio $500 which would be charged to your Aspire. A few days later AMEX will apply the $250 resort credit to your AMEX statement, making your total out of pocket only $250 for a $600 stay. Not bad!

ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
7) Only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for this credit!

8) However, the hilton.com/resorts website isn’t the best! Please search thoroughly. For example, the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas does not appear when you search North America > US & Hawaii > Nevada, but it does appear if you search the map.

9) I didn’t see a property listed at the official Hilton Resorts link, but it did show up when searching Hilton.com and filtering amenities to “Resort Property,” can I get the resort credit here?
NO. Only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for the credit.

10) What about this hotel I stayed at last year, it’s not listed at the official Hilton Resorts link, but it has a pool and a spa and the sun was out when I was there, surely I can get the resort credit there?
NO. Only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for the credit.

ELIGIBLE CHARGES
12) What charges are eligible for this resort credit?
ANYTHING charged directly by the hotel or to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit. Room rate, taxes, fees, room service, dining, bars, spa, transportation, jet skis, beach chairs, excursions, etc. etc. etc. AMEX doesn’t discriminate on what the charge is, as long as the charge appears directly from an eligible hotel it will trigger the credit.

13) I booked an award stay using Honors points at an eligible property, can I still get the resort credit for incidentals charged to the room if I pay with my Aspire?
YES. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire.

14) I booked a prepaid rate through Orbitz at an eligible property with a different credit card, can I still get the resort credit for my hotel bar tab that I charged to the room if settle this at check-out with my Aspire?
YES. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire.

15) I bought some cat food and fresh underwear at the hotel gift shop and charged it to my room. It’s an eligible property and I’m paying with my Aspire, but surely I won’t get the resort credit for this?
WRONG. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire. And don’t call me Shirley.

CREDIT TIMING
16) How long does the resort credit take to post to my Amex statement?
The resort credit typically posts between 2-5 days after the eligible charge posts to your Amex account.

17) What happens if I stay in an eligible property, pay with my Aspire, but the resort credit doesn't post automatically?
If the resort credit hasn't posted within 7 days, it will most likely not post automatically, and you need to call Amex to have it manually applied. Unfortunately Amex typically requires you to wait until 8 weeks after the charge before they will manually apply the resort credit.

 

[wed100105]

@Lain and @calypso726 thanks for the replies.

I'm at a stage in my life that I've just accepted lessons like these. I have three kids ages 2-11. Just in the time I've taken trying to reply to this thread, I've been interrupted 6 times.

I've spent a lot of time this weekend figuring out how to make the most of our card, including buying gift certificates with Southwest (after assigning them as my preferred partner this year) and making prepayments (following the guidelines). Thank you both for the info as well. I've been researching a lot of Flyer Talk threads including the one you posted. (Thanks for taking the time to do that, by the way!)

I only had posted my experience for others that weren't familiar with the card and specific terms and conditions. Surely, I'm not the only one who makes that rookie mistake, right?!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Most of us are aware of the benefits and restrictions.

If you won't be able to use your airline fee credit this year, you can use the Aspire's $250 airline fee credit to buy gift cards for Southwest or Delta to trigger the reimbursement. Keep in mind that buying airline gift cards does not technically count as a type of fee that triggers a reimbursement credit, but in practice it still works with Southwest and Delta. This can stop working at any time. Do this ASAP before this is killed just like AA recently.

If you haven't done so already, select Southwest or Delta (whichever works better for you) as your preferred airline.

If you selected Southwest, you can buy up to a single $250 Southwest e-Gift Card to send to yourself here: https://www.southwest.com/gift-card/create-card.html

If you selected Delta, you will have to buy gift cards in $50 denominations (anything higher won't trigger the credit), so for $250 put 5x $50 Delta gift cards in your cart here: https://www.delta.com/egift/eGiftPurchase.action?icid=PROD_eGift_Launch[*

Thank you for the reminder. I just changed my airline to Delta on my Aspire and promptly ordered 5 x $50.00 gift cards. I never fly Delta so I'll sell on one of the third party sites, but at least I'll pocket a good part of the money! I'm loving my Aspire card so much already. For me it's a keeper!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[disneybirds]

Thanks I went ahead and did that! Dh wasn’t instantly approved but that’s okay, he wasn’t last time either. Can someone refresh my memory about what number to call and the order of buttons to push?

Chase Status Number 1-800-432-3117; Follow the prompts (should be #, 3, 1, SSN#). This is from my churning document, which I copied from someone on here but don't know who to give credit! Sorry, if it was you.

 

[nickle831]

Man this game can be a "first world" emotional roller coaster at times...

• Until December I didn't even realize that AA Miles could be used for Disney resorts so I didn't care about the grAAvy train
• Once I learned that you could use them for Disney I was suddenly mildly interested in AA miles
• Then I figured out you could ride the biz only train and not affect your 5/24 status while earning ~300k miles per player per year and I was ALL IN
• I briefly thought you could use AA miles for tickets and realized you actually couldn't so bummer (but I'm actually misinformed at this point)
• AA Biz Mailers went to single use causing some concern over whether you could continue to ride the train at a reasonable cost
• We revisited using miles for tickets and figured out that YOU COULD use miles for tickets AND dining and simply had to book a throwaway rental car which was minimal in cose
• AA Biz Mailers seemed to settle in to a reasonable price and if you have good friends you can get them free even
• Then Disney hotels go completely missing from the AA portal
• Disney hotels come back to the AA portal but now you can't do tickets or dining and the pricing is slightly wonky (i.e. 0.85cpp vs. 1cpp)

It's so goofy - I'm really BUMMED about the loss of the dining option. That was going to be so awesome for my family - what a HUGE money-saver given how easy it would be to acquire the AA miles. Yet a month ago I didn't know that option existed. And 4 months ago I didn't even know any of this was possible. Like I said, it's just a strange emotional churning roller coaster... I really feel kinda down now about this, (well as down as super positive/optimistic me gets). I'm sorry if I led anybody into the grAAvy train and now circumstances seem to be changing and it's causing you issues.

Yep it is a roller coaster. I only ever did the SW points card because I was scared of messing up my credit. Now I can't wait for my next card to get in the mail.

Wow you've only been doing it for 4 months?!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Ok. So I decided to try for the Alaska Airlines Business Card and see what happens (Don't have any BOA cards) and if all goes well - then sign DH up for one also.

Well, I got this email today:

n addition to this email, you’ll receive a letter by mail listing the information we need. Please read that letter carefully because it contains important regulatory disclosures concerning your credit application that are not contained in this email.

You can provide this information using IntraLinks®, our third party provider. IntraLinks is a secure document exchange tool that you can use to provide information in a secure manner. Look in your inbox for instructions from IntraLinks® on how you can take advantage of this option.

Whether you send information electronically or by mail, you only need to submit the information once.
Please provide the following:

• Proof of business ownership or authorization to borrow on behalf of the business (e.g. corporate resolution, organization's meeting minutes, articles of incorporation, articles of organization or certificate of incorporation).
• Verification of the legal structure of the business. Verification may include Articles of Inc/Articles of Org/Cert of Trade Name/Partnership agreement. For Non-Profit, provide primary mission (U.S or International) & legal classification (e.g. 501(c)(3)).
• The two most recent accountant prepared, year-end business financial statements/tax returns
• Your two most recent years of federal personal tax returns with all schedules. If you filed a tax extension, please provide a copy of your most recent W2 forms or, for sole proprietorships, an internally prepared year-end profit and loss statement.

So, now what?? I applied as Sole Proprietor and used SS #. Has anyone gotten this before and what did you do?? Not sure how to proceed on this or if I just let it go.

Not the Alaska card...but I had applied for a USB business card and received a letter asking for similar documents.....i just let it go

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[Limes96]

Waiting to board our flight out of PHX and our gate is right across from Skyclub. I asked DH to check it out, using the Amex platinum card. He went in and whipped out his United biz card. The lady in charge just laughed and said sorry that won’t work here.

 

[Haley R]

Chase Status Number 1-800-432-3117; Follow the prompts (should be #, 3, 1, SSN#). This is from my churning document, which I copied from someone on here but don't know who to give credit! Sorry, if it was you.

I just called and it’s at two weeks!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Hello from the land of MSRs...

Sadly $1150 into DH's Bonvoy Biz MSR after only a week At least having an MSR softens the blow of the $380 mechanic's bill today.

Still at 2 weeks on DH's CIP 2. I've got a $2500 Disney payment and a $1500 student loan payment lined up and waiting on that card to arrive, so I hope approval comes soon!

Need to spend another $21 on DH's Citi AA biz after returning a purchase. I'll finish that off with dry cleaning tomorrow.

$2200 left on Hyatt. Have until August for that.

DH and I are starting to renew passports this month so we can start the GE process. Still deciding on card for that, but thinking Capital One Venture and maybe the Marriott Diamond Platinum Brilliant Radiant Experience (aka formerly the SPG Lux).