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

[mom2elal]

Just popping in to say that I miss you guys! I figured out a couple of months ago that my migraines were being triggered by too much time on the computer, particularly reading forums (I think it's something to do with the scrolling making my eyes move a certain way), so I've had to really cut back on my online reading time. I just finished the old thread.I'm going to try to quickly skim through this one and stay caught up, but you guys don't make it easy!

I haven't gotten any new credit cards since SEPTEMBER. Next month I'll be at 4/24 and six months since my last Chase app, so I'm thinking about going for a SW card, but that would be my 4th Chase card within a year (got CSR and CSP in May, IHG Premier in Sept), and my 6th Chase card all together, so I'm a little nervous. I'm also thinking about trying for the Arrival+ again. I applied in Dec. and was denied. The reason given was that I had/have the max number of the card, but I had cancelled it in early 2018. March will be over two years since I got that card so I think I might have a chance then.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

No time machine lol!

Dates are December 26 - January 5 (this way getting 2 free nights over the course of the stay).

We have around 70,000 Marriott points currently. I have approx. 550,000 UR points and haven't been able to find a good use for them. I'm not sure how many MRs dh has -- he's a pain and once in a while (w/o consulting me), dumps them into Aeroplan despite me telling him I could find other uses for them.

Because it' over the Christmas / New Year holiday, room nights are in excess of $1,000.00 / night. We like the Westin as it's at the base of the gondola and has an oven, bar fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle and plates, cutlery, etc. Plus since it's built on the side of the mountain, it's in the village, but you don't have the noise of the village, which is a huge bonus as I'm a very, very light sleeper.

Flights I can do on Aeroplan miles as we have a plethora of those.

Can I just say that Machu Picchu would very likely have been less expensive, all expenses in.

So at $1,000+ per night and with the 5th night free on Marriott bookings it does seem like Marriott points are your best bet. (You already knew this but happy to verify it via a 2nd opinion).

If you are set on this trip then the good news is you already have enough points to make it happen with your UR balance. Here’s the order I’d prioritize for using/earning more points:
1) Use your existing Marriott stash
2) Use your existing Amex MR stash
3a) Earn more Marriott pts via signups
3b) Earn more Amex MRs via signups (basically time with the Marriott option)
4) Transfer URs to Marriott (and yes this is a good option given the cash cost of the room and 5th night free).

I hope this helps or at least verifies your plan. As far as how to earn those points - I’d defer to some of what @Lain said on the best Marriott cards to get.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Just popping in to say that I miss you guys! I figured out a couple of months ago that my migraines were being triggered by too much time on the computer, particularly reading forums (I think it's something to do with the scrolling making my eyes move a certain way), so I've had to really cut back on my online reading time. I just finished the old thread.I'm going to try to quickly skim through this one and stay caught up, but you guys don't make it easy!

I haven't gotten any new credit cards since SEPTEMBER. Next month I'll be at 4/24 and six months since my last Chase app, so I'm thinking about going for a SW card, but that would be my 4th Chase card within a year (got CSR and CSP in May, IHG Premier in Sept), and my 6th Chase card all together, so I'm a little nervous. I'm also thinking about trying for the Arrival+ again. I applied in Dec. and was denied. The reason given was that I had/have the max number of the card, but I had cancelled it in early 2018. March will be over two years since I got that card so I think I might have a chance then.

Aww we miss you too! Hope you’re feeling better

2 thoughts:

1) 4 Chase cards in a year is no big deal. You probably could even get a 5th but most of us are hesitant to go beyond that.
2) If you can’t read every comment, we started a “news” thread on DISchurners where we pickup the major news each day as best we can. It would be VERY easy to check for 2-3 minutes a day to see the highlights and not miss any major opportunities.

 

[mom2elal]

Aww we miss you too! Hope you’re feeling better

2 thoughts:

1) 4 Chase cards in a year is no big deal. You probably could even get a 5th but most of us are hesitant to go beyond that.
2) If you can’t read every comment, we started a “news” thread on DISchurners where we pickup the major news each day as best we can. It would be VERY easy to check for 2-3 minutes a day to see the highlights and not miss any major opportunities.

Thanks! That's really good to know about the news thread. That's a great idea!

 

[EACarlson]

I need to add my DD13 as an AU. Is there any reason to pick one card over another when adding kids? We have a Discover, CSP, AmEx Gold, and CapOne Venture as options.

I would do the AMEX Gold. You can set a per billing cycle limit on it.

 

[Judique]

We are traveling with our equipment -- 2 large suitcases, 2 boot/helmet bags and 1 large ski / snowboard bag . We don't tend to travel light lol.

I will definitely apply for both cards.

Dh did get me Starwood AmEx (I'm an au on his card) years and years ago (the purple 'basic' one -- which gives us 1 35,000 night hotel / year, so it's a keeper). I'm not sure if he could even apply for the Bonvoy. I might be able to convince him in a few months to apply for something, but I'm not holding my breath.

I have that one also. I got it about 20 years ago, and still haven't gotten my first free night. My anniversary is March so I expect to have one by April or May, hopefully. Yes, I'm pretty sure he can apply for the Bonvoy Brilliant and the business, same as you. It's the Chase card that would present a problem.

At one point we could get 6-7 cards that gave SPG/Marriott points but that ship sailed last August when they rolled out their new program. I have 5 of the cards, and my daughter has 6. All keepers for us as we know we can't get them back if we close some. And they will work for our vacationing style.

It's pretty difficult to travel light once you buy your own equipment, but once you become a skier, you don't want rentals. I used to ski and my kids were on skis when they were toddlers.

 

[Albort]

I need to add my DD13 as an AU. Is there any reason to pick one card over another when adding kids? We have a Discover, CSP, AmEx Gold, and CapOne Venture as options.

also adding to whatever the longest AOA u have would help your DD. maybe...
Amex Gold for AOs! lol

u can stack AOs that way

 

[wendow]

Thanks to whoever used my Dosh link!! I appreciate it

 

[Judique]

4) Transfer URs to Marriott (and yes this is a good option given the cash cost of the room and 5th night free).

I forgot about the 5th night free and still felt the value was there for the UR transfer. This makes it even better.

 

[Alexle2007]

@Judique Is the Sheraton in Clearwater right on the beach? Can you walk to restaurants easily from it? We have only stayed at the SandPearl Resort and loved the location and resort but trying to make this vacation in June less expensive since we have tuition and all the expenses that go with private school coming up.

 

[WDWRook]

Congratulations!

​

The CIP will not cause any issues applying for an Amex business card. Amex does have a velocity limit of only 2 approvals of Amex credit cards (personal or business) in a rolling 90 days period. Amex also limits their cardmembers to holding only 5 open Amex credit cards at a time. Amex’s charge cards (the Green, Gold, and Platinums, and their business varieties) don’t count against the 2/90 rule or the 5 credit card rule. Credit cards from another issuer, much less a business card that doesn’t show up on your credit reports, don’t count against either rule.

Thanks. I need to do some learning about Amex cards.

 

[wendow]

also adding to whatever the longest AOA u have would help your DD. maybe...
Amex Gold for AOs! lol

u can stack AOs that way

I’m honestly not sure how much the AoA matters here. I added dd18 (when she was 16) to my brand new CF. The card was probably only 18 mos old when she applied for her own Discover with a credit score of 800+. I think she ‘inherited’ all my years of good credit even though the card I put her on was new. I added her to that one because I knew it’s one I would not be closing.

 

[mmmears]

I'm loving all the advice on this thread, for trips all over the place, splurges or budget one, with no judgment. I'm learning a lot just by reading along, and when we figure out what's next (never ever felt like we had so many options before, but we do because of all these points) I'll be asking for help.

You may be fine now..but since your nervous about applying for a business card..it may be best to wait 3 monthus until March....to go for the CIP

Yes, since I'm so close to March, and because they might list my first card as 1/1/19 instead of 12/31/18 I think it's best to be a bit cautious.

The highest credit limit I’ve kept is $10,000 on my CSR...the rest of my chase cards I’ve reduced to $1,000-$2000...

I sent a SM to lower the credit limit just in case it helps. Even if it won't show up by the time I apply, at least now it's done.

I just started using 1password and really like it. I did the trail period for the family option and liked it so much, I just bought it. You pay for the year in advance, so I think it was about $60. Its has vaults that allow you to have passwords in places only you can access as well as passwords that can be shared among the family. I love that it works really well across devices. I have it on all my computers (desktop/laptops), phones, and iPads. Pretty easy to use, although my non-tech husband hasn't really dug in yet. He needs a lesson

Add me to the Shake Shake frustration. We went at the end of last month, and when it wasn't immediately credited as Grubhub was, I SM'd. She confirmed that my charge was eligible, but said it could take 2-4 weeks to post. Of course, it still hasn't posted. I think I'm going to tweet Amex about how a benefit that you have to constantly follow up on isn't really a great benefit. The first month, I was also screwed out of a charge because I used Grubhub on the last day of the month and the transaction didn't post until two days later. UGH! Amex really needs to take some lessons from Chase if they want to give them a run for the money on benefits. The Chase travel benefit is how they all should be done.

Good to see more people liking 1Password. I really need to start using it. DH says he paid for a family plan (he and DD have been using it for over a year now).

Was your Shake Shack the new one that just opened in the Bay Area? Mine was, and yeah it's ridiculous that it won't credit. We went to CCF today and I already have an email from AMEX saying the noticed I used the benefit. It's at the point where I don't think we will be using this "benefit" every month.

I cannot tell a lie, yes, yes it does! That said, if it works for you then great.

Dr Reluctant P2 is considering the CIP so hopefully in a week @mmmears and I will both have good news to report

I sure hope we do! Still nervous, but bracing myself to give it a try.

 

[Judique]

@Judique Is the Sheraton in Clearwater right on the beach? Can you walk to restaurants easily from it? We have only stayed at the SandPearl Resort and loved the location and resort but trying to make this vacation in June less expensive since we have tuition and all the expenses that go with private school coming up.

Yes, but it is an older hotel. It therefore has an older style although I feel it is well kept and I've been always treated nicely there. It is at the end just before the park and the Marriott Suites are across the road on the bay side. There are restaurants that you can walk to, but I haven't walked to any of them. I am planning to try the Columbia restaurant that is nearby on my next visit.

The sand is right in front of the hotel and there are no hotels blocking the Gulf view, but it's a bit of a walk out to the water - not a problem for me but some have complained. There are chaises for rent by the water and also snacks and drinks in season.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Just to be clear, you’re only an AU on the basic SPG Amex? If so, that’s not a disqualifier for the Bonvoy Business or Bonvoy Brilliant. (1. You’re only an AU, not the primary cardmember. 2. The SPG Amex is in the same Amex “lane”, that is it’s not a Chase card. 3. The basic personal SPG Amex is considered a different product from the high-end Bonvoy Brilliant and the business Bonvoy Biz.)

What your DH could do to help is if you could use his Platinum to generate a universal referral link (assuming he hasn’t maxed out on referrals for the year), which you’ll use and click through the card options with referral offers, find the Bonvoy Biz, and apply via your DH’s referral. That’ll add a 15k Membership Rewards bonus to his Amex account, which he could transfer to his Marriott account and then onto your Marriott account (subject to Marriott’s 100k/yr. transfer cap).

Once you have the Bonvoy Biz, generate a referral link to refer yourself to the Bonvoy Brilliant when you’re ready and before the elevated offers end 4/24/19 for a 20k Marriott points bonus to your own Marriott account.

Yes, just an AU. I rarely use it. I *might* be able to convince dh to apply for another card. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

I used his AmEx Platinum link to apply for the Aspire. I should have him transfer those points to Marriott. Ditto for the ones I'd get for the referral for the Bonvoy (that'd be 30,000 points right there).

Can I then refer myself from the personal Bonvoy to the business card? And get more points for the referral?

 

[Albort]

I’m honestly not sure how much the AoA matters here. I added dd18 (when she was 16) to my brand new CF. The card was probably only 18 mos old when she applied for her own Discover with a credit score of 800+. I think she ‘inherited’ all my years of good credit even though the card I put her on was new. I added her to that one because I knew it’s one I would not be closing.

im not sure either, im sure it helps though... but ive heard of ppl getting denied even with high score because banks can tell that your added as an AU instead of your own card. Id say, add it anyways just incase! u never know!

 

[Haley R]

So I’ve seen some mentioning of lowering CLs. Do I need to be doing this?

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Just to clarify, somebody figured out that you can pay for Disney vacations with AA miles, so many of us are going for a new CitiBiz AA every 94 days. Some are also getting personal AA cards every month or two. Hop over to r/dischurners if you want to learn more.

People are buying the biz right? Does it have to be 94 days from closing the card? Or opening? And are people putting these in the same business name? Like I have a legit photography business that my current Citi Biz is under.

 

[Lain]

Yes, just an AU. I rarely use it. I *might* be able to convince dh to apply for another card. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

I used his AmEx Platinum link to apply for the Aspire. I should have him transfer those points to Marriott. Ditto for the ones I'd get for the referral for the Bonvoy (that'd be 30,000 points right there).

Can I then refer myself from the personal Bonvoy to the business card? And get more points for the referral?

You can check, but I did not see the basic personal Bonvoy Amex (the old SPG personal card) being able to generate any referral links to the Business or Brilliant when I checked a few days ago.

If you can refer from DH’s Bonvoy Amex (old SPG personal), that would likely be 20k Marriott points to DH’s Marriott account. If it’s not possible, the next best thing is to refer from DH’s Platinum to the Bonvoy Biz for a 15k Membership Rewards bonus to DH’s Amex account, which he can transfer 1:1 to his Marriott account.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I'm seeing points rates for the Westin Whistler at 130k points per night (is that what they're charging for a suite?). The Westin Whistler is a Cat 7 hotel with standard points redemption at 60k/night. What rate are you seeing? It sounds like you've already made a points advance reservation? Probably a good idea before peak pricing is introduced.

It looks like you're 2/24. The CIP and Amex Hilton Biz don't count as they are business cards that don't show up on your personal credit reports. The CSR is past 24 months.

@Judique already laid out your options well. You can sign up for the two Amex Marriott cards, which both have elevated 100k Marriott points after $5k MSR in 3 months offers right now until 4/24/19. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is the high-end card with a $450 AF, but comes with a $300 Marriott credit and Gold Elite status -- will count against your 5/24. The Marriott Bonvoy Business is a business card and won't count against your 5/24, but apply before 3/28/19 to get your first year AF waived, and a lower second year AF.

You should go for the Bonvoy Biz first, because you'll want to apply before 3/28/19, then get started on its $5k MSR. Before the elevated offer ends on the Bonvoy Brilliant on 4/24/19, generate a referral link from the Bonvoy Biz to refer yourself to the Bonvoy Brilliant for another 20k Marriott points referral bonus. This way you're working on only one $5k MSR first with the Biz, then when you're better positioned to tackle the second $5k MSR on the Brilliant you refer yourself for a 20k bonus before the Brilliant's 100k offer goes away. This will net you 220k Marriott points, plus whatever points you earn from your MSR spend. That gets you about halfway there.

Another option, if the redemption math is right, is to buy Marriott points from points .com. Currently, points .com is selling 50k Marriott points for $625. Points .com used to run sales on SPG points before the merger, but I haven't seen any sales for the new Marriott Bonvoy points. This works out to 1.25 cents per point. Again, I don't have the rate you've booked at, but divide the cash rate with the nightly points rate to get an idea what the value of your redemption is, and if that rate is higher than 1.25 cents per point, it might make sense to buy those extra points.

A few things to note: Points typically cover taxes, but not resort fees. And buying points from points .com using a CIP earns 3x UR (or at least did in the last DPs I've seen). Marriott members can purchase or receive as a gift a combined maximum of 50k points per calendar year through points .com, so its utility is somewhat limited. However, it should be possible for "DH" and "DD" to each buy 50k from points .com, and then once those points are in their Marriott accounts, call Marriott to transfer those points to your account. Note that Marriott limits transfers of points between accounts to 100k points per year, they have to call in to request the transfer, and Marriott charges a $10 fee for each transfer unless they have Gold or higher status (your DH's Platinum comes with complimentary Gold Elite status).

Both UR and MR points transfer to Marriott 1000:1000, so you could go that route to top off the points you still need.

I don't know how many UR points you have, so this may not be feasible, but have you looked at what it might cost to book the hotel through your CSR on the UR portal? Even at 3/24 (which is what you'll end up after going for the Bonvoy Brilliant), you can still go for the CIU and CIC for 50k UR SUB each, probably CIP #2 via referral for a net 100k UR bonus. You could also use these Chase Ink SUBs to cover whatever amount of Marriott points you still need.

Hope these ideas help.

Great help, yes!

I booked at 60,000 points / night, then with 10 nights I get 2 nights "free", so net at 480,000 points required. We should have near 70,000 after ds gets back from Syracuse (he's at the ALoft Syracuse now) so around 400,000 total needed. This is for the studio with a queen bed and pull out couch -- I know I won't get upgraded (we were just there 2 weeks ago for a week on a points reservation and we got upgraded from a studio to a 1 bedroom suite). Note: we weren't charged any extra for our recent points stay (i.e. neither the resort fee nor ski valet were charged to us when we left).

I *may* look into buying some points from points .com. I'd never heard of them before. Could even use that for some of the MSR on the new card.

I should also add that the Marriott account is in dh's name. Never been a problem -- I call and add my name to a reservation. Just wanted to mention!

Thanks again for all the helpful input