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

[WVMomof3]

I'm hoping DH goes some interesting places now that CP is in his name. If nothing else we hope that on one of his trips to KC I can go and maybe we can meet some family since its about 2.5hrs from my hometown, we can all have a weekend away

Hoping for this too. But DH has little say on what airline he uses for work. Tampa is usually SW so hoping it is again this year. Trip this week and last were on United.

 

[EACarlson]

Okay, I've been skimming, but am honestly fairly lost, especially with some abbreviations, so I'm hoping some of you here can help a newbie out.

The CCs I use are an old SPG personal amex and AA MasterCard, but those are DH's cards on which I am just an AU. Back before the Marriott merger, using the SPG for everything was a no-brainer. Now, I'm looking for a way to get better rewards.

I've spent quite a bit of time on the Disney GC thread, and while I've managed to get some good deals, it seems like people are doing much better when they are able to combine with points and statement credit offers.

So, where do I start? DH has platinum status for both Stariott and AA from his work trips, but I travel much less frequently. We fly AA when we all go together. When I go to Orlando solo with the kids (DH often chooses not to go), I fly whichever airline has the best prices for my dates/times (Jet Blue last November and this upcoming June, Delta the year before). Also, the Orlando area has so many hotels with low cash prices that points don't always seem to be the best use for our Florida stays.

I'm looking for something on which I can maybe churn some gift cards, and get higher point values for everyday spending. I have honestly never been the one to convert points/miles to rewards, so it will be a bit of a learning curve figuring that out.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sounds like a Chase Sapphire Reserve would work well for you. It's a $450 annual fee but you'll get $300 of that back easily through the travel credit. It automatically erases travel purchases for the first $300 each anniversary year. You get 3points on travel and dining, 1 point on everything else, great insurance benefits and a credit for TSA Pre-check or Global Entry. Points are worth 1.5cents if redeemed for travel through Chase's portal, or you can transfer them to quite a few different programs. I have it's little brother and used 17,000 points to fly my wife and I to Denver for an anniversary weekend on SW last year.

 

[EACarlson]

Just a heads up to anyone considering a Casper, Samsung Pay has an 8% cash back deal right now as well.

 

[amalone1013]

Hoping for this too. But DH has little say on what airline he uses for work. Tampa is usually SW so hoping it is again this year. Trip this week and last were on United.

Yeah, DH has no say either. They just end up on SW usually because it's tyically cheapest.

 

[wendow]

I'm hoping DH goes some interesting places now that CP is in his name. If nothing else we hope that on one of his trips to KC I can go and maybe we can meet some family since its about 2.5hrs from my hometown, we can all have a weekend away

My dh is going to Orlando for work end of march. Since we *should* have CP in place by then, I am tagging along I hope there are more trips in his future but only if I can go and that gets complicated with kids. He used to travel a lot when our dd's were little and since we homeschooled, the girls and I always traveled with him. It was all OOP for us three but we had such a good time over those years and go to go a lot of places we probably would never have gone otherwise. Life is a bit more complicated now but I'm hopeful that we can make some good use of this CP

 

[wendow]

Maybe not. Maybe with all these people booking extra FPs it will open up extra availability if the no longer can. I’m not sure it was a big enough problem but if Disney has to address it maybe it was. I was able to get FOP twice in a 5 night stay for March when last year, all I got was one on day 7 at like 4 pm.

I had clients going over Christmas and I was able to get their party of 5 FOP and SDD on day 3 and on day 4. FOP was an afternoon time so not ideal but better than waiting hours and hours. SDD was morning. Another client was going over NY's and I could not get them FOP but did get them SDD. They only had 3 park days though and hello, like busiest time of the year lol! I think if not going at highest peak times, most will be able to get even the harder FP's. Especially the smaller groups.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I had clients going over Christmas and I was able to get their party of 5 FOP and SDD on day 3 and on day 4. FOP was an afternoon time so not ideal but better than waiting hours and hours. SDD was morning. Another client was going over NY's and I could not get them FOP but did get them SDD. They only had 3 park days though and hello, like busiest time of the year lol! I think if not going at highest peak times, most will be able to get even the harder FP's. Especially the smaller groups.

I was able to get a SDD FP for myself and DD3 for 3/6 just a couple days ago but I can't find a hotel room.

@amalone1013 talk me into the doubletree. That and bonnet creek are open. Ugghhh....I really want to stay on property for ease...but not for $350/night at AofA suite...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

How do you send a backdoor SM to citi? Thinking I might go ahead and get the ball rolling on closing my first Citi AA biz card. All this AA talk is giving me serious fomo! I'm sure I can figure out the msr on top of my CIC....

When logged into Citi, Click “Services” then “Credit Card Services” then “Request a credit limit increase” then “Request your Card agreement”. That will bring you to the "hidden" SM screen.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

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

I’ve lowered my Credit limits with Chase prior to applying for a new card with them to increase my chances of being automatically approved...

 

[GusGus16]

Okay, I've been skimming, but am honestly fairly lost, especially with some abbreviations, so I'm hoping some of you here can help a newbie out.

The CCs I use are an old SPG personal amex and AA MasterCard, but those are DH's cards on which I am just an AU. Back before the Marriott merger, using the SPG for everything was a no-brainer. Now, I'm looking for a way to get better rewards.

I've spent quite a bit of time on the Disney GC thread, and while I've managed to get some good deals, it seems like people are doing much better when they are able to combine with points and statement credit offers.

So, where do I start? DH has platinum status for both Stariott and AA from his work trips, but I travel much less frequently. We fly AA when we all go together. When I go to Orlando solo with the kids (DH often chooses not to go), I fly whichever airline has the best prices for my dates/times (Jet Blue last November and this upcoming June, Delta the year before). Also, the Orlando area has so many hotels with low cash prices that points don't always seem to be the best use for our Florida stays.

I'm looking for something on which I can maybe churn some gift cards, and get higher point values for everyday spending. I have honestly never been the one to convert points/miles to rewards, so it will be a bit of a learning curve figuring that out.

Any help would be appreciated.

There are two approaches 1 would be to go after new cards with sign up bonus' for travel rewards. Chase UR would be a good choice if you want to earn points for free travel, if you have a business a CIP is the most lucrative sign up bonus at this time. These points can be cashed out as well.

The other option if you really aren't interested in opening different credit cards and want more to optimize your savings on gift cards and basic spend would be through a cash back card. I think one of the best options is a DiscoverIt with the first year match. Currently, DiscoverIt has 5% back at grocery stores, so 5% back right now and an additional 5% back after your first year with the card, I know many use fuelpoints to sweeten the deal and get better than 10% off from your gift card purchases at the grocery stores. Each quarter you can spend up to 1500 and earn the 5%. Then anything else you spend on the card is 1% back now and 1% back in a year. Unfortunately, this year I don't think the rest of the quarters are as lucrative as there were last year at least when it comes to gift cards, as next year is gas stations, uber and lift, followed by restaurants and lastly amazon (no warehouse stores this year).

On the first approach you would need to spend a certain amount in a time frame, the CIP is $5,000 spend in the first 3 months for the 80,000 UR which then can be used via there portal at 1.5cpp for travel, transferred to travel partners or cashed out at 1cpp. Feel free to ask questions. No way to churn is a bad way.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Sounds like a Chase Sapphire Reserve would work well for you. It's a $450 annual fee but you'll get $300 of that back easily through the travel credit. It automatically erases travel purchases for the first $300 each anniversary year. You get 3points on travel and dining, 1 point on everything else, great insurance benefits and a credit for TSA Pre-check or Global Entry. Points are worth 1.5cents if redeemed for travel through Chase's portal, or you can transfer them to quite a few different programs. I have it's little brother and used 17,000 points to fly my wife and I to Denver for an anniversary weekend on SW last year.

I was looking into that. I know I will have at least $300 in travel each year to cover most of the AF, and we eat out quite a bit so the triple points on dining is appealing.

But since I don't do THAT much travel, I'm wondering if something that has more broad categories for double/triple points might be better. Most of my spending is on boring stuff like groceries, household products, stuff for the kids, etc. I wonder if I would accumulate enough points to do something worthwhile with them. Does gas code as travel for 3X rewards?

I already get TSA pre/Global Entry as an AU on the AA (which was very much appreciated on my last trip though MCO), and I think it also provides pretty good insurance (like when we blew out a tire on our rental car in the UK but paid nothing because we booked the rental with the AA card).

 

[Mopedmom1]

Looking for a new road map. Any thoughts or comments greatly appreciated.

DH 2/24

• 02/18 CIP (PC)
• 05/18 CSR (PC)
• 10/18 SPG
• 10/18 CIU (keeper)

ME 4/24

• 10/17 DIS (keeper)
• 01/18 CIP (keeper)
• 03/18 SPG Biz (keeper until $125 fee)
• 08/18 CSR/CSP DD CSP closed early Sept by Chase (CSR keeper)
• 12/18 SW Priority (keeper until DH goes for the CP in 12/20)
• 01/19 SW Biz (Close after AF and miles post)

My main goals are to acquire more UR for a cruise in late 2020 or early 2021 and Marriott points but no hurry on those. And if they continue with their shenanigans this may/WILL change.

I feel DH is pretty good to go for another card. I want to wait as long as I can before getting any in my name. He is carrying an interest free balance on the CIU of about 3k. Will this be a negative on getting approved for another Chase Biz card? I can pay it off, but prefer to float it as long as I can, chipping away at the balance, rather than taking it out of savings.

1. APP him for the CIC now
2. PC his CIP to a CIU when AF hits. Is this possible if he already has a CIU?
3. APP him for CFU in three months
4. PC CSR to CFU or ??? when fee hits. I would prefer to close it but he is being a metal card princess.

I hit Chase pretty hard this past year and I have 9 hard pulls due to card apps, car loan - one by CU and one by car dealership (unauthorized) and fraudulent one by Sprint when my identity was stolen. It is supposedly in the process of being removed. This is pulling my CS down to the 790's and I want it to come back up. I am thinking I will apply for something ??? early September. Maybe a Chase Biz while I am 4/24. Can DH refer me to the CIU or CIC? I'm thinking they don't have referrals.

That brings us to Q4, when I will reevaluate. Thanks for thoughts, opinions and ideas.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I was looking into that. I know I will have at least $300 in travel each year to cover most of the AF, and we eat out quite a bit so the triple points on dining is appealing.

But since I don't do THAT much travel, I'm wondering if something that has more broad categories for double/triple points might be better. Most of my spending is on boring stuff like groceries, household products, stuff for the kids, etc. I wonder if I would accumulate enough points to do something worthwhile with them. Does gas code as travel for 3X rewards?

I already get TSA pre/Global Entry as an AU on the AA (which was very much appreciated on my last trip though MCO), and I think it also provides pretty good insurance (like when we blew out a tire on our rental car in the UK but paid nothing because we booked the rental with the AA card).

Unfortunately gas does not code as travel...I’m only familiar with the Chase cards...some come with annual fees and al have. Minimum amount you have to spend in the first 3 months to get the sign up bonus

CSR has the 3x points on travel and dining, CSP has 2x points on travel and dining, CFU has 1.5 points on all purchases, CF is 1 point but has quarterly rotating cAtorgories that earn 5x points
If your willing to apply for business cards....the CIP eRns 3x on travel, internet, phone...CIC earns 5x on office supply stores.....where you can purchase gift cards, phone and internet

 

[ClapYourHands]

There are two approaches 1 would be to go after new cards with sign up bonus' for travel rewards. Chase UR would be a good choice if you want to earn points for free travel, if you have a business a CIP is the most lucrative sign up bonus at this time. These points can be cashed out as well.

The other option if you really aren't interested in opening different credit cards and want more to optimize your savings on gift cards and basic spend would be through a cash back card. I think one of the best options is a DiscoverIt with the first year match. Currently, DiscoverIt has 5% back at grocery stores, so 5% back right now and an additional 5% back after your first year with the card, I know many use fuelpoints to sweeten the deal and get better than 10% off from your gift card purchases at the grocery stores. Each quarter you can spend up to 1500 and earn the 5%. Then anything else you spend on the card is 1% back now and 1% back in a year. Unfortunately, this year I don't think the rest of the quarters are as lucrative as there were last year at least when it comes to gift cards, as next year is gas stations, uber and lift, followed by restaurants and lastly amazon (no warehouse stores this year).

On the first approach you would need to spend a certain amount in a time frame, the CIP is $5,000 spend in the first 3 months for the 80,000 UR which then can be used via there portal at 1.5cpp for travel, transferred to travel partners or cashed out at 1cpp. Feel free to ask questions. No way to churn is a bad way.

Thank you. It seems like Chase has a number of different options for the UR. Are there some that are better than others? I'm not sure what CIP is, but I don't have my own business. Minimum spend isn't a problem, as I've got a $350 weekly daycare bill (obviously does not fall into a category, but it's a major expense that doesn't penalize me for using a CC to pay).

I appreciate the heads up on the DiscoverIt. If I understand correctly, I would max out at $300 per year for the bonus plus whatever else at 1%, assuming I spent the $1500 each quarter on the appropriate categories (which I probably wouldn't do on, say, gas), and then would get that matched a year from now. For a card with no AF, that's a pretty good return.

 

[afan]

Oh Marriott, thank you for being a sponsor of the Oscars so everyone could see one of the worst commercials ever. That poor girl that had to say bonvoy instead of checkmate. And the couple on the beach. It's amazing that they think that commercial will get people to sign up for their rewards program.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Unfortunately gas does not code as travel...I’m only familiar with the Chase cards...some come with annual fees and al have. Minimum amount you have to spend in the first 3 months to get the sign up bonus

CSR has the 3x points on travel and dining, CSP has 2x points on travel and dining, CFU has 1.5 points on all purchases, CF is 1 point but has quarterly rotating cAtorgories that earn 5x points
If your willing to apply for business cards....the CIP eRns 3x on travel, internet, phone...CIC earns 5x on office supply stores.....where you can purchase gift cards, phone and internet

Thank you for the concise summary. Minimum spend should not be a problem.

I don't have a business, so I'm not sure how I would apply for a business card.

 

[EACarlson]

The only other pitch I'll make is that the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve have Primary car rental insurance, not secondary like every other card. They pay up to $50,000 for the damage of the rental car. The other card I would suggest is the Citi Double Cash. 1% when you purchase and 1% when you pay. No AF and there are some Citi experiences that can be interesting as well.

 

[ClapYourHands]

The only other pitch I'll make is that the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve have Primary car rental insurance, not secondary like every other card. They pay up to $50,000 for the damage of the rental car. The other card I would suggest is the Citi Double Cash. 1% when you purchase and 1% when you pay. No AF and there are some Citi experiences that can be interesting as well.

What are Citi experiences?

 

[EACarlson]

https://www.citiprivatepass.com/?JFP_TOKEN=9SLXPCN0

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thank you. It seems like Chase has a number of different options for the UR. Are there some that are better than others? I'm not sure what CIP is, but I don't have my own business. Minimum spend isn't a problem, as I've got a $350 weekly daycare bill (obviously does not fall into a category, but it's a major expense that doesn't penalize me for using a CC to pay).

I appreciate the heads up on the DiscoverIt. If I understand correctly, I would max out at $300 per year for the bonus plus whatever else at 1%, assuming I spent the $1500 each quarter on the appropriate categories (which I probably wouldn't do on, say, gas), and then would get that matched a year from now. For a card with no AF, that's a pretty good return.

I just sent you an invite to our Reddit group if you’re interested. It has some additional tips and guides It’s open to anybody on the DIS but is a private group.