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

[spacerangerqueen]

My guess is CC benefit. spacerangerqueen may have extras to share, like we've got 3 benefits total but only two of us... (and inlaws each have CSRs too right now)

Nope, she just got surprise pre-check like my parents used to get. I guess they thought a solo 13 year old was harmless lol

 

[wanderlust7]

@miztressuz - was it you who bought $500 obc on NCL and paid with AMEX to get the $150 credit? Did it work? We sail in 17 days and would like to take advantage of this if it works.

Did it on my card and DH's card. Both credited.

 

[afan]

I also borrow kindle books using overdrive on iphone/ipad. I find the process annoying though, it brings me to the amazon app to finish borrowing it. I can return them through overdrive though, there's a return button right under the pic of each book i've borrowed. Don't have to go back to amazon to do it.

This is what I have done or on the library page though it may have actually been overdrive meant to look like the library.

That's what I do, but mine doesn't remove the books from my Kindle App until the loan actually runs out.

You can always delete it yourself. I found with the old kindle I was using that even after the library removed it the cover was still there so it acted like it was there. But it's been a few years so things may have improved. I used my mom's old kindle until it died after she upgraded.

 

[alryan]

I like your plan CIC for you now and wait a bit and refer DH to CSP. Arrival + next or really any Amex biz for either of you. I believe the SPG biz is no af the first year then you could cancel? I’d take a break from chase after CIC and CSP for a bit.
Def upgrade ur CSP. Do it in early May because RCCL usually does good sales over the holiday weekends. I booked around Memorial Day last year and got an amazing rate for our recent cruise. You can also prepay the tips and the 1.5 redemption is huge!!!!i booked directly through Chase and they quoted me same price with onboard credit that RCCL website had.

Thank you! I got my CSP on 6/15 so I believe I have to wait at least until then. I was planning on prepaying the tips as well, so good to know you get the 1.5 for that. I don't know if we will even do any excursions, but I wonder if you could book those and get 1.5 as well?

 

[DisneyMandC]

You can always delete it yourself. I found with the old kindle I was using that even after the library removed it the cover was still there so it acted like it was there. But it's been a few years so things may have improved. I used my mom's old kindle until it died after she upgraded.

Yeah, I'm just always worried that someone is waiting for the book and I have no way to return it faster haha.

 

[Albort]

Ok, one more precheck question. Is it typically that if the lead goes has it everyone booked on that reservation has it? I was just thinking maybe I would offer our other credit to my cousin, he travels to Denver for work a lot and they also have at least one vacation planned this summer, so if he is the lead person would his wife also get it?

from experience, as long as the lead hase pre-check, everyone on the reservation should also get precheck...
this isnt a for sure thing though, but from my experience, its been 100%.

 

[miztressuz]

@miztressuz - was it you who bought $500 obc on NCL and paid with AMEX to get the $150 credit? Did it work? We sail in 17 days and would like to take advantage of this if it works.

@wanderlust7 got you I have not tried it yet, since it doesn't expire for a while I'm trying to wait a few more weeks for better timing and then try it on excursions (also if someone would have an opinion already .) I'm thinking that may work too because they are in the same area of the site as the OBC that worked for wanderlust7. I suspect anything that comes through as NCL will, but have no DPs to back up that theory

If it's something refundable, can always give it a try and if it doesn't go through just cancel and redo on what you were going to use instead.

 

[miztressuz]

Thank you. I think maybe I'll just wait until June and book then. I'd like to make it as hassle free as possible

Yeah I like easy, plus then you don't have to shell out the full deposit right now. I'd just caution that pricing and availability can change for the cabin type(s) you're looking at, so if you have your heart set on a specific cabin/location/type it can fill up between now and then. The good thing you have going for you is it's Oct in the Caribbean so there's usually less demand from hurricane season (hence the deals) so it'll probably work out for you. (And because of hurricane season, be flexible as things can change, and consider trip insurance )

 

[Judique]

It turns out my presale code was for noon - (legacy tiers). Anyway, I just got in, there were like 3 rows of presale left, all in the back at $285 each. All the tickets down front were reserved for the meet and greet at 2k a head. I will look at the general on sale this Friday but this one might be a no go for me. I have better seats in Vegas for cheaper. These prices are nuts!

I know. The prices at this MGM are high. Daughter was interested in Brittney Spears when she came and wouldn't pay when she saw the outrageous cost last year.

 

[lyshia04]

Ok, first I would like to thank everyone who gave advice it was super helpful. I’ve been keeping up with the thread, man it sure goes fast.

So we got the CSP. We are working on that spend now. I’m trying to let it be organic I don’t want to force it. Any suggestions for where to go next. The spend for the business cards is just a little out of reach for us unless we have something big planned. (Like the roof I put on my rental three months ago). So we were looking where to apply next. I saw all the grAAvy talk.
Right now we are at:
P1-1/24
P2-0/24

I don’t need the points for this upcoming vacation. Although I wouldn’t mind a weekend away this year. (Any suggestions welcome we are near dc, flying away would be lovely.)

So I was looking at what I need for next year. We are doing universal and SeaWorld.
So I need:
Hotel: Hyatt? 5 nights (would love on-site. It sure I make the points)
Tickets: I think you can get them through UR
Food: still thinking about this.
Rental/ Uber ? Depends on where we stay
Flights: we can fly out of IAD or RIC.

So maybe we should AA or another chase.

I welcome any tips. Thanks so much.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Thank you! I got my CSP on 6/15 so I believe I have to wait at least until then. I was planning on prepaying the tips as well, so good to know you get the 1.5 for that. I don't know if we will even do any excursions, but I wonder if you could book those and get 1.5 as well?

Or maybe just have DH get the CSR in May instead of the CSP. The May deal was amazing. 50% off the second passenger and both kids free. Price was around $1950 for all 4 of us (including fees) Tips were $400. So total was $2350 and cost 156k URs. I called about booking excursions and drink package but it was a no go. We paid for the drink package ahead of time if your interested look for sales on that holiday weekends as well. For excursions i actually booked directly through the UR site for St. Martin and it worked out great for us and I saved a ton more than they charge on board. What islands??

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Ok, first I would like to thank everyone who gave advice it was super helpful. I’ve been keeping up with the thread, man it sure goes fast.

So we got the CSP. We are working on that spend now. I’m trying to let it be organic I don’t want to force it. Any suggestions for where to go next. The spend for the business cards is just a little out of reach for us unless we have something big planned. (Like the roof I put on my rental three months ago). So we were looking where to apply next. I saw all the grAAvy talk.
Right now we are at:
P1-1/24
P2-0/24

I don’t need the points for this upcoming vacation. Although I wouldn’t mind a weekend away this year. (Any suggestions welcome we are near dc, flying away would be lovely.)

So I was looking at what I need for next year. We are doing universal and SeaWorld.
So I need:
Hotel: Hyatt? 5 nights (would love on-site. It sure I make the points)
Tickets: I think you can get them through UR
Food: still thinking about this.
Rental/ Uber ? Depends on where we stay
Flights: we can fly out of IAD or RIC.

So maybe we should AA or another chase.

I welcome any tips. Thanks so much.

Have P2 get the CSR and you should go for CIP. Then refer him to CIP in a month or so

 

[brownhaired_girl]

You know that little tickle you get in your tummy when things fall into place? Well, I'm 3 for 3 today. I have a short 9 day getaway next month flying from MSP to MCO to leave some of the Minnesota cold behind. Nothing really exciting, just hang out at a resort and maybe use Sea World AP a few days. My daughter has been asking to go to Aquatica so this is a good trip to get this done. I have a 2BR at Marriott Grande Lakes for the first 7 days and needed to find another couple nights someplace else. This morning I found Marriott Cypress Harbor for 35,000 points. My 2 free night certificates are now attached. We have a 2 week Disney trip for this spring. I checked my April car rental rate and my 13 day minivan dropped from $650 to $604 It had started at $805. Then I went in to check my SW flights and my flight home dropped from 8635 points to 3556 points. I'm wondering if today is a good day to buy a lottery ticket?

 

[Lain]

D’oh! Don’t do this:

Called to cancel my Delta American Express I've had for 11 months.

The Retention Specialist said they have the right to reverse my 60,000 mileage bonus. I went ahead and cancelled anyway. Has anyone heard of AmEx actually going through with taking away the bonus?

Saved for posterity in case this gem gets deleted.

Amex absolutely will come and claw back your SUB if you cancel their cards in less than a year, and you’ll end up on their sh*tlist and get pop ups to infinity and beyond. They’ll take your lunch money while they’re at it too.

 

[DisneyMandC]

So I was looking at what I need for next year. We are doing universal and SeaWorld.
So I need:
Hotel: Hyatt? 5 nights (would love on-site. It sure I make the points)
Tickets: I think you can get them through UR
Food: still thinking about this.
Rental/ Uber ? Depends on where we stay
Flights: we can fly out of IAD or RIC.

I fly out of RIC! I've found Jetblue to be the best price/flights to Orlando. You can transfer URs to Jetblue which often turns out to be a better value than booking Jetblue flights through the UR portal. For example, I just looked at Jetblue flights to Orlando for September. Direct flight down there is $89 one way or 5,600 Jetblue points. If you were to book through the Chase portal, it would be about 7100 URs. But instead, you can transfer 5,600 URs directly to Jetblue and book that way cheaper.

RIC is also starting direct Southwest flights to Orlando in August, but only Saturdays. I don't really dabble in SW miles, but a lot of people here do and can tell you more about them and getting companion passes, etc.

I bought Universal tickets with URs for a trip last November and had no problems.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Ok, first I would like to thank everyone who gave advice it was super helpful. I’ve been keeping up with the thread, man it sure goes fast.

So we got the CSP. We are working on that spend now. I’m trying to let it be organic I don’t want to force it. Any suggestions for where to go next. The spend for the business cards is just a little out of reach for us unless we have something big planned. (Like the roof I put on my rental three months ago). So we were looking where to apply next. I saw all the grAAvy talk.
Right now we are at:
P1-1/24
P2-0/24

I don’t need the points for this upcoming vacation. Although I wouldn’t mind a weekend away this year. (Any suggestions welcome we are near dc, flying away would be lovely.)

So I was looking at what I need for next year. We are doing universal and SeaWorld.
So I need:
Hotel: Hyatt? 5 nights (would love on-site. It sure I make the points)
Tickets: I think you can get them through UR
Food: still thinking about this.
Rental/ Uber ? Depends on where we stay
Flights: we can fly out of IAD or RIC.

So maybe we should AA or another chase.

I welcome any tips. Thanks so much.

I’d stick with Chase cards while your under 5/24....Universal hotels can be booked with URs....

.if the spend on the CIP is too much right now....wait to apply when you have that big expense.

Since P1 has the CSP...they can refer P2 .....this way P1 gets the $10k UR referral bonus and P2 gets 50k URs sign up bonus...all URs can be combined on one persons card.
Once your done with that spend...the other business cards CIC and CIU...have a 50k UR sign up bonus for a $3k spend...you can alternate between P1 and P2 applying for them

 

[mmmears]

D’oh! Don’t do this:


Saved for posterity in case this gem gets deleted.

Amex absolutely will come and claw back your SUB if you cancel their cards in less than a year, and you’ll end up on their sh*tlist and get pop ups to infinity and beyond. They’ll take your lunch money while they’re at it too.

And why would anyone do this?

 

[mmmears]

Ok, first I would like to thank everyone who gave advice it was super helpful. I’ve been keeping up with the thread, man it sure goes fast.

So we got the CSP. We are working on that spend now. I’m trying to let it be organic I don’t want to force it. Any suggestions for where to go next. The spend for the business cards is just a little out of reach for us unless we have something big planned. (Like the roof I put on my rental three months ago). So we were looking where to apply next. I saw all the grAAvy talk.
Right now we are at:
P1-1/24
P2-0/24

I don’t need the points for this upcoming vacation. Although I wouldn’t mind a weekend away this year. (Any suggestions welcome we are near dc, flying away would be lovely.)

So I was looking at what I need for next year. We are doing universal and SeaWorld.
So I need:
Hotel: Hyatt? 5 nights (would love on-site. It sure I make the points)
Tickets: I think you can get them through UR
Food: still thinking about this.
Rental/ Uber ? Depends on where we stay
Flights: we can fly out of IAD or RIC.

So maybe we should AA or another chase.

I welcome any tips. Thanks so much.

I'd stick with Chase while you can. Also, you can use URs to book Hyatt (both through their site and by moving the points to a Hyatt account). I have a bunch of AA miles and the URs are much easier to use IMHO (unless you're looking to book a WDW room). I'd look at a CSR or a CIP if you can handle the MSRs.

 

[Lain]

And why would anyone do this?

There’s no good reason to.

If you’ve already paid an AF, canceling an Amex card won’t get a refund or prorated refund back (and even if it did, a prorated refund for one month left? smh).

If you’re maxed out at 5 Amex credit cards and need to close one to open another, choose one that’s over a year old or wait one more month for the 11 month old card to turn a year old.

 

[amalone1013]

yay, discover card has fraudulent purchase...