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

[punkin]

My AT&T credit just showed up. I'm going to make my second prepayment and try to figure out how to make it apply towards purchase of a new phone.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Just wondering who among here would change your churning strategy if Chase eliminates transfers between CF, CFU, CIC, CIP, CSP, CSR old Ink Plus/Bold?

I’ve been thinking about that and I would likely still continue to earn Chase points on some of my cards. However, I would definitely consider canceling some depending on the specifics of such a change. It could easily force me to place a greater focus on Amex MR and even TYP.

Just curious on how others view a potential change.

It probably wouldn’t change my strategy at all - but since my best use of URs is to cash them out that probably doesn’t surprise you. And I’m pretty much just churning through these cards for sign up bonuses.

 

[WDWRook]

I have a bit of an OT question; but it relates to travel so I'm hoping this group of well seasoned expert travels can lend of levity to a discussion in our household. If too OT, I can delete it.

As with all of you, we are trying to find more and better ways to maximize travel opportunities. The last few years have been great and this group has really allowed us to take some trips we would never have without you. I'm planning more and more exotic trips all the time and finding ways to get there efficiently using points and tips from this thread. But.... we are debating sending DS12 to a private school for 7th grade next year and through high school. Our local schools are good, better than average, used to be top notch but falling over the last 10-15 years. The private school has some social and intangible values we are high on as well as being one of the top education programs. But, it's not cheap and it is a much more rigorous program study and homework wise.

Now the question: this year we took the kids DS12 and DD8 out of school for a week in January for a cruise. No problem, DS12 caught up after a few hours of homework. DD9 had nothing to catch up. Next year I'm concerned that may not be so easy. We have always traveled during school sessions due in large part to the much lower costs (lower crowds help too). Advice from those of you with older kids? At what age do you think it's too much to take kids out of school for travel? And, how hard (or easy) is it to utilize all these travel award points programs to travel during the peak seasons of summer, winter break, spring break? Looking at cruise prices and they are at least 50% more for those weeks. It dosn't help that Chase UR cannot be used for DCL anymore - buggers.

Sorry again for OT.

 

[WDWRook]

Just wondering who among here would change your churning strategy if Chase eliminates transfers between CF, CFU, CIC, CIP, CSP, CSR old Ink Plus/Bold?

I’ve been thinking about that and I would likely still continue to earn Chase points on some of my cards. However, I would definitely consider canceling some depending on the specifics of such a change. It could easily force me to place a greater focus on Amex MR and even TYP.

Just curious on how others view a potential change.

Is there rumors of this happening?

It would change our strategy, if only because as of now Chase URs are our only method. We have numerous Chase cards and I'd close several and start down the Amex or another path. I'd also have to really think again about keeping the CSR. Right now it's on my keep and my main use card for personal. There would be no need to keep a CIC and a CIP; or a CFU, CF and CSR (times two of us).

 

[tink1970]

Ah, ok. I'll tell him to pay the wireless then and see what happens.

My second "congrats" just popped up this am so yes, I think it can be personal but has to be wireless.

Just wondering who among here would change your churning strategy if Chase eliminates transfers between CF, CFU, CIC, CIP, CSP, CSR old Ink Plus/Bold?

I’ve been thinking about that and I would likely still continue to earn Chase points on some of my cards. However, I would definitely consider canceling some depending on the specifics of such a change. It could easily force me to place a greater focus on Amex MR and even TYP.

Just curious on how others view a potential change.

Limit transfers between the card products themselves? Or family members?
If between card products with one holder, I'd have DH downgrade his CSR to a CSP. (The only reason he hasn't is he hates calling). If the ability to transfer between products remained but not to other family then I'd actually have him add a CF so he could maximize the 5x categories.

For me, if they didn't transfer between products I'l likely eliminate one of my CFs or both. My oldest card is my Disney so I'd keep that. Marriott is on the fence (I might cancel it or upgrade to R-C this year), and I'd keep my CSP. Also, if I couldn't transfer between products I wouldn't really feel the need to try to get and stay under 5/24 so in December (my under 5/24 date) I'd get the United biz, United card, Aer Lingus and then..I'd go hog wild with other cards.

Of course, I'm different than lots on this thread and don't care about Disney anymore (I know), primarily want to travel overseas, have lost any strong affiliation to an airline and want to do all of my aspirational traveling within the next 3-8 years. I also despise the UR portal so only use URs to transfer to partner affiliates, so I consider URs transfer potential and not in terms of 1.25 or 1.5 redemptions. They certainly aren't my holy grail currency.

wait, you needed a babysitter in 1995????? I am so old.

LOL-I graduated medical school in 1995 so I hear you!

 

[Lain]

Just wondering who among here would change your churning strategy if Chase eliminates transfers between CF, CFU, CIC, CIP, CSP, CSR old Ink Plus/Bold?

I’ve been thinking about that and I would likely still continue to earn Chase points on some of my cards. However, I would definitely consider canceling some depending on the specifics of such a change. It could easily force me to place a greater focus on Amex MR and even TYP.

Just curious on how others view a potential change.

I think it would depend how deeply Chase cuts into the program.

If Chase eliminates transfers within households but not cards, it’d be similar to Amex’s MR program. P2 and I could still earn enough separately through SUBs and organic/bonus spend to have two sizeable enough stashes.

If Chase eliminates transfers between their cards, then I would have to cancel some/many because there’s not enough ongoing spend on them even with bonus categories to earn any significant amount and those points would essentially be orphans on those cards.

If I couldn’t transfer points off no-fee cards (like the CF and CIC, which are high earners) to fee cards (like the CSP, CSR, or CIP), points on them would be worth only 1 cpp — since you can’t transfer to airline and hotel partners, transfer them to a card with a better redemption on the Chase travel portal, and all you could do with them are redeem them at 1 cpp on the portal or cash out. I guess 5x on Freedom bonus categories, and office supply stores and internet on the CIC is better than most other cards, but not better than return on MSR, and I don't know if I could spend enough on the CF and CIC every year to earn a meaningful enough stash to redeem for travel -- again, at 1 cpp -- so really, they'd just become cash back cards where I'd cash out the points at 1 cpp.

The other survey questions that involve something like, keeping the ability to transfer but the points retain the redemption value of the card they were earned on seems a bit complicated technically and confusing to average consumers. It would create 3-tiers of UR points worth 1, 1.25, and 1.5 cpp. (Although, Chase does have that thing on the UR portal that says your points are worth $x,xxx in cash, or $x,xxx towards travel that could help make the value of your points easier to see). I guess compared to some of the above suggestions, it wouldn't be too bad if I could still move points earned on my CF and CIC under 5x categories to combine with our stash on the CSR, even if those points do retain just 1 cpp redemption value (they'd still redeem at 1 cpp, and not get the CSR's .5 multiplier, but at least those points can top off your stash for bigger redemptions).

 

[Lain]

@wanderlust7, @CaliforniaGirl09, @mmmears -

https://www.southwest.com/html/mkt/hawaii-countdown.html

Hawaii, here we come!
It's time to celebrate, Oakland! We're counting down to our first flights to Hawaii from Oakland with a celebration just for you.

Join us March 11th-16th from 4:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST each evening in Jack London Square. We'll be giving away exciting prize packages — including round trip air travel*!

 

[tink1970]

Advice from those of you with older kids? At what age do you think it's too much to take kids out of school for travel? And, how hard (or easy) is it to utilize all these travel award points programs to travel during the peak seasons of summer, winter break, spring break? Looking at cruise prices and they are at least 50% more for those weeks. It dosn't help that Chase UR cannot be used for DCL anymore - buggers.

I hate to be a downer but middle school is the hardest emotionally and socially and high school ideally is the most difficult academically. I think the last year I would have pulled DD out of middle school would have been 6th grade (her "middle school" was 5-8th) and never during high school---but hers is a very rigorous program that has a 30% attrition rate and several peers have been accepted to Ivy League schools. Only you know how your children can play "make up" but there is a lot of material lost during those times gone IF it's a good school. Also, you're paying a LOT for private school tuition so why would you miss it?

Tough love and just my opinion---go on vacation during the expensive times. Make them smaller or less expensive vacations (not less fun, less pricey!). If you're serious about education in this environment then make it a priority, not going to WDW during the low period (if that exists anymore) or DCL during the cheaper times. Delay gratification and put education first. I hate to be negative and there will be others who disagree but that's my take on someone who's daughter is a senior in high school and I've seen the stress/burnout/exhaustion of her friends and peers as well as the crazy expectations of college admission committees. Frankly, these kids (in a high pressure environment) don't even want to do big vacations-they sleep/study/sleep more/veg out during breaks.

I know others will disagree and that's fine but it's been an eye opening 4 years here.

 

[WVMomof3]

I have a bit of an OT question; but it relates to travel so I'm hoping this group of well seasoned expert travels can lend of levity to a discussion in our household. If too OT, I can delete it.

As with all of you, we are trying to find more and better ways to maximize travel opportunities. The last few years have been great and this group has really allowed us to take some trips we would never have without you. I'm planning more and more exotic trips all the time and finding ways to get there efficiently using points and tips from this thread. But.... we are debating sending DS12 to a private school for 7th grade next year and through high school. Our local schools are good, better than average, used to be top notch but falling over the last 10-15 years. The private school has some social and intangible values we are high on as well as being one of the top education programs. But, it's not cheap and it is a much more rigorous program study and homework wise.

Now the question: this year we took the kids DS12 and DD8 out of school for a week in January for a cruise. No problem, DS12 caught up after a few hours of homework. DD9 had nothing to catch up. Next year I'm concerned that may not be so easy. We have always traveled during school sessions due in large part to the much lower costs (lower crowds help too). Advice from those of you with older kids? At what age do you think it's too much to take kids out of school for travel? And, how hard (or easy) is it to utilize all these travel award points programs to travel during the peak seasons of summer, winter break, spring break? Looking at cruise prices and they are at least 50% more for those weeks. It dosn't help that Chase UR cannot be used for DCL anymore - buggers.

Sorry again for OT.

This has always been a hot topic on the Dis community board. Some will say family time more important, some will say how could you take them out of school. Many schools now forbid it. They can take you to court after so many missed days. I personally only took out once for a week for Disney. My DD was in 1st grade (other 2 were not yet in school) and I didn't think it was worth it. She had a ton of make up work in 1st grade! And I didn't think it was really any less crowded when we went. This was end of April when Easter was in March, I really thought it would be slow, but it was not. We have never had any problems going in the summer, I actually prefer it knowing all we need to pack is shorts and tank tops. Easy Peasy. In middle school or high school, I would only miss 1 maybe 2 days at most. Truthfully, my kids would not want to have missed a week either. Our high school allows them to skip finals with less than 5 absences so they definitely would not want to miss much. Our problem has been summer is not that much easier. My kids all did fall sports, that have mandatory practice that starts first week in August. This started in 6th grade through high school. A few years we also had mandatory band practice most of July. Optional sport practices for 3 weeks in June, that they do not like to miss. So when is summer? Our youngest will be a senior next year, so last time with all these summer practices! Yay! But now they have summer jobs and hard to get away with those too! Kids make it very hard to plan vacations!

 

[wed100105]

This may sound like a totally stupid question, but if a card doesn't show up on your credit report, does that mean Chase doesn't see it either? DH has that dealership card from last year that he thought he had to use, and it isn't on his report. I'd like to refer him for a CIP Business because I have a couple of larger bills that will cover the MSR. I don't want him to be denied though.

DH:
2/2019 CHASE Disney Visa (referred by me)
2/2019 New Holland Credit Card (Implement Dealer---see previous posts for explanation...) CANCELLED, but not sure yet how it will be on his credit report
11/2017 AMEX Hilton Ascend (referred by me)
?/2018 AGCO Credit Card (Implment Dealer---see previous posts for explanation (Not showing up on DH’s credit report).

Could it be that those dealership cards are business and thus not showing on his personal credit report?

 

[Judique]

My AT&T credit just showed up. I'm going to make my second prepayment and try to figure out how to make it apply towards purchase of a new phone.

Post about what you figure out.

I don't need a phone but I was in Sam's Club this week shopping for my $45 worth after signing up on the recent promo. (Did that primarily to take advantage of gift card deals.)

AT&T offer was $250 gift card for a new phone (I think Samsung as this is what we were discussing). I was mildly interested as I also have the offer. When another customer showed up to ask a question I moved on as I was not very serious and didn't want to block a possible sale for the guy.

Anyway, my phone now has a small nick in the corner due to a fall and it bothers me, but it will require a really good deal to get me to upgrade before another year goes by.

 

[hsmamato2]

Knock on wood, I've had DH and DD check in for reservations I've made. So shouldn't be an issue from my experience.

thanks..... I need to share some points over to DH acct so we can use them at some point...... anyone had any 'sharing' issues? looks like I have to call in....(whyyyyyyyyy)

 

[tink1970]

thanks..... I need to share some points over to DH acct so we can use them at some point...... anyone had any 'sharing' issues? looks like I have to call in....(whyyyyyyyyy)

Why? It's the same group that thought Bonvoy was a good idea (and paid for it!).

 

[elgerber]

I'm iffy on the name but Contemporary used to have a pretty decent steakhouse style restaurant called the Concourse - at least I think it was a name similar to that.

Yes, it was the Concourse, and it was sooooooooooooooooo good. It's was where the Contempo Café is now.

All this CIP talk, and I don't even have one CIP LOL, Or CSR, CSP, CIU... you get the picture.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I have a bit of an OT question; but it relates to travel so I'm hoping this group of well seasoned expert travels can lend of levity to a discussion in our household. If too OT, I can delete it.

As with all of you, we are trying to find more and better ways to maximize travel opportunities. The last few years have been great and this group has really allowed us to take some trips we would never have without you. I'm planning more and more exotic trips all the time and finding ways to get there efficiently using points and tips from this thread. But.... we are debating sending DS12 to a private school for 7th grade next year and through high school. Our local schools are good, better than average, used to be top notch but falling over the last 10-15 years. The private school has some social and intangible values we are high on as well as being one of the top education programs. But, it's not cheap and it is a much more rigorous program study and homework wise.

Now the question: this year we took the kids DS12 and DD8 out of school for a week in January for a cruise. No problem, DS12 caught up after a few hours of homework. DD9 had nothing to catch up. Next year I'm concerned that may not be so easy. We have always traveled during school sessions due in large part to the much lower costs (lower crowds help too). Advice from those of you with older kids? At what age do you think it's too much to take kids out of school for travel? And, how hard (or easy) is it to utilize all these travel award points programs to travel during the peak seasons of summer, winter break, spring break? Looking at cruise prices and they are at least 50% more for those weeks. It dosn't help that Chase UR cannot be used for DCL anymore - buggers.

Sorry again for OT.

As a counterpoint to the input you've received so far, I missed A LOT of school for horse shows in middle school and high school. I showed more then than I do now and would miss at least one Thursday/Friday a month to leave for an out of state horse show, and usually one other Friday as well. I finished top 20 in my high school class and was diligent about making up my work. I think it all depends on your kids, and it sounds like they have been good about handling work previously, but I guess it depends on how rigorous you think next year will be.

 

[FoxC63]

Can anyone tell me what is the best way I can use my Amazon points 24988 = $249.88. Should I buy gift cards, are they transferable? What options are there?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I have a bit of an OT question; but it relates to travel so I'm hoping this group of well seasoned expert travels can lend of levity to a discussion in our household. If too OT, I can delete it.

As with all of you, we are trying to find more and better ways to maximize travel opportunities. The last few years have been great and this group has really allowed us to take some trips we would never have without you. I'm planning more and more exotic trips all the time and finding ways to get there efficiently using points and tips from this thread. But.... we are debating sending DS12 to a private school for 7th grade next year and through high school. Our local schools are good, better than average, used to be top notch but falling over the last 10-15 years. The private school has some social and intangible values we are high on as well as being one of the top education programs. But, it's not cheap and it is a much more rigorous program study and homework wise.

Now the question: this year we took the kids DS12 and DD8 out of school for a week in January for a cruise. No problem, DS12 caught up after a few hours of homework. DD9 had nothing to catch up. Next year I'm concerned that may not be so easy. We have always traveled during school sessions due in large part to the much lower costs (lower crowds help too). Advice from those of you with older kids? At what age do you think it's too much to take kids out of school for travel? And, how hard (or easy) is it to utilize all these travel award points programs to travel during the peak seasons of summer, winter break, spring break? Looking at cruise prices and they are at least 50% more for those weeks. It dosn't help that Chase UR cannot be used for DCL anymore - buggers.

Sorry again for OT.

Both of my kids when to a private prep school..from 8th grade up....they played ice hockey and pretty much the entire tuition was paid for with the schools financial aid package.
Our experience was the school had a very different vacation schedule than our local public and catholic schools
They started a week after Labor Day in September...so we’d go to Disney the first week in September
They also had a week off in January instead of the usual Presidents week here in NY

Maybe the private school your son will attend has different times off as well....

 

[Judique]

I hate to be a downer but middle school is the hardest emotionally and socially and high school ideally is the most difficult academically. I think the last year I would have pulled DD out of middle school would have been 6th grade (her "middle school" was 5-8th) and never during high school---but hers is a very rigorous program that has a 30% attrition rate and several peers have been accepted to Ivy League schools. Only you know how your children can play "make up" but there is a lot of material lost during those times gone IF it's a good school. Also, you're paying a LOT for private school tuition so why would you miss it?

Tough love and just my opinion---go on vacation during the expensive times. Make them smaller or less expensive vacations (not less fun, less pricey!). If you're serious about education in this environment then make it a priority, not going to WDW during the low period (if that exists anymore) or DCL during the cheaper times. Delay gratification and put education first. I hate to be negative and there will be others who disagree but that's my take on someone who's daughter is a senior in high school and I've seen the stress/burnout/exhaustion of her friends and peers as well as the crazy expectations of college admission committees. Frankly, these kids (in a high pressure environment) don't even want to do big vacations-they sleep/study/sleep more/veg out during breaks.

I know others will disagree and that's fine but it's been an eye opening 4 years here.

I agree with everything you say.

But I will add a strategy that I used with DD. We mostly did school breaks, but when I did other times like food and wine festival when she was older - 16plus - she came on weekends and flew back home for Monday morning or the next school/work day. This was possible as I had assistance from older siblings to pick her up at the airport - we have 3 within an hour, plus subway if she used Reagan, so maybe not as difficult for us. I tried to time my trips to utilize any school days off as well. Wasn't easy because of sports (she was in two) and other activities. She graduated near the top of her class so it wasn't all bad at the time.

 

[Judique]

Yes, it was the Concourse, and it was sooooooooooooooooo good. It's was where the Contempo Café is now.

All this CIP talk, and I don't even have one CIP LOL, Or CSR, CSP, CIU... you get the picture.

I've got a lone CF but will soon be under 5/24 if you call 5 months 'soon'.

 

[Lain]

Have you thought about doing the Lifelock promo for United or AA miles? https://www.doctorofcredit.com/lifelock-earn-up-to-13000-airline-miles/

Quite a few people have done this for the miles and canceled successfully on Reddit. Let me know if you’re interested and I can dig up some DPs.

Interested.

UA: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8a8b6g/daily_discussion_thread_april_06_2018/dwww3w5/

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9p88jx/_/e80nww5/

Related: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/aiymqp/_/eerxsfy/

AA: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/c...hread_july_30_2018/e3gdxzr/?context=8&depth=9

Related: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/c..._central_thread_week_of_july_26_2018/e3bktbv/

More recent DP complaining miles didn't post: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/a7wtzn/_/ec7cp36/ (Per earlier DPs, miles may post in batches after cancelation, unclear if they did in these cases).

Tagging @platamama too.