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

[Disney Traveled 007]

There's a few programs you can do that with but it's usually a poor value for the points. If you had some orphaned points that you were never going to use before they expire (or something like that) I can see just cashing them out for anything helpful as something is better than nothing. But were you planning to open new cards to just cash out the points for Disney? If that's the case depending on the amount of time you have to devote to it, you could get much better savings either using those points for their intended purpose and then repurpose the cash you'd have spent there on GC's or going for different rewards cards that don't convert to GC's but can erase your Disney charges in some fashion.

Just as an example, I'm looking at my Southwest account and it's only showing the $25 Disney Gift Card available for 3000 RR points. Most other GC's I'm seeing a 1 cents per point (cpp) value but Disney is .8 cpp. The last flight I booked with points I received a 1.5 cpp value.
In that case I would be better off spending 12,000 points on a $180 flight and taking that $180 cash to use on discounted gift card schemes, rather than spending the points on the Disney GC directly from SW which only gets me $100 towards Disney.

This all depends on your time and effort you want to spend. I seem to recall someone around here opened a Delta credit card despite never flown or expecting to fly on Delta and got some Target GC's with it But it's not generally a recommended course of action (unless you're bored, apparently).

My game plan for credit card/miles may be a combination of maximizing on what I have on points and opening up a credit card if it makes sense. Planning a trip around Christmas time, i know terrible idea, but works well for timing. I'll need to look at the programs and identify cpp before taking the plunge with the idea of maximizing. thank you for the thoughtful response!

 

[miztressuz]

Could I get some advice please?

Last year I tried several times for the Hilton biz card but got the pop-up so I never actually applied for the card. I think I'm probably in good standing with Amex now and am considering trying for it again. I have a trip to NYC coming up next month for work and will be staying a couple of nights at a Double Tree. Should I apply for the card now so that I can use it on my trip, OR should I pay with my Biz Platinum that I have a Double Tree offer on (spend $225, get $45 back)?

I'm leaning towards paying with the Platinum and using the offer and then applying for the Hilton card down the road, but would love to hear some other thoughts! Thanks!

What kind of Hilton status do you have right now? Would getting the Gold from the Biz card assist you on your trip? (free breakfast, extra points, etc) How much more is the room going to be over the $225 on the offer? Worth it to split the cost out where $225 goes on the Plat and the remainder on the Hilton card?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Another question about timing for a second CIP. I know the usual advice about 2-3 months between applications, but just need someone to say go for it or wait! I will be finishing up MSR on my CIC this week with the Staples $200 gift cards so I'm getting antsy. This would be for my DH, he's just over two months since last card, but I'd like to get it in time to purchase our Disneyland tickets from UCT for our trip May 11.

03/28/18 CHASE SW Plus
08/17/18 CHASE SW Biz
11/07/19 CHASE Ink Preferred
02/18/19 CHASE Ink Unlimited

If you go for this card in April...that’s 4 biz in 9 months; and 3 in 5 months. Just saying.....

 

[Limes96]

Still planning to apply for the Barclay Arrival+ early next week, but holding off for now so we can spend down some of the many gift cards we’ve bought over the last couple months. But my son (almost 20!) was home from college for Easter this weekend and while here he applied and was approved for the Discover card, whatever it’s called, the one that’s for college students.

 

[Limes96]

So sorry for your loss, @snugglebug.

 

[DisneyMandC]

How long does it typically take Amex to refund AFs? Downgraded DH's Delta Gold to whatever the no AF card is about 10 days ago and haven't seen a refund on the card yet.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Another question about timing for a second CIP. I know the usual advice about 2-3 months between applications, but just need someone to say go for it or wait! I will be finishing up MSR on my CIC this week with the Staples $200 gift cards so I'm getting antsy. This would be for my DH, he's just over two months since last card, but I'd like to get it in time to purchase our Disneyland tickets from UCT for our trip May 11.

03/28/18 CHASE SW Plus
08/17/18 CHASE SW Biz
11/07/19 CHASE Ink Preferred
02/18/19 CHASE Ink Unlimited

If you need it to purchase the tickets I would apply now....but make sure the credit limits on his current chase cards are in check..

 

[striker1064]

How long does it typically take Amex to refund AFs? Downgraded DH's Delta Gold to whatever the no AF card is about 10 days ago and haven't seen a refund on the card yet.

I just recently cancelled 2 cards and the AF came off within 3 business days on both. But I think downgrades might be different... doesn't hurt to chat with them to find out.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Applied for CIP #2 on 4/9, and was finally approved 2 days ago.

I do not have a MSR tracker bar showing up when I log into the UR page for this account. This is making me a bit paranoid that I will not get the SUB when I reach the MSR. My wife just reached MSR for CIP #1 and the SUB posted. She never showed the tracker either, but I was never concerned about that since it was her first time getting the card.

I guess since this is my second time going for this SUB it would be nice to have some validation that it's all gonna work out before I go an put 5k on the card.

Are other people seeing this tracking bar for their CIP #2's? Thanks

The general consensus is that Chase will not approve you for a card without the bonus attached.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

How long does it typically take Amex to refund AFs? Downgraded DH's Delta Gold to whatever the no AF card is about 10 days ago and haven't seen a refund on the card yet.

I think it takes like 6 weeks. You’ll probably have to pay the AF and you’ll get 11 months credited back unfortunately.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I just recently cancelled 2 cards and the AF came off within 3 business days on both. But I think downgrades might be different... doesn't hurt to chat with them to find out.

Thanks, just got the new card in the mail yesterday so I'll chat with them tonight and see.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I think it takes like 6 weeks. You’ll probably have to pay the AF and you’ll get 11 months credited back unfortunately.

That's fine, it's only a $55 AF anyways so not a ton of money out of my pocket.

 

[schmass]

What kind of Hilton status do you have right now? Would getting the Gold from the Biz card assist you on your trip? (free breakfast, extra points, etc) How much more is the room going to be over the $225 on the offer? Worth it to split the cost out where $225 goes on the Plat and the remainder on the Hilton card?

I currently have Gold status from the Biz Plat. I think the total is going to be over $600, so that is a great idea to split it! Thank you!

 

[wendow]

Another question about timing for a second CIP. I know the usual advice about 2-3 months between applications, but just need someone to say go for it or wait! I will be finishing up MSR on my CIC this week with the Staples $200 gift cards so I'm getting antsy. This would be for my DH, he's just over two months since last card, but I'd like to get it in time to purchase our Disneyland tickets from UCT for our trip May 11.

03/28/18 CHASE SW Plus
08/17/18 CHASE SW Biz
11/07/19 CHASE Ink Preferred
02/18/19 CHASE Ink Unlimited

I'd be hesitant to apply this soon but I'm more risk averse when it comes to Chase. Is there another bank's biz card you could go for now to put your DLR tix spend on while you spread Chase out a bit further?

 

[Lain]

 

[snugglebug]

I am so very sorry for your loss



I didn't know you were an Aggie! I agree, there were some interesting animals at A&M -I remember visiting a lion with some vet student friends once.
Again, condolences on your loss-she sounds like such a special lady.

Unfortunately, I didn't graduate because I quit to raise my daughter and follow my Navy husband. However, that daughter did just recently graduate from A&M and once an Aggie always an Aggie. If you can't be an Aggie Grad, the next best thing is to be an Aggie Mom I had some serious issues about moving to the Austin area when we returned to the state, but turns out there's quite a few Ags here lol

 

[StephPlum]

My Memaw passed away this morning so I'm a bit distracted with that today. Of all my grandparents I expected her to go last, not first. While I was semi-prepared, it was much sooner than I thought it would be.

Sorry for your loss.

PSA: Tomorrow, Wed. April 24, 2019 is the LAST DAY to apply for the Amex Marriott BONVOY BRILLIANT (formerly the "SPG Lux") and BONVOY BUSINESS (formerly the "SPG Biz") at the elevated 100,000 Points welcome offers.

Thanks for the reminder. I do want the Brillant card but not sure I want to take on another MSR right now. And then I need to determine if I would rather have Cip #2 for DH vs Brilliant for me...... If I only knew when they would change Cip #2 and when they would increase the points on Brilliant. They had 100K on the Biz a few times - up and down. Maybe I should wait and see if Brilliant goes up later. Too many cards, not enough organic spend.

I do not have a MSR tracker bar showing up when I log into the UR page for this account. This is making me a bit paranoid that I will not get the SUB when I reach the MSR. My wife just reached MSR for CIP #1 and the SUB posted. She never showed the tracker either, but I was never concerned about that since it was her first time getting the card.

I didn't have the tracker but SMed and got confirmation of 80K bonus if I hit MSR. DH has the Tracker. Thing I notice is his Biz account interface has always looked different than mine. I got my account before him by a few months and attribute to that.

There are 2 DPs - mine and NY Pirate Princess - that the tracker shows meeting MSR in 90 days from application not 115 which has been normal for Chase. Even without the tracker, I am targeting 90 days for my MSR just to be on the safe side.

 

[trenty]

Very helpful! I'll checkout swagbucks/mypoints/shopkick ASAP! so much to learn, so little time.

Have you joined our disboards Reddit group? Many of us have support links there first these sites and apps.

 

[Lain]

 

[punkin]

Could I get some advice please?

Last year I tried several times for the Hilton biz card but got the pop-up so I never actually applied for the card. I think I'm probably in good standing with Amex now and am considering trying for it again. I have a trip to NYC coming up next month for work and will be staying a couple of nights at a Double Tree. Should I apply for the card now so that I can use it on my trip, OR should I pay with my Biz Platinum that I have a Double Tree offer on (spend $225, get $45 back)?

I'm leaning towards paying with the Platinum and using the offer and then applying for the Hilton card down the road, but would love to hear some other thoughts! Thanks!

I would probably use the offer and leave the hilton card for later