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

[amalone1013]

Did they email you? I only ask because when I finished the application it said to keep logging in to check for the next step. If I get an email I will just wait on it. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

DH got an email for his but I did not. Seems to be hit or miss.

 

[Calfan]

Help! Today is the first day I can potentially book my Europe trip. The flight that I've been able to see business saver fares for EVERY DAY I have ever checked is now not showing any business saver fares on the day we need to fly out (or the day before, or the day after) It is just before Easter, so it is possible that those fares are all gone for those days. I did find an alternative - its a non-stop between two viable airports, and economy seats are available. I was really hoping to do business on the way over, so that we could get some sleep.

If I buy the economy seats, will I have any opportunity to upgrade them later?

If I book and then want to re-book a different flight, how much will United charge me (booking on United partners).

Do I just suck it up and fly economy on the way over (like a peasant). I'm finding availability for the rest of the trip in business.

There is lots of award availability in economy (on a wide variety of carriers/mostly 1 stop), but only one non-stop flight. Do I just hold off and hope that business savers show up?

I know this is more art than science, but interested in what the hive mind has to say

I don't think I saw any response on this, so I will chime in. United typically charges a $75 re-deposit fee per ticket for mileage awards. So for example, if you cancelled an award reservation for 4 passengers, you would pay $300 to get all of your miles re-deposited. I have paid these fees several times in the past when I initially booked economy savers and then found a different business save route later. If the non-stop is important to you, I'd lean toward booking it in economy with miles now and then stalking for upgrades and/or another business award route, paying the redeposit fee if necessary.

 

[afan]

A good reminder to always check the fees before booking/paying for anything whether it's through expedia or not. Guy was billed over 6k Canadian in taxes and fees for a night at a holiday inn in Minnesota through expedia and is still waiting for the refund that they say he's owed.

 

[smallsy]

Has anyone done a successful MDD lately? I’m 91 days since my CIP and want to go for a CSR, but I’ve read to wait for two weekdays to do a MDD. I’m still not 100% sure I’m up for the spend on both anyway, but like having the option if i get approved for the CSR. I really don’t want to have to put in a ton of calls for this though and I’m also still a bit gun shy from my citi denial. Should I wait till Monday just in case I decide to go for it? Does it really matter what day you apply?

 

[wanderlust7]

Anyone in here do Global Entry? Wondering how long the decision process takes/if you did an interview. Did the online paperwork for myself and the wife on Monday. Was great to see the fees reversed immediately from the United Explorer credit. We both already have precheck but decided why not go for this as well since we had the credit.

Did they email you? I only ask because when I finished the application it said to keep logging in to check for the next step. If I get an email I will just wait on it. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

My conditional approval and the kids' took about a week. My DH's has been stuck for going on 2 months now. Ugh. I want to do enrollment upon arrival when we get back from Europe this summer. I hope his gets approved by then! Or I'm going to be .

My theory is that how long it takes depends on how complicated the application is. I'm had the same job in the last 10 years, lived in the same house, haven't gone to any "sensitive" countries, etc. The easy ones I think they just crank out quickly. DH changed his name when he became a citizen - so I'm guessing that's what it's hung up on. He's also had 2 jobs in the last 10 years, though I would guess that's less of a factor.

I didn't get any e-mails about the conditional approval. I do get repeated e-mails touting enrollment on arrival (started sometime after the conditional approval), so that might be one clue you've been approved if you don't want to keep checking.

 

[1st*toright]

I don't think I saw any response on this, so I will chime in. United typically charges a $75 re-deposit fee per ticket for mileage awards. So for example, if you cancelled an award reservation for 4 passengers, you would pay $300 to get all of your miles re-deposited. I have paid these fees several times in the past when I initially booked economy savers and then found a different business save route later. If the non-stop is important to you, I'd lean toward booking it in economy with miles now and then stalking for upgrades and/or another business award route, paying the redeposit fee if necessary.

Thank you- I thought there was the potential for a second bite at the apple. Would certainly be worth another $75 per person if I could get business.

Of course, I just talked to my boss about it, and he's hemming and hawing about me taking time the off. Yes, it is NOT at a good time (quarter close), but my stuff is substantially done before I would leave (and I could do the rest from the road, if I had to). Doesn't mean he is going to say no, he's just deliberate about stuff and wants to consider it before he gives me the ok. Depressing for now, though. Really wanted to book this trip this weekend, and I can't really rush him on the decision. I had mentioned it to him before, but he hadn't really registered the dates, so he wants to think through it now. Not the answer I was looking for today.

 

[WVMomof3]

My conditional approval and the kids' took about a week. My DH's has been stuck for going on 2 months now. Ugh. I want to do enrollment upon arrival when we get back from Europe this summer. I hope his gets approved by then! Or I'm going to be .

My theory is that how long it takes depends on how complicated the application is. I'm had the same job in the last 10 years, lived in the same house, haven't gone to any "sensitive" countries, etc. The easy ones I think they just crank out quickly. DH changed his name when he became a citizen - so I'm guessing that's what it's hung up on. He's also had 2 jobs in the last 10 years, though I would guess that's less of a factor.

I didn't get any e-mails about the conditional approval. I do get repeated e-mails touting enrollment on arrival (started sometime after the conditional approval), so that might be one clue you've been approved if you don't want to keep checking.

I was going to have DD do enrollment on arrival when she gets back next month. Really had not looked into it, just assumed it wouldn't take long. She arrives in 6 weeks so I guess we need to get it started. Is it something I can fill out for her online? I do have her passport information. I want to use my United card to get the credit so it seems like it would be easier for me to fill out.

 

[wanderlust7]

I was going to have DD do enrollment on arrival when she gets back next month. Really had not looked into it, just assumed it wouldn't take long. She arrives in 6 weeks so I guess we need to get it started. Is it something I can fill out for her online? I do have her passport information. I want to use my United card to get the credit so it seems like it would be easier for me to fill out.

You can do it for her online. And hope that it gets approved within 6 weeks! Besides passport info, you would need to have her driver's license info. Plus for the last 10 years - employment info, all the places she's lived, and all the countries she's visited.

 

[vanjust14]

Raise has a 7% promo with Mega. Any way to maximize this?

I just purchased a few Sams Club egift cards and went through Topcashback for another 7%. I'm planning to use them toward discounted Disney Gc's at Sams online.

 

[LynnTH]

WOW.....I guess I was expecting something similar to the quick turn around on Pre-Check....I will not bother logging in and looking for updates for a while. Thanks!

We submitted applications on May 1st. Have not heard anything back yet on approval to schedule an interview.

 

[Lain]

The AF on my SPG personal card posted, so I called Amex for a retention offer. Got 20k Marriott Points for $2k spend in 3 months. Took it.

I called the usual Amex retention line at 1-800-452-3945. The Amex rep tried to sell me on the addition of the 35k FN cert as a new benefit to the card, that it's worth $300-400, and the AF staying the same. I said I do like some of Marriott’s properties, but I’ve been pretty unhappy with some of the changes that’s happened under the new Bonvoy program. I told him I don't know what value I'd put on the FN cert. That Marriott moved several hotels we usually stay at, or would like to stay at up a category, from 35k to 50k; and that Marriott plans to introduce peak pricing this year while the FN remains capped at 35k, so I may not even be able to use it at a Category 5 property. He said, but there's no peak pricing now so I could use the FN on a room worth $300-400 before then. So I said, I also don't have the FN cert now, and you guys don't deposit that certificate for 2-3 months after my card anniversary; I've already got my travel booked for the rest of the year, so by the time I actually get the certificate and get to use it, I may not even be able to use at a Cat 5 hotel. He tried to suggest that off peak pricing would be 30k, less than the 35k cert, and peak pricing only brings a Cat 5 up to 40k. So I was like, if the award rate is 30k, why would I use a certificate worth 35k and lose out on 5k points, when I can just use my points for the 30k? But with a kid in school, we're usually traveling when everyone else is traveling anyway so I'm pretty sure we'll be hit by peak pricing. He's like, but that's only 5k more. And I'm like, that's fine if I can use the 35k cert and chip in another 5k of my points to make up the difference. If that's how it'll work, great; but if not, then it's like I've been saying, I don't know what value that certificate is to me.

Fortunately, the rep didn't mention the lack of spend on the card outside of MSR and spending bonuses. Don't even get me started about the base earn devaluation on the SPG cards.

At this point, the rep was almost rude and said something like, well I'm sorry you don't like the program, so do you wanna keep the card or not? Because I have a retention offer for you. I'm like, that's what I was asking for from the start!

I'm a little sorry I gave the guy a hard time. I was going to keep the card anyway, but I'm not going to pass up the chance to get a little more out of my decision to renew. Retention calls are a bit like negotiation, you have to make them think you'll walk even though you really want to stay and make a deal. I think I might've gone a little too far talking smack about the Bonvoy program. Anyway, I now have a combined $6k in retention offer spend to work on this month. We go through MSRs way too fast, but I've been trying to bide my time by not going for new cards until June. These retention offers help.

 

[WVMomof3]

@afan @*WDW*Groupie* @vanjust14 I received my Vionic sandals today. I ordered the flip flops and the Amber sandal. So far the flip flops are hurting me. The sandals seem good so far. But I have never successfully worn a sandal that doesn't bother me after a while. See previously mentioned soccer injury I talked about today, ughhhh, my left foot swells and anything that goes around ankle hurts after awhile. Though I like that these can be adjusted in several different places so I am optimistic. But wow on the arch, they were not kidding. I am definitely feeling it. Will wear them around the house for awhile.

 

[speedyfishy]

Anyway, I now have a combined $6k in retention offer spend to work on this month. We go through MSRs way too fast, but I've been trying to bide my time by not going for new cards until June. These retention offers help.

6k spend? how many points? I got offered nothing when I called.

 

[bernina]

Scheduled my first HELOC payment via Plastiq. DH called bank and asked the process and it’s as simple as an online transfer between accounts. Tested it out with a $1 txfr to checking and a quick txfr (payment) right back to the HELOC. Took about 40 seconds total.

So now I have 3 weekly payments scheduled on my new Barclay Aviator for $333.34. Triggered the 1% fee. A day before Plastiq check is scheduled to arrive I’ll withdraw $333.34 leaving room for the payment to be applied. Although I’m kind of curious to see if the available balance would just go up with an overpayment. I’ll cover any small interest with a transfer from my checking.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Has anyone done a successful MDD lately? I’m 91 days since my CIP and want to go for a CSR, but I’ve read to wait for two weekdays to do a MDD. I’m still not 100% sure I’m up for the spend on both anyway, but like having the option if i get approved for the CSR. I really don’t want to have to put in a ton of calls for this though and I’m also still a bit gun shy from my citi denial. Should I wait till Monday just in case I decide to go for it? Does it really matter what day you apply?

As far as I know, the MDD is still alive and well. There’s regular DPs of it still working one/churning.

You definitely want to apply on a weekday. If it goes pending, You want to be able to call recon and get the card approved. If recon isn’t open then that doesn’t work. (As a reminder - you’re looking to get approved for 2 cards, applying on different calendar days but ideally within 24 hours of each other)

 

[Lain]

 

[afan]

@afan @*WDW*Groupie* @vanjust14 I received my Vionic sandals today. I ordered the flip flops and the Amber sandal. So far the flip flops are hurting me. The sandals seem good so far. But I have never successfully worn a sandal that doesn't bother me after a while. See previously mentioned soccer injury I talked about today, ughhhh, my left foot swells and anything that goes around ankle hurts after awhile. Though I like that these can be adjusted in several different places so I am optimistic. But wow on the arch, they were not kidding. I am definitely feeling it. Will wear them around the house for awhile.

It could be that the arch is too high for you. With my high arches when I wear the vionic sandals or flip flops and look down it's like I have flat feet because it's fully supporting it. I have no idea what it would be like to have something with more arch than I need since 80% of my shoes have no support and I'm only counting my running shoes because of the inserts. As far as the ankle strap, since I've started having issues with my feet and ankles swelling on the airplane I do out out a hole until the swelling goes down and then I can go back to the regular one. If you can get used to the arch and the strap I think you'll like them, it's nice having sandals that you don't have to worry about keeping on your feet so they can relax when you walk. Fingers crossed you can get used to them.

 

[miztressuz]

WOW.....I guess I was expecting something similar to the quick turn around on Pre-Check....I will not bother logging in and looking for updates for a while. Thanks!

I would still check in every few days. It says now that they'll email you when a status changes but it seems hit or miss based on what I've read. (when I did mine you had to check yourself, no email option)
Since it can be tough to get an appointment I wouldn't want to miss the window.

My conditional approval and the kids' took about a week. My DH's has been stuck for going on 2 months now. Ugh. I want to do enrollment upon arrival when we get back from Europe this summer. I hope his gets approved by then! Or I'm going to be .

My theory is that how long it takes depends on how complicated the application is. I'm had the same job in the last 10 years, lived in the same house, haven't gone to any "sensitive" countries, etc. The easy ones I think they just crank out quickly. DH changed his name when he became a citizen - so I'm guessing that's what it's hung up on. He's also had 2 jobs in the last 10 years, though I would guess that's less of a factor.

I didn't get any e-mails about the conditional approval. I do get repeated e-mails touting enrollment on arrival (started sometime after the conditional approval), so that might be one clue you've been approved if you don't want to keep checking.

Sounds like a good theory but I'm not sure. For hubby he's been at the same job and address forever, so we only listed one employer and one address. We have done several Caribbean cruises in the last 5 years so I was just joking with him that the Cayman Islands sitting at the top of his visited countries list might be biting him in the behind But he's squeaky clean and other than our island adventures he's pretty boring on paper. So I'm a little surprised too. I know they're backed up from the shutdown but I wasn't expecting this for him. They both probably just got stuck in the bad queue.

 

[calypso726]

I'm not certain. Likely 72,000 points as I can use those anytime. I may not though as I don't want to get up in the middle of the night 2 nights in a row. Hilton points I need for the Maldives, so definitely trying for 100,000, but would be open to 250,000 as well.

Can you actually use those for anytime and any Hyatt? The terms and conditions make it sound more like a certificate.

Enjoy three (3) nights in a suite at any participating Category 4 Hyatt® hotel worldwide. Brands include Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Thompson Hotels, Small Luxury Hotels of the World™, and M life® Rewards destinations.

You must be a World of Hyatt member to take advantage of this offer, so be sure to join now at worldofhyatt.com if you are not already a

 

[Albort]

Anyone in here do Global Entry? Wondering how long the decision process takes/if you did an interview. Did the online paperwork for myself and the wife on Monday. Was great to see the fees reversed immediately from the United Explorer credit. We both already have precheck but decided why not go for this as well since we had the credit.

latest DP shows 70-80 days conditional approval time. 2-3 months interview wait time. U can stalk the interview website and fine a quicker date though.