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

[Lain]

Can someone talk to me about the airline credit on the Hilton Aspire card? It says $250, but for incidental charges. I think some people were previously buying GCs but it sounds like maybe that's not working on that card anymore? If I can use the $250 to actually book flights then I'll go ahead and get the card, but if it's just for checked bags or things like that then it's not worth it since I rarely ever check a bag. Thanks!

Disregard: I figured it out. Looks like this card isn't the best option for me so I think I'm going to go with the Surpass.

Coming at this a bit late, but two things that might still be helpful. When DoC declared the Amex airline fee credit dead for GCs, we wrote up a post in the DISchurners News & Discussion thread about how you can still use that credit. You’ll just have to scroll back a week or so. Secondly, the Surpass may be the better choice right now, not just for the reasons you’ve already considered, but the SUB is a solid 130k (I think it’s high was 150k) and includes a FWN that’s potentially worth more than the 20k difference if you can use it in the next year; and holding the Surpass will probably get you targeted for an upgrade to the Aspire next year. The upgrade offer to the Aspire going around right now is 150k. If/when you get the upgrade offer, you can consider whether you want to apply for the Aspire separately to get its SUB since you’ve never had it before, and then accept the upgrade offer on the same day before that offer disappears. (If this is something that interests you, don’t accept the upgrade first because then you’ll have had the card and be ineligible for the separate SUB.)

 

[disfanforlife]

I got one of the Best Buy offers on DH’s card this morning. What do we think the best option is there? Just go straight Disney, or VGC? The Swagbucks deal there is totally dead, right?

Swagbucks deal is dead - I can confirm that. Luckily, I only had one $100 card that I did not get the bonus for before finding out it was over.

 

[Natgridenergy]

Well geez, we're trying lol

Practice makes perfect!

For those who got denied a citi AA biz because you currently have one open, what did your status message and letter say? Did citi call you to ask you questions about your app?

Status was instant denial and notification in writing 7-10 days. Here is the letter I got.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

The only resorts we’ve seen availability for in 2020 are CBR and AKL. Very limited availability and poor cpp value. I’ve basically resigned myself to finding other uses for the miles and/or cashing out with Disney GCs.

What is the value if you cash out for gc? I am open to that idea, but I might save them for flights.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

What is the value if you cash out for gc? I am open to that idea, but I might save them for flights.

0.4cpp. It’s atrocious, (but still something) lol!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

What about using DH’s Plat for a 15k MR support bonus to support yourself to the Biz Gold for a 50k MR/$5k/3 months MSR SUB?

You’ll need to check out the benefits to see if this card is right for you, because it does come with a not waived $295 AF.

I think three things about this card stands out.

1. You earn 4x MR on the 2 select categories where you spent the most in each billing cycle, which includes restaurants and gas stations, so these bonus categories could help you keep spending on this card to keep Amex happy.

2. You get a 25% (vs. 35% on the Biz Plat) rebate of points back when you redeem MR to book a flight on Amex Travel using Pay with Points, for a 1.33 cpp redemption.

Note to qualify for the rebate, you can book any class ticket with your selected airline, or a First or Business class flight on any airline.

3. The Biz Gold has a support bonus of 20k MR per approval, capped at 55k MR per calendar year.

Unfortunately, the credits included (i.e., G Suite and ZipRecruiter) aren’t really useful to help offset the AF unless you’re running certain kinds of businesses.

Thanks for the thought. I will consider it, but I'm not digging the fee with nothing much in return for it. Amex's lineup is sort of lame...well for me anyways, since I have no clue how I will use the points. I just thought I'd grab a card since I won't have another MSR until mid September and they likely won't pull my credit.

 

[PolyRob]

What is the maximum number of Chase cards people have successfully had open at once?

I may want United Club access next year

 

[DisneyMandC]

So, if one did wish to purchase those Metabank MCGC at Staples ( I think I read that Staples usually carries them), what is a safe card to use?

Are you referring to Amex cards? Technically, you can purchase it on any card and it's fine, you just won't earn any points from it. You should not purchase GCs from Staples/OD/OM during MSR period since they send level 3 data.

Coming at this a bit late, but two things that might still be helpful. When DoC declared the Amex airline fee credit dead for GCs, we wrote up a post in the DISchurners News & Discussion thread about how you can still use that credit. You’ll just have to scroll back a week or so. Secondly, the Surpass may be the better choice right now, not just for the reasons you’ve already considered, but the SUB is a solid 130k (I think it’s high was 150k) and includes a FWN that’s potentially worth more than the 20k difference if you can use it in the next year; and holding the Surpass will probably get you targeted for an upgrade to the Aspire next year. The upgrade offer to the Aspire going around right is 150k. If/when you get the upgrade offer, you can consider whether you want to apply for the Aspire separately to get its SUB since you’ve never had it before, and then accept the upgrade offer on the same day before that offer disappears. (If this is something that interests you, don’t accept the upgrade first because then you’ll have had the card and be ineligible for the separate SUB.)

Whoa, ok, I definitely did not realize that's what people were doing when they got the upgrade offers haha. Yeah, I think I'm going to go with the Surpass. The Aspire was kind of a stretch for me, but I would have been willing to do it if it was just a straight airline credit. I just went and read the info on Reddit and I don't think it will be in my best interest to try any of those methods. I honestly don't know who we're going to fly to JFK for our positioning flight for Japan, which is what I was planning to use that credit for. Delta point values for flights there looked kind of dumb and AA is about $200 pp. If I could have just gotten the straight $250 credit then I probably would just book two AA flights on cash. Sounds like Surpass it is for me.

 

[Alexle2007]

Because I was without a MSR I decided to board the train this morning. Instant approval. Choo Choo Not sure exactly how I will use them, still hoping they will help us get to Europe next year. I think I will wait a month then hop DH on board. The only Amex we each have is the SPG biz. I would like to get another Amex. Can anyone remind me which is the best to start with? Mostly because I have stinky offers on my card so I want the chance for more offers! lol

Some people like to get them together so they can do a twofer on the mailers, if you are going to go path that in the future. DH and mine are spread out so that doesn't work for us. Plus staggering I can use my mortgage to meet the MSR.

 

[Alexle2007]

We leave aug 14th for a Williamsburg/va beach trip. I hope we are not affected! Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn. Any tips??

Go to Anna's Brick Oven Pizza on Richmond Rd for dinner in Williamsburg. It was fabulous!
We always go to Captain George's for seafood one night in Williamsburg.
The outlets are better in Williamsburg than Norfolk if you are going shopping.

Get Duck Donuts in Virginia Beach and make sure to eat them while they are fresh.
We ate Dough Boys and Nautilus in Va Beach and they were just ok.
You are fine. The beach refresh is up at 37th to 40's. That area is desperate need of additional sand/beach compared to where your hotel is located.

Interested in hearing about HGI especially the pool since DH likes a nice pool. That's how we ended up at the Courtyard because they have a nice pool.

 

[castormom4]

I would apply using the same information as your first one...name and SS number....if the credit limits on the other cards are approaching 50% of your household income...yes reduce them prior to applying

Even if its the same card (second CIP biz?) I thought you had to at least change the way your name is say First Middle Last to First Last? Can I say they are both real estate businesses or should I open one for another business? (PS, I am CASTORAL but got locked out of my account for some reason and don't have access to my old email to fix it).

 

[scottmel]

Are you referring to Amex cards? Technically, you can purchase it on any card and it's fine, you just won't earn any points from it. You should not purchase GCs from Staples/OD/OM during MSR period since they send level 3 data.



Whoa, ok, I definitely did not realize that's what people were doing when they got the upgrade offers haha. Yeah, I think I'm going to go with the Surpass. The Aspire was kind of a stretch for me, but I would have been willing to do it if it was just a straight airline credit. I just went and read the info on Reddit and I don't think it will be in my best interest to try any of those methods. I honestly don't know who we're going to fly to JFK for our positioning flight for Japan, which is what I was planning to use that credit for. Delta point values for flights there looked kind of dumb and AA is about $200 pp. If I could have just gotten the straight $250 credit then I probably would just book two AA flights on cash. Sounds like Surpass it is for me.

Hi are you trying to earn points for a trip to Japan? Can you explain to me what you decided was the best method for this? I am tryng to earn ANA miles for flights to Japan and need a big sign up! thanks!

 

[platamama]

What is the maximum number of Chase cards people have successfully had open at once?

I may want United Club access next year

I had 9 at one point combining personal and business. I think some people have had more!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Even if its the same card (second CIP biz?) I thought you had to at least change the way your name is say First Middle Last to First Last? Can I say they are both real estate businesses or should I open one for another business? (PS, I am CASTORAL but got locked out of my account for some reason and don't have access to my old email to fix it).

It does not seem to matter if you add or take away a middle initial
As far as the business...you can use the same one or use info for a different one

 

[amalone1013]

Playing around with the Marriotts in London again... put in the Sat-Thurs that runs over Memorial Day and got one place that came up as $3800 USD for 5 nights

 

[PolyRob]

I had 9 at one point combining personal and business. I think some people have had more!

Very nice! I am currently at 5 (3 personal/2 biz), hopefully 6 by September (CIP#3). I can't really close a card until CIP#1 is a full year old in Jan. I will have to watch for any enhanced United card offers. The Club Card is not cheap.

 

[PolyRob]

Playing around with the Marriotts in London again... put in the Sat-Thurs that runs over Memorial Day and got one place that came up as $3800 USD for 5 nights

Sounds like WDW rack rate

 

[Andysol]

Hi are you trying to earn points for a trip to Japan? Can you explain to me what you decided was the best method for this? I am tryng to earn ANA miles for flights to Japan and need a big sign up! thanks!

AMEX MR transferred to Virgin for ANA or ANA direct will be your best bet.

Playing around with the Marriotts in London again... put in the Sat-Thurs that runs over Memorial Day and got one place that came up as $3800 USD for 5 nights

London hotels suck. Cash or points doesn’t matter. You get a shoebox to sleep in and it either wipes out your bank account or points balance. Take your pick.

 

[DisneyMandC]

What is the maximum number of Chase cards people have successfully had open at once?

I may want United Club access next year

I have 6 open right now.

 

[wendow]

So, if one did wish to purchase those Metabank MCGC at Staples ( I think I read that Staples usually carries them), what is a safe card to use?

You’re fine for any card but not a good idea if you are meeting a MSR for an Amex. No points earned on Amex for gc purchases as well.
@DisneyMandC covered it!!