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

[speedyfishy]

What banks are you looking at?

No plans yet. I’ll update when I decide. I want something easy lol and I don’t want to tie a lot of money up right now with all our wedding expenses.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Did you add the kids initially or do you plan to call and do that? I can't recall if the price is higher with them added or not. Seems like you maybe mentioned yesterday there was no bogus kid charge.

I priced out every option to make sure there was no upcharge occuring. I was able to book the kids initially because it was all good - that might be because both of my children are under 10. Perhaps 10 and up causes an issue? It seems like it is inconsistent so when you book with AA miles, I'd always check both AAvacations and UseAAmiles both with and without the kids before picking the best option. It is possible to add the kids after the fact if you need to and @wendow has experience doing it but if you can avoid it why not,

 

[kmc8826]

Go to deltavacations.com and build the package with the flights and hotel for the whole duration. Then check like Expedia for the nightly hotel rate and subtract that from the number of nights your not doing. Should give you a ballpark.
You can transfer DHs MRs to your Delta account if you want just got online and Amex will give you the option of what cardholders or AUs account you are transferring to. If DH is sitting on some miles add to his. No idea if you can call and book for him - I used my SkyMiles account but you could certainly try!

@disneymagicgirl in addition to doing as outlined above I would price out individually the flights you want (you can do that online) and find the cheapest ones that work. And if you want main, comfort, first class. You are looking at the cash price of flights.

Then do which hotel for the couple nights. That way you can just tell them what you want exactly. It will come up with a total package price and then you pay with skymiles which are then doubled. So I did 160 skymiles and it was $3200 off of package price. I used my husband’s skymiles account. It was not a big deal at all.

 

[MKTokyo]

Wow that's excellent. I have a Plat that'll have to decide what to do with in October. I'd keep it if I got a retention offer but I'm a little afraid to call and have the customer service person asking why I need to keep the Plat when I have so many other cards . . . Do you have many other AmEx cards?

I have four. Plat, two Hiltons & a Delta. The rep did not mention any of my other cards. He talked about the benefits, I mentioned my honest concerns about some of them & he came back with the offer.

I am not inclined to keep the Delta card or one of the Hiltons but I think I won't ask for retention on those, and wait for a card I'm really on the fence about. I understand they can see past retention offers you've gotten (& the rep said they won't do this every year), so while some people call often, I think I will be talking to them more sparingly.

 

[ten6mom]

I speak from having too many to count trips to WDW but all the fast pass plus scheduling and annoying magic bands (the waste-between the bands themselves and the packaging) is what put off this Floridian from returning ever if I can help it, frankly.

DL is so much more manageable and spontaneous behavior friendly-I see myself not returning to any parks after DL-Paris in October but if I do, it would be to DL. TBH if you're a go with the flow, see how you feel person (which is sometimes good on vacation) then WDW might not be a good fit. Then again, you might want to do the whole stress planning, horrible IT MDE, anticipate what you want to eat 6 months in advance thing once...and realize it is (or isn't) for you. Either way, no judgment here

I really want to go to WDW, but it's mostly "just to see" what it's like. The only other park I've been to was TDL last fall. I am so curious about all the differences and similarities!

I am not a sit-down meal sort of person, so I think I can safely skip that part of any planning. I do want to see all the big rides though (ok, maybe not Space Mountain since I keep reading that DL's is much better). And if Disney IT on their DL website and app is any indication... well, I really don't necessarily trust them to do a better job on the MDE!!

 

[LynnTH]

I just signed up for Discover Bank Account. I deposited $15,000. Am I correct that I can move that money back to my other account and re-deposit another $10,000 to get the full $200 bonus. Do I have to keep the money in there for any specific length of time? I like that there are no fees on this account.

Also, after I move the money back and forth. Can I sign up DH for this account and do the same thing?

 

[Mswiza]

I have four. Plat, two Hiltons & a Delta. The rep did not mention any of my other cards. He talked about the benefits, I mentioned my honest concerns about some of them & he came back with the offer.

I am not inclined to keep the Delta card or one of the Hiltons but I think I won't ask for retention on those, and wait for a card I'm really on the fence about. I understand they can see past retention offers you've gotten (& the rep said they won't do this every year), so while some people call often, I think I will be talking to them more sparingly.

Have you had a lot of spend on your Platinum? Mine is up for renewal in November and I am trying to decide what to do.

 

[MKTokyo]

Bank bonus updates...

M&T Bank: opened 7/11, completed requirements with Fidelity DD 8/14 (I had to wait for my first statement Fidelity wouldn't link the account without it), $300 bonus posted 8/15, downgraded to free account via SM on 8/26. No problems.

Closed PNC account via SM after waiting 180 days. No problems.

Aspiration never posted & I am not at all impressed with the fact that they've ignored my emails all week.

 

[MKTokyo]

I just signed up for Discover Bank Account. I deposited $15,000. Am I correct that I can move that money back to my other account and re-deposit another $10,000 to get the full $200 bonus. Do I have to keep the money in there for any specific length of time? I like that there are no fees on this account.

Also, after I move the money back and forth. Can I sign up DH for this account and do the same thing?

to both. You don't have to keep the money in the account for any length of time. I moved it out the next day.

 

[disfanforlife]

Our Hawaii flights are now officially booked! I can't believe I was able to get 4 of us first class tickets roundtrip from Boston to Hawaii on points. We are flying Delta from Boston to Maui and then United from Honolulu back to Boston. Paying cash the fights would have been about $11,000. This wouldn't have been possible without this board, so thank you to everyone who posts here.

Now I need some new cards!!

That is fantastic!!! We are thinking about going to Maui in March, haven't decided on flights yet.

 

[ten6mom]

Another newbie question.

Since I no longer have a goal of accumulating additional AA miles beyond what I expect to get as the SUB, how do I keep my existing AA miles from expiring if I plan to cancel that card after my next statement closes? I actually had miles from a zillion years ago that did expire (I only know this because they keep asking if I want to buy them back).

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Most Chase business applications go pending (“we need more time”) but are eventually approved. Is this what you’re worried about?

Targeted mailers don't mean pre-approval. They're more like pre-qualified offers. They also do not bypass 5/24, which isn't a problem for you and DH anyway. The mailer code does nothing for you, and using it forfeits the support bonus you'd get from DH referring you and vice versa. Go ahead and cross refer each other for the additional support points.

Remember that Chase approvals are a largely a function of velocity and overall credit limits. To avoid denial for too many accounts opened recently (and appearing to be a “bust out” risk), we conservatively recommend spacing a Chase biz app no sooner than 3 months after your most recent card that Chase can see on your credit report (personal cards reported from any issuer) or knows about (Chase’s own personal or biz cards). Chase also tends to deny applications for too much credit extended, which anecdotally is around 50% of the total household income you provided on your app, or $70k+ for higher income households. If your total credit lines on Chase’s personal and biz cards are too high, you may want to consider SMing Chase to reduce them to something more reasonable on each card; and for personal cards, let Chase report the lower credit lines to the credit reporting agencies at the close of the next statement or when you pay off the balance in full.

As for the 100k MR Platicorn, you’re unlikely to get targeted once you’ve dipped your toes in Amex’s cards. However, have you tried checking Cardmatch lately? Because didn’t you mention you moved? DPs report that trying Cardmatch with a new address (because you moved recently) or an old address (your previous residence) could trigger a 100k MR Plat offer as if you’re a completely new customer for Amex. If you see the offer with a different address, apply! You may only have one chance at being targeted as a new customer again. Good luck!

If you still can’t pull the Platicorn offer, have you considered calling in for another Biz Plat with no lifetime language (“NLL”) restriction on the 100k MR welcome bonus? @trstno1 posted the contact information and process on DISchurners earlier this week. The Biz Plat is a $10k MSR (vs. the Platicorn’s $5k MSR for the same amount of 100k MR), but it’s another bite at the apple, which is extremely rare with Amex.

Hope this helps.

Lain,
Thank you so much for the awesome response (as usual!). I really appreciate it. Neither of us have applied for a card in quite a while (9 months plus excepting DH's Business Blue which was over 3 months ago and wouldn't show up for Chase) so we should be good there. We should also be good on the credit extended but I'll double check.

I thought so about the Platicorn, but thought I'd check. I did try Cardmatch yesterday before posting my original question here and for some reason they couldn't find either of my or DHs accounts with both our old and new addresses. Great memory on the move, LOL. Our big downsize was complete in March.

I actually read the DISchurners post a couple days ago and that is definitely a consideration. DH doesn't have one so he could do that, but since I have one, I was hoping to spread out the benefits a little more by getting him a personal. I love my business platinum, but the Uber and Saks credits would be nice rather than two sets of the Dell, etc. But beggars can't be choosers at this point so we may go for it for him if we can't pull the Platicorn out of the hat.

On a different subject, bummer about the $1000 charge and fraud on your card. I caught one on my Amex Business Platinum for $2.98 last week thanks to my apple watch. The charge came through right away, and I knew I hadn't done it so I called pretty much instantly. I'm sure it was a testing charge before they did a much bigger one so the agent said something to the effect of good job. I was a reluctant apple watch person, but I have to admit I love it for things like this. My husband uses my Amex gold on his mobile device so I can always tell when he's been to the market, LOL. Amex was awesome about changing my card instantly and updating my mobile devices automatically so I could continue using the card.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Okay thanks! We can handle that. Some of dh’s coworkers said they use towels and blankets. Dh just started putting some of our shutters up. He said he’d rather have it done early so he doesn’t have to worry about it.

I went to the gym this morning and no one is leaving. They all said evacuating is almost always worse. I feel a lot better knowing so many people in my area are staying. One mom said she’s taking her kids to michaels for crafts and games lol. Dh and I are gonna go to target and buy a new board game just to make something positive out of this.

I spent the morning putting up our hurricane shades (they protect our covered patio) and knew when it was past 10:30am that we wouldn't make the 1:20pm fight. So I cancelled the flights and we are staying. Hope I don't regret this decision. I did the few hurricane shutters we have this morning, so all that is left is the hurricane locks on the garage (which I won't do until Monday) and the front door.

@Haley R stay safe and keep us posted. I want to go to Barnes and Noble and get some books and a new board game for dd and I.

 

[MKTokyo]

Have you had a lot of spend on your Platinum? Mine is up for renewal in November and I am trying to decide what to do.

Not really. Probably around $15K in the last year. $5K was the MSR & that also includes anything reimbursed by Amex through offers or benefits. $4K of it was a reimbursed work expense for DF that we typically don't have. So, I don't think I'm a particularly lucrative, big spending customer.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Go to deltavacations.com and build the package with the flights and hotel for the whole duration. Then check like Expedia for the nightly hotel rate and subtract that from the number of nights your not doing. Should give you a ballpark.
You can transfer DHs MRs to your Delta account if you want just got online and Amex will give you the option of what cardholders or AUs account you are transferring to. If DH is sitting on some miles add to his. No idea if you can call and book for him - I used my SkyMiles account but you could certainly try!

Thank you. Looks like it would be approx 160kMRs and 570k HH points for comfort+ flights, 2 nights at Hyatt, and 7 nights at Grand Wailea.

 

[amcc]

This changing of bank accounts is for the birds. Nowhere on the Citi site does it say what the credit card number is so that I can set up bill pay. Not in my account overview, settings, or statement. Hats off to all of you that can play the bank account bonus game. This has been a trial by fire if I ever do jump into that.

 

[LynnTH]

to both. You don't have to keep the money in the account for any length of time. I moved it out the next day.

Awesome. Thank You!! Very easy $ on this one. Still working on the Wells Fargo one. Just made my last $3000 Direct Deposit. Not sure how long that one will take to post.

 

[apollodi]

I booked a package today and was told that you can cancel up to 30 days before and it is $200 per person. The amount goes up from there, I booked a package for 3 people and the cancellation fee was $600 up to 30 days prior, then jumps to $900, then well over a $1,000. If you cancel, you get a voucher back for value of the miles minus the cancellation. I ended up buying the insurance for $44 per person since there is a chance we could have to cancel or rebook. It was worth the piece of mind for $132 to not lose most of our 100K miles.

There are some great deal out there. I have wasted lots of time the last few days looking at various vacation scenarios. For us it is a win/win. We can use the miles and get better value while still earning skymiles in the process.

Thanks for the info! So, if you buy the insurance for $44 pp and had to cancel, you'd get everything else back as a travel voucher?

I'm trying to figure out if I can book one flight and only one room x2. We need two rooms so I'd have to call Disney wholesale to add the other people and then we'd all fly SW instead. I'm not sure how that would work though if we didn't take the flight or if we could just cancel the flights but keep the rooms...? Delta doesn't have good options from Denver so not sure we want to commit to flying them.

Delta vacations questions:

1) MR transfer to DSM 1:1, right? But the deal now is thru delta vacations I get 2:1?

2) If I want to shorten the hotel stay for much less than the whole trip, how do I do that? I don't see a way online. I thought I had seen a 2 night minimum mentioned on here.

I am thinking of asking my parents to watch the kids in early May and just DH and myself go to Hawaii, instead of taking the whole family. We haven't ever gone away together alone. No honeymoon either. I just want to make sure I can cover the trip with my points before I ask. I am thinking the flight and 2 nights on points thru this promotion, and the other nights with Hilton points.

I booked one of these Delta vacations yesterday, too, for 4 people for next year's Disney trip. I called and did a multi-city flight itinerary, with only 7 nights of hotel for a 21 day trip (the other 2 weeks of the trip are not in Orlando). It also included one Disney park ticket for DD5, who is the only one who didn't have a ticket yet for next year's trip. So multi-city flights work fine, in case anyone else makes travel plans like me that involve hopping from city to city. We are flying from CVG - MCO and 3 weeks later flying from HHH (Hilton Head airport) - CVG.

Our cancellations fees were high too, so I added the trip insurance for about $50 pp and asked a LOT of questions about the voucher. We can cancel for any reason and get the amount added to a Delta Vacations voucher, minus the $200 trip insurance. The voucher is good for a year from the date the voucher is issued, and the trip itself can happen after voucher expiration as long as it's booked before the deadline. I figured it gave us flexibility. This trip is still pretty far away and there are a lot of moving parts - it involves travel to Orlando, possibly Raleigh, Seattle for me and DH, and Hilton Head.

Next step - get Delta Skymiles accounts set up for the girls! They have never taken a miles-earning Delta flight before, haha.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

@disneymagicgirl in addition to doing as outlined above I would price out individually the flights you want (you can do that online) and find the cheapest ones that work. And if you want main, comfort, first class. You are looking at the cash price of flights.

Then do which hotel for the couple nights. That way you can just tell them what you want exactly. It will come up with a total package price and then you pay with skymiles which are then doubled. So I did 160 skymiles and it was $3200 off of package price. I used my husband’s skymiles account. It was not a big deal at all.

Good idea to look at flights first.
So I did that and got the package down to $3707 (flights/2 nights Grand Wailea). I have 143k MRs.
So I would pay $424 out of pocket plus the MRs. Then 570k HH for the other 7 nights at GW.

 

[PolyRob]

Another newbie question.

Since I no longer have a goal of accumulating additional AA miles beyond what I expect to get as the SUB, how do I keep my existing AA miles from expiring if I plan to cancel that card after my next statement closes? I actually had miles from a zillion years ago that did expire (I only know this because they keep asking if I want to buy them back).

AA miles take 18 months to expire if you have no other activity. If you keep earning bonuses, that will keep them active. You can also shop through the AA portal instead of getting cash back through Ebates or RMN. You will earn a sad amount of miles, but that qualifies as activity to extend the expiration.