I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[wanderlust7]

I'm toying with the idea of doing a 4-night WDW trip in January for my birthday. I was born the same year as the Magic Kingdom, so it's a big one!
If I applied for a Marriott card this week (not sure which one yet) and I met spend right away, would that give me enough time to get the points or free nights and book Swan for a January 2021 trip? I've never done anything with hotel points so not totally sure how quickly you get them and can use them and if there is even likely to be availability with points. Thanks.

The Swan is usually 50k points. The elevated Amex bonuses for the Bonvoy Brilliant or Bonvoy Biz would each only get you 2 nights. You would get Platinum status though for possible upgrades. The Chase Bonvoy Boundless 5 free night offer would have worked well, but I think it expired.

Have you gotten the Citi Premier before? If cash rates are not that expensive, you may be able to get more nights with that SUB. Points are worth 1.25 cents per point through their travel department (until 4/10/20).

 

[Chippy4]

Hello! I lurk off and on and I decided it’s time to introduce myself and ask for some advice from the experts! I just finished going through my credit report to figure out when I opened my various credit cards so I can answer the standard questions accurately.

1. No cards opened within the last 24 months. My most recent two cards were the Southwest Priority (6/17) and Southwest Preferred (9/17) which I opened to get the bonuses and companion pass that I learned about by lurking on here. I closed the Priority after the first year and I just closed the Preferred last month when the AF came due as I am now sitting on 144k miles with no plans to fly until the pandemic abates. Those miles are earmarked for an eventual family trip to Orlando.

Cards that I currently have open and the reason I have them:
USAA Signature Visa (oldest card, 1.5% cash back)
USAA Preferred Cash (1.5%) - this card I probably don’t need; I opened it when the other USAA card had a lower cash back amount
Bank of America Cash Rewards (3% cash back on online purchases)
AMEX Blue (the points are only good for a few gift cards; I mostly use occasional special discount offers)
Discover (AU on DH’s account, 5% cash back on quarterly categories)
Sears/Citibank MasterCard (I get Thank You points when they send special offers; I have been redeeming points for gift cards)
L.L.Bean/Citibank MasterCard (free shipping at L.L.Bean)
Kohl’s/Capital One (store coupons)

2. Monthly spending on cards is $1 - $2k (with occasional higher spending) and I don’t carry any balances. Family of four: me (DW), DH, DD12, DS8. DH is willing to use whatever credit card I ask him to.

We don’t fly much as a family, so far mostly just to Orlando for theme park vacations, but I would be open to other travel opportunities. Our last trip to Disney World was 2018 and we were going to go again in April 2021 (I bought park tickets in February this year to beat the price increase - waaaahh!) but I don’t see that happening for us with COVID-19. Maybe April 2022? DH and I are also celebrating our 15 year anniversary in 2021 and without a pandemic, we would probably take a couple’s trip over the summer to somewhere requiring a flight. I don’t know if we’ll be able to reschedule that.

My most preferred way to travel to MCO is a direct Southwest flight from MHT. If we can’t fly Southwest, we usually fly from BOS because it is significantly cheaper than our closest airport (PWM). I have no significant accumulation of points at any airline or hotel except for the aforementioned Southwest. We don’t own our own business and we have no work travel that would accumulate any points.

Do I need a new credit card? I got an email from JetBlue advertising 100k miles with their credit card, and I also saw the post about the 80k UR with CSP. I guess the biggest risk of an airline card now is that I’d lose the money I spend on the AF if the airline goes bankrupt.

 

[Albort]

Hello! I lurk off and on and I decided it’s time to introduce myself and ask for some advice from the experts! I just finished going through my credit report to figure out when I opened my various credit cards so I can answer the standard questions accurately.

1. No cards opened within the last 24 months. My most recent two cards were the Southwest Priority (6/17) and Southwest Preferred (9/17) which I opened to get the bonuses and companion pass that I learned about by lurking on here. I closed the Priority after the first year and I just closed the Preferred last month when the AF came due as I am now sitting on 144k miles with no plans to fly until the pandemic abates. Those miles are earmarked for an eventual family trip to Orlando.

Cards that I currently have open and the reason I have them:
USAA Signature Visa (oldest card, 1.5% cash back)
USAA Preferred Cash (1.5%) - this card I probably don’t need; I opened it when the other USAA card had a lower cash back amount
Bank of America Cash Rewards (3% cash back on online purchases)
AMEX Blue (the points are only good for a few gift cards; I mostly use occasional special discount offers)
Discover (AU on DH’s account, 5% cash back on quarterly categories)
Sears/Citibank MasterCard (I get Thank You points when they send special offers; I have been redeeming points for gift cards)
L.L.Bean/Citibank MasterCard (free shipping at L.L.Bean)
Kohl’s/Capital One (store coupons)

2. Monthly spending on cards is $1 - $2k (with occasional higher spending) and I don’t carry any balances. Family of four: me (DW), DH, DD12, DS8. DH is willing to use whatever credit card I ask him to.

We don’t fly much as a family, so far mostly just to Orlando for theme park vacations, but I would be open to other travel opportunities. Our last trip to Disney World was 2018 and we were going to go again in April 2021 (I bought park tickets in February this year to beat the price increase - waaaahh!) but I don’t see that happening for us with COVID-19. Maybe April 2022? DH and I are also celebrating our 15 year anniversary in 2021 and without a pandemic, we would probably take a couple’s trip over the summer to somewhere requiring a flight. I don’t know if we’ll be able to reschedule that.

My most preferred way to travel to MCO is a direct Southwest flight from MHT. If we can’t fly Southwest, we usually fly from BOS because it is significantly cheaper than our closest airport (PWM). I have no significant accumulation of points at any airline or hotel except for the aforementioned Southwest. We don’t own our own business and we have no work travel that would accumulate any points.

Do I need a new credit card? I got an email from JetBlue advertising 100k miles with their credit card, and I also saw the post about the 80k UR with CSP. I guess the biggest risk of an airline card now is that I’d lose the money I spend on the AF if the airline goes bankrupt.

highly doubt JetBlue would bankrupt though. If SW is your priority, then u should start with URs. U should finish your URs lines and move on to other CCs.

 

[KPK02090]

Probably, you can make the reservation now. You would just have to meet the spend when the first statement closes, sometimes that's around 10 days.

If I make the reservation now, do I reserve on points that I don’t have yet or do I reserve on cash and then switch to points when I get them?

The Swan is usually 50k points. The elevated Amex bonuses for the Bonvoy Brilliant or Bonvoy Biz would each only get you 2 nights. You would get Platinum status though for possible upgrades. The Chase Bonvoy Boundless 5 free night offer would have worked well, but I think it expired.

Have you gotten the Citi Premier before? If cash rates are not that expensive, you may be able to get more nights with that SUB. Points are worth 1.25 cents per point through their travel department (until 4/10/20).

Shoot, I didn’t realize the 5-nights offer had expired.
I’ve never looked into citi TYP, but will check it out now.
Thanks!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Hello! I lurk off and on and I decided it’s time to introduce myself and ask for some advice from the experts! I just finished going through my credit report to figure out when I opened my various credit cards so I can answer the standard questions accurately.

1. No cards opened within the last 24 months. My most recent two cards were the Southwest Priority (6/17) and Southwest Preferred (9/17) which I opened to get the bonuses and companion pass that I learned about by lurking on here. I closed the Priority after the first year and I just closed the Preferred last month when the AF came due as I am now sitting on 144k miles with no plans to fly until the pandemic abates. Those miles are earmarked for an eventual family trip to Orlando.

Cards that I currently have open and the reason I have them:
USAA Signature Visa (oldest card, 1.5% cash back)
USAA Preferred Cash (1.5%) - this card I probably don’t need; I opened it when the other USAA card had a lower cash back amount
Bank of America Cash Rewards (3% cash back on online purchases)
AMEX Blue (the points are only good for a few gift cards; I mostly use occasional special discount offers)
Discover (AU on DH’s account, 5% cash back on quarterly categories)
Sears/Citibank MasterCard (I get Thank You points when they send special offers; I have been redeeming points for gift cards)
L.L.Bean/Citibank MasterCard (free shipping at L.L.Bean)
Kohl’s/Capital One (store coupons)

2. Monthly spending on cards is $1 - $2k (with occasional higher spending) and I don’t carry any balances. Family of four: me (DW), DH, DD12, DS8. DH is willing to use whatever credit card I ask him to.

We don’t fly much as a family, so far mostly just to Orlando for theme park vacations, but I would be open to other travel opportunities. Our last trip to Disney World was 2018 and we were going to go again in April 2021 (I bought park tickets in February this year to beat the price increase - waaaahh!) but I don’t see that happening for us with COVID-19. Maybe April 2022? DH and I are also celebrating our 15 year anniversary in 2021 and without a pandemic, we would probably take a couple’s trip over the summer to somewhere requiring a flight. I don’t know if we’ll be able to reschedule that.

My most preferred way to travel to MCO is a direct Southwest flight from MHT. If we can’t fly Southwest, we usually fly from BOS because it is significantly cheaper than our closest airport (PWM). I have no significant accumulation of points at any airline or hotel except for the aforementioned Southwest. We don’t own our own business and we have no work travel that would accumulate any points.

Do I need a new credit card? I got an email from JetBlue advertising 100k miles with their credit card, and I also saw the post about the 80k UR with CSP. I guess the biggest risk of an airline card now is that I’d lose the money I spend on the AF if the airline goes bankrupt.

I would start with Chase UR cards...the 80kUR CSP Offer is supposed to expire 11/7, so one or both(if you can do the $8k spend in 3 months) of you could apply for it....don’t add each other as authorized users on the new cards you apply for since it will add to your x/24 count with Chase.
If the 8k spend doesn’t work the other could apply for a Chase Freedom the spend requirement is only $500 ...and you get 5x points on groceries the first year, 3x drug store and 1.5x on all other purchases

 

[hsmamato2]

so DS was denied on CSP today,(prob due to income requirement) how long do we have ot wait to app for the flex? can we try today?

 

[happ]

Do I need a new credit card?

Welcome! I just wanted to say that I ask myself that same question every time I consider applying for a new card. The answer is always no. I don't "need" a new card. However, that's not really the point. It's really about why you want a new card. If you have an answer to that question, such as the bonus from the card will allow you to travel somewhere for free or at a reduced cost, then that's reason enough to consider a new card. I would start with Chase and URs since they are so flexible and can also be used as cash back if you decide not to use them for travel.

 

[familyman123]

I applied for a CSP on November 1, and received "thank you for your request, we need to review your request a little longer." Today I called the status line which said that I should have the answer "in approximately 2 weeks." I understand that usually means you will be approved. Does anyone know how to speed up the process? I have a bill for flooring that was just installed, and now I need a new garage door and would like to put that on CSP. Can I ask them to expedite a card that hasn't been approved yet?

 

[becauseimnew]

Hello! I lurk off and on and I decided it’s time to introduce myself and ask for some advice from the experts! I just finished going through my credit report to figure out when I opened my various credit cards so I can answer the standard questions accurately.

1. No cards opened within the last 24 months. My most recent two cards were the Southwest Priority (6/17) and Southwest Preferred (9/17) which I opened to get the bonuses and companion pass that I learned about by lurking on here. I closed the Priority after the first year and I just closed the Preferred last month when the AF came due as I am now sitting on 144k miles with no plans to fly until the pandemic abates. Those miles are earmarked for an eventual family trip to Orlando.

Cards that I currently have open and the reason I have them:
USAA Signature Visa (oldest card, 1.5% cash back)
USAA Preferred Cash (1.5%) - this card I probably don’t need; I opened it when the other USAA card had a lower cash back amount
Bank of America Cash Rewards (3% cash back on online purchases)
AMEX Blue (the points are only good for a few gift cards; I mostly use occasional special discount offers)
Discover (AU on DH’s account, 5% cash back on quarterly categories)
Sears/Citibank MasterCard (I get Thank You points when they send special offers; I have been redeeming points for gift cards)
L.L.Bean/Citibank MasterCard (free shipping at L.L.Bean)
Kohl’s/Capital One (store coupons)

2. Monthly spending on cards is $1 - $2k (with occasional higher spending) and I don’t carry any balances. Family of four: me (DW), DH, DD12, DS8. DH is willing to use whatever credit card I ask him to.

We don’t fly much as a family, so far mostly just to Orlando for theme park vacations, but I would be open to other travel opportunities. Our last trip to Disney World was 2018 and we were going to go again in April 2021 (I bought park tickets in February this year to beat the price increase - waaaahh!) but I don’t see that happening for us with COVID-19. Maybe April 2022? DH and I are also celebrating our 15 year anniversary in 2021 and without a pandemic, we would probably take a couple’s trip over the summer to somewhere requiring a flight. I don’t know if we’ll be able to reschedule that.

My most preferred way to travel to MCO is a direct Southwest flight from MHT. If we can’t fly Southwest, we usually fly from BOS because it is significantly cheaper than our closest airport (PWM). I have no significant accumulation of points at any airline or hotel except for the aforementioned Southwest. We don’t own our own business and we have no work travel that would accumulate any points.

Do I need a new credit card? I got an email from JetBlue advertising 100k miles with their credit card, and I also saw the post about the 80k UR with CSP. I guess the biggest risk of an airline card now is that I’d lose the money I spend on the AF if the airline goes bankrupt.

Hello! Welcome.

I don't know anything about JetBlue so I can't comment on that card. If you are afraid an airline will go bankrupt then you should apply for the CSP, you'll be able to use those points for all travel, including transferring the points to Southwest. I think you can call the Chase Travel and book JetBlue flights with your UR points.

As other have pointed out the Chase CSP 80K sign up bonus is about to go away on 11/7... it will probably go back down to 60K so you would miss out on 20K URs. And until 4/20/2021 you'll earn 2 points at grocery stores and you'll be able to cash out your grocery, restaurant and home improvement stores at 1.25X so the 80,000 points cashed it is worth $1,000. You really can't go wrong with that card. There are support links you can use, so request to be added to our group on Reddit.

 

[becauseimnew]

I applied for a CSP on November 1, and received "thank you for your request, we need to review your request a little longer." Today I called the status line which said that I should have the answer "in approximately 2 weeks." I understand that usually means you will be approved. Does anyone know how to speed up the process? I have a bill for flooring that was just installed, and now I need a new garage door and would like to put that on CSP. Can I ask them to expedite a card that hasn't been approved yet?

You could call the reconsideration line and see if you can get it approved and when they approve it you can ask them to expedite it.

 

[becauseimnew]

If I make the reservation now, do I reserve on points that I don’t have yet or do I reserve on cash and then switch to points when I get them?


Shoot, I didn’t realize the 5-nights offer had expired.
I’ve never looked into citi TYP, but will check it out now.
Thanks!

Marriott let's you make the reservation without the points, the only thing that sucks is that if the room rate goes up it doesn't lock the lower rate.

 

[jaysraptor]

so DS was denied on CSP today,(prob due to income requirement) how long do we have ot wait to app for the flex? can we try today?

I believe the guidance is to wait 30 days from application date.

 

[WVMomof3]

so DS was denied on CSP today,(prob due to income requirement) how long do we have ot wait to app for the flex? can we try today?

What are his stats and income if you don't mind me asking. I was thinking of telling DD to go for it now that she has a real job.

 

[amcc]

Last week, I got good advice regarding booking a flight with UR for travel to Europe next summer and decided against it because I don't want a travel voucher. We are 6 and a multi-thousand $$ voucher is too much pressure. Now I'm thinking I could book with AA miles. I see that if I book the tickets next year, if I cancel more than 60 days before the flight, the miles can be reinstated for free. Am I missing anything? I'm looking at late July so we should have a decent idea by late May if borders will be open and if there are any restrictions. Even pushing it to before 7 days of travel, I would pay $750 which is a tough pill to swallow but seems like a cost of doing travel in these times.

 

[becauseimnew]

Last week, I got good advice regarding booking a flight with UR for travel to Europe next summer and decided against it because I don't want a travel voucher. We are 6 and a multi-thousand $$ voucher is too much pressure. Now I'm thinking I could book with AA miles. I see that if I book the tickets next year, if I cancel more than 60 days before the flight, the miles can be reinstated for free. Am I missing anything? I'm looking at late July so we should have a decent idea by late May if borders will be open and if there are any restrictions. Even pushing it to before 7 days of travel, I would pay $750 which is a tough pill to swallow but seems like a cost of doing travel in these times.

I booked our summer 2021 trip to Europe using AA miles, I had the same rational as you. We'll definitely know our travel plans 60 days before the trip. I was also able to book all our apartments on the Chase Travel portal, there are some good deals.

 

[KPK02090]

I think I'm going to go ahead and apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Biz. I've done a lot with Chase, so think it might be good to do a bit with Amex.
Also k - why not? Is there any downside to applying. It won't effect my 5/24, right?

 

[stitchfan18]

Do SW biz cards ever offer any type of retention bonus? My AF just posted on my performance biz & while some of the perks would be nice if we actually get to keep our travel plans next year, I don't know that they are worth $199. Also, if planning for CP in 2022/2023, how soon before applying again would I need to cancel this card? My current CP was with both biz cards, but if I keep 1 open, this one would be it.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Do SW biz cards ever offer any type of retention bonus? My AF just posted on my performance biz & while some of the perks would be nice if we actually get to keep our travel plans next year, I don't know that they are worth $199. Also, if planning for CP in 2022/2023, how soon before applying again would I need to cancel this card? My current CP was with both biz cards, but if I keep 1 open, this one would be it.

I have received retention offers on my SW personal card, never tried on the business.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

Has anyone used the My Chase Plan option on their credit card? Thoughts and tips? I can't find a lot of info on it. Long story short: We got slapped with a large unexpected medical bill and they won't take our CareCredit card. And if I can pay it off in installments via Chase instead of taking a large chunk out of our e-fund I would prefer to do that.

 

[becauseimnew]

I think I'm going to go ahead and apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Biz. I've done a lot with Chase, so think it might be good to do a bit with Amex.
Also k - why not? Is there any downside to applying. It won't effect my 5/24, right?

No downsides, just remember that the Platinum won't take affect until Feb 2021. I applied a few weeks ago.