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

[wanderlust7]

I got a retention offer last year. Do you think it would work 2 years in a row?

Ah. What I've read is you can't get another until 13 months later.

 

[Alexle2007]

I got a retention offer last year. Do you think it would work 2 years in a row?

Nope. I tried on my Plat before I downgraded it to a Gold.

 

[punkin]

Nope. I tried on my Plat before I downgraded it to a Gold.

Yup. I'm going to try to double dip the sacks and airline credits in January and cancel as soon as they post

 

[platamama]

DP to share: I called into Chase and got a $150 statement credit on my CSR, $50 on my Marriott Boundless, and nothing for my SW Priority.

 

[Hoosier John]

Can you tell us more about annual memberships?

I just checked and I still have 2020's credit, but not likely to fly.

I've gotten a SWest gift card twice, but that is no more. How about day passes for lounges? Would they be transferable? Could I give as a gift to son and girlfriend or anyone else that may use them?

I'm no expert on flying credits ... In fact, I haven't flown for about a decade, and these air-credit cards are new to me, so I was just researching how to use the credits.
The only two memberships mentioned were Frontier and Spirit. If there are others, I would think they would work.
I won't know more about the lounge passes until I actually buy them, next month.

Partly my reason for researching and posting, was to stimulate more ideas like Killer Fish's, below:

I was going to try and grab 2 SW flights under $100 and then cancel and convert to travel funds..

I saw someone mention doing this by booking a hotel through the Travel Portal, and then canceling WITH THE HOTEL directly. I thought there were better ideas, so I kept looking. Then when I couldn't find any great ideas, I couldn't find it again. The Hotel part make me think it was not for Air Credits, though.

So these travel funds, are like Southwest money that can be used for anything SW? And they expire in a year?

 

[Albort]

Working on MSR for Chase Marriott and buying 2 iPhones for gifts (just the SEs, nothing fancy) so I want to put it on that card. I do have an offer for 10% off at Lowe's but not sure a GC is the best way. We have T-Mobile, do they even have GCs? At Lowe's's? Otherwise straight up buying from T-Mobile seems the best as they charge $20 per phone for activation. Anyone have an idea I'm missing?

Costco.com has for its Members: 64GB Apple iPhone SE Unlocked Smartphone for $339.99.Shipping is free.

Costco.com also has for its Members: 128GB Apple iPhone SE Unlocked Smartphone for $389.99. Shipping is free.

 

[amcc]

Uses for the Amex Platinum $200, and Gold $100 Airline Incidentals fee credits:

• Checked baggage fees
• Overweight/oversize baggage fees
• Change fees
• Phone reservation fees
• Pet flight fees
• Airport lounge day passes and annual memberships
• Seat assignment fees
• Inflight amenity fees (beverages, food, pillows/blankets, etc.)
• Inflight entertainment fees (excluding wireless internet)

Since I have no flights planned this year and need to use the benefit before January, I'm thinking about buying lounge day passes (good for 1 year).
Other options for someone in my situation include Annual Memberships: Frontier Discount Den, Spirit $9 Club, or Southwest EarlyBird Boarding.

Spending that is NOT included in the benefit:

• Fees charged to other card accounts
• Charges that aren’t separate from airline ticket payments (for example, you may pay to select seats when purchasing a ticket)
• Fees not charged by the cardmember’s airline of choice (for example, wireless internet and fees incurred with airline alliance partners)
• Incidental air travel fees charged prior to selection of a qualifying airline
• Airline tickets
• Upgrades
• Mileage points purchases
• Mileage points transfer fees
• Gift cards
• Duty-free purchases
• Award tickets

Of note, apparently buying airline Gift Cards used to work with certain airlines, but no longer do.

October 20, 2020 source: Your guide to the Amex Platinum's airline fee credit - The Points Guy

I'm not sure where it falls under but in desperation, I've also used it to purchase a mile multiplier and had it credit several times. My son is the only one who has flown this year and I figured I might as well try and boost his miles and it worked. I like the idea of the lounge day passes with whatever I have left especially if they are transferable as @Judique is wondering.

 

[afan]

I'm not sure where it falls under but in desperation, I've also used it to purchase a mile multiplier and had it credit several times. My son is the only one who has flown this year and I figured I might as well try and boost his miles and it worked. I like the idea of the lounge day passes with whatever I have left especially if they are transferable as @Judique is wondering.

That may not be something offered on all airlines right now and you have to be flying.

Again, the forums on flyertalk are going to have the most up to date info on what's still working and is more reliable than a list from tpg because people post current dps.

 

[Haley R]

How did you manage litter box use?

We bought a play pen type thing and put the food, water, and litter all inside.

EliteField 2-Door Soft Pet Playpen, Exercise Pen, Multiple Sizes and Colors Available for Dogs, Cats and Other Pets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCYD6V1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_2ASVFbTFK53CK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[punkin]

We bought a play pen type thing and put the food, water, and litter all inside.

EliteField 2-Door Soft Pet Playpen, Exercise Pen, Multiple Sizes and Colors Available for Dogs, Cats and Other Pets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCYD6V1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_2ASVFbTFK53CK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

That is amazingly helpful. Thank you.

 

[Psychodisney]

So these travel funds, are like Southwest money that can be used for anything SW? And they expire in a year?

I think SW travel credits can only be used for airfare and the $5.60 per leg takes and fees. I'm pretty sure they don't work on EBCI.

 

[have2getaway]

A few more details can help :What airline(s) do you plan on flying? Is SW an option? What is the size of your travel party?

Southwest may be an option. We have flown Southwest before and liked having a direct flight. At one point, I started looking into the SW companion pass, but then the pandemic hit and I was too busy with everything to even look into it.

it’s a party of 5. Me, DH, and three kids, all age 12.

 

[Artygal90]

Yup. The hyatt I had booked for dlr back in March I called changed twice when availability opened up. I also always call when I'm combining points and a free night cert because they can more easily figure out how to make it work.

Thanks so much for this tip, I just called and it took about 5 minutes to change to my new dates. So easy.

 

[afan]

Thanks so much for this tip, I just called and it took about 5 minutes to change to my new dates. So easy.

I'm glad! I know most of us don't like calling but hyatt really makes it so easy and pleasant to call that I prefer calling even when booking.

 

[Psychodisney]

Southwest may be an option. We have flown Southwest before and liked having a direct flight. At one point, I started looking into the SW companion pass, but then the pandemic hit and I was too busy with everything to even look into it.

it’s a party of 5. Me, DH, and three kids, all age 12.

Chase UR points do transfer 1:1 to SWA. You mentioned CF cards. Do you have a Sapphire product? With a CSR or CSP, you can transfer to travel partners.
Lots of us love the SWA CP. SW bonuses aren't great right now. You need 125K points earned in the same year to earn a pass. I think the common thought is a business card if you have a business or "business" and a personal card OR a DD of personal cards.

 

[Psychodisney]

Southwest may be an option. We have flown Southwest before and liked having a direct flight. At one point, I started looking into the SW companion pass, but then the pandemic hit and I was too busy with everything to even look into it.

it’s a party of 5. Me, DH, and three kids, all age 12.

I went back and read your original post. I see your DH has a CSR and CF. Do you hold any?

 

[hsmamato2]

DP to share: I called into Chase and got a $150 statement credit on my CSR, $50 on my Marriott Boundless, and nothing for my SW Priority.

for CSR- did you mention any offers? or did they?

 

[IFlossU]

We are finally home from WDW (our connecting flight in DFW was delayed for rain/storms! What a novel concept!) and in a nutshell:

WDW has the better castle and better queues (by "better queues" I mean how detailed and lovely some of them are compared to DL... especially Peter Pan and TSMM. They are VERY GOOD at HIDING their queues!!!).... but we liked DL better for everything else.

Still- we are grateful for having been able to go!

Haha! Rain, what's that, right? So glad you decided to visit WDW. We decided as a family that, while we always have a great time at WDW, DL just feels like home. The prolonged closure of DL has me pretty bummed for multiple reasons I'm sure most here can understand.

Made a reservation for the Grand Wailea a couple months ago for July with FNCs. Was charged today about $50/night. First thought was fraud?? Then I remembered the fine print mentions a deposit.

Also, my CSR $150 retention credit posted!

Were you just charged the $50 on FNC nights? I'm probably going to make a reservation for Jan. '22. Just curious what I might be looking at deposit wise. I'm booking 5 nights with points and 1 FNC.

I was going to try and grab 2 SW flights under $100 and then cancel and convert to travel funds...

This is my plan too. Worked last year.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

for CSR- did you mention any offers? or did they?

I also received the $150 credit..I .called the number on the back of the CSR and asked if there were any retention offers, she asked if I was thinking about cancelling...told her maybe we were doing a year end review of our cards and with COVID not traveling looking at our cards with fees ...not sure what others said

 

[wanderlust7]

Were you just charged the $50 on FNC nights? I'm probably going to make a reservation for Jan. '22. Just curious what I might be looking at deposit wise. I'm booking 5 nights with points and 1 FNC.

I only have FNC nights. I would guess it’s the same. $51.49/night to be exact.