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

[LynnTH]

Can anyone tell me if when booking a cruise with URs if you have to pay for the entire thing at once, or if you can just make a deposit and then make payments/use URs to make payments?

You are only able to use UR's once. So, if booking directly with Chase the only time you can use UR's is when you book. So, you can use whatever amount you want and then just have to make sure the rest is paid by the final payment date. This last cruise I booked was about $3,000 but I booked using my CSR and used 200,000 UR's to book. I also included the gratuities in the booking and paid them right away also.

 

[wanderlust7]

Amex retention DPs. Called 3 times for the personal plat. Offer was 20k MRs for $3000 spend and it didn't change. I took it to hopefully keep Amex happier. Called twice for the Gold Biz. First time got bupkus. Second time, got 10k for $3000 spend. I was tempted to take it, but couldn't get past the $295 AF (with no much to offset it), so canceled.

We put in solar panels and I charged it to the Hilton Biz to get the free night. Was hoping the overall Amex spend would help with the retention offers. Was reeeeally hoping for the 50k no spend offer on the plat, lol. Maybe too little too late. But possibly it helped with the gold biz offer.

Second call on the plat, rep said that the offer might go away but doesn't change (who knows if that's true). Third call on the plat, rep mentions that I called before, lol. Second call on the gold biz, rep asks about my business (what kind of business, how long, what kind of expenses, how much, etc). We do rentals, so I'm comfortable talking about it. But just a heads up for anyone with a "business".

 

[Lain]

I get the chase rule. What I'm unclear on is opening a few different CCs at once.
DH wants BoA - we bank there.
I want CIP and AMEX Blue Everyday

What are the risks/disadvantages?

Each bank/credit card issuer has their own rules, guidelines, and metrics for approval/denial for their own cards, and sometimes even the different card products they issue. What card you get can affect what other cards you're eligible for from that issuer, as well as from other issuers. There is no easy way to simplify the complexities of each issuer's rules and how they affect what cards you're eligible for with other issuers. (That's why I hate giving "general" one size fits all advice.) What's best for you depends on what you want to do, finding the right credit cards and rewards for you to earn to accomplish your travel goals, and looking at what cards you have or have gotten to see what you're eligible for and create a road map for which cards you should open over the next year (and of course have enough flexibility if a new card comes out, a card product gets refreshed, a signup offer is elevated, or something negative happens).

So without knowing more about what cards you and DH have, and what cards (including AUs) you two have opened (whether they're still open or not) in the past 2 years, I can't see the full picture.

I assume you know about Chase's 5/24 rule, and our recommendations regarding responsible pacing to lower your "bust out" risk of shutdown with Chase?

BoA is very much a relationship bank when it comes to approving credit cards, so having a banking relationship should help your odds of approval. Getting a personal BofA card will add to DH's */24 count with Chase, but BofA has many business card products that will not report to DH's personal credit reports and therefore will not count against DH's */24 status. As long as DH remains under 5/24 (no more than 4 cards from any issuer -- typically personal cards, that are reported to and show up on DH's credit report -- in the past 24 months), DH is eligible for Chase's personal and business cards.

To be approved for the CIP, you need to be under 5/24. Does DH have a CIP from which he can "support" you and therefore earn 20k UR bonus points for that "supportal"? If not, please consider applying through a fellow DISer's link. The signup bonus is the same as applying through a public or blogger's link, and you give back to this helpful community.

There are a few other factors that Chase considers when deciding to approve you for a card or not. Their underwriting is unlikely to approve you for a new credit card (additional credit) if your total credit lines, across all Chase personal and business cards, is over 50% of your total household income that you report in the application. If your total credit lines with Chase exceed $70k or so, that may also be cause to deny you for "sufficient amount of credit" already extended. Thus, if you're in this zone, you should proactively lower your credit lines a statement period or more before you apply for a new card to increase your chances of approval. It's a good idea to constantly be keeping your overall Chase credit lines in check so you're not rushing to lower them at the last minute when you need to apply for something but realize you may have too much credit already. There's also an issue of pacing. If you open up several cards in a short period of time, it looks like you're aggressively seeking credit (vs. just opening up credit cards for rewards), and banks are worried you may run up a huge bill and stick them with your debt that you can't repay. This is "bust out," is viewed as a significant risk, and could lead to a shutdown. You don't want to be opening up a card (or more) each month and having these cards show up on your credit reports that banks often "soft pull" or "hard pull" when you come back to apply for another card. This is why we recommend waiting about 3 months between getting new cards from Chase. (This is a recommendation only, and you can modify it based on your risk tolerance, overall pacing of opening new cards that Chase can see, cards or points you "need" sooner than the 3 month waiting period, or to sign up for limited time elevated signup bonuses.) You can fill the gaps with business cards from other issuers, many of which do not report the opening of a business card account to your personal credit report, so Chase doesn't "see" these new business cards and they do not add to your */24 status.

Why do you want the Blue Cash Everyday card? Know that as a personal card, it'll count against Chase's 5/24 rule; and as a credit card (vs. charge card), it'll take up a slot under Amex's 5 Amex credit card limit. If you are under 5/24, there are cards with much more lucrative signup bonuses or utility as an everyday card to consider using that <5/24 slot on.

 

[FoxC63]

In looking at my spending habits and stores I frequent for our needs certain cards have more appeal overall. DH & I still need to go through all the offers that are available. I also need to keep in mind our 2023 trip to Japan and how applying for CC's now will play out.
Absolutely we'll use referral links. There are a few on the DIS who have been major supporters since I first signed up and to this day. I believe in paying it forward.
Thanks for having my six!

 

[jenmsmith]

I’m gonna look at the menu and see what Dh thinks. Can you just walk in or do you need an ADR?

Just walk in. No ADRs accepted.

 

[Lain]

In looking at my spending habits and stores I frequent for our needs certain cards have more appeal overall. DH & I still need to go through all the offers that are available. I also need to keep in mind our 2023 trip to Japan and how applying for CC's now will play out.
Absolutely we'll use referral links. There are a few on the DIS who have been major supporters since I first signed up and to this day. I believe in paying it forward.
Thanks for having my six!

Where are you flying from, and how many people in your party?

 

[FoxC63]

Where are you flying from, and how many people in your party?

Detroit on Delta. I can honestly say I'm not looking forward to the long flight. I'm hoping Delta CS will work with us, I'd like to have a layover in California giving us enough time to sleep there one night and continue on to Japan the following day. They did something similar for my mom many years ago and her flight was cheaper than mine. She flew from Colorado to Detroit, spent the night and then we flew to Japan together. Her ticket was considered a single RT purchase. 3 people. DH, DS & me.

 

[Lain]

Detroit on Delta. I can honestly say I'm not looking forward to the long flight. I'm hoping Delta CS will work with us, I'd like to have a layover in California giving us enough time to sleep there one night and continue on to Japan the following day. They did something similar for my mom many years ago and her flight was cheaper than mine. She flew from Colorado to Detroit, spent the night and then we flew to Japan together. Her ticket was considered a single RT purchase. 3 people. DH, DS & me.

If you’re flying on Delta, I think you should be looking at Amex Membership Rewards cards and Amex’s Delta co-brand cards. MR points transfer to Delta miles (albeit with a transfer tax that’s capped at $99). I know Delta does have some pretty good flash sales, including one the other day for Delta One award seats to Japan.

Yes, earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points too because they are a valuable and versatile points currency that transfers to many airline and hotel partners — and will very likely help with hotel accommodations in Japan — but they don’t transfer to Delta.

I love Amex because it’s quite easy to earn a lot of MR points in a two-player mode by “supporting” the other spouse to new Amex cards, netting support bonuses, and taking advantage of elevated and incognito offers. And because Amex has a lot of business cards that do not report onto your personal credit reports, and Amex often does not do a hard pull of your credit report once you’re a customer, you can open Amex business cards without adding to your */24 count for the purposes of remaining eligible for Chase’s cards. If you have enough slots under 5/24 to give you some flexibility with what you apply for, you can afford a slot to sign up for a really big Amex personal card offer like the “Platicorn” (100k MR welcome bonus on the Amex Platinum card.)

The potential pitfall with Amex is many of their cards do carry annual fees, sometimes big ones, so you need to consider the value of the signup bonus and benefits, including the usefulness of any credits that might offset the fee. And have you been following the talk about Amex pop ups? I wrote about it in length recently here. It’s worth a read before you jump in bed with Amex.

As for Delta and earning MR for Delta generally, I’ll defer to more knowledgeable folks like @kmc8826, @tink1970, and @calypso726; and @bernina who is also out of Detroit.

If, however, you’re planning a layover in California (or even the West Coast), that opens you up to positioning yourself at SFO or LAX (or SEA) to fly on other airlines that are transfer partners with Amex MR or Chase UR points, and you’re not stuck with only Delta.

 

[FoxC63]

My husbands company only flies with Delta. They also pay for his TSA PreCheck, which is something we need to consider as well. DS and I will need to renew ours for that trip.

I'm definitely going to have to do my math with those flights.

 

[Oscar Madison]

Placed two orders at Staples online, need to go grab the card number for the third order. I miss Amex's instant notification of offer use. lol. Not bad $300 Disney GC's for $216.

Ahhh..so these chase offers for staples work at staples.com as well?

 

[Lain]

My husbands company only flies with Delta. They also pay for his TSA PreCheck, which is something we need to consider as well. DS and I will need to renew ours for that trip.

I'm definitely going to have to do my math with those flights.

Depending on what cards you sign up for, you may find yourself with so many “free” TSA Pre-check/Global Entry credits than you know what to do with.

 

[Calfan]

I see the SUB pending on DH's new CIU! Also met the MSR today on my own CIU and DH's upgraded Aspire. Let the points roll in

 

[ten6mom]

Ahhh..so these chase offers for staples work at staples.com as well?

No personal knowledge, but people were definitely saying the other night that they do. I did notice the Disney GCs have a small added fee though for online (not sure what you're planning to buy)

 

[Ngwira]

Depending on what cards you sign up for, you may find yourself with so many “free” TSA Pre-check/Global Entry credits than you know what to do with.

I feel this way about Priority Pass memberships!

 

[Oscar Madison]

No personal knowledge, but people were definitely saying the other night that they do. I did notice the Disney GCs have a small added fee though for online (not sure what you're planning to buy)

Thanks..yep was planning on DGCs. The only staples in town closed about 2 years ago;before I started this journey.

 

[calypso726]

Detroit on Delta. I can honestly say I'm not looking forward to the long flight. I'm hoping Delta CS will work with us, I'd like to have a layover in California giving us enough time to sleep there one night and continue on to Japan the following day. They did something similar for my mom many years ago and her flight was cheaper than mine. She flew from Colorado to Detroit, spent the night and then we flew to Japan together. Her ticket was considered a single RT purchase. 3 people. DH, DS & me.

If you’re flying on Delta, I think you should be looking at Amex Membership Rewards cards and Amex’s Delta co-brand cards. MR points transfer to Delta miles (albeit with a transfer tax that’s capped at $99). I know Delta does have some pretty good flash sales, including one the other day for Delta One award seats to Japan.

Yes, earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points too because they are a valuable and versatile points currency that transfers to many airline and hotel partners — and will very likely help with hotel accommodations in Japan — but they don’t transfer to Delta.

I love Amex because it’s quite easy to earn a lot of MR points in a two-player mode by “supporting” the other spouse to new Amex cards, netting support bonuses, and taking advantage of elevated and incognito offers. And because Amex has a lot of business cards that do not report onto your personal credit reports, and Amex often does not do a hard pull of your credit report once you’re a customer, you can open Amex business cards without adding to your */24 count for the purposes of remaining eligible for Chase’s cards. If you have enough slots under 5/24 to give you some flexibility with what you apply for, you can afford a slot to sign up for a really big Amex personal card offer like the “Platicorn” (100k MR welcome bonus on the Amex Platinum card.)

The potential pitfall with Amex is many of their cards do carry annual fees, sometimes big ones, so you need to consider the value of the signup bonus and benefits, including the usefulness of any credits that might offset the fee. And have you been following the talk about Amex pop ups? I wrote about it in length recently here. It’s worth a read before you jump in bed with Amex.

As for Delta and earning MR for Delta generally, I’ll defer to more knowledgeable folks like @kmc8826, @tink1970, and @calypso726; and @bernina who is also out of Detroit.

If, however, you’re planning a layover in California (or even the West Coast), that opens you up to positioning yourself at SFO or LAX (or SEA) to fly on other airlines that are transfer partners with Amex MR or Chase UR points, and you’re not stuck with only Delta.

Definitely like my MRs but I'm not a Delta person per se. When it comes to international flights I usually avoid flying on the legacy carriers. On such a long flight I want comfort and better service. Not to mention in many cases I can use MR to transfer to an international airline and fly in first class for not much more than it costs o fly in coach on Delta, AA or United. I picked some random dates from DTW-TYO on Delta to see what it was looking like. RT economy was 68k Sky Pesos, comfort 98K, premium select 255k (this isn't even lie flat it reclines!) and get this 1st was 557,500!!! As if! I would rather transfer my MRs to Virgin during a transfer bonus and then book partner flights via Virgin on ANA to get to Japan. From the west coast economy is 60K, Business (lie flat seat) is 90k and first class is 110K.

Now granted, partner award bookings for more than two people are not for the faint of heart and often require a bit of homework. If I were ok with traveling in coach, the easy and the most convenient way to do it would be to book via the UR portal with a CSR account to take advantage of the $300 credit and maximize the UR value of one's current stash which is always worth doing when one is redeeming $1,00 or more via the UR portal in a given year. If I wanted to fly Delta in economy then this is the route I'd take or at least supplement as a Plan B.

MR cards often come with high fees and can be worth it for some. Everyone's situation is different. BBP is a no fee card and my everyday for unbonused spend card as it gets 2x up to $50k per year. Gold personal is my 4x grocery (up to $25k) and 4x dining card. The $250 AF is mitigated with the $100 airline incidentals credit and the monthly $10 credit that I use to buy GCs at Cheesecake Factory. My work horse cards are always my UR quadfecta, Ink+ for 5x at office supply stores, cell phone, cable and internet up to $50k annual spend (no longer available but CIC has the same earning structure up to $25k annual spend) CF for 5x rotating categories, CFU for 1.5 when someone doesn't take Amex and CSR which mostly collects dust but makes my UR stash more valuable and saves me tons in UR points which means saves me tons of money. I do use it to pay taxes on award flights on car rentals for the insurance. Most folks get sticker shock now that the CSR AF is $550. I will caution not having a knee jerk reaction to that AF since keeping a $95 CSP or CIP can actually cost you more in the long run. I'm sure @Lain likely has a post or two I've written about that somewhere on his spreadsheet. A lot of the bloggers claim that one needs to spend x amount of dollars in dining and travel to make the AF on a CSR worth keeping. That's not how math works.

Hope this helps

 

[tink1970]

@FoxC63 - I’m just dipping in and out since currently headed towards Tasmania but if you have questions about DL or Amex earning cards and application for skymiles and MRs please ask- as usual @Lain gave you a wonderful response but @bernina and @kmc8826 and I are essentially Delta hostages so we do have the opportunity to utilize amex associated cards with flying... a lot! As a matter of fact, I’ll be flying in business on Virgin Australia back to LAX thanks to my MRs in another 11 days

 

[CyndiLouWho]

At the Orlando Amtrak station now waiting on my train to go home. Quite a successful trip, if I do say so myself.

We did some bouncing around this trip and I wasn't the biggest fan of that, but we were trying to stretch our DVC points as far as possible so it worked out. First night at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace outside Disney Springs and that was fine, hotel was mostly nice and I enjoyed walking to Disney Springs. Second night in a standard view Grand Floridian Villa studio, our first time. We had a view of the monorail, very cool. Last two nights in a Kidani savanna view studio. For my money, it doesn't get any better than having a zoo right outside your balcony.

This was a quick trip focused on the Princess races. We were both signed up, but unfortunately DW had to drop out due to injury, so it was up to me to carry the load.

It was weirdly chilly for Florida. Standing in the corrals for the 10k at 46° and 20+ mph wind gusts was miserable, but I set a personal 10k record at 55:16 so I couldn't complain.

The weather on Sunday for the half marathon was much better, a little chilly standing in the corrals at 55° with light winds, but I can't complain. And I finished my first half marathon in 1:58:44. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever done, and I'm already looking forward to Wine and Dine registration opening in a couple weeks.

And we just made an offer on an AKV DVC contract. Running and Disney, it does that to you.

On the churning front, I'm about $2k away from the Surpass FNC after this trip, and recently got a CIU in the Chase Just For You offers. All is well!

Congrats on all your races! That’s pretty amazing!

 

[wendow]

Thanks..yep was planning on DGCs. The only staples in town closed about 2 years ago;before I started this journey.

We don't have a Staples close by either so I will be buying Disney GC's online. I fully expect the offers will work the same.

 

[wendow]

@Alexle2007 @Judique I am probably remembering wrong but did one of you stay at the Sheraton Sand Key in clearwater? I'm looking for a one night stay there and that came up at 35k. I have a few certs so I could use those there (we'd need two rooms). Just wondering if you had any thoughts or another suggestion for a FNC redemption there?