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

[WendiDarling]

I was approved for CSP!!! You guys are the first people I wanted to tell. My last 5/24 card dropped off at the end of September so I tried today - YES!

 

[Hoosier John]

I work for a private university and I think that universities are going to try and get as many students as possible in - many schools are very strapped for cash especially with the difficulty in getting the full tuition paying foreign students to attend this year. My son is applying for ED where I work, thankfully it's his top choice, but he's also applying for a bunch of state schools since he has the Florida Prepaid program.

Is there an advantage to the Florida Prepaid Program for college? Is it something more than a savings account?
My wife says there is no use in doing a 529 program in Florida, so I wonder if this is better than a 529.

 

[platamama]

I do wonder how all the deferrals will impact this year's senior class. I think some schools had more than others. I understand how this years experience for freshman is not typical, but I also didn't think that the gap year would be typical either. It is usually for traveling or maybe even saving with a great job, neither of which are really possible either at the moment. I wonder if anyone that deferred is regretting that decision. I agree Early decision should be for a reach school, but I am not even sure there are any truly safety schools that offer ED. All the schools I have seen that even offer ED are pretty selective. I read far too much college confidential with my first one to even think anything was a safety school. lol It is pretty discouraging to see some people's stats that don't get into certain schools. My kids got mad at me when I said that I am pretty sure that admission counselors must use darts to pick the kids. lol There seemed to be little rhyme or reason when you read the accepted/declined stats.

Yeah, college confidential doesn't really help assure me of anything lol. Congrats to your DS on his surprise scholarship!!

 

[ten6mom]

It can’t hurt to try... but there are rumors out there that Chase has stopped matching altogether

Give it a shot though!

No dice.

I feel almost as sad as though it were a denial for a new card!

Oh well. Clearly Chase doesn't make enough money off me to want to keep me happy!

 

[Alexle2007]

CIU and 50k URs coming DH’s way!

 

[Alexle2007]

I am trying to think through Christmas. After using Google maps, it is 2 1/2 hr drive Duck Cay or 4 hr drive to Key West from Miami. So the plan was to fly BWI to Aruba for 5 nights and fly from Aruba to Miami and drive to the Keys for 5 nights (12/28-1/2) and fly home from Ft. Lauderdale so 3 hr or 4 1/2 hr. This is starting to feel like a lot of driving. Is it scenic? Thoughts?

I am thinking of adding more days in Aruba since DS has off 12/18-1/3.

This trip is replacing HI

 

[mmmears]

Yeah, college confidential doesn't really help assure me of anything lol. Congrats to your DS on his surprise scholarship!!

There is a wealth of knowledge over there, but you have to read through a ton of bad advice and sift for the gems. I went though this a few years back and would be happy to share what I know so if you have questions just PM me. After reading there for years I kind of know which posters know what they are talking about.

 

[LynnTH]

Now trying to rethink plans... Was originally planning on having DH go for Modified Double Dip on CSP/CSR end of the month or beginning of November (when he is eligible again). He is 3/24 and I know it will take up 2 spots but that is Ok. I don't have anything else to get for him right now as I just got CIU and want to make sure the DD goes through.

But now with the new Marriott 5 Night offer - I am thinking of getting him CSP and Marriott. Assuming I can't DD this as it is 2 different kinds of cards. He has only had AMEX SPG Cards and those are long closed and over 3 years old. And if I go for both - it won't be 3 months between cards. Any one know how long the Marriott bonus is going to be around? I know CSP is like 11/8.

 

[platamama]

I used DH's 25K referral on his Gold to grab a 50K/$2K Green for myself yesterday. Then chatted to close my HH Biz just in time to not pay the $95 fee on that.

Last month, I referred him with my 30K MR link to his own 50K/$2K Green. So between the two of us we'll get 159K MRs (worth $1987.50 via Schwab) for $4K MSR and two $150 AFs. And now he has 7MR for groceries/dining (subject to the 25K cap) and 4MR everywhere else on his Gold til the end of the year. The timing just worked out great for this!

And if I'm feeling up for it I might try for a chase biz for him before his Green shows up. Living on the edge haha.

 

[tink1970]

There is a wealth of knowledge over there, but you have to read through a ton of bad advice and sift for the gems. I went though this a few years back and would be happy to share what I know so if you have questions just PM me. After reading there for years I kind of know which posters know what they are talking about.

I can attest to this! @mmmears was so very helpful when DD was going through the college application/rejections/acceptance process two long long years ago! Anyone who has high school age kids-she is a wealth of knowledge!

 

[tink1970]

My kids got mad at me when I said that I am pretty sure that admission counselors must use darts to pick the kids. lol There seemed to be little rhyme or reason when you read the accepted/declined stats.

LOL-I agree! It was easier for me to envision the challenges colleges face when I read an article by an admissions officer who showed stats pointing to the significantly increased numbers of applicants v. the stagnant numbers of acceptances over decades and said that they could have filled 12 (twelve!) equally excellent classes of students from the applications...but of course only filled one. That helped with the sting of some of DD's rejections for sure. Numbers are numbers and just because you weren't accepted doesn't mean you weren't qualified...you just weren't hit by the magic dart

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I am trying to think through Christmas. After using Google maps, it is 2 1/2 hr drive Duck Cay or 4 hr drive to Key West from Miami. So the plan was to fly BWI to Aruba for 5 nights and fly from Aruba to Miami and drive to the Keys for 5 nights (12/28-1/2) and fly home from Ft. Lauderdale so 3 hr or 4 1/2 hr. This is starting to feel like a lot of driving. Is it scenic? Thoughts?

I am thinking of adding more days in Aruba since DS has off 12/18-1/3.

This trip is replacing HI

We just did this drive (from FLL to Key West). Honestly, it didn't feel that long to me. The longest part was from Fort Lauderdale until you cross the bridge to the keys. Once we got into the keys, there was so much to see, the driving didn't matter. But it was our first time so everything was new to us. I don't think I would get tired of the views though!

 

[Alexle2007]

We just did this drive (from FLL to Key West). Honestly, it didn't feel that long to me. The longest part was from Fort Lauderdale until you cross the bridge to the keys. Once we got into the keys, there was so much to see, the driving didn't matter. But it was our first time so everything was new to us. I don't think I would get tired of the views though!

Thank you! This is our first time also. Where did you stay? Deciding between the Hyatt Centric Key West or Hawks Cay Resort (Hilton) in Key Largo.

 

[hsmamato2]

The lifetime lock is only from the equivalent Amex cards. SPG biz -> Bonvoy biz, SPG Luxury -> Bonvoy Brilliant. An Amex "lifetime" is supposedly 7 years, lol.

Handy dandy chart on the Bonvoy rules (scroll down):
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/marriott-bonvoy-complete-guide/

Ok, I read thru the chart, it seems I'm locked out for lifetime b/c I've had spg and spg biz in the past.... 7 years? I've never seen that.... if I tried to app , would it just deny outright if I wasn't eligible? That's quite an offer for my needs.... (on the other hand I got SO much value out of the old SPG system that I have no complaints)

 

[LynnTH]

Ok, I read thru the chart, it seems I'm locked out for lifetime b/c I've had spg and spg biz in the past.... 7 years? I've never seen that.... if I tried to app , would it just deny outright if I wasn't eligible? That's quite an offer for my needs.... (on the other hand I got SO much value out of the old SPG system that I have no complaints)

I believe that Chart means you are locked out if going for another AMEX Marriott Card. As far as I can tell if you had AMEX Marriott cards and they are now closed and you received bonus over 24 months ago - then you can get this Chase Card. At least that's what I am reading and maybe getting this for DH as he no longer has the AMEX cards and they are 3-4 years old. (Anyone is this correct?)

 

[Alexle2007]

I believe that Chart means you are locked out if going for another AMEX Marriott Card. As far as I can tell if you had AMEX Marriott cards and they are now closed and you received bonus over 24 months ago - then you can get this Chase Card. At least that's what I am reading and maybe getting this for DH as he no longer has the AMEX cards and they are 3-4 years old. (Anyone is this correct?)

I think that is right. My problem is we took an upgrade offer on the Chase personal so that reset the 24 month clock.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

I believe that Chart means you are locked out if going for another AMEX Marriott Card. As far as I can tell if you had AMEX Marriott cards and they are now closed and you received bonus over 24 months ago - then you can get this Chase Card. At least that's what I am reading and maybe getting this for DH as he no longer has the AMEX cards and they are 3-4 years old. (Anyone is this correct?)

So it looks like I would qualify even if I still hold the Amex Bonvoy Biz card, as long as I received the bonus over 24 months ago.

 

[LynnTH]

So it looks like I would qualify even if I still hold the Amex Bonvoy Biz card, as long as I received the bonus over 24 months ago.

That's the way I read it.

 

[StephPlum]

So it looks like I would qualify even if I still hold the Amex Bonvoy Biz card, as long as I received the bonus over 24 months ago.

Yep. That is where I am. Still keeping Sbg biz. It has been 24 months past my bonus. Immediate approval (back in June) for this the personal Chase Marriott. I stay in way more 35K/night places than 50K so it makes sense for me to keep the lower cards.

I did get credited 30 nights this year (15 biz and 15 Chase personal). 13 "bonus" nights that they gave out cause I am gold. Plus another 2 from a pre-covid stay. I am really thinking of doing another 5 to get to Platinum. Does anyone know how long status would last? Is it through a portion of 2022? or just for 2021?

 

[WinterAloe]

I believe that Chart means you are locked out if going for another AMEX Marriott Card. As far as I can tell if you had AMEX Marriott cards and they are now closed and you received bonus over 24 months ago - then you can get this Chase Card. At least that's what I am reading and maybe getting this for DH as he no longer has the AMEX cards and they are 3-4 years old. (Anyone is this correct?)

This is on the Marriott site under Our Credit Cards, then Learn More under the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase" then "Offer Details"-

5 Free Night Award E-Certificates After You Spend $5,000 On Purchases In The First 3 Months From Account Opening
Eligibility for this product: The product is not available to either:

• current cardmembers of the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier credit card (also known as Marriott Rewards® Premier), Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ credit card (also known as Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus), Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ credit card, or
• previous cardmembers of the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier credit card (also known as Marriott Rewards® Premier), Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ credit card (also known as Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus), or Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ credit card, who received a new cardmember bonus within the last 24 months.

If you are an existing Marriott Rewards Premier or Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier customer and would like this product, please call the number on the back of your card to see if you are eligible for a product change.

Eligibility for the new cardmember bonus: The bonus is not available to you if you:

• are a current cardmember, or were a previous cardmember within the last 30 days, of Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express);
• are a current or previous cardmember of either Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express) or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (also known as the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card), and received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus in the last 24 months; or
• applied and were approved for Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express) or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (also known as the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card) within the last 90 days.