I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[Arcades]

Just to add a datapoint out there. My AF came up on my Am Ex Delta Plat and I called about retention. Offered 15K Skymiles for $1K spend in 3 months. Took this offer. Delta is our primary airline where we live and I value this card when we have 4 traveling on it. Just in case you have an AF coming up on this one.

That's great that you got a retention offer! I held the Delta Plat for several years because the companion pass always outweighed the annual fee for me and they are my primary airline too. But, this past year, I closed the card for the first time and less than 3 months later I got my first Amex NLL offer for a Delta card of my choice (the code opens the menu for Gold/Plat/Reserve). So, for future years you may consider rolling the dice to pick up another SUB and still get the benefits you enjoy.

 

[iujen94]

My CSP AF is going to hit in a week or so, and I definitely don’t want to keep it. I know that the common recommendation is to downgrade, but I’ve never had a CFF or CFU (DH has both), so I hate to cut off the option to get the SUB (or special deals like the CFU 5x on groceries for a year, which DH’s came with) for those cards in the future. I guess I just want reassurance that I’m not make a colossal mistake in cancelling vs downgrading?

 

[afan]

My CSP AF is going to hit in a week or so, and I definitely don’t want to keep it. I know that the common recommendation is to downgrade, but I’ve never had a CFF or CFU (DH has both), so I hate to cut off the option to get the SUB (or special deals like the CFU 5x on groceries for a year, which DH’s came with) for those cards in the future. I guess I just want reassurance that I’m not make a colossal mistake in cancelling vs downgrading?

Pcing a chase card doesn't lock you out of the sub, that's an amex thing.

 

[leeniewdw]

My CSP AF is going to hit in a week or so, and I definitely don’t want to keep it. I know that the common recommendation is to downgrade, but I’ve never had a CFF or CFU (DH has both), so I hate to cut off the option to get the SUB (or special deals like the CFU 5x on groceries for a year, which DH’s came with) for those cards in the future. I guess I just want reassurance that I’m not make a colossal mistake in cancelling vs downgrading?

I'm a newbie, but I'm presuming you've moved your UR points to your DH or have no balance left?

 

[afan]

Just got an email about an offer for my personal plat. Now to remember to use it.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I found our lock with cable that secures bags on trains in Europe and doubles as a ski lock. Except I couldn't remember the combination. What to do? I took the lock apart, reset the combo on the barrels internally and it's good to go again. I feel very accomplished lol. But doing this made me realize how easy it would be for a determined amateur thief to do the same (it wasn't that hard) .

I will still use this lock for my upcoming Christmas market trip with ds -- we leave on December 6th and will take the train from Vienna to Salzburg and Salzburg to Munich. I'm really excited about this trip!

 

[iujen94]

Pcing a chase card doesn't lock you out of the sub, that's an amex thing.

So I can hold a CFF, apply for a new CFF, and get the SUB?

 

[snugglebug]

With a large organic expense coming up, I think the Biz Plat is a no brainer. Amex cards are harder to MS on, so get the higher MSR bonuses when you have the extra spend already queued up. You mention the Adobe credit, but consider the $400 Dell credit (you can probably resell Xbox gift cards online somewhere if you have no other use for it) and the $200 airline credit into your value. I'm no expert on transfer partners, but I have to imagine there are several options to get you to Hawaii with MR. With 5 adults and 2 kids, I'd strongly consider an Airbnb option and focus your points on subsidizing the flight portion of the trip.

I think @Arcades makes good points about the Biz Plat. I'll add some more. It's even better if you open one, refer P2 to an Amex card of your choice (I got a $0 AF biz card for P2) using the current support offer of 15K MR plus 4xMR on all spending up to $25K spend (exp. 12/1/21). That way, you'll be stacking MRs on top of your SUB. And there's also a current offer to add employee cards (green ones are free) and get 20K MR for $4K spend per employee card up to 100K MR total. If you have five employee cards to max out that offer, you could rake in MRs.

In my case I got a 150K MR/$15K MSR SUB targeted offer. P2 got an Amex card using my link, so that I could get the additional 4xMR. P2 has an employee card from my Biz Plat. So on that employee card, I'm getting 20xMR per dollar on the first $4K spend: 10x from SUB + 1x regular earning + 4x supportal + 5x employee card.

You get automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold by holding the Biz Plat (just make sure to enroll).

You could pick Southwest as the airline for the $200 airline credit. When you use MRs to book flights with the Biz Plat, then you would get 35% points rebate on your chosen airline. Additionally, First or Business class fares on any airline also qualify for the 35% points rebate.

If you'd rather have the SW CP, then the new offers look great too.

I agree, I think the Biz Plat is calling out to me. I just realized I have the roof replacement payment coming up as well so that should be another $3K. I completely glossed over the bonus MRs if I get P2 a card. Maybe in 2022 a Schwab Plat to cash all these MRs out? With the new rate on that I had decided that wasn't a priority, but maybe it's still worth it after all.

For our big family vacation I was looking at Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado or something along those lines. No one is helping me as usual other than to say they're ready for something other than Disney and the beach and they all loved Hawaii in 2019. I dislike cold very, very much.

So, it looks like
P1: Biz Plat
P2: Amex Biz no fee
P2: BlockFi something or other (ugh! but I have to work with him here)
P2: Pin down vacation and see what we need toward that, may need to replenish some UR for spring softball

 

[amcc]

In my never ending, covid-era hobby of planning phantom trips, I thought that Ireland would be a nice 10-day trip next summer. I've heard many of you mention the high fees to fly into London but I found the same fees (all classes) flying into Dublin (and Rome, Berlin, Brussels, although Madrid was about half the fees) even if the flight was an AA flight not going through London. For flights to Paris, those same high fees for Economy but not for Premium Economy. Anyone know why Premium wouldn't have the fees while Economy on the same plane would have the fees? And is this surcharge for booking with AA on points now across Europe? Makes it not worth it for economy points flights to Europe.

I found our lock with cable that secures bags on trains in Europe and doubles as a ski lock. Except I couldn't remember the combination. What to do? I took the lock apart, reset the combo on the barrels internally and it's good to go again. I feel very accomplished lol. But doing this made me realize how easy it would be for a determined amateur thief to do the same (it wasn't that hard) .

I will still use this lock for my upcoming Christmas market trip with ds -- we leave on December 6th and will take the train from Vienna to Salzburg and Salzburg to Munich. I'm really excited about this trip!

Those 3 cities sound magical in winter. Are you only focusing on those 3 or will you be visiting some of the smaller cities markets?

 

[wanderlust7]

Anyone get the Carnival Amex offers? Saw it reported on the Cruise Critic forum. There's one for $400 back on $1500 with Carnival brands (includes Princess, Holland America, Seabourn and Cunard) - might be labeled something like World's Leading Cruise Lines if it's like before. Also one specific to Carnival $150 back on $500.

I couldn't find it on any of my or DH's cards. I wonder if they don't target any account that has ever made a Carnival payment.

 

[wanderlust7]

I agree, I think the Biz Plat is calling out to me. I just realized I have the roof replacement payment coming up as well so that should be another $3K. I completely glossed over the bonus MRs if I get P2 a card. Maybe in 2022 a Schwab Plat to cash all these MRs out? With the new rate on that I had decided that wasn't a priority, but maybe it's still worth it after all.

For our big family vacation I was looking at Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado or something along those lines. No one is helping me as usual other than to say they're ready for something other than Disney and the beach and they all loved Hawaii in 2019. I dislike cold very, very much.

So, it looks like
P1: Biz Plat
P2: Amex Biz no fee
P2: BlockFi something or other (ugh! but I have to work with him here)
P2: Pin down vacation and see what we need toward that, may need to replenish some UR for spring softball

There's a 150k for $15k spend offer on the biz plat, hopefully you can pull that up. Just to check, your expenses take Amex?

There are also some targeted cover charges with points offers up to 1.2 cpp. If you got that, you wouldn't need a Schwab.

 

[Thumper99]

I was notified that My SWA credit card now includes two free EBCI. I have a trip this weekend. Anyone know how I would go about using the new option? If this is not the right Post would you please direct me to where I should post this? Hoping someone who frequents here would know how to use this new benefit. If I go to my SWA reservation it shows I would still have to pay to add EBCI. Thanks for any information

 

[snugglebug]

There's a 150k for $15k spend offer on the biz plat, hopefully you can pull that up. Just to check, your expenses take Amex?

There are also some targeted cover charges with points offers up to 1.2 cpp. If you got that, you wouldn't need a Schwab.

Yes! Both take Amex, I did remember to check that first.

I just pulled 120K MR offer. I'll be app'ing next week so I'll try then to look for the 150K.

 

[platamama]

I was notified that My SWA credit card now includes two free EBCI. I have a trip this weekend. Anyone know how I would go about using the new option? If this is not the right Post would you please direct me to where I should post this? Hoping someone who frequents here would know how to use this new benefit. If I go to my SWA reservation it shows I would still have to pay to add EBCI. Thanks for any information

I think you would pay for EBCI on your SW cc, and you'd get reimbursed (statement credit) in a few days. That's how it works with the upgraded boarding fee on my SW Priority, so I would guess it's the same for EBCI. Just know that adding EBCI at this point may not get you as good a boarding position as you may like, since EBCI is given to passengers in order of how far in advance of departure time it is purchased. You could still end up with B boarding, I've had it happen to me.

 

[wanderlust7]

Yes! Both take Amex, I did remember to check that first.

I just pulled 120K MR offer. I'll be app'ing next week so I'll try then to look for the 150K.

I was able to pull it up with a support, incognito, in Chrome and Edge (only 2 I tried). Not incognito brings up the 120k offer. Good luck!

 

[Thumper99]

also, need some advice.

yes, even if he's an authorized user on your account he's eligible for his own card and you'll ear the bonus.

Thank you. I have the SWA rapid reward PLUS card. But I wouldn't be opposed to opening the Priority or Premier. Would I be able to apply for this new 100,000 offer if I already am a member with the just the PLUS card? I can'do the companion pass by getting my hubby to open a new card,it would just be easier to go to a new type of Card if that is a possiblilty also. We are lucky that we live in Baltimore so we use SWA a lot so i want the best option to work towards the Companion pass again for 2022/23. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Thumper99]

I think you would pay for EBCI on your SW cc, and you'd get reimbursed (statement credit) in a few days. That's how it works with the upgraded boarding fee on my SW Priority, so I would guess it's the same for EBCI. Just know that adding EBCI at this point may not get you as good a boarding position as you may like, since EBCI is given to passengers in order of how far in advance of departure time it is purchased. You could still end up with B boarding, I've had it happen to me.

Thank you! That makes sense about a statement credit though I sure wish they would have that written somewhere. Also they don't say in what time period the two "free" ones are for. It is annually or based on your anniversary date when you get your anniversary points? Thats why I want to know the timing of the two free. I plan to get my Hubby a new card for the new 100K offer which means I will in effect be cancelling this card as I will place all bills and spending on the new card so I hit the bonus in January (im very careful not to spend on the card until I know the bonus will hit in January! ) so If I have two left on this card I might as well use them I suppose. And it would be nice not to worry about them on my return trip while at Disney next week. Hopefully we will be on a ride at 24 check in time!

 

[Explore]

Anyone get the Carnival Amex offers? Saw it reported on the Cruise Critic forum. There's one for $400 back on $1500 with Carnival brands (includes Princess, Holland America, Seabourn and Cunard) - might be labeled something like World's Leading Cruise Lines if it's like before. Also one specific to Carnival $150 back on $500.

I couldn't find it on any of my or DH's cards. I wonder if they don't target any account that has ever made a Carnival payment.

I have the $400 off $1500 on my Plat. Hubby has $150 off $500 on his Everyday. It is labeled World’s Leading Cruise Lines. We also both have ones for Royal and Celebrity.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

In my never ending, covid-era hobby of planning phantom trips, I thought that Ireland would be a nice 10-day trip next summer. I've heard many of you mention the high fees to fly into London but I found the same fees (all classes) flying into Dublin (and Rome, Berlin, Brussels, although Madrid was about half the fees) even if the flight was an AA flight not going through London. For flights to Paris, those same high fees for Economy but not for Premium Economy. Anyone know why Premium wouldn't have the fees while Economy on the same plane would have the fees? And is this surcharge for booking with AA on points now across Europe? Makes it not worth it for economy points flights to Europe.


Those 3 cities sound magical in winter. Are you only focusing on those 3 or will you be visiting some of the smaller cities markets?

We were supposed to fly into Prague, spend 3 nights there, head to Slovakia for 1 night, then head to Vienna. However for Prague we would need a test for entry, another within 5 days (which doesn't seem worth the effort for 3 night) and from what I gather an EU vaccination certificate -- no idea how we'd get one, but again not really worth the effort for the short amount of time I had planned there. In a bid to make this trip easier logistically I eliminated both (well not yet since I still haven't cancelled flights and hotels, but I plan on cancelling and also have a flight booked directly into Vienna).

 

[platamama]

I agree, I think the Biz Plat is calling out to me. I just realized I have the roof replacement payment coming up as well so that should be another $3K. I completely glossed over the bonus MRs if I get P2 a card. Maybe in 2022 a Schwab Plat to cash all these MRs out? With the new rate on that I had decided that wasn't a priority, but maybe it's still worth it after all.

For our big family vacation I was looking at Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado or something along those lines. No one is helping me as usual other than to say they're ready for something other than Disney and the beach and they all loved Hawaii in 2019. I dislike cold very, very much.

So, it looks like
P1: Biz Plat
P2: Amex Biz no fee
P2: BlockFi something or other (ugh! but I have to work with him here)
P2: Pin down vacation and see what we need toward that, may need to replenish some UR for spring softball

I wish I could say I've been to Snow Mountain Ranch, but all I can say is that I've driven past there many times. It sounds like a fun place for a family vacation, especially with all the activities available. Definitely don't go in the winter if you don't like the cold; Granby is an icebox in the winter (I've been skiing when it was 2 degrees and I was not happy about it). Assuming you go in the summer, you could drive to Winter Park for a day and peruse the shops/restaurants and I think there is an alpine slide there. Also for the more adventurous there is the downhill mountain biking park (Trestle) that is a blast and a little scary -- DD went over the edge of a path and ended up in the brambles when she was 9. I would only recommend that to riders who have good control over their bikes. Going the other direction on Hwy 40, you can enter Rocky Mountain National Park's west entrance and do some driving and hiking there. Trail Ridge Road in the park is something else, quite an amazing sometimes white-knuckle drive and sometimes you can spot bighorn sheep, moose, elk, and other wildlife. It's only open in the summertime though.

BlockFi?? Well, since P2 is only 1/24 I guess that's alright. lol