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

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So I got a letter from Delta about a $50 giftcard I have an haven't used. I thought I had finally used all of them. But nope! I pulled up my emails from 2019 and there sits a random $50 I never redeemed. YAY! So I guess I have $250 in gift cards to use. I have to mail a letter back to Delta to "keep" the card.

I've got to try and reprint my son's passport photo as it came out w/ a halo. And I have to rebook their appts now since USPS cancelled mine on 12/24. So much for saving on the increase. GRRRR!

I spent my first week of break doing NOTHING. Debating if week #2 I want to be lazy or productive, LOL. My sister and her fam tested positive, so my normal after Christmas week of having to spend everyday doing stuff w/ them is gone! I love her an all, but it gets old losing my vaca to her visit every year. And yes, it's expected I see them and do stuff every single day!

 

[fsjking]

I'm approaching my annual fee date on my Sapphire Reserve and am considering my options. I'm almost certainly going to downgrade it to a $0 fee card or cancel it. I've used up most of my reward points and don't have another trip being planned in the next year to justify that Fee. I still have two Chase Ink business cards(one about 40 months old, the other about 21 months)with no fees that I keep as emergency cards. I have a Chase Bonvoy card(23 months) that I have a couple months to decide what I want to do with. I still have about 100k points and a free night on it, so I may roll it another year. I also have a BoA card and a Barclays card that I've had for years that I keep open.

For a little background, my credit rating hovers around 840. I average about $3k a month on cards and pay them off monthly. I never carry a balance. I should be able to hit minimum spends for new cards pretty easily. I just bought a new truck last year and do not anticipate any major purchases for at least a couple years, so I'm not real concerned with a credit rating hit.

I'm almost to my 48 months since getting the Sapphire opening bonus, so opening a Sapphire Preferred if it pops another 100k signing bonus is a thought. I don't like dropping from the 1.5 Reserve bonus, to the 1.25 preferred bonus, but the extra $150(after the $300 credit) in annual fee is hard to justify. When I started my churning journey in 2018, I did the deal where you could apply for both the reserve and preferred the same time and get approved for both. Is that still an option, or have they closed that loophole?

Is there a better option than Chase for points? I like the UR portal, and am comfortable with it, but I'm open to other programs. I don't guess there's an easy way to move points between programs is there?

 

[afan]

Uber has revoked all of my credits, not at all surprising since it seems like most people that have at least one of the cards seemed to get at least one credit reading r/churning and r/amex. Some spent it so it'll be interesting to see what happens there.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I'm approaching my annual fee date on my Sapphire Reserve and am considering my options. I'm almost certainly going to downgrade it to a $0 fee card or cancel it. I've used up most of my reward points and don't have another trip being planned in the next year to justify that Fee. I still have two Chase Ink business cards(one about 40 months old, the other about 21 months)with no fees that I keep as emergency cards. I have a Chase Bonvoy card(23 months) that I have a couple months to decide what I want to do with. I still have about 100k points and a free night on it, so I may roll it another year. I also have a BoA card and a Barclays card that I've had for years that I keep open.

For a little background, my credit rating hovers around 840. I average about $3k a month on cards and pay them off monthly. I never carry a balance. I should be able to hit minimum spends for new cards pretty easily. I just bought a new truck last year and do not anticipate any major purchases for at least a couple years, so I'm not real concerned with a credit rating hit.

I'm almost to my 48 months since getting the Sapphire opening bonus, so opening a Sapphire Preferred if it pops another 100k signing bonus is a thought. I don't like dropping from the 1.5 Reserve bonus, to the 1.25 preferred bonus, but the extra $150(after the $300 credit) in annual fee is hard to justify. When I started my churning journey in 2018, I did the deal where you could apply for both the reserve and preferred the same time and get approved for both. Is that still an option, or have they closed that loophole?

Is there a better option than Chase for points? I like the UR portal, and am comfortable with it, but I'm open to other programs. I don't guess there's an easy way to move points between programs is there?

Hi! Lots of us have PCed our CSR to Freedoms with 0 AF. Once you are past your 48 months from receiving your sapphire bonuses, yes, you can MDD for both CSR and CSP. The MDD is one day apart and there are very specific instructions, so do a search or ask in preparation for that.

Both the Amex plat and Venture X have premium cards. Both those programs are very versatile, meaning you can transfer easily or use their portals.

You can’t really combine points from various programs. However, you can always transfer out to hotel or airlines, combining points originating from different programs that way.

Feel free to ask more questions.

 

[becauseimnew]

Uber has revoked all of my credits, not at all surprising since it seems like most people that have at least one of the cards seemed to get at least one credit reading r/churning and r/amex. Some spent it so it'll be interesting to see what happens there.

I didn’t get the credit until 2:30PM (3 hours ago) and it is still there.

 

[wanderlust7]

The DPs coming out for the excess Uber credits suggest that they'll only revoke what you haven't used. Doesn't sound like you'll go negative.

Guess I should have ordered lunch. Oh well. Only $35 left now and we have dinner plans.

 

[Alexle2007]

The DPs coming out for the excess Uber credits suggest that they'll only revoke what you haven't used. Doesn't sound like you'll go negative.

Guess I should have ordered lunch. Oh well. Only $35 left now and we have dinner plans.

Yeah, I missed out to. I have $35 remaining. Plus the fact I still have almost $200 to spend so not a big loss. I’ll get Five Guys and Panera when we return from PR.

 

[gottalovepluto]

The DPs coming out for the excess Uber credits suggest that they'll only revoke what you haven't used. Doesn't sound like you'll go negative.

Guess I should have ordered lunch. Oh well. Only $35 left now and we have dinner plans.

Ever since uber added liquor stores in my area credits never go to waste lol. For those that don't drink and don't need food grocery/convenice/drug stores are usually available.

 

[IFlossU]

Tomorrow we fly out to Maui for our long awaited Grand Wailea vacation. Just noticed our departure gate is right next to the Centurian Lounge. Excited we might finally get to go inside one

 

[gottalovepluto]

Tomorrow we fly out to Maui for our long awaited Grand Wailea vacation. Just noticed our departure gate is right next to the Centurian Lounge. Excited we might finally get to go inside one

Had a half hour wait to get in one at SFO a week ago so you might need to plan extra time just to get through a waiting list

 

[EACarlson]

I've gotten three emails saying I have credits, or my credits are expiring soon. Every time I check my account is at 0.

 

[AndreaDM]

Anyone have experience using hotel points (esp IHG) for a sleep/park/fly package? We are flying to St. Thomas in March at 6 AM out of CLE which is an hour away. It would make more sense to go up the night before and stay at a hotel close to the airport and leave our car there, but when I check the websites, it only gives options to pay with real money (lol), or a combo of points/money. I also have enough points to book at another brand with Chase points but don't see the option for the parking packages.

 

[AndreaDM]

I plan to buy my first cards for next year's dues tomorrow - also CVS (three cards) so $12 saved. I also have 10% Target on one card so that's another $9. And that will take care of January's payment and February's too so I will have a little time to hope more offers appear. I have not kept track in the past to see how much I actually saved, but for next year's dues, I plan to - setting up a spreadsheet.

Merry Christmas!

I have several CVS offers too, do you recall if they sell only specific denomination cards, or can you get the cards and add whatever value you choose?

 

[mhautz]

I have several CVS offers too, do you recall if they sell only specific denomination cards, or can you get the cards and add whatever value you choose?

Mine has variable DGCs. I’ve bought $40 cards a couple times with these offers.

 

[Alexle2007]

Anyone have experience using hotel points (esp IHG) for a sleep/park/fly package? We are flying to St. Thomas in March at 6 AM out of CLE which is an hour away. It would make more sense to go up the night before and stay at a hotel close to the airport and leave our car there, but when I check the websites, it only gives options to pay with real money (lol), or a combo of points/money. I also have enough points to book at another brand with Chase points but don't see the option for the parking packages.

I would call and ask. They might be able to charge you separately for the parking. We often stay down by BWI for our early flights but we just use one of the parking lots like FastPark because they have more frequent buses coming around for pickup.

 

[IFlossU]

Had a half hour wait to get in one at SFO a week ago so you might need to plan extra time just to get through a waiting list

We lucked out and were able to get right into the Centurion Lounge. There is a waitlist, but we walked up at exactly the right time, and they took us right in. We’re at PHX, and this is the only Centurion I’ve been to. It’s nice, and 1000x better than sitting at the gate, but it kind of just reminds me of a breakfast buffet at the Hyatt House Anyway my family loves it and my kids think I’m cool so that’s what really matters

 

[gottalovepluto]

We lucked out and were able to get right into the Centurion Lounge. There is a waitlist, but we walked up at exactly the right time, and they took us right in. We’re at PHX, and this is the only Centurion I’ve been to. It’s nice, and 1000x better than sitting at the gate, but it kind of just reminds me of a breakfast buffet at the Hyatt House Anyway my family loves it and my kids think I’m cool so that’s what really matters

I hated PHX Centurion hahaha. I ended up there at lunch time a few months back and while my wait was only like 5 mins I was seated in the main food area and it smelled like rotten fish. I went for the other meat dish and it was so dried out it was one step short of being jerky. There were a couple obnoxious groups of adults and when a platter of cookies came out a person from each group went and filled up some plates with them leaving very little for anyone else. I left after 10 mins, between the bad food, crazy people and horrible fish smell it's the only time I've ever left a lounge because I was more miserable there than in the terminal.

Glad to hear breakfast is better. I'd crossed that particular lounge off my list lol!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Well I think I talked the BF into Cancun in Feb! I basically told him last night that I booked my tickets (2 options there, one back). And that we can use my hilton FNC. He's game provided he gets his training early Feb. We bid for all the early training dates...so fingers crossed. I also checked to see, I booked Delta (as I know he's a Diva). If he can't jumpseat on Delta, Spirit has a flight that leaves an hour after us that he can take there, and it leaves an hour before on the way back. So there's that!

I'm thinking of using my Hilton FNC for the all inclusive in Playa Del Carmen. Hoping maybe my Diamond Status get us an upgrade. I know lots of people love the Hyatt, but I have no hyatt points or status. I could transfer points over but not sure if it's worth it. Then I have the Marriott FNCs but I don't think there were any all inclusives that looked decent. I guess I'll look again. But excited to actually us my passport, LOL. I've had the enhanced license, so getting in Canada was possible. And when I've done Mexico before, you didn't need one to cross/visit. Also did the BFs GE last night. Let's hope he gets approved considering we were guessing at so many of the dates, LOL. Men!

Next up for me is downgrading the CSR once the GE credit posts. And decide if I'm going to just go hard at the Hilton $8k FNC vs open a new card.

 

[becauseimnew]

Since we just got back from our last trip of 2021 and I'm locked out of Microsoft at work (IT is still working on it), I figured I would do my year-end review.
Big Trips 4: Universal Orlando, Glacier NP, Disney World, Steamboat Springs
Round Trip tickets: 18
Hotel Nights: 33
Rental Cars: 3
Credit Card fees paid: $2,821
Cash Spent: $9,574 - this includes all food, flight fees, gas, passport fees, new suitcase, random overnight stays for sports, and misc travel stuff.
PYB & Amex Credits: $9,836
Flights and hotel nights on points value: $5,640 - this is really low because of the SW loophole + CP

I would estimate that the value of all the travel expenses to be about $27,000, and we spent $12,395.

For 2022, our travel budget is $15,000. The plan:
Kansas City - 2 nights to visit the Auschwitz Exhibit at Union Station
Carnival Cruise - 5 night Spring Break trip without DH (he has to work)
Anniversary trip to Big Sur - Alila Ventana 3 nights
Hawaii - 9 nights
Seattle - 7 nights to visit friends and get a couple NP stamps
Winter break Ski trip - 5 nights (will try to convince the fam to skip skiing and hit up Universal/Disney)

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

If you're a AAA member, you can go to a AAA center and they will take passport photos for you for free. I used it last year for my passport renewal and it was quick, easy, and you know it's going to be done correctly. A lot of people don't realize some of the side benefits AAA membership offers and that is one of them.

Re the AAA passport photos, I think it depends on where you are regionally if they are free with membership. Where I live, they’re free for premier level members, but $10+tax for classic and plus members. Non-members can get them for $12.

Thanks for posting this- I had no idea. I bought my Mom the AAA Plus membership for Christmas and she is renewing her passport this week, which saves her about $15 over Walgreens, as they'll be free for her. Here's the info for passport photo fees for AAA for anyone interested. In the bottom right corner you can choose another state/region presumably to see your rates.