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

[snugglebug]

I have a pretty awesome son and can't wait to see him again. This was my Christmas present from him this year. I'm trying to break them in while I decide when our next Disney trip will be...

 

[Minnie368]

I have an email office from 12/13 from Amex for a biz plat. I had dismissed it before because of the $595 AF that's listed in the email. But, now I'm wondering if this is the same that others have gotten with the $0 AF. Do you (or anyone else) happen to know if the email subject says "apply to add a Business Platinum Card, earn more rewards"? It's very tempting if it's $0 AF, although I have no idea how I'd meet a $15k MSR.

Looks like my email too and I was hesitant because if not knowing beforehand also. If you click through the application, right before you hit submit there’s an opportunity to scroll through the terms and conditions. I didn’t think about reviewing it until after I hit submit and it was too late, but I’m wondering if it would be there. After applying I looked up the card member agreement and that’s where I saw the AF waived the first month but maybe it’ll be in the terms in the application?
ETA my email was dated 12/13 also.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thank you! After some afternoon research, I think I'm going to go for the Surpass, unless AmEx Biz cards are easy to get. DH and I just have "businesses". We're both sitting OK on our 5/24, but we did just both get the AmEx Personal Platinum in Nov (me) and Dec (DH). From what I can tell, AmEx is just one card in 5 days and 2 in 90, so I'm thinking we should be ok. Some of the benefits of the Aspire sound good, but I'm not sure we'd use them on this trip and not sure what's on the horizon at this point.

Was thinking of doing the free card, but the free breaksfasts at Baker's Cay would basically be a wash for the annual fee plus we'd be getting more points from the SUB at this point anyway.

I will be going to reddit to show some love to a traveling friend!

I 2nd what @wanderlust7 said they Amex biz cards are easy to get. So don’t shy away from them.

 

[Haley R]

We just watched Soul and holy cow is that a deep movie

 

[magickingdomprincess]

I'll chime in on my 2020/2021 travel plans:

2020:
June - Disney/UO/Beach trip postponed, was able to move to late July/early Aug and extend it by a few days for a total of 11 nights. We had a great time despite the heat/masks. We definitely enjoyed the low wait times (at that time) and lack of crowds. Also we stayed at AKV-Kidani for the first time and really enjoyed it!

July - had a DLR trip scheduled where we were planning on using some Bonvoy FNC's but obviously it was cancelled since DLR was closed.

Labor Day weekend- DH and I were supposed to attend a wedding in Anaheim and go to DLR for a few days, but due to Covid the wedding was postponed to July 2021. Fingers crossed DLR will be open by then! Since my mom was already planning on watching the kids for us, DH and I went to KC for one night and used up some Bonvoy points I had. It was a nice little getaway to eat, shop, and go to Ikea

Nov - went to WDW with my mom and uncle, stayed at BWV for the first time, had a great time, beautiful weather and had some really good food.

Dec- we used some UR points for a one-night stay in St Robert, Missouri so that we could drive and go pickup our new aussiedoodle puppy! It was a 5 hour drive each way and thought that'd be a bit much for the kids in one day. We had the indoor pool/hot tub to ourselves so it was a nice little getaway too.

2021 plans:
June - 6 nights at WDW, 3 nights at UOR. Will be using a combination of DVC points (BLT), Bonvoy points (Swan), and probably UR points at HRH or RP. Hopefully will use TY points for the family's passes, I renewed my AP so mine's already covered. Used RR points and CP for flights.

Early July - Anaheim for 3 nights with DH for his friend's rescheduled wedding. Using AA points left over after booking Hawaii flights (see below).

Late July - 4 nights in Maui at GW, 5 nights in Oaha at HHV. I am super excited for this one as this was a big part of my goal when I got into this hobby a few years ago! I used AA points for the 4 of us for the mainland to Hawaii and back flights, as well as the inter-island flight from Maui to Oahu. Using HIlton points for the hotel stays from 3 sub's (I think). Initially I was just planning on the HHV, but after reading so many others on this thread talk about the GW and the great value it was on points, I thought it'd be fun to try there. I've been to Hawaii a few times but only Oahu so I'm super excited to see another island. Also my kids have never been at all so I can't wait for them to get to go! I am a little nervous about going with Covid restrictions/quarantine rules, but I'm just praying things will work out.

Oct - tentatively planning another WDW trip with my mom and uncle again before my AP expires, but don't have anything booked yet.

Whoa, sorry for the novel! For such a crazy year I'm so grateful we were still able to enjoy some great travel and really looking forward to more in 2021

ETA- added a puppy pic

 

[djmeredith]

Has anybody received their Bonvoy 5 free nights SUB? My closing date was 1 week ago and it hasn't posted yet.

 

[alryan]

Anyone else having trouble using the Chase Portal? I've been getting this since Monday.
Ultimate Rewards Travel isn't available right now.
Please try again later. Thanks for your patience.

 

[afan]

We just watched Soul and holy cow is that a deep movie

I have a question about it that I will hide because it'll spoil anyone that hasn't seen it, so click at your own risk if you haven't seen it. -

Spoiler

I started it yesterday and had to stop because it was just stupid. I like the message of the movie, and unfortunately already know how it ends, but how long does he stay as the cat? That's what did me in and if it's not long, then I'll go back to it but I couldn't take it thinking it'd be another 30 min or more. I made it to where he found 22 sitting in a doorway after they got separated looking for the sign spinner.

 

[alryan]

2021 Plans:

February- Universal using our APs that we upgraded to for free last year. Staying at Hyatt House for double nights to help get to Globalist (30 nights)
March- Hawaii, Oahu 3 nights Hilton points and 4 at Grand Wailea using FNCs
April- 4 nights Hyatt Zilara Dominican Republic with DH and another couple

That's it for now. I feel like I need to start planning more. I tried redoing our canceled Maine trip in the summer, but no availability using Hilton points in Bar Harbor, Maine for our dates. I'd also like to get to Utah National Parks that was canceled twice this year, but I'm not sure when we'll be able to go. Hiking in 100+ heat in the summer doesn't sound appealing to me. I need to figure out something for August. I'm thinking of a return trip to Clearwater for a long weekend in October when the kids have a few days off. The boys have also been asking to go back to SeaWorld.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Yes, this sounds like the exact email. Mine came with my BBP account number listed in the right top corner. It would be nice if they'd say up front that the AF is waived, but I thought it was worth the risk. The $15K is a big number. I had to get creative and even paid some fees to help. I was even crazier and got DH one too

Looks like my email too and I was hesitant because if not knowing beforehand also. If you click through the application, right before you hit submit there’s an opportunity to scroll through the terms and conditions. I didn’t think about reviewing it until after I hit submit and it was too late, but I’m wondering if it would be there. After applying I looked up the card member agreement and that’s where I saw the AF waived the first month but maybe it’ll be in the terms in the application?
ETA my email was dated 12/13 also.

Thanks for the confirmation! I really want to go for it but I really need to think about how to meet that MSR. Too bad I can't put my mortgage on it.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Anyone else having trouble using the Chase Portal? I've been getting this since Monday.
Ultimate Rewards Travel isn't available right now.
Please try again later. Thanks for your patience.

I was on it earlier today..using my iPad

 

[softballpooh]

@afan

Spoiler: Response

He remains a cat for almost the entirety of the movie while he learns all about people in his life through directing 22 on how/what to say to them. If that part bothers you, then I would not recommend you watch any further

 

[afan]

@afan

Spoiler: Response

He remains a cat for almost the entirety of the movie while he learns all about people in his life through directing 22 on how/what to say to them. If that part bothers you, then I would not recommend you watch any further

That's pretty much what Haley said in the dm. Bit bummed about that as I was looking forward to it, just not that way.

 

[alryan]

I was on it earlier today..using my iPad

Thanks, that worked

 

[punkin]

I'm wondering what card has good earning right now for streaming services. Does anyobe have recommendations?

 

[WardFam]

2021 plans:
January: FLL girls trip for 4 night at the Confidante using a mix of FN Hyatt certificates and Hyatt points
February: Maui for 8 nights with family. SW flights using very few RR points and 2 CP that expire in June plus 8 nights at Hyatt Regency. With the 25% back in points it’s like getting 2 nights free. Can’t pass up these deals. Really hoping this trip happens!
April: Hoping for a middle child Trip to WDW. We usually go to DLR so we are excited to explore WDW and will be asking lots of questions I’m sure!
Travel looks a little different these days and I feel like I have to be prepared to cancel any or all plans at any time, but it’s still fun to plan!

 

[ski_mom]

Well, I just applied for and approved for the AmEx Hilton Biz card. I haven't done much with AmEx - should I set up a new login for the biz card? Or do I just use the same one that I use for my personal card?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Well, I just applied for and approved for the AmEx Hilton Biz card. I haven't done much with AmEx - should I set up a new login for the biz card? Or do I just use the same one that I use for my personal card?

You can wait for other responses in case I’m missing something, but I keep all my Amex cards in one login.

 

[wendow]

I’ve been mostly a lurker on this thread for 2 yrs now. As a family of 6, we’ve taken some amazing and pretty expensive trips (nothing international but wonderful non the less). After 2020 though, I was kind of bitter and haven’t done much besides charge everything to Chase Freedom and let the points accumulate on my CSR.

Planned for 2020:
-March 3 days Miami, FL to Key West and back before 7 day Royal Caribbean cruise. URs covered $4k of cruise...all a miami and KW hotels on points...cruise cancelled 14 hrs before boarding. Spent $5k out of pocket on a last minute cancellation in Siesta Key and rented a Suburban to drive home to Ohio. Took 6 months to get refunded URs and $$ and STILL dealing with $1,000 flight credit :/
-July 16 day round trip flying into vegas and doing a big loop from Grand Canyon to Yellowstone and back (cancelled) - instead did 3 nights in Gatlinburg and 7 nights in St Pete (did not enjoy!)
-November - 15 yr anniversary trip to Grand Cayman (cancelled)

2021 planned:
*found out in July we are pregnant with #5...between this and having two teens now, traveling is becoming a tad harder
March 2021 - Siesta Key (cancelled as I’m due with baby 3/16)
July - 1 month road trip from
Ohio to My Rushmore to Yellowstone thru Utah and Colorado and back (combo of camper and free hotel stays)
Nov - ????

I think our bitterness has finally started the wear off (although getting SW CP in Mar 2020 still hurts) and we’re ready to get back into the game. Likely we’ll need to start with lowering CC limits, cancelling a few cards and then when the time comes applying again...

We also have no rental property remodels on the horizon so we may try Amazon FBA as a way to reach some of the Chase Biz MS requirements. DH had just gotten back into 4/24 zone in Apr 2020.

Congrats! I always wanted a #5 (and a #6...) but my dh said we were a '4 and no more' fam lol.

 

[wanderlust7]

I'm wondering what card has good earning right now for streaming services. Does anyobe have recommendations?

The two I know about are the Amex Blue Cash Preferred at 6% and the US Bank Cash+ as a selectable category for 5%.