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

[elgerber]

OMG, that thread was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

First time poster and long time lurker here!

SouthFayetteFan has been helping me get started and I am currently using the Chase SW RR Priority Card with the hope of earning CP status within the next 6 months. I have been using the Chase Disney Visa for years and although I realized there is not much "value" in using it, I guess I have been lazy about switching things up until recently.

In addition to flying several times a year, we generally stay at Hilton properties, which leads to my question: I was thinking about getting the HH AMEX Aspire Card in the near future, thinking it would piggy back well with the SW card (and the CP), and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions?

The Aspire card's $450 AF is pricey, but I think that would easily be offset by the Hilton and airline credits offered with the card. All of the other benefits that come with the card (Diamond status, PP membership, etc.) we have never had/used, but I think having those is where we would gain "value" from this card. Is there another card that would have better airline and hotel benefits than the Aspire?

I have also been reading (and learning) a lot from thepointsguy.com and was wondering what everyone here thinks about that website and are there other sites that you would suggest?

Thanks for any comments!

Always nice to see an old friend finally come out of lurkdom!!!

 

[sinnika]

I need some help deciding how best to use rewards to book flights from Houston to Frankfurt, Germany. Our daughter is stationed at Ramstein. Party of 2. Traveling in the beginning of May (maybe too optimistic) and/or December 17-27 (can be flexible by a day or two for these dates).
I have the following rewards:
Chase UR points: 166,000 (should have an additional 100,000 by end of March)
Cap One Spark Miles: 367,000
I would like to book the tickets as one ways as we may have the possiblity to fly Space available on military flights from and to Ramstein. Space A is not flying right now, and we are the lowest category for available seats, but its basically a free flight so not excluding it in the travel plans. DH is retired military, though we still work hence the limited travel dates. I know I can cancel my flight on United flights without penalty due to the pandemic rule. Just nervous about transferring miles into United from my UR. I just need the nudge to transfer the UR points.
Has anyone used the spark miles for booking travel? I can't wrap my head around how to best use them. Or if anyone can suggest a good site to explain this, I'm eager to learn! Thanks!

 

[StephPlum]

Has anyone bought anything on Home Depot dot com and used PYB? Wondering if I should go buy gift cards and then order online and pay with gift cards or if I can just order online and it will code as Home Depot so I can PYB. Item isn't in the store so that isn't an option.

 

[otterpop]

Would also recommend Frequent Miler for Twitter, Podcasts, and blog.

Definitely consider the Platinum card if this is your first Amex. You may be able to find the 125k MR offer through their prequalified offers page.

We have an Aspire card and think it’s worth the value. Just make sure to check the resorts that are eligible for the credit to make sure there’s value for you. We only have 2 resort options within driving distance. Other than that we’d have to have something very specific in mind to get the value from the resort credit. Also the airline credit can be tricky to use. I found it’s works great in combination with Southwest when purchasing sub $100 fares. Took a bit of reading to figure it out, but so far it’s worth it to me.

Thank you to everyone for all of your comments and suggestions.

IFlossU, are you saying that you have been able to use the Aspire $250 airline fee credit directly for SW fares and not just incidentals?

 

[ten6mom]

Do you have a need for a CIU? Are you maxing your CICs? If so, I would just move the majority of the credit to your existing CICs and close the CIP. Unless, you want a CIU. If you have plans for another CI MSR than you might want to close it to free up the credit.

I do not currently max out the bonus categories on the CICs. And no, I don't really have a need for a CIU... if I got it (either of the CIs) it would be only to get the URs from meeting a new MSR.

 

[IFlossU]

Thank you to everyone for all of your comments and suggestions.

IFlossU, are you saying that you have been able to use the Aspire $250 airline fee credit directly for SW fares and not just incidentals?

Yes. There is a large thread on Flyer Talk with up to date information on using the airline credit with Southwest.

 

[wanderlust7]

Thank you to everyone for all of your comments and suggestions.

IFlossU, are you saying that you have been able to use the Aspire $250 airline fee credit directly for SW fares and not just incidentals?

It's a loophole and can go away at any time. I always check the Flyertalk threads to see if it's still working. No guarantee though, I've had 2 methods die right after I made purchases, before data points came out. The SW one is an older one, so hopefully it stays around.

Just want to add that the Platinum card gets Centurion lounge access and comes with Hilton Gold. There is also a temporary $30/month Paypal credit until June. The Aspire is great too. I like that you get the free night soon after opening the card. Other cards make you wait until your renewal. I agree with others to try for the elevated offer on the plat first. The Aspire offer is the regular one, so you can do that after you're done with the spend on the plat.

 

[bernina]

My wife received a targeted offer in the mail from CSP for 80k bonus points with $4k spent in first 3 months. However, it was sent in her maiden name (not sure why since it was legally changed 11 years ago) and the online application would not let us correct her name (the paper application got torn up before I could get my hands on it and there is no number to call).

I was wondering if anyone has had any luck getting a similar targeted offer for CSP from Cardmatch or some other tool? Thanks.

I have Amex cards in both my married and maiden names. I can't for certain say there would be no implications to having her get the card in maiden name, just that I have successfully done this with another issuer without any problems. My maiden name shows up all over my credit report even though I changed it over 17 years ago.

 

[bernina]

First time poster and long time lurker here!

SouthFayetteFan has been helping me get started and I am currently using the Chase SW RR Priority Card with the hope of earning CP status within the next 6 months. I have been using the Chase Disney Visa for years and although I realized there is not much "value" in using it, I guess I have been lazy about switching things up until recently.

In addition to flying several times a year, we generally stay at Hilton properties, which leads to my question: I was thinking about getting the HH AMEX Aspire Card in the near future, thinking it would piggy back well with the SW card (and the CP), and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions?

The Aspire card's $450 AF is pricey, but I think that would easily be offset by the Hilton and airline credits offered with the card. All of the other benefits that come with the card (Diamond status, PP membership, etc.) we have never had/used, but I think having those is where we would gain "value" from this card. Is there another card that would have better airline and hotel benefits than the Aspire?

I have also been reading (and learning) a lot from thepointsguy.com and was wondering what everyone here thinks about that website and are there other sites that you would suggest?

Thanks for any comments!

Hi otterpop, nice to see you over here!!

 

[Alexle2007]

I do not currently max out the bonus categories on the CICs. And no, I don't really have a need for a CIU... if I got it (either of the CIs) it would be only to get the URs from meeting a new MSR.

In that case, I would just close it and open another Biz card when you are ready for the UR bonus.

 

[Judique]

I need some help deciding how best to use rewards to book flights from Houston to Frankfurt, Germany. Our daughter is stationed at Ramstein. Party of 2. Traveling in the beginning of May (maybe too optimistic) and/or December 17-27 (can be flexible by a day or two for these dates).
I have the following rewards:
Chase UR points: 166,000 (should have an additional 100,000 by end of March)
Cap One Spark Miles: 367,000
I would like to book the tickets as one ways as we may have the possiblity to fly Space available on military flights from and to Ramstein. Space A is not flying right now, and we are the lowest category for available seats, but its basically a free flight so not excluding it in the travel plans. DH is retired military, though we still work hence the limited travel dates. I know I can cancel my flight on United flights without penalty due to the pandemic rule. Just nervous about transferring miles into United from my UR. I just need the nudge to transfer the UR points.
Has anyone used the spark miles for booking travel? I can't wrap my head around how to best use them. Or if anyone can suggest a good site to explain this, I'm eager to learn! Thanks!

Spark miles - looks like cap one has ten plus airline partners. And Spark miles can be used by purchasing travel and then doing a travel eraser or by transferring to a travel partner.

Million Miles Secrets has a writeup from April 2020. I tried the Cap one website but it was pretty useless for explaining how to use. But, the following writeup looks like those miles could be a nice pot for the travel you want.

Capital One Spark Miles card review | Million Mile Secrets

 

[wanderlust7]

I need some help deciding how best to use rewards to book flights from Houston to Frankfurt, Germany. Our daughter is stationed at Ramstein. Party of 2. Traveling in the beginning of May (maybe too optimistic) and/or December 17-27 (can be flexible by a day or two for these dates).
I have the following rewards:
Chase UR points: 166,000 (should have an additional 100,000 by end of March)
Cap One Spark Miles: 367,000
I would like to book the tickets as one ways as we may have the possiblity to fly Space available on military flights from and to Ramstein. Space A is not flying right now, and we are the lowest category for available seats, but its basically a free flight so not excluding it in the travel plans. DH is retired military, though we still work hence the limited travel dates. I know I can cancel my flight on United flights without penalty due to the pandemic rule. Just nervous about transferring miles into United from my UR. I just need the nudge to transfer the UR points.
Has anyone used the spark miles for booking travel? I can't wrap my head around how to best use them. Or if anyone can suggest a good site to explain this, I'm eager to learn! Thanks!

I'm a newbie at booking award flights. Finding it more challenging to learn than how to acquire the points lol. I've broken it down to 3 steps in my head:

1 - What are the flights I want?
2 - Which airline miles can I use to book said flights for the best deal? Not always the same airline as the flight airline!
3 - What points transfer to the airline miles I want? Do I have them? Is it a good deal to transfer?

For the Japan Airlines flights I booked recently, outbound was 60k/person in biz with AA miles that I already had. But I couldn't book the return with AA miles because I was too low and no flexible currencies transfer into AA. Bonvoy points can transfer, but it's 3:1 and I'd rather save them for a hotel stay. So return was booked with 77.25k in biz with Avios transferred from MRs.

Here are a couple articles, hope they're helpful!

Capital One Transfer Partners
Flying to Frankfurt with Points

ETA: A step 4 I had constantly in my head - what's the cancellation policy and am I okay with the points being stuck in the transferred airline?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I just cancelled my Aspire (something that I never thought I'd do). I couldn't justify the AF on the card, especially since I most likely won't be able to use either the $250.00 resort credit or the $200.00 airline credit. My plan is to eventually apply for the Surpass and hope for an upgrade offer to the Aspire and get the card again. I have 3 FNCs that I will most likely not be able to use (unless HIlton extends the expiry date past August 31st, 2021) and I haven't stayed at a Hilton since holding the card (Marriott seems to be my go to). For fun I searched which Cdn properties would trigger the resort credit and there were only 3: Whistler, BC (I prefer either the Westin or the FS), one in Quebec City (but outside of the main tourist area) and a hotel in Niagara Falls (which holds no interest to me).

The CSR was trying to talk me into the no AF card, saying "it was the most beneficial thing to do for cardmembers". Umm, I don't see it that way since I wouldn't be eligible for the SUB in the future.

Perhaps an AmEx Rose Gold is in my future (as long as I'm not locked out of the SUB and not in AmEx 'jail', which I might be since I have cancelled 3 AmEx cards since March, 2020).

 

[GBRforWDW]

This thread has served as a hilarious rumor

Good chance to get a couple of Chase jokes in there amidst the other ridiculousness.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/a...ake-them-for-chase-card-holders-only.3824994/

Haha, I saw this when no one had replied. I almost replied and decided it wasn’t something I wanted to get involved in

 

[Alexle2007]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that shovels for the dog.

You mean the little prince?

 

[becauseimnew]

Has anyone bought anything on Home Depot dot com and used PYB? Wondering if I should go buy gift cards and then order online and pay with gift cards or if I can just order online and it will code as Home Depot so I can PYB. Item isn't in the store so that isn't an option.

It goes through a gift card service, I would buy the HD GC at the store.

 

[Albort]

I need some help deciding how best to use rewards to book flights from Houston to Frankfurt, Germany. Our daughter is stationed at Ramstein. Party of 2. Traveling in the beginning of May (maybe too optimistic) and/or December 17-27 (can be flexible by a day or two for these dates).
I have the following rewards:
Chase UR points: 166,000 (should have an additional 100,000 by end of March)
Cap One Spark Miles: 367,000
I would like to book the tickets as one ways as we may have the possiblity to fly Space available on military flights from and to Ramstein. Space A is not flying right now, and we are the lowest category for available seats, but its basically a free flight so not excluding it in the travel plans. DH is retired military, though we still work hence the limited travel dates. I know I can cancel my flight on United flights without penalty due to the pandemic rule. Just nervous about transferring miles into United from my UR. I just need the nudge to transfer the UR points.
Has anyone used the spark miles for booking travel? I can't wrap my head around how to best use them. Or if anyone can suggest a good site to explain this, I'm eager to learn! Thanks!

1. find the airline that flies the route you want. If your okay with a stop somewhere, then ur wide open.
2. pick the class you want, if your looking for J or F, u will need to do more searches, usually from a the east coast.

guess, im a little busy with midterms right now but judging from it, Houston to Frankfurt, u would def want to look at Lufthansa. which is a Star Alliance member, aka US carrier match is UA. There might be other programs that may save you points, aka ANA(RT only) or Turkish(Citi, maybe Cap1 partner?) requires a call in. Easy way, UR --> UA, book. 2nd thing to check are portals, UR portals... compare with UA direct point booking. Once you get a little searching, report back.

some ideas, u can try to fly cheaply on say SW to east coast and save some points over the ocean if u got a CP... just some ideas...

also May u will have a better chance on savers than dec 17-27. dec times, after 25th will save u some points/money.

 

[sinnika]

Spark miles - looks like cap one has ten plus airline partners. And Spark miles can be used by purchasing travel and then doing a travel eraser or by transferring to a travel partner.

Million Miles Secrets has a writeup from April 2020. I tried the Cap one website but it was pretty useless for explaining how to use. But, the following writeup looks like those miles could be a nice pot for the travel you want.

Capital One Spark Miles card review | Million Mile Secrets

I'm a newbie at booking award flights. Finding it more challenging to learn than how to acquire the points lol. I've broken it down to 3 steps in my head:

1 - What are the flights I want?
2 - Which airline miles can I use to book said flights for the best deal? Not always the same airline as the flight airline!
3 - What points transfer to the airline miles I want? Do I have them? Is it a good deal to transfer?

For the Japan Airlines flights I booked recently, outbound was 60k/person in biz with AA miles that I already had. But I couldn't book the return with AA miles because I was too low and no flexible currencies transfer into AA. Bonvoy points can transfer, but it's 3:1 and I'd rather save them for a hotel stay. So return was booked with 77.25k in biz with Avios transferred from MRs.

Here are a couple articles, hope they're helpful!

Capital One Transfer Partners
Flying to Frankfurt with Points


ETA: A step 4 I had constantly in my head - what's the cancellation policy and am I okay with the points being stuck in the transferred airline?

Thanks for the replies. I think for now my safest move is to transfer UR points to United and book there. Their lenient cancellation policy is what sold me. As I get more UR points. I'll transfer more for additional flights or upgrades to biz class (booking economy preferred for now). Since our daughter and son-in-law are there for 3 years, I see several flights to Germany in our future!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

At what point do the mods just burn r/churning to the ground?? My helpful reminder... currently at -3 score. I know others have expressed similar sentiments about how much of a waste it has become.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/lejpfj/_/gmgkujg