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

[Shannon G]

Has it been 24 months since you received the SW bonus? If so, I would cancel now but hold off on applying until a better SUB comes along, hopefully soon.
I would keep your Chase Slate, no point in closing a card that doesn’t have an AF that you’ve have for 5 years. And yes, keep the BOA card open.
Another good all-around card is the Freedom cards. it doesn’t appear you are interested in Biz cards?

Other than a VERY occasional sale on Poshmark, I don't have an activity to support a business card. And yes, my SW bonuses were well over 24 months ago. Those cards were issued in 2011 and 2015.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Other than a VERY occasional sale on Poshmark, I don't have an activity to support a business card. And yes, my SW bonuses were well over 24 months ago. Those cards were issued in 2011 and 2015.

Maybe wait to cancel the SW cards until your annual bonus RR points post

 

[StephPlum]

Is 1h 27min enough transfer time at DFW between domestic flights?

ETA: My son requested to go out west this summer so pricing out Yellowstone to Badlands. Flights are ok (23.5k AA miles) but the car rental is $9k for a car that fits the 6 of us. I am super lost planning these nature, American national park trips. I was so excited to finally make a decision, find decent flights, and surprise the kids when they came home from school but the car thing is a deal breaker.

wow that is high. Is it one way? check Costco, check outside the airport. Keep looking as they probably will come down. When I first booked my Washington State trip the rental was over 1000. We eventually paid 300. Everything looks really high For this year. I booked for this summer last summer. Looking at rates right now they are 40% higher.

Dilemma: We are heading to WDW in April and staying off site, so are going to rent a car. Planned on using UR but the prices for cars just seem so much higher than I remember. Looks like I can get the same car thru Costco for about $100-150 cheaper than what the price is on UR. I have the CSR, so I know that helps but looking for feedback on how others handle this kind of situation.
Thank you

I always take the cheaper cash or UR equivalent. If PYB is around for your trip then it is win-win Book Costco and use URs PYB.

 

[Shannon G]

Maybe wait to cancel the SW cards until your annual bonus RR points post

Good point. One of them just posted recently, I’ll have to check the anniversary date on the other.

 

[AndreaDM]

I have a question on transferring points. Say I have 100K UR and 100K MR and want to combine those for reward flights. I know I can't technically combine them, but I can transfer them for airline points. Has anyone done that and how did it go? I'm specifically looking at Europe, not sure of the destination yet so I know that plays into which airline program is my best bet. I've been reading blogs but most of the info is so overwhelming.

 

[Albort]

I have a question on transferring points. Say I have 100K UR and 100K MR and want to combine those for reward flights. I know I can't technically combine them, but I can transfer them for airline points. Has anyone done that and how did it go? I'm specifically looking at Europe, not sure of the destination yet so I know that plays into which airline program is my best bet. I've been reading blogs but most of the info is so overwhelming.

some airlines are on both programs and u can combine in a way... ie singapore air, virgin atlantic, jetblue...
not the best way but a way. might help if we know where ur flying from. are you looking for J or Y?

 

[RhodyKP]

I finally convinced DH to go to Universal in June. I actually got the vacation time approved.

This would be an extra trip so besides being able to cover most of the flights with points, I would have to pay cash for most of the trip.
Just can’t decide if we should go or not.

Anyone going to Universal in June?

I don’t know why I am hesitant. We have both been working and between lower daycare cost, stimulus $ and not doing much this year we have extra money. Maybe I am just worried about taking that leap back into traveling. We haven’t even eaten inside a restaurant in a year and we are going to go to FL? Seriously, I get DH to agree to a trip to Fl and I can’t seem to book it. What is wrong with me? Usually I’d have it booked the second he agreed.

I'm going to WDW and Universal the first week in May, and had similar nagging doubts, but in the end carpe diem won out. Go for it!

 

[hsmamato2]

Has anyone gotten the bonus Hyatt points for the 50 transactions yet?

Nope- latest date was 2/19 for updated activity so IDK what's going on

 

[becauseimnew]

I finally convinced DH to go to Universal in June. I actually got the vacation time approved.

This would be an extra trip so besides being able to cover most of the flights with points, I would have to pay cash for most of the trip.
Just can’t decide if we should go or not.

Anyone going to Universal in June?

I don’t know why I am hesitant. We have both been working and between lower daycare cost, stimulus $ and not doing much this year we have extra money. Maybe I am just worried about taking that leap back into traveling. We haven’t even eaten inside a restaurant in a year and we are going to go to FL? Seriously, I get DH to agree to a trip to Fl and I can’t seem to book it. What is wrong with me? Usually I’d have it booked the second he agreed.

Me! We will be there 6/12-6/16.
We were there over Thanksgiving and felt completely safe. The crowds were manageable, we did stay at HRH so we had express pass. This time we are staying at RPR to save a couple of dollars but still have EP.
I am using Chase PYB to cover most of the cost, haven’t finalized our trip as I’m waiting for the free SW flight change window to open. Should be later this month.
This trip will be mostly Volcano Bay, so excited.

 

[Lain]

Dilemma: We are heading to WDW in April and staying off site, so are going to rent a car. Planned on using UR but the prices for cars just seem so much higher than I remember. Looks like I can get the same car thru Costco for about $100-150 cheaper than what the price is on UR. I have the CSR, so I know that helps but looking for feedback on how others handle this kind of situation.
Thank you

Check and compare rates on Autoslash. Check back once or twice a day until to your trip for lower prices, and cancel and rebook. Go through a portal when booking with Priceline. Pay with your CSR for primary car rental collision damage waiver coverage and 3x UR.

 

[Lain]

I am open to flying through HNL. Any airline suggestions with a good business lie-flat seat? I need to fly to the east coast then connect from there to Toronto.

If you're looking for non-stop to the upper East Coast, you're pretty much left with Hawaiian from HNL to BOS and JFK, or United from HNL to EWR (or maybe IAD?).

https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-honolulu-hnl
Keep in mind these are red-eyes. You'd depart HNL around 2-4 p.m. in the afternoon and arrive on the east coast around 5-7 a.m. the next morning.

I know HA has a pretty nice soft product up in First.

FWIW, here are some TPG reviews:

https://thepointsguy.com/2017/02/hawaiian-a330-first-review/https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/hawaiian-airlines-a330-first-class-bos-hnl/https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/hawaiian-airlines-a330-economy-hnl-bos/
Unsure how covid precautions have impacted service or schedules.

It looks like you've done some research on UA's flights.

You've probably seen this: https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-ewr-ogg-high-j-767/

United also flies another nonstop route from Newark to Hawaii — to Honolulu (HNL). Historically, this flight has been operated by the 767-400 variant. The pandemic has caused United to ground that 767 sub-fleet, so the carrier plans to use the standard -300 variant in the meantime.

It’s anyone’s guess if United will swap the “high-J” 767-300 variant for the EWR-HNL route. That’ll likely depend on the evolving demand for Hawaii travel, especially as other international markets recover.

Just plugging in some dates in early November for HNL-EWR, and it looks like the it's flown by a 767-300 with the older configuration. I know @Alexle2007 is flying United First this week - maybe she can speak to seats and service.

Here's another article discussing plane changes due to the UA's grounding of their 777s with P&W engines, although it doesn't look like it impacted east coast flights.

https://www.dansdeals.com/points-tr...tney-subfleet-polaris-flights-operate-hawaii/

 

[AndreaDM]

some airlines are on both programs and u can combine in a way... ie singapore air, virgin atlantic, jetblue...
not the best way but a way. might help if we know where ur flying from. are you looking for J or Y?

Ah yes that would be helpful! I'm very close to Akron, an hour from Cleveland but can hop to anywhere on the East coast. In the past 2.5 years I've flown Delta to Frankfurt, UA to China, and AA to Italy. So, have some miles on all 3 lol but nothing really worth much. Have maybe 10K on UA. I've only flown economy but my goal is to fly business/first on the next trip to Europe. I did read about the programs I can transfer points from both into, but it all seems so intimidating!

 

[Lain]

I have a question on transferring points. Say I have 100K UR and 100K MR and want to combine those for reward flights. I know I can't technically combine them, but I can transfer them for airline points. Has anyone done that and how did it go? I'm specifically looking at Europe, not sure of the destination yet so I know that plays into which airline program is my best bet. I've been reading blogs but most of the info is so overwhelming.

some airlines are on both programs and u can combine in a way... ie singapore air, virgin atlantic, jetblue...
not the best way but a way. might help if we know where ur flying from. are you looking for J or Y?

Amex MR and Chase UR both transfer to Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Air Canada, Air France/KLM, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and JetBlue.

 

[Albort]

Ah yes that would be helpful! I'm very close to Akron, an hour from Cleveland but can hop to anywhere on the East coast. In the past 2.5 years I've flown Delta to Frankfurt, UA to China, and AA to Italy. So, have some miles on all 3 lol but nothing really worth much. Have maybe 10K on UA. I've only flown economy but my goal is to fly business/first on the next trip to Europe. I did read about the programs I can transfer points from both into, but it all seems so intimidating!

ANA using 88k MR would be a cheaper way for J class. taxes is a little bit high though... requires RT though.

 

[platamama]

I have a question on transferring points. Say I have 100K UR and 100K MR and want to combine those for reward flights. I know I can't technically combine them, but I can transfer them for airline points. Has anyone done that and how did it go? I'm specifically looking at Europe, not sure of the destination yet so I know that plays into which airline program is my best bet. I've been reading blogs but most of the info is so overwhelming.

Yes, for sure it is overwhelming. Especially if you're trying to get the BEST VALUE for your points, but sometimes that requires a ton of effort that may not be worth it.

Do a Google Flight search from your home airport to your destination. What airlines fly that route? Then go to that airline's website, and do a search for your desired route and pick "redeem miles" (or the equivalent wording) just to see what kind of availability there is. This is good practice for learning how to navigate around that airline's website as well as to find out how much it will "cost" you.

What airline alliance do they belong to (One World, Star Alliance, SkyTeam)? Write that info down.

The simplest approach would be to pick one program (British Airways, Air France, Emirates, Singapore, Virgin Atlantic accept both MRs and URs at a 1:1 ratio; JetBlue at a 1.25:1 with MRs and 1:1 with URs) to look at for starters, asking the questions below.

• What is the award price using that airline's award chart?
• Relatedly, what is the award price for use on an alliance partner airline? Note: some airlines open up award space to their own program first and later allow seats for partners. Sometimes it "costs" way more to use a partner airlines points, but sometimes it costs less.
• What is the expiration policy on points? You don't want to strand your points in a program you end up never using.
• What is the cancellation policy/penalties for award flights?

With more specific information from you, we could help more.

 

[wanderlust7]

Closed DH's BBP because I want the slot. Was offered $50 and $100 for $2000 spend to keep it. A rather awkward chat when someone is trying to get you to keep a no AF card that earns 2x AND pay you $50 to do it. I know it might be better to close it after denial for max CC, but it's better if DH doesn't have to call.

His BCP is on the chopping block too. Finding the 4 CC limit so limiting lol. Both are cards I would have loved to keep long term.

I did an AU on the BBP in case I needed to transfer to any of my airline/hotel accounts. So lost that. But then found out that I can do a no fee AU Green on the biz plat.

 

[pinkxray]

I have checked my Chase acct a million times today.

I have a new business card listed! Guess I was approved for the CIU!! Will they expedite a business card if I SM? The $7500 is going to be a stretch for me and I have some stuff to buy in the next few days that could help make a dent.

 

[elgerber]

I have checked my Chase acct a million times today.

I have a new business card listed! Guess I was approved for the CIU!! Will they expedite a business card if I SM? The $7500 is going to be a stretch for me and I have some stuff to buy in the next few days that could help make a dent.

yes they will

 

[Lain]

Closed DH's BBP because I want the slot. Was offered $50 and $100 for $2000 spend to keep it. A rather awkward chat when someone is trying to get you to keep a no AF card that earns 2x AND pay you $50 to do it. I know it might be better to close it after denial for max CC, but it's better if DH doesn't have to call.

I may be doing the same soon. I have a graveyard account of closed Amex cards. It’s been a bloodbath brought about by Amex’s own limits.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I have checked my Chase acct a million times today.

I have a new business card listed! Guess I was approved for the CIU!! Will they expedite a business card if I SM? The $7500 is going to be a stretch for me and I have some stuff to buy in the next few days that could help make a dent.

Congrats And yes you can call or SM to have the card expedited