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

[FreeDiningFanatic]

An update on our Maldives trip V100. First 2 trips (May, 2020 and May, 2021) cancelled due to current circumstances. Third trip was booked for December / January, 2022. Dd did not want to go over the holidays because she wants to spend NYE with her boyfriend (assuming he's still in the picture in December I'm sure she will be happy with this decision).

Moving on, we have made a final decision on the trip (at least I hope it's final). We have revised the trip for late April, 2022 as follows:
Toronto to Maldives (using AA miles on Qatar)
St. Regis Maldives (Marriott points, stay 5 use points for 4), upgrade (cash) to 2 bedroom ocean villa
Maldives to Singapore on Singapore Air (using URs transferred to SA)
Singapore 3 nights (stay Fullerton Bay Hotel cash)
Singapore to Tokyo (using Avios on Japan Air)
Tokyo 5 nights at Shangri-La Tokyo (cash using AmEx $200 travel credit and current $150 credit for $800 spend offer)
Shinkansen Tokyo to Osaka (cash)
Osaka 2 or 3 nights (Conrad Osaka using HH points) -- primarily to visit Universal Studios (will purchase express pass) and Super Nintendo World
Shinkansen Osaka to Tokyo
Tokyo to Taipei (possibly EVA Air Hello Kitty plane because I've always wanted to fly on this plane), Taipei to Toronto (on EVA biz class using Aeroplan)

We are both happy with this trip as we are able to visit Singapore and Japan in addition to the Maldives, which makes the long journey more worthwhile for us!

I am so in awe of this trip. Really, really well done and it will be so memorable for you and your daughter.

So last week I decided Maldives was out of reach for 2022 and shelved the idea. But then I got an alert this week on insanely cheap prices on Qatar. Qsuites for $1350 each way (actually $2700 RT) from Chicago-Maldives. This pricepoint is reflective of the Amex Plat International Airline benefit (-$300 each). So I booked 6 between points and cash for Spring break 2022. My son’s college spring break actually lined up with my lil’s break, which is unusual.

Fast forward a day later and I cancelled it. What I booked really wouldn’t get us the adventure, culture and history we enjoy while traveling. I’d like to book it again more as you have, an extended trip in the Middle East/Asia which includes the Maldives.

Thanks again for keeping us up to date on this rollercoaster journey!!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Are these SW free flight change windows something they normally do or a product of COVID that will eventually go away?

It’s not something they normally do, usually SW had a set the schedule...
it first started when the 737 MAX planes were taken out of service and has now continued with schedule changes due to COVID.

 

[Jax1023]

I am planning to cancel my platinum later this month when the AF posts. I want to apply for a BBP.

I know there is usually no sub, but are there any support links or anything?

 

[GlamMistress]

Exactly a month from today is my Disney trip! I am worried SW is going to mess up my flight reservations again tho.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I am so in awe of this trip. Really, really well done and it will be so memorable for you and your daughter.

So last week I decided Maldives was out of reach for 2022 and shelved the idea. But then I got an alert this week on insanely cheap prices on Qatar. Qsuites for $1350 each way (actually $2700 RT) from Chicago-Maldives. This pricepoint is reflective of the Amex Plat International Airline benefit (-$300 each). So I booked 6 between points and cash for Spring break 2022. My son’s college spring break actually lined up with my lil’s break, which is unusual.

Fast forward a day later and I cancelled it. What I booked really wouldn’t get us the adventure, culture and history we enjoy while traveling. I’d like to book it again more as you have, an extended trip in the Middle East/Asia which includes the Maldives.

Thanks again for keeping us up to date on this rollercoaster journey!!

That is an incredible price in QSuites! Is Qatar a partner of AmEx? It might be worth it paying the cash price versus points.

 

[elgerber]

I am planning to cancel my platinum later this month when the AF posts. I want to apply for a BBP.

I know there is usually no sub, but are there any support links or anything?

There is a support offer that gets you a 10k SUB

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Is it June yet? My entire 2nd hour in now in quarantine. 1/2 my 1st hour, 1/2 my 3rd hour. Can't we just waive the white flag and call this school year done?

In CC news, still haven't found the $400 VGC missing. I have no MSR I'm working on as my Amex upgrade points just posted. So I guess it's time to figure out what I want to do. I hate when I look at my wallet and don't know which card to use since I'm not on a mission, LOL. I mean I try to maximize categories, but when there's nothing I'm left trying to decide which get the points, LOL

One advantage for Alaska, any cruise port should have fewer tourists than normal years (with the cruise lines not running this year, to Alaska)

I was looking at flying into Faribanks (lowest points). But it doesn't look like AK has ANY rental cars ANYWHERE all summer. So that's not happening.

I have been trying to come up with a use for my Marriott FNC.
I got an email that Sesame Place was offering 4 free tickets for Veterans.
I was just able to get the Springhill Suites next door to Sesame Place using my FNC. (Have been trying for days but it was unavailable)

Kids are 4 and 6 so not much time left to make it there before they age out. Cant beat free admission and FNC for the room. Is it wrong that I am super excited to be going to Sesame Place for the first time in like 12 years? Must have something to do with not going anywhere in the last year.

As a huge Jim Henson fan, and Elmo collector....I always wanted to go. My sister lives in NJ, so she took my nephews often. I was jealous, LOL

I rec’d an offer on my Amex Hilton Surpass to upgrade to the Aspire, $4k MSR, 150,000 HH points. I think I want to go ahead and upgrade, but was curious if this is subject to the popup? Also, I know other people have taken the upgrade and also applied for the Surpass in order to get both. If I wanted to do that, how does that work? Do I need to apply the same day? I’m not sold that I personally would get the value out of having 2 Aspires (well actually 3 because DH has one), but want to make sure I’ve thought through my options.

I am in pop up hell. I took the upgrade from the everyday to the everyday preferred. No popup and my points just posted

 

[Kawnipi]

Not sure if tis was posted yet but Southwest added flights to Hawaii from LAX, LAS, and PHX. This will allow midwest and east coast ppl the ability to get to Hawaii in one day via Southwest.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/nbc8xn/_/gxzc3du

 

[StephPlum]

Huge SW change window open. I could change 6/10 flight and 8/18 flight. I tried booking a late May flight and it was a no go. I didn’t play around past 8/18 so maybe those with Sept flight could check. Now to book Memorial Day flights since we now know DS finishes on 5/27. Crazy that he only has 9 more school days. His freshman year flew by!

SW change window Goes through 9/11 at least. I booked speculative flights to Bozeman for Yellowstone at the beginning of September. Saved 40k points with the change window.

 

[Explore]

I can confirm SW change window is through 9/14. I also have flights to Bozeman (for a Yellowstone backup to Disney). My return on 9/25 is not eligible.

 

[Sheree]

after booking another United flight, figured time for dh to get a united card again. he has no active chase. since we booked with points, our 1 flight to Iceland already gets a bag each, but the Nashville doesn't.
on his chase portal there was 1 united card available. the new one
I need to go to reddit and see if any support links, but curious best SUB

almost done with my MDD SW SUBs

 

[becauseimnew]

Not sure if tis was posted yet but Southwest added flights to Hawaii from LAX, LAS, and PHX. This will allow midwest and east coast ppl the ability to get to Hawaii in one day via Southwest.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/nbc8xn/_/gxzc3du

Oh wow, this is a game changer. I can book a flight from our home airport to OGG. Only one option for return flight. But this is awesome.

 

[wanderlust7]

I am planning to cancel my platinum later this month when the AF posts. I want to apply for a BBP.

I know there is usually no sub, but are there any support links or anything?

There are also some targeted offers - 30k/$5k spend or 50k/$15k spend. Don't think these are available via support. So if your P2 has a card with a high support, that would probably be better.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ymmv-american-express-blue-business-plus-50000-points-signup-bonus/

 

[NewbieMom]

I was thinking like happ that the CSR's PYB has the best reward, unless like wanderlust7 suggests that you are saving URs. In that case I would say use a CF to earn 5% this quarter on Home Improvement stores.

Thank you! Although I don't have a CF, your comment reminded me that I do have CIC and can get Lowes gc at Staples for 5%.

 

[platamama]

I can confirm SW change window is through 9/14. I also have flights to Bozeman (for a Yellowstone backup to Disney). My return on 9/25 is not eligible.

I was able to change a 9/15 flight. I'd guess the actual window might go through 9/18 (end of calendar week) since your 9/25 is not eligible.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

That is an incredible price in QSuites! Is Qatar a partner of AmEx? It might be worth it paying the cash price versus points.

I booked 5 at the cash rate through the Amex Travel portal (most tix available at that pricepoint). Then at the slightly elevated pricepoint, I booked 1 points ticket through the Chase portal with CSR, so it was $250,000 pts RT (mas o menos).

I did really enjoy GETTING THE DEAL, even if it was just for the day!!

 

[dunailie]

Hi everyone!

We are new at this and looking for advice for our next step. So far we've only opened two cards in the last 24 months:

02/21 Chase Sapphire Reserve (P1)
04/21 Chase Sapphire Reserve (P2)

Both MSRs have been met as we had some home improvement expenses recently. We also have a Chase Amazon that we've had for years.

About us: We typically put $1500 to $2000 spend on one card a month, but we have some larger purchases coming up. We pay off the card every month and do not carry any other balances. We fly out of BNA when we fly. We haven't flown recently because our family is so big, but now that the kids are older, the two of us may fly more often. We have good SW and Delta service. We have no loyalty programs so far with airlines or hotels. We currently have about 154,000 URs. We will be using a good portion of that for our trip this fall to Disney--we are booking a vacation rental through the UR portal, using PYB for tickets, and driving down (12 hours). We will have 6 adults traveling (me and dh, our teenage son, two adult children, and one fiancé). Adult children and fiancé are buying their own tickets.

Our goals for next year would be a cruise around May and another Disney trip in the fall. Cruise will be just dh and me. Disney trip may be just us or some or all of the kids. If it's just dh and me, I'd like to stay either Hilton or Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Generally, though, we aren't loyal to one hotel brand.

So, lots of variables! I like the Chase products for their flexibility. I'd like a card(s) to maximize points earned through daily spend. But the SUBs are awesome too! I'm thinking either a Chase Freedom Unlimited card for maximizing spend, or either the Hilton or SW card? Trying to put a strategy together for what's next.

Thanks!!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

A person who has shown in the past to have insider info from Chase has posted a new Chase Southwest Card Bonus Rumor

• ALL Southwest Personal Credit Cards will feature a bonus from May 27 - July 14 of 65,000 RR points for $2,000 MSR.
• No news on whether this will come to support links.
• This isn't exactly a great time to earn a CP BUT with travel picking back up, maybe still worth it!

Of course there is also a VERY lucrative offer right now out there on the Southwest Performance Business Card:

• Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
• And this one is available via support link

Good luck to anybody applying!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

FYI for those wondering, the Southwest Change Window is currently very hit or miss as it relates to dates and routes. If your dates aren't included, you're not alone. If yours are, then consider yourself fortunate. I'd just keep checking back for Aug-Oct dates.

 

[GZanta77]

So I have a CSP which is coming up for the annual fee next week. I have barely used it since MSR - and can't really see much point in keeping it. P2 has a CSR that we use for redemptions and the earnings rates on the freedoms seem to be better than the CSP since the refresh last year.

So before I cancel - I just want to check with the wisdom of this forum - Am I missing anything?