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

[Judique]

Just used my Chase offer of $5 back to order a Disney egift card.

Tried to add the offer a couple of days ago (either yesterday or friday) and it wouldn't add but it worked nicely today.

Thought I had the offer on 2 cards, but not there when I looked just now. It did remind me I have Disney Dollars I need to move to a redemption card.

 

[leeniewdw]

Would anyone be able to point me to a page (or post) where discussion of AMEX Gold vs Plat took place? We've got an upcoming large purchase (6k) before the end of the year, and I don't want to miss a SUB. Our next 2 years of travel are fairly well laid out (a trip to Yellowstone/Tetons in June '22 and a 2 week trip to Ireland in June '23). The Yellowstone trip is mostly paid for and we've got over 250k UR earmarked for the Ireland trip. That's our typical default spending CC at this point, but thinking Amex/MR makes the most sense as the next CC. (We've both got CSP and SW cards). I don't think a hotel card (we've got Bonvoy as well) makes sense because our next 2 years of travel won't be using many chain hotels beyond what we already have in FNC and points with BV.

Anyone have feedback on Amex Gold vs Platinum? I took a an online 'quiz' at CardWiz and it actually picked the Plat, which kind of surprised me.

 

[Judique]

Would anyone be able to point me to a page (or post) where discussion of AMEX Gold vs Plat took place? We've got an upcoming large purchase (6k) before the end of the year, and I don't want to miss a SUB. Our next 2 years of travel are fairly well laid out (a trip to Yellowstone/Tetons in June '22 and a 2 week trip to Ireland in June '23). The Yellowstone trip is mostly paid for and we've got over 250k UR earmarked for the Ireland trip. That's our typical default spending CC at this point, but thinking Amex/MR makes the most sense as the next CC. (We've both got CSP and SW cards). I don't think a hotel card (we've got Bonvoy as well) makes sense because our next 2 years of travel won't be using many chain hotels beyond what we already have in FNC and points with BV.

Anyone have feedback on Amex Gold vs Platinum? I took a an online 'quiz' at CardWiz and it actually picked the Plat, which kind of surprised me.

Since I've considered the Plat just recently, for me - it would depend on the sign up bonus. I have the Gold and still have it only because I got a retention bonus. And now, my Plat offers are sketchy and skinny.

So, if you have neither and can get the 130k, 140k or 150K (this was just sent to my younger daughter), I would suggest getting it first. Long run, in the first year or two, I think you will get more overall value even if you don't use a lot of the benefits. Later on, do gold.

I like to think I do what is the best decision for me. But on this one, I feel as if I messed up and will have to wait awhile before I get a decent Plat offer. I actually got an upgrade offer for my Gold and it was very small. If I were truly invested, it was almost insulting, lol!

 

[leeniewdw]

So, if you have neither and can get the 130k, 140k or 150K (this was just sent to my younger daughter), I would suggest getting it first. Long run, in the first year or two, I think you will get more overall value even if you don't use a lot of the benefits. Later on, do gold.

I like to think I do what is the best decision for me. But on this one, I feel as if I messed up and will have to wait awhile before I get a decent Plat offer. I actually got an upgrade offer for my Gold and it was very small. If I were truly invested, it was almost insulting, lol!

I have neither Amex. I found a 125k bonus at resy.com, but have not received any offer at all. I'm fairly new to points/rewards, kind of tackling one approach/card at a time, so I'm not sure where to find any personalized offers.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Just used my Chase offer of $5 back to order a Disney egift card.

Tried to add the offer a couple of days ago (either yesterday or friday) and it wouldn't add but it worked nicely today.

Thank you for posting this. I tried to add it yesterday and couldn't. Your post reminded me to try again. It went through fine and I immediately bought the $50. gift card.

 

[becauseimnew]

Yes, I found it funny that I saw nothing for this week on DoC after reading about it. But it's definitely still in my online ad. As Visa $200 fee free card, $6.95 value. Too bad the MC doesn't work for me!

Ugh… I can use MC to pay for stuff online but I have to register them, which is a hassle. But I really need to pay for my homeowners insurance and DD EF tour.

 

[wanderlust7]

I have neither Amex. I found a 125k bonus at resy.com, but have not received any offer at all. I'm fairly new to points/rewards, kind of tackling one approach/card at a time, so I'm not sure where to find any personalized offers.

You can try the methods mentioned here:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex...e-150000-points-on-american-express-platinum/
If this doesn't work, you might be able to pull up a 125k offer via support. Does your P2 have an Amex? Any Amex can support to the Plat.

 

[ep1229]

Any Dubai experts here? I'm thinking of visiting one of my friends in Dubai. What is the best way to get first class tickets? I have about 300K UR points and some Delta and MR points. Also thinking about flying into Dubai and flying out of Abu Dhabi.
Thanks in Advance.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Any Dubai experts here? I'm thinking of visiting one of my friends in Dubai. What is the best way to get first class tickets? I have about 300K UR points and some Delta and MR points. Also thinking about flying into Dubai and flying out of Abu Dhabi.
Thanks in Advance.
View attachment 607629

Paging @calypso726! She is one of the first class experts. I have never flown first class (not for lack of trying -- thanks to the state of affairs in 2020 and spring, 2021), but I know that Emirates is one of the airlines that is common for us folk to get seats on. I have seats booked on Qatar in the QSuites (with URs transferred to BA), which I consider comparable to first class. If our trip in April 2022 takes place....sigh.
When is your trip? Your best shot at QSuites is as soon as Qatar releases their award seats on BA, which is just after BA releases their inventory, so around the 340 day mark (you have to practice bookings for a few days to get the rhythm). As long as you are ready to book as soon as the inventory is released on BA you should definitely be able to snag at least 2 seats.

 

[ep1229]

Paging @calypso726! She is one of the first class experts. I have never flown first class (not for lack of trying -- thanks to the state of affairs in 2020 and spring, 2021), but I know that Emirates is one of the airlines that is common for us folk to get seats on. I have seats booked on Qatar in the QSuites (with URs transferred to BA), which I consider comparable to first class. If our trip in April 2022 takes place....sigh.
When is your trip? Your best shot at QSuites is as soon as Qatar releases their award seats on BA, which is just after BA releases their inventory, so around the 340 day mark (you have to practice bookings for a few days to get the rhythm). As long as you are ready to book as soon as the inventory is released on BA you should definitely be able to snag at least 2 seats.

Trip is Feb 23, 2020. With Covid, I'm also afraid things won't work out but I still want to try.

 

[iujen94]

AAAArgghhh! But thank you! Saved me the trip. I still have a couple of cards so I can wait. But, another reason to up my $400 to $600 and possibly $800 to keep on schedule.

My sketchy math: $600 = 3000UR x 12 months = 36000 UR. So, I do a few $800 months and get it up to 40000 UR. That's 2 free nights in summer of about $500 to $600 per night value. So 40000 UR turn into about $1200 once tax is added, and I get to stare at the ocean. I will be staying longer on already earned or to be earned points and may even stay at a different hotel for a visit, but it's a nice supplement for me to my retired income.

Just curious why you are anti-MC GCs? I was planning to get some, but now I’m wondering what I’m missing.

 

[Alexle2007]

My gosh is SW quick! DH and I just took our 25 flight and I can already see our A list status through 2022. I did do the 2 required flights for Jan/Feb CP but that must separate. Thank goodness! I had to endure a C11 boarding slot since there were no gate upgrades available.

 

[Alexle2007]

Just curious why you are anti-MC GCs? I was planning to get some, but now I’m wondering what I’m missing.

I don’t think Costco accepts MC in store.

 

[havaneselover]

I don’t think Costco accepts MC in store.

And for some reason I feel like to convert to MO at FL which is how I liquidate you cannot use MCs.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Trip is Feb 23, 2020. With Covid, I'm also afraid things won't work out but I still want to try.

You can grab first class on Ethiad through AA on February 23, 2021 departing from JFK, landing in Abu Dhabi. Taxes are $51.50. If you can get to JFK, I'd grab those seats and cancel / change later as needed.

*just realized that you didn't mention having any AA points. You can convert Bonvoy points to AA at a rate of 3:1 and for every 60,000 points you transfer you get an additional 5,000 AA miles.

Another option is you can fly from La Guardia to Toronto, Toronto to Dubai for 131,600 points and $16.00 in taxes. You'd be on Air Canada metal for both flights in business class. While AC doesn't have first class, they do have comfortable pods, decent food and a good on flight entertainment system. We've flown overseas with them a lot and never had a complaint. You can set up an Aeroplan account, then transfer URs to AC to book the flight. I believe the transfer from Chase to AC is instant, but you might want to verify as I've never transferred URs to AC. You might need a negative PCR test to enter Canada (I don't know if this applies for people who are just transferring at the airport -- it may not).

Without knowing where you are flying from it is hard to offer more options. Also you don't mention how many MRs that you have. AmEx currently has a transfer bonus on for several airlines that you might be able to take advantage of.

 

[Alexle2007]

And for some reason I feel like to convert to MO at FL which is how I liquidate you cannot use MCs.

Yeah, my MCGCs go towards tuition since that is the best option for them.

 

[softballpooh]

@calypso726 @iujen94 or other Hyatt gurus - am I thinking through this correctly?

I currently have 34 qualifying nights and I'm aiming for 50 to earn the 2 suite upgrades which I'd like to apply toward our Hawaii Sept 2022 trip. One suite upgrade can be applied toward the full length of stay, correct?

As a WOH card holder I can earn 2 nights for each $5000 in spend and I'll earn 5 nights in December when I reach my anniversary date. They do credit toward my qualifying nights, correct? Or do I need to actually go stay all 16 nights that are left.

If those credit toward my nights, then I should be able to earn 6 by the end of the year on spend and 5 for the anniversary, with one upcoming stay next week. That leaves me 4 nights left to reach 50.

I'm just wondering if I should just do another mattress run to get all of these remaining nights to get the upgrade or if I'll be alright waiting to complete this earn in December. I don't know how quickly suites will sell out for next fall. Grrrr.... I should've just done my mattress run earlier this year to 50 when it was double night credits instead of going to just 30 for Globalist. Sigh...

 

[Judique]

Thank you for posting this. I tried to add it yesterday and couldn't. Your post reminded me to try again. It went through fine and I immediately bought the $50. gift card.

yeah sometimes I'm just rambling and feel as if I'm talking to myself here, but every once in a while, someone gets a little help! I've also received loads of help from this board, that have saved me money and made me money as well as upgraded my travel experiences.

 

[Judique]

Just curious why you are anti-MC GCs? I was planning to get some, but now I’m wondering what I’m missing.

I use them primarily at Costco in the brick and mortar store and they don't take the mc there. Otherwise a card here and there are okay for dining or Lowes or regular grocery stores, but my spend is low usually. Small household, but I share my Costco stuff with older daughter and vice versa so it works for us. That's for me. But I think there may be some people who liquidate that can do certain visas but not mc.

 

[ep1229]

You can grab first class on Ethiad through AA on February 23, 2021 departing from JFK, landing in Abu Dhabi. Taxes are $51.50. If you can get to JFK, I'd grab those seats and cancel / change later as needed.

*just realized that you didn't mention having any AA points. You can convert Bonvoy points to AA at a rate of 3:1 and for every 60,000 points you transfer you get an additional 5,000 AA miles.

Another option is you can fly from La Guardia to Toronto, Toronto to Dubai for 131,600 points and $16.00 in taxes. You'd be on Air Canada metal for both flights in business class. While AC doesn't have first class, they do have comfortable pods, decent food and a good on flight entertainment system. We've flown overseas with them a lot and never had a complaint. You can set up an Aeroplan account, then transfer URs to AC to book the flight. I believe the transfer from Chase to AC is instant, but you might want to verify as I've never transferred URs to AC. You might need a negative PCR test to enter Canada (I don't know if this applies for people who are just transferring at the airport -- it may not).

Without knowing where you are flying from it is hard to offer more options. Also you don't mention how many MRs that you have. AmEx currently has a transfer bonus on for several airlines that you might be able to take advantage of.

View attachment 607695

Thank you! I'm flying from DTW but I wouldn't mind taking a positioning flight. I don't have AA points. I only have URs, Delta and MR. Could I convert my UR to Emirates points and book that way?