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

[pinkxray]

We had such a busy day yesterday doing fall things like apple picking and pumpkin patch.
I was waiting until the kids went to sleep to go online and I fell asleep right after they did. Missed getting the 10% off at Target

Oh well. Woke up to a Kohls sale. Actually got 40% off. Will be grabbing all the kids fall/winter clothes now.

 

[Haley R]

Booking my hotels for Japan next year since they are all open, though I didn't book Okinawa yet. Not sure if I should book all 3 nights and then call to have them apply the FNC when I get it or just wait, but I won't get it til May. I think I have them apply one to a booked reservation but I've never done it.

I have only booked with hilton points once and it was last year for this trip. It was 45k for the hilton at TDLR, it's 67k a night now. I had enough points, but is it worth watching to see if it goes down? And if it does do I cancel and rebook as I don't know that I'd have enough points. I'll have some after my aspire spend but this wiped out most of what I had for the 4 nights. May use my FNC there when I get it, which I should be able to have them apply to one of the nights correct?

This actually happened to us. I went ahead and booked that same Hilton and kept watching and it went down a ton for our nights. I cancelled and rebooked it. I think the points went back into the account pretty fast. I would go ahead and book it and then watch it a lot

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I finally decided to take the leap and apply for the CIC. When I hit submit a screen pops up very fast, and goes away. Then it returns to the application screen. I hit submit twice now and this has happened. Any ideas? I was going off a DIS link......

If you don’t see a hit on your credit report it probably didn’t go through…I had this happen once….so I applied on my desktop and it was an instant approval You have the same luck

 

[palhockeymomof2]

DP…started my journey towards a 2022/2023 SW CP this morning..applied for the SW Performance card with DHs link….
Instant approval with a CL almost triple the CL Chase gave on my CIC in May

 

[AndreaDM]

I have the $500 off $1500 at RCCL as well. I’m wondering if I could buy a $1500 gc to be able to book a cruise next year and get the credit? I don’t see why not?

eta: fine print says not valid on gift cards or onboard experiences

 

[afan]

You can change a points booking to an FNC if there is still award availability. But it's a problem when there isn't, I think because they have to treat it as a cancel/rebook. Even if you cancel, it might not go back into award inventory. I've looked into this for Hilton, Bonvoy, and Hyatt. It seems to be true for all.

I would book now and not wait until May in case there is no more award availability. I'd rather not be able to apply an FNC then not have the reservation at all. If this is a Hyatt reservation, they are supposed to go to peak/non-peak awards in mid-October (unless they extend it again). Better to lock in rates now.

Are you trying to do Hilton 5th night free as 3 nights with points and 1 night FNC? You might be able to, but it's not a good deal. This explains it better than I can:

https://insideflyer.com/2021/05/12/how-does-hilton-honors-fifth-night-free-benefit-work/

I only need 4 nights so no 5th night free. I thought about it but for what I'm doing it doesn't make sense. To make it work I'd have to move from Tokyo to tdlr late evening and I don't want to do that. I'd much rather do it in the morning. And the day I check out I'll be heading to the airport to go to Okinawa and not spending any time at a park.

This actually happened to us. I went ahead and booked that same Hilton and kept watching and it went down a ton for our nights. I cancelled and rebooked it. I think the points went back into the account pretty fast. I would go ahead and book it and then watch it a lot

I thought I'd remembered you doing that. I did book it already. I was actually surprised it was available since when I looked last week it wasn't open to book and I had to wait awhile for it to open last year.

 

[Haley R]

I only need 4 nights so no 5th night free. I thought about it but for what I'm doing it doesn't make sense. To make it work I'd have to move from Tokyo to tdlr late evening and I don't want to do that. I'd much rather do it in the morning. And the day I check out I'll be heading to the airport to go to Okinawa and not spending any time at a park.



I thought I'd remembered you doing that. I did book it already. I was actually surprised it was available since when I looked last week it wasn't open to book and I had to wait awhile for it to open last year.

I remember it being really late when we were able to book. I was surprised by how long we had to wait before it was available and it kept showing like it was sold out.

 

[wanderlust7]

I have the $500 off $1500 at RCCL as well. I’m wondering if I could buy a $1500 gc to be able to book a cruise next year and get the credit? I don’t see why not?

The charge would have to come from RCCL reservations. I don't know how GC are charged. There's a thread on this offer over on Cruise Critic forums, I don't see anyone mentioning GC.

 

[jujubiee4]

I have the $500 off $1500 at RCCL as well. I’m wondering if I could buy a $1500 gc to be able to book a cruise next year and get the credit? I don’t see why not?

Hmm curious if this would work. I haven't read anyone who has done this.
*I see buying a gift card is excluded.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Non-CC related, but I know there's a few Spirit Airlines people on this board.
Long story short we just moved a Cancun trip to Jamaica for next Mon. We booked our new flights w/Spirit.
We fly OHare to Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay then the exact opposite on the way back.
For outbound flight, please tell me Spirit will transfer our bags from the 1st leg to the 2nd leg, like other airlines (I haven't had a layover forever).
For inbound, we have to go thru customs in FLL, get our bags, then recheck for 2nd leg to ORD? Two hour layover *should be enough time to do this?
Bonus: we're staying at an all inclusive in Montego Bay, I haven't done my research yet, any awesome excursions?

 

[kmhowell]

Hi there! I'm a newbie to this thread (long time reader/lurker, first time poster). Looking for some advice from you seasoned veterans as I begin my quest for credit cards. A bit of info about me based on the info listed on the first page of this thread:

I have two credit cards currently. The last one I opened was a couple of years ago:
08/2019 - Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card
My second CC is just one I got through my local credit union I opened 06/2016 (rarely use it).

• I spend about $1,000 a month on: groceries, gas, insurance, internet, cell phone, streaming services, various amazon purchases, and a storage unit I'm currently renting. I'm sure I'm missing something...
• I pay my credit card off each month in full. (I'm pretty debt averse. The only debt I currently have is a small-ish car loan. I could pay it off today but my interest rate is low in comparison to my rate of return on my investments. I may still pay it off soon... but currently saving for a house once the market cools down.)
• I'm fortunate to live in the piedmont triad of NC so fly out of GSO, CLT, and RDU.
• No preference to frequent flyer programs. Southwest is my favorite airline however, we've been flying mostly Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant as they are the cheapest and we typically pack light.
• Southwest does service RDU and CLT.
• No preference to hotel rewards programs.
• I have some miles with Delta/American Airlines but very few.
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? Hawaiian trip is my first goal. I hope to make it there sometime next year to celebrate my parents 30th anniversary, my mom's 50th birthday and my 30th birthday. 2022 will be a big year for celebrations! I'm always looking for a reason to go to Disney, as often as I can. We like to cruise too however, we are normally last minute travelers (in comparison to many others) and like to book when we find a good deal on something.
• When do you plan to take these trips? We're planning to go to Hawaii sometime June 2022-August 2022. My dads a teacher so it limits the times of year we're able to travel. If Hawaii doesn't pan out, an Alaskan cruise is Plan B or potentially and European cruise as Plan C depending on costs... Nothing is set in stone yet. I am planning a trip to Disney 2022 for my 30th birthday, so that's in the works too. We're pretty all over the place with travel ideas right now. Due to COVID and having to care for a few elderly relatives with various health issues in 2020/2021 we have a lot of pent-up energy to travel. Anywhere. Anytime. We just want to go... lol
• My travel party normally consists of myself, parents, and brother. I'm single and have no kids, so pretty small group of us.
• Also if it is helpful - my credit score is right around 785-ish.

I started researching credit cards a few months back but there is so much information available its starting to make my head spin. If you were just getting started out - which card(s) would you recommend? Is there any anything you wish you would have done differently?

I've got my eye on the Chase Sapphire or maybe a Delta Amex card. But really open to advice from someone with more experience.

 

[havaneselover]

OMG SW is a mess. I know DD told me there were major issues in FL on Friday. Hoping she gets back to Atlanta ok on Tuesday.

 

[afan]

I booked the last of what I can book. So here's what I have so far -
4 Nights Tokyo Station Hotel with hyatt points. I know I probably won't get anything with my status and it doesn't look like it'll count for any of the brands for that free night, but I really like the location for what I'll be doing.
4 Nights Hilton Tokyo Bay
3 Nights Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa.
Then it'll hopefully be 2 nights HKDL on property, 2 nights SDL on property and 1 night at the Hyatt on the Bund/Waldorf on the Bund
1 Night Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, will travel back from wherever I'm able to go Sat am and then stay here and fly home sunday night.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

OMG SW is a mess. I know DD told me there were major issues in FL on Friday. Hoping she gets back to Atlanta ok on Tuesday.

I was reading all about the SW mess yesterday right before I fell asleep and I had the worst nightmare about my April Disney trip lol. I dreamt that SW was having the same issues and kept canceling my flight every day and we couldn't get home with a 2 year old toddler. I woke up totally stressed! I can't even imagine how people who is actually flying this weekend must feel. Hopefully your daughter gets home without incident on Tuesday.

 

[afan]

OMG SW is a mess. I know DD told me there were major issues in FL on Friday. Hoping she gets back to Atlanta ok on Tuesday.

If she absolutely has to get there Tuesday, from what I've read on twitter and reddit, it might not be a bad idea to have a backup plan/flight on a different airline.

 

[elgerber]

I have a one way SW flight two weeks from tomorrow. I sure hope they straighten it out by then. Not a lot of plan B options to get back home. Delta is 77500 miles or $988 each, one way.

 

[Psychodisney]

OMG SW is a mess. I know DD told me there were major issues in FL on Friday. Hoping she gets back to Atlanta ok on Tuesday.

I got lucky yesterday flying out of ORD to RSW. SW counter was a mess. I was hearing rumblings of cancellations. We left an hour late but at least we got out!

 

[Alexle2007]

No fee MCGCs at Staples this week, in case anyone can use them.

 

[cdurham1]

Hi there! I'm a newbie to this thread (long time reader/lurker, first time poster). Looking for some advice from you seasoned veterans as I begin my quest for credit cards. A bit of info about me based on the info listed on the first page of this thread:

I have two credit cards currently. The last one I opened was a couple of years ago:
08/2019 - Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card
My second CC is just one I got through my local credit union I opened 06/2016 (rarely use it).

• I spend about $1,000 a month on: groceries, gas, insurance, internet, cell phone, streaming services, various amazon purchases, and a storage unit I'm currently renting. I'm sure I'm missing something...
• I pay my credit card off each month in full. (I'm pretty debt averse. The only debt I currently have is a small-ish car loan. I could pay it off today but my interest rate is low in comparison to my rate of return on my investments. I may still pay it off soon... but currently saving for a house once the market cools down.)
• I'm fortunate to live in the piedmont triad of NC so fly out of GSO, CLT, and RDU.
• No preference to frequent flyer programs. Southwest is my favorite airline however, we've been flying mostly Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant as they are the cheapest and we typically pack light.
• Southwest does service RDU and CLT.
• No preference to hotel rewards programs.
• I have some miles with Delta/American Airlines but very few.
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? Hawaiian trip is my first goal. I hope to make it there sometime next year to celebrate my parents 30th anniversary, my mom's 50th birthday and my 30th birthday. 2022 will be a big year for celebrations! I'm always looking for a reason to go to Disney, as often as I can. We like to cruise too however, we are normally last minute travelers (in comparison to many others) and like to book when we find a good deal on something.
• When do you plan to take these trips? We're planning to go to Hawaii sometime June 2022-August 2022. My dads a teacher so it limits the times of year we're able to travel. If Hawaii doesn't pan out, an Alaskan cruise is Plan B or potentially and European cruise as Plan C depending on costs... Nothing is set in stone yet. I am planning a trip to Disney 2022 for my 30th birthday, so that's in the works too. We're pretty all over the place with travel ideas right now. Due to COVID and having to care for a few elderly relatives with various health issues in 2020/2021 we have a lot of pent-up energy to travel. Anywhere. Anytime. We just want to go... lol
• My travel party normally consists of myself, parents, and brother. I'm single and have no kids, so pretty small group of us.
• Also if it is helpful - my credit score is right around 785-ish.

I started researching credit cards a few months back but there is so much information available its starting to make my head spin. If you were just getting started out - which card(s) would you recommend? Is there any anything you wish you would have done differently?

I've got my eye on the Chase Sapphire or maybe a Delta Amex card. But really open to advice from someone with more experience.

Welcome to the credit card sign up bonus black hole I also got sucked into a few months ago. . You will get some valuable advice on this forum. Not really from me, but I will watch the advice you get and learn, too.

If I were in your shoes, I might start looking at flights to Hawaii and compare cash cost versus points on different airlines (including spending hours trying to figure out what transfer partners you could use).

Then, I would look at hotels in the area and compare cash cost versus points there, too.

Depending on if there are any obvious good use of points for either air or hotel, I would let that guide me on what kind of card to go for.

You missed a sweet spot for the CSP bonus. That would have been a fairly flexible, easy default first card at 100k.

You don't have a ton of time or spend to get too much of a bonus done by when you need it.

If Chase still has 100k British Airways avios sign up, you might want to consider that, too, for their American Airlines partnership. I don't think CLT to Hawaii is a sweet spot for that, but it is worth making a BA login and comparing points needed between the two.

Now, someone else can give you actual good advice.

 

[Psychodisney]

No fee MCGCs at Staples this week, in case anyone can use them.

I also saw DOC posted about Visas at OD/OM.