I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[calypso726]

So I need Hotel CC 101 please!

We currently hold Amex Plat (me), Amex Gold (dh), CSR (me), CF (me), something Hyatt (dh), CFF (dh), SW Priority (me), CIU (me). We are both 0/24. I plan on going for SW CP for 2023-24.

If you were just starting out with hotel points, would you start with Marriott or with Hilton? Which brand is less stressful to deal with? Marriott will be having a devaluation soon, correct? What's the deal with FN certs? How soon do you receive the FN certs and are they then sent out at the same time each year (Q for planning purposes)? How difficult is it to stitch together stays using multiple FN certs from 2 people?

Right now I'm looking at using points/FNs on the Big Island in Oct/v early Nov and then in Sydney and Perth (maybe others) in Oct 2023. Regular domestic travel includes Sacramento/Davis and Colorado Springs when visiting family, and then road tripping to national parks (where we like to stay in-park on cash).

I appreciate the help!

Add me to the recommendation for Hyatt first and then Hilton. For utilizing FN certs DH and I like the strategy of we each get the same hotel card at the same time or very soon after one of us does. This way our FN certs drop and are available at or about the same time each year. I prefer not having to wait several months to piece together a 2 night stay with FN certs.

Chase drops the FN certs right about the same time your AF hits during your cardmember anniversary month. Amex will drop the FN certs 8-12 weeks after. So if you are trying to time when you will get your FN cert each year, get an Amex about 2-3 months before the month you’d like your FN cert to drop.

We each have 2 Aspire cards now and have had no issues using FN certs. You do have to call to book using those. I just booked 3 nights in Dubai at the Habtoor Palace LXR using 2 of my FN certs and one of DH’s. I emailed concierge and they confirmed they will keep us in the same room.

When we each had only had one Aspire, we’d make a one night reservation for each of us with the same room type. They can add a note to keep you in the same room. On check in we would just reconfirm that with the hotel. Same with Hyatt and Marriott FN certs.

Hope this helps

 

[calypso726]

I am not a churner, but I do use points for travel. With selling a house/purchasing a house, moving out of state, and whole house renovations, I just haven't had the capacity to keep up with all the ways to maximize points during the last year. Hopefully, I will have more time in the future.

A DVC Question: I usually pay dues with Disney gift cards. Can I pay dues with our CIP for 3x assuming it codes as travel?

Yes and it should. At least it does on the CSR. We actually like to use a CIC or Ink Plus to purchase Disney GCs at office supply stores for 5x and the use those to pay the DVC dues.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Hi all! What are the best cards that have pay yourself back points and a decent sign up bonus? I already have Chase Sapphire. Just looking to offset some travel costs this summer. Airplane and one hotel stay are already covered by points. Looking at paying for rental car, Disneyland tickets and 2 day stay at Legoland California. I have some bills I can apply to a CC to get to the MSR if necessary as well.

 

[iujen94]

Hi all! What are the best cards that have pay yourself back points and a decent sign up bonus? I already have Chase Sapphire. Just looking to offset some travel costs this summer. Airplane and one hotel stay are already covered by points. Looking at paying for rental car, Disneyland tickets and 2 day stay at Legoland California. I have some bills I can apply to a CC to get to the MSR if necessary as well.

Maybe the Capital One Venture X? 100k signup bonus, and easy to apply points to any travel-related purchase.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Maybe the Capital One Venture X? 100k signup bonus, and easy to apply points to any travel-related purchase.

Would that include either of the park purchases? I'm sure I could use on rental car, which was 600 last I checked. I'm assuming the 100k would amount to $1,000 as well, correct?

 

[iujen94]

Would that include either of the park purchases? I'm sure I could use on rental car, which was 600 last I checked. I'm assuming the 100k would amount to $1,000 as well, correct?

You’re right about the rental car and the $1000 (that’s a minimum - you can get additional value by transferring to transfer partners, of course). I’m not sure about the park tickets...hopefully someone else can chime in who has first hand experience.

 

[elgerber]

You’re right about the rental car and the $1000 (that’s a minimum - you can get additional value by transferring to transfer partners, of course). I’m not sure about the park tickets...hopefully someone else can chime in who has first hand experience.

UCT works for the Venture X. I just did it a few weeks ago for a 7 day hopper

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Hey guys, you know how now with SW CP pass the CP recipient still has to check in but they are sorta pre-linked to the CP holder and get the boarding position before or after that person? So you can pay for EBCI for the primary person and the CP recipient essentially gets the benefit of their EBCI.
Anyone know if the same is true if you book a Business Select fare, i.e. the CP recipient would also get A1-15? Wishful thinking?

From my experience….a BS fare companion does not get a A1-15 boarding group or get checked in at the same time.
flying out of MCO I always then use a SW card that reimburses for upgraded boarding to buy it for the companion

 

[GBRforWDW]

UCT works for the Venture X. I just did it a few weeks ago for a 7 day hopper

Thank you! Do you buy the tickets normally on UCT, then once you have the points available, log into the site and apply to the purchase? (Similar to the Chase Sapphire PYB) Or do you have to have points available and purchase them through the Capital One site?

 

[EACarlson]

Mortgage help needed, I know we have some experts here. I'm going to be buying in a couple months and trying to figure out how much I need to set aside in cash for closing costs. I don't know if I can roll closing costs into the loan because of the loan type I'm using. It's going to be a section 184 Native American loan with 2.25% down and no PMI needed. Purchase price should be somewhere around 200k and if it matters I'm in WI. I've used a couple online calculators and they are coming up with numbers ranging from 2500 to 7k.

 

[hsmamato2]

SO as far as hotel points and usability,I vote IHG b/c they have SO many options everywhere.... I have gotten the most use out of my IHG over the years...2nd choice is Hilton b/c I love a lot of their properties,and (historically) it's been easy to accumulate points.... Hyatt..I want to love them but I rarely seem to travel where I can use them.Even tho they have great rates with points....

 

[570traveler]

My annual fee hit for my Barclay AA. With switching to SW this year, I really don’t have a use for it. Just making sure if I cancel the card, I won’t lose my miles.

 

[IFlossU]

My annual fee hit for my Barclay AA. With switching to SW this year, I really don’t have a use for it. Just making sure if I cancel the card, I won’t lose my miles.

You won’t lose your miles and you can cancel via SM on the website.

 

[iujen94]

Thank you! Do you buy the tickets normally on UTC, then once you have the points available, log into the site and apply to the purchase? (Similar to the Chase Sapphire PYB) Or do you have to have points available and purchase them through the Capital One site?

The former. Capital One purchase eraser really is so easy, even if it’s only a penny a point and not the greatest value. Of course with the VX, you get 2 points per dollar spent, so that helps the value! And you don’t have to erase immediately - I know you have longer than 30 days, and I think it’s more like 60 or 90.

 

[GBRforWDW]

The former. Capital One purchase eraser really is so easy, even if it’s only a penny a point and not the greatest value. Of course with the VX, you get 2 points per dollar spent, so that helps the value! And you don’t have to erase immediately - I know you have longer than 30 days, and I think it’s more like 60 or 90.

Perfect, that's what I was looking for. Just wasn't sure how it worked and didn't want to get something and try to apply incorrectly finding out I was too late. Appreciate all the info.

 

[wisconsinmom]

Well shoot! Apparently, Chase isn't happy with me! I got denied for the SW personal card after getting the business card last month.

Here is what the denial said:
Too many requests for credit or opened accounts with us
One or more credit cards have a high balance compared to the credit line
One or more recent requests for new credit
Last request for new credit is too recent

So obviously I need to get things organized before I apply again. Do you think I need to wait 3 months? If so that makes a huge dent in my CP plans :-(. I can make it work though if needed.

Should I close a card or two or three? I don't really need two Freedom cards + the Freedom Flex + Freedom Unlimited and I don't ever use my CIU.

Here is my current Chase portfolio in order from oldest to newest:

Personal-
Disney Visa - 2011
Freedom Unlimited
Freedom (Pc'd from Sapphire) -
Freedom-
Freedom Flex-
Sapphire-

Business
CIC -2019
CIU-
SW Bus - 2/2022

I'd love your advice on how to put myself in the best possible place to reapply when the time comes!

 

[wanderlust7]

Well shoot! Apparently, Chase isn't happy with me! I got denied for the SW personal card after getting the business card last month.

Here is what the denial said:
Too many requests for credit or opened accounts with us
One or more credit cards have a high balance compared to the credit line
One or more recent requests for new credit
Last request for new credit is too recent

So obviously I need to get things organized before I apply again. Do you think I need to wait 3 months? If so that makes a huge dent in my CP plans :-(. I can make it work though if needed.

Should I close a card or two or three? I don't really need two Freedom cards + the Freedom Flex + Freedom Unlimited and I don't ever use my CIU.

Here is my current Chase portfolio in order from oldest to newest:

Personal-
Disney Visa - 2011
Freedom Unlimited
Freedom (Pc'd from Sapphire) -
Freedom-
Freedom Flex-
Sapphire-

Business
CIC -2019
CIU-
SW Bus - 2/2022

I'd love your advice on how to put myself in the best possible place to reapply when the time comes!

Is your total Chase credit line (both personal and business) over 50% income or 70-80k, whichever is lower? How many Chase cards did you get in 2021 and when?

If the issue might be the credit line, then you can try to recon and ask to shift CL from another personal card.

 

[wisconsinmom]

Is your total Chase credit line (both personal and business) over 50% income or 70-80k, whichever is lower? How many Chase cards did you get in 2021 and when?

If the issue might be the credit line, then you can try to recon and ask to shift CL from another personal card.

I got one Chase card in 2021 the CSP 7/21.

My total credit is just over $70,000. I'd be happy to shift credit around, my Freedom card has a 20,000 limit so plenty of room to move from there!!

I've never called recon. I'm happy to do it and ask them to shift credit. I just don't want to put myself in Shutdown territory.

I feel like I've really messed up this CP round.

I closed my SW plus and then applied again to soon after closing - auto denial 12/21
Applied for SW Bus and denied because within 30 days of the other app 12/21
Applied for SW Bus and approved late 1/22

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Well shoot! Apparently, Chase isn't happy with me! I got denied for the SW personal card after getting the business card last month.

Here is what the denial said:
Too many requests for credit or opened accounts with us
One or more credit cards have a high balance compared to the credit line
One or more recent requests for new credit
Last request for new credit is too recent

So obviously I need to get things organized before I apply again. Do you think I need to wait 3 months? If so that makes a huge dent in my CP plans :-(. I can make it work though if needed.

Should I close a card or two or three? I don't really need two Freedom cards + the Freedom Flex + Freedom Unlimited and I don't ever use my CIU.

Here is my current Chase portfolio in order from oldest to newest:

Personal-
Disney Visa - 2011
Freedom Unlimited
Freedom (Pc'd from Sapphire) -
Freedom-
Freedom Flex-
Sapphire-

Business
CIC -2019
CIU-
SW Bus - 2/2022

I'd love your advice on how to put myself in the best possible place to reapply when the time comes!

-looks like your SW business application was this month…so I’d wait 2-3 months before trying again

-since they listed a high balance as one of the reasons I’d pay it off and make sure your balances are low before the next application

- is the credit limit on your Chase cards over 50% of your income or around $75,000…if so I’d reduce some CLs or close a card

 

[wanderlust7]

I got one Chase card in 2021 the CSP 7/21.

My total credit is just over $70,000. I'd be happy to shift credit around, my Freedom card has a 20,000 limit so plenty of room to move from there!!

I've never called recon. I'm happy to do it and ask them to shift credit. I just don't want to put myself in Shutdown territory.

I feel like I've really messed up this CP round.

I closed my SW plus and then applied again to soon after closing - auto denial 12/21
Applied for SW Bus and denied because within 30 days of the other app 12/21
Applied for SW Bus and approved late 1/22

I don't really see anything that says shutdown to me. But depends on your own risk tolerance. Good luck whichever way you decide!