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

[hsmamato2]

I think we have many types here. Some of us go for SUBs, some for max earning with existing cards. Some are "epic get the most bang for your points" trip planners, some are "whatever is free is good" travelers. The general motto here is that there is no wrong way to do it.
Personally, I do go for SUBs but also max earnings on bonus categories for existing cards when able. I am not getting the max number of cards I could but am under 5/24. Our style is family travel, and free is my operative word. I never calculate how many cpp I get, I'm aiming for free vacations.

I've always been really similiar to this.... but now in this current stage of my life I think I've transitioned to maxing out categories to be able to keep playing...... I like free- Like I said, I accidentally app'd last week for the Amz card while my credit was frozen....I'm not even sure I want to call in and ask them for recon etc upon thinking twice....yes, 5x is nice on purchases, but I can get that elsewhere and still keep things simpler(which I need right now).....I may just let it go,and keep on with this new phase of my life.

 

[reliev]

Nooooooooooo and also thank you. At least now I know a) I’m not an idiot and b) my hopes about staying there are officially dashed.

I've noticed some properties even in the USA this happens you have to plan 13 months out. I snoozed on memorial day for key west and all 3 hotels were booked so Bonita springs here we go

 

[reliev]

I'm curious about the personal philosophy of other posters here (You) as it relates to the Travel Points/Miles Hobby.
Here's what I mean: I read a lot about earning points and I follow several 'experts.' There are two groups (beside here) that I learn the most from, but they have opposing philosophies.

First is the 10X Travel Group (Bryce) who has the most thorough, helpful guide I have ever seen on points/miles/credit cards. 10X has a suggested plan for credit cards if you are under 5/24 and another plan if you are over. Their earnings model is heavy on credit card apps for the sign on bonuses.

Then there is JGOOT (Just Get Out of Town) with Joel. He has some helpful videos on earnings and redeeming, but he does not believe you should have a lot of credit cards. Rather, his model is earnings multipliers and redemption multipliers.

(Both earn commissions from credit card sign ups, and have premium services but they both also have free resources and FB groups. I have only used their free stuff)

So where do you fall? Lots of CC sign ups/bonuses? Just a few well-chosen CCs with earning/redemption potential? Some other method or hybrid?

I'm all about getting 2 cents per point or more and going places I could not normally afford.
I don't churn cards but i maximize ones for programs I'm loyal to until they all turn into Marriot

 

[Narnia_girl]

I've always been really similiar to this.... but now in this current stage of my life I think I've transitioned to maxing out categories to be able to keep playing...... I like free- Like I said, I accidentally app'd last week for the Amz card while my credit was frozen....I'm not even sure I want to call in and ask them for recon etc upon thinking twice....yes, 5x is nice on purchases, but I can get that elsewhere and still keep things simpler(which I need right now).....I may just let it go,and keep on with this new phase of my life.

Good point about stage of life... how we operate can really change! When my kids were little getting all of us to Orlando on Allegiant was a great option. Now we are "this close" to being empty nesters and our travel goals and how we achieve them have definitely changed!
I love to learn new travel tips so seeing how everyone approaches earnings/redemptions is really cool.

 

[lsutigers03]

My wife and I bought tickets to see The Lion King in New Orleans at the end of October. We'll be using our $200 Fine Hotels and Resorts credit for our hotel. Right now the cheapest in New Orleans is around $440 for the night we'll be staying. We've stayed there a few times and have always paid less than $300 so I assume it'll go down. Is there anyway I can set alerts for a specific hotel on a specific night and get alerts when the price drops?

 

[leeniewdw]

My wife and I bought tickets to see The Lion King in New Orleans at the end of October. We'll be using our $200 Fine Hotels and Resorts credit for our hotel. Right now the cheapest in New Orleans is around $440 for the night we'll be staying. We've stayed there a few times and have always paid less than $300 so I assume it'll go down. Is there anyway I can set alerts for a specific hotel on a specific night and get alerts when the price drops?

I can't help you with the alerts, but I would suggest it's possible it won't go down. Hotels seem to be insane these days. We used points to stay in Bozeman in June but the rates were WAY higher than we'd ever observed.

 

[afan]

I'm just curious how people here approach the game.
If by "doing both" to you means a lot of cards plus earnings multipliers that makes sense, but the two methods I listed are opposites (open a lot of cards--don't open a lot of cards). I don't see how you can do both?

It all depends on the minimum spend needed for new cards. If it's not much I'll still use my csr if I go out to eat etc. Try and use thr rotating cat on my freedom as much as I can if spend allows.

Also depends on what cards you are signing up for and how quick you meet spend. Some are always getting new cards while some will watch their velocity because they don't want all the cards but ones that are useful.

Also depends on how many people you have doing it. I'm a P1 so I need to churn more than I can cat spend. I just don't have enough spend that only doing cat spend would get me far.

 

[Judique]

I don't churn cards but i maximize ones for programs I'm loyal to until they all turn into Marriot

Haha, had to laugh at this! I've churned the Disney card a few times over quite a few years.

Problem is Marriott is probably not going away, while things we love will.

 

[Judique]

My wife and I bought tickets to see The Lion King in New Orleans at the end of October. We'll be using our $200 Fine Hotels and Resorts credit for our hotel. Right now the cheapest in New Orleans is around $440 for the night we'll be staying. We've stayed there a few times and have always paid less than $300 so I assume it'll go down. Is there anyway I can set alerts for a specific hotel on a specific night and get alerts when the price drops?

I can't help you with the alerts, but I would suggest it's possible it won't go down. Hotels seem to be insane these days. We used points to stay in Bozeman in June but the rates were WAY higher than we'd ever observed.

I don't know about setting alerts but if that's the room I need, I'd probably book a refundable rate and then watch what happens.

Enjoy Lion King! I saw it 20 years ago in NYC at the New Amsterdam Theater (think that was the theater then) and sitting last row behind a pole for about $30 a ticket.

We also stayed at the Westin on points (SPG at the time) which sort of backed up to the theater - you went out a back door at the Westin and you were pretty much there, as the Westin is on the corner of 8th and 43rd and the back comes out on 42nd St.

 

[calypso726]

I'm curious about the personal philosophy of other posters here (You) as it relates to the Travel Points/Miles Hobby.
Here's what I mean: I read a lot about earning points and I follow several 'experts.' There are two groups (beside here) that I learn the most from, but they have opposing philosophies.

First is the 10X Travel Group (Bryce) who has the most thorough, helpful guide I have ever seen on points/miles/credit cards. 10X has a suggested plan for credit cards if you are under 5/24 and another plan if you are over. Their earnings model is heavy on credit card apps for the sign on bonuses.

Then there is JGOOT (Just Get Out of Town) with Joel. He has some helpful videos on earnings and redeeming, but he does not believe you should have a lot of credit cards. Rather, his model is earnings multipliers and redemption multipliers.

(Both earn commissions from credit card sign ups, and have premium services but they both also have free resources and FB groups. I have only used their free stuff)

So where do you fall? Lots of CC sign ups/bonuses? Just a few well-chosen CCs with earning/redemption potential? Some other method or hybrid?

Well I think what is a lot of cards for one person, may not be a lot of cards to another. I tend to have about 30 open cards most of the time and so does P2. Somehow, I’ve still managed to stay under 5/24 by sticking to mostly business cards. I will open 8 - 10 cards a year on average. Some years less and some years more. Hitting MSRs each year is part of my strategy. However, so is maximizing 5x bonus categories on the keeper cards like the Ink Plus, CIC and Freedom cards. I don’t churn cards very often. I tend to keep applications to point currencies I will need and not whatever new bonus is out.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

My wife and I bought tickets to see The Lion King in New Orleans at the end of October. We'll be using our $200 Fine Hotels and Resorts credit for our hotel. Right now the cheapest in New Orleans is around $440 for the night we'll be staying. We've stayed there a few times and have always paid less than $300 so I assume it'll go down. Is there anyway I can set alerts for a specific hotel on a specific night and get alerts when the price drops?

Saw Lion King twice (2015 & 2016) on Broadway when I lived in NYC. First time was about 20 rows back on the floor. Second time I won the lottery and got orchestra tickets (4th row) for $40 each. I actually preferred being farther back, as you couldn't make out the "people" so much, so it felt more magical. It's a great show, Enjoy!!
On a side note, I'd recommend the lottery for anyone that is visiting NYC for an amount of time... you can apply for multiple shows and showtimes per day, and if you win you get extremely discounted tickets. I saw so many shows that way when I lived in NYC (Aladdin, Wicked, Newsies, etc). I would apply at work every day, and then if I won I would just walk 5 blocks over to the theater for a show after work, sometimes for $20!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Still only 100 miles in my BA avios account. I called on Monday. So I guess tomorrow is the 72 hour mark. So I guess I'll call again tomorrow. The agent said the miles would go back into my BA account. I just can't believe how long this is taking. I also sent emails to both BA and Aer Lingus back on Friday w/ NO responses from them. UGH. I just want my 200k miles back!!!!

I'm curious about the personal philosophy of other posters here (You) as it relates to the Travel Points/Miles Hobby.
Here's what I mean: I read a lot about earning points and I follow several 'experts.' There are two groups (beside here) that I learn the most from, but they have opposing philosophies.

First is the 10X Travel Group (Bryce) who has the most thorough, helpful guide I have ever seen on points/miles/credit cards. 10X has a suggested plan for credit cards if you are under 5/24 and another plan if you are over. Their earnings model is heavy on credit card apps for the sign on bonuses.

Then there is JGOOT (Just Get Out of Town) with Joel. He has some helpful videos on earnings and redeeming, but he does not believe you should have a lot of credit cards. Rather, his model is earnings multipliers and redemption multipliers.

(Both earn commissions from credit card sign ups, and have premium services but they both also have free resources and FB groups. I have only used their free stuff)

So where do you fall? Lots of CC sign ups/bonuses? Just a few well-chosen CCs with earning/redemption potential? Some other method or hybrid?

I have a love/hate w/ 10x group! I feel like they REALLY push the Chase cards. I mean we all know they get a commission from them and not others. I've posted quite a few times, stating I've been doing this for YEARS and if I ask about a non-chase card, I almost always get a "you should get a Chase card" or "go do the class" comment. Also I've found info they (moderators) have posted to be wrong a few times!

I am a HUGE supporter of the fact YOU DO YOU! My BF is a prime example. Since he has flight benefits on any airline, cards that make sense for him are different than most. He did the CSP because I sold him on the 60k = $600. He'll likely PC to a AF free card. He has a CIU that the banker talked him into when I sent him to get the CSP prior (I think when it was 100k, lol). He just did the Marriott 5 FNC offer, since we found all inclusives we can use them at. His next card might be the Amex Hilton Surpass, because he wants gold/diamond status again for when they stay at a Hilton. Could he transfer his URs for hotels? Sure. And someday he might. But honestly, he'll likely do cash back. My point is, he does what makes sense for him, his spending, and his needs!

Is it smart to do Chase out of the gate? I think we'll all agree that because of the 5/24 rule, Yes! But if you like somewhere where AA is your only airline, and you always stay w/ family....than maybe an AA Citi card is best for you! People LOVE Hyatt, 95% of the places I travel have no Hyatts! Where as I LOVE Hiltons, so I have had all 4 Hilton cards!

When I asked last week about how to best get a Chase Travel Partner Transfer card I was flat out told my ONLY option was to either get the CSP/CSR or PC my OG Freedom to the CSP/CSR. When I said that Chase will have to pry the OG Freedom out of my cold dead hands because of the 5x Gas category (because I only buy gas at Costco), I was told, so....you miss out on gas bonus, or shop elsewhere. When Costco is $.50/gal cheaper, I'm not going to shop elsewhere. When a fill up is $125....125 URs vs 625 URs per fill up can add up too! Meanwhile NO ONE verified that I COULD upgrade my CIC back to a CIP, which is what I did

As you can see, I have some opinions on them, LOL. They very much feel there is only ONE way to play this game. And I think everyone who's done this long enough knows that's not true. I mean I probably would have been kicked out if they knew I used my 5/24 spot on the free Hilton Amex card back in March, LOL. But I've been waiting on that card forever....the SUB was great! I also snuck in a Chase IHG Biz card before that posted AND dropped below 5/24 again the next month. So I was no worse off for doing it, plus I got another FNC (and 70k) which I used on a swim up oceanfront suite at an all inclusive this past year. Which to me is a GREAT return for being over 5/24 for all of 30 days....and I still snuck in another SUB to work on while over, LOL.

My wife and I bought tickets to see The Lion King in New Orleans at the end of October. We'll be using our $200 Fine Hotels and Resorts credit for our hotel. Right now the cheapest in New Orleans is around $440 for the night we'll be staying. We've stayed there a few times and have always paid less than $300 so I assume it'll go down. Is there anyway I can set alerts for a specific hotel on a specific night and get alerts when the price drops?

End of Oct (depending on when) is Krewe of Boo. We stumbled upon it by luck last year for my b-day weekend. So that might be why. It's the Halloween version of Mardi Gras.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Well I think what is a lot of cards for one person, may not be a lot of cards to another. I tend to have about 30 open cards most of the time and so does P2. Somehow, I’ve still managed to stay under 5/24 by sticking to mostly business cards. I will open 8 - 10 cards a year on average. Some years less and some years more. Hitting MSRs each year is part of my strategy. However, so is maximizing 5x bonus categories on the keeper cards like the Ink Plus, CIC and Freedom cards. I don’t churn cards very often. I tend to keep applications to point currencies I will need and not whatever new bonus is out.

I think you would blow Bryce (et all) out of the water, LOL. I feel you're like the guru of this game. So to see you don't churn shocks me! Teach me your ways, LOL. I've already churned the IHG Premier (and can again ins 2023) to keep restocking my IHG points (which I use on family vacations w/ my kids). I'm getting ready to churn the CSR and try a MDD (never had the CSP). I wish you could churn the Hilton cards, but I'm hoping on some upgrade bonus offers. I'm on hold to churn the AA cards again soon. I know you're great at maxing the CIC, LOL. Again, in awe, LOL.

 

[lsutigers03]

End of Oct (depending on when) is Krewe of Boo. We stumbled upon it by luck last year for my b-day weekend. So that might be why. It's the Halloween version of Mardi Gras.

It looks like the parade is the week before we'll be staying. I'll keep an eye out on the prices as it gets closer.

 

[MouseOfCards]

Are there any good "cancel for any reason" travel insurance that covers trips (flights and hotels) booked with Chase UR points?

 

[Albort]

I'm just curious how people here approach the game.
If by "doing both" to you means a lot of cards plus earnings multipliers that makes sense, but the two methods I listed are opposites (open a lot of cards--don't open a lot of cards). I don't see how you can do both?

yeah, it depends on how much u can spend honestly. people who have the spendings would most likely utilize hitting the correct categories.
people who dont have the spendings would go after sign up bonuses.

i think the majority of ppl here would do the signup bonuses as spending is a huge issue for most ppl.

 

[StephPlum]

I'm curious about the personal philosophy of other posters here (You) as it relates to the Travel Points/Miles Hobby.
Here's what I mean: I read a lot about earning points and I follow several 'experts.' There are two groups (beside here) that I learn the most from, but they have opposing philosophies.

First is the 10X Travel Group (Bryce) who has the most thorough, helpful guide I have ever seen on points/miles/credit cards. 10X has a suggested plan for credit cards if you are under 5/24 and another plan if you are over. Their earnings model is heavy on credit card apps for the sign on bonuses.

Then there is JGOOT (Just Get Out of Town) with Joel. He has some helpful videos on earnings and redeeming, but he does not believe you should have a lot of credit cards. Rather, his model is earnings multipliers and redemption multipliers.

(Both earn commissions from credit card sign ups, and have premium services but they both also have free resources and FB groups. I have only used their free stuff)

So where do you fall? Lots of CC sign ups/bonuses? Just a few well-chosen CCs with earning/redemption potential? Some other method or hybrid?

I'm a SUB chaser but not lots. I focus on URs so I and DH were signing up for Biz cards every 3ish months. Right now I am not mobile (broken ankle) and expenses (other than hospital bill!) are not high. I am signing up for fewer cards than in prior years. With the lower expenses, I find myself able to hit MSR but not fully utilize the bonus categories on other cards. Been a year or two since I was able to max out my CF.

My travel goal is to stretch my current travel budget. This has meant traveling more often with the same spend. I look for redemptions that hit my travel bucket list. My bucket list doesn't include aspirational properties or highest redemptions but rather specific nature trips. I don't always calculate cpp but just look if I have a nice, clean, free hotel in a spot where I want to visit. Planning a trip to New Mexico and got a room in Las Cruces (by White Sands NP) for 14K point per night. Didn't look at what the cash price is to see if I should save points. Another lesson with COVID and my accident, is that I want to burn points if I have them. I don't know if I might have to stop traveling at some point. I'd rather have cash than points at that point.

 

[StephPlum]

Same with IHG - I still have the $49 IHG card so that's essentially the cost of a room for 1 road night for me. Wish I had app'd for the $89 card when you could have both.

This bummed me out that they changed the policy on having both. I have both cards but now can't churn the $89 card since I don't want to drop my $49 card. I'll just have to have DH churn since he didn't get the $49 card before it went away.

 

[becauseimnew]

Hilton Tokyo Bay finally opened their May/June 2023 calendar. Flights booked now Disney hotel. yay!

 

[TraderStitch]

Am I missing something about the Disney Chase card? Sure the signup bonus is nice but it just pigeon holes you into Disney rewards which I'd get much better rates on other cash back cards.. right?