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

[Judique]

yeah, I looked after this post I didn't see it either. You're probably right but I have a feeling too that if this point chart is as bad as they think it's going to be Amex is going to get a lot of cancelations, I'm curious if they give me anything with little to no spend the last year probably not. I basically burned my credit on a 3 day weekend for a hotel that used to be much cheaper in points that we liked, not sure if its worth keeping for that alone as much as Dunedin is nice.

Is that the Fenway? It was 35K when I went. Jumped to cat 6 and now back to category 5. I thought the ambience was worth 35K.

 

[Judique]

Is there any SUB on this new IHG card?

The review/projection I copied and pasted was ambiguous. There was an allusion to 125K but it wasn't clearcut so I figured best not to refer to it. I'll apply for it if it has those points, otherwise I'll do a less expensive personal card. The 199 annual fee and a fnc that can be upgraded will give me a possible 2 nights at a property that was running over $900 last summer. I had booked with an old certificate before they changed the rules but only got 1 night there.

The grands love the pools and it is suite type with full kitchen and free laundry on each floor plus now fully renovated so I'd really love to get it.

 

[becauseimnew]

Met the rest of my MSR last night by charging property taxes on my Venture X that I got in December. I’m now working on my personal SW card that I got in October. No rush for the CP so I plan to earn it with spend and hopefully a support link to share when a great offer comes out for a SW card. My United biz should be arriving today and already have some big spend to put on it. I’m 3/24. Using my UR points and United points for international travel (3 more flights this year so that’s 6 RT tickets). Will hit 500,000 Cap one points soon (no plans to redeem just yet). I also have a CSR and a CF as well as a CIP which I’ll downgrade to a CIC when AF comes due. P2 is a reluctant player and doesn’t manage credit well so leaving him out for now. Already thinking of my next card. Any recommendations? Hotel stays if needed are either military hotels or Airbnb’s. I have a few Amex cards, all with no AF. Only have a few thousand MR’s. Thanks for any input.

Since you have a couple of months before you can get another Chase business card I would go for Amex. Maybe the BPP? Or how about Citi AA business card?

 

[reliev]

Just got email that they are extending the Door Dash membership on the CSR till 12/31/2024

I didn't just tried to renew it and it wanted to charge me

 

[reliev]

Is that the Fenway? It was 35K when I went. Jumped to cat 6 and now back to category 5. I thought the ambience was worth 35K.

yep, great hotel was 35k for me 2 years before but when I booked it was 50k, this is part of the problem I am having with bonvoy.
just checked now its 40k points..

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Corporate AMEX membership points:

Hi all! I have 67,000 AMEX corporate membership points available to "do something with" in my corporate AMEX account. My options are to transfer them to redeem them for gift cards or transfer them. Of all of the places that I am able to transfer to - the only ones that I might consider are: Hawaiian Airlines or Delta or Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy.

I have been accumulating these since about 2018 and always can accumulate more (might even have 100,000 by year's end based on my corporate spending).

Thoughts on how best to transfer them? Delta would be my number one thought with Hilton or Marriott being next and probably Hawaiian Airlines last.
I'd rather not redeem them for gift cards, but that's always an option -- there's a wealth of gift card options.

I'm not in the know with points:cash ratios at hotels so this might be a great option?

For reference - home based airports are IAH and HOU. We travel often to: PHL, MCO and the Hawaiian Islands. Could transfer points to airlines for airline points for Disney or Hawaii or could transfer points to hotel for Disney or Hawaii stays...

Could let them accumulate a while longer...

Any help or guidance is appreciated!

 

[sinnika]

No specific card suggestions, but don’t forget the $200 Airbnb/VRBO credit on the Venture X! Also, it’s not a great use of points (only a penny per point), but your Venture X points could be used to erase Airbnb charges also. (I’ve also got the Venture X card and am struggling to find good redemptions for those points - I’m not good at the super convoluted flight booking tricks to get best value)

Thanks! I already used the Airbnb credit back in December when my son and I stayed in Disneyland Paris. I’ve also redeemed some points for a last minute ticket when DS wanted to come back to Houston. SW flights were high so I didn’t want to use their points so I just paid for it with my venture card and erased the charge. I plan to use those points to transfer to other airlines in the future but right now looking for nonstops so United is the best for me to go back-and-forth to Germany. I have a new grandson!

 

[sinnika]

Since you have a couple of months before you can get another Chase business card I would go for Amex. Maybe the BPP? Or how about Citi AA business card?

What’s a BPP?

 

[Judique]

yep, great hotel was 35k for me 2 years before but when I booked it was 50k, this is part of the problem I am having with bonvoy.
just checked now its 40k points..

Yes. Changes. Just to put it in perspective, my favorite Hyatt at the beach went from being bookable for a 15K FNC to 20K to 23K for this summer. It's a Hyatt Place so not a luxury property.

I have 4 Marriott FNC's to use by June 30th. Did have 6 but used one this past trip and used one in Nov for son. I'm working on those now, because I can't trust that the upgrade points will work as I would like or that any availability will remain when the system changes.

I can use all of them easily in May but I'll either have to travel south or hope for a warm few days at the beach here. But, last time I tried Mother's Day at the beach it was quite cool so not sure I want to do that.

And IHG went bat XXXX XXXXX with their fnc reduction plus point elevation.

Point being, it's not just Marriott.

Another that was a super deal was Wyndham. We used 2 of their certs in NYC. Those are now no longer the great deal they were.

And, Radisson points have also increased fairly drastically for their redemptions over the last couple of years.

Anyway I just transferred some UR's and booked a couple of Hyatt nights. I'll be changing hotels. Jumping around to get a 'free' stay.

 

[becauseimnew]

What’s a BPP?

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

 

[reliev]

Yes. Changes. Just to put it in perspective, my favorite Hyatt at the beach went from being bookable for a 15K FNC to 20K to 23K for this summer. It's a Hyatt Place so not a luxury property.

I have 4 Marriott FNC's to use by June 30th. Did have 6 but used one this past trip and used one in Nov for son. I'm working on those now, because I can't trust that the upgrade points will work as I would like or that any availability will remain when the system changes.

I can use all of them easily in May but I'll either have to travel south or hope for a warm few days at the beach here. But, last time I tried Mother's Day at the beach it was quite cool so not sure I want to do that.

And IHG went bat XXXX XXXXX with their fnc reduction plus point elevation.

Point being, it's not just Marriott.

Another that was a super deal was Wyndham. We used 2 of their certs in NYC. Those are now no longer the great deal they were.

And, Radisson points have also increased fairly drastically for their redemptions over the last couple of years.

Anyway I just transferred some UR's and booked a couple of Hyatt nights. I'll be changing hotels. Jumping around to get a 'free' stay.

Marriot will go from 30k-60k or 60k-120k for no reason the swing with Hyatt Is under 10k at most I'm sure it will change next year, also Marriot charges you to change now in a few properties Hyatt doesn't, the breakfast credit is confusing. I'm sure this can all change next year when they decide they want to be bonvoy and ill be a free agent then, for now, I'm happy with it. If it's your fav the cat 1-4 certs should cover it. Also, I get upgraded at Hyatt Marriot doesn't say anything or even offer me anything unless I push, I feel its customer service has dropped. Also, SPG used to be the best IMO, but that ship has sailed.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Met the rest of my MSR last night by charging property taxes on my Venture X that I got in December. I’m now working on my personal SW card that I got in October. No rush for the CP so I plan to earn it with spend and hopefully a support link to share when a great offer comes out for a SW card. My United biz should be arriving today and already have some big spend to put on it. I’m 3/24. Using my UR points and United points for international travel (3 more flights this year so that’s 6 RT tickets). Will hit 500,000 Cap one points soon (no plans to redeem just yet). I also have a CSR and a CF as well as a CIP which I’ll downgrade to a CIC when AF comes due. P2 is a reluctant player and doesn’t manage credit well so leaving him out for now. Already thinking of my next card. Any recommendations? Hotel stays if needed are either military hotels or Airbnb’s. I have a few Amex cards, all with no AF. Only have a few thousand MR’s. Thanks for any input.

Are you working on the MSR on the SW card you got in October? Isn't the 3 month MSR period up?

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Corporate AMEX membership points:

Hi all! I have 67,000 AMEX corporate membership points available to "do something with" in my corporate AMEX account. My options are to transfer them to redeem them for gift cards or transfer them. Of all of the places that I am able to transfer to - the only ones that I might consider are: Hawaiian Airlines or Delta or Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy.

I have been accumulating these since about 2018 and always can accumulate more (might even have 100,000 by year's end based on my corporate spending).

Thoughts on how best to transfer them? Delta would be my number one thought with Hilton or Marriott being next and probably Hawaiian Airlines last.
I'd rather not redeem them for gift cards, but that's always an option -- there's a wealth of gift card options.

I'm not in the know with points:cash ratios at hotels so this might be a great option?

For reference - home based airports are IAH and HOU. We travel often to: PHL, MCO and the Hawaiian Islands. Could transfer points to airlines for airline points for Disney or Hawaii or could transfer points to hotel for Disney or Hawaii stays...

Could let them accumulate a while longer...

Any help or guidance is appreciated!

Most people would advise against cashing out for gift cards as it isn't a good return.

If you have no immediate need, I always like to wait for a transfer bonus. Here is a historical list. For example, there were 3 Hilton transfer bonuses last year, ranging from a 30-40% bonus. Hilton already transfers at 1MR=2HH points, so if you're also getting a bonus, you really are getting a great redemption.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

You can use Plastiq with a 2.85% fee. How does that compare with your city's fee (if there are any?).

My city doesn't take partial payments for property taxes. I have to consider that with Chase biz cards since they've been giving low CL.

I did snag a CIU. DId not get auto-approved; apped Friday, approved Monday, low CL at 3k. I think it will work well to finish out my taxes and try out this Gift of College/Kroger fuel points stuff.

BTW, congrats on that Amex retention offer. We have two biz plats that were offered nothing and they come up in March. I'll try again as it gets closer.

 

[LynnTH]

Yep - it was the real estate category for the Chase United Biz card. That's interesting. He also has an insurance agency business, and I wish I used that! How long before he can reapply?

CSP was denied because he had CSR. I didn't realized you couldn't hold both.

Still looking at the CapOne Spark Plus if Chase is a dead end right now?

I just had my DS22 sign up for the Chase Biz Card 2 days ago. (Both DH and I already have the card - trying to get lots of points for 5 of us to Europe in 2023). I had him sign up with the Resale Selling Business. It went pending. Just called the status line and he was approved. Seems the Resale Biz gets better approvals. I don't think we have ever been denied with this.

 

[Judique]

Marriot will go from 30k-60k or 60k-120k for no reason the swing with Hyatt Is under 10k at most I'm sure it will change next year, also Marriot charges you to change now in a few properties hyatt doesn't, the breakfast credit is confusing. Im sure this can all change next year when they decide they want to be bonvoy and ill be a free agent then, for now, im happy with it. If it's your fav the cat 1-4 certs should cover it. Also I get upgraded at Hyatt Marriot doesn't say anything or even offer me anything unless I push, I feel its customer service has dropped. Also SPG used to be the best IMO, but that ship has saled.

I got my first Amex Starwood Preferred Guest credit card back in (about) 2000, and back then you got 3 points per dollar and there was no free night certificate. They had a promo that ran quite some time that I loved. It was pay for any 5 nights anywhere and get any two weekend nights free. I used to book a $50 a night Sheraton over by Crystal City, drive over check in, use the pool and then go back home. This was when I needed another night for my free nights in NYC or Boston or Providence when they had a Westin.

So it pained me when Marriott took over. The CS I received in the lower end Marriotts was okay, but I had rare visits to flagship Marriotts so I can't really knock their CS. I was treated very well at the Orlando World Center Marriott before they acquired management of the SPG properties in late 90ties/early 2000's, but bought DVC so don't use too many nights near Disney anymore.

It's 4 years since the big changeover where spg points became Marriott points and longer since they started management. I would like to think I've moved on and will try to pick my hotel choices based on what's out there and what works for me at the moment.

My first Hyatt stay was in Philadelphia and we were impressed. Then I stayed at a ratty Hyatt in NYC and was less than impressed. Took a while before I decided Hyatt was worth my time.

In my low level churning world, I recognize that things will change and devalue. Especially when it's such a good deal everybody jumps on it. So I keep on adapting as I'm looking for what's the best deal in the moment. My goal is to keep one step ahead to avoid disappointment and to get max value out of what I earn. No regrets and happy that there are hotel programs that can help me travel less expensively.

Oh yes, just to be clear, I paid cash for many, many rooms with SPG. With Marriott, I can count the cash rooms on one hand.

 

[elgerber]

Met the rest of my MSR last night by charging property taxes on my Venture X that I got in December. I’m now working on my personal SW card that I got in October. No rush for the CP so I plan to earn it with spend and hopefully a support link to share when a great offer comes out for a SW card. My United biz should be arriving today and already have some big spend to put on it. I’m 3/24. Using my UR points and United points for international travel (3 more flights this year so that’s 6 RT tickets). Will hit 500,000 Cap one points soon (no plans to redeem just yet). I also have a CSR and a CF as well as a CIP which I’ll downgrade to a CIC when AF comes due. P2 is a reluctant player and doesn’t manage credit well so leaving him out for now. Already thinking of my next card. Any recommendations? Hotel stays if needed are either military hotels or Airbnb’s. I have a few Amex cards, all with no AF. Only have a few thousand MR’s. Thanks for any input.

no advice, just curious how you were able to get 500000 Cap One points?

 

[XoxoAmy]

I just had my DS22 sign up for the Chase Biz Card 2 days ago. (Both DH and I already have the card - trying to get lots of points for 5 of us to Europe in 2023). I had him sign up with the Resale Selling Business. It went pending. Just called the status line and he was approved. Seems the Resale Biz gets better approvals. I don't think we have ever been denied with this.

thanks for this! Super helpful. I can't wait for my oldest daughter to be 18 (5 more years) so I can start "building her credit"

 

[reliev]

I know a few of you have done the NYC- Tokyo first/business booking via ana, I am trying to plan that trip for next year is it 300 days out?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I didn't just tried to renew it and it wanted to charge me

FWIW, I did get the email and this morning my Dashpass says "Active" but expires January 31, 2022

thanks for this! Super helpful. I can't wait for my oldest daughter to be 18 (5 more years) so I can start "building her credit"

You can build their credit before 18. AMEX allows an AU to be 13 yo and Chase has no minimum age IIRC.