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

[becauseimnew]

I'm thinking DH needs the Amex Gold, but I'm wondering if this is a keeper card?
Or maybe he should just get the Plat. but we don't have a gold in the family and we don't need the benefits of the Plat (he has a biz plat), but we are low on MRs.

Thoughts?

 

[afan]

Experian no longer lets you immediately remove a freeze on your cr online. For those that remove it temporarily. The earliest it could be scheduled is tomorrow. So I called because I wanted to find out if there was a way to do it today.

The automated system can unfreeze it immediately and it's the smartest phone system I've used. I did have my pin so I don't know what happens if you don't. It asked when I wanted it removed, I said today. When I want it frozen again, I said tomorrow. It came back with the actual dates for today and tomorrow to confirm that's what I was asking.

All that to say that despite what I read online, including their own site, Barclays did actually pull transunionnl not the experian or equifax they say they use. Guess I should've trusted DoC.

Both equifax and tu still let you immediately lift on their website.

App is pending. I won't recon with a "biz" so we'll see. My Barclays personal is my 2nd oldest card and limit. Prob around 15 years.

 

[disneybirds]

The CSP 80k SUB is ending 5/31. Might be helpful to create a support link now, as well.

Great reminder! I applied this week and was approved instantly! First card in over a year for me. Trying to get back into the game since I have been spending all our points booking flights/hotels for the UK this summer.

 

[GPC0321]

Popping in for a quick question!

Does a WDW package (room and tickets) code as travel on CSP? I can't remember. I know just tickets won't unless from UT or another broker. But if it's a resort+ticket package purchased directly from Disney, is that considered "travel"?

Thanks guys!

 

[reliev]

Yeah, who knows. They're going to let in 50 people (total lol) in small group tours. I'm booked for winter with AA miles (at least it'll be easier to cancel!), but back-up is Costa Rica. Guess I'll see!

We are planning Japan for Nov 2023. Hopefully they are back to normal by then. Our China trip rescheduled for this October is cancelled indefinitely.

Yea i was shooting for this year my wife shot that down was going to go for baseball season next year and that window is closing i saw the 50/100 people tours too so i feel maybe 2024? Unless things dramatically change before the school year comes out. Too bad i can't go to my boss and say forget all the projects you have me on I'm going to Tokyo! Someday.

 

[Minnie368]

Just back from a quick WDW trip for the AP preview of guardians at Epcot. We stayed at Swan Reserve using bonvoy points. First time I used a FNC being able to top off with points. It was so helpful because I had absolutely no use for a 35k FNC. We were upgraded from standard king no view to 1 bedroom suite Epcot view so that was great as DD20 was with us and it was nice for her to have her own space. We at first had booked at Swan for 180,000 pts for 3 nights but stalked the website and eventually found availability at swan reserve for total of 115,000 for the three nights. They had extended evening hours for deluxe resorts at Epcot Monday and MK Tuesday so getting access to that made the redemption well worth it. We’d never stayed there before but really loved the location.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Yeah, who knows. They're going to let in 50 people (total lol) in small group tours. I'm booked for winter with AA miles (at least it'll be easier to cancel!), but back-up is Costa Rica. Guess I'll see!

I believe you mentioned a while back looking into Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, but their standard rooms only sleeping 3. I was able to message them and they said to book the standard room on points and then reach out and let them know there would four in the room. I did that and they confirmed they would have us in an Orchid 2 Queens instead of Orchid King. We also have Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo booked.

 

[wanderlust7]

I believe you mentioned a while back looking into Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, but their standard rooms only sleeping 3. I was able to message them and they said to book the standard room on points and then reach out and let them know there would four in the room. I did that and they confirmed they would have us in an Orchid 2 Queens instead of Orchid King. We also have Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo booked.

That's awesome! Thanks for letting me know! If Japan happens this year, then Costa Rica is getting moved to next winter. Either way, I want to go.

 

[becauseimnew]

Yeah, who knows. They're going to let in 50 people (total lol) in small group tours. I'm booked for winter with AA miles (at least it'll be easier to cancel!), but back-up is Costa Rica. Guess I'll see!

Oh gosh, I hope they open up. I don’t want to think of a backup, considering all of our miles/points will be tied up.

I hope your trip happens.

 

[jujubiee4]

I may be disagreed with about this but as time goes on I'm very less optimistic about japan opening this year I'm planning a trip to Belgium and Germany instead. With limited flights and everyone fighting for award space when they do finally open I'm going this route (as bad as I wanted to go since 2020) From what I've been able to research there is very few flights (seems like the minimums to keep the gate at said airport/location) and a lot of flights are getting canceled that people just booked.

Yup us also. Im also starting to wonder about next year. Spring to be exact. As we cancelled for
summer this year.

 

[afan]

Oh gosh, I hope they open up. I don’t want to think of a backup, considering all of our miles/points will be tied up.

I hope your trip happens.

I'm not booking a backup this year. If I don't get to go end of Aug I might still take a day or two for a longer labor day. But it also highly depends on if we get a summer this year. Our return of winter has me dreaming of sun and heat so if it looks like I won't get to go I may book something just no idea what. I'm not a beach person and it needs to be somewhere that's hot that isn't wdw cause I'll do that next March. Maybe I'll finally do NYC but I guess it depends on what my Hilton points could get me.

 

[calypso726]

I've been to Staffa a number of times and have had the rare experience of landing on St. Kilda 3 times in the sun! I told the captain he could hire me out, LOL. For those who haven't heard of St. Kilda its a UNESCO world heritage island on the furthest edge of the Hebrides (I want to say 50 miles or something from Skye) that up until the 20th century was inhabited. It's a difficult island to land on--on my first trip there was an older gentleman who'd tried to land 3 times previously and hadn't been able to do so. It's one of the most amazing places I've ever been. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Highly recommend the Hebridean Princess if you want to be fairly sure to land--they are very nimble and will adjust itineraries to get out there on the best day. The HP is an experience in itself. Think English Country house on the water. The Queen has rented it out in the past (and so did Brad and Angelina, LOL). The best service of anywhere I've ever been. It's hard to explain, but it's seamless--they anticipate before you even ask for anything.

Ah, I should have known you'd only done the first class! I forget plane princess's requirements I would have loved to get SQ suites (Singapore also flies to my destination), but they only had one business seat one way--no 1st. Emirates was also an option. I could get them one way in First, but its currency wasn't as easy for me to transfer/use if I cancel the trip.

Can't wait to hear about Dubai round #2.

I will definitely look into Hebridean Princess, thank you. What month did you visit St. Kilda and got lucky with the sunshine? Hoping to up my odds once I do this.

I’m also looking forward to Dubai part 2. While we are flying Emirates again, I decided not to position and fly the plane with the shower. I managed to book business lie flats on the way over. On the way back, I’m in first and PlanePrincess is in business If another seat up front opens up I will hopefully be able to snag it for him. He said he was fine since it was lie flat.

I feel like I might need to close a Chase card. I have 5 personal cards and 4 business cards, I plan to apply for a CIC in July. Or do you all think I’m okay?

I am currently holding 9 personal Chase cards and 5 business Chase cards.

 

[WaltsMartini]

Question I thought I’d ask here before I call Bonvoy.

We want to stay at Courtyard Marriott at Disneyland; it is 140k Bonvoy points for two nights. The current offer for Chase Bonvoy Credit Card is 150,000 points after $3k spend; fine print says it is three free night certificates for up to 50k points per night.

So - I need 70k per night to stay at the Courtyard. Will they let me use my 150k points towards the two nights, use 50k points per night and pay the difference, or can I not use the point certificates at all?

And if no one knows, to the phones I go!

 

[becauseimnew]

Question I thought I’d ask here before I call Bonvoy.

We want to stay at Courtyard Marriott at Disneyland; it is 140k Bonvoy points for two nights. The current offer for Chase Bonvoy Credit Card is 150,000 points after $3k spend; fine print says it is three free night certificates for up to 50k points per night.

So - I need 70k per night to stay at the Courtyard. Will they let me use my 150k points towards the two nights, use 50k points per night and pay the difference, or can I not use the point certificates at all?

And if no one knows, to the phones I go!

You can top off certificates, but up to 15,000 per night, so you won't be able to use the certificate + points for those nights.

 

[IFlossU]

Experian no longer lets you immediately remove a freeze on your cr online. For those that remove it temporarily. The earliest it could be scheduled is tomorrow. So I called because I wanted to find out if there was a way to do it today.

The automated system can unfreeze it immediately and it's the smartest phone system I've used. I did have my pin so I don't know what happens if you don't. It asked when I wanted it removed, I said today. When I want it frozen again, I said tomorrow. It came back with the actual dates for today and tomorrow to confirm that's what I was asking.

All that to say that despite what I read online, including their own site, Barclays did actually pull transunionnl not the experian or equifax they say they use. Guess I should've trusted DoC.

Both equifax and tu still let you immediately lift on their website.

App is pending. I won't recon with a "biz" so we'll see. My Barclays personal is my 2nd oldest card and limit. Prob around 15 years.

So kind of interesting. My brother told me the same thing, that he couldn’t unfreeze until the next day. However, when I applied for my most recent card April 29th, Experian had updated the website and it has a “toggle switch” to remove my freeze immediately. I pressed the button and it said my credit was now unfrozen. I didn’t have to enter all my information or pin like it used to require. After my card was instantly approved I was able to immediately go back to Experian hit the toggle switch and my credit was immediately frozen again. I was so unbelievably easy. I’m wondering if that’s available for everyone now, or not???

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I will definitely look into Hebridean Princess, thank you. What month did you visit St. Kilda and got lucky with the sunshine? Hoping to up my odds once I do this.

I’m also looking forward to Dubai part 2. While we are flying Emirates again, I decided not to position and fly the plane with the shower. I managed to book business lie flats on the way over. On the way back, I’m in first and PlanePrincess is in business If another seat up front opens up I will hopefully be able to snag it for him. He said he was fine since it was lie flat.

Oh no!! Poor Plane Princess. I will cross my fingers for him, LOL!!!!

I went in early May 2019, early June 2014 and early September 2007--so Spring and Fall, which happen to be my favorite times to travel to Scotland. But with St. Kilda, I think you have to just cross your fingers. Good weather out there is a crapshoot! I did a pretty epic British Isles cruise in May 2019 with Stanford and Zegrahm (which sadly didn't make it through the pandemic--they were great), and we had absolutely unreal weather. But you never know ...

 

[afan]

So kind of interesting. My brother told me the same thing, that he couldn’t unfreeze until the next day. However, when I applied for my most recent card April 29th, Experian had updated the website and it has a “toggle switch” to remove my freeze immediately. I pressed the button and it said my credit was now unfrozen. I didn’t have to enter all my information or pin like it used to require. After my card was instantly approved I was able to immediately go back to Experian hit the toggle switch and my credit was immediately frozen again. I was so unbelievably easy. I’m wondering if that’s available for everyone now, or not???

How do you get to the page? I wonder if that's what it is. I always just google credit report name unfreeze and it generally gets me directly to the page and then I click unfreeze to prompt a place to sign in. If there's another way to get to something that does it, that could be it.

It was a quick call so I didn't mind doing it since it did what I needed it to do.

Now if barclays app status page would just say I have an app Impatient to begin with but not being able to see actual status is annoying.

Does barclays biz cards go onto your personal account if you already have one? Or will I need to make a new one if they approve me? Just curious if that's another way to see it.

 

[wanderlust7]

How do you get to the page? I wonder if that's what it is. I always just google credit report name unfreeze and it generally gets me directly to the page and then I click unfreeze to prompt a place to sign in. If there's another way to get to something that does it, that could be it.

It was a quick call so I didn't mind doing it since it did what I needed it to do.

Now if barclays app status page would just say I have an app Impatient to begin with but not being able to see actual status is annoying.

Does barclays biz cards go onto your personal account if you already have one? Or will I need to make a new one if they approve me? Just curious if that's another way to see it.

The Barclays biz cards do go in your personal account now. You have to click the view all accounts button to see it (wasn't obvious to me at first). You'll probably get a thanks for going paperless e-mail when it's approved too.

You may get a call from their Delaware number. If you ignore it, might get approved after the first or second call.

 

[afan]

The Barclays biz cards do go in your personal account now. You have to click the view all accounts button to see it (wasn't obvious to me at first). You'll probably get a thanks for going paperless e-mail when it's approved too.

You may get a call from their Delaware number. If you ignore it, might get approved after the first or second call.

I'm not answering any calls or calling to recon. It's not a must have card, I don't want to with a "biz" and I just don't care enough but 80k aa miles would be nice. But that's all great to know!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

We need to transfer $1000 from our account to a family member that lives in another state. Our bank does it through Zelle, which the recipient is not signed up with, is older, and will be impossible to guide them how to set it up and get their money. So I'm looking into Western Union to send them the money straight to their bank account. I guess you can use a credit card to send the funds. I found a promo code that removes the fee from WU, so it wouldn't cost anything through them to send it. But does anyone know if that is considered a "cash advance" on the card? Of course it would be awesome to use the credit card to fund if possible b/c it could count towards minimum spend on our Barclays AA biz card!!

ETA: found the answer. It does count as a cash advance. Boo.

Depending on your type of bank account, I find a wire transfer from your account to theirs the easiest and safest. All you need is their ABA and Acct numbers - found right on the check. With Chase it is free for me to wire out or receive wires.

So do you just unfreeze and right after applying call reconsideration? I am now in a scenario as well with a Fraud alert placed since someone decided it was cute to open a Harley Davidson Hog card and get declined for a Spirit Mastercard randomly a couple weeks ago. Luckily I had just got 3 cards approved for real MDD and a AA Biz so I can lay low for a while but was wondering how this was going to work moving forward. I assume unfreeze all 3 and after that apply and I guess call reconsideration right away?

My credit isn't frozen, just has a fraud alert on it. Perhaps I should change it from the fraud alert to freezing it. Sounds so much easier...