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

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Someone posted this in the Frequent Miler Facebook group, and it totally worked. I signed up and got immediately upgraded to IHG Diamond status.

IHG Straight to Diamond. Become a IHG Diamond simply by registering. Go to https://www.ihg.com/rewardsclub/us/en/offers/promoreg/ and enter 70027 as the Promotional Code. You will be IHG Diamond until 12/31/2022. Stay 10+ nights before 12/31/2022 and you can extend the Diamond status until 12/31/2023.

Thanks for posting! Got upgraded on both mine and DH’s accounts!

This worked! Yay! I really want Diamond for next year for the free breakfast. But … 10 nights before the end of the year seems tough.

I wonder if it has to be 10 nights since registering, or just up to the 10 nights mark before end of year. I have 6 nights already, so if I only need 4 more before end of year that may be doable.

 

[gmi3804]

I have the $50 on multiple cards, but have absolutely nothing to buy LOL.

That’s the best savings of all!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Thanks for posting! Got upgraded on both mine and DH’s accounts!

I wonder if it has to be 10 nights since registering, or just up to the 10 nights mark before end of year. I have 6 nights already, so if I only need 4 more before end of year that may be doable.

I have 12 this year and my status says "Diamond Elite until Dec 31, 2022" so I think it has to be 10 nights before the end of the year. Organically I think I would do three, max.

 

[reliev]

I really have a love-hate relationship with thrifty traveler since there are so many deals I keep booking..

Yes. Check the refund policy if that matters to you.

I usually go threw the hotel got a trip coming up thanks to the thrifty traveler (cant plug them enough) and the hotel guarantees the refund from some broker for a small fee (i want to say 15$) im not sure if it's worth it but in these times I've been thinking about any possibility.

 

[gmi3804]

Found on Slickdeals:​

HBO Max - ad fee 1year - $54.99 - AMEX offer (YMMV)​

In addition, one of the comments advises even more:

This also stacks with the new or returning member annual subscription promo, a card-linked offer like one from Sam's Club – 15% CB for members, 18% CB for Plus members: https://www.samsclub.com/content/bonus-offers, and a clickthrough cashback offer.

149.99 - (45 promo price) - (50 AMEX statement credit) - (16 to 21 in clickthrough CB) - (15.75 to 18.90 card-linked CB if you're a Sam's member) which is as low as $15.09 for the 1 year Ad-Free subscription

How to get a Sam's Club membership for 'free' after coupon: https://daily.slickdeals.net/shopping/best-sams-club-membership-deals-discounts/. Membership fee goes up on October 17th.

Pretty slick!

 

[wdwpluto]

Got an offer in the mail for AmEx Plat for 150k, went online, and was approved! I'll meet the $6k spend in one transaction as I have an $8k bill coming up for dealing w/ the mess my former tenants left in my rental property. So yay but boo but yay? LOL

 

[newski_mom]

Question on AmEx credits - I have an offer on 2 different accounts for $150 back when you spend $500 with Carnival. Does the $500 have to all be charged in one transaction? I have a cruise to pay off that will use one of the credits. That will leave about $300 to pay for that cruise and we are ready to book another and I could use the other $200 to pay the deposit on new cruise.

If I have to call in to try to get it all in one charge, I will, but if I could do it online in two charges that would be easier.

 

[tink1970]

I have never flown to Australia but I just booked a DCL transpacific cruise from Sydney to Honolulu for Feb 2024. I’ll need to book one ways for the two of us from Houston to Sydney. Right now I have about 400,000 UR’s, 113,000 MR’s, 95,000 United Miles and 400,000 Cap One points. What would be the best way to book using points? Of course would love a lie flat seat due to the long journey. I’m open to applying for an Amex biz card to earn more MR’s. I’m currently 4/24 until June 2023. My last card was a CIU in July.

I've flown to Sydney on Qantas in First and it was amazing but SUPER hard to find on points...that said, our friends who met up with us flew United from SFO in business and thought it was worth the price (they actually paid OOP ). My advice would be to price IAH-SYD (likely with a layover in SFO or LAX) v. a positioning flight straight out of SFO. IIRC, it's 200k/pp in business so you should have enough IF you jump on the seats when they open in March 2023 (I believe). Congrats on what sounds like an amazing cruise-if we didn't have elderly dogs (and oh yeah, mothers) DH and I would have been on it. Ah well...

 

[wanderlust7]

Question on AmEx credits - I have an offer on 2 different accounts for $150 back when you spend $500 with Carnival. Does the $500 have to all be charged in one transaction? I have a cruise to pay off that will use one of the credits. That will leave about $300 to pay for that cruise and we are ready to book another and I could use the other $200 to pay the deposit on new cruise.

If I have to call in to try to get it all in one charge, I will, but if I could do it online in two charges that would be easier.

It depends on the terms. I think the cruise ones are usually "in one or more purchases".

Noticed a new Amex Offer - Alaska Airlines $500 get $100.

 

[tink1970]

Question on AmEx credits - I have an offer on 2 different accounts for $150 back when you spend $500 with Carnival. Does the $500 have to all be charged in one transaction? I have a cruise to pay off that will use one of the credits. That will leave about $300 to pay for that cruise and we are ready to book another and I could use the other $200 to pay the deposit on new cruise.

If I have to call in to try to get it all in one charge, I will, but if I could do it online in two charges that would be easier.

I'd read the fine print on the offer-some will say $150 off $500 in one charge (or something like that) whereas the other wording is more like $150 off of $500 in charges in one or MORE transactions. Also, remember if you have offers on more than 1 credit card, once you add it will go away (linked to your ssn I believe) but if you have authorized users or P2, then those will not.

 

[wanderlust7]

Question on AmEx credits - I have an offer on 2 different accounts for $150 back when you spend $500 with Carnival. Does the $500 have to all be charged in one transaction? I have a cruise to pay off that will use one of the credits. That will leave about $300 to pay for that cruise and we are ready to book another and I could use the other $200 to pay the deposit on new cruise.

If I have to call in to try to get it all in one charge, I will, but if I could do it online in two charges that would be easier.

Couple other notes - I believe prepaid gratuities work because the charge comes from reservations. Excursions and OBC don't work because charge comes from Fun Shop.

Different from the Chase Offers, which is anything from Carnival, so it all works.

 

[newski_mom]

It depends on the terms. I think the cruise ones are usually "in one or more purchases".

Noticed a new Amex Offer - Alaska Airlines $500 get $100.

I'd read the fine print on the offer-some will say $150 off $500 in one charge (or something like that) whereas the other wording is more like $150 off of $500 in charges in one or MORE transactions. Also, remember if you have offers on more than 1 credit card, once you add it will go away (linked to your ssn I believe) but if you have authorized users or P2, then those will not.

Couple other notes - I believe prepaid gratuities work because the charge comes from reservations. Excursions and OBC don't work because charge comes from Fun Shop.

Different from the Chase Offers, which is anything from Carnival, so it all works.

Thank you both! I sometimes forget the simple things (like checking the terms lol)!

It does say one or more charges, so I should be good. I have the offer on my Platinum and DS has it on his AU card that is linked to my platinum. DH doesn't have it on his cards at all. Maybe we'll get another offer before the new cruise is paid off!

 

[georgina]

Anyone noticing issues with Chase rewards categories not crediting properly? My Bonvoy got 10X on gas but not the 5X on grocery this month, and DH has a food & drink charge on his CSR that is only 1X and not able to use PYB. Not sure what's up with those.

 

[wanderlust7]

Question about Hyatt suite upgrade awards, which I'm using for the first time! For points bookings, I know that it's normal the upgrade won't show up online. But will the award show as redeemed? Or does that not happen until after the stay?

Wondering how I can see that everything went through fine. Or maybe the only way is to contact the hotel directly.

 

[leeniewdw]

I've only been working on travel hacking for a few years (2018 or 2019). I've done pretty well for us so far with a few redemptions here and there (mostly SW points, mini CP, Marriott, and a scheduled trip using Avios to Ireland in '23). This thread has been a great help. I've got a nice stash of UR and MRs and some C1 points to use in the future.

I'm currently finishing up the MSR for CIU (me) and an IHG card for P2. And then I was planning to take a break with new cards. I'm not sure why I didn't think about my DHs knee surgery in January that would easily hit most MSRs. For awhile, I toyed with the idea of going for a SW CP, but a couple of things had me change my mind. First, aside from the Ireland trip in June, we don't really have any big travel plans for 2023 aside from some smaller driving trips (and the first quarter of the year will be focused on his knee, TKR, rehab). Second, it's possible my DH will change his mind about moving forward with the knee surgery and that just sealed the deal on working for the CP -- it just doesn't make sense.

I think I'd like to get a Hilton Card to add to my wallet, but apparently I'm in pop-up jail (got a Amex Plat in June). DH is also in pop-up jail and he's only got the Amex Delta Blue card (sock drawer) so I guess it's just the velocity of cards we've opened in the last year.

Anyway, I can probably wait until he's wheeled back for surgery to decide on a card that I can then pay the bill with (lol), but has anyone just said "2x points for this is good enough" because they have a little fatigue? Or will I kick myself if I don't get a SUB for a $4k surgery?

 

[tink1970]

Question about Hyatt suite upgrade awards, which I'm using for the first time! For points bookings, I know that it's normal the upgrade won't show up online. But will the award show as redeemed? Or does that not happen until after the stay?

Wondering how I can see that everything went through fine. Or maybe the only way is to contact the hotel directly.

It's pretty inconsistent...sometimes it shows up, sometimes not. Sometimes you're charged, again sometimes not. I was worried about a big stay once and checked and double checked with my concierge (who has the patience of a saint!), otherwise if it's not that big of a deal, I hope that when I booked it and was told it was fine...it was.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Hyatt refunded my 15k from Chicago fully! Which allowed me to book the Hyatt in Dublin for free WOOOOO! I'll take it!

I've only been working on travel hacking for a few years (2018 or 2019). I've done pretty well for us so far with a few redemptions here and there (mostly SW points, mini CP, Marriott, and a scheduled trip using Avios to Ireland in '23). This thread has been a great help. I've got a nice stash of UR and MRs and some C1 points to use in the future.

I'm currently finishing up the MSR for CIU (me) and an IHG card for P2. And then I was planning to take a break with new cards. I'm not sure why I didn't think about my DHs knee surgery in January that would easily hit most MSRs. For awhile, I toyed with the idea of going for a SW CP, but a couple of things had me change my mind. First, aside from the Ireland trip in June, we don't really have any big travel plans for 2023 aside from some smaller driving trips (and the first quarter of the year will be focused on his knee, TKR, rehab). Second, it's possible my DH will change his mind about moving forward with the knee surgery and that just sealed the deal on working for the CP -- it just doesn't make sense.

I think I'd like to get a Hilton Card to add to my wallet, but apparently I'm in pop-up jail (got a Amex Plat in June). DH is also in pop-up jail and he's only got the Amex Delta Blue card (sock drawer) so I guess it's just the velocity of cards we've opened in the last year.

Anyway, I can probably wait until he's wheeled back for surgery to decide on a card that I can then pay the bill with (lol), but has anyone just said "2x points for this is good enough" because they have a little fatigue? Or will I kick myself if I don't get a SUB for a $4k surgery?

I mean I'm the person who was sitting at the funeral home last week opening the Amex Gold Biz. I'm still upset I didn't do Plat instead. UGH! But I would wait until you have the spend and open it. It took almost a month before my dad got a bill for his hip surgery. I'm waiting to see his bill for his 37 days in the ICU. Put some spend on the Amex cards between now and then and maybe you can get out! I've been in pop-up hell forever! It was a year plus (and I spend on my cards) before I could finally get the free Hilton Honors card. Then I went back into pop up hell 3 months later when I tried for the Amex Delta Plat. But 2 months later I was approved for the Amex Gold Biz. So no rhyme or reason. And again, I spend on all my cards. So IDK why Amex gets mad at me.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I've only been working on travel hacking for a few years (2018 or 2019). I've done pretty well for us so far with a few redemptions here and there (mostly SW points, mini CP, Marriott, and a scheduled trip using Avios to Ireland in '23). This thread has been a great help. I've got a nice stash of UR and MRs and some C1 points to use in the future.

I'm currently finishing up the MSR for CIU (me) and an IHG card for P2. And then I was planning to take a break with new cards. I'm not sure why I didn't think about my DHs knee surgery in January that would easily hit most MSRs. For awhile, I toyed with the idea of going for a SW CP, but a couple of things had me change my mind. First, aside from the Ireland trip in June, we don't really have any big travel plans for 2023 aside from some smaller driving trips (and the first quarter of the year will be focused on his knee, TKR, rehab). Second, it's possible my DH will change his mind about moving forward with the knee surgery and that just sealed the deal on working for the CP -- it just doesn't make sense.

I think I'd like to get a Hilton Card to add to my wallet, but apparently I'm in pop-up jail (got a Amex Plat in June). DH is also in pop-up jail and he's only got the Amex Delta Blue card (sock drawer) so I guess it's just the velocity of cards we've opened in the last year.

Anyway, I can probably wait until he's wheeled back for surgery to decide on a card that I can then pay the bill with (lol), but has anyone just said "2x points for this is good enough" because they have a little fatigue? Or will I kick myself if I don't get a SUB for a $4k surgery?

I would get an MSR for a $4k spend even if you have fatigue, bc you'll meet many MSRs with just that one charge, so there's not much effort except applying and paying with that card, once.
As long as you aren't expected to prepay anything, I would wait until I receive the bill to app for a card (usually payment is expected within 90 days with no "late" issues). Sometimes insurance billing can take a LONG time if the provider doesn't bill quickly or if there is anything that hangs the claim up and it doesn't get processed quickly. Also, remember, you may get different bills from the facility, the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, etc. If you do get out of pop up jail, and are thinking of an Amex, make sure they'll take Amex first.

You should have a nice 3 month break or so to help with the fatigue you are feeling right now. But if you're still feeling it by the time the bill rolls around, yes, be happy with 2x. The best way to travel hack is the way that works for you and we all have different "seasons" where we are heavy or light hacking.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I've only been working on travel hacking for a few years (2018 or 2019). I've done pretty well for us so far with a few redemptions here and there (mostly SW points, mini CP, Marriott, and a scheduled trip using Avios to Ireland in '23). This thread has been a great help. I've got a nice stash of UR and MRs and some C1 points to use in the future.

I'm currently finishing up the MSR for CIU (me) and an IHG card for P2. And then I was planning to take a break with new cards. I'm not sure why I didn't think about my DHs knee surgery in January that would easily hit most MSRs. For awhile, I toyed with the idea of going for a SW CP, but a couple of things had me change my mind. First, aside from the Ireland trip in June, we don't really have any big travel plans for 2023 aside from some smaller driving trips (and the first quarter of the year will be focused on his knee, TKR, rehab). Second, it's possible my DH will change his mind about moving forward with the knee surgery and that just sealed the deal on working for the CP -- it just doesn't make sense.

I think I'd like to get a Hilton Card to add to my wallet, but apparently I'm in pop-up jail (got a Amex Plat in June). DH is also in pop-up jail and he's only got the Amex Delta Blue card (sock drawer) so I guess it's just the velocity of cards we've opened in the last year.

Anyway, I can probably wait until he's wheeled back for surgery to decide on a card that I can then pay the bill with (lol), but has anyone just said "2x points for this is good enough" because they have a little fatigue? Or will I kick myself if I don't get a SUB for a $4k surgery?

I agree with waiting until the time of surgery. I found that any cc fatigue I had was eclipsed by having a new bonus met with those medical bills. (For me it was a broken shoulder earlier this year, the CC bonus was the silver lining.) You can stop or slow your pace whenever it's too much and if 2x is enough for you, that's all you need. Maybe it's because you are doing 2 MSRs at once but taking a couple months off to regroup will probably help. Also take that time to review your whole portfolio (and P2s) update any spreadsheets and cancel any cards you find extraneous. I try not to worry so much about what other people do because it's seldom right for me (for instance, I see all these aspirational trips or couples trips and know that we'd never go anywhere without DS at this stage.) Good luck and speedy healing for your DH surgery.

 

[leeniewdw]

Thanks everyone! I'll definitely take the advice and wait until we're in January and he's had the surgery before making a decision. I should be knocking out these 2 MSRs soon leaving me with a few months to relax.

Updating my cards and tracking is a great idea. I also need to do an 'inventory' on our streaming services and cut the ones we don't watch and updates dates on when some we've paid in advance for a full year, etc. I'm retiring this month, and after a trip down to visit my 94 yo mom (who will be moving from independent living to memory care), I'll have time to get a bit more organized overall.