I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 & 2024 (see first page for add'l details)

[becauseimnew]

OK first time post in this area, total newbie so please be gentle .

I currently have three open credit cards, only one approved in the past 24 months. We took advantage of the Chase SW 100,000 points offer to earn a companion pass for the first time ever in mid 2022. Current cards:

04/17 - CHASE Sapphire Preferred
12/21 - CHASE Southwest Rapid Rewards
02/20 - CHASE Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Personal

1. We pay for everything allowed on our favorite card, the CSP.
2. We always, without exception, pay the full balance on our cards.
3. We fly out of DAL and DFW, and occasionally out of IAH.
4. We prefer SW and AA FF programs.
5. We prefer Bonvoy but are open to others.
6. Currently have around 100,000 SW RR points and 100,000 Chase Rewards points

Traveling is easily our biggest interest! We have been using points and sign up bonuses to help with hotel stays during our huge road trips across the USA. We set a goal to visit all 50 states with our two kids (DD15 and DS12) before our daughter graduates from HS in 2025. This coming July we will achieve that goal 2 years early when we fly to Maui and Oahu (and using our SW CP to save $$). Yours truly is turning 50 during this trip so it truly will be the big Hawaii 5-0. I even added a couple of DLand days to the trip on our way back to Texas - I may have issues at this point.

So, with all of the above information, my first question is what suggestions/advice or recommended credit cards do you have for me now that our focus will shift much more to international travel. Europe will be our likely first choice (Ireland, London, Paris, Italy, etc.). I want to hop the pond for this trip either summer 2024 or definitely by graduation summer 2025. It would be our four pack going (myself, wife, daughter and son).

Also is there a solid all around card that has a 1:1 transfer to AA like our beloved CSP card does for SW and United?

I really want to learn more ways to use card offers and strategy to maximum benefit. Wife and I started applying individually for some credit card offers 3-4 years ago (declining spouse card option) - is this considered a good practice?

Hopefully this all makes sense - any guidance, critiques and/or help is greatly appreciated. Glad I found this forum - I have a lot to learn for sure!

Hi and welcome.
Looks like you have already dipped your toes into the credit card world and are off to a great start.
Unfortunately there aren't any transfers to AA, but being in the DFW does have some other solid options to getting to Europe.
Air France has direct flights to Paris, you can fly direct for about 22,000/person in economy (Y) and about 70K in Business (J). Air France is travel partners with lots of major credit card companies including Chase and American Express.
Iberia has a direct flight to Madrid, you can transfer Chase and Amex to Avios.
I wouldn't recommend any of the personal Chase cards right now because the SUBs (Sign up bonuses) wait until the SUB increases.
I would highly recommend the Chase Business Ink Cash, if you sell anything on the side or you have any other side gig you can apply for a chase business card. Right now the offer is 90,000 URs/$6,000 MSR. And they have support links, once you have a Chase ink card you can refer your spouse and she can earn the SUB and you'll earn 20K URs.
Most of us here have several Chase business cards, just with our side gigs. You can hop on over to https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/ and grab a support link to apply for your first Chase ink card.
If you decide to apply for a Chase business card we can help you with the application, you'll have to use your first name/last name as the business name as a sole proprietorship.
I would also hold off on applying for AA cards, wait until a higher SUB. I've been able to get 80K points on the Barclay AA card.
I'm based out of Tulsa so AA is my preferred airline too.

 

[trenty]

very OT -sorry! I know there are VA residents here. I plan to gift a car currently registered and titled in NY to my DS in VA. I have googled, read, googled and read over and over. I think that if the car has had a recent inspection in NY all he needs is: the title signed over and marked as gift, proof of insurance, his VA license and other proof of residency, and the proper DMV forms/fees. Am I missing anything? Anything else I need to know?

 

[R5Jedi]

Hi! New to the thread here, and kind of actually new to credit cards in general.

I just have one credit card:

02/22- Chase Freedom Signature Visa

I'm looking into credit cards that will help me to travel more. I'm 23 and for the first time in adulthood, pretty financially stable with a lot of disposable income. I want to start traveling to Disney on my own multiple times a year, and with my partner once every few years (he would love to go multiple times a year too but he has a less flexible job than I do)

He is also very anxiety prone and the few times we have flown southwest have been almost enough to put him off traveling altogether. No assigned seats, the 24 hour check in, it's all too much for him. And of course, with the holiday meltdown, neither of us trust the brand too much anymore So I've been trying to find ways to make other airlines a little cheaper and i think I'm ready to get into the travel credit card game!

To answer the questions:

- Our expenses are probably around $1500 a month and i would put a good amount of that on a credit card. I already put most expenses on my chase freedom for the cash back.

-My answer to this is normally yes, however the last few months there were some emergencies, and i was out of work for a month due to health issues, so i had a balance that carried over for a few months. However, I am back to work and making way more than I did before, and paying it off quickly while still putting money towards savings.

-We normally fly out of Ohare or Midway.

-Not yet!

- Southwest is a no go for us now

-Not yet!

-Again, not yet!

-Disney trips and some occasional other travel!

-During the off season. We arent having kids so im always going to try to go when it will be less busy.

-It will usually be just me, but my boyfriend will come along when he can get off work!


I'm looking into the United Explorer Visa, or the Delta Skymiles Gold. I also checked out the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Airlines Mastercard.

I'm not sure which one would be best between the United or Delta. I already bank with chase, would it be easier to stick with United since that card is through Chase?

Thanks so much for any advice anyone is willing to give.

 

[havaneselover]

very OT -sorry! I know there are VA residents here. I plan to gift a car currently registered and titled in NY to my DS in VA. I have googled, read, googled and read over and over. I think that if the car has had a recent inspection in NY all he needs is: the title signed over and marked as gift, proof of insurance, his VA license and other proof of residency, and the proper DMV forms/fees. Am I missing anything? Anything else I need to know?

Depends where in VA. Some localities require emissions testing although that's probably what you can bypass if it's been done recently in NY. I also believe you need a safety inspection (we have to have them annually and have to have the sticker displayed although I'm not sure if that needs to be done before registration). And somehow the car has to be registered with the locality for personal property taxes but I'm not sure if that happens through DMV.

 

[GoHorns94]

As you already have a good stash of Chase Ultimate rewards it would seem a good place to focus as it is such a flexible currency. As it has been more than 4 years since you obtained the CSP, I would downgrade that card to a Chase Freedom Flex so you can benefit from the quarterly 5X categories, and then apply for a new CSP which will earn you a new sign up bonus.

I have never thought of downgrading and reapplying for a new Chase Sapphire. How long would I need to wait after downgrading before applying do you think?

Also, my wife and I both received the same chase sapphire years ago (at the time we did not know about applying individually), so I’m guessing I could downgrade our current CSP cards and then we each could individually apply for a new CSP to double our bonus potentially?

Thank you!

 

[becauseimnew]

Hi! New to the thread here, and kind of actually new to credit cards in general.

I just have one credit card:

02/22- Chase Freedom Signature Visa

I'm looking into credit cards that will help me to travel more. I'm 23 and for the first time in adulthood, pretty financially stable with a lot of disposable income. I want to start traveling to Disney on my own multiple times a year, and with my partner once every few years (he would love to go multiple times a year too but he has a less flexible job than I do)

He is also very anxiety prone and the few times we have flown southwest have been almost enough to put him off traveling altogether. No assigned seats, the 24 hour check in, it's all too much for him. And of course, with the holiday meltdown, neither of us trust the brand too much anymore So I've been trying to find ways to make other airlines a little cheaper and i think I'm ready to get into the travel credit card game!

To answer the questions:

- Our expenses are probably around $1500 a month and i would put a good amount of that on a credit card. I already put most expenses on my chase freedom for the cash back.

-My answer to this is normally yes, however the last few months there were some emergencies, and i was out of work for a month due to health issues, so i had a balance that carried over for a few months. However, I am back to work and making way more than I did before, and paying it off quickly while still putting money towards savings.

-We normally fly out of Ohare or Midway.

-Not yet!

- Southwest is a no go for us now

-Not yet!

-Again, not yet!

-Disney trips and some occasional other travel!

-During the off season. We arent having kids so im always going to try to go when it will be less busy.

-It will usually be just me, but my boyfriend will come along when he can get off work!


I'm looking into the United Explorer Visa, or the Delta Skymiles Gold. I also checked out the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Airlines Mastercard.

I'm not sure which one would be best between the United or Delta. I already bank with chase, would it be easier to stick with United since that card is through Chase?

Thanks so much for any advice anyone is willing to give.

Hi and welcome.

I would say United and Delta are both great options, O'hare is one of United's big hubs.
I think United has really good sign up bonuses (SUBs) right now. The Explorer is at 70K miles + no annual fee the first year. Check the https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/ for some support links.
I did a quick check and I didn't see any good SUBs on the Delta cards, you can usually get the Gold for about 70K miles + no AF the first year. I would wait for a similar offer.
Hold off on getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) in the last 2 years the SUBs have gone up to 80K points. But it is good to have the (CSP) in your wallet because that allows you to transfer you Chase points to their travel partners, included United.
Happy to answer any questions.

 

[trenty]

Depends where in VA. Some localities require emissions testing although that's probably what you can bypass if it's been done recently in NY. I also believe you need a safety inspection (we have to have them annually and have to have the sticker displayed although I'm not sure if that needs to be done before registration). And somehow the car has to be registered with the locality for personal property taxes but I'm not sure if that happens through DMV.

Thanks. He is in Arlington and needs the emission and safety. But everything I read about that says to bring VA registration which it seems we can’t get without the inspection/emissions. The car was inspected in NY in December so hopefully that will suffice.

Didn’t know about the personal property tax thing. I will look into that as well.

 

[lsutigers03]

If I have had the IHG Premier personal card within the last 24 months can I still get the bonus for the business version?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I have never thought of downgrading and reapplying for a new Chase Sapphire. How long would I need to wait after downgrading before applying do you think?

Also, my wife and I both received the same chase sapphire years ago (at the time we did not know about applying individually), so I’m guessing I could downgrade our current CSP cards and then we each could individually apply for a new CSP to double our bonus potentially?

Thank you!

You can apply 4 days after downgrading to a CFU.

Since you both currently have the CSP, I’d generate support links from both cards and save them. Then after 4 days you can each apply using the other ones support link for extra support URs…they will post on the downgraded freedom cards

 

[Best Aunt]

I'm looking into the United Explorer Visa, or the Delta Skymiles Gold. I also checked out the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Airlines Mastercard.

I'm not sure which one would be best between the United or Delta. I already bank with chase, would it be easier to stick with United since that card is through Chase?

When you decide between United and Delta, don't forget that both have "shopping portals." If you are going to shop online and you go to the portal, you can see if the website you want to use participates. If it does, you can earn miles by shopping through the portal rather than going directly to the website. Of course there are other options, but this is an easy way to ease into it if your goal is to build up miles rather than cash back if you are going to be using a card which is tied to an airline rather than one which gives general travel rewards.

Another thing to consider is if either card has airline perks that you like. Delta has a lot of categories for boarding the plane; having a credit card might push you into a higher category. Maybe you care about that, maybe you don't. United might give you passes to an airport lounge. Again, maybe you care about that, and maybe you don't.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/check-in-security/boarding-priority

 

[StephPlum]

If I have had the IHG Premier personal card within the last 24 months can I still get the bonus for the business version?

I’m planning to get the IHG Biz and have the Premier and old IHG $49 AF card. Everything I’ve read says you can have personal IHG and a Biz IHG at the same time. You’re good to apply.

 

[havaneselover]

Thanks. He is in Arlington and needs the emission and safety. But everything I read about that says to bring VA registration which it seems we can’t get without the inspection/emissions. The car was inspected in NY in December so hopefully that will suffice.

Didn’t know about the personal property tax thing. I will look into that as well.

I just got my form from the county for my new crv. The dmv does report to the county then the county sends you a form to fill out to put you on the personal property tax rolls.

So I think you are right. Emissions should transfer. Safety is after I believe. You should be good.

 

[trenty]

I just got my form from the county for my nee crv. The dmv does report to the county then the county sends you a form to fill out to put you on the personal property tax rolls.

So I think you are right. Emissions should transfer. Safety is after I believe. You should be good.

Thanks

 

[Psychodisney]

Hi! New to the thread here, and kind of actually new to credit cards in general.

I just have one credit card:

02/22- Chase Freedom Signature Visa

I'm looking into credit cards that will help me to travel more. I'm 23 and for the first time in adulthood, pretty financially stable with a lot of disposable income. I want to start traveling to Disney on my own multiple times a year, and with my partner once every few years (he would love to go multiple times a year too but he has a less flexible job than I do)

He is also very anxiety prone and the few times we have flown southwest have been almost enough to put him off traveling altogether. No assigned seats, the 24 hour check in, it's all too much for him. And of course, with the holiday meltdown, neither of us trust the brand too much anymore So I've been trying to find ways to make other airlines a little cheaper and i think I'm ready to get into the travel credit card game!

To answer the questions:

- Our expenses are probably around $1500 a month and i would put a good amount of that on a credit card. I already put most expenses on my chase freedom for the cash back.

-My answer to this is normally yes, however the last few months there were some emergencies, and i was out of work for a month due to health issues, so i had a balance that carried over for a few months. However, I am back to work and making way more than I did before, and paying it off quickly while still putting money towards savings.

-We normally fly out of Ohare or Midway.

-Not yet!

- Southwest is a no go for us now

-Not yet!

-Again, not yet!

-Disney trips and some occasional other travel!

-During the off season. We arent having kids so im always going to try to go when it will be less busy.

-It will usually be just me, but my boyfriend will come along when he can get off work!


I'm looking into the United Explorer Visa, or the Delta Skymiles Gold. I also checked out the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Airlines Mastercard.

I'm not sure which one would be best between the United or Delta. I already bank with chase, would it be easier to stick with United since that card is through Chase?

Thanks so much for any advice anyone is willing to give.

Welcome!
Check the Delta website. We don’t get great Delta choices in Chicago for nonstops. United will probably be a better option. Plug in some hypothetical dates on google flights and see which airline’s schedules look best to you. I’m not a fan of United’s point redemptions. . I know you’re scared of SW right now but they are a great option. Maybe if you both get early bird checkin that would alleviate your DBF’s anxiety.
Another option is the Capital One Venture or Venture X. That would give you flexibility to use different airlines.
Other advice you didn’t ask for….save, save, save that disposable income! Fully fund an emergency fund, your Roth IRA etc. (Sorry, that’s the mom in me coming out).

 

[catsinawindow]

Speaking of the $900 Chase offer, would there be a reasonable way for both me and P2 to take advantage of it if we only had ~$20,000 to park? I'm thinking if I open the accounts in my name now, deposit the necessary funds right away, wait the necessary 90 days from account opening, then open the accounts in P2's name close to the expiration date of the deal, I might be able to move the funds into P2's account quickly enough? It looks like timing might be tight, though...

 

[lsutigers03]

I’m planning to get the IHG Biz and have the Premier and old IHG $49 AF card. Everything I’ve read says you can have personal IHG and a Biz IHG at the same time. You’re good to apply.

Thanks was just approved.

 

[catsinawindow]

Can you share what if any confirmation you got about the $900 offer being applied to your accounts? During the process of opening the accounts, I got a message that said something like "We opened your accounts but we are having trouble applying the offer. We will send you an email when we have applied the offer." So far the only email I've gotten says that the accounts are open, but no mention of the bonus.

I am pretty certain that I meet all of the criteria for the bonus (no Chase checking or savings accounts within the past several years). I plan on sending a secure message tomorrow but I'm curious if anyone has had this same thing happen.

Did you ever end up hearing from them about this? I just applied and got the same message.

 

[Alexle2007]

Totally off topic but I know many of you have HS students or recent HS grads. No idea how time went so fast, but DS will be in high school next year, so the time is upon us to register for next years classes. The school sends home a page of his recommendations for classes, his are all honors or AP, plus Spanish 2. He may struggle a bit with honors English as he has been in core English thus far (advanced English track was decided when the kids were in 3rd grade.) The class he (and I) are unsure about is AP human geo. I have heard it is pretty hard, lots of reading and homework. My niece said it's no big deal, though she had it remotely (in 2020 due to COVID) and she takes all AP/honors classes so may be biased. DS also wants to play soccer (HS team in fall, club in winter & spring)
Is AP Human Geo a tough enough class that DS may struggle with all honors classes and a sport or is it "reasonable?" (His other option is "regular" human geo)

My DS took this class in 10th grade and it was definitely a lot of homework and Studying. Plus the AP exam was tough.

 

[Alexle2007]

My DH has gotten the cruise bug and now wants to do Alaska in Aug. (He seems to have forgotten that I will still be working and not retired like him.) We are looking at this itinerary. Any thoughts on it?

 

[afan]

My DH has gotten the cruise bug and now wants to do Alaska in Aug. (He seems to have forgotten that I will still be working and not retired like him.) We are looking at this itinerary. Any thoughts on it?View attachment 733470

I'd leave out of vancouver vs seattle if you can. Avoids the stop in victoria, unless you want to go there. Even living here I'd drive or take the train to vancouver for an Alaska cruise.