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

[LynnTH]

No. The US doesn’t require any compensation for delays of any kind.

Anything the airline gives her is goodwill and she can always ask for more.

She did just text me. They gave them a $100 voucher...

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Nope, best option for you is most likely to not pay any cc fee for lounge access. No PP at EWR, basically no PP at LAX. IF you want the VentureX Cap1 has a nice lounge at DFW but I still would only get it if you want the bonus and be aware it will hit your 5/24.

Thanks for your input! Sad that PP wouldn't be helpful. Venture X has been on my radar before, but the high AF always deters me. I'll have to look into it more to see if we can get enough value out of it to make sense.

The Hilton biz SUB isn't great right now, so you might want to hold off on that.

If you have a card you can upgrade to the CSR, you can use the $300 travel credit twice on one $550 AF. That PP would come with non-lounge options that the Amex one does not. I see there's a couple PP lounges at DFW, couple Minute Suites and a restaurant.

Didn't even think to check and see if the Hilton biz SUB was good right now or not, thanks for reminding me! We do have a CSP that we could upgrade. Does the PP Select membership that comes with the CSR include lounges PLUS the non-lounge options then? Does access at PP lounges operate the same as other airline clubs do, where they can deny the "free passes" entry? So essentially, are you not guaranteed entry with PP membership? I'd hate to upgrade to CSR for this benefit (and others of course, but this is our immediate need), and find out we couldn't get entry.

Also, double dipping on the travel credit... for example, would I use it now when I upgrade (or anytime in the next year), and then next year when the next AF posts, use the credit again, and cancel/downgrade within 30 days of AF posting? We just paid the CSP fee last month... do they prorate it? We've never had a CSR before... again because high AF usually deter us.

 

[gottalovepluto]

She did just text me. They gave them a $100 voucher...

And just like Never Again became a distant memory

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks for your input! Sad that PP wouldn't be helpful. Venture X has been on my radar before, but the high AF always deters me. I'll have to look into it more to see if we can get enough value out of it to make sense.

I would give lounge access $0 value when valuing that Cap1. If you get delayed or re-routed you won’t be able to use it so you don’t know for certain there is value there.

 

[afan]

Also, double dipping on the travel credit... for example, would I use it now when I upgrade (or anytime in the next year), and then next year when the next AF posts, use the credit again, and cancel/downgrade within 30 days of AF posting? We just paid the CSP fee last month... do they prorate it? We've never had a CSR before... again because high AF usually deter us.

It wouldn't go by the af date but the anniversary date. You won't get charged the af on the csr right away, it normally takes 2 to 3 months. So you could technically PC it today, use the 300 credit tomorrow and then next year it'll reset somewhere around now. I can't remember if it's statement date or something else. But you'd be able to use it again and PC back to a csp before the af hits.

 

[wanderlust7]

Thanks for your input! Sad that PP wouldn't be helpful. Venture X has been on my radar before, but the high AF always deters me. I'll have to look into it more to see if we can get enough value out of it to make sense.

Didn't even think to check and see if the Hilton biz SUB was good right now or not, thanks for reminding me! We do have a CSP that we could upgrade. Does the PP Select membership that comes with the CSR include lounges PLUS the non-lounge options then? Does access at PP lounges operate the same as other airline clubs do, where they can deny the "free passes" entry? So essentially, are you not guaranteed entry with PP membership? I'd hate to upgrade to CSR for this benefit (and others of course, but this is our immediate need), and find out we couldn't get entry.

Also, double dipping on the travel credit... for example, would I use it now when I upgrade (or anytime in the next year), and then next year when the next AF posts, use the credit again, and cancel/downgrade within 30 days of AF posting? We just paid the CSP fee last month... do they prorate it? We've never had a CSR before... again because high AF usually deter us.

The CSR PP comes with lounge options as well. There's info on the PP website and app for when access is valid. Following that, we've only been denied access once. It was at the China Airlines lounge in SFO. We already ate at a PP restaurant and DH just wanted to grab a soda.

If you upgrade your CSP, they'll prorate a refund, then a few months down the line charge you the $550 AF. You can use the credit from when you upgrade to before it resets about a year after you upgrade (it'll show when in your account). Unlike Amex, Chase doesn't keep the same anniversary when you PC. I remember @becauseimnew shared her upgrade/downgrade details before and the total AF ended up less than $550 while still using the travel credit twice.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Also, double dipping on the travel credit... for example, would I use it now when I upgrade (or anytime in the next year), and then next year when the next AF posts, use the credit again, and cancel/downgrade within 30 days of AF posting? We just paid the CSP fee last month... do they prorate it? We've never had a CSR before... again because high AF usually deter us.

DH upgraded his CSP to CSR 12/2022, AF refund for the CSP for $61 credited that month. Used the travel credit in 12/2022. New AF posted 4/1/23. Travel credit reset when December statement closed 2023 (last month) and I used it already. Interestingly, I have been using Instacart with all my Chase cards and when I upgraded DHs card to CSR, I got a bunch of retroactive $15 Instacart credits. So the next AF should be 4/1 and we've already used the TC twice and Instacart $15 x12 (plus a few extra) so at least $780 worth of credits.

 

[Sheree]

Because I always ignore this....best way to use the Amex $200 airline credit on actual tickets vs seats, luggage, etc. Oh and how do I score the best Amex Plat offer right now? When I pull up on my browser I get 80k

I buy United TB 4100 twice

 

[wanderlust7]

Because I always ignore this....best way to use the Amex $200 airline credit on actual tickets vs seats, luggage, etc. Oh and how do I score the best Amex Plat offer right now? When I pull up on my browser I get 80k

Best plat offer is 150k for $8000 spend in 6 months. But you'll have to try different ways to pull it up - different browers, incognito or not, with VPN or not, different computers/devices, different internet connection, plus different combinations of those things!

I can pull it up with Edge, on the first google search for amex platinum. The search result says 80k but the page has it crossed out for 150k. The other day I could pull it up in Chrome, but now I can't. So it really is very variable - good luck!

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

@afan @wanderlust7 @CyndiLouWho thanks for the info! I guess I should use the $50 hotel credit on the CSP first since that just reset, then it sounds like a win-win to upgrade, especially if I can double dip the travel credit and get lounge access for upcoming flights. Only downside I see is that DH will have to call to PC, ugh. LOL

 

[CyndiLouWho]

@afan @wanderlust7 @CyndiLouWho thanks for the info! I guess I should use the $50 hotel credit on the CSP first since that just reset, then it sounds like a win-win to upgrade, especially if I can double dip the travel credit and get lounge access for upcoming flights. Only downside I see is that DH will have to call to PC, ugh. LOL

Yes but it's a good call. Lol. They like people upgrading and won't try to talk him into anything. They really just read the T&C to you.

 

[mmmears]

Anyone hear a rumor about a good SUB coming up for the CSR? I would like to churn my CSP but now I'm stuck waiting for a decent sign up offer.

I find value in airline cards for the bonus. The benefits are just gravy.

We did get the United Explorer card to have access to the expanded award space. Downgraded to the no AF Gateway after a year and kept the access. It's nice to be able to see that, but it wasn't as great as I'd hoped. Of course it just depends on what you're looking for, YMMV.

This is helpful info. I think that we fly out of the same airport area, and I keep wondering if the United expanded access could be helpful since we find ourselves flying United more and more these days. What kind of things have you seen?

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Was supposed to head to a Hilton resort in Mexico*, but about 12 hours before departure, I seemed to have caught Influenza A, which my daughter had earlier in the week. Of course we decided to cancel, knowing the resort has a 14 or 21 day cancellation policy. I attempted to cancel with the resort, but they sent me to the Diamond Desk. The person at the Diamond Desk (later learned she wasn't the DD) had me on hold for an hour while she said DD was calling and emailing the resort, and claiming no response. All this while I was ill.

Eventually I heard back from the resort and due to their strict cancellation policy, we would forfeit all three of our FNCs. I made the decision with this expectation, but I guess I was surprised this resort, lauded for it's service, wouldn't have some compassion for documented illness, especially as we are returning guests many times over. It could be worse, there are some resorts which will refund your points and charge you the cash rate...

A few days later I sent a request to the guest services director and was offered 2 of the 3 nts back. Except they refunded it in points, which are more flexible than FNCs and at the high resort value point per night. So I'll take it as a win and I'm very appreciative for the exception. But I still have two Aspire credits to use Jan-June, so what to do...

*I won't mention the name, but regulars here are probably aware

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

So after this recent cancellation, I'm fairly burnt out on travel planning. Our son just told us he's eloping!!! In less than two months! Luckily we are invited to the elopment. I guess I'll get on that travel planning It's a good problem to have and I'm super excited for their future together.

 

[gottalovepluto]

So after this recent cancellation, I'm fairly burnt out on travel planning. Our son just told us he's eloping!!! In less than two months! Luckily we are invited to the elopment. I guess I'll get on that travel planning It's a good problem to have and I'm super excited for their future together.

Well you saved some dough at least!

Hope you get better quick and are excited for your family addition!

 

[djmeredith]

Just a warning about a new scam.

I saw on my cousin’s Facebook story that she was selling 4 Taylor Swift tickets to her Saturday night Toronto concert and to message her if interested. So I messaged her right away and she said she wanted $400.00 / ticket, which seemed quite low. She then asked which e-mail I used for TicketMaster, which I gave her. She said she’d put my name on the tickets as soon as she received the $$ and gave me a bizarre e-mail address to send the $$ to (something like bgzvht@gmail.com) — I questioned the odd address and she said that’s the one she used to receive money transfers. I said that I’d send a $5.00 test to make sure she received the money before sending the rest of the funds. She said she’d like at least half. I said fine, before I send please let me know my mom’s first name (I know that I’ve never posted that info on FB). Several minutes go by and I get IDK. I said of course you know, you’re my cousin and you knew my mom most of your life. She then comes back with my dh and dd’s names (both linked on FB); I said please tell me my dad’s first name. Again, nothing. At which point I said I’m not sending any money and I’m going to let my cousin know that her FB account has been hacked.

Please be careful everyone looking for TS tickets. Some people have no moral compass, which saddens me. Hopefully my cousin gets into her account and lets all of her friends know that her account was hacked and no one sent $$ to the scammer. Because it was on her story I couldn’t post a reply that her friends would see.

Ugh, I hate scammers. I saw a similar TS tix posted to our small town's group and immediately thought to myself, this is probably a scam. If it's a "relative," we let our guard down. Glad you followed your gut and didn't lose your money!

 

[Rex1993]

What’s the best card right now for large travel spend? The next year or so we will probably have $50k+ in travel spend. Right now I’m having a tough time finding anything better than just using my CSR.

Don’t fly Southwest so no interest in the companion pass.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I am currently sitting in the Sakura Lounge in the Bangkok airport waiting for my flight to Haneda (JAL first using AA points).

My stay in Koh Samui ended on a bang, literally. Since I arrived the staff was talking about a wedding that was to take place last night. When I got back to my villa after dinner the walls and windows were vibrating from the DJ music, which was incredibly loud. Then just as I was drifting off to sleep around 11:00 I thought there were gunshots. Turns out they set off fireworks, which lasted for about 5 mins. Since I was awoken so abruptly I had a heck of a time getting back to sleep. I can’t believe they let the wedding party set off fireworks at such a late hour when at least 4 of the villas were not occupied by wedding guests. The loud music continued until midnight. Ugh. Even though I enjoyed the fine Koh Samui weather and food at the resort I can’t see myself wanting to go back to the Cape Fahn.

On another note, I am toying with the idea of going to Tokyo DisneySea tomorrow. My flight lands at 6:40am (it’s an hour late leaving Bangkok tonight); I don’t know how long it will take to clear customs, can’t imagine more than 15-20 mins. If I take a taxi to the hotel (Tokyo Station Hotel on Hyatt points) it should only take 15 minutes. Then I can drop off my bags and take a taxi to DisneySea. Thoughts anyone? It’s open from 9-9 tomorrow and there are tickets available.

 

[becauseimnew]

What’s the best card right now for large travel spend? The next year or so we will probably have $50k+ in travel spend. Right now I’m having a tough time finding anything better than just using my CSR.

Don’t fly Southwest so no interest in the companion pass.

For travel benefits the CSR is the best, you'll earn 3x on all travel plus you'll have primary car rental insurance and trip delay insurance.

To maximize points earn on normal spend you'll just need to open several cards.

 

[wdwpluto]

On another note, I am toying with the idea of going to Tokyo DisneySea tomorrow. My flight lands at 6:40am (it’s an hour late leaving Bangkok tonight); I don’t know how long it will take to clear customs, can’t imagine more than 15-20 mins. If I take a taxi to the hotel (Tokyo Station Hotel on Hyatt points) it should only take 15 minutes. Then I can drop off my bags and take a taxi to DisneySea. Thoughts anyone? It’s open from 9-9 tomorrow and there are tickets available.

I say YOLO and do it! TDS is such a unique Disney park and if you haven't been it's worth spending the time (or the extra time) and tickets are SO cheap there compared to US parks!