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

[StephPlum]

One of my colleagues is Italian and just came back from a three week visit. I mentioned I would be in Rome in June and he mentioned the Jubilee which wasn't on my radar. I think it should be fine since we'll really only be in Rome one afternoon/evening then a full day before heading to the port. But makes me think twice about visiting the Vatican.

Uggh. Didn’t know about the Jubilee. I made sure to miss Easter. I have 3 days in Rome. I was hoping since offseason it would be less crowded. Oh well.

 

[wanderlust7]

Trying to book a Delta award flight at the end of calendar with an overnight connection that makes the connecting flight the day after end of calendar. Kept getting an error trying to book online. It goes all the way to the payment step and then fails. Tried chat, who told me that I can't book it until tomorrow due to that second flight. Anyone have experience with something like this? Not sure if chat is correct or maybe I should call.

Quoting myself. Got it booked by calling. The agent said she got an out of range error, put me on hold for a few minutes, and then got it booked. So the connecting flight past schedule open was definitely the issue and why I couldn't book online. But apparently, agents have a way to push it thorugh. Glad to get it done and not wait until tomorrow hoping the price doesn't change!

 

[wanderlust7]

@wanderlust7 Great trip report. So impressed with your use of FNCs!!! My youngest kids are a similar age and we are also at that point where we really enjoy the extra space, when possible. Not necessary, but always appreciated. I also have very picky eaters. They too prefer to sleep in, rather than have the expensive hotel breakfast, which takes pressure/guilt off of me, and it's nice to have some alone time with DH. They're happy with a quick grab and go item!!!
I haven't jumped on the Japan bandwagon because I really don't enjoy large cities for more than a day or so. Your photos of more picturesque settings have me thinking...

There are a lot of scenic places in Japan outside of the big cities. It's not wild beauty like Iceland, but often something man-made that accentuates nature's beauty. Like the torri gate on Miyajima that the one in Epcot is based on. We stayed overnight there and that was one of my favorite experiences from our first trip before kids. I also really like Arashiyama and Enoshima Island.

 

[Haley R]

There are a lot of scenic places in Japan outside of the big cities. It's not wild beauty like Iceland, but often something man-made that accentuates nature's beauty. Like the torri gate on Miyajima that the one in Epcot is based on. We stayed overnight there and that was one of my favorite experiences from our first trip before kids. I also really like Arashiyama and Enoshima Island.

Arashiyama is awesome! It’s so pretty.

 

[platamama]

We were in Japan and South Korea last month. Got around to putting up my hotel reviews. Itinerary was Tokyo – Kyoto – Seoul – Sapporo. All flights and hotels were with points (or FNC) except for the Airbnb in Sapporo.

SFO – NRT JAL biz through BA was 77,250 Avios and $284 taxes. CTS – HND – SFO JAL biz through BA was 89,750 Avios, $301 taxes. Japan to South Korea flights were KIX – GMP, ICN – CTS on Korean Air economy, 7500 Delta miles and around $20 taxes. These were short flights around 2 hours, but they served hot meals!

The hotels we stayed at, linked to reviews:
Hyatt House Shibuya
Roku Kyoto
Suiran Kyoto
Andaz Seoul
Riverside Hotel Sapporo – an unmanned apartment style hotel booked through Airbnb. Not a points hotel, so no review lol.

In Tokyo, we mostly shopped and ate. We met up with DD’s BFF from school for a day. Her dad is a churner and I told him how to get JAL biz seats through BA lol. We went to TeamLab Borderless and then Shibuya with them. We did TeamLab Planets last trip. There are some similarities, but Borderless you have to wander around and find your own way to the different rooms (hoping not to miss any). Planets is very structured – one room to the next. Planets is barefoot and in water sometimes, Borderless is not. I think I prefer Planets a little more, but maybe that’s because it was my first TeamLab. Or maybe because I like structure. Maybe both lol.

Kyoto was more scenic and relaxing. The hotels were more the destination, so I put what we did in the reviews.

In Seoul, we did a lot of touristy things since it was our first time in South Korea. The DMZ tour was DH’s favorite even though you can no longer go to the JSA. I found it really interesting too; even the kids enjoyed it. My most memorable part was walking into the Third Infiltration Tunnel that the North Koreans had dug. Too bad pictures aren’t allowed in there or even the entrance to the tunnel.

DH’s second favorite was the food tour of Gwangjang Market. It ended up being a private tour since it was only us. So much food leftover! The tour guide told us to take it all, but we had no microwave at the hotel, so asked him to take it home. We got to have the delicious, twisted donuts without waiting in the huge line since the tour has an arrangement with the stall. Most amazingly of all, DD (the picky eater) ate the still squirming raw octopus legs!

My favorite area was Insadong and Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. Wish we had more time to poke around the tiny streets of Ikseon-dong, but we were rushing to the food tour. Also wish we had more time to explore Gwangjang Market as well as Namdaemun Market, which we didn’t get to.

The Seoul subway system isn’t quite as complicated as Tokyo’s. One time, DD didn’t get on the train while the rest of us did. DS tried to stop the door from closing, but it didn’t work (dangerous!). Luckily, we had gotten her an eSIM for her phone. DH figured out that only that line goes through there, so we got off at the next station and told her to get on the next train. Don’t think this would have worked in Tokyo, we would have had to go back to find her. Which would have taken longer and resulted in more anxiety!

In Sapporo, we (i.e. the kids) shopped some more. It’s a much more manageable city than Tokyo. Got to try Sapporo style soup curry, Genghis Khan BBQ (named that because the grill is the shape of his hat), and kaisendon (bowl of raw seafood over rice). Did a day trip to Otaru, where there’s a scenic canal, cute shops, and street food. It’s too bad everything closes down around 5 pm (even the restaurants on the main tourist street). We should have gone earlier.

I looked into a day tour to Furano, but it would have been an early day. I have some regrets about not seeing more of Hokkaido. Now it’s on my list to go back for a road trip and see more places. Overall, it was a great trip and I’m so grateful everyone stayed healthy!

Arashiyama:

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Lovely Cheonggyecheon Stream in the middle of Seoul:

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Cable car to Namsan in Seoul:

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Otaru:

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Thanks for sharing! I'm really hoping to do a similar trip in 2026 so it's really helpful to see how you used your points & miles for the airfare and lodging. Which country would you visit first between the two? I was thinking of S. Korea first, but is it easier for award travel to get to Japan from the US?

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Yes, the amount of time we'd have at EWR before heading home to CLE. I too worried about the flight from Paris being delayed and I've actually been checking and that flight is pretty much on time. But yeah having that extra cushion of time would be nice, although I know DH will just want to get home. EWR is a lounge desert, but I do have a few United club passes we could use there.

I have no United experience, but wondering if you'd be able to do standby for that earlier flight or cancel/rebook to that earlier flight if your flight arrives on time? Could potentially make that change after you are wheels up on AF? I certainly know what it's like to just want to get home after an international trip.

 

[wanderlust7]

Thanks for sharing! I'm really hoping to do a similar trip in 2026 so it's really helpful to see how you used your points & miles for the airfare and lodging. Which country would you visit first between the two? I was thinking of S. Korea first, but is it easier for award travel to get to Japan from the US?

We flew in and out of Japan since I could get biz seats for 4. I didn't come across a way to do that flying to South Korea. Will you be 2 or 3? If only 2, you might have more options.

I've been stalking again since the kids want to go back to Japan, plus we didn't make it to Fantasy Springs. Going to add Shanghai this time. The JAL through BA release pattern seemed to be totally different outbound from SFO the first 3 weeks of June, not even economy was released. I ended up settling for UA premium economy for 65k miles and $5.60 taxes. The nice thing is it's completely refundable if something better comes along. Still stalking the return. The pattern seems more similar, but it's rare to see 4 available compared to before. Could be a combination of less seats released plus demand.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I've almost hit the MSR on my new CIU. UGH. I guess next up will be the IHG 5 FNC offer or a CIP. My macbook has been sitting in Cincy since 7/4. It's cleared customs. It was supposed to be here yesterday. I could have walked faster and gotten it. DHL has no idea why it's not moving. Very annoying. My school locked me out of my school macbook. I hope they didn't wipe it clean when they did that. I was hoping to get my new macbook right away and transfer over all my personal files at the end of June when Apple announced the college promo. But they didn't have the one I wanted in stock.

I head to NC w/ the kiddos next week. We were supposed to go this week, but I moved everything so my daughter could see Niall Horan. That was the night we got hit w/ the Beryl rain. She had lawn seats. So she didn't want to go. Right now I have like 5 rental cars on hold. I have seats booked on AA (DTW to CLT to EWN) and then I have 2 non-rev options (DTW to ATL to OAJ or DTW-RDU). I'm leaning towards flying to RDU and driving 3 hours. We get to leave an hour later, and we'd get to the beach about the same time. My son wants to do the AA connecting flight and only have 45 min drive, LOL. We'll see which I choose. I didn't book our trip as one way tickets. I don't know what I was thinking.

When I get back from NC, I turn around and head back to CHS for a New Kids concert w/ my BFF. She came here to see them last month. And then I have the cruise in August. LOTS of travel.

Just got my first denial from Chase for CIC card. I have a CIC (opened 9/23) and a CIU (opened 1/2023). I closed a CIC 3 days ago (open for over 2 years). I also just closed an IHG business card.

So two Chase business cards and I'm 2/24. I've only opened one card this year, and it was a US Bank card back in April. Where did I go wrong here? Should I have applied for a CIC instead (to replace the one that I closed)? Did I apply too soon?

Any recon if it's a flat denial?

I rarely make a big purchase and am able to meet a big spend, but I'm about to purchase $3500 worth of furniture. Obviously need a SUB!

I got denied back in May. I had 2 CIUs opened at the time, 2 CICs. I had just closed my IHG biz. I was being lazy and didn't close my other CIU first. So after the denial I closed 1 CIU and 1 CIC. I was approved when I tried again in June.

So.... If I can get 5x IHG points on restaurants, is that preferable to the 3x UR on the flex? wwyd? (BTW, confessing my major June fail was forgetting to use the flex for restaurant spend and using my CSR instead ) ..........Also- if I have Hilton spend....better to use my CSR or Hitlon Biz for 10x points? I always have tough time deciding which matters more to me in the points ecosystems....

I like the card pointers app. They will list which is "best". Then I decide what makes more sense for me. Sometimes it's using a UR card vs the branded card.

I just ordered mine gotta check for the credit- Hope they let me use this to pay for a room next month.....wwyd? (anyone here) Take a chance they'll let me use the gc and book a cash rate, or just book on points?

Couldn't you just book the room w/ your card and use the credit that way? I'm bringing my GCs to NC w/ me next week. We're staying at a DoubleTree. I plan on having them charge both my Surpass and Biz card for the $110 credits those have. And then use the GCs I have. Then I don't have to worry about ordering cards this quarter, LOL.

Erie is who we have and still had the big increase. We use a broker who is pricing her other providers for us (and states that Erie generally has the lowest increase of the bunch), but I'm going to branch out and get some quotes of my own. Does anyone have their insurance though Costco?

My mom used Costco for awhile w/ no issues (after her house fire when her premiums went way up). They don't offer both home and auto in MI though. So I'm w/ AAA. But my rates have gone up the last 2 years. GRRR.

 

[AmyAnne]

Anyone have thoughts about how long I should wait after closing an Ink card to apply for another?

I sent a sm on 7/8 to close the card (CIU) and got the confirmation that it was closed on 7/10. Planning to apply for the CIP. (Last Chase card app was 12/24.)

 

[hsmamato2]

so how long after I open the "support" page can I open a new one? I used one last month, and now the page just tells me I already have the page open, I want to generate the new 120k offer (CIP) Oops eta to change my wording

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

so how long after I open the "support" page can I open a new one? I used one last month, and now the page just tells me I already have the page open, I want to generate the new 120k offer (CIP) Oops eta to change my wording

Try closing the browser and clearing cookies. This has happened to me many times, the system thinks the page is still open. If you opened it on your phone, clear that, too.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

So this is the last month for Instacart statement credits through Chase Freedom and Sapphire cards. And thank goodness because it was such a chore to make sure those were used up every month/quarter. Though it was kind of nice when I actually needed something.

Anyway, I find it funny that I'll still have Instacart+ membership well into 2028 because of all the Chase cards in my family. I guess it can come in handy in a pinch.

 

[wanderlust7]

so how long after I open the "support" page can I open a new one? I used one last month, and now the page just tells me I already have the page open, I want to generate the new 120k offer (CIP) Oops eta to change my wording

Just checked and the support is still the old offer. Hopefully sometime next week, it'll change to the 120k offer.

When I get the page open error, I use a different browser.

 

[newski_mom]

So this is the last month for Instacart statement credits through Chase Freedom and Sapphire cards. And thank goodness because it was such a chore to make sure those were used up every month/quarter. Though it was kind of nice when I actually needed something.

Anyway, I find it funny that I'll still have Instacart+ membership well into 2028 because of all the Chase cards in my family. I guess it can come in handy in a pinch.

I get what you're saying, but I will kind of miss it. We are just outside the delivery area for most of the instacart, uber eats, door dash, etc credits. That just makes me rely on the stores/restaurants that allow for pickup. With the instacart credits, I started shopping at Aldi because it allowed free pickup. I kind of feel like it's a $180 a year benefit that they are taking away from the CSR. I guess I wouldn't count it with the full $180 value, but I still think of it as a valuable benefit they are taking away.

That being said, I agree that it's a big pain to chase all of the "coupons" that they throw our way!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I get what you're saying, but I will kind of miss it. We are just outside the delivery area for most of the instacart, uber eats, door dash, etc credits. That just makes me rely on the stores/restaurants that allow for pickup. With the instacart credits, I started shopping at Aldi because it allowed free pickup. I kind of feel like it's a $180 a year benefit that they are taking away from the CSR. I guess I wouldn't count it with the full $180 value, but I still think of it as a valuable benefit they are taking away.

That being said, I agree that it's a big pain to chase all of the "coupons" that they throw our way!

I agree, it was a way to get more value. And I didn't have to use it if it's too much to handle... But I always feel like I had to or I was throwing money away, lol

I just hope that the end of these credits will mean Chase will add something else of value to their cards, something that is easier to take advantage of

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So I saw that my Amex Hilton Biz AF posted on 6/14. But it's the grandfathered $95. I was going to cancel it, but I guess considering I can get $60/qtr back, it makes sense (for now) to keep it one more year. I don't really use the other "perks" since I have the Surpass. But I'm still getting $240 in credit for $95. So I guess it gets one more year in my wallet, LOL.

This lead me to remember that I have $150 hotel credit on my Delta Biz Amex Gold. I have way too many hotel credits/stays to use before the end of the year. YIKES!

 

[afan]

So I saw that my Amex Hilton Biz AF posted on 6/14. But it's the grandfathered $95. I was going to cancel it, but I guess considering I can get $60/qtr back, it makes sense (for now) to keep it one more year. I don't really use the other "perks" since I have the Surpass. But I'm still getting $240 in credit for $95. So I guess it gets one more year in my wallet, LOL.

This lead me to remember that I have $150 hotel credit on my Delta Biz Amex Gold. I have way too many hotel credits/stays to use before the end of the year. YIKES!

The 150 for Delta doesn't have to be this year. I used it to prepay for a night next May I need near cdg for my flight the next morning. Easier/way cheaper than another night at DLP.

Plan on doing similar with my plat hotel credit if I can figure out where to use it next year. Will then use the 2025 credit for a 2nd night so I won't book anything until Dec.

 

[GZanta77]

So I saw that my Amex Hilton Biz AF posted on 6/14. But it's the grandfathered $95. I was going to cancel it, but I guess considering I can get $60/qtr back, it makes sense (for now) to keep it one more year. I don't really use the other "perks" since I have the Surpass. But I'm still getting $240 in credit for $95. So I guess it gets one more year in my wallet, LOL.

This lead me to remember that I have $150 hotel credit on my Delta Biz Amex Gold. I have way too many hotel credits/stays to use before the end of the year. YIKES!

Don't forget the broad 5x points on the Hilton Biz - can be useful on spend that isn't a bonus category elsewhere.

 

[newski_mom]

I agree, it was a way to get more value. And I didn't have to use it if it's too much to handle... But I always feel like I had to or I was throwing money away, lol

I just hope that the end of these credits will mean Chase will add something else of value to their cards, something that is easier to take advantage of

I agree - one year I couldn't use the FHR credit on either of our AmEx plat cards. I hated throwing that credit away, but I would have spent more using it than I would have saved that year. It still bugged me though!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I agree, it was a way to get more value. And I didn't have to use it if it's too much to handle... But I always feel like I had to or I was throwing money away, lol

I just hope that the end of these credits will mean Chase will add something else of value to their cards, something that is easier to take advantage of

Personally I like the Instacart credits but not the Door dash credits. Just today, tried ordering Door Dash delivery, extra $30 in fees & tip. Better to order directly from the restaurant. For a while they had GoPuff credits, it's not even in our area.
I feel like most of the credits are a pain to use and one of the reasons I have no Amex MR cards because I can't use most of the credits.