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

[LynnTH]

Going through CC's faster than I thought (that always happens) and now I am at a stand still of getting something. Was denied for Cap One Venture ( I already have this card and have had 2 cards at one time, so thought I would give it a try. No go. Reason: I have already received bonus on this card)

Then tried for another CIC - denied on that one also. I knew I was getting up there with a bunch of Biz Cards and last one was 2 months ago. So, need to cool it with Chase. DH Just got 2 recent Chase cards too.

So, now I don't know what to get - or just wait a few months... (I hate waiting) UGHH!!!

 

[elgerber]

Going through CC's faster than I thought (that always happens) and now I am at a stand still of getting something. Was denied for Cap One Venture ( I already have this card and have had 2 cards at one time, so thought I would give it a try. No go. Reason: I have already received bonus on this card)

Then tried for another CIC - denied on that one also. I knew I was getting up there with a bunch of Biz Cards and last one was 2 months ago. So, need to cool it with Chase. DH Just got 2 recent Chase cards too.

So, now I don't know what to get - or just wait a few months... (I hate waiting) UGHH!!!

I hate that!

 

[LynnTH]

I hate that!

I know. I do still have some spend on a recent SW Card but am going on a cruise in a few weeks so will buy some Carnival Gift Cards from AARP at a discount and then cash out in the casino. Was hoping for a new SUB.

On a positive note. I (with DS sitting next to me) signed DS up for the Barclay Wyndham Biz Earners Card. We go to Vegas at least once a year and can status match to Caesars Diamond. I know Barclays can be a real hassle when applying. He was instantly approved. Now we just need to status match and should be good for our November Vegas Trip. We usually stay at Paris, so no resort fees with Caesars Diamond and $100 Dining Credit ( I already used mine this year). My Brother and SIL are coming with, so DS booked a room under his name and now they won't have to pay the $50 a night resort fee either. So, at least a Win there!!

 

[ten6mom]

As always, I am blowing through MSR's more quickly than I anticipated... like so many of us here!

The most recent was the CIP, which I opened 7/4/24.

I am currently at 3/24 (will be 2/24 in a week).

I wouldn't mind having more IHG points but I currently have the Chase IHG Mastercard, which I just got in March 2024. Are there any other IHG cards I am allowed to get right now, and if so, do any of them have a particularly good SUB?

I have also gotten some value from Bonvoy points and I currently have the Chase Bonvoy which I opened in August 2023. Same question- are there any other Marriott cards I'm allowed to get right now and do any of them. have a particularly good SUB?

 

[iujen94]

As always, I am blowing through MSR's more quickly than I anticipated... like so many of us here!

The most recent was the CIP, which I opened 7/4/24.

I am currently at 3/24 (will be 2/24 in a week).

I wouldn't mind having more IHG points but I currently have the Chase IHG Mastercard, which I just got in March 2024. Are there any other IHG cards I am allowed to get right now, and if so, do any of them have a particularly good SUB?

I have also gotten some value from Bonvoy points and I currently have the Chase Bonvoy which I opened in August 2023. Same question- are there any other Marriott cards I'm allowed to get right now and do any of them. have a particularly good SUB?

The Amex Bevy and Brilliant are at all time highs. Frequent Miler has an awesome chart for figuring out if you’re eligible for a new Marriott SUB. Go to their website and search Bonvoy eligible and you’ll fine it!

 

[djmeredith]

I just closed my CIP yesterday (only held it one year and cancelled it after AF hit). I want to apply for a new CIP with the elevated offer. How long should I wait to apply?

 

[ten6mom]

The Amex Bevy and Brilliant are at all time highs. Frequent Miler has an awesome chart for figuring out if you’re eligible for a new Marriott SUB. Go to their website and search Bonvoy eligible and you’ll fine it!

Oh that's helpful- thank you. Such a nice chart!

Looks like the only one I might be eligible for (for another year) is the Chase Bonvoy Bountiful.

Thank you!

 

[wisconsinmom]

Ugh, DH accidentally paid DD's tuition on the wrong INK card meaning it didn't go towards our MSR. That was a big oops! Now I have 6000 of MSR to figure out! I'm sure it will be fine but it was a super annoying mistake.

Any advice on how to actually use the $50 Hilton Gift Cards? We are in Cabo at the WA and they couldn't get them to work to pay down our room charges. Seems this is a common issue.

 

[StephPlum]

As always, I am blowing through MSR's more quickly than I anticipated... like so many of us here!

The most recent was the CIP, which I opened 7/4/24.

I am currently at 3/24 (will be 2/24 in a week).

I wouldn't mind having more IHG points but I currently have the Chase IHG Mastercard, which I just got in March 2024. Are there any other IHG cards I am allowed to get right now, and if so, do any of them have a particularly good SUB?

I have also gotten some value from Bonvoy points and I currently have the Chase Bonvoy which I opened in August 2023. Same question- are there any other Marriott cards I'm allowed to get right now and do any of them. have a particularly good SUB?

Assuming you have the IHG personal card. You can get the IHG biz card while holding the personal. I don’t know what the SUB is currently. And you might want to wait and line up with your other card so you get the FNCs at the same time.

 

[AmyAnne]

Any advice on how to actually use the $50 Hilton Gift Cards? We are in Cabo at the WA and they couldn't get them to work to pay down our room charges. Seems this is a common issue.

I'm worried about this as we are staying at a Hilton next month and I am hoping to use my stash of Hilton gift cards. Is there not a customer service phone number on the card that might be able to tell the people at the hotel how to use them?

 

[afan]

I'm worried about this as we are staying at a Hilton next month and I am hoping to use my stash of Hilton gift cards. Is there not a customer service phone number on the card that might be able to tell the people at the hotel how to use them?

The terms on the paper it comes attached to explains how to do it if I remember correctly. At least it's more info than most have. I think it just gets ran as a cc for the amount on the gc. I think not specifying the amount is part of the issue from complaints somewhere on reddit if I'm remembering right.

 

[AmyAnne]

The terms on the paper it comes attached to explains how to do it if I remember correctly. At least it's more info than most have. I think it just gets ran as a cc for the amount on the gc. I think not specifying the amount is part of the issue from complaints somewhere on reddit if I'm remembering right.

Thanks--I'll make a note to bring the paper that the card is attached to.

 

[miztressuz]

Any advice on how to actually use the $50 Hilton Gift Cards? We are in Cabo at the WA and they couldn't get them to work to pay down our room charges. Seems this is a common issue.

I'm worried about this as we are staying at a Hilton next month and I am hoping to use my stash of Hilton gift cards. Is there not a customer service phone number on the card that might be able to tell the people at the hotel how to use them?

They can't be charged for an amount higher than what is in the gift card. In other words, no auto draining. Have the front desk enter an exact amount to charge the card, and make sure it is at or below the card available balance. That's what the terms of the card state. Also, as @afan states, they should be running as an AmEx credit card. Oh, that's another point, they have to accept AmEx payment cards for it to work.

Only 2 hotels have had someone who knows how to use these right off the bat, for me. Usually a manager should know. It seems like maybe some POS have an option for 'gift card ' or something because most front desk folks pick some option and then type in all the info and then tell me it didn't work That's when I ask them to try again charging $50 (or whatever) as a credit card, swipe, and it works.

Now being in Cabo, I wonder if you might have some trouble with exchange rates? The hotel website says US Dollar for the currency so hopefully not. But it'd be something to keep in mind that the amount charged has to be at or below the available amount after conversion.

amexgiftcard.com/hilton has a PDF of the terms from the back of the sheet the card came on.

Here is the section on split tendering, with the instructions:
"Can the Card be used if its Available Balance does not cover the total purchase price?
Depending on the Select Merchant’s policy, you may be able to use the Card with another form of payment, such as cash, check or
another card, to make a purchase. This is known as a “Split Tender Transaction.” To make a purchase for more than the Available
Balance on the Card:
1. Present the Card for payment and tell the cashier it is a prepaid card.
2. Tell the cashier the Available Balance and ask whether another form of payment will be accepted for the balance of the purchase.
3. Before the Card is “swiped,” tell the cashier to only authorize the Card for the Available Balance.
4. If the Card is declined, remind the cashier of the Available Balance.
5. Be prepared to provide a second form of payment to cover the balance of your purchase.
Some Select Merchants may only allow you to use cash or check, but not another card, as the second form of payment. Some
Select Merchants do not permit a second form of payment at all. We do not guarantee that a Select Merchant will permit a Split
Tender Transaction. If you are having difficulty making a Split Tender Transaction or using the Available Balance on the card please
call the Customer Service Number (1-888-846-4308) for assistance."

I especially like steps 3 & 4. We're quite serious about available balances!

I mean, these are the first 3 lines of the doc -
FOR 24-HOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE
Visit us online at AmexGiftCard.com/Balance or call 1-888-846-4308.
For easiest use ALWAYS KNOW YOUR BALANCE AND TELL THE CASHIER!

We got bold AND caps AND an exclamation point for good measure.

 

[Judique]

I'm worried about this as we are staying at a Hilton next month and I am hoping to use my stash of Hilton gift cards. Is there not a customer service phone number on the card that might be able to tell the people at the hotel how to use them?

The terms on the paper it comes attached to explains how to do it if I remember correctly. At least it's more info than most have. I think it just gets ran as a cc for the amount on the gc. I think not specifying the amount is part of the issue from complaints somewhere on reddit if I'm remembering right.

Thanks--I'll make a note to bring the paper that the card is attached to.

There is a customer service number on the card and on the paper.

On check in I would try to get the amount you want credited to your account. I just used one at a Hilton Suites on August 4th and delayed presenting it until checkout. First person didn't know how to process. Someone nearby quickly assisted. I only used one as I have further use for my others.

On reading the small print it says, tell them it's a prepaid card. It's an Amex card. It's also not reloadable so if you ask them to put the value on your account, make sure you are going to use it. My idea about that is that if the person doesn't know how to process it, there will be time to find out versus trying to get it done on departure.

 

[miztressuz]

There is a customer service number on the card and on the paper.

On check in I would try to get the amount you want credited to your account. I just used one at a Hilton Suites on August 4th and delayed presenting it until checkout. First person didn't know how to process. Someone nearby quickly assisted. I only used one as I have further use for my others.

On reading the small print it says, tell them it's a prepaid card. It's an Amex card. It's also not reloadable so if you ask them to put the value on your account, make sure you are going to use it. My idea about that is that if the person doesn't know how to process it, there will be time to find out versus trying to get it done on departure.

I've tried to have GCs applied at check in and haven't gotten any front desk agent to do it. They insist that it be done at check out. Don't know if there's some Hilton procedure for it or I have just been unlucky. Just FYI in case it happens.

In my cases I was using the GC to pay on cash bookings so I didn't have to be worried about not using the full value. Good point about that if it's going to be used for incidentals.

 

[MicheyMouse]

I’m not a churner but I’m missing having a SUB to work toward. I opened three personal rewards cards this year and we’re generating a ton of points. The first new cards in about a decade. I have multiple other well established accounts just without rewards on them.

At this point I only want a CSP and a Plat to round out transfer options and travel perks. I’m really hoping for a high SUB soon on a CSP. The Plat will be the last one. I don’t want to open more accounts. I can PC some old cards but even that seems like it would only dilute spending on cards we are really benefitting from now.

 

[miztressuz]

I’m not a churner but I’m missing having a SUB to work toward. I opened three personal rewards cards this year and we’re generating a ton of points. The first new cards in about a decade. I have multiple other well established accounts just without rewards on them.

At this point I only want a CSP and a Plat to round out transfer options and travel perks. I’m really hoping for a high SUB soon on a CSP. The Plat will be the last one. I don’t want to open more accounts. I can PC some old cards but even that seems like it would only dilute spending on cards we are really benefitting from now.

For your older cards, if they don't have fees, no harm in keeping them and just putting token charges on them once in a while to keep them active. Just lock them when no in use, if you can, to avoid any fraud headaches. If they have fees and you're not getting more value from them than the cost, see if you can PC to a no fee card or a card that provides value. If you can't do either, consider letting it go. The card history stays on your report for 10 years and is counted in many scoring models so there's not as much impact on your credit score as you might expect. Biggest impact would be lowering available credit which would change the debt to credit ratio.

As for CSP bonus schedule, normally I say to check USCCG for their historical chart.
https://www.uscreditcardguide.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-credit-card
However, this card has been around for a while and the chart is a little compact to work out the months of the higher offers. Might have to search on DoC to see dates.

But I know the first elevated offer listed in 2020 was in the fall because we got in on it, so Oct-Nov I think. Then the first half on 2021 and continued to do early year promos for the last few years. This year just had an elevated bonus from May-Jun. Not sure if we'll see it again. They put it out in times of application slow down, so there's not much pattern yet.

If you can use the card now, then weigh that value against any potential extra points in an unknown amount of time. Also consider 2 player mode. You say "we" so if you have multiple adults, one can open the card to use and the other can wait for a good opportunity to come along.

 

[ten6mom]

Assuming you have the IHG personal card. You can get the IHG biz card while holding the personal. I don’t know what the SUB is currently. And you might want to wait and line up with your other card so you get the FNCs at the same time.

Oh I am a bad churner.

I have two hotel cards and they both have a free anniversary night... and I forgot that was even a benefit

Thank you!

 

[mmmears]

Any advice on how to actually use the $50 Hilton Gift Cards? We are in Cabo at the WA and they couldn't get them to work to pay down our room charges. Seems this is a common issue.

We were at the WA in Cabo a couple of months ago and they were unable to use those cards. The person was trying, but it wasn't working. DH called the number on the card and it's an understatement to say that they were less than helpful. He ended up getting so frustrated with the whole thing that they just sent us a refund (the card company, not the WA).

Sorry I don't know an easy fix for this one. I wrote about it here at the time we were going around and around with customer service from the GC company, but I don't think my older posts have any good advice either.

I hope you are enjoying the hotel - we really enjoy it there.

 

[DogCat]

Maybe it’s easier to use the Hilton GCs in the US? When we stayed at a HGI in NC, our rooms were free on points/FNC but we used the GCs to pay for meals and snacks charged to the room. I did have to go to the desk each day to get new keys because our room for 3 nights was in 3 different names. Each day, I used my cards to pay outstanding charges. If a card was partially used, I told them how much was left and it was no problem for them.