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

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

If anyone has been eyeing Milaidhoo in the Maldives, which includes the seaplane transfer and has a huge overwater villa, fresh 130k/nt availability just dropped.

Sigh, every year I tell myself that next year I won't plan all our vacation time way in advance and leave room for something to come up. But it never happens

 

[mmmears]

My son and his wife eloped (about 12 of us in attendance) in Colorado, earlier this year. They had toyed with having an event back home that everyone could celebrate, which sounded sort of like a second wedding. Anyway, they've changed their minds on that, so now that there's not a second wedding, we wanted to gift them a mini honeymoon. They had told us they were going to try to book a trip between the week of Christmas and New Years (quite the tall ask, but she is a special ed school teacher)... and we just had to piece together a mini honeymoon if I could.

Anyway, I set an alert for Alila Ventana Big Sur and it hit for dates that week after Christmas. I booked flights, etc. They might extend the trip to other areas of California, so if there's any suggestions, please share.

I did make a note on the reservation re: their honeymoon. Anyway, I just want it to be special for them; they are going through a fresh loss. They are really sweet kids. I don't have Hyatt status so I think room upgrades are doubtful, but do you think an email to the hotel about their honeymoon would help? Anyone have a good contact? They're honestly very down to earth and will be happy with the standard room.

Also, any advice on booking the activities? It asks for room number/confirmation number, but says "invalid last name and room number." Can these not be booked in advance?

Any other details I should know of? I did search here and the hotel review thread and read those details; thanks to everyone who has shared.

Congratulations!

It's local for me (so feel free to PM me if you have questions) but other places that might be nice to check out are Carmel Valley Ranch (Hyatt) and the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. We just spent the weekend there - it's on a cliff looking out at the ocean and is not as far as SF. There are also nice places up in wine country, but it would mean more driving.

 

[first*toright]

So here's the fine print on the 20k Chase portal offer, bolding mine:

Up to 20,000 Bonus Points Through Chase Travel: With this bonus offer, eligible cardmembers who have not purchased travel through Ultimate Rewards/Chase Travel since 08/15/22 and who activate this offer can then earn either 20,000 bonus points when they purchase a hotel stay through Chase Travel totaling at least $500 or 10,000 bonus points when they purchase flights, car rentals, cruises, activities, or tours through Chase Travel totaling at least $500 in a single transaction. Purchases must be made by 01/31/25 11:59 PM ET with the same eligible card used to activate and travel must be completed by 08/31/25 11:59 PM ET. Bookings can include point redemptions, however, point redemption values will not count towards offer minimum spend. Only purchases completed through Chase Travel are eligible, “reserve now, pay later” and cancelled or refunded purchases are not eligible. Please allow up to 8 weeks after completing your travel for bonus points to post to your account. This bonus offer is non-transferable and applies only to cardmembers who receive marketing communications for this offer. Account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. Eligible credit cards: Chase Freedom card, Chase Freedom Unlimited card, Chase Freedom Rise card, Chase Freedom Flex card, Chase Freedom Student card, Chase Ink Cash Card, Chase Ink Business Cash Card, Chase Ink Business Preferred Card, Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card, Chase Ink Plus Card, Chase Ink Business Premier Card, Chase Sapphire card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Please note that even though you have an eligible credit card, you may not be eligible for this offer based on your account status and other factors. This bonus can only be earned once per cardmember, regardless of how many eligible cards a cardmember has, and will be awarded to the eligible card used to activate this offer. We reserve the right to cancel or modify this offer at any time without notice. See your Rewards Program Agreement for more details about earning and redeeming points.



I'm personally going to tread lightly with this because of the "cardmember" lingo. My thought is they could have said something like "In order to be eligible for this offer, the card used to activate this offer must not have been used to purchase travel through UR/Chase Travel since 8/15/22" if that's what they meant. But they specifically say cardmember.

On the flip side, if the offer is targeted and activation is successful, you'd think that would be sufficient diligence on the part of the cardmember.

I got offers for both me and DH for 10k points on a $400 hotel res - I think this is the version for people who have booked travel through the portal in the past. Not quite as exciting, but I'll take it. Just need to find a hotel res where I don't mind not getting status credit/perks! I have two of those on the books, but one is non-refundable and the other was too close to be able to cancel without penalty.

 

[808blessing]

I got offers for both me and DH for 10k points on a $400 hotel res - I think this is the version for people who have booked travel through the portal in the past. Not quite as exciting, but I'll take it. Just need to find a hotel res where I don't mind not getting status credit/perks! I have two of those on the books, but one is non-refundable and the other was too close to be able to cancel without penalty.

Where on the site can I find this?

 

[Limes96]

Got my first ink denial this week, very disappointing. I currently have 3 biz cards - 2 inks and 1 SW. I can cancel the sw card in a few weeks after using the last of the upgraded boarding credits. 7/1/24 was my most recent app for CIU but before that I hadn’t gotten a Chase biz card since 5/23. Credit limits are fine. Have 4 personal cards (most recent Boundless 8/23). Going to wait for the letter and not call for reconsideration. I’m wondering if I’d have better luck with the United biz card, since I was planning to use the SUB to transfer to United anyway. If I decide to do that do you think 30 days is long enough to wait or should I wait longer? SW biz card should be gone by then also.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

If anyone has been eyeing Milaidhoo in the Maldives, which includes the seaplane transfer and has a huge overwater villa, fresh 130k/nt availability just dropped.

How did you sort through flights from the US to the Maldives? I just re-read your trip report and you said that you had worked backwards. I'm in unfamiliar territory on flights THAT far over, but am thinking - fall of '26 - US>somewhere Europe>Maldives and then back again. Perhaps position to go to the Maldives in either Greece or London (not at all sure yet and very open to suggestion).

 

[Sheree]

what next?
(un) fortunately I blew thru the msr for p2's latest Ink. My last Ink was Aug so too soon.

we're both 3/24 on chase as well


only other biz card is amex bbp.

suggestions?

have amex surpass, platinum.
diamond at Hilton

have csr, p2 just down graded to og freedom. neither eligible for sub on csp,csr

don't fly sw anymore.

live between ewr/phl and ttn.

no vacations planned for next year yet! probably fl a few times for long weekends. maybe a virgin voyages cruise

thoughts?

 

[hsmamato2]

what do you all think of the new hyatt cc offer? cat 1-4 a useful thing? I'm gussing the certs expire in a year?
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-hyatt-credit-card-5-free-night-certificates-category-1-4/

 

[hsmamato2]

anyone know of Dp's re: how many basic hilton cc's you can hold? or if they will only allow different flavors of the cc?

 

[wanderlust7]

Got my first ink denial this week, very disappointing. I currently have 3 biz cards - 2 inks and 1 SW. I can cancel the sw card in a few weeks after using the last of the upgraded boarding credits. 7/1/24 was my most recent app for CIU but before that I hadn’t gotten a Chase biz card since 5/23. Credit limits are fine. Have 4 personal cards (most recent Boundless 8/23). Going to wait for the letter and not call for reconsideration. I’m wondering if I’d have better luck with the United biz card, since I was planning to use the SUB to transfer to United anyway. If I decide to do that do you think 30 days is long enough to wait or should I wait longer? SW biz card should be gone by then also.

That's a surprising denial. First guess would be identity verification. Second guess would be the CL across all Chase personal and business cards.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

what do you all think of the new hyatt cc offer? cat 1-4 a useful thing? I'm gussing the certs expire in a year?
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-hyatt-credit-card-5-free-night-certificates-category-1-4/

I think it really depends on your travel plans and how you'll use the free night certs. If you do all Cat 4s, then I think it's pretty good. Knowing when the certs expire would be good, they'd be through all of 2025 and to to Feb 2026 like so many other awards Hyatt does

 

[reliev]

So here's the fine print on the 20k Chase portal offer, bolding mine:

Up to 20,000 Bonus Points Through Chase Travel: With this bonus offer, eligible cardmembers who have not purchased travel through Ultimate Rewards/Chase Travel since 08/15/22 and who activate this offer can then earn either 20,000 bonus points when they purchase a hotel stay through Chase Travel totaling at least $500 or 10,000 bonus points when they purchase flights, car rentals, cruises, activities, or tours through Chase Travel totaling at least $500 in a single transaction. Purchases must be made by 01/31/25 11:59 PM ET with the same eligible card used to activate and travel must be completed by 08/31/25 11:59 PM ET. Bookings can include point redemptions, however, point redemption values will not count towards offer minimum spend. Only purchases completed through Chase Travel are eligible, “reserve now, pay later” and cancelled or refunded purchases are not eligible. Please allow up to 8 weeks after completing your travel for bonus points to post to your account. This bonus offer is non-transferable and applies only to cardmembers who receive marketing communications for this offer. Account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. Eligible credit cards: Chase Freedom card, Chase Freedom Unlimited card, Chase Freedom Rise card, Chase Freedom Flex card, Chase Freedom Student card, Chase Ink Cash Card, Chase Ink Business Cash Card, Chase Ink Business Preferred Card, Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card, Chase Ink Plus Card, Chase Ink Business Premier Card, Chase Sapphire card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Please note that even though you have an eligible credit card, you may not be eligible for this offer based on your account status and other factors. This bonus can only be earned once per cardmember, regardless of how many eligible cards a cardmember has, and will be awarded to the eligible card used to activate this offer. We reserve the right to cancel or modify this offer at any time without notice. See your Rewards Program Agreement for more details about earning and redeeming points.



I'm personally going to tread lightly with this because of the "cardmember" lingo. My thought is they could have said something like "In order to be eligible for this offer, the card used to activate this offer must not have been used to purchase travel through UR/Chase Travel since 8/15/22" if that's what they meant. But they specifically say cardmember.

On the flip side, if the offer is targeted and activation is successful, you'd think that would be sufficient diligence on the part of the cardmember.

yes i doubt i can use it 3x I plan so far ahead on points its just nice to see its not 10x with no perks it would have to be non hyatt and I have to remember it the 5-10x doesn't appeal to me so much if I have to possibly deal with the headache of the travel site if that makes sense.

Did you figure it out? Mine was the same. My last offer was spend $6K get 6,000 extra points, but this didn't have details.

no it didn't post yet I spent about 200 in groceries the problem is too I don't think it shows bonus until my statement no?

Where on the site can I find this?

chase.com/mybonus plug in your cards and see.

 

[reliev]

I think it really depends on your travel plans and how you'll use the free night certs. If you do all Cat 4s, then I think it's pretty good. Knowing when the certs expire would be good, they'd be through all of 2025 and to to Feb 2026 like so many other awards Hyatt does

from what I've read on Reddit its 1 year. But I trust the data points here over random people on Reddit.

 

[wanderlust7]

what do you all think of the new hyatt cc offer? cat 1-4 a useful thing? I'm gussing the certs expire in a year?
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-hyatt-credit-card-5-free-night-certificates-category-1-4/

It's a good offer if you want the card long term and can use the FNCs. They do expire a year after they're earned.

But if the goal is just the bonus, then a CIU is better. A cat 4 is 12,000 points non-peak and 18,000 peak, so potential value of the SUB maxes out at 90k. AF $95, you'd need to spend $4000. A CIU with 90k SUB would be vastly more flexible and no AF, not to mention the 20k support, you'd just have to spend $2000 more.

anyone know of Dp's re: how many basic hilton cc's you can hold? or if they will only allow different flavors of the cc?

You'd have to get past the pop-up to get the SUB on more than 1. You can PC into multiple though. It's a credit card (not charge card), most people can only have 5 of those open.

 

[wanderlust7]

from what I've read on Reddit its 1 year. But I trust the data points here over random people on Reddit.

No need to trust DPs, trust the terms.

"Each Free Night Award is valid for one (1) night in any available standard room within 12 months from issuance at Hyatt hotels and resorts that are designated as Category 1 through 4 under the World of Hyatt program."

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I had planned to get the WoH card in early November. Now I'm wondering if I should jump on the new offer by late October...

I had all my Hyatt stays through October 2025 planned already and saw that I have one 4 night stay where the the certs would be worthwhile (Regency Vancouver) and it would save me 66K pts. I'd find something to do with the other cert and would definitely be ahead by then compared to the normal 60K WoH CC offer, but I had also planned to use a guest of honor upgrade for the Vancouver reservation and those can't be combined with certs. Don't really need a suite or free parking, so I have to put a value on free breakfast for 2-3 (was going to try to sneak in MIL's breakfast and see if the hotel covers the bill). WWYD?

The lower spend doesn't matter as I was going to put $15K on the card anyway because I need the qualifying nights to reach globalist again by the end of 2025.

 

[wanderlust7]

I had planned to get the WoH card in early November. Now I'm wondering if I should jump on the new offer by late October...

I had all my Hyatt stays through October 2025 planned already and saw that I have one 4 night stay where the the certs would be worthwhile (Regency Vancouver) and it would save me 66K pts. I'd find something to do with the other cert and would definitely be ahead by then compared to the normal 60K WoH CC offer, but I had also planned to use a guest of honor upgrade for the Vancouver reservation and those can't be combined with certs. Don't really need a suite or free parking, so I have to put a value on free breakfast for 2-3 (was going to try to sneak in MIL's breakfast and see if the hotel covers the bill). WWYD?

The lower spend doesn't matter as I was going to put $15K on the card anyway because I need the qualifying nights to reach globalist again by the end of 2025.

Are you Globalist now? You can't combine a GOH cert with an FNC (can't combine certs), but you can do Legacy GOH with FNC (only 1 is a cert).

ETA: Better question is probably did you qualify for Globalist last year? That would be grandfathered into having Legacy GOH through Feb 2025.

 

[Limes96]

That's a surprising denial. First guess would be identity verification. Second guess would be the CL across all Chase personal and business cards.

It does seem like chase is tightening up their approvals of late. I’m 4/24 and total Chase credit across all my cards is around 38k, well under 50% income.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Are you Globalist now? You can't combine a GOH cert with an FNC (can't combine certs), but you can do Legacy GOH with FNC (only 1 is a cert).

ETA: Better question is probably did you qualify for Globalist last year? That would be grandfathered into having Legacy GOH through Feb 2025.

Yeah, I earned globalist last year. I thought they only did the GOH milestone awards now (all have been used up now). So I can make my Oct 2025 4 nights, potentially used with FNCs, GOH if I ask for that while I'm still globalist? What?!

 

[Princess Michele]

Last year I booked a May 2025 Greek Isle cruise and researched potential options for our flights. When flights opened this year life got in the way, and I did not get to book our flights or see what the number of points were at that time. I resumed looking last month and everything is sky high even economy seats. I am getting FOMO that if I do not book something now that we will either not get good flights or they will be overpriced. I have searched flights from IAD, DCA, BWI, PHL, EWR, JFK, BOS, ORD, RDU, CLT, and ATL to Athens and other European cities all with little luck. We need 4 seats so that is also adding to the challenge. I am looking for suggestions and opinions on a course of action.

We have UR’s and MR’s that I was going to transfer to use for booking our flights. From my original research our best options were Air France, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Iberia, and Emirates for Business Class but they are either too high or not available. I was not considering Delta because I did not want to use MR’s for Delta or American because we do not have many AA points.

Currently the best flight options that I can find are:

• $2,696.00 per person for fully refundable Business fares flying from JFK-Madrid-Athens on Iberia.
• $2,702.00 per person for fully refundable Business fares flying from EWR-LHR-Athens on BA metal purchased on Iberia’s website.
• 64,600 Avios + $144.40 per person for Business flying from JFK-DUB-Athens on Aer Lingus
• 56,250 Avios + $214.74 per person for Premium Economy from IAD-LHR-Athens flying on BA

Emirates will be adding Premium Economy to their flights from EWR – Athens beginning in February 2025 but I don’t know what their prices will be yet or when they will be available to book.

Should we just wait to see if prices decrease or book something now to make sure we have flights that work since our dates are not flexible? The downside to transferring UR’s to Avios and then cancelling the booking for something better is that we may not have a use for the Avios points in the future.

If we book now would 1 ½ hours in Dublin be enough time for the connecting flight to choose that one for Business or would we be better off booking Premium Economy on BA to have the longer connection time?

With Emirates adding Premium Economy on their non-stop flights to Athens would you book a refundable cash fare now on the BA flight and try to get award seats with Emirates when they are available? Would the non-stop Premium Economy Emirates flight trump a connecting Aer Lingus Business flight?

We do not have any United CC’s. Would it be worth it for P2 to get the United Explorer or Gateway CC to have access to the award availability reserved for their CC holders?

Sorry to be so long winded but I am looking for suggestions from the experts to find the best flight options to make this trip possible. Thanks for any help.