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

[afan]

Yeah. I meant United Travel Bank. Don't really fly them either. But may be an option for when I can't figure something out.

Have you looked on flyertalk for dps? They are where I check to make sure I can still use credits how I have been. Though with amex changing it to cover airfare it's much easier now but I know AS gc has worked for amex before, not sure if it would for bofa, but they would know.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Add me into the I need a MSR NOW club. I probably have close to $3k in medical bills coming up, if not more. And taxes, and just a lot of other expenses. I'm a bit confused on my CSR. I got it 11/2022. The travel credit has not reset. My dashboard says I've used the $300 but it also says my next credit is available 12/2024. So do I get it this month? How long do I have to downgrade the card and get my AF back? I'm also debating if I keep it for the $20 Dashmart credit. Does that have an expiration date to it? I am able to use mine easily. I normally order the CSP and 2 CSR orders and have my BF order his CSP order and we go pick up all 4. I add in a freedom order once a quarter too. But IDK.

Am I screwing myself if I skip over the Amex Gold and just go for a Platinum right now? I know you can't get SUB in backwards order. Are there any Amex Gold Offers worth it right now?

Do we know if Chase is playing nice yet? I have 2 CIUs (I may close one as I just hit the 12 months with it and paid off the balance I had it carrying (%0)). 1 CIP, 1 CIC. I'd like to get the IHG Biz at some-point. I

For some reason this reminded me of this group View attachment 918603

I sent that to my ex. He's a CPA......It's so fitting for him. Everything had a damn spreadsheet.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

What's the worst that can happen? I've got a SW Priority card with a $32k limit that I opened in 4/24. I NEVER use it anymore. I never fly SW anymore since they made a bunch of nonstop flights into one stop flights between IAH and just about everywhere that I wanna go. My annual fee just hit -- $149! I'd like to close it. Tell me -- what's the worst that can happen (my 830 credit score goes down for a minute?) ...???

That’s odd…you opened the card in April of 2024, usually the AF hits the first day of the next month so May 2024…. they shouldn’t be charging you another one now, unless they didn’t in May

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

That’s odd…you opened the card in April of 2024, usually the AF hits the first day of the next month so May 2024…. they shouldn’t be charging you another one now, unless they didn’t in May

You know what? I got interrupted when I was typing that, and wrote the wrong date entirely. It should've said 12/17. Not sure how I got so far off. lol

Anyway, I've had it open since December of '17. I def haven't used it in about two years. I am wanting to close it...

Thoughts anyone?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

You know what? I got interrupted when I was typing that, and wrote the wrong date entirely. It should've said 12/17. Not sure how I got so far off. lol

Anyway, I've had it open since December of '17. I def haven't used it in about two years. I am wanting to close it...

Thoughts anyone?

I would definitely close it then, the account will continue to age on your credit report.

 

[jujubiee4]

Can I just say what a travesty the UK taxes and fees are for flights from London. Flying
back from a cruise next year and just paid a thousand dollars. The flights are award miles but
sure which the taxes and fees could be lol.

Oh yes then got calendar alert on my phone all 5 in the family need their passports renewed next year
at 130 each. I guess we also need a UK visa? I hope that is cheap. All I want for Christmas ....is not to hear
the word "fee" again. Glad i got all my Christmas shopping done.

 

[jujubiee4]

Data Point - Have the BOA Premium Rewards Elite Card. Which comes with $300 in Incidental Airline Fees each calendar year. So, trying to figure out how to use these. All our trips coming up already have free luggage or already paid for luggage. Don't fly AA so the travel bank really wouldn't do much good. Kept checking some upcoming flights for upgrades - finally got one that worked.

DD and I are flying to Disney this Saturday to Tuesday on Delta. The flight home I was able to upgrade us to 1st Class for $138 per person. Then DD used an extra bag fee for her trip home today from Vancouver, seeing Taylor Swift. BOA already credited the 2- $138 Credits - just upgraded on 12/3 and credited 12/7. Just glad able to use the credit.

Going to use the $150 Lifestyle credit for Uber/Lyft to and from the Airport to Hotel. If anything left then will use it on Door Dash.

DD made good use of the Priority Pass benefit I was able to give her with this card. Had a few delayed flights and her and her friends were able to use some lounges.

This might be a keeper card for me.

This sounds similar to Chase Sapphire reserve. Do you like it better?

 

[mmmears]

Can I just say what a travesty the UK taxes and fees are for flights from London. Flying
back from a cruise next year and just paid a thousand dollars. The flights are award miles but
sure which the taxes and fees could be lol.

Oh yes then got calendar alert on my phone all 5 in the family need their passports renewed next year
at 130 each. I guess we also need a UK visa? I hope that is cheap. All I want for Christmas ....is not to hear
the word "fee" again. Glad i got all my Christmas shopping done.

It's almost like they don't want people to travel there, isn't it? I try to avoid flying through there whenever possible but much of the time I end up there anyway.

 

[mmmears]

I have a Hilton offer on every Amex card I own except my Aspire. Anyone know a way to move it over there?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

What's the worst that can happen? I've got a SW Priority card with a $32k limit that I opened in 12/17. I NEVER use it anymore. I never fly SW anymore since they made a bunch of nonstop flights into one stop flights between IAH and just about everywhere that I wanna go. My annual fee just hit -- $149! I'd like to close it. Tell me -- what's the worst that can happen (my 830 credit score goes down for a minute?) ...???

You're going to want to wait until the statement closes, because that's when your anniversary points will credit.

Then, don't forget to use your $75 SW credit, too. You can just buy a $75 gift card on their website and it'll refund as soon as the charge officially posts. Even if you give that to someone who needs a flight or sell it on a 3rd party gift card reseller, no need to walk away from free money.

And then, yes, definitely close it!

 

[wanderlust7]

I have a Hilton offer on every Amex card I own except my Aspire. Anyone know a way to move it over there?

If it shows up on Amex Connect, you can put it on any card. I see the Hilton location specific ones there.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Add me into the I need a MSR NOW club. I probably have close to $3k in medical bills coming up, if not more. And taxes, and just a lot of other expenses. I'm a bit confused on my CSR. I got it 11/2022. The travel credit has not reset. My dashboard says I've used the $300 but it also says my next credit is available 12/2024. So do I get it this month? How long do I have to downgrade the card and get my AF back? I'm also debating if I keep it for the $20 Dashmart credit. Does that have an expiration date to it? I am able to use mine easily. I normally order the CSP and 2 CSR orders and have my BF order his CSP order and we go pick up all 4. I add in a freedom order once a quarter too. But IDK.

Am I screwing myself if I skip over the Amex Gold and just go for a Platinum right now? I know you can't get SUB in backwards order. Are there any Amex Gold Offers worth it right now?

Do we know if Chase is playing nice yet? I have 2 CIUs (I may close one as I just hit the 12 months with it and paid off the balance I had it carrying (%0)). 1 CIP, 1 CIC. I'd like to get the IHG Biz at some-point. I



I sent that to my ex. He's a CPA......It's so fitting for him. Everything had a damn spreadsheet.

I’m not familiar with Amex but for Chase it has been hard to get approved with 4 open ink cards….there is a survey/thread about it on Reddit …..

 

[mmmears]

If it shows up on Amex Connect, you can put it on any card. I see the Hilton location specific ones there.

Can you please tell me how to navigate there? I tried searching but it keeps taking me back to my account where I don't have it.

 

[mmmears]

Oh, I found an old DOC post and found it. Thanks for the heads up. It won't let me add it though. Oh well.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Heading to JFK you say? This guy will NOT be the strangest thing you see today

I took the E train to the Thompson — there was an unhoused lady sitting by herself and I didn’t think anything of it (Toronto has a huge issue with unhoused people using the subways to sleep on and has since 2020). I did notice an odor of urine; it was after a few stops that I noticed that there was a river running from where she was sitting….never seen that before.

Thinking that I’ll take a taxi to JFK in the morning as long as it’s faster than the subway (which is fast, but man it’s a long walk from the terminal to the Air Train and then from Jamaica station to the subway platform — I MUCH prefer the LIRR but the location of the Thompson means the E train is the easiest route to the airport).

 

[Minnie368]

Do we know if Chase is playing nice yet? I have 2 CIUs (I may close one as I just hit the 12 months with it and paid off the balance I had it carrying (%0)). 1 CIP, 1 CIC. I'd like to get the IHG Biz at some-point.

My recent DP- applied for CIC beginning of Nov with 2 open CIC and 1 open CIP- denied. I closed 1 CIC. Waited over 30 days and went for one of the southwest biz thinking it may be different than the Inks and denied again for same reasons others are reporting. So Chase business cards are not friendly with me right now.

 

[KPK02090]

We’re headed to Costa Rica in April and I thought for Christmas I’d get my kids (DD 17, DS 16, DS 13) new shoes for the trip. I’m thinking something waterproof? We’re hoping to do white water rafting and hiking to waterfalls among our activities. Any advice on what to get? Any other trip related gift ideas for teens? Thanks!

 

[calypso726]

Got up at 4am this morning for my 7am flight to JFK. Sailed through security and customs and waited in the AA lounge for a bit before heading to the gate. Apparently our plane had a ‘small’ maintenance issue and we would be delayed for 5-10 mins. Fast forward an hour and our flight is cancelled. Everyone was instructed to head to the AA CS counter to get re-booked. On my way there I called CS and was re-booked on the 10:30 flight within 5 mins and headed back up to the lounge. This is exactly the reason why I like to fly to a stopover airport several hours (in some cases 24 hours) before an international flight. There were so many people that had connections that were in a panic because they had to find 2 new flights. Oh also another reason why I don’t check luggage anymore because who knows when those that did will be reunited with theirs?

Speaking of luggage, the guy that I sat beside at the gate was muttering to himself “this is not good” over and over. He went up to the gate agent (GA) and asked to have his carry-on returned to him (he gate-checked it); the GA said no and they went back and forth for several mins before he sat down beside me again. This happened another 3 times before the man told the GA that his passport was in his carry-on (who does that?); the GA said they’d retrieve his carry-on. Within 10 mins his carry-on was brought to him (with GA standing over him watching him) and he rummaged through it and got his passport, then closed it up and thanked them. Except they insisted that they had to take it back to the plane because there wouldn’t be room in the overhead bin once his boarding group was called (I wanted to ask why he couldn’t put it under the seat in front of him but kept my mouth closed). He argued some more and they took his bag away. He was told that he would be able to pick it up at Haneda. Unbelievably he went to the GA again and asked for his carry-on and he was told ‘no’ and to sit down and he argued some more. At this point the GA said if he didn’t sit down then he would be escorted out of the airport (frankly I’m surprised they hadn’t called security yet). He finally sat down but was still muttering to himself. What a bizarre situation.

Hopefully the 10:30am flight gets off the ground safely.

Plans for NYC: head to Saks to purchase $50 GC (AmEx plat credit), then order pickup on UberEats to make use of $35 AmEx credit. Also see the tree at Rockefeller Ctr and visit the Christmas market at Bryant Park.

Yikes on all of that and glad you managed to get things sorted. Thank you on the reminder that there's a Christmas market at Bryant park. Hopefully it is still open when we go to NYC in a few weeks. I will have to check into that. Also, kudos on managing to travel carry on only. I have been struggling to do the same. I am a chronic over packer. Despite having been on the Travel Fashion Girls FB group for years, which the members strongly advocate for carry on only style travel. I have improved, but am hard pressed to manage it for trips longer than a weekend. I am in the process of building a capsule wardrobe to help me get there.

 

[calypso726]

Yeah. I meant United Travel Bank. Don't really fly them either. But may be an option for when I can't figure something out.

Dang. I got really happy for a moment and I had look up AA travel bank data points on my to do list for this weekend. I’m trapped in an AA hub and funding something like that with airline credits would be way more useful than United for me. I am finding the UTB funding useful for positioning flights to a UA hub though. Hope that helps.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Yikes on all of that and glad you managed to get things sorted. Thank you on the reminder that there's a Christmas market at Bryant park. Hopefully it is still open when we go to NYC in a few weeks. I will have to check into that. Also, kudos on managing to travel carry on only. I have been struggling to do the same. I am a chronic over packer. Despite having been on the Travel Fashion Girls FB group for years, which the members strongly advocate for carry on only style travel. I have improved, but am hard pressed to manage it for trips longer than a weekend. I am in the process of building a capsule wardrobe to help me get there.

Once you get used to traveling with carry-on only you won’t go back. Items I find very useful are a large Rimowa carry-on with built-in suppression straps (you wouldn’t believe how much this can fit!) and a travel backpack similar to This one. I also pack an ABD duffle that zips closed for items I buy to carry home in. For a handbag I carry a Longchamp le pliage (it fits a lot of stuff!) and I always have a much smaller bag / fanny pack that I use in cities that I visit. I usually drop laundry at a same day wash and fold at least once if I travel during the summer (though hotel laundry was very inexpensive in Bali so I used that). A weekend trip for me is my Tumi backpack!

Quick review on the Thompson Central Park. I called the hotel in advance of my stay and asked for a quiet room because there are many complaints about noise issues online. When I arrived at about 1:30 my room was ready. It was at the 57th street end of a corridor on the 19th floor. Aside from a muffled siren that I heard once, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop! I slept like a baby because the bed and bedding were both excellent! The room was very clean, staff at the front desk were super nice, location was amazing and best of all it cost me nothing because I used 29k Hyatt points. The only (me) issue was the room had a tub/shower combo but for 1 night I can deal (pics online show rooms with a shower only so it never occurred to me to ask for a shower only which I usually do). Not a big deal at all. I’d probably stay here again if I could get a room on points.

After a blissful night sleep I awoke, showered and was ready to go by 6:15. Since it was so early I decided to take the E train to Jamaica station for the Air Train. I was at T8 in about an hour. The subway was pretty full but I was able to get a seat; the ride was uneventful. Oh the subway ride was free because the gentleman at the station saw me about to tap my phone and opened the side gate for me, winked and said have a nice day! Air Train cost $8.50. Flat rate taxi would have been: $82.00 and Lyft $69.99 (current promo to save $25 on airport rides when you link your Lyft and DoorDash accounts taken into account) + tip. Time for car to airport 45 mins. The 57th street station for the E train does not have any escalators, something to be aware of for those with luggage / mobility issues.

Before I left home I gathered a huge bag of coins that I had lying around and used that to pay for some delicious food at the Bryant Park Christmas market (chicken empanadas and a dumpling) and also a piece of chocolate bark from Laderach. The only time I used my Visa was for a salad and few small things for dd and ds at Whole Foods and muesli at Fresh & Co for a quick breakfast in my room this morning (the rooms at the Thompson have mini fridges so I was able to purchase last night and have ready this morning). I must say that everyone that I met in NYC was super friendly! I am a huge fan of a quick trip to NYC to reposition (same for Chicago — I LOVE both cities and it alleviates any pressure of making an international connection).