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

[pinkxray]

I am looking ahead to June 2024. We will need 4 round trip flights from JFK to Seattle. I’m seeing nonstop flights with Delta and Alaskan. I have no points with them and don’t think I’ve ever flown either. Anyone have any tips for either, is one better than the other?
Also looking at a Delta sky miles card or the Alaskan Bank of America card. Does anyone have and like these cards?

Thanks !

 

[calypso726]

All right, this is SO tempting! Just use split payment to book a refundable cruise, then figure out the actual cruise later--is that correct?

Also, has anyone used Costco to book a cruise lately? They were my go-to for DCL cruises but it's been a few years since we've cruised.

I'm pretty sure that's what my TA did. Cancellation policy shows that it's 100% refundable 90 days out. We did have to up our category so as not to PIF with the new AOs that came out yesterday. But yes, you can't beat $1,800 back on $5,000 I was going to spend anyhow. Celebrity's full 2025 itinerary for all the ships isn't out yet but we booked the newest ship, the Ascent and will likely cruise in 2025 somewhere.

Oh no, not games, as others pointed out. But you should do what you feel comfortable with. These INK offers are just so good rn I had to vote for them.

Got it on my Plat and on DH's Plat & Biz Plat! Now to find an itinerary we like

Best of luck!

 

[happ]

Hmmm, I am getting ready to apply for an Ink tomorrow for DH. Can you have hold 2 cards with the same EIN? I would prefer to get the CIU instead of the CIC, but we already have one in that business name. We have opened another LLC in January, so I could go that route but worried about the LLC being so new. The current CIU is under a different login and I haven't had DH call in to change in 2+ years. Don't want to have 3 logins for DH!

Yes

For my fellow T-Mobile customers… a lot of talk going on over on DoC about changes to their autopay. T-Mobile is doing away with the $5/line autopay discount on cc, and you now need to use a debit/checking to get the discount. Which really sucks… that’s $15/mo for our family lines, no cell phone protection if you can’t use a card, no cc points earned, etc. Not sure what I’m gonna do…

I'm not a TMobile customer, but I prepay Verizon with VGCs to get the autopay (debit) discount. Maybe that will work?

 

[Best Aunt]

Does anyone know if I book a DVC rental through David's if the CSP trip insurance would cover it or should I buy a separate policy? Flights were already paid for with the CSP. Thanks!

Maybe someone here knows. Over on the DVC forums, people are always asking about trip insurance. Even if people tell you they were able to get it, one way or another, I think the big question is whether anybody was able to successfully use it. (You might be one of the people who was in a recent DVC thread.)

 

[BGparadise]

Usually that is the case. Sometimes it’s a YMMV. DH had the 35k and 17.5k AOs on two different business cards. He got another one today on a different business card. I got one on my BBP and 3 others on AU cards. If I recall, we had a very similar scenario with Celebrity AOs last year that we used towards the Galapagos trip.

Are these programs just under the offers section? So far I have not seen anything that offers any MRs back for spend, just cash back.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I'm pretty sure that's what my TA did. Cancellation policy shows that it's 100% refundable 90 days out. We did have to up our category so as not to PIF with the new AOs that came out yesterday. But yes, you can't beat $1,800 back on $5,000 I was going to spend anyhow. Celebrity's full 2025 itinerary for all the ships isn't out yet but we booked the newest ship, the Ascent and will likely cruise in 2025 somewhere.



Best of luck!

Sorry, what's AO and PIF?

 

[reliev]

For my fellow T-Mobile customers… a lot of talk going on over on DoC about changes to their autopay. T-Mobile is doing away with the $5/line autopay discount on cc, and you now need to use a debit/checking to get the discount. Which really sucks… that’s $15/mo for our family lines, no cell phone protection if you can’t use a card, no cc points earned, etc. Not sure what I’m gonna do…

i think im going to eat the 10$ for the insuranse

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Yes

I'm not a TMobile customer, but I prepay Verizon with VGCs to get the autopay (debit) discount. Maybe that will work?

I know you can use gift cards or prepay, BUT in the past you have always had to leave at least the discount amount to debit out for autopay. So for example, my bill is $140 total including the $15 autopay discount. So I could pay $125 by VGC, but I'd need to leave at least $15 (I've usually left $16 just to be safe) to be debited from autopay method.

 

[Arcades]

I am looking ahead to June 2024. We will need 4 round trip flights from JFK to Seattle. I’m seeing nonstop flights with Delta and Alaskan. I have no points with them and don’t think I’ve ever flown either. Anyone have any tips for either, is one better than the other?
Also looking at a Delta sky miles card or the Alaskan Bank of America card. Does anyone have and like these cards?

Thanks !

It depends on what level of spend you can meet. The Delta Plat and Gold cards are good value for the annual fee and the Platinum comes with a companion pass upon renewal. If you got the Delta Plat now, you should have a CP for next year if you're willing to wait to book at least two of those tickets. Delta cards have elevated offers right now and I would only go with a Delta card during periods of elevated offers (Plat is 90k Skymiles, Gold 70k). You could do both business and personal versions.

That said, the earning rate on an Amex Business Gold or Business Platinum card (Membership Rewards) will be a higher SUB if you can meet the MSR, then you can transfer MR to Skymiles as needed. Even with the surcharge, you should come out ahead.

Give you're working a year ahead, you could hit several of these cards and have plenty of Skymiles come next June (plus 1-2 companion passes -- both versions of the Delta Platinum card offer them). If spending is limited, I'd say get a Delta business Platinum and a Delta personal platinum; it would be 180,000 SkyMiles plus two Companion Passes by next year.

 

[becauseimnew]

Hmmm, I am getting ready to apply for an Ink tomorrow for DH. Can you have hold 2 cards with the same EIN? I would prefer to get the CIU instead of the CIC, but we already have one in that business name. We have opened another LLC in January, so I could go that route but worried about the LLC being so new. The current CIU is under a different login and I haven't had DH call in to change in 2+ years. Don't want to have 3 logins for DH!

You can use the same business information. It will automatically be added to your Chase logins

 

[reliev]

I know you can use gift cards or prepay, BUT in the past you have always had to leave at least the discount amount to debit out for autopay. So for example, my bill is $140 total including the $15 autopay discount. So I could pay $125 by VGC, but I'd need to leave at least $15 (I've usually left $16 just to be safe) to be debited from autopay method.

yeah I thought Amex said you had to pay in full to receive the insurance at all, I'm sure if I'm wrong though someone knows better then me on this thread

 

[calypso726]

Are these programs just under the offers section? So far I have not seen anything that offers any MRs back for spend, just cash back.

Yes under Amex Offers. I click view all and then select the travel tab and they showed up there.

Sorry, what's AO and PIF?

No worries Amex Offers and Pay in Full

 

[lsutigers03]

I'm curious what card everyone uses for non bonus spend. In the past I've used my Double Cash card. I was thinking of switching to the CIU (I could also apply for the CFU for additional bonus categories while still having at least 1.5% on everything) and earning UR to transfer to a CSR. My wife and I went to London last year for an NFL game but only had 3 days to tour the city. We would like to take a longer trip within the next few years. For the next trip I would like to fly there in either business or first class and the ability to easily get Chase bonuses and then transferring to travel partners seems like the best way to accomplish what I'm looking for. Also it seems like in general UR points are worth more than Thank You points.

 

[calypso726]

I'm curious what card everyone uses for non bonus spend. In the past I've used my Double Cash card. I was thinking of switching to the CIU (I could also apply for the CFU for additional bonus categories while still having at least 1.5% on everything) and earning UR to transfer to a CSR. My wife and I went to London last year for an NFL game but only had 3 days to tour the city. We would like to take a longer trip within the next few years. For the next trip I would like to fly there in either business or first class and the ability to easily get Chase bonuses and then transferring to travel partners seems like the best way to accomplish what I'm looking for. Also it seems like in general UR points are worth more than Thank You points.

My points earning goals are always to fly in first or business class. Therefore, variable points with transfer partners are my focus for non bonus category spend if I’m not working on an MSR. I will fluctuate which card I use depending on which points need to be beefed up for planned travel.

If I need to generate Membership Rewards from Amex which is my go to for most airline transfers, then I use my Blue Business Plus card since it is 2x up to $50k a year. I keep an Amex business Platinum as well and I can also use that to book reasonably priced business or first seats with an Insider fare with the MR points and get 35% back through Amex Travel.

If I need to beef up Chase URs, I prefer to purchase Visa Gift Cards at Office Depot/Max or Staples with a CIC or my old Ink Plus card when there is a fee free offer and the use those Visa GCs for my non category spend. If I am out of Visa GCs that I got for 5x, then I will use the CFU.

DH and I also have 2 Freedom cards each and like to max those category bonuses. It’s a nice way to pick up 120k UR points each year without opening a card. I value my Chase URs for Hyatt transfers or redeeming through the UR portal with the CSR for something like a super bougee hotel stay with points at 1.5 pp value. I will also transfer to an airline but less frequently than I do with Amex.

I mostly use the Citi Double Cash card if I think there is a need to beef up my Citi Premier points sometime soon and just to keep some activity on it.

 

[lsutigers03]

My points earning goals are always to fly in first or business class. Therefore, variable points with transfer partners are my focus for non bonus category spend if I’m not working on an MSR. I will fluctuate which card I use depending on which points need to be beefed up for planned travel.

If I need to generate Membership Rewards from Amex which is my go to for most airline transfers, then I use my Blue Business Plus card since it is 2x up to $50k a year. I keep an Amex business Platinum as well and I can also use that to book reasonably priced business or first seats with an Insider fare with the MR points and get 35% back through Amex Travel.

If I need to beef up Chase URs, I prefer to purchase Visa Gift Cards at Office Depot/Max or Staples with a CIC or my old Ink Plus card when there is a fee free offer and the use those Visa GCs for my non category spend. If I am out of Visa GCs that I got for 5x, then I will use the CFU.

DH and I also have 2 Freedom cards each and like to max those category bonuses. It’s a nice way to pick up 120k UR points each year without opening a card. I value my Chase URs for Hyatt transfers or redeeming through the UR portal with the CSR for something like a super bougee hotel stay with points at 1.5 pp value. I will also transfer to an airline but less frequently than I do with Amex.

I mostly use the Citi Double Cash card if I think there is a need to beef up my Citi Premier points sometime soon and just to keep some activity on it.

Thank you I appreciated the detailed response.

 

[becauseimnew]

I did it again, I unlocked the wrong credit bureau. Now I have to call Chase to get my CIC application processed. Why can't I remember that Chase pulls my Transunion?

 

[punkin]

I did it again, I unlocked the wrong credit bureau. Now I have to call Chase to get my CIC application processed. Why can't I remember that Chase pulls my Transunion?

I applied for an amex platinum and forgot to unlock. I got approved anyway. I guess they didn't pull anything... just approved me on my excusing relationship.

 

[calypso726]

Thank you I appreciated the detailed response.

You are welcome I like to understand the “why” of things, so I figure if I explain my “why” it helps others decide whether or not it works for them and their “why”.

 

[ten6mom]

I did it again, I unlocked the wrong credit bureau. Now I have to call Chase to get my CIC application processed. Why can't I remember that Chase pulls my Transunion?

Time for a spreadsheet!

 

[becauseimnew]

Time for a spreadsheet!

I have a spreadsheet, I just added to the notes that they pull Transunion.

Call and approved.