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

[calypso726]

I'm just coming onto this thread for the first time. I'm completely lost, lol.
But I'm excited to read through this post and hopefully learn some things.

I currently have 3 CCs that I haven't used in over 2 months because I was stupid and now I'm trying to pay them off. I will keep them even though each charges a yearly fee (1 is $79.99 with a 31% APR, another is $99.99 with a 36% APR and not sure what the 3rd one is, maybe $149 or something, but it has a 29% APR). And they all have low maxes ($300, $500, $700). Unfortunately, I was immature and ran them up to max on stupid stuff like groceries, bills, eating out. Now I'm trying to get them all paid down so my credit usage doesn't have such a big impact on my credit score. I truly didn't even know it did until about a month ago. I thought as long as you were paying on time, it was helping your score no matter what the balance on the cards was. Boy was I wrong.

Anyways, I say all that to say I'm excited to try and read a lot of this thread and figure out what's going on and how to get better cards and APRs.

to the thread. The first post on the first page of the thread will help answer lots of questions, familiarize you with the acronyms and the purpose of the thread. From what you have shared, I will say you have some steps to take before embracing this hobby so that it works in your favor.

It sounds like you are on your way to the first step which is paying off your credit cards. This is good because the number one rule of travel hacking and churning is pay in full. Never pay interest on your cards. Carrying a balance, where you are paying interest will negate the value of any points or miles you earn. You come out on the losing end in that scenario.

I doubt any person on this thread who has been in this hobby for some time could tell you what the APR on their cards are unless it happens to be a limited offer 0% on new purchases one. The only time it is acceptable in this hobby to carry a balance, is on a 0% for some determined limited time on new purchases card to float a large purchase while you put the cash to work in your favor elsewhere and pay it in full well before the 0% period expires. Personally, when I apply for a new card, I never look at the APR as it doesn't matter. I will be paying in full or not purchasing, therefore, the APR could be 150% and I would not notice or care.

You did not mention what types of credit cards you have, so it would be hard to advise you on calling the bank and suggesting you product change or downgrade to another specific card that has no annual fee. I would find out if that is an option. This is not opening a new card. Part of your credit score is average age of accounts. Ideally, your oldest card would be one with no annual fee and the same goes for a few keeper cards.

Many of the travel rewards cards require spending $3,000-$5,000 or more to receive a new bonus. If your credit limit is $1500 across 3 cards and you are struggling to pay down that $1500, you may not yet be in the position where it would be feasible or advisable to get certain cards. Granted, there are cards that will offer a bonus on first purchase but your eligibility for those cards may be directly related to your credit score. I hope this helps

 

[djmeredith]

I was able to book the vacation package at Tokyo Disney that I wanted for my trip to Japan in January with ds. I got the 3 day / 2 night package with unlimited rides on the headliners and also allows you to book restaurants & time slots your meals. I booked 2 packages because I couldn't decide which hotel: MiraCosta (Porto Paradiso with harbor view) or the new Fantasy Springs Hotel (rose court side was the best I could get -- neither springs side nor the Grand Chateau were available). No issues with my credit card going through (CSR was already saved in my account). It took less than a half hour to book both hotels / packages.

I set my alarm for 1:20am to be sure to be ready for the 2am release (3pm JST) and didn't have any wait (I had 3 browsers open and no issue on any of them, though I was kicked out of the queue on my iPad and when I got back in the wait was over an hour).

I have to decide which hotel I want. If I was certain that the harbor show was running I'd go with the MiraCosta, but I read yesterday that it will be down during our stay. Plus I have read that DisneySea starts blasting music at 7am and I am a light sleeper, so not sure that appeals to me (I'd probably be up anyways, but I'd like it to be by choice lol). Which makes the Fantasy Springs Hotel a bit more appealing. Any thoughts?

I just stayed in a Harbor View room at the end of May for 2 nts. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled due to weather both nights. It was still an amazing experience. I could not hear the music in our room unless I opened the window. In fact, I purposely opened it a few times so that I could listen to it while I people watched. I loved the room, but if I had the option to stay in the newer hotel, I would do that. Keep checking availability for your first choice. Lots of people are able to eventually switch to the room/view they want.

 

[Haley R]

I just stayed in a Harbor View room at the end of May for 2 nts. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled due to weather both nights. It was still an amazing experience. I could not hear the music in our room unless I opened the window. In fact, I purposely opened it a few times so that I could listen to it while I people watched. I loved the room, but if I had the option to stay in the newer hotel, I would do that. Keep checking availability for your first choice. Lots of people are able to eventually switch to the room/view they want.

We stayed at the TDL hotel and had the same experience with the music. We couldn’t hear a thing with the window shut but we loved opening the window to listen to it.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Very specific one for you all: P2 did the upgrade to CSR last June. We've already used both annual travel credits, 2nd AF hasn't hit yet but will soon. I don't have any plans to use in the next couple of weeks (no travel or expected redemptions), so I was just going to call and downgrade back to a Freedom.

BUT
- I have a disputed transaction in process
- I have a travel insurance claim in process

Should I just keep the CSR longer while these things work their way out? Or am I OK to downgrade the card since both of these processes have already started?

I know I have up to 30 days after the new AF hits to get that back, but I also know that folks who did played the upgrade game and then downgraded after 2nd travel credit but before 2nd AF were reporting a prorated refund of the first year AF, so it is some amount of money I'm leaving on the table by keep it at the CSR.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Yikes, MSR almost met for my HH card. My doggie is having an u/s today before her chemo to see if the first 3 treatments have been effective (they will know with certainty after the u/s). Then she will have chemo afterwards. I didn't realize the u/s and chemo will be just shy of $1,500.00. I'm really, really, really hoping that the chemo she has been having is working because she hasn't been experiencing any side effects (if the tumor hasn't responded then they will switch to a different chemo).

Time to use dd's referral for a new CIP. Sigh.

 

[hsmamato2]

Did you add them all before they shutdown on 7/31?
Did you add them through the dedicated web link?
When is your end date? When I added each one through the link, it just pushed the end date out by the appropriate number of months. If it couldn't id the card, I didn't get an updated date and it wasn't added to my wallet.

te/

ahhhh Yes I think you've got it..... I tried too late. Ah well, I was only planning on using it for a trip in winter so I will let this one go-thanks!

 

[hsmamato2]

I have it since we’re based out of EWR we mainly fly JetBlue to MCO as it’s 1 of our 2 nonstop options. It’s sock drawered but I keep it because it gets us free checked bags. Well worth it for me. You don’t have to pay with the card to get the free bags, it’s just automatic if you have the card.

Can I have more than one basic JB cc at once? that's a great offer

 

[marsh0013]

Can I have more than one basic JB cc at once? that's a great offer

I don’t think so. Also, I think I have the plus? Whatever the one is with the $99 annual fee. I don’t think the one with no annual fee gives the free bags.

 

[hsmamato2]

I don’t think so. Also, I think I have the plus? Whatever the one is with the $99 annual fee. I don’t think the one with no annual fee gives the free bags.

YOu know what? I just realized I pc'd mine down to the no AF cc...so I could potentially get this one....or I could save myself for another ink ...altho those free IHG nights are so tempting,but I think I'd 'waste' them bc I don't know where I'd find a place I want to go with that high redemption per night at this point...... my usual places are around 25-30k per night which is why I prefer points

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Yikes, MSR almost met for my HH card. My doggie is having an u/s today before her chemo to see if the first 3 treatments have been effective (they will know with certainty after the u/s). Then she will have chemo afterwards. I didn't realize the u/s and chemo will be just shy of $1,500.00. I'm really, really, really hoping that the chemo she has been having is working because she hasn't been experiencing any side effects (if the tumor hasn't responded then they will switch to a different chemo).

Hope you get good news about your pup!

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Just spoke to the vet and he is “cautiously optimistic” that the chemo is working (no new tumours, no growth and possible shrinkage — our vet did the last u/s so hard to know if measurements are the same). And her liver and kidneys are tolerating the chemo well, so she will stay on the same drugs.

Just used dd’s referral to apply for a new CIP and received IA. MSR will be met with the first instalment of dd’s res and tuition due in a month. If she decides to work after graduation I won’t be able to meet the high MSRs as easily / quickly (boo). But she’s still planning on applying to vet school (I think) or maybe doing a masters if she doesn’t get in. We shall see.

 

[trenty]

I'm just coming onto this thread for the first time. I'm completely lost, lol.
But I'm excited to read through this post and hopefully learn some things.

I currently have 3 CCs that I haven't used in over 2 months because I was stupid and now I'm trying to pay them off. I will keep them even though each charges a yearly fee (1 is $79.99 with a 31% APR, another is $99.99 with a 36% APR and not sure what the 3rd one is, maybe $149 or something, but it has a 29% APR). And they all have low maxes ($300, $500, $700). Unfortunately, I was immature and ran them up to max on stupid stuff like groceries, bills, eating out. Now I'm trying to get them all paid down so my credit usage doesn't have such a big impact on my credit score. I truly didn't even know it did until about a month ago. I thought as long as you were paying on time, it was helping your score no matter what the balance on the cards was. Boy was I wrong.

Anyways, I say all that to say I'm excited to try and read a lot of this thread and figure out what's going on and how to get better cards and APRs.

I am saying this with kindness, so don't take it the wrong way. This is not the thread for you at the moment. This thread is mostly about how to maximize cc usage to earn points to travel. You are not in a position to maximize your credit card usage. You should first:

1. get out of debt. I know you are working on this. Get out of debt before playing the credit card game.
2. Once cards are paid off - cancel or downgrade all cards with an Annual Fee. There is no sense in paying Annual Fees while you are working on getting a handle on your finances.
3. get a handle on your finances before playing this game. Once you are out of debt, live without credit cards for a while (6 months, one-year, maybe longer). Lock the credit cards away and don't use them.
4. Build an emergency fund so you don't go back into debt.
5. improve your credit score slowly. Use one card - make small (very small) purchases and pay them off immediately. DON'T pay interest or run up the card.
6. Come back here with a clean slate and determined to not go back into debt, and you will get plenty of advice.

I say all this as someone who once (many years ago) had a lot of credit card (and other debt). I play this game very carefully now. I NEVER would have started if I had not put what I outlined above in place for myself.

ETA: The title of this thread is "I love credit cards so much!......" You should not love credit cards at this stage. You should loathe them.

 

[leeniewdw]

Anyone familiar with dining in the Broadway district in NYC? Staying at the Hyatt Centric, which is a block or so from our theater. Looking for a dinner before the show. We are pretty casual, pub/grill type people.

We loved dining at Joe Allen. Easy walk from theaters and doesn’t feel touristy.
https://joeallenrestaurant.com/

We actually dined AFTER our show since we were going to the show with a friend who lived in NYC and wanted to be able to chat about the show afterward since we’d otherwise part ways afterward. I didn’t book it the next time we were in NYC and wish we had.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I appreciate. And no hard/harsh feelings whatsoever. I'm not one to get upset for someone giving advice, lol.

I mostly came in here to try and figure out if there was a better option for 1 CC instead of 3. I'd like to move all 3 balances to 1 card that earns miles, even if we don't travel right now because we're trying to get all finances liked up. But at least I can be banking miles for future use. That way at least I'm earning whenever I have to use the card. Not that I want to use them as I'd like to pay them down to next to nothing and just keep a small balance just so I keep building my credit back up. And I don't want to pay them off completely and just lock them up. I don't want them to cancel on me for not using. For the last bit, I'm hoping we can build an EF after paying down all the cards. But as I said, I'd really like to find 1 to transfer all balances to that can earn miles or something like that.

I am saying this with kindness, so don't take it the wrong way. This is not the thread for you at the moment. This thread is mostly about how to maximize cc usage to earn points to travel. You are not in a position to maximize your credit card usage. You should first:

1. get out of debt. I know you are working on this. Get out of debt before playing the credit card game.
2. Once cards are paid off - cancel or downgrade all cards with an Annual Fee. There is no sense in paying Annual Fees while you are working on getting a handle on your finances.
3. get a handle on your finances before playing this game. Once you are out of debt, live without credit cards for a while (6 months, one-year, maybe longer). Lock the credit cards away and don't use them.
4. Build an emergency fund so you don't go back into debt.
5. improve your credit score slowly. Use one card - make small (very small) purchases and pay them off immediately. DON'T pay interest or run up the card.
6. Come back here with a clean slate and determined to not go back into debt, and you will get plenty of advice.

I say all this as someone who once (many years ago) had a lot of credit card (and other debt). I play this game very carefully now. I NEVER would have started if I had not put what I outlined above in place for myself.

ETA: The title of this thread is "I love credit cards so much!......" You should not love credit cards at this stage. You should loathe them.

 

[afan]

I appreciate. And no hard/harsh feelings whatsoever. I'm not one to get upset for someone giving advice, lol.

I mostly came in here to try and figure out if there was a better option for 1 CC instead of 3. I'd like to move all 3 balances to 1 card that earns miles, even if we don't travel right now because we're trying to get all finances liked up. But at least I can be banking miles for future use. That way at least I'm earning whenever I have to use the card. Not that I want to use them as I'd like to pay them down to next to nothing and just keep a small balance just so I keep building my credit back up. And I don't want to pay them off completely and just lock them up. I don't want them to cancel on me for not using. For the last bit, I'm hoping we can build an EF after paying down all the cards. But as I said, I'd really like to find 1 to transfer all balances to that can earn miles or something like that.

Unless you can find a card offer that doesn't charge a fee to transfer a balance, you won't come out ahead with this plan it'll cost more.

What could be beneficial, especially since you said you have cards with an af, is to let us know what card they are. It's entirely possible you can at least product change the card to something without an af but without knowing the cards we can't help there.

There's also a possibility that you could talk with the bank about lowering your interest rate but I'm guessing that may not be possible until your credit score is better or some of the debt is gone.

While I understand wanting to earn something when you need to use them, that's not what you should be worried about right now. Paying them off and potentially being able to PC them to a no af card need to be the 1st steps.

There's also nothing wrong with keeping a card without any fees open even if you don't use it. I rarely use my 2 oldest cards, neither have an annual fee and I either remember to load Amazon with 5 bucks once a year or I get a letter telling me to use it by x date or they'll close it and then I put 5 bucks on Amazon.

But as @calypso726 put so well earlier, paying off your debt and an ef needs to be the focus, not earning miles. Especially when any card that's going to earn you something useful is going to have a minimum spend requirement that frankly you probably can't meet and pay off without creating more debt. And certainly without delaying paying off your current debt which defeats the entire purpose of any rewards card.

A lot of us have worked through the cc debt of our youth or otherwise before we got to the point we can churn etc. There is crossover between here and the dd thread even if a lot of us don't post in both. Both threads have a lot of knowledge but as I'm sure you know, nobody is going to sugar coat anything bit tell it like it is.

 

[mgarbowski]

I have it since we’re based out of EWR we mainly fly JetBlue to MCO as it’s 1 of our 2 nonstop options. It’s sock drawered but I keep it because it gets us free checked bags. Well worth it for me. You don’t have to pay with the card to get the free bags, it’s just automatic if you have the card.

I don't think that's accurate. "The Primary Cardmember and up to 3 travel companions on the same reservation each receive their first checked bag free on JetBlue-operated flights that do not otherwise include their first checked bag free. All ticket purchases (original and exchanges) must be made with the JetBlue Plus World Elite Mastercard Card Account and the Primary Cardmember’s Membership Account number must be entered at the time of booking."
https://www.barclaycardus.com/applycontent/TnCs.jsp?tc45787

It's one of the reasons I got rid of the card (though it can be worth getting for the SUB). My experience was that I bought tickets using the card in 2020, then Covid hit and the trip and flights were canceled, and JetBlue issued me a credit good for a couple of years. I used the credits to travel in December 2021. The automated system was smart: it recognized that my credit was earned using the card and awarded the free bag benefit, but when I went to check my bags an overzealous employee spent more than 10 minutes quizzing (after am already ridiculously long wait) and frankly harassing me to justify why my bags were free if I paid for the tickets with a credit. I just kept giving the same answer that the credit came from a canceled flight purchased with the card and eventually he accepted it. But I just don't need that hassle.
Honestly if the system refused me the free bags I would have just paid. Maybe that's how the terms work. But having the system recognize the benefit and then get harassed by the bag check guy was ridiculous. Dude, if I had no morals and could hack into your system I would do something more worthwhile than free bags. And yes, I probably just got unlucky running into an employee maybe having a bad day. But other airline cards give free bags as long as the card is in the account and make what happened impossible. It is much more customer friendly.

 

[trenty]

I appreciate. And no hard/harsh feelings whatsoever. I'm not one to get upset for someone giving advice, lol.

I mostly came in here to try and figure out if there was a better option for 1 CC instead of 3. I'd like to move all 3 balances to 1 card that earns miles, even if we don't travel right now because we're trying to get all finances liked up. But at least I can be banking miles for future use. That way at least I'm earning whenever I have to use the card. Not that I want to use them as I'd like to pay them down to next to nothing and just keep a small balance just so I keep building my credit back up. And I don't want to pay them off completely and just lock them up. I don't want them to cancel on me for not using. For the last bit, I'm hoping we can build an EF after paying down all the cards. But as I said, I'd really like to find 1 to transfer all balances to that can earn miles or something like that.

Again - your focus should not be earning/banking miles. @afan gave you good advice above.

See if you can product change your cards to a no AF card. You don't have to close them, but you should stop using them. Learn to live without credit cards. Then after 6 mos, 1 year, or longer - if you have an excellent handle on your finances and don't need to rely on cc for "just in case" look into travel rewards.

 

[trenty]

I have an Economy class, domestic, round trip flight booked on United for me and DH. I used miles for the fare and my DH's United Gateway card for the fees. So, I should not get checked on bags, right?

DH has decided that he wants us to check one bag. I went into his account to add the bag and I see:

and
a check mark next to prepaid bags:


I did not pay for bags when I booked these flights. Any ideas why it seems as if I can take on two checked bags?

ETA: The United Gateway card used to be the personal one with the AF - many years ago. I downgraded it to the Gateway after we had it for one year.

 

[marsh0013]

I don't think that's accurate. "The Primary Cardmember and up to 3 travel companions on the same reservation each receive their first checked bag free on JetBlue-operated flights that do not otherwise include their first checked bag free. All ticket purchases (original and exchanges) must be made with the JetBlue Plus World Elite Mastercard Card Account and the Primary Cardmember’s Membership Account number must be entered at the time of booking."
https://www.barclaycardus.com/applycontent/TnCs.jsp?tc45787

It's one of the reasons I got rid of the card (though it can be worth getting for the SUB). My experience was that I bought tickets using the card in 2020, then Covid hit and the trip and flights were canceled, and JetBlue issued me a credit good for a couple of years. I used the credits to travel in December 2021. The automated system was smart: it recognized that my credit was earned using the card and awarded the free bag benefit, but when I went to check my bags an overzealous employee spent more than 10 minutes quizzing (after am already ridiculously long wait) and frankly harassing me to justify why my bags were free if I paid for the tickets with a credit. I just kept giving the same answer that the credit came from a canceled flight purchased with the card and eventually he accepted it. But I just don't need that hassle.
Honestly if the system refused me the free bags I would have just paid. Maybe that's how the terms work. But having the system recognize the benefit and then get harassed by the bag check guy was ridiculous. Dude, if I had no morals and could hack into your system I would do something more worthwhile than free bags. And yes, I probably just got unlucky running into an employee maybe having a bad day. But other airline cards give free bags as long as the card is in the account and make what happened impossible. It is much more customer friendly.

That’s so weird. Did you still have the card at the time you took the flight?

I have been flying JetBlue regularly and every time I book, it tells me I have 1 included checked bag because of my credit card. I never have paid for any part of the flight with the JetBlue card. Most recent flight was on July 7. Used points and put the $5.60 fees on my sapphire reserve. My husband and I both had a free checked bag. We’ve done 4 round trips in the past year and have 2 more booked. All include the free checked bag 1 per person on the same reservation. None were paid with the JetBlue credit card. We have no status whatsoever.

 

[calypso726]

I appreciate. And no hard/harsh feelings whatsoever. I'm not one to get upset for someone giving advice, lol.

I mostly came in here to try and figure out if there was a better option for 1 CC instead of 3. I'd like to move all 3 balances to 1 card that earns miles, even if we don't travel right now because we're trying to get all finances liked up. But at least I can be banking miles for future use. That way at least I'm earning whenever I have to use the card. Not that I want to use them as I'd like to pay them down to next to nothing and just keep a small balance just so I keep building my credit back up. And I don't want to pay them off completely and just lock them up. I don't want them to cancel on me for not using. For the last bit, I'm hoping we can build an EF after paying down all the cards. But as I said, I'd really like to find 1 to transfer all balances to that can earn miles or something like that.

@afan and @trenty were more direct than I was in the response to your post. I was hoping my advice would lead you to the same conclusion that @afan and @trenty pointed out.

There is no miles and points earning card that I am aware of that will earn you miles for a balance transfer. All balance transfer cards will charge a fee for the balance transfer. I would normally suggest getting a 0% interest for 12+ months balance transfer card with the low transfer fee and no annual fee. However, you will need to have a credit limit that accommodates all 3 cards and balances. You will also need to have the discipline to not use that card, adding up more debt, and only use cash. You will also need to be sure you can pay it all off before the 0% rate expires. But with the low credit limits on existing cards you may not even qualify for this type of card. So once again, find out if you can product change your current cards and replace them to one with no fee. In the long run you do not want to keep 3 useless cards with a fee that don’t world for you. My oldest cards are Macys and Disney. I only use them once a year but they have no annual fee.