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

[Blumst]

Good morning, I'm brand new to this thread and I decided to reach out for advice after reading the "stickies". I planned our last Disney World trip in September, and I'm looking for continued ways to save on travel (open to best overall approaches). It's myself (38m), my wife (39f) and two daughters (7 & 3). Our next trip would also involve my in-laws and brother-in-law, but we would probably purchase things separately (unless you guys have a better way). We plan to try and go to Disney World every 1.5 years at least for the next 7-8 years. Our next trip would either be December of 2025 or May of 2026. I did a DVC rental our last trip, and I don't think my family will let me do it a different way moving forward. We anticipate out travel interests may change as our kids age, but we still would probably travel somewhere. We are from the Chicagoland area, and we prefer to fly in/out of O'Hare. Southwest flights are more typical at Midway. We did fly Southwest home in September on a direct flight to O'Hare (but those are far more rare). If there's a huge advantage, we could fly Southwest consistently out of Midway, but we would be more likely to need to pay for airport transport (whereas my parents live close to O'Hare so they are more willing to drop us off/pick us up).

We really make most of our purchases (groceries, gas, insurance, kid activities, Amazon, subscriptions) through the below Wells Fargo card. It was just an easy sign-up for 2% back which I usually use for discounted gift cards at restaurants, clothing stores or Home Depot. We don't carry any credit card balance. Our mortgage, cell phones, electric all have to be paid through check unfortunately. We also have an old Capital One Venture card that we never use.

We signed up for the Wells Fargo card in 2021, and it is currently valid until 08/25. Our credit scores are good in the high 700s to low 800s.

 

[wanderlust7]

Just got the USB Triple Cash biz. SUB is $750 for $6000 spend, no AF. It comes with a $100 recurring software subscription credit that I didn't think I'd use. Lo and behold, there's talk on r/churning that seats.aero subscription should work. The credit is only after 11 consecutive months billed, so guess we won't see it in action for a bit.

I've paid for seats.aero for a month at a time when I've needed it, so this is a nice and unexpected benefit. $20 OOP annually if I set it and forget it, or $10 if I remember to cancel for a month.

Side note about seats.aero, the alerts that you set up while you have a subscription seem to work even after cancellation.

 

[elgerber]

Just got the USB Triple Cash biz. SUB is $750 for $6000 spend, no AF. It comes with a $100 recurring software subscription credit that I didn't think I'd use. Lo and behold, there's talk on r/churning that seats.aero subscription should work. The credit is only after 11 consecutive months billed, so guess we won't see it in action for a bit.

I've paid for seats.aero for a month at a time when I've needed it, so this is a nice and unexpected benefit. $20 OOP annually if I set it and forget it, or $10 if I remember to cancel for a month.

Side note about seats.aero, the alerts that you set up while you have a subscription seem to work even after cancellation.

I just got that card, but I am sure I have nothing that will trigger that credit LOL.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Just got the USB Triple Cash biz. SUB is $750 for $6000 spend, no AF. It comes with a $100 recurring software subscription credit that I didn't think I'd use. Lo and behold, there's talk on r/churning that seats.aero subscription should work. The credit is only after 11 consecutive months billed, so guess we won't see it in action for a bit.

I've paid for seats.aero for a month at a time when I've needed it, so this is a nice and unexpected benefit. $20 OOP annually if I set it and forget it, or $10 if I remember to cancel for a month.

Side note about seats.aero, the alerts that you set up while you have a subscription seem to work even after cancellation.

Thanks for sharing, I got that card over the summer. You got a nicer SUB, mine is $600. Still have $300 left of spend to do by early Nov.

I'm going to try getting seats.aero

 

[smallsy]

Anyone have any thoughts on which cards to pay for big ticket items at the beginning of the calendar year?

Dual question, I guess. Say you anticipate $30k spend that is going to be in the first few months of the year. What cards make the most sense for large spend, coupled with any timing thoughts being the beginning of the year?

Any statuses that can be earned for the current year plus the next year? So could get almost 2 years of something interesting.

Not eligible for Southwest SUB right now.

Following replies to your question since we are looking at a big expense as well. Helene took out our HVAC system (2 ft of water in our basement and no electricity for a week). We are very lucky that there was no damage to the house and that we're ok, but insurance is of course giving us the run around . Temps are good right now in upstate SC but we definitely want it fixed come November when it gets cooler.

 

[wanderlust7]

I just got that card, but I am sure I have nothing that will trigger that credit LOL.

Just saw that a $4 Bitwarden monthly business plan also works. Was surprised to learn that the $100 is a credit for having a monthly subscription (no minimum), not a credit for amount charged. So you can potentially come out $50 ahead. MCC code needs to be 5734. I guess the risk is that changes.

 

[becauseimnew]

Just got the USB Triple Cash biz. SUB is $750 for $6000 spend, no AF. It comes with a $100 recurring software subscription credit that I didn't think I'd use. Lo and behold, there's talk on r/churning that seats.aero subscription should work. The credit is only after 11 consecutive months billed, so guess we won't see it in action for a bit.

I've paid for seats.aero for a month at a time when I've needed it, so this is a nice and unexpected benefit. $20 OOP annually if I set it and forget it, or $10 if I remember to cancel for a month.

Side note about seats.aero, the alerts that you set up while you have a subscription seem to work even after cancellation.

This is a great tip.

 

[lsutigers03]

I have a few questions about the upgraded boarding credits on the Southwest Priority card. Is there a way to see if you have used them like you can see if you have used the $75 credit? I looked through the statements and didn't see any charge for upgraded boardings so I assume they haven't been used yet. Last year the AF posted on 12/01. Can I assume it will post on the same date this year? I ask because we have Christmas Day flights to BUR to go to Disneyland and I would like to try and keep the card until then to try and upgrade to A1-15. Is that cutting it too close to be able to cancel? Can I do the upgraded boardings and then cancel or do I have to wait for the credits to hit before canceling? If I need the credits to hit seems like I would be cutting it close to close the card and get the AF credited.

 

[djmeredith]

Good morning, I'm brand new to this thread and I decided to reach out for advice after reading the "stickies". I planned our last Disney World trip in September, and I'm looking for continued ways to save on travel (open to best overall approaches). It's myself (38m), my wife (39f) and two daughters (7 & 3). Our next trip would also involve my in-laws and brother-in-law, but we would probably purchase things separately (unless you guys have a better way). We plan to try and go to Disney World every 1.5 years at least for the next 7-8 years. Our next trip would either be December of 2025 or May of 2026. I did a DVC rental our last trip, and I don't think my family will let me do it a different way moving forward. We anticipate out travel interests may change as our kids age, but we still would probably travel somewhere. We are from the Chicagoland area, and we prefer to fly in/out of O'Hare. Southwest flights are more typical at Midway. We did fly Southwest home in September on a direct flight to O'Hare (but those are far more rare). If there's a huge advantage, we could fly Southwest consistently out of Midway, but we would be more likely to need to pay for airport transport (whereas my parents live close to O'Hare so they are more willing to drop us off/pick us up).

We really make most of our purchases (groceries, gas, insurance, kid activities, Amazon, subscriptions) through the below Wells Fargo card. It was just an easy sign-up for 2% back which I usually use for discounted gift cards at restaurants, clothing stores or Home Depot. We don't carry any credit card balance. Our mortgage, cell phones, electric all have to be paid through check unfortunately. We also have an old Capital One Venture card that we never use.

We signed up for the Wells Fargo card in 2021, and it is currently valid until 08/25. Our credit scores are good in the high 700s to low 800s.

Welcome! I strongly encourage you to consider using Southwest regularly for your trips. If you and your wife both participate in this hobby, you can each earn a Southwest Companion Pass (CP). That would allow each of you to earn a lot of points for each of you to use for free flights AND you would each be able to take one of the kids for free on every flight. This would allow all 4 of you to fly free (except fees/taxes) for the next 2 years. I am going to paste my recent explanation of the CP from a few days ago because it is applicable to you as well.

The CP allows you to bring along your designated "companion" on any flight with you as long as there is any open seat on the flight. The companion only pays the $5.60 in taxes/fees. Once a CP is earned, it is good for the remainder of the calendar year in which it is earned and the entire following calendar year. Therefore, most people aim to earn it early in the calendar year.

That strategy requires you to start the CP earning process in Oct or Nov so that you can earn the first SUB (sign up bonus) early in Jan and still have enough time between your two applications not to set off any alarm bells. Because you have a spouse, you have a "P2" (second "player" in this hobby). That is a huge help as well because you can "support" each other's applications. (The "R" word - referral - is not used here because referrals aren't allowed on DIS.). This is what I would do if I were you:

One of you (P1) should apply for the SW personal card immediately. As soon as you receive the card and can generate a "support" link, P2 should apply using that support link. BUT - and this is critical - do NOT meet the minimum spend requirement (MSR) on either card until AFTER Jan 1. Then meet the MSR asap on/after Jan 1. In December, you should each support each other for a SW biz card application. Again, do not meet the MSR until AFTER Jan 1 (then meet the MSR asap after Jan 1). Each of you will then earn a CP good for the rest of 2025 and 2026.

There are a couple of important rules/tips as you start this hobby, and these apply regardless of whether you decide to start with the SW cards or not. Chase has a hard and fast 5/24 rule, which means they will not allow a person to open more than 5 personal cards in a 24 month period, and they will not let you open a biz card unless you are 4/24 or less. Related to this rule, we always advise people not make each other authorized users on each other's cards because that will utilize one one of the 5/24 spots without earning a SUB. The other rule is to pace the timing of your apps. I am drawing a blank on the specific pacing, so someone else will have to jump in (i think its generally 1 Chase personal card every 3 mos). The other extremely important rule is never close a credit card until it has been open at least 1 year. You can cancel within 30 days after the 1 year anniversary to avoid the next annual fee (AF) if you do not plan to keep the card.

There is no wrong way to do this hobby. Many of us focus on SUBs (which are especially good when you have a P2 and can earn support pts too). Others prefer to get a good balance of cards that earn in specific categories and then maximize those categories. The CPs seem like the best place to start for someone close to a SW hub that wants to maximize free flights, and the timing couldn't be better for it.

 

[reliev]

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.

yeah its not grocery thats all i know no idea what its for...

 

[Blumst]

Welcome! I strongly encourage you to consider using Southwest regularly for your trips. If you and your wife both participate in this hobby, you can each earn a Southwest Companion Pass (CP). That would allow each of you to earn a lot of points for each of you to use for free flights AND you would each be able to take one of the kids for free on every flight. This would allow all 4 of you to fly free (except fees/taxes) for the next 2 years. I am going to paste my recent explanation of the CP from a few days ago because it is applicable to you as well.

The CP allows you to bring along your designated "companion" on any flight with you as long as there is any open seat on the flight. The companion only pays the $5.60 in taxes/fees. Once a CP is earned, it is good for the remainder of the calendar year in which it is earned and the entire following calendar year. Therefore, most people aim to earn it early in the calendar year.

That strategy requires you to start the CP earning process in Oct or Nov so that you can earn the first SUB (sign up bonus) early in Jan and still have enough time between your two applications not to set off any alarm bells. Because you have a spouse, you have a "P2" (second "player" in this hobby). That is a huge help as well because you can "support" each other's applications. (The "R" word - referral - is not used here because referrals aren't allowed on DIS.). This is what I would do if I were you:

One of you (P1) should apply for the SW personal card immediately. As soon as you receive the card and can generate a "support" link, P2 should apply using that support link. BUT - and this is critical - do NOT meet the minimum spend requirement (MSR) on either card until AFTER Jan 1. Then meet the MSR asap on/after Jan 1. In December, you should each support each other for a SW biz card application. Again, do not meet the MSR until AFTER Jan 1 (then meet the MSR asap after Jan 1). Each of you will then earn a CP good for the rest of 2025 and 2026.

There are a couple of important rules/tips as you start this hobby, and these apply regardless of whether you decide to start with the SW cards or not. Chase has a hard and fast 5/24 rule, which means they will not allow a person to open more than 5 personal cards in a 24 month period, and they will not let you open a biz card unless you are 4/24 or less. Related to this rule, we always advise people not make each other authorized users on each other's cards because that will utilize one one of the 5/24 spots without earning a SUB. The other rule is to pace the timing of your apps. I am drawing a blank on the specific pacing, so someone else will have to jump in (i think its generally 1 Chase personal card every 3 mos). The other extremely important rule is never close a credit card until it has been open at least 1 year. You can cancel within 30 days after the 1 year anniversary to avoid the next annual fee (AF) if you do not plan to keep the card.

There is no wrong way to do this hobby. Many of us focus on SUBs (which are especially good when you have a P2 and can earn support pts too). Others prefer to get a good balance of cards that earn in specific categories and then maximize those categories. The CPs seem like the best place to start for someone close to a SW hub that wants to maximize free flights, and the timing couldn't be better for it.

This is awesome, thank you. Just a couple quick questions as I first read through this. Sorry, I don't have much experience with this stuff. For the CP, does the open seat just matter at time of booking the flight or does the seat need to be open at the time of the flight (almost like a standby seat)?

Also, when I receive the personal card, I understand not meeting the MSR until January. Should I still make some purchases on it or does it not matter?

 

[GZanta77]

This is awesome, thank you. Just a couple quick questions as I first read through this. Sorry, I don't have much experience with this stuff. For the CP, does the open seat just matter at time of booking the flight or does the seat need to be open at the time of the flight (almost like a standby seat)?

Also, when I receive the personal card, I understand not meeting the MSR until January. Should I still make some purchases on it or does it not matter?

The companion seat is confirmed at the time of booking - and it doesn't even need to be the same fare class - any open seat. For example - it might say only 1 left in the Wanna Get Away fares (cheapest), but you can book it and still add your companion even if only seats in higher fare classes are left for sale.

As far as meeting MSR, the key is to not have the points post before January. There is nothing to stop you putting some spend on the card before that as long as you do not meet the MSR until January. Of course, any spend you put on the card after your December statement will also count towards meeting the companion pass when the points post with the January statement.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Good morning, I'm brand new to this thread and I decided to reach out for advice after reading the "stickies". I planned our last Disney World trip in September, and I'm looking for continued ways to save on travel (open to best overall approaches). It's myself (38m), my wife (39f) and two daughters (7 & 3). Our next trip would also involve my in-laws and brother-in-law, but we would probably purchase things separately (unless you guys have a better way). We plan to try and go to Disney World every 1.5 years at least for the next 7-8 years. Our next trip would either be December of 2025 or May of 2026. I did a DVC rental our last trip, and I don't think my family will let me do it a different way moving forward. We anticipate out travel interests may change as our kids age, but we still would probably travel somewhere. We are from the Chicagoland area, and we prefer to fly in/out of O'Hare. Southwest flights are more typical at Midway. We did fly Southwest home in September on a direct flight to O'Hare (but those are far more rare). If there's a huge advantage, we could fly Southwest consistently out of Midway, but we would be more likely to need to pay for airport transport (whereas my parents live close to O'Hare so they are more willing to drop us off/pick us up).

We really make most of our purchases (groceries, gas, insurance, kid activities, Amazon, subscriptions) through the below Wells Fargo card. It was just an easy sign-up for 2% back which I usually use for discounted gift cards at restaurants, clothing stores or Home Depot. We don't carry any credit card balance. Our mortgage, cell phones, electric all have to be paid through check unfortunately. We also have an old Capital One Venture card that we never use.

We signed up for the Wells Fargo card in 2021, and it is currently valid until 08/25. Our credit scores are good in the high 700s to low 800s.

I agree the SW cards are a good recommendation for your family. Another option which is a bit more versatile is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, which are pretty versatile, in that you can transfer them to select travel partners, like Southwest, or you can book travel in their travel portal. There's an elevated sign up bonus (SUB) right now of 60,000 UR + $300 travel credit, after spending $4k/3 mos. If you sign up in a Chase branch, the offer is 70,000 + $300 travel credit. There's a $95 Annual Fee and a $50 hotel credit for a hotel booked through the travel portal.

Ironically, this is a Disney board, but Chase doesn't play that nicely with Disney, so there aren't a ton of on property hotel options bookable through the portal. There are some, from time to time, like the Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve.

PS, don't close your old Cap One card, as it's good for your credit to have a long credit history. Also, we typically recommend not making your spouse and authorized user on new cards, as it limits the number of cards you'll be able to open, if you really get into the hobby over the next few years.

 

[mmmears]

Following replies to your question since we are looking at a big expense as well. Helene took out our HVAC system (2 ft of water in our basement and no electricity for a week). We are very lucky that there was no damage to the house and that we're ok, but insurance is of course giving us the run around . Temps are good right now in upstate SC but we definitely want it fixed come November when it gets cooler.

I'm sorry about your HVAC system. When we had our HVAC replaced a couple of years ago we opened up 2 Ink cards and an Amex Green card (I had the other ones) and ended up with a lot of points for that spend.

 

[Blumst]

The companion seat is confirmed at the time of booking - and it doesn't even need to be the same fare class - any open seat. For example - it might say only 1 left in the Wanna Get Away fares (cheapest), but you can book it and still add your companion even if only seats in higher fare classes are left for sale.

As far as meeting MSR, the key is to not have the points post before January. There is nothing to stop you putting some spend on the card before that as long as you do not meet the MSR until January. Of course, any spend you put on the card after your December statement will also count towards meeting the companion pass when the points post with the January statement

I agree the SW cards are a good recommendation for your family. Another option which is a bit more versatile is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, which are pretty versatile, in that you can transfer them to select travel partners, like Southwest, or you can book travel in their travel portal. There's an elevated sign up bonus (SUB) right now of 60,000 UR + $300 travel credit, after spending $4k/3 mos. If you sign up in a Chase branch, the offer is 70,000 + $300 travel credit. There's a $95 Annual Fee and a $50 hotel credit for a hotel booked through the travel portal.

Ironically, this is a Disney board, but Chase doesn't play that nicely with Disney, so there aren't a ton of on property hotel options bookable through the portal. There are some, from time to time, like the Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve.

PS, don't close your old Cap One card, as it's good for your credit to have a long credit history. Also, we typically recommend not making your spouse and authorized user on new cards, as it limits the number of cards you'll be able to open, if you really get into the hobby over the next few years.

I got it, thank you. So, from what I gather on the website, I earn a CP after 135,000 qualifying points. Can you earn a CP every year or is that just for the first year you have the card? It appears I would earn 50,000 points after I spend $1,000. Any idea on what I would spend to earn the remaining points? And how many points would it take typically take for a roundtrip wanna get away from Chicago to Orlando? I'm trying to gather how much I should be putting on these cards per month (even if its a rough estimate). I'm guessing the numbers change depending on cost of the current flight, time you're traveling, time you're purchasing, etc. So I guess I'm just looking for a bracket of points per card for one round trip....like 200,000 to 300,000. Also, it appears you can get the personal card directly through the Southwest website or through Chase... Does it matter which way I do this? Last question for the moment... what is the benefit of having the Southwest personal card and the Southwest business card come December? Thanks everyone for all the help so far, this has been great.

Is there a reason for both of us to get the

 

[djmeredith]

Is there a reason for both of us to get the

It appears you are asking if both of you need to earn the CP. That is up to you. Each person that has a CP can only choose 1 companion to accompany them (though you are allowed to change that designation up to 3 times per year). Therefore, both of you need to earn your own CP so that you can each list one of the children as your companion.

The Sapphire Preferred recommendation above is a good one. The trip delay/interruption insurance it provides is valuable. I never use my SW cards to pay for the fees/taxes on my SW tickets; I use my Sapphire Preferred so that I have that coverage.

 

[trenty]

Good morning, I'm brand new to this thread and I decided to reach out for advice after reading the "stickies". I planned our last Disney World trip in September, and I'm looking for continued ways to save on travel (open to best overall approaches). It's myself (38m), my wife (39f) and two daughters (7 & 3). Our next trip would also involve my in-laws and brother-in-law, but we would probably purchase things separately (unless you guys have a better way). We plan to try and go to Disney World every 1.5 years at least for the next 7-8 years. Our next trip would either be December of 2025 or May of 2026. I did a DVC rental our last trip, and I don't think my family will let me do it a different way moving forward. We anticipate out travel interests may change as our kids age, but we still would probably travel somewhere. We are from the Chicagoland area, and we prefer to fly in/out of O'Hare. Southwest flights are more typical at Midway. We did fly Southwest home in September on a direct flight to O'Hare (but those are far more rare). If there's a huge advantage, we could fly Southwest consistently out of Midway, but we would be more likely to need to pay for airport transport (whereas my parents live close to O'Hare so they are more willing to drop us off/pick us up).

We really make most of our purchases (groceries, gas, insurance, kid activities, Amazon, subscriptions) through the below Wells Fargo card. It was just an easy sign-up for 2% back which I usually use for discounted gift cards at restaurants, clothing stores or Home Depot. We don't carry any credit card balance. Our mortgage, cell phones, electric all have to be paid through check unfortunately. We also have an old Capital One Venture card that we never use.

We signed up for the Wells Fargo card in 2021, and it is currently valid until 08/25. Our credit scores are good in the high 700s to low 800s.

I would also suggest starting with the Chase Sapphire Preferred. With the CSP, you have many travel partners you can transfer the points to, and you can book through the travel portal too.

 

[hsmamato2]

Is there a reason for both of us to get the

It all sounds a bit confusing at first..... read thru the detailed posts on how to do it. currently it is really quite simple- each of you in turn does the above noted steps, each of you earns a companion pass good for 2 years ('25-'26)- so once you each have the points earned in each of your swa accts,and a CP, you just book yourself on a chosen flight,and add your companion (each of you has a child) rinse and repeat for 2 years.

 

[hsmamato2]

speaking of swa CP.... what's the rumor mill thinking for future CP etc and points usage once they switch to a more traditional model for seats etc? I'd love to hop in there right now but I have to cool my heels with them for a little while

 

[reliev]

speaking of swa CP.... what's the rumor mill thinking for future CP etc and points usage once they switch to a more traditional model for seats etc? I'd love to hop in there right now but I have to cool my heels with them for a little while

there is also a rumor they will remove the companion pass, and Hyatt will go to dynamic pricing I hope this isn't the case.