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

[mmmears]

@mmmears booking FSH was easy -- I posted my tips on the Tokyo Disney board. I had done many trial runs during the daytime and read various posts on how to book. I woke up around 2:45am on the morning I needed to book and had logged into the TD website to search dates -- by doing this I was somehow able to avoid the queue at 3am. I had booked my package and meals by 3:15am and went back to bed. I was only able to get fantasy garden view (theme park view was not available), but I am fine with this. the next morning FSH was still available, but fantasy garden rooms were gone. Within 2 days all FSH unlimited packages were sold out.

I can't believe the package is only 1 night now; I am glad that we have 2 nights.

Ds and I are excited for the unlimited package. When I was at Disney Sea in January I spent a good part of my day on my phone booking FPs (sorry I'm old school!); I'm glad that I can enjoy my time in the parks more now. Plus will be nice to have time to sit down and eat instead of eating in the line for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (what I did in January).

Thanks so much. I keep looking over there but I must be missing the thread with all the details. Nice that you didn't have to wait for hours! The one day package deal is terrible for us. I want two days which means I'm going to have to try for two packages. If you have any dining recommendations I'd appreciate them.

 

[trenty]

I still can’t seem to find any discounted cards, but I will use my Disney card to pay my dues so hopefully that helps.

Many of the Disney Gift cards we are referring too are not discounted directly. We make our own discounts sometimes, by using various methods such as credit card offers.

 

[trenty]

Is there a trick to getting the cards to link? I have the cc added to my account, but when I go to link cards it always gives me an error "This offer cannot be linked at this time. Please try again later." I've tried logging off/on, and deleting the app and reinstalling.

Not sure. I have had all my cc linked to Rakuten for a while now. I don't remember encountering any difficulties.

 

[LisaRN97]

Hi ya!! I'm looking to get a new credit card (or two), in the hopes of stacking up points, mostly for air travel. In the past two years, this is what I have opened: And I have two other Chase (Sapphire preferred and Freedom), which I haven't used in years...should I cancel these before looking for new). Also have Amex - Gold

02/23 - United Quest
11/23 - Allegiant - Bank of America
01/24 - CHASE Ink Preferred Business

• What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? $500 - $3000 depends if paying for a large purchase or trip
• Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month or do you carry any balances/pay any interest? Payoff every month
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? Newark, NJ
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? United
• Does SOUTHWEST Airline service your airport? no
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? Marriott
• Do you currently have travel points or miles in any program? (if so, which programs and how much) United 170,000 and Marriott 143,000
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? (i.e. Disney World Trip, Cruise, European Trip, Cash Back to pay-off a mortgage or student loans, etc. - you can have multiple goals too!) I'll use a new card to pay off a trip - then use rewards for air travel. One family vacation per year 15K-20K
• When do you plan to take these trips? (Keep in mind that it can be difficult to earn points/miles to cover imminent travel...it's best to plan far in advance, especially with regards to international travel) We usually travel Spring to early summer with kids when they finish college
• Who does your travel party consist of? (Spouse, Kids (& ages), other relatives/friends) Family of 4. Spouse and 2 kids, ages 20 & 18

I appreciate any insights or advice. And it is just me, my husband is not on board with this, although he enjoys the benefits.

 

[djmeredith]

For those planning Japan, consider spending time in Nagasaki and Hiroshima. We went to Japan in May and wished we had more time in each. We went for the atomic bomb sites, but there was a lot of other things we wanted to do after we got there. Miyajima Island was well worth the time in Hiroshima. I would set aside a full day for that next time, though you can do it in less.

 

[Sheree]

realized we can pay MIL's assisted living rent via BILT!!! with no fees
DH was approved with a high enough credit line. so i can set it up for auto pay, using Bilt info and reimburse ourselves from her account. Nice! it says we have to use card 5x each month to retain our points? or maybe i can just transfer them monthly.

Guess I'll go for JB for next msr for me



I

 

[djmeredith]

Hi ya!! I'm looking to get a new credit card (or two), in the hopes of stacking up points, mostly for air travel. In the past two years, this is what I have opened: And I have two other Chase (Sapphire preferred and Freedom), which I haven't used in years...should I cancel these before looking for new). Also have Amex - Gold

02/23 - United Quest
11/23 - Allegiant - Bank of America
01/24 - CHASE Ink Preferred Business

• What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? $500 - $3000 depends if paying for a large purchase or trip
• Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month or do you carry any balances/pay any interest? Payoff every month
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? Newark, NJ
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? United
• Does SOUTHWEST Airline service your airport? no
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? Marriott
• Do you currently have travel points or miles in any program? (if so, which programs and how much) United 170,000 and Marriott 143,000
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? (i.e. Disney World Trip, Cruise, European Trip, Cash Back to pay-off a mortgage or student loans, etc. - you can have multiple goals too!) I'll use a new card to pay off a trip - then use rewards for air travel. One family vacation per year 15K-20K
• When do you plan to take these trips? (Keep in mind that it can be difficult to earn points/miles to cover imminent travel...it's best to plan far in advance, especially with regards to international travel) We usually travel Spring to early summer with kids when they finish college
• Who does your travel party consist of? (Spouse, Kids (& ages), other relatives/friends) Family of 4. Spouse and 2 kids, ages 20 & 18

I appreciate any insights or advice. And it is just me, my husband is not on board with this, although he enjoys the benefits.

Welcome! Chase and AmEx are the most common cards we discuss here and that's usually where we recommend newbies start. Both have Marriott as a transfer partner. Chase also has United has a transfer partner. If you are wanting to accumulate points quickly, you probably will want to focus on Sign Up Bonuses (SUBs). Two important rules to remember as you get started in this hobby. 1. Chase has a 5/24 rule: you can only get 5 personal cards within a 24 month period. All brand personal cards are included in that count, not just Chase. You are currently 3/24 until your United card falls off in Feb. Many of us here have a sole proprietor side gig biz, so biz cards are in play as well. (Think ebay, FB Marketplace, consulting etc. Anything that earns you extra money.) That greatly expands the number of SUBs you can earn in that 24 months period. 2. Never close a card prior to the one year anniversary. Let the next annual fee post and then cancel it within 30 days. The AF will be refunded as long as you cancel within 30 days.

Older cards, in general, are good to keep because it helps with length of credit history. However, the CSP and the CF are both good churning cards. If you have other old cards, I would say cancel them so you can get them again with a SUB; or at least keep one of them open for now. Others here may have better advice on whether to keep those cards; I am definitely not an expert on that. You can only have one Sapphire card at a time, so you will have to cancel your CSP at some point if you want to get a SUB for a Sapphire card. Those cards can only be churned once every 48 months (most other cards are 24 months), and that's 24 mos from the date you earned the bonus (not when you opened the card). So keep all that in mind when deciding whether to keep or close your current CSP. Neither of the Sapphire cards have a good bonus now, so I wouldn't be in a rush to get one at this time.

If you don't mind a high fee card, you might want to try to pull a really high SUB offer for the AmEx Gold or Plat. Not sure what the highest available is right now. Hopefully, someone else will chime in with those specifics. There are lots of tips about how to "pull" AmEx offers if you do an internet search. If you get a SUB and can maximize the benefits, the cards often pay for themselves.

Good luck as you get started in this hobby!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Anybody buying AA miles at 50% off rn? I worry that a devaluation is around the corner, but I think it would be good to get a few more for domestic flights and keep our current stash to return to Japan in 2026 or 2027... (Currently in Japan and loving it)

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

CVS is on Rakuten In-store % off…so make sure your cards are listed…% varies …today it’s 12%

Yes. Loving the in-store cash back from Rakuten. You also have to remember to re-add the offers - but they usually email to remind this.

Thanks for the tip!! I only had it on one card but my Rakuten offer already tracked, so that's 22% for that card plus it pushes my Rakuten high enough to cash out the small money that's been hanging there before the minimum

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

So had our global entry interviews yesterday in NYC. Me, my husband & my oldest already have our approvals. My youngest who was below the age for fingerprinting doesn’t have it yet. It is so weird.

 

[hsmamato2]

Are they still offering InstaCart? I thought they were getting rid of that benefit and switching to Door Dash

I'm the first to say I don't understand which benefit goes with the card,I can;'t figure out the door dash thing either....so I'm gonna assume the IC thing goes away after I PC too.... thanks

 

[SleepyatDVC]

realized we can pay MIL's assisted living rent via BILT!!! with no fees
DH was approved with a high enough credit line. so i can set it up for auto pay, using Bilt info and reimburse ourselves from her account. Nice! it says we have to use card 5x each month to retain our points? or maybe i can just transfer them monthly.

Guess I'll go for JB for next msr for me



I

My Dad has the Bilt card. You need to use the card 5 times each billing cycles to actually earn points that cycle. I think that it includes the rent payment, so 4 additional times. I do usually use it a 5th time, jic, because I am paranoid. Lol. There is a countdown meter on the Bilt website.

I read that you can add the card to Amazon and load a GC with the minimum amount allowed. I haven't done that myself (yet). I usually use it when I make a run to the supermarket for milk, etc.

 

[Budzooka]

Anybody buying AA miles at 50% off rn? I worry that a devaluation is around the corner, but I think it would be good to get a few more for domestic flights and keep our current stash to return to Japan in 2026 or 2027... (Currently in Japan and loving it)

I’m just starting to dabble more with AA after being a loyal SWA customer. Debating purchasing some points to have an additional stash. Is it 50% no matter the amount or do you have to purchase 450K to get the 50%?

 

[Sheree]

My Dad has the Bilt card. You need to use the card 5 times 5 times each billing cycles to actually earn points that cycle. I think that it includes the rent payment, so 4 additional times. I do usually use it a 5th time, jic, because I am paranoid. Lol. There is a countdown meter on the Bilt website.

I read that you can add the card to Amazon and load a GC with the minimum amount allowed. I haven't done that myself (yet). I usually use it when I make a run to the supermarket for milk, etc.

i was thinking of just making it my default amazon card, that way Ill definitely hit 5 per month!

My Dad has the Bilt card. You need to use the card 5 times 5 times each billing cycles to actually earn points that cycle. I think that it includes the rent payment, so 4 additional times. I do usually use it a 5th time, jic, because I am paranoid. Lol. There is a countdown meter on the Bilt website.

I read that you can add the card to Amazon and load a GC with the minimum amount allowed. I haven't done that myself (yet). I usually use it when I make a run to the supermarket for milk, etc.

and I just got the JB approved. very low msr, 1k, no p

 

[eticketplease]

I'm the first to say I don't understand which benefit goes with the card,I can;'t figure out the door dash thing either....so I'm gonna assume the IC thing goes away after I PC too.... thanks

On the DoorDash app there is a section for Grocery that you can use your $10 credit on. It is certainly not as easy as the InstaCart one but from where I have used it the prices are not as inflated.

 

[Nala83]

My Dad has the Bilt card. You need to use the card 5 times each billing cycles to actually earn points that cycle. I think that it includes the rent payment, so 4 additional times. I do usually use it a 5th time, jic, because I am paranoid. Lol. There is a countdown meter on the Bilt website.

I read that you can add the card to Amazon and load a GC with the minimum amount allowed. I haven't done that myself (yet). I usually use it when I make a run to the supermarket for milk, etc.

The rent payment doesn't count as one of the 5. You can add to your Amazon balance- they upped the minimum to $5 per reload.

I have use my Bilt card for some of my small re-occurring auto-charges ($.99 Apple!).

When not working on a SUB, I sometimes use it for dining (3x) or on the first of the month when points are doubled. It's a way to accrue Alaska miles.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

DP - Just approved for the JB Barclay! Instant. Crazy CL though. How much they think I plan to fly? I think I will need to lower it. Can it be done on the website or do I need to call? $29.9k

 

[SleepyatDVC]

The rent payment doesn't count as one of the 5. You can add to your Amazon balance- they upped the minimum to $5 per reload.

I have use my Bilt card for some of my small re-occurring auto-charges ($.99 Apple!).

When not working on a SUB, I sometimes use it for dining (3x) or on the first of the month when points are doubled. It's a way to accrue Alaska miles.

Thanks for confirming with the correct info about the number of times needed each month. I always go for the 5x besides the rent.

 

[LisaRN97]

Welcome! Chase and AmEx are the most common cards we discuss here and that's usually where we recommend newbies start. Both have Marriott as a transfer partner. Chase also has United has a transfer partner. If you are wanting to accumulate points quickly, you probably will want to focus on Sign Up Bonuses (SUBs). Two important rules to remember as you get started in this hobby. 1. Chase has a 5/24 rule: you can only get 5 personal cards within a 24 month period. All brand personal cards are included in that count, not just Chase. You are currently 3/24 until your United card falls off in Feb. Many of us here have a sole proprietor side gig biz, so biz cards are in play as well. (Think ebay, FB Marketplace, consulting etc. Anything that earns you extra money.) That greatly expands the number of SUBs you can earn in that 24 months period. 2. Never close a card prior to the one year anniversary. Let the next annual fee post and then cancel it within 30 days. The AF will be refunded as long as you cancel within 30 days.

Older cards, in general, are good to keep because it helps with length of credit history. However, the CSP and the CF are both good churning cards. If you have other old cards, I would say cancel them so you can get them again with a SUB; or at least keep one of them open for now. Others here may have better advice on whether to keep those cards; I am definitely not an expert on that. You can only have one Sapphire card at a time, so you will have to cancel your CSP at some point if you want to get a SUB for a Sapphire card. Those cards can only be churned once every 48 months (most other cards are 24 months), and that's 24 mos from the date you earned the bonus (not when you opened the card). So keep all that in mind when deciding whether to keep or close your current CSP. Neither of the Sapphire cards have a good bonus now, so I wouldn't be in a rush to get one at this time.

If you don't mind a high fee card, you might want to try to pull a really high SUB offer for the AmEx Gold or Plat. Not sure what the highest available is right now. Hopefully, someone else will chime in with those specifics. There are lots of tips about how to "pull" AmEx offers if you do an internet search. If you get a SUB and can maximize the benefits, the cards often pay for themselves.

Good luck as you get started in this hobby!

Thank you for your advice. Since I have a traditional Gold card with Amex, I went on line and was able to upgrade to the regular Gold Amex, with a 90,000 MR after a $2000 spend in 6 months.

 

[havaneselover]

On the DoorDash app there is a section for Grocery that you can use your $10 credit on. It is certainly not as easy as the InstaCart one but from where I have used it the prices are not as inflated.

I find it really tricky to use. I used it once when they were running a deal. Then I went to use it again and the second $10 credit wasn't there. Mabye I'm misunderstanding what I'm getting with my CSR.