I love credit cards so much! v7.0 - 2025 (see first page for add'l details)

[becauseimnew]

Ok folks.... Amex Plat....trying to assist a friend who has had this cc for years I guess,has like 2 million points (and never once used them) and wants to go to WDW. What's the best uses for those points to get her there? I'm pretty basic when it comes to how to use them- is there a way to use them for onsite stays or packages? or better to transfer to a hotel chain like Bonvoy or Hilton for use? I'm guessing her points could cover airfare and hotel and tix, just not sure how yet. Thanks!

I would try to use them at Marriott Swan/Dolphin since they are considered deluxe resorts.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Ok folks.... Amex Plat....trying to assist a friend who has had this cc for years I guess,has like 2 million points (and never once used them) and wants to go to WDW. What's the best uses for those points to get her there? I'm pretty basic when it comes to how to use them- is there a way to use them for onsite stays or packages? or better to transfer to a hotel chain like Bonvoy or Hilton for use? I'm guessing her points could cover airfare and hotel and tix, just not sure how yet. Thanks!

Where is she flying from? Does Delta service that airport?

 

[hsmamato2]

I would try to use them at Marriott Swan/Dolphin since they are considered deluxe resorts.

can you book direct there using MR? (I think that's what the amex points are called,right?)

 

[hsmamato2]

Where is she flying from? Does Delta service that airport?

northeast- yes probably Delta flies here- is that the simplest transfer?

 

[becauseimnew]

can you book direct there using MR? (I think that's what the amex points are called,right?)

Depending on the date it might work better to transfer the points to Marriott from Amex, if you book 5 nights, you'll only pay for 4 nights using Marriott points.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/loyalty/partners/CALA-redemptions-pay-4-stay-5-nights.mi

 

[wanderlust7]

Ok folks.... Amex Plat....trying to assist a friend who has had this cc for years I guess,has like 2 million points (and never once used them) and wants to go to WDW. What's the best uses for those points to get her there? I'm pretty basic when it comes to how to use them- is there a way to use them for onsite stays or packages? or better to transfer to a hotel chain like Bonvoy or Hilton for use? I'm guessing her points could cover airfare and hotel and tix, just not sure how yet. Thanks!

Most straightforward might be to cashout with a Schwab Platinum at 1.1 cent per point. She would need a Schwab account first if she doesn't have one. Cashout is limited to 1 million per calendar year now. 2 million points would be $22,000, which would be a very nice WDW trip or several.

Delta and Jetblue are the domestic transfer partners. Jetblue transfers at a little less than 1:1. There's a transfer tax that maxes out at $99. You can also book domestic flights with international partners, but it gets more complicated.

Transferring to Delta for Delta Vacations, she can pay with miles for at least 1 cent per point, sometimes more. I'm seeing 1.1 for Orlando. I'm not sure how well priced the packages are.

Transferring to Marriott really depends on the points vs cash rate. I think at least 50k is pretty common for Swolphin. Which would be $550 cashed out. I don't think cash rate is usually that much? There is 5th night free on awards, so that might change the math.

 

[hsmamato2]

Depending on the date it might work better to transfer the points to Marriott from Amex, if you book 5 nights, you'll only pay for 4 nights using Marriott points.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/loyalty/partners/CALA-redemptions-pay-4-stay-5-nights.mi

oh yes I forgot about that.... thanks!

 

[hsmamato2]

Delta and Jetblue are the domestic transfer partners. Jetblue transfers at a little less than 1:1. There's a transfer tax that maxes out at $99.

They charge $99 to transfer points to Delta or jetblue?

 

[wanderlust7]

They charge $99 to transfer points to Delta or jetblue?

Both, it applies to domestic airlines. $0.0006 per point transferred. So maxes out at 165,000 points and anything above that will be $99.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

They charge $99 to transfer points to Delta or jetblue?

Any transfer has a fee, but the fee maxes at $99. So best to do a large transfer at once

 

[Shannon G]

Phew! Decided to apply for the CSR over the weekend for the elevated bonus. It's been just a year since I downgraded my old CSP and then applied and got a new one for a new bonus. Didn't get instant approval on the CSR, and it took a few days, but I got an approval today! Now to work on meeting the spend...And start looking at what cards I should close to simplify things a bit.

 

[elgerber]

Do you know if Chase will expedite the United Biz card?

 

[wanderlust7]

Do you know if Chase will expedite the United Biz card?

Yes, they'll expedite. Not sure if this is still the case, but if you ask too quickly, they might say no because your membership hasn't been verified yet.

 

[hsmamato2]

Phew! Decided to apply for the CSR over the weekend for the elevated bonus. It's been just a year since I downgraded my old CSP and then applied and got a new one for a new bonus. Didn't get instant approval on the CSR, and it took a few days, but I got an approval today! Now to work on meeting the spend...And start looking at what cards I should close to simplify things a bit.

you got a CSR last year? or a CSP?

 

[Shannon G]

you got a CSR last year? or a CSP?

I got a new CSP a year ago.

 

[becauseimnew]

Elevated SUB for the Schwab 150K MRs, I know I was complaining about the CSR $795 fee just a couple days ago, and already have 2 new MSRs, but I'm going to apply just to confirm I'm still in PUJ.

https://www.schwab.com/credit-cards/platinum-card

 

[havaneselover]

Booked a 4-night cruise on Celebrity Reflection for June for my mom and me. They had an Aquaclass guarantee rate that was enticing. Was able to cash out $400 of capital one shopping rewards for celebrity gift cards and put the rest on my csr. Need to add drinks package and wifi but other than that we should be good to go.

 

[elgerber]

Do you know if Chase will expedite the United Biz card?

Approved last night, immediately requested, just got an email it's being sent today.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I'm not sure how I'm going to meet MSR on my BBP. Was planning on using a payment platform to make the next 2 property tax installments, but as of May 1st they no longer take biz cards (I tried, no luck). The new platform that was my backup is still waiting for final approval from AmEx (CSR said by the end of this month should be good to go, but I'm gonna take that with a grain of salt). I tried setting up a biz account on a different payment platform but they only take Visa and MC for property tax payments. The city used to allow cc payments for taxes but stopped last year. I'm going to have to get creative; at least I have 4 months to figure this out. Hopefully the new payment platform (that, at least for now, gives 1% in cash back gets AmEx set up by the end of May.

 

[wanderlust7]

I'm not sure how I'm going to meet MSR on my BBP. Was planning on using a payment platform to make the next 2 property tax installments, but as of May 1st they no longer take biz cards (I tried, no luck). The new platform that was my backup is still waiting for final approval from AmEx (CSR said by the end of this month should be good to go, but I'm gonna take that with a grain of salt). I tried setting up a biz account on a different payment platform but they only take Visa and MC for property tax payments. The city used to allow cc payments for taxes but stopped last year. I'm going to have to get creative; at least I have 4 months to figure this out. Hopefully the new payment platform (that, at least for now, gives 1% in cash back gets AmEx set up by the end of May.

Plastiq with 2.99% fee?