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

[CoP Luv]

MR Question

We have number of MR and I am not finding a good use for them. We are planning on going to Paris, but I have checked flights everyday since schedules came out last year and cannot find a good biz value (cheapest was 140k + $1200 taxes and flying through Dubai. Biz seats have been hovering around 200k since last May). So, what do you do with your MR if you are not using them for long haul flights? I am finding cheaper flights with UR but I use them more often, so I am looking to offload my MR specifically. Would you cash out through Schwab by getting a Schwab card?

 

[afan]

MR Question

We have number of MR and I am not finding a good use for them. We are planning on going to Paris, but I have checked flights everyday since schedules came out last year and cannot find a good biz value (cheapest was 140k + $1200 taxes and flying through Dubai. Biz seats have been hovering around 200k since last May). So, what do you do with your MR if you are not using them for long haul flights? I am finding cheaper flights with UR but I use them more often, so I am looking to offload my MR specifically. Would you cash out through Schwab by getting a Schwab card?

Are you using mr and ur through their portals or transferring to airlines?

It also helps to know when you are planning to go and from where. Both of those are going to affect the redemption.

 

[CoP Luv]

Are you using mr and ur through their portals or transferring to airlines?

It also helps to know when you are planning to go and from where. Both of those are going to affect the redemption.

I am transferring to airlines. I am going to Paris in May flying from Chicago. I have been checking and checking since last May, so it's not for a lack of planning or trying - repositioning, different areas in Europe, etc. I just don't want to pay 200k MR for one way biz.

I use UR to cash out (if flying a cheap domestic on Spirit vs transferring to United - hub in Chicago), transfer to Hyatt mostly, and sometimes book through the UR portal if it makes sense. We don't travel a ton, and definitely not long hauls very often. We had a trip to New Zealand and Paris in the works and that's why I jumped on a few Amex Plats in 2018, but then Covid happened the year I was planning to book. Paris is now happening and New Zealand is very much on the back burner.

Going to Paris, I transferred MR to Alaskan for economy. Coming home, there's a United non-stop back to Chicago for cheaper UR than Alaskan/AA MR which has a stop.

So, what would you do with the left over MR if not booking flights??

 

[mmmears]

I am transferring to airlines. I am going to Paris in May flying from Chicago. I have been checking and checking since last May, so it's not for a lack of planning or trying - repositioning, different areas in Europe, etc. I just don't want to pay 200k MR for one way biz.

I use UR to cash out (if flying a cheap domestic on Spirit vs transferring to United - hub in Chicago), transfer to Hyatt mostly, and sometimes book through the UR portal if it makes sense. We don't travel a ton, and definitely not long hauls very often. We had a trip to New Zealand and Paris in the works and that's why I jumped on a few Amex Plats in 2018, but then Covid happened the year I was planning to book. Paris is now happening and New Zealand is very much on the back burner.

Going to Paris, I transferred MR to Alaskan for economy. Coming home, there's a United non-stop back to Chicago for cheaper UR than Alaskan/AA MR which has a stop.

So, what would you do with the left over MR if not booking flights??

For Europe I tend to look at Flying Blue (AF/KLM) and then BA Avios if I can't find a good redemption through FB. Did you look at flights of of JFK/EWR and repositioning there? 200k is too much unless it's a very last minute booking and you're desperate.

 

[CoP Luv]

For Europe I tend to look at Flying Blue (AF/KLM) and then BA Avios if I can't find a good redemption through FB. Did you look at flights of of JFK/EWR and repositioning there? 200k is too much unless it's a very last minute booking and you're desperate.

Yes, I looked all over. ORD, NYC, Washington D.C. MSP, DTW, ATL..... Right before schedules released, biz was about 88k one way for many days (I started tracking months before), then jumped once the end of May schedules released and haven't gone down.

Flights are all booked already, so I don't need help with that. I am just curious what other people do with their MR if they aren't booking flights.

 

[lsutigers03]

Once the FNC is in your IHG account, it's yours until it expires. No hotel program that I am aware of revokes FNCs. Once it is in your account it is out of the CC issuer's hands and handled by the hotel program. So you can book whenever and make changes same as before.

Great thanks for the information.

 

[georgina]

I vaguely remember this happening a few years ago when I had to combine. I ended up having to use a
different browser. I don't remember which one but Chrome got the error.

I feel very lucky that I have never had an issue transferring my personal and business URs to DHs CSR card. I use Firefox for my Chase account and we use Chrome for his.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I am new here, but need advice on which credit card to get. Disney trip scheduled for 4/3/25. Need to pay off the balance of 2000. Right now I do not owe on cc and have stopped using cards except a Chase Freedom card with high rate.(I pay it within the week) I have good credit score 750's so I can get another card. Looking for something that 0% APR for at least 12 months on purchases. I have a Chase Visa freedom, BOA royal Caribbean visa, capital one quicksilver,and and an old sears/mc own way. No new credit in the last 1.5 year. Closed an old discover 3 months ago that was still linked w/ ex. What should I next card be? Thanks! Is the disney rewards card good? I have their debit card thru chase .

The regulars here are great at giving advice and we embrace that there is no right way to earn credit card rewards. However, the one thing we universally advise is not to open cards for rewards unless you are 100% sure you'll be able to pay the card off (typically in full each month) so that you don't accrue any interest. Any interest you might accrue outweighs and rewards benefit you could earn. It just isn't worth it.
Since you're specifically looking for a 0% card, is there concern that you might not be able to pay your balance in full each month?

Many of us here weren't as strict with our finances at one point in our lives, and have learned this lesson the hard way, so we definitely come from a place of understanding. We would just want to advise you best if we understand your thought process a bit more on the 0%.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Yes, I looked all over. ORD, NYC, Washington D.C. MSP, DTW, ATL..... Right before schedules released, biz was about 88k one way for many days (I started tracking months before), then jumped once the end of May schedules released and haven't gone down.

Flights are all booked already, so I don't need help with that. I am just curious what other people do with their MR if they aren't booking flights.

I love MR for transferring to Hilton. Transfers at 1MR=2Hilton Honor points, and Amex often runs transfer bonuses of up to 40%, making it 1MR=2.8HH points.

There is for sure seasonality to Paris! I know you don't need help with flights anymore, but there's several dates in May on FB for 152k pt, direct from ORD. That's still more than double what I would pay, but it's not 200k connecting in Dubai! If you have lots of MR and a future trip you are thinking of, let us know and we can see if we can point you in the right direction.

 

[debbiemomto4]

The regulars here are great at giving advice and we embrace that there is no right way to earn credit card rewards. However, the one thing we universally advise is not to open cards for rewards unless you are 100% sure you'll be able to pay the card off (typically in full each month) so that you don't accrue any interest. Any interest you might accrue outweighs and rewards benefit you could earn. It just isn't worth it.
Since you're specifically looking for a 0% card, is there concern that you might not be able to pay your balance in full each month?

Many of us here weren't as strict with our finances at one point in our lives, and have learned this lesson the hard way, so we definitely come from a place of understanding. We would just want to advise you best if we understand your thought process a bit more on the 0%.

I usually pay for everything using my debit card now, but I want something to get points for purchases. For the Disney trip, I would prefer to break it up a bit before I accrue interest. The lowest one I have now is 18- 24% which is just too high. My ex-husband and I used to have an Amex- he got it in the divorce, - somehow I got the debt and the house. I did like the points that we accumulated.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

thank you! Do you know if it can be done on a layover? (still in US but heading out for trip)

I can confirm that it is possible at the MIA airport during a layover. My family of 6 (me, DH, 2 DDs, and my parents) all did our interviews there over 5 separate appointments, and they always had walk-ins come in and put on the wait list. I never saw anyone have to provide a boarding pass or anything. Appointments had priority but it never was backed up.

Note that the GE office is outside of security across from the Lufthansa check in area, so they would have to exit and re-enter security in order to do this.

 

[ten6mom]

I vaguely remember this happening a few years ago when I had to combine. I ended up having to use a
different browser. I don't remember which one but Chrome got the error.

Interesting... I think he was likely using Brave (he likes to block ads and such)... will try when he is awake so that I can get his one time code that they seem to be requiring for every single point transfer!

Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[trenty]

I am transferring to airlines. I am going to Paris in May flying from Chicago. I have been checking and checking since last May, so it's not for a lack of planning or trying - repositioning, different areas in Europe, etc. I just don't want to pay 200k MR for one way biz.

I use UR to cash out (if flying a cheap domestic on Spirit vs transferring to United - hub in Chicago), transfer to Hyatt mostly, and sometimes book through the UR portal if it makes sense. We don't travel a ton, and definitely not long hauls very often. We had a trip to New Zealand and Paris in the works and that's why I jumped on a few Amex Plats in 2018, but then Covid happened the year I was planning to book. Paris is now happening and New Zealand is very much on the back burner.

Going to Paris, I transferred MR to Alaskan for economy. Coming home, there's a United non-stop back to Chicago for cheaper UR than Alaskan/AA MR which has a stop.

So, what would you do with the left over MR if not booking flights??

I usually use MRs for jetblue, delta, or one of the MR hotel partners.

I have, in the past, (not the best redemption, but felt right at the time) used them to buy Disney GC at right aid.

MRs don't expire so I just keep collecting. I don't look at them as "left over MR." I will find a use for them.

 

[calypso726]

Yes, I looked all over. ORD, NYC, Washington D.C. MSP, DTW, ATL..... Right before schedules released, biz was about 88k one way for many days (I started tracking months before), then jumped once the end of May schedules released and haven't gone down.

Flights are all booked already, so I don't need help with that. I am just curious what other people do with their MR if they aren't booking flights.

I use mine for airline transfers. Lately Air France. But I do have to check in regularly to see if air fare has dropped. I have seen it go from 250k for one business class seat to half that and less in a day. Depending on your date there are May trips from the cities you mentioned in the 139k ish range. I also saw May 18th at 60k from one of the positioning cities you shared. Forget which one.

I prefer transferring when there is a bonus to another airline. I also like that you can do a stopover in Paris. It does take a phone call to make it happen but it definitely saves on the miles when it was part of the plan anyhow.

 

[jujubiee4]

Anyone heard of any rumors what the surprise birthday bonus category might be for Chase?

 

[elgerber]

On the MR transfer topic, do they ever have transfer bonus for Delta?

 

[eticketplease]

Anyone heard of any rumors what the surprise birthday bonus category might be for Chase?

Internet, Cable and phone services starting June 1st through June 30th.

Those with an ink cash already receive 5% on these categories so no need to switch for one month.

 

[jujubiee4]

Internet, Cable and phone services starting June 1st through June 30th.

Those with an ink cash already receive 5% on these categories so no need to switch for one month.

Wow thank you! I couldn't find the information anywhere. Amazon and streaming are not that interesting
to me this quarter.

 

[VGCgroupie]

On the MR transfer topic, do they ever have transfer bonus for Delta?

This would be amazing.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

On the MR transfer topic, do they ever have transfer bonus for Delta?

Never seen one. Delta probably would rather you sign up for their CC to save anything on miles bookings (15%)