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

[elgerber]

I'm in a similar situation, but I did my MDD in June 2021. So I have longer to wait than you. I could REALLY use those 100K pts, so I'm hoping for a miracle.

My CSP from 5/2020 is still a CSP. P2 cancelled his CSP back in June of 2021. But one of his profiles just got an Ink last week, and I got an ink at the end of January. Any hope for either of us? I don't want to downgrade mine, if I can't get a new one. How long do you have to wait, 30 days? If I do that and cant' get one, can I upgrade back to the CSP if i need it?

 

[VGCgroupie]

DOC confirmed the CSP should be available online 04/03. And I was having a hard enough time deciding between Amex Business Cash 75k and CapOne 100k

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Have we seen any chatter that the CSR will elevate as well?

 

[wanderlust7]

Just wanted to write a brief update on an AA booking issue I've been facing. Was trying to book JAL one way with miles, from SGN, through HND, and onto USA. The flight would appear in my search randomly. Most days it wouldn't be there, but some days the flight would appear, but then disappear just as quickly. Sometimes I would be able to select the flight to try and book it, but then I would get thrown into a loop with an error "Please select another flight or fare". The same flight appeared again when it reloaded, so I would select it a second time, threw me in the same loop/error, but now the flight disappeared. I was baffled. I really wanted this specific flight, because it has a long layover in HND (we are trying to do some shopping before we return home). The alternative was through HKG on Cathay Pacific, which we didn't find too interesting, taxes were more, etc. So I have been resolved to get this flight for weeks now, to no avail.

After doing some digging on Reddit, and many people mentioning "phantom JAL availability", I decided to take some other people's advice and call. The agent in the Int'l dept searched for the flight, and it did not appear for her. She had to piecemeal the flight together as a multi-city, with the exact stops input, and THEN it did appear for her. She said when this loop error occurs, it usually means the flight is unavailable/full (no partner awards). (But on Reddit, there are theories that in the past 6 months there was some kind of update to AA, and now JAL flights are harder to book.) Anyways, she was able to put the flight ON HOLD, not book it. She said I had to wait 24 hours for the partner carrier to approve/deny the reward flight, since her thought was that it's not available.

This morning 24 hours had passed so I called back, and now the new Int'l agent I spoke to said "I have NEVER heard such a thing. If the flight is available to put on hold, then it's available to be ticketed." So she claimed the first agent was incorrect (which matches with Reddit's theory of just a problem booking these partner flights online). She ticketed the flight, charged me the miles and taxes, and I got confirmation email and the flight appears in my AA app.

Just wanted to add my experience in case anyone is going through anything similar, or finds themself in this situation in the future (as I know a lot here travel to/from Japan).

Nice work! Curious if you tried booking the HND-USA part separately, if that also got errors or just with the connection.

On AA, you can see the JAL confirmation number and can use that to select seats. I use that as a double check that it ticketed correctly.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Have we seen any chatter that the CSR will elevate as well?

I have not seen any of the groups/blogs say that it will.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Nice work! Curious if you tried booking the HND-USA part separately, if that also got errors or just with the connection.

On AA, you can see the JAL confirmation number and can use that to select seats. I use that as a double check that it ticketed correctly.

Yes, I could book each leg separately, but it was going to cost me something like 25K miles more, per person. There seems to be some kind of booking issue with these "married leg" segments, from what others speculate on Reddit.

I did find the JAL confirmation number, and selected seats on Japan Airlines website already! The flight shows ticketed correctly there as well, so alls well that ends well and I'm a happy camper now. Been stressing over this for weeks, lol.

 

[StephPlum]

My first international, business class flight coming up in 4 weeks. Every day I think of something new.

I'm flying CMH to DTW (positioning flight on Delta) and then DTW - DCG - FCO (on AF). A little risky as it is a same day positioning flight but I'll have 6 hours before my AF flight. Once I get to DTW, I'll be past security. Do I need to leave security and check in or can I stay in the secure area and just check in at a gate (or maybe since I'll check in online I don't need to recheck in)? I'm planning to travel with a wheeled carry on and a backpack. So no checked luggage.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

@StephPlum For most international flights we've been on leaving from the US, we've had to complete check-in at airport, because they want to verify passport. You can sometimes do this at a kiosk, other times we've had to wait in line for the counter. I can't think back to one time we've been successful checking in for an international flight via app only. This is true even when we weren't checking luggage. Most recently in December we went to DR, and had to do this. (We tried to do this through the app, even scanned our passports, but they still wanted us to go to counter.)
We usually fly AA or United (or one of their partner airlines) internationally. Not sure if that makes a difference.

 

[LynnTH]

Called AMEX Again (third time). Spoke with a really nice gal in the department for Upgrading/Downgrading cards. Asked again to change my Delta Plat Biz to Delta Gold Biz, was told the same thing that this cannot be changed to Gold. Reason is that the Plat has Expanded Buying Power, where the Gold does not. She said this change took place recently in 2024.

I tried applying for the Delta Gold Biz again - I can get it but without any SUB. I may just keep the Plat for another year and then reevaluate next year. You do get the companion certificate with Plat but I find it harder to use as you can't use with points...

UGHH!

Now on to the CSP or Ink dilemma. DH Could get a CSP but would need to DG to Freedom or Cancel first. I did just cancel one of his INKs in January and he only has 2 Biz cards now. So, may try for that as the SUB is similar but will not take up a 5/24 spot....

So many decisions!!!

 

[afan]

Called AMEX Again (third time). Spoke with a really nice gal in the department for Upgrading/Downgrading cards. Asked again to change my Delta Plat Biz to Delta Gold Biz, was told the same thing that this cannot be changed to Gold. Reason is that the Plat has Expanded Buying Power, where the Gold does not. She said this change took place recently in 2024.

I don't even know what expanded buying power means to know why that should matter. That's so frustrating and seems so stupid.

 

[LynnTH]

I don't even know what expanded buying power means to know why that should matter. That's so frustrating and seems so stupid.

From what she said - basically you can go over your credit line on this but can't with Gold - you have a set amount you can charge up to.... Very Dumb!!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

From what she said - basically you can go over your credit line on this but can't with Gold - you have a set amount you can charge up to.... Very Dumb!!

Very dumb, yes. This sucks because I planned to downgrade both my Golds later this year

 

[VGCgroupie]

Very dumb, yes. This sucks because I planned to downgrade both my Golds later this year

Same, planned to downgrade at least one of our Golds. Especially sucks since Amex gets so mad when you cancel a card.

 

[LynnTH]

Same, planned to downgrade at least one of our Golds. Especially sucks since Amex gets so mad when you cancel a card.

I know. I'm in Pop Up Jail enough with them - don't need to add anything to it!!

 

[afan]

From what she said - basically you can go over your credit line on this but can't with Gold - you have a set amount you can charge up to.... Very Dumb!!

Then turn the dl plat into a charge card and give me my cc slot back. That was part of why I wanted to close the Gold because I'm at 5 and I'm not giving up my Surpass, aspire or bbp that I just got. Plus with whatever I did with my hilton cards last year it hasn't been a year.

I guess I'll keep the gold, I don't know it seems such a waste but I want it when I'm done with the plat. It's my oldest amex too, not that 7 years is a long time.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

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.

I can't recall if you have a Disney card, (there are two) but both offer 0% financing on select vacation packages for 6 months.

Amex targeted me for the Blue Business Plus 75k for 6k spend 0% for 12 months. I cant decide if I should go for it or not. I currently hold 3 Amex business credit cards, 2 Amex business charge cards, 1 Amex personal credit card. Any downside to getting this card? I got Cap One Venture, CIP, and Hawaiian within the last month. I have 50k in expenses (federal taxes and DVC)

I would get the BBP for sure. You likely won't get a HP, it's a great offer and it's good for 12 months. Even if you don't need it for your current large spend, 12 months is enough time to put your everyday lower category spending on it at 2x. And go for the C1 or CSP as well to meet your current large spend. This is a great BBP offer and I'd hate for it to poof away on you! It's such a good keeper card.

Ugh we have $5,000 to spend this week and none of the sign up bonuses I am seeing are particularly alluring.

When I have a large expense and need a card immediately, I always look towards Amex retention offers. You don't have to wait for the card to come in the mail!

If it becomes available online via support, it's usually a few weeks later after in branch offer is released, right? So maybe sometime in April?

How long do these elevated offers typically last? I can't recall...

I last earned a CSP bonus in March/April 2021, can't remember which month exactly, so I'm coming due and was planning to apply around May/June this year. Any chance we think this may stick around for at least like 6-8 weeks? If so, I'm golden on this! lol

I think a lot of us are in that exact same timing from the 2021 elevated 80k offer. Fingers crossed it will hang around. Off to research when I received the bonus bc I did not note it on my spreadsheet.
ETA: maybe it was 100k elevated offer. I have 100k noted for P2 in June 2021, but 80k for myself in April 2021.

Does anyone have a packing list app they use/like? The one I used years ago stopped and I couldn't get it on a new phone and I couldn't find one that I liked so I've been using a notebook. I'm tired of having to write it all done each time.

I don't want to use a spreadsheet because I don't like using it on my phone and I don't want to deal with my laptop when I'm packing. I like being able to mark or cross things off.

I found PackPoint which if you buy the premium for 2.99, pulls your trips from TripIt and it allows you to customize lists so that's intriguing.

The one I used to have let you save lists so I could save a WDW one or a city trip one and adapt them a little for the trip without having to start over since each of those type of trips are similar each trip.

I use the app Microsoft To Do. It's not specific to packing, it's a list and task app. So I make tons of lists, from packing to grocery shopping. I love, love, love the ding it makes when I complete an item- so satisfying. I keep a travel checklist and can print it or check it off in the app. After the trip, I just uncheck the completed tasks and it sits there, ready for next time, or you can duplicate it for a future trip.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Yes, I could book each leg separately, but it was going to cost me something like 25K miles more, per person. There seems to be some kind of booking issue with these "married leg" segments, from what others speculate on Reddit.

I did find the JAL confirmation number, and selected seats on Japan Airlines website already! The flight shows ticketed correctly there as well, so alls well that ends well and I'm a happy camper now. Been stressing over this for weeks, lol.

The silver lining is the fact that the reason that there was availability at all was because no one else could manage to book it online either! Everyone had the same glitch as you but you were persistent enough to follow up and book it by calling an agent!

 

[leeniewdw]

Hi RDU travelers! Wondering if anyone has used their Amex Plat to get into the Skyclub when flying AF? We're flying RDU-CDG (and then to MUC) in May and wondering if we can get into the Sklyclub. We're not flying Biz or 1st, just Prem Economy. Was hard to tell if Amex Plat would get us in (paying for guest) or no. I'm thinking no, but figured I'd ask.

 

[reliev]

Hi RDU travelers! Wondering if anyone has used their Amex Plat to get into the Skyclub when flying AF? We're flying RDU-CDG (and then to MUC) in May and wondering if we can get into the Sklyclub. We're not flying Biz or 1st, just Prem Economy. Was hard to tell if Amex Plat would get us in (paying for guest) or no. I'm thinking no, but figured I'd ask.

i know this from mco its the same rules, you should be able to burn you + 1. (you have 10 it shows up on the screen) Rdu delta lounge is their partner lounge there right? I think you get +1

 

[hsmamato2]

I can't recall if you have a Disney card, (there are two) but both offer 0% financing on select vacation packages for 6 months.

I would get the BBP for sure. You likely won't get a HP, it's a great offer and it's good for 12 months. Even if you don't need it for your current large spend, 12 months is enough time to put your everyday lower category spending on it at 2x. And go for the C1 or CSP as well to meet your current large spend. This is a great BBP offer and I'd hate for it to poof away on you! It's such a good keeper card.

When I have a large expense and need a card immediately, I always look towards Amex retention offers. You don't have to wait for the card to come in the mail!

I think a lot of us are in that exact same timing from the 2021 elevated 80k offer. Fingers crossed it will hang around. Off to research when I received the bonus bc I did not note it on my spreadsheet.
ETA: maybe it was 100k elevated offer. I have 100k noted for P2 in June 2021, but 80k for myself in April 2021.

I use the app Microsoft To Do. It's not specific to packing, it's a list and task app. So I make tons of lists, from packing to grocery shopping. I love, love, love the ding it makes when I complete an item- so satisfying. I keep a travel checklist and can print it or check it off in the app. After the trip, I just uncheck the completed tasks and it sits there, ready for next time, or you can duplicate it for a future trip.

And now I see I last got the bonus points for CSP on my 5.24.21 statement.... does this mean I could app after 5.24.25?