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

[Minnie368]

Planning to PC DH's CSP to a freedom and reapply for new CSP since it's been 5 years. I'd like to do the same with my CSR and apply for this CSP offer. Trouble is I was planning to use PYB over time with my CSR now that they've added grocery and still have gas stations at 1.25% and with the CSP I'll lose that .25 which adds up as we have close to 800k UR. Can you PC a fairly new CSP to a CSR or do you have to wait a full year? Didn't know if an upgrade is treated differently than a downgrade?

 

[georgina]

I think so. It's not as fast as the Amex premium cards. They send it out UPS 2 day. So if they sent it Thursday, maybe you'll get it today. If not, no Sunday delivery, so Monday.

Our new non-expedited CIPs came in a week, so that’s not any faster. I once got duplicate cards when requesting expedited.

 

[newski_mom]

Planning to PC DH's CSP to a freedom and reapply for new CSP since it's been 5 years. I'd like to do the same with my CSR and apply for this CSP offer. Trouble is I was planning to use PYB over time with my CSR now that they've added grocery and still have gas stations at 1.25% and with the CSP I'll lose that .25 which adds up as we have close to 800k UR. Can you PC a fairly new CSP to a CSR or do you have to wait a full year? Didn't know if an upgrade is treated differently than a downgrade?

I really don't know the answer to your question, but I was thinking about doing the same, but I wondered if a different possibility would be to upgrade a different card to the CSR?

For example, I have a CFU already, I recently applied for the CSP with a link from DH's CSR. Wondering if I would downgrade DH to the CF before having him apply for the CSP for the upgraded bonus and then a little later, could I upgrade my CFU to a CSR (that would mean I would hold a CSP and a CSR)?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Can you PC a fairly new CSP to a CSR or do you have to wait a full year? Didn't know if an upgrade is treated differently than a downgrade?

Can't upgrade to a higher AF card within 12 months.

could I upgrade my CFU to a CSR (that would mean I would hold a CSP and a CSR)?

They won't let you hold both at the same time. When you call to upgrade the CFU it'll flag you.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Planning to PC DH's CSP to a freedom and reapply for new CSP since it's been 5 years. I'd like to do the same with my CSR and apply for this CSP offer. Trouble is I was planning to use PYB over time with my CSR now that they've added grocery and still have gas stations at 1.25% and with the CSP I'll lose that .25 which adds up as we have close to 800k UR. Can you PC a fairly new CSP to a CSR or do you have to wait a full year? Didn't know if an upgrade is treated differently than a downgrade?

Due to the CARD act You need to wait 12 months to upgrade to a higher fee card

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I really don't know the answer to your question, but I was thinking about doing the same, but I wondered if a different possibility would be to upgrade a different card to the CSR?

For example, I have a CFU already, I recently applied for the CSP with a link from DH's CSR. Wondering if I would downgrade DH to the CF before having him apply for the CSP for the upgraded bonus and then a little later, could I upgrade my CFU to a CSR (that would mean I would hold a CSP and a CSR)?

I have upgraded a CFU to a 2nd CSR, while having a CSR open, so it wouldn’t hurt to try to upgrade your CFU to a CSR

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I have upgraded a CFU to a 2nd CSR, while having a CSR open, so it wouldn’t hurt to try to upgrade your CFU to a CSR

When was this? Everything I've seen is that they won't give you a second Sapphire. I know the MDD used to be a backdoor, but that's closed...

 

[palhockeymomof2]

When was this? Everything I've seen is that they won't give you a second Sapphire. I know the MDD used to be a backdoor, but that's closed...

Last year…upgrading an existing card is different than applying for a new one…..you wouldn’t be approved for another sapphire card if you already have one but you can upgrade a freedom card with a 10k credit limit to another sapphire card

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I don't exactly but I did read that the market in Bath is very nice. Some others in England that I have read or heard about are Winchester, Blenheim Palace and Oxford. Specific ones for London Leicester, Covent Garden, Trafalgar, and Hyde Park. I looked up which one we went to a couple of years ago on that positioning to London over NYE trip to get to Egypt. It was the Covent Garden one and I believe the Apple market in there had less commercialized stuff.

I did go down a YouTube rabbit hole on Christmas markets in Europe and well anywhere in general when this new obsession took hold. I decided I would visit a Christmas market every year after that first one in Covent Garden. I do recall most articles and videos saying that the London and Paris Christmas markets were decorated nicely but the available wares were very commercial. I think we will likely hit the Borough market since DH is all about the food and I think it might be open while we are there.

Initially, I was hoping to do a day trip to Bath, but their market may be closed while we are in London so I will focus on the others instead. Trying to decide if we take a day trip to Richmond since we loved Ted Lasso and it would be fun to see the area.

I went to the Leicester Christmas market in December -- it was so crowded that I walked through and left (this was after dinner, the worst time to go). I wanted to visit the market in Bath, but if I recall correctly it's only on certain days and ends fairly early in the season, so the timing didn't work -- it's supposed to be excellent. I always go to Borough Market when I'm in London, sometimes more than once -- love the food and atmosphere there. I don't recall any Christmas market there in December, maybe I missed the section where it was? I find Covent Garden very commercialized and the small craft vendors in the centre strip seem to be over-priced for what they offer. Last year they had fake snow falling outside, which was really nice!

My favorite Christmas markets were in Vienna, Salzburg, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Cologne and Frankfurt, in no particular order. I've posted previously about an easy way to see several nice German markets: base yourself in Frankfurt and take the train to Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Cologne and Weisbaden (easy stop on the way back from Rudesheim). Frankfurt seems to get a bad rap, but I really like it there. The train from the airport is super easy to navigate, the transit system is excellent, the food is amazing, people are super nice, there is a good selection of nice hotels and a few nice Christmas markets. I might even do the trip again this year! You will start to see several of the same items at the different markets, but also several vendors unique to each market.

A few pics from London in December:

Canterbury Christmas market (quite small, but excellent vendors)

Front of Covent Garden

Inside of Covent Garden

Look closely and you'll see the fake snow falling! It was really nice!

Angels on one of the high streets!

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm a bit frustrated with Chase. New CIP approved on Monday, Tuesday morning I SM'd to have expedited, Wednesday got SM saying I'd have it in a day or two, still no card. Is this normal?

like I said, ds called Monday around 4 pm, it arrived Tuesday around 11 am....

 

[hsmamato2]

Ok..... I need some advice from the experts here....trying to assist a young friend who previously made poor credit choices (she's 23) anyway here's the deal currently- (most importantly she no longer thinks of credit/money in the same way so very responsible now) She's currently been working on climbing out of the hole she dug for herself. She uses only her debit card atm - Current CK score is around 550. She had recently gotten the debt reduced on,then paid off and closed 2 cc's,one was discover cc. Is currently paying as much as possible on a 7k cc debt,and understands the challenge therein. I'd love to help her get another cc lined up with 0% so she can get this debt done with, but I don't think there will be any options for her for that yet,unless I'm missing something? She told me the discover cc debt was settled in January of this year, so maybe it needs to wait awhile for her score to rise? I know part of the reason for her low score is high utilization ratio since the 7k debt cc has 8k limit..... best advice? I told her that IMO her best bet is to continue to pay as much as possible without starving to pay it off, her score should rise,and possibly she could call into discover bank at that point for a new cc offer? Not sure of that tho....I'd really like to help her save some interest money while she works her way thru this.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Last year…upgrading an existing card is different than applying for a new one…..you wouldn’t be approved for another sapphire card if you already have one but you can upgrade a freedom card with a 10k credit limit to another sapphire card

Very interesting. That definitely opens up options for us. So app first, then upgrade. Got it.

 

[miztressuz]

They won't let you hold both at the same time. When you call to upgrade the CFU it'll flag you.

That is incorrect. You can have all 3 Sapphire cards, but you can't apply for a new one if you already have any of the others. PCing an existing account to a Sapphire is allowed even if you have one in the family already. Minor loophole. Usually there's just no reason to have more than one at a time. If I'm paying for a CSR then the AF on a separate CSP is redundant in normal circumstances, and the plain CS has minimal benefits (2x on dining IIRC) where most people would get more from having a Freedom (3x dining).

The current scenario where the CSP has the best sign up bonus is pretty much the exception for why you'd want more than one at a time. Even with the DD/MDD the goal was always getting the bonus for both and then keeping the one that worked best for you. But Chase won't stop you from paying them fees for both if you really wanted to, as long as it's an existing credit line and not a new one.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I don't exactly but I did read that the market in Bath is very nice. Some others in England that I have read or heard about are Winchester, Blenheim Palace and Oxford. Specific ones for London Leicester, Covent Garden, Trafalgar, and Hyde Park. I looked up which one we went to a couple of years ago on that positioning to London over NYE trip to get to Egypt. It was the Covent Garden one and I believe the Apple market in there had less commercialized stuff.

I did go down a YouTube rabbit hole on Christmas markets in Europe and well anywhere in general when this new obsession took hold. I decided I would visit a Christmas market every year after that first one in Covent Garden. I do recall most articles and videos saying that the London and Paris Christmas markets were decorated nicely but the available wares were very commercial. I think we will likely hit the Borough market since DH is all about the food and I think it might be open while we are there.

Initially, I was hoping to do a day trip to Bath, but their market may be closed while we are in London so I will focus on the others instead. Trying to decide if we take a day trip to Richmond since we loved Ted Lasso and it would be fun to see the area.

A couple years ago @Calfan and I (with our families, LOL) did a really fun Ted Lasso Tour in Richmond that took us to many of the filming sites--highly recommend if you are a fan of the show. Kew Gardens is nearby and it's also worth checking out (for Bridgerton fans they did some filming for Queen Charlotte there).

I've been to London in December for the last six years in a row (including over COVID, LOL), and three of those have been over Christmas proper. Before that we'd been going every other year during Nov/Dec for over 20 years. DH even took the kids to the first Hyde Park Christmas fair when it was only a few booths. For every trip, we always travel out of the city on day trips to explore.

All of this is to say that I love love love Christmas in England. I've been to many of the markets you mentioned and beyond, however--and I know I risk sounding like a Christmas Scrooge--the markets throughout are pretty meh. They basically all have the same stuff. Years ago it was different, but now even the food stalls seem to be the same wherever you go. I've done various searches for unique Christmas markets (or Christmas festivities at Great Houses/Castles), but I've always ended up disappointed. Highclere Castle seems to have some cool stuff, but it's usually early in the season so I haven't been able to hit it (also pricey and harder to get to without a car).

Borough market is one of my faves. I don't recall seeing anything specifically Christmas there. One of my favorite things though is to take cooking classes at Bread Ahead. Last year I did a mince pie one and it was fabulous-would definitely do again. I've also done pizza, sourdough, high tea and something else I can't remember.

 

[eticketplease]

Due to the CARD act You need to wait 12 months to upgrade to a higher fee card

Is this true for all Chase cards? Ie Marriott I would have to wait 12 months as well?

 

[EACarlson]

Is this true for all Chase cards? Ie Marriott I would have to wait 12 months as well?

It's true for all cards. Federal law.

 

[calypso726]

I went to the Leicester Christmas market in December -- it was so crowded that I walked through and left (this was after dinner, the worst time to go). I wanted to visit the market in Bath, but if I recall correctly it's only on certain days and ends fairly early in the season, so the timing didn't work -- it's supposed to be excellent. I always go to Borough Market when I'm in London, sometimes more than once -- love the food and atmosphere there. I don't recall any Christmas market there in December, maybe I missed the section where it was? I find Covent Garden very commercialized and the small craft vendors in the centre strip seem to be over-priced for what they offer. Last year they had fake snow falling outside, which was really nice!

My favorite Christmas markets were in Vienna, Salzburg, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Cologne and Frankfurt, in no particular order. I've posted previously about an easy way to see several nice German markets: base yourself in Frankfurt and take the train to Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Cologne and Weisbaden (easy stop on the way back from Rudesheim). Frankfurt seems to get a bad rap, but I really like it there. The train from the airport is super easy to navigate, the transit system is excellent, the food is amazing, people are super nice, there is a good selection of nice hotels and a few nice Christmas markets. I might even do the trip again this year! You will start to see several of the same items at the different markets, but also several vendors unique to each market.

A few pics from London in December:

Canterbury Christmas market (quite small, but excellent vendors)
View attachment 956782
Front of Covent Garden
View attachment 956783
Inside of Covent Garden
View attachment 956784
Look closely and you'll see the fake snow falling! It was really nice!
View attachment 956785
Angels on one of the high streets!
View attachment 956786

I do have Vienna and Salzburg on the shortlist for next year. I am also thinking Prague, Strasbourg, Kaysersberg and Colmar. I will be looking at doing the German markets the following year. But who knows, much of this will depend on how flights and hotels play out so I could easily pivot. Yeah, a visit to Bath would need to be planned earlier in the season. This was kind of a last minute decision. Love the pics!!!

A couple years ago @Calfan and I (with our families, LOL) did a really fun Ted Lasso Tour in Richmond that took us to many of the filming sites--highly recommend if you are a fan of the show. Kew Gardens is nearby and it's also worth checking out (for Bridgerton fans they did some filming for Queen Charlotte there).

I've been to London in December for the last six years in a row (including over COVID, LOL), and three of those have been over Christmas proper. Before that we'd been going every other year during Nov/Dec for over 20 years. DH even took the kids to the first Hyde Park Christmas fair when it was only a few booths. For every trip, we always travel out of the city on day trips to explore.

All of this is to say that I love love love Christmas in England. I've been to many of the markets you mentioned and beyond, however--and I know I risk sounding like a Christmas Scrooge--the markets throughout are pretty meh. They basically all have the same stuff. Years ago it was different, but now even the food stalls seem to be the same wherever you go. I've done various searches for unique Christmas markets (or Christmas festivities at Great Houses/Castles), but I've always ended up disappointed. Highclere Castle seems to have some cool stuff, but it's usually early in the season so I haven't been able to hit it (also pricey and harder to get to without a car).

Borough market is one of my faves. I don't recall seeing anything specifically Christmas there. One of my favorite things though is to take cooking classes at Bread Ahead. Last year I did a mince pie one and it was fabulous-would definitely do again. I've also done pizza, sourdough, high tea and something else I can't remember.

Oh that mince pie class sounds like so much fun! I do love the Ted Lasso show and if time permits we may do a tour. If not, definitely at some point. Bridgerton is another show I love. It's not like I won't make a trip back top London again, especially with The Greatest Showman, which should be making a run as a musical next year I think in the works. But for this year, I am also thinking of maybe getting tickets to see The Mousetrap since I have yet to see it. Lots of choices but very limited time this trip. I do know the markets in London especially don't compare to some of the markets known for unique offerings. I am ok with that. I am really looking to enjoy the festive atmosphere and holiday lights and decorations for this trip. Next year, my expectations will be a little higher.

 

[Sheree]

Well I did it. Paid fed taxes thru paypal! Hit plat biz msr!
now to pay NJ

we are doing a last minute trip out west. I have us staying at a hampton Inn one night and am paying cash. hoping I can use biz and pers plat at checkout to use my $50/quarterly
bringing stockpile of gift cards to try to eat or buy starbuck gc at other ones along our way. Using Marriott points one night, IHG another, Hilton FNC 1 night and cash Hilton 1 night! 3 nights in yellowstone are cash. I'll get my $300 csr credit there and used URs for car rental, United points for flights.

it's been a lot of work!

 

[Matty B13]

What credit card would be the best to use for a DVC Direct Purchase, I was looking at the Disney Premier Card but that only gets 6 months of 0% interest. The Wells Fargo Card has a 21 month 0% interest offer. Does anyone know any better offers?

 

[VGCgroupie]

What credit card would be the best to use for a DVC Direct Purchase, I was looking at the Disney Premier Card but that only gets 6 months of 0% interest. The Wells Fargo Card has a 21 month 0% interest offer. Does anyone know any better offers?

For 0% interest Wells Fargo is the best, but there is no rewards/poinst earning unfortunately. Right now Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great offer if you havent had that card in 48 months. Sometimes they offer no fee pay over time but not always. Check out these threads

https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...dvc-contract-credit-card-rewards-etc.3946321/
Then when you are ready to jump in this thread is amazing, its just not specific to DVC.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...2024-see-first-page-for-addl-details.3905155/

Edit I am in so many threads I thought this was another thread and referred you to this thread.