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

[FreeDiningFanatic]

so it seems logical to pick a better time,and use the UR in this case? (or further, the AA pts are 12k vs. 11,300 UR) I'm going on the logic one is easier to earn more (?)

I alsoo agree you should use the AA points. While they are harder to earn, you'll have much more flexibility with AA. If you monitor that flight and the price drops, you can cancel and rebook. You won't have that option with the UR portal. And as others have said, you lose some control with having to work with a middleman if things go awry.

 

[WaltsMartini]

Hi points brain trust! Haven’t been active for a while but getting back into churn game after taking a break.

Recently closed my Chase Bonvoy that I’ve had since Sept 2022, bonus post date was 12/13/22. Closed about 10 days ago and applied for a new one today. Did I get greedy? Looks like they pulled my credit report and I got a “your application is being reviewed” message.

In general points news, figured out in last three years I have received $12k in free hotel and flights for me and the kids and occasionally DH, including WDW, to/from flights and night before hotel for two DCL cruise, and two trips out to CA. Ready to up the game a bit and trying for a WDW, Disneyland, and DCL trifecta next year and HI in 2027. Gotta make sure my points game is tight to make all that happen!

 

[hsmamato2]

Ok Thanks for all the insights- I value all the different ways of looking at these things!

 

[wanderlust7]

Hi points brain trust! Haven’t been active for a while but getting back into churn game after taking a break.

Recently closed my Chase Bonvoy that I’ve had since Sept 2022, bonus post date was 12/13/22. Closed about 10 days ago and applied for a new one today. Did I get greedy? Looks like they pulled my credit report and I got a “your application is being reviewed” message.

In general points news, figured out in last three years I have received $12k in free hotel and flights for me and the kids and occasionally DH, including WDW, to/from flights and night before hotel for two DCL cruise, and two trips out to CA. Ready to up the game a bit and trying for a WDW, Disneyland, and DCL trifecta next year and HI in 2027. Gotta make sure my points game is tight to make all that happen!

Did you apply for the same Bonvoy card? I think it needs to be 30 days if it's the same card since you can reopen within 30 days.

 

[mmmears]

I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone who gave me some ideas. I don't normally like to make reservations (because I never know where will be be at a specific time) but it's really nice to have a list of possibilities. Thanks again to all of you.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Today I learned that you can book Virtuoso online, without the need to coordinate directly with a Virtuoso provider. I'm a hands on type of person and so I like to do that kind of thing myself. Booking with a Virtuoso provider gets you something pretty similar to Amex FHR or Chase's the EDIT- things like breakfast for 2, f&b credits, upgrades/early check-in/out subject to availability, etc, depending on the property.

Anyway, in my limited price checking, I found the prices to be very similar, sometimes even cheaper than booking directly with the property.

I am a fan of the points blog OMAAT and recall that his partner, Ford, is a Virtuoso advisor, and found that he has a dedicated Virtuoso Advisor page, where you can check rates and book directly. I haven't tried it but wanted to share.

 

[trenty]

If flush with points in both currencies, I would choose the AA miles. First, I value the UR points more than the AA miles. Secondly, I am wary of booking flights through the UR portal. If the airline delays, changes or cancels the flight they won't do anything for you directly. You need to contact Chase to get things sorted.

A friend booked a fully refundable flight through the UR portal and the airline canceled the flight. The airline would not assist her in any way to rebook the flight and Chase was unhelpful and wouldn't refund the URs. The airline kept blaming Chase and Chase blamed the airline. It took numerous phone calls, emails, screenshots over several weeks before Chase refunded her the UR points. I'd sooner avoid that mess.

I also avoid booking flights through the Chase portal. I once booked a weekend trip, flying AA, using URs through the Chase portal. I booked it as a round trip, or so I thought. The first flight was cancelled due to weather. We decided to cancel the trip altogether. Chase refunded the URs for the cancelled flight, but would not return the URs for the return flight. Chase said to contact AA. AA said that my booking partner (Chase) did not book as a round-trip so they could not issue a refund. After numerous calls I finally got a flight credit with AA somehow for that second flight. Luckily I was able to use the credit as it expired a year from original booking.

 

[reliev]

If flush with points in both currencies, I would choose the AA miles. First, I value the UR points more than the AA miles. Secondly, I am wary of booking flights through the UR portal. If the airline delays, changes or cancels the flight they won't do anything for you directly. You need to contact Chase to get things sorted.

A friend booked a fully refundable flight through the UR portal and the airline canceled the flight. The airline would not assist her in any way to rebook the flight and Chase was unhelpful and wouldn't refund the URs. The airline kept blaming Chase and Chase blamed the airline. It took numerous phone calls, emails, screenshots over several weeks before Chase refunded her the UR points. I'd sooner avoid that mess.

same I think AA are also the hardest to earn, which is why I choose them to be equal to Rakuten for MR, and the dining program. Ofc this could all change if they make it transferable from Citi.

 

[EACarlson]

So I am planning on a smallish trip soon- I can either get a one way on AA for 5,500 miles at a time that's awful (super early) or I can book thru chase portal for a great time for approx 11,100 UR. wwyd? I have plenty of both types of points....its so strange,on the portal all the flights are one price, on AA the 'good' times are much pricier! (also total side note but could potentially add one night,getting in late the first night but then I'd need another 15k Hyatt points to do that,which might negate any other savings)

If you're willing to go with the very early flight, I'd use the AA miles. 5,500 points for any flight is going to make it worthwhile to me. If time matters more to you, then I would definitely go with 11k UR before I did 12k AA. UR are easy to replenish and pretty much have a fixed value when it comes to flights, AA you can find so many deals that are much better than 1.25 cpp. Even in this scenario, 5,500 points for a $143 flight is 2.6cpp. Last year I got flights for my wife and I to WDW at over 4cpp on AA.

 

[hsmamato2]

If you're willing to go with the very early flight, I'd use the AA miles. 5,500 points for any flight is going to make it worthwhile to me. If time matters more to you, then I would definitely go with 11k UR before I did 12k AA. UR are easy to replenish and pretty much have a fixed value when it comes to flights, AA you can find so many deals that are much better than 1.25 cpp. Even in this scenario, 5,500 points for a $143 flight is 2.6cpp. Last year I got flights for my wife and I to WDW at over 4cpp on AA.

And this is why I came here to ask.... sooo many different ways to view this! I liked the UR scenario too b/c it's (historically) easy to replenish (lets hope it stays that way lol) I am now understanding the cpp value of looking at things (on SWA it was simple for me) when the flights cost the same $, it feels like 'wasting' points when one is higher!!! I feel like I'm getting older and I'd rather spend some points to get a decent flight time, those 6 am flights give me stress lately! AT this point I'll just hold the AA booking,I hear all the UR horror stories with flights, never had one myself (this is 2 one ways) Cheap flights depart at 6 am, or 7 pm on my travel day,and I prefer to arrive at a saner time to get acquainted with my surroundings.... Does AA change flight prices a lot? I guess I'll keep an eye out there too

 

[EACarlson]

And this is why I came here to ask.... sooo many different ways to view this! I liked the UR scenario too b/c it's (historically) easy to replenish (lets hope it stays that way lol) I am now understanding the cpp value of looking at things (on SWA it was simple for me) when the flights cost the same $, it feels like 'wasting' points when one is higher!!! I feel like I'm getting older and I'd rather spend some points to get a decent flight time, those 6 am flights give me stress lately! AT this point I'll just hold the AA booking,I hear all the UR horror stories with flights, never had one myself (this is 2 one ways) Cheap flights depart at 6 am, or 7 pm on my travel day,and I prefer to arrive at a saner time to get acquainted with my surroundings.... Does AA change flight prices a lot? I guess I'll keep an eye out there too

The thing to remember is that AA's points price only bears a passing resemblance to cash price. I posted earlier about my 4cpp redemption, I've also looked at booking things and got less than 1cpp. It's the primary reason I begin my search by looking at AA, sometimes you find a screaming deal that's worth it.
Take the cash price out of the equation, you're not going to pay the cash price so that's irrelevant. I would view it as 5,500 AA for an undesirable time or 11.3k UR for a more desirable time. Personally I would go with the 5.5k AA, but I'm cheap and up early all the time anyway. My wife, if given a choice, would go with the 11.3k UR for a better time.

 

[georgina]

Success in getting the US Bank silver checking $500 bonus (opened mid-January) and I see the Triple Cash $750 bonus pending. Yay.

 

[LynnTH]

I'm thinking about asking my mom to go on a Princess cruise with me in September to New England/Canada. She's seemed really down lately (and I'm not much better). Her birthday is in September and she'll probably be needing to get out of SW FL (friends are all up North and it's hurricane season). She prefers Celebrity (Aqua Class) but their itinerary is too long since my dd and I are going on a Norwegian Fjords Disney Cruise in August (first real vacation in over three years). So here's my dilemna--I am waiting on a refund of > 300K Chase URs which should be back to me in the next three weeks. I probably want to book a Reserve Mini Suite (closest to Aqua Class). My other option would be a deluxe balcony with Princess Premier (main dining room isn't her thing lol). Anyway, there aren't many cabins available (and no Reserve Mini Suites on the cruise I really want over her birthday). I can book now for $2 with a second deposit due in 30 days. Should I book and cancel the room as soon as my points hit and rebook with Chase? I haven't mentioned any of this to my mom because I was trying to sort through the logistics before I asked.

You may want to call and talk with Chase Cruise Dept. I had a scenario with Carnival, where they only had 1 cabin available for they type I wanted. So, I booked the initial cruise through Carnival and put down my deposit and then I called and had my booking transferred to Chase and then was able to us UR's for the rest of the booking. I think you have 30 days to transfer the booking. I would call Chase and confirm with them if you can do this and what the procedure is.

 

[LynnTH]

Success in getting the US Bank silver checking $500 bonus (opened mid-January) and I see the Triple Cash $750 bonus pending. Yay.

Waiting on my US Bank Silver Checking Bonus. Opened up beginning of February - so, hopefully soon!!

 

[wanderlust7]

Waiting on my US Bank Silver Checking Bonus. Opened up beginning of February - so, hopefully soon!!

DH and I opened in January and got our bonuses yesterday. It's within 30 days after the end of the month that you reach 60 days from account opening. So a February opening should get the bonus in May.

 

[LynnTH]

DH and I opened in January and got our bonuses yesterday. It's within 30 days after the end of the month that you reach 60 days from account opening. So a February opening should get the bonus in May.

Yeah - I am so used to other bank bonuses being credited right after meeting the requirements... I guess I will just wait patiently.. LOL

 

[wanderlust7]

Today I learned that you can book Virtuoso online, without the need to coordinate directly with a Virtuoso provider. I'm a hands on type of person and so I like to do that kind of thing myself. Booking with a Virtuoso provider gets you something pretty similar to Amex FHR or Chase's the EDIT- things like breakfast for 2, f&b credits, upgrades/early check-in/out subject to availability, etc, depending on the property.

Anyway, in my limited price checking, I found the prices to be very similar, sometimes even cheaper than booking directly with the property.

I am a fan of the points blog OMAAT and recall that his partner, Ford, is a Virtuoso advisor, and found that he has a dedicated Virtuoso Advisor page, where you can check rates and book directly. I haven't tried it but wanted to share.

Thanks for the info! Along the same vein, I've booked a couple Hyatt Prive rates for the first time recently. You get breakfast for two, confirmed upgrade to next category within 48 hours of booking, plus other perks for exactly the standard rate that you can see online. I did it because cash rates were relatively cheap and cpp wasn't that great. Plus the connecting room I wanted was the view room and not the base room you get with points.

I did see one site where you can book online, but they didn't have one of the hotels, so I booked with a Prive TA (online request and then e-mails). Not as convenient as booking online, but I knew how much it cost and exactly what I wanted, so it wasn't too bad. She confirmed connecting rooms at both hotels, it all works out.

 

[WinterSolider]

Is there any secret to getting decent value out of Hilton points? I know at best they're probably worth half most currencies, but all of my redemptions lately have been down around 0.4 CPP. I'm sitting on 500,000 and I'd like to get at least a full week out of it.

 

[Haley R]

Our trip to London is coming up in July. We had originally decided against the Harry Potter studio tour but ds just recently started getting really into the movies and loves the monopoly game. Since we’re so late the only times they have open would be 4:30 or 5 pm. Would this be too late? I first thought ds would get bored walking around but now I think maybe he’d like it but I hate that it would be so late. Maybe we should save it for a future trip

 

[wanderlust7]

Is there any secret to getting decent value out of Hilton points? I know at best they're probably worth half most currencies, but all of my redemptions lately have been down around 0.4 CPP. I'm sitting on 500,000 and I'd like to get at least a full week out of it.

Special event where cash rates are jacked up, or fancy hotels. Think Conrad, Waldorf, LXR, SLH where cash rates of $1000 is common. Points will be 95k to 150k/night, so you won't quite get a full week even with 5th night free.