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

[*pixie*]

Being in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem might give you more flexibility. Combine a Chase Freedom Flex for 5x quarterly bonuses with a CSR/CSP or CIP(if you can get biz cards) for transferability to partners. This way you will retain the ability to transfer to Southwest if needed, but also opens up transfer opportunities to other airline and hotel partners. If nothing works, then cash out is also an option.

If you have held your southwest cards for a long time - might also be worth considering a plan to cancel those cards and reapply later this year with the goal of obtaining the companion pass.

I have had our Southwest cards for several years and typically hit enough points for the companion pass every year.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I'm deciding which cards to add the the MDE for purchases through the app like Lightning Lane passes and mobile orders, etc. Anyone know if any category other than dining is useful on the Citi Custom Cash for the 5% category? I already have a 3X hotel card for Magicband purchases.

Chase Freedom Q3 includes live entertainment like theme parks. Not sure if the LL purchases code like tickets, but maybe someone else knows?

Edit: 2 year old reddit thread says Genie+ was entertainment, so likely still true for LLMP/SP.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Chase Freedom Q3 includes live entertainment like theme parks. Not sure if the LL purchases code like tickets, but maybe someone else knows?

Edit: 2 year old reddit thread says Genie+ was entertainment, so likely still true for LLMP/SP.

Thought I wouldn't use the "live entertainment" category, but your post inspired me to go take a closer look at the list of inclusions: "Sporting events, zoos/aquariums, concerts, theatrical productions, museums, tourist attractions, amusement parks."

Maybe I will get to use this category after all! We are doing Epic Universe in September along with Typhoon Lagoon water park, and I haven't gotten our tickets for either yet. So I'll try to use the Freedom Flex for both of those; hopefully they code correctly.

 

[Road_Dog]

Still trying to figure out if CSR is my best option. Currently put all our spending on our Southwest card and use all our points for Southwest flights. Is Chase the only CC that you can transfer your points to Southwest? I haven't seen Southwest listed on any other CCs. Since we are starting to use other carriers in addition to Southwest, wondering if we would be better off with more of a cash back type card?

Think of it like this.

With your Southwest card you earn a base 1x on everything, 2x on internet and streaming, and 3x on Southwest flights. These points can only be used on Southwest.
With the CSR, you earn 1x on everything, 3x on dining, and 4x on hotels/flights. These points can be turned into cash or transferred to a partner which includes Southwest.

If this is all you care about, then the CSR wins--it will earn you more, as I suspect your purchases in dining and flights/hotels will outweigh what you make 2x on the Southwest card.

HOWEVER, the Southwest card offers perks the CSR doesn't. You get the upgraded boardings, the free checked bag, and your spend adds up over time and helps you earn things like A-List and Companion Pass. Keep in mind, points transferred from a CSR will NOT count towards A-List or Companion Pass status. So if you are a big spender (think tens of thousands a year) then it may be beneficial to spend on the SW card directly for these benefits.

The CSR has a load of benefits too--this wasn't meant to be an extensive comparison. But frankly I have a SW card for the free baggage as I think it's worth the fee just for that and the upgraded boardings. If I was flying and spending enough each year that earning the companion pass was possible, I'd prioritize that, as that can be a huge savings.

 

[reliev]

chase travel with a cruise....would booking thru them using CSP net me any of the newer perks?like the points boost or extra $50 etc (I honestly am trying to figure out how any apply to me at this point still)

I havent tried this, maybe? I found out from this thread they dont have disney which is what we book 90% of the time. I know someone wrote in this thread about using points with it I would think they know more about it than I on this. Im just looking to get more than the credit if that makes sense.

 

[becauseimnew]

Summer 2026 flights are booked! Sort of, I had to book 2 different flights since Finnair only releases 2 J seats. But the second reservation is stuck in limbo, points weren't deducted and my card wasn't charged but the reservation is showing on my account. Now I have to wait to chat with someone tomorrow morning, I just hope that it doesn't automatically get canceled.

Also, I've been watching the Finnair schedule, they have 2 flights from Dallas but when they adjust their schedule they cut back to one flight. Fingers crossed the trend continues next summer and we can all be on the same flight.

Total for 4 J DFW-OSL 250,000 Avios + $620, but with the current transfer bonus we only transferred 190K.

 

[miztressuz]

Womp, whomp. Semi fail on using my Hilton quarterly credits that my buddies here can appreciate.

We booked a local Hilton for one night to escape the heat dome our A/Cs absolutely cannot handle. (Worked perfectly, they had the room set to artic and it was a comfortable cool sleep!)
I have a number of credits to use between our Biz Plats, and Hilton cards in 2P mode. So I asked to split the charge 50 on Biz Plat, 50 on a Surpass and the remainder on my Biz. Had to wait for the gentleman who knew how to properly split, but he was very pleasant and agreeable!
Card one goes in - Declined! And again on take 2.
Well maybe fraud alert or something, haven't used this one in person in a while, put in Card two and Success!
Ok check app, not frozen, no texts, no alerts, no emails. Let's try take 3 - declined again!
I was on a clock so didn't have time to further look into it, so at least 2 credits will get used up.

I thought AmEx had a super simple way to avoid charges that are only using up the Biz Plat credit - just decline anything $50 even!

On further reflection, I grabbed the old, cancelled Biz Plat. Insult to injury, the new active card was in my purse and in my digital wallet! If I'd have noticed the very subtle sequential digit change, I could have whipped out the correct card and happy ending. I was even in my digital wallet looking for the card in case there was something wrong with the chip, and when the digits didn't match up no alarm bells went off. If only I'd have given the card a try from my phone anyway

Oh well, lesson learned, guess I can live a little on the next attempt since I have another $50 to use up!

 

[Pooh2]

I am a very casual player in the points game.
Just got the email from Chase about my sapphire card.
Not sure if I am interpreting it right: The points now have less value when redeeming them for travel??
Otherwise, the benefits are all the same?

 

[eticketplease]

I am a very casual player in the points game.
Just got the email from Chase about my sapphire card.
Not sure if I am interpreting it right: The points now have less value when redeeming them for travel??
Otherwise, the benefits are all the same?

That pretty much sums it up however it is possible to get a little bit more value with the points boost, but only if you’re booking premium flights or hotels. If you’re just booking economy, flights or a standard hotel then it’s only gonna be one set a point at which case you may as well cash those points out and go direct with the airline or hotel to be able to get benefits.

 

[eticketplease]

Still trying to figure out if CSR is my best option. Currently put all our spending on our Southwest card and use all our points for Southwest flights. Is Chase the only CC that you can transfer your points to Southwest? I haven't seen Southwest listed on any other CCs. Since we are starting to use other carriers in addition to Southwest, wondering if we would be better off with more of a cash back type card?

@Road_Dog made some great points.

I would still keep my Southwest card unless you have had it for over 24 months and in that case you could close it to get a SW welcome offer as those count towards Companion Paa. The $150 card is basically free if you check one bag on a round trip for one plus the $75 SW credit and annual points.

While holding the card look into the CSR or CSP as you look to fly with other airlines or as mentioned previously you could always just use the points for cash.

 

[*pixie*]

Think of it like this.

With your Southwest card you earn a base 1x on everything, 2x on internet and streaming, and 3x on Southwest flights. These points can only be used on Southwest.
With the CSR, you earn 1x on everything, 3x on dining, and 4x on hotels/flights. These points can be turned into cash or transferred to a partner which includes Southwest.

If this is all you care about, then the CSR wins--it will earn you more, as I suspect your purchases in dining and flights/hotels will outweigh what you make 2x on the Southwest card.

HOWEVER, the Southwest card offers perks the CSR doesn't. You get the upgraded boardings, the free checked bag, and your spend adds up over time and helps you earn things like A-List and Companion Pass. Keep in mind, points transferred from a CSR will NOT count towards A-List or Companion Pass status. So if you are a big spender (think tens of thousands a year) then it may be beneficial to spend on the SW card directly for these benefits.

The CSR has a load of benefits too--this wasn't meant to be an extensive comparison. But frankly I have a SW card for the free baggage as I think it's worth the fee just for that and the upgraded boardings. If I was flying and spending enough each year that earning the companion pass was possible, I'd prioritize that, as that can be a huge savings.

Thank you, this was super helpful! We do typically hit our companion pass every year, but now that we are branching out to other carriers I'm guessing we will be only flying Southwest a couple of times a year, so I'm not sure using the SW card exclusively just to get the companion pass is really worth it anymore. We would also hit the 75,000 on CSR and get the $500 SW credit and A-list.

 

[eticketplease]

Thank you, this was super helpful! We do typically hit our companion pass every year, but now that we are branching out to other carriers I'm guessing we will be only flying Southwest a couple of times a year, so I'm not sure using the SW card exclusively just to get the companion pass is really worth it anymore. We would also hit the 75,000 on CSR and get the $500 SW credit and A-list.

Well, like I said, even if you fly on only one flight by yourself round-trip, keeping the card or reapplying for the card pays for itself with the southwest credit and the baggage fee.

As long as you have the card, you’ll get those benefits then focus your spend on the CSR as you will earn more points and they are technically transferable to Southwest if you’d like to use them there

 

[afan]

Alaska seems so petty with their requirement to use their card for everything. I don't even get better boarding because I didn't use their card for the flight, used another cards credit. Thankful DL doesn't care how you pay just that you have the card.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Dd is due to apply for a new Sapphire, was thinking about the CSR, but with the 75k SUB on the CSP I think it is the better option. Trying to keep track of the coupons on my CSR will be enough of a headache, don't need it for 2 cards.

Dd referred me for a CIP on April 7th, but the bonus hasn't posted yet. Has there been a delay? Any idea it will appear in her account?

A support on April 7th definitely should have posted by now. I had this happen once, she should SM Chase from the card she used asking about it…giving your name and last 4 of your card so they can see the approval.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks for all this info! Are you able to pay for additional people traveling with you?

Yes…you get yourself and 2 guest in free anyone else is $27

 

[*pixie*]

Yes…you get yourself and 2 guest in free anyone else is $27

Oh wow, thank you!

 

[*pixie*]

Well, like I said, even if you fly on only one flight by yourself round-trip, keeping the card or reapplying for the card pays for itself with the southwest credit and the baggage fee.

As long as you have the card, you’ll get those benefits then focus your spend on the CSR as you will earn more points and they are technically transferable to Southwest if you’d like to use them there

Ok, I understand what you're saying now! Thank you!

 

[newski_mom]

question on checking in for SW flights - We have 4 people flying and we have 3 confirmation numbers.

One for my 2 adult kids
One for me and one for DH (my companion)

If either of my kids checks in at the 24 hour mark, will it check both of them in? Or do they both need to do it?

Thanks! I typically book all flights individually, so not sure how this works!

 

[dtnrhi]

Apologies if this has been posted here already but just sharing that you can redeem for those special 3 day Disney World tickets (no Magic Kingdom) on Chase Travel with your points.

The name of the listing is "SPECIAL OFFER: 3-Day 3-Park Ticket at Walt Disney World Resort" and it ends up being fulfilled by Viator. I redeemed and added to MDE no issue.

Used points and I have CSP so I effectively got 25% off this ticket and the points value for the three day ticket was only $227.48. That's a throwback!!

Note: The easiest way to find the ticket listing is to set Orlando as your location, search activities, and then click the "Tickets and Passes" picture after you search.

 

[WDWRook]

Hey crew, can I get some suggestions for new cards? I have $30k in spending in the next couple of months and might as well get some bonuses. I'm almost solely in the UR world right now. CSR is my daily and my renewal is Oct 1 so I'll keep it another year to see how that works out. I had a CSP years ago, I think... But I can't get a bonus on a CSP now anyway right? I also have 2 Freedoms, an IHG Premier, Marriott Boundless, a United Explorer, 2 Ink Cash and an Ink Preferred. I really only use the CSR and the Ink Cash (for actual work stuff).

tWife has a Marriott Boundless and Marriott Amex Business, and an Ink Preferred. She has the credit card game so if I mess with her it has to be a card she will value and keep and not just churn. She travels for work more than I, and we travel maybe 4 times a year for vacation, almost always at Marriott, MVC or DVC. We keep uses her Marriott account to build points and pushing to titanium, but always just shy. But, that means my IHG and Marriott annual nights often are hard to use or get wasted.

So ... I'm not sure if I should keep trying to churn UR cards, like yet another Ink, if I should jump to Amex Plat or Citi VX (although now I'd have to have another system to figure out and maybe of the benefits I have from the CSR). Or maybe I should get my wife a Marriott Brilliant, which would get her titanium, and she would easily use the $300 credit. And I could maybe down grade her boundless to a bold. We are near Cleveland so southwest here isn't a great option, and we don't really fly enough to get much benefits from United. I though to try Hilton, but I'm not sure it's worth the maybe 2 or 3 nights a year I stay without being with my wife where we work to rack up Marriott nights.