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

I have a US Bank leverage card and in April used points for a statement credit at 1:1. I can still see in my account I redeemend 72,500 points and got a $725 statement credit. But now I seeing that for a $25 statement credit you need 3,333 points. Did something change or am I doing something wrong?
Second part of my question is - Has anyone done the "U.S. Bank Business Essentials" bank bonus? If the statement credit is no longer 1:1, I'm considering opening a checking account with US bank since my understanding is that you can cash out at 1:1 into one of their accounts. There's a $500 sign up bonus, but it's a business checking account and that makes me a little cautious.
 
I had a US Bank Leverage biz and a triple cash Biz. I got denied awhile back with those cards. I have cancelled the Leverage at the beginning of May. Thoughts on applying for another one of those two cards?
 
Who are you all using to fly to/from Munich or Rome > USA? We are looking at flights for next May, flying into MUC from CLT, and flying out of FCO back to the US, but we're also flexible in that we could fly to Rome first from the US, and back from Munich. I've been looking on AA, at all possible combinations, but the miles are more than I wanted to spend. I looked on the Chase portal, and the rates are even higher. Are we just looking at an expensive-ish time of year, and that's to be expected? Maybe I set my expectations too high that I'd be able to get roundtrip tickets to Europe for under 40k AA miles (in economy)... sigh.
 
FYI for those that use clear. If you haven't used it since real id became required you'll probably have to update your id. Super frustrating since it's the same id from when I updated with their mass update last year. I've had an enhanced dl (WA allows for Canadian border crossing land/sea) since i signed up with clear however long ago it was.

Also reminded why I prefer Centurion for breakfast, there's stuff I eat. Had two rolls and a banana. At least dl always has meat, cheese and crackers but I generally find more things I like there.
 

Ugh I don’t know what to do about speculatively transferring MR to Hawaiian I know we will be flying to Hawaii once per year and right now the redemptions are pretty good. What if they flip the script after June 30 and redemptions are not a good value. Before my backup was redeem Hawaiian first class with the Amex 35% back now that’s off the table. I have to leave my preferred airline as Delta for other travel.

In kind of related news. VA fees went way up (looks like for only London). https://roame.travel/guides/virgin-...cllI5AcEMio3pecdLg_aem_o6qIfqVSY96ar_PQCPkIzg
 
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@Crazed4DisneyinSC Quick search yielded this flight from CLT-->FCO on May 13th (similar options available on other dates in May):

Screenshot 2025-06-26 at 5.43.53 PM.png

For Munich I'd try looking at FB with a connection in either CDG or AMS. Also if you can transfer UR-->AC some of the United and AC flights look good if you don't mind a connection:

Screenshot 2025-06-26 at 5.49.58 PM.png
 
Who are you all using to fly to/from Munich or Rome > USA? We are looking at flights for next May, flying into MUC from CLT, and flying out of FCO back to the US, but we're also flexible in that we could fly to Rome first from the US, and back from Munich. I've been looking on AA, at all possible combinations, but the miles are more than I wanted to spend. I looked on the Chase portal, and the rates are even higher. Are we just looking at an expensive-ish time of year, and that's to be expected? Maybe I set my expectations too high that I'd be able to get roundtrip tickets to Europe for under 40k AA miles (in economy)... sigh.
I have aa booked CLT to MUC but it is higher than I’d like. I’m hoping for a cheaper Alaska redemption on the same flight closer to the date. I’m also tracking other nonstop options like United.
 
Back to the "I need a SUB" conversation. 2 options, P3 gets the Marriott 5 FNC offer. Or do I want to get a Hawaiian Biz card? I'm at 4/24 until August. I read you can double dip and do both the HA biz and personal the same day, but I'm assuming that still takes a slot, right?

I don't fly AA as often anymore, and I have like 250k AA miles. I'm not sure what I would use the HA miles for, but I know they would transfer to Alaskan and that people like those, LOL. I guess just trying to figure out, HA miles or 5 FNC.

Thoughts? I should add my BF is getting 5 FNC but those will be for us to use. The idea behind my DD getting the 5FNC is to use on a vacation w/ them.
If you are 100% certain that you can use the 5 FNCs 1 year from when you get them then it's a good SUB.
 
I have a US Bank leverage card and in April used points for a statement credit at 1:1. I can still see in my account I redeemend 72,500 points and got a $725 statement credit. But now I seeing that for a $25 statement credit you need 3,333 points. Did something change or am I doing something wrong?
Second part of my question is - Has anyone done the "U.S. Bank Business Essentials" bank bonus? If the statement credit is no longer 1:1, I'm considering opening a checking account with US bank since my understanding is that you can cash out at 1:1 into one of their accounts. There's a $500 sign up bonus, but it's a business checking account and that makes me a little cautious.
i noticed this too but have a usbank savings so had it put there for 1:1.
 
Who are you all using to fly to/from Munich or Rome > USA? We are looking at flights for next May, flying into MUC from CLT, and flying out of FCO back to the US, but we're also flexible in that we could fly to Rome first from the US, and back from Munich. I've been looking on AA, at all possible combinations, but the miles are more than I wanted to spend. I looked on the Chase portal, and the rates are even higher. Are we just looking at an expensive-ish time of year, and that's to be expected? Maybe I set my expectations too high that I'd be able to get roundtrip tickets to Europe for under 40k AA miles (in economy)... sigh.
When we flew to Munich we flew with United
 
And where can I find specific info for Bilt? I'm thinking of advising someone I know on paying rent with this, sounds like a great option?
we did this for my mil in A/L. they wouldn't take a cc for rent but bilt dos an auto pay that looks to the vendor like a auto debit from checking. great way to get points for something youu couldn't otherwise. bilt was in DH name and h then transferred funds fom his mother to pay the bill out of our account. we transferred to United 1:1. She passed 2 weeks ago so no more rent. will keep card open for the full year though
 
New bathrooms at sna, red or green light above the stall. Big stalls too. Very nice. Surprising since there wasn't any construction happening Aug 2023 when I was here and if you travel through SEA at all, we take forever to do stuff.
 

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Hi all, I’m not a newbie to DIS but am to this board. I’ve played the credit card points game before but it’s been a long time and never for airline points. I’d love some advice on what cards are best to start with to earn rewards for airline points, how to refer my husband to get additional bonuses, when to transfer points and get a new card to maximize earnings, and any other advice you can provide. I’ve tried to list all the questions in bullet points below but am happy to answer any questions. Thank you for any help!

- Neither my husband or I have opened any new credit cards in a couple of years so that is not a concern.
- We have excellent credit and use our Capital One CC for all our purchases then pay it off at the end of the month, every month.
- We have 3 airports we can fly out of. LEX (Lexington, KY) is closest; however is most expensive so we rarely use it. CVG (Northern KY) is usually the airport we fly from as we can usually get good deals and it’s only about 45 minutes away. Then we also have SDF (Louisville) as an option if we can find better flight times there.
- We’ve never been loyal to one airline so while we do have accounts, there aren’t really a lot of points to speak of.
- Southwest does service both CVG and SDF
- We have Marriott and Hilton rewards
- On to our goal, we plan to visit France next year (summer 2026) and then Greece and Italy the year after (summer 2027). I’m not as concerned with paying for the flights next year in points (though it’d be nice), my real goal is to be able to earn enough points to upgrade our flights the following year when we visit Greece and Italy. That will be my oldest son’s graduation trip gift and I’d love to be able to get first class seats (even if points pay part and I have to pay for the upgrade).
- Our travel party includes myself, my husband and our two teenage boys



If you’ve read this far, thank you so much! I appreciate any help you can give!
 
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!
Yes it will check-in both since they are on the same reservation
 
And where can I find specific info for Bilt? I'm thinking of advising someone I know on paying rent with this, sounds like a great option?
I don't know where to find the info, but my DD rents in a building that prefers people to use the Bilt card and she's been using it for a few years now. The points are great.
Who are you all using to fly to/from Munich or Rome > USA? We are looking at flights for next May, flying into MUC from CLT, and flying out of FCO back to the US, but we're also flexible in that we could fly to Rome first from the US, and back from Munich. I've been looking on AA, at all possible combinations, but the miles are more than I wanted to spend. I looked on the Chase portal, and the rates are even higher. Are we just looking at an expensive-ish time of year, and that's to be expected? Maybe I set my expectations too high that I'd be able to get roundtrip tickets to Europe for under 40k AA miles (in economy)... sigh.
Not Rome, but Milan for me in May. I tried FB and the rates were just way too high for me, so I ended up booking on BA which isn't my favorite but we had a lot of Avios anyway so it worked for us. I think AF will lower the rates at some point but I figured it was just easier for me to take what was available and not have to worry about it.
 
I'm another person who has a lot of spend right now and is desperately looking for a good MSR. We can't get any more Ink cards at the moment.
 
I have a US Bank leverage card and in April used points for a statement credit at 1:1. I can still see in my account I redeemend 72,500 points and got a $725 statement credit. But now I seeing that for a $25 statement credit you need 3,333 points. Did something change or am I doing something wrong?
Second part of my question is - Has anyone done the "U.S. Bank Business Essentials" bank bonus? If the statement credit is no longer 1:1, I'm considering opening a checking account with US bank since my understanding is that you can cash out at 1:1 into one of their accounts. There's a $500 sign up bonus, but it's a business checking account and that makes me a little cautious.
I did the U.S. Bank business account bonus earlier this year. Applied online as sole prop, no calls or follow up needed, instant approval. It was one of the easier bonuses I've done.
 
And where can I find specific info for Bilt? I'm thinking of advising someone I know on paying rent with this, sounds like a great option?
What info are you looking for? I've had the card for a few years and it's great for us renters! The basics are on the Bilt rewards site, so I suggest starting there and then asking questions.

Key things:

-There are few different ways that rent can be paid, depending on what the landlord requires and if the property is in the "Bilt network" or not. The process changed a couple months ago.

-There is no fee to pay your rent with the Bilt card- even if your apartment usually charges a fee for using a credit card.

-The card must be used 5x per statement period (not including rent) in order to get the points.

-There is a lengthy list of transfer partners, including some unique ones. (Alaska, JAL)

That's a start!
 














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