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

[hsmamato2]

My January Cruise has changed price a few times too ( I booked 3 rooms all with different Casino deals). Chase has been very good about getting with Carnival and getting me refunds. I now have $500 in OBC to use.

Ok.... I'm going admit, I still don't understand how the price drop thing works...is it a refare,or rebooking? If I PIF on chase, is that it on pricing? Or could I still keep an eye out for drops?

 

[LynnTH]

Do you guys just check the cruise line for price drops? I used to find them regularly on cruises we took, but haven't found any lately. Maybe I'm just booking at a good point? DH and I are thinking of booking a long cruise (30-ish days) when we retire, but would definitely have to stalk somewhere for price drops if we book it this far out - cruise would probably be sometime between July and September 2027.

Yes. I periodically check the rates on the cruise lines website. I get different casino offers and they change all the time. You just need to make sure you are checking exactly for the same type room you have. I think most cruise lines will adjust the pricing as long as it is not past final payment date, which is usually 90 days before sailing. I could have gotten points back from Chase, but figured it would just be easier to get OBC instead. (Especially, since I would not get as much back in points as used CSR at 1.5 ratio).

 

[hsmamato2]

your stats sound somewhat similar to mine.... prob worth a shot!

....AAAAANNNDD I got shot down got the 7-10 screen...that's a first for me! ETA...Just realized I forgot to unfreeze my credit before app'ing.... now do I have to wait 30 days to try again? (bleh-)

 

[LynnTH]

Ok.... I'm going admit, I still don't understand how the price drop thing works...is it a refare,or rebooking? If I PIF on chase, is that it on pricing? Or could I still keep an eye out for drops?

When I see that my rates have changed, then I call Chase and tell them what I see. They then get the cruise line on the other line and they refare the booking. To me it is easier to just get OBC from the cruise line than messing around with UR Points. Our cruise is not until January and have called twice now with lower pricing. So, I now have $515 in OBC, which I am able to see on my booking on the Carnival website.

 

[NewbieMom]

Back from a month long trip to Japan and China. 23 nights in Hyatts lol. My work qualifies for the corporate challenge, so I signed up and now I'm Globalist! DH didn't requalify last year, so I made almost all our reservations legacy guest of honor before it went away. It all worked out very well and now it'll seem like we never lost Globalist.

I put up reviews if anyone is interested:
Courtyard Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone
Grand Hyatt Hangzhou
Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai
Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
Fuji Speedway Hotel

My favorite day of the trip was when we went to Katsuoji (Daruma Temple) from Osaka. It was so fun finding all the darumas everywhere. DS didn't really want to go, but even he ended up enjoying it. Too bad the lake was drained though.

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Thanks for sharing such detailed reports! I always need 2 rooms now and would much prefer connecting rooms. I've never used prive before, but I'll have to look into it! Your trip sounds amazing. How were you and your DH able to take a month off? I have a sabbatical upcoming next year, but DH can only take 2 weeks off so I'm not sure if I want to do an Asia trip.

 

[wanderlust7]

Thanks for sharing such detailed reports! I always need 2 rooms now and would much prefer connecting rooms. I've never used prive before, but I'll have to look into it! Your trip sounds amazing. How were you and your DH able to take a month off? I have a sabbatical upcoming next year, but DH can only take 2 weeks off so I'm not sure if I want to do an Asia trip.

DH is retired and I get a lot of PTO.

 

[wanderlust7]

2 questions:
the ritz cc: can I apply to get the sub of 5 fnc? or do I need a bonvoy to upgrade from? points fr January at swolphin are all over 0k so can't use fnc from marriott.

2nd:
my af for my csr hit on 7/1. so I can pay it now, use my $300 travel credit which should reset now and pc down to csp tog et most of af back?
anything else?
of course hotels and cruise hit this statement before travel credit reset. can i do united tb to get the $300?
i guess 1,25 will be ok vs 1.5 ugh

appreciate the help.

You can't apply for the Ritz card. Upgrade only from a Chase Bonvoy card at least a year old.

If you've upgraded or downgraded before, it might not be tied to the AF anymore, so double check that it reset. PC to CSP if you can use the benefits or a no AF Freedom. I think you get all your AF back if you do it within 30 days, or else prorated. Never tried United TB, but any travel works, so probably. If you book something refundable and cancel, Chase doesn't claw back.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

....AAAAANNNDD I got shot down got the 7-10 screen...that's a first for me! ETA...Just realized I forgot to unfreeze my credit before app'ing.... now do I have to wait 30 days to try again? (bleh-)

I think (and hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong) you can unfreeze your credit and call the recon line. I'd call first and ask what the reason for the 7-10 day message is, then unfreeze your credit if that's the reason.

 

[calypso726]

Another luggage question: We're going to Scotland in September, and I'm reading that taking a roller isn't always best since it's hard to lug around on the older streets. I definitely prefer it for the airport though. Do I need to look at a carryon backpack and/or checked duffel or backpack? Or are the rollers fine.

I am in Scotland right now. No issues with our rolling carry on bags. We started off in Edinburgh, then to Inverness and now in Isle of Skye.

Booked the RT flight in J using BA Avios. Since we are traveling with another couple who are new to travel hacking we decided to do BA since it’s easy. We spent 4 nights at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton using HH points. Then we had one night at the Park Inn Radisson hotel in Aberdeen and one night at the River Ness Hotel. Both of these were with Radisson points from way back when the Club Carlson card existed. We are now in the Isle of Skye and staying in Portree for a couple nights. This one is a cash stay since there really aren’t chain hotels out here. This is our 6th visit to Scotland and number 7 will be later this year for Hogmanay.

 

[VGCgroupie]

....AAAAANNNDD I got shot down got the 7-10 screen...that's a first for me! ETA...Just realized I forgot to unfreeze my credit before app'ing.... now do I have to wait 30 days to try again? (bleh-)

This is likely the reason. I would call recon.

Cap one automatically told me I forgot to unfreeze and said try again that was super cool of them rather than just default sending a letter.

 

[Sheree]

You can't apply for the Ritz card. Upgrade only from a Chase Bonvoy card at least a year old.

If you've upgraded or downgraded before, it might not be tied to the AF anymore, so double check that it reset. PC to CSP if you can use the benefits or a no AF Freedom. I think you get all your AF back if you do it within 30 days, or else prorated. Never tried United TB, but any travel works, so probably. If you book something refundable and cancel, Chase doesn't claw back.

thank you
so my dh has a bonvoy, if he upgrades to ritz will he get the sub of 5 nights?

 

[wanderlust7]

thank you
so my dh has a bonvoy, if he upgrades to ritz will he get the sub of 5 nights?

There's no SUB for the Ritz upgrade.

 

[havaneselover]

Do you guys just check the cruise line for price drops? I used to find them regularly on cruises we took, but haven't found any lately. Maybe I'm just booking at a good point? DH and I are thinking of booking a long cruise (30-ish days) when we retire, but would definitely have to stalk somewhere for price drops if we book it this far out - cruise would probably be sometime between July and September 2027.

I obsessively check the website because I'm neurotic. I have the cruise saved when I login to Princess so it's easy to check the price.

 

[havaneselover]

Ok.... I'm going admit, I still don't understand how the price drop thing works...is it a refare,or rebooking? If I PIF on chase, is that it on pricing? Or could I still keep an eye out for drops?

Refare is the best option but I don't think it can be done if you are PIF. Also, sometimes they may tell you the new rate is for new bookings only so then your only option would be to rebook. Which doesn't really work if you used Chase points because it takes them so long to refund the points (speaking from experience). For Princess, they also have a Best Price Guarantee form on their website that you can fill out and get an OBC of 120% of the price difference. https://www.princess.com/plan/best-price-guarantee I think this works even if you are PIF as long as it's before the final payment due date. And yes, I check a lot.

 

[hsmamato2]

got my notice of why denied...
We based our decision on the following reason(s)• Number of recently opened accounts on consumer credit report• Business structure• Insufficient business deposit relationship with us
sounds like my freeze wasn't even on this list(?) I was wondering when I'd hit my max, now I know.....

 

[hsmamato2]

Refare is the best option but I don't think it can be done if you are PIF. Also, sometimes they may tell you the new rate is for new bookings only so then your only option would be to rebook. Which doesn't really work if you used Chase points because it takes them so long to refund the points (speaking from experience). For Princess, they also have a Best Price Guarantee form on their website that you can fill out and get an OBC of 120% of the price difference. https://www.princess.com/plan/best-price-guarantee I think this works even if you are PIF as long as it's before the final payment due date. And yes, I check a lot.

yes...thank you- so dumb OBC question, this can be used for excursions,specialty meals,gratuities etc?

 

[hsmamato2]

altitude connect...just got one (have to branch out a little I guess) what's the velocity on these brand? I love the benefits but the MSR is so low for what I need ( )

 

[havaneselover]

yes...thank you- so dumb OBC question, this can be used for excursions,specialty meals,gratuities etc?

I believe so. I think some people cash it out through the casino (it’s not technically allowed but it seems like it’s possible).

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Check you CIC offers: all three of our household CICs have 5% back at Staples up to $5 valid through 7/28. Should overlap fee free Visa starting on 7/20, so you can grab an extra $5 per card with the offer.

(I know these are targeted but, considering we got it on 100% of our CICs, I'm thinking this is a pretty wide offer.)

 

[newski_mom]

Refare is the best option but I don't think it can be done if you are PIF. Also, sometimes they may tell you the new rate is for new bookings only so then your only option would be to rebook. Which doesn't really work if you used Chase points because it takes them so long to refund the points (speaking from experience). For Princess, they also have a Best Price Guarantee form on their website that you can fill out and get an OBC of 120% of the price difference. https://www.princess.com/plan/best-price-guarantee I think this works even if you are PIF as long as it's before the final payment due date. And yes, I check a lot.

Thanks for the link - I have a princess cruise booked through Costco for October. The final payment is due Sunday (I think, ours is already PIF). I checked the price for an obstructed view balcony (category we have) and the price is $66 lower than what we paid. We have a $500 OBC, so I guess I won't ruffle any feathers asking about the price match. I will definitely keep it book marked for future cruises though!