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

[focusondisney]

Thanks for the helpful link & advice @Duckbug.Ducktales! We’re used to booking business select on SW & extra leg room on JB & will probably book the extra leg room on SW. I do think there may be some upcharge for it with CP & I’d be ok with that. Right now I intend to try to earn it next year, having it into 2027 will make it worth the effort where having it for just 2 trips in 2026 probably won’t. Thanks again!

 

[wanderlust7]

Hello travel brain trust! I am trying to make Hawaii happen in July or August 2027 and would love some advice from this group before I get my next card in early August. Will need to use points for some lodging and all flights. LOTS of Info:

2 adults 2 kids. Plan to do 4 nights at Grand Hyatt Maui on points and 4 nights Aulani cash. Will rent car likely for cash

Within 2 hours of both PHL and BWI; 2.5 hours from IAD; 3.5 hours to JFK. Willing to fly in/out of different airports for a good deal

If possible, would love to make United work, but also realize the utility of a SW companion pass for this

Also need flights for 3 to MCO in March 2026 and need flights for 4 to FLL in August 2026

Relevant Cards:
CSP: since 2021, bonus post 6/15/21
CFU: since 2022
Biz Unlimited since 2023 (will be closing)
Biz Cash since 2024
Chase United Explorers bonus post 2/19/24
Chase United Mileage Biz bonus post 4/7/25

Have 124k URs and a paltry 506 United miles (lots of trips recently!)

Also hold Bonvoy, IHG, Barclays AA, and Diz and Amazon cards. Used Bonvoy SUB to book 4 free nights for WDW in March 2026; will use annual free night to book pre cruise room for August 2026

Ave spend : $5800 on cards a month

Do NOT have a P2 (or he is VERY unwilling - it would have to be the SUB of the decade to get him to sign up and even then he might not transfer any rewards to me. Love, am I right?)

At 5/24 thru 7/31/25

I have not yet dabbled in Amex - was thinking of Amex Gold and transferring points to delta and flying out of our small regional airport (MDT) to MCO for March trip, but point values have looked pretty bad.

Am planning on getting SW personal and SW Business in late 2025/early 2026 for companion pass and points - that would get us points we need for FLL trip in August plus companion pass for 2027. Then would look for Hyatt card in spring 2026 to have SUB wrapped up and ready to book a year out in advance.

Holes in those plans? Would you do something differently?

You don't necessarily need a Hyatt card since you can just transfer UR. The SUB is typically bad, so it only makes sense if you want the annual category 4 FNC (doesn't help you for Maui) or elite nights for status.

Do you have other cards dropping off 5/24? The Amex gold will add to that. The biz gold and biz plat have higher SUBs, but also higher MSR. There are targeted elevated Delta offers. The Delta biz gold is good since first year AF is waived and you get 6 months for the MSR. You can also get 15% off Delta awards. Link

 

[mmmears]

Hello travel brain trust! I am trying to make Hawaii happen in July or August 2027 and would love some advice from this group before I get my next card in early August. Will need to use points for some lodging and all flights. LOTS of Info:

2 adults 2 kids. Plan to do 4 nights at Grand Hyatt Maui on points and 4 nights Aulani cash. Will rent car likely for cash

Did you mean the Hyatt Regency Maui or the Grand Hyatt Kauai by any chance? Unless I missed it somehow there is no Grand Hyatt on Maui.

Also, I agree about using Chase points - the Hyatt cards aren't great unless you want the FNC.

 

[WaltsMartini]

I DID mean Hyatt Regency Maui - thanks for the clarification!

 

[Psychodisney]

Just noticing the Citi Strata Elite release and the point transfers to AA! I think I like the earning on the Premier card better and apparently will transfer to AA too.

 

[Sheree]

United Quest approved! thank you.

waiting on a good dgc online to use my new BofA card.

just got amex plat statement with AF which I'll be cancelling. Value just isn't there

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

Just noticing the Citi Strata Elite release and the point transfers to AA! I think I like the earning on the Premier card better and apparently will transfer to AA too.

Love this development, since AA is a valuable points currency for us, but it’s getting harder to accumulate. We’re currently timed out on Citi AAdvantage and Barclays, but the Premier could be a great option for us! Basically I view the Premier sub as 60k AA miles

 

[StephPlum]

If you are flying solo in premium economy, what seat do you choose. Another data point - 5'3" so no need for leg room. I don't like bulkhead. I was thinking of the aisle in the middle (7D). Hoping no one picks middle seat and if they do they are a couple and bother the other aisle (H) to get out of the row. Good strategy?

 

[reliev]

Just noticing the Citi Strata Elite release and the point transfers to AA! I think I like the earning on the Premier card better and apparently will transfer to AA too.

Im curious if they count towards loyalty points when you transfer.

 

[Brian Noble]

Good strategy?

I am very much not a fan of hoping you can tell someone else to move for your own convenience, and it has been a month of Sundays since I've been on a flight that wasn't full---particularly in non-steerage, because so many people are eligible for or willing to buy upgrades.

Personally, I would take either 7C or 7J, depdning on whether you are right or left handed repsectively. The lack of a middle seat means you and the person next to you can lean away from one another without encroaching anyone else, and that's not true in D/F.

 

[WaltsMartini]

@WaltsMartini and @focusondisney
I wanted to share this article from Frequent Miler in case it's helpful: https://frequentmiler.com/southwest-ruins-its-credit-cards-now-might-be-the-time-to-get-one/

This is TREMENDOUSLY helpful! I am 5/24 until 7/31/25, going to apply for this beginning of August and go for CP this year; I am too much of a nervous Nellie that they will end CP as we know it and I won’t be able to reach spend by end of 2025.

With this SW plan for 2026 flights, applying for a new Ink and a new United card in 2026, and continuing to use Ink Biz Cash for Visa gift cards when not working towards a SUB, should earn enough URs and be able use current balance to make Hawaii happen!

 

[StephPlum]

I am very much not a fan of hoping you can tell someone else to move for your own convenience, and it has been a month of Sundays since I've been on a flight that wasn't full---particularly in non-steerage, because so many people are eligible for or willing to buy upgrades.

Personally, I would take either 7C or 7J, depdning on whether you are right or left handed repsectively. The lack of a middle seat means you and the person next to you can lean away from one another without encroaching anyone else, and that's not true in D/F.

Not sure you fully understood my thinking. I was thinking the other seats were taken by a couple Ie they were together. I guess I just wouldn't ask a stranger to move vs my travel partner. I would never tell someone to go the other way if they did ask me. I was trying to hedge my bets.

Thanks though for the leaning advice. Something to think about.

 

[Brian Noble]

Oh, I see what you mean by about "bother the other aisle." I missed that the first time. Yes, that does make sense. The risk is that hte middle seat is also a single. Not likely but possible.

 

[afan]

Im curious if they count towards loyalty points when you transfer.

They don't, already a dp in doc comments.

 

[WaltsMartini]

Quick question - I need to unload an Ink I’ve had since May 2023 so I’m ready for next good SUB, however am also planning on applying for SW Personal card in a few days once I’m out of 5/24 status. Even though Ink is a biz card, would you wait to close until after you apply for the personal card with Chase, or does that not matter?

 

[becauseimnew]

Quick question - I need to unload an Ink I’ve had since May 2023 so I’m ready for next good SUB, however am also planning on applying for SW Personal card in a few days once I’m out of 5/24 status. Even though Ink is a biz card, would you wait to close until after you apply for the personal card with Chase, or does that not matter?

Doesn't matter.

 

[StephPlum]

International flight questions. I am still a novice. I just booked FCO-LHR-JFK. The FCO-LHR is on BA and LHR-JFK is AA. They are both one ticket booked through AA.

1. I can pick my seat on the AA leg. I go to BA to pick a seat on the first leg and it looks like I have to pay now or wait until check in and pick a seat for free. It isn't a long flight so I don't really care. Any issue waiting until check-in? I assume I have a seat on the flight guaranteed, just not which one.

2. Am I missing anything when I book partner flights. Is there anything I should be doing to put my AA number in when I book AA flights on Alaska? or here to have my BA account reflected on this booking?

Thanks.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

International flight questions. I am still a novice. I just booked FCO-LHR-JFK. The FCO-LHR is on BA and LHR-JFK is AA. They are both one ticket booked through AA.

1. I can pick my seat on the AA leg. I go to BA to pick a seat on the first leg and it looks like I have to pay now or wait until check in and pick a seat for free. It isn't a long flight so I don't really care. Any issue waiting until check-in? I assume I have a seat on the flight guaranteed, just not which one.

2. Am I missing anything when I book partner flights. Is there anything I should be doing to put my AA number in when I book AA flights on Alaska? or here to have my BA account reflected on this booking?

Thanks.

BA does indeed charge for seat selection in advance. Are you in biz or economy class? How long is your connection in Heathrow? I have paid for advance seat selection on BA -- it depends on the configuration of the plane (which is subject to change, in which case they will refund the cost if you ask). No issue waiting until check-in to select your seat, but if your connection is less than 3 hours it might be worth it to pay to be closer to the front of the plane.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

If you are flying solo in premium economy, what seat do you choose. Another data point - 5'3" so no need for leg room. I don't like bulkhead. I was thinking of the aisle in the middle (7D). Hoping no one picks middle seat and if they do they are a couple and bother the other aisle (H) to get out of the row. Good strategy?

View attachment 987892

I do not like sitting in the middle section of the plane. -- I'm a window seat person. I would take 7A. That way I can position myself against the wall and not have to worry about being bumped with bags, elbows, etc. while people are boarding. Is this an overnight flight? If so, I would take 8A to be as far away from the washrooms as possible (those toilets are loud when you're trying to sleep!).

 

[StephPlum]

I do not like sitting in the middle section of the plane. -- I'm a window seat person. I would take 7A. That way I can position myself against the wall and not have to worry about being bumped with bags, elbows, etc. while people are boarding. Is this an overnight flight? If so, I would take 8A to be as far away from the washrooms as possible (those toilets are loud when you're trying to sleep!)

Thanks. It’s a long flight 7 hrs and I know I’ll have to get up (maybe more than once). So I think I want easy aisle access. It is daytime coming from Europe to US. I only have one experience with that and I couldn’t really sleep.

BA does indeed charge for seat selection in advance. Are you in biz or economy class? How long is your connection in Heathrow? I have paid for advance seat selection on BA -- it depends on the configuration of the plane (which is subject to change, in which case they will refund the cost if you ask). No issue waiting until check-in to select your seat, but if your connection is less than 3 hours it might be worth it to pay to be closer to the front of the plane.

Thanks. My layover is 4 hours. It is in biz; they only gave me the option to choose a seat in the first 4 rows (Airbus 320 from Rome to LHR). I think I’ll just wait.