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

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Thanks for such a detailed trip report! This was a bucket list trip for me before kids, but since I didn't make it, I was going to wait until we can go without them. But I do want to prioritize more active trips sooner. How easy/difficult would you say this trip is for kids (ages 8-12)? If you were to do-over, would you just use taxidatum instead of the Peru Rail train to MP?

I think 8-12 is a good age if your kids are okay moving every 3-4 days or so, maybe a little more often. They will really like all the animal activities. And, Peru has the really nice bonus of the summertime being winter, so it's a perfect trip during school break, without the weather being scorching (was about 30 at night to high 60s daytime). I think most of our hotels had pools or hot springs of some sort. And there's lots of souvenir shopping (pretty inexpensive), which kids love.

So, you can't taxi to MP, you have to take a train. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't overnight in Aguas Calientes and would either:
1. Just ride a regular train on Peru Rail or Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo to MP. This has the advantage of cutting significant time off the train ride as well. We just didn't do it because the train station was onsite.
2. I personally would probably really splurge and book the Hiram Gingham train. It is expensive, but everyone raves about the experience. If you book enough in advance, it also includes your tickets to MP and a guide, so you're basically led through the whole experience. I didn't book this because we had the train station onsite and because we were so close in when booking our trip there were very few MP tickets left and I had to grab them myself or risk them selling out.

Also, Starlodge is something I've always dreamed about, these pods suspended from the side of a mountain. Despite my fear of certain heights, my mind says I can do these things (I probably can't). I think I do better if I have some level of control. I think minimum age is 12. On our train, a tween was reprimanding her dad for not booking them there

 

[chattadisser]

I need my memory refreshed on the order to apply for new cards. I'm at 1/24 for Chase and as of August are eligible for the CSP MSR again. I am also at a point this month where I can get another CIP. I've got several big bills this month that I'd like to use the MSR on these cards for. Is there any particular order I should apply for them in? I know that normally for CIP you shouldn't apply within 30 days of another application so should I apply for them both the same day? I don't have a problem applying the same day, just wondering if there is any reason to space them out.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Re Citi Strata Elite:
A comment on DOC says that the elevated offer can still be obtained, though bankers may be less willing to share links over the phone

"Citi has advised bankers to only share the email link with clients who stepped foot in the branch but no mechanism to really enforce this, so just an FYI if bankers are hesitant or refuse to send out a link.

Links are UNIQUE to each client, as of right now their is no stated expiration date on the 100k OFFER anyone who says otherwise is simply speculating/ spreading rumors"

 

[wanderlust7]

I need my memory refreshed on the order to apply for new cards. I'm at 1/24 for Chase and as of August are eligible for the CSP MSR again. I am also at a point this month where I can get another CIP. I've got several big bills this month that I'd like to use the MSR on these cards for. Is there any particular order I should apply for them in? I know that normally for CIP you shouldn't apply within 30 days of another application so should I apply for them both the same day? I don't have a problem applying the same day, just wondering if there is any reason to space them out.

There's a soft rule of 1/30 applications for biz cards and 2/30 for personal. So I would do the Ink first. If it's instant approval, I think you can do CSP the same day, but there's no advantage to it (inquiries don't get combined). If it goes pending, I think I'd wait until it's approved first.

Usual rule of thumb of 3 months still applies, so hopefully you average out to that.

 

[NewbieMom]

I think 8-12 is a good age if your kids are okay moving every 3-4 days or so, maybe a little more often. They will really like all the animal activities. And, Peru has the really nice bonus of the summertime being winter, so it's a perfect trip during school break, without the weather being scorching (was about 30 at night to high 60s daytime). I think most of our hotels had pools or hot springs of some sort. And there's lots of souvenir shopping (pretty inexpensive), which kids love.

So, you can't taxi to MP, you have to take a train. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't overnight in Aguas Calientes and would either:
1. Just ride a regular train on Peru Rail or Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo to MP. This has the advantage of cutting significant time off the train ride as well. We just didn't do it because the train station was onsite.
2. I personally would probably really splurge and book the Hiram Gingham train. It is expensive, but everyone raves about the experience. If you book enough in advance, it also includes your tickets to MP and a guide, so you're basically led through the whole experience. I didn't book this because we had the train station onsite and because we were so close in when booking our trip there were very few MP tickets left and I had to grab them myself or risk them selling out.

Also, Starlodge is something I've always dreamed about, these pods suspended from the side of a mountain. Despite my fear of certain heights, my mind says I can do these things (I probably can't). I think I do better if I have some level of control. I think minimum age is 12. On our train, a tween was reprimanding her dad for not booking them there

Thanks for the additional info. I may have to look into planning this trip.
RE: Starlodge no way will I sleep in one of those! I would be too afraid, but I'm sure my kids would love it!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Amex Serve and Bluebird shut down reports on Flyer talk and Reddit……personally received emails on one of my cards and 2 of DHs….can still log into other cards I have but don’t expect that to last …..it was a great 5 year run
Off to research Visa Serve cards

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Applied & was approved for 2 cards. Amex Hilton Honors (starting with the lowest card) and the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select. That brings me to 4/24. Regret not applying earlier since we had to rush through oral surgery for both kids (wanted to get it done before school). One had to get her wisdom teeth out & the other had to have her canines exposed & connected to her braces (she’s almost 14 and they never came in).

Luckily (or unluckily) there will be other costs coming up to make SUBs - I have to expand the driveway to fit another car. Older kid is turning 16 & my sister is gifting her old car.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Applied & was approved for 2 cards. Amex Hilton Honors (starting with the lowest card) and the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select. That brings me to 4/24. Regret not applying earlier since we had to rush through oral surgery for both kids (wanted to get it done before school). One had to get her wisdom teeth out & the other had to have her canines exposed & connected to her braces (she’s almost 14 and they never came in).

Luckily (or unluckily) there will be other costs coming up to make SUBs - I have to expand the driveway to fit another car. Older kid is turning 16 & my sister is gifting her old car.

Congrats

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

You probably already know but you can’t upgrade a personal card until it’s open a year due to the card act.
Maybe a work around would be to PC the SW card you have now to a different SW card, then close after the points post.

I have a big expense next week and I panic apped for the SW 100k offer on 7.29 (Tuesday night). Instant approval (3/24, 3 open biz cards, 3rd Chase card opened in 2025- 1 biz, 2 personal) @CaliforniaGirl09 I think Chase is lightening up.

I

@palhockeymomof2 I didn't know that--thank you. That changes the thought plan.

That would be great @FreeDiningFanatic --thank you for the DP.

 

[becauseimnew]

Weird thing, was waiting in line to board our 5:10AM SW flight and a TSA agent was doing random bag checks. Never had that happen, I didn’t even know that was a thing.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Weird thing, was waiting in line to board our 5:10AM SW flight and a TSA agent was doing random bag checks. Never had that happen, I didn’t even know that was a thing.

On our last flight ISP to MCO we saw a TSA agent carrying a backpack, he set it down then after a while another TSA agent with a dog came and was walking around the area, the dog alerted on the backpack the first agent placed.
First time we ever saw them training a dog.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hi, newbie to this thread, just read the entire thing over the past few evenings, thanks for all the interesting info. Looking for some advice or suggestions moving forward:

Single, 65, retired, usually fly domestically 1-2x yearly to MCO with adult DD (she cannot be a P2). Usually fly out of PVD (fave) but have also flown out of BOS if needed (flew Delta to Roanoke for 1st time last year to visit son and DIL, BOS-LGA-ROA worked out fine). I usually fly SW or JB to MCO. Carry on only.

Hotel-wise I am a HH loyalist, and would like to earn more points. I actually have a reservation for end of August booked with my BCP and would like to change it to a Surpass card.

My current CL's are pretty high for me, as I used to make high 6 figures, but now gross is 93K, net 72K. (Taxes & an IRMAA hit this year). I pretty much put everything I can on CC's and pay them off weekly/biweekly. No loans, no mortgage. FICO 820's

Cards (all personal, can't do business):
1. Citi DC 21.5K CL opened 2011 rarely use
2. Barclays JB MC Plus 19K opened originally in 2012 when it was AMEX, then company changed to Barclays, in April I PC'ed it from a regular JB to a JB plus for more points. AF due 6/30 Use this card for flights on JB, apparently they are partnering with United this fall, so would consider United to VA as well.
3. AMEX BCP 19K opened 2015 AF due 11/28 rarely use
4. Chase SW Priority Visa opened 2017 (I think I upgraded to this card from a basic SW card when it was initially offered and got a SUB for doing so?) 31K CL AF due 3/1 Use this card for earning flight points
5. Target 5% CC opened 10/2021

Earlier this week I cancelled a fraud alert that was on all 3 credit bureaus after a hacking incident last summer, I do have a credit freeze in place on all three.

My thoughts:
AMEX
1. I want to apply for the AMEX Hilton Surpass to have on hand to apply to the reservation at the end of the month. I threw the reservation onto my BCP to show AMEX that I still like them. I've also used it for the past couple of grocery visits. I've never met the 6K grocery limit because I'm always working toward my SW/JB points so usually use those cards instead. If I am approved for the Surpass when can I then cancel the BCP (AF hits end of November)?

CHASE
2. (ugh) Not happy about my upcoming AF of 229 in March. And I'm 99% sure that I got a SUB with this card back in 2017. I have always used it for the anniversary points, the $75 credit and the boarding upgrades. Never took enough flights in a year to earn status or even CP with just me earning. I would use this card until I had enough points for the fares I wanted (usually Anytime) then switch to my JB card. Yeah, I know, not very efficient, but that's how I roll.
So I'm not sure what my options are. Cancel the card right now and try for the new SUB in mid September just before it expires? I have no balance on my current card and the statement date was 8/1. I'm leaning toward the Premier card now as the Priority benefits aren't worth the increased AF for me. Am I cutting this too close?
My plan:
So my plan was to thaw my credit, apply by phone for the Surpass (I wanted to ask if they could move some of the CL from the BCP to the new card, is that something I can ask for during a phone application?)
Next step: cancel my SW Priority card
Then: Apply for a SW Premier card mid-September before the SUB offer ends.
Finally: Cancel my BCP mid November before the AF hits

Appreciate anyone who read through this and can offer suggestions. I'm a very vanilla CC user and just want to make sure I don't make any mistakes that will hurt me credit-wise. Thanks!

 

[wanderlust7]

Hi, newbie to this thread, just read the entire thing over the past few evenings, thanks for all the interesting info. Looking for some advice or suggestions moving forward:

Single, 65, retired, usually fly domestically 1-2x yearly to MCO with adult DD (she cannot be a P2). Usually fly out of PVD (fave) but have also flown out of BOS if needed (flew Delta to Roanoke for 1st time last year to visit son and DIL, BOS-LGA-ROA worked out fine). I usually fly SW or JB to MCO. Carry on only.

Hotel-wise I am a HH loyalist, and would like to earn more points. I actually have a reservation for end of August booked with my BCP and would like to change it to a Surpass card.

My current CL's are pretty high for me, as I used to make high 6 figures, but now gross is 93K, net 72K. (Taxes & an IRMAA hit this year). I pretty much put everything I can on CC's and pay them off weekly/biweekly. No loans, no mortgage. FICO 820's

Cards (all personal, can't do business):
1. Citi DC 21.5K CL opened 2011 rarely use
2. Barclays JB MC Plus 19K opened originally in 2012 when it was AMEX, then company changed to Barclays, in April I PC'ed it from a regular JB to a JB plus for more points. AF due 6/30 Use this card for flights on JB, apparently they are partnering with United this fall, so would consider United to VA as well.
3. AMEX BCP 19K opened 2015 AF due 11/28 rarely use
4. Chase SW Priority Visa opened 2017 (I think I upgraded to this card from a basic SW card when it was initially offered and got a SUB for doing so?) 31K CL AF due 3/1 Use this card for earning flight points
5. Target 5% CC opened 10/2021

Earlier this week I cancelled a fraud alert that was on all 3 credit bureaus after a hacking incident last summer, I do have a credit freeze in place on all three.

My thoughts:
AMEX
1. I want to apply for the AMEX Hilton Surpass to have on hand to apply to the reservation at the end of the month. I threw the reservation onto my BCP to show AMEX that I still like them. I've also used it for the past couple of grocery visits. I've never met the 6K grocery limit because I'm always working toward my SW/JB points so usually use those cards instead. If I am approved for the Surpass when can I then cancel the BCP (AF hits end of November)?

CHASE
2. (ugh) Not happy about my upcoming AF of 229 in March. And I'm 99% sure that I got a SUB with this card back in 2017. I have always used it for the anniversary points, the $75 credit and the boarding upgrades. Never took enough flights in a year to earn status or even CP with just me earning. I would use this card until I had enough points for the fares I wanted (usually Anytime) then switch to my JB card. Yeah, I know, not very efficient, but that's how I roll.
So I'm not sure what my options are. Cancel the card right now and try for the new SUB in mid September just before it expires? I have no balance on my current card and the statement date was 8/1. I'm leaning toward the Premier card now as the Priority benefits aren't worth the increased AF for me. Am I cutting this too close?
My plan:
So my plan was to thaw my credit, apply by phone for the Surpass (I wanted to ask if they could move some of the CL from the BCP to the new card, is that something I can ask for during a phone application?)
Next step: cancel my SW Priority card
Then: Apply for a SW Premier card mid-September before the SUB offer ends.
Finally: Cancel my BCP mid November before the AF hits

Appreciate anyone who read through this and can offer suggestions. I'm a very vanilla CC user and just want to make sure I don't make any mistakes that will hurt me credit-wise. Thanks!

Welcome!

You can product change your BCP to a no AF BCE. Sometimes there are upgrade offers on the BCE. I have a very old MR version of the card and I've done the upgrade offers multiple times (keep the upgraded card at least a year after taking an offer). By keeping it, the account will continue to age on your credit report. The con would be it would lock you out of a bonus for opening a BCE. The bonus is low though, so not actually a card I would open. You can PC anytime and get a prorated refund of the AF.

For the Surpass, Amex will automatically move CL to approve a card. So, I think there's no need to call.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Thanks, I thawed my credit, then applied for the Surpass online. Got accepted! Card should show up by the 12th. Now to figure out what to do with the SW card.

 

[mamapenguin]

I canceled my SWA Plus card on 7/31 with the intent of applying for a different SWA card in September. I received the last bonus more than 2 years ago. I have not read that anyone who has cancelled has reapplied yet. I think the strategy is fine.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I canceled my SWA Plus card on 7/31 with the intent of applying for a different SWA card in September. I received the last bonus more than 2 years ago. I have not read that anyone who has cancelled has reapplied yet. I think the strategy is fine.

doing the same, cancelled mine 7/26…will apply for a new one on 9/2…we are both approved

 

[calypso726]

After 13 hours on Qsuites, we had a short layover in Doha and then another 4.5 hours in Qsuites to get to Nairobi Intl airport. We got to the Crowne Plaza just before 1 am. Caught an Uber at 8 am to Wilson Airport on AirKenya. The flight was about 30 minutes to get to Mara-Keekorok. Our safari guide from the JW Masai Mara met us and the other travelers. The other party had to pay for their National park entries so we were there for a bit. We had prepaid with the JWMM. We saw some wildlife on the way to the lodge. First safari will be later today. These pics are all with my iPhone. I should have the good camera from the lodge later.

Flights were 130k Avios pp to get 170k po during a 30% MR to BA transfer bonus. I transferred those to Qatar and the taxes were about $200 pp. ash would have been over $4600 pp. JWMM was booked at 150k BonBlah points/night for 5 nights with 5th night free. Cash price for this was over $24k for 5 nights. The staff is lovely and the Mara is a beautiful place!

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

I'm trying to purchase a Southwest GC on their website to use up my $75 flight credit before I cancel the credit card for good. I'm using my SW Visa to purchase, keep getting error messages, both with physical and Egift card. Anyone run into this?

E.T.A. Kept getting error messages so I ordered one over the phone without a problem.

 

[StephPlum]

Anyone else this cheap!?! Just checked all of my future bookings. Saved a total of 8600 points across 3 hotels. One hotel was $1.77 cheaper or 118 points. I almost left one alone!

 

[2vets]

Never posted here before, I have not historically used credit cards for anything except airlines (Delta and United club cards), I have a few others, an amex that gives meh cash back, and a BoA that I don’t use. No debt except mortgage, but interest rate is so low it makes no sense to pay it off early. I am a high earner, exceptional credit score. I started paying more attention to cc stuff this year and decided that the BoA customized cash card was a great choice, so I applied a few weeks ago. I was approved over the phone - limit was oddly low but plenty for what I’d mostly use it for, and then - nothing. I am having the most infuriating experience with BoA now - they sent a letter requesting a SSN authorization and recent paystub, which they wanted returned via snail mail to an address in Texas, in an enclosed envelope smarty labeled (not kidding) “credit department.” My credit reports are locked, but still - really? I called the BoA fraud deprtment to confirm this was real and that there was not another way to transmit this information. No dice, so it was sent. That was 15 days ago. I confirmed on Friday that receipt still has not been noted on the application, but that it may take a week to do so. Yesterday, I received the same letter requesting these documents, dated last Wed. I swear, my head almost exploded.

Talk me down, here - has anyone experienced this with them? I am very happy to ensure my identity is confirmed, and I appreciate the care towards avoiding fraud, but come on. Any thoughts? Am I being unreasonable?