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

[Twilghtsprkle]

I’m not sure when I applied last year it was a day after the bonus increased and I didn’t notice when it ended

Didn’t want to apply since I just applied for 2 other cards, but did so anyway. Approved for $24k.

I can make the spends easily if it were a Visa since I’d just put a few weekly Costco runs on there. As long as they aren’t like Amex and can buy Costco gift cards online (where I can use Mastercard) to hit the spend I should be fine.

 

[DCLMP]

Didn’t want to apply since I just applied for 2 other cards, but did so anyway. Approved for $24k.

I can make the spends easily if it were a Visa since I’d just put a few weekly Costco runs on there. As long as they aren’t like Amex and can buy Costco gift cards online (where I can use Mastercard) to hit the spend I should be fine.

It's time to join Sam's club.

 

[calypso726]

I can’t say enough good things about how incredible this experience has been. I know the 150k/night for the JW Masai Mara is no longer the norm. I would absolutely do this again even at 200k plus Bonvoy points per night. We’ve seen the Big 5, sadly the Rhino quite far and the pictures are not great. This morning we went off on our morning drive before the bush breakfast and it was amazing. The leopard is one one of the harder animals of the Big 5 to get to see. We got lucky our first night and saw one. Today our luck doubled and we got to see a mother leopard and her nearly grown son. They had killed a Thompson’s gazelle the night before and brought it up a tree. Here are some pics of mom and her son.

 

[pinkxray]

@calypso726- Your pictures are absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing! What an amazing trip!

 

[calypso726]

@calypso726- Your pictures are absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing! What an amazing trip!

Thank you so much! It’s my first time using a real camera with a real lens. I’ve always just used my phone and on rare occasions a point n shoot. I love that the JWMM has a Canon studio so the guests can borrow a camera.

 

[reliev]

Thank you so much! It’s my first time using a real camera with a real lens. I’ve always just used my phone and on rare occasions a point n shoot. I love that the JWMM has a Canon studio so the guests can borrow a camera.

Phone is easier but gets grainy/blruy when zoomed in I would buy a new 4/3rd before I would do a safari pictures look great, reminds me I still need to download my photos from Alaska.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I can’t say enough good things about how incredible this experience has been. I know the 150k/night for the JW Masai Mara is no longer the norm. I would absolutely do this again even at 200k plus Bonvoy points per night. We’ve seen the Big 5, sadly the Rhino quite far and the pictures are not great. This morning we went off on our morning drive before the bush breakfast and it was amazing. The leopard is one one of the harder animals of the Big 5 to get to see. We got lucky our first night and saw one. Today our luck doubled and we got to see a mother leopard and her nearly grown son. They had killed a Thompson’s gazelle the night before and brought it up a tree. Here are some pics of mom and her son.

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How many years did it take you with SUBs to get all the points you needed? It would take longer now, I suppose

 

[afan]

I got an email this morning to upgrade my no af AA card to the red, nothing or the upgrade other than the af and what the red has. But the offer is good until 9/15.

This seems odd but probably trying to get people to the af card so the AA portfolio looks better. Give me miles to upgrade and then we'll talk.

 

[StephPlum]

p2 and I have done it, and dd did it also. Super easy

Do you remember if you pushed money in or pulled money in? Wondering if it makes a difference to count as a deposit. Thanks.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Thank you so much! It’s my first time using a real camera with a real lens. I’ve always just used my phone and on rare occasions a point n shoot. I love that the JWMM has a Canon studio so the guests can borrow a camera.

I missed the part about them having cameras--very cool The trip looks amazing. I've been out of the bonvoy ecosystem for years (I still miss the old flight/stay deals), but this gives me pause!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I got an email this morning to upgrade my no af AA card to the red, nothing or the upgrade other than the af and what the red has. But the offer is good until 9/15.

This seems odd but probably trying to get people to the af card so the AA portfolio looks better. Give me miles to upgrade and then we'll talk.

I got an email from Barclays to upgrade Red to Silver Aviator AA card. No thanks, don't even know if I'm keeping it past the AF in a couple of months!

 

[becauseimnew]

I can’t say enough good things about how incredible this experience has been. I know the 150k/night for the JW Masai Mara is no longer the norm. I would absolutely do this again even at 200k plus Bonvoy points per night. We’ve seen the Big 5, sadly the Rhino quite far and the pictures are not great. This morning we went off on our morning drive before the bush breakfast and it was amazing. The leopard is one one of the harder animals of the Big 5 to get to see. We got lucky our first night and saw one. Today our luck doubled and we got to see a mother leopard and her nearly grown son. They had killed a Thompson’s gazelle the night before and brought it up a tree. Here are some pics of mom and her son.

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I'm loving your TR. How much are the park fees?

 

[Psychodisney]

I applied for a SW personal card yesterday. Didn't get immediate approval. Called the recon line this morning and verified it was my application. I was told I would here something in 1-2 weeks.
Good or bad?
I'm well under 5/24. Only thing I can think of is I have too much credit with them. Fingers crossed.

 

[calypso726]

How many years did it take you with SUBs to get all the points you needed? It would take longer now, I suppose

I was able to do it in 2 years. Yes it would take longer now but man this is worth it!

I missed the part about them having cameras--very cool The trip looks amazing. I've been out of the bonvoy ecosystem for years (I still miss the old flight/stay deals), but this gives me pause!

It was and a good thing too due to weight limits on the bush plane. I also love that I don’t need to invest thousands for a decent camera for this type of trip. I also miss those flight/stay deals and flight transfer bonuses from the old SPG!

I'm loving your TR. How much are the park fees?

Thank you! We are here during high season (July - December) so they are $200/pp per day for us. Off season it’s is half that amount.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I have Vegas booked for Monday-Weds, but my kids probably need a family vacation. The girl would be okay going to the beach, but the boy hates it. It looks like Germany (FRA or MUC) might be possible. I know quite a few of you have been. We'd probably leave Friday night after work, and come back Tuesday or Wednesday. We can fly in/out of either. ChatGPT is suggesting to fly into Munich. Do Munich, then day trip to Austria (or stay) then hit up the castle and head to Frankfurt.

My kids have no preferences. My son thought Austria seemed cool. They are down for Architecture and castles and museums, etc. Not big into hiking, etc. Would I need to rent a car? Can we just train? I guess next up is looking for hotels as well. Any suggestions? I have a Marriott FNC about to expire. I can also cancel Cabo if there is a super awesome Hilton redemption to use.

Could have had Delta 1 to HND today, as well as China and Korea, LOL. I'm just crossing fingers it stays kinda open for this weekend

 

[reliev]

I missed the part about them having cameras--very cool The trip looks amazing. I've been out of the bonvoy ecosystem for years (I still miss the old flight/stay deals), but this gives me pause!

dont get me started on SPG .. again lol

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

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.

This is my life! I mean we all hit the deductible in Jan this year, LOL. I'm hitting spends as soon as I get a new card. it's crazy! I had my 20yo open 2 this year because I couldn't yet, LOL.

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.

Amex did NOT move my $20k limi to my new card. I was kinda shocked. It made my score drop for a bit, but it's balancing back out.

@calypso726 So awesome. I have a DSLR but it's older, and some nice lenses. But it's sweat they have them! I'd for sure be bringing my gear (or renting newer) but the fact they have stuff too would have me interested!

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Marriott question. We are going to Boston next weekend and I have the 10% back offer on my CSP card. We accrue points under his Marriott account since he uses them for his work trips. Can I book the room under his Marriott account but charge it to my credit card? Offer expires on 8/15 so I was going to book a prepaid room. I will be traveling with him, but don’t see a way to add my name to the reservation when booking.

 

[calypso726]

This afternoon was spent with a pride of lions.

 

[Brian Noble]

This afternoon was spent with a pride of lions.

My daughter worked on a cave excavation in the Cradle of Humankind a few summers ago, and took a (much lower-glitz) two day trip in a game preserve after she was done. She has a shot of a lioness eating a zebra carcass from right there.

And yes she did make the obvious Jungle Cruise joke.