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

[becauseimnew]

I have an upgrade offer on my Amex Biz Gold, 120K MR/$10K spend, but I also have 15K MR/$4K for adding an AU. I'm going to wait until the end of the month to upgrade so the MSR period can cover our trip to Italy. I'm going to add my parents at AUs, should I add them before taking the upgrade offer?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Dd (me) applied for the AmEx Aspire last night. Had a spinning disk forever, thought the app didn't close, but had an e-mail this morning asking to enter our zip code and her DOB and the card was approved!

Question: property tax payment is due September 3rd; does AmEx expedite cards? How long will it take to arrive?

 

[wanderlust7]

Dd (me) applied for the AmEx Aspire last night. Had a spinning disk forever, thought the app didn't close, but had an e-mail this morning asking to enter our zip code and her DOB and the card was approved!

Question: property tax payment is due September 3rd; does AmEx expedite cards? How long will it take to arrive?

You can't request to expedite, but the Aspire is automatically expedited. My upgrade took 4 days. Maybe new card is faster.

 

[wanderlust7]

I have an upgrade offer on my Amex Biz Gold, 120K MR/$10K spend, but I also have 15K MR/$4K for adding an AU. I'm going to wait until the end of the month to upgrade so the MSR period can cover our trip to Italy. I'm going to add my parents at AUs, should I add them before taking the upgrade offer?

Nice offer and interesting question. A couple DPs for you link link. Looks like AU first should work.

 

[wanderlust7]

Why would the Airline credit reset? But anyway, I always use those up at the beginning of the year.

I don't think anything's been leaked like the hotel credit change. But the trend is increase AF, increase total dollar amount of credit but split it up more to increase breakage. I wouldn't be surprised if the airline incidentals credit changed to $100 every quarter. If not for the loopholes, that would be hard to use up consistently.

 

[reliev]

duplicate post please delete

 

[reliev]

Why would the Airline credit reset? But anyway, I always use those up at the beginning of the year.

Sometimes they reset with new benefits. And yes, I use it asap also, just like I think the hotel credit will reset.
I might get that Alaska card once I'm done this sub. I have a feeling the new Delta card is dropping because they teased it two years ago when they made those terrible announcements, then backpedaled.

I don't think anything's been leaked like the hotel credit change. But the trend is increase AF, increase total dollar amount of credit but split it up more to increase breakage. I wouldn't be surprised if the airline incidentals credit changed to $100 every quarter. If not for the loopholes, that would be hard to use up consistently.

I agree, something like this or 100$ every 6 months, I love speculation.

 

[reliev]

Just planning ahead, but for that relationship bonus with BOA, it looks like you can do it for as little as $500. Is that true? I'm 100% going to pull the trigger on this if I don't like whatever AMEX may or may not come up with.

 

[NewbieMom]

I just convinced myself to go for the Atmos Summit, but when I went to the early pre-registration email with the extra 5k points, there's no link to apply! Has anyone heard of what to do in this case?

 

[reliev]

I just convinced myself to go for the Atmos Summit, but when I went to the early pre-registration email with the extra 5k points, there's no link to apply! Has anyone heard of what to do in this case?

mine worked here

 

[Judique]

Dd (me) applied for the AmEx Aspire last night. Had a spinning disk forever, thought the app didn't close, but had an e-mail this morning asking to enter our zip code and her DOB and the card was approved!

Question: property tax payment is due September 3rd; does AmEx expedite cards? How long will it take to arrive?

I closed my Surpass and have been procrastinating on apping for the Aspire. Haven't tried for an Amex card in quite a while although I did accept an upgrade on one of my Marriotts.

Still thinking. Can't seem to pull the trigger although I have almost 12k of spend right now.

 

[wanderlust7]

I just convinced myself to go for the Atmos Summit, but when I went to the early pre-registration email with the extra 5k points, there's no link to apply! Has anyone heard of what to do in this case?

There are a couple DPs of that on the r/churning Atmos thread. Someone posted a generic link, maybe that'll work. Link

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Just planning ahead, but for that relationship bonus with BOA, it looks like you can do it for as little as $500. Is that true? I'm 100% going to pull the trigger on this if I don't like whatever AMEX may or may not come up with.

Yeah, I think that's true. I think I'll go for the summit as well. I didn't remember having signed up last December but I got the email about the extra 5K SUB. The email says to apply within 14 days. I'm thinking I'll get a checking account and then apply in a few days

 

[calypso726]

@calypso726 Thank you for your wonderful pictures and trip report. A safari is one of my bucket list trips and I need to start researching to get a trip lined up in 2027 or 2028.

You are very welcome! It was absolutely worth all the planning and points accumulation.

 

[calypso726]

ITA!
Earlier this month, I decided against the more expensive Citi Strata Eilite (that and, let's be honest, Citi IT although BoA's is just as bad...sigh) afer realizing the benefits of AS miles were actually better (much!) than 100K AA miles for me. With the Summit I can use miles for partner flights, have a little discount on the partner award fees and with the extra 5K bonus for signing up via email, that was a boost. I'll likely cancel the Ascent (who comes up with these names, anyway?) when it's due for renewal and keep the Summit for one renewal to pay for GE because I predict ruthless culling of platinum cards in my future so I was very happy when I was approved this am.

Congrats! We both picked up the Strata Elite. As AA hostages combined with the double dip of the hotel credit and splurge credit we figured it was good to have for the first year.

Then, we picked up the Aviator at the elevated 70k AA miles because it’s the last hurrah for that card.

Summit was next but just for DH, we don’t need 2 of them and I’m trying to stay under 5/24 for a bit. So, depending on how that 25k off companion award goes it may be a keeper. I’ve decided to retire in December so I should have more flexibility to jump on open partner awards I find on AS for a spontaneous trip moving forward. I’ll probably pick up the business card at the elevated offer. With all the changes and offers in the credit card game coming in so fast and furious, I feel like I need spreadsheets for my spreadsheets lol

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Congrats! We both picked up the Strata Elite. As AA hostages combined with the double dip of the hotel credit and splurge credit we figured it was good to have for the first year.

Then, we picked up the Aviator at the elevated 70k AA miles because it’s the last hurrah for that card.

Summit was next but just for DH, we don’t need 2 of them and I’m trying to stay under 5/24 for a bit. So, depending on how that 25k off companion award goes it may be a keeper. I’ve decided to retire in December so I should have more flexibility to jump on open partner awards I find on AS for a spontaneous trip moving forward. I’ll probably pick up the business card at the elevated offer. With all the changes and offers in the credit card game coming in so fast and furious, I feel like I need spreadsheets for my spreadsheets lol

Congratulations on your retirement! I can't wait to see where your retirement travels take you!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

@reliev and anyone else getting the AS Summit. Do you think the extra 10% is worth getting a BoS checking or Merrill account? Even if all my MSR spend is at 3x, the relationship 10% bonus would only net an extra 1,800 points. I'm not currently feeling like going through the hassle for that amount and I don't think I'll put much more spend on the card beyond the $6K for the SUB

 

[calypso726]

Congratulations on your retirement! I can't wait to see where your retirement travels take you!

Thanks you! DH is still working, so we do have to contend with his PTO but his was always more flexible than mine. I needed to burn through all of mine before December so this year has been a bit travel heavy.

Next year is low key. This Christmas and through the New Year’s weekend we are doing Paris, Edinburgh and London. I’m calling that my retirement trip. I knew if I booked NYE (Hogmany) in Edinburgh then I wouldn’t change my mind about retirement for the umpteenth time. Later in January we are going to Disneyland for the 70th. February is a long weekend in NYC. Somewhere there I will squeeze in a trip to Epic Universe. In March, we have an 11 night cruise on Virgin with 10 of our besties. June is a graduation Disney cruise and WDW trip for our nephew. Toying with heading to the NE to see fall
leaves again in October. November is our annual big family trip to WDW. This will hopefully be followed up by a Christmas markets trip to Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg and Colmar. Then heading to Paris for New Year’s Eve, followed by Disneyland Paris and a visit to the Champagne region with friends. The latter two December trips are still in the planning stages. I imagine there will be some long weekends to visit out of state friends throughout the year. Of course there will be the usual WDW trips all year long but including weekdays now!

 

[magickingdomprincess]

I usually book the basic fare, which doesn’t allow any changes, so I have to cancel and rebook with the fare changes.

Oh, that might explain it, we had basic booked. Maybe it was forcing me to upgrade to the next fare level? I'm having a hard time keeping up with all of the SW changes!

 

[wanderlust7]

@reliev and anyone else getting the AS Summit. Do you think the extra 10% is worth getting a BoS checking or Merrill account? Even if all my MSR spend is at 3x, the relationship 10% bonus would only net an extra 1,800 points. I'm not currently feeling like going through the hassle for that amount and I don't think I'll put much more spend on the card beyond the $6K for the SUB

I don't think it's worth it just for the 10%. But a deposit account is supposed to help with approvals. Conventional wisdom seems to be under 3/12 without a relationship and 7/12 with.