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

[reliev]

Got immediate approval, whew. I've had an old BoA CC for a long time, it was my first card ever when I went to college, maybe that helped. But I'll still think about the checking account for relationship because I'd like the biz card later on. Need to lie low on personal cards because I'm now at 5/24 until October

Congrats i think you can get in as low as ~500 in a savings account. I'm hoping I'll see a leak before my 105k offer expires, if not nbd.

 

[calypso726]

Just getting caught up ... but yes, the very high OT when staying there with points has kept me from adding on there. It was shocking to stay in a studio one night on points and have to pay almost $50 in OT. I have 320 VGC points purchased when it opened (paid a ridiculous $92pp), but our Disneyland trips have upped in the past year+ so I find myself staying at the VDH a few times since it's hard to get VGC last minute. I've been using my BLT points for that but the extra OT fee hurts. My understanding is in order to get it approved by a less friendly Anaheim board than when VGC was built, they couldn't get the reduced OT rate. And wrapping it into dues would obviously have those way out of whack compared to other resorts. I wonder how many people haven't bought because of it. I also wonder how many unsuspecting buyers who didn't research much were surprised.

I've had all my chase cards linked for a long time (10 years or so) and recently I've had to call in every time I combine even after the text (and even when I'm doing the second card in the same session!). Incredibly frustrating.

I just realized that I missed the 30 day deadline to drop my SWA card before the offer expires on Sep. 17th. Is it still worth it or is the 30 days a hard limit? I will be A list as soon as the changes come into affect due to the spend I put on the card, so I can float for a while on that--but I really wanted to go for the companion pass again.

I envy those of you who can break up with SWA. I would love to do it, but I fly out of OAK (SFO is a PITA as I have to cross the bridge) and there isn't anyone that does as many direct flights to SNA, LGB, or OGG.

$92 a point is a steal now. Resale VGC is anywhere between $240 to over $300 a point. VGC is darn near impossible last minute and a studio is basically a unicorn. I have been super lucky to be able to snag a 2 bedroom over the years. I would likely choose to pay the taxes if necessary at VDH for a studio if the situation warranted it but would not like it at all. I specifically did not buy VDH because of that. Yeah the dues would have probably been out of whack if they rolled it in like VGC. I remember when we bought SSR in 2006 the dues were $3.98 a point. Last year they were up to $8.54 a point. We sold our BCV contract when the dues were getting up there, plus it has a 2042 exp date and we rebought more VGF direct during that amazing sale they had a couple years ago. Longer contract and lower dues for the win. My next one on the chopping block for high dues is AKV. I will probably try to snag a few club level stays for ourselves over the next year or two and then sell. To keep this cc related, I utilize DVC annual dues to hit the MSR on a few new cards at the end of each year. If there is nothing enticing, then I will go buy Disney GCs at an office supply store for 5x with old Ink Plus card.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

The AF on my Delta Biz Plat hit. I upgraded it from a Gold last November. Does that mean I can't cancel it since it hasn't been a year since the upgrade? I wouldn't want a claw back, but the AF is higher now than last year

 

[wanderlust7]

The AF on my Delta Biz Plat hit. I upgraded it from a Gold last November. Does that mean I can't cancel it since it hasn't been a year since the upgrade? I wouldn't want a claw back, but the AF is higher now than last year

Assuming you took an upgrade offer, highly likely to be clawed back if you cancel. It's too bad you can't downgrade to the Delta gold biz anymore or you can do that in November and get a prorated refund. I think you're just stuck with it. Maybe you can get a retention offer?

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

$92 a point is a steal now. Resale VGC is anywhere between $240 to over $300 a point. VGC is darn near impossible last minute and a studio is basically a unicorn. I have been super lucky to be able to snag a 2 bedroom over the years. I would likely choose to pay the taxes if necessary at VDH for a studio if the situation warranted it but would not like it at all. I specifically did not buy VDH because of that. Yeah the dues would have probably been out of whack if they rolled it in like VGC. I remember when we bought SSR in 2006 the dues were $3.98 a point. Last year they were up to $8.54 a point. We sold our BCV contract when the dues were getting up there, plus it has a 2042 exp date and we rebought more VGF direct during that amazing sale they had a couple years ago. Longer contract and lower dues for the win. My next one on the chopping block for high dues is AKV. I will probably try to snag a few club level stays for ourselves over the next year or two and then sell. To keep this cc related, I utilize DVC annual dues to hit the MSR on a few new cards at the end of each year. If there is nothing enticing, then I will go buy Disney GCs at an office supply store for 5x with old Ink Plus card.

Yes, it's weird to say that I've made out like a bandit on VGC. If you can believe this, they had a really hard time selling it--mostly because when it came out the economy was in the tank. I love that place, and yes studios are super hard to get. I rotate between studios for short trips and one-bedrooms for RunDisney stays. I really need to do better with the timing of dues and accumulating disney gift cards (I have that old Disney plus card, too) or satisfying a MSR.

 

[havaneselover]

Just approved for a new CIC.

And I’m still recovering from Norway (I was sick the whole trip) and am super wiped out but am leaving in 19 days for Canada/New England with my mom (first Princess cruise for both of us). Praying all hurricane activity stays away!

 

[bbsearchlight]

I'm planning to close my CIP but haven't used the $50 travel portal credit/coupon they recently issued. Are there any creative ways to "bank" this for future use if I don't have exact dates for travel? It seems a shame to waste it.

If you have any long drives that you are going to make, you can take out a one day car rental.

 

[Limes96]

Reddit alerted me to a good deal in the Capital One shopping portal (not the shopping app! Just the regular portal in the banking app). Motley Fool has up to 180,000 mile offer if you buy their premium service (too expensive) and then smaller amounts for their other cheaper services. I signed up for the Epic level last night and paid about $300 and should get 60k miles for it. Got the email confirmation today. If you do a search you’ll turn up an up to 54k offer but if you scroll down instead of searching you should get to the higher offer. Not sure how long it’ll last though. Didn’t see anything in the fine print about being a new subscriber.

It’s a bit expensive for taking a risk on it with no official DP’s yet but decided to go for it anyway. Glad I got the email confirmation on the offer. Makes me feel a little easier about the risk.

 

[AmyAnne]

It's looking like we will be in Phoenix the week of Thanksgiving. I seem to recall that there are a few Phoenix people here (or experienced AZ travelers). Can anyone recommend a national or state park or other natural area to visit?

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

It's looking like we will be in Phoenix the week of Thanksgiving. I seem to recall that there are a few Phoenix people here (or experienced AZ travelers). Can anyone recommend a national or state park or other natural area to visit?

Saguaro NP is not that far!

 

[Love4Eeyore]

Hello all! I've never posted over here but I've lurked forever and read every page. We have a bit of spend coming up and need an MSR for DH. He has a few thousand AA points doing nothing, so thinking of maybe adding a card or 2 of theirs. Citi and/or Barclays. Can he hold both? Best to app at the same time? He's currently 2/24. 1 Citi card several years ago (closed) and pretty sure nothing from Barclays ever. Thank you all for your knowledge!

 

[IFlossU]

It's looking like we will be in Phoenix the week of Thanksgiving. I seem to recall that there are a few Phoenix people here (or experienced AZ travelers). Can anyone recommend a national or state park or other natural area to visit?

Other than the obvious suggestion of The Grand Canyon, I would highly recommend a day trip to Sedona.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Other than the obvious suggestion of The Grand Canyon, I would highly recommend a day trip to Sedona.

Was just writing to say this. Seconded!

We did a jeep tour of the mountains around Sedona, I think the company is called Pink Jeep Tours. It was great

 

[happ]

How about those audio tours you download? It wouldn't matter when you go and you can buy a bunch to get to $50.

Or a City Pass type thing, though the ones I looked at had to be used within a year.

Thanks. I'll look into those. Now I'm second guessing my decision to close the CIP. I hadn't paid much attention to the changes with the portal and didn't realize I'd still have the multiplier until 2027 if I keep it. I thought it was going away in October. I'm trying to decide if it's worth paying the fee for one more year.

 

[hsmamato2]

so "P2" just got approved for Barclays 80k Jetblue offer (woohoo) -I think they're at 1 or 2/24 now(?) how long should "they" wait before app'ing for SWA offer?

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

SW has a new promotion to earn a short-term cp. It's especially nice if you want to cover flights in January, which is usually hard the way we earn CPs around here (CC bonuses).

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Reflecting back and taking a look "behind" on that safari trip

I do want to take the opportunity to express to anyone even thinking about a safari, it is absolutely worth the effort. I say this despite the level of fear and anxiety that I developed regarding lions and big cats shortly before we left and while we were there. I still can't get over what this trip experience was like. I don't think I have quite recovered from the impact and doubt I ever will and that's ok. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do a safari with points and miles. The only other trip I have done that was a complete wallop to the system - in terms of experience like this - was Antarctica. That one is not as easy to travel hack as a safari.

For now, I will be turning most of my travel hacking efforts to my current obsession of Christmas markets.

View attachment 996641View attachment 996642

View attachment 996643
View attachment 996645
View attachment 996646
View attachment 996647

LOVE all of those colorful booties first thing on a Monday morning!! <3 Thanks for sharing.

 

[wanderlust7]

Thanks. I'll look into those. Now I'm second guessing my decision to close the CIP. I hadn't paid much attention to the changes with the portal and didn't realize I'd still have the multiplier until 2027 if I keep it. I thought it was going away in October. I'm trying to decide if it's worth paying the fee for one more year.

Do you have a CSP opened before 6/23? That would also get you the fixed 1.25 rate.

If not, how much do you use the portal and how often do you get Inks? Keeping it open is one extra Chase biz and might affect your ability to get other Chase biz cards.

 

[calypso726]

LOVE all of those colorful booties first thing on a Monday morning!! <3 Thanks for sharing.

I realized I had quite a number of safari booty pics and thought it would be fun to share. Glad you liked them

 

[becauseimnew]

so "P2" just got approved for Barclays 80k Jetblue offer (woohoo) -I think they're at 1 or 2/24 now(?) how long should "they" wait before app'ing for SWA offer?

The card probably hasn't posted to their credit report, you could apply for it today.