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

[NewbieMom]

With the Southwest flight credit expiration date, does anyone know if that expiration date is when travel needs to occur or when travel needs to be booked?

So if I have travel credits that expire May 1st, do I need to use them to book another flight by May 1st or do I need to take a flight by May 1st using those credits?

 

[Road_Dog]

So in preparation for a future Disney trip (unknown timeframe, just in general) I recently opened the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. 150k bonus for hitting the spend. I then opened up the Marriott Business card, getting a 125k bonus. I had to spend a total of about $15k total combined to get both of these bonuses so that's an extra 30k Bonvoy points at the base 2x rate (but there was dining spend mixed in there too for 3x).

All in all, roughly 290k Marriot points. I had about 50k Marriot in my account from previous things. But now I have a solid chunk for a 5-night stay at the Swan--already booked 5-nights for october 2026 for about 320k. Seems really steep and not the best redemption considering the cash rate is roughly $350'ish/night. But hey, points don't have any value until you use them.

Never stayed at the Swolphin before so I'm excited to check it out, although my kids are young enough where we will likely be hitting up Magic Kingdom more than not, and I'm not a fan of non-Disney provided bus transportation. Unsure if the walk to Boardwalk busses would be worth it.

 

[georgina]

With the Southwest flight credit expiration date, does anyone know if that expiration date is when travel needs to occur or when travel needs to be booked?

So if I have travel credits that expire May 1st, do I need to use them to book another flight by May 1st or do I need to take a flight by May 1st using those credits?

Based on my recent experience, you need to actually fly before the expiration date. I had booked a flight more than 6 months ahead, and when I cancelled it and wanted to use the credit for another date, it said I couldn't use the credit because it would expire before the flight (expires 6 months after the original booking date) Really bad considering I got used to the no-expiry credits. Once I use up my remaining credits and points I am done with SW.

 

[NewbieMom]

Based on my recent experience, you need to actually fly before the expiration date. I had booked a flight more than 6 months ahead, and when I cancelled it and wanted to use the credit for another date, it said I couldn't use the credit because it would expire before the flight (expires 6 months after the original booking date) Really bad considering I got used to the no-expiry credits. Once I use up my remaining credits and points I am done with SW.

This is the dp I was looking for. I want to consolidate / use up some of my remaining airline credits, but my next flight isn't until June. I'll wait towards late Dec to use it. Thanks!

 

[orangecuse]

So I have a question..... I hold a Venture (less than a year) and I'm eyeing that new offer for venture x..... seems like according to DoC I could app for the x while holding the basic one (?) So does Cap1 have the app jail where you know before you try if you can get a bonus etc?

From DoC....

• Venture X: Customers are not eligible for the Venture X bonus if they have earned the Venture X bonus within the last 48 months
• Venture: Customers are not eligible for the Venture bonus if they have earned the Venture X bonus or the Venture bonus within the last 48 months
• VentureOne: Customers are not eligible for the VentureOne bonus if they have earned the Venture X, Venture, or VentureOne bonus within the last 48 months

I hold both and received the bonus for both. Got them about a year apart.

 

[orangecuse]

cancelled my plat and within an hour my gold had an offer to upgrade for 50k miles haha I keep waiting for a Hilton upgrade offer but that doesn't seem to be coming.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

So in preparation for a future Disney trip (unknown timeframe, just in general) I recently opened the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. 150k bonus for hitting the spend. I then opened up the Marriott Business card, getting a 125k bonus. I had to spend a total of about $15k total combined to get both of these bonuses so that's an extra 30k Bonvoy points at the base 2x rate (but there was dining spend mixed in there too for 3x).

All in all, roughly 290k Marriot points. I had about 50k Marriot in my account from previous things. But now I have a solid chunk for a 5-night stay at the Swan--already booked 5-nights for october 2026 for about 320k. Seems really steep and not the best redemption considering the cash rate is roughly $350'ish/night. But hey, points don't have any value until you use them.

Never stayed at the Swolphin before so I'm excited to check it out, although my kids are young enough where we will likely be hitting up Magic Kingdom more than not, and I'm not a fan of non-Disney provided bus transportation. Unsure if the walk to Boardwalk busses would be worth it.

I've been doing a fall trip with my mom and uncle the past 4-5 years and we almost always stay at the Swan. It's our favorite because of the ease of access to EPCOT and how easy it is to get in/out of the hotel. We usually walk over to the Boardwalk to catch the bus to MK since the Swolphin bus takes you to the TTC. We do usually use the Swan's bus for AK and DS, and have been pretty happy with the service. If you haven't already, I'd highly recommend the Swan/Dolphin thread on the Resorts board. Lots of good info there! Oh, and I wanted to mention I've stayed at the Swan Reserve also with my husband/kids and we enjoyed it. The extra walking distance isn't terrible, but if there's anyone with mobility issues it's just hard to want to walk those extra steps. Hope you have a great trip!