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

[Arcades]

What are people doing these days? Are we all just ditching the "premium" AF cards?

The Venture X is my only premium card because it pays for itself between the credit and miles. I'm not a big lounge guy (I usually book minimal layovers) and the rental car coverage/Hertz Status is enough to keep chugging along. All of those things (along with the TSA credit for friends and family) are just freebie perks given the effective -$5 AF.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Really bummed that the CIC bonus train is closing! Between P2 and I, that has been our default when we're not looking at a specific travel spend, miles need, etc Grabbing a CIC and hitting speed with fee free VGC at 5% was an absolute no brainer, and was going to stay one even without the referral bonus. I'm not really surprised, as it definitely felt too good to be true, but now what?

Between the CSR losing 1.5x and not being able to just generate UR on CICs, I have no idea what our strategy is going forward. Going to burn most of my banked 1.5x points on Greece in 2026 and then what?

 

[hsmamato2]

The CIP is not a FREE Ink, there is an AF, maybe that is a difference?

That was my thought too....

 

[hsmamato2]

Here's a screenshot showing the bonus tracker on my new ink:

View attachment 1024635

Nope- Nothing like this on either computer or app.... I hope it shows up eventually I can't imagine it wouldn't,I would have def gotten a pop-up if it wasn't going thru as advertised (right? Chase has a pop-up now?)

 

[Sheree]

dh just applied for and approved ink bus preferred. it didn't say he isn't eligible for bonus. i reallly need to replenish my URs too

 

[djmeredith]

I called to close my Barclays Red Aviator card since the AF was due and I don't want it to turn over to Citi and restart my clock for Citi AAdvantage cards/contribute to 5/24. I asked them to transfer the CL to my Hawaiian card, so now that one has a ridiculous CL of ~$50K lol

I need to close mine as well, but I will not hit the 1 year mark until Dec 5. Do we know when they are going to switch them to Citi?

Nope- Nothing like this on either computer or app.... I hope it shows up eventually I can't imagine it wouldn't,I would have def gotten a pop-up if it wasn't going thru as advertised (right? Chase has a pop-up now?)

dh just applied for and approved ink bus preferred. it didn't say he isn't eligible for bonus. i reallly need to replenish my URs too

I'm in the same boat hoping the tracker will show up since I didn't get a pop-up! I had 2 CIPs open and closed one in Sept. The CiP I still have was opened March 2025. Applied for a new CIC this week and approved instantly (after unfreezing credit and calling). It was the 90K bonus when I applied and I really need those points, so fingers crossed for all of us waiting to see the tracker.

 

[PoppyJ]

I called to close my Barclays Red Aviator card since the AF was due and I don't want it to turn over to Citi and restart my clock for Citi AAdvantage cards/contribute to 5/24. I asked them to transfer the CL to my Hawaiian card, so now that one has a ridiculous CL of ~$50K lol

Did you wait for the annual fee to post? Do you know if it gets refunded if it posts, then you call to cancel?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

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.

Yes, absolutely walk to Boardwalk to get the bus to MK. It's super quick from Swan.

I called to close my Barclays Red Aviator card since the AF was due and I don't want it to turn over to Citi and restart my clock for Citi AAdvantage cards/contribute to 5/24. I asked them to transfer the CL to my Hawaiian card, so now that one has a ridiculous CL of ~$50K lol

Did you wait for the annual fee to post? Do you know if it gets refunded if it posts, then you call to cancel?

Just be careful to double check your account to make sure they actually closed it. I messaged to close and confirmed it, took a screenshot. I got an email 10 days later saying I still have a balance due. Logged in, didn't look closed, I messaged again & they said it's still open with a balance due. I referred them to the previous message saying it would be closed. They then closed it, which I can now see. I have been assured the AF will drop off but right now it's still there.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I need to start accruing some United miles. I am 1/24, last card CIU 6/2025. I have 5 Chase personal & 3 biz cards ( just messaged to close a biz card)
Do I have a better chance on a personal card or a biz card?

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Yes, absolutely walk to Boardwalk to get the bus to MK. It's super quick from Swan.


Just be careful to double check your account to make sure they actually closed it. I messaged to close and confirmed it, took a screenshot. I got an email 10 days later saying I still have a balance due. Logged in, didn't look closed, I messaged again & they said it's still open with a balance due. I referred them to the previous message saying it would be closed. They then closed it, which I can now see. I have been assured the AF will drop off but right now it's still there.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Did you wait for the annual fee to post? Do you know if it gets refunded if it posts, then you call to cancel?

Barclays refunds the annual fee so long as it posted within 60 days of when you cancel. And yes, my AF had posted

 

[wanderlust7]

Just be careful to double check your account to make sure they actually closed it. I messaged to close and confirmed it, took a screenshot. I got an email 10 days later saying I still have a balance due. Logged in, didn't look closed, I messaged again & they said it's still open with a balance due. I referred them to the previous message saying it would be closed. They then closed it, which I can now see. I have been assured the AF will drop off but right now it's still there.

Has it been properly closed for 15 days? It gets refunded after 15 days because you can still reopen during that time.

I need to start accruing some United miles. I am 1/24, last card CIU 6/2025. I have 5 Chase personal & 3 biz cards ( just messaged to close a biz card)
Do I have a better chance on a personal card or a biz card?

Probably personal since there are denial DPs for biz cards even with only 2 open. I think none of the United SUBs are elevated right now though.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Has it been properly closed for 15 days? It gets refunded after 15 days because you can still reopen during that time.



Probably personal since there are denial DPs for biz cards even with only 2 open. I think none of the United SUBs are elevated right now though.

My Barclays was supposed to be closed last month, but the rep didn't close it. Second rep did and it's been a week. I know it could be longer but I'm checking because I don't want to be over 60 days.

As for the United card, the biz is a higher SUB but I was afraid the recent DP have not been good. I may try for a biz anyway as I have no SUB to work on right now.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

My Barclays was supposed to be closed last month, but the rep didn't close it. Second rep did and it's been a week. I know it could be longer but I'm checking because I don't want to be over 60 days.

Just checked my account and it already says closed. I only called yesterday. So it's weird that yours doesn't yet

 

[djmeredith]

I finally finagled enough points to book my 5th night free safari at the JW Marriott for July 2026! But... I almost got Bonvoyed! For others working towards this redemption, be aware that pts transfer times can vary wildly even from the same source. Transfers from family members' Bonvoy accts varied from instant to 3 days. Chase/AmEx also varied from instant to 48+ hrs (still waiting on those). Also, It was EXTREMELY difficult to find 5 nts available on pts in the same room category. Word has definitely spread about this incredible deal. I honestly feel like I won the lottery, because I have been stalking availability since September. I recommend searching every date combo you can, even if it says there is no availability during the timeframe. And search multiple times per day. That is how I "accidentally" found 5 nts. There is also still at least one 5 nt window available mid June.

Also, the park fees are doubling next year and will be $200 per person per day. So budget for that in your plans.

Now I need to decide if I am going to add a gorilla trek or not. Anyone have any experience/advice for doing one in Rwanda or Uganda?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Just checked my account and it already says closed. I only called yesterday. So it's weird that yours doesn't yet

It now says closed but it does still have a balance. I'm monitoring to make sure it drops off.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

I booked a Delta flight on points and got a notice that the flight changed and now we get into MCO 2.5 hours later. I'll try calling later, but if I want to try to get on a different flight, will I have to pay the point difference? Can I cancel and get all the points back? TIA!

 

[IFlossU]

It now says closed but it does still have a balance. I'm monitoring to make sure it drops off.

This conversation is quite timely for me. I closed my Hawaiian Card 4 or 5 days ago, and just received my statement with the $99AF due. After reading these comments I checked my account is marked closed. I’ve never had an issue closing a Barclays card in the past so I figured it would all sort itself out. Just nice to see I’m not the only one. DH also closed his Hawaiian card the same day. Same situation. Account closed, but statement cut.