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

[*WDW*Groupie*]

They should get the upgrades over those of us that buy the status with an af. I also get way better upgrades outside of the US and I don't see that changing. There's too many diamonds here to get a great upgrade, if one at all.

I have the card for the fnc, free breakfast and lounge access outside the US. The credit for breakfast here is meh but I've been trying to stay at resorts in the US so I can use that credit with it.

I would hope anyone with the card is using it more for those perks than room upgrades. If a room type is important to me I'll book it

A agree with this. I'll keep the card for the FNC, free breakfast outside of NA, the $200 airline credit and the 2 x $200 Aspire credits (that I won't be able to use much, though I did get to use it towards ds's resort fees at Resorts World in LV in September, which was nice).

I also agree with @reliev that diamond status for room upgrades has been almost completely nerfed. Though my last few stays I haven't received an upgrade. As long as I don't get a room over a nightclub (looking at you Straf Hotel -- Marriott -- in Milan) I'm okay with a base level room -- I'm rarely in my room when I travel so space isn't important to me -- just a quiet room with shower only.

Hyatt -- I have no hope of ever obtaining Globalist status, though it does sound amazing. I hope that they keep their award nights at the current level though -- it would really, really stink it they jacked the points a la Hilton.

 

[reliev]

A agree with this. I'll keep the card for the FNC, free breakfast outside of NA, the $200 airline credit and the 2 x $200 Aspire credits (that I won't be able to use much, though I did get to use it towards ds's resort fees at Resorts World in LV in September, which was nice).

I also agree with @reliev that diamond status for room upgrades has been almost completely nerfed. Though my last few stays I haven't received an upgrade. As long as I don't get a room over a nightclub (looking at you Straf Hotel -- Marriott -- in Milan) I'm okay with a base level room -- I'm rarely in my room when I travel so space isn't important to me -- just a quiet room with shower only.

Hyatt -- I have no hope of ever obtaining Globalist status, though it does sound amazing. I hope that they keep their award nights at the current level though -- it would really, really stink it they jacked the points a la Hilton.

Yes, they did announce in that press release that they aren’t going to change points, but they never mentioned status. With Hilton and Marriott having a similar status for 18k, I wouldn’t be surprised if they follow suit. I don’t want them to, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did—if that makes sense.

 

[Judique]

Nice small stacking opportunity with the Citi Strata Elite Best Buy is giving 10$ for free with 100$ purchases for certain cards.

Except, they have nothing I want to buy with the Best Buy gift card. Would be great for DGC if I could use a few gift cards.

 

[djmeredith]

I'm glad someone mentioned Hilton and the airline credit because I almost forgot this quarter's. Does United travel bank still work?

 

[winnieofpooh]

I have a question about the SWA card and earning the companion pass.

I have until Jan 14 to spend $4k to get the sign-on bonus. I want the sign-on bonus to hit in 2026 so I can use it towards earning the CP that year. My statement close date is 12/3. I read online that the points from purchases I make after 12/3 will not hit my card until January. Does this also apply for the sign-up bonus?

I have some travel and Christmas purchases I'd like to put on the card, but I absolutely cannot earn the sign-on bonus this year. Am I really safe to hit my minimum spend after 12/3 but before 1/1? Or is it best to play it extra safe and not hit my minimum spend until 1/1?

 

[eticketplease]

Is there a DP about getting a citi biz card expedited?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I have a question about the SWA card and earning the companion pass.

I have until Jan 14 to spend $4k to get the sign-on bonus. I want the sign-on bonus to hit in 2026 so I can use it towards earning the CP that year. My statement close date is 12/3. I read online that the points from purchases I make after 12/3 will not hit my card until January. Does this also apply for the sign-up bonus?

I have some travel and Christmas purchases I'd like to put on the card, but I absolutely cannot earn the sign-on bonus this year. Am I really safe to hit my minimum spend after 12/3 but before 1/1? Or is it best to play it extra safe and not hit my minimum spend until 1/1?

After the statement close of 12/3, you are clear to start spending since the next statement close is 1/3. The points for those purchases and the bonus, assuming you get here, will be when the statement closes in 2026.

I've done CPs twice now where I'm putting spend on the card in December with the goal of hitting for January. I'm cautious, so I made sure to go on the app to the card, expand Show Details, and look specifically at "Next closing date". Once I saw with my own two eyes that date was the next calendar year, I started spending.

 

[LynnTH]

I have a question about the SWA card and earning the companion pass.

I have until Jan 14 to spend $4k to get the sign-on bonus. I want the sign-on bonus to hit in 2026 so I can use it towards earning the CP that year. My statement close date is 12/3. I read online that the points from purchases I make after 12/3 will not hit my card until January. Does this also apply for the sign-up bonus?

I have some travel and Christmas purchases I'd like to put on the card, but I absolutely cannot earn the sign-on bonus this year. Am I really safe to hit my minimum spend after 12/3 but before 1/1? Or is it best to play it extra safe and not hit my minimum spend until 1/1?

I'm in the camp "don't hit minimum spend until after January". I have heard of people on other forums that have been close and SW gave them their points early (not sure if true or not). I have a bit over $300 to meet my SUB. I put the card away, so I don't accidentally use it. Then will spend the rest in early January. I like to play it safe...

 

[Minnie368]

Hey! So I'm about a month behind in the thread so if DCL has been discussed recently I apologize! Just need to make a quick decision here. Looking to book two cabins on DCL Destiny for next spring and options are limited. I haven't sailed DCL for a few years. Any tips for best way to book? In the past have gone through TA with onboard credit and paid mostly with disney gift cards. Any specific TA or maybe a credit card with good cruise benefits, or a credit card portal I can book DCL through? I was mostly using my csr to purchase disney gc in gas or grocery and using PYB at 1.25% (can't remember which was bonus in PYB at the time). Would it be better to purchase disney gift cards with a CIC at Staples?

 

[KPK02090]

I was considering applying for an Amex Platinum Biz card. I closed one in May 2025, so didn't think I'd be eligible. While looking for info on it, I saw the "up to" 300k offer. It said to enter your info to see your offer with no impact to your credit score. I decided to do it to see if I'd have an offer, I was surprised to see it gave me a 200k after $20k spend offer. Then it said to click to see if you were approved and that you could then decide if you want to accept the card. I was sill thinking I wouldn't be approved, but I clicked and it said I was approved. Now I have to "accept" the card. This is the wording - "There has been no impact to your personal credit score up to this point. Your business credit score may already have been impacted. If you do not take action to accept your Card by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 11/26, your application will be considered withdrawn at your request, and canceled." I've actually decided I don't want the card for only 200k of a sub, considering the annual fee and MSR. Also, although I didn't get a pop-up, I'd be worried about not actually getting the bonus since I got one a year ago. So I'm not going to "accept" it.
My question is, does this negatively imact me in any way. Will Amex hate me?

 

[reliev]

I know I have too many Costco questions, but if I book, say, the Destiny coming up, and they have all my information, do I need to call back for early cruising with them each time once they have my Castaway information? Or is it after the booking that I'm set? So I've been on hold for 40 minutes now. We booked the Destiny, and my sister said she didn't have to do this, and it showed up. Is that true? lol If so, why am I wasting this time right now?

 

[VGCgroupie]

I was considering applying for an Amex Platinum Biz card. I closed one in May 2025, so didn't think I'd be eligible. While looking for info on it, I saw the "up to" 300k offer. It said to enter your info to see your offer with no impact to your credit score. I decided to do it to see if I'd have an offer, I was surprised to see it gave me a 200k after $20k spend offer. Then it said to click to see if you were approved and that you could then decide if you want to accept the card. I was sill thinking I wouldn't be approved, but I clicked and it said I was approved. Now I have to "accept" the card. This is the wording - "There has been no impact to your personal credit score up to this point. Your business credit score may already have been impacted. If you do not take action to accept your Card by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 11/26, your application will be considered withdrawn at your request, and canceled." I've actually decided I don't want the card for only 200k of a sub, considering the annual fee and MSR. Also, although I didn't get a pop-up, I'd be worried about not actually getting the bonus since I got one a year ago. So I'm not going to "accept" it.
My question is, does this negatively imact me in any way. Will Amex hate me?

Others are more versed than me, but no I don't think it impacts your relationship with Amex in any way.

 

[Maryrachel713]

P2 upgraded a Marriott Bold to Ritz in September. He’s currently at 39 nights (including 5 from Bold). He has 9 more nights booked before the end of the year so he will be TWO nights short. Does he not get any elite nights from the Ritz this year? I understand he wouldn’t get the whole 15 since he got 5 from Bold but can he call and ask or something? He just needs 2!

 

[Maryrachel713]

Sorry computer glitched and posted again!

 

[Maryrachel713]

UGH annnnnd again. So sorry everyone!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I know I have too many Costco questions, but if I book, say, the Destiny coming up, and they have all my information, do I need to call back for early cruising with them each time once they have my Castaway information? Or is it after the booking that I'm set? So I've been on hold for 40 minutes now. We booked the Destiny, and my sister said she didn't have to do this, and it showed up. Is that true? lol If so, why am I wasting this time right now?

If you are booking in your early booking window (Gold priority days for example), you have to call to book. If you are booking when the general public is booking, you don't need to call and you can book online. Is that what you're asking?

 

[AmyAnne]

I was considering applying for an Amex Platinum Biz card. I closed one in May 2025, so didn't think I'd be eligible. While looking for info on it, I saw the "up to" 300k offer. It said to enter your info to see your offer with no impact to your credit score. I decided to do it to see if I'd have an offer, I was surprised to see it gave me a 200k after $20k spend offer. Then it said to click to see if you were approved and that you could then decide if you want to accept the card. I was sill thinking I wouldn't be approved, but I clicked and it said I was approved. Now I have to "accept" the card. This is the wording - "There has been no impact to your personal credit score up to this point. Your business credit score may already have been impacted. If you do not take action to accept your Card by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 11/26, your application will be considered withdrawn at your request, and canceled." I've actually decided I don't want the card for only 200k of a sub, considering the annual fee and MSR. Also, although I didn't get a pop-up, I'd be worried about not actually getting the bonus since I got one a year ago. So I'm not going to "accept" it.
My question is, does this negatively imact me in any way. Will Amex hate me?

Interesting scenario. I honestly don't know that there is a lot of predictability with AmEx.

 

[AmyAnne]

I'm looking for a new card for holiday and other end-of-year expenses. Since it's almost December, I am thinking this would be a good opportunity to get a card with benefits that can be triple-dipped. Unfortunately, most AmEx cards are probably off the table because I have (or have had) them. Any suggestions?

 

[wanderlust7]

I'm looking for a new card for holiday and other end-of-year expenses. Since it's almost December, I am thinking this would be a good opportunity to get a card with benefits that can be triple-dipped. Unfortunately, most AmEx cards are probably off the table because I have (or have had) them. Any suggestions?

For Amex, you can still try and see if you get the pop-up.

Otherwise, I've been thinking about the Citi Strata Elite. $595 AF. Buy Amazon gift cards from Best Buy and triple dip the $200 credit, making the AF free. Triple dip $300 hotel credit is just gravy. Citi is inquiry sensitive, so I'm a little worried about that since I think they'll pull Experian, which Chase also pulls. Approval DPs don't look too bad for the Elite, so I might take a chance.

Hope the 100k SUB sticks around until December. Citi first statement and AF can be pretty short (have had under 2 weeks before), so I wouldn't want to do it too soon.