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

[cruisehopeful]

Yes, so I ended up booking the Destiny for 2027. It was my first time booking with Costco, and for some reason, their system gave me a new Castaway Club number. I called and spent over 50 minutes getting them to update my Castaway Club number. Do I have to do this every time? The Costco representative said yes, probably.

No you won't need to do that. When you book, just make sure your name and birthdate are exactly like what it shows on your DCL Castaway club. If there's a name change or a typo, it might trigger a new number, but other than that, as soon as Costco or any travel agent enters me into a reservation, my Castaway club number automatically comes up.

 

[ten6mom]

Good morning!

I am considering trying for a Chase Checking Account bonus. I have a tiny bit of extra cash that I can divert to a new account.

I know there is a direct deposit requirement. Would it be sufficient if I amended my current direct deposit to put, say, $5/pay check into the new Chase account? Would that satisfy the requirement?

Is there anything else you think I should know before doing this? I know there needs to be a minimum balance $1500) kept in the Chase account in order to avoid a monthly fee.

Thank you!

 

[elgerber]

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.

I also need a new card...again. I think I should stop with Chase for awhile.
I have also had all the AMEX cards I would want. Some were many many years ago, is there a chance they might get approved without the popup? The only Delta card I haven't had is the reserve, but I really can't stomach high fee cards.
Maybe I should just try for another US Bank Biz card.

 

[elgerber]

Good morning!

I am considering trying for a Chase Checking Account bonus. I have a tiny bit of extra cash that I can divert to a new account.

I know there is a direct deposit requirement. Would it be sufficient if I amended my current direct deposit to put, say, $5/pay check into the new Chase account? Would that satisfy the requirement?

Is there anything else you think I should know before doing this? I know there needs to be a minimum balance $1500) kept in the Chase account in order to avoid a monthly fee.

Thank you!

I did $25 for both of ours, and it worked. I don't think there is a minimum at all.

 

[wanderlust7]

I also need a new card...again. I think I should stop with Chase for awhile.
I have also had all the AMEX cards I would want. Some were many many years ago, is there a chance they might get approved without the popup? The only Delta card I haven't had is the reserve, but I really can't stomach high fee cards.
Maybe I should just try for another US Bank Biz card.

The language is "may not be eligible", so there's a chance. You don't know until you try.

The USB Triple Cash biz elevated SUB is back down. I'd probably go for the Leverage biz because that hasn't been above 75k for a long time, so I wouldn't feel like I'm getting a bum deal lol. That one you have to cashout to a biz checking for 1 cpp now though.

 

[elgerber]

The language is "may not be eligible", so there's a chance. You don't know until you try.

The USB Triple Cash biz elevated SUB is back down. I'd probably go for the Leverage biz because that hasn't been above 75k for a long time, so I wouldn't feel like I'm getting a bum deal lol. That one you have to cashout to a biz checking for 1 cpp now though.

I do have the biz checking, so that isn't an issue for me. Thank you.

 

[VGCgroupie]

If anyone was considering an Oura Ring with the Amex personal platinum credit. The rings are on sale right now for $249. Sadly the discount from Clear doesn’t stack. But still a great deal.

 

[AmyAnne]

If anyone was considering an Oura Ring with the Amex personal platinum credit. The rings are on sale right now for $249. Sadly the discount from Clear doesn’t stack. But still a great deal.

Thanks for posting this. I have been thinking about an Oura ring. Can you say what you like about it? (I have an Apple Watch that I use for reminding me to walk and stand up every so often.)

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks for posting this. I have been thinking about an Oura ring. Can you say what you like about it? (I have an Apple Watch that I use for reminding me to walk and stand up every so often.)

We don’t have any yet, just ordered our first. My primary reason for choosing it over other options is that I can wear it 24/7 and have no Bluetooth or WiFi turned on for it. We want to track our sleep.

 

[reliev]

No you won't need to do that. When you book, just make sure your name and birthdate are exactly like what it shows on your DCL Castaway club. If there's a name change or a typo, it might trigger a new number, but other than that, as soon as Costco or any travel agent enters me into a reservation, my Castaway club number automatically comes up.

You're right, I put my middle initial, but my DW and Daughter were the same. I'm assuming it's my name that triggered it?
I ended up calling them to update my middle name since it's so long and it wouldn't let me put it in thank you.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

CSR question, Edit bookings are prepaid, correct? So I could book something for next year to use up the credit that expires Dec 31. But what happens if the $300 travel credit hasn’t been used up yet?

Yes, EDIT bookings need to by prepaid. As long as you book and pay by 12/31/2025, it will use the 2025 credit.

Here is the DP you are looking for about the annual $300 travel credit.

P2 had $300 of TC left. We booked an EDIT hotel with $250 cash and the rest with 2x boosted points. He got the $250 EDIT credit once the $250 hotel charge posted AND he also got $250 of travel credit posted. So, you will definitely double dip on the credits.

We could have paid $500 cash for the hotel and then the rest with points but we wanted the 2x boosted points on the EDIT hotel booking. That was worth more than the cash credit at 0.02/point.

Hope that helps.

I am now waiting until 1/1/2026, so I can book more EDIT hotels. While the credits are good on overpriced hotels, it is the boosted points in combination that make the deals so sweet.

I had my eye on Hyatt Globalist status for many a year reading about everyone's trip reports but I think with access to the Chase EDIT and the Amex THC/FHR, it makes more sense for ME to forget about status or loyalty to any brand for now. If Chase does away with having point boosts on EDIT hotels, I may need to rethink things.

Chase does not have much of a presence in HK with EDIT hotels, so I think I will use Hyatt points (transferred from Chase) to stay in a Club room at the Grand Hyatt TST.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Looking for some advice here, since I can't make a decision on what to do!

For my upcoming Paris stay, I booked 4 nights at the Hotel du Louvre on points, but then the dates for our time in London changed, so I scheduled my flights 2 days earlier (couldn't get 1 day early). So I needed the night of the 29th at the HdL, but of course it wasn't available on points. The cash cost is a staggering $1,100 and they only had king deluxe view rooms available. I called the hotel to see if I would have to change rooms the next day (to the base room that I booked) and they offered for me to stay in the deluxe view room for 100 euro / night (~$115). So the cash cost is going to be $1,445.

I was able to book a nice boutique hotel in a great location in the 9th on the AmEx Hotel Collection for 4 nights for $1,700 which includes a $100 credit, which should cover breakfast for 4 mornings.

Would you stay at the HdL on cash / points or the nice boutique hotel? I will only be in the room to sleep and shower, so the amenities of the hotel don't matter to me. Just a nice place to sleep in a good location. I do love my Hyatt points, so feel like using them but having to also pay so much cash is like wasting them, if that makes sense.

 

[WaltsMartini]

Crowd sourcing ideas. Had to cancel WDW March trip using Bonvoy nights and SW for flights Need an alternate family friendly location that SW flies to and would be a good place to use 3 FN credits. Was thinking maybe Vegas and doing the Sphere and driving to the Grand Canyon, but not married to that idea.

 

[wanderlust7]

Looking for some advice here, since I can't make a decision on what to do!

For my upcoming Paris stay, I booked 4 nights at the Hotel du Louvre on points, but then the dates for our time in London changed, so I scheduled my flights 2 days earlier (couldn't get 1 day early). So I needed the night of the 29th at the HdL, but of course it wasn't available on points. The cash cost is a staggering $1,100 and they only had king deluxe view rooms available. I called the hotel to see if I would have to change rooms the next day (to the base room that I booked) and they offered for me to stay in the deluxe view room for 100 euro / night (~$115). So the cash cost is going to be $1,445.

I was able to book a nice boutique hotel in a great location in the 9th on the AmEx Hotel Collection for 4 nights for $1,700 which includes a $100 credit, which should cover breakfast for 4 mornings.

Would you stay at the HdL on cash / points or the nice boutique hotel? I will only be in the room to sleep and shower, so the amenities of the hotel don't matter to me. Just a nice place to sleep in a good location. I do love my Hyatt points, so feel like using them but having to also pay so much cash is like wasting them, if that makes sense.

That works out to saving $255 but using 3 nights of Hyatt points. Doesn't seem worth it.

Sounds like you don't have plat FHR/THC credits to use? Would booking the boutique hotel direct be cheaper? Or maybe getting a plat or biz plat to triple dip the credits would make sense.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

That works out to saving $255 but using 3 nights of Hyatt points. Doesn't seem worth it.

Sounds like you don't have plat FHR/THC credits to use? Would booking the boutique hotel direct be cheaper? Or maybe getting a plat or biz plat to triple dip the credits would make sense.

I've use the personal plat and both (mine and dd's) EDIT credits, otherwise that would've been ideal.

I was looking at booking the boutique hotel direct, but the smallest room type wasn't available on their website. When I looked on AmEx it was there, so I grabbed it.

I really value Hyatt points, so that's why I am thinking it is a waste. The night of the 29th is now completely sold out, so it seems highly unlikely that the base room is going to pop back into inventory. I have looked at this property before, I love the 9th and it really looks like a nice property, so will probably lean that way for now.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Looking for some advice here, since I can't make a decision on what to do!

For my upcoming Paris stay, I booked 4 nights at the Hotel du Louvre on points, but then the dates for our time in London changed, so I scheduled my flights 2 days earlier (couldn't get 1 day early). So I needed the night of the 29th at the HdL, but of course it wasn't available on points. The cash cost is a staggering $1,100 and they only had king deluxe view rooms available. I called the hotel to see if I would have to change rooms the next day (to the base room that I booked) and they offered for me to stay in the deluxe view room for 100 euro / night (~$115). So the cash cost is going to be $1,445.

I was able to book a nice boutique hotel in a great location in the 9th on the AmEx Hotel Collection for 4 nights for $1,700 which includes a $100 credit, which should cover breakfast for 4 mornings.

Would you stay at the HdL on cash / points or the nice boutique hotel? I will only be in the room to sleep and shower, so the amenities of the hotel don't matter to me. Just a nice place to sleep in a good location. I do love my Hyatt points, so feel like using them but having to also pay so much cash is like wasting them, if that makes sense.

That works out to saving $255 but using 3 nights of Hyatt points. Doesn't seem worth it.

Sounds like you don't have plat FHR/THC credits to use? Would booking the boutique hotel direct be cheaper? Or maybe getting a plat or biz plat to triple dip the credits would make sense.

If you have the Chase Sapphire or the Amex Plat, I would look at those hotels and breaking 4 nights into 2 reservations to take advantage of any credits on each portion.

However, if the choice boils down to spending $1445 + 3 night of Hyatt points (not cheap at the Hotel du Lourve) OR $1700 (+$100 credit) cash for 4 nights, I would pick the all cash stay which I would assume would earn me reward points at least. And I would save all the Hyatt points for a future trip for a difference of only $255 ($155 with the $100) OOP.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

WWYD?

A few weeks ago I booked our flights on miles/points to LAX in August 2026 for the start of our 4 Disney Parks + Asia trip.

I booked Delta Comfort seats (row 12) from FLL to LAX non-stop for 14,400 miles each, totaling 28,800 Delta miles + $11.20. I thought that was a reasonable redemption.

I was playing around on seats.aero tonight while I should have been sleeping and found American Airlines Business class seats (row 2, 'cause I don't like row 1) from MIA to LAX non-stop for 32,500 miles each, totaling 65,000 AA miles + $11.20. The AA flight is 2 days earlier than the Delta one, so we will need 2 extra hotel nights in the Disneyland area (6 nights instead of 4 nights).

I went ahead and booked the AA flight while I decide which reservation to keep.

I prefer flying out of MIA because it is closer to where we are. The Delta flight is at 8am on a Friday from FLL about 45 mins away, without traffic. The AA flight is at 7am on a Wednesday from MIA about 15 mins away, without traffic, and there won't be traffic at that time. If the highway is congested due to an accident, we can still get there on local roads.

Adding 2 nights in Anaheim isn't ideal but hey, 2 extra nights of vacation? I could live with that. We have flexible schedules.

I think the only thing that is holding me back on just going with the AA business class flights is that 65k AA is a lot of miles on nothing special business class seats. They are just wider seats at the front of the plane. If they were any other miles or points, I would be okay but AA miles are hard to earn and I only had 70k in my account to begin with. OTOH, what could I have done with just 70k AA miles? It is not enough miles for 2 people to fly internationally in business.

The flight is about 6 hours. Which one to keep? Delta Comfort or American Business? And should I keep looking even after I pick one? Are there better redemption on cross country flights than around 30K/pp?

TIA

 

[Magical2017]

Looking for some advice here, since I can't make a decision on what to do!

For my upcoming Paris stay, I booked 4 nights at the Hotel du Louvre on points, but then the dates for our time in London changed, so I scheduled my flights 2 days earlier (couldn't get 1 day early). So I needed the night of the 29th at the HdL, but of course it wasn't available on points. The cash cost is a staggering $1,100 and they only had king deluxe view rooms available. I called the hotel to see if I would have to change rooms the next day (to the base room that I booked) and they offered for me to stay in the deluxe view room for 100 euro / night (~$115). So the cash cost is going to be $1,445.

I was able to book a nice boutique hotel in a great location in the 9th on the AmEx Hotel Collection for 4 nights for $1,700 which includes a $100 credit, which should cover breakfast for 4 mornings.

Would you stay at the HdL on cash / points or the nice boutique hotel? I will only be in the room to sleep and shower, so the amenities of the hotel don't matter to me. Just a nice place to sleep in a good location. I do love my Hyatt points, so feel like using them but having to also pay so much cash is like wasting them, if that makes sense.

Can you try another Hyatt? We are booked at one of the Mr. and Mrs. Smith hotels, which we booked through Hyatt. It is in the Latin Quarter for 30,000 K points per night for next June. It is called Hotel Les Dames du Pantheon.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Can you try another Hyatt? We are booked at one of the Mr. and Mrs. Smith hotels, which we booked through Hyatt. It is in the Latin Quarter for 30,000 K points per night for next June. It is called Hotel Les Dames du Pantheon.

I thought the Mr. and Mrs. Smith hotels moved to another hotel chain? Hilton?

I see them on the Hyatt portal still but never redeemable with points recently.

 

[reliev]

I thought the Mr. and Mrs. Smith hotels moved to another hotel chain? Hilton?

I see them on the Hyatt portal still but never redeemable with points recently.

I just stayed at one less than a month ago, and it was fantastic. I had to tell Chase it was part of Hyatt. I think you're thinking of SLH (which I miss). The points are dynamic, and from the two properties I tried, I didn't think it was a good value.