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

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

can you PC back right away? I thought you had to wait a year after pc'ing to FR....would they need to PC their *other* FR to CSR if that happens?

This is my memory as well. If you go down in annual fee, you can't go back up on that card for 13 months (?) so you need a different freedom to PC up.

 

[cookiecar]

I had a similar situation, but I called AmEx before cancelling because I didn't want to lose the $300 FHR (2025) credit. I had made a booking in October (which I wanted to cancel), to which the $300 was applied. I made another on December 21, to which I was hoping the $300 credit would then be applied to. Card member services confirmed that if I cancelled the October reservation the credit would be clawed back, but as long as the system could find another reservation made during the eligible time period it would automatically be applied to that reservation. The CSR told me that if it wasn't done automatically then I could call and they would apply it from their end. HTH.

Interesting. So I guess that is what happened to me as well. It had been a month or so from when I cancelled things to when I made the new booking. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Folks who have had their SW Priority Card since before the card structure change: if you've hit your annual fee, what were you charged?

My annual fee charged 1/1/26. I thought it should have been $229 under the new rules but it's saying it's $149. Is that right? Do we think I'm going to get hit with another $80 at some point when they realize the mistake?

 

[miztressuz]

Folks who have had their SW Priority Card since before the card structure change: if you've hit your annual fee, what were you charged?

My annual fee charged 1/1/26. I thought it should have been $229 under the new rules but it's saying it's $149. Is that right? Do we think I'm going to get hit with another $80 at some point when they realize the mistake?

That sounds like your anniversary was in Dec 2025 then, so you should be good for another year.

> Existing Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmembers’ annual fees will be adjusted on their 2026 Anniversary date.

From way at the end of the PR in July announcing the changes -
https://media.chase.com/news/chase-southwest-introduce-new-card-benefits

Chase charges AFs on the first of the month following your anniversary ( unless you applied on the first of the month, you get slammed with the AF on approval and so on the anniversary thereafter. Semi-pro tip, don't apply for a Chase card with an AF on the 1st.) For most new card approvals in Dec then it would be charged Jan 1, so I suspect you are good at the old rate until this coming December.

I expect we'll see the increased AF reports starting Feb 1.

 

[spacerangerqueen]

I just hit the MSR on my SW Priority and earned the 100,000 points. I will be 22,000 points away from a CP. Is my only option for the remaining points to open the SW Biz card? I just picked up the personal card for the high SUB, and wasn't sure if the CP would still be around this year. Now I kinda want to go for it since my DH's CP just expired.

 

[jenmsmith]

I just hit the MSR on my SW Priority and earned the 100,000 points. I will be 22,000 points away from a CP. Is my only option for the remaining points to open the SW Biz card? I just picked up the personal card for the high SUB, and wasn't sure if the CP would still be around this year. Now I kinda want to go for it since my DH's CP just expired.

A new SW Biz would do it, for sure. But one "support" and an organic spend would also do it. Or even strategic spend through the portal.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

That sounds like your anniversary was in Dec 2025 then, so you should be good for another year.

> Existing Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmembers’ annual fees will be adjusted on their 2026 Anniversary date.

From way at the end of the PR in July announcing the changes -
https://media.chase.com/news/chase-southwest-introduce-new-card-benefits

Chase charges AFs on the first of the month following your anniversary ( unless you applied on the first of the month, you get slammed with the AF on approval and so on the anniversary thereafter. Semi-pro tip, don't apply for a Chase card with an AF on the 1st.) For most new card approvals in Dec then it would be charged Jan 1, so I suspect you are good at the old rate until this coming December.

I expect we'll see the increased AF reports starting Feb 1.

Cool, so then I just eeked it with another year at the lower fee, app was 12/24/24. I just assumed it was off of when the fee charged. Thanks!

 

[djmeredith]

Just discovered mistakes I made, so I will share in hopes it helps someone else in the future. I opened the Citi Strata Elite in Dec and did not realize the $200 Splurge credit is calendar year. So I lost $200 by not using it in Dec. I also forgot to cancel my SW card after the fee hit Dec 1. My Dec was such a scramble this year.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I love researching hotels but am struggling with decision making- I have the good problem of being faced with many great options for my two FHR credits in China this summer. Does anyone have strong feelings about Shanghai or Beijing properties/neighborhoods? I’m spending a few nights in each city so will experience a few neighborhoods anyway when I switch hotels, so mostly I’m focused on the properties. I could write paragraphs about my research but the tldr is that in Shanghai I’ve mostly been focusing on the WA, StR Bund, and Edition, and in Beijing the WA, Peninsula, and Rosewood. Thanks!

I have stayed at both the WA Beijing and Rosewood. Of the 2 properties the location of the WA is better, but I preferred the hard product at the Rosewood. Nothing wrong with the WA, but the Rosewood was more contemporary which is what I prefer. We were upgraded to a huge 1 bedroom suite at the WA which was nice. I always go for location, so of the 2 I would stay at the WA if I had to choose.

In Shanghai we stayed at the Peninsula in a Bund view room and I'd definitely stay there again. Location, food, staff, everything was great.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Just discovered mistakes I made, so I will share in hopes it helps someone else in the future. I opened the Citi Strata Elite in Dec and did not realize the $200 Splurge credit is calendar year. So I lost $200 by not using it in Dec. I also forgot to cancel my SW card after the fee hit Dec 1. My Dec was such a scramble this year.

You should still be able to cancel the SW card and get the annual fee refunded if it’s not 30 days from when your statement closed with the fee.

 

[djmeredith]

Need opinions/advice on booking our biz class flights to Africa this summer, because I feel like I may be missing out on some booking "hacks" options. I've been monitoring the flights on several airlines for at least 2 months. Mainly Flying Blue, Qatar, Delta, United and American. I've also checked British Airways without finding availability. The main options for us appear to be Flying Blue and Qatar. Specifically, flying Qatar to Africa and FB back. Qatar has consistently been 170K per pax. The best I have seen so far on FB is a current 115K + $546 flight per pax. We have enough to book these flts, but we do not have enough to book the Qatar flights so worst case scenario we may have to book an economy (or premium) seat for our flights there.

Any suggestions on looking at other booking options? Should I go ahead and book the FB flights or keep rolling the dice and hold out? I know that is very subjective, but hoping others' experiences might provide insight.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Does anyone have any recommendation on ski trips using miles and points? ETA that this would be for Christmas 2026

We have 350K Hilton Points, 3 adults and 1 teen.

Was looking at Whistler but lift tickets would be around $2,500

Hilton Garden Inn Davos, Switzerland is also an option, lift tickets would be around $900. We have plenty of AA miles, so not worried about the price of airfare.

We used to visit Whistler every year up to and including 2020 and have always stayed at the Westin. The Hilton is right next door and I've been to the lounge there for a get together after heli-skiing (highly recommend if you haven't tried it!). FT gives the rooms (at the Hilton, mind you the Westin rooms sure aren't winning any awards -- they are screaming for an update) lackluster reviews, but you are really staying there for the location, which is second best in the village (the Westin is slightly closer to the gondolas). The lift tickets are pricey, but the village is amazing and the skiing at the top of Whistler & Blackcomb mountains is almost always excellent with a lot of varied terrain.
There are a lot of nighttime activities at Whistler, including tubing, ice skating and of course Apres Ski. There are a plethora of amazing shops and restaurants and the vibe in the village is next level. I have skiied many times at Mount Tremblant and never again (it's waaaay too cold for me -- got frostbite on my nose in less than a minute in January). I'd go back to Whistler in a heartbeat and hope to in 2027.








Waiting for the helicopter

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Need opinions/advice on booking our biz class flights to Africa this summer, because I feel like I may be missing out on some booking "hacks" options. I've been monitoring the flights on several airlines for at least 2 months. Mainly Flying Blue, Qatar, Delta, United and American. I've also checked British Airways without finding availability. The main options for us appear to be Flying Blue and Qatar. Specifically, flying Qatar to Africa and FB back. Qatar has consistently been 170K per pax. The best I have seen so far on FB is a current 115K + $546 flight per pax. We have enough to book these flts, but we do not have enough to book the Qatar flights so worst case scenario we may have to book an economy (or premium) seat for our flights there.

Any suggestions on looking at other booking options? Should I go ahead and book the FB flights or keep rolling the dice and hold out? I know that is very subjective, but hoping others' experiences might provide insight.

Have you looked on points.me for options? If you don't have a membership throw out some dates and I can have a look. Also, what currencies do you have? Do you have access to any AP points -- they might open up a few more options for you.

Both times we've been to Africa we have flown through London and spent a few nights in London beforehand. Have you thought about positioning from London? I'd think you might have more points options from London than from N. America, but it has been several years since we have been, so I don't know what the current (points) landscape is like.

 

[djmeredith]

Have you looked on points.me for options? If you don't have a membership throw out some dates and I can have a look. Also, what currencies do you have? Do you have access to any AP points -- they might open up a few more options for you.

Both times we've been to Africa we have flown through London and spent a few nights in London beforehand. Have you thought about positioning from London? I'd think you might have more points options from London than from N. America, but it has been several years since we have been, so I don't know what the current (points) landscape is like.

Thank you. We will be using mostly Chase UR, but I also have a good amt of United, American and Delta. I do not have the points.me membership, so thanks for the offer to help. I have to be in Kenya July 2-8 and need at least 3 more days before or after that. Looking at flying in/out of NBO and KGL.

 

[Best Aunt]

Has anyone used the Minnie Van to/from MCO service? Im curious how it posts so I can decide which credit card to use.

Did you ask in this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...els-guests-not-just-club-level.3971511/page-7

I haven't read through all of it, and I never pay attention to the names of people who post.

Maybe if you post on there, somebody knows the answer. Or maybe they can post an answer in the future after they book. Or maybe it will be too late. Maybe I'm not being helpful at all.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Did you ask in this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...els-guests-not-just-club-level.3971511/page-7

I haven't read through all of it, and I never pay attention to the names of people who post.

Maybe if you post on there, somebody knows the answer. Or maybe they can post an answer in the future after they book. Or maybe it will be too late. Maybe I'm not being helpful at all.

I will take a look. Thanks! I did find out that it’s not charged as Lyft and I can’t use a Disney Gift Card. Si now just need to see if posts like a normal Disney hotel charge or if it codes some other way.

 

[Psychodisney]

Folks who have had their SW Priority Card since before the card structure change: if you've hit your annual fee, what were you charged?

My annual fee charged 1/1/26. I thought it should have been $229 under the new rules but it's saying it's $149. Is that right? Do we think I'm going to get hit with another $80 at some point when they realize the mistake?

DH's fee hit 1/1 for $229. I think I will downgrade it. We used to definitely take advantage of the benefits of the priority card with the old rules but not sure it's worth the higher AF with the current benefits.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Thank you. We will be using mostly Chase UR, but I also have a good amt of United, American and Delta. I do not have the points.me membership, so thanks for the offer to help. I have to be in Kenya July 2-8 and need at least 3 more days before or after that. Looking at flying in/out of NBO and KGL.

I'm not seeing much availability out of either JFK or ORD, except for Emirates at 138k pts + $1,244 in taxes in biz class. There is also the Qatar seats at 175k pts, but that's very steep (when the calendar opens it's significantly less).

Until January 6th Chase has a tiered transfer promo (depending on the size of the transfer, from 15 to 25% bonus points).

If you can stomach economy class then the below direct flight would probably be your best option (AP is a transfer partner of Chase). You can see there is availability on June 27-30th.




This option out of LHR on June 28th is interesting:



There is the below option from Heathrow on June 28th for 115k points. Saves points, but you still have to get to London. On the plus side there are several points hotels close to LHR that you can overnight at. If it's feasible for, it might be a good option.



Coming back this is the best option that I see into JFK on July 12th:



And the below on July 10th. I've flown Swiss Air in biz and first class and it's a very nice hard and soft product. Have never flown Ethopian.



There is also this option:

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Just a guess on my part…I’d say the personal. Not sure how accurate the Chase pre approval tool is but you could try that and see what cards pop up for him

Well, I crossed my fingers and took a chance on United biz. 2 biz open, closed 1 last week.
Instant approval with 12k CL.

 

[djmeredith]

I'm not seeing much availability out of either JFK or ORD, except for Emirates at 138k pts + $1,244 in taxes in biz class. There is also the Qatar seats at 175k pts, but that's very steep (when the calendar opens it's significantly less).

Until January 6th Chase has a tiered transfer promo (depending on the size of the transfer, from 15 to 25% bonus points).

If you can stomach economy class then the below direct flight would probably be your best option (AP is a transfer partner of Chase). You can see there is availability on June 27-30th.


View attachment 1035372

This option out of LHR on June 28th is interesting:

View attachment 1035365

There is the below option from Heathrow on June 28th for 115k points. Saves points, but you still have to get to London. On the plus side there are several points hotels close to LHR that you can overnight at. If it's feasible for, it might be a good option.

View attachment 1035362

Coming back this is the best option that I see into JFK on July 12th:

View attachment 1035367

And the below on July 10th. I've flown Swiss Air in biz and first class and it's a very nice hard and soft product. Have never flown Ethopian.

View attachment 1035368

There is also this option:
View attachment 1035373

Thank you so much! I'll take a look at these options.