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

[spacerangerqueen]

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.

I wish I had someone to use my support link because that would be ideal. Then I'd just put my car insurance and some gas on there and call it a day. Maybe I'll throw my link out on my FB and see if I get any bites (I don't even know what the current SUB is so it may not be worth it for whoever signs up) I will need another SUB soon and not sure what I want to do next so the SW Biz isn't a terrible idea. I'm just trying to minimize my AFs this year and paying for two SW cards isn't off to a great start lol.

 

[VGCgroupie]

deleted to to me losing it. . I thought Sam’s didn’t take discover anymore

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

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.

Glad you posted! I always thought it was 30 days from fee date, not 30 days from statement date. We're trying to decide if we pay the $149 on my SW Priority for this year or if Hubby will get some amount of retention on his, but his anniversary is a month behind me. Now that I know my clock doesn't start running until statement date, that should give me enough time to play this all out.

 

[djmeredith]

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.

Thank you for posting this! I was able to close the card and get the annual fee refunded.

Glad you posted! I always thought it was 30 days from fee date, not 30 days from statement date. We're trying to decide if we pay the $149 on my SW Priority for this year or if Hubby will get some amount of retention on his, but his anniversary is a month behind me. Now that I know my clock doesn't start running until statement date, that should give me enough time to play this all out.

I thought the same thing about 30 days from the date it posted. Glad Palhockeymomof2 educated us!

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I’m starting to think about our 20th anniversary (in 2028), and would love to do a safari. I know many here have, so I thought I’d ask the brain trust. I think our top two choices are either Masai Mara in Kenya, or Serengeti in Tanzania. Any suggestions on either? Places to stay? Can this be travel hacked with points, or should we expect to pay OOP for everything with this type of trip? I’m really just in the very beginning stages to think about this, and start accumulating points in whatever currency necessary, if that’s a possibility, so I can have everything in place to book in 2027 for a 2028 trip. Also, thoughts on airlines and departure points? I read it may be better to position to London, then onto Africa. And I see the main international airports are pretty far from the parks… do we have to take a bush plane (assuming that’s $$$), or is bus/private transfer an option? Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[djmeredith]

You can book a safari in Kenya or Tanzania with Marriott Bonvoy pts and they currently offer book 4 nts on pts and get the 5th free (must be all pts, no FNCs). In Kenya, they have a JW Marriott and a Ritz. In Tanzania, they recently opened Mapito Safari Camp. The Mapito location includes all park fees (currently $200 per person per day high season), private safari vehicles, retractable tent roofs for stargazing at night, and night game drives. The JW and Mapito appear to be very similar other than those differences. The Mapito currently requires less pts, but not a significant difference. You can transit from arrival city to the camp via ground or air depending on where you go. You have plenty of time to amass pts so you should be able to find availability from U.S. on several airlines if you book flights when they open. I am having trouble finding biz class seats, but that is because I started planning less than a year out. There are a trip report and several comments about safari planning over the past few months if you want to do a search.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

You can book a safari in Kenya or Tanzania with Marriott Bonvoy pts and they currently offer book 4 nts on pts and get the 5th free (must be all pts, no FNCs). In Kenya, they have a JW Marriott and a Ritz. In Tanzania, they recently opened Mapito Safari Camp. The Mapito location includes all park fees (currently $200 per person per day high season), private safari vehicles, retractable tent roofs for stargazing at night, and night game drives. The JW and Mapito appear to be very similar other than those differences. The Mapito currently requires less pts, but not a significant difference. You can transit from arrival city to the camp via ground or air depending on where you go. You have plenty of time to amass pts so you should be able to find availability from U.S. on several airlines if you book flights when they open. I am having trouble finding biz class seats, but that is because I started planning less than a year out. There are a trip report and several comments about safari planning over the past few months if you want to do a search.

Awesome, thanks for the great recs! This gives me a good starting point. Off to do more research and to search this sub to see all the past info posted!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I'm back from a long cruise in December and now back to to more vacation planning for 2026!

WWYD?

We will be at Disneyland CA for 4 nights to kick off our Asia trip in late August 2026, to visit the 3 Disney Asia Parks. I have narrowed it down to 3 hotels. Help me make a decision!

Option 1:
Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort-Convention Center (1800 S Harbor Blvd)
- Using 54k Hyatt points transferred from UR (regular king bed room)
- If we stay here, we will have stayed 23 nights in a Hyatt in 2026 so far, with maybe 2-3 more to go for a family wedding to attend in Oct 2026

Option 2:
Fairfield by Marriott (1460 S Harbor Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has it as point boosted hotel at $0.019; So cash price through Chase Travel of $965 = 50,792 UR points
- It is closer and costs slightly less points

Option 3:
Candlewood Suites by IHG (1733 S Anaheim Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has a 2026 credit for IHG hotels; So cash price through Chase Travel of $839 minus $250 IHG credit = $589 @0.175 Chase boosted points = 33,657 UR points

Wild Card Option:
DVC - GCV
- If there is availability at 7 month window, which is doubtful

WWYD, if you were me? Proximity, qualified nights, or lowest points usage?

I "may" try for status if everything lines up but 2026 is already our BIG trip year. I can't imagine doing this every year. I will still have plenty of UR points after the trip, so while I like to maximize point usage, I don't need to count pennies, kwim?

 

[djmeredith]

I'm back from a long cruise in December and now back to to more vacation planning for 2026!

WWYD?

We will be at Disneyland CA for 4 nights to kick off our Asia trip in late August 2026, to visit the 3 Disney Asia Parks. I have narrowed it down to 3 hotels. Help me make a decision!

Option 1:
Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort-Convention Center (1800 S Harbor Blvd)
- Using 54k Hyatt points transferred from UR (regular king bed room)
- If we stay here, we will have stayed 23 nights in a Hyatt in 2026 so far, with maybe 2-3 more to go for a family wedding to attend in Oct 2026

Option 2:
Fairfield by Marriott (1460 S Harbor Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has it as point boosted hotel at $0.019; So cash price through Chase Travel of $965 = 50,792 UR points
- It is closer and costs slightly less points

Option 3:
Candlewood Suites by IHG (1733 S Anaheim Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has a 2026 credit for IHG hotels; So cash price through Chase Travel of $839 minus $250 IHG credit = $589 @0.175 Chase boosted points = 33,657 UR points

Wild Card Option:
DVC - GCV
- If there is availability at 7 month window, which is doubtful

WWYD, if you were me? Proximity, qualified nights, or lowest points usage?

I "may" try for status if everything lines up but 2026 is already our BIG trip year. I can't imagine doing this every year. I will still have plenty of UR points after the trip, so while I like to maximize point usage, I don't need to count pennies, kwim?

I haven't stayed at the Hyatt House, but remember seeing it when walking to/from the parks. It is a good location in my opinion; close to the Harbor entrance. Based on the TripAdvisor reviews, I wouldn't hesitate to spend 54K on that location if I had plenty of UR.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I'm back from a long cruise in December and now back to to more vacation planning for 2026!

WWYD?

We will be at Disneyland CA for 4 nights to kick off our Asia trip in late August 2026, to visit the 3 Disney Asia Parks. I have narrowed it down to 3 hotels. Help me make a decision!

Option 1:
Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort-Convention Center (1800 S Harbor Blvd)
- Using 54k Hyatt points transferred from UR (regular king bed room)
- If we stay here, we will have stayed 23 nights in a Hyatt in 2026 so far, with maybe 2-3 more to go for a family wedding to attend in Oct 2026

Option 2:
Fairfield by Marriott (1460 S Harbor Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has it as point boosted hotel at $0.019; So cash price through Chase Travel of $965 = 50,792 UR points
- It is closer and costs slightly less points

Option 3:
Candlewood Suites by IHG (1733 S Anaheim Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has a 2026 credit for IHG hotels; So cash price through Chase Travel of $839 minus $250 IHG credit = $589 @0.175 Chase boosted points = 33,657 UR points

Wild Card Option:
DVC - GCV
- If there is availability at 7 month window, which is doubtful

WWYD, if you were me? Proximity, qualified nights, or lowest points usage?

I "may" try for status if everything lines up but 2026 is already our BIG trip year. I can't imagine doing this every year. I will still have plenty of UR points after the trip, so while I like to maximize point usage, I don't need to count pennies, kwim?

If you'll be close to getting Globalist with the HH stay then that should factor into your decision, plus if you haven't stayed in a HH before you'll be 1 closer to a brand explorer FNC.

But since it is a big trip for you, maybe start it off 'right' with a few nights at the GCV (which I've always wanted to stay at)!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

If you'll be close to getting Globalist with the HH stay then that should factor into your decision, plus if you haven't stayed in a HH before you'll be 1 closer to a brand explorer FNC.

But since it is a big trip for you, maybe start it off 'right' with a few nights at the GCV (which I've always wanted to stay at)!

I am not sure how close I will be to Globalist but you are right in that if the point difference is not drastic, I should lean towards the Hyatt nights.

We did stay at GCV before in 2016. We were traveling with our kids that trip. Honestly, I don't remember the room that much!

 

[wanderlust7]

I'm back from a long cruise in December and now back to to more vacation planning for 2026!

WWYD?

We will be at Disneyland CA for 4 nights to kick off our Asia trip in late August 2026, to visit the 3 Disney Asia Parks. I have narrowed it down to 3 hotels. Help me make a decision!

Option 1:
Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort-Convention Center (1800 S Harbor Blvd)
- Using 54k Hyatt points transferred from UR (regular king bed room)
- If we stay here, we will have stayed 23 nights in a Hyatt in 2026 so far, with maybe 2-3 more to go for a family wedding to attend in Oct 2026

Option 2:
Fairfield by Marriott (1460 S Harbor Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has it as point boosted hotel at $0.019; So cash price through Chase Travel of $965 = 50,792 UR points
- It is closer and costs slightly less points

Option 3:
Candlewood Suites by IHG (1733 S Anaheim Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has a 2026 credit for IHG hotels; So cash price through Chase Travel of $839 minus $250 IHG credit = $589 @0.175 Chase boosted points = 33,657 UR points

Wild Card Option:
DVC - GCV
- If there is availability at 7 month window, which is doubtful

WWYD, if you were me? Proximity, qualified nights, or lowest points usage?

I "may" try for status if everything lines up but 2026 is already our BIG trip year. I can't imagine doing this every year. I will still have plenty of UR points after the trip, so while I like to maximize point usage, I don't need to count pennies, kwim?

We've stayed at the Fairfield before. It's very convenient. The room is fine, but if we go back I'd want to try something different. Either the newer Courtyard next door or the Hyatt House.

Even if you don't make Globalist, the Milestone Awards can be valuable. 23 nights is actual stays? With the Hyatt card you'd get an additional 5. At 30 nights you get a cat 4 FNC. At 40, a Guest of Honor award and you can pick a suite upgrade award.

 

[StephPlum]

I'm back from a long cruise in December and now back to to more vacation planning for 2026!

WWYD?

We will be at Disneyland CA for 4 nights to kick off our Asia trip in late August 2026, to visit the 3 Disney Asia Parks. I have narrowed it down to 3 hotels. Help me make a decision!

Option 1:
Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort-Convention Center (1800 S Harbor Blvd)
- Using 54k Hyatt points transferred from UR (regular king bed room)
- If we stay here, we will have stayed 23 nights in a Hyatt in 2026 so far, with maybe 2-3 more to go for a family wedding to attend in Oct 2026

Option 2:
Fairfield by Marriott (1460 S Harbor Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has it as point boosted hotel at $0.019; So cash price through Chase Travel of $965 = 50,792 UR points
- It is closer and costs slightly less points

Option 3:
Candlewood Suites by IHG (1733 S Anaheim Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has a 2026 credit for IHG hotels; So cash price through Chase Travel of $839 minus $250 IHG credit = $589 @0.175 Chase boosted points = 33,657 UR points

Wild Card Option:
DVC - GCV
- If there is availability at 7 month window, which is doubtful

WWYD, if you were me? Proximity, qualified nights, or lowest points usage?

I "may" try for status if everything lines up but 2026 is already our BIG trip year. I can't imagine doing this every year. I will still have plenty of UR points after the trip, so while I like to maximize point usage, I don't need to count pennies, kwim?

I’ve stayed at the Fairfield (used some FNCs). I liked it. I read it is getting remodeled and adding free breakfast in 2026.

 

[AJruns]

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.

Thank you! My dilemma is what you’ve described- I think I’d like the Rosewood property more, but the other neighborhood. I booked the St. Regis on the Bund for Shanghai, but am going to keep reevaluating as my daily plans come together more. If you have any burning thoughts on those cities would love to hear them!

 

[robinb]

We are checking out of the Dolphin now. We did get upgraded to a great view on the 18th floor. The $150 bonus money was used in one fell swoop for dinner at Kimono’s. Location was perfect.

The only downside is that we did not get late checkout . Even though my DH is Platinum for life and we booked through AMEX’s The Hotel Collection. We had wanted to come back from Epcot at 2:00ish, finish packing and move then. Instead, we had to pack and arrange to have our bags moved this morning, cutting into primo park time.

 

[reliev]

For you, Conrad Orlando vacation people on this thread, a bunch of availability opened up from now until October.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Has anyone done a Rhine river cruise Amsterdam to Basel….friends want to go this fall and I have never done a river cruise so know nothing about the various cruise lines etc. Any advice is appreciated

 

[wabbott]

Has anyone done a Rhine river cruise Amsterdam to Basel….friends want to go this fall and I have never done a river cruise so know nothing about the various cruise lines etc. Any advice is appreciated

We did this cruise in 2023 with Viking. We were impressed, and thought we got good value for the price. Really good food.

Best excursions were Cologne (cathedral) and the Black Forest area.

You'll want to schedule late spring or early summer, as the Rhine in late summer can have low water conditions that require the boats to offload and take the passengers around the shallow stretches via bus. Later in the fall, the conditions improve, IIRC.

 

[spacerangerqueen]

I'm back from a long cruise in December and now back to to more vacation planning for 2026!

WWYD?

We will be at Disneyland CA for 4 nights to kick off our Asia trip in late August 2026, to visit the 3 Disney Asia Parks. I have narrowed it down to 3 hotels. Help me make a decision!

Option 1:
Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort-Convention Center (1800 S Harbor Blvd)
- Using 54k Hyatt points transferred from UR (regular king bed room)
- If we stay here, we will have stayed 23 nights in a Hyatt in 2026 so far, with maybe 2-3 more to go for a family wedding to attend in Oct 2026

Option 2:
Fairfield by Marriott (1460 S Harbor Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has it as point boosted hotel at $0.019; So cash price through Chase Travel of $965 = 50,792 UR points
- It is closer and costs slightly less points

Option 3:
Candlewood Suites by IHG (1733 S Anaheim Blvd)
- Chase Reserve has a 2026 credit for IHG hotels; So cash price through Chase Travel of $839 minus $250 IHG credit = $589 @0.175 Chase boosted points = 33,657 UR points

Wild Card Option:
DVC - GCV
- If there is availability at 7 month window, which is doubtful

WWYD, if you were me? Proximity, qualified nights, or lowest points usage?

I "may" try for status if everything lines up but 2026 is already our BIG trip year. I can't imagine doing this every year. I will still have plenty of UR points after the trip, so while I like to maximize point usage, I don't need to count pennies, kwim?

Another vote for the Hyatt House. We stayed there in 2022 and enjoyed it. Stayed at the Fairfield back in 2006 and have preferred trying other places to returning.

In November we stayed at the JW Marriott using the Edit credit and points boost through the Chase portal. Would definitely do that again, fabulous hotel and the breakfast was better than at Hyatt House.

 

[spacerangerqueen]

I was denied a SW Biz card. Reasons were:
-Too many requests for credit or opened accounts with us.
-Insufficient business revenue.

I am 4/24 last card was the SW Priority in September 2025 then a CIC in March 2025, an IHG Personal in July 2024, and a CIU in February 2024. CIC and CIU are both open and have been used consistently. Currently have a 0% balance on the CIC of my car down payment.

My question is can I try again with my legit business EIN? I had applied as a sole prop using my eBay business so I had very little revenue. I have only ever opened one biz card (Chase) for my business and it is what I legit use for all my expenses. It was opened exactly 5 years ago.