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

[iHEARTflorida]

Anyone still waiting for SW points including SUBs to hit their acc? Statement closing was 1/2, and it still hasn’t hit, I know its due to the holidays and weekend but I’m soo impatient!! I’ve read people with 1/4 closing dates got theirs, there must be a backlog.

 

[becauseimnew]

December was crazy in trying to use up all the Plat, CSR, Citi Strata Elite, Delta Stays, etc credits! But we did well, didn't leave anything on the table.

Citi $300 hotel gave us 2 nights at a WDW All-Stars resort, which we tacked on to our DVC stay in early December (it was interesting to go from the Grand Floridian to All-Stars, lol). Had used Blacklane and Splurge previously. Used the various Lyft and Uber discounts/statement credits when we didn't want to wait for the bus at WDW.

Used CSR StubHub credit for Neil deGrasse Tyson. He puts on a good show, though a little poignant in our current anti-science environment.

Lots of Resy restaurants near us, especially Indian food, so we used all the Resy credits from the 2 personal Plats. I think DH won't want Indian food for several months! We do have to go back later, though, to use up GCs.

Have 2 Plat Hotel credits that weren't used up yet so on Dec 31, after lots of searching, I booked a holiday weekend in Vegas ($297 from Hotel Collection) and another in Minneapolis ($309 from Hotel Collection). Hopefully we'll take these trips!

The Edit plus my Plats paid for our stay at The Reykjavik Edition over Christmas--pretty nice hotel, good food. We also did a 2-day tour of the Saefellsnes peninsula, which was awesome.

Luckily, in mid December, Chase added a bunch of restaurants to their Tables credit, including several in Raleigh. So we had a nice, overpriced meal. Would have lost out on this one otherwise.

Plus all the normal monthly stuff like Instacart, Uber Eats, Dunkin and Five Guys (Amex Gold), Doordash... It was crazy!

And now it starts all over again! Too many hotel credits. Definitely downsizing this year. Already know don't want the CSR, but will try to use up all the 2026 credits before my AF in June. I think one or two of the Plats will have to go, probably the biz ones. But I'm happy with how much value we're getting out of last year's lower AFs.

I think the easiest premium card we have for credits is the Citi Strata Elite, and I especially like the 4 Admirals Club passes.

wow! that's impressive.

How did you use your splurge credit? I used it at Best Buy to buy a lens, but this year I might use it on AA for flight taxes (if that's possible).

 

[georgina]

I'm curious - did you prefer the Rhine or the Danube? I'm interested in taking a river cruise in the future and they both look really interesting to me.

That's a tough call. Liked them both. Did Rhine in late spring 2023 and Danube in the fall 2025. As someone else mentioned, for the Rhine, particularly loved Cologne and the Black Forest region, but Strasbourg and Colmar were great also. My first time in Amsterdam, so the extra time there was perfect. I did the Danube from Passau to Budapest, with a pre-extension in Munich and Salzburg. Loved both Munich and Salzburg, the small town of Cesky Krumlov, Bratislava, the wine region. I had been to Vienna and Budapest before, so it was nice to see a few different things there. The Danube cruise definitely included more WW II history in the tours, good for me since history is not my strong area. There were more cruise ships on the Danube, we were docked 3 boats across in several towns.

 

[reliev]

has anyone ever been able to book here on points?

sorry I should have sent on points tons of rooms for 90k was looking for my sister im the only one left who doesnt have the card

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Since I haven't really seen any chatter about it, posting my experience with SW promo code for CC holders.

Hubby and I both have SW Business Premier Cards that are advertised as coming with a "15% promo code for each year on your cardmember anniversary (Excludes Basic fare)." I had two codes in my SW account when I looked, despite my anniversary not having come yet, so they must generate them a little early. I still have my second, unused code in my account after closing my card last month, so it's possible that, once generated the code is yours to use even after closing the card. (That or it'll fall off my account at some point when SW realizes I closed it, TBD.)

The code works on points bookings and, at least in my experience, is for way more than 15% off. A ticket that was listed at 25k points went down to 18k points with the code (28%). 18k listed points went down to 13k points (27.78%). So, even though the code can't be used on basic flights, my cost for Choice with Code is cheaper than the cost of Basic as advertised.

Even more exciting, once applied, the code stays on that booking when you go to make changes. My flights that were 22k points listed/15.5k with code went down to 21K listed and I was able to change to 15k with code and get the difference refunded to my RR account. It was super easy: the change screen has a banner at the top that my code is still valid and they system automatically applied it. I was at first worried that the code was one-time use and that I shouldn't apply it until I felt like the flights were at the lowest they would go. But, since the code stays with the booking, you can pair it with the strategy of booking on points early and then changing the flight to recoup points if it happens to go down.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Since I haven't really seen any chatter about it, posting my experience with SW promo code for CC holders.

Hubby and I both have SW Business Premier Cards that are advertised as coming with a "15% promo code for each year on your cardmember anniversary (Excludes Basic fare)." I had two codes in my SW account when I looked, despite my anniversary not having come yet, so they must generate them a little early. I still have my second, unused code in my account after closing my card last month, so it's possible that, once generated the code is yours to use even after closing the card. (That or it'll fall off my account at some point when SW realizes I closed it, TBD.)

The code works on points bookings and, at least in my experience, is for way more than 15% off. A ticket that was listed at 25k points went down to 18k points with the code (28%). 18k listed points went down to 13k points (27.78%). So, even though the code can't be used on basic flights, my cost for Choice with Code is cheaper than the cost of Basic as advertised.

Even more exciting, once applied, the code stays on that booking when you go to make changes. My flights that were 22k points listed/15.5k with code went down to 21K listed and I was able to change to 15k with code and get the difference refunded to my RR account. It was super easy: the change screen has a banner at the top that my code is still valid and they system automatically applied it. I was at first worried that the code was one-time use and that I shouldn't apply it until I felt like the flights were at the lowest they would go. But, since the code stays with the booking, you can pair it with the strategy of booking on points early and then changing the flight to recoup points if it happens to go down.

Hooray for some positives on the new SW cards. They need it!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

wow! that's impressive.

How did you use your splurge credit? I used it at Best Buy to buy a lens, but this year I might use it on AA for flight taxes (if that's possible).

I used it at Best Buy, too. Have been slowly buying smart smoke detectors so I'll get a warning when the battery is low. The low battery beeping really stresses out our older dog. I started doing that with the Plat Dell credit early last year until Dell stopped carrying the item, luckily Best Buy does. Going to use the splurge credit again for this purpose and that'll finish the house

 

[wanderlust7]

wow! that's impressive.

How did you use your splurge credit? I used it at Best Buy to buy a lens, but this year I might use it on AA for flight taxes (if that's possible).

I did Amazon gift cards at Best Buy. They have Disney too.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I used it at Best Buy, too. Have been slowly buying smart smoke detectors so I'll get a warning when the battery is low. The low battery beeping really stresses out our older dog. I started doing that with the Plat Dell credit early last year until Dell stopped carrying the item, luckily Best Buy does. Going to use the splurge credit again for this purpose and that'll finish the house

Didn't even know this was a thing. We had to take off all the fire alarms before we went on vacation for 2 weeks recently, because our older dog FREAKS out when the low battery starts beeping. He gets so scared I believe he would run away, and we didn't want to take any chances with the gal that dogsits, even though they all had fresh new batteries, lol. I'll have to look into these!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Didn't even know this was a thing. We had to take off all the fire alarms before we went on vacation for 2 weeks recently, because our older dog FREAKS out when the low battery starts beeping. He gets so scared I believe he would run away, and we didn't want to take any chances with the gal that dogsits, even though they all had fresh new batteries, lol. I'll have to look into these!

They're pricey at $130 each so it's an investment. But the credits help and we've done it slowly. Yeah, our pets have been traumatized enough by the beeping lol

 

[Judique]

One additional note on cancelling….usually the posted annual fee reverses itself the day after I SM to cancel and they close the card.
This time it didn’t so I sent a SM from DHs account a week later and Chase said it would take 1-2 billing cycles to post. So I waited until the card closed again this time showing the annual fee and a minimum payment due, sent another SM…same response.
So had to call Chase and have DH speak with them(which he just loved )
The next day the AF was gone.

I paid my Hyatt fee and then decided to cancel. They said they would return the fee and they did, to the closed Hyatt card. I had been told I would receive a check. This was a long span of waiting for the credit to turn into a check, maybe 5-6 weeks.
.
I called them back and suggested they credit the $95 to my CSP. They did that instantly while I was on the phone.

I now have 2 more cards to close. Fortunately only one has a fee. Again it's been paid. I intend to call today and ask the credit be sent to another card again

 

[Psychodisney]

Here's a weird thing.... I got a notice from chase 2 days ago in the mail....( I was stressed over what it might say) and it's the denial reason for an app last July.... really? that took awhile -I already knew anyway but why so long?

I got one too from a denial last February!

 

[orangecuse]

The Atmos app from BoA for my husband just keeps loading and loading and loading - ugh.

Also - just booked an iceland fjords cruise for 2027!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

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.

My original plan was to use the EDIT credit at the JW Marriott but I had to wait until 1/1/2026 because I used up the 2025 credit already. But Chase lowered the points boost for the JW when I repriced it in 2026 from .02 to .0165. That made the Hyatt a much better deal solely on a points used perspective, rather only a slight difference that the $100 hotel credit and better breakfast might have justified...

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.

Here is my DP:
I have a legit business EIN as well and wanted to be sure to get the BizCSR a few months ago for the 200kSUB. To increase my chances, I applied in branch and I did get approved while there. I did have business checking accounts at Chase for that business with the EIN I was using for the cc application.

I always get a pit in my stomach whenever I apply for cards...

 

[wabbott]

Of possible interest to all y'all.

Want a Free Luxury Trip? Talk to a Credit-Card Rewards Consultant.
Rewards novices are enlisting the help of consultants to land big getaways

By Dalvin Brown
Jan. 1, 2026 10:00 pm EST

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/per...rvertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

One additional note on cancelling….usually the posted annual fee reverses itself the day after I SM to cancel and they close the card.
This time it didn’t so I sent a SM from DHs account a week later and Chase said it would take 1-2 billing cycles to post. So I waited until the card closed again this time showing the annual fee and a minimum payment due, sent another SM…same response.
So had to call Chase and have DH speak with them(which he just loved )
The next day the AF was gone.

Um, thanks for mentioning this. I sort of have blinders on and have done this so often, that I really don't know that I check back and be sure the AF is refunded. Thanks for the reminder to double check.

(it was interesting to go from the Grand Floridian to All-Stars, lol).

The Edit plus my Plats paid for our stay at The Reykjavik Edition over Christmas--pretty nice hotel, good food. We also did a 2-day tour of the Saefellsnes peninsula, which was awesome.

The Grand Floridian to All-Stars, in that order, sounds tortuous as I get older. Sounds like you had a great mindset about it.

I just bought myself with my Saks credit (plus some topoff) the supposed Le Labo scent from The Reykjavik EDITION. That's one of my favorite things to do to remember a trip. I'm like Ross from Friends, trying to maximize what he spent on that expensive hotel.



How was the trip overall? We were planning the Snaefelsness Peninsula for this August but have canceled our plans because car rentals were so insane during August ($1600 per car) due to the solar eclipse, even though we weren't going to even be there directly during the eclipse.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Since I haven't really seen any chatter about it, posting my experience with SW promo code for CC holders.

Hubby and I both have SW Business Premier Cards that are advertised as coming with a "15% promo code for each year on your cardmember anniversary (Excludes Basic fare)." I had two codes in my SW account when I looked, despite my anniversary not having come yet, so they must generate them a little early. I still have my second, unused code in my account after closing my card last month, so it's possible that, once generated the code is yours to use even after closing the card. (That or it'll fall off my account at some point when SW realizes I closed it, TBD.)

The code works on points bookings and, at least in my experience, is for way more than 15% off. A ticket that was listed at 25k points went down to 18k points with the code (28%). 18k listed points went down to 13k points (27.78%). So, even though the code can't be used on basic flights, my cost for Choice with Code is cheaper than the cost of Basic as advertised.

Even more exciting, once applied, the code stays on that booking when you go to make changes. My flights that were 22k points listed/15.5k with code went down to 21K listed and I was able to change to 15k with code and get the difference refunded to my RR account. It was super easy: the change screen has a banner at the top that my code is still valid and they system automatically applied it. I was at first worried that the code was one-time use and that I shouldn't apply it until I felt like the flights were at the lowest they would go. But, since the code stays with the booking, you can pair it with the strategy of booking on points early and then changing the flight to recoup points if it happens to go down.

This is such a great tip. I also used one a while back and also found that it was for much more than 15% on points.

Thanks for sharing that info that you were able to change and keep the discount. I had the exact same thoughts as you about waiting to apply it- I'll know better in the future!

 

[reliev]

this is huge bilt details leaked the 3% fee on rent/mortgage/hoa is interesting you can get it waived by spending. I think im going to get it 2x on those transfer partners is solid.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCards/comments/1q60pb1/found_bilt_20_card_details

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

this is huge bilt details leaked the 3% fee on rent/mortgage/hoa is interesting you can get it waived by spending. I think im going to get it 2x on those transfer partners is solid.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCards/comments/1q60pb1/found_bilt_20_card_details

Interesting, but I'm not sure about the 3% and needing to use Bilt cash to offset the transaction fees on mortgage and HOA. Would have to calculate whether that is appealing over paying cash.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Someone tell me if I’m doing the right thing. So initially for Oahu I planned on having a car for the 3 nights we were at Alulani. On points so no parking fees and I know we’ll do a Costco run. We were planning on returning the car and then getting an uber into Waikiki (and then back to the airport).

Renting at the the airport & returning elsewhere adds like $100+ to the rental so we’d have to return at the airport. But 6 vs 3 days of rental is only $110 more. That would mostly get negated by not paying for an uber to and from the airport. Yes we’d have to pay to park in Waikiki. But the cost of parking for the convenience of driving may win out. Especially since I think we’d need a car for 1 Waikiki day. But having it the whole time adds flexibility.