I love credit cards so much!

[HappyHappy]

I hit a brick wall with my attempts, co-worker forgot to use my link but Chase said they can't do anything if the link is not used. However I found a data point that someone was able to get the referral years ago so could be worth a shot.

A very pleasant person took info and put through a request on my behalf. 7-10 days response by mail. Where there's life there's hope lol

 

[CyndiLouWho]

CIP 100,000 UR bonus confirmed.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chas...er-during-small-business-week-april-29-may-5/

Now to work on getting that match next week.

Anyone wants to guess at chances of DH being approved in branch with his business being a rental property? He was denied CIC end of March for too many account and I had a couple AUs removed from his account. Why can’t they just off it online? Ugh

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Anyone wants to guess at chances of DH being approved in branch with his business being a rental property? He was denied CIC end of March for too many account and I had a couple AUs removed from his account. Why can’t they just off it online? Ugh

I would think if you got rid of the AU and that was the reason that he was declined, then his chances are probably good. And rental property is a real business, so that makes it easier.

Also, we don't know if it will be offered only in branch until the offer is live on Sunday, so there may still be hope.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Gotta give a shout out to Sneaky Pete on Amazon Prime! Love that show!

Earlier this year, we were thinking about going to Belfast for a concert, but then abandoned the idea after DH’s job seemed to be on shaky ground. But events have arisen that puts the trip back on the table and I need some help. Actually, the story is pretty cool. We were planning on going for a little under a week for the one concert, and then doing some sightseeing. My grandmother’s family came from Belfast, and I know she wishes she had gone when she was able to. So, I thought I might Facetime her while I was there to show here some of the city. But we decided not to make the trip because there is some uneasiness surrounding DH’s job, and doing some long weekends in the states seemed like a more logical option. But last week, I found out that my grandmother’s younger sister was expressing regret at never meeting her relatives in Belfast, and her daughters convinced her to make the trip. The crazy thing is that they booked their trip for exactly when we were going to be there! So, our own trip is back on. My cousins are much more outgoing than I am, and they’ve already hatched a plan to connect with our relatives. I can now meet up with them and meet my extended family without the anxiety of having to take the lead and find them myself.

I know I’m way late for finding business class seats, and we’re okay with economy, so I started researching my options. We don’t have to follow the exact itinerary of my family, we just have to be there on 8/25 for the concert and then one of the days surrounding it for the family gathering. Flying out of BDL, Aer Lingus has a direct flight to Dublin, so we want to take that route and then catch a train to Belfast and back.

Trip Details:
Late August (peak)
BDL --> DUB
Aer Lingus Economy (Direct Flight)
2 Passengers

Option 1 Book direct through Aer Lingus: $1100.26
Option 2 Book through CSR Portal: 77,610 UR ($582.08 each cash ticket)
Option 3 Book through United: 120K MileagePlus + $105.22
Option 4 Book on Avios.com: 80K Avios + $563.70
Option 5 Book with BA over the phone: 80K Avios + undetermined fees

Currently have:
UR: 437K
SPG: 135K (+25K in a few months)
Avios: a little under 14K

Because we’re on a tight budget right now, I’d like to spend as little cash as possible unless it makes sense to outlay some money for the bigger picture. On the surface, Option 2 seems like the obvious choice. I would like to do something to use up our small amount of Avios, but the CSR portal seems to win out over transferring UR or using SPG points. I could book a Nights and Flights package for miles, either United or Avios, but I don’t currently have any plans to use the hotel nights, so if I went that route I’d need to start planning another trip, too. I’d love for someone (ahem, @SouthFayetteFan) to check my math or suggest alternatives.

Ok - I've been summoned so I will take a look I will say that international travel and flight redemptions not on Southwest are not my strong suit. That said, this is a math problem, and that is something I enjoy!! I'll bullet to make this easier to read:

• The most important comment here is: I’d like to spend as little cash as possible which of course makes option 2 the instant favorite
• Option 1 clearly identifies that the value of any redemption option is $1,100.26
• Option 2 shows that you can redeem 77,610 URs to get the flights you want at a value of 1.418 cents per point. It seems the flight is a little more expensive through the UR portal. I base cpp on the actual value received (in this instance even though it "costs" $1,164...the value is really $1,100)
• Option 3...so the best way to get 120,000 United Miles (non nights & flights) would be through the Marriott transfer program (http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morerew.mi)...not SPG. With Marriott you'd want to transfer for 50k, 50k, 10k and 10k (120k total) United. This would cost 112k, 112k, 24k and 24k (272k total) in Marriott points OR 90,667 SPG points. Given that 272,000 Marriott points is probably worth < $2,500 this is a terrible option.
• Option 3 could also be done via nights and flights which actually works better than the math above. You could get 132k United miles for 270k Marriott points and you'd have a Cat1-5 cert in your back pocket. Given that a Cat1-5 cert for 7 nights is probably worth < $1,500...this is still probably a bad option
• Option 4 and 5 sound terrible due to the fees. I don't know how this whole "avios" thing works...but I don't like it, lol!

My vote is option 2 for the reasons identified above. You aren't "truly" getting the 1.5 cpp due to the math I show but you're only "losing" $64 in value... It's a good option

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Hey y'all! Just got back from an awesome WDW trip! I was able to meet my required spend in 5 days! Thank God my step brother believes "cash is king, don't want a CC" he charged everything to the Magicband and had my new CIP on file

Uber, airport parking, in-flight Wifi and all magicband purchases were 3X! I also figured out what was wrong with my plastiq payments, my computer must have auto-filled the address. It was going to the wrong city/state,Hoping it's smooth sailing from now on.

Awesome!! Welcome to the game...now the struggle will be waiting a little bit before getting another new card LOL! Don't run too fast, you want to keep those credit card companies happy with you I can't remember, do you have a spouse who is interested in this too?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

A very pleasant person took info and put through a request on my behalf. 7-10 days response by mail. Where there's life there's hope lol

I actually got somebody to do that step twice for me in separate instances. Once I got the points, another time I didn't The third time is when they wouldn't even put that through and I had to pull out my angry eyes and angry wife voice to get them to oblige, haha!

 

[platamama]

Gotta give a shout out to Sneaky Pete on Amazon Prime! Love that show!

Earlier this year, we were thinking about going to Belfast for a concert, but then abandoned the idea after DH’s job seemed to be on shaky ground. But events have arisen that puts the trip back on the table and I need some help. Actually, the story is pretty cool. We were planning on going for a little under a week for the one concert, and then doing some sightseeing. My grandmother’s family came from Belfast, and I know she wishes she had gone when she was able to. So, I thought I might Facetime her while I was there to show here some of the city. But we decided not to make the trip because there is some uneasiness surrounding DH’s job, and doing some long weekends in the states seemed like a more logical option. But last week, I found out that my grandmother’s younger sister was expressing regret at never meeting her relatives in Belfast, and her daughters convinced her to make the trip. The crazy thing is that they booked their trip for exactly when we were going to be there! So, our own trip is back on. My cousins are much more outgoing than I am, and they’ve already hatched a plan to connect with our relatives. I can now meet up with them and meet my extended family without the anxiety of having to take the lead and find them myself.

I know I’m way late for finding business class seats, and we’re okay with economy, so I started researching my options. We don’t have to follow the exact itinerary of my family, we just have to be there on 8/25 for the concert and then one of the days surrounding it for the family gathering. Flying out of BDL, Aer Lingus has a direct flight to Dublin, so we want to take that route and then catch a train to Belfast and back.

Trip Details:
Late August (peak)
BDL --> DUB
Aer Lingus Economy (Direct Flight)
2 Passengers

Option 1 Book direct through Aer Lingus: $1100.26
Option 2 Book through CSR Portal: 77,610 UR ($582.08 each cash ticket)
Option 3 Book through United: 120K MileagePlus + $105.22
Option 4 Book on Avios.com: 80K Avios + $563.70
Option 5 Book with BA over the phone: 80K Avios + undetermined fees

Currently have:
UR: 437K
SPG: 135K (+25K in a few months)
Avios: a little under 14K

Because we’re on a tight budget right now, I’d like to spend as little cash as possible unless it makes sense to outlay some money for the bigger picture. On the surface, Option 2 seems like the obvious choice. I would like to do something to use up our small amount of Avios, but the CSR portal seems to win out over transferring UR or using SPG points. I could book a Nights and Flights package for miles, either United or Avios, but I don’t currently have any plans to use the hotel nights, so if I went that route I’d need to start planning another trip, too. I’d love for someone (ahem, @SouthFayetteFan) to check my math or suggest alternatives.

What a nice story, how cool to meet up with family that you otherwise wouldn't! I highly recommend checking out Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland if you can, it's a natural wonder. And if you're a Game of Thrones fan, there are day tours there geared to various filming locations from the show.

Option 2 is the least expensive from the looks of it, but be aware of any penalties if your travel plans change. Sometimes award flights have more lenient policies. For instance, booking with Avios, it looks like if you cancel your plans 24+ hrs before your flight departure, you can skate buy with a 35GBP (~$48) per person penalty and have the Avios re-deposited into your account. That's if you have an Aer Lingus Avios account. If you have a British Airways Avios account it looks like it costs $55pp. If you go through Chase UR, at that price, those tickets are going to be the nonrefundable kind.

If you have the time for it, consider flying out of another part of Ireland so that you can see some of the rest of the country, it is beautiful!

 

[Texans_loyal]

Awesome!! Welcome to the game...now the struggle will be waiting a little bit before getting another new card LOL! Don't run too fast, you want to keep those credit card companies happy with you I can't remember, do you have a spouse who is interested in this too?

I'm starting the itch, I want a new card already lol.
No spouse, guess I will have to wait a bit.

 

[snugglebug]

Really? No one else watches The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Prime? Fabulous show!

Gotta give a shout out to Sneaky Pete on Amazon Prime! Love that show!

Two of my favorite shows. Trying to make my pros/cons list for renewing. I don't renew until January so I have awhile to wait. Admittedly I head to Hulu first (mostly paid for with Microsoft awards), then Netflix (paid with GCs usually purchased for bonus CC pts), but really only because I don't care much for the Amazon interface. Every educational show I want to show my homeschool kids is not prime so I tend to get irritated and avoid Amazon.

 

[platamama]

Option 4 and 5 sound terrible due to the fees. I don't know how this whole "avios" thing works...but I don't like it, lol!

They are not bad if you use them the right way. West Coast to Hawaii for 12.5K Avios one way and $5.60 in fees? London to Belfast for 4500 Avios and $27.50 in fees? That's how I've used mine in the past.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm starting the itch, I want a new card already lol.
No spouse, guess I will have to wait a bit.

HAHA, trust me WE ALL get that itch Probably should wait 2 months at least (maybe 3) before your next application. You could look at an AMEX biz card in the interim. There's a post on DISchurners: https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/comments/81j5pt/american_express_quick_guide_to_business_cards/ that talks ALL about AMEX biz cards The reason I suggest one of those is it won't show up on your personal credit report. You don't want to get crazy with them though as you could potentially get some inquiries from it and you want to keep that count down too.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

They are not bad if you use them the right way. West Coast to Hawaii for 12.5K Avios one way and $5.60 in fees? London to Belfast for 4500 Avios and $27.50 in fees? That's how I've used mine in the past.

Well now that's more in my wheelhouse! LOL! I like my "free" flights to be mostly free LOL!

 

[disneybirds]

Nothing on Chase side. But on the gift card side, US MCGC has a tendency to lose its funds. So drain it as quickly as you can. There is a way of doing that in our MS thread on reddit.

Thanks for the heads up on the US MCGC. I bought a couple at Staples this week to use for organic spend. Now to spend them quickly!

 

[Texans_loyal]

HAHA, trust me WE ALL get that itch Probably should wait 2 months at least (maybe 3) before your next application. You could look at an AMEX biz card in the interim. There's a post on DISchurners: https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/comments/81j5pt/american_express_quick_guide_to_business_cards/ that talks ALL about AMEX biz cards The reason I suggest one of those is it won't show up on your personal credit report. You don't want to get crazy with them though as you could potentially get some inquiries from it and you want to keep that count down too.

Thank you! I will look into that on Monday.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

The timing shouldn’t be an issue. I was worried SO would get denied because it is so soon, but I was pleasantly surprised with a quick approval. I applied now because I wanted him to get the CIC before I refer him the Amex Delta Biz and that offer expires in May too.

Omg! this exactly what I was wondering about when I opened this thread! Exactly how many days were the applications apart and did you count from the application date or approval date? I want to sign DH up for the CIC asap! But certainly before the 50K sign up offer expires. I think that is supposed to be May 21st but I can’t find anything to verify the date.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Omg! this exactly what I was wondering about when I opened this thread! Exactly how many days were the applications apart and did you count from the application date or approval date? I want to sign DH up for the CIC asap! But certainly before the 50K sign up offer expires. I think that is supposed to be May 21st but I can’t find anything to verify the date.

I think we all are referencing that one rumor from r/churning where somebody posted a pic of a Chase memo. I’ve seen nothing else confirming it since and that was probably a month ago.

 

[jhoannam]

My 4th grades was accepted in the exchange program next fall (she’ll be a 5th grader), all these points and I’m going to have to pay cash to fly her to/from Spain, won’t even earn miles

 

[Ngwira]

Funny you mention that. I did cancel netflix way back when, on principle, and have never looked back. I am good at holding a grudge. I didn't look at it as a small increase. I looked at it as halving the product and charging me the same price.

I get Netflix for free via our T mobile one plan so amazon is overkill. Gotta watch “stranger things”.

 

[disneybirds]

Coming out of my lurkerhood to ask for some Disneyland help. I recently came up with a grand plan of going to California next summer. Planning on 5 or so days in San Francisco and another 5 or so days in Disneyland area. Flying from the Northeast. Have not decided on flying or driving between the 2 cities. I have about 100K UR and 40K SWA RR. Close to enough to fly us there and back from the northeast. My plan is for DH, who is at 4/24 to open the two SW cards at the end of the year and hopefully get the CP for 19/20.
Here's some info:
DH
CSP 1/17
Freedom 2/17
AU IHG 4/17 (yeah, wish we didn't do AUs, but done now)
AU Amex hilton 7/17
CIP 3/18
also has an old amazon card and AU on Disney from years ago

Me:
AU on the above CSP and Freedom 1/17, 2/17
IHG 4/17
Amex hilton 7/17
SW plus 1/18
also Disney from years ago and AU on amazon from years ago

I opened SW to get enough points to fly my son and I for a weekend trip to WDW in June. I had no intention of trying for the CP because we only fly about once/year. Until I had the grand plan for California. Also have a cruise booked for 2020, so it would help with that also.

So, to make a long story longer, the airfare should be covered with some (but not a lot) UR left over. I'm mostly looking for Disneyland (or San Francisco) hotel recommendations and the best way to earn points for them. I'm guessing I don't enough time to earn meaningful hotel points with a hotel card, maybe go for more URs? Thinking of CIP for myself in Jan? Any recommendations on Disneyland hotels within walking distance?

We did this trip two years ago - LA and SF. We flew into LA and toured, then drove to SF, and flew out of SF. Our initial plan was to drive to SF and drop the car at a National center in downtown SF. My DH ended up having to drive back to LA for a meeting, so we kept the car. The valet fee was around $75 per night in SF! It is a long drive and would be better if you took the scenic route along the coast, but we were under time constraints.

At Disneyland, we stayed at the Park Vue Inn and it is literally right across the street from the entrance. Breakfast was very minimal and has doors that open to the outside. My BIL stayed at the Hilton and is a really long walk. Here is a good review of the hotels. http://www.disneytouristblog.com/disneyland-anaheim-hotels-reviews-rankings/ If we go back, I definitely want to try and stay at the Grand Californian! In SF, we stayed at the Grand Hyatt. It was a nice hotel and the club lounge saved us a ton of money. (Did a status match from Hilton). It was crazy busy in the lounge and there weren't enough seats, so we would carry our breakfasts back to the room. The breakfasts were good and the evening apps were almost a meal on a few nights.

 

[speedyfishy]

Omg! this exactly what I was wondering about when I opened this thread! Exactly how many days were the applications apart and did you count from the application date or approval date? I want to sign DH up for the CIC asap! But certainly before the 50K sign up offer expires. I think that is supposed to be May 21st but I can’t find anything to verify the date.

We applied at the end of February, it took him until March to get approved. I called the line March 18th and it was saying approved then. It could have been earlier. It was a pain getting him approved since we moved and they needed documents to verify his address. Im not sure when the CIC offer expires.