I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

I've had the SPG Amex in the past (long since cancelled) and received a sign-up bonus. My understanding is that I am not eligible for another bonus with this card. Can the experts confirm?

Yup, that is correct. But like albort said, you can go for the business one. That's what I did. The benefits are better too.

 

[Calfan]

one lifetime bonus... sorry! you can apply for the business card though. http://www.doctorofcredit.com/american-express-spg-personal-card-offers-now-35000-points/

Yup, that is correct. But like albort said, you can go for the business one. That's what I did. The benefits are better too.

Sadly, I don't really have any colorable claim to any business income, and neither does DH.

 

[Albort]

Just got Approved for the SPG! my first and only hotel card haha.

edit: also my first amex card. if u dont count my target card as one. haha

 

[Alice Sr.]

Yup, that is correct. But like albort said, you can go for the business one. That's what I did. The benefits are better too.

Just got Approved for the SPG! my first and only hotel card haha.

edit: also my first amex card. if u dont count my target card as one. haha

I'm not 100% on what my next steps should be. I have CSR 9/2016 and SW Business Premier and SW personal 3/18/17 = CP plus enough points to fly my DDs and their families to WDW in Dec 2017. So one goal down, an amazing feeling, would not have happened without the generous and expert advise on this board. I believe that makes me 2/24 since the Business card is not counted in the 5/24. My other goal is Aulani in 1/2019. United will be my preferred airline by far as they are the only non-stop out of Chicago (which is ridicules to me but whatever). I know I should have an alternate for United which would probably be American. The following are what I think are my best options for me when the 30 days is up (4/19+/-):

1. Apply for both the United personal and business. I will then be 3/24, if approved for the United personal.?
2. Apply for United personal and Ink business? Again 3/24
3. I currently have an offer from Citi AA for 60k points that expires on 4/15. Apply for Citi on 4/15 and United and United business (or Ink business) on 4/19 (or is that too far apart as Chase will see Citi's hard pull)? If that's the case I think I should forgo the Citi for now, in hopes of another offer down the road.

I have never had an AMEX, I will be using DVC for all of my vacation travel, so I don't think the SPG is all that valuable to me. Being pretty new to this I don't really know the value of MR, which I plan to research further (haven't really hit on a good article explaining the how to and benefits of using them).
I would like to get the Discover IT card and Sam's Club (for gas and free membership) sometime down the road, after I have all the Chase cards that I want.

Would love to get your opinion on if I am missing something and which of the options would be my best bet based for my Aulani 2019 goal. I feel like the SPG business might be something I am overlooking. Thanks!

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I'm not 100% on what my next steps should be. I have CSR 9/2017 and SW Business Premier and SW personal 3/18/17 = CP plus enough points to fly my DDs and their families to WDW in Dec 2017. So one goal down, an amazing feeling, would not have happened without the generous and expert advise on this board. I believe that makes me 2/24 since the Business card is not counted in the 5/24. My other goal is Aulani in 1/2019. United will be my preferred airline by far as they are the only non-stop out of Chicago (which is ridicules to me but whatever). I know I should have an alternate for United which would probably be American. The following are what I think are my best options for me when the 30 days is up (4/19+/-):

1. Apply for both the United personal and business. I will then be 3/24, if approved for the United personal.?
2. Apply for United personal and Ink business? Again 3/24
3. I currently have an offer from Citi AA for 60k points that expires on 4/15. Apply for Citi on 4/15 and United and United business (or Ink business) on 4/19 (or is that too far apart as Chase will see Citi's hard pull)? If that's the case I think I should forgo the Citi for now, in hopes of another offer down the road.

I have never had an AMEX, I will be using DVC for all of my vacation travel, so I don't think the SPG is all that valuable to me. Being pretty new to this I don't really know the value of MR, which I plan to research further (haven't really hit on a good article explaining the how to and benefits of using them).
I would like to get the Discover IT card and Sam's Club (for gas and free membership) sometime down the road, after I have all the Chase cards that I want.

Would love to get your opinion on if I am missing something and which of the options would be my best bet based for my Aulani 2019 goal. I feel like the SPG business might be something I am overlooking. Thanks!

For the SPG card, since you aren't interested in hotels then, you will be looking to use the points towards airline miles most likely. You could transfer the 40k points (35k bonus plus 5k spend) to an airline. Each 20k that your transfer, you would get a 5k bonus. But United transfers at a 2:1 rate, so you would only get 25k United miles from 40k SPG points. I don't fly United, so I am not sure if this is a good value. AA transfers 1:1, so you could net 50k AA miles. You need to spend $8,000 in 6 months to get the full bonus (5k in 3 months, additional 3k within first 6 months). This is a really steep spend requirement for 25k-50k flyer miles. I would start with the airline specific cards as you mentioned because the bonuses are likely to be better and the spend is likely to be much lower.

 

[eeyoresmom]

SPG Personal/Business Card is ending its 35k bonus in 2 days. Sign up if u can!

anyone has one? I could use a referral code! :]

We have plans for Hawaii next year and Europe (not sure where yet). DH got the Ink Business Preferred and I got the Chase Sapphire Preferred this week. DH just applied for the CSR. Does anyone think I should apply for the SPG Amex before another Chase card considering our travel plans? This offer got me thinking.....

 

[Lain]

The following are what I think are my best options for me when the 30 days is up (4/19+/-):

1. Apply for both the United personal and business. I will then be 3/24, if approved for the United personal.?

The United MileagePlus Explorer card is offering an enhanced signup bonus right now, 50k miles (public offer) or 70k miles (targeted) for $3k minimum spend, which is supposed to end on 4/15/17. See http://www.doctorofcredit.com/march...plus-explorer-increased-bonus-70000-miles-50/

I don't know your current application situation, but you might want to get in on this offer if you can. This offer seems to come around once a year (I found a similar offer from 2016). You've got time til 2019, so if applying doesn't work for you in the next 10 days, then perhaps wait until this offer comes around again.

I already have a MileagePlus Select card and am sitting on a large stash of miles, and I only got the 50k offer; tried repeatedly to trigger a 70k offer with dummy bookings but could only get a 50k miles + $50 statement credit offer to show. My wife who flies United occasionally for business, has a MileagePlus account but not their credit card, received the 70k offer in her MileagePlus account. But my wife hates flying United and can't be convinced that signing up for the Explorer card even with an enhanced bonus is a good deal. I didn't fight it because my understanding is that transferring (or pooling) United miles can be costly.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Can someone help a newbie gain some perspective? DH just got the Ink which gives 3× for dining. If we charge a $50 meal we will get 150 pts but if we redeem through the CSR at 1.5 x, those 150 pts will get us 225 travel pts. If a flight is 40000 pts, around 176 $50 restaurant meals would cover the flight? Is my math correct??? TIA

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Can someone help a newbie gain some perspective? DH just got the Ink which gives 3× for dining. If we charge a $50 meal we will get 150 pts but if we redeem through the CSR at 1.5 x, those 150 pts will get us 225 travel pts. If a flight is 40000 pts, around 176 $50 restaurant meals would cover the flight? Is my math correct??? TIA

I calculated 177.7 (178) $50 meals or the equivalent of $8888.89 in dining spend.

ETA: This is the equivalent of $400 in travel rewards redemptions.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks @Jen and Ashwin . We average around $75 per week dining out so we will almost earn a 40000 point flight every other year with just that spending that we do anyway. Adding vacation restaurants may just earn us a yearly 40000 pt flight. I wish I had the Ink before I brought 8 adults to Disney last month

 

[eeyoresmom]

Can someone help a newbie gain some perspective? DH just got the Ink which gives 3× for dining. If we charge a $50 meal we will get 150 pts but if we redeem through the CSR at 1.5 x, those 150 pts will get us 225 travel pts. If a flight is 40000 pts, around 176 $50 restaurant meals would cover the flight? Is my math correct??? TIA

Quoting myself because I just realized the Ink gives 2x on dining not 3x. Should have referred to my spreadsheet before posting! Hopefully we can meet MS on our two new Chase cards and get the CSR for or next Disney trip at the end of the month.

 

[WVMomof3]

I just sent a SM to product change my Preferred to a Freedom Unlimited. They told me that could not be done but I could apply for the new card and close the other card. Did I ask too early? I opened the Preferred account on 3/23/16. IF so, should I wait another week and ask again? What to do?

My AF finally posted. Can I just send the exact same SM? I am so nervous now! lol Should I reword it somehow? Now I am wondering if I should just cancel and reapply to get the $500. He has gotten the CSP and the CSR in the last year, well probably only 2 he has gotten in the last 5 years. I am not sure if I can get him to apply for others. The ones I am thinking about are perhaps the Marriott or SPG, maybe will get him to do the SW ones, but that will be over 2 years from now since I just did mine.

 

[trstno1]

We have plans for Hawaii next year and Europe (not sure where yet). DH got the Ink Business Preferred and I got the Chase Sapphire Preferred this week. DH just applied for the CSR. Does anyone think I should apply for the SPG Amex before another Chase card considering our travel plans? This offer got me thinking.....

The SPG offer is about to expire, but I think I would still maximize the Chase cards before moving on to American Express. Once you hit 5/24, you won't be approved for any more Chase cards. You could still apply for SPG later at a lower signup bonus, or maybe they will offer this bonus again. You could also apply for SPG and Chase at the same time, if you think you can meet the minimum spend requirements.

 

[Albort]

I have never had an AMEX, I will be using DVC for all of my vacation travel, so I don't think the SPG is all that valuable to me. Being pretty new to this I don't really know the value of MR, which I plan to research further (haven't really hit on a good article explaining the how to and benefits of using them).
I would like to get the Discover IT card and Sam's Club (for gas and free membership) sometime down the road, after I have all the Chase cards that I want.

Would love to get your opinion on if I am missing something and which of the options would be my best bet based for my Aulani 2019 goal. I feel like the SPG business might be something I am overlooking. Thanks!

I was at 4/24 when i applied for the SPG because of the bonus offer. its expiring tomorrow. I picked it because of the redemption rate for hotels. its like 2000 for low tier, 10,000 for mid tier, and 30,000 for top tier. Marriott is almost 25k-30k just for mid tier. I have plans for a Hyatt card but i was told it wasnt under the 5/24 rule so thats off the table.
If you like united, get a United card. You shouldnt need to have 2 airlines because by overusing 1 airline, you should gain status pretty quickly. Getting a United card has its good points, free bags, Mileage X is great! u can double dip that with a CSR. A card to also hold ur points. the card doesnt allow the miles to expire.

i barely touch my IT card, Sams club is great card, but they are all cash back. i rather earn UR points. I believe u still pay a $55 fee a month. Sams club membership is always on sale for $25.

Curious, how are u paying for your hotels? Perhaps the Prestige would be a good choice with it's 4th night free.

im not familiar with MR. Calyso knows it.

We have plans for Hawaii next year and Europe (not sure where yet). DH got the Ink Business Preferred and I got the Chase Sapphire Preferred this week. DH just applied for the CSR. Does anyone think I should apply for the SPG Amex before another Chase card considering our travel plans? This offer got me thinking.....

SPG @35k is ending on 4/5. apply quickly if u want it. you can always hit chase and amex at the same time, u just need to meet both Minimum spendings.

My AF finally posted. Can I just send the exact same SM? I am so nervous now! lol Should I reword it somehow? Now I am wondering if I should just cancel and reapply to get the $500. He has gotten the CSP and the CSR in the last year, well probably only 2 he has gotten in the last 5 years. I am not sure if I can get him to apply for others. The ones I am thinking about are perhaps the Marriott or SPG, maybe will get him to do the SW ones, but that will be over 2 years from now since I just did mine.

If you really want to keep your card, call them and see if they offer u something in retention, just call the cancellation line and say that you want to cancel your card but is there any offers/promotion from *company* to make me keep the card.

if not, just say you would like to downgrade *xxxxxx* card to *xxxxxx* card.

 

[Kbmas0n]

We won't receive our SW points for awhile, but I wondered if it's possible to book with cash NOW and change it to points LATER? Anyone have any idea?

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

We won't receive our SW points for awhile, but I wondered if it's possible to book with cash NOW and change it to points LATER? Anyone have any idea?

I believe that you can book with cash, but you will have to cancel the reservation to then book with points. You can't transfer the reservation to points.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Just got Approved for the SPG! my first and only hotel card haha.

edit: also my first amex card. if u dont count my target card as one. haha

I am so bummed we missed this. I applied in DHs name (I already have it) & made a typo on application
Despite a long convo with AMEX the day it happened and a subsequent faxed form, have not seen approval. DH never seems to have time to call & check on it (which is why I was doing it in the first place). So bummed because the bonus would have covered our hotel for WDW next year.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Need ideas here. Potentially looking at 3 trips in next 18 months. Possible Seattle this summer, WDW spring 2018, Grand Canyon summer 2018.
Currently working on spend for Marriott card w 80k bonus. I also have SW Chase & CSP, Citi American Air, AMEX SPG. DH has Citi AA & Business AA, CSR & is AU on my Amex & CSP.

I really wanted to take the train to Grand Canyon but seems that will take upwards of 100k points, no way I'll get there. So looking at airlines, we can fly to Flagstaff it seems. We are in Chicago, so can get most airlines easily. We have AA miles, but not likely to have enough for both Seattle & Arizona. Would prefer SW for Orlando, already have $300 gift card. Hotels are up in the air, not sure anything near Grand Canyon can be booked on points. Would stay at Swan/Dolphin for WDW which could use up my Marriott bonus.

Ideas on strategies I may not be considering? Seattle is most iffy, wouldn't kill me to drop it but then no summer vacay.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Need ideas here. Potentially looking at 3 trips in next 18 months. Possible Seattle this summer, WDW spring 2018, Grand Canyon summer 2018.
Currently working on spend for Marriott card w 80k bonus. I also have SW Chase & CSP, Citi American Air, AMEX SPG. DH has Citi AA & Business AA, CSR & is AU on my Amex & CSP.

I really wanted to take the train to Grand Canyon but seems that will take upwards of 100k points, no way I'll get there. So looking at airlines, we can fly to Flagstaff it seems. We are in Chicago, so can get most airlines easily. We have AA miles, but not likely to have enough for both Seattle & Arizona. Would prefer SW for Orlando, already have $300 gift card. Hotels are up in the air, not sure anything near Grand Canyon can be booked on points. Would stay at Swan/Dolphin for WDW which could use up my Marriott bonus.

Ideas on strategies I may not be considering? Seattle is most iffy, wouldn't kill me to drop it but then no summer vacay.

If you want to stay in Grand Canyon and not outside the park, then you probably can't use points. DH and I stayed at Yavapai Lodge mostly because we went in August and it was one of the hotels with air conditioning. It was comfortable and I really liked the cafeteria at the Lodge. The rotisserie chicken meal was huge, tasty and affordable. You will want to look at booking any lodging inside the park 10-12 months in advance. They fill up quickly.

I know that @Ngwira has experience taking Amtrak for vacations, so maybe she has some pointers for using points to traveling to AZ from IL.

Also, have you been to Portland? DH and I also went there on our honeymoon and we loved it. I liked it much more than my trip to Seattle. We want to go back sometime soon. Some things we did were the rose garden, modern art museum, city bike tour and voodoo donuts. We stayed at an SPG hotel with points outside of the main downtown area. It was cheap and very comfortable.

 

[afan]

Need ideas here. Potentially looking at 3 trips in next 18 months. Possible Seattle this summer, WDW spring 2018, Grand Canyon summer 2018.
Currently working on spend for Marriott card w 80k bonus. I also have SW Chase & CSP, Citi American Air, AMEX SPG. DH has Citi AA & Business AA, CSR & is AU on my Amex & CSP.

I really wanted to take the train to Grand Canyon but seems that will take upwards of 100k points, no way I'll get there. So looking at airlines, we can fly to Flagstaff it seems. We are in Chicago, so can get most airlines easily. We have AA miles, but not likely to have enough for both Seattle & Arizona. Would prefer SW for Orlando, already have $300 gift card. Hotels are up in the air, not sure anything near Grand Canyon can be booked on points. Would stay at Swan/Dolphin for WDW which could use up my Marriott bonus.

Ideas on strategies I may not be considering? Seattle is most iffy, wouldn't kill me to drop it but then no summer vacay.

For Seattle I would look into using your aa miles to fly Alaska. I think they have a nonstop ord to sea.