I love credit cards so much!

[CyndiLouWho]

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.

Planning for Grand Canyon first week of June 2018 as soon as school is out, so can't book yet.
For Seattle we are considering a short trip to Vancouver and back while we're there. Will look at Portland if I can't make Seattle work.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

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

Do I have to call to book or can I do it online?

 

[calypso726]

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!

Chase business cards counting towards 5/24 are YMMV as they are Chase branded cards. There are DP where it has counted and others where it hasn't.

If you are looking at United, then I'd go for that route plus a CSP. Eventually, I'd product change the CSP to a CF to maximize UR earning.

I would not pursue any cards other than Chase cards that fall under 5/24 while you are still under 5/24. For the record, my SPG business card was on my credit report.

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.....

I wouldn't. I would only apply for Chase cards that fall under 5/24, while you are still under 5/24.

 

[eeyoresmom]

DH hasn't even received his INK card yet and the $95 AF has hit. I can't find that in the terms and conditions. Is that because it's a business account??

 

[Albort]

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.

I think ur earning power isnt strong enough. You should consider downgrading your CSP to a Freedom. you have a CSR so that should be plenty.
Which Marriott card did u apply for and when? theres a 100k one out there, if you have the same card, ask to be matched!
i would hit the UR points on to earn points, then u will have a choice to use between SW or UA. i know UA domestic is like 12.5k, SW might be cheaper. I believe u can also transfer ur miles to BA or KE and then be used on Alaska.
Alaska BOA credit card could be a card u can apply for for ur Seattle trip. get some good benefits from it.
Do you pay rent?

DH hasn't even received his INK card yet and the $95 AF has hit. I can't find that in the terms and conditions. Is that because it's a business account??

mine hit a month into having my ink card. weird they charged u before u get your card. Call them and get it expedited.

 

[afan]

Do I have to call to book or can I do it online?

You can do it on aa.com. just need to be logged into the acct with the miles. I think it shows aa and partner rewards as once. The only thing I haven't been able to do is pick my seat. Flying first so I'm not too worried.

 

[Ngwira]

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.

SPG points transfer to Amtrak 1:1 ratio. You can apply for SPG Business and your DH could apply for both SPG cards and you'd have more than enough points for your train ride to GC.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I think ur earning power isnt strong enough. You should consider downgrading your CSP to a Freedom. you have a CSR so that should be plenty.
Which Marriott card did u apply for and when? theres a 100k one out there, if you have the same card, ask to be matched!
i would hit the UR points on to earn points, then u will have a choice to use between SW or UA. i know UA domestic is like 12.5k, SW might be cheaper. I believe u can also transfer ur miles to BA or KE and then be used on Alaska.
Alaska BOA credit card could be a card u can apply for for ur Seattle trip. get some good benefits from it.
Do you pay rent?

Southwest flights right now are more than AA for Seattle. If I book soon I can get AA for 25k miles RT per person. I already have 190k AA miles between DH & myself. Alaska has flights direct but not sure how to book this with AA miles.

For CSR, was not planning on keeping due to high AF. The only travel we really do is with miles &points so won't accrue any CSR points on travel. We eat out less than once per week (except this week since we have a couple family "holidays" lol) Thought maybe DH could get CSP then I could downgrade to Freedom. His CSR AF would be October.

The Marriott card, I just got in March. Will message & see if they can match.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

SPG points transfer to Amtrak 1:1 ratio. You can apply for SPG Business and your DH could apply for both SPG cards and you'd have more than enough points for your train ride to GC.

DH was already denied for SPG

 

[Albort]

Southwest flights right now are more than AA for Seattle. If I book soon I can get AA for 25k miles RT per person. I already have 190k AA miles between DH & myself. Alaska has flights direct but not sure how to book this with AA miles.

For CSR, was not planning on keeping due to high AF. The only travel we really do is with miles &points so won't accrue any CSR points on travel. We eat out less than once per week (except this week since we have a couple family "holidays" lol) Thought maybe DH could get CSP then I could downgrade to Freedom. His CSR AF would be October.

The Marriott card, I just got in March. Will message & see if they can match.

you would need UR points to book Alaska.
you pay rent?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

You can do it on aa.com. just need to be logged into the acct with the miles. I think it shows aa and partner rewards as once. The only thing I haven't been able to do is pick my seat. Flying first so I'm not too worried.

Hmm. I see flights but it doesn't show the same ones I see from Alaskas website. The only flights I can book thru AA.com are not nonstop/Alaska (which is preferable)

 

[CyndiLouWho]

you would need UR points to book Alaska.
you pay rent?

No rent. Chase mortgage. Ironic.

 

[WVMomof3]

I have been obsessively checking the SW site to see if my flights have changed price. I have been able to rebook one segment twice now for lower points. Yay!! Started out at over 12,000 points and now down to 8750. Today i notice the other segment has dropped, yay, so I log in on my account and remember that I had bought 2 tickets of that segment with my husbands account. So I open another browser, log in on his account and the prices are totally different! Grrr, so no point saving for those. I did have 1 ticket on my account I was able to go back and change. I have had to buy the tickets piece meal as I had points available. I was only able to buy the last ticket on my account after the other price drops raised my point balance enough. I know they frequently change prices, but didn't realize they would be different prices at the same time. Kind of sneaky.

 

[DisneyEater]

If any of you are using the Barclay Arrival+, I just posted this thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/any-barclay-arrival-cardholders.3595648/

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I have been obsessively checking the SW site to see if my flights have changed price. I have been able to rebook one segment twice now for lower points. Yay!! Started out at over 12,000 points and now down to 8750. Today i notice the other segment has dropped, yay, so I log in on my account and remember that I had bought 2 tickets of that segment with my husbands account. So I open another browser, log in on his account and the prices are totally different! Grrr, so no point saving for those. I did have 1 ticket on my account I was able to go back and change. I have had to buy the tickets piece meal as I had points available. I was only able to buy the last ticket on my account after the other price drops raised my point balance enough. I know they frequently change prices, but didn't realize they would be different prices at the same time. Kind of sneaky.

Try clearing cookies. I find I get different prices sometimes.

 

[afan]

Hmm. I see flights but it doesn't show the same ones I see from Alaskas website. The only flights I can book thru AA.com are not nonstop/Alaska (which is preferable)

The non stop may not be available at the saver rate. When I did Dulles to sea the saver wasn't there but I could get first for not much more so I bought the miles I needed.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

The non stop may not be available at the saver rate. When I did Dulles to sea the saver wasn't there but I could get first for not much more so I bought the miles I needed.

Ugh. Now the 12.5 saaver awards are gone. I'll keep looking.

 

[nhgirl]

DH hasn't even received his INK card yet and the $95 AF has hit. I can't find that in the terms and conditions. Is that because it's a business account??

Ink Cash has no annual fee. I applied a week ago and got my card yesterday.
Ink Preferred is the one that has an annual fee. They are both business cards.

 

[amalone1013]

I'm back with another question... We've got another $2000+ of wedding expenses, with all of the cash saved up. $2k for sure could be paid tomorrow vs waiting until the actual date, no big deal. I was poking around at the SW cards, thinking about the Companion Pass, because I know we're flying in September and next April, and would like to hit WDW before our APs expire next February, so the CP would make all of those basically free, and we'd still have most of my CSR points. I know the SW business card offer is 60k pts right now, but I fall into the 'how would I get a business card' group... no online selling, I used to pet sit but haven't for 1.5yrs...

I was trying to figure out the spend, with no business card... I would need $4k for minimum spend plus another $6k to get the CP, then I had a thought. We live with my fiance's parents, and their well is having issues. Right now, they're looking at a $7k filter system as a fix. I know they don't have the cash outright, so them getting a travel reward card and using it for minimum spend is not a good idea. But putting it on a 18-24 no interest on balance transfers card would.

So I'm wondering, do you think it would look really bad to charge that system to the SW card(s) if I got them, to get the CP, and then transfer the filter system to a card in their name? Or is this just sounding like a harebrained scheme? I'd have to see if I was able to get 2 SW cards also, as I am at 4/24 (3 mine plus 1 AU) and they were all opened between June 2016 - Dec 2016. I wish I had looked into this a bit more before I got that dang Disney Visa lol.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I'm back with another question... We've got another $2000+ of wedding expenses, with all of the cash saved up. $2k for sure could be paid tomorrow vs waiting until the actual date, no big deal. I was poking around at the SW cards, thinking about the Companion Pass, because I know we're flying in September and next April, and would like to hit WDW before our APs expire next February, so the CP would make all of those basically free, and we'd still have most of my CSR points. I know the SW business card offer is 60k pts right now, but I fall into the 'how would I get a business card' group... no online selling, I used to pet sit but haven't for 1.5yrs...

I was trying to figure out the spend, with no business card... I would need $4k for minimum spend plus another $6k to get the CP, then I had a thought. We live with my fiance's parents, and their well is having issues. Right now, they're looking at a $7k filter system as a fix. I know they don't have the cash outright, so them getting a travel reward card and using it for minimum spend is not a good idea. But putting it on a 18-24 no interest on balance transfers card would.

So I'm wondering, do you think it would look really bad to charge that system to the SW card(s) if I got them, to get the CP, and then transfer the filter system to a card in their name? Or is this just sounding like a harebrained scheme? I'd have to see if I was able to get 2 SW cards also, as I am at 4/24 (3 mine plus 1 AU) and they were all opened between June 2016 - Dec 2016. I wish I had looked into this a bit more before I got that dang Disney Visa lol.

Balance transfers are easy. Generally, they can send you a check that you can deposit into a bank account and you fill it out for the amount of the transfer. You can take that cash and pay off the SW card balance. Chase would have no idea that the balance was transferred to another card.