I love credit cards so much!

[jhoannam]

Run to Target for $5 ears and $4 bobby pins

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Does Amex do a hard pull on your credit?

I did not get a hard pull for my Amex SPG biz and I have no Amex Cards. But I used to have one a while ago so I guess they remembered me.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Costco is not a grocery store, it codes as a warehouse club and only accepts Visa in stores. I will use a Visa that I'm working on an MSR to pay at Costco. If I'm working on an Amex MSR, I'll buy a Visa gift card and use that at Costco. If I can get a Visa gift card with the activation fee waived, on sale, or earn 5x on, I'll do that.

I would like to do this! But do we have to worry about Level 3 data being reported to Amex and them not allowing the purchase of visa GCs for MSR? For some reason, I have this in my head, lol.

 

[havaneselover]

Just adding to this a little . . . Discover tends to have warehouse clubs as a quarterly category (coming again in 4th quarter), so 5% off (10% if its your first year with Discover since they double). We buy Costco gift cards then and use throughout the year.

Also, for movies - I try to find discounted gift cards for Regal. I've bought from various places, but buying at a grocery store works well right now due to the 5% back category on Chase Freedom and Discover (stack with a fuel points program for greater savings).

I find lots of categories that are typically "general spend" can get covered at 5% off (at least) if you use Discover and/or Freedom.

Another option for movies for Costco members is Atom gift cards. They're generally $75 for four $25 gift cards but sometimes they run specials and they are $65. It's easy to load them to their app. Then you just order the tickets on their app and scan the qr code at the theater. There's a nominal fee but with the gift card discount, it's worth it for me. Plus it's really easy for me to buy dd a ticket when she's going to the movies with friends and message her the qr code. I've also ordered popcorn through the app which was interesting.

I used to buy tickets to regal at costco but the savings wasn't that great and was probably negative for matinees plus when my wallet got stolen that was another thing I lost!

 

[Albort]

I would like to do this! But do we have to worry about Level 3 data being reported to Amex and them not allowing the purchase of visa GCs for MSR? For some reason, I have this in my head, lol.

certain places will show that data. the best is to avoid those that do ie staples, Office depot...
Most of the time, grocery stores are okay... but ive seen some datapoints where RAT would be like, wow, this person really spends $500 on groceries a week? somethings not right... lol. But overall, i dont think that happens too often.

 

[wendow]

Oh no! Is it jus me or does it seem like they are tightening up biz apps? There are more denials lately it seems.

I feel like I've noticed this some too. I sure hope not!

 

[wendow]

Another option for movies for Costco members is Atom gift cards. They're generally $75 for four $25 gift cards but sometimes they run specials and they are $65. It's easy to load them to their app. Then you just order the tickets on their app and scan the qr code at the theater. There's a nominal fee but with the gift card discount, it's worth it for me. Plus it's really easy for me to buy dd a ticket when she's going to the movies with friends and message her the qr code. I've also ordered popcorn through the app which was interesting.

I love atom tickets and the discounted GC's! Last time Costco offered this, I bought two of the $100 packs. Loaded $50 each to my dd's apps and $100 to mine. Thanks to @mfly for keeping me up to date on atom ticket discounts

ETA: We are Stubbs premiere members so the fee for buying tickets online is removed. The membership pays for itself with 10 tickets. Considering we are a fam of 6 and will go see 3-4 movies a year as a fam plus my dd's go a lot, it is more than worth it for us!

 

[Lain]

Is it the same for a biz card? I went back and looked I never got a HP when I got the SPG personal. That was my first Amex card. Thinking about getting the Hilton biz. I know that we will be staying at a double tree at least 5 times this year. Plus it could help toward our Hawaii trip.

Amex can be hit or miss when they do a hard pull. I didn’t get hit with a hard pull on either SPG Biz or personal. If they’ve pulled your report recently, they may not pull it again for a while.

 

[Albort]

Amex can be hit or miss when they do a hard pull. I didn’t get hit with a hard pull on either SPG Biz or personal. If they’ve pulled your report recently, they may not pull it again for a while.

im assuming u had an amex CC before your SPG personal?
SPG personal was my first Amex card.

 

[afan]

Run to Target for $5 ears and $4 bobby pins
View attachment 322055
View attachment 322056

I might need those bobby pins Did that stuff just come about? I follow a Target blog that also travels to disney and have only seen the pillowfort bedding stuff. Where in the store were these and is there other stuff?

 

[jhoannam]

I might need those bobby pins Did that stuff just come about? I follow a Target blog that also travels to disney and have only seen the pillowfort bedding stuff. Where in the store were these and is there other stuff?

These were right at the front where they have the purses. The moved those back and made room for this.

 

[miztressuz]

Wow - thats a very long time! I got a new Marriott Business card on 2/1(ish). Looks like I hit $3K of spend on 3/15. I didn't pay attention to when the elite night hit since I wasn't focused on elite at the time. But I know it was there when we all started talking about this . . . what was that, about 3 weeks ago?? So 5 weeks at the most. My 2nd $3K was reached on 5/10 - just 2 days ago (thank you Plastiq!), so I'll be watching my Marriott account to see when the next night posts.

I tried googling this topic, and there doesn't seem to be much of a consensus. The Marriott reps seem to give different answers as well. If it really does take 12 weeks in some cases, then card spend would need to be done by the end of Sept - yikes - in order to get the nights in for 2018 elite status. That doesn't sound reasonable. I hope the 12 weeks is an anomaly.

I really wish Marriott would show detail on the cc bonus nights just as they do on points activity. It makes it difficult to figure out what the heck you have!

I agree, they have so much detail but when you really look at it, it's not very helpful I'm guessing it's not the norm and something weird must have happened, but probably good to know anyway.
I wasn't expecting it so I'm just happy to be one night closer to gold than I thought

 

[miztressuz]

DH’s new 15 Marriott nights just posted, total of 31 Marriott and 10 SPG. When the program combines will he be 9 nights short of platinum?

Yep. Not a bad position.

 

[Lain]

I would like to do this! But do we have to worry about Level 3 data being reported to Amex and them not allowing the purchase of visa GCs for MSR? For some reason, I have this in my head, lol.

Like what @Albort said, I avoid buying Visa gift cards from Office Depot/Office Max/Staples, which tend to report Level 3 data, with an Amex (Chase doesn’t really care). I *think* CVS reports L3 data, Walgreens does not.

I pick up Visa gift cards to use where Amex isn’t accepted when I’m working on an Amex MSR from my local grocery stores and mix in some regular shopping so the total purchase amount doesn’t end up being a dead giveaway $505.95 ($500 + $5.95 activation fee). Loading the max amount of $500 gets you a better value against the fixed activation fee of $5.95 (1.19% fee). I’ve done this on several Amex cards and never had a problem with the VGCs counting towards MSR.

 

[Lain]

I might need those bobby pins Did that stuff just come about? I follow a Target blog that also travels to disney and have only seen the pillowfort bedding stuff. Where in the store were these and is there other stuff?

Target seems to have a collaboration with Disney that I knew nothing about until I swung in store yesterday. Lots of bright summer apparel, beachwear, and accessories for the beach, picnics, grilling and camping. I picked up a new swimsuit for the kiddo, some slippers for the wife and me, and a picnic blanket.

 

[calypso726]

Well I’m here lol. We are planning on going to Japan next May. We aren’t set on dates but are thinking either April or May would be better for crowds/weather. We would like to see both Osaka with surrounding areas and then move on to Tokyo.

I’m kind of just struggling with plane tickets (where to fly out of/in to, when to buy, how long is too long of a flight) and also with staying at Disney. I like the looks of the Hilton Tokyo bay but it would be amazing to have at least one or two nights at the miracosta. Dh and I both have good credit with no debt besides student loans. We pay off our credit cards every month on time.

I’m completely new to this idea and will take any advice if it will save us $ for our trip. We’ve never traveled out of the country before together (dh has never and I have with my parents as a child).

to the group! @Lain has given you some sound advice to start. The recommendation is always to start with the Chase cards due to the 5/24 rule. I would highly suggest joining the private reddit group for the Disers since there are a number of excellent explanations and how to’s that we keep there since the thread moves quickly and important info is easily buried.

While researching flights to travel hack next year’s Japan ABD, I found it a lot easier to find flight option that flew into Tokyo over Osaka.

Chase has some of the most valuable cards and a fantastic points earning system called Ultimate Rewards (UR). These UR points can be redeemed for cash back on the no fee cards like the Chase Freedom aka CF (5x UR earning on up to $1500 in spending on rotating quarterly bonus categories) Chase Freedom Unlimited aka CFU (1.5X UR on everything), Chase Ink Cash business card aka CIC (5x UR on office supplies, cable, internet and phone up to $50K spending). These cards and points are more valuable when paired with a premium UR earning card which carry an annual fee (AF). The fact that they make the points more flexible (transfer 1:1 to airlines, hotels and more valuable >.01 pr rpoint and can earn UR at a faster rate makes it worth paying the AF long term. Of course, there are other cards we get just for the bonus and then cancel when the AF comes due the following year. What makes paying an AF fee worth it or not depends on the person, their travel style and goals. I believe on this board I have been crowned the reigning queen of annual fees. My travel style and goals warrant the title, so it doesn't bother me.

Chase airline and hotel transfer partners include: United, Southwest, Korean, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Singapore, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton. The airline partners span all 3 airline alliances and can be used to fly on partner of that airlines alliance as well.

The premium Chase cards are Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) $450 AF with very flexible $300 travel credit which makes it a net $150 card. Earns 3x on travel and dining categories. UR points are worth 1.5 cents per point when used to purchase travel in the UR portal. 50,000 UR points after $4,000 in spend in the first 3 months.

Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) $95 AF Earns 2x on travel and dining categories. UR points are worth 1.25 cents per point when used to purchase travel in the UR portal. 50,000 UR points after $4,000 in spend in the first 3 months.

If it is at all possible for you to make the $8,000 spend, and we have creative ways to help you do that, it is advised to double dip these 2 cards. You can not hold two Sapphires at the same time anymore. Many have been able to get both if they apply for one card, get instant approval and then apply for the other card on an incognito browser. Player 2 then does the same thing 3 months later. When the AF comes due for both the following year, then you would product change one of the Sapphires to a CF and the other to either another CF or a CFU.

Chase Ink Preferred business card (CIP) $95 AF 80,000 UR after $5,000 in first 3 months. 3x UR on travel, shipping, internet, cable phone and Plastique which can be used to pay your mortgage. There is an excellent write up on the reddit thread. Points worth 1.25 on UR portal when used to purchase travel.

If you and your DH each did a CSR and CSP double dip and picked up the CIP card you would earn a total of $5,790 worth of UR points when used to purchase travel through the UR portal. Pick up a couple of bank bonuses that allow credit card funding to help make your minimum spend requirements (MSR) and you can easily top $6,000 towards your trip.

Hello All!

I wandered over here after reading the post by @calypso726 on the ABD forum. I've always been intrigued in travel hacking but I know there are different rules in Canada. Has anyone been successful in travel hacking with canadian credit card providers? I already have the SPG Amex and use it almost exclusively, unless a retailer doesn't take AMEX, which is actually frustratingly common.

I'm interested in learning how to maximize my spending to more easily afford my travel goals, many of which include DCL cruises, ABD and other Disney destinations.

Any advice is appreciated!

Hi and We have the same travel goals. I average an ABD, sometimes 2 per year and one or two DCL cruises per year. See the info above that I posted to @Haley R I am completely unfamiliar with how any of this would work for our Canadian friends and neighbors, but it appears that @Albort has pointed you in the right direction. SPG is my favorite card and I will be mourning the devaluation of value it has held for non category bonus spending for me come this August. We pay for all of our Disney related expenses, ABD, cruises, Annual Passes, DVC dues, special experiences etc. with Disney gift cards. I could use the CSR card and earn 3x on the spending since it codes as travel. I prefer to use my Chase Ink Plus which earns 5x at office supply stores like Office Depot/Max and Staples since they sell Disney GCs there. So I get 5x over 3x. Chase Ink+ is no longer available to new applicants but the Chase Ink Cash has the same earning and when paired with a premium card, the points form that account can be transferred to the premium card account points so they are worth more.

No we are not signed up with ABD Japan. It looks like it would cost WAY more than we were planning to spend. I think we would spend half of that and maybe even less.

Located in Iowa. Usually fly out of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, or Moline. Are willing to fly out of Chicago if it's worth the drive. It doesn't matter to us if we start in Osaka or Tokyo. We are planning on taking the Shinkansen between the two major cities. We are planning about two weeks for our trip. We would like to do 4 nights in Osaka, 4 nights in downtown Tokyo, and 5 nights at Disney (are flexible with this). We looked at some hotels in Osaka and liked the Harmonie Embrassee. For Tokyo, we thought about AirBnB for the first 4 nights and then either Hilton Tokyo Bay and/or one of the three Deluxe Disney hotels on property. We have no points with airlines or hotels already. We are completely new to this.

DH says he isn't super comfortable with annual fees, but is open to it if we get more back in return and can cancel the card after our trip.

We have opened 1 store card in the last 24 months. This card isn't an AU card. I do have a spouse and he is open to opening cards. Together, we have only opened one store card in the last 24 months.
Musician's Friend Synchrony Bank Credit Card-December 2016

Our typical total monthly expenses are around $3,500 and about $1,500 is put on our credit cards.

I would also start doing some mock flight bookings from each of the airports to get a general idea of which airlines you might be looking at for the flights. You can also enter them in awardhacker.com which will give you an idea of which programs you need to focus on. Google flights and Momondo will give you a general idea of what airlines, how many flights and on what days to help. Once you know which airport and which airline you will likely be flying, then you want o make sure you have a frequent flier account with that airline and see how many miles it may wind up costing for your flights.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I know we're usually excited about meeting our MSRs here, but I just have to share my excitement on saving some money today (don't worry, there's MSRs and credit cards mentioned).

For some context, even though I live in the metro Richmond area, I am in a rural area that has no traditional internet service (no Comcast, Verizon, Google, or Cox). My only option for years has been a Sprint hotspot that gives me 30 GB of data for $110/mo. For context, watching an hour-long show on Netflix on the lowest resolution burns approximately 1 GB of data. AKA, not a lot of heavy internet use allowed in our house. I was looking online at Sprint today and found out they now offer a 50 GB plan for $50/mo!! I'm so excited!! So I upgraded to a new device for $10 since my lithium battery on my current device is about to explode, and will cut my monthly bill by $60!

After that, I called AT&T and finished the purchase of my iPhone 8 for $250. I seriously must have gotten a rogue AT&T agent when I was offered that deal because every person at AT&T has been stunned that I was offered an iPhone 8 for so little. So that's $250 towards MSR on my new CIP (told you I'd get it in there). Then I discovered that AT&T has been charging me $8/mo for cell phone insurance. I've also been receiving a $5/mo discount for paying my auto bank drafts. So I canceled the cell phone insurance, put my monthly auto payment on my CIP which has cell phone insurance, and am still coming out $3 ahead each month!

It's a good day, guys.

ETA: Chase fraud protection was working hard today. They must have been freaked out that I made a $10 charge on Sprint and then turned right around and tried to charge $260 with AT&T because they declined the transaction and sent me a text message.

 

[disneybirds]

Just as an update. We went into the Chase branch last week and my DH was instantly approved for the CIP. It came in the mail today! I always wonder if it is worth going into the branch because it takes sooo long. Now I am waiting until the new Chase Business card that comes out next week. We have always been very slow churners and keep most of the cards we sign up for. This thread is causing me to rethink our strategies!

 

[Albort]

ETA: Chase fraud protection was working hard today. They must have been freaked out that I made a $10 charge on Sprint and then turned right around and tried to charge $260 with AT&T because they declined the transaction and sent me a text message.

i had the same thing happen to me yesterday. I made a $170 purchase on ebay, then a $460 purchase again through ebay. got the text as well. its a good thing it didnt stop the transaction though... glad to see it works well. :]

 

[pillow]

Another option for movies for Costco members is Atom gift cards. They're generally $75 for four $25 gift cards but sometimes they run specials and they are $65. It's easy to load them to their app. Then you just order the tickets on their app and scan the qr code at the theater. There's a nominal fee but with the gift card discount, it's worth it for me. Plus it's really easy for me to buy dd a ticket when she's going to the movies with friends and message her the qr code. I've also ordered popcorn through the app which was interesting.

I've used Atom once or twice I believe when they were running specials - like $5 off or something close to that. Its possible to input your Regal number, correct? Love getting points (use those for the popcorn!). I'll have to check these out at Costco next time I'm there.