I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

The nights and flights is an SPG redemption option were you redeem five free nights and 50,000 air miles together. This promotion saves you up to 20,000 SPG points so that you get the extra 50,000 miles for just 20-30k points instead of the normal 40k it costs. You have to stay at a Category 3-4 hotel and can only transfer to airlines with a 1:1 Starpoints-to-miles exchange rate.

In our example, we booked 5 nights at the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort for our DL trip. Booking 5 nights gets you the 5th night free. At first, that was all I did for 40k points. But then I decided that since I had the balance available, it made sense to take advantage of the Nights and Fights offer. You have to call in to redeem it, but it was very easy. So for 30k more points (total of 70k), I got 50k Delta miles on top of the free hotel nights. The cost for the miles in term of average SPG points value was $660. The cost for the hotel was $880. But at the time, the room would have cost us closer to $1100 if paid out of pocket. So basically, I felt like I was getting 50k miles for $440 in value, or 0.0088 cents per mile, which is decent value.

We didn't need the miles for that trip. I used 25k of them to fly DH down to Austin during my work trip in January so that he could hang out with my brother and sister in law. That flight would have cost $450 out of pocket. The other 25k are still hanging out in my account waiting for a use.

Ooooooh! Now I see. I always thought you had to use the points for the flight too on your trip where you are using the hotel points. I didn't realize you could just have them added to your account. Thanks!!! You just possibly changed my vacations plans for next year. I am using this benefit and so is DH, he just doesn't know it yet. Don't know where we are going but as soon as ABD announces next year's itineraries, hopefully before the end of May, I will figure it out. Yaay! Off to scope out cat 3 and 4 SPG hotels!

 

[calypso726]

Here is an excellent post/article by Gary Leff of View from the Wing about the value of points and miles. http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2017/04/08/value-of-miles-how-much-frequent-flyer-miles-worth I thought it was worth sharing, especially for those a little newer to the points/miles game. Whether or not your valuations wind up falling in line with his, or Lucky's (OMaaT) or Brian's (TPG) it's a good read to help determine how we might want to value our points and miles.

 

[AmyAnne]

Two quick things. First, Chase responded to my SM asking about applying the current 70,000 point bonus to the United card I signed up for in January by saying it was too late to apply the new offer. I am not sure when I applied for the card but apparently it was more than 90 days ago. Something to keep in mind, although I don't anticipate applying for new Chase cards any time soon.

The second thing, for fellow Harry Potter fans who are looking for an excuse to go to London this fall:

http://harrypotter.seetickets.com/tour/harry-potter-a-history-of-magic/calendar

I can't believe I am even remotely thinking about this. You all are terrible influences!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I got my Chase Marriott about 2 weeks before the current offer came out. Was 3k spend/80k points, now 5k spend/100k points. They said contact them when I reach the 5k spend & they will honor it.

Before I apply for more cards, will it help to remove DH & I as AU on each other's cards? I am currently making a spreadsheet of cards, AFs, open dates, etc. before now, I kept it all in my head. Too many cards now.

 

[arthur06]

I am looking to apply for a new card, but am very overwhelmed with what to apply for.

I currently have a Discover, a CSP, and a Capital One.

I spend about $900-$1200 a month on gas and could easily spend $3,000 in the first 3 months on any minimum spend. I could also add Cell phone bill and cable bill which runs about $350 a month for both.

We travel mostly domestically, but I'm thinking Hawaii in 2019.

Which card would offer me the best options?

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I am looking to apply for a new card, but am very overwhelmed with what to apply for.

I currently have a Discover, a CSP, and a Capital One.

I spend about $900-$1200 a month on gas and could easily spend $3,000 in the first 3 months on any minimum spend. I could also add Cell phone bill and cable bill which runs about $350 a month for both.

We travel mostly domestically, but I'm thinking Hawaii in 2019.

Which card would offer me the best options?

The Costco Card gives 4% on gas up to $7,000 per year. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred gives 3% on gas with no limit. The Chase Freedom and Discover It cards have given 5% bonus categories on gas for certain quarters each year. Last quarter Chase Freedom had gas.

If you want just one card, the Chase Ink Business Cash Card gives 5% on cable, internet and phone services plus 2% on gas.

 

[arthur06]

The Costco Card gives 4% on gas up to $7,000 per year. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred gives 3% on gas with no limit. The Chase Freedom and Discover It cards have given 5% bonus categories on gas for certain quarters each year. Last quarter Chase Freedom had gas.

If you want just one card, the Chase Ink Business Cash Card gives 5% on cable, internet and phone services plus 2% on gas.

I don't want to open more than one at a time so I can meet the spend requirements to get maximum rewards. I'm fine opening one every 3-4 months to get the most bank for travel redemption.

 

[BruinEd03]

I don't want to open more than one at a time so I can meet the spend requirements to get maximum rewards. I'm fine opening one every 3-4 months to get the most bank for travel redemption.

Do you do a lot of travel + do you eat out a lot at restaurants?

Since you have a lot of time for your trip, I would get the Ink Cash (business), and then get the Chase Sapphire Reserve (if you eat out a lot or travel a lot), and product change to CSP to a Chase Freedom.

Alternatively, you could get CSR first + product change CSP to Freedom, and then get the Ink Cash. A lot will depend on how much you eat out/travel. If you don't do any travel at all the CSR is not worth it for you as it offsets the large $450 annual fee with a $300 travel credit.

Ink Cash First (3 months):

Ink Cash: 3x1000x2 (gas -assuming you just go to the pump it is 2x) = 6000 OR 3x1000x5 = 15000 (gas - assuming you get GC from Office Supply Store is 5x) + 3x350x5 (Cable/Internet/Phone = 5x) = 5250. Total = 11,250 to 20,250 points.

CSR + Freedom First (3 months):

CSR: 1x more for travel/dining (You already have the CSP which gives you 2x, so this is just the differential). Freedom: 1500x5 (assuming you max out rotating category this quarter) = 7500. Total = 7500 + amount for travel/dining.

Freedom First (3 months):

Freedom: 1500x5 (assuming you max out rotating category this quarter) = 7500. Total = 7500 + amount for travel/dining. This is only if the other two above are not options.

Analysis:

As you can see, you would need to spend between $3,750 to $12,750 on dining/travel every 3 months or $1250 to $4250 every month in order for CSR to come out ahead. This is largely due to your large spend on Gas (2x or 5x) and Cable/Internet/Phone (5x) which matches up nicely with the Ink Cash.

If you can't get the Ink Cash, or don't do a lot of travel or don't eat out a lot, I would get the Freedom first instead of the CSR. No need to product change CSP. Then the second card would be Freedom Unlimited (which gives you 1.5 points on all spend).

However, before you go to Hawaii, I would definitely recommend getting the CSR for the 1.5x point redemption capability.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Can anyone tell me how long it took to see the points post to their SW RR account after they made the spend? I received a SM indicating approximately 8 weeks. Wasn't sure if that was truly the standard timeline or their cya timeline. It looks like the tickets I was hoping to use the points for will be available for purchase on May 18. Even if I purchased Disney GCs tomorrow that cover the entire spend requirement it doesn't look like I will be able to make the window open date.Plus, my intent was to apply for the United targeted offer I received (expires 4/30). Should I immediately pay off the balance on the two SW cards before the statement closes to put the United application in a better position or as long as the utilization % is below the acceptable standard will I be ok? I'm sure this is a convoluted post - sorry! Just hate to have to pay cash for all of the tickets when my planning for them is so close to fruition. Plus I don't want to jeopardize getting approved for United. I wanted to apply for United and Ink on the same day but I think moving the United up to 4/30 will be too aggressive to get approved for both, even though I am only 2/24 (unless they count the SW business then I would be 3/24). The 2/30 will be up 4/19. Thanks

 

[Alice Sr.]

Here is an excellent post/article by Gary Leff of View from the Wing about the value of points and miles. http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2017/04/08/value-of-miles-how-much-frequent-flyer-miles-worth I thought it was worth sharing, especially for those a little newer to the points/miles game. Whether or not your valuations wind up falling in line with his, or Lucky's (OMaaT) or Brian's (TPG) it's a good read to help determine how we might want to value our points and miles.

Yikes that was tough for me to follow. I thought I was getting the concept before I read the article but maybe not so much . I did enjoy the comments after the article though, lol. I'll give it another whirl in the morning, maybe I'm just tired... Thanks for posting it though.

 

[wendow]

@Alice Sr. We always received our points on the next statement that posted after we met our spend.

 

[wendow]

For all you who get this CC churning thing...I am now at 4/24...and I don't have a clue where to go next. I currently have the Freedom, CSR, CSP, Amex BCP, Costco Citi,...just not sure where to go...could open another SWA card as that was where I began with all this. I have not opened one in 24 months. Or could pursue the Ink card. I do not have a business though I sell on ebay here and there.

 

[Albort]

For all you who get this CC churning thing...I am now at 4/24...and I don't have a clue where to go next. I currently have the Freedom, CSR, CSP, Amex BCP, Costco Citi,...just not sure where to go...could open another SWA card as that was where I began with all this. I have not opened one in 24 months. Or could pursue the Ink card. I do not have a business though I sell on ebay here and there.

ink cash card is a really good card. its probably the one card that i can make a ton of points on. i went from 70k, currently at 120k.
other than that, if your at 4/24, only card left i think under 5/24 rule is marriott card. You should probably pick a hotel card at this point. Or if you have another airline u want to use.
would also ask, what ur next vacation plan is...

a Joke recommendation 250k MR pts! --> https://rewards.americanexpress.com/olet/splash?campaignId=cfa30417&offerType=chargecfa30006

 

[BruinEd03]

For all you who get this CC churning thing...I am now at 4/24...and I don't have a clue where to go next. I currently have the Freedom, CSR, CSP, Amex BCP, Costco Citi,...just not sure where to go...could open another SWA card as that was where I began with all this. I have not opened one in 24 months. Or could pursue the Ink card. I do not have a business though I sell on ebay here and there.

Not quite sure about your next move. It would really depend on your spending habits and your goals.

However, if you have had the CSP for longer than 1 year, another move you can make is to product change it to the Freedom Unlimited. There's no reason to have both CSR and CSP at the same time. You won't get the sign up bonus, but you get 1.5x points for anything you don't want to put on the other cards. There's no reason to put spend on the CSR or CSP for just 1 point.

 

[wendow]

ink cash card is a really good card. its probably the one card that i can make a ton of points on. i went from 70k, currently at 120k.
other than that, if your at 4/24, only card left i think under 5/24 rule is marriott card. You should probably pick a hotel card at this point. Or if you have another airline u want to use.
would also ask, what ur next vacation plan is...

a Joke recommendation 250k MR pts! --> https://rewards.americanexpress.com/olet/splash?campaignId=cfa30417&offerType=chargecfa30006

Definitely Ink and Marriott are on my radar screen. I am just not sure which makes sense. I could go for the Marriott and then move to SPG card after.

Our future travel plans are WDW in May 2018 for ODD graduation and Hawaii in 2019. We are a family of 6 so everything is more costly.

Oh my goodness, just looked at the link..hilarious..and I wish

 

[wendow]

Not quite sure about your next move. It would really depend on your spending habits and your goals.

However, if you have had the CSP for longer than 1 year, another move you can make is to product change it to the Freedom Unlimited. There's no reason to have both CSR and CSP at the same time. You won't get the sign up bonus, but you get 1.5x points for anything you don't want to put on the other cards. There's no reason to put spend on the CSR or CSP for just 1 point.

The CSR was the one I was thinking about product changing to the CFU. We do not eat out nor travel much to meet the spend necessary for the CSR. So, I am definitely getting rid of one of those two. Just not sure what my next card should be. Oh, just got the CSP in Jan 2017 so pretty new to it.

 

[Alice Sr.]

@Alice Sr. We always received our points on the next statement that posted after we met our spend.

I guess that's where the 8 weeks comes in. The cards show up online with payment dates of May 18 and 21. Normally it would be nice to get the extra time to pay but in this case it's not working out to my benefit. I guess it's not the end of the world, it is unlikely the tickets will sell out immediately, I'll just need to be diligent and catch the 1st sale after they are initially offered. Thanks

 

[Alice Sr.]

Or could pursue the Ink card. I do not have a business though I sell on ebay here and there.

We are a family of 6 so everything is more costly.

Oh my goodness, just looked at the link..hilarious..and I wish

Well you have 4 employees (5 if you count your husband) all you need is a good business plan and the AMEX and your 1/2 way there.

 

[calypso726]

For all you who get this CC churning thing...I am now at 4/24...and I don't have a clue where to go next. I currently have the Freedom, CSR, CSP, Amex BCP, Costco Citi,...just not sure where to go...could open another SWA card as that was where I began with all this. I have not opened one in 24 months. Or could pursue the Ink card. I do not have a business though I sell on ebay here and there.

That IS a business. Heck, you could have never sold on Ebay and decide you will start doing that as your new business and open a card.

Definitely Ink and Marriott are on my radar screen. I am just not sure which makes sense. I could go for the Marriott and then move to SPG card after.

Our future travel plans are WDW in May 2018 for ODD graduation and Hawaii in 2019. We are a family of 6 so everything is more costly.

Oh my goodness, just looked at the link..hilarious..and I wish

Here, you'd have to prioritize if you want to have UR points that could be transferred to an airline for the Hawaii trip or pay for them through the UR portal vs securing rooms for the WDW trip. DH and I each have the Marriott card and each anniversary year of the card we get an annual night certificate for a category 1-5 Marriott. There are a ton near WDW and quite a few that include breakfast too. We always stay at one in the Marriott Village area. Just booked our 2 free nights for next month. In your shoes, I'd pick up the Marriott card since it is the one needed for the next trip and has long term value as a keeper card. Then, I'd wait to fall under 5/24 again and go for the Ink. One card with 100k points and an annual night certificate would get you 5 nights. Most of the rooms are 25k a night. Two cards would get you 10 nights.

a Joke recommendation 250k MR pts! --> https://rewards.americanexpress.com/olet/splash?campaignId=cfa30417&offerType=chargecfa30006

Oh, ok, so we only need to spend a little over Yeah, I'll get right on that Hmmm, are we taking bets on which blogger is going to rise to the challenge?

Not quite sure about your next move. It would really depend on your spending habits and your goals.

However, if you have had the CSP for longer than 1 year, another move you can make is to product change it to the Freedom Unlimited. There's no reason to have both CSR and CSP at the same time. You won't get the sign up bonus, but you get 1.5x points for anything you don't want to put on the other cards. There's no reason to put spend on the CSR or CSP for just 1 point.

I agree with this excellent advice too!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Definitely Ink and Marriott are on my radar screen. I am just not sure which makes sense. I could go for the Marriott and then move to SPG card after.

Our future travel plans are WDW in May 2018 for ODD graduation and Hawaii in 2019. We are a family of 6 so everything is more costly.

Oh my goodness, just looked at the link..hilarious..and I wish

I am no pro at this but you & DH could both get Marriott. 100k each. Our go to at WDW is now Swan/Dolphin. It's not as "themey" as other resorts but is on property & has WDW benefits. We loved the location, walked to 2 parks, Monorail to MK unless we wanted to rope drop there.