I love credit cards so much!

[disneymagicgirl]

I am trying to figure out our next couple of cards. We are in 2 player mode and are not AU on each other cards. I am working on spend on SPG Business and have about $2,000 left until Mid July so that will be no problem.

Here is what DH Has from past 24 months and credit limits. May need to lower some first.
1. August 2016 - CSR/Now Freedom - $34,000 Limit
2. April 2017 - Barclay Card - Closed
3. July 2017 AMEX SPG Business - $5000 Limit -Evaluate whether keeping or cancelling at 12mth mark
4. January 2018 - SW Business - $5,000 Limit
5. January 2018 SW Plus - $30,000 Limit

So should be 3/24 -thinking about CIP - would love the 80,000 UR Points. Don't think we would be candidate for shut down. Should I lower the limits of the $34,000 and $30,000 cards. -Are you at or near 50% of income? We both carry a higher CL than you and it was no prob being approved for CIP.

I'd have DH do a CIP...maybe in June...just to be safe since he DD'd the SW cards. That puts 6 months between. The other option is DD the CSR and CSP this fall (24mths after rec'd CSR bonus last). Maybe do those in Dec? That would put you at 2 cards in Jan, 1 in June, and 2 in Dec. I'd then lay low for a long while. You could always throw in some amex biz stuff in-between.


Here is what I have and not sure if DH should get 2 cards in a row or if he should get one then me:

1. November 2016 CSR/Now Freedom - $9,000 Limit
2. May 2017 Marriott Personal - $5,000 Limit
3. June 2017 SW Business - $6,500 Limit -cancel at 12mths?
4. June 2017 SW Plus - $30,000 Limit -cancel at 12 mths?
5. December 2017 - AMEX SPG Personal $18,000 Limit
6. February 2018 - Marriott Business - $5,000
7. April 2018 - AMEX SPG Business - $15,000

Also have Disney which has been opened since it came out with $5,000 Limit and CSP with $19,000 Limit - these are both past 24 months. So, I am at 4/24 right now.

Looks like 4 chase cards in a year for you....Marriott personal, SW biz, SW personal, and Marriott biz. One is falling off this month, but I'd be weary of doing any more chase at this point. Maybe cancel the SW Biz at 12mths, and try for a CIP in 90 days or so? I'm scared of chase, so I may be too cautious.

So, we basically have UR Points. SPG/Marriott Points and SW Points. Would love more UR Points and open to other suggestions. We are planning on new carpeting shortly and building a new deck and getting new deck furniture so that could be a spend easily then in the fall will have some College Payments so that would be another spend. So, trying to figure out the next couple of cards. And if I should lower limits on anything. Thanks.

Interested in the hilton biz at all? It has 125k bonus plus $50 statement credit. DH could get one too so you'd have 250k...enough for a nice trip somewhere.

(I put notes in red on the original quote too, just in case you don't see them.)

 

[amalone1013]

Someone double check my math.

AP rate = $265 = 26,500 UR points cashed out to cover the cost
Rg rate = $374 = 24,933 UR points booked through the portal/Chase with CSR; or 29,920 UR points through the portal with CSP.

So the regular rate through the portal would be less points with a CSR? Did I do it wrong?

Sorry vanjust, I don't recall if you have CSR or CSP right off.

I wanted to share my experience on trying to transfer a room reservation at Universal to the Chase Cruise and Tours Department.

I booked an AP rate on the Universal website for $265 a night versus the regular rate of $374 (traveling in August). I had to put a one night deposit down but felt that was worth it to get the lower rate and then wanted to transfer to Chase and pay the balance with UR's. I called the Chase Cruise and Tours number listed on the reddit thread, 855-234-2542. The first rep I spoke with said it could not be done. Time to HUCA! Second time I got Terrence, at extension 8118. He said it could be done, it was just a slightly longer process than transferring from Disney. He put me on hold and called over to Universal. He then came back and said I needed to call the "rooms only" line 800-232-7827, and give them permission to transfer the reservation to the T.A. "Loyalty Travel". That went smoothly and I called Terrence back to let him know it was done and he could call them again.

This is where we ran into an issue. He was unable to take over the reservation because, according to Universal, I only had a "placeholder" on the rate. My balance isn't due until I check-in, at which time I need to show my annual pass to confirm the rate. If I had booked under the regular rate, it could transfer. However, I don't see why anyone would want to do that. if I were paying the regular rate, I could just book on the portal myself and not have to jump through all these hoops! Terrence did suggest I cancel my booking with Universal and he could try to book the AP rate if it is showing up and I call him. That rate isn't showing up anymore for the times I can go. I'll have to see if my two rooms go back into AP rate inventory after I cancel. I'm pretty much expecting to book with points at the regular rate though.

Just figured I would share my experience in case this helps anyone!

ETA: This is in reference to Loews Royal Pacific Resort

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Someone double check my math.

AP rate = $265 = 26,500 UR points cashed out to cover the cost
Rg rate = $374 = 24,933 UR points booked through the portal/Chase with CSR; or 29,920 UR points through the portal with CSP.

So the regular rate through the portal would be less points with a CSR? Did I do it wrong?

Sorry vanjust, I don't recall if you have CSR or CSP right off.

Yes, that is the same comparison I do when checking various Disney rates. You did the math right!

 

[vanjust14]

I am not sure it is worth it to cancel and try to rebook if you can not get the AP rates. Otherwise you can just cash out UR points for about the same value as you will get to transfer it to Chase. Universal seems to be very weird with their AP rates. Maybe Disney is the same, but I am not familiar. Last year I put in a 4 night reservation as soon as AP rates came out. I wasn't sure on the dates but knew it would be close. In the end I just needed 3 nights and I called to cancel just one of the nights and they wouldn't let me. They said they had no more AP rates. I argued that I already had AP rates and I just needed to cancel one of them but they said they had to cancel the whole reservation and rebook and then there would be no AP rates. I said but I have AP reservations so if I cancel then you should still have my AP rooms I can have back. Nope, does not work that way. So we stayed 4 nights instead of 3.

@vanjust14 These are my thoughts too. We got a better rate on BC than Disney was offering or the Chase site. I went with that and just cashed out points to cover the cost. I'd keep checking your options, of course, but that may be the best deal.

Ok, thanks...I didn't even think of that. This is probably the best solution, as I hate to give up that rate!

 

[vanjust14]

Someone double check my math.

AP rate = $265 = 26,500 UR points cashed out to cover the cost
Rg rate = $374 = 24,933 UR points booked through the portal/Chase with CSR; or 29,920 UR points through the portal with CSP.

So the regular rate through the portal would be less points with a CSR? Did I do it wrong?

Sorry vanjust, I don't recall if you have CSR or CSP right off.

Yes, that is the same comparison I do when checking various Disney rates. You did the math right!

ok, spoke too soon! I have CSR. Thanks guys for doing the math for me! Back to regular rate it is. lol!!!

 

[amalone1013]

ok, spoke too soon! I have CSR. Thanks guys for doing the math for me! Back to regular rate it is. lol!!!

Every UR point counts in my book!

 

[Lain]

Interested in the hilton biz at all? It has 125k bonus plus $50 statement credit. DH could get one too so you'd have 250k...enough for a nice trip somewhere.

(I put notes in red on the original quote too, just in case you don't see them.)

Here’s what one churner did with 240k HH points: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8kryqb/comment/dzad5ef?st=JHGPYVE5&sh=a608d9ed

Tagging @LynnTH.

 

[wendow]

ok, spoke too soon! I have CSR. Thanks guys for doing the math for me! Back to regular rate it is. lol!!!

Oh yes, I forgot you just got the CSR! Duh, been a long week lol.

 

[miztressuz]

ok, spoke too soon! I have CSR. Thanks guys for doing the math for me! Back to regular rate it is. lol!!!

Did Terrance give you a quote on how many points you'd need for the room if you booked with him directly? Do you have all the points right now? If not, I'd probably hold onto the AP rate as a backup until you get the points needed, then if there's availability and it's still less points book through Chase. Could try to cancel right before you book (or as you're booking) and see if you AP rate shows up as the best of both worlds but it sounds like it might not work that way.

 

[trenty]

Of all my fraud charges, only the last one was over $50. One card was Starbucks for 21, another was Chipotle for 11, another was gas I think for 32; stuff like that. The last time my Freedom was compromised was $110 and some change at Giant. Just some datapoints for you. But for all of them the CC company spotted it first and alerted me before I even knew about it, so with those scary algorithms that are surprisingly accurate, I figure now if you want me to use your app I'll use it to get some points and let you figure out the rest!

Yes, @amalone1013, often times fraud charges will be for nominal amounts at first, just to see if the card is still active. Once a few small purchases go through they will try a larger purchase.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Here’s what one churner did with 240k HH points: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8kryqb/comment/dzad5ef?st=JHGPYVE5&sh=a608d9ed

Tagging @LynnTH.

I've been looking at that one since it is soooo much cheaper (points-wise) than grand Wailea. It has family rooms with 3 beds so we would only need 1 room for the 6 of us. At Grand Wailea we need 2 rooms x 95k/nights.

 

[amalone1013]

I was playing with cardmatch... put in my maiden name, no AMEX cards. Married name, AMEX cards! But all normal offers. boo.

 

[amalone1013]

Yes, @amalone1013, often times fraud charges will be for nominal amounts at first, just to see if the card is still active. Once a few small purchases go through they will try a larger purchase.

Makes sense. I try to check my accounts every day or two. I've only had two fraudulent charges ever, one was $10 and one was $300+

 

[wendow]

I've been looking at that one since it is soooo much cheaper (points-wise) than grand Wailea. It has family rooms with 3 beds so we would only need 1 room for the 6 of us. At Grand Wailea we need 2 rooms x 95k/nights.

How many points for the 3 bed? I stayed at Hilton Hawaiian Village as a teen. Loved it. Nice to read it still seems to be a good place to stay!

 

[trenty]

Makes sense. I try to check my accounts every day or two. I've only had two fraudulent charges ever, one was $10 and one was $300+

I check mine everyday, but not because I am worried about fraud. I check to keep an eye on my balances and pay them as I go. But by doing so I will also catch any fraud that the banks do not. I must say both Amex and Chase texted me immediately - before I noticed - when fraudulent charges were on my accounts within the past year.

 

[vanjust14]

Did Terrance give you a quote on how many points you'd need for the room if you booked with him directly? Do you have all the points right now? If not, I'd probably hold onto the AP rate as a backup until you get the points needed, then if there's availability and it's still less points book through Chase. Could try to cancel right before you book (or as you're booking) and see if you AP rate shows up as the best of both worlds but it sounds like it might not work that way.

No, he didn't give me quote but I do have the points available now. I know, I so wanted to get the best of both worlds! I thought Terrance was going to come through for me , lol.
There is an AP rate for Portofino bookable now for my dates for $307. I'm tempted to call him and just see if it can be done. Not sure if he would appreciate me saying g nevermind at the end though. I'd like to get the DP to see if it would work. My son prefers to stay at Royal Pacific though, go figure.

 

[speedyfishy]

Got SO’s Delta Biz today and my Amex Biz Green. I have $158 left on the SPG Biz. My MSing and a little regular spend of 22k in three months is almost done. Next up is 6k and two packs of gum for 140k Delta points and 15k MR.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

How many points for the 3 bed? I stayed at Hilton Hawaiian Village as a teen. Loved it. Nice to read it still seems to be a good place to stay!

It varies for hilton points based on cash price...I have seen 70k off season and over 200k at christmas. But the cash price at Christmas is $412, so I'd just use URs in that case. Just have to play with the numbers to see whether to use hilton points or URs. If all of us can fit in one room for 70k points on the beach in Hawaii, we're golden! Even for 27,500 URs/night at the holidays, it is good deal! Way better than 2 rooms at wailea anyways.

 

[LynnTH]

Interested in the hilton biz at all? It has 125k bonus plus $50 statement credit. DH could get one too so you'd have 250k...enough for a nice trip somewhere.

(I put notes in red on the original quote too, just in case you don't see them.)

Thanks for all the info. I think DH would be good for the CIP. I just went and SM'd Chase to cut limits to $10,000 on his higher cards. Didn't even think of the double dip for CSP/CSR in the fall - will have to think about that one. Am going to read up on the Hilton Offer. I don't know much about their Program and how many points for stays ( I think I finally just figured out SPG/Marriott). Hyatt Hotels look nice too but their card doesn't seem to be that great right now but I know UR's convert to Hyatt.

I could start more with AMEX Business cards - I don't have an MR's so that is a new avenue as well. But your right that I should lay off Chase awhile on my account.

We do usually cancel the SW cards (have churned these many times over the years). Not sure on the AMEX SPG one yet. I just got my free night from the personal card and am using it for a stay near Seaworld in October. Will have to see on this one.

 

[LynnTH]

Here’s what one churner did with 240k HH points: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8kryqb/comment/dzad5ef?st=JHGPYVE5&sh=a608d9ed

Tagging @LynnTH.

Hmmm. Interesting. So each night was 48,000 points. That gives me an idea pointwise. Waiting for SW to release flights to Hawaii to see how the redemption's pan out. Will have to look closer at this one.