I love credit cards so much!

[hsmamato2]

Off topic, but I know you all will understand.

It can be so frustrating trying to plan vacations with friends/family who don't churn, MS or earn hotel/airline/UR/MR points!

We're trying to plan a multi family spring break next year and the options that work for us are a terrible value for those paying cash.

I think we may just settle on a RCCL cruise out of Port Canaveral or Miami. Any tips on how to save on RCCL? We did one earlier this year but couldn't really find a way to save other than my Priceline card coded the cost as 5x so that was nice.

today I spoke to Hitlon about some points etc. They asked me if I wanted 500 extra points for listening to an offer, I agreed. The offer was for 3 nights NYC plus a 4 Night cruise on RCCL - seem like it certs to apply for future use on both- $449 for two adults. You could try that and see what they offer....

 

[Lain]

I'm ready to engage player 2! So, DH is also 0/24, nothing but a downgrade on his Amex Delta to a lower fee option in the last 2 years. He does have an employee card on my recent CIP, will that cause any issues? He's at around 30% of combined income (that I will use on the apps) with Chase credit limits (including $5K on 1 business card, Chase Ink Plus). He has 5+ years excellent credit history with Chase.

I'd like to refer him to CIP for the 80K + 20K (referral bonus).
CSP/CSR double dip (will use Reddit links if any out there).
Then maybe also the Amex Hilton Biz 125k offer since I plan to get that and 250k is better than 125k I'll be using one of the Reddit links when we apply for that.

Need some help on timing for him. I had planned to do the CIP first, but I'd really like access to the 1.5 redemption multiplier that comes with CSR so does anyone see issues with doing the double dip first? Anything I need to know/plan if I plan to use the travel credits and global entry credits?

So, refresh my mind, apply early enough on a business day to allow for a recon call if needed for card #2. Do I need to use separate browsers/incognito? Anything else?

I don’t see an issue doing the double dip first. If possible I’d try to put 4 months between the double dip and the CIP application then.

I know we've had a few good guides written here on the double dip, first one I laid hand on with search is from @Lain It's in the middle of the post: Lain>LB002 DoubleDip

I agree with @SouthFayetteFan. If your DH is starting at 0/24 and only 30% CL to income, there's no issue doing the CSR+CSP double dip first.

As you said, getting the CSR will give you access to that card's 1.5x UR redemption bonus, and your household can make it a habit to move all UR points to the CSR after they post at the end of each UR-earning card's statement (given rumors Chase may eventually restrict points pooling).

@miztressuz already pointed you to some tips on pulling off the CSR+CSP double dip.

Some additional thoughts on your DH's applications: DH has about 20%+ worth of income "runway" that can be extended as credit by Chase on the two cards. That should be plenty of room. However, since you want the CSR more and should apply for it first, just know that everyone who's been approved for the CSR is incredulous at how much credit they're given on the CSR. Like $20-30k+. It's crazy. That could affect how much more credit Chase is willing to extend to DH on the CSP. Most people seem to apply for the CSR then the CSP, which is why most DPs about having to call in on the second card seems to be about moving credit around. If you need to reallocate some credit to open the CSP, move it from DH's Freedom with the crazy high limit (don't mention the CSR you just got approved for).

If you do the CSR+CSP double dip first, you should put off referring the CIP for 4 months, like @SouthFayetteFan suggested. Slot the Amex Hilton Biz 125k offer in next month for DH, so his timing looks like:

5/18: CSR+CSP
6/18: Amex Hilton Biz
9/18: CIP (via referral)

If DH and you are both getting the Amex Hilton Biz, plus the CSR+CSP, that's a combined $18k MSR in the next 4 months, which hopefully should keep you busy until September.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

How does everyone here feel about expensive luggage? I have a samonsite luggage set that’s 10 years old and it starting to fall apart. I also have a Delsey hard sided luggage that I got about three years ago. After 6 trips there are scuff marks and the wheel is getting banged up.

My SO loves the away luggage pieces. It’s about $300 for a checked bag or $700 for a set. Is this reasonable? My other luggage sets were gifts from my parents so I’m pretty clueless.

My brother bought a roller board bag that cost $1000. I think he is crazy, but he thinks that was totally reasonable because he is a VP at his company and need to "look the part."

I have a Delsey bag that I bought 10+ years ago for a conference trip during law school. I still use the same exact bag for work travel. It is super banged up and missing most of the bag pulls, but it still works. When DH and I got married, we got some matching luggage and have taken 2 trips with it. It is already scuffed up, which made DH super sad. I expected it.

ETA: You can get some really good deals on luggage through coupons and cash back portals. We bought Delsey bags. I used Amex discounts at Macy's and eBags to get the entire set. Combined with coupons and eBates, the whole set was very reasonably priced.

 

[bernina]

DP for you - we booked with Costco Travel a few months back - coded as travel on my CSR and triggered the $300 credit.

Thank you, that’s exactly what I was hoping to hear!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I'm ready to engage player 2! So, DH is also 0/24, nothing but a downgrade on his Amex Delta to a lower fee option in the last 2 years. He does have an employee card on my recent CIP, will that cause any issues? He's at around 30% of combined income (that I will use on the apps) with Chase credit limits (including $5K on 1 business card, Chase Ink Plus). He has 5+ years excellent credit history with Chase.

I'd like to refer him to CIP for the 80K + 20K (referral bonus).
CSP/CSR double dip (will use Reddit links if any out there).
Then maybe also the Amex Hilton Biz 125k offer since I plan to get that and 250k is better than 125k I'll be using one of the Reddit links when we apply for that.

Need some help on timing for him. I had planned to do the CIP first, but I'd really like access to the 1.5 redemption multiplier that comes with CSR so does anyone see issues with doing the double dip first? Anything I need to know/plan if I plan to use the travel credits and global entry credits?

So, refresh my mind, apply early enough on a business day to allow for a recon call if needed for card #2. Do I need to use separate browsers/incognito? Anything else?

I think the DD first is fine since he is 0/24. Then I’d throw in the Hilton biz to help buy time.
I’d go for the CIP 3+ months after the DD.
After all that he will have 4 new cards, nice stash of points, and still be only 2/24.

 

[snugglebug]

I am wondering about paying our life insurance through plastiq. Our insurance company won’t take credit cards. I’m thinking this would be no problem.

I've made 2 or 3 payments to Prudential with Plastiq, no issues.

 

[WVMomof3]

Thanks everyone! You guys gave me some good options to look into. I’ll probably keep my Delsey for a bit longer, but my luggage set should be replace. The wheel functionality has really improved in the last 10 years and I struggle to move through the airport with it. It’s also black. I’m never getting black luggage again.

I still can't believe how many black bags come out the airport carousel... or the sea of black in the cruise terminal. I hope more people don't catch on and it stays that way so I can find my blue and purple bags just as fast! Good thinking!

You know how hard it is to find your own black luggage? Try finding someone else's black luggage! I picked my MIL up at the airport 2 weeks ago (1 week to go) and she is blind. I asked what the luggage looked like - It is a big black suitcase. Doh. She was one of the first people down to the baggage claim because she got a ride so after I picked up about 10 big heavy humongous black suitcases to not find hers I waited till most people had claimed theirs to finally discover it. Took a long while!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thank you!

Do you see any issue with the Chase credit limits (~30% of income)? For some reason his Freedom has a crazy high limit!

I agree with @SouthFayetteFan. If your DH is starting at 0/24 and only 30% CL to income, there's no issue doing the CSR+CSP double dip first.

As you said, getting the CSR will give you access to that card's 1.5x UR redemption bonus, and your household can make it a habit to move all UR points to the CSR after they post at the end of each UR-earning card's statement (given rumors Chase may eventually restrict points pooling).

@miztressuz already pointed you to some tips on pulling off the CSR+CSP double dip.

Some additional thoughts on your DH's applications: DH has about 20%+ worth of income "runway" that can be extended as credit by Chase on the two cards. That should be plenty of room. However, since you want the CSR more and should apply for it first, just know that everyone who's been approved for the CSR is incredulous at how much credit they're given on the CSR. Like $20-30k+. It's crazy. That could affect how much more credit Chase is willing to extend to DH on the CSP. Most people seem to apply for the CSR then the CSP, which is why most DPs about having to call in on the second card seems to be about moving credit around. If you need to reallocate some credit to open the CSP, move it from DH's Freedom with the crazy high limit (don't mention the CSR you just got approved for).

If you do the CSR+CSP double dip first, you should put off referring the CIP for 4 months, like @SouthFayetteFan suggested. Slot the Amex Hilton Biz 125k offer in next month for DH, so his timing looks like:

5/18: CSR+CSP
6/18: Amex Hilton Biz
9/18: CIP (via referral)

If DH and you are both getting the Amex Hilton Biz, plus the CSR+CSP, that's a combined $18k MSR in the next 4 months, which hopefully should keep you busy until September.

Hey @Lain - what are your thoughts on using different “household income” figures when doing a double dip? i.e. apply for CSR and say $90k; then apply for CSP and day $110k...

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Thank you so much and you are so right about early booking. We see that with DCL all the time, they just jump up and up and up. We paid close to $5K (for 2A, 2C, had niece in our room) for pretty much the same exact sailing that is now showing $3300 (or just under $4k for 2A, 2C). And this of course isn't even opening day, just earlier than we booked last year.

Since you've booked through Chase, what is the cancellation policy, URs returned in full plus credit on whatever card you used (assuming you booked a refundable rate)? Do the charges code as travel (for the portion you pay with credit card)?

Thank you again for all of the tips/advice, this is a great help!

Edited to add: Wowza, that is an insane deal for that category room! You and @calypso726 are fueling my travel churning!

When you book through Chase or transfer your booking to Chase, then they require that you pay for the cruise with a Chase credit card. They actually make the payment on your behalf directly with Royal Caribbean, so the purchase posts as "Royal Caribbean" and it codes as travel. It will trigger the travel credit on a CSR.

The cancellation policy is the same as RC. If it is a refundable rate, then you will get your refund in the form of payment. So if you paid partially in UR points, then you will get a refund of UR points to your account. Anything paid on your credit card in cash will be refunded to your card.

 

[bernina]

I agree with @SouthFayetteFan. If your DH is starting at 0/24 and only 30% CL to income, there's no issue doing the CSR+CSP double dip first.

As you said, getting the CSR will give you access to that card's 1.5x UR redemption bonus, and your household can make it a habit to move all UR points to the CSR after they post at the end of each UR-earning card's statement (given rumors Chase may eventually restrict points pooling).

@miztressuz already pointed you to some tips on pulling off the CSR+CSP double dip.

Some additional thoughts on your DH's applications: DH has about 20%+ worth of income "runway" that can be extended as credit by Chase on the two cards. That should be plenty of room. However, since you want the CSR more and should apply for it first, just know that everyone who's been approved for the CSR is incredulous at how much credit they're given on the CSR. Like $20-30k+. It's crazy. That could affect how much more credit Chase is willing to extend to DH on the CSP. Most people seem to apply for the CSR then the CSP, which is why most DPs about having to call in on the second card seems to be about moving credit around. If you need to reallocate some credit to open the CSP, move it from DH's Freedom with the crazy high limit (don't mention the CSR you just got approved for).

If you do the CSR+CSP double dip first, you should put off referring the CIP for 4 months, like @SouthFayetteFan suggested. Slot the Amex Hilton Biz 125k offer in next month for DH, so his timing looks like:

5/18: CSR+CSP
6/18: Amex Hilton Biz
9/18: CIP (via referral)

If DH and you are both getting the Amex Hilton Biz, plus the CSR+CSP, that's a combined $18k MSR in the next 4 months, which hopefully should keep you busy until September.

Thank you, thank you! This plan looks great and I just need to coordinate when DH and I are together during business hours if a recon call is needed. The CSR is definitely what I really want as we have several other 1.25 multiplayer cards. Sorry for short post, waiting on gas pump

 

[Carrie Ellis]

We have a trip planned in Dec 2019. We already have the no yearly fee Disney Visas. I am considering the Premier so we can get the $200 credit and the 2% on groceries and gas. It also says 2% at most Disney locations. Does this apply to your Disney trip if you charge it? Besides gas and groceries, what else have ya'll found to be great? Carrie

 

[Lain]

How does everyone here feel about expensive luggage? I have a samonsite luggage set that’s 10 years old and it starting to fall apart. I also have a Delsey hard sided luggage that I got about three years ago. After 6 trips there are scuff marks and the wheel is getting banged up.

My SO loves the away luggage pieces. It’s about $300 for a checked bag or $700 for a set. Is this reasonable? My other luggage sets were gifts from my parents so I’m pretty clueless.

Even expensive luggage doesn't have to be "expensive."

I try to never buy something I need right before I really need it. This gives me time to research prices and wait for deals, or better yet multiple deals to coincide and stack.

I've bought TUMI luggage from eBags during the semi-annual TUMI 20% off sales, Ebates running something like 14-20% cash back for eBags, eBags offering 20% back in eBags Rewards, while I had some eBags Rewards in my account, and having Amex Offers for $XX back on $XXX spend at eBags.

I love eBags for bags and luggage because it often has some of the highest cash back/points/miles percentages on the various shopping portals (check CashBackMonitor), there are often sales (but with lots of exclusions), more targeted sales like the TUMI semi-annual sale, and promotions like extra eBags Rewards, as well as Amex and Chase Offers.

Even though eBags has made it difficult to maximize multiple Amex Offers across your cards by buying the exact amount in the offer because they won't combine gift cards anymore, you can still stack 2 Amex Offers at checkout. (It used to be, if you had the eBags Amex Offer on several cards, you could buy gift cards for the exact offer amount on each card to trigger the credit, then ask eBags to combine your gift cards into one because eBags only accepts 1 gift card at checkout). Like right now, there's an Amex Offer for $15 statement credit on $75 spend at eBags. If you have this offer on multiple Amex cards, you can still buy one $75 eBags gift card, get the credit, use that $75 gift card at checkout together with another Amex with the eBags offer to pay for a balance over $75, triggering the credit on the second Amex.

TUMI is quality construction and just glides, but they are just bags at the end of the day.

eBags is great because they offer free shipping over $49 (but free 2-day shipping through Shoprunner, which is available free on many Amex cards and PayPal) and has a good return policy.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We have a trip planned in Dec 2019. We already have the no yearly fee Disney Visas. I am considering the Premier so we can get the $200 credit and the 2% on groceries and gas. It also says 2% at most Disney locations. Does this apply to your Disney trip if you charge it? Besides gas and groceries, what else have ya'll found to be great? Carrie

Hi Carrie!
We’re you wanting to find the way to get to Disney with the least cost?
There are much better options than the Disney visa for that.
Can you share your current cards and when they were opened with us so we can point you in the right direction?
Hopefully we can get you a nice stock of chase ultimate rewards and potentially make your trip free!

 

[amalone1013]

Sent a payment to Toyota through Plastiq with DHs CIP. I'm so excited

 

[Disneyonmymind]

My family suddenly decided that we should go to WDW over Christmas break! I am totally on board with this but never, for a second, did I ever think they would go along. Has anyone gone during Christmas week? Where would I even start?

We only just started earning points and I know nothing about using them as I thought I’d have plenty of time to learn that later lol. We have about 100K UR from CIP and working on MSR for CIC and SPG biz. Because it’s the busiest time of the year, I feel like I would have to book something ASAP. Can I book now and still earn more points and use them to pay on the trip later? What is the best practice for this? I was planning to get the CIP any day now but maybe I should get CSR/CSP instead?

I know everyone has probably been discussing this but I can only absorb so much info at once so I focused on info regarding getting cards/points lol.

 

[jhoannam]

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.

I so wish I could do this, but I'm scared to try. And finding the time now is a challenge, I might dip my toes in this summer.

 

[Lain]

Hey @Lain - what are your thoughts on using different “household income” figures when doing a double dip? i.e. apply for CSR and say $90k; then apply for CSP and day $110k...

I don't know... I personally try to stay consistent. I'd be worried about getting hit with a financial review or something.

But I get what you're saying. If you're applying for the CSR that's going to give you a crazy high CL if you get approved, put a lower (maybe individual) income figure to try to cap that CL. Then when applying for the CSP, give a higher (or combined household) income figure to appear more creditworthy to open the CSP? Doesn't Chase's online app also ask if you want them to consider any additional sources of income anyway?

 

[Ava]

I was approved for the CIC!! I had a busy Friday at work last week and then my mom was in town for the weekend, so I didn't end up applying until Sunday evening. Got the 30 day message (as expected). Checked status line a couple times yesterday and no change, then checked again this morning and it said I was approved!

I'm excited because I was really unsure if I'd get this one. For DP purposes, this is my third Chase business card. I have: CIP opened 9/2017 ($12K CL), Marriott Biz opened 2/2018 ($5K CL), and now CIC with another $12K CL. I was also over 60% of income in CL with Chase before the CIC.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I don't know... I personally try to stay consistent. I'd be worried about getting hit with a financial review or something.

But I get what you're saying. If you're applying for the CSR that's going to give you a crazy high CL if you get approved, put a lower (maybe individual) income figure to try to cap that CL. Then when applying for the CSP, give a higher (or combined household) income figure to appear more creditworthy to open the CSP? Doesn't Chase's online app also ask if you want them to consider any additional sources of income anyway?

It’s something I’ve been considering when we do our double dip in a couple of months. Obviously if questioned on it - it would just be a typo. And I would “back off” my first number and make my second number accurate to my current tax return/pay stubs. If I do it I’ll let you all know. Over time, I’m sure I don’t always put the same number on all apps because I probably can’t remember what I put the last time haha.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

My family suddenly decided that we should go to WDW over Christmas break! I am totally on board with this but never, for a second, did I ever think they would go along. Has anyone gone during Christmas week? Where would I even start?

We only just started earning points and I know nothing about using them as I thought I’d have plenty of time to learn that later lol. We have about 100K UR from CIP and working on MSR for CIC and SPG biz. Because it’s the busiest time of the year, I feel like I would have to book something ASAP. Can I book now and still earn more points and use them to pay on the trip later? What is the best practice for this? I was planning to get the CIP any day now but maybe I should get CSR/CSP instead?

I know everyone has probably been discussing this but I can only absorb so much info at once so I focused on info regarding getting cards/points lol.

This is the probably a good target to book with Disney (paying only the down pay) and then Transfer the reservation to Chase. Then you can apply URs later when you have them I think