I love credit cards so much!

[pillow]

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

I get some strange endorphin rush every time I pay a bill with Plastiq! I just love it!

 

[DaveL]

You probably know that the Amex Hilton Biz comes with complimentary HH Gold status. We always book the lowest cash rate because we’re always upgraded to a higher floor, often enough with a view, because of our Gold status. (That, and when we’re staying at the Hilton Anaheim, we’re really there to spend the day at the parks anyway.)

You must be lucky, I've been HH Gold for some 12+yrs now, Earned the old fashion way of stays from my previous job's travel and hardly ever see any upgrades. I did get lounge access at a Hilton hotel in Turkey but never room upgrades. Come to think of it I have not stayed much the past two years and have over 400k points but they have not taken away my gold status, online shows Gold status but I have not gotten a new card in ages. I've always been welcomed as gold and gotten free water bottles and free breakfast.

Is there a good Hilton near WDW? Guess I should start using some of those points and some time look into Hilton CC's. We stayed at Hilton Vacation Club on points back in 2010 near SeaWorld but I regret that for all the time share calls even tho we never did the meetings or expressed any interest in their time shares.

 

[Lain]

We check into a Hilton on 6/15 and I was planning on applying DH to the card on 6/1. Do you think that's enough time, or should I apply in the next few days?

It could be tight. I don’t know what the delivery times on the Hilton Biz are looking like, but if they’re anything like the SPG Biz cards then it could take about 7-10 days to arrive.

If you can set up an Amex account for the Hilton Biz before the card arrives, you can activate the HH Gold benefit even without the card in hand. I just checked and did the same thing for my MB Plat: Approved on 4/2, was able to set up a new account while waiting for the card, activated the HH Gold benefit that day, and received email confirmation of status enrollment on 4/5.

 

[DisneyMandC]

You probably know that the Amex Hilton Biz comes with complimentary HH Gold status. We always book the lowest cash rate because we’re always upgraded to a higher floor, often enough with a view, because of our Gold status. (That, and when we’re staying at the Hilton Anaheim, we’re really there to spend the day at the parks anyway.)

We’re also offered complimentary breakfast as HH Gold guests, but we always decline at check-in and get extra HH points instead because we'd rather open up Disneyland and eat in the parks or DTD.

There's also a special line for HH Gold and Diamond members at the Starbucks in the lobby, which is nice when it’s busy and most everyone else is in the long line.

I think HH Gold members also get a bonus on the base points earned from stays and things like free WiFi.

With Amex cards that give complimentary hotel status, just allow about a week’s time from receiving the card and activating that benefit to actually receiving confirmation that your hotel status is activated.

Thank you! You've seriously been so helpful with this, since I don't think I've ever even stayed at a Hilton in my life! That's good to know on the complimentary breakfast too. We usually like to get up and out the door and DH is a Coffee Princess who only drinks Starbucks, so we'll be hitting up the Starbucks in the lobby regardless. I saw that it's 18 points for Gold members for the bonus, and then looks like it will be an additional 12 points with the Hilton card. As it turns out, the standard king room I want is actually the lowest rate for the hotel at $124/night! Not worried about getting a theme park view or anything because I plan on being in the park for the fireworks!

 

[speedyfishy]

I stumbled upon this thread because I'm trying to think about our CCards and if we have the right ones for our upcoming trip, and I just have to say... WOW! I've been reading this morning and can't keep up! You are all amazing at figuring this stuff out. (And I was pleased with myself that I got our summer air on points - clearly I'm a novice). We have an AMEX that we use whenever possible (love the perks) but not everyone takes AMEX and our other cards (AA MC and a free Disney Visa) aren't that great.

Hi, it is overwhelming at first, but if you want to join in let us know how many cards you have gotten in the last 24 months, where you want to travel to, and who’s in your travel party. Would you be willing to sign up for multiple cards get the bonus and move on to a new card? Most of us do that, but if you are looking for 1-2 cards we can recommend some for you too.

Is $500 the max for Memory funding with a CC? I think I'm gonna go for that one since I can use Amex.

Yeah, $500. They have two different checking accounts so I opened both on the same day but the max funding was $500 for the two combined. Maybe if you open one and try another a different day?

Augh! Just called the status line to check on my CIP application. It says they'll be in touch in 7-10 days. That's bad right? There were two things I was worried about: 1) it's a new business, so I put down 1 year and $1000 in revenue, and 2) I changed addresses on April 1st and didn't change my address on all my credit reports. D'oh! Am I SOL? I'm sweating bullets over here! (mostly because it's May in Texas, but a little bit because of this too!)

SO got the 7-10 message when he applied for the CIP in February after we just moved. After calling in they had him send a utility bill. If your new address isn’t on your credit report that could be the issue.

 

[Gwmw1210]

I'm trying to set up the online account for DHs CIP, and it's telling me I have to call them for the security code because they don't have my phone or email? Is that normal?

That happened to me today as well. Annoying of course, but painless. While I was on the phone I decided to go ahead and let them combine it my old Ink+. I didn’t bother to add the old Ink Cash to it because my plan is to free that line up for something later.

 

[pillow]

Most people's vacation problem is having enough money to go...

My problem...school schedules interfering and not having enough vacation days (and I have 25 vacation days, lol!) Money is the LAST concern when it comes to trip planning LOL! I'm sure many you of share that feeling

EDIT: I should add for any newbies that stumble on this comment - this IS NOT because we are all rich. Far from it, it's just that I am able to earn and accrue travel points through credit cards faster than I can use them. Churning Level Expert

YES! DH gets 24 (combined with sick days which means he isn't allowed to get sick), and its not enough. And I realize that sounds terribly spoiled!

 

[Lain]

I stumbled upon this thread because I'm trying to think about our CCards and if we have the right ones for our upcoming trip, and I just have to say... WOW! I've been reading this morning and can't keep up! You are all amazing at figuring this stuff out. (And I was pleased with myself that I got our summer air on points - clearly I'm a novice). We have an AMEX that we use whenever possible (love the perks) but not everyone takes AMEX and our other cards (AA MC and a free Disney Visa) aren't that great.

​

It's always a good idea to reevaluate your wallet and ask, do I have the right credit cards that are earning me the most for my dollar? Am I missing out on better credit card rewards at places where I shop and eat? Am I missing out on huge bonuses from signing up for a new credit card? Rewards and bonuses on money you're spending already that could go towards free, discounted, or upgraded travel!

We’re all friendly people who help each other with tips and strategies to take advantage of credit card signup bonuses and bonus spending categories, and other savings opportunities, to earn points and miles towards our Disney and other vacations!

We'd love for you to join in with questions and comments, too; there are so many helpful people here ready to give you excellent advice. This thread doesn't always move so fast, but it's easy to fall behind. We'll keep you covered while you're getting up to speed.

 

[Gwmw1210]

Imho what matters are the terms and conditions (but DoC tries to highlight all potential pitfalls, but this pitfall would disqualify everyone). The terms and conditions clearly state existing customers won't get a bonus is my read.

I agree. My DH has a converted PNC account that once was an account opened with NBC "back in the day". I'm a signer on that one so I figured I wouldn't be eligible for the bonus either but I'm still considering it just to knock out 2K. I can make the spend without it but my mind is telling me to just get it over with now. The sooner the better. And besides I do have 10K MSR to meet now because I went ahead and took the leap on the Amex Hilton Biz.

 

[Lain]

Phew! I'm finally caught up! 7 pages since this morning?! You'd think there was a new card out or some increased signup bonus! This is nuts!

The first dip on the CSR/CSP double dip has been approved for DH! Instant approval and crazy high credit limit. I'm expecting to have to call recon for this next one. In we go (after closing browser and opening new incognito!)

The double in DH's dip has been officially approved (CSP) after a short recon call to move credit around. Yeah!!!

$8k of spend here we come. I smell a few new PNC checking/savings accounts for DH. And i'm going to see if they can expedite so we can put our spring 2019 travel plans on one of those cards (probably reserve to take advantage of travel credit).

Thank you again for all of your help!!!

I really wanted to offer my DOUBLY BIG CONGRATULATIONS to @bernina on a successful Sapphire double dip!

​

So happy you got the two cards and glad we were able to help you on your way to all those sweet URs and redemptions!

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

YES! DH gets 24 (combined with sick days which means he isn't allowed to get sick), and its not enough. And I realize that sounds terribly spoiled!

I get 24 vacation days, 13 sick/family care days, 7 holidays and 4 "season days" between Christmas and New Years. So all combined, it is like having 2 months off each year.

But DH, who works at the same University, doesn't have the same classification as me and so he only gets 12 vacation days (other things are the same). It can put a cramp on things, especially since he doesn't have much banked up. He started his job 1.5 years ago and took most of his vacation days and ended up spending all but one of his sick days for this year over the past few months when DD and I were having health issues. I couldn't imagine if he didn't have those 13 sick days. I feel blessed.

 

[Gwmw1210]

My Sam's Club order finally shipped. The previous two were cancelled so not sure how this one went through. They still haven't posted to my Amex accounts yet.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I think so. I haven't seen any other options. If I do I will let you know. Just got the amex card in hand so I can open the memory account. hopefully I can use the Hilton biz card.

Good idea. I think I will copy you.

 

[wendow]

I get 24 vacation days, 13 sick/family care days, 7 holidays and 4 "season days" between Christmas and New Years. So all combined, it is like having 2 months off each year.

This is very nice! My dh has always had 22-25 vacation days but it's always included sick time. He's never had separate sick days. You are blessed!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Mine is from ally tooand we are on the same timeline. Keep me updated and I will do the same.

Ok, well small update...ally shows the money transferred sometime yesterday. I checked around this time yesterday and that wasn't the case, so must've been late in the day. Discover has no sign of it. Maybe it will show pending there tomorrow.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I stumbled upon this thread because I'm trying to think about our CCards and if we have the right ones for our upcoming trip, and I just have to say... WOW! I've been reading this morning and can't keep up! You are all amazing at figuring this stuff out. (And I was pleased with myself that I got our summer air on points - clearly I'm a novice). We have an AMEX that we use whenever possible (love the perks) but not everyone takes AMEX and our other cards (AA MC and a free Disney Visa) aren't that great.

Welcome! I see others have already pointed you in the direction of info that would be needed for the group to point you in the right churning direction. It is exciting and overwhelming but very addictive!

And as for amex....not everyone takes them like you said. You will see just how frustrating that is when you start trying to knock out multiple amex MSRs here in the near future. On the other hand, they are great for keeping you busy while you let your chase portfolio cool off.

So just wanted to say the I just came back from a quick weekend trip from Pittsburgh. went to the pirates game Saturday night and caught a foul ball and was on the jumbo tvs.. the kids just loved it. we stayed at the Hilton double tree in green tree, which is just about 4 miles away from the stadium. so this was my first time staying Hilton gold and was not able to get an upgrade they had 3 weddings lol. but the breakfast was great for free lol. sorry for the long story but when I booked I saw on a blog about the MVP portal codes for different Hilton properties and was able to use one with my stay and it saved about 20 dollars. if anyone books at a Hilton property google the mvp codes and see which will work for your stay. not sure if it is for all but I have already book 2 more stays at a double tree. hope this helps with saving a fee dollars. let me know if I can help anyone locating the codes or any other questions.

I thought that MVP site was dead. I used to have it bookmarked but it had a message one time that it was over so I deleted it. Did you go through the separate site or just a code of some sort?

Is there a good Hilton near WDW? Guess I should start using some of those points and some time look into Hilton CC's. We stayed at Hilton Vacation Club on points back in 2010 near SeaWorld but I regret that for all the time share calls even tho we never did the meetings or expressed any interest in their time shares.

I think you probably have lifetime gold since you were gold for 10+ years so that is why it still shows you as gold.

We used to live in SC and drove to WDW. On arrival day we'd stay at the DTD Hilton and walk over to shop and have dinner. Then early to bed and checkout super early and into our Disney resort to grab tickets (before MBs) and head to the parks. Saved us some money by using points but still having that first day of our Disney package be a full day.
Never used the pool or anything, but the hotel itself was just fine.

 

[wendow]

I was looking at the Memory Bank offer and it says you need three $200 ACH transfers for the bonus. I want to make sure I do this right. I can use my Amex to fund $500 when I open it and then push $200 three times from Cap 1 or Ally? That's it?

 

[speedyfishy]

I was looking at the Memory Bank offer and it says you need three $200 ACH transfers for the bonus. I want to make sure I do this right. I can use my Amex to fund $500 when I open it and then push $200 three times from Cap 1 or Ally? That's it?

That’s it. I did $200 exactly 3 times. Others varry the amounts, but I got it with 3 $200 deposits from my discover account.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was looking at the Memory Bank offer and it says you need three $200 ACH transfers for the bonus. I want to make sure I do this right. I can use my Amex to fund $500 when I open it and then push $200 three times from Cap 1 or Ally? That's it?

Yep! I pushed $200 twice on one day from Ally and $200 the next. Bonus posts on the 15th of the month. (Others do $200 three times on the same day but I freaked myself out the bank might flag it or something so I did the last $200 the next day.)

 

[wendow]

That’s it. I did $200 exactly 3 times. Others varry the amounts, but I got it with 3 $200 deposits from my discover account.

Yep! I pushed $200 twice on one day from Ally and $200 the next. Bonus posts on the 15th of the month. (Others do $200 three times on the same day but I freaked myself out the bank might flag it or something so I did the last $200 the next day.)

Thank you both! I read there is no early termination fee. How long did you keep the account open?