I love credit cards so much!

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks for all of the info! So, a last week I thought I was in the clear for CIP and did apply and low and behold was rejected. They just don't want me to have that card! They said I had too many Chase accounts open recently. I KNOW, I SHOULD HAVE ASKED YOU BEFORE APPLYING! Every time I go rogue I end up regretting it. Therefore, will I be in danger if I try to open a Marriott Biz card? I could open one in my husband's name, as my player 2. So, should I apply for the Marriott Biz, either in my name or my husband's?

Thanks for the advice.

You got denied for the CIP because you are over 5/24...that app was unfortunately a lost cause from the start.

 

[Lain]

Thanks for all of the info! So, a last week I thought I was in the clear for CIP and did apply and low and behold was rejected. They just don't want me to have that card! They said I had too many Chase accounts open recently. I KNOW, I SHOULD HAVE ASKED YOU BEFORE APPLYING! Every time I go rogue I end up regretting it. Therefore, will I be in danger if I try to open a Marriott Biz card? I could open one in my husband's name, as my player 2. So, should I apply for the Marriott Biz, either in my name or my husband's?

Thanks for the advice.

Why did you think you were in the clear to apply for the CIP? That card is subject to the 5/24 rule. Chase saying you’ve opened too many accounts recently is basically saying you’re over 5/24.

DON’T GO ROGUE!!! I’ve been pleading with you to run anything and everything by us before applying. We’re here to help and trying to keep you from running afoul of each card issuer’s rules. It’s much easier to help you apply for new cards without having to work around your mistakes.

Unfortunately, you now have to sit out on applying for the Marriott Biz for 31 days from the date of your CIP application. DO NOT TRY TO APPLY FOR THE MARRIOTT BIZ BETWEEN NOW AND 31 DAYS AFTER YOUR CIP APPLICATION! CHASE WILL DENY YOU!!!

I’d even add, DO NOT APPLY FOR ANY OTHER CARD IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS!

Unfortunately, I also do not recommend your husband apply for the Marriott Biz anytime soon. He double dipped the CSR and CSP in January, which Chase may view as unusual, so it’s good he laid low until he applied and got approved for the Marriott Premier Plus in May. But that means he’s likely had another Chase application in the past 30 days, which will result in a likely denial for the Marriott Biz under the 0/30 rule. Even if/when he is outside of 30 days, he is 3/6, and adding the Marriott Biz will put him at a risky 4 cards in the past 6 months. If you want DH to get the Marriott Biz, he should wait til July and maybe even August.

But by mid-July, you should be in the clear to apply for the Marriott Biz. So you’d be in a better position sooner than DH to apply for the Marriott Biz.

PLEASE check in with us before submitting any applications.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

CSR gurus and Marriot gurus: I have the new Premeir Plus for the 100k bonus. First time reward with them so I dont know all the secrets etc. But it looks like Marriott hotels are cheaper thru Chase portal, way less points. So should I just use as a backup (1 free night in hotel) and focus on my CSR portal? It looks like at $200 hotel would get me 1200 points. Not much since hotels are so point heavy. Am I missing something?

We are heading to Alaska and Hawaii in the next 2 years so I figured I could use that 100k bonus from Marriott.

This is a difficult comparison as Marriott Points and URs have very different valuations. I'll present a ton of detail here, but there isn't necessarily a black/white answer to which you should use.

• Marriott points are typically valued at 0.6 - 1.0 cpp (cents per point)
• Marriott points do not specifically tie to the cash rate on the room - they will follow the award chart "grid"
• When booking using Marriott points, keep in mind the 5th night is FREE so if you are staying 5 or more nights then that can increase your cpp.

On the other hand:

• URs when paired with a CSR are valued at no less than 1.5 cpp
• URs will tie directly to the cash rate on the room
• There is no 5th night free benefit when using URs

So In Most Cases when comparing a hotel looking at Marriott Points vs. URs, it will require less UR points. Does that make it the better value? No, not necessarily. URs are far more valuable and flexible (i.e. they can be used on hotels, flights, rental cars, transferred to partners, etc.) Their transfer rates to partners are 1:1 which is much better than Marriott's transfer rate to airlines.

IF you had both URs and Marriott points at your disposal and were trying to make a decision:

• Do you plan to use your Marriott points for a nights and flights some day? Maybe you should save them up
• Is the cpp on the Marriott redemption > 0.7 cpp? It sounds like a pretty good deal
• Are you staying 5 nights? Make sure you factor in the 5th night free in your comparison.
• Are you staying 7 nights? Have you evaluated whether a nights and flights is your best option?
• What other travel plans do you have coming up...is it better to save your URs or your Marriott points for those trips?

I'd probably lean towards using the Marriott points if the cpp is decent and saving URs (with the exception of if you are saving up for a nights and flights).

Hopefully this helps...or maybe it just makes it more confusing, lol

 

[mefordis]

Why did you think you were in the clear to apply for the CIP? That card is subject to the 5/24 rule. Chase saying you’ve opened too many accounts recently is basically saying you’re over 5/24.

DON’T GO ROGUE!!! I’ve been pleading with you to run anything and everything by us before applying. We’re here to help and trying to keep you from running afoul of each card issuer’s rules. It’s much easier to help you apply for new cards without having to work around your mistakes.

Unfortunately, you now have to sit out on applying for the Marriott Biz for 31 days from the date of your CIP application. DO NOT TRY TO APPLY FOR THE MARRIOTT BIZ BETWEEN NOW AND 31 DAYS AFTER YOUR CIP APPLICATION! CHASE WILL DENY YOU!!!

I’d even add, DO NOT APPLY FOR ANY OTHER CARD IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS!

Unfortunately, I also do not recommend your husband apply for the Marriott Biz anytime soon. He double dipped the CSR and CSP in January, which Chase may view as unusual, so it’s good he laid low until he applied and got approved for the Marriott Premier Plus in May. But that means he’s likely had another Chase application in the past 30 days, which will result in a likely denial for the Marriott Biz under the 0/30 rule. Even if/when he is outside of 30 days, he is 3/6, and adding the Marriott Biz will put him at a risky 4 cards in the past 6 months. If you want DH to get the Marriott Biz, he should wait til July and maybe even August.

But by mid-July, you should be in the clear to apply for the Marriott Biz. So you’d be in a better position sooner than DH to apply for the Marriott Biz.

PLEASE check in with us before submitting any applications.

Got it. I don't know why I did this without running it by you first. I really hate Chase. I prefer AMEX - they never give me a hard time and approve me right away. Okay, so I think I'll lay low and wait to see what they put out for SPG. That luxury card looks pretty good, especially if they offer a global entry credit. I have to apply for all four of us and only have one credit with husband's CSR.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Applied for the Hilton Biz and received insta-approval!

Didn't want you to have to throw your own party.

I got an offer on the Hilton Biz - buy Hilton gift card $100+ and get $20. Does anyone know if you can use the GC to pay for a room? Will need cheap one night place close to the airport in September and thinking I could use this at a Hampton or Garden Inn to cover most of the cost. Also do you think the GC will count toward MSR?

I just tried to make a dummy booking and see if I could add a GC as payment and don't see a way. I am sure they could do it at the desk. I am going to purchase some too. Will use them for DH's work stays so it is basically free $$ for us.

Yes you can use them to pay for the room, although I haven't tried an advance pay rate. Both hotels I used them at said to apply them at checkout, so I just stopped by the desk on the way out. They do take a minute to process so if you have a few leave yourself 5-10 minutes to complete checkout. But I was willing to invest the time to save 16% (my return on the previous offer).

I'm no expert on MSR, personally I think it'd be ok, but I'll let others chime in on that.

Glad you chimed in. I was wondering about that as well.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I did it. I spent some points. Now I feel sick.

MUST. STOP. HOARDING. POINTS.

I am putting on a suprise bday dinner for my dad in about a week. They are in CHS. We were dreading driving...we always fly. I broke down and bought the flights today, even though I missed them at the good price a couple weeks ago. For BNA-CHS flights they weren't terrible, honestly, even last minute. Transferred URs to top off SW RR for 6 flights, one was on CP.

Booked a Hilton Garden Inn on hilton points. Crossing fingers for an upgrade to a jr suite.

Rented SUV through Hertz with Hertz points.

So everything is covered except incidentals...and of course dad's bday dinner...for 20 people...at least that will be a nice amount of URs to look forward to accruing.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Didn't someone here do a Phoeniz/Grand Canyon/AZ trip recently? Or am I making that up?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Sorry for multiple posts...just thought of a few questions...

Has anyone stayed in the Jurassic Park suites at Uni? We have never done Uni, but DS10 LOVES Jurassic park. Was thinking could be a fun mom/son bday weekend the first of March.
The other thing we could do is wait til spring break week, 3/18 I think, and do 3 nights there followed by 5 down at Baha Mar in Nassau.

So on that note, has anyone gone to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar yet? Trip advisor reviews seem good except food prices. I can deal with that I guess. Better than @speedyfishy 's review of Atlantis.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Didn't someone here do a Phoeniz/Grand Canyon/AZ trip recently? Or am I making that up?

@CyndiLouWho

 

[DisneyMandC]

@CyndiLouWho

Thanks!

@CyndiLouWho how long did you guys do your trip for? Sorry, should've kept up more when you were posting, I'll try to scroll back and find it.

 

[Lain]

Got it. I don't know why I did this without running it by you first. I really hate Chase. I prefer AMEX - they never give me a hard time and approve me right away. Okay, so I think I'll lay low and wait to see what they put out for SPG. That luxury card looks pretty good, especially if they offer a global entry credit. I have to apply for all four of us and only have one credit with husband's CSR.

Chase has their own rules just like every other issuer. Follow them, and you will be rewarded. Break them, and they’ll deny you. Chase doesn’t not like you; it’s nothing personal. You just didn’t follow Chase’s rules.

That’s why I’ve been telling you to loop us into your plans so we can help you navigate each issuer’s rules and how your cards with that issuer or other issuers may affect your ability to get new cards.

It’s a good thing you told us about the CIP application before applying for the Marriott Biz because if you hadn’t, and I thought you were clear to apply for the Marriott Biz without knowing you weren’t 0/30, you would’ve been denied.

 

[mhartman09]

I'm finally feeling a little back to normal and able to catch up on the many posts I've missed. Thanks again to all of you who sent thoughts and hugs my way. My little man is doing better every day, which is a blessing. Thus far, the last week or so has been uneventful aside from follow-up appts with his doctor - which I'm so thankful for.

Since it's been over 30 days since my CIC app that resulted in denial, I'm planning to apply again soon. I SM'd Chase this week to reduce the CL on the 3 personal cards I have with them hoping this will help. Is there a general consensus of how long one should wait to apply after lowering CLs? I know applying too soon can be an issue.

Also, with all the talks of shutdown I'm trying to be more aware of the timing of my apps. Here's my stats for the last 24 months:
09/29/16 - AMEX BCE
01/05/17 - CSR
02/15/17 - Disney Visa
07/06/17 - CIP
10/17/17 - Marriott Personal
12/26/17 - AMEX SPG Biz

I did get 4 Chase cards last year, so I'm not sure if trying for the CIC again would be pushing my luck. I do have a mortgage through a local credit union. What do y'all think?

 

[DisneyMandC]

Hey @SouthFayetteFan or other Reddit mods- I think something is wrong with the instructions on all the support link threads on the Dischurners reddit. I wanted to add my Amex link but the instructions for how to properly format the card are showing up as incomplete. I thought it was something like [card name](link). Is that right?

 

[amalone1013]

I went to Safeway today and got a $500 Mastercard for $10 off when I loaded a coupon to the app. Planning to load the coupon to SO’s account and getting another one tomorrow. I’m working on a MSR and it’s a $4.95 money maker for each card.

Also, I tried to get MOs with my discover card at Walmart today and my card was declined I thought it was a fraud alert so I called discover but they weren’t even seeing an attempted transaction.

I plan to pick up one of those MCs at Safeway too, even just for regular spend. $4.95 money maker + 5% back on Discover beats any non category spending for us

 

[schmass]

I keep getting emails from Derek at Plastiq and I have been ignoring them. Well, today I was trying to add masterpass to my account so I can pay my student loan fee free. It kept sending me to a Capital One Masterpass website, and I don't have a Capital One card. I replied to Derek with my issue and he was very helpful! More JetBlue points for me!

@mhartman09 I'm glad to hear your son is doing better!

 

[MrPTato]

Just got this today. But mine offers a $100 cashback when I activate the card and spend $250. I wasn't going to even bother activating the new card as I received it last week. But I just want to be sure this card change over is not going to affect my */24 status. Thanks

It shouldn't change your */24 status. I have the same $100 cash back offer that I forgot about until you mentioned it. I activated mine last week. Account number still the same too.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Thank you all for your helpful comments! I wasn't able to reply until now---mobile was just too frustrating lol I've been reading here and on reddit and on various blogs (ones that have been mentioned here) and am getting a better idea of how to proceed. I'm a bit sad that we may have to hold off on Australia until 2020 to gather needed miles and points. But that gives me the opportunity to find another trip for 2019

I'm no expert- there are others who are...but usually for a big trip 2 years is recommended for business/first for some areas like Australia/China, etc. Personally I bumped our Nov '19 Australia/NZ trip to give me another year to work on miles.

Some airlines definitely favor certain departure airports for fewer points (think west coast positioning for Australia...SFO or LAX). You have to sort of run the numbers to see where/when/what works best for you.

I am a member of Delta, United and American so to get a rough idea I'll spend time putting in made up dates/departures to see how the miles/points required add up.

When we fly to Australia I plan to position us to fly from the west coast, although I'll keep an open mind and check flights out of DFW and IAH.


As for alliances, it is helpful to decide what you're hoping to ise before developing a credit card strategy. With Chase's 5/24 probably best to start with them if United/Star Alliance is in the running. CSR or CSP UR can be transferred to both United and SW.

There are lots of ways to approach the game but being strategic and having a gameplan helps.

99% of the time, you can't transfer from Airline to Airline. you can however transfer from the 4 main programs(i.e. Chase UR, Amex MR, Citi TYP or SPG points) to the airlines. you need to have 100 JL miles to redeem, but it could redeem an AA flight since JAL is a partner of AA. You can find ANA flights via UA's website if thats what u mean. you can typically book a partners ticket. Does that make sense? I'm typing this pretty late so it makes me me at the moment lol.



yes, Lowes should be fine.

Generally, you want to give yourself 2 years. At least one year to get all of your points in place and so that they are available about a year before the trip to book flights. This is especially true if you are booking business or first. If you are in 2 player mode and can easily make the MSRs then you might be able to go at a faster clip. Unfortunately, the Chase 5/24 wrinkle can put you behind since you want to get Chase cards first if you are going to play this game long term. Doing that may also limit your flight options.

Google flights is helpful as is Momondo. The FF miles required for a given flight depends on the airline. Some airlines are distance based and best when used for a short haul flight. For example, I recently used miles to book some flights on JAL. I used BA Avios to book a business class flight from China to Japan and it was 15,000 Avios per person. BA is distance based and this was a short haul flight. If I had used AA miles it would have been 60,000 AA miles per person. I did use AA miles to book JAL in first class from Japan back to the USA. It was 80,000 per person so 160K for the 2 of us. Since I have the AA credit card I got 10,000 of my miles put back into my account so it really only cost me 75k per person. If I had used BA Avios to book that flight it would have cost me 200,00 Avios per person!



Variable points from SPG, UR, MR and TYP can be transferred directly to an airline. Flying a partner airline requires finding partner award availability aka saver award availability. You can book JAL using AA miles but you would have to confirm that JAL has partner space available. AA's website won't show the partner space so you search for it on British airways or Quantas. BA's site is easier but you have to search by segment. I just got back on a flight on JAL from this week and I used AA miles to book. I searched on BA found the flight and wrote the info down. Then, I called AA and booked the flight.




Thank you for that notification! I want to book some wine and cheese seminars.




@mhartman09 - just wanted to send

 

[gottalovepluto]

Point banking for emergencies and the joy of refundable flights: The Alaska flight I cancelled earlier today with the intention of re-booking because prices were dropping turned out to be sadly prescient. My Bestie just lost her job and her company is closing and her life is up in the air as of an hour ago, she didn't see it coming at all. She might not even be in the city I booked the AS trip to in a few months (not married, no kids). I'm SO incredibly grateful for this hobby in this moment because I'm able to offer to go to her whenever if she needs me and cost is no concern between my UR points bank and the AS credit now sitting in my AS account.

ETA: Thank you DIS i love credit cards Team because I don't think I would be in this position without the knowledge (and support clicks) of our group here.

 

[mefordis]

Chase has their own rules just like every other issuer. Follow them, and you will be rewarded. Break them, and they’ll deny you. Chase doesn’t not like you; it’s nothing personal. You just didn’t follow Chase’s rules.

That’s why I’ve been telling you to loop us into your plans so we can help you navigate each issuer’s rules and how your cards with that issuer or other issuers may affect your ability to get new cards.

It’s a good thing you told us about the CIP application before applying for the Marriott Biz because if you hadn’t, and I thought you were clear to apply for the Marriott Biz without knowing you weren’t 0/30, you would’ve been denied.

I don't understand why Chase excludes the Marriott Biz card from the 5/24 rule but not the CIP.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Hey @SouthFayetteFan or other Reddit mods- I think something is wrong with the instructions on all the support link threads on the Dischurners reddit. I wanted to add my Amex link but the instructions for how to properly format the card are showing up as incomplete. I thought it was something like [card name](link). Is that right?

This looks like a problem with “New Reddit”. I would recommend that everybody continue to use OLD Reddit. You can set your profile in user setting to “opt out of the redesign”. New Reddit is terrible IMO and it has unfortunate consequences.