I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

@Calfan - Yes. FlyerTalk has a thread for Amex and membership rewards. There are data points on what airlines and what charges will trigger the credit.

For Fine Hotels and Resorts bookings must book through Amex travel. You can do it on their site or call. You must also pay with your Plat card. They don't have a good number of hotels. We've booked the Wynn and the Bellagio through them. They do have a list you can peruse. Oh and don't forget to check your Amex offers. They often provide a really nice savings.

 

[Albort]

Anyone heard of the Discover Q3 category yet? Or when they are going to announce?

it should announce really soon. within a month.

 

[mhartman09]

I currently hold 9 Chase cards. 8 are consumer and one is a business card. I will always recommend going after variable points cards like CSP and CSR as the points are more valuable. If you can make the spend then go for both.

Thanks. Isn't the Marriott not under 5/24? I recall reading that someplace. If that's the case, I think I'll have him apply for the CSP first (maybe today or tomorrow), then the Marriott next week before the 100K bonus expires. I'm only really considering the Marriott at this point because it could help with a Swolphin stay if we choose to go that route for one of our trips.

I'm not sure why I keep second guessing myself on this. I guess I'm still so new and I don't want to make a "wrong" choice.

I've really been wanting to check out the AMEX prequal offers to see if I can get the 100K Plat for myself, but that would put me even longer having to wait to get another Chase card. Ugh, decisions....decisions.

 

[afan]

My plan had been to apply for the csr in Jan and use our dlp hotel/tix for part of the min spend. If I want to to take advantage of two $300 credits when in Nov would I want to apply, taking into account the possibility of not getting instant approval.

I currently work somewhere that I can't book vacations until I know I have the time and will need to get it in Jan. Hopeful to switch jobs by then though.

I would use this years credit to find dva or buy an airline gc for future trips.

 

[Albort]

Thanks. Isn't the Marriott not under 5/24? I recall reading that someplace. If that's the case, I think I'll have him apply for the CSP first (maybe today or tomorrow), then the Marriott next week before the 100K bonus expires. I'm only really considering the Marriott at this point because it could help with a Swolphin stay if we choose to go that route for one of our trips.

I'm not sure why I keep second guessing myself on this. I guess I'm still so new and I don't want to make a "wrong" choice.

I've really been wanting to check out the AMEX prequal offers to see if I can get the 100K Plat for myself, but that would put me even longer having to wait to get another Chase card. Ugh, decisions....decisions.

theres no such thing as "wrong" choice. At the end, you just make it work! :]
Your choosing of credit card really depends on what you want to do with it. If not, i would pool it all into one type of points. Marriott would cover your Swolphin stay, if thats the case, maybe Marriott would be priority over CSP. If you need UR points for something else, then maybe CSP is in the front.

For amex, look at the partners, if there is a partner you find u can use, then apply for it.

 

[mhartman09]

theres no such thing as "wrong" choice. At the end, you just make it work! :]
Your choosing of credit card really depends on what you want to do with it. If not, i would pool it all into one type of points. Marriott would cover your Swolphin stay, if thats the case, maybe Marriott would be priority over CSP. If you need UR points for something else, then maybe CSP is in the front.

For amex, look at the partners, if there is a partner you find u can use, then apply for it.

We are planning to use UR to book a DW trip for next March, so the UR will definitely be useful. DH and I both have CSR. I used my bonus to book our June resort. The rest of my points will be transferred to his account. We don't really know which resort we'd like to stay at, so the more UR, the better. We are also planning a few more DW trips since we are upgrading to APs. I figured the Swolphin could be an option so we don't have to drain so many URs on multiple stays and/or might be able to stay at a more expensive resort using those URs.

I'd honestly like for DH to go for the CIP, but I know without a doubt he WILL NOT be willing to call if there are any issues since he doesn't have a true business. That's why I think CSP is the next best step. I figured the CIP will be one of the cards I'll go after once I'm back under 5/24.

 

[codylamb18]

it should announce really soon. within a month.

Thank you. I am hoping to see warehouse clubs on the list.

 

[elgerber]

Thanks. Isn't the Marriott not under 5/24? I recall reading that someplace. If that's the case, I think I'll have him apply for the CSP first (maybe today or tomorrow), then the Marriott next week before the 100K bonus expires. I'm only really considering the Marriott at this point because it could help with a Swolphin stay if we choose to go that route for one of our trips.

.

I was denied for the Marriott about 2 months ago for the 5/24 rule :-(

 

[ZellyB]

Depending on your chosen airline you may be able to get airline gift cards to trigger the incidental airline fee. We never have incidental fees since we are always in first. Our chosen airline is AA so I purchase 2 separate $100 AA gift cards over a couple of days. I love this credit and love letting my gift cards pile up. They come in handy when I decide I need to fly somewhere without proper planning and can't find what I want with miles.

So, just to be sure I'm understanding this...you can purchase an airline gift card and that would count as an incidental airline fee? I'm getting ready to apply for the AmEx platinum offer I got and there's a $200 annual credit for incidental fees. We often don't check bags, so wondering how to be sure to get full advantage of the $200. Do the gift cards expire? Can they be used for anything you purchase from the airline? We don't have a specific airline we favor, but Delta seems to match up with our needs most frequently of late.

 

[trstno1]

Haven't tried the Air France route. Have done KE route. It it's been a weird but perfectly acceptable experience. I would do it again (I think, I haven't taken the flights yet admittedly).

@trstno1 I take it you have already transferred points from UR to Flying Blue? If so Chase is out here and you are dealing only with flying blue. Miles cannot go back to Chase after they have been transferred. You have flying blue miles and you need to redeem them, their customer service is your only shot for this. (If you have trouble getting hold of people on the phone you could try Air France's twitter account using the Direct Message feature. I have NO idea if they are any help, or any good, but I have had success with domestic airlines getting customer service via Twitter DM.)

Yes, I already transferred miles to Flying Blue. It was only 25,000 miles though (for two tickets on a domestic non-stop flight) just to try them out. Once I finally got through by phone (about 45 minutes on hold) they told me I had to go to an airport ticket counter to purchase my tickets. They told me that I could go to a Delta counter rather than an Air France counter. I am flying today anyway, so I'll try it when I get to the airport. I'm definitely soured on the experience. I probably should have researched more before trying it, but I was having trouble completing the transaction on the Chase travel portal, and I've had such good experiences transferring UR pints to other airlines. I just assumed it would work.

I'm still going to send my feedback to Chase, just in case they can leverage their travel partner so that this is less likely to happen in the future.

 

[Lain]

So, just to be sure I'm understanding this...you can purchase an airline gift card and that would count as an incidental airline fee? I'm getting ready to apply for the AmEx platinum offer I got and there's a $200 annual credit for incidental fees. We often don't check bags, so wondering how to be sure to get full advantage of the $200. Do the gift cards expire? Can they be used for anything you purchase from the airline? We don't have a specific airline we favor, but Delta seems to match up with our needs most frequently of late.

This link should be helpful: http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/01/01/2017-amex-airline-fee-credit/

And data points for Delta: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...eimbursement-reports-dl-only-2011-2015-a.html

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

We are planning to use UR to book a DW trip for next March, so the UR will definitely be useful. DH and I both have CSR. I used my bonus to book our June resort. The rest of my points will be transferred to his account. We don't really know which resort we'd like to stay at, so the more UR, the better. We are also planning a few more DW trips since we are upgrading to APs. I figured the Swolphin could be an option so we don't have to drain so many URs on multiple stays and/or might be able to stay at a more expensive resort using those URs.

I'd honestly like for DH to go for the CIP, but I know without a doubt he WILL NOT be willing to call if there are any issues since he doesn't have a true business. That's why I think CSP is the next best step. I figured the CIP will be one of the cards I'll go after once I'm back under 5/24.

I mulled over Marriott vs SPG. I went with the AMEX SPG which doesn't have as high of a sign up offer right now (I got the 35k). However the way I looked at is for average spending you get 1 SPG point per dollar with AMEX or 1 marriott point per dollar with Chase. To transfer to SPG you need 3 Marriott points making the 1 SPG point on the AMEX more valuable. Not sure if that makes sense but it was how I looked at it!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes, I already transferred miles to Flying Blue. It was only 25,000 miles though (for two tickets on a domestic non-stop flight) just to try them out. Once I finally got through by phone (about 45 minutes on hold) they told me I had to go to an airport ticket counter to purchase my tickets. They told me that I could go to a Delta counter rather than an Air France counter. I am flying today anyway, so I'll try it when I get to the airport. I'm definitely soured on the experience. I probably should have researched more before trying it, but I was having trouble completing the transaction on the Chase travel portal, and I've had such good experiences transferring UR pints to other airlines. I just assumed it would work.

I'm still going to send my feedback to Chase, just in case they can leverage their travel partner so that this is less likely to happen in the future.

Go to an airport ticket counter?! Ohmygosh, that could be awful for someone who lives a long ways away! Let us know how it goes with Delta, sounds weird to me that the Delta ticket counter could redeem Flying Blue miles but I know nothing about this, hope it works!

 

[Calfan]

Isn't the Marriott not under 5/24?

I was denied for the Marriott about 2 months ago for the 5/24 rule :-(

I was also denied for the Marriott (within the last 2 weeks) due to 5/24.

 

[calypso726]

Thanks. Isn't the Marriott not under 5/24? I recall reading that someplace. If that's the case, I think I'll have him apply for the CSP first (maybe today or tomorrow), then the Marriott next week before the 100K bonus expires. I'm only really considering the Marriott at this point because it could help with a Swolphin stay if we choose to go that route for one of our trips.

I'm not sure why I keep second guessing myself on this. I guess I'm still so new and I don't want to make a "wrong" choice.

I've really been wanting to check out the AMEX prequal offers to see if I can get the 100K Plat for myself, but that would put me even longer having to wait to get another Chase card. Ugh, decisions....decisions.

The Marriott personal consumer card is under 5/24 it is the business version that is not under 5/24.

Like @Albort said, there are no wrong choices.

 

[calypso726]

So, just to be sure I'm understanding this...you can purchase an airline gift card and that would count as an incidental airline fee? I'm getting ready to apply for the AmEx platinum offer I got and there's a $200 annual credit for incidental fees. We often don't check bags, so wondering how to be sure to get full advantage of the $200. Do the gift cards expire? Can they be used for anything you purchase from the airline? We don't have a specific airline we favor, but Delta seems to match up with our needs most frequently of late.

There are no expiration dates on the AA gift cards. Not all airlines will trigger the statement credit with a gift card purchase. I know AA does and I know it has to be done in increments of $50 or $100. I have only ever used mine to purchase airfare so I don't what else they can be used to purchase.

 

[Calfan]

@Calfan - Yes. FlyerTalk has a thread for Amex and membership rewards. There are data points on what airlines and what charges will trigger the credit.

This link should be helpful: http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/01/01/2017-amex-airline-fee-credit/

Very helpful. Thank you both.

 

[kmc8826]

We leave for WDW in 3 weeks (myself, 3 girls, my folks). My husband just told me to buy him a ticket as he will leave Thursday and return Sunday night. Problem now is that this late and those dates makes flights expensive. Between us we have about 50,000 sky miles and 250,000 UR rewards. Ultimate goal is a trip to Costa Rica or New Zealand for the two of us within the next year or two. As a hub city Delta always works best. Flight will be about $600 or 50,000 miles. How would you book the flight? Use up pretty much all the sky miles or take some UR points?

I keep going back and forth and can't decide. I just wish he had decided earlier he could go!

 

[Tikitoi]

Good info since we have Chase but I have yet to sign up for the rewards program.

UR = Ultimate Rewards, which is Chase's points program.

UR points transfer to the following airlines:

United MileagePlus Miles
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
British Airway Avios
Air France Flying Blue
Korean Air Skypass
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

and the following hotels programs:

Marriott Rewards
Hyatt Gold Passport
IHG Rewards Club
Ritz Carlton Rewards

You can also redeem UR points for reservations at almost all of the Disney-owned WDW resort hotels through the Chase UR travel portal.

Basically, UR points are very versatile and valuable.

 

[AmyAnne]

There are no expiration dates on the AA gift cards. Not all airlines will trigger the statement credit with a gift card purchase. I know AA does and I know it has to be done in increments of $50 or $100. I have only ever used mine to purchase airfare so I don't what else they can be used to purchase.

Is there a limit to how many AA gift cards you can use at a time? I'm pretty sure SW and Delta both have some kind of limit--wondering if AA is the same.