I love credit cards so much!

[kidsfirsttrip]

I think after September you should be fine for CIP. Though I am interested to see how many who got the CSR 2 years ago will cancel and reapply. I really want to do that but my DH who didn’t want the card in the first place now is afraid for me to cancel because he really likes the lounge access. Lol. Not that we use it that often, but he does travel for work more frequently. Maybe try a AMEX business now if you want something soon.

I'm nervous too about losing my CSR not for lounge access but between the travel credit and UR redemption I consider it a keeper. I could open DH one in the meantime to secure it. I'm leaning towards going for the CIP in Sept. Do you recommend any AMEX business cards in particular?

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Would you be comfortable with an Amex Biz card? It’s easier than Chase to get approved for them. Very frequently people with a “buisness” get an instant approval. If you are I’d go for that so you don’t risk your 5/24 status and once you are under in September you can decide to do either the CIP or CSR/CSP. I think in September you wouldn’t be a shutdown risk for another Chase card. If you aren’t comfortable with an Amex Biz card I’d wait and get under 5/24 and do the double dip.

What do you like for AMEX business cards? We can hit a pretty high MSR organically like 5K a month or so......

 

[bernina]

*Edited to add: found another member that referenced same name so I’m feeling a bit better. Still wish he could have got a hold of Melissa though! His rep is Odelia Gelman-Rice. *

Quick question for those who have transferred an existing reservation (cruise, vacation package, etc) to Chase cruise and vacation.

We need to fill out a request with Norwegian to authorize the transfer to chase. The chase agent is instructing us to list Loyalty Travel as the travel agency with a direct 314 area code number. Has anyone seen that TA name used before with Chase? DH is handling since it’s his CSR we want to use. Something just doesn’t seem right with that name.

 

[speedyfishy]

What do you like for AMEX business cards? We can hit a pretty high MSR organically like 5K a month or so......

Amex has a lot of options. Right now the Hilton Biz card has a high offer of 125k for 5k spend. You can try and do a fake booking on the Hilton website to pull up that offer plus a $50 statement credit. There are two Biz Delta cards as well but the bonus is low right now for those. (You can only get an Amex bonus once a lifetime so I’d wait until they are higher unless you really want/need Delta points now) Then there are the MR earning cards you can get the Green Biz, Gold Biz or Plat Biz. Amex also has the SPG Biz card but that is a weak sign up offer now too. If you would use Hilton points I’d go for that, if you have no use for those I’d pick an MR earning card.

 

[Lain]

Ok I need some advice as a follow up to my earlier post...

Should I intentionally abandon my 5/24 status? I'm currently 3/24, plus have two Chase business cards (marriott and CIP). DH also has a CIP and CIC. DH will double dip CSR/CSP in September or October and I'll PC my then one year old CSP to CFU. So there aren't really any other UR earning cards for me other than CIU, which I'm not particularly bothered about getting at this time. My only other real interest in Chase cards would be the personal Marriott card or United cards. DH is only 1/24 so he could get these cards for us after his double dip. I'm worried about being in shutdown territory since I'm 4/12 with Chase including my business cards.

Vacation plans are WDW- 2019, Tokyo- 202, UAE- 2021.

Other cards I'm interested in:
I've gotten several mailers on AA, and AA is the next most reasonable option for flights to Tokyo after using United miles to transfer to ANA. AA seems pretty easy to accrue and has more card options across Citi and Barclays it seems like. I also do not have any of the SPG cards, and would like to get those when the new offers come out (assuming they're decent) so I can have those for transferability. I also have NO MR earning cards.

Thoughts? Am I crazy for wanting to branch out and hit some of these airline cards so I can book award flights to Tokyo next year?

I'm 4/24, and I've considered it. Here's my own thinking:

- We also have in our household wallet, 2x CSR, 2x CIP, CIC, CF, and I'm planning on getting the CIU for DW. Between these 5 card products, that's a pentafecta for earning bonus UR on pretty much every penny of spend going forward. And with high cost of living in the Bay Area, that's a lot of URs just from organic spend.
- I don't really have a plan for my last slot, and none of the Chase co-branded cards under the 5/24 rule are especially compelling to me.
- I never get targeted for better or highest offers on the United MPE, likely because I already hold their legacy MileagePlus Select, which I plan to product change but never cancel because that's my oldest credit card.
- We don't fly Southwest enough to chase after the Companion Pass.
- I could always use more Marriott points, but I'm not sure if I want to burn my last slot under 5/24 until December 2018 for the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus. I just got the CIC in May and the Marriott 100k offer is supposed to expire soon (in July), and that's just too close for comfort for me.
- Do I really want to double dip the Sapphires when my 24 months are up in about January 2019? I've gotten quite a few Chase cards this year and I'm trying to keep a low profile.
- I have 2 cards dropping in December 2018 and February 2019, but more cards that I want during that time.
- I'm trying to keep DW in reserve and under 5/24 to get the cards I may not be able to get.

Meanwhile:

- Amex has too many personal cards that I want to go after.
- I'm at 3 credit cards with Amex, out of a limit of 4 or 5. And I'm eyeing the SPG Luxury, Blue Business Plus, and Hilton Ascend and Aspire cards (probably next year after I close some in my wallet).
- I've still got to make my way through Amex's charge cards.
- Amex's business charge cards (the BGR and Biz Plat) carry too high MSRs, so they're out of reach unless I can get a targeted offer.

I'll see what the new cards and offers look like later this summer and decide what to do then.

Since you mention you have no MR-earning cards, you really should dip your toes in. MR transfers to ANA and VX, and there are some sweet spot redemptions to Japan on ANA through Virgin Atlantic.

 

[LynnTH]

So I called Chase today to see if I could Product Change my Freedom to Sapphire Reserve (this card was previously a Reserve and I PC'd to Freedom). Wasn't sure if they would do it since I also have the Preferred. But she was able to do it and already is showing on my account. Now waiting for some points to post on DH's CIP then move them to the Reserve and book our cruise. Will save $500 on points UR's using the Reserve instead of the Preferred so that makes the AF a wash. Then still have the travel credit...

Glad I didn't have to have DH try and upgrade his as I handle all the travel plans and would not want him calling the Chase Cruise and Tours Dept to try and figure everything out.

So, want to book soon. I think I will book with Carnival once the new card arrives and pay the down payment of $400 (of which $300 will be credited). Then once the points post in mid July I can transfer the booking to Chase and pay the rest with points. Is that how it is done??

 

[DisneyMandC]

I'm 4/24, and I've considered it. Here's my own thinking:

- We also have in our household wallet, 2x CSR, 2x CIP, CIC, CF, and I'm planning on getting the CIU for DW. Between these 5 card products, that's a pentafecta for earning bonus UR on pretty much every penny of spend going forward. And with high cost of living in the Bay Area, that's a lot of URs just from organic spend.
- I don't really have a plan for my last slot, and none of the Chase co-branded cards under the 5/24 rule are especially compelling to me.
- I never get targeted for better or highest offers on the United MPE, likely because I already hold their legacy MileagePlus Select, which I plan to product change but never cancel because that's my oldest credit card.
- We don't fly Southwest enough to chase after the Companion Pass.
- I could always use more Marriott points, but I'm not sure if I want to burn my last slot under 5/24 until December 2018 for the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus. I just got the CIC in May and the Marriott 100k offer is supposed to expire soon (in July), and that's just too close for comfort for me.
- Do I really want to double dip the Sapphires when my 24 months are up in about January 2019? I've gotten quite a few Chase cards this year and I'm trying to keep a low profile.
- I have 2 cards dropping in December 2018 and February 2019, but more cards that I want during that time.
- I'm trying to keep DW in reserve and under 5/24 to get the cards I may not be able to get.

Meanwhile:

- Amex has too many personal cards that I want to go after.
- I'm at 3 credit cards with Amex, out of a limit of 4 or 5. And I'm eyeing the SPG Luxury, Blue Business Plus, and Hilton Ascend and Aspire cards (probably next year after I close some in my wallet).
- I've still got to make my way through Amex's charge cards.
- Amex's business charge cards (the BGR and Biz Plat) carry too high MSRs, so they're out of reach unless I can get a targeted offer.

I'll see what the new cards and offers look like later this summer and decide what to do then.

Since you mention you have no MR-earning cards, you really should dip your toes in. MR transfers to ANA and VX, and there are some sweet spot redemptions to Japan on ANA through Virgin Atlantic.

Thanks for this! Yeah, I think I am probably going to keep CSR, CF, CIC long term, and maybe one of the CIPs too. I'll hang on to one of the Marriott cards, not sure business or personal (when we eventually get that). I just can't come up with anything else I'm really dying to have with Chase right now for myself other than maybe a United card, and I wouldn't feel comfortable applying for that until AT LEAST November.

MR card is definitely on my list to get here soon. Trying to work my way through this Hilton biz MSR. I'm about to put $1200 in charges on it this week though, so I'm getting closer on that. It just seems like there are a number of other good cards I could take advantage of now or in the near future, but I've been holding back simply because I feel the need to stay under 5/24.

Also no Southwest for me, sadly They fly out of my airport, but the flights aren't that great/cheaper. I miss my Southwest direct flights to MCO.

 

[mom2elal]

Got the Hilton Aspire for my dh last night! Yay! Working on points and perks for Hawaii in 2020!

I have to say, though, that trying to keep us both around 4/24 is really no fun. I think in the next few months, I'm going to move one of us away from Chase for a while.

Also, I was really worried about hitting that 8k spend on the CSR/CSP combo and we're now within striking distance with more than a month to go (and no MS). That's a bit scary...

 

[Lain]

Thanks for this! Yeah, I think I am probably going to keep CSR, CF, CIC long term, and maybe one of the CIPs too. I'll hang on to one of the Marriott cards, not sure business or personal (when we eventually get that). I just can't come up with anything else I'm really dying to have with Chase right now for myself other than maybe a United card, and I wouldn't feel comfortable applying for that until AT LEAST November.

MR card is definitely on my list to get here soon. Trying to work my way through this Hilton biz MSR. I'm about to put $1200 in charges on it this week though, so I'm getting closer on that. It just seems like there are a number of other good cards I could take advantage of now or in the near future, but I've been holding back simply because I feel the need to stay under 5/24.

Also no Southwest for me, sadly They fly out of my airport, but the flights aren't that great/cheaper. I miss my Southwest direct flights to MCO.

I was thinking I may want to stay/get back under 5/24 in early 2019 after I see how the Marriott merger shakes out after they've consolidated all the brands and finally implement the Chase gets mass consumer/premium consumer cards and Amex gets super-premium consumer/small business cards agreement. By then, I'll have the SPG Biz and Marriott Biz, and I'm not sure which one I should keep since Marriott seems to be making card benefit changes that better align their cards across Amex and Chase. If I cancel the Marriott Biz after a year in February 2019, that drops me down to 2 Chase business cards, and I might be compelled to be under 5/24 to get the CIU for myself if the signup bonus is still good.

 

[Lain]

Got the Hilton Aspire for my dh last night! Yay! Working on points and perks for Hawaii in 2020!

I have to say, though, that trying to keep us both around 4/24 is really no fun. I think in the next few months, I'm going to move one of us away from Chase for a while.

Also, I was really worried about hitting that 8k spend on the CSR/CSP combo and we're now within striking distance with more than a month to go (and no MS). That's a bit scary...

CONGRATULATIONS!



I'm rebuilding our Hilton points for something aspirational too. And Amex has 4 of them for 2 players to go through!

 

[DisneyMandC]

I was thinking I may want to stay/get back under 5/24 in early 2019 after I see how the Marriott merger shakes out after they've consolidated all the brands and finally implement the Chase gets mass consumer/premium consumer cards and Amex gets super-premium consumer/small business cards agreement. By then, I'll have the SPG Biz and Marriott Biz, and I'm not sure which one I should keep since Marriott seems to be making card benefit changes that better align their cards across Amex and Chase. If I cancel the Marriott Biz after a year in February 2019, that drops me down to 2 Chase business cards, and I might be compelled to be under 5/24 to get the CIU for myself if the signup bonus is still good.

Given that DH and I will have to focus all of our spending on the double dip when that time comes, there's a possibility I could even be back under 5/24 next June, even if I pick up two personal cards this year for myself. If so, I might go for that personal Marriott card then too if it's looking like a decent offer. Wish I could get it now, but I've hit Chase too hard lately.

 

[wendow]

Thanks for this! Yeah, I think I am probably going to keep CSR, CF, CIC long term, and maybe one of the CIPs too. I'll hang on to one of the Marriott cards, not sure business or personal (when we eventually get that). I just can't come up with anything else I'm really dying to have with Chase right now for myself other than maybe a United card, and I wouldn't feel comfortable applying for that until AT LEAST November.

MR card is definitely on my list to get here soon. Trying to work my way through this Hilton biz MSR. I'm about to put $1200 in charges on it this week though, so I'm getting closer on that. It just seems like there are a number of other good cards I could take advantage of now or in the near future, but I've been holding back simply because I feel the need to stay under 5/24.

Also no Southwest for me, sadly They fly out of my airport, but the flights aren't that great/cheaper. I miss my Southwest direct flights to MCO.

I tried to stay under 5/24 for awhile but all those Amex cards kept calling my name (and the Barclay Arrival+) so I got up to 7/24. Now I am back to 5/24. I'm gonna hang here for awhile. I got the CSR in 9/16 and the CSP in 1/17. So, in 3/19, I'll be over 24 mos past both bonuses and I'd really like to double-dip those cards. I'm laying off Chase (for myself) until then. DH is only 2/24 though so once we make a dent in his new CIC, I'm going to run his */24 up a bit with some Amex cards. May go for Hilton as well b/c we have none of those.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I googled and found one but Ally says it's 'not supported'. Whatever that means! Will check DoC's page. Thanks

ETA: the one posted in comments on DoC's page is same as one I found googling but this is the error message I get from Ally:
The routing number is invalid or not supported. Please check the ABA/routing number you have entered or enter a different ABA/routing number.

ETA2: Chase recognized the routing #/account # so waiting to verify the account with them.

Definitely late here but this is the routing number I used when I successfully linked memory bank to ally 091017620

 

[wendow]

Definitely late here but this is the routing number I used when I successfully linked memory bank to ally 091017620

Thanks. That is same one I was trying last night. I don't know what the problem is! I'll try again in a bit and see if maybe their site was just glitchy last night

 

[gottalovepluto]

*Edited to add: found another member that referenced same name so I’m feeling a bit better. Still wish he could have got a hold of Melissa though! His rep is Odelia Gelman-Rice. *

Quick question for those who have transferred an existing reservation (cruise, vacation package, etc) to Chase cruise and vacation.

We need to fill out a request with Norwegian to authorize the transfer to chase. The chase agent is instructing us to list Loyalty Travel as the travel agency with a direct 314 area code number. Has anyone seen that TA name used before with Chase? DH is handling since it’s his CSR we want to use. Something just doesn’t seem right with that name.

Chase out sources the TA activities. You are never actually taking to Chase employees or dealing which Chase when you book travel (at least through cruise and tours). That is the name of the agency that handles cruise bookings for Chase, do exactly as they say

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Help---for the first time ever, SW flights have gone done in price (dd's semester break flights). How do I rebook the same flights with the lower prices? I also don't have her RR number Should I just call so the travel funds are correctly allocated?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Ok I need some advice as a follow up to my earlier post...

Should I intentionally abandon my 5/24 status? I'm currently 3/24, plus have two Chase business cards (marriott and CIP). DH also has a CIP and CIC. DH will double dip CSR/CSP in September or October and I'll PC my then one year old CSP to CFU. So there aren't really any other UR earning cards for me other than CIU, which I'm not particularly bothered about getting at this time. My only other real interest in Chase cards would be the personal Marriott card or United cards. DH is only 1/24 so he could get these cards for us after his double dip. I'm worried about being in shutdown territory since I'm 4/12 with Chase including my business cards.

Vacation plans are WDW- 2019, Tokyo- 202, UAE- 2021.

Other cards I'm interested in:
I've gotten several mailers on AA, and AA is the next most reasonable option for flights to Tokyo after using United miles to transfer to ANA. AA seems pretty easy to accrue and has more card options across Citi and Barclays it seems like. I also do not have any of the SPG cards, and would like to get those when the new offers come out (assuming they're decent) so I can have those for transferability. I also have NO MR earning cards.

Thoughts? Am I crazy for wanting to branch out and hit some of these airline cards so I can book award flights to Tokyo next year?

I blew past 5/24 last summer, Arrival Plus Barclay was the first card I grabbed and rumor says it should come back as a public offer in July so I’d watch for that.

My biggest regret is I didn’t double dip my CSP app that put me at 5/24 with a United Card just because I wish I had access to the little extra award space they release to cardholders as I do fly them sometimes. (I was quite scared at that point in my churning journey- and Chase shutdowns weren’t even much of a thing a year ago!)

I don’t regret blowing past 5/24 although I’m very happy I got the Arrival Plus (which rolled out a mostly 6/24 rule). In the year since blowing past these are the personal cards I’ve gotten: Barclay Arrival+, Delta Gold, SPG personal, Hilton Ascend, 2nd Barclay AA, 2nd Citi AA. I really wanted to go for the Marriot Biz but shutdown risk for me was too great. As such you can see why I really have no regrets about moving past Chase. I pray I don’t get shutdown, and I’m not gonna test it by applying for a non-5/24 card, but I’ve moved on. And I haven’t even scratched much of the MR surface!

Especially because you are in 2 player mode you could go to town while your P2 stays chill w/Chase.

ETA: oh, and I got the US Bank Altitude Reserve. Of all the cards to forget, lol!

 

[Lain]

American Express Platinum Adds $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Benefit

Just keep those Platinum benefits with cash value coming to justify that $550 AF, Amex.

Looks like I’ll be buying $50 Saks gift cards 2x a year and reselling them.

 

[havaneselover]

American Express Platinum Adds $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Benefit

Just keep those Platinum benefits with cash value coming to justify that $550 AF, Amex.

Looks like I’ll be buying $50 Saks gift cards 2x a year and reselling them.

Yay! Not for me but my parents have had platinum since the 80s and I don’t think they use any of the benefits. At least my mom can use this.

 

[gottalovepluto]

FYI for those going to DL through Sept: Disneyland is also running a promo now to book 3 nights at full price, get the fourth night free at GCH & DLH. Appears to be valid all days of the week so definitely worth checking if you’re staying over the weekend.