I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

I just got approved for a Chase Disney card! My FICO is in the mid 600's so I'm really surprised they approved me. Let the point gathering begin!

Congratulations!!! My first rewards card was also the Disney card way back when my score was in the 600's too. I worked hard on getting my credit score up and a few years later discovered travel hacking.

 

[Arden01]

I've gotten some great advice on these boards and from the Points Guy, Nerd Wallet, etc. I applied for the Chase Sapphire last year and used UR bonus points for our Universal hotel this summer. I booked through the UR portal and it worked out well. I would have applied for Chase Reserve, but was already at 5/24 by the end of last year. I also have Southwest card and had a 50k signup bonus which paid for our flights. The Barclay Arrival Plus card bonus knocked 60% off of our Universal tickets. Right now, my go to cards are the Amex Blue Preferred for 6% back at grocery stores. I buy Disney cards at the grocery store and deposit them in my DVA account. I use the cash back every month to buy more Disney cards. I also use Chase Sapphire for all travel/dining and Chase Unlimited Freedom for everything else. I'll have another $200 in cash back by July to add to our vacation funds. Not the best use of UR points, I know, but still helping with vacation costs. I think I've taken about 2k off (maybe more) off of our vacation this summer using all the bonuses and cash back. I have the Disney Visa too, but downgraded to the no fee card. It just doesn't get the mileage the Sapphire, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Amex Blue Cards do. After my trip, will reevaluate all the cards, but I think I'll keep Sapphire, Southwest and Amex Blue.

 

[Kbmas0n]

Question about DVA - i have accumulated quite a few Disney GC by purchasing them at Wal-Greens during this Q2 for Freedom. When we go to WDW in March, we are going to charge everything back to the room. How can I use the DVA to pay off the dining charges at the end? Does that make sense?

 

[MrPTato]

Got the itchy for a new card so I went with two new ones. Disney Premier for the $200 statement credit that will offset the AP pass purchase later this month. Wife also has this card so I will downgrade after a year and keep it for the credit line that can be moved around to other Chase cards down the road. Surprised at the limit ($20k) - only Chase card I have. Also got the Discover Miles. Essentially 3% back for the first year and airline wi-fi credit of $30 a year. BCP will still get my grocery spend but will shift everything else over to Discover for the next year.

My far stretched goal will be the CSP or Reserve in 2019 (and possibly the Freedom(s) too).

 

[ski_mom]

Question on the authorized user issue: Is there a way to get a second card for your account (and have it be in the original card holder's name)?

In the past, DH and I have always used the same account for our everyday spend and I'd really like to keep it that way, but I now hate to add AU's to each card because it takes up a "spot".

 

[MrPTato]

Question on the authorized user issue: Is there a way to get a second card for your account (and have it be in the original card holder's name)?

In the past, DH and I have always used the same account for our everyday spend and I'd really like to keep it that way, but I now hate to add AU's to each card because it takes up a "spot".

I know my wife has all the design's for her Disney card and they all have the same number, exp, and 3 digit code on back. You should be able to request a replacement, and it won't change anything.

The only issue I know is that Amex issues a new expire date and 4 digit code with my card gets worn out.

Which lender?

 

[Arden01]

Question about DVA - i have accumulated quite a few Disney GC by purchasing them at Wal-Greens during this Q2 for Freedom. When we go to WDW in March, we are going to charge everything back to the room. How can I use the DVA to pay off the dining charges at the end? Does that make sense?

I don't believe you can do that. I am pretty sure you have to use it to pay off tickets, room, etc. before trip. Maybe it can pay off dining plan before the trip too. I'm not using the DP, so I can't speak to that.

One thing I'm going to do with my Chase Freedom is charge all our meals during our August trip. The category should be restaurants which will earn us 5x points which I'm going use for vacation costs next summer.

 

[Lain]

Question about DVA - i have accumulated quite a few Disney GC by purchasing them at Wal-Greens during this Q2 for Freedom. When we go to WDW in March, we are going to charge everything back to the room. How can I use the DVA to pay off the dining charges at the end? Does that make sense?

You can pay for your room or package ahead of time with DVA, but I don't think you can pay for your room charges from DVA.

From the FAQs:

How do I use my Disney Vacation Account to make a payment for my vacation?

To make a payment for your vacation with your Disney Vacation Account, you will first need to retrieve your Disney Vacation Account number. Once you have your Disney Vacation Account number, there are 2 ways to make a payment for your vacation:

• Online through the official Disney website for your selected Disney vacation destination. Please provide your Disney Vacation Account number on the payment page. Select the Disney Gift Card payment type and enter your 16-digit Disney Vacation Account number. Please note that Adventures By Disney vacations cannot be paid for online.
• By calling the Disney Reservations Call Center at (407) 939-7734. You will need to provide your Disney Vacation Account number to the agent

After you've paid for your vacation, any remaining balance on your Disney Vacation Account can be used for a future vacation, be used to purchase a Disney Gift Card (subject to certain limitations—get details) or be refunded.

You'd have to request any remaining balance be put onto a Disney gift card and use that gift card to pay for your room charges. DVA says:

Please request your Disney Gift Card at least 4-6 weeks prior to your trip to allow time for delivery to your mailing address.

 

[Lain]

One thing I'm going to do with my Chase Freedom is charge all our meals during our August trip. The category should be restaurants which will earn us 5x points which I'm going use for vacation costs next summer.

Just a word of warning, I've read that some Disney restaurants don't code as "restaurants" or "dining" so you might not earn 5x points in those cases.

 

[Arden01]

Just a word of warning, I've read that some Disney restaurants don't code as "restaurants" or "dining" so you might not earn 5x points in those cases.

Thanks. Good to know.

 

[ski_mom]

I know my wife has all the design's for her Disney card and they all have the same number, exp, and 3 digit code on back. You should be able to request a replacement, and it won't change anything.

The only issue I know is that Amex issues a new expire date and 4 digit code with my card gets worn out.

Which lender?

They are Chase cards. Right now DH and I both have the CSR. We will probably just keep one of them long term, but I'd like for both of us to be able to use to earn points. DH also has SW cards and I have CSP but I'm not so worried about both of us being able to use them in stores/restaurants.

 

[MrPTato]

They are Chase cards. Right now DH and I both have the CSR. We will probably just keep one of them long term, but I'd like for both of us to be able to use to earn points. DH also has SW cards and I have CSP but I'm not so worried about both of us being able to use them in stores/restaurants.

I would just order replacements and you should be fine.

 

[LynnTH]

Ok. Trying to figure out my next steps. Here is what the next months look like for mine an DH's cards. (I now know not to put the other as AU as it takes up a spot).

May 2017
Me - 2/24 + 2 AU
DH - 5/24 + 1AU
(Just signed DH for Barclaycard Arrival Plus and CSP - we got the Barclaycard but am on the waiting for CSP, I had applied for that one first and was not automatically accepted - I had forgotten about a stupid Sams Club Visa he opened. So, not sure if I should plead his case with Retention or just let it ride out and get other things)

June 2017
Me- 2/24 +1 AU
DH - 4/24 + 1 AU

December 2017
Me - 2/24 + 1 AU
DH - 3/24 + 1 AU

February 2018
Me - 1/24 + 1 AU
DH - 3/24 = 0 AU

March 2018
Me - 1/24 + 0 AU
DH 2/24 + 0 AU

So, my original plan was to just wait it out and apply for 2 Southwest Cards at the end of the year to try for the Companion Pass to start in 2018. I signed DH for the Barclaycard as the $500 bonus will go towards our cruise in December. Eventually I would like to get that card and both of us get the Capitol One cards but like to make the most of the Chase Cards. We mostly only fly SW so the SW Cards and any with UR points are great.

But, I see the Chase Marriott Card with 100,000 bonus is coming to an end. Wondering if I should get that one now and then maybe 1 SW card in December and another in February when I gain a spot to use. We don't have any immediate plans for flights except in December but we would not have the pass for that anyway.

What do you guys think we should do? Anything I am not thinking of...

 

[wendow]

I applied for the Ink BP on 4/21 and approved on 4/27. I am 4/24 now with that card. Is it possible to apply for the Marriott personal card now or would I run into only 1 card in 30 days? It's a lot of min spend to meet and that concerns me but I am wanting that Marriott bonus

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I applied for the Ink BP on 4/21 and approved on 4/27. I am 4/24 now with that card. Is it possible to apply for the Marriott personal card now or would I run into only 1 card in 30 days? It's a lot of min spend to meet and that concerns me but I am wanting that Marriott bonus

Its 2 in 30 days, so you should be alright to apply.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Do y'all close accounts and open new ones or just keep a ton of cards open?
Can you transfer a credit line to a new card and get the sign on bonus or no?
I have:
1.Old chase card from forever ago that I keep because of avg age of accounts. It was prob my first cc.
2. Disney visa had 7 or so yrs rarely use
3. Southwest premier had prob 5+ yrs
4. Southwest plus got in 2016 to boost me to CP

I want to open a CSP soon for UR points as we have plenty of SW points for now.

At some point close my SW premier so that in 2018 I can open another SW premier for the points boost to CP again. Do I need to wait 24 months from my last SW card for the bonus or from my last SW premier specifically?

 

[AmyAnne]

Do y'all close accounts and open new ones or just keep a ton of cards open?
Can you transfer a credit line to a new card and get the sign on bonus or no?
I have:
1.Old chase card from forever ago that I keep because of avg age of accounts. It was prob my first cc.
2. Disney visa had 7 or so yrs rarely use
3. Southwest premier had prob 5+ yrs
4. Southwest plus got in 2016 to boost me to CP

I want to open a CSP soon for UR points as we have plenty of SW points for now.

At some point close my SW premier so that in 2018 I can open another SW premier for the points boost to CP again. Do I need to wait 24 months from my last SW card for the bonus or from my last SW premier specifically?

My advice is not to close even the recent Chase cards because the credit limit on those cards can be useful if Chase is on the fence about giving you a new card. For example, when I applied for the Fairmont card (in January I think), I got the "pending" notice and called -- the person I spoke with asked if I would be okay with transferring some existing credit to the new card, which was fine with me.

 

[peel]

My mind is going crazy trying to decide whether I want to jump on the Marriott 100K before the offer ends tonight. We’re just finishing up the 5K spend on the SPG, and I wasn’t planning on taking on another 5K so soon, but it’s so tempting! I may be without pay for a couple of months this summer because I am possibly transitioning to a freelance role, and my company has a 60 day window to pay invoices. So my first week’s check would come 60 days later, then the next week’s check would come 7 days after that, etc.* It would be even harder to reach the 5K spend in that situation. I know what the wise move is, but that 100,000 number keeps staring at me!


*The Upside: Legit eligibility for business cards.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

My advice is not to close even the recent Chase cards because the credit limit on those cards can be useful if Chase is on the fence about giving you a new card. For example, when I applied for the Fairmont card (in January I think), I got the "pending" notice and called -- the person I spoke with asked if I would be okay with transferring some existing credit to the new card, which was fine with me.

But if they are closed then I don't have that open credit either, so why would chase prefer I transfer my credit line than open from scratch?

For example, say I close both SW cards today (total CL on them is close to $50k). Then wait 30 days or so and app for the CSP. They'd prob give me $25-30k CL. In this scenario they are extending total less credit to me than I currently have.

Or I app the CSP now with the SW cards still open and they transfer maybe half my CL from each SW card over to the new CSP. In this scenario they aren't extending any further credit, just shuffling.

Guess I don't understand the benefit from chase's point of view...

 

[AmyAnne]

But if they are closed then I don't have that open credit either, so why would chase prefer I transfer my credit line than open from scratch?

For example, say I close both SW cards today (total CL on them is close to $50k). Then wait 30 days or so and app for the CSP. They'd prob give me $25-30k CL. In this scenario they are extending total less credit to me than I currently have.

Or I app the CSP now with the SW cards still open and they transfer maybe half my CL from each SW card over to the new CSP. In this scenario they aren't extending any further credit, just shuffling.

Guess I don't understand the benefit from chase's point of view...

I do see your point and it could be that if I had closed an account and then applied, I would have been approved without calling. But I do know that it was a very quick phone call to transfer part of a credit limit from an existing account to the card I had applied for.