I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

I'm a little confused on the point value process, I think I need to dig deeper into understanding the trade in/transfer values. My ultimate short term goal is to get free airfare for a trip to Aulani for my family (6 adults + a 3 and 5 yr old), in two years. My 1st choice will be United because they are the only airline that flies non-stop from my area. (I will work on back-up options using SW and Alaska down the line)

I chose the IHG card before the other options because they give you 10 pnt for every dollar spent at their hotels which should come to 60k-80k points by the time my apt is ready, plus the 60k bonusfor spending 1K in the first three months. So within a couple of months I will have at least 100K pnts from my CSR card and approx 125K of IHG pnts which I planned on transferring for use on United. I didn't take into account, but obviously need to research what the IHG pnts are going to be worth toward United (or other) airfare. If the rate is not favorable I can fall back on my CSR for my time in t e hotel

Did I screwed up by going with IHG first rather than Freedom, United or Ink +? Thanks

You would need to to transfer 10,000 IHG points in order to get 2,000 UA points. The points also take 4 - 6 weeks to post. That would still get you about 25,000 UA miles if my math is correct.

I have several Chase keeper cards and if I was starting out my strategy would be in this order Ink+, CSR, CSP, Freedom then downgrade CSP to (Freedom Unlimited but not until I have other cards under 5/24) then next card would be the United Card. Then I'd wait until I was at 4/24 again and get the Marriott card. If I valued SW cards at all then I would replace those for the United and Marriott cards. Once I have all the cards I intend to keep that fall under 5/24 then I'd go for the IHG since it doesn't fall under the 5/24 rule.

Since your situation is unique and you are spending a lot at IHG hotels then that makes sense. With the IHG you are getting 60K points for your spend of $6,000. However, the CSR would get you 18,000 points for the same spend plus a $300 travel credit. Transferring those 60K poinst to UA miles would only get you 12,000 UA miles. You are better off putting the spend on the CSR card.

Two years out is a good plan and that is exactly what I do. I give myself one year to get the points I need and have them in place 331~ days out to book from date of travel. I would focus more on the UR cards for your trip to Hawaii. It will give you more options and points than SW or Alaska potentially. UR points can transfer to BA and BA points can be used on AA saver award flights. We are going to Aulani with about 18 other people in March. I helped several families get to Aulani for free from different parts of the US using points and miles. One family of 4 did use UR points transferred to BA to fly on American from the Chicago area to HNL. DH and I are using a combination of AA miles, and Citi Thank You points to get from Miami to HNL and back in first. Another family is using UR points transferred to United. UR points are easier to accumulate than Alaska miles when you consider sign up bonus and spending categories.

 

[AmyAnne]

A friendly FYI for those who are newer to this hobby and trying to make the spend for a large bonus. The 3 months you have to make the spend is counted from your approval date not the date you activate the card or statement date. The spending requirements also must post before the 3 months if over. To make sure I keep within 3 months the clock starts ticking the day I applied and I want to make the spend at least 2 weeks before my three months arrive. I always have a cushion that goes beyond the exact spend requirement and annual fee. Hope this helps.

I called Chase a few weeks ago to check on this and was told it was 3 months from the date of application, but the agent could have mis-spoken. I asked for the specific date that Chase had listed as the application date so I could write it in my calendar.

Relatedly, I think I have figured out a manufactured spending plan that is within my tolerance for risk (which is not high at this point). I saw on the frequentflyer site that there was a discount for buying MasterCard gift cards, so I purchased $600, which I then converted to a money order at Walmart. I figure if I can do even a few hundred dollars a week, that is several thousand dollars over 3 (or 2.5) months, which should be more than enough to ensure that we meet the spending requirement. I do realize the risks, primarily that the cards can be drained fraudulently before I can use them. My plan is to only buy them when I can immediately go from Office Depot across the street to Walmart.

I am wondering, besides the frequentflyer site, is there a good website for keeping track of MasterCard or Visa gift card deals? The discount at Office Depot last week essentially covered the activation fees for the cards, which was nice -- of course, a few dollars for activation fees to get 50,000 points is not a big deal, but I am thinking with the holidays approaching, there might be more of these offers.

 

[calypso726]

I called Chase a few weeks ago to check on this and was told it was 3 months from the date of application, but the agent could have mis-spoken. I asked for the specific date that Chase had listed as the application date so I could write it in my calendar.

Relatedly, I think I have figured out a manufactured spending plan that is within my tolerance for risk (which is not high at this point). I saw on the frequentflyer site that there was a discount for buying MasterCard gift cards, so I purchased $600, which I then converted to a money order at Walmart. I figure if I can do even a few hundred dollars a week, that is several thousand dollars over 3 (or 2.5) months, which should be more than enough to ensure that we meet the spending requirement. I do realize the risks, primarily that the cards can be drained fraudulently before I can use them. My plan is to only buy them when I can immediately go from Office Depot across the street to Walmart.

I am wondering, besides the frequentflyer site, is there a good website for keeping track of MasterCard or Visa gift card deals? The discount at Office Depot last week essentially covered the activation fees for the cards, which was nice -- of course, a few dollars for activation fees to get 50,000 points is not a big deal, but I am thinking with the holidays approaching, there might be more of these offers.

That is where we currently are with MS since I don't want another Bluebird shut down. Honestly, following the main bloggers. DH gets great timely info via tweets from Dan's Deals. I subscribe and get emails from The Points Guy, Frequent Miler, Million Mile Secrets, View From the Wing, One Mile at a Time and Doctor of Credit. There are a few others but those are the ones I follow the most.

 

[CaterFamily]

Heres the new credit cards for this Summer/Fall:

Chase Disney
Chase Freedom(DW - i am an AU)
Chase Sapphire Preferred (DW - I am an AU)
Chase Ink+ Business
Chase Sapphire Reserve
AMEX Platinum Business - free* upgrade for being a loyal customer for 4+ years and never carrying a balance...
EDIT: Just applied for and got approved for a personal Amex Delta Gold card...

6+ years ago, this would never have even been a possibility. Had terribad credit (thanks younger self in the Navy some 13 years ago) but with great help (DW) over the past 13+ years total (focusing on the past 5 with payments in full and on or before time) we've managed to get our credit score from 475 to 759 average!

Boy do we have stories we could tell...or even write in a darn ebook!

 

[Alice Sr.]

You would need to to transfer 10,000 IHG points in order to get 2,000 UA points. The points also take 4 - 6 weeks to post. That would still get you about 25,000 UA miles if my math is correct.

I have several Chase keeper cards and if I was starting out my strategy would be in this order Ink+, CSR, CSP, Freedom then downgrade CSP to (Freedom Unlimited but not until I have other cards under 5/24) then next card would be the United Card. Then I'd wait until I was at 4/24 again and get the Marriott card. If I valued SW cards at all then I would replace those for the United and Marriott cards. Once I have all the cards I intend to keep that fall under 5/24 then I'd go for the IHG since it doesn't fall under the 5/24 rule.

Since your situation is unique and you are spending a lot at IHG hotels then that makes sense. With the IHG you are getting 60K points for your spend of $6,000. However, the CSR would get you 18,000 points for the same spend plus a $300 travel credit. Transferring those 60K poinst to UA miles would only get you 12,000 UA miles. You are better off putting the spend on the CSR card.

Two years out is a good plan and that is exactly what I do. I give myself one year to get the points I need and have them in place 331~ days out to book from date of travel. I would focus more on the UR cards for your trip to Hawaii. It will give you more options and points than SW or Alaska potentially. UR points can transfer to BA and BA points can be used on AA saver award flights. We are going to Aulani with about 18 other people in March. I helped several families get to Aulani for free from different parts of the US using points and miles. One family of 4 did use UR points transferred to BA to fly on American from the Chicago area to HNL. DH and I are using a combination of AA miles, and Citi Thank You points to get from Miami to HNL and back in first. Another family is using UR points transferred to United. UR points are easier to accumulate than Alaska miles when you consider sign up bonus and spending categories.

So I'm getting an extra 12k AU points from the sign up bonus, but other than that I should use CSR..? Probably too late to withdraw the IHG in favor of the Freedom without them questioning my sanity. Is the conversion info you provided in one of the sites you listed? Thanks for that info, the only site I have checked out (suggestef by @Albort i think) is TPG, that was a REAL eye opener. I look forward to checking out these additional sites!

 

[BurleyGirl]

We did it...we applied for and got the CSR. I've been on the fence due to the $4000 spending requirement, but just last week a new medical development (an enlarged lymph node of DS17 is necessitating a biopsy this week ) and the high deductible plan means we have to pay $5800 out of pocket. While I was reeling from that revelation, I told my husband we might as well try to make some lemonade out of these lemons and make our money work for us, even in spending!
My only concern now is how to spend the $300 for travel before year end. We were not planning on taking any trips in the next three months. Any suggestions on using the $300? We know we want to take a graduation trip next year, but am not sure where that will be yet...

 

[calypso726]

So I'm getting an extra 12k AU points from the sign up bonus, but other than that I should use CSR..? Probably too late to withdraw the IHG in favor of the Freedom without them questioning my sanity. Is the conversion info you provided in one of the sites you listed? Thanks for that info, the only site I have checked out (suggestef by @Albort i think) is TPG, that was a REAL eye opener. I look forward to checking out these additional sites!

The conversion rates for IHG points to United points is directly on IHG's website. 10,000 IHG points to get 2,000 United miles. The bonus



If you spend $6,000 on your IHG card at an IHG property you will earn 30,000 IHG points. I just realized it was only 5 IHG points per dollar at IHG property I thought someone had posted it was 10. With the conversion of IHG to United points you will be able to convert those to 6,000 miles. 10,000 IHG = 2,000 UA. If you spend the same $6,000 on your CSR card you will earn 18,000 UR points. UR points convert 1:1 to United so you would have 18,000 United points.

 

[AmyAnne]

Congrats CaterFamily! We have a similar list since this spring - purchased a down-sized house in December so had been holding off on applying for any new credit cards until after the mortgage was approved. I have one more Chase card before I hit the 5/24 limit - definitely waiting until after the spending requirements on the CSR is met, but after that I will probably apply either for the United card or one of the hotel cards.

 

[AmyAnne]

A hotel question especially for the London experts. It seems that the most valuable benefit of a hotel CC is the free nights, and that points from the hotel CCs don't convert well to airline miles. We have a definite trip to London planned for next year, so I'm wondering, is there a hotel in London that you like that is a good use of CC points?

 

[havaneselover]

Just spent the $3,000 I needed to spend to get my Marriott visa sign on bonus. At least it makes paying for dd's swimming slightly less painful. Next year--CSR hopefully!

 

[Alice Sr.]

The conversion rates for IHG points to United points is directly on IHG's website. 10,000 IHG points to get 2,000 United miles. The bonus



If you spend $6,000 on your IHG card at an IHG property you will earn 30,000 IHG points. I just realized it was only 5 IHG points per dollar at IHG property I thought someone had posted it was 10. With the conversion of IHG to United points you will be able to convert those to 6,000 miles. 10,000 IHG = 2,000 UA. If you spend the same $6,000 on your CSR card you will earn 18,000 UR points. UR points convert 1:1 to United so you would have 18,000 United points.

Oh man, it does say 5 points @ $1. I know I saw 10 somewhere thought it was on the TPG'S site but it indicates 5 also. It must have just changed.? It doesn't really make since for me to have the card at 5.

 

[calypso726]

Oh man, it does say 5 points @ $1. I know I saw 10 somewhere thought it was on the TPG'S site but it indicates 5 also. It must have just changed.? It doesn't really make since for me to have the card at 5.

If you already have the card and took the hard pull for it, I'd just keep it. It is still a good card to have and keep but not to put spending on it. DH and I are actually keeping this card and have no intentions to ever cancel it. I made my spend and got the bonus points. Once a year, I will pay some random bill with it or buy gum or whatever to keep it active. The annual night at any IHG property far outweighs the annual fee.

 

[calypso726]

A hotel question especially for the London experts. It seems that the most valuable benefit of a hotel CC is the free nights, and that points from the hotel CCs don't convert well to airline miles. We have a definite trip to London planned for next year, so I'm wondering, is there a hotel in London that you like that is a good use of CC points?

I have used Marriott points to stay at the St. Ermin in London and it was great. I am using Club Carlson points to stay at a Radisson Blu on the West End next February. I have also used that card's points for stays in Edinburgh and Dublin. My favorite credi card for International stays is the Club Carlson because it gives you 40,000 points each anniversary and the sign up bonus is pretty good. I have also used the Starwood Guest Preferred card for a stay at a Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh. I liked that property the best and it was only 12,000 points per night. I just happen to value SPG points more for airline transfers. But if you are looking for the best of both worlds then this would be the card to get.

 

[CaterFamily]

If you already have the card and took the hard pull for it, I'd just keep it. It is still a good card to have and keep but not to put spending on it. DH and I are actually keeping this card and have no intentions to ever cancel it. I made my spend and got the bonus points. Once a year, I will pay some random bill with it or buy gum or whatever to keep it active. The annual night at any IHG property far outweighs the annual fee.

This is what I am learning with most cards - that often the benefits far outweigh the annual fee. Case in point, the CSR..we will be using this more than twice in the next 12 months, getting a total of $600 travel credit...that alone paid for the card for a year!

 

[Ngwira]

I have used Marriott points to stay at the St. Ermin in London and it was great. I am using Club Carlson points to stay at a Radisson Blu on the West End next February. I have also used that card's points for stays in Edinburgh and Dublin. My favorite credi card for International stays is the Club Carlson because it gives you 40,000 points each anniversary and the sign up bonus is pretty good. I have also used the Starwood Guest Preferred card for a stay at a Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh. I liked that property the best and it was only 12,000 points per night. I just happen to value SPG points more for airline transfers. But if you are looking for the best of both worlds then this would be the card to get.

I am looking at the Fairmont Visa (chase) for the 2 complimentary free nights to use at the Fairmont Queen in Montreal. What are your thoughts, calypso?

 

[Albort]

To all you guys looking into a hotel credit card... Have you guys considered maybe a General Travel Card instead? specifically the Citi Bank Prestige.

$450 annual fee
3x on travel
2x on dining
1x everything else
$250 Air Travel Credit
$100 Global Entry
40,000 TY points after $4,000 spendings
complimentary 4th night stay when booking 4 consecutive nights via Prestige Concierge.

 

[calypso726]

This is what I am learning with most cards - that often the benefits far outweigh the annual fee. Case in point, the CSR..we will be using this more than twice in the next 12 months, getting a total of $600 travel credit...that alone paid for the card for a year!

Yup! There are some cards we keep but only use once a year to keep active. Then there are some that we put spending on to maximize category bonuses. Diversifying your portfolio of points, miles and perks is always a good strategy.

I am looking at the Fairmont Visa (chase) for the 2 complimentary free nights to use at the Fairmont Queen in Montreal. What are your thoughts, calypso?

I've been eyeing the card too for a few years now and I think it would be amazing for an aspirational stay. I am holding out until we are ready to go to Africa and use it at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club in Kenya or a visit to Whistler. It is not a card I would keep or put spending on. This would be an earn and burn card for me. That's not to say that it wouldn't be great for someone else. It truly depends on your vacation style and preferences. The majority of our big vacations are with Adventures by Disney or with DCL. Therefore, accommodations are already taken care of except maybe a pre or post night. Enter annual IHG night for Rome next year with ABD in ITaly. When I do plan something on my own it is rarely to take advantage of a really nice property but more to have a clean place to sleep in a nice area that I can use as home base while we go exploring. Therefore, I am content with a Radisson Blu property. The exception to that would be when I want to experience something out of the ordinary like sleeping in Castles and Manor homes which we did this past summer while traipsing around Ireland. Now I'm trying to figure out how to travel hack my to to a week's stay in Ashford Castle! Two nights was no where near enough and I will definitely be back.

To all you guys looking into a hotel credit card... Have you guys considered maybe a General Travel Card instead? specifically the Citi Bank Prestige.

$450 annual fee
3x on travel
2x on dining
1x everything else
$250 Air Travel Credit
$100 Global Entry
40,000 TY points after $4,000 spendings
complimentary 4th night stay when booking 4 consecutive nights via Prestige Concierge.

It's a shame they are devaluing this card next year. I am still torn on keeping or cancelling this one when my annual fee comes due this December. I only got it to get first class flights to Hawaii paid for with the TY points. Now I'm facing whether or not the 4th night free will come in handy next year. We are planning a trip to Iceland for Thanksgiving week. I could do a night or two at a Club Carlson on points and then use the 4th night free benefit at a different hotel with this card. Then again there are Air BNB options that look pretty good too and are much less expensive than the hotels and some are rated better as well. Decisions, decisions. Ugh!

 

[calypso726]

I am looking at the Fairmont Visa (chase) for the 2 complimentary free nights to use at the Fairmont Queen in Montreal. What are your thoughts, calypso?

I went to check out the hotel you mentioned to see what it looks like online and it says they are closed for one year due to renovations. They will re-open in June of 2017. Not sure if you knew.

 

[Ngwira]

I went to check out the hotel you mentioned to see what it looks like online and it says they are closed for one year due to renovations. They will re-open in June of 2017. Not sure if you knew.

Yes the trip would be in July 2017.

 

[Ngwira]

I am looking at the club Carlson and the ihg when the 70k offer comes back. Hyatt, too.