I love credit cards so much!

[Mrs. Ciz]

You got a better deal than I did! I had to spend $5000 in 3 months. My last statement hasn't closed yet so I can't help with when the points will credit, but with SW from Chase they credited very fast after it closed.

Same here. I have to spend $5000. also. Hoping I can meet the MS by September.

Uh oh! You made me look it up and you are RIGHT!!! It is a $5000 spend for me too. I have NO idea where I got $3000??!!! No worries though as we have 3 months to do it. I was just excited that we'd have the $3000 done so fast. Oh well.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Well…whether you want them or not, here are my thoughts on the new Southwest Priority Card…LOL!

For those newer or wondering why my opinion may matter on this…Well I currently have 503,419 SW RR points. I also have probably used over 600k SW points in the past 4 years (that’s an estimate as my spreadsheet doesn’t accurately have those details for 2014 & 2015). Between my wife and I, we have also earned the CP 4 times in the past 5 years. I traveled SW as a somewhat frequent business traveler (approx. 6x per year) in my prior career. I don’t have accurate records on this one either but I have probably flown 50+ round trips with SW in the past decade. Perhaps that gives me some credibility...or maybe not, either way, here goes!!

1. Annual Fee: $149 – it’s obvious they’re trying to market this as a step up from the current Premier card (which may be going away…but there is still a mention of it at the bottom of the application page) and they’ve largely achieved that. This is totally offset by a $75 credit and 7,500 anniv. points (worth $111 in my book).
2. $75 Credit: This one is hard to analyze. In one respect…it’s worth $75…on the other hand, if you use it towards a flight that costs $130 you just ended up spending $55 that you didn’t intend to. If you apply the $75 towards airfare you’ll earn some points on that flight so that’s cool. It might be possible to trigger this with a refundable flight and then cancel it…but we probably should debate that loophole here.
3. 7,500 Anniv. Points: I value SW points at 1.48cpp so this where I get my $111.
4. Four Upgraded Boardings: I know many of us here travel as a family and so I think this benefit means almost nothing. I know that when I board with family boarding I can always get seats together. When we age out of family boarding I will be buying Early Bird. I wouldn’t “chance” it and hope that there are early boarding positions available at the airport. If I had the card…I’d probably find a way to use the benefit, BUT I cannot in good conscience ascribe any value to it. If I was traveling solo, for work, or as a couple more often, I think that may change my opinion on it. I usually frame my opinions on things with a family of 4+ in mind. For those interested in how this will work – you’ll purchase it and get reimbursed through a statement credit:
   Southwest Upgraded Boardings: Each anniversary year you will be reimbursed for the purchase of up to 4 Upgraded Boardings which are positions A1-A15. Upgraded Boardings may be purchased at the departure gate or ticket counter on the day of travel only, when available. Price of Upgraded Boardings is based on your itinerary.. After you make your purchase with your Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card, you will receive a statement credit for the price of the Upgraded Boardings. Statement credit and purchase of Upgraded Boardings may not post on the same statement; please allow up to 8 weeks for the statement credit(s) to post to your account. You may purchase all 4 Upgraded Boardings at one time or on separate flights; you will only be reimbursed via statement credit for the first four Upgraded Boardings you purchase during your anniversary year.
5. Earning TQP towards A-List: If anybody here is chasing A-List…good for you. I think this barely applies to anybody.
6. 20% back on random SW related expenses: Ok…thanks? I personally don't spend money on any of this.

Ok and of course the important part….

The Sign Up Bonus:

• PART1: 40,000 SW RRs for $1,000 spend…using my earlier valuation, $592 for $1,000 in spend…is GREAT! It’s also the same as the offer for the Plus and Premier (again is this one going away?). Of course there is an in-flight offer for 50k for $2k for the Plus right now and we’ve seen 60k offers before.
• PART2: 25,000 SW RRs for $15,000 spend…this one makes little sense to me (outside of those that can MS to hit it very inexpensively)…Assuming all $15k was in NON-SW spend you would earn 15k + 25k on that spend for a total of 40k SW RRs (again worth $592). So that’s approx. a 3.95% return on $15k. A CFU partnered with a CSR gives you a 2.25% return on everyday purchases. Unless I was big in MS or I had a HUGE amount of organic spend coming up, I give that one a pass…Of course, for those chasing the elusive CP, 25k points could mean a lot…the problem is how long will it take you to rack up that 15k in spend. Most people like to earn that CP early in the year. The best (easiest) way to earn a CP is still a 60k Business + 50k Personal (curr. only available via an in-flight application). Partnering a 40k Personal + 60k Biz would get you 104k points (including the MSR) leaving you 6k short. There’s a bunch of ways to earn that last 60k, the easiest probably being a referral offer if you can find a willing friend (or DISchurner).

MY VERDICT:

• It’s ALWAYS good to see a new card come out.
• The 1 SW personal rule makes this a difficult decision now…There are currently 3 SW personal cards, and it’s hard to figure out which is best.
• For now, I’d say the BEST offer is the 50k in-flight for the PLUS card (but you have to be on a flight to do this one).
• If the offers on all 3 were identical…this new card would probably be tops in my book.
• Of course the real BEST SW card right now is the 60k Biz offer!
• Overall, I think it’s a nice addition to the SW card lineup. I think it fell short of the “Priority” card we were all expecting, but that comes as no surprise from the leaked info DoC previously provided.

We are SW RRs rich currently so all of my focus is on URs. That said, if I were going for a SW personal card, this would warrant consideration.

Thanks for doing the math. Really hoping they up the bonus in a few months. Just told DH he might have to apply on his flight in October. Still undecided on doing the bus Card for him. As he’s not big on calling in. So Two personals might be the better route for him.

 

[wendow]

I'm flying home to TX in Sept and again in Nov (both on SW) . I'll be looking for inflight 50k offers!

 

[Alexle2007]

Just approved the other day for the Citi AA Biz and now DOC posts this...

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/hilt...-offer-50-statement-credit-annual-fee-waived/

So much for slowing down the MSRs and optimizing the stash of GCs I've amassed/cards in wallet for a couple months...that plan is likely out the door soon

Looks like it ends 8/19/18. Might have to consider this one.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks for doing the math. Really hoping they up the bonus in a few months. Just told DH he might have to apply on his flight in October. Still undecided on doing the bus Card for him. As he’s not big on calling in. So Two personals might be the better route for him.

2 Personals is possible as a double dip, BUT keep in mind you'll have to do the apps on the same day, and at least one would have to be in-flight to take advantage of the 50k Plus offer. I know people already think us "churners" are crazy...but when we go on vacation and apply for a card on the flight and another when we land...how crazy does that make us?

 

[amalone1013]

Hilton biz came while I was back home over the weekend, so I can use it for DHs car today!

$1700 of $3000 down!

i plan to do another 4k on my spg card. im 4k away from SPG gold. i get the feeling ill get it anyways from the Marriott/SPG combined nights.

What benefits will SPG gold have after the merger? I can't remember...

 

[DisneyMandC]

I do. Like I said before, it’s reserving a seat someone else could get. Now that person has to sit in the back while someone else who may get to switch with the people who do this, get to sit toward the front. People should just reserve the seat they want and be done. These games are lame. Maybe if more people stood their ground like the guy on my flight, then people wouldn’t do it.

Agree to disagree. Also, I’m sitting about four rows from the back of the plane.

 

[DisneyMandC]

@SouthFayetteFan glad you’re back and had a relaxing trip!!!

 

[amalone1013]

Just attempted to sweet-talk... I mean, sweet-SM? Chase about my late fee. I was all, I am a good customer who pays on time... except really this is a SW card that I stopped using after I got the bonus, minus a recurring program annual fee that charged to it in June that I forgot about, plus the actual card AF. So yes, I paid on time for my one or two statements I generated when I got it... and I paid the program AF... just uh, not the card AF

 

[striker1064]

Citi TY Premier is up to 60K TY after $4k spend in 3 months:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/citi-thankyou-premier-60000-points-bonus-af-waived-first-year/

Great card, great offer for those of us past 5/24. I signed up in May at 50K and am hoping Citi will match since I'm still within the first 3 months (even though I already got the bonus). Because of Citi's annoying 24 month rule and the fact that TY Premier mailers are at best very rare, it's best to jump on this now and get the 24 month clock started. Usually Citi is very good with retention offers in the form of spend bonuses when the AF posts in a year, so it's not too hard to justify keeping this open for 2 years until you can sign up for another one.

I know it's tough to think 2 years down the line with churning, but it's very much necessary to play the long game with Citi outside of the AA mailers.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Hilton biz came while I was back home over the weekend, so I can use it for DHs car today!

$1700 of $3000 down!


What benefits will SPG gold have after the merger? I can't remember...

Did you not go for the increased offer on Hilton Biz? I thought you had 5k to spend.

 

[calypso726]

I do. Like I said before, it’s reserving a seat someone else could get. Now that person has to sit in the back while someone else who may get to switch with the people who do this, get to sit toward the front. People should just reserve the seat they want and be done. These games are lame. Maybe if more people stood their ground like the guy on my flight, then people wouldn’t do it.

I still don't understand why that person would have to sit in the back. Assuming I purchased the same types of fare tickets at or about about the same time as the other unknown single traveler and I reserved my seats for an aisle and window in row 7 on the right side of the plane it doesn't mean they have to sit behind me. They can choose, if available, a seat in row 7 on the left side of the plane.

Then, one also must consider that some people will be allowed to chose their seats and others won't depending on the type of ticket they purchase. Someone who purchased a basic economy fare will not be allowed to choose their seat unless they pay extra to do so and often not until 48 hours before the flight. If they want to sit up front then they need to purchase their ticket sooner rather than later and choose a fare bucket that allows them to chose their seat at the time of purchase.

I rarely fly economy anymore. If I do, it's a work trip that I'm not paying for and I'm usually alone. But, on the rare chance that DH is coming with me, like last month (which makes twice in 15 years LOL) you bet I'm gonna play that lame game. Now, if someone would rather sit between us, instead of taking the aisle seat in the row they chose when I offer it to them, which may or may not be closer the front, then I'm ok with that too. It's their loss. I'm not the type of person who will cut off her nose to spite her face, but I get that there are some people like that. So, if I gamble on what most people are likely to do, which is take the better seat when offered, and if I lose that bet, I'm not upset. It will not prevent me from doing it again. Human nature dictates that a person will take what they initially desired when it is offered to them at no cost.

 

[amalone1013]

Did you not go for the increased offer on Hilton Biz? I thought you had 5k to spend.

No, I waited too long to apply and missed that offer. I think that ended June 27th right? I didn't apply until July 12th

 

[DisneyMandC]

No, I waited too long to apply and missed that offer. I think that ended June 27th right? I didn't apply until July 12th

Just realized we already had a conversation about this carry on...

 

[amalone1013]

I know everyone has been anxiously awaiting my full photo tour of the Lincoln Airport (LNK)
(I'm typing this on the computer then going back to add the photos from my phone, so there will be a short delay).

Lincoln has about 10 inbound and 10 outbound flights a day, going to Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. They are currently trying to get American to come in and offer a non-stop to Dallas, apparently. There are 4 ticket counters but we lost 2 airlines in 2008/2009ish. I just remember one was Allegiant which was only non-stops to Vegas. When they added the Atlanta flights in 2014, it cause problems of most people missing their flights for a year because they couldn't handle the additional 70 people through security!

Here is a much better shot of the full airport, where you can see all FOUR gates. I may have mistakenly said 8 gates last week. I don't know why I always want to say 8 instead of 4



We actually had to wait about 5 minutes to pull up to the gate when I landed on Thursday, and wait about 15 minutes to take off last night after pulling away from the gate.

Main Terminal: On the main floor we have the ticket desks (United and Delta), restrooms, and 2 baggage carousels (all under the upper level). Then the waiting areas and the rental car desks, with an escalator in the center. Oh, did you rent a car? Go ahead and collect your keys from the desk there, head outside and cross the pickup/drop off lane (because it's all the same!) and you will find the rentals, garage parking, and the economy lot all right in a row!





And on the upper floor we have this lovely bar/cafe - Uncrowded… unhurried… stylish, without the stress.

And a gift shop of course. Full of Nebraska specialty items, like corn.



I didn't take a picture of security, since I didn't want to go to airport jail (even in Lincoln). But I will describe the security area and procedure. Lincoln has TWO full body scanners, one per terminal... I was almost shocked they didn't just have one they wheeled back and forth I walked up and had to get 4 bins instead of the normal 2, because their bins were about half the size of any of the other airports I've been through recently. I sorted out my liquids, laptop, shoes, etc. Then I slid my bins along the 3 metal tables to the single roller bar table before the xray machine. And then I handed my boarding pass and ID to the TSA agent waiting at the machine entrance He stamped my pass, gave them back, and put my items into the machine while I went through the scanner.

Terminal B

In this photo, I am exactly 6 chairs from the corner of the room.





Two gates, plus a stairwell in case your plane is so small you need to walk down to the tarmac and use a rolling staircase.

Down a hall, you'll find your dining options! Two drink machines, a hidden snack machine, and FREE coffee! I mean, free coffee alone makes up for the $250+ difference of Lincoln vs Omaha, am I right? That's better than Starbucks! Actually it's been a while since I flew into Omaha, does anyone know if they have a Starbucks now?







The plane to Lincoln was one with 2 seats down each side, but the one back to Denver was a 1-2 configuration, so the jetway cover couldn't actually be used and they had to put out the little bridge. So we all got one last taste of NE weather...




I hope you have enjoyed my photo tour of my quirky little hometown airport

 

[Judique]

Man + mom + daughter in 20’s...these details are making me think that perhaps this guy had some sort of creepy intentions for wanting to sit between them. Haha.

I was thinking the same thing! Creepy!! Especially given the chance of an aisle seat where he may have been able to stretch a bit.

 

[speedyfishy]

I know everyone has been anxiously awaiting my full photo tour of the Lincoln Airport (LNK)
(I'm typing this on the computer then going back to add the photos from my phone, so there will be a short delay).

Lincoln has about 10 inbound and 10 outbound flights a day, going to Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. They are currently trying to get American to come in and offer a non-stop to Dallas, apparently. There are 4 ticket counters but we lost 2 airlines in 2008/2009ish. I just remember one was Allegiant which was only non-stops to Vegas. When they added the Atlanta flights in 2014, it cause problems of most people missing their flights for a year because they couldn't handle the additional 70 people through security!

Here is a much better shot of the full airport, where you can see all FOUR gates. I may have mistakenly said 8 gates last week. I don't know why I always want to say 8 instead of 4

View attachment 338971

We actually had to wait about 5 minutes to pull up to the gate when I landed on Thursday, and wait about 15 minutes to take off last night after pulling away from the gate.

Main Terminal: On the main floor we have the ticket desks (United and Delta), restrooms, and 2 baggage carousels (all under the upper level). Then the waiting areas and the rental car desks, with an escalator in the center. Oh, did you rent a car? Go ahead and collect your keys from the desk there, head outside and cross the pickup/drop off lane (because it's all the same!) and you will find the rentals, garage parking, and the economy lot all right in a row!

View attachment 338972

View attachment 338973

And on the upper floor we have this lovely bar/cafe - Uncrowded… unhurried… stylish, without the stress.

And a gift shop of course. Full of Nebraska specialty items, like corn.

View attachment 338974

I didn't take a picture of security, since I didn't want to go to airport jail (even in Lincoln). But I will describe the security area and procedure. Lincoln has TWO full body scanners, one per terminal... I was almost shocked they didn't just have one they wheeled back and forth I walked up and had to get 4 bins instead of the normal 2, because their bins were about half the size of any of the other airports I've been through recently. I sorted out my liquids, laptop, shoes, etc. Then I slid my bins along the 3 metal tables to the single roller bar table before the xray machine. And then I handed my boarding pass and ID to the TSA agent waiting at the machine entrance He stamped my pass, gave them back, and put my items into the machine while I went through the scanner.

Terminal B

In this photo, I am exactly 6 chairs from the corner of the room.

View attachment 338975

View attachment 338976

Two gates, plus a stairwell in case your plane is so small you need to walk down to the tarmac and use a rolling staircase.

Down a hall, you'll find your dining options! Two drink machines, a hidden snack machine, and FREE coffee! I mean, free coffee alone makes up for the $250+ difference of Lincoln vs Omaha, am I right? That's better than Starbucks! Actually it's been a while since I flew into Omaha, does anyone know if they have a Starbucks now?

View attachment 338977

View attachment 338978

View attachment 338979

The plane to Lincoln was one with 2 seats down each side, but the one back to Denver was a 1-2 configuration, so the jetway cover couldn't actually be used and they had to put out the little bridge. So we all got one last taste of NE weather...

View attachment 338980


I hope you have enjoyed my photo tour of my quirky little hometown airport

Where’s the lounge?

 

[Judique]

If you didn’t have a Marriott number when you applied, they assigned you one. It’s usually printed on your credit card. Mine is on the back, lower left side.

My Marriott Rewards number is on my personal card but not on my Biz card. And, I know I added it to my Biz application. I did not add it to the personal app. But was surprised when it was actually there once I got the card. I got a rewards number back around 2000 during a stay at the Marriott World Center when a manager decided to hook me up. I still had the card they hand wrote it on. It never collected a single point after that stay until last year. I can't remember what problem I had there but I do remember getting free breakfast buffet for all of us in 2 rooms! Same with my IHG card - someone at the front desk decided I should become a member.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

I still don't understand why that person would have to sit in the back. Assuming I purchased the same types of fare tickets at or about about the same time as the other unknown single traveler and I reserved my seats for an aisle and window in row 7 on the right side of the plane it doesn't mean they have to sit behind me. They can choose, if available, a seat in row 7 on the left side of the plane.

Then, one also must consider that some people will be allowed to chose their seats and others won't depending on the type of ticket they purchase. Someone who purchased a basic economy fare will not be allowed to choose their seat unless they pay extra to do so and often not until 48 hours before the flight. If they want to sit up front then they need to purchase their ticket sooner rather than later and choose a fare bucket that allows them to chose their seat at the time of purchase.

I rarely fly economy anymore. If I do, it's a work trip that I'm not paying for and I'm usually alone. But, on the rare chance that DH is coming with me, like last month (which makes twice in 15 years LOL) you bet I'm gonna play that lame game. Now, if someone would rather sit between us, instead of taking the aisle seat in the row they chose when I offer it to them, which may or may not be closer the front, then I'm ok with that too. It's their loss. I'm not the type of person who will cut off her nose to spite her face, but I get that there are some people like that. So, if I gamble on what most people are likely to do, which is take the better seat when offered, and if I lose that bet, I'm not upset. It will not prevent me from doing it again. Human nature dictates that a person will take what they initially desired when it is offered to them at no cost.

I guess depends on what airline you travel. I mostly travel Jetblue and Alaska and they allow you to choose your seats ahead of time. I forgot the point of leaving the middle seat open, is it in hopes that nobody will sit there and you’ll get the row to yourselves? Does that ever work out? Why not just sit together in the first place? Maybe I fly popular flights because it’s rare that any seats are open.

 

[hsmamato2]

I just called Amex and was told it’s based on when the points post. Yikes. I’m cutting it close because my statement closes Friday.

oh boy so if mine closes the 24th, its too late if i buy today right? or the other card closes aug 10, so now I'm confused.... it's not by purchase date?