I love credit cards so much!

[Haley R]

@Haley R he means if you click on the points section, it takes you to the UR portal which shows pending and earned points. For CSR, it also shows how much travel credit you have used.

Okay that makes sense. We check that a lot because we like seeing what we get bonus points on with our CIP.

 

[Haley R]

90k-110k per person is so close! im glad u have a goal in mind unlike muah.
cant wait to hear you redeem and fly!

I’m seeing 80k miles one way (for business) from LAX to NRT. We would have to get a flight to and from LAX but I’m not too worried about that. It’s really fun to see how many points we can get lol. We aren’t going out of our way to meet the MSR so I’m so glad I found this thread. Might as well earn points on things you have to pay for anyway right?

 

[jhoannam]

Yuck, might have confirmation of the Amex/Chase SPG/Marriott restrictions for new cards. This commenter on DoC says they see it on a Marriott Premier Plus page, but my cursory look isn't seeing it : https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rumo...ti-churn-language-to-be-added/#comment-622377

Oh, also that's DoC's post on the SPG Lux rumored sign up bonus.

If that language is correct then I should have pushed the Chase boundaries and tried for the Premier Plus while it was 100k. I managed to find the spend for the Marriott Biz (P2's card), I was just concerned with 4 chase apps in a 3 month period… sissy.

Well, that totally sucks.
Glad DH earned the SPG, Marriott Biz & Marriott personal bonus in the last 6 months. Hopefully he can still get the bonus for the SPG Biz.

I’m 4/24, so I didn’t take advantage of any of the Marriott/SPG cards. I guess I’ll hold out for a good SPG Biz bonus.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I’m seeing 80k miles one way (for business) from LAX to NRT. We would have to get a flight to and from LAX but I’m not too worried about that. It’s really fun to see how much points we can get lol. We aren’t going out of our way to meet the MSR so I’m so glad I found this thread. Might as well earn points on things you have to pay for anyway right?

Yes, that’s exactly the point. Not paying interest and essentially getting paid for spending money you’d spend anyway.
Addictive, right?

 

[Haley R]

Yes, that’s exactly the point. Not paying interest and essentially getting paid for spending money you’d spend anyway.
Addictive, right?

Very very addictive lol. We also opened a bank account with heritage bank after reading this thread and we are getting a good interest rate there.

 

[mmmears]

Hi @mmmears - I’m sitting at the Centurion lounge in Miami and just starting to catch up on the thread so sorry for the delayed response. In order to use airline shopping portals you do not need to use their co-branded card to pay. My AA cards sit in a drawer.

Shopping portals are a way to earn more points, miles or cash back for your online purchases. Let’s say I wanted to purchase something at Macy’s. I would log into the AA shopping portal, search for the Macy’s link in the portal and go through there to pull up Macy’s and make my purchase. The shopping portal may be offering anywhere form 1 extra AA mile per $ to 10 or 15 extra AA miles per $ for my purchase because I took the extra step to go through the portal. Let’s say, I pay with my SPG card, the shopping portal is offering 2 points per dollar and my items are $100 not including shipping. Then I will get 200 AA miles, for the purchase, plus 100 SPG points for paying with that card.

I will often take things a step further. In the above example, I would purchase $100 Macy gift cards at Staples or Office Depot/Max so I can get 5x on my Ink Plus. Then I’duse the gift cards to purchase through the shopping portal and get 200 AA miles plus 500 UR points.

Most of the airlines have a dining rewards network. When you sign up they usually offer a welcome bonus. You link the card or cards you use to pay for dining at restaurants, Every time you dine at a restaurant on their network you will earn mile.

I hope this helps.

Thank you! This really helps. I've been spending without doing this for years. Oh well, I'm learning. And how's the C. Lounge in Miami? Is it nice? So far my family has only been to the ones at SFO, PHL and DFW but I have to say they make us not feel so bad about paying that AF.

Guys and gals, if you don't hear from me after the next few days, my wife might've strangled me -- with good reason. (I won't blame you, hon!)

I couldn't resist and called in for the Amex Business Platinum 100k MR/$10k offer and got APPROVED!

I was thinking over what I posted last night, and then I remembered DUH the Biz Plat is an Amex biz card and won't affect my plans with Chase except for how much spend I'll put on their cards over the next 3 months. I need a break from Chase anyway.

Interestingly, while waiting for approval, the Amex rep pitched me on the BGR and was able to extend me a $75k MR/$10k/4 months, first year AF waived offer. Told me to call him directly whenever I'm ready for a new card.

Awww, who am I kidding, my wife probably won't notice any difference between the MB Plat and the Biz Plat, or the vanilla Plats that I canceled and are sockdrawered with the rest of them. So promise me we'll all stay mum about the $450 AF, ok?

WOW! Congrats on all those points!

Of course, where else would @calypso726 be?



@mmmears --

Just to add, there are dozens of different shopping portals that can earn you cash back, points towards cash or gift cards, airline miles, Marriott has one called More that earns you Marriott Rewards points, Chase has an Ultimate Rewards shopping portal that earns you UR points. Every time you shop online, you should check cashbackmonitor.com to see what all the different portals are offering per $1 spent. I'd suggest you stick to using a manageable number of portals that will earn you "currency" that you can use, whether that's Ultimate Rewards points, AA/UA/SW miles, or straight up cash, so that the rewards from your spending aren't diluted between more than half a dozen programs.

Several of the airline shopping portals have bonus spend offers going on right now:

Delta Shopping Portal Bonus: Spend $150 & Get 500 Bonus Miles

Alaska Shopping Portal Bonus: Spend $150-$500 & Get 300-1,500 Bonus Miles

United Airlines Shopping Portal Bonus: Spend $150-$600 & Get 500-3,000 Bonus Points

Southwest Shopping Portal Bonus: Spend $125-$550 & Get 250-2,000 Bonus Points

What points or miles are you interested in growing?

Thank you! I'll take a look at these, too. Which points? Well, MRs are our main points right now, but with the Chase double dip we're interested in those, too. Plus I have a bunch of AA points from having that card, and while they aren't as flexible as MRs and URs I'm still interested in growing that, too.

I am only 5’2” but still find it a bit cramped. But worse for DH who is 6’2”

We paid the upcharge for the 5-6 hr flight to MCO last year and DH (6 feet tall) said it was totally worth it. DD said it wasn't worth it at all (ah, to be young and flexible!). I was happy to have the extra space.

 

[Albort]

I’m seeing 80k miles one way (for business) from LAX to NRT. We would have to get a flight to and from LAX but I’m not too worried about that. It’s really fun to see how much points we can get lol. We aren’t going out of our way to meet the MSR so I’m so glad I found this thread. Might as well earn points on things you have to pay for anyway right?

https://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/04/12/great-virgin-atlantic-flying-club-redemptions/
90k RT from LA...

 

[Haley R]

https://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/04/12/great-virgin-atlantic-flying-club-redemptions/
90k RT from LA...

So by booking with Virgin Atlantic instead we can get the flights for a lot less miles? They are showing 110,000 for first class which seems really low. If it really is 110,000 per person round trip for first class I think we could actually make that work pretty easily and that would be awesome!

 

[Lain]

EDIT: It looks like DoC made some typos in his post about the new restrictions; there’s a 24 month lookback for bonuses received that was written up as 90 days. He’s since fixed it. It looks like after 8/26, anyone who’s opened a SPG card in the past 2 years would be precluded from Marriott’s cards, and anyone who’s opened a Marriott card in the past 2 years would be precluded from SPG’s cards. I need to look into the details more and re-analyze my situation, but it’s too early right now so please disregard most of my earlier analysis assuming just a 90 days limit on bonuses.

VftW also posted a write up of the new restrictions that contain the 24 months limit on bonuses: New Restrictions Coming for Marriott and Starwood Credit Card Bonus Approval

Specifics Of Chase & American Express Limiting SPG/Marriott Bonuses - DoC

[snip]

But it looks like @miztressuz is right that we should have hit the Starriott cards harder, because the rules really seem to limit new customers [snip].

(Rumor) SPG Luxury Launch Bonus Will Be 125,000 Points + Lesser Cards 75,000 Points & Stricter Anti Churn Language To Be Added - DoC

One more thought on the bonuses — the SPG Lux is rumored to come with a limited time offer of 125k Marriott points, which would’ve been 41,666 Starpoints. For those wondering if the SPG Biz and Personal will be getting better points offers, the rumored 75k Marriott points offer is equivalent to only 25k Starpoints, but is consistent with the current Marriott Premier Plus offer.

I’m wondering if I sign up for the Marriott Premier Plus now to start the 90 days clock on acquiring it (and get a jump on the 90 days clock after receiving the bonus), whether there’s enough time to get the SPG Lux with its limited time 125k offer? [can’t — I don’t think I qualify for the SPG Lux.]

ETA: Who am I kidding? I’ve got about $13k in spend towards Amex MSRs in the next 3 months, and I’m thinking about adding $3k on the Marriott Premier Plus and, I’m going to guess, $5k on the SPG Lux?!

 

[havaneselover]

EDIT: It looks like DoC made some typos in his post about the new restrictions; there’s a 24 month lookback for bonuses received that was written up as 90 days. He’s since fixed it. It looks like after 8/26, anyone who’s opened a SPG card in the past 2 years would be precluded from Marriott’s cards, and anyone who’s opened a Marriott card in the past 2 years would be precluded from SPG’s cards. I need to look into the details more and re-analyze my situation, but it’s too early right now so please disregard most of my earlier analysis assuming just a 90 days limit on bonuses.

VftW also posted a write up of the new restrictions that contain the 24 months limit on bonuses: New Restrictions Coming for Marriott and Starwood Credit Card Bonus Approval

Specifics Of Chase & American Express Limiting SPG/Marriott Bonuses - DoC

If I’m reading this right [edit: I wasn’t], the restrictions don’t seem too bad [edit: they are]. Most of the Starriott cards will have a 30 days lookback to see if you’ve held certain same class of product cards (except for the SPG Personal, which seems to include the entire Marriott line), a 90 days lookback to see whether you’ve opened certain cards, and a 90 days [actually, 24 months] lookback to see if you’ve gotten a bonus from certain cards (except the SPG Biz, which has a 24 months lookback at Marriott’s Premier/+ cards).

I think the big impediment is if you’ve held certain of the cards in the past 30 days, because you can’t really cancel a card until your year is up.

If these really are the rules,

- I’ve gotten the SPG Biz, SPG Personal, Marriott Biz (all three more than 90 days ago)

- I’m eligible for either the SPG Lux or the Marriott Premier Plus, but not both.

- DW has only the SPG Biz (card and bonus more than 90 days old)

- DW is eligible for only one of the following: Marriott Biz, SPG Personal, or the SPG Lux.

However, the restrictions from the above link seem inconsistent with the “confirmed” limits being added to the Marriott Premier Plus card on 8/26, specifically:

• Currently have or have had any of the following cards in the last 30 days: SPG personal card.
• Have received a welcome or upgrade offer on any of the following Chase cards in the last 90 days
  • SPG Luxury
  • SPG Business

vs. (Confirmed) American Express & Chase To Team Up & Limit Marriott/SPG Bonuses

• are a current or previous cardmember of either the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business or the Starwood Preferred Guest® Luxury credit card, and received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus in the last 24 months;

So who knows?

But it looks like @miztressuz is right that we should have hit the Starriott cards harder, because the rules really seem to limit new customers, while giving a pass to churners who’ve already gotten these cards and bonuses more than 90 days ago.

(Rumor) SPG Luxury Launch Bonus Will Be 125,000 Points + Lesser Cards 75,000 Points & Stricter Anti Churn Language To Be Added - DoC

One more thought on the bonuses — the SPG Lux is rumored to come with a limited time offer of 125k Marriott points, which would’ve been 41,666 Starpoints. For those wondering if the SPG Biz and Personal will be getting better points offers, the rumored 75k Marriott points offer is equivalent to only 25k Starpoints, but is consistent with the current Marriott Premier Plus offer.

I’m wondering if I sign up for the Marriott Premier Plus now to start the 90 days clock on acquiring it (and get a jump on the 90 days clock after receiving the bonus), whether there’s enough time to get the SPG Lux with its limited time 125k offer? [can’t — I don’t think I qualify for the SPG Lux.]

ETA: Who am I kidding? I’ve got about $13k in spend towards Amex MSRs in the next 3 months, and I’m thinking about adding $3k on the Marriott Premier Plus and, I’m going to guess, $5k on the SPG Lux?!

Thanks for the analysis. This stuff is dense.

If I got a Marriott bonus 22 months ago and hold spg biz (bonus 5/8/18), I should be able to get spg ultra in August?

 

[WVMomof3]

The inclusion of business cards in prohibiting the other cards is troubling because I fear that Southwest will be following suit.

 

[striker1064]

Holy moly, the new rules suck. I was looking forward to picking up the SPG Luxury. Per the DoC link:

Have received a welcome offer for any of the following cards from Chase in last 24 months:

• Marriott Rewards Premier Plus
• Marriott Rewards Premier

So I'd imagine that will disqualify a lot of people. The biz isn't included and that's the only one I've gotten in the last 24 months, so I think I'm in the clear. But for everyone else, that's really rough.

Also the Ritz card is going away. Most application links are gone. I've had it and liked it. My P2 hasn't had it yet and I'm super tempted to sign her up. That 50k annual free night is so tempting. But we are working on a ton of MSR. I'm not sure what to do now.

 

[Lain]

Thanks for the analysis. This stuff is dense.

If I got a Marriott bonus 22 months ago and hold spg biz (bonus 5/8/18), I should be able to get spg ultra in August?

Yeah, and I'm going to have to reanalyze my entire situation.

VFTW has a nice little chart that should make it easier to see if you qualify for a certain card:

For the SPG Lux, that SPG Biz/bonus doesn't count. It looks like you should be good to go 24 months after your Marriott bonus.

Based on the same chart, Chase really screwed over Marriott Premier cardholders who took the upgrade offer to the Plus card because apparently upgrade bonuses can now count against the 24 months limit.

 

[hsmamato2]

View attachment 339673

oy thanks..... that's what I thought....so many changes happening I could't find that list again!

 

[Lain]

Holy moly, the new rules suck. I was looking forward to picking up the SPG Luxury. Per the DoC link:

So I'd imagine that will disqualify a lot of people. The biz isn't included and that's the only one I've gotten in the last 24 months, so I think I'm in the clear. But for everyone else, that's really rough.

Also the Ritz card is going away. Most application links are gone. I've had it and liked it. My P2 hasn't had it yet and I'm super tempted to sign her up. That 50k annual free night is so tempting. But we are working on a ton of MSR. I'm not sure what to do now.

Sign her up and MS it if you have to?

I don't know... VFTW's chart includes the Marriott Biz bonus within the last 24 months as disqualifying for the SPG Lux. If you can't get the Lux, get the RC while you still can? Both are $450 AF cards that offer the 50k FN, but isn't the RC supposed to be an all-around better card > SPG Lux?

 

[striker1064]

Thank you @Lain, that chart is insanely useful. Guess I can't get the SPG Luxury! Oh well. That's the way things are going these days.

 

[havaneselover]

Yeah, and I'm going to have to reanalyze my entire situation.

VFTW has a nice little chart that should make it easier to see if you qualify for a certain card:

For the SPG Lux, that SPG Biz/bonus doesn't count. It looks like you should be good to go 24 months after your Marriott bonus.

Based on the same chart, Chase really screwed over Marriott Premier cardholders who took the upgrade offer to the Plus card because apparently upgrade bonuses can now count against the 24 months limit.

Thanks! Glad I didn’t do the 20,000 point upgrade before I cancelled my Marriott card hope the 125,000 point sign on bonus lasts a few months.

 

[striker1064]

Both are $450 AF cards that offer the 50k FN, but isn't the RC supposed to be an all-around better card > SPG Lux?

That's the really crazy thing, Chase made the Ritz better and now.. they're yanking it.

Yeah, MS is a possibility. I've never looked into it around here, it makes me uncomfortable. But I could likely open a PNC account for her. PNC denied me a while ago, but I have many more new bank accounts. I bet if we waited 30+ days from her last account, she'd be able to get it.

I hope.

 

[Lain]

That's the really crazy thing, Chase made the Ritz better and now.. they're yanking it.

Yeah, MS is a possibility. I've never looked into it around here, it makes me uncomfortable. But I could likely open a PNC account for her. PNC denied me a while ago, but I have many more new bank accounts. I bet if we waited 30+ days from her last account, she'd be able to get it.

I hope.

I know @speedyfishy (NOVA) and @SBWB48 (MD) do a bit of MS around your area. I doubt they'd let a MSR get in the way of absolute certain FOMO.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Marriott Biz points watch: Business day #5 - no joy... sigh...

How frustrating! I just checked and my Marriott points are in my account. My Marriott biz stmt closed 7/24. As a DP I met the msr in the first month (mostly thanks to Pnc bank funding) about 2 weeks before the stmt closed). I really hope you get your points soon!