I love credit cards so much!

[CyndiLouWho]

Just pulled the trigger on the SW Plus. Already put about $1500 on my business card. Probably going to place some 1-800 Flowers orders to get the last 6k points I'll need for the companion pass.

Random DVA question for those here that use it... If I open an account now with $20, and then when I'm purchasing Disneyland tickets out of it in December or January, can I just load gift cards or $$ (via CSR of course ) in one day and pay for tickets with it the next, and it still count towards the $20 giftcard for $1k spend? Just the account needs to be open 120 days, the money doesn't have to be in there 120 days before spending, right?

What is the big advantage to DVA? Tickets are much cheaper at someplace like LMT club,like $40 cheaper for a 5 day hopper, saving $20/1000 doesn't seem like much. Of course if you get the gift cards way cheaper maybe.. but I don't have a place for that.

 

[Nick6300]

You mention that your wife has a Freedom card....one way to get around the 5/24 is to get an offer from Chase through the payment portal/website. Go the the 'Explore Products' tab on the top left of the webpage and click on 'Your offers'. If there is an offer for a card there with a green check mark then it is a firm offer. I just got the CSP card that way last week. I also checked in the Chase Branch and it I didn't have any prequalified offers either.

Thank you for thinking of this- yes we checked her offers and she unfortunately had none really got now. We'll keep looking. But that's lucky for you on the csp!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do they now? I was reading conflicting info online... Either way I grabbed my SW Plus for my last 5/24 slot and got instant approval. I applied for SW Business 10 days ago. Just to be safe

I see what you mean!! Gosh, I'm sorry! Everything I'd seen before said they count, maybe there's a shot after all. Was just looking at Doc's info, seems conflicted as well: http://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-524-rule-explained-detail-need-know

 

[peel]

I went for the CIP yesterday and immediately had the 7-10 day message when I called to check on the status. This is the first decline since starting this hobby, it feels awful!

 

[amalone1013]

What is the big advantage to DVA? Tickets are much cheaper at someplace like LMT club,like $40 cheaper for a 5 day hopper, saving $20/1000 doesn't seem like much. Of course if you get the gift cards way cheaper maybe.. but I don't have a place for that.

I use Swagbucks to earn free gift cards. I'll definitely compare ticket prices, and it'll definitely depend on how much I've earned, like if it's enough for food, souvenirs, and tickets, or if I'm paying cash for part. I might open a DVA just in case with $10. I don't see our Disney vacations going away anytime soon lol

 

[tink1970]

What is the big advantage to DVA? Tickets are much cheaper at someplace like LMT club,like $40 cheaper for a 5 day hopper, saving $20/1000 doesn't seem like much. Of course if you get the gift cards way cheaper maybe.. but I don't have a place for that.

During Chase Freedom and/or Discover It 5% back at warehouse, you can buy from Sam's (approx 4% off) or BJs (approx 5%) off, put them in DVA and that's another 20/1000 (2%). So nothing to sneeze at but a couple of more steps than straight money off the top for LMT, etc. There are lots of data points and a good thread about getting them even more cheaply but that's why I use DVA.

I'm trying to develop a plan of action for a Disney Cruise in 2019. When our boys graduated we took DCL to Bahamas. When our daughter does the same I'm contemplating DCL in Europe. I've got two years to 'earn' points (and cash) for flights and the cruise, but the deposit will be due when I book, probably March 2018.

I currently have 80,xxx in Ultimate Reward points, 65,xxx in IHG, 12,xxx in Marriott and about $1200 in Disney gift cards (most of that parked in the Disney Vacation Account from a cancelled WDW trip.)

I'm trying to figure out the best credit cards to help me earn points. I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Disney Visa and IHG. I am at 1/24 for Chase. Most of my shopping is groceries and places like Sam's Club, Kohl's, WalMart. We pay over $1000 a month to our son's college but they charge CC fee so I have never charged that. I could move some utilities to credit cards.

We almost always fly Southwest. My husband travels sporadically for work (about 15 flights a year) and uses Southwest, Delta and American. I think his American points might be expiring in a few months but he has less than 10,000. All four of us have Rapid Rewards with varying amounts.

I regularly earn gift cards from Swagbucks, Shopkick, etc.. and churn when I can to make those go farther. But that's small change compared to the costs for flights and a European cruise for four.

Any suggestions on the best cards for us? Thanks

I'm not an expert here but I think if you're really looking at UR, then I'd start with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Freedom. Then I'd max out the CF 5% quarterly categories, and as soon as they posted, transfer them to your CSR points stash-they are worth more that way. The CSR has an annual fee of $450 but the $300 travel credit (if you use it) effectively decreases this to $150 and there is a 50,000 point bonus if you make the minimum spend. That's just the quick and dirty of the first cards I'd go for.

IF you are thinking about a cruise and flights, I'd try to figure out how many points would be needed, where you're going, etc. Flights to Europe require slightly different strategies sometimes (ie no SW/JetBlue air, etc).

I think most of us are jealous of your 1/24 status. Have fun planning

 

[Aanna]

I went for the CIP yesterday and immediately had the 7-10 day message when I called to check on the status. This is the first decline since starting this hobby, it feels awful!

Don't give up I had that and felt exactly the same way -- I even got the decline letter. Called back, had a long talk with a rep, and ended up getting the card after all. I just finished the spend Hang in there!

 

[peel]

Don't give up I had that and felt exactly the same way -- I even got the decline letter. Called back, had a long talk with a rep, and ended up getting the card after all. I just finished the spend Hang in there!

I used eBay as my business, so I don't know how comfortable I'll feel calling. I have just set up an LLC to hopefully switch to being an independent consultant for the company I'm currently contracted with through an agency, but that hasn't been finalized yet so I decided not to use it for my app. Maybe I'll bring that up on a recon call. I wasn't going to go for the CIP until it was a definite, but people have reported getting 100K UR instead of 80K when applying for a referral, so I didn't want to miss out on the potential extra 20K.

 

[Aanna]

I used eBay as my business, so I don't know how comfortable I'll feel calling. I have just set up an LLC to hopefully switch to being an independent consultant for the company I'm currently contracted with through an agency, but that hasn't been finalized yet so I decided not to use it for my app. Maybe I'll bring that up on a recon call. I wasn't going to go for the CIP until it was a definite, but people have reported getting 100K UR instead of 80K when applying for a referral, so I didn't want to miss out on the potential extra 20K.

Sounds to me like a plan and a very logical reason to want a business card. If you just leave out the word "hopefully" it's a solid business plan.

 

[peel]

Sounds to me like a plan and a very logical reason to want a business card. If you just leave out the word "hopefully" it's a solid business plan.

LOL! I've seen DPs about being denied for "too new a business", so I thought I'd go the ebay route first. But yeah, I guess I'll call once I get the letter. I'm hoping it will just be something about having too much credit extended to me and I won't get grilled about my business, but I'm going to go crazy waiting for that letter to arrive!

 

[Aanna]

LOL! I've seen DPs about being denied for "too new a business", so I thought I'd go the ebay route first. But yeah, I guess I'll call once I get the letter. I'm hoping it will just be something about having too much credit extended to me and I won't get grilled about my business, but I'm going to go crazy waiting for that letter to arrive!

Both times I've been involved with a business card recon call, they have asked a lot of questions about the business. Both times, I got the feeling that they were not trying to catch me out in a lie or inconsistency: rather, I had the feeling they were trying to put together a really detailed "story" of the business to send along to the folks that actually make the decision. You clearly know all about the work you're gearing up to do as a contractor, and you've clearly been doing it for a while as an employee. Be enthusiastic about the opportunities this is opening up for you, and be happy talking about all that stuff you know. I'd emphasize how long you've already been doing this work.

I'll be cheering you on

 

[4Hawks]

Does anyone know how often Amex has the UT offer? I'm debating whether to buy the tickets now (before May 31st) or wait. I don't need the tickets until August 1st (fastpass reservations). Thanks!

 

[ibob52]

 

[Alice Sr.]

I did a Google [search] with this info ... amex undercover tourist benefit 2015

change the year 2016 to 2017 etc and the results include all the well known blog-ers

announcing the Amex UCT Deal to the minnons.

I did not do a complete review of the results but I did see a Oct-Nov-Dec 2016

and a Oct-Nov-Dec 2015

I did a search here on the DIS but the results were debatable so I went with Google

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=amex+undercover+tourist+benefit+2015

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=amex+undercover+tourist+benefit+2016

There may be only one a year .. but I only skimmed the results.*

I did not get the Deal but I did the #Tweety thing and the $30 was refunded to

my AMEX Account in approx 3 days (I had to Google how to do that too)

my2cents

Thank you for this. I didn't even know there was a discount (so thank you too @4Hawks). I do not have an AMEX yet but it is on my plan as soon as I get the CIP next month. Although now that I think about it that offer may be too late for our Dec trip. I don't want to have to divide our FP's into two groups.

 

[Cosmic]

Signed up for the UCT/Amex deal! Thanks guys!

 

[Alice Sr.]

I got an offer for Delta AMEX card - 70k points + 10k Medallion Qualification Miles and $100 statement credit if I purchase a Delta ticket and spend 4k in 4 mons. This seems like a pretty good offer, the last offer I got was 60k (don't recall the other specifications). What is the Medallion Miles? Not likely I would be purchasing a ticket as I have SW companion right now so that does not bring much to the table for me. Does/how does AMEX limit the number of cards you can get from them?

 

[Alice Sr.]

Signed up for the UCT/Amex deal! Thanks guys!

How do you sign up?

 

[Cosmic]

How do you sign up?

You have to tweet #AmexUCT, and then they will respond with a link to get your card connected. I don't actually use Twitter, but I have an account for things like this; IIRC you can also save 2% on Crocs orders, even if you're tweeting to nobody like I am.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I got an offer for Delta AMEX card - 70k points + 10k Medallion Qualification Miles and $100 statement credit if I purchase a Delta ticket and spend 4k in 4 mons. This seems like a pretty good offer, the last offer I got was 60k (don't recall the other specifications). What is the Medallion Miles? Not likely I would be purchasing a ticket as I have SW companion right now so that does not bring much to the table for me. Does/how does AMEX limit the number of cards you can get from them?

Looks like I would be able to use the $100 credit, to fly r/t from Detroit to Chicago. The r/t fare would end up only being $36 which is cheaper than gas or the train. I will check reddit but recall someone mentioning that the AMEX has a delayed hit on your CR so I may still be able to get the CIP if I applied for the AMEX a few days before CIP.? Any confirmation on that would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[tink1970]

I got an offer for Delta AMEX card - 70k points + 10k Medallion Qualification Miles and $100 statement credit if I purchase a Delta ticket and spend 4k in 4 mons. This seems like a pretty good offer, the last offer I got was 60k (don't recall the other specifications). What is the Medallion Miles? Not likely I would be purchasing a ticket as I have SW companion right now so that does not bring much to the table for me. Does/how does AMEX limit the number of cards you can get from them?

1) This is a really good offer- 70,000 miles is enough (usually) for a couple of tickets. As a personal example --we're in Montreal right now and Mom and DD flew from Fl to Montreal with another flight to VA then back home and each of their tickets were 45,000 miles. DH was able to fly to Orlando two weeks ago for 25,000 miles.

2) MQMs count toward medallion status level if you are a skymiles member. General skymiles member is 0-24,999 mqms; silver 50,000-74.999. and so on. MQMs are earned by flying and can also be earned via co-branded cc spend.

3) Amex only allows one sign up bonus per person per lifetime. This is probably the most important thing to know!!

I believe their unofficial rule is 4 credit cards and 4 charge cards per person.

4) The platinum Amex provides a companion ticket (there are rules and regs with this so YMMV) after the first full year of having it.

5) Sorry, no help on how it reports for credit- I'm so far out of the 5/24 I'll probably never see a Chase card application again :I

Hope this answers some of your Amex questuons!!