I love credit cards so much!

[laceltris3]

is it cuz of your neighborhood? They have all just dropped my package in the mailbox and leave. Your other option is to have them hold your package at the UPS facility(usually after 8pm) and u can go in to pick it up. Ive done this a few hundred times because the UPS guy sees a gate at my old apartment complex and never tries the door... haha.

Neighborhood is fine and I order so much from Amazon we have packages left there most days. But Chase overnighted it without me even requesting it. And UPS indicates Chase won't let me divert it to the UPS store or deliver to my work. Home address only. Probably I should be happy they are doing this, especially after my identity theft and BofA repeatedly failed to put a verbal password on my account (all impersonation was over the phone; online access was secure) and allowed the id thief to impersonate me multiple times, and ended up sending my new card to Cleveland even after being informed of the fraud, to an address I never confirmed (I live in TX).

CSR is so worth the minor hassle.

 

[CaterFamily]

Ok so its all but official: by the middle of October we will have 210,000 bonus points accumulated (375,000 in total) for just signing up and meeting spend reqs. This means that for our vacation in Dec we're flying (F) class!!! From Wa to Fl its worth it for us. Now to normal spend until our trip to Aulani next year in Oct then back to Fl in Dec 17 - we're planning on flying (F) class for both trips.

This thread made all of this possible! You guys rock.

 

[Albort]

Ok so its all but official: by the middle of October we will have 210,000 bonus points accumulated (375,000 in total) for just signing up and meeting spend reqs. This means that for our vacation in Dec we're flying (F) class!!! From Wa to Fl its worth it for us. Now to normal spend until our trip to Aulani next year in Oct then back to Fl in Dec 17 - we're planning on flying (F) class for both trips.

This thread made all of this possible! You guys rock.

congrats! enjoy your FL trip! Im currently sitting on 300k myself... too busy with school to travel

 

[calypso726]

Ok so its all but official: by the middle of October we will have 210,000 bonus points accumulated (375,000 in total) for just signing up and meeting spend reqs. This means that for our vacation in Dec we're flying (F) class!!! From Wa to Fl its worth it for us. Now to normal spend until our trip to Aulani next year in Oct then back to Fl in Dec 17 - we're planning on flying (F) class for both trips.

This thread made all of this possible! You guys rock.

WOO HOO!!! Congrats! A bit of advice on your Hawaii flight. Before you book something in what you think might be F class for more miles over J class, check the flight seats on Seatguru. I nearly fell into that trap booking my flights to Aulani this March on the American Airlines website. There were saver award flights for both business and first, with first being nearly twice the amount of miles needed. I almost booked it but then remembered that most airplanes to Hawaii were two cabin planes. This gave me pause. I checked the flight and seats on seat guru and realized that the seats in the business fare class and first fare class were the same seats. I booked for business class saver award seats which were less miles. I was wondering whether or not my actual tickets would code as J (business) or F (first) and sure enough even though I booked business class award seats they ticketed F class. So, just a heads up in case that helps.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Ok so its all but official: by the middle of October we will have 210,000 bonus points accumulated (375,000 in total) for just signing up and meeting spend reqs. This means that for our vacation in Dec we're flying (F) class!!! From Wa to Fl its worth it for us. Now to normal spend until our trip to Aulani next year in Oct then back to Fl in Dec 17 - we're planning on flying (F) class for both trips.

This thread made all of this possible! You guys rock.

I totally agree love this thread and so thankful for the knowledge and experience share!
I'm so impressed and would greatly appreciate it if you wouldn't mind sharing how you got to that point. I have 100,000 points from CPR sign up and 60,000 points IHG sign up (which I understand now is not really 60k points). I am looking at ways to increase my points with United for spends through IHG, but even with everything I have going on:
my DD's wedding, flowers and 10 rooms at a Hilton (not Hyatt, I got confused on that)=$3k
Job relocation=$4.5k in Holiday Inn Express
Preparing existing house for sale=$10k+/-
I am closing on a small Vero DVC add on which will be $6.5k+/- the end of the month. They require a cashiers check but I will see if there is a way to use my CPR.
This does not include gas and dining out everyday between now and 11/8.
I clearly have a lot of spend opportunities . One thing I just thought about was adding my DD as an authorized user for my CPR so they can use it while they are at Aulani for their 2 week honeymoon. That should help, but I don't see how I can get to your points level. TIA

 

[Alice Sr.]

WOO HOO!!! Congrats! A bit of advice on your Hawaii flight. Before you book something in what you think might be F class for more miles over J class, check the flight seats on Seatguru. I nearly fell into that trap booking my flights to Aulani this March on the American Airlines website. There were saver award flights for both business and first, with first being nearly twice the amount of miles needed. I almost booked it but then remembered that most airplanes to Hawaii were two cabin planes. This gave me pause. I checked the flight and seats on seat guru and realized that the seats in the business fare class and first fare class were the same seats. I booked for business class saver award seats which were less miles. I was wondering whether or not my actual tickets would code as J (business) or F (first) and sure enough even though I booked business class award seats they ticketed F class. So, just a heads up in case that helps.

Oh so very helpful! Thank you, you are so freaking talented with this stuff! I have to say I know I am not stupid, but the stuff you come up with just blows me away.

 

[Aanna]

One thing I just thought about was adding my DD as an authorized user for my CPR so they can use it while they are at Aulani for their 2 week honeymoon. That should help, but I don't see how I can get to your points level. TIA

Just be aware of the $75 AU fee on the CSR: that may or may not be worth it to you.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Just be aware of the $75 AU fee on the CSR: that may or may not be worth it to you.

Ok thanks, good to consider.

 

[Albort]

Ok thanks, good to consider.

hehe, better to have 2 ppl sign up for CSR than to add AU... 200k UR pts can get u to places...

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

One thing I just thought about was adding my DD as an authorized user for my CPR so they can use it while they are at Aulani for their 2 week honeymoon. That should help, but I don't see how I can get to your points level. TIA

Is it possible to call and use your credit card for incidentals? I've heard of people doing that because it's a "gift" in some cases. Or maybe just pre-purchase a $500 (or more depending on how much they will spend!) Disney gift card and she can give you cash in return?

 

[calypso726]

I totally agree love this thread and so thankful for the knowledge and experience share!
I'm so impressed and would greatly appreciate it if you wouldn't mind sharing how you got to that point. I have 100,000 points from CPR sign up and 60,000 points IHG sign up (which I understand now is not really 60k points). I am looking at ways to increase my points with United for spends through IHG, but even with everything I have going on:
my DD's wedding, flowers and 10 rooms at a Hilton (not Hyatt, I got confused on that)=$3k
Job relocation=$4.5k in Holiday Inn Express
Preparing existing house for sale=$10k+/-
I am closing on a small Vero DVC add on which will be $6.5k+/- the end of the month. They require a cashiers check but I will see if there is a way to use my CPR.
This does not include gas and dining out everyday between now and 11/8.
I clearly have a lot of spend opportunities . One thing I just thought about was adding my DD as an authorized user for my CPR so they can use it while they are at Aulani for their 2 week honeymoon. That should help, but I don't see how I can get to your points level. TIA

I am going to chime in as well since I was able to get about 700,000 points within my first few months of this hobby.

$4,500 IHG spend on IHG card will get you 22,500 IHG points. 20,000 IHG points = 4,000 United miles.

$4,500 IHG spend on CSR card will get you 13,500 UR points.
13,500 UR points = 13,500 United miles.

Others ways to earn miles and points specifically for United:

Join the United Mileage Plus dining program. There is usually a bonus to join the program. Opt in for the emails as it will earn you more points per dine. Link your CSR card and any other cards you or a family member might use to pay for dining. Explore new restaurants and places to eat that are on the list in the area.

Register for the United mileage shopping portal. Anytime you do any shopping online, check the portal first to see if your store is listed. If so, you will earn anywhere from one or more extra miles per dollar for you shopping through the portal. These often take a while to post but they add up.

Also, check the Ultimate Rewards shopping portal for online shopping and compare online stores with the United one. Some days one store is offering more points from one portal over another.

Sign up with Erewards and Emiles. Taking surveys will also earn you miles and points.

Check United's website for partner programs. Sometimes you will find a way to earn miles and points with another company's products and services if they partner with United. A few years ago I earned 4,000 miles for signing up to receive Netflix at a cost of $7.00.

Apply for the Ink+ business card. If you are still under 5/24 this is a great card to have! It will be an additional 60,000 UR points if you meet the bonus spend. It generates a ton of UR points if used strategically. Office supply store purchase earn 5 UR points per dollar. Office supply stores sell gift cards and those gift cards can make the majority of your purchases 5x or more per dollar. Example: I use my Ink+ card to purchase a $100 Macy's gift card at Staples or Office Depot and earn 500 UR points. Then I go through the United shopping portal or Chase UR shopping portal and see Macy's is at 9 miles/points per dollar. I make my purchases and pay with the gift card but just earned and additional 900 United miles. Granted is usually isn't that high but it is once in a while. Million Mile Secrets does have a tutorial on how to apply for a business card as a sole proprietor.

Lastly, there is manufactured spending which we don't really employ often. This of course is something you need to research very carefully and go slow when starting.

Between DH and I we try to maintain a balance of at least 2,000,000 miles and points. This gives us options when planning travel. We employ the strategies I listed above as well as sign up for credit cards when there are awesome bonuses for signing up. I hope down of this helps you and other DISers.

Oh so very helpful! Thank you, you are so freaking talented with this stuff! I have to say I know I am not stupid, but the stuff you come up with just blows me away.

Aaawwww thank you for the nice compliment. Trust me when I say I just barely know what I'm doing compared to serious travel hackers. But what little I pick up on and learn has served me well. I enjoy sharing with everyone here and like to think that the ideas shared by everyone on this board help us all have more magical vacations!

hehe, better to have 2 ppl sign up for CSR than to add AU... 200k UR pts can get u to places...

Totes agree!!!!

 

[Albort]

Aaawwww thank you for the nice compliment. Trust me when I say I just barely no what I'm doing compared to serious travel hackers. But what little I pick up on and learn has served me well. I enjoy sharing with everyone here and like to think that the ideas shared by everyone on this board help us all have more magical vacations!

heehee, car rental man and chocolate pudding man gave me a good chuckle...

 

[CaterFamily]

WOO HOO!!! Congrats! A bit of advice on your Hawaii flight. Before you book something in what you think might be F class for more miles over J class, check the flight seats on Seatguru. I nearly fell into that trap booking my flights to Aulani this March on the American Airlines website. There were saver award flights for both business and first, with first being nearly twice the amount of miles needed. I almost booked it but then remembered that most airplanes to Hawaii were two cabin planes. This gave me pause. I checked the flight and seats on seat guru and realized that the seats in the business fare class and first fare class were the same seats. I booked for business class saver award seats which were less miles. I was wondering whether or not my actual tickets would code as J (business) or F (first) and sure enough even though I booked business class award seats they ticketed F class. So, just a heads up in case that helps.

#DroppinKnowledge

Now I do!

Thats right - even Alaska and Delta from Washington State primarily only have 2 "zones" of seats (unless you count the "Comfort+" of Delta being another "zone").

I may have to use Singapore or Korea Air for our tickets though. I remember reading that KoreaAir is sort of a pain in the butt when it comes to award tickets and family. What say you guys? (J) class tickets to Hawaii - who should I use? We will have PLENTY of points to use but want to try to stay under 200k RT.

 

[CaterFamily]

if you wouldn't mind sharing how you got to that point.

Chase Freedom - We started with this card and it has a consistent 1.5pts/$ spent - 2 months we've accumulated 20,000 points

Chase Sapphire Preferred - My wife's card. When you meet the spend req of $4000 you get 50,000 points. Add an AU and get 5000 more. Total of 55,000 - but dont forget the fact that you had to SPEND to get the points. 55,000 + (worst case) 4000 = 59,000 points. We utilized our toll bill that snuck up on us (we pay quarterly for toll crossings) and that added up to 2400 points. So we had an actual 60,400 points there. (Weve spent more on this one and points are still rolling in)

Chase Ink+ Business - 60,000 after spending $5000. We utilized the bonuses to make sure we were getting max points - all $5k is at office supply stores and telecom bills. So in reality its 5000 x 5 points = 25,000. There is 85,000 points right there.

Chase Sapphire Reserve - 100,000 points after $4000 in spend. We just paid for our entire Christmas trip coming up - we had $6000 left for our VIP tour at Universal to pay. We met spend right there PLUS got the x3 bonus on it being travel. 118,000 points.

Total it up:
CF - 20,000
CSP - 60,400
CI+ - 85,000
CSR - 118,000
Total - 283,000 to just meet the spend. We utilized the bonuses (as much as we could) and that gave us even more points!

We have about 90k points pending on the same 4 cards now...so we're at our 375k mark! All from using these for everyday purchases and bills!!! But we're not done...our next trip (after this Christmas) is next October. So we have a LONG time to accumulate more and more and more and...points!

NOTE: Our balances on all cards is $0 at statement. We always PIF each CC before we utilize the next. We will even pay a balance on the road with our bank/chase apps for payments.

 

[calypso726]

heehee, car rental man and chocolate pudding man gave me a good chuckle...

Ha! Some days I really hate the auto-correct on my phone. Today it likes no over know and empty over employ grrrrr

OMG love the Pudding Guy's story. My other favorite is Steve Belkin's. He had mileage-earning hack going on by hiring 20 out of work rice farmers in Thailand to be surrogate flyers on cheap flights between two cities in Thailand. His scheme went on for two years, and brought the DEA down on him. They thought he might be smuggling heroin. He earned like five million miles. He also hired college kids here in the US to fly between LA and Vegas on cheap F class flights when United had some promo going on to get 25,000 bonus miles for first class flights. That stunt got him 10.5 million United miles.

#DroppinKnowledge

Now I do!

Thats right - even Alaska and Delta from Washington State primarily only have 2 "zones" of seats (unless you count the "Comfort+" of Delta being another "zone").

I may have to use Singapore or Korea Air for our tickets though. I remember reading that KoreaAir is sort of a pain in the butt when it comes to award tickets and family. What say you guys? (J) class tickets to Hawaii - who should I use? We will have PLENTY of points to use but want to try to stay under 200k RT.

Great options! Where are you flying out of? If you are flying out of the west coast, I'd say to also look into using British Airways Avios which you can transfer 1:1 from Chase UR points. You need to search for the flight on American Airrlines website. BA's won't show it. If you find Saver Availability Awards on AA then you can book that flight with BA Avios or search Alaska's site and look for "lowest" redemption. Those can be booked with Avios. Hope that helps!

 

[CaterFamily]

Ha! Some days I really hate the auto-correct on my phone. Today it likes no over know and empty over employ grrrrr

OMG love the Pudding Guy's story. My other favorite is Steve Belkin's. He had mileage-earning hack going on by hiring 20 out of work rice farmers in Thailand to be surrogate flyers on cheap flights between two cities in Thailand. His scheme went on for two years, and brought the DEA down on him. They thought he might be smuggling heroin. He earned like five million miles. He also hired college kids here in the US to fly between LA and Vegas on cheap F class flights when United had some promo going on to get 25,000 bonus miles for first class flights. That stunt got him 10.5 million United miles.



Great options! Where are you flying out of? If you are flying out of the west coast, I'd say to also look into using British Airways Avios which you can transfer 1:1 from Chase UR points. You need to search for the flight on American Airrlines website. BA's won't show it. If you find Saver Availability Awards on AA then you can book that flight with BA Avios or search Alaska's site and look for "lowest" redemption. Those can be booked with Avios. Hope that helps!

Flying out of PSC in eastern Washington.

 

[calypso726]

Flying out of PSC in eastern Washington.

Flying to Hawaii using Avios then would be a good strategy as well. Avios awards are distance based.

 

[Ngwira]

I was targeted for the Amex prg...50,000 MR points for 2k spend. No annual fee year one...decisions to make...

 

[calypso726]

I was targeted for the Amex prg...50,000 MR points for 2k spend. No annual fee year one...decisions to make...

If you have all the Chase cards you want already then I'd say go for it. If you are still under 5/24 I'd hold out until you have all the Chase cards you want/need.

 

[Ngwira]

If you have all the Chase cards you want already then I'd say go for it. If you are still under 5/24 I'd hold out until you have all the Chase cards you want/need.

I don't have any Chase cards except the freedom.... I have to decide by december 7th..