I love credit cards so much!

[Judique]

If the SPG points were in your mom's SPG loyalty account, then if you cancel the Dolphin now, those points (4 x 10,000 = 40,000 pts) should still go back to her account. SPG points are kept active by staying at a SPG property sometime in the preceding 12 months OR if you have an SPG credit card that you earn points by making purchases with it (and points get transferred after statement close). So if they are saying that her points will expire end of Oct, that means the last time she had any earning activity was in Oct 2017.

If those points are back in her account by 8/18 then they will automatically convert to Starriott points on that day when the programs merge. 40,000 --> 120,000 points. By then the Dolphin will cost 50,000 in the new currency, so she could book 2 nights if those award nights are available. Another (much better) option would be to use the refunded points to book 2 nights at the current rate of 12K/nt (do it BEFORE 8/18), leaving her 16K in her SPG account that will convert to 48K Starriott points (almost another night at the Dolphin!). If you want to go that route, I would do it ASAP. I just checked and only saw award nights available for 10/28-30, the surrounding days were grayed out.

My gut feeling is that the points in her account won't expire at end of Oct, just because it will be a new program on 8/18 and I think that will reset the clock. I don't know that for sure though.

I haven't seen the new rules about transferring Starriott points, but Marriott currently allows transfers up to 50K points in a calendar year for $10 (free for Gold & Plat members) even if you're not in the same household.

If the SPG points were in your mom's SPG loyalty account, then if you cancel the Dolphin now, those points (4 x 10,000 = 40,000 pts) should still go back to her account. SPG points are kept active by staying at a SPG property sometime in the preceding 12 months OR if you have an SPG credit card that you earn points by making purchases with it (and points get transferred after statement close). So if they are saying that her points will expire end of Oct, that means the last time she had any earning activity was in Oct 2017.

If those points are back in her account by 8/18 then they will automatically convert to Starriott points on that day when the programs merge. 40,000 --> 120,000 points. By then the Dolphin will cost 50,000 in the new currency, so she could book 2 nights if those award nights are available. Another (much better) option would be to use the refunded points to book 2 nights at the current rate of 12K/nt (do it BEFORE 8/18), leaving her 16K in her SPG account that will convert to 48K Starriott points (almost another night at the Dolphin!). If you want to go that route, I would do it ASAP. I just checked and only saw award nights available for 10/28-30, the surrounding days were grayed out.

My gut feeling is that the points in her account won't expire at end of Oct, just because it will be a new program on 8/18 and I think that will reset the clock. I don't know that for sure though.

I haven't seen the new rules about transferring Starriott points, but Marriott currently allows transfers up to 50K points in a calendar year for $10 (free for Gold & Plat members) even if you're not in the same household.

Using the points for the Oct 28-30 stay should keep them alive also. Even one night will keep them alive.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I am probably over-analyzing as I do, but I ordered a replacement CSR on DH's account to use myself. It has the same act number as his card, but diff expiration and diff cvv. If I activate it, are those going to mess up him using his card? I did this before without incident, but I don't know if the numbers were diff or if I just didn't pay attention.

Ohh..I’d like to know the answer to this as well....since one one time I did order a replacement for I think one of my SW cards all info was the same

 

[wendow]

I actually do have a dog that ate my credit card... not vicious, just dumb Also, not the dog pictured

LOL! I remembered your story when I was typing that response Love your new pic too!

 

[mmmears]

I am probably over-analyzing as I do, but I ordered a replacement CSR on DH's account to use myself. It has the same act number as his card, but diff expiration and diff cvv. If I activate it, are those going to mess up him using his card? I did this before without incident, but I don't know if the numbers were diff or if I just didn't pay attention.

I have been thinking about doing this and I have the same questions. Right now I have the CSR in my Apple Pay wallet and have used it that way, but most places don't take Apple Pay.

Already done. That post is priceless!

I did the same thing. So much info there!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Ohh..I’d like to know the answer to this as well....since one one time I did order a replacement for I think one of my SW cards all info was the same

I was thinking it was the same last time I did it too.

 

[DisneyMandC]

@disneymagicgirl Just realized you have a new picture too! Pictures for everyone!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I don't have my dh's card here right now to compare our exp and cvv. I'm guessing ours are different too. We both use 'his' cards. Not sure why it would mess anything up to use both even with those being different...? We don't have any autopays set up on the CSR. That may or may not would matter either.

I was thinking when you enter the info on a website they want expir and cvv, so if I activate a card with new expir and cvv, does that reset it so the original wouldn't work?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

@disneymagicgirl Just realized you have a new picture too! Pictures for everyone!

Thanks! New trip, new pic!

 

[wendow]

Thanks! New trip, new pic!

Love it!!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Ok. So, few questions about this:

The CIP seems pretty straight-forward. But after I've satisfied it's conditions, can I then start to try to double-dip the CSR and CSP? And is 8,000 spent "in the first 3 months"? Total or 8,000 each?

It sounds like, after all the conditions have been met on all three, the CSR is the one I want to do my spending on moving forward, yes? Because of the 1.5 points per point.

You're going to want to develop a game plan and start to plan around larger bills. If your wife will be joining you in this game, the best strategy is to alternate applications. Chase will treat you each separately so you both "slow your roll" so to speak when you alternate.

I might do something like this:
You: Aug 2018 - CIP
Wife: Oct/Nov 2018 - CIP (referred by you)
You: Jan/Feb - CSR/CSP double dip
Wife: Apr/May - CSR/CSP double dip (referred by you)

You could adjust those months if necessary. In that scenario, you've gotten 6 cards in 10ish months BUT neither of you have gotten more than 3 cards. IF you alone got 6 cards in 10 months with Chase...you might start getting denied. Just a side note, but if you did that plan you'd have $6,500 worth of travel points!! We can then continue from there - you could put some Southwest cards in the mix to pay for your flights. There are some other Chase UR earning cards you could hit and earn another 200k URs easily. The game truly is amazing! AND just to rest any fears...MY wife and I just got approved for our 65th card since we started the game...and our credit scores haven't wavered one bit!!

As it relates to meeting the Minimum Spend Requirement (MSR): Chase gives you approx. 115 days to meet the spend from when you are approved (so it is longer than 3 months). You can find out the exact date by sending a Secure Message (SM) to Chase asking when you need to meet the spend. I wouldn't cut it close though, obviously you want to make sure you get your points!

Double Dipping and spending $8,000 in 3ish months can sound daunting - I've been able to overcome large MSRs by doing the following strategies:

• Prepaying Utilities and cable, cell phone, etc.
• Purchasing Gift Cards to stores we frequently make necessary purchases at and then using them AFTER the MSR period is over (i.e. grocery stores, gas stations, etc.)
• Timing the application to when my property taxes or homeowners/auto insurance is due
• I will pay a small fee to pay with a CC 2-3% if necessary when meeting an MSR because I'm earning typically 15-40% back (I pay a fee when I pay my utilities and my prop taxes with a card).
• Paying kids activities in advance - i.e.: we pay my daughter's dance class (~$650) all at once at the beginning each year

Of course most of this assumes you have excess cash to afford this. I personally think of it as an extension of our emergency fund. Having my Electric, Water, Gas paid through the end of the year is a part of my "emergency fund".

You don't HAVE to double dip, it's just strongly encouraged because if you don't you've locked yourself out of a great card (whichever one you skip) for 24+ months.

 

[Stefien Quix]

Next piece of advice: Copy or print @Lain 's email (post) into a safe place where you can refer back to it, as sometimes there may be 10 pages a day to plow through and you won't get much advice that is more detailed and thorough then his.

Good idea!! Done and done! As well as @SouthFayetteFan 's and @speedyfishy 's

 

[EC0323]

quick question
I am booking a Marriott room. If I pay by charging to my Marriott cc, does it matter if the hotel is a cat 4 or cat 5? The catagories are for points purchases? There are 2 across from the street from each other. Just have to decide which one.
thanks for any help!

 

[wendow]

I was thinking when you enter the info on a website they want expir and cvv, so if I activate a card with new expir and cvv, does that reset it so the original wouldn't work?

I texted him. Ours are the same on the CSR. Not sure why yours are different..?

ETA: This is a 'replacement' card?

 

[BamaBoy]

This is what I signed DH up for last week. If you go to the Hilton site and start making a booking, when you get to the payment page there should be a square banner with the offer. When you click that it will pop up, just make sure to click the business card option

Thank you for the info. Does it matter if I make the dummy booking as a HH member or not?

 

[Judique]

quick question
I am booking a Marriott room. If I pay by charging to my Marriott cc, does it matter if the hotel is a cat 4 or cat 5? The catagories are for points purchases? There are 2 across from the street from each other. Just have to decide which one.
thanks for any help!

You are correct. The categories are for using points to pay for the room or for 'certificates' that can buy up to a certain category - such as your free night certificate from your Marriott card.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I texted him. Ours are the same on the CSR. Not sure why yours are different..?

ETA: This is a 'replacement' card?

yes I ordered it as a damaged card. ugghhh...I think they are onto us. dang it. I eat out so much I need the 3x ur on that.

@Lain , @SouthFayetteFan, @Albort...ya'll seen anything about this on reddit?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

yes I ordered it as a damaged card. ugghhh...I think they are onto us. dang it. I eat out so much I need the 3x ur on that.

@Lain , @SouthFayetteFan, @Albort...ya'll seen anything about this on reddit?

Both cards should work until you hit the expiration date. I don't think they deactivate the old card.

 

[wendow]

yes I ordered it as a damaged card. ugghhh...I think they are onto us. dang it. I eat out so much I need the 3x ur on that.

Ugh, you may be right. I guess the only way to know is to try it and see...

 

[wendow]

Both cards should work until you hit the expiration date. I don't think they deactivate the old card.

Even if the exp dates and cvv's are different? My dh's csr and my replacement card have the same exp and cvv.

 

[mefordis]

I got approved for the Marriott Biz card but still get the "30 day decision in writing" message about my dh's CIP card.