I love credit cards so much!

[DisneyMandC]

It's possible. I PC my csp to cfu exactly at the year mark. AF never posted. I did ask when. There's also the CSP --> CS --> CFU route.

AF should post next month, so it's no big deal. I was just thinking if I could PC it now and get it here in time for next week's purchase then it would be worth it. But I can just wait instead.

 

[DisneyMandC]

A bit over 4 million

Sooo @SouthFayetteFan?

 

[Lain]

Thought this might be relevant to ya'lls interest?

75,000 Bonus Points for Marriot Rewards Visa
Spend $3,000 within first 3 months of opening card

Well aware. It’s not the best bonus on that card — it was as high as 100k Marriott points last month before dropping to this current offer. There are significant changes coming to the Marriott and SPG loyalty programs as a result of their merger, including new restrictions on applying for their credit cards. For some, because of the new restrictions going into effect, it may make sense to jump on this card while we still can. I applied and was approved for this card just this week. However, unless you understand what effect applying for this card has on qualifying for other Marriott/SPG cards, don’t touch it.

For you, just starting out, this is not the best card or offer. I cannot stress strongly enough to stick to a game plan, don’t go off the rails and apply for every shiny offer you see. UR points are immensely valuable when used to book Disney onsite resorts, tickets, and packages, and versatile in that they can be used for almost everything else travel. Focus on and build up a stash of UR points, plan towards getting 4 or 5 different UR-earning cards (CSR, CF (product changed from a CSP), CIP, CIC, and the CFU/CIU) that’ll earn you lots of UR from the signup offers, help you earn bonus points on almost every category of spend and give your wallet the continued ability to generate lots of UR points at 3x-5x/$1 even after you’re subject to 24-months limitations on new signup bonuses, or are otherwise locked out of Chase UR cards because you’re at or over 5/24.

 

[Alexle2007]

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.

But don't you earn more Marriott points depending on the hotel? I seem to earn more when I stay at Courtyard instead of say Fairfield Inn and Suites?

 

[DisneyMandC]

But don't you earn more Marriott points depending on the hotel? I seem to earn more when I stay at Courtyard instead of say Fairfield Inn and Suites?

Yes, Fairfield Inn is a lower tier for Marriott. But it's not based on category, just the brand. So it could be a cat 4 Fairfield and cat 4 Courtyard, and it would cost the same amount of points to get a free night, but you won't earn the same amount if you pay in cash.

 

[PolyRob]

Another option is something definitive that might not be a sexy as airfare or a hotel. I justified the AF because our recurring toll charge counts as travel. Got the card, set it up as the auto-reload options on the EZPass and got the travel credits for it. Finished off the credit in a couple months. Do you have to pay to park, or take the train/public transit for commute?

I am fortunate that I have a decent commute with 0 tolls and do not need to use public transit, but I do use EZPass for tolls that I incur throughout the year. Completely forgot I should change the replenish card. Thank you! I made a list of places where I need to add the CSR once I get home and EZPass was not one of them.

 

[Judique]

Pocket change for some of you. that's a lot of bonuses to work on. Lol

Maybe for a few, but all in all, most of the people on this board are realistic about goals and are pretty family oriented. Of course we also LOVE to read about over the top experiences and try not to judge no matter how small or how large a person's budget is.

But it sure would be nice to get to the points where a million UR's were pocket change!

 

[EC0323]

Where do I find the tier list?

Yes, Fairfield Inn is a lower tier for Marriott. But it's not based on category, just the brand. So it could be a cat 4 Fairfield and cat 4 Courtyard, and it would cost the same amount of points to get a free night, but you won't earn the same amount if you pay in cash.

 

[DisneyMandC]

https://www.marriott.com/marriott-rewards/earn/hotels.mi

This is the only thing I've ever found. I had Fairfield mixed up with Residence Inn, which we've stayed at several times, sorry.

 

[Stefien Quix]

Well aware. It’s not the best bonus on that card — it was as high as 100k Marriott points last month before dropping to this current offer. There are significant changes coming to the Marriott and SPG loyalty programs as a result of their merger, including new restrictions on applying for their credit cards. For some, because of the new restrictions going into effect, it may make sense to jump on this card while we still can. I applied and was approved for this card just this week. However, unless you understand what effect applying for this card has on qualifying for other Marriott/SPG card’s, don’t touch it.

For you, just starting out, this is not the best card or offer for you. I cannot stress strongly enough to stick to a game plan, don’t go off the rails and apply for every shiny offer you see. UR points are immensely valuable when used to book Disney onsite resorts, tickets, and packages. Focus on and build up a stash of UR points, plan towards getting 4 or 5 different UR-earning cards (CSR, CF, CIP, CIC, and the CFU/CIU) that’ll help you earn bonus points on almost every category of spend and give your wallet the continued ability to generate lots of UR points at 3x-5x/$1 even after you’re subject to 24-months limitations on a new signup bonus, or are otherwise locked out of Chase UR cards because you’re at or over 5/24.

Oh yeah, I agree. This wasn't for me I had in mind. But it seemed like something this group might find interest in. I have a SPG card presently, so I suppose it presents SOME interest to me, since my SPG points are now becoming MR points, but like you said, I'm just starting out in all this, so I'm not trying to go in half-cocked when I don't really understand what I'm doing yet.

 

[Judique]

But don't you earn more Marriott points depending on the hotel? I seem to earn more when I stay at Courtyard instead of say Fairfield Inn and Suites?

I will have to go read all the T&C's to answer that! I'm an SPG girl through and through, but looks like I must educate myself on Marriott to get the most out of the brand.

In reality, I spend very little directly with the hotels. I spend on my credit cards to get free nights. But years ago I did do a lot of mattress runs for free weekends with SPG, but for them, you earned by the dollar not by the brand and also, credit card earnings were one type of earning, while cash rooms and status were another type of earning. There's a correct answer somewhere out there.

 

[EC0323]

Sorry Judique I meant no disrespect. I realized that. I was just joking.

Maybe for a few, but all in all, most of the people on this board are realistic about goals and are pretty family oriented. Of course we also LOVE to read about over the top experiences and try not to judge no matter how small or how large a person's budget is.

But it sure would be nice to get to the points where a million UR's were pocket change!

 

[EC0323]

Thank you finding that for me.

https://www.marriott.com/marriott-rewards/earn/hotels.mi

This is the only thing I've ever found. I had Fairfield mixed up with Residence Inn, which we've stayed at several times, sorry.

 

[speedyfishy]

Did my first MO purchase with a VGC...easy peasy with no questions or hesitation from the clerk.

I love hearing MS success stories! Congratulations!!!

 

[Judique]

Sorry Judique I meant no disrespect. I realized that. I was just joking.

Oh...I didn't take it disrespectfully!! I took it just as you intended! I just wanted to build on the fact that we all aspire to different levels. I love that there are some super users amongst us! They are motivational. I may actually get to the point where I want to fly again the more trips I hear about.

 

[Judique]

Oh yeah, I agree. This wasn't for me I had in mind. But it seemed like something this group might find interest in. I have a SPG card presently, so I suppose it presents SOME interest to me, since my SPG points are now becoming MR points, but like you said, I'm just starting out in all this, so I'm not trying to go in half-cocked when I don't really understand what I'm doing yet.

There will be three SPG cards by around August 26th. Once you get some UR cards in your pocket you can take a 'break' from Chase and get an SPG business card. It's like a cooling off period because biz cards don't report to your personal credit report. It's a little late for you to jump in there for the Marriott cards, but once you are set up, down the road those bonuses are possible also.

I have both Marriotts and 2 SPG's. And 0nly one Chase UR earning card. But my goals are somewhat different than someone trying to pay for a Disney trip. I have DVC and a bank of Disney tickets that don't expire for myself. I drive to Florida from Maryland. So my goals are more like hotel nights here and there, like Ocean City, NYC and Boston plus also Florida ocean fronts.

 

[Lain]

Ok I can't figure this out....I'm trying to refer DH for SPG biz... (no AU) when I click thru the link,and try to apply it keeps saying that I already have the card,and so don't qualify for a bonus..... but I'm not trying to get it for me! what is happening here? why is the system reading the app as tho I' trying to apply vs. referring?

Are you logged into your Amex account while trying to apply for DH?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Sooo @SouthFayetteFan?

Haha - IF I had 4million URs...I'm not sure what I'd do with them. BUT I'd probably be very tempted to cash some (most) of them out and invest. This is where the DISchurner and FIRE personalities within me intersect!!

 

[Stefien Quix]

There will be three SPG cards by around August 26th. Once you get some UR cards in your pocket you can take a 'break' from Chase and get an SPG business card. It's like a cooling off period because biz cards don't report to your personal credit report. It's a little late for you to jump in there for the Marriott cards, but once you are set up, down the road those bonuses are possible also.

I have both Marriotts and 2 SPG's. And 0nly one Chase UR earning card. But my goals are somewhat different than someone trying to pay for a Disney trip. I have DVC and a bank of Disney tickets that don't expire for myself. I drive to Florida from Maryland. So my goals are more like hotel nights here and there, like Ocean City, NYC and Boston plus also Florida ocean fronts.

Coming from Maryland myself!

 

[Lain]

How many of you Marylanders are going to the Southwest Priority Card tour event?