I love credit cards so much!

[Haley R]

Still no bonus points on my CIP. I can see they are going on next statement but I’m getting a little impatient. We keep having to push our trip further back. I don’t want to go to Japan when it’s hot and humid

 

[DisneyMandC]

Phew! I feel like I got in just under the wire today, but I got my Disney room booked through Chase with the room offer and everything! When I get home I'll finish rearranging the other nights, mainly because I don't carry my Barclay card anymore I had to call from work because they close right when I get off (now), and it was busier than I thought I'd be so I didn't get to call until 4:15pm EST. And then I got someone who couldn't find the discount rate. So I utilized the magic of HUCA and got it!

I feel like we need an update on your plans since you've changed them so much!

 

[miztressuz]

AmEx offer for car rentals:

Get a one-time $20 statement credit by using your enrolled Card to spend a minimum of $200+ in 1 or more transactions directly with Enterprise, National or Alamo in the US or US Territories by 9/30/2018.

 

[mmmears]

The Amex Platinum is heavier. The retired Ritz-Carlton was even heavier. LOL

When we vacationed in Hawaii, the CSR would get a lot of fun comments. Probably in part because there are no Chase branches in Hawaii. (My favorite, “Ho, you could kill someone if you trew dat!”) But here in the Bay Area, it seems like every young professional and techie has it, and almost every other person too. (And yet I seem to find myself constantly in line behind folks who pay with debit.)

We've had one comment on the AMEX in the Bay Area and nothing whatsoever on the CSR. You're right - everyone has it here. DD has had comments on the AMEX when she is on the East Coast (for college) and I think it really embarrasses her - I bet she'd be happy to go back to the plastic version.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I usually send Chase a SM asking when I have until to spend the $3,000 or whatever the amount is....it’s usually a bit longer than 3 months.....

I’m working on 2 right now, neither is Chase. One CitiBiz, One Amex. Usually I just have an idea in my head, but doing 2 at once, I want to make sure I don’t mess up.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Of course you’d need to spread those applications out - you don’t want to hit Chase too fast. Maybe you do a CIP now, hit CIC in Dec then CIU in Apr. Of course you can alternate cards for you in there too to help stretch out the timeline.

Then The double dip at 4/24 can be any two personal Chase cards you’re still interested in. United and Freedom? Maybe Southwest if that’s of interest... If you play his cards right (pun intended) you could double dip in mid-late 2019 and then you have 3 cards drop off by Jan 2020 and you could do a CSR/CSP double dip again for him in spring 2020.

This is the value of a long range plan and sticking to it. No shiny things...all strategy!

See this is my issue. No real plan. I had a plan that involved CP, but Chase put the new 24 month restrictions on bonuses, so none for us. I need to come up with a plan for 2020+, as DS has asked to go to Universal after 5th grade ‘graduation’ in 2020 & we’dlike to go to China 2021 or after.

 

[StephPlum]

This thread moves so fast. I try to read everything but no time to post or quote during the week. I do remember reading posts by @wendow and @amalone1013 on referring P2 to Plastiq. I almost missed this. On DH's AA Citi Biz, I was planning to pay two months of mortgage on Plastiq and knock out MSR on my Plastiq account. Ever better, now I'll get some fee free dollars on Plastiq. Crazy news on DH Citi Biz - we haven't used yet since we got it too late to make last month's mortgage payment. Got a call from Citi about activity on the card. Looked on line and no charges. Called in and really they wanted to make sure he was the one to activate on line and set up security. Well he was (through his better half). He didn't really like calling. I was right there and they allowed me to talk once he said it was ok. Took a hit on his willingness to participate though. It went much smoother on the Hilton Biz I used to pay college tuition and he didn't have to do anything at all.

On the rest of AA news. DH got instant approval for Barclay's biz card. I never get instant and didn't on this. I can't even find my application on their check your application status page. I did get the email that I submitted an application and will contact me in 10 days. I am assuming I'll get a letter asking for identity information. Getting impatient

Debating next card for DH. Could go CIC or SPG biz (also just realized I could refer him here). I like the URs and lower MSR, so leaning toward CIC.
His last Chase card was in April. He is still 0/24.

Other than churning, getting ready for my Glacier trip in 2 weeks. A bit of smoke from the fires close there and in Washington. That is bumming me out. My daughter is still very excited and that is keeping my spirits up. Even if it is not perfect, it will still be good and a lot of fun.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Well, without me asking, the Amex rep that I talked to after getting my SPG biz says to me that I have 92 days to get the bonus, so since I applied on July 31, I would say she was counting - Aug -31 days, Sep -30 days and Oct -31 days for a total of 92. I often hear 115 days mentioned for Chase, so I would think it varies.

I messaged Amex about my SPG twice...and got 2 different answers. I messaged again once I thought I reached spend for my retention credit and was told I met it already but nothing yet. Now I have Hilton Ascend, upgraded from the old Honors Card and “3 months” from 8/3

 

[wendow]

Being Texan, y'all probably have more creative ways to cuss.

This is very true! We say things like, “I’ll be derned “ , dadgum and dabnabit. Oh and ‘heck’! That’s a big Texas curse word

ETA: liking your use of y’all! You even wrote it right...for some reason, non-Texans always write it as ya’ll.

 

[tink1970]

ETA: liking your use of y’all! You even wrote it right...for some reason, non-Texans always write it as ya’ll.

I thought the same thing . I'm always impressed when someone not from around these parts but from way over yonder uses it correctly

 

[Haley R]

I thought the same thing . I'm always impressed when someone not from around these parts but from way over yonder uses it correctly

I'm not from there, but it stands for you all so seems obvious lol. I'm a teacher so maybe I just have extensive knowledge in contractions....or I'm a nerd

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I’m working on 2 right now, neither is Chase. One CitiBiz, One Amex. Usually I just have an idea in my head, but doing 2 at once, I want to make sure I don’t mess up.

Wish I could help but I don’t have any Amex or citi cards yet

 

[linzjane88]

I'm venturing into using points for airfare. I've only used SW points to book flights, never had enough anywhere else to do it before Trying to wrap my mind around how and where to look. Especially with all the partner options.

I'm in practice mode waiting for flights for next year to be released, this way I have an idea of what I should look for when the schedule drops. It will be one-way ANC>PHL (or maybe ANC>SMF, alternate depending on how the routes and points work) so I started out with Google flights for a rough idea, AS seemed to have best prices cash so I started there and will branch out. Trying to understand the award space after following along here. If we want to fly First on AS it's min 30k AS points, but if it's a mixed carrier with AA, it's flat 25k AS. Same awards are 30k AA through AA.

First Q: What's the better value, figuring out how to get 25k AS or 30k AA? We've got none of either to start. (I forgot when they expired and totally missed keeping them active. ) But I believe we have transfer partners for both.

Second phase, when I started looking at both sites I noticed the AA award flight on AS's site doesn't show up on AA's site. For this date, all the awards shown on AA have multiple connections so at least 2 stops. When I look at the AS site the AA award flight is much better. It's only 1 stop, the first leg on AS the second leg a non-stop on AA. I can only find this flight for cash on the AA site.

Second Q: Does this happen? Is this what people are saying when it's easier to see space on a partner site? Does that sound like I could really book that on points through AS?

Would still have to work out later if it's better to just book the cash price through Chase using UR. For the date I'm looking at right now as an example, it's not, but maybe opening prices will make it a closer call. And I still have to look other lines. So much to think about

There are many here wiser than I am but prefer Southwest first (for the low $) then Alaska (for the direct flights to Hawaii and Florida). Because Alaska is partnered with British Airways and American as long as there is a saver fare on AS (usually 12.5 k miles one way) I can book using BA avios or American miles. American has a very easy to use website to find award availability, in fact I find it easier to use than Alaska's. British Airways website is stupid and dumb BUT because they are distance based you can score a flight for potentially less miles than the standard 12.5k, and even though their website is painful calling in to book is really fun because they have British accents. BA is also nice because you can immediately transfer over URs' to them. In the case where I am booking with Avios I search on Americans site to find Saver fares (usually on Alaska metal) then call them up with the flight info. You can also use a site like awardhacker.com and it will bring up the cost of in miles of a flight over various airlines.

Basically, if it were me, I would go with the airline that is easiest to acquire the most miles. That pretty much means American--I just got myself and my DH approved for the Aviator business which will give 50k after the first purchase (af $95, not waived). I posted about it yesterday but for each of us doing that we will pay 190$ for 100k American miles which will get us 4 round trip tickets worth (at the very least) $1500 in direct flights to Orlando on Alaska.

As for your question about not seeing the fare on American that you can see on Alaska, well I am not sure on that one. I haven't run into it before. My first assumption is that it wouldn't be bookable but I am not sure and hopefully someone else can figure it out. Also--If your miles expire from Alaska maybe try giving them a call? My DH's expired and they offered me a one time courtesy reinstatement. I am considering trying my luck with the American miles I just let expire for him but based on my research I don't think I will be so lucky there.

ETA: I noticed you wanted to fly first so ignore my #'s---I am a economy girl. In fact maybe ignore all of it. Not sure what applies once you get into the fancy world of first class

 

[mmmears]

For those that have interest...I finally updated the INDEX on our Hotel Reviews thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...f-i-love-credit-cards-so-much-thread.3680669/

Thanks to everybody who has shared reviews of properties!

Thanks for sharing the link - and updating the index! Reading through it now. This is definitely something I need to bookmark.

@afan - I really enjoyed your Park Hyatt Vendome review. We stayed there a few years ago (with a mix of cash and Hyatt points) and thought it was a very nice hotel. We had some kind of junior suite, maybe called a king suite (too long ago for me to remember but it was basically just a very large room) because we needed 3 people in one room and that's what they made us book - absolutely huge closet and bathroom. We also had a nice courtyard view.

 

[wendow]

I thought the same thing . I'm always impressed when someone not from around these parts but from way over yonder uses it correctly

Ooh nice use of yonder!! Im feeling right at home with all this southern speak!

 

[wendow]

I'm not from there, but it stands for you all so seems obvious lol. I'm a teacher so maybe I just have extensive knowledge in contractions....or I'm a nerd

I think it’s cause you are a teacher. Most people don’t think through what the contraction stands for.

 

[afan]

Thanks for sharing the link - and updating the index! Reading through it now. This is definitely something I need to bookmark.

@afan - I really enjoyed your Park Hyatt Vendome review. We stayed there a few years ago (with a mix of cash and Hyatt points) and thought it was a very nice hotel. We had some kind of junior suite, maybe called a king suite (too long ago for me to remember but it was basically just a very large room) because we needed 3 people in one room and that's what they made us book - absolutely huge closet and bathroom. We also had a nice courtyard view.

It's a great property. Not sure I could go back to Paris and stay somewhere else. Mayne if it was just as nice but with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Ooh nice use of yonder!! Im feeling right at home with all this southern speak!

My grandma was from Missouri. She pronounced it Miz ur a. I’m at home with all the southern speak too, makes me think of Grandma.

 

[tink1970]

My grandma was from Missouri. She pronounced it Miz ur a. I’m at home with all the southern speak too, makes me think of Grandma.

I was born there and from quite a large family...the two things that divided people (that I remember) were Royals v Cardinals and MissourA v MissourE.

 

[AmyAnne]

Before I went I had no idea that I would like Hamilton as much as I did. I was mainly enabling my son and youngest daughter, who never would have bought those tickets on their own.

Called oldest daughter and told her I would pay for a $349 seat for her as she didn't get to go. Her response was similar, don't want to go for that much money.

I on the other hand see it as an experience worth having and sharing and have thought about going again several times.

Hamilton is one of the few things my entire family adores. So I like the play itself, but I also like that I get to enjoy it with my husband and kids.