I love credit cards so much!

[speedyfishy]

I split my stuff in YNAB also. I ended up putting a generic Travel category and that is where extra money from bank bonuses and other savings, etc go (like ebay sales). I apply generic fees to it too, like gift card fees or Plastiq fees. I also fund $100 a month into it from my budget. And then I also track all movement in and out in an excel doc, because when I use fuel points at the gas station I move the savings to this category, so it gets confusing.

Then I create a separate category for each trip. When I make a purchase from that trip, I categorize it as that and then if I need cash to cover it I move it from the generic Travel category. It's complicated but it's what works for me and makes me feel better. Then I know we're not going overboard on travel spending or chasing deals, but I can always look back a specific trip cost/item since it's split out.

Here's a snapshot:

View attachment 344407

The only cash I truly budget into these categories is the $100 a month into Travel fund, and the $450 into the cruise funds (mainly because I'm an overplanner and those numbers are based on using minimal points - should end up with a lot left over there!). The other categories all get paid out of the Travel fund. Sept and Nov only have cash in them because I've been changing things around a bit with flights/hotels. The budgeted amounts for annual fees and labor day are from me moving that cash out of the travel fund - that's also why that fund says -$83 were budgeted

This is really helpful to see. Im only using Mint right now because I found YNAB too confusing, but as soon as I have time Im going to watch those videos and learn.

 

[1st*toright]

Oh, how long did your TD bank bonus take? I'm about 60 days ahead of when I opened it so I feel like I should be seeing it soon.

I first funded the account on 6/15. Got the bonus on 8/14, so that 60 days seems about right!

 

[babyready]

OK, am seriously considering the Barclay Aviator now. I would love to start a stash of AA points. I have always focused on points for hotels and domestic flights but now with my sights on Japan in the next couple of years, I need to get started on something that I can use for international flights.

I have gotten 4 new cards in the past six months, though (CIP, SPG personal and just did the CSR/CSP double dip a couple of weeks ago). I think that Barclay may not like that.

DH has only gotten one card in the past six months (CIP) so he is probably a safer bet. Although, ideally it would be great for us both to get one. I guess try one for him and then if it goes well, try for myself?

I hate making knee jerk moves but I had been regretting not doing it before it expired since I was so focused on the double dip. It is basically buying 50,000 AA points for $95. With only one purchase, so it won't affect my meeting the MSR on the CSP/CSR. Seems like a good deal to me.

We had some unexpected medical bills to go on the CSP. Between that, organic spend and PNC accounts, we are flying through the MSR on those cards. Like way too quickly. Yikes.

 

[miztressuz]

I have a question on Chase UR points for cruises.

We have about 330,000 UR points and I'm looking at a cruise next year with two rooms. I called Chase and one thing they told me was that I could only pay in UR points for the first payment. As an example, if the deposit is $50 and I chose to only pay $50, then I could use 3,333 points at that time, but my next payment could not use any UR points. But I could make the first payment much more (say $5000 worth) and use all my chase points.

My questions
1. Is that correct? This is information from Chase UR agent, but I know Disney agents aren't always up to speed.
2. If it is correct, is there anyway around this rule (only first payment may use UR points) to make a small deposit now and pay a portion in UR points later?

1. Yes
2. If you make a deposit with the cruiseline first and then transfer the reservation to Chase, if you get the right agent then you won't need to make payment until final payment and you can use your UR's then (unless you make changes or do something that needs cash before then.)

As it was explained to me, the first time you need to pay cash with the agency is when the UR has to be used. This is consistent with every agent anyone has spoken to. I'm in the middle of a cruise booking so I don't have a successful completion yet, but we have at least one member here that successfully did this with a WDW package (transfer and pay later). The agent I transferred my cruise to has also said I don't need to use the UR until it's time for payment. That said, we've found other agents that insisted on using the UR at the time of transfer, so you need to make sure to discuss your plans with the agent to see which camp they fall into. If they want UR at transfer, find another agent. If they say UR at final payment is good, let us know, trying to get a list together We have extensions of a few agents that follow this method we can pass along if needed, and always looking to add more to it.

Also have to check with the cruiseline what the transfer policies are. I assume this is a DCL cruise? If so, you have 30 days from the date of booking to request a transfer to another travel agency. I believe the Chase agent can start this request for you and they can submit it to DCL. Other cruise lines you may have to submit the request yourself and list out the new TA.

 

[1st*toright]

I split my stuff in YNAB also. I ended up putting a generic Travel category and that is where extra money from bank bonuses and other savings, etc go (like ebay sales). I apply generic fees to it too, like gift card fees or Plastiq fees. I also fund $100 a month into it from my budget. And then I also track all movement in and out in an excel doc, because when I use fuel points at the gas station I move the savings to this category, so it gets confusing.

Then I create a separate category for each trip. When I make a purchase from that trip, I categorize it as that and then if I need cash to cover it I move it from the generic Travel category. It's complicated but it's what works for me and makes me feel better. Then I know we're not going overboard on travel spending or chasing deals, but I can always look back a specific trip cost/item since it's split out.

Here's a snapshot:

View attachment 344407

The only cash I truly budget into these categories is the $100 a month into Travel fund, and the $450 into the cruise funds (mainly because I'm an overplanner and those numbers are based on using minimal points - should end up with a lot left over there!). The other categories all get paid out of the Travel fund. Sept and Nov only have cash in them because I've been changing things around a bit with flights/hotels. The budgeted amounts for annual fees and labor day are from me moving that cash out of the travel fund - that's also why that fund says -$83 were budgeted

This is really helpful to see. Im only using Mint right now because I found YNAB too confusing, but as soon as I have time Im going to watch those videos and learn.

Oh, the YNAB love. I like your method - that makes a lot of sense, and it would be nice to be able to see what each trip cost. I just lump all travel into my "vacation" category, then look at it based on dates to get a sense of what different trips cost. Its not a perfect system. If you're trying to track other "currencies" like gas points etc, that would require a side-schedule in excel. I don't have good data on those kinds of benefits, they just get run through as the discounted price I paid for whatever. I love being able to build up cash in one category and then shuffle it around to how it actually gets spent.

My daughter worked for the first time this summer, so I bought her a YNAB subscription! Her categories are things like "College" and "Car" and "Coffee" and "Concert Tickets" (pretty sure she has some others that don't start with C). She is loving it - I've told her she needs to do the webcasts when she gets back from the boonies (where they do have internet access, but its too slow for anything to stream!)

 

[vanjust14]

I could use some help deciding what to do before the Aug 18 SPG/Marriott merger. I never ended up buying a nights and flights package. Currently, all of my points are still SPG. I have decided I'd like to go to Grand Cayman in the spring. First choice is Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, which is currently 70,000 points per night but is moving to new category 8 in 2019, so is supposedly going to be *only* 60,000 points per night. I'm worried that 1) this won't be the case and 2) there will be so little availability I won't get it. Should I transfer my points now in anticipation of this? My other choice is the Westin Grand Cayman which is currently 12,000 points per night (36,000 marriott) but going to 50,000. If I wait to try for Ritz Carlton and don't get it, I'll have missed out on getting this one for 36,000 per night. Would booking something now help me? I've never booked an award stay with either and I am confused what to do.

 

[vanjust14]

I could use some help deciding what to do before the Aug 18 SPG/Marriott merger. I never ended up buying a nights and flights package. Currently, all of my points are still SPG. I have decided I'd like to go to Grand Cayman in the spring. First choice is Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, which is currently 70,000 points per night but is moving to new category 8 in 2019, so is supposedly going to be *only* 60,000 points per night. I'm worried that 1) this won't be the case and 2) there will be so little availability I won't get it. Should I transfer my points now in anticipation of this? My other choice is the Westin Grand Cayman which is currently 12,000 points per night (36,000 marriott) but going to 50,000. If I wait to try for Ritz Carlton and don't get it, I'll have missed out on getting this one for 36,000 per night. Would booking something now help me? I've never booked an award stay with either and I am confused what to do.

ETA: just realized this is happening TOMORROW! Where has the time gone!?

 

[GusGus16]

I could use some help deciding what to do before the Aug 18 SPG/Marriott merger. I never ended up buying a nights and flights package. Currently, all of my points are still SPG. I have decided I'd like to go to Grand Cayman in the spring. First choice is Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, which is currently 70,000 points per night but is moving to new category 8 in 2019, so is supposedly going to be *only* 60,000 points per night. I'm worried that 1) this won't be the case and 2) there will be so little availability I won't get it. Should I transfer my points now in anticipation of this? My other choice is the Westin Grand Cayman which is currently 12,000 points per night (36,000 marriott) but going to 50,000. If I wait to try for Ritz Carlton and don't get it, I'll have missed out on getting this one for 36,000 per night. Would booking something now help me? I've never booked an award stay with either and I am confused what to do.

If you have the points, book now, and then once all the merger things are done, the reports are you will be able to call in and they will give you a refund of points per the new point cost. Then you won't have to worry about availability. I would recommend you book today before you can't. You can always cancel the reservations and get the points refunded if you decide the dates won't work or location.

 

[1st*toright]

I could use some help deciding what to do before the Aug 18 SPG/Marriott merger. I never ended up buying a nights and flights package. Currently, all of my points are still SPG. I have decided I'd like to go to Grand Cayman in the spring. First choice is Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, which is currently 70,000 points per night but is moving to new category 8 in 2019, so is supposedly going to be *only* 60,000 points per night. I'm worried that 1) this won't be the case and 2) there will be so little availability I won't get it. Should I transfer my points now in anticipation of this? My other choice is the Westin Grand Cayman which is currently 12,000 points per night (36,000 marriott) but going to 50,000. If I wait to try for Ritz Carlton and don't get it, I'll have missed out on getting this one for 36,000 per night. Would booking something now help me? I've never booked an award stay with either and I am confused what to do.

Yup- it is right here, right now. I'd recommend that you book the lower point version right now. I've got a couple of potential trips booked now because the properties will be more expensive post-merge. If the Ritz does drop in points the way you expect, and you find dates you like, you can just cancel the Westin reservation (and get back the points you used at the converted rate) and rebook at the Ritz. I'm assuming you will still be able to hold reservations even when you don't have quite enough points in the new reservation system.

No need to transfer any points around, unless you need to do it to book the Westin. As of tomorrow, all the points will be merged into one account anyway, so transfers will be a thing of the past. I'm expecting pretty serious disruption of service for the next week or so, and glitches for a while thereafter, so I tried to get my potential trips lined up (at least, the ones that would be cheaper under the old values). I've had trouble getting in to the Marriott site on and off all week.

 

[GusGus16]

Checked my southwest flights today and return flights in december went down just over 1400 points a piece! Love Southwest!

 

[familyman123]

1. Yes
2. If you make a deposit with the cruiseline first and then transfer the reservation to Chase, if you get the right agent then you won't need to make payment until final payment and you can use your UR's then (unless you make changes or do something that needs cash before then.)

As it was explained to me, the first time you need to pay cash with the agency is when the UR has to be used. This is consistent with every agent anyone has spoken to. I'm in the middle of a cruise booking so I don't have a successful completion yet, but we have at least one member here that successfully did this with a WDW package (transfer and pay later). The agent I transferred my cruise to has also said I don't need to use the UR until it's time for payment. That said, we've found other agents that insisted on using the UR at the time of transfer, so you need to make sure to discuss your plans with the agent to see which camp they fall into. If they want UR at transfer, find another agent. If they say UR at final payment is good, let us know, trying to get a list together We have extensions of a few agents that follow this method we can pass along if needed, and always looking to add more to it.

Also have to check with the cruiseline what the transfer policies are. I assume this is a DCL cruise? If so, you have 30 days from the date of booking to request a transfer to another travel agency. I believe the Chase agent can start this request for you and they can submit it to DCL. Other cruise lines you may have to submit the request yourself and list out the new TA.

Thanks, this is great info.

We are debating between DCL (British Virgin Islands + castaway) or NCL (Bermuda). DCL seems better for the kids (ages 12,9,6,4) while NCL seems better for my Parents (over 80). We are looking at September 2019. My parents have health issues including upcoming knee replacements, so the plan may fall apart

Looks like NCL’s policy is the same as DCL - transfer within 30 days. What I would like to do is delay using the points until April/May. I know they are refundable but if it takes a few weeks to get a refund that will hamper my ability to schedule an alternative vacation.

 

[tink89]

With UR rewards is it better to book through the site or transfer to hotel partners?

 

[tink1970]

Ugh, I didn’t know that. Thanks for the heads up. Seems like the most is $99 but maybe I should just MS the delta card lol

i think the fee for 34,000 is around $20 (34,000 x $0.0006) so much easier to pay it then run around and try to MS to get a 10,000 skymile boost. Time is money too

$99 is the max Amex will charge, so last year my goal was to accrue 366,000MR since after 365,000MR x 0.0006 is $99 and I wanted Amex to eat their obnoxious fee. Somehow I got on a roll and I have over 600,000 MRs! Now I'm planning to just go through the Amex portal. Funny how plans change.

I tried a 3rd time for a retention offer on my delta biz gold card. This time I called a different number instead of the one on the card. I was offered 10K points to keep the card open. I accepted the offer, but I am second guessing myself. Is 10k points worth the $95 fee?

I view skymiles conservatively as worth $0.01 so 10,000 is about $100.00. Essentially you have the card for another year for no charge. Some people can parlay those 10,000 miles for even higher redemptions (see flash sales!) so I think you, at worst, made $5.

 

[amalone1013]

This is really helpful to see. Im only using Mint right now because I found YNAB too confusing, but as soon as I have time Im going to watch those videos and learn.

I really like YNAB. I was using Mint before and it's not bad. YNAB worked best for us especially so DH and I could combine all of our accounts/spending. Once I got the hang of it it's pretty easy. And it remembers your spending, and starts to auto categorize things for you. It's definitely worth $5 a month for us. It made it super easy for us to pay off our student loans early and save for our wedding/honeymoon too. Even though we didn't have joint accounts - we just added all of our separate accounts. We talked about when we got married, getting a joint account and then taking our personal checking accounts off for personal spending/gifts, but we haven't gotten around to that yet Part of that is because it hurts me to use debit/not use the bonus category credit card... I also like it for keeping track of all the credit card accounts now I'm cheap and didn't want to pay for a budget program, but I was hooked after the free trial.

 

[striker1064]

For those of us using YNAB, I actually put in all of my bank account bonuses as Off Budget, so they show up in a separate category underneath. I move around our liquid/emergency funds to trigger bonuses, and it's nice because the Off Budget category will give you an entire total for all accounts under that category. That makes it easy to see how much in total we have, and I like being able to track everything (because I am often moving funds between several accounts at once).

Edit: We're still using YNAB 4, so I can't speak to if this works on the most current subscription version.

 

[amalone1013]

I was just lamenting to DH that it is very unfortunate the latest direct SW flight home on Labor day is at 5:30pm - we are used to it being 7:30/7:45pm. And I was telling him how do you decide what to do that day... on one hand it makes sense to do Volcano Bay, as it opens an hour earlier and then we'd be closer to MCO, but it's also the most expensive ticket and you're cutting it short, plus it's actually open until 8pm that weekend if you'd like longer in the park (vs Disney waterpark hours are 10am-5pm). But doing a Disney park means you're farther away from MCO, plus you have to be there so early you're really cutting the day short. There aren't really any good flights Tuesday morning, that are early enough for DH to put in a full day (at least on SW, earliest lands at 10:30am). He goes, that's why you were looking at Tues evening? Welllllllllll.... that and MNSSHP on Monday night....... So he says, what about a half day? Ok, there's a direct flight that lands at noon, that could work. And I do see a Frontier flight back Tues morning that lands at 9am for $83pp, so that could work...

Then he goes, I requested off.

See how hard I had to twist his arm?

 

[miztressuz]

Thanks, this is great info.

We are debating between DCL (British Virgin Islands + castaway) or NCL (Bermuda). DCL seems better for the kids (ages 12,9,6,4) while NCL seems better for my Parents (over 80). We are looking at September 2019. My parents have health issues including upcoming knee replacements, so the plan may fall apart

Looks like NCL’s policy is the same as DCL - transfer within 30 days. What I would like to do is delay using the points until April/May. I know they are refundable but if it takes a few weeks to get a refund that will hamper my ability to schedule an alternative vacation.

I transferred an NCL. For NCL you have to email them the transfer request form with your Chase TA info, then NCL will change the booking. Mine was crazy quick, completed within a couple hours, but I think most are within a few days and I think the page said may take up to a week for that department to process it.

Depending on the ship, NCL is good with kids too. I've seen some reports where the kids loved it including the kids clubs and others where the "club" was just an open room they may have some activities in. So I'd do research for reviews of the particular ship you're looking at. I know for Bermuda that had an older ship and a newer ship going depending on the port you left (Boston or NYC). That said, we cruise DCL without kids. There's enough stuff to do for adults, including adults only venues, so the parents can get some quiet time in too. The one complaint for DCL is usually the pools, they can be small compared to all the kids that want in. They have an adults only pool though, if sitting on the deck is important. We've done both equally and pick one or the other depending on why we want to cruise that time. We've done both cruises you're looking at, actually. Tough choices

 

[vanjust14]

Yup- it is right here, right now. I'd recommend that you book the lower point version right now. I've got a couple of potential trips booked now because the properties will be more expensive post-merge. If the Ritz does drop in points the way you expect, and you find dates you like, you can just cancel the Westin reservation (and get back the points you used at the converted rate) and rebook at the Ritz. I'm assuming you will still be able to hold reservations even when you don't have quite enough points in the new reservation system.

No need to transfer any points around, unless you need to do it to book the Westin. As of tomorrow, all the points will be merged into one account anyway, so transfers will be a thing of the past. I'm expecting pretty serious disruption of service for the next week or so, and glitches for a while thereafter, so I tried to get my potential trips lined up (at least, the ones that would be cheaper under the old values). I've had trouble getting in to the Marriott site on and off all week.

If you have the points, book now, and then once all the merger things are done, the reports are you will be able to call in and they will give you a refund of points per the new point cost. Then you won't have to worry about availability. I would recommend you book today before you can't. You can always cancel the reservations and get the points refunded if you decide the dates won't work or location.

Thanks for the responses! I'll have to think about which one to try a
I do not have enough points to book the Ritz now at the current 70,000 per night. I'd need 280,000, I have 245,000. Could I even do that now if my points are still SPG?

If I am understanding this correctly, I can book Westin now, and then if Ritz is available at lower price, I can book it , then cancel the Westin and apply the points to Ritz. Seems like a good plan.

ETA: I was able to book both! Thank you again for helping me! I did miss out on airline miles by not booking the package but this way I was able to secure the hotels I want at the cheapest prices. The package thing is too up in the air!

 

[gottalovepluto]

So since I have no plan for my MRs I think instead of MSing on the Delta card I should just transfer MRs over for first? Is 34,000 MRs worth the upgrade from delta comfort to first for an international flight? I’m 5’10 SO is 6’2. I think it’s worth it. Right? If I need more MRs I should probably just get the business blue card with 2x MR on everything. I would only need half the amount of giftcards so the fees would be $210 instead of of $420. But no MQMs then, but I really don’t see a need for the MQMs.

Only you know if it's worth it As a fellow tall person I love extra legroom and the more the better. Can you get any status with DL for putting that much spend on the DL card you have? If so is it something you see yourself every using? If you can't I'd go the MR route just because it kinda keeps your options open if you end up not wanting the DL miles for some reason.
...wait a minute- isn't Amex rather sensitive about MSing their MR cards? would it be safer to do it on the DL card? I really have no clue not being much into MS beyond bank accounts but the thought just popped into my head...
ETA: just realized no need for MQMs = not interested in status... Need. More. Coffee.

 

[afan]

I tried a 3rd time for a retention offer on my delta biz gold card. This time I called a different number instead of the one on the card. I was offered 10K points to keep the card open. I accepted the offer, but I am second guessing myself. Is 10k points worth the $95 fee?

I just went on to DL and to buy 10k in miles is 350, so it sounds like a good deal to me, especially if you also use the card for free checked bags.

How much do you use the card? I still have several months before trying for a retention and I do put spend on it with offers and stuff. Also, what number did you call so I can make note of it for next year?