I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

Have you logged into your account from somewhere other than the app? I don't have anything on my app but when I logged into Amex at work today the 100k for 5k spend popped right up (blocking the entire screen).

Now wait I will decide to go for it and it will disappear like yours!

I only logged in from my computer. I’m scared now to log in from the app and the 100k offer will be there and I’ll have to debate it all over again lol.

 

[wendow]

Last fall, we did the early walk off on our cruise, got our rental, and did KSC. Then we stayed in Cocoa Beach for the night and the next day hung out in Disney Springs for a bit before we had to go to the airport. I wish we'd just stayed the night in Disney, CB wasn't really what I expected.

I wasn’t real impressed with CB either when dh and I did a non-disney trip last April.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Not sure I'd even have anything else to put on there, haha

Anything charged to your room at WDW? Souvenirs, food, one more Dole whip?

Have you logged into your account from somewhere other than the app? I don't have anything on my app but when I logged into Amex at work today the 100k for 5k spend popped right up (blocking the entire screen).

Now wait I will decide to go for it and it will disappear like yours!

My offer is at the top of the page and in my Amex offers. Says until 10/31 so I don’t think it’s going anywhere. I had the same kind of thing for Hilton Ascend. It stayed there until I couldn’t say no anymore. Lol

 

[tink1970]

I have the pop up on my SPG personal to upgrade for 100k and 5k spend. Waiting for the BGR to come still after being approved last Friday. I just called and apparently there was a hiccup getting it mailed but it is now expedited to arrive Monday. BUT meanwhile both DH and I have some decent size expenses to make. I want to buy tickets for the new HS EMM (7 of us so over $500) before it gets all booked, and DH has "stuff." (He is the man who on his own is now at $3800 in one month on his new Ink Unlimited).

Should I just do the upgrade today? I assume if I do then I can just use the personal I have now until it arrives? I know in theory that is 15k to meet a spend on but I think we should be okay especially if plastique will continue to work for our mortgage (it did one time on CIP). I guess if I didn't meet the SPG spend I wouldn't be out anything really as I have been thinking of closing that card anyway (only reason I kept it this spring was the retention bonus).

If I upgrade to the Lux today, meet the spend on it, meet the spend on the BGR, any reason to think that would hurt my chances to get the Plat in say December?

Thanks...

Okay, I'd first decide if you can spend the 15K in 3 months...putting everything possible on those two cards (utilities, food, incidentals, etc). If you're pretty sure you can, then why not? Especially if it's an upgrade it won't cost you a 5/24 slot and you prioritize the Lux last so if you don't make the spend, as you point out, you're not out anything.

Second question-would it hurt your chances of a plat? My first instinct is no, since it's a charge card AND you haven't been hitting too hard (I think they view upgrades differently than new accounts). As I do, I'd put a small charge on any and all Amexes that you don't need to make MSR just to keep Amex happy (a dinner, a donation, new socks...). Of course I have no insider knowledge, that's just my gut.

You know I'd be a bad influence so you might want to see what cooler heads say

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Anything charged to your room at WDW? Souvenirs, food, one more Dole whip?...

Crazy enough we have more than enough Disney Rewards card balances to cover ALL of that WDW already LOL! When I say I Don't spend on travel...I really don't spend, lol. We'll book 3 SW flights in the next year so that's 8 x $5.60 x 3 = $134.40 I can use LOL! I'll probably find a way somehow, don't take up a collection for good ole' SFF - he'll get his travel credit somehow hahaha

 

[tink1970]

Do all the rooms lookout over the airport inside terminal? Not sure if/what to do for any requests. I want to see the inside but also want to watch the planes if that might be an option. Probably won't matter much as we are arriving at 9p the night before. If points for the flights drop, I will come in earlier.

The Hyatt is in a square shape (IIRC) so some rooms overlook the terminal while I'm sure others overlook the runway-I can't say for sure since I always request terminal view (more people watching opportunities).

How does the luggage piece work? Will they (Hyatt) bring our bags somewhere to get to port?

Apparently there has been a slight change in how this is done. Here's recent thread on the dis that might help: http://wwww.disboards.com/threads/new-mco-hyatt-policy-for-dcl-luggage-transfer.3691995/page-2

I think you fill out a form at check in and leave your bags in the room and they are picked up. The "new step" is that you'll need to let DCL know you're staying at the Hyatt and using the luggage pick up service (the last reply on pg 2 of the above thread spells it out pretty well). In the old days, they would ask at check in and you'd get the form...now DCL wants to know in advance.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

125,000 SPG Lux offer

Somebody on Reddit reporting they received an email for a 125k point SPG Lux offer. They had already signed up for 100k yesterday.

Pic of email: https://m.imgur.com/a/pfcMmHE

EDIT: now seeing a second report of this offer.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Since you two have experience with this - figured I'd ask (and anybody else please chime in too)...

I'm going to use URs through my CSR to rent a car for our Sea World trip in November.

• Do they deduct the URs immediately when you book the car?
• Can you continue to monitor the price and "rebook" your car to save points if a cheaper price comes out?
• If you cancel the car do you get your points back?
• What is the interaction like at the rental car company - is it clear that you don't owe any other money or are they weird about it?
• I've found articles online that clearly indicate that using URs through a CSR gives you the rental car coverage, so that is cool!
• Anything else I'm not thinking about here that I should be asking?

I sound like such a newb, lol - I've never used URs before since the last time I had some was early 2016 and I transferred them all to Southwest!

I have changed my reservation when I have changed flight times.
The points were back by the next day.

I think if you cancel within 3 days of your trip you may need to call but that was not an issue.

I took printed confirmation and had no issues when checking out for my car. They will tell you that not all toll booths are manned and offer the sun pass. Just take a few dollars in quarters.

 

[platamama]

Does anyone have thoughts/opinions on Barclay Arrival+ vs. Capital One Venture?

I am looking for ways to save $ on an Airbnb stay in London for next summer so am considering a card that will allow me to erase travel purchases. I've never used Airbnb before but based on my reading of their payment terms, you can't split the payment between multiple credit cards even if you book a reservation that allows you to pay a deposit at booking and the balance later. You can't change your payment method between booking and final payment. The only thing I could possibly do to split it between two cards would be to split the payment with my wife and use a different card to pay her portion. (I think this will work but not 100% sure.)

Based on properties I've looked at for approximate dates we'd stay, it will be between $1,500-$2,000. Barclays welcome offer is 60,000 miles ($600) for $5,000 spend (at 2X miles = 10,000 miles) so I'd get a minimum of $700 value there. CapOne Venture is 50,000 miles ($500) for $3,000 spend (at 2X miles = 6,000 miles) so that's $560 in value. Barclays has an $89 AF (not waived); CapOne's $95 AF is waived the first year.

Is one of these cards easier to get than the other? If I were to go for both, which should I get first? And, probably most importantly, can anyone confirm if Airbnb codes as travel on both of these?

I am also on the fence about the SPG Lux but need to make a decision soon since I'll be locked out as of 8/26. I'll definitely use the benefits on two Starriott stays next year but don't really need that $5K MSR (or $450 fee) right now. I'm planning to refer my wife to the CIP before I cancel mine at the end of next month, so that'd give us $10K in MSR to do in the next ~4 months which is a lot for us.

My opinion is the Barclays would be easier to get, especially if it's the first Barclays card you get. Credit lines can be on the lower end though (5K-10K).

One thing the Barclays has going for it is that it is a chip & PIN card (vs chip & signature cards) which would come in handy in England for self service stations (like train ticket kiosks/Oyster reloads). But, it's harder to redeem for travel awards since your purchase has to exceed $100 (single purchase, not cumulative $100) within the last 120 days for a redemption. So smaller (<$100) travel purchases can't be "erased," and if you redeem for cash then you only are getting back 1%. There will always be some small amount of cash back that you will never be able to redeem because of the way the redemption rules work. However, as long as you're happy with the signup bonus and can mentally deal with writing off that small amount (<$25?) you won't ever get your hands on, it may be worth it, knowing too that it will affect your x/24 status with Chase. FWIW, that whole redemption thing made me mad so I ended up cancelling the card.

Cap1's triple hard pull has been mentioned before, with varying reports of success in getting the card. On the other hand, it does seem like a decent card and the redemptions are much more straightforward than with the Arrival +. The biggest negative here is the hard pulls.

Math: Barclay's $700-89AF/5000 MSR = 12.2% return on spending
Cap1 $560-0AF/3000 MSR = 18.7% return on spending

Airbnb - can you do two back to back bookings in order to split the payments? Though you would incur an extra cleaning fee, unless the owner is willing to waive it since they wouldn't actually have to pay anyone to clean.

If you refer DW to the CIP, can't you use that new card to erase your travel purchases?

 

[GlamMistress]

I finally got my $150 from Chase for opening a savings account. Geez that felt like a lifetime ago (it was three months).

 

[Calfan]

I'll admit to being a little slow on this one, but I just realized that our local Office Depot/Max is on the MPX app. With the coding on Chase ccs now passing through again on MPX, can I use MPX with my CIC to buy gift cards at Office Depot/Max and stack the MPX miles with the 5x UR? Or will Office Max not let me pay for a gc at checkout using a gift card app like MPX?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Well, not sure about "great", but certainly some local advice!

Although I'm pretty conservative, and like to be at airports way earlier than is deemed normal, if you're okay with the 5 hour window with what will probably be more of a 3-ish hour drive (accounting for last-minute-holiday-shopper traffic), then you *should* be okay. You won't have the commuter traffic to contend with in Tampa since it's a Saturday. They just redid the rental car area at TPA, and the airport is really easy to navigate (and you'll get a fake-o-rail to your terminal!).

So the last time we were flying tpa the rentals were in a garage attached to the terminal. Is that still the case?

 

[chattadisser]

So the last time we were flying tpa the rentals were in a garage attached to the terminal. Is that still the case?

They have built a new garage further out by the cell phone lot where the rental cars are. You take one of the plane trains out to the rental garage/terminal. It's a good distance away and is probably about a 10 minute train ride out to it.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Apparently there has been a slight change in how this is done. Here's recent thread on the dis that might help: http://wwww.disboards.com/threads/new-mco-hyatt-policy-for-dcl-luggage-transfer.3691995/page-2

I think you fill out a form at check in and leave your bags in the room and they are picked up. The "new step" is that you'll need to let DCL know you're staying at the Hyatt and using the luggage pick up service (the last reply on pg 2 of the above thread spells it out pretty well). In the old days, they would ask at check in and you'd get the form...now DCL wants to know in advance.

To add onto what tink said, no not all rooms look out into the hotel lobby/tsa area.
The luggage pickup and magically appear in your room thing is priceless.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

They have built a new garage further out by the cell phone lot where the rental cars are. You take one of the plane trains out to the rental garage/terminal. It's a good distance away and is probably about a 10 minute train ride out to it.

Uughhh. That’s annoying.

 

[mom2elal]

Guys, I went ahead and applied for the Aspire card and I GOT THE POPUP!!

I'm so sad! I did not expect this at all. Now I wonder if I'm blackballed from all Amex offers and how long this torture will last.

This is my history with Amex:
Costco Card: AU, opened in 8/12, switched to Citi--used a lot
Blue Cash Preferred: opened 5/15 closed 5/18--I put regular spend on this
SPG: opened 9/15, closed 8/16--this is the only one that I've closed after a year and not put spend on after msr
Regular Hilton: opened 1/16--still open, I have upgraded and downgraded it once--I've put a little bit of spend on this, only for offers and Hilton stays
Hilton Biz: opened 4/18--currently only putting a little spend on it for offers

I wonder if they don't like that this would be my third Hilton card? I really wanted this one for future trips we have planned, so I'm going to try again in a couple of months.

 

[schmass]

Also never been ask for my Costco card. Just had the reservation number in hand and that is generally all they ask for. I too had about 8-9 reservations going back in June, as placeholders until we could decided



Since DPs seem to be all over the map, and myself and @Lain probably being more serious "offenders" you would think IF the velocity were an issue (yet we put additional spend on our cards post-MSR), but have to wonder if length of relationship with Amex makes a difference? @Lain how long is your relationship with Amex? According to my homepage, myself and Amex have a nine-year (and counting) love affair . @schmass, @LynnTH , and @magickingdomprincess?

I've only had an Amex since March 2018, so that theory works where I'm concerned.

 

[Lain]

@Lain, @tink1970 and anyone else please help me think this through.

I have the pop up on my SPG personal to upgrade for 100k and 5k spend. Waiting for the BGR to come still after being approved last Friday. I just called and apparently there was a hiccup getting it mailed but it is now expedited to arrive Monday. BUT meanwhile both DH and I have some decent size expenses to make. I want to buy tickets for the new HS EMM (7 of us so over $500) before it gets all booked, and DH has "stuff." (He is the man who on his own is now at $3800 in one month on his new Ink Unlimited).

Should I just do the upgrade today? I assume if I do then I can just use the personal I have now until it arrives? I know in theory that is 15k to meet a spend on but I think we should be okay especially if plastique will continue to work for our mortgage (it did one time on CIP). I guess if I didn't meet the SPG spend I wouldn't be out anything really as I have been thinking of closing that card anyway (only reason I kept it this spring was the retention bonus).

If I upgrade to the Lux today, meet the spend on it, meet the spend on the BGR, any reason to think that would hurt my chances to get the Plat in say December?

Thanks...

Okay, I'd first decide if you can spend the 15K in 3 months...putting everything possible on those two cards (utilities, food, incidentals, etc). If you're pretty sure you can, then why not? Especially if it's an upgrade it won't cost you a 5/24 slot and you prioritize the Lux last so if you don't make the spend, as you point out, you're not out anything.

Second question-would it hurt your chances of a plat? My first instinct is no, since it's a charge card AND you haven't been hitting too hard (I think they view upgrades differently than new accounts). As I do, I'd put a small charge on any and all Amexes that you don't need to make MSR just to keep Amex happy (a dinner, a donation, new socks...). Of course I have no insider knowledge, that's just my gut.

You know I'd be a bad influence so you might want to see what cooler heads say

1. I think if you take the offer to upgrade your SPG Personal to the SPG Lux, you should be able to continue using your Personal card until you receive the Lux, which would allow you to put those decent sized expenses on your card now rather than waiting for Monday.

Supporting this is the fact that the SPG Lux is supposed to give you Platinum status if you spend $75k on it a year, and if you upgrade your SPG Personal all spend on that card this year is supposed to count towards the $75k.

I would probably check your Amex account after accepting the upgrade offer to see that it’s been updated to reflect a SPG Lux account, and confirm via chat that you can keep using the SPG Personal card until you receive the Lux and that ongoing spend on the Personal counts towards the upgrade bonus.

This may have been discussed on r/churning but I haven’t had much time to catch up there today.

2. Agreed with @tink1970 - consider if you can really make the $15k spend that you’re estimating (I’m guessing between the BGR and SPG Lux). It’d be a shame if you miss out on the 100k Marriott points bonus. The SPG Lux card is a $450 AF (I’m assuming you’ll basically be charged that upon upgrading) that’s offset by a $300 Marriott credit. Everything else, the Biz Plat you want to get also offers (SPG/Marriott Gold Elite status, PP Lounge, GE/PreCheck). So if you don’t get the 100k Marriott points, you’ll be essentially prepaying $300 to Amex for a paid Marriott stay in the next year, and maybe you can get GE/PreCheck for one of your girls. There’s certainly value in the 50k FN certificate, but the terms say it’ll be deposited to your Marriott account 8-12 weeks after your anniversary and your card needs to be open at the time. I haven’t seen any DPs how soon after the card’s anniversary these certs are being deposited, and I’m not up to speed on Amex’s policy of refunding or prorating AF after cancelation and how long you have to do it, but that’s something to consider about when thinking about canceling.

3. With at least three DISers reporting the no welcome bonus warning, I’m feeling very cautious around Amex now. I don’t think number or velocity of card openings matters as much as putting regular spend on your cards, but clearly how many cards you’ve opened is a factor because the warning expressly mentions history, including the number of cards you’ve opened and closed. Even if number of cards opened may not weigh as heavily in Amex’s anti-churning formula, as a practical matter the more Amex cards I open the more I’m going to have to spread out my spend to keep those cards and my relationship with Amex in good standing, and the more I’ll eventually have to decide to close.

Earlier this morning, I would’ve suggested what most of r/churning probably would’ve said, use your SPG Personal to self refer yourself for the SPG Lux, get approved for the 100k and pocket another 20k referral bonus. Then take the upgrade offer on the SPG Personal > Lux for another 100k. But if you value your relationship with Amex, and want to go back for a Plat in a few months, I probably would opt taking the upgrade offer if I wanted the SPG Lux rather than opening another card.

And like you said, it doesn’t take up another */24 slot.

(Personally, I did not receive an upgrade offer on my SPG Lux, so that was not even an option. I have been hitting Amex pretty hard this year and have decided to put off applying for the BGR until next year to give myself some time to cool off, put some spend on my Amexes, and try to make use of Amex Offers and bonus categories.)

 

[Lain]

Since DPs seem to be all over the map, and myself and @Lain probably being more serious "offenders" you would think IF the velocity were an issue (yet we put additional spend on our cards post-MSR), but have to wonder if length of relationship with Amex makes a difference? @Lain how long is your relationship with Amex? According to my homepage, myself and Amex have a nine-year (and counting) love affair . @schmass, @LynnTH , and @magickingdomprincess?

Almost 7 years. Unless I missed it, length of membership wasn’t mentioned in the Amex bonus denial data collection spreadsheet. I’d think that’s important as a sort of “bustout” factor. Attracting and retaining new credit card customers is expensive, and Amex wants to attract new members who use their cards over years, not someone who’s attracted only to the bonuses and leaves when the well is dry.

 

[Ava]

125,000 SPG Lux offer

Somebody on Reddit reporting they received an email for a 125k point SPG Lux offer. They had already signed up for 100k yesterday.

Pic of email: https://m.imgur.com/a/pfcMmHE

EDIT: now seeing a second report of this offer.

Of course I didn't get that e-mail. Do I wait until tomorrow to see if I get it? Or be happy with referring myself for an extra 20K points, giving me 120K points total?

Oh! You've gotten some good advice already so I'm a little late, but given I'm pretty far past 5/24 I like talking about some of these other issuers.

I've never used AirBnB, so unfortunately I can't comment on if it codes as travel, but TPG says it does for both cards (I clicked the link so you don't have to).

The 60k offer on the Barclays Arrival+ is the highest it's ever been. It was recently re-introduced after a hiatus. We have no idea if this will be the standard offer, if it will go down, or if it will maybe even go up. But you can churn Barclays cards after some length of time, so it's not a huge deal. Barclays has a 6/24 rule that they seem to apply at their leisure. I was approved for the Arrival+ at 18/24, but the recon rep stressed that she appreciated my usage of the Wyndham card (which was recent), so you really are at their whim on whether they will approve you or not. Being under 5/24, I suspect if you want this card, you will get it. It's worth noting that you also get a 5% miles redemption every time you redeem for travel credit with the Arrival+. It's an excellent card, I think.

The CapOne Venture is tough. We really don't know much about CapOne in general. We know they sometimes pull all 3 credit bureaus (which is insane). If you're denied and call recon, they will pull all 3 credit bureaus a second time (which is even more insane). Some denial DPs have indicated "not a high enough balance on existing revolving accounts." Reading between the lines, they like to see customers who carry credit card balances before they'll approve you for one of their cards. Are they specifically targeting them? Who knows? Again, at your X/24 count, I would guess you have a good shot at getting the card (because they are inquiry sensitive, among other things), but swallowing the all 3 bureau pull is tough.

In your situation, I'd get the Arrival+. Barclays is also inquiry-sensitive, but they're more likely to approve you for their other cards after you have one and you've been using it. And they have enough other good cards to make this a worthwhile proposition.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

You're not late at all, this is helpful info! I've never had a Barclays card before, and I do want the JetBlue card eventually. I'm just waiting for a better welcome bonus since I've seen it go higher than the standard 40K in the past.

I have a CapOne Quicksilver card that I opened for a 0% balance transfer offer several years ago, but I haven't used it since I paid it off. If I wanted to go for CapOne Venture, should I close this card first? Or start using it?

My opinion is the Barclays would be easier to get, especially if it's the first Barclays card you get. Credit lines can be on the lower end though (5K-10K).

One thing the Barclays has going for it is that it is a chip & PIN card (vs chip & signature cards) which would come in handy in England for self service stations (like train ticket kiosks/Oyster reloads). But, it's harder to redeem for travel awards since your purchase has to exceed $100 (single purchase, not cumulative $100) within the last 120 days for a redemption. So smaller (<$100) travel purchases can't be "erased," and if you redeem for cash then you only are getting back 1%. There will always be some small amount of cash back that you will never be able to redeem because of the way the redemption rules work. However, as long as you're happy with the signup bonus and can mentally deal with writing off that small amount (<$25?) you won't ever get your hands on, it may be worth it, knowing too that it will affect your x/24 status with Chase. FWIW, that whole redemption thing made me mad so I ended up cancelling the card.

Cap1's triple hard pull has been mentioned before, with varying reports of success in getting the card. On the other hand, it does seem like a decent card and the redemptions are much more straightforward than with the Arrival +. The biggest negative here is the hard pulls.

Math: Barclay's $700-89AF/5000 MSR = 12.2% return on spending
Cap1 $560-0AF/3000 MSR = 18.7% return on spending

Airbnb - can you do two back to back bookings in order to split the payments? Though you would incur an extra cleaning fee, unless the owner is willing to waive it since they wouldn't actually have to pay anyone to clean.

If you refer DW to the CIP, can't you use that new card to erase your travel purchases?

That's a good point on Barclays being a chip & PIN card; that may even make it worth keeping just for using overseas. I think even though the math is technically in favor of the Cap1 (thanks for that, btw!) I will try for the Arrival+ first since general consensus seems to be that that's the easier of the two to be approved for.

I'm not sure if I can do two back-to-back bookings on AirBnb, I think that's something I'd need to contact the owner about in advance to arrange & ask about waiving the cleaning fee. I may be able to split the charge with my wife and use two different cards that way. I read something about splitting your payment between multiple people so that could work as long as it doesn't matter that we'd have the same billing address for our CCs.

Re: my DW's CIP, I get more value out of transferring all of our UR points to a CSR and redeeming them for travel at 1.5cpp.