I love credit cards so much!

[disneymagicgirl]

So I tried to get a points adjustment on my SPG reservations in Hawaii for the holidays, and a very unfriendly csr told me the hotels are sold out/no award availability so, basically, go pound sand when you're on Waikiki Beach. The last part is a bit of an exaggeration, but her tone wasn't very far from it. Any ideas?

No suggestions other than wait it out, but I will say DO NOT CANCEL any SPG ressies made prior to 8/18 because there are lots of reports of the points vanishing into thin air and not showing back up in the accounts. And like your CSR, when people call they are basically told to wait and someday maybe it will be fixed.

 

[Ava]

New CHASE UR transfer partner: JetBlue

HOWEVER, based on my limited understating of JetBlue, the 1.5x thru a CSR is a better deal than transferring points (in this instance). It’s a better value AND I believe you’ll earn points on the flight. Transferring points would likely only make sense if you need to top off your account to hit a specific redemption. (Admittedly I don’t know enough to opine on CSP,CIP and what makes more sense).

Woohoo! Is it a 1:1 transfer? I tried searching and didn’t find any info.

So far I’ve been buying my Jet Blue flights using UR points through the portal, but the ability to transfer could be useful to top off points needed for a redemption through Jet Blue. I can also confirm that you do earn points on Jet Blue flights booked through the Chase portal using UR points.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Trying to adjust long term plans. Saving towards China in 2021-2022. Was thinking AA since we have those miles, easy cards to churn. However, AA is discontinuing all non stops from ORD. I would prefer Biz class, but nonstop is a priority especially in a 13 hr flight. I have very bad luck with connecting when leaving out or ORD.

In looking at Award hacker, UA currency seems more useful. Or am I not understanding? Would likely be flying in to PEK and back from PVG. Suggestions for which miles to collect for 3 people? Tagging @calypso726 and @Albort since I know you have experience to Asia.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Woohoo! Is it a 1:1 transfer? I tried searching and didn’t find any info.

So far I’ve been buying my Jet Blue flights using UR points through the portal, but the ability to transfer could be useful to top off points needed for a redemption through Jet Blue. I can also confirm that you do earn points on Jet Blue flights booked through the Chase portal using UR points.

Yep 1:1!

Here’s a write up on it: https://onemileatatime.com/jetblue-chase-ultimate-rewards/

 

[Lain]

No suggestions other than wait it out, but I will say DO NOT CANCEL any SPG ressies made prior to 8/18 because there are lots of reports of the points vanishing into thin air and not showing back up in the accounts. And like your CSR, when people call they are basically told to wait and someday maybe it will be fixed.

I keep seeing these horror stories, and I'm like... they had TWO YEARS to figure it out!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Yep 1:1!

Here’s a write up on it: https://onemileatatime.com/jetblue-chase-ultimate-rewards/

Jetblue has the best flights for us to WDW, so this is very helpful! I think we would actually work out better transferring to Jetblue if I’m remembering my point valuations correctly.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I keep seeing these horror stories, and I'm like... they had TWO YEARS to figure it out!

yeah. I feel really bad who have award travel soon and just need to make and adjustment but then their points disappear and they needed them to rebook. ugh.

 

[mom2elal]

I’ve been trying to better understand the Amex welcome bonus denial popup, and came upon another DP on FT: SPG Biz Bonus Denied — “I do have Amex Delta and Hilton cards - and used them minimally - enough to satisfy the bonus requirement”. Further supporting the lack of spend theory.

The question is, how much spend does it take to satisfy them?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Jetblue has the best flights for us to WDW, so this is very helpful! I think we would actually work out better transferring to Jetblue if I’m remembering my point valuations correctly.

I always read such good things about JetBlue. I wish they flew BNA to MCO, but the website doesn't let me choose that option...even though both places are destinations. I could do TPA though.

 

[Lain]

The question is, how much spend does it take to satisfy them?

DPs are also mixed whether spend must be on each card or across all cards.

 

[mom2elal]

The question is, how much spend does it take to satisfy them?

I wanted to add that the only card I've gotten from Amex and cancelled after a year, having only put enough spend on it to meet the msr, was the SPG and my dh did the SAME THING and he wasn't denied the bonus for the Aspire! He has had fewer Amex cards over all than me (He had the Costco, and was an AU on my BCP, I believe). I looked back at my spending on my Hilton cards and I hadn't put much on the regular Hilton in the last year, but before that I was using it quite a bit. The Hilton Biz I only met the spend on a couple months ago and I've used it for offers since then.

 

[mom2elal]

DPs are also mixed whether spend must be on each card or across all cards.

I'm really wishing I hadn't gotten that Hilton Biz now. I'd much rather have the Aspire.

 

[amalone1013]

I can't decide if I should pull the trigger on SPG Lux now and use it next weekend (assuming it shows up)...

 

[afan]

Trying to adjust long term plans. Saving towards China in 2021-2022. Was thinking AA since we have those miles, easy cards to churn. However, AA is discontinuing all non stops from ORD. I would prefer Biz class, but nonstop is a priority especially in a 13 hr flight. I have very bad luck with connecting when leaving out or ORD.

In looking at Award hacker, UA currency seems more useful. Or am I not understanding? Would likely be flying in to PEK and back from PVG. Suggestions for which miles to collect for 3 people? Tagging @calypso726 and @Albort since I know you have experience to Asia.

I would suggest doing like @calypso726 does and make sure to have more than a couple options. Just because AA stopped their non stops now doesn't mean that they won't add them back in 3 years or that United won't stop them. The same for other airlines. I think it's easier to count on domestic non stops not changing. I just read that United has stopped daily flights to Sydney from LAX and somewhere else and changed it to 4 or 5 times a week because they can't compete. The same can happen to any airline or someone new comes in on that route. A low down the list option may be a positioning flight with an overnight at a hotel.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Jetblue has the best flights for us to WDW, so this is very helpful! I think we would actually work out better transferring to Jetblue if I’m remembering my point valuations correctly.

I think it's VERY similar to Southwest where it could swing either way depending on some factors. (Whether using points or URs is the better option that is).

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

The question is, how much spend does it take to satisfy them?

DPs are also mixed whether spend must be on each card or across all cards.

From my discussion yesterday on r/churning this popped up: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/c...sion_thread_august_20_2018/e4jdc22/?context=1

Apparently somebody saw that message, spent around $1,000 across a couple of statements and then tried again and was fine. This is certainly an "anecdotal" piece of info...but it sounds like it is possible to get back in good graces!

 

[mom2elal]

From my discussion yesterday on r/churning this popped up: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/c...sion_thread_august_20_2018/e4jdc22/?context=1

Apparently somebody saw that message, spent around $1,000 across a couple of statements and then tried again and was fine. This is certainly an "anecdotal" piece of info...but it sounds like it is possible to get back in good graces!

Wow, that was quick!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I would suggest doing like @calypso726 does and make sure to have more than a couple options. Just because AA stopped their non stops now doesn't mean that they won't add them back in 3 years or that United won't stop them. The same for other airlines. I think it's easier to count on domestic non stops not changing. I just read that United has stopped daily flights to Sydney from LAX and somewhere else and changed it to 4 or 5 times a week because they can't compete. The same can happen to any airline or someone new comes in on that route. A low down the list option may be a positioning flight with an overnight at a hotel.

Pretty sure they won’t add them back. Big revenue loss. They were trying to compete and lost. United has had nonstops to China for over 10 years so, while they could always change, I think it’s less likely.
Problem is, I can’t save enough points in 2 or 3 programs for 3 award tix, especially biz.

 

[platamama]

Nope, won’t let me. If I go to Masterpass website, it asks for login. I use login for my CitiBiz and denied. I tried creating a new account and it says, no already exists. All tried incognito. Ugh.

That's weird. If I were you, I'd call MasterPass and get some help with resolving the issue.

 

[DisneyMandC]

From my discussion yesterday on r/churning this popped up: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/c...sion_thread_august_20_2018/e4jdc22/?context=1

Apparently somebody saw that message, spent around $1,000 across a couple of statements and then tried again and was fine. This is certainly an "anecdotal" piece of info...but it sounds like it is possible to get back in good graces!

I feel like this just makes it so hard for the people who don’t churn. For example, DH got a Delta Gold probably 7-8 years ago when he was traveling a lot for work on Delta. The only charges he would put on it were flight related and at Costco, since that was the only Amex we had. He no longer travels for work, and hadn’t used the card since whenever Costco stopped accepting Amex (20 months ago?). His only reason for not using is he’s not flying on Delta currently. I feel like he would be pretty irritated if he applied for an Amex and didn’t get approved because he didn’t put enough spend on it.

But then again, perhaps they’re only doing this to the people with multiple cards with very little spend. Sometimes it just seems like CC rules would make no sense to anyone but churners!