I love credit cards so much!

[Eastern]

They will refund as long as you downgrade within 90 days of AF. I downgraded my CSP to the CFU last week. I had already paid the AF a month or two ago and they refunded me.

The rep I spoke with told me it was 60 days. She also said that my fee refund would be prorated as I was 45 days in, but they refunded me the entire CSP annual fee of $95.

 

[rantnnravin]

I wouldn't use the tsa precheck... so 3 of the hard inquiries are mortgage brokers since we refied last year..if you take those out I am 4/24..

I didn't want this common misperception to float by unchecked... 5/24 is NOT about inquiries, it's about credit lines opened within the 24 month period.

Oh - and congrats on the approval. After seeing this post though, there was no doubt you'd have no issue with 5/24.

 

[Ngwira]

Patiently waiting for my card...I got the welcome email which means it shipped!

 

[havaneselover]

Applied for and approved for CSR this morning. No travel plans for the rest of the year so probably putting $300 in my DVA.

 

[Ngwira]

UPS notified me that delivery would be today!!! So excited!!!

 

[Ngwira]

A few questions..I know that 100,000 UR are worth $1500 in travel if booked through the UR portal....but people keep saying it's worth more if transferred to travel partners..how so? I am looking into using UR points to transfer to Hyatt. Would it be better to book the particular Hyatt hotel through Chase UR portal or transfer to the Hyatt passport program?

Second question is what hotel transfer partners does AMEX use? I will be applying for the AMEX PRG using the 50kMR/2k spend invite code I got (not now but in Dec as I have a summer camp payment due in February which will meet minimum spend)..what hotel transfer partners can I use my MR points on?
Thanks so much.

 

[amalone1013]

Any chance a DVC rental would count for the travel credit with CSR? Re-evaluating plans...

How long is it typically taking to get this card? Or is there a way to get the card number before receiving the physical card?

 

[calypso726]

A few questions..I know that 100,000 UR are worth $1500 in travel if booked through the UR portal....but people keep saying it's worth more if transferred to travel partners..how so? I am looking into using UR points to transfer to Hyatt. Would it be better to book the particular Hyatt hotel through Chase UR portal or transfer to the Hyatt passport program?

Second question is what hotel transfer partners does AMEX use? I will be applying for the AMEX PRG using the 50kMR/2k spend invite code I got (not now but in Dec as I have a summer camp payment due in February which will meet minimum spend)..what hotel transfer partners can I use my MR points on?
Thanks so much.

Let's use one of my real world examples. 50,000 UR points which would be worth $750 in the UR portal. In 2014 we went on an Adventures by Disney trip to London/Paris. I transferred 50,000 UR points to United airlines so I could get an award ticket with those miles. The flight I booked was from Paris to Miami in first class. I happened to check and see what that would have cost in real money and it was well over $7,000 that year. Had I tried to book that same flight through the UR portal with even 100,000 UR points I still would have needed to come up with an additional $5,500+ out of pocket.

 

[Ngwira]

Let's use one of my real world examples. 50,000 UR points which would be worth $750 in the UR portal. In 2014 we went on an Adventures by Disney trip to London/Paris. I transferred 50,000 UR points to United airlines so I could get an award ticket with those miles. The flight I booked was from Paris to Miami in first class. I happened to check and see what that would have cost in real money and it was well over $7,000 that year. Had I tried to book that same flight through the UR portal with even 100,000 UR points I still would have needed to come up with an additional $5,500+ out of pocket.

Ok so the answer is...it depends . Ok so I should check the UR portal first and see what the rate is, then also check the hyatt website to see whether it would be less with transferred points... what about AMEX..what transfer hotel partners take MR points?

 

[LynnTH]

Calypso I need your help in deciding how to proceed next. Most of our points are used for airfare. Mostly fly Southwest. We may usually fly once per year as a family of 4. (Florida, Cruises so nothing fancy although would love to go to Europe sometime but nothing planned in near future).

Here are the cards DH and I have. I usually rotate the main user but put the other as AU in order to meet the minimum spends on bonuses.

DH Main User Cards with Me as AU.
1. Chase SW ($99 Card) - opened 6/14/15.
2. AMEX SPG - Opened 3/30/16
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve - Opened 8/22/16

Me Main User with DH as AU
1. Chase SW ($99 Card) - Opened 6/2/13
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred - Opened 2/18/16.

We have very good credit. Credit Karma shows us both at about 830. My plan is to cancel both the SW cards as I know you cannot apply for new SW cards if you already have the card. There is no balance on these and like the Chase Sapphire Cards instead.

Also going to cancel the AMEX - just got that to get the bonus. Don't see us really using this card at all.

Wanting to apply for a new card or cards in January. Do I try to get both of the SW cards and then get the companion pass or do I sign myself up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve to get the 100,000 UR points plus the $300 travel voucher.

We won't keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve cards for more than the 1st year. Don't spend enough to benefit from this card after the initial bonuses. Will keep the Chase Sapphire Preferred as I like the UR points and that fee is only $99. So after all is said and done that will be our main card going forward. But want to get more bonuses after the 1st of the year.

Not sure I can get both SW cards as 4 of the cards above are within 24 months. Even closing them won't help that. Any ideas on what you would recommend doing? Thanks.

 

[calypso726]

Ok so the answer is...it depends . Ok so I should check the UR portal first and see what the rate is, then also check the hyatt website to see whether it would be less with transferred points... what about AMEX..what transfer hotel partners take MR points?

Yup. Always check where you will get more value for your points. Sometimes it is the UR portal and sometimes it is the direct transfer.

This list is what I had last but may not be current so double check membership rewards' website.

Hotel Program Transfer Ratio
Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints 3:1
Choice 1:1
Hilton HHonors 1:1.5

Calypso I need your help in deciding how to proceed next. Most of our points are used for airfare. Mostly fly Southwest. We may usually fly once per year as a family of 4. (Florida, Cruises so nothing fancy although would love to go to Europe sometime but nothing planned in near future).

Here are the cards DH and I have. I usually rotate the main user but put the other as AU in order to meet the minimum spends on bonuses.

DH Main User Cards with Me as AU.
1. Chase SW ($99 Card) - opened 6/14/15.
2. AMEX SPG - Opened 3/30/16
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve - Opened 8/22/16

Me Main User with DH as AU
1. Chase SW ($99 Card) - Opened 6/2/13
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred - Opened 2/18/16.

We have very good credit. Credit Karma shows us both at about 830. My plan is to cancel both the SW cards as I know you cannot apply for new SW cards if you already have the card. There is no balance on these and like the Chase Sapphire Cards instead.

Also going to cancel the AMEX - just got that to get the bonus. Don't see us really using this card at all.

Wanting to apply for a new card or cards in January. Do I try to get both of the SW cards and then get the companion pass or do I sign myself up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve to get the 100,000 UR points plus the $300 travel voucher.

We won't keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve cards for more than the 1st year. Don't spend enough to benefit from this card after the initial bonuses. Will keep the Chase Sapphire Preferred as I like the UR points and that fee is only $99. So after all is said and done that will be our main card going forward. But want to get more bonuses after the 1st of the year.

Not sure I can get both SW cards as 4 of the cards above are within 24 months. Even closing them won't help that. Any ideas on what you would recommend doing? Thanks.

In your shoes I'd get the Reserve and have your DH get the Ink+. When the AF comes up for your DH's Reserve downgrade it to a Freedom. When your AF for the Reserve comes up downgrade to a Freedom Unlimited. This will give you the arsenal you need to seriously earn UR points that you can transfer to SW and sometime down the line to go to Europe. Exploit the heck out of your bonus categories and you will not be lacking for points.

Chase will not allow you to get the SW bonus again until at least 2 years after you received the initial bonus. Don't cancel the SW cards yet. Use the credit lines as leverage to open up the Reserve and Ink+ and cancel in order to open the new cards. Since you have to wait until 2 years have gone by to get the bonus on SW anyhow you might as well get cards that will be getting you long term value and of course the 100k bonus before it goes away. After you have this perfect portfolio of keeper cards you can go ahead and get the SW cards again.

 

[LynnTH]

In your shoes I'd get the Reserve and have your DH get the Ink+. When the AF comes up for your DH's Reserve downgrade it to a Freedom. When your AF for the Reserve comes up downgrade to a Freedom Unlimited. This will give you the arsenal you need to seriously earn UR points that you can transfer to SW and sometime down the line to go to Europe. Exploit the heck out of your bonus categories and you will not be lacking for points.

Chase will not allow you to get the SW bonus again until at least 2 years after you received the initial bonus. Don't cancel the SW cards yet. Use the credit lines as leverage to open up the Reserve and Ink+ and cancel in order to open the new cards. Since you have to wait until 2 years have gone by to get the bonus on SW anyhow you might as well get cards that will be getting you long term value and of course the 100k bonus before it goes away. After you have this perfect portfolio of keeper cards you can go ahead and get the SW cards again.[/QUOTE]

Ok. Thanks. I was just thinking since my SW card is past the 2 years that I should maybe try to get the Companion Pass but that would entail me opening 2 New SW Cards and was not sure they would do that. I definitely want to cancel all the cards I am paying a fee for before they come up again. (except the Sapphire Preferred - will keep that one).

What is the difference between Freedom and Freedom Unlimited?

 

[calypso726]

In your shoes I'd get the Reserve and have your DH get the Ink+. When the AF comes up for your DH's Reserve downgrade it to a Freedom. When your AF for the Reserve comes up downgrade to a Freedom Unlimited. This will give you the arsenal you need to seriously earn UR points that you can transfer to SW and sometime down the line to go to Europe. Exploit the heck out of your bonus categories and you will not be lacking for points.

Chase will not allow you to get the SW bonus again until at least 2 years after you received the initial bonus. Don't cancel the SW cards yet. Use the credit lines as leverage to open up the Reserve and Ink+ and cancel in order to open the new cards. Since you have to wait until 2 years have gone by to get the bonus on SW anyhow you might as well get cards that will be getting you long term value and of course the 100k bonus before it goes away. After you have this perfect portfolio of keeper cards you can go ahead and get the SW cards again.

Ok. Thanks. I was just thinking since my SW card is past the 2 years that I should maybe try to get the Companion Pass but that would entail me opening 2 New SW Cards and was not sure they would do that. I definitely want to cancel all the cards I am paying a fee for before they come up again. (except the Sapphire Preferred - will keep that one).

What is the difference between Freedom and Freedom Unlimited?[/QUOTE]

They will refund you if you cancel within 60-90 days after the AF posts. I was recently told 90 but a pp was told 60.

Freedom has quarterly bonus categories that get you 5x on up to $1500 in spend each quarter. So that is 30,000 UR points a year if you are able to max it out.

The Freedom Unlimted is 1.5 UR points on everything uncapped. So you use the Ink+ on cable, internet, phone and gift cards from office supply stores to other merchants, Macy's, Whole Foods, Disney etc. for 5x. You use your CSR/CSP for travel and dining to get the 3/2 UR points and be able to transfer the points to airlines. You use the Freedom on the quarterly bonus categories and the Freedom Unlimited on everything else.

 

[CaterFamily]

Any chance a DVC rental would count for the travel credit with CSR? Re-evaluating plans...

How long is it typically taking to get this card? Or is there a way to get the card number before receiving the physical card?

There are a lot of data points that suggest they are coded as travel.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Okay I got to page 25, and I will read 25-39, but I want to jump ahead and ask anyways....

is the 100,000 bonus still happening on the CSR? Chase LOVES us...and likely will love us a ton more when our refi cash out hits our bank account tonight

We have about $30k in CC balances we're about to pay off. Apply before or after we clean the slate?

Okay back to reading

 

[Albort]

Okay I got to page 25, and I will read 25-39, but I want to jump ahead and ask anyways....

is the 100,000 bonus still happening on the CSR? Chase LOVES us...and likely will love us a ton more when our refi cash out hits our bank account tonight

We have about $30k in CC balances we're about to pay off. Apply before or after we clean the slate?

Okay back to reading

whats ur debt to income ratio? Do you have a relationship with chase? how long?
How quickly can u pay off your debt?

Generally speaking, it isnt a good idea to churn while in debt. You basically lose more due to the high interest rates and you end up losing more. I would honestly apply for like the chase Slate card, or 0% interest rate for xx month and try to pay off the debt before i go for a cash rewards one.

edit: added more.

 

[amalone1013]

I'm annoying... lol. Would anyone like to double check my scenarios here and see if I'm missing anything?

I'm at 4/24, will be 2/24 mid January. My main goal was free flights to Orlando for our honeymoon next September, and for a trip down there late January/early February 2017. I've got about $500 in Barclay miles I was saving for the honeymoon. I also have a $131 SW credit in DF's name that expires April 2017.


Scenario 1 - Original Plan - SW Companion Pass
Apply for 2 SW cards on same day around the end of the year. Buy choice hotel points to supplement and get Companion Pass ASAP in January ($220 or less, depending on points needed). This means waiting to book Jan/Feb trip until the pass is active. We'd pay for the hotel OOP, and use points/pass for free flights for Sept.

Costs - $45 flight fees (4 flights for 2 people), $500 OOP Disney hotel for Jan/Feb trip, $198 card annual fees ($99ea), and up to another $220 for choice points = $963; There would be about 56k SW points leftover


Scenario 2 - CSR
Apply for CSR now, hit bonus spending. Pay Disney hotel deposit ($150) and SW flights to MCO in Jan OOP ($163 after credit). Get back $300 credit (woot!). Book Jan return flights and September flights with UR points. Pay rest of Disney hotel in Jan in person ($350), get $300 credit.

Costs - $500 total for Disney hotel, $163 flight OOP, $34 flight fees (3 flights for 2 people), $450 card annual fee, MINUS $600 for travel credit double dipping = $547; There would be about 20k UR points left over


The main advantage for the Companion Pass I see is that we'd have more points left, but DF won't have any vacation left after the honeymoon trip, so it could be awhile before we go anywhere that's more than a weekend. CSR is less OOP currently, and we can book the Jan trip earlier. I'd have to evaluate next year if we'd keep it or downgrade because I'm not sure where our spending will be. And I've only looked at transferring UR points to Southwest. I'm also pretty sure if we charge anything to our hotel room on either Disney trip, I can use the Barclay miles. If I go with the CSR, it would be nice to have it by Oct 23 when we try for our DVC rental for the honeymoon. Not the end of the world if it codes as travel or not...


Am I missing anything here? Any other considerations? I only started looking at CC bonuses because of wedding spending

ETA: Are there any things I should consider to get approved for CSR? Like credit score, debts, etc that would make it unlikely I get approved?

 

[calypso726]

Okay I got to page 25, and I will read 25-39, but I want to jump ahead and ask anyways....

is the 100,000 bonus still happening on the CSR? Chase LOVES us...and likely will love us a ton more when our refi cash out hits our bank account tonight

We have about $30k in CC balances we're about to pay off. Apply before or after we clean the slate?

Okay back to reading

Depends on your utilization ratio. If it is 30% or greater on one or across all cards then wait until it is paid and reported to the bureaus. Also, your debt to income ratio will be a factor as Albort mentioned.

 

[Albort]

Ok so the answer is...it depends . Ok so I should check the UR portal first and see what the rate is, then also check the hyatt website to see whether it would be less with transferred points... what about AMEX..what transfer hotel partners take MR points?

heres another example. I was booking for a hyatt in taipei, taiwan. its $269 a night direct booking. i forgot how much the portal was... but if i transfer 15,000 pts, i can get a night. 15k points = $150. 1.79 cents per point!

 

[Ngwira]

Yup. Always check where you will get more value for your points. Sometimes it is the UR portal and sometimes it is the direct transfer.

This list is what I had last but may not be current so double check membership rewards' website.

Hotel Program Transfer Ratio
Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints 3:1
Choice 1:1
Hilton HHonors 1:1.5



In your shoes I'd get the Reserve and have your DH get the Ink+. When the AF comes up for your DH's Reserve downgrade it to a Freedom. When your AF for the Reserve comes up downgrade to a Freedom Unlimited. This will give you the arsenal you need to seriously earn UR points that you can transfer to SW and sometime down the line to go to Europe. Exploit the heck out of your bonus categories and you will not be lacking for points.

Chase will not allow you to get the SW bonus again until at least 2 years after you received the initial bonus. Don't cancel the SW cards yet. Use the credit lines as leverage to open up the Reserve and Ink+ and cancel in order to open the new cards. Since you have to wait until 2 years have gone by to get the bonus on SW anyhow you might as well get cards that will be getting you long term value and of course the 100k bonus before it goes away. After you have this perfect portfolio of keeper cards you can go ahead and get the SW cards again.

Oh that's awesome that I can transfer AMEX MR to Starwood. I love Sheratons and Westins.