I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

Is there a reason to do it monthly, vs when you need to redeem them?

On the off chance that Chase suddenly stops the ability to transfer points from one UR earning account to another without notice.

Do you take advantage of the transfer bonus even if you have no immediate plans to use that particular airline or hotel? I see a Hilton transfer bonus for AMEX rewards but I am not sure if we will be staying at the Hilton or Marriott next year. Should I transfer and just make that decision to use that Hotel in our travel plans?

I don’t. Airline programs can devalue at a moment’s notice. If I know for certain I will likely be flying a particular airline then I will do it. There was a 50% transfer bonus to BA a couple of years ago and we jumped on that since we knew we’d be booking BA or AA for an upcoming trip. I generally like to keep my MR redemption options open for either a pay with points, Delta transfer or other airline option if needed.

 

[amalone1013]

Last night I had the idea that maybe I could do a weekend trip to see one of my favorite singer's Christmas shows, which I've never been able to do before. Then I looked and all the dates that would work, are around 2 hours from airports that SW flies in to. And the flight times aren't great. I'd say make it a 3 day weekend and check out the area too, but DH doesn't have any time to do that. Maybe next year.

Then I decided to look at flights to WDW for a weekend to see Christmas stuff... and the weekend I've been looking at dropped about 25% in points/cost! Went ahead and booked it, just need to decide if we're going to go for it now.

I got AU cards for my Marriott card and for CFU for the bonus points. Both came, and my Marriott card didn't come up as an option to verify/activate. It won't work when I've tried it. Tried to sm Chase but they told me I'd have to call. AU bonus points for both cards posted immediately though? I though you had to make a purchase with the AU cards?

 

[Louie7080]

The most important thing about Amex is that normally, it's one bonus per lifetime so if you go for an Amex card make sure you can live with fear of better offer syndrome I think if you're okay with cash back, then the Amex Blue Cash Preferred is great. I mean, it's hard to beat 6X rewards on groceries!
I have the Everyday Preferred and a teenager ...so the 30 transactions are nothing for our house Also, we use our grocery store's pharmacy so our medications are coded for the grocery bonus earnings which is awesome. Between my daughter's, husband's and mother's AU cards I have the opportunity for lots of double/triple/quadruple earnings as well as Amex offers which are another excellent reason to have an amex (or cough, cough, 4). The only other thing I realized was that the "bonus" points that you earn after 30 transactions for the Everyday Preferred are held until the close of the next month's statement-took a couple of cycles for me to realize that.

Not sure if what you are saying is that you only get one Amex bonus for all Amex cards per lifetime, but if so and for anyone else reading this, the one bonus per lifetime is per a specific card at least according to this article http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/10/24/amex-card-application-rules/ Maybe that is what you meant. I haven't been reading this board long and am new to using CCs for rewards, etc...

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Not sure if what you are saying is that you only get one Amex bonus for all Amex cards per lifetime, but if so and for anyone else reading this, the one bonus per lifetime is per a specific card at least according to this article http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/10/24/amex-card-application-rules/ Maybe that is what you meant. I haven't been reading this board long and am new to using CCs for rewards, etc...

Yes @tink1970 meant one bonus per AMEX card type. Chase & Citi usually let you get the bonus again after 24 months. Amex doesn't unless they send you a special offer which allows another bonus ( usually noted in fine print)

 

[JC0712]

I just wanted to say that I started reading this thread about a month ago and have found it to be an incredible helpful and friendly introduction to churning/credit card rewards. I don't plan to become a hard core churner, but after reading this I don't think I could ever be satisfied earning 1% on my Disney Visa. I opened my first card in 10 years, a Southwest Plus, in late September and plan to get a Southwest Companion Pass in 2018.

I don't have any specific comments or questions just now, but wanted to thank all of the very helpful people on this thread. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions later. Thanks again.

 

[calypso726]

I just wanted to say that I started reading this thread about a month ago and have found it to be an incredible helpful and friendly introduction to churning/credit card rewards. I don't plan to become a hard core churner, but after reading this I don't think I could ever be satisfied earning 1% on my Disney Visa. I opened my first card in 10 years, a Southwest Plus, in late September and plan to get a Southwest Companion Pass in 2018.

I don't have any specific comments or questions just now, but wanted to thank all of the very helpful people on this thread. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions later. Thanks again.

Welcome! I am glad to have a friendly group to share this crazy hobby with as are most of us, I believe. I also think it is great that those of us who have been at it for a while are diverse in our interests and focus with regards to travel hacking and churning. No matter what type of questions come up, someone here will have an answer or advice.

My favorite part is hearing back from those who started out here and finding out what they wound up doing with their new found knowledge and how they made the points and miles work for their trip.

You never where you will wind up in this hobby. I started out with a Disney Visa too.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Too true! It's funny how certain areas definitely favor different airlines.

I favor Southwest! Well, technically, I will favor Southwest- if they ever come to my area....

 

[gottalovepluto]

...You never where you will wind up in this hobby. I started out with a Disney Visa too.

OMG- ME TOO!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Last night I had the idea that maybe I could do a weekend trip to see one of my favorite singer's Christmas shows, which I've never been able to do before. Then I looked and all the dates that would work, are around 2 hours from airports that SW flies in to. And the flight times aren't great. I'd say make it a 3 day weekend and check out the area too, but DH doesn't have any time to do that. Maybe next year.

Then I decided to look at flights to WDW for a weekend to see Christmas stuff... and the weekend I've been looking at dropped about 25% in points/cost! Went ahead and booked it, just need to decide if we're going to go for it now.

I got AU cards for my Marriott card and for CFU for the bonus points. Both came, and my Marriott card didn't come up as an option to verify/activate. It won't work when I've tried it. Tried to sm Chase but they told me I'd have to call. AU bonus points for both cards posted immediately though? I though you had to make a purchase with the AU cards?

FWIW: my CSP AU bonus was supposed to require a purchase but the bonus posted before I even got the card out of my mailbox (I was traveling).

 

[gottalovepluto]

My dh got his CIP today. We are taking our family to Chuck E Cheese tomorrow for one of our ds's b-day. Is it too weird to use the CIP? I'm anxious to get going on the spend

Nice! I'd totally CIP that for hitting the min spend- employee benefit, holiday party for employee's children

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is there a reason to do it monthly, vs when you need to redeem them?

Like others have said, there was chatter. They may never turn off the transfer ability- or they might turn it off affective immediately. Imho it's so easy to transfer the points it's not worth the risk so I transfer each time I get a new statement.

 

[afan]

I was pleasantly surprised earlier today when I bought lunch. A regional fast food chain, Taco Time for any in the PNW, has an app that you can link a credit card too and if you pay with it you get rewards, some random some from purchases. You have to enter a pin to get to the payment qr code so I figured why not. I have alerts set up on my hyatt card. By the time I pulled my phone away from the code reader and looked at it I already had email notification from taco time and chase, my receipt and alerting me that a purchase had been made online etc with my card. I was amazed that the email from chase came that quick. It makes me feel better about using the app and my card.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

OMG- ME TOO!!

Same. Wife and I both started with the Disney card.

 

[calypso726]

OMG- ME TOO!!

Same. Wife and I both started with the Disney card.

And look at us now. We've come a long way

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

And look at us now. We've come a long way

I know people often like to complain about the literal definition of churning and people using it incorrectly (i.e. Opening the same card multiple times vs all credit card activities). But I will say my wife and I have legitimately churned the Disney card 3 times each and referred each other twice each over the past 6 years. For a Disney fan - that's a phenomenal return on a low spend!

 

[wendow]

You never where you will wind up in this hobby. I started out with a Disney Visa too.

This is so true! I started churning the Disney Visa and the SW cards all about 4 years ago but always very slowly and only in 1-player mode, falsely thinking I could not get cards in my name since I am a SAHM. It was only a little over a year ago that I found this thread and decided there was much more to this than I had realized Been having a blast ever since learning from everyone here and making plans for future travel hacking.

 

[Albort]

I know people often like to complain about the literal definition of churning and people using it incorrectly (i.e. Opening the same card multiple times vs all credit card activities). But I will say my wife and I have legitimately churned the Disney card 3 times each and referred each other twice each over the past 6 years. For a Disney fan - that's a phenomenal return on a low spend!

most my friends think im making butter when i mention churning... :\

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

most my friends think im making butter when i mention churning... :\

And it might be for the best to keep it that way lol!

 

[wendow]

most my friends think im making butter when i mention churning... :\

This makes me laugh! I have described it all to my grandma, who is 89 and in no way interested in doing this, and she will ask me often if I am still 'making butter' lol.

 

[Tikitoi]

There was some chatter that the ability to transfer might be limited in the future. And some of us just like to the the big numbers

Even though this wouldn't affect combining CF & CFU is there a reason not to combine these points together?