I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

If I were in your shoes I would jump at the chance for a SW CP. I LOOOOVVEEE SW SMF to SNA for my DLR trips. They also fly into LGB which can be helpful when the SNA fares are high. The great thing about booking with SW points is that they are automatically redeposited into your account if you need to cancel a trip (up to 10 min before boarding!) or re-book at a lower fare. If you have to cancel a cash fare you will not get a refund, instead you will get a credit that needs to be used within a year and only for the person who the original fare was booked for.

Alas, I am lol/24 so not eligible for any new Chase cards for awhile, but I have read a lot about the CP. You can use points to book the fare, the companion needs to travel with the primary passenger, and you can change your companion up to 3 times per year. Maybe you could convince your wife to fly Hawaiian out to Hawaii but SW back to the mainland?

Speaking of Hawaii, thank you for posting all the info about your Christmas trip. I've looked into some pricing and it's just so ridiculously expensive during the holidays that I'm not sure we can make it happen. We could possibly swing it for just our small family of 3 but we wanted the extended fam to join us. We'll see. We have a year to get all the points in place and see where that gets us. You asked about staying in Waikiki...we did a split stay in early November, 3 nights in at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and then moved to Aulani for 3 nights. We LOVED Waikiki! We were upgraded to the Diamond Head suite at the Outrigger and it was pure bliss to wake up to the ocean right below us and Diamond Head in the distance. There are other great options right there on the beach...Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider, which are all SPG/Marriott properties so totally doable on points. We are dying to go back!

Thanks for the encouragement and advice on the SW CP!

Yes, Hawaii is very expensive during the holidays, but that’s what the schedule allows and Christmas is pretty big with my wife’s family so we do it. I love love love SPG’s Waikiki properties! I’m glad you were able to enjoy an awesome view on your trip there. My wife and I stayed in one of the Moana Surfrider's ocean front tower suites pre-DD and woke up to the sound of waves washing over Waikiki Beach with uninterrupted views of Diamond Head. I should really add an encore of that stay to my churning bucket list.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was helping out a family member who was using a debit card for everything when they had a Cap One Quicksilver card that earns 1.5% cash back. We got on the subject of points/miles and credit cards. I explained why using debit cards was a bad idea in any situation and that they were better protected when it came to fraud by using a credit card and could also be earning cash back for their purchases on their QS card. I explained that they should treat their credit card like a debit card. Make a purchase that they have the money to pay for with the credit card, go home get online and send a payment to the credit card from their bank for that amount. The family member agrees this is a great idea and we go our separate ways. Fast forward a few months later and we are together again and eating out at dinner. I see this family member pull out their debit card to pay the bill. I asked why they weren't using their QS card. This person has the unmitigated gall to tell me that they tried it "my way" and wound up racking up credit card debt on that card and were trying to pay it down. Uhm, no! You did not try it "my way" if you had, you would have never bought anything you didn't have the money to pay for. If your were paying your credit card from your checking account right away this would not have happened. I explained "my way" and you chose "your way" so don't blame me. Ugh!

O. M. G.

 

[Lain]

So I know nothing about this route - but poking around it looks like your risk of waiting is these flights go up to $74 or $99. So you could potentially book now on cash and lock in that $49 each way...OR you could wait, try to earn the signup bonus on one card quickly and book on points but risk paying more (no guaranties but likely $74 or $99 if they go up). You could also book 2 of the tickets each way and wait and try to earn the CP and add that for free later...

I don't like to give advice with other people's money...but you have a lot of options depending on what you want to risk. There are even some more complex options that would be hard to explain even haha. IF you have some extra URs laying around you could also convert them to Southwest and get them free that way. Let me know if you have any other questions, I've played the southwest booking game for 10+ years and think it's one of my areas of expertise here.

Thanks for the tip @SouthFayetteFan. You weren’t kidding when you said you know Southwest best. I do have $300 worth of Amex airline credits to spend on Southwest, so a cash fare isn’t a big deal to me at such low prices while I try to figure out Southwest’s cards and RR program.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I am trying to figure out apple pay...... I got the chase pay app that's easy enough(to DL not sure about using instore yet) any tips? help!

Me too. When I open the wallet on my iPhone, there is no + to add a card or anything

 

[Lain]

Me too. When I open the wallet on my iPhone, there is no + to add a card or anything

Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Credit or Debit Card.

 

[AmyAnne]

Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Credit or Debit Card.

So while we are on the subject of Apple Pay, am I correct that this is an app that I would have to install? Assuming that is correct, then is it also correct that Apple Pay only works in-store rather than on-line?

 

[Ava]

I was helping out a family member who was using a debit card for everything when they had a Cap One Quicksilver card that earns 1.5% cash back. We got on the subject of points/miles and credit cards. I explained why using debit cards was a bad idea in any situation and that they were better protected when it came to fraud by using a credit card and could also be earning cash back for their purchases on their QS card. I explained that they should treat their credit card like a debit card. Make a purchase that they have the money to pay for with the credit card, go home get online and send a payment to the credit card from their bank for that amount. The family member agrees this is a great idea and we go our separate ways. Fast forward a few months later and we are together again and eating out at dinner. I see this family member pull out their debit card to pay the bill. I asked why they weren't using their QS card. This person has the unmitigated gall to tell me that they tried it "my way" and wound up racking up credit card debt on that card and were trying to pay it down. Uhm, no! You did not try it "my way" if you had, you would have never bought anything you didn't have the money to pay for. If your were paying your credit card from your checking account right away this would not have happened. I explained "my way" and you chose "your way" so don't blame me. Ugh!

Some people just don’t have the self-control or discipline to use credit cards without racking up debt. Even if they theoretically have enough income to cover what they’re buying. Obviously those people should never try playing this game.

Personally I wouldn’t be doing this if I hadn’t started using YNAB (You Need A Budget - budgeting software) and gotten to the point where I know all of my expenses are covered in advance, all of my credit card charges are accounted for in the budget, and I can set every single bill to Autopay so I don’t have to worry about it. Otherwise I’d never be able to keep track of all of these cards and be sure I can pay them in full and on time every month. And I don’t have nearly the amount of cards that I know some of you have!

 

[Angrose]

So while we are on the subject of Apple Pay, am I correct that this is an app that I would have to install? Assuming that is correct, then is it also correct that Apple Pay only works in-store rather than on-line?

It should already be on your iPhone under "wallet." You can use it online. I just used at Target.com yesterday.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

To add one thought - if you are opening more cards than the average person then you're likely a "churner" for purposes of the DISchurners group. We're basically just a bunch of folks who enjoy signing up for new CCs. I'd say anybody who opens more than 3 cards a year consistently should embrace their identity as a churner, lol. From your comment I think you opened 6 cards in 8 months...you're definitely a churner deny it all you want haha!

Hi I'm Cyndi and I'm a churner. It's been 2 days since my last card.

 

[Lain]

So while we are on the subject of Apple Pay, am I correct that this is an app that I would have to install? Assuming that is correct, then is it also correct that Apple Pay only works in-store rather than on-line?

Apple Pay is not an app you have to download. It’s a feature built right into Apple’s more recent iOS and Mac operating systems. You set up your cards in the “Wallet” and they’re stored securely on your device, then you pay with it using TouchID or FaceID.

Apple Pay is prevalent on mobile websites and apps, so for online shopping on your iPhone or iPad. The Wallet essentially stores all your credit card data, billing and shipping info, so if you decide to check out using Apple Pay, you click that option, everything autofills, then you authorize the payment with your fingerprint or face, and voila.

Apple Pay is also in a lot of brick and mortar stores (and I believe in Disney Parks!). Look for the “ Pay” logo on a store’s debit/credit card reader. If the card reader supports Apple Pay, double click your iPhone’s home button (or side power button for iPhone X), which will pull up the cards in your Wallet, flick through which card you want to use (you might want to set the Freedom as default this quarter until you max out the $1500 limit), then hold your iPhone close to the card reader, and authorize payment with your fingerprint or face. You should feel a vibration when your credit card info’s been transmitted. You may notice a different last 4-digits of your card; this is because Apple Pay transmits an encrypted token to protect your card’s data.

I’ve also seen Apple Pay appear as a payment option on more classic desktop websites. I have a newer MacBook Pro with the TouchBar, which has a fingerprint reader built in to allow TouchID to, among other things, authorize Apple Pay transactions.

 

[AmyAnne]

It should already be on your iPhone under "wallet." You can use it online. I just used at Target.com yesterday.

No wallet. A quick Google search suggests that my problem is that I have an iPhone 4 . . . Apparently Apple Pay only works for iPhone 6 and "up."

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Cringing over here! I completely understand your frustration. DM successfully applied for and got both personal SW cards, but after repeatedly telling her to use my referral links and sending them to her multiple times, she said, "Oh I just Googled the cards and found the same signup bonuses, so I didn't need your referral links."

Yeah I bypassed that possible fail. I applied for a card in my moms name. With my referral link. So I could give the points to myself. My mom doesn't travel, but I help her with everything, do her shopping, taxes, etc. so she was ok with getting a card solely to give me the points. But now she wants to cancel it because it freaks her out that she has "too many cards". Last count I think was 3.

 

[AmyAnne]

Yeah I bypassed that possible fail. I applied for a card in my moms name. With my referral link. So I could give the points to myself. My mom doesn't travel, but I help her with everything, do her shopping, taxes, etc. so she was ok with getting a card solely to give me the points. But now she wants to cancel it because it freaks her out that she has "too many cards". Last count I think was 3.

This is my dad. He has two cards. That he has had for I'm sure more that 20 years. His mind is set that he could not possibly need or want any more. I have on occasion thought about discussing with him the possibility of my applying for cards for him and managing them myself, but the amount of discussion that would involve would be so not worth whatever points might be gained.

 

[WDWRook]

#2: Just add yourself as MiddleName LastName - don't get an AU card on her report.
#4: Only you can decide this for yourself. I have used slots on Freedom in the past. The question is - are you passing up a more lucrative card for the Freedom? If there are other cards more beneficial to you - Southwest, United, Marriott, etc...then you should NOT apply for Freedom. If those cards provide little benefit then go for it! Also my obligatory - consider using a referral on DISchurners reminder, hahaha!

Thx SFF. I just double checked and I'm actually only at 2/24 (Sept 16 and July 17). The CSP is July, so I wasn't even six months in when I tried (and was denied) a PC to a Freedom. Based upon being 2/24 I'll get the Freedom as I spend plenty on Gas and have no cards that provide rewards. Also gives me a bit of time to do a referral to tWife for a CSP after her CSR is PC'ed [I'll use your link SFF, you and others here have helped me many times over; thanks]

When you say MiddleName LastName; you don't use your first name? Is that okay to do?

New Questions:

1. Is there an easy way to tell when you opened your cards, beside credit reports?
2. Is there an easy way to tell where an airline flies directly to from an airport? We are in Detroit, DTW, and I'd get Southwest cards except they don't seem to fly direct to where I go.

EDIT: Well, got a 30 day wait notice. I'm guessing my available credit is too much as they asked if I wanted to include other income. I assume they will take credit from other cards as they gave me crazy limits on all my Chase cards.

EDIT 2: I love that CreditKarma sends me an email anytime someone checks my credit. Another great tool I learned in this thread.

 

[Angrose]

No wallet. A quick Google search suggests that my problem is that I have an iPhone 4 . . . Apparently Apple Pay only works for iPhone 6 and "up."

That happened to me this summer. I was using an old iPhone4 too, but it was soooo slowwww and I was getting so frustrated not being able to use things like Apple Pay. So, I upgraded to a new iPhone SE. It has touchID so can use Apple Pay. I will never need a super fancy phone like the X, but my little SE has made my life so much easier!

I *think* you should still be able to use ChasePay.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Credit or Debit Card.

That's not a choice in settings. iPhone 6s.
When I search settings all I find is wallet >Touch ID & passcode.
I feel dumb, but cant find anything on DH's phone nor mine.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

This is my dad. He has two cards. That he has had for I'm sure more that 20 years. His mind is set that he could not possibly need or want any more. I have on occasion thought about discussing with him the possibility of my applying for cards for him and managing them myself, but the amount of discussion that would involve would be so not worth whatever points might be gained.

My dad managed all finances and my mom did nothing for 50 years until he passed away. I did cancel a couple cards for her that they had together. Everything is on autopay or she will forget about it. She does use Discover card for most things so she at least gets cashback. She has a MC or Visa for places that don't take Discover

 

[miztressuz]

That's not a choice in settings. iPhone 6s.
When I search settings all I find is wallet >Touch ID & passcode.
I feel dumb, but cant find anything on DH's phone nor mine.

Are you signed into iCloud? I think that might be required.
ETA: Also need a TouchID or passcode setup, but I assumed most people have one or other setup already.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Are you signed into iCloud? I think that might be required.

Yep. Banging my head trying to figure it out.
Have Touch ID. Works for opening phone, banking apps, a texting app, etc.

 

[miztressuz]

Yep. Banging my head trying to figure it out.

Here's the apple support page for adding cards, maybe something there will help.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205630

Other than not having a TouchID or passcode setup on the phone, which I thought of after I posted, I'm stumped.