I love credit cards so much!

[peel]

My ur posted from meeting spend on my csr, yay!

I want to make sure what I've read is accurate. I need to transfer points to Hyatt. I can figure out what I need and just transfer that correct? So it could be like 23654 or does it have to be in round numbers? I have Hyatt points and don't want to over transfer.

Thr transfer is instant correct? And when I go into the ur part of the website it will make sense what to do to transfer? This is my first ur card.

I priced out the 3 nights at the Hyatt vendome we're staying at in may after you all started posting your stuff for the year. It was over $2500 for the standard room US which is nuts. Good use of it but value to me is more like 750 which would have been the max of my half of the room we would have split if we paid. Which I think is important to remember when putting value to things. Sure we'll enjoy the super fancy hotel and awesome location but for me it's about saving money then using my 2 free sign up nights to their fullest

1,000 point increments for Hyatt and transfers are instant.
Here is MMS guide to transfer.

 

[afan]

1,000 point increments for Hyatt and transfers are instant.
Here is MMS guide to transfer.

Thank you! Hopefully I'm closer to 1,000 than 0 on my Hyatt balance. Not that I won't use them again but I'd rather they sit in ur.

 

[Albort]

Hello all! Catching up on this thread. Very busy holiday seaon with a trip to the world the week before Christmas. Things are starting to slow down and get back to normal.

We ended the year incorporating DH's business. Lawyer suggested we need to use cc's that have his official business name with the inc on the end.

So far DH just has CIP. Ideas for another good business card? I know the sign on for the chase bus cash back isn't that great, but we could prob optimize those 5x categories. Had thought about the amex bus spg, but bonus doesn't seem to be that hot right now...but wondering if it will get better if they're phasing it out. Maybe mariott?

I'm pretty much looking towards a next move for the both of us. He got the CIP and I did the CSP/CSR combo in late nov i think it was. I may have a tiny bit more spend on the CSP but all else is done.

I'm 4/24 (one of which is an au on my mom's spg which should fall off in april). Maybe mariott for me?? Unfortunately Southwest isn't a huge draw here....we fly out of CLT and can't hardly get a direct flight anywhere except thru american.

it depends on the nature of your DH's business. If he does a lot of advertising, the CIP might be a better choice. I heard that category is very easily a huge spending on many people's business. The SPG had a historic high in April so if ur willing to risk it, wait till April. I think any of the Amex business cards that earn UR is good choice too. Marriott card may be a good choice for you if SW isnt. Marriott Card may be going away soon. If you dont have any slots left, it might be a good idea to save one for one of the new cards coming out(SPG/Marriott card). Card releases seem to give historic high sign up bonus, u can probably tap into one or both depending on it being under 5/24 or not.

1. Spring break: A few days at Great Wolf Lodge. Not a great price, but we are a family of 5 and they have good rooms to accommodate us and we can bring food. If you take into account entry/ticket fees for 5 anywhere, it's actually a pretty good deal.

Im not sure which Wolf Lodge your talking about but ive seen the one in Anaheim will have low rates on groupon. i think it was like 200 or 250? on of those values. When i posted it on another post on disboards, many people said it was a really good rate. Im not familiar with it so i wouldnt know.

Would love some advice. I have been reading and while I didn't read all 600 pages here, I did read about 1/3-1/2. I got very excited about the CSR offer at 100K points and then very sad when I realized the thread started in 2016 and that offer was long over when I started reading in Dec 2017!

I love to save money but haven't been engaged in churning or CC miles/points ever! I do have 2 Chase cards (Disney and Freedom). The last card I opened was in 2011. I would like to get to the point of having miles/points for airfare and hotels. Not sure I have the dedication or time to churn like a pro, though.

Here are some facts: have great credit score 810+; no applications since 2011 so I think I am 0/24; no balances on any cards.
Goals are to build points for travel. After all my reading I think I would try for the Chase Ink Preferred first in March this year (1/24), then CSR/CSP (on same day) in July (2/24 or is this 3/24?). Reasons - have a trip in May to Utah and could use that for easier min spend on CIP; also already have a trip planned for Glacier in Sept and could use for CSR/CSP spend. We are planning a trip in 2019 for Hawaii. I would be looking for the SW Companion Pass in 2019/2020. So after the CSR/CSP, I would look at how I can get the 110K points on SW in early 2019 on the SW cards (4 or 5/24).

Long term goals:
PC the CIP to CIC, close to next anniversary
Keep CSR
PC CSP to Freedom Unlimited
Churn SW cards to get CPs on SW (most of travel is on SW from Columbus OH). If we don't fly SW, we'll probably fly United.
Build hotel points - either with UR or a hotel card.

No thoughts of international travel in next 5 years.

Questions
1. How does this strategy sound? Am I missing anything in terms of my goals?
2. If that sequence looks good (CIP, CSR/CSP, SW cards), what should I focus on next for hotel/airline points? Marriott? United?
3. What to focus on after Chase cards are filled up (5/24)?

Thanks for all the help you guys have done by just putting this all out on the disboards. I haven't traveled to Disney for a few years but a lot of what is out here is good for other travel so I like to read all I can.

I would consider mixing some other cards in the mix if you plan to hit chase that hard. Chase can be iffy now with some recent shutdowns. although not a high number of shutdown, a shutdown is still a shutdown. a Chase checking account would probably help too if yo udont have one. i would probably put the SW apps in front of the double dipping CSR/CSP. Damn, this ones hard choice in the matter haha.

Quick question for Those who have booked hotels using Chase rewards through CSR. Do I still owe tax after covering the room with points?

Trying to see if just using the travel agent rate paying with the CSR is better than redeeming Chase rewards.
The rates are close but if I still owe tax the travel agent rate might be better.

i believe the tax is separated from the room rate. You can probably use points to pay for it(1.5 redemption still). I know you wont go to the hotel and find out that you still have to pay for taxes. You should see a final amount right at the payment menu.
The only time i noticed i didnt have to pay taxes was point redemptions at hotel. Stayed at a Hyatt on 15k points, didnt have to pay taxes or extra points to cover taxes. I guess its all together in the 15k.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

OK, I'm ready to play.
My biggest savings have come from my silly little timeshare, without which I couldn't have been able to do so much travel. I have included my timeshare week maintenance fees + housekeeping fees for each week of use + the exchange fee.
The SW CPs that mom and I got last year have also constributed significantly to our savings

Feb 28-Mar 14 Aruba 3 people
Flights SW 47,886 points + $248.73 fees Would have been $1740 Saved $1491
5 nights Marriott Surf Club studio found on Expedia $3150 My cost with timeshare $425 Saved $2725
3 nights Hyatt Regency Aruba Hyatt website $3054 Used 75,000 Hyatt points Saved $3054
6 nights La Cabana Resort on Eagle Beach Couldn't find this available any more My timeshare cost $425/week Savings ????
Tours, food and transportation will be OOP
Total OOP so far 14 days so far $1098
Total saved $7,270 + ????


May 4-17 Disney 4 people for sure but have room for 8 in timeshare
Flights SW 31,516 points +$47.20 fees Would have been $1496 Saved $1453.30
Marriott Grande Vista 2 BR found on Expedia for $3455 (13 days) My timeshare cost $850 Saved $2605
Minivan rental 13 days used 38800 UR Alamo price $901 Saved $901
Total OOP so far 13 days $897.28
Total saved $4,959

June 19-28 Wisconsin Dells
Driving distance
3 days Wyndham Glacier Canyon sleeps 8 Maintenance fees OOP $420
7 days Christmas Mountain sleeps 6 Maintenance fees + housekeeping fees OOP $172.25
Total OOP 10 days $592.25

Aug 14-24 Wisconsin Dells
Driving distance
3 days Wyndham Glacier Canyon sleeps 8 Maintenance fees OOP $525
7 days Christmas mountain sleeps 6 Maintenance fees + housekeeping fees OOP $172.25
Total OOP 10 days $697.25

Sept 1-8 Longboat Key FL
Little Gull Cottages 3BR sleeps 8 Timeshare cost about $700 OOP couldn't find rental price for this unit Savings ????
SW reservations not open yet but will do points x2 + taxes x4 and 2 CP Savings ????
Car rental will probably use UR Savings ????
Total OOP $747.20 so far for 4 of us

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

OK, I'm ready to play.
My biggest savings have come from my silly little timeshare, without which I couldn't have been able to do so much travel. I have included my timeshare week maintenance fees + housekeeping fees for each week of use + the exchange fee.
The SW CPs that mom and I got last year have also constributed significantly to our savings

Feb 28-Mar5 Aruba 3 people
Flights SW 23,888 points + $248.73 fees Would have been $1740 Saved $1491
5 nights Marriott Surf Club studio found on Expedia $3150 My cost with timeshare $425 Saved $2725
3 nights Hyatt Regency Aruba Hyatt website $3054 Used 75,000 Hyatt points Saved $3054
6 nights La Cabana Resort on Eagle Beach Couldn't find this available any more My timeshare cost $425/week Savings ????
Tours, food and transportation will be OOP
Total OOP so far 13 days so far $1098


May 4-17 Disney 4 people for sure but have room for 8 in timeshare
Flights SW 31,516 points +$47.20 fees Would have been $1496 Saved $1453.30
Marriott Grande Vista 2 BR found on Expedia for $3455 (13 days) My timeshare cost $850 Saved $2605
Minivan rental 13 days used 3880 UR Alamo price $901 Saved $901
Total OOP so far 13 days $897.28

June 19-28 Wisconsin Dells
Driving distance
3 days Wyndham Glacier Canyon sleeps 8 Maintenance fees OOP $420
7 days Christmas Mountain sleeps 6 Maintenance fees + housekeeping fees OOP $172.25
Total OOP 10 days $592.25

Aug 14-24 Wisconsin Dells
Driving distance
3 days Wyndham Glacier Canyon sleeps 8 Maintenance fees OOP $525
7 days Christmas mountain sleeps 6 Maintenance fees + housekeeping fees OOP $172.25
Total OOP 10 days $697.25

Sept 1-8 Longboat Key FL
Little Gull Cottages 3BR sleeps 8 Timeshare cost about $700 OOP couldn't find rental price for this unit Savings ????
SW reservations not open yet but will do points x2 + taxes x4 and 2 CP Savings ????
Car rental will probably use UR Savings ????
Total OOP $747.20 so far for 4 of us

That's some nice savings vs. the gross price of all those! Seems like the timeshares have served you well since you use them and are getting a nice value out of them!!

 

[WVMomof3]

Quick question for Those who have booked hotels using Chase rewards through CSR. Do I still owe tax after covering the room with points?

Trying to see if just using the travel agent rate paying with the CSR is better than redeeming Chase rewards.
The rates are close but if I still owe tax the travel agent rate might be better.

I did not owe anything additional after paying for rooms with URs.

 

[Lain]

Quick question for Those who have booked hotels using Chase rewards through CSR. Do I still owe tax after covering the room with points?

Trying to see if just using the travel agent rate paying with the CSR is better than redeeming Chase rewards.
The rates are close but if I still owe tax the travel agent rate might be better.

I'd go through it like you're booking to see how much it comes out to ETA because it might not show taxes/fees on the hotel page, but you can cover taxes and fees with UR points.

@amalone1013 is right, the hotel search results on the UR page lists just the base room rate, not any taxes or fees. As you complete the reservation, you’ll see the taxes and fees factor in, which you can pay for with points or cash. When I booked the Disneyland Hotel with all UR, I only had to pay for parking at the end of our stay.

I read a blog post over the weekend via Frequent Miler from a blogger who was trying to book the Disneyland Hotel through Chase but noticed the rates were lower for the same room from Disney’s website directly. So he called into Chase Ultimate Rewards’ cruises and tours line to speak with a travel specialist, asked if Chase could match Disney’s lower rate if he added park tickets to the room to make it a package, the travel specialist did some work and called him back to say they could match the rate.

http://saverocity.com/asthejoeflies...k-points-at-disney-and-a-call-for-datapoints/

If you’re torn between the price and package your travel agent can get you, vs. redeeming points to book through Chase, maybe give Chase’s travel advisors a call to see what they can do.

 

[Angrose]

@amalone1013I read a blog post over the weekend via Frequent Miler from a blogger who was trying to book the Disneyland Hotel through Chase but noticed the rates were lower for the same room from Disney’s website directly. So he called into Chase Ultimate Rewards’ cruises and tours line to speak with a travel specialist, asked if Chase could match Disney’s lower rate if he added park tickets to the room to make it a package, the travel specialist did some work and called him back to say they could match the rate.

http://saverocity.com/asthejoeflies...k-points-at-disney-and-a-call-for-datapoints/

If you’re torn between the price and package your travel agent can get you, vs. redeeming points to book through Chase, maybe give Chase’s travel advisors a call to see what they can do.

Wow, you just rocked my world with this! I read the article and in the comments section they mention that it's possible if you call in to pay partially with points and partially with Disney gift cards. Mind blown.

 

[WDWRook]

Quadfecta is just a nickname for having 4 of the Chase UR earning cards: My quadfecta includes the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Freedom, Chase Ink Plus and Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Why Ink Plus and not the Ink Cash? I thought the Ink Cash had better rewards with 5x vs 3x, but the Plus offered better protections and other non-reward benefits?

 

[DisneyMandC]

Yeaaaah.... so remember how I said this morning that this was my year of hoarding Chase UR points for a Disney vacation next year?

Obviously I meant that for AFTER I book a flight to Miami in February

I logged into our Marriott account earlier to book a room for a work conference in April and saw that there was an upcoming trip to Miami for February 27-March 1. At the same time I was looking at it, DH texted me to tell me he was going down there for a work conference and asked if I wanted to join him. Since we've been in the middle of the arctic freeze here, I am more than happy to jump at any opportunity to go somewhere warm! Round trip direct flights to MIA are under $200 on American so I'm going to book with some of my UR points. Anything I'm missing before I pull the trigger on this?

I could've gotten cheaper flights into FLL on JetBlue, but unfortunately DH had already booked his flight into MIA. Both flights are for identical times, so what I would save in airfare I would eat up in Ubers to and from FLL.

ETA: Give me your tips/recommendations for what do/see/eat in Miami!

 

[wendow]

Quick question for Those who have booked hotels using Chase rewards through CSR. Do I still owe tax after covering the room with points?

Trying to see if just using the travel agent rate paying with the CSR is better than redeeming Chase rewards.
The rates are close but if I still owe tax the travel agent rate might be better.

The taxes and fees should be on the last checkout screen. I've booked Disney resorts and Hampton Inn through the UR site and there was nothing due at the hotel once we arrived. The final amount was paid through the UR site.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Wow, you just rocked my world with this! I read the article and in the comments section they mention that it's possible if you call in to pay partially with points and partially with Disney gift cards. Mind blown.

I would love to see somebody here substantiate that one. I don't doubt it - but it just seems almost too awesome to be true. I could use URs for a portion and then still buy gift cards at a discount on the CC of my choice (hello another signup bonus) to payoff the rest... If anybody books a package with Chase and does this (Partial pay with URs payoff with Disney GCs) please let us know!!

 

[wendow]

I read a blog post over the weekend via Frequent Miler from a blogger who was trying to book the Disneyland Hotel through Chase but noticed the rates were lower for the same room from Disney’s website directly. So he called into Chase Ultimate Rewards’ cruises and tours line to speak with a travel specialist, asked if Chase could match Disney’s lower rate if he added park tickets to the room to make it a package, the travel specialist did some work and called him back to say they could match the rate.

My aunt and uncle went to WDW back in November and booked the entire package through the UR cruise an tours dept. The TA that they worked with told them they could offer them any sale/promo that Disney was running.

 

[Albort]

Why Ink Plus and not the Ink Cash? I thought the Ink Cash had better rewards with 5x vs 3x, but the Plus offered better protections and other non-reward benefits?

Ink Plus is the fee version of the Ink Cash. Its basically 50k spendings on 5x instead of 25k. Able to transfer to partners and 1.25 Chase portal redemption. Your thinking of the Ink Preferred.
Ink Plus is no longer available. Some of us are grandfathered into the Ink Plus... i have one too.

 

[afan]

I would love to see somebody here substantiate that one. I don't doubt it - but it just seems almost too awesome to be true. I could use URs for a portion and then still buy gift cards at a discount on the CC of my choice (hello another signup bonus) to payoff the rest... If anybody books a package with Chase and does this (Partial pay with URs payoff with Disney GCs) please let us know!!

Wouldn't it be dependent on how it's booked and paid. If they are like expedia you can't pay with gc. But if its like a ta you could.

 

[wendow]

I would love to see somebody here substantiate that one. I don't doubt it - but it just seems almost too awesome to be true. I could use URs for a portion and then still buy gift cards at a discount on the CC of my choice (hello another signup bonus) to payoff the rest... If anybody books a package with Chase and does this (Partial pay with URs payoff with Disney GCs) please let us know!!

My aunt tried but they would not let her. She had read on some blog that you could do it. However, UR TA said no. I told her to call and try again but I don't think she ever did as she only had a few hundred to pay OOP.

 

[WDWRook]

So is the general consensus for saving on cruises here still:

• Can book through Chase with UR points, but can only apply them at time of booking
• Going through Costco or other TAs for the cashback cards, on board credits, etc
• Cashback or Travel "eraser" cards like Barclay Arrival or Capital One travel card to use towards cost or excursions
• Paying with Disney GCs you picked up at a discount or earned extra UR points, that sort of thing

Am I missing anything?

We are likely going to book a cruise with UR points, and I'm thinking to try and book it via Chase and points, and then call a travel agent to have them take over the cruise in the first couple of weeks to see if they will give me the on board credits. Not sure it will work..

 

[Lain]

Wow, you just rocked my world with this! I read the article and in the comments section they mention that it's possible if you call in to pay partially with points and partially with Disney gift cards. Mind blown.

Yeah, I saw those comments too, but I don't have any personal experience and it seems like a stretch farther than merely asking for a price match. But I'm aware that other travel agents are able to take Disney Gift Cards for payments towards Disney packages, so why not Chase? I'd love to here back from this community if anyone does try it!

ETA: @SouthFayetteFan's already confirmed with Chase UR that you can indeed book Disney packages with UR points + Disney Gift Cards.

 

[peel]

Why Ink Plus and not the Ink Cash? I thought the Ink Cash had better rewards with 5x vs 3x, but the Plus offered better protections and other non-reward benefits?

You're thinking of Ink Preferred, which is the current fee version of the Ink business cards. The signup bonus is currently 80K with a $95 AF, so the common suggestion is to get CIP for one year and then downgrade to the no-fee Cash for 5x.

 

[pillow]

OK - here goes - 2018 travel:

Now = Not for me, but used Chase UR for DS20's flight to the Dominican Republic. He is doing an educational program down there. Paid his program fees with my Reserve, and it counted as travel - yay! Used my Delta miles for his return flight - which incidentally is via JFK airport. Sure hope they get it together up there before he flies home this weekend. What a mess!!! If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the flooding that occurred in the international terminal - unbelievable!

Spring = Costa Rica trip on our own for 4 people/10 nights. Flights using SW miles and a companion pass (from credit card sign on bonuses). Two of the three hotels I booked on the UR portal. The third I'm paying for out of pocket cause I just REALLY wanna stay there and can't do it discounted. Rental car is out of pocket. I'm looking at booking a few activities via the Chase portal, but I'm a little frustrated. I want to know who the tour provider is, and I can't figure that out on the Chase site. I guess I need to call Chase and see if they can tell me. Anyone done this?

Summer = Using IHG free nights (mine + DH's) for Anchorage hotel at the start of our vacation. My wonderful mother is paying for a Princess Cruise (and our airfare) for my entire family, and we're going 10 days early to do some independent travel. We are renting an RV, so no points/miles for this one. We'll likely use Marriott points for our Vancouver hotel post cruise (Delta Suites probably).

Hubby is out of vacation time! Thats it for 2018!