I love credit cards so much!

[WDWRook]

Thx Albort and Peel. I missed the "Plus" vs Preferred.


I am going to apply for a new CIP for myself (tWife has one now). But, I just got the Freedom (though have yet to receive the card) and when I got the Freedom Chase had to call and move some credit limits around. My recent applications are: CSR Sept 16; CSP July 17; Freedom Jan 18. Currently at 3/24.

Should I wait a few weeks?

 

[peel]

Thx Albort and Peel. I missed the "Plus" vs Preferred.


I am going to apply for a new CIP for myself (tWife has one now). But, I just got the Freedom (though have yet to receive the card) and when I got the Freedom Chase had to call and move some credit limits around. My recent applications are: CSR Sept 16; CSP July 16; Freedom Jan 18. Currently at 3/24.

Should I wait a few weeks?

I'm a little freaked out by the recent shut down reports, but in your case I think you would be fine since you didn't open any Chase cards in 2017. Don't forget to use your wife's referral when applying for yours!

 

[Albort]

I'm a little freaked out by the recent shut down reports, but in your case I think you would be fine since you didn't open any Chase cards in 2017. Don't forget to use your wife's referral when applying for yours!

i thought business cards require you to be at 0/30? maybe?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS - CRUISE/TOUR DEPT UPDATE
I just called the Chase travel/cruise department to discuss the whole booking a package with URs. I called 1-855-234-2542 and asked for the travel and cruise department. First Off - I spoke to Leon at x. 8179 and I'd HIGHLY recommend him as he was patient, friendly, funny and answered all my questions. He specifically gave me his extension and asked for me to call him when I was ready to book so I assume he gets some sort of credit for this and in my book he deserves my business for how awesome he was! I'd guess you could ask to be connected with him if anybody here is booking.

So based on my conversation with Leon I have good news for everybody:

• You CAN pay for a Disney Package (hotel, tickets, dining, etc.) with any combination of (1) Ultimate Rewards Points; (2) Disney Gift Cards; and (3) Any Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card.
• You only get one opportunity to use URs and Disney Gift Cards and that is at the time of booking. Once you are booked, you cannot earn additional URs and apply them later OR apply additional Disney gift cards later
• Any Remaining balance can be paid off that day OR paid off based on normal Disney policies (i.e. 30 days) but ONLY using a Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card. I specifically asked about what if it is another Chase card like Southwest or Marriott and he said no, it has to be a UR earning card.
• I didn't specifically ask about using multiple Disney Gift Cards but my guess would be you'd want to consolidate them into increments of $1,000 (and potentially call like I did to make sure this policy hasn't changed before buying a bunch of Disney GCs).

I will add this post to our DISchurners Reddit post. This is AWESOME news that you can actually purchase a Disney Package this way. Of course this could change at any time so I'd make sure you verify this before you get too deep into GCs to payoff your trip. Good Luck everybody!

 

[WDWRook]

I'm a little freaked out by the recent shut down reports, but in your case I think you would be fine since you didn't open any Chase cards in 2017. Don't forget to use your wife's referral when applying for yours!

Oops. I just fixed it to show the CSP was July 17. So I do have one in 17, one last week. I am at 1/24 but I have no business cards in my name.

 

[Lain]

CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS - CRUISE/TOUR DEPT UPDATE
I just called the Chase travel/cruise department to discuss the whole booking a package with URs. I called 1-855-234-2542 and asked for the travel and cruise department. First Off - I spoke to Leon at x. 8179 and I'd HIGHLY recommend him as he was patient, friendly, funny and answered all my questions. He specifically gave me his extension and asked for me to call him when I was ready to book so I assume he gets some sort of credit for this and in my book he deserves my business for how awesome he was! I'd guess you could ask to be connected with him if anybody here is booking.

So based on my conversation with Leon I have good news for everybody:

• You CAN pay for a Disney Package (hotel, tickets, dining, etc.) with any combination of (1) Ultimate Rewards Points; (2) Disney Gift Cards; and (3) Any Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card.
• You only get one opportunity to use URs and Disney Gift Cards and that is at the time of booking. Once you are booked, you cannot earn additional URs and apply them later OR apply additional Disney gift cards later
• Any Remaining balance can be paid off that day OR paid off based on normal Disney policies (i.e. 30 days) but ONLY using a Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card. I specifically asked about what if it is another Chase card like Southwest or Marriott and he said no, it has to be a UR earning card.
• I didn't specifically ask about using multiple Disney Gift Cards but my guess would be you'd want to consolidate them into increments of $1,000 (and potentially call like I did to make sure this policy hasn't changed before buying a bunch of Disney GCs).

I will add this post to our DISchurners Reddit post. This is AWESOME news that you can actually purchase a Disney Package this way. Of course this could change at any time so I'd make sure you verify this before you get too deep into GCs to payoff your trip. Good Luck everybody!

You work fast! Here's a "Like" from me!

 

[Ngwira]

So bummed about the MASSIVE devaluation of IHG points. Had planned to use my signup bonus at the HIE Springdale which is next to Zion NP. It's now going to be 40,000 IHG points a night when rates are showing $97 for a night in February. The cpp is terrible.

I went ahead and used 60,000 points to book the Intercontinental Times Square for NY Comic con weekend (october). It's going up to 70,000 IHG points soon so figured to get in while the getting is good.

Was able to book the Holiday Inn Express at Zion National Park for $92 a night (AAA rate) instead of 30,000 ihg points. We are travelling there next month and will be spending one night at Zion National Park instead of using one of my free Hyatt nights (from the Hyatt CC) at the Delano. So 3 nights in Vegas, one in Zion National Park and one night at Antelope Canyon in Page AZ. All using points and miles.

 

[WDWRook]

CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS - CRUISE/TOUR DEPT UPDATE
I just called the Chase travel/cruise department to discuss the whole booking a package with URs. I called 1-855-234-2542 and asked for the travel and cruise department. First Off - I spoke to Leon at x. 8179 and I'd HIGHLY recommend him as he was patient, friendly, funny and answered all my questions. He specifically gave me his extension and asked for me to call him when I was ready to book so I assume he gets some sort of credit for this and in my book he deserves my business for how awesome he was! I'd guess you could ask to be connected with him if anybody here is booking.

So based on my conversation with Leon I have good news for everybody:

• You CAN pay for a Disney Package (hotel, tickets, dining, etc.) with any combination of (1) Ultimate Rewards Points; (2) Disney Gift Cards; and (3) Any Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card.
• You only get one opportunity to use URs and Disney Gift Cards and that is at the time of booking. Once you are booked, you cannot earn additional URs and apply them later OR apply additional Disney gift cards later
• Any Remaining balance can be paid off that day OR paid off based on normal Disney policies (i.e. 30 days) but ONLY using a Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card. I specifically asked about what if it is another Chase card like Southwest or Marriott and he said no, it has to be a UR earning card.
• I didn't specifically ask about using multiple Disney Gift Cards but my guess would be you'd want to consolidate them into increments of $1,000 (and potentially call like I did to make sure this policy hasn't changed before buying a bunch of Disney GCs).

I will add this post to our DISchurners Reddit post. This is AWESOME news that you can actually purchase a Disney Package this way. Of course this could change at any time so I'd make sure you verify this before you get too deep into GCs to payoff your trip. Good Luck everybody!

I had a very similar and also very pleasant conversation with Chase travel about booking a Disney Cruise. I'll also add:

• Any package booked with URs from a CSR get the same protections and coverage as if they were booked direct with the CSR (i.e. travel insurance, interruption, delays, etc.)
• You can cancel based upon the cancellation policy of Disney, and will be refunded in the same method as you paid, i.e. URs.
• You can book first with Disney or an Agent and have it later taken over by the Chase Travel team, and THEN use your UR points...BUT its more complicated and takes more time and there are sometimes issues when doing this. She clearly didn't want me to do this.
• I was not told that I had to use a Chase UR card or even a Chase based product. But I didn't ask.

 

[Lain]

Thx Albort and Peel. I missed the "Plus" vs Preferred.


I am going to apply for a new CIP for myself (tWife has one now). But, I just got the Freedom (though have yet to receive the card) and when I got the Freedom Chase had to call and move some credit limits around. My recent applications are: CSR Sept 16; CSP July 17; Freedom Jan 18. Currently at 3/24.

Should I wait a few weeks?

Wait 30 days after your last application. Before you apply for the CIP, call 1-800-432-3117 to check the status of any applications made within the last 30 days still on file to make sure your last application has dropped off Chase's radar. Remember to use your wife's CIP referral for another 20k UR points to her.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I had a very similar and also very pleasant conversation with Chase travel about booking a Disney Cruise. I'll also add:

• Any package booked with URs from a CSR get the same protections and coverage as if they were booked direct with the CSR (i.e. travel insurance, interruption, delays, etc.)
• You can cancel based upon the cancellation policy of Disney, and will be refunded in the same method as you paid, i.e. URs.
• You can book first with Disney or an Agent and have it later taken over by the Chase Travel team, and THEN use your UR points...BUT its more complicated and takes more time and there are sometimes issues when doing this. She clearly didn't want me to do this.
• I was not told that I had to use a Chase UR card or even a Chase based product. But I didn't ask.

Thanks - I'll add this info to the post on DISchurners too!

 

[Angrose]

CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS - CRUISE/TOUR DEPT UPDATE
I just called the Chase travel/cruise department to discuss the whole booking a package with URs. I called 1-855-234-2542 and asked for the travel and cruise department. First Off - I spoke to Leon at x. 8179 and I'd HIGHLY recommend him as he was patient, friendly, funny and answered all my questions. He specifically gave me his extension and asked for me to call him when I was ready to book so I assume he gets some sort of credit for this and in my book he deserves my business for how awesome he was! I'd guess you could ask to be connected with him if anybody here is booking.

So based on my conversation with Leon I have good news for everybody:

• You CAN pay for a Disney Package (hotel, tickets, dining, etc.) with any combination of (1) Ultimate Rewards Points; (2) Disney Gift Cards; and (3) Any Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card.
• You only get one opportunity to use URs and Disney Gift Cards and that is at the time of booking. Once you are booked, you cannot earn additional URs and apply them later OR apply additional Disney gift cards later
• Any Remaining balance can be paid off that day OR paid off based on normal Disney policies (i.e. 30 days) but ONLY using a Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card. I specifically asked about what if it is another Chase card like Southwest or Marriott and he said no, it has to be a UR earning card.
• I didn't specifically ask about using multiple Disney Gift Cards but my guess would be you'd want to consolidate them into increments of $1,000 (and potentially call like I did to make sure this policy hasn't changed before buying a bunch of Disney GCs).

I will add this post to our DISchurners Reddit post. This is AWESOME news that you can actually purchase a Disney Package this way. Of course this could change at any time so I'd make sure you verify this before you get too deep into GCs to payoff your trip. Good Luck everybody!

Why is there not a *LOVE* button for this??!! Thank you!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Why is there not a *LOVE* button for this??!! Thank you!!

Haha thanks! I think Leon was laughing at how happy I sounded when he said YES to the Disney gift cards. I then paraphrased it twice to make sure I wasn't hearing him wrong, LOL!

 

[mhartman09]

CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS - CRUISE/TOUR DEPT UPDATE
I just called the Chase travel/cruise department to discuss the whole booking a package with URs. I called 1-855-234-2542 and asked for the travel and cruise department. First Off - I spoke to Leon at x. 8179 and I'd HIGHLY recommend him as he was patient, friendly, funny and answered all my questions. He specifically gave me his extension and asked for me to call him when I was ready to book so I assume he gets some sort of credit for this and in my book he deserves my business for how awesome he was! I'd guess you could ask to be connected with him if anybody here is booking.

So based on my conversation with Leon I have good news for everybody:

• You CAN pay for a Disney Package (hotel, tickets, dining, etc.) with any combination of (1) Ultimate Rewards Points; (2) Disney Gift Cards; and (3) Any Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card.
• You only get one opportunity to use URs and Disney Gift Cards and that is at the time of booking. Once you are booked, you cannot earn additional URs and apply them later OR apply additional Disney gift cards later
• Any Remaining balance can be paid off that day OR paid off based on normal Disney policies (i.e. 30 days) but ONLY using a Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card. I specifically asked about what if it is another Chase card like Southwest or Marriott and he said no, it has to be a UR earning card.
• I didn't specifically ask about using multiple Disney Gift Cards but my guess would be you'd want to consolidate them into increments of $1,000 (and potentially call like I did to make sure this policy hasn't changed before buying a bunch of Disney GCs).

I will add this post to our DISchurners Reddit post. This is AWESOME news that you can actually purchase a Disney Package this way. Of course this could change at any time so I'd make sure you verify this before you get too deep into GCs to payoff your trip. Good Luck everybody!

Wow, this is awesome to hear!! I honestly never would have thought you could use Disney gc this way. Amazing!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Just called status line...still 30 day message...

 

[DisneyMandC]

CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS - CRUISE/TOUR DEPT UPDATE
I just called the Chase travel/cruise department to discuss the whole booking a package with URs. I called 1-855-234-2542 and asked for the travel and cruise department. First Off - I spoke to Leon at x. 8179 and I'd HIGHLY recommend him as he was patient, friendly, funny and answered all my questions. He specifically gave me his extension and asked for me to call him when I was ready to book so I assume he gets some sort of credit for this and in my book he deserves my business for how awesome he was! I'd guess you could ask to be connected with him if anybody here is booking.

So based on my conversation with Leon I have good news for everybody:

• You CAN pay for a Disney Package (hotel, tickets, dining, etc.) with any combination of (1) Ultimate Rewards Points; (2) Disney Gift Cards; and (3) Any Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card.
• You only get one opportunity to use URs and Disney Gift Cards and that is at the time of booking. Once you are booked, you cannot earn additional URs and apply them later OR apply additional Disney gift cards later
• Any Remaining balance can be paid off that day OR paid off based on normal Disney policies (i.e. 30 days) but ONLY using a Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card. I specifically asked about what if it is another Chase card like Southwest or Marriott and he said no, it has to be a UR earning card.
• I didn't specifically ask about using multiple Disney Gift Cards but my guess would be you'd want to consolidate them into increments of $1,000 (and potentially call like I did to make sure this policy hasn't changed before buying a bunch of Disney GCs).

I will add this post to our DISchurners Reddit post. This is AWESOME news that you can actually purchase a Disney Package this way. Of course this could change at any time so I'd make sure you verify this before you get too deep into GCs to payoff your trip. Good Luck everybody!

You rock!! And this is great news! I will definitely check back in on the Reddit post when it's time for me to book my trip so I can call him.

On the multiple Disney gift card question, I wonder if, in the event you can't use multiple, if you could just purchase part of your tickets and then use your remaining gift cards to purchase the rest of the tickets directly through Disney? For example- I have a $1000 gift card and purchase two, 6 day parkhopper passes for DH and I through Chase UR Cruise/Tour. I then get everything set up with My Disney Experience and purchase the remaining tickets I need for my 4 other travel companions with my remaining gift cards. Does that seem like it would work? I wouldn't think you'd have to buy all your tickets through Chase at once.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

You rock!! And this is great news! I will definitely check back in on the Reddit post when it's time for me to book my trip so I can call him.

On the multiple Disney gift card question, I wonder if, in the event you can't use multiple, if you could just purchase part of your tickets and then use your remaining gift cards to purchase the rest of the tickets directly through Disney? For example- I have a $1000 gift card and purchase two, 6 day parkhopper passes for DH and I through Chase UR Cruise/Tour. I then get everything set up with My Disney Experience and purchase the remaining tickets I need for my 4 other travel companions with my remaining gift cards. Does that seem like it would work? I wouldn't think you'd have to buy all your tickets through Chase at once.

I wish I'd have asked the question about multiple gift cards now, BUT I'd assume the answer to that is YES they can just do multiple gift cards so hopefully no "special loopholes" are needed. You'll first be booking the room reservation and you might run into an issue here where everybody on the package has to have the same tickets, so not sure if your idea would work or not... But hopefully it's not needed like I said initially, lol.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I wish I'd have asked the question about multiple gift cards now, BUT I'd assume the answer to that is YES they can just do multiple gift cards so hopefully no "special loopholes" are needed. You'll first be booking the room reservation and you might run into an issue here where everybody on the package has to have the same tickets, so not sure if your idea would work or not... But hopefully it's not needed like I said initially, lol.

I've decided that if worst comes to worst and for some reason I can't use my Disney GCs through Chase at all, I'll just pocket them for dining and not do the dining plan at all. We like to eat extravagantly on vacation and with 6 people we could burn through a couple Disney GCs in no time, so it wouldn't be the end of the world for us!

 

[amalone1013]

I was just looking at my PTO tracking spreadsheet, to see how much time off DH would have next summer when he wants to do the cruise.

Right now he has 39hrs.
He's using 3 days at the end of the month, and 4 in April.
If we take a week trip (5 days) for our anniversary, he would only be back to 54 hours on June 1st. So after the cruise timeline/plan we're looking at, he'd have 12hrs left after.

I just told him he needs more vacation time.

 

[peel]

i thought business cards require you to be at 0/30? maybe?

Good call! @WDWRook Chase requires that you are at 0/30 for business cards, so wait 30 days from your Freedom (31 to be safe) to apply for the CIP.

 

[StephPlum]

Welcome! You are at 0/24 it appears. You can go for the CIP first and you will still be 0/24 as Chase business cards do not count against 5/24. I think your plan to go for the CIP followed by CSR/CSP is fine. My only caution is that the ability to get the CSR/CSP both at this point is because of a Chase loophole. I feel anyone who wants to be able to get both cards, has the room in their 5/24 and can meet the two min spends (8k in 3 mos) should jump on that sooner rather than later. Chase just keeps tightening the reigns it seems!

As far as what cards to go for after you have the CIP, CSR/CSP and SW, it really depends on your travel goals and which hotels (branded cards) make sense for you. If you have a trip to Hawaii planned, maybe a Marriott or Hyatt? I'm still working on those details for myself too

Thanks for the advice. I think with the trip I have planned this year I can easily do the CSR/CSP double spend. I am more interested it the CSR since it is on my long term goal so I'll do that one first just in case I can't get both. I'm leaning toward Marriott as I think it would fit with Hawaii and other travel.

Wow if you're just starting in this, I'm impressed! You sound like an experienced veteran!!

If you have no approved cards since 2011 you are 0/24 - so that's an AWESOME starting point, YAY! Your plan is LITERALLY what I'd have advised you to do if you'd have asked for advice, haha! If you do your plan, You're going to end up with about 200k URs (worth $3k towards travel) and 110k+ SW points (worth about $1,800 in flights) and a CP... And assuming one of those SW cards is a biz card you got 5 cards and are still at 3/24...

After that you could look at Marriott - you could also potentially throw an SPG Business card into the mix to space out your Chase apps a little more (maybe in Sept? before you do the SW cards). SPG points transfer to Marriott (1 SPG = 3 Marriott) and an AMEX biz card wouldn't affect your 5/24 status. Overall you're in a great starting spot!

FYI - we have a Reddit group DISchurners where you can support a fellow DISer when you apply for cards - I actually don't even have any links for the CIP, CSR, CSP so I'm not suggesting this to benefit me, haha BUT many do and I'm sure would appreciate a little pat on the back (if you catch my drift ). Again, just SUPER impressed with how you read everything and came up with an awesome plan, you should feel really proud of that!!!

EDIT: Do you have a spouse that is also interested in getting into this? Something worth considering early on as your hatch your plan...

Thanks for the advice. I do a lot of research and reading before I jump into anything. Reading 300ish pages on the Disboards got me in the know so to speak. I am following the /churning threads on Reddit. I've only had my account for 2 days there and can't post yet. I'll be sure to look for referrals when I go to put this in motion. My userId there is StephPlum2. Is that all someone needs to get me in the DISchurners group or is it read open for everyone?

Interesting on the SPG Biz. If the CIP goes smooth, I'll consider putting that ahead of SW to spread out the Chase apps.

My husband is not into CC. I think I'll see how my plans go before trying to rope him in. It will be a tough sell.

You sound like you've been doing this for a long time! You even have all of the acronyms down! I think your plan is perfect, and I'm jealous that I wasn't starting from your prime position when I got into churning.

I think Marriott/SPG are worthing looking at since you can transfer between the two since the merger. SPG points are valuable beyond their hotel redemptions, and they're the hardest to earn. So IMO, the more you can accumulate via sign up bonuses the better.

Thanks for the advice. As I said above, I read, read, and read everything before making big moves. You guys made it easy with all the info on this board.
I was thinking Marriott/SPG - so you confirmed it.

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.

Thanks for the advice. Should have added I have a Chase Mortgage, hopefully that will help with my applications. I am planning to get a Chase checking account as they sent me a coupon for $500 if I open a checking and savings. Need to do that before Jan 16th so that will be the first step in the plan. May not keep them open after the promo but even more reason to open it if it helps my CC apps.