I love credit cards so much!

[mhartman09]

It was in Bolt!

This is one of my son's favorite movies!!

 

[AmyAnne]

Thanks for this! DH has the no fee Amex card, and I'm going to follow the recommendation to keep it open for now.

I suppose I will keep my no-fee AmEx Hilton for now. I'm not really worried about being able to get one of the new Hilton cards; my reason for cancelling would be that I have 4 AmEx credit cards and I might want whatever new Marriott/SPG card AmEx comes out with. But for now it seems to make sense to keep the no-fee Hilton.

 

[krrrristen]

Hi all, been lurking in the thread for a while. Still trying to decide if CSR is worth it for me (mostly local travel due to family obligations and lack of PTO in my new job) or if I should get a different card instead. I only have the lower-level SW card in terms of travel rewards, and my 2 other rewards cards are Chase as well (Disney, Amazon). I'm still a pretty big n00b when it comes to churning, but I'm trying to learn more!

 

[ski_mom]

Just had to share to the group. I've been using the SW credit card churning for quite a few years, but just recently I got into this a bit more. DH and I currently both have the CSR and we used the lounge benefit for the first time this past week on a trip to San Diego. Our home airport is STL (St Louis) and they don't have a lounge, but in terminal 2 for Southwest, the Pasta House restaurant is covered for $28 per person for you and a guest. Since DH and I both have the card, all 5 of us were able to eat an amazing breakfast while we waited for our boarding to begin. Since our total was under the $112, it didn't matter that we had 5 people instead of the 4 guests that it was supposed to accommodate.

Anyway, nothing too big, but I was excited to be able to use it - and also surprised that our airport offered anything at all for lounge access for the CSR. I wish there would have been something for the San Diego airport, but unfortunately, they didn't have anything for our wait on our return home.

 

[peel]

Hi all, been lurking in the thread for a while. Still trying to decide if CSR is worth it for me (mostly local travel due to family obligations and lack of PTO in my new job) or if I should get a different card instead. I only have the lower-level SW card in terms of travel rewards, and my 2 other rewards cards are Chase as well (Disney, Amazon). I'm still a pretty big n00b when it comes to churning, but I'm trying to learn more!

Welcome! It can be very overwhelming in the beginning, so feel free to ask questions and bounce ideas off of everyone here!

 

[peel]

Just had to share to the group. I've been using the SW credit card churning for quite a few years, but just recently I got into this a bit more. DH and I currently both have the CSR and we used the lounge benefit for the first time this past week on a trip to San Diego. Our home airport is STL (St Louis) and they don't have a lounge, but in terminal 2 for Southwest, the Pasta House restaurant is covered for $28 per person for you and a guest. Since DH and I both have the card, all 5 of us were able to eat an amazing breakfast while we waited for our boarding to begin. Since our total was under the $112, it didn't matter that we had 5 people instead of the 4 guests that it was supposed to accommodate.

Anyway, nothing too big, but I was excited to be able to use it - and also surprised that our airport offered anything at all for lounge access for the CSR. I wish there would have been something for the San Diego airport, but unfortunately, they didn't have anything for our wait on our return home.

Excellent! I think those restaurant alternatives to lounges are phenomenal deals. I wish we had a PP option in Hartford.

 

[wdwcindy]

As suggested many times throughout this thread I am asking for advice before making any final decisions. Current cards Chase Disney 3/2003, 5/3 bank 11/2011, 5/3 bank 11/2012, JC Penney 1/2015, Cap One Quicksilver 4/2015, Chase Disney Premier 4/2017, Amex Delta Plat Pers 6/2017, Chase CSR 9/2017, Amex Delta Plat Bus 10/2017. This means I am 3/24 for Chase, correct?

My thoughts are Chase Freedom for 5% categories, Amex card for MR (Amex Everyday Pref maybe), Bank of America or Huntington Bank card for 3% on quarter category of choice. Also wondering if Delta Amex cards can be PC to no fee Delta Blue? And if yes, should I? Also thinking about closing Disney Premier.

I am 1-player mode and only have a finite amount of spend annually so I want to maximize earnings where I can without spreading things too thin across too many cards. I can do minimum spend but probably only on one card at a time.

Vacation plans always include WDW (DVC) at least annually and every 3 years or so I plan trips to Europe (Europe could certainly expand to South America and Asia and Australia). Upgraded flying would be the goal for these long flights most likely on Delta.

Thanks for any input on next steps for card(s). I have learned so much already.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Excellent! I think those restaurant alternatives to lounges are phenomenal deals. I wish we had a PP option in Hartford.

how do we find a list of these options? We are out of BNA.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

CIP status line update....."YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED"!!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who encouraged me to go for it while i spent weeks being terrified to apply!!!!!!!! You guys rock!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

As suggested many times throughout this thread I am asking for advice before making any final decisions. Current cards Chase Disney 3/2003, 5/3 bank 11/2011, 5/3 bank 11/2012, JC Penney 1/2015, Cap One Quicksilver 4/2015, Chase Disney Premier 4/2017, Amex Delta Plat Pers 6/2017, Chase CSR 9/2017, Amex Delta Plat Bus 10/2017. This means I am 3/24 for Chase, correct?

My thoughts are Chase Freedom for 5% categories, Amex card for MR (Amex Everyday Pref maybe), Bank of America or Huntington Bank card for 3% on quarter category of choice. Also wondering if Delta Amex cards can be PC to no fee Delta Blue? And if yes, should I? Also thinking about closing Disney Premier.

I am 1-player mode and only have a finite amount of spend annually so I want to maximize earnings where I can without spreading things too thin across too many cards. I can do minimum spend but probably only on one card at a time.

Vacation plans always include WDW (DVC) at least annually and every 3 years or so I plan trips to Europe (Europe could certainly expand to South America and Asia and Australia). Upgraded flying would be the goal for these long flights most likely on Delta.

Thanks for any input on next steps for card(s). I have learned so much already.

You could downgrade the Disney Premier to regular Disney. I know you already have that card but I have 2 of them (for that reason). Reason to do this would just be to keep credit limit open and add to your AAoA.

You are correct based on the info that you are 3/24. Only you can decide which cards are best but it seems that you could get much higher returns from cards other than the ones you suggest. That said - Chase Freedom is not a bad card but people often advise getting other more lucrative Chase signups.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

CIP status line update....."YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED"!!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who encouraged me to go for it while i spent weeks being terrified to apply!!!!!!!! You guys rock!

Wow - so happy for you! This literally brought a smile to my face. Now go out and rock that spend!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Wow - so happy for you! This literally brought a smile to my face. Now go out and rock that spend!!

thank you for all your help!!

 

[AmyAnne]

Also wondering if Delta Amex cards can be PC to no fee Delta Blue? And if yes, should I?

I have this same question. The drawbacks to PCing are not being able to apply for the card and get the sign-up bonus, and also the Blue card would still be taking up an AmEx credit card slot. I have 4, so I need to cancel one before I can get another (not that I have any specific plan for applying for another). I might call to see if I get any kind of retention offer . . .

 

[elgerber]

I have this same question. The drawbacks to PCing are not being able to apply for the card and get the sign-up bonus, and also the Blue card would still be taking up an AmEx credit card slot. I have 4, so I need to cancel one before I can get another (not that I have any specific plan for applying for another). I might call to see if I get any kind of retention offer . . .

I did PC to the Delta Blue, because my Delta card is 11 years old and I didn't want to lose the AoA, so I just did that, and gave up the chance of a new bonus.

 

[wendow]

Just wish I'd have thought of the CSR earlier when I was applying for GE as that would have made it a no brainer to stock pile the UR bonus and then PC or cancel this year then pick up the CSP bonus next year to spend on the trip. (since I have the Freedom already I'd be able to keep all the UR if I cancelled, just wouldn't get the extra spend value until I picked up the CSP, right?) That way I wouldn't have to do the min spends all at once but get both bonuses (assuming nothing changes, ha!).

Chase put in a new rule last year that you could only have one of the Sapphire cards so currently, the only way to get both bonuses without cancelling a card and waiting the 24 mos is to get both the CSR and CSP at the same time (apply back to back using different browsers). Otherwise, you have to choose which card is best for you.

 

[Albort]

advice please....I'm keeping my CSR, and planning to ditch the csp when the AF comes due next....foolish idea since I'm only allowed one sapphire product? I feel like I'm losing something big since I've had that csp in my wallet for years.... but then again, I can always pc the CSR down later on if I need to right?

CSP is only good for its sign up bonus. Other than that, the only upside to the CSP is the free AU. Other than that, theres nothing good about it compared to the CSR. PC it down to a freedom.

Called Amex for a retention offer on my PRG, got 2500 MR now, 5000 MR after $1k/3 months. ~$12k spend in the last year. Had the card for 4 years. I'm kind of insulted. Still debating whether to keep this card for the offers.

how much spendings did u put on it?

I see that Marriott is offering a premium card with a signup bonus of 80K. I've had their non premier card for ~20 years. Can I upgrade my account AND get the sign on bonus or do I need to open a new account and close my current one (that has a long credit history)?

its usually a sign up bonus, not sign on bonus. The only other time i know they allow PC with signup bonuses is when the cardholder is forced to go to a different card. for example, my salle mae card was getting changed to a Commerce card, but i was allowed to switch to another barclay card and earn the signup bonus.

Hi all, been lurking in the thread for a while. Still trying to decide if CSR is worth it for me (mostly local travel due to family obligations and lack of PTO in my new job) or if I should get a different card instead. I only have the lower-level SW card in terms of travel rewards, and my 2 other rewards cards are Chase as well (Disney, Amazon). I'm still a pretty big n00b when it comes to churning, but I'm trying to learn more!

If you think CSR isnt worth it, you can probably sign up for a freedom card and start earning points with it. Once your getting close to your travel times, sign up for the CSR and maximize your points from the freedom cards. thats just one of the strategies... the only time that getting the CSR first is if you eat out a lot and/or travel a lot.

 

[peel]

how do we find a list of these options? We are out of BNA.

You can search by airport here:
https://www.prioritypass.com/en/airport-lounges

EDIT: Weird, the link redirects to the homepage when I click on it. If it does the same for you, go to the front page of the Priority Pass site (you might have to click on the "P" at the top of the page to get there) and scroll down a bit to find a lounge locator.

 

[calypso726]

advice please....I'm keeping my CSR, and planning to ditch the csp when the AF comes due next....foolish idea since I'm only allowed one sapphire product? I feel like I'm losing something big since I've had that csp in my wallet for years.... but then again, I can always pc the CSR down later on if I need to right?

I had the CSP in my wallet for years too but as soon as I got the CSR I PCd the CSP to a CFU. My mom kept both and recently decided she'd stick with the CSR. She doe not travel or dine anywhere near as much as we do but she still thought she'd be coming out ahead on the CSR.

Yes, I have to look at the numbers. I'm not big into AF's, I look at all my rewards as bonus money - I didn't pay anything to get them (no interest, no fees) so that's free money we choose to spend on vacations. I do pay for IHG and SW but I calculate that into the travel budget for the trip, same with hubby's Marriott. But with trying to plan an anniversary trip in 2019 I know I'll pick something up with a fee as long as I can make more back because I'll just pull the fee out of the trip budget. Just wish I'd have thought of the CSR earlier when I was applying for GE as that would have made it a no brainer to stock pile the UR bonus and then PC or cancel this year then pick up the CSP bonus next year to spend on the trip. (since I have the Freedom already I'd be able to keep all the UR if I cancelled, just wouldn't get the extra spend value until I picked up the CSP, right?) That way I wouldn't have to do the min spends all at once but get both bonuses (assuming nothing changes, ha!).

I have some time to work it out, I'll be changing jobs in the next few months so we're on hold until I know all the new expenses (hopefully less!) and new vacation time (definitely less more bummed about that, I currently have 25 PTO days to use or lose each year. don't think I'll be starting out anywhere near that. been a long time since I had less than 4 weeks )

On another topic, I'm thinking about maybe looking at some business cards but not sure what I would want to earn yet. I haven't opened it yet but I'm pretty sure I'm opening a store on Etsy. At first we mostly have some antiques/collectibles that we're trying to sell but I might keep it open for handmade items later (ah, the pipe dream ). We've done some selling locally but nothing on a consistent basis, and hard to find folks who actually want the product rather than just looking to resell on eBay (man do they low ball you, like insulting low balling). How established does a business have to be for most cards? Like do they ask how long you've been in business and whatnot? It sounds like I don't have to earn much to get approved but I don't have a long history. Hubby used to have a "business" but I don't think it was registered anywhere since it was kind of a side hustle and he just used his SSN. Haven't had a client in years, he's been mostly "working" for friends so we take beer and pizza as payment... not sure they'll count that

Yes, as long as you transfer the CSR or CSP UR points to the Freedom account you'd keep them. Yes, they would then be worth only 1 cent per point. If cash back is your goal then that is fine. If travel is your goal, you might be shooting yourself in the foot. Freedom points cannot be transferred to airlines or hotels. With my travel goals, this paramount. If I have 50,000 points from a cash back card, like the Freedom they would be worth $500. However, if I take the same 50,000 points on a card that allows me to transfer to an airline, like CSR or CSP, I can get a to or from Europe on a saver award ticket in first class that would cost about $10,000. I've done exactly that numerous times by transferring my UR points to United or BA etc. On a cash back card I would need one million points to pay for the same flight I could get by transferring 50,000 UR points to the airline.

I know everyone's travel goals and situations are different and there are many who balk at the idea of paying an AF on a credit card. I used to be one of them. This of course was well before I got into travel hacking. I have learned that sometimes the annual fee is worth paying due to the benefits the card offers. Benefits may be in terms of points accumulated, travel credits, access, service etc. Whether or not a benefit is worth the fee of course is subjective. Granted, there are some cards with a fee that I will pick up just for the bonus and the cancel when the AF hits the following year. There are others that I keep long term because the benefit outweighs the fee for me. If we can crown @SouthFayetteFan King of spreadsheets and east coast vacations, then I think it is safe to crown me Queen of annual fees so I will share some of my AF keeper cards and why I keep them year over year.

CSR $150 after the $300 travel credit. 1.5 value for purchase through travel portal which I don't use often as I tend to transfer to an airline but it has come in handy having the option. Primary car rental insurance. Priority Pass lounge access with unlimited guests.

Ink+ $95 - earns 5x UR for cable, internet and phone. More importantly, earns 5x on office supply stores which sell 3 party merchant gift cards to many places I shop and frequent. I mostly buy Disney gift cards at 5X from the office supply store.

Marriott - $85 DH and I each have our own and use the free anniversary nights every year at WDW.

IHG $49, DH and I just got this card nearly 2 years ago since the free night at any IHG was too good to pass up.

British Airways - $95 spend my way to a companion pass to Europe every other year is a good reason to keep it. Plus 10% off BA flights.

United - $95 2 lounge passes each year and award availability not open to non card holders plus 25% bonus for Mileage X app purchases

Amex Platinum - $550, comes with $200 airline credit each year, 5x on airfare coded purchases, Centurion Lounge access, Delta lounge access, fine hotels and resort benefits, concierge which got me tix to Hamilton last year. Gold status with Hilton, SPG/Marriott. $200 Uber credit

AMex Plat biz - $450 all of the above less Uber credit, plus 10 Gogo inflight wifi passes and 35% back MR points when you purchase airfare with points 1.54

Club Carlson $85 - 40,000 card anniversary points each year. DH and I each have it and have had many happy free hotel stays at Radisson Blu properties in Eurpoe

Citi Prestige $350 - 4th night free benefit, $250 airline credit (may or may not keep this year)

Citi AA Platinum - $95 I get 10% up to 10,000 AA miles back for miles redeemed each year and I always redeem over 100K miles so that makes it worth it. Free checked bag up to 4 people traveling with me I think too.

SPG biz card - $95 transfers to over 30 airlines

I have a handful of other AF cards but I will likely cancel them when the AF comes due.

 

[mhartman09]

CIP status line update....."YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED"!!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who encouraged me to go for it while i spent weeks being terrified to apply!!!!!!!! You guys rock!

Congrats on your CIP approval!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I had the CSP in my wallet for years too but as soon as I got the CSR I PCd the CSP to a CFU. My mom kept both and recently decided she'd stick with the CSR. She doe not travel or dine anywhere near as much as we do but she still thought she'd be coming out ahead on the CSR.



Yes, as long as you transfer the CSR or CSP UR points to the Freedom account you'd keep them. Yes, they would then be worth only 1 cent per point. If cash back is your goal then that is fine. If travel is your goal, you might be shooting yourself in the foot. Freedom points cannot be transferred to airlines or hotels. With my travel goals, this paramount. If I have 50,000 points from a cash back card, like the Freedom they would be worth $500. However, if I take the same 50,000 points on a card that allows me to transfer to an airline, like CSR or CSP, I can get a to or from Europe on a saver award ticket in first class that would cost about $10,000. I've done exactly that numerous times by transferring my UR points to United or BA etc. On a cash back card I would need one million points to pay for the same flight I could get by transferring 50,000 UR points to the airline.

I know everyone's travel goals and situations are different and there are many who balk at the idea of paying an AF on a credit card. I used to be one of them. This of course was well before I got into travel hacking. I have learned that sometimes the annual fee is worth paying due to the benefits the card offers. Benefits may be in terms of points accumulated, travel credits, access, service etc. Whether or not a benefit is worth the fee of course is subjective. Granted, there are some cards with a fee that I will pick up just for the bonus and the cancel when the AF hits the following year. There are others that I keep long term because the benefit outweighs the fee for me. If we can crown @SouthFayetteFan King of spreadsheets and east coast vacations, then I think it is safe to crown me Queen of annual fees so I will share some of my AF keeper cards and why I keep them year over year.

CSR $150 after the $300 travel credit. 1.5 value for purchase through travel portal which I don't use often as I tend to transfer to an airline but it has come in handy having the option. Primary car rental insurance. Priority Pass lounge access with unlimited guests.

Ink+ $95 - earns 5x UR for cable, internet and phone. More importantly, earns 5x on office supply stores which sell 3 party merchant gift cards to many places I shop and frequent. I mostly buy Disney gift cards at 5X from the office supply store.

Marriott - $85 DH and I each have our own and use the free anniversary nights every year at WDW.

IHG $49, DH and I just got this card nearly 2 years ago since the free night at any IHG was too good to pass up.

British Airways - $95 spend my way to a companion pass to Europe every other year is a good reason to keep it. Plus 10% off BA flights.

United - $95 2 lounge passes each year and award availability not open to non card holders plus 25% bonus for Mileage X app purchases

Amex Platinum - $550, comes with $200 airline credit each year, 5x on airfare coded purchases, Centurion Lounge access, Delta lounge access, fine hotels and resort benefits, concierge which got me tix to Hamilton last year. Gold status with Hilton, SPG/Marriott. $200 Uber credit

AMex Plat biz - $450 all of the above less Uber credit, plus 10 Gogo inflight wifi passes and 35% back MR points when you purchase airfare with points 1.54

Club Carlson $85 - 40,000 card anniversary points each year. DH and I each have it and have had many happy free hotel stays at Radisson Blu properties in Eurpoe

Citi Prestige $350 - 4th night free benefit, $250 airline credit (may or may not keep this year)

Citi AA Platinum - $95 I get 10% up to 10,000 AA miles back for miles redeemed each year and I always redeem over 100K miles so that makes it worth it. Free checked bag up to 4 people traveling with me I think too.

SPG biz card - $95 transfers to over 30 airlines

I have a handful of other AF cards but I will likely cancel them when the AF comes due.

You are absolutely 100% the undisputed Queen of Annual Fees!!