I love credit cards so much!

[elgerber]

Ok guys, I need some advice - or maybe talked down from a ledge.

I'm seriously considering the Spirit card. Help me.

Here's why: Aerosmith (favorite band) is playing a headline spot at New Orleans Jazz Fest in May. I want to go. Flights from my part of the world are astronomical. I'm not paying $800 oop for 2 RTs and I'm not spending 90k Delta miles each way, either.

I've never flown Spirit but I was studying their award chart. It's only 2,500 miles each way in zone 1, which is what I am... you can get their credit card with 15k miles after first purchase. It's BOA, so a different issuer than most of us use here. On the signup, I'd get enough points for me and hubby to fly to see Aerosmith over the weekend.

I presented this idea to him and he didn't flip out. He actually said, "You gotta grab deals when you can. Who cares, it's a 2 hour flight."

I would pack a tiny bag and shove under the seat. We're literally talking about 2 nights here.

Am I losing my mind? The other option is to drive and it's 13 hours. We'll do that if necessary I guess.

I don't think you are losing your mind at all

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I don't think you are losing your mind at all

Or...have we all lost our minds on this thread??

 

[elgerber]

Or...have we all lost our minds on this thread??

Ok, that is probably closer to the truth!

 

[wendow]

Ok guys, I need some advice - or maybe talked down from a ledge.

I'm seriously considering the Spirit card. Help me.

Here's why: Aerosmith (favorite band) is playing a headline spot at New Orleans Jazz Fest in May. I want to go. Flights from my part of the world are astronomical. I'm not paying $800 oop for 2 RTs and I'm not spending 90k Delta miles each way, either.

I've never flown Spirit but I was studying their award chart. It's only 2,500 miles each way in zone 1, which is what I am... you can get their credit card with 15k miles after first purchase. It's BOA, so a different issuer than most of us use here. On the signup, I'd get enough points for me and hubby to fly to see Aerosmith over the weekend.

I presented this idea to him and he didn't flip out. He actually said, "You gotta grab deals when you can. Who cares, it's a 2 hour flight."

I would pack a tiny bag and shove under the seat. We're literally talking about 2 nights here.

Am I losing my mind? The other option is to drive and it's 13 hours. We'll do that if necessary I guess.

I think sounds like fun and something I’d do in a heartbeat in your situation. Go for it!

 

[GlamMistress]

Or...have we all lost our minds on this thread??

Probably.

I think I'm being realistic and have the right set of expectations. This won't be a lie flat experience and it doesn't need to be. Heck, I prefer to fly Frontier when going to Disney because it's just easier!

If I decide to pull the trigger, I'll let you all know.

It's a $59 AF, waived first year. Earns 2 miles for every dollar spent, which is better than most airline only cards.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Ok guys, I need some advice - or maybe talked down from a ledge.

I'm seriously considering the Spirit card. Help me.

Here's why: Aerosmith (favorite band) is playing a headline spot at New Orleans Jazz Fest in May. I want to go. Flights from my part of the world are astronomical. I'm not paying $800 oop for 2 RTs and I'm not spending 90k Delta miles each way, either.

I've never flown Spirit but I was studying their award chart. It's only 2,500 miles each way in zone 1, which is what I am... you can get their credit card with 15k miles after first purchase. It's BOA, so a different issuer than most of us use here. On the signup, I'd get enough points for me and hubby to fly to see Aerosmith over the weekend.

I presented this idea to him and he didn't flip out. He actually said, "You gotta grab deals when you can. Who cares, it's a 2 hour flight."

I would pack a tiny bag and shove under the seat. We're literally talking about 2 nights here.

Am I losing my mind? The other option is to drive and it's 13 hours. We'll do that if necessary I guess.

Spirit is coming to my home airport soon. I've been told that as long as you don't need to connect and you don't need to bring a lot of luggage, Spirit is usually fine. No frills, obviously, but you get what you pay for.

 

[GlamMistress]

I think sounds like fun and something I’d do in a heartbeat in your situation. Go for it!

I mean, I'd just about do/go anywhere to see Aerosmith again before they retire.

Plus my girlfriend lives in NOLA and I haven't seen her in two years. Win win I think! That's the entire point of this hobby, right?

 

[amalone1013]

Ok guys, I need some advice - or maybe talked down from a ledge.

I'm seriously considering the Spirit card. Help me.

Here's why: Aerosmith (favorite band) is playing a headline spot at New Orleans Jazz Fest in May. I want to go. Flights from my part of the world are astronomical. I'm not paying $800 oop for 2 RTs and I'm not spending 90k Delta miles each way, either.

I've never flown Spirit but I was studying their award chart. It's only 2,500 miles each way in zone 1, which is what I am... you can get their credit card with 15k miles after first purchase. It's BOA, so a different issuer than most of us use here. On the signup, I'd get enough points for me and hubby to fly to see Aerosmith over the weekend.

I presented this idea to him and he didn't flip out. He actually said, "You gotta grab deals when you can. Who cares, it's a 2 hour flight."

I would pack a tiny bag and shove under the seat. We're literally talking about 2 nights here.

Am I losing my mind? The other option is to drive and it's 13 hours. We'll do that if necessary I guess.

Hey, if it works for you and doesn't interfere with any other plans, why not?

I don't know anything about Spirit's awards, other than I think their miles expire rather quickly, but if you had the card I'd imagine that you could make a tiny purchase and keep them alive. But I'm just talking out of my backside here

My worst experience with Spirit was a 20 minute delay. I know some others have had different experiences, but I would rank them between Frontier and SW personally... they nickel and dime you for everything, but have much comfier seats than Frontier IME. Like you, I can easily do a small bag for a quick trip. I flew Spirit from DEN to PHX last year for a 3 night trip to visit my grandpa, and I took a backpack with no issues. If they had a really good deal for a long flight I'd think about Spirit, but Frontier would be out because their seats seam to be 1/4in of padding over a wire frame. Spirit's seats were similar to SW (but maybe less leg room, if that's even possible...)

 

[amalone1013]

I'll have to look at my options... like @wendow I'm feeling FOMO on the Marriott/SPG cards I don't even have a plan for them... I'm so new to this there's a lot I haven't done, like my only AMEXs are SPG cards. I'll have to investigate the Hilton card. I'm struggling with my SPG points too (using them)... like I was looking at San Diego hotels the other day, and I'd look at one that is 10k SPG points... and think, but that's a night at the Dolphin...

What about the new Amex Hilton Biz card?

I'm working on two card's spends right now...my amex BRG and dh's SPG...and I am still already mentally onto my next card lol. Sick in the head indeed! I'm trying to keep my dh open to also be able to get CP for 2019-2020. Right now he is 3/24 so I'm leaning towards the SPG biz or Marriott biz to keep him there. Maybe a Marriott personal for the 4/24 and then double dip the SW end of the year. With all the chatter about the Marriott/SPG merger and cards maybe going away, I want to get them before they are gone.

 

[Calfan]

I was told each airline has their own cancellation policy. When I called and asked ur booking about a flight to HI with United I was told I had 24 hours to cancel. After that no refunds.

@Calfan FWIW they are absolute sticklers for 24 hours. (Mainly because the airlines are sticklers & won't give Chase back the money after 24 hours so I can't really blame Chase.)

Thanks so much for the responses! It's as I suspected....

 

[hsmamato2]

I just got the email for the Chase Pay Shop Rite offer for my CSP. Silly question but does that work for Disney gift cards? I was planning on doing the $300 at Best Buy for 10x bonus points, so now can I also get $400 at Shop Rite with 10x bonus points also?

it worked for me.ymmv for stores tho I had better luck staying under $200 per transaction

 

[amalone1013]

I started our taxes yesterday. I thought we'd owe some, and it's looking like around $1800 right now. So between that and my car registration, and my 6 month insurance premium... Goodbye SPG Biz spending

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'll have to look at my options... like @wendow I'm feeling FOMO on the Marriott/SPG cards I don't even have a plan for them... I'm so new to this there's a lot I haven't done, like my only AMEXs are SPG cards. I'll have to investigate the Hilton card. I'm struggling with my SPG points too (using them)... like I was looking at San Diego hotels the other day, and I'd look at one that is 10k SPG points... and think, but that's a night at the Dolphin...

Marriott and SPG points can become a quick addiction. When you think about it - there are 4 cards (SPG, SPG Biz, Marriott, Marriott Biz)...if you are in 2 player mode and BOTH get all 4 cards referring each other where possible you end up with almost 800,000 Marriott points likely worth $6k+ (on about $28k in combined min. spends). It's pretty insane!

 

[pillow]

I'll have to look at my options... like @wendow I'm feeling FOMO on the Marriott/SPG cards I don't even have a plan for them... I'm so new to this there's a lot I haven't done, like my only AMEXs are SPG cards. I'll have to investigate the Hilton card. I'm struggling with my SPG points too (using them)... like I was looking at San Diego hotels the other day, and I'd look at one that is 10k SPG points... and think, but that's a night at the Dolphin...

The problem I have when booking SPG/Marriott is that you can get that 5th night FREE! So I find myself not wanting to use the points unless its on a longer stay so that I get the best use out of them. I just booked 1 night in Vancouver for this summer using my Marriott points, and I kinda feel guilty about it.

 

[wendow]

I'll have to look at my options... like @wendow I'm feeling FOMO on the Marriott/SPG cards I don't even have a plan for them... I'm so new to this there's a lot I haven't done, like my only AMEXs are SPG cards. I'll have to investigate the Hilton card. I'm struggling with my SPG points too (using them)... like I was looking at San Diego hotels the other day, and I'd look at one that is 10k SPG points... and think, but that's a night at the Dolphin...

I'll be saving all my SPG points for the Dolphin too! Maybe some other locale can entice me to spend but I doubt it I have a long ways to go though to get enough for all/most of our nights covered (need two rooms) so I'm focused on those and the Marriott cards right now (after done with my BRG)!

 

[pillow]

Marriott and SPG points can become a quick addiction. When you think about it - there are 4 cards (SPG, SPG Biz, Marriott, Marriott Biz)...if you are in 2 player mode and BOTH get all 4 cards referring each other where possible you end up with almost 800,000 Marriott points likely worth $6k+ (on about $28k in combined min. spends). It's pretty insane!

Yeah baby!! We have done exactly what you just described - working on the last set (Marriott Business) right now. Reading your post, I'm scratching my head wondering where all of my points have gone - ha.

 

[pillow]

I'll be saving all my SPG points for the Dolphin too! Maybe some other locale can entice me to spend but I doubt it I have a long ways to go though to get enough for all/most of our nights covered (need two rooms) so I'm focused on those and the Marriott cards right now (after done with my BRG)!

This is what we did in December. 6 nights and 2 connecting rooms. Plus, we paid the extra 1,000 points per room to upgrade to balconies. The bathrooms are small, so we were thankful to have the teen girls in their own room.

 

[WVMomof3]

Just calculated my spend on my CSR/CSP double dip. I thought it would be tough to spend $8k in 3 months, and we are only 6 weeks into it and I already met the spend on CSR (actually $200 over) and am shy $400 on my CSP. Yikes! I am not sure if this hobby making us spend more than usual or just making us more aware of our spending. Feel like I should go ahead and sign up for the next card (debating the SPG business or the CIP) but I think this time $5000 might be too much this soon. We did have 2 big bills last cycle we will not have again for awhile, tuition and car insurance. I do have 4 months left of rent to pay for DD, maybe I should figure out the plastiq thing.

 

[amalone1013]

Marriott and SPG points can become a quick addiction. When you think about it - there are 4 cards (SPG, SPG Biz, Marriott, Marriott Biz)...if you are in 2 player mode and BOTH get all 4 cards referring each other where possible you end up with almost 800,000 Marriott points likely worth $6k+ (on about $28k in combined min. spends). It's pretty insane!

I don't think this is helping me...

The problem I have when booking SPG/Marriott is that you can get that 5th night FREE! So I find myself not wanting to use the points unless its on a longer stay so that I get the best use out of them. I just booked 1 night in Vancouver for this summer using my Marriott points, and I kinda feel guilty about it.

Yes! We did a semi last minute Dec trip to WDW, and I ended up using UR points for 3 nights at Pop, and 1 night at the Dolphin on UR pts (was about $100, because it was non refundable). I thought about the Dolphin, but not only did I not have the points at that time (We're doing 5 nights at the Dolphin starting Friday night ), but we also would have 'wasted' our free night not using it I also wish I had known how many points we would end up with for our honeymoon, because we ended up staying 7 nights at the Dolphin for 60k Starpoints, but easily could have swung the other 20k to get to 10 nights a couple months out - but by that time we had non-refundable reservations on either end, a DVC rental and RPR at Universal.

ETA this is why our trip this Friday is 5 nights instead of 4, also...

I'll be saving all my SPG points for the Dolphin too! Maybe some other locale can entice me to spend but I doubt it I have a long ways to go though to get enough for all/most of our nights covered (need two rooms) so I'm focused on those and the Marriott cards right now (after done with my BRG)!

I know! I was a bit tempted by a 7k/night property down in the Caribbean or something like that and thought about Memorial Day weekend.. and then remembered I have a cousin getting married that weekend. Well if I'm being honest, I started planning a second trip idea for the long weekend and then remembered... that second idea was going to Disney and not getting park tickets, but doing a trip for water parks and resort restaurants...

 

[Psychodisney]

I started our taxes yesterday. I thought we'd owe some, and it's looking like around $1800 right now. So between that and my car registration, and my 6 month insurance premium... Goodbye SPG Biz spending

You might be able to put your insurance on a credit card! And if it makes sense to make the spend, you can put your taxes on a credit card too!