I love credit cards so much!

[gottalovepluto]

The best place to find info about how to use the travel credit to buy gift cards is flyertalk - they have a thread for each of the airlines. What works changes pretty often it seems -- a few years ago I was able to buy United GC that counted for the credit but it seems that might no longer work. In December I was able to buy AA GCs and that worked for the AmEx Platinum. Check the Delta thread there to see how to use the travel credit.

They're not really looking at a travel credit here, the only thing the offer is good for is a one time statement credit if you make a Delta purchase in 3 months. But yes, FT is full of great info!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Not that I've seen. Good luck! I'm wanting that card too but dredging through MSR on other cards right now

I feel like meeting the MSRs I am right now is saving me from stupidly applying for that card. I really value my 90% of income in CL with Chase right now because it has helped stabilize my credit score but it would probably prevent me from getting a Chase biz card so being too busy with my current MSRs is just the excuse I need

 

[Louie7080]

Do SPG points work like miles in that when you book say the Dolphin you already have to have the points or can you book without the points and pay with them later? I am worried that by the time I have been rewarded sign-up points that the Dolphin won't have availability. Also, when you book with points, do they cover the resort fee?

 

[pillow]

Do SPG points work like miles in that when you book say the Dolphin you already have to have the points or can you book without the points and pay with them later? I am worried that by the time I have been rewarded sign-up points that the Dolphin won't have availability. Also, when you book with points, do they cover the resort fee?

You do have to pay the resort fee unfortunately. It was $28 and change when we were there in December, but I believe its gone up a couple of bucks since then. I know Marriott lets you book w/out the points in hand, but I THINK you must have points for Starwood. I'm sure someone else can confirm that though.

 

[mhartman09]

You do have to pay the resort fee unfortunately. It was $28 and change when we were there in December, but I believe its gone up a couple of bucks since then. I know Marriott lets you book w/out the points in hand, but I THINK you must have points for Starwood. I'm sure someone else can confirm that though.

I don't know for certain because I haven't actually made a booking using SPG points yet, but I'm thinking you are correct in that you have to have the points to book. When I was looking at Swan and Dolphin for a stay long before I had enough points in my account, it wouldn't even allow me to select the award room. It said points + cash wasn't available for that booking. I'm sure someone more familiar with booking will be able to confirm.

 

[bashuck]

Do SPG points work like miles in that when you book say the Dolphin you already have to have the points or can you book without the points and pay with them later? I am worried that by the time I have been rewarded sign-up points that the Dolphin won't have availability. Also, when you book with points, do they cover the resort fee?

I'm certain you have to have the points already to book online. I wouldn't know if booking thru a phone call and speaking to someone allows any flexibility on that front, I haven't heard of anyone trying.

 

[bashuck]

Has anyone else with a Starwood AMEX card received double the normal 'credits'? I had 2 stays and 5 nights credited, and then a week or two later another 2 stays and 5 nights. My first stay this year isn't until March but I already have 4 stays towards renewing my Gold membership.

 

[Albort]

You do have to pay the resort fee unfortunately. It was $28 and change when we were there in December, but I believe its gone up a couple of bucks since then. I know Marriott lets you book w/out the points in hand, but I THINK you must have points for Starwood. I'm sure someone else can confirm that though.

im not sure if this always works but if the resort fee overlaps your benefit status, ive recently learned you can ask for a alternate compensation. Free breakfast, etc. ymmv though. but def worth trying.

Has anyone else with a Starwood AMEX card received double the normal 'credits'? I had 2 stays and 5 nights credited, and then a week or two later another 2 stays and 5 nights. My first stay this year isn't until March but I already have 4 stays towards renewing my Gold membership.

it should have been removed from your account by now. If not, consider yourself very lucky...

 

[SBWB48]

• Marriott Business or Personal? If personal, the 75k offer or 120k offer? Decisions...

• Really, I'd welcome some thoughts on the above. I'm 3/24 with 1 dropping off after April 2018

Why not both? Esp. if you have 1 slot dropping off soon and Biz doesn't count towards 5/24. Both would also give you two free nights next year (so long as you find use for a Cat. 1-5) and always easier to plan a weekend trip than the random 1-night certificate. If I wasn't planning on CP later this year for 19/20, I would have done both, but contemplating having DH get the Biz next week (more on that below) so we can have the 2 nights that way as well. Think @calypso726 said she was able to find use for the Cat.1-5 at WDW for a quick weekend trip, so I may try to mirror that. Since you are out West, might be more difficult with Marriotts around DL being no where near Cat 1-5. Though, I'm likely cancelling the card after the free night posts next year, to open up more spaces for future Chase Biz cards (already have CIP and may need SW Biz potentially for CP, but that's TBD) if the free night proves to be difficult to use.

I love having our big monthly expenses, which we couldn't otherwise pay with a credit card, paid through Plastiq using the CIP. Besides the 3x UR earned on these expenses, because it's a business card, that account and balance don't show on my personal credit report and the utilization on my personal credit lines hovers around 2%.

Couldn't agree more.

I'm also wary about how hard I'm able to push Chase on its business cards. I already have the CIP, which I got last summer. I'm pretty sure I won't have a problem getting a second business card (I even have a second "business" I could use!). If I go for the Marriott Business, I'm less sure about my chances for a third business card with the SW Biz. My chances might improve if I push out going for the CP with the SW Biz later or next year.

This was my dilemma when it came to my next move for DH, and I posted a while back on it (sounds verbatim) with @SouthFayetteFan chiming in and feeling my pain lol. However, there's been a few reddit DPs recently that suggest people have been able to get 3+ (spaced out well), which is definitely outside of the norms we've heard about for a while.

Then there are all the flavors of Marriott cards! Business or Personal for 75k? Personal for 75k or 120k? And is the Amex SPG personal worth burning a */54 slot for an incognito 30k offer (I'd probably jump for 35k SPG).

Other than SW and Marriott, I guess the only thing keeping me under 5/24 is the prospect of the new Chase/Marriott cards, possibly topping off my United miles with a sweet MPE offer (which I never seem to get targeted for), and if I find myself still under 5/24 next January then double dipping the CSR and CSP if that trick still works. Meanwhile, there are too many Amex cards tempting me.

Right now, I'm content enough because my CIP earns me a ton of UR every month on household expenses through Plastiq, and my Plat is earns me a lot of MR for everything else through MPX. If either changes its coding, it's open season on new cards and signup bonuses.

Working on finishing up some minimum spends in the next month, so thinking ahead on my next card...

For anyone in 2P mode, I would think 75K makes more sense and better use of the spend/reward ratio. And if you opt for the Marriott personal, then perhaps you could swap it out for the 30K incognito Personal SPG instead (effectively 90K Marriott points, so better return for spend unless the 30K is for a greater than $5K spend?).

P.S. We are 2-players, but DW is still wary of credit cards and her default position is "no new cards," unless we cancel one or I can sell her on why it's a good deal. So it's easier to just hold her in reserve.

Thanks for being my sounding board, all! It's quite lonely at 3 am in the morning.

Again, we seem to be walking on the same path. DH is more open to credit cards now that we've booked our CA trip entirely on points, however, still of the mindset that he is only ok with opening a new card if the offer proves to be compelling (that's for me to determine and make the case ).

 

[FredtheDuck]

Has anyone else with a Starwood AMEX card received double the normal 'credits'? I had 2 stays and 5 nights credited, and then a week or two later another 2 stays and 5 nights. My first stay this year isn't until March but I already have 4 stays towards renewing my Gold membership.

Did you get your SPG in November/Dec? I did, so I got my first 2/5 in December. Then when the new calendar year rolled around, those dropped off (they're still counted in my lifetime stays), I got another 2/5 for 2018. My YTD is 2/5.

 

[Albort]

Marriott Business or Personal? If personal, the 75k offer or 120k offer? Decisions...

i went through this thought and here was my insights.
For Marriott Business vs Personal, i guess its a matter of where you were at. I went with Personal because i have the slots for it. I thought about applying for business but already having a CI+, i think id take my better chances with a CIP over a Marriott Business. both are 80k.
Now 75k vs 120k. Many people were arguing that with 120k, you need to spend 4x more for that amount of points. you could take the 4x points and apply for other cards... but my thought was that 120k points + 1HP, vs 75k points + other points + xHP. i decided to go with 120k. It would also help me space out my credit card apps too as it will take me a lot longer to finish. I do have my next card planned out. its for status gain though.

there is math out there, im not sure if you want to see that...

 

[Ngwira]

DH and I received our Amex Platinum cards last week (he's an AU) which will give us lounge access at the Centurion in Philly next week and the LAS Centurion, as well. So far, no hard pull from AMEX (yay). I also was able to use both global entry credits for our daughters to get their own GE cards. DH and I already have them from CSR and personal platinum cards GE credit.
Also successfully bought 2 $100 SW gift cards to use the airline travel credit. Reimbursement posted 2 days after I bought them. I plan to use the uber credits too so I think I just may pay the annual fee next year.

I have several largish expenses coming up (summer camp and car insurance) but no MSR to meet. I think I'm gonna cool it with the apps for a few months. Nothing intrigues me right now. I have a healthy stash of UR and Jetblue points which will fund our Spring Break 2019 trip. I see many people applying for the Marriott and Hilton cards. I'm not convinced just yet. Hopefully, something good comes out to make me want to pull the trigger as I'm lol/24 and not eligible for the CIP or SW cards

Haven't heard from calypso in a while. Hope she's ok.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Did the posted charge give you the 5%?

I'm considering the Discover card for the 5% at warehouses and it would be nice if that worked for on-line purchases.

I have not used mine at Sam's online, but I did purchase a $200 Costco gift card online. I DID receive the 5% on that. Note that it took an entire 2 weeks for my Costco gift card to arrive after they shipped (was about to call and have it cancelled).

I can't see a way to tell the bonus earned for each purchase. I can see the cashback after the statement posts and Costco online did earn 5%. Its listed as "general merchant" whereas Sam's Club comes up as "direct marketing" and Boxed is "supermarket ". So I'm not sure those will code as 5% but I'm sure hoping at least Sam's does as I'm counting on that 10%.
Yes ordering gift cards from both Costco and Sam's took a ridiculous amount of time. 12-13 days for Costco, and 10 for Sam's though it didn't help that one was delivered to the wrong address first.

 

[Ngwira]

I can't see a way to tell the bonus earned for each purchase. I can see the cashback after the statement posts and Costco online did earn 5%. Its listed as "general merchant" whereas Sam's Club comes up as "direct marketing" and Boxed is "supermarket ". So I'm not sure those will code as 5% but I'm sure hoping at least Sam's does as I'm counting on that 10%.
Yes ordering gift cards from both Costco and Sam's took a ridiculous amount of time. 12-13 days for Costco, and 10 for Sam's though it didn't help that one was delivered to the wrong address first.

Grand Canyon trip is coming up soon, no?

 

[jhoannam]

I think you and I got our BGR's at about the same time (mid-Dec) and I'm just now over halfway on the spend lol! Congrats on the new Marriott Biz!

Yes, I got mine early December, just in time to put Taylor swift tickets on there. And thankfully we can pay aftercare with a credit card, and get reimbursed from my dependent care account.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Does anyone have experience with Visa Savings Edge? Apparently you make purchases with enrolled Visa Business cards and you are supposed to get statement credits. Some of them are automatic, they've now introduced "active" offers you activate from the website. DoC says there is currently an active offer for 10% off up to $5 back at office depot. Money back is supposed to post as a statement credit on a "future statement". I'm thinking about testing this out tomorrow, was hoping somebody had used this thing before? (I enrolled in the Office Depot offer online.) https://www.doctorofcredit.com/visa...similar-amex-offers-includes-10-office-depot/

 

[calypso726]

I've been planning our annual Christmas vacation to Hawaii over the last couple of days and... random travel thoughts at 3 in the morning:

• The Hilton Hawaiian Village is "sold out" pretty much between Christmas and the first few days after the new year. Seriously, I can't pull up any availability on Hilton direct, UR portal, Amex FHR...
• I really should focus on getting more Marriott/SPG points this year, to use if not this Christmas then next[-next] year. I love SPG's Waikiki properties (the Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Sheraton); but why would I pay 21,250 Starpoints to stay at the Sheraton (from $504/night) or Moana (from $475/night), when I can redeem the same amount of points at the Royal Hawaiian (from $727/night)?
• Marriott Business or Personal? If personal, the 75k offer or 120k offer? Decisions...
• Really, I'd welcome some thoughts on the above. I'm 3/24 with 1 dropping off after April 2018.
• UR points are great and still my transferrable currency of choice, but the UR travel portal isn't giving me [m]any good options for refundable reservations over the new year.
• I think I've optimized too much of our spending between Plastiq, Freedom categories, and discounted and 5x gift cards.
• Hawaiian Airlines flight availability opens 330 days out, but there's no award availability between December 14 and 26. I've been checking as availability becomes available at midnight HST, and nothing comes up. HA customer service rep says to keep checking because award seats tend to be released later. But there's already award availability for December 27 -- one-way first class lie flat seats for 80,000 HawaiianMiles. For reference, one-way award seats in main cabin for December 13 going all the way back to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving are going for 17,500 HawaiianMiles plus change.
• Chase UR's booking calendar looks like it displays only 330 days out, but you can manually input later dates.
• I really miss Marriott's Twitter trivia and tweet for points promos.

I just looked at Hilton Hawaiian village logged in as DH in case there were only rooms for diamond guarantee, and plugged in random 12/29-1/5 and got 60k/nt or $419/nt. Not sure what dates you want, but we were thinking New Years.

@Lain Perhaps the Hilton Aspire card may benefit. I received my complimentary Diamond status within 24 hours of card approval. It comes with a $250 airline credit and a $250 Hilton resort statement credit too. Just something to consider since @disneymagicgirl mentioned that diamond guarantee rooms were available.

 

[Lain]

DH and I received our Amex Platinum cards last week (he's an AU) which will give us lounge access at the Centurion in Philly next week and the LAS Centurion, as well. So far, no hard pull from AMEX (yay). I also was able to use both global entry credits for our daughters to get their own GE cards. DH and I already have them from CSR and personal platinum cards GE credit.
Also successfully bought 2 $100 SW gift cards to use the airline travel credit. Reimbursement posted 2 days after I bought them. I plan to use the uber credits too so I think I just may pay the annual fee next year.

Congratulations! But I thought you already had the Amex Platinum. I’m assuming a different flavor?

My personal Platinum renewal is coming up. I love the card and plan to keep it, but I’ll call in to inquire about retention offers anyway. $550 AF is a lot to pay and the Ameriprise Platinum comes with [edit: almost] all the benefits and first year AF waived, but at the cost of a */24 slot.

 

[Lain]

@Lain Perhaps the Hilton Aspire card may benefit. I received my complimentary Diamond status within 24 hours of card approval. It comes with a $250 airline credit and a $250 Hilton resort statement credit too. Just something to consider since @disneymagicgirl mentioned that diamond guarantee rooms were available.

Oh, I’m thinking about this card! But maybe come December for a potential triple dip. I was finally able to pull up rooms with my lowly HH Gold account.

 

[pillow]

Does anyone have experience with Visa Savings Edge? Apparently you make purchases with enrolled Visa Business cards and you are supposed to get statement credits. Some of them are automatic, they've now introduced "active" offers you activate from the website. DoC says there is currently an active offer for 10% off up to $5 back at office depot. Money back is supposed to post as a statement credit on a "future statement". I'm thinking about testing this out tomorrow, was hoping somebody had used this thing before? (I enrolled in the Office Depot offer online.) https://www.doctorofcredit.com/visa...similar-amex-offers-includes-10-office-depot/

I was just reading about that. I was thinking that the next time Office Depot runs a Visa gc promo, I would take my business cards in and split tender.