I love credit cards so much!

[platamama]

@mefordis This is the math I did for CSR vs CSP for deciding for my husband (I already had CSR).

Going by your calculations, a person would need to spend $1000 on travel+dining on the CSR in the first year to make up the $15 difference, given the 1x differential on travel/dining and 1.5 portal multiplier. Anyone who spends over $1000 on dining + travel in the first year would do better to get the CSR over the CSP.

Thanks so much! With the CSR (if we get it for dh) I would need an extra card for myself since i"m the one who is out spending most of the money. That's another $95.

Also, can we bring our two kids into the lounges with our Priority Pass? If we have two cards I guess we'll each get to bring in one at the very least.

Thanks!

Did the AU card fee go up to $95? It has been $75 AFAIK. I added DH as AU on my CSR after I closed his CSR. I have not yet been charged the AU fee, I was told it would be charged when my CSR renews next year. So, he's getting free AU usage until then (my card renews in Jan). Since he may travel for work and could benefit from the lounge access, and I want to be able to transfer UR points to his airline and hotel loyalty programs, we're paying for the AU card. And yes, your kids can come into the PP lounges with you even if you only have one card (make sure you have the physical PP card in hand though).

 

[ssedlac1]

$75.

as for Priority Pass, it varies by lounge. Some also dont allow children under a certain age. Some only allow cardholder+2 people. You would need to check the priority pass app for the instructions.

There's some lounges that are actually restaurants. They give u like a $30 credit. I think one airport has a pod room for you to sleep a couple hours in.

I had the same concern about getting my DH the CSR amd the $75 AU fee. I just went ahead and got him the card and then I just took it with me and use it everywhere. No one checks ID's anyways and with the same last name they don't really care. So I would get it for him and not worry about adding yourself as AU and just use the card yourself.

 

[wendow]

There's some lounges that are actually restaurants. They give u like a $30 credit.

The new PP lounge at Denver airport is actually just a restaurant. You get $28 credit per person. My aunt went in with my uncle on his CSR card so they got $56 worth of food/beverages. Not a bad deal!

 

[Albort]

I had the same concern about getting my DH the CSR amd the $75 AU fee. I just went ahead and got him the card and then I just took it with me and use it everywhere. No one checks ID's anyways and with the same last name they don't really care. So I would get it for him and not worry about adding yourself as AU and just use the card yourself.

ymmv. i AU my dad on my CSR and they checked at KAL lounge @ LAX
but i havent been checked on all my visits(AS lounges)

 

[WDWRook]

Why are you getting AUs? Doesn't that impact your 4/24 rule status? For CSP's 5,000 points, is there a spending requirement? Is there an AU bonus for a CSR?

 

[eeyoresmom]

Can someone help me with a strategy for downgrading a CSP? I got mine in Feb when DH for his CSR. We are going to keep the CSR but downgrade the CSP. Do I have to wait until Feb to do this? I believe I have to downgrade to a regular no AF Sapphire card first, then pc that to a Freedom, correct? Really confused over whether or not the Freedoms earn UR's. I didn't think they did. If they do can I transfer those UR's to DH's CSR? Sorry, I know it's a lot of questions but I'm finding conflicting info online.

 

[platamama]

Why are you getting AUs? Doesn't that impact your 4/24 rule status? For CSP's 5,000 points, is there a spending requirement? Is there an AU bonus for a CSR?

DH no longer has a Chase card anymore for transferring UR points to travel partners. $75 CSR AU < $95 CSP (which he got last year and the AF would've posted this year so I cancelled it). He's way over 4/24 now; it's time to hit up the business cards. I don't know of any AU bonus for CSR.

For the CSP 5000UR for AU, no purchase needs to be made for the points. I made DD an AU and the card is sock drawered but I got the points.

 

[Albort]

Can someone help me with a strategy for downgrading a CSP? I got mine in Feb when DH for his CSR. We are going to keep the CAR but downgrade the CSP. Do I have to wait until Feb to do this? I believe I have to downgrade to a regular no AF Sapphire card first, then pc that to a Freedom, correct?(Correct) Really confused over whether or not the Freedoms earn UR's.(they do earn UR) I didn't think they DID. If they do can I transfer those UR's to DH's CSR?(You are correct) Sorry, I know it's a lot of questions but I'm finding conflicting info online.

^^

 

[WDWRook]

How old do kids need to be to get an AU card? I got two kids and DW and I each have a CSP. That'd be 20,000 points right there. BUT...they are 7 and 11 LOL.

 

[mefordis]

Going by your calculations, a person would need to spend $1000 on travel+dining on the CSR in the first year to make up the $15 difference, given the 1x differential on travel/dining and 1.5 portal multiplier. Anyone who spends over $1000 on dining + travel in the first year would do better to get the CSR over the CSP.



Did the AU card fee go up to $95? It has been $75 AFAIK. I added DH as AU on my CSR after I closed his CSR. I have not yet been charged the AU fee, I was told it would be charged when my CSR renews next year. So, he's getting free AU usage until then (my card renews in Jan). Since he may travel for work and could benefit from the lounge access, and I want to be able to transfer UR points to his airline and hotel loyalty programs, we're paying for the AU card. And yes, your kids can come into the PP lounges with you even if you only have one card (make sure you have the physical PP card in hand though).

I apologize for throwing out wrong figures! I need to think before I type. Thanks so much for all of the information!

 

[Albort]

How old do kids need to be to get an AU card? I got two kids and DW and I each have a CSP. That'd be 20,000 points right there. BUT...they are 7 and 11 LOL.

i believe its just 1 AU will give u the extra 5000 unless your talking about something else.
Chase doesnt care. heck, my dog was an AU on my CSP when i got it 2 years ago. he was 16 though

 

[calypso726]

So, I got an offer for the Amex Business Gold...75k MR, $5k spend, $175 af waived for the first year. Didn't someone else mention getting this offer a few days ago? I'm seriously considering it as my intro into the MR point world. I have a few questions...

1) If I understand right, this card will not count against 5/24? I am currently 6/24 and still have Chase cards I want that I need to be under 5/24 to get.

2) What are my options for the MR once I am ready to close this card. This card is not a keeper for me at all and I'd only open it for the MR. I'm going to do some research on how MR work but I am guessing I need a personal card to move them to? Or could I move them to another Biz card? Just thinking about when I am out from under 5/24 and if it is realistic that I can get the Chase cards I want before needing to open another Amex card to have somewhere to park the MR points.

Thanks for any help I only have an Amex BCP so not familiar with MR at all.

Keep in mind not all MR earning cards are created equal. Some MR cards will not allow you to transfer points to an airline partner. When I needed to park MR points, I opened a no fee Amex Everyday card which earns full MR points. If you are looking to stick with business cards the Amex Blue Business Plus is a no fee card that also keeps full MR points.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Wanted to get some opinions on cash back cards/cards with some rotating earning categories. I've been looking at Amex Blue Cash Preferred and Amex Everyday card. Really like the 6% back at grocery stores and the $200 statement credit. I currently have CSP and would continue using that for travel and dining (and probably most everyday shopping), but am thinking I would use Amex for groceries and gas. Thoughts? I know there's a Citi card that offers cash back when you buy and when you pay, but as I would likely keep the bulk of my purchases on CSP for points, I'm not sure that card would be worth it for me. Anything other helpful info I should know on Amex cards?

 

[platamama]

Can someone help me with a strategy for downgrading a CSP? I got mine in Feb when DH for his CSR. We are going to keep the CSR but downgrade the CSP. Do I have to wait until Feb to do this? I believe I have to downgrade to a regular no AF Sapphire card first, then pc that to a Freedom, correct? Really confused over whether or not the Freedoms earn UR's. I didn't think they did. If they do can I transfer those UR's to DH's CSR? Sorry, I know it's a lot of questions but I'm finding conflicting info online.

Freedoms do earn UR points. You can try out the whole UR point transfer on Chase's website to see if you can transfer your CSP UR to his CSR UR (are either of you an AU of those cards? I don't know if that makes a difference).

With DH's CSP, I pc'd to no AF Sapphire first for about a week, then pc to Freedom Unlimited (bc he already has the Freedom). [Chase was so fast, they sent me physical regular Sapphire cards before I pc'd to FU.] I did this in the 11th month of him having the CSP.

 

[calypso726]

Wanted to get some opinions on cash back cards/cards with some rotating earning categories. I've been looking at Amex Blue Cash Preferred and Amex Everyday card. Really like the 6% back at grocery stores and the $200 statement credit. I currently have CSP and would continue using that for travel and dining (and probably most everyday shopping), but am thinking I would use Amex for groceries and gas. Thoughts? I know there's a Citi card that offers cash back when you buy and when you pay, but as I would likely keep the bulk of my purchases on CSP for points, I'm not sure that card would be worth it for me. Anything other helpful info I should know on Amex cards?

Chase Freedom. This would also give you the option to transfer points to CSP. The new Uber card seems like a really good deal for a cash back card. I rarely go for cash back. Just when I’m look for something quick and easy with a high bonus that also happens to be convenient like the new Bank of America premium travel card.

 

[platamama]

Wanted to get some opinions on cash back cards/cards with some rotating earning categories. I've been looking at Amex Blue Cash Preferred and Amex Everyday card. Really like the 6% back at grocery stores and the $200 statement credit. I currently have CSP and would continue using that for travel and dining (and probably most everyday shopping), but am thinking I would use Amex for groceries and gas. Thoughts? I know there's a Citi card that offers cash back when you buy and when you pay, but as I would likely keep the bulk of my purchases on CSP for points, I'm not sure that card would be worth it for me. Anything other helpful info I should know on Amex cards?

I'm a big fan of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, but I don't have the Everyday card mostly because I don't feel like trying to reach the #transactions/month bonus.

Other helpful info? AMEX OFFERS There have been a few posts about these in recent days. My AF is always negated by taking advantage of these.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Chase Freedom. This would also give you the option to transfer points to CSP. The new Uber card seems like a really good deal for a cash back card. I rarely go for cash back. Just when I’m look for something quick and easy with a high bonus that also happens to be convenient like the new Bank of America premium travel card.

Like the idea of the Chase Freedom, and that would be nice to keep continuity with CSP for points. I'm just dipping my toe into the waters of the credit card game here, so trying not to get too over my head yet and it seems like this would keep it easy for me. Do you recommend Freedom or Freedom Unlimited? I see 5% back on rotating categories for Freedom, but didn't know if those ended up being actually helpful categories or not.

I'm a big fan of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, but I don't have the Everyday card mostly because I don't feel like trying to reach the #transactions/month bonus.

Other helpful info? AMEX OFFERS There have been a few posts about these in recent days. My AF is always negated by taking advantage of these.

I feel like I've heard so many good things about Amex offers which is why I was initially drawn to that. The number of transactions per month was one of the turnoffs for Everyday for me, since I would just like to use it for specific categories and use my Chase card for everything else.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Why are you getting AUs? Doesn't that impact your 4/24 rule status? For CSP's 5,000 points, is there a spending requirement? Is there an AU bonus for a CSR?

DH no longer has a Chase card anymore for transferring UR points to travel partners. $75 CSR AU < $95 CSP (which he got last year and the AF would've posted this year so I cancelled it). He's way over 4/24 now; it's time to hit up the business cards. I don't know of any AU bonus for CSR.

For the CSP 5000UR for AU, no purchase needs to be made for the points. I made DD an AU and the card is sock drawered but I got the points.

How old do kids need to be to get an AU card? I got two kids and DW and I each have a CSP. That'd be 20,000 points right there. BUT...they are 7 and 11 LOL.

i believe its just 1 AU will give u the extra 5000 unless your talking about something else.
Chase doesnt care. heck, my dog was an AU on my CSP when i got it 2 years ago. he was 16 though

I always use my middle name when ordering AU cards. Never had any issue.

Also the CSP 5,000pt bonus (and all Chase AU bonuses) are only once per card.

 

[jhoannam]

So, I got an offer for the Amex Business Gold...75k MR, $5k spend, $175 af waived for the first year. Didn't someone else mention getting this offer a few days ago? I'm seriously considering it as my intro into the MR point world. I have a few questions...

1) If I understand right, this card will not count against 5/24? I am currently 6/24 and still have Chase cards I want that I need to be under 5/24 to get.

2) What are my options for the MR once I am ready to close this card. This card is not a keeper for me at all and I'd only open it for the MR. I'm going to do some research on how MR work but I am guessing I need a personal card to move them to? Or could I move them to another Biz card? Just thinking about when I am out from under 5/24 and if it is realistic that I can get the Chase cards I want before needing to open another Amex card to have somewhere to park the MR points.

Thanks for any help I only have an Amex BCP so not familiar with MR at all.

I received the same offer. I haven't decided if I'm going to apply. We are going to Europe summer 2019, we already have enough URs to book flights, I want to focus on hotels, which is why I'm not sure this is the right card at the moment.

Does Amex have a booking portal like chase?

 

[wendow]

Keep in mind not all MR earning cards are created equal. Some MR cards will not allow you to transfer points to an airline partner. When I needed to park MR points, I opened a no fee Amex Everyday card which earns full MR points. If you are looking to stick with business cards the Amex Blue Business Plus is a no fee card that also keeps full MR points.

Thank you! I was trying to find a biz card last night with no fee but never saw one. I'll look into this one b/c that is exactly what I am looking for