Looking for advice now that I finally have a solid plan for my points goals. I have a big birthday coming up this fall and want to take a two week vacation with my family of 4. Here is what I want to plan:
Fly from EWR to LAX (Business on United - I know Business Domesic is a waste but I really want to fly the family in style!)
LA for 3 nights, signtseeing
DLR for 4 nights,
Disneyland hotel
Drive to vegas, Vegas 3 nights New York, New York hotel
Drive to Grand Canyon 3 nights - hotel tbd
Drive to Vegas one last night
Fly from LAS to EWR Business Class
So, everything I do from here on out with credit cards should be to save as much as possible on this trip. I am accumulating Chase Reward points and I'm waiting for my new Chase United card (40k bonus points). I am using my CSP card for gas, restaurants, and just about everything else.
Here is a big question: I want to get the CSR for my husband BUT I don't want to incur that $450 + $75 fee this year. I'd rather push it to next year, so apply in January. Our trip is Aug 18. Should I get that now so that I can bank those points earlier to offset the price of the plane tickets, or is it okay to wait until January?
Any advice you can give would be great! We really want 2 rooms for the hotels and that really puts us over the top. This vacation so far is looking at over 15k - ouch! But I think if I do the credit card thing right I can offset the cost of hotels, get a free rental car, AND fly business. I'm open to any credit cards that will offset hotels and flight costs.
Thanks for any advice!!!
United miles / CR points banked: 74,835 (with the Exploer card bonus I'll get in March)
CSP Reward points banked: 14,539