I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

10x UR at Best Buy for Chase Freedom cardholders. Up to $400 until 2/4/18. Other Chase cards are unknown at this point. (Fingers crossed, I don't have a Freedom yet!) https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-pay-10x-10-points-best-buy-400-new-offer/

YAY! Thank you for posting that. I'll be maxing that out on Disney GCs today. I had been procrastinating picking some more up to pay off the remainder of the China ABD which is due in a few days. Now I feel vindicated.

ugh, friend is looking at J class tickets to HK from LAX. told her to check Virgin Atlantic, could save her at 80k points... she still booked with UA using UR for 180k points. :\ Korean airline over Japanese Airline... :/

*facepalm*

This would only make sense under a few scenarios to me. One, if it were a matter of lie flat vs angle flat seats and her DH is a "seat princess" like mine. But seeing as it is UA I highly doubt it. Two, the hard product is an experience in and of itself like SQ suites, Emirates, Etihad. Last I checked UA does not have a cool bar like VA.

Hey @Albort I know you have likely the most experience on this board when it comes to flying to Asia and I know you fly Eva for the most part. If the rumors are true that I'm reading on the ABD board here on the DIS, then Japan will likely be a new itinerary for next year. Which means we will be headed back that way. I've always read the bloggers raving about about CX flights which is what I almost booked for China this year but then pivoted to SQ. I was wondering which airlines have been on your radar for Asia flights when it comes to experiencing an awesome hard and soft product. I'm not looking to save points. I just don't want to have tunnel vision and think CX should be my only option for an aspirational flight to Asia after crossing SQ and JAL off the list this year. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Is there a good way to get discounts or free nights at the Universal hotels that offer Express Pass (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay)? I believe they are all Loews resorts. So far I've really only used Chase SW cards to pay for our airfare to get to Orlando, never for hotels since we have DVC so I feel a little lost trying to look for hotel discounts. I don't have any UR cards currently and won't be able to get any until Oct. which would be after I would need the discounts as I'm looking to add a few nights at Universal on to our June trip. I might be able to convince DH to get a new card, or I could try for a biz card. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[havaneselover]

Is there a good way to get discounts or free nights at the Universal hotels that offer Express Pass (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay)? I believe they are all Loews resorts. So far I've really only used Chase SW cards to pay for our airfare to get to Orlando, never for hotels since we have DVC so I feel a little lost trying to look for hotel discounts. I don't have any UR cards currently and won't be able to get any until Oct. which would be after I would need the discounts as I'm looking to add a few nights at Universal on to our June trip. I might be able to convince DH to get a new card, or I could try for a biz card. Thanks for any suggestions!

CIP and book through ur portal. We did cabana bay (loved!) last summer booked with ur points.

 

[WVMomof3]

Sounds like a good time to convince your husband to get a CSR. Or double dip with the CSP also if possible. We almost booked through the UR portal when we last went, but we ended up upgrading our tickets to annual passes. It made the hotel much cheaper, cheaper than going 1.5 through the CSR portal. We just upgraded to the seasonal pass, not sure of your dates, but if you can use a seasonal pass, upgrade at least one of your tickets. It only added $10 to our 3 day ticket at the time we did it. Not sure of pricing now. But we did just get the CSR and the hotel used up our $300 travel credit.

 

[hsmamato2]

I used SW points to book Hard Rock hotel a few years back... it was a blast! Question- what gc does Bestbuy sell? I know they sell Disney.... edited for one more question..... I'm looking at the SWA website and can't tell, can I buy SWA points using a SWA gc? Or can I combine a gc with points for airfare?(I'm guessing no on the 2nd for sure) I always want to pull the triggeron the gc, but I like using points

 

[mefordis]

I am going to apply for a CSR + CSP for my husband. I already have a CSP and I just called and removed him as a registered user. Is that all that I need to do for him to be approved for a CSR + CSP once I go ahead and apply, which I am planning to do soon.

Thanks!

Edit: He must have been an authorized user, as opposed to a joint card holder, since they let me take him off without having to speak to him. Does this make a difference? Can you be an authorized user on the card and still get one of your own, in your own name?

 

[pillow]

Question- what gc does Bestbuy sell? I know they sell Disney....

Best Buy . . . various restaurant gift cards, gas cards (Shell, Exxon). Not Lowes (boo).

 

[mefordis]

Any advice on what my next steps should be for credit card applications in 2018? My goal is luxury travel for my family of four. Our airport is a United hub, and we also like JetBlue.

We have a vacation planned for July 2018 to San Diego/DLR/LA - have business class tickets on United for our return, waiting to buy jetblue with miles that should be deposited this month (from JetBlue credit card). We are staying at a Starwood hotel on cash and points.

Our vacation in 2019 will be a London/Paris trip. I want to accumulate enough URs for at least three roundtrip business class tickets. I'll pay cash for the fourth, if I have to. It would be nice to get airfare taken care of with points!

My credit card situation:

Within 24 Months Me:
Chase Marriott Dec-17
Chase Unlimited Dec-17
SPG Amex Business Nov-17
Barclay Jetblue Nov-17
United MPE Nov-17
Bank of America MC Dec-16
Chase Sapphire Preferred Jul-16

Beyond 24 mos Me:
Amex travel card opened more than 24 mos ago
Chase Disney opened more than 24 mos ago

Within 24 Months Husband:
Barclay Jetblue Dec-17
Amex ED Pref ?

As always, thanks so much for the help!

 

[hsmamato2]

Ive used my DHs card everywhere. Rarely questioned. If I am, I just say it's my husband's card. Never been refused

Can I request a replacement via SM?

 

[elgerber]

I'm also waiting for mine and I keep telling my kids "no we can't go shopping until the new credit card gets here." I'm not sure how much longer that's going to last, I have an impatient 11yo lol I'm trying to hold off on as much shopping as I possibly can so I can meet that spend.

Sure would have been nice to have it for the concert tickets that are going on sale in 53 minutes LOL.

 

[speedyfishy]

Any advice on what my next steps should be for credit card applications in 2018? My goal is luxury travel for my family of four. Our airport is a United hub, and we also like JetBlue.

Id wait until your husband is 0/30 and get your husband a CIP and then a CSP/CSR double dip and another 30 days.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is there a good way to get discounts or free nights at the Universal hotels that offer Express Pass (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay)? I believe they are all Loews resorts. So far I've really only used Chase SW cards to pay for our airfare to get to Orlando, never for hotels since we have DVC so I feel a little lost trying to look for hotel discounts. I don't have any UR cards currently and won't be able to get any until Oct. which would be after I would need the discounts as I'm looking to add a few nights at Universal on to our June trip. I might be able to convince DH to get a new card, or I could try for a biz card. Thanks for any suggestions!

I used an Orbitz coupon code once to get 20% off. We spent the night before at CB and then taxied over in the morning to RPR to save us some more.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I used SW points to book Hard Rock hotel a few years back... it was a blast! Question- what gc does Bestbuy sell? I know they sell Disney.... edited for one more question..... I'm looking at the SWA website and can't tell, can I buy SWA points using a SWA gc? Or can I combine a gc with points for airfare?(I'm guessing no on the 2nd for sure) I always want to pull the triggeron the gc, but I like using points

I don't fly SWA but I have read about people buying gift cards booking a flight & then canceling it & getting it refunded in order to combine gift cards. Maybe something to look into. As for BB of the top of my head I recall seeing lots of restaurants, Hulu, Netflix & SWA. (Of course I'm already paid up on hulu, Netflix & don't fly swa so maybe that's why they stood out!)

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Any advice on what my next steps should be for credit card applications in 2018? My goal is luxury travel for my family of four. Our airport is a United hub, and we also like JetBlue.

We have a vacation planned for July 2018 to San Diego/DLR/LA - have business class tickets on United for our return, waiting to buy jetblue with miles that should be deposited this month (from JetBlue credit card). We are staying at a Starwood hotel on cash and points.

Our vacation in 2019 will be a London/Paris trip. I want to accumulate enough URs for at least three roundtrip business class tickets. I'll pay cash for the fourth, if I have to. It would be nice to get airfare taken care of with points!

My credit card situation:

Within 24 Months Me:
Chase Marriott Dec-17
Chase Unlimited Dec-17
SPG Amex Business Nov-17
Barclay Jetblue Nov-17
United MPE Nov-17
Bank of America MC Dec-16
Chase Sapphire Preferred Jul-16

Beyond 24 mos Me:
Amex travel card opened more than 24 mos ago
Chase Disney opened more than 24 mos ago

Within 24 Months Husband:
Barclay Jetblue Dec-17
Amex ED Pref ?

As always, thanks so much for the help!

The easy answer here is to focus on cards for your husband only for the next 11 months. CIP followed by a CSR/CSP double dip would make a lot of sense. That's $13k in combined spend which probably should take some time too. That puts him at 4/24. He could then get 2 more Chase cards (if URs are important maybe Freedom and unlimited...if not then there are numerous other options).

For YOU...it's time to decide if you're going to go way over 5/24 or try to get back under 5/24. If the goal is under then focus on AMEX business cards in between your Husband's cards. This will help slow his roll with Chase and keep them off your personal report. You won't be back to 4/24 until December. NOW...if you aren't worried about Chase cards in your name anymore there is a whole world of cards available to you. Barclay Arrival+, tons of personal AMEX cards, and so on...

Whatever you do, just make sure that you have a defined strategy for the next 12 months. You are at a critical stage and don't want to make impulsive decisions.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I used SW points to book Hard Rock hotel a few years back... it was a blast! Question- what gc does Bestbuy sell? I know they sell Disney.... edited for one more question..... I'm looking at the SWA website and can't tell, can I buy SWA points using a SWA gc? Or can I combine a gc with points for airfare?(I'm guessing no on the 2nd for sure) I always want to pull the triggeron the gc, but I like using points

You cannot buy RR points with a Southwest gift card.

You can only use a gift card for the $5.60 fees on a points reservation. The "points portion" must fully be covered by points.

 

[Alexle2007]

Can I request a replacement via SM?

You can request a replacement card on the Chase "things you can do" drop-down for that card. Under account services is an option to replace a lost or damaged card. Just follow it through. I did that with DH's Freedom and my CSR.

 

[Alexle2007]

Is there a good way to get discounts or free nights at the Universal hotels that offer Express Pass (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay)? I believe they are all Loews resorts. So far I've really only used Chase SW cards to pay for our airfare to get to Orlando, never for hotels since we have DVC so I feel a little lost trying to look for hotel discounts. I don't have any UR cards currently and won't be able to get any until Oct. which would be after I would need the discounts as I'm looking to add a few nights at Universal on to our June trip. I might be able to convince DH to get a new card, or I could try for a biz card. Thanks for any suggestions!

Sometimes, it is cheaper to purchase one annual pass and use that discount for your hotel stay(you don't need the annual pass beforehand, just when you arrive.) We stayed at RPR in Dec on UR points for 2 nights. We've stayed at all 3 and they are all terrific. We have not stayed at CBR or SFR since DS loves having the express pass.

 

[mefordis]

The easy answer here is to focus on cards for your husband only for the next 11 months. CIP followed by a CSR/CSP double dip would make a lot of sense. That's $13k in combined spend which probably should take some time too. That puts him at 4/24. He could then get 2 more Chase cards (if URs are important maybe Freedom and unlimited...if not then there are numerous other options).

For YOU...it's time to decide if you're going to go way over 5/24 or try to get back under 5/24. If the goal is under then focus on AMEX business cards in between your Husband's cards. This will help slow his roll with Chase and keep them off your personal report. You won't be back to 4/24 until December. NOW...if you aren't worried about Chase cards in your name anymore there is a whole world of cards available to you. Barclay Arrival+, tons of personal AMEX cards, and so on...

Whatever you do, just make sure that you have a defined strategy for the next 12 months. You are at a critical stage and don't want to make impulsive decisions.

Thanks so much! So, wait until February (0/30) for husband and apply for CIP. Then after I make my minimum spend on that, ($5000 -- holy cow!) apply for both CSR and CSP at the same time. I think I'll have to take a break from credit cards in my name until we spend minimum - that's $12,000 total! )

The next step would probably be Chase Freedom for my husband. I can get a referral bonus for both CSP and Chase Unlimited, right?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks so much! So, wait until February (0/30) for husband and apply for CIP. Then after I make my minimum spend on that, ($5000 -- holy cow!) apply for both CSR and CSP at the same time. I think I'll have to take a break from credit cards in my name until we spend minimum - that's $12,000 total! )

The next step would probably be Chase Freedom for my husband. I can get a referral bonus for both CSP and Chase Unlimited, right?

Yes on the referrals. And that also makes Freedom Unlimited a decent offer for you as it can be worth a total of 27,500 URs between the signup, AU, and referral.

 

[WVMomof3]

Thanks so much! So, wait until February (0/30) for husband and apply for CIP. Then after I make my minimum spend on that, ($5000 -- holy cow!) apply for both CSR and CSP at the same time. I think I'll have to take a break from credit cards in my name until we spend minimum - that's $12,000 total! )

The next step would probably be Chase Freedom for my husband. I can get a referral bonus for both CSP and Chase Unlimited, right?

Hate to break it to you, that is $13,000 total. lol ($5,000+$4,000+$4,000) Before he gets the Freedom Unlimitied, maybe think about what you will do with the CSR and the CSP when the year is up and fees are due. Will you keep one or both of them? That is a good time to downgrade to one of the Freedoms. Though, I think people have said they have more than one Freedom so maybe it won't make a difference if he already has one?