I love credit cards so much!

[3 DD love princesses]

Club Carlson what do you recommend to keep account active
Transfer some points to airline or buy 2000 to do a stay that takes 28000 points?

 

[AmyAnne]

. . . it looks like I may be pushing my limit on the business lines and will need to reduce my business credit limits or cancel a card before trying for my third business card down the line.

This has been discussed a bit here but it might be worth discussing again. I believe that a better route might be to keep the credit/card and then allow Chase to move some of the credit to a new card. I know many people here (myself included) have had that happen. On the other hand, I believe at least one person preemptively reduced their CL before applying for a new card, which did not result in Chase giving them the new card. My personal hunch is that reducing a CL might be seen as an odd thing.

 

[AmyAnne]

Another downgrading question - I have the Chase United Mileage Plus that's not worth the $95 AF. I don't see a Chase United no-fee card. Can this kind of co-branded card be PCed to a Freedom?

 

[Judique]

I was there last week and the crowds were unbelievable. We always go in January to avoid crowds, and the crowd calendar predictions for last week were low, but there were hordes of people everywhere. I couldn't believe the wait times for the heavy hitter attractions, and at one point there was even a 30 minute wait for Living with the Land. It wasn't as enjoyable a trip as in past years, and I don't think there will truly be a slow time at WDW again. The weather was perfect for us though.

I found the same crowds when I was there - we left on the 20th. Mine had a combo of race people and the new Festival of the Arts now at Epcot which started about the weekend I arrived and goes to mid February. FOTA was ok, but I was just as happy when they just had the Downtown Disney version. I wasn't overly impressed with any of it. My daughter did love the stands where you could be in the painting and posed for Scream and fancied herself as Mona Lisa. 5 minutes of fun for her! The food offerings which I had sort of looked forward to were expensive and scarce compared to food and wine and well, not that great.

I'm piecing a trip right now for last week of Feb to first week of March, approximately and since I'll probably be solo, I'm doing split stays everywhere. I've found 3 nights at SSR using my DVC and I'll circle that with offsite nights - haven't booked the DVC but those nights come and go so no biggie. I also have the option of getting a cheap RCI week outside the gates. Flower and Garden Festival starts March 1 so that will bring loads of people as well, including me!

 

[schmass]

Hi everyone, I've been reading on here for the last couple of weeks and think I am ready to jump in here. You all have such great advice and seem like a nice bunch!

A little about me:

Married with 2 kids (2 and 4), DVC members, live in Boston area. I've been using a Chase Disney Visa (the one with the fee) for as long as I can remember. I will PC to the free version before my next AF hits. My husband doesn't *think* he has gotten any new cards in many years, and is willing to get a new one or two.

Husband stays mainly at Hiltons for work, occasionally Marriott – has to book all work travel with company card.

Recently I acquired the CSR (on 1/18/18) and already hit the minimum spend. I also applied for JetBlue Plus on 1/30/18 and am waiting for it to arrive in the next week. So now I think I'm done until 4/19/18 - is that right? When I'm able to, I'm thinking about applying for SW Premier and Business to try to get the CP. Do I apply for both on the same day?

I'm thinking DH should go for the CIP, unless there are better suggestions. We have a DVC loan (I know, I know) that we are able to pay off. I kind of just forgot about it since it gets autodrafted from my account each month. Will this code as travel? If so, my thoughts are pay it with the CIP, get the 3x points and use it for the minimum spend. Pay off immediately.

Travel plans for next year include trip from Boston to Phoenix (stay with inlaws) and then fly to CA to visit Disneyland for a few days (could use SW for these flights). Really want to travel 1st class from LAX to Boston. Hoping to use combo JB points/UR points for this. Hoping we'll be able to stay at Grand Californian on DVC points, but not sure we'll get in at 7 months booking window.

WDW in late fall- will stay on DVC points, but would like to cover flights on either SW or JB.

Our travel for this year is already paid for except the remaining balance on a cruise in the fall.

Any and all advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[Lain]

Another downgrading question - I have the Chase United Mileage Plus that's not worth the $95 AF. I don't see a Chase United no-fee card. Can this kind of co-branded card be PCed to a Freedom?

You can’t product change a co-branded card to one of Chase’s own credit cards; you’d have to product change within that family of cards.

United actually has two no fee cards that I can think of:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-united-no-annual-fee-card-review/

https://thepointsguy.com/2017/09/new-no-fee-united-card/

Might be worth looking into and inquire with Chase about product changing to one of these.

 

[peel]

I found the same crowds when I was there - we left on the 20th. Mine had a combo of race people and the new Festival of the Arts now at Epcot which started about the weekend I arrived and goes to mid February. FOTA was ok, but I was just as happy when they just had the Downtown Disney version. I wasn't overly impressed with any of it. My daughter did love the stands where you could be in the painting and posed for Scream and fancied herself as Mona Lisa. 5 minutes of fun for her! The food offerings which I had sort of looked forward to were expensive and scarce compared to food and wine and well, not that great.

I wasn't impressed with FOTA either, and I was really looking forward to it.

 

[deide71]

Hey guys. I have been churning for a few years. Latest has been the US Bank Altitude card (great that is gets 3X points on mobile wallet, and 1.5x if redeemed through their travel portal..similar to CSR) and Skymiles business card.

Our strategy has been to have me apply for the cards so DH can get to under 5/24 and get Chase SW cards and ultimately the Companion pass. I had the CP for almost 2 years and it was great!

So DH fell to 3/24 on Jan 1. He applied for SW biz and SW personal cards on 1/31. He applied for the personal first and got the 30 day message. Then he applied for the biz and was approved. I called the automated status line and it said you have been approved, but I am pretty sure that was referring to the business card. I tried to get him to call recon but he is all “nah, I am gonna get it...”. He has no idea what a bugger Chase can be...so I wait...any other ideas on how to read the tea leaves here?

 

[Lain]

This has been discussed a bit here but it might be worth discussing again. I believe that a better route might be to keep the credit/card and then allow Chase to move some of the credit to a new card. I know many people here (myself included) have had that happen. On the other hand, I believe at least one person preemptively reduced their CL before applying for a new card, which did not result in Chase giving them the new card. My personal hunch is that reducing a CL might be seen as an odd thing.

When it comes to personal cards, I definitely prefer keeping all available credit lines as a bargaining chip and reallocating credit during reconsideration if you’re facing denial.

With business cards, I think there’s a hesitancy to call recon and possibly have to talk about your “business,” which is when you’d offer to reallocate credit. Additionally, you can’t move credit from your personal lines to business lines.

 

[gottalovepluto]

requirement to meet. Must prove use of points to get to DISmeets...

It'll all be fun and games until the scramble to pick up the bar tab...

 

[SBWB48]

I’ve been approved for the Marriott Biz! But with only a $5k credit line. I applied with my eBay “business” that made $11k revenue last year. It was pending at the 2 weeks message all yesterday. My CIP (for another “business”) has a $20k credit line. I don’t know how Chase decides to throw these random credit limits at us, but it looks like I may be pushing my limit on the business lines and will need to reduce my business credit limits or cancel a card before trying for my third business card down the line.

ETA: I intend to sock drawer the Marriott Biz after I’ve met the MSR and close the card when my free first year is up. The benefits are just inferior to the SPG Biz, and who knows what Chase and Amex have planned for the new Marriott cards.

My CL for my new Marriott Biz was also 5K. Existing CIP is 15K I believe...my thoughts mirror yours in that my I may be hitting the cap shortly for auto-approvals, but I may opt to only preemptively lower the CL if my next app goes 30 days again with the 7-10 day message. Though, hoping that's not the case and I can squeeze one more in before having to recon the next couple; though, I may be in the minority here as far as those who doesn't mind the business recon lol. The only part that I dread is the "please hold for 2-4 minutes" like 3-4 times during the recon call. Going for the SW CP later this year, so will need to tread carefully.

 

[gottalovepluto]

ohhhhh that's an option? I'd LOVE to get one of those for myself..... thanks! I have the reg. FR card already.... can I SM to do this?

You can try but recent reports are people have to call in now.

 

[SmallMama]

So I made the mistake of waiting to apply for the Advantage Platinum CC and now the bonus off drop for Citi to 30,000 and for Barclay 50,000. Unfortunate, the Citi-business is the only card with the 60,000. I wanted to have the card by April for my May trip (free checked bag), but not sure if they will offer the 60,000 bonus again. Do anyone know or seen if they offer the 60,000 airline miles often or should I just go ahead with the Barclay since their offer is better than Citi with no minimum spending?

 

[gottalovepluto]

-My husband doesn't *think* he has gotten any new cards in many years, and is willing to get a new one or two.
-Husband stays mainly at Hiltons for work, occasionally Marriott – has to book all work travel with company card.
-Recently I acquired the CSR (on 1/18/18) and already hit the minimum spend. I also applied for JetBlue Plus on 1/30/18 and am waiting for it to arrive in the next week. So now I think I'm done until 4/19/18 - is that right? When I'm able to, I'm thinking about applying for SW Premier and Business to try to get the CP. Do I apply for both on the same day?
-I'm thinking DH should go for the CIP, unless there are better suggestions. We have a DVC loan (I know, I know) that we are able to pay off. I kind of just forgot about it since it gets autodrafted from my account each month. Will this code as travel? If so, my thoughts are pay it with the CIP, get the 3x points and use it for the minimum spend.
-Pay off immediately.
-Travel plans for next year include trip from Boston to Phoenix (stay with inlaws) and then fly to CA to visit Disneyland for a few days (could use SW for these flights). Really want to travel 1st class from LAX to Boston. Hoping to use combo JB points/UR points for this. Hoping we'll be able to stay at Grand Californian on DVC points, but not sure we'll get in at 7 months booking window.

Hi!!

-Pull his credit report, you get a free credit report from each bureau once a year. Put it into your calendar to pull one of the bureaus full credit reports every 4 months for each of you so you know exactly where you stand on everything. Here is the government website with the link to the right website: https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/get-my-free-credit-report there are many out there that will try to charge for this info. You do not get a FICO score, or any score, with this report, just the info. For instant monitoring of your credit situations you should set up with Credit Karma and Experian, both free (Experian doesn't work with credit karma). Don't pay for anything if they try to sell you something. Both have apps!
-Bummer, my friend is the same, so much work travel but her company gets all the credit card perks except for the rewards program points/miles
-Why would you be done? What I think you need is a plan for you and DH! Others here can help with obtaining a CP for SW, I don't have SW at my airport so idk on that (or JB for that matter, I'm totally useless for your flight plans!)
-You can pay off your DVC loan with a credit card? do they charge a fee?
-DL is my home park!! #WestCoastBestCoast I have not tried for a DVC anything but I have read lots about them being hard to get at GCH so hope you get some !

 

[gottalovepluto]

So I made the mistake of waiting to apply for the Advantage Platinum CC and now the bonus off drop for Citi to 30,000 and for Barclay 50,000. Unfortunate, the Citi-business is the only card with the 60,000. I wanted to have the card by April for my May trip (free checked bag), but not sure if they will offer the 60,000 bonus again. Do anyone know or seen if they offer the 60,000 airline miles often or should I just go ahead with the Barclay since their offer is better than Citi with no minimum spending?

What's wrong with the Citi AA Biz card? My ebay "business" got one instantly with an obscene credit limit. Sole proprietor, business name is my name. Literally you have nothing but a hard pull to lose by trying for it. Try to get it now and bank those 60K points! Barclay personal one is easy pickings too, although you have to pay the AF. Still $95 for 60K AA miles? Yes please!! I'd Barclay first since they're pickier than Citi in general.

 

[speedyfishy]

Hi everyone, I've been reading on here for the last couple of weeks and think I am ready to jump in here. You all have such great advice and seem like a nice bunch!

A little about me:

Married with 2 kids (2 and 4), DVC members, live in Boston area. I've been using a Chase Disney Visa (the one with the fee) for as long as I can remember. I will PC to the free version before my next AF hits. My husband doesn't *think* he has gotten any new cards in many years, and is willing to get a new one or two.

Husband stays mainly at Hiltons for work, occasionally Marriott – has to book all work travel with company card.

Recently I acquired the CSR (on 1/18/18) and already hit the minimum spend. I also applied for JetBlue Plus on 1/30/18 and am waiting for it to arrive in the next week. So now I think I'm done until 4/19/18 - is that right? When I'm able to, I'm thinking about applying for SW Premier and Business to try to get the CP. Do I apply for both on the same day?

I'm thinking DH should go for the CIP, unless there are better suggestions. We have a DVC loan (I know, I know) that we are able to pay off. I kind of just forgot about it since it gets autodrafted from my account each month. Will this code as travel? If so, my thoughts are pay it with the CIP, get the 3x points and use it for the minimum spend. Pay off immediately.

Travel plans for next year include trip from Boston to Phoenix (stay with inlaws) and then fly to CA to visit Disneyland for a few days (could use SW for these flights). Really want to travel 1st class from LAX to Boston. Hoping to use combo JB points/UR points for this. Hoping we'll be able to stay at Grand Californian on DVC points, but not sure we'll get in at 7 months booking window.

WDW in late fall- will stay on DVC points, but would like to cover flights on either SW or JB.

Our travel for this year is already paid for except the remaining balance on a cruise in the fall.

Any and all advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Welcome! I’m fairly new at this, but I think your plan sounds good. I don’t think you need to wait until April for more cards though, but you should take it slow with Chase, so waiting isn’t a bad idea. Maybe look into Amex Business Cards to spread out chase applications if you can.

You can get the SW business and premier on the same day. Make sure you go for the business card first. For chase business cards you have to be 0/30 (days).

I don’t know if the DVC loan will code as travel.

Your DH should get the CIP. He should also double dip on the same day and get the CSP and CSR. It’s up to you what you want to do first. Make sure you refer your DH for the CSR.

Also, make sure you DH has rewards accounts with Marriott and Hilton, so he can be getting points for his work stays.

 

[schmass]

Hi!!

-Pull his credit report, you get a free credit report from each bureau once a year. Put it into your calendar to pull one of the bureaus full credit reports every 4 months for each of you so you know exactly where you stand on everything. Here is the government website with the link to the right website: https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/get-my-free-credit-report there are many out there that will try to charge for this info. You do not get a FICO score, or any score, with this report, just the info. For instant monitoring of your credit situations you should set up with Credit Karma and Experian, both free (Experian doesn't work with credit karma). Don't pay for anything if they try to sell you something. Both have apps!
-Bummer, my friend is the same, so much work travel but her company gets all the credit card perks except for the rewards program points/miles
-Why would you be done? What I think you need is a plan for you and DH! Others here can help with obtaining a CP for SW, I don't have SW at my airport so idk on that (or JB for that matter, I'm totally useless for your flight plans!)
-You can pay off your DVC loan with a credit card? do they charge a fee?
-DL is my home park!! #WestCoastBestCoast I have not tried for a DVC anything but I have read lots about them being hard to get at GCH so hope you get some !

Thanks for the response!

I will definitely pull both mine and his credit reports and see what they say. Thanks for the link!

I thought that since I got a CSR on 1/18/18 that I need to wait 90 days before getting a new card with Chase - am I wrong on this?

Yesterday I did a test payment for the DVC loan of $50 on my CSR. It is still pending with Chase, so I can't see if there's a fee there or if I got 3x pts. On the DVC website, there's no fee, just a $50 payment.

 

[schmass]

Welcome! I’m fairly new at this, but I think your plan sounds good. I don’t think you need to wait until April for more cards though, but you should take it slow with Chase, so waiting isn’t a bad idea. Maybe look into Amex Business Cards to spread out chase applications if you can.

Thanks! I definitely agree that I should wait a bit to apply for a new one.

You can get the SW business and premier on the same day. Make sure you go for the business card first. For chase business cards you have to be 0/30 (days).

Okay, so if I wait a month or two, I'll apply for the SW business and then immediately go for the premier?

I don’t know if the DVC loan will code as travel.

Me neither, but I'm hoping so!

Your DH should get the CIP. He should also double dip on the same day and get the CSP and CSR. It’s up to you what you want to do first. Make sure you refer your DH for the CSR.

I think we'll start with the CIP. I'm not sure if we'll be able to meet the MS for the other two, but we'll see!

Also, make sure you DH has rewards accounts with Marriott and Hilton, so he can be getting points for his work stays.

Yes, definitely! We each have Marriott, Hilton, and SPG!

 

[wendow]

Thanks for the response!

I will definitely pull both mine and his credit reports and see what they say. Thanks for the link!

I thought that since I got a CSR on 1/18/18 that I need to wait 90 days before getting a new card with Chase - am I wrong on this?

Yesterday I did a test payment for the DVC loan of $50 on my CSR. It is still pending with Chase, so I can't see if there's a fee there or if I got 3x pts. On the DVC website, there's no fee, just a $50 payment.

You do not need to wait 90 days for a new Chase card but Chase is cracking down more and more so mixing other bank's cards into the mix is not a bad idea. Amex biz cards are a fav around here for doing just that!!

I'm not sure about the DVC loan either. That would be great if it would code 3x. If not, once your dh gets the CIP, you could consider using plastiq to pay the loan and that would maybe code 3x. If you join the reddit DIS churners group we have, @Lain has a great write up on using plastiq.

 

[schmass]

You do not need to wait 90 days for a new Chase card but Chase is cracking down more and more so mixing other bank's cards into the mix is not a bad idea. Amex biz cards are a fav around here for doing just that!!

I'm not sure about the DVC loan either. That would be great if it would code 3x. If not, once your dh gets the CIP, you could consider using plastiq to pay the loan and that would maybe code 3x. If you join the reddit DIS churners group we have, @Lain has a great write up on using plastiq.

Thanks! I will look into Reddit - I don't have an account there yet!