I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

Holy moly! 77%!?!?

And that is exactly why we should not hoard them!! Wow, that is a huge increase!!

 

[trenty]

I've only done it once because as a big family, we tend to get a refund check that is enough to actually pay for the executive membership. The one time I got the difference, they gave me the refund check amount plus the difference between that and the membership cost. So, using your numbers, the $45 rebate check plus an additional $15.

We have had costco membership a little over a year. Last year we bought a few big ticket items so our refund check was higher than the difference. This year I seem to be shopping there less and so far no big ticket items, so I don't expect to break even. It is good to be reminded that they will refund the difference

 

[DisneyMandC]

If using just 5k URs gives you anxiety you do have a problem!

Now is a wonderful time to remind everyone points devalue and programs change, sometimes overnight. Today’s example: Qatar Airlines https://thepointsguy.com/news/qatar-increases-award-prices-77-percent/

LOL someone couldn’t have pointed out earlier that I was talking about $50?! Obviously should’ve been 500k, or roughly $5000 is what I was going for!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

FYI, it’s addicting.

Haha! Sure is. I would've moved on to the next one today if I weren't waiting for DH's new amex to come in the mail for funding it.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

LOL someone couldn’t have pointed out earlier that I was talking about $50?! Obviously should’ve been 500k, or roughly $5000 is what I was going for!

I figured that was what you meant.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

I need help to decide which card to apply for tomorrow. Either I will join @LB002 and go for the double dip or I will apply for the CIP using DH’s referral. I would like to do both this year, as soon as safely possible. Which one is best to start with? I need all 3 sign up bonuses plus the CSR multiplier to use for my holiday wdw trip in December. Being 0/24 with no Chase history, is it better to start with the DD or the CIP? If it makes no difference, do you think there would be a better offer later this year for the CSR/CSP? If I get the CSR now, I could definitely use the $300 travel credit next month plus then I could pool DH’s CIP/CIC points. But the DD process is a bit scary compared to the CIP.

Also, I booked a package with Disney and plan to transfer it to Chase within 30 days. Based on my understanding, I will be able to earn UR points and pay with them, plus GCs, and any balance 30 days before check in day. Do you all agree? I can spend the next 6 months earning UR and collecting GCs and pay it all off in a one-time combined payment? DH keeps telling me to double check on this cause he thinks I’m crazy, lol.

 

[wendow]

We have had costco membership a little over a year. Last year we bought a few big ticket items so our refund check was higher than the difference. This year I seem to be shopping there less and so far no big ticket items, so I don't expect to break even. It is good to be reminded that they will refund the difference

It's a nice benefit they offer! The one year that we didn't buy enough to make the executive worth it was the year we sold our house and lived in a hotel for 3 1/2 mos. Not only did I quit shopping for bulk items well before we put our house on the market but then definitely didn't buy anything while in the hotel. So, we lost about 6 mos and our rebate check was like $42. In a normal year for us, our rebate check is $130-150.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I figured that was what you meant.

I didn’t! I was honest to God a bit worried about @DisneyMandC Happy to know worries are unfounded... Also prob wouldn’t have been worried if I hadn’t decided catching up on the DIS while drinking wine and cooking dinner was a good idea. Beginning to think not the best idea but why should I let good sense stop me? I’m dedicated to catching up at this point.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I need help to decide which card to apply for tomorrow. Either I will join @LB002 and go for the double dip or I will apply for the CIP using DH’s referral. I would like to do both this year, as soon as safely possible. Which one is best to start with? I need all 3 sign up bonuses plus the CSR multiplier to use for my holiday wdw trip in December. Being 0/24 with no Chase history, is it better to start with the DD or the CIP? If it makes no difference, do you think there would be a better offer later this year for the CSR/CSP? If I get the CSR now, I could definitely use the $300 travel credit next month plus then I could pool DH’s CIP/CIC points. But the DD process is a bit scary compared to the CIP.

Also, I booked a package with Disney and plan to transfer it to Chase within 30 days. Based on my understanding, I will be able to earn UR points and pay with them, plus GCs, and any balance 30 days before check in day. Do you all agree? I can spend the next 6 months earning UR and collecting GCs and pay it all off in a one-time combined payment? DH keeps telling me to double check on this cause he thinks I’m crazy, lol.

Personally I would double dip first because
1) secure the 1.5x redemption rate and get the double dip
and
2) the double dip is just a loophole, none of us know how long it will last

 

[WVMomof3]

Have had a busy 3 weeks with graduation and company. @wendow you did it right to have it all in the same day! I had a week between graduation and party and company for days and days and days. I'm exhausted! Have been trying to skim posts every night but just now logging in since Thursday. Only 486 messages to catch up. I still need to figure out about funding a new bank account with my cc for my DDs graduation money. I plan on putting it all in PNC but not sure if there are different rules for student accounts since they are fee free. Anyone with experience on student accounts? I am still in between MSRs so I guess I will just use the card she is an AU on.

 

[Albort]

And like @disneymagicgirl mentioned, transferring to travel partners stresses me out because I'm so worried our plans will change and our points will be stuck!

Some Airline programs will allow you to book a reservation and then transfer your points over. Some are done instantly so while your on the phone with them, you can transfer and book instantaneously. Only issue i know is SPG transfer to partners... I think MR and UR are typically very quick.

I need help to decide which card to apply for tomorrow. Either I will join @LB002 and go for the double dip or I will apply for the CIP using DH’s referral. I would like to do both this year, as soon as safely possible. Which one is best to start with? I need all 3 sign up bonuses plus the CSR multiplier to use for my holiday wdw trip in December. Being 0/24 with no Chase history, is it better to start with the DD or the CIP? If it makes no difference, do you think there would be a better offer later this year for the CSR/CSP? If I get the CSR now, I could definitely use the $300 travel credit next month plus then I could pool DH’s CIP/CIC points. But the DD process is a bit scary compared to the CIP.

Also, I booked a package with Disney and plan to transfer it to Chase within 30 days. Based on my understanding, I will be able to earn UR points and pay with them, plus GCs, and any balance 30 days before check in day. Do you all agree? I can spend the next 6 months earning UR and collecting GCs and pay it all off in a one-time combined payment? DH keeps telling me to double check on this cause he thinks I’m crazy, lol.

i think it comes down to what category you will be hitting. if you have no Chase history, it might get in the way, u have at least a year of AoA right? Like what @gottalovepluto said, the double dipping is a loophole which is possible of not getting the 105k in the future, but 80k is also close to that. So yeah, see what category you find yourself spending the most and go for that is my suggestion. If your planning on using a ton of plastiq, i would suggest CIP first. If Dining and travel will be plentiful in the near future, CSR/CSP combo would be my suggestion. Just keep in mind to follow Shutdown rules. */3 */6 */12. try to keep below 2/3 3/6 5/12.

also for future planning the CSP would probably turn into a 5x freedom card or a 1.5x anything, this could also overweigh the CIP.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You didn't miss it. It's 65K for $4K in 4 months, with the first year $99 AF waived. I don't see any 24 month language in the fine print, but I think you would know where to find it better than I would.

And FYI the code can be used multiple times, I don’t believe Reddit has been able to establish just how many times (or if there is even a limit) but they have established it doesn’t work after the person who received it uses it.

 

[wendow]

I need help to decide which card to apply for tomorrow. Either I will join @LB002 and go for the double dip or I will apply for the CIP using DH’s referral. I would like to do both this year, as soon as safely possible. Which one is best to start with? I need all 3 sign up bonuses plus the CSR multiplier to use for my holiday wdw trip in December. Being 0/24 with no Chase history, is it better to start with the DD or the CIP? If it makes no difference, do you think there would be a better offer later this year for the CSR/CSP? If I get the CSR now, I could definitely use the $300 travel credit next month plus then I could pool DH’s CIP/CIC points. But the DD process is a bit scary compared to the CIP.

Also, I booked a package with Disney and plan to transfer it to Chase within 30 days. Based on my understanding, I will be able to earn UR points and pay with them, plus GCs, and any balance 30 days before check in day. Do you all agree? I can spend the next 6 months earning UR and collecting GCs and pay it all off in a one-time combined payment? DH keeps telling me to double check on this cause he thinks I’m crazy, lol.

The CIP bonus is the same as it's always been. I would not expect either of the CSP/CSR bonus to change. The CSR is a very popular card and Chase has had great retention rates. The CSP did have an increase in the bonus for a short time but then they didn't waive the AF so it was essentially the same. I would encourage the double dip first. It's more UR's and like @gottalovepluto mentioned, it's a loophole that none of us knows how long it will last. Get it while it's still available Good luck either way! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

 

[snugglebug]

I'm not sure if you saw where I posted about this a couple weeks ago, but in my hotel researching I found that the hilton hawaiian village waikiki has rooms that hold all 6 of us for a reasonable price! Obviously, it is more pricey at peak times, but assuming you don't want new years it is a good deal...in comparison to 2 rooms at Grand Wailea. The rooms have 3 double beds. View attachment 325549 For example, these are the prices for a random week in October. For us to stay at Grand Wailea on points it would be 95k points/night x2 rooms. So this is more reasonable, but esp reasonable booking on the UR portal for about 25k URs per night!

Those are the two at the top of my list. I'm pretty sure my oldest son won't be joining us, we're waiting to find out his first duty station. My oldest daughter might, but her girlfriend is thinking of joining the Air Force so that may impact things. So I'm kind of planning for 4 with the idea that 2 more may join. We would probably go next September, homeschool so no school schedule to worry about I lean away from double beds becuase my husband would need a bed to himself then, he's just too tall.

Option B is California and most likely DisneyLand and Option C is maybe visiting my son whereever he may land. I'll focus on it more in late June after the boot camp graduation and moving.

 

[wendow]

Have had a busy 3 weeks with graduation and company. @wendow you did it right to have it all in the same day! I had a week between graduation and party and company for days and days and days. I'm exhausted! Have been trying to skim posts every night but just now logging in since Thursday. Only 486 messages to catch up. I still need to figure out about funding a new bank account with my cc for my DDs graduation money. I plan on putting it all in PNC but not sure if there are different rules for student accounts since they are fee free. Anyone with experience on student accounts? I am still in between MSRs so I guess I will just use the card she is an AU on.

It's funny cause last week and weekend I was so overwhelmed with the graduation stuff, family and the party, and I was wishing I had the extra week like a lot of my dd's friends had. But once that party was done, wow, the sense of relief was great. Just knowing I was DONE! We spend this weekend attending more parties and at every one of them, I just enjoyed knowing we crammed it in and got it done. Anyways...did you have your party yet, or is it next weekend?? I can't remember. If it's done, how did it go?

I'm going to open an account with a bonus for my dd too but I was also wondering if a 18yo could open an account and earn a bonus? I'm not sure what to do. I haven't looked into it much yet.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Personally I would double dip first because
1) secure the 1.5x redemption rate and get the double dip
and
2) the double dip is just a loophole, none of us know how long it will last

I had not thought of it that way. Good point. Don’t want to lose out completely.

i think it comes down to what category you will be hitting. if you have no Chase history, it might get in the way, u have at least a year of AoA right? Like what @gottalovepluto said, the double dipping is a loophole which is possible of not getting the 105k in the future, but 80k is also close to that. So yeah, see what category you find yourself spending the most and go for that is my suggestion. If your planning on using a ton of plastiq, i would suggest CIP first. If Dining and travel will be plentiful in the near future, CSR/CSP combo would be my suggestion. Just keep in mind to follow Shutdown rules. */3 */6 */12. try to keep below 2/3 3/6 5/12.

also for future planning the CSP would probably turn into a 5x freedom card or a 1.5x anything, this could also overweigh the CIP.

My AoA is >20 years lol, just no Chase and I will have travel expense plus plastiq. I could meet either MSR. What do you mean about the freedom overweighting the CSP?

 

[Albort]

I had not thought of it that way. Good point. Don’t want to lose out completely.


My AoA is >20 years lol, just no Chase and I will have travel expense plus plastiq. I could meet either MSR. What do you mean about the freedom overweighting the CSP?

the CSP and CSR benefits overlap. the only good thing to hold onto the CSP is that you can have a lot of AU on that. Most people would downgrade that to a Freedom card which earns 5x on rotating Categories. its one less hardpull to worry about.

 

[wendow]

We told our kids about the DLR/Legoland trip tonight! They are super excited (well, my girls are excited about DL...meh about Legoland), especially since it's so close. We normally tell them about WDW when we are like 200 days out lol.

Can I ask a couple questions here since several of you know DL very well? We normally do one character breakfast. Is there one you would recommend? I'd love for my kids to get to meet some different characters than we typically do at WDW. We will be there June 20-23. Not sure how early all these book up there.

Also, we have one magic morning since we have 4-day tix. Is it better to use it for DL or DCA?

 

[snugglebug]

DH is an AU on my CSP. Do I need to remove him before I refer him? All of his other cards are over 10 years old. I want to refer him to CSP and downgrade mine which is up for renewal next month. We (hopefully) close on our house in 2 weeks and as soon as that's done, like same or next day lol, I want to get him started. I'm leaning toward not getting him the CSR and dealing with a double dip and increased MSR and will likely just keep mine.

 

[speedyfishy]

Have had a busy 3 weeks with graduation and company. @wendow you did it right to have it all in the same day! I had a week between graduation and party and company for days and days and days. I'm exhausted! Have been trying to skim posts every night but just now logging in since Thursday. Only 486 messages to catch up. I still need to figure out about funding a new bank account with my cc for my DDs graduation money. I plan on putting it all in PNC but not sure if there are different rules for student accounts since they are fee free. Anyone with experience on student accounts? I am still in between MSRs so I guess I will just use the card she is an AU on.

I opened the PNC student account and funded with the CIP. It’s free for me. I deposit my money orders there and then transfer to my main bank and frequently have under a $1 in the account and it’s been fine.