I love credit cards so much!

[peel]

When I applied for the Hilton card I knew I'd have a big expense coming up and was looking for a good sign up bonus. I was also attracted to the perks: Priority Pass, Gold status, and of course the 100k bonus sounded good. My daughter's gymnastics team travels and often stays at Hampton Inn, so I can use the points for those rooms. I'll save them for next competition season. In the meantime I still have $4200 to meet my min spend, while I really should be accumulated Starwood points to pay for some of our hotels for our August road trip. I change my mind a lot regarding our travel plans and that is why I often end up making decisions that are questionable.

Don't fret, I don't have a big plan for our points either. I have lots of destinations I want to go, but then things pop up that derail any long term plans for major trips. We tend to book trips around bands we want to see, and shows are obviously not announced way in advance. I like collecting points so that we are able to take advantage of these opportunities when they arise. So far, I've focused mostly on UR and SPG because they're so versatile, but we're also working on Hilton because DH spends at least one night a week in a Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn for work. He can't pay with his personal card, but he gets the points. So we decided to focus on bonuses that would add to his Hilton stash. We're probably going to Ireland in August, and it's nice to know we have a lot of Hilton points for hotels along the other points. Once I'm over 5/24, I'm thinking about dipping my toe in MR waters, but I feel like I might get overwhelmed by spreading our spending out across so many cards.

 

[MrPTato]

Oh wow, cool! I'm in Coventry so not too far! Hi neighbor

Smithfield here!

 

[Alexle2007]

I'm with you!

I've been traveling with extra quilts for a long time. I'm talking about the thinner ones that fold up fairly small, not something big and puffy. It started with my desire to sit on something with a softer feel then the ejecto couch at DVC Hilton Head - hard and slippery - so I went over to the Belk store near the resort and bought a clearance one for $15 one time we were there. Now I watch for the quilts on sale and keep a few in the vehicle. I travel by driving on all my east coast trips to HH, Florida and New England, so these come in handy, especially when my daughter is along who thinks it's hot everywhere. I keep them in a zip up plastic and wash them after a trip so I know they are clean.

I do the exact same thing! I take a king size sheet to cover the bed and then 3 smaller blankets so we each have one and two pillows (DS and I get those). We never sleep in the hotel bedding.

 

[jhoannam]

When I applied for the Hilton card I knew I'd have a big expense coming up and was looking for a good sign up bonus. I was also attracted to the perks: Priority Pass, Gold status, and of course the 100k bonus sounded good. My daughter's gymnastics team travels and often stays at Hampton Inn, so I can use the points for those rooms. I'll save them for next competition season. In the meantime I still have $4200 to meet my min spend, while I really should be accumulated Starwood points to pay for some of our hotels for our August road trip. I change my mind a lot regarding our travel plans and that is why I often end up making decisions that are questionable.

I know the feeling, we are in the middle of MS and should be putting spend on SPG too.

 

[Alexle2007]

We have BGE and I've been paying with a CC for the last year. It's a fixed $1.50 fee and you can pay with a CC up to $600 per transaction, which works out to be 0.25%. It's great for MSR, esp. Amex since Amex is accepted and for 0.25%, it's a steal over Plastiq. Definitely consider it.

Thanks! Yes, much better deal than Plastiq. Hmmm, with $600 I could prepay our electric for a bit since this month’s bill was only $89.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

DH called in last week to get his CSR PCd to Chase Freedom. Now I’m positive he asked for Chase Freedom because I wrote things down for him and he would have no knowledge that there was anything called a Chase Freedom Unlimited. When the mail came today we got the wrong card. I sent SM to Chase. Their reply was of course we can help you, just call the number on the back of the card

 

[Lain]

Anyone here sign up for the new Chase Business Unlimited card? I have seen lots of blogs about it, but haven't seen many mention it here. Are there referrals for this card?

There was some initial excitement when it first came out...but I think we are all in agreement that CIP and CIC are better options than CIU. So it’s a distant 3rd place in terms of UR earning biz cards. Plus if you factor in other Chase biz cards (SW and Marriott being 2 major ones) it’s not really a focus card for most of us now. It’s also subject to 5/24 so that rules some people out. IF the CIC 50k UR bonus goes away and CIU stayed at 50k then I’d think it would get a lot more publicity here.

The only card of any of those mentioned here that has a “support” link is CIP I believe. But I don’t think any of us around here really make card recommendations with “support” links in mind.

Thanks for the input. Definitely some new things to think about. My DH just signed up for the CIP in branch and I already have the CIC. Right now we focus on Hilton and Delta (ATL hub). We are both well under 5/24 since we are slow churners. When I asked about the referrals, I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't signing up without giving back. I think everyone on here is great about not recommending with their support links in mind! Just didn't want to miss an opportunity to give back since we signed up in branch for the CIP. Thanks everyone!

Here's my take on the CIU -- the only thing really exciting about it is the big $500/50,000 UR signup bonus. Its featured benefit is the same as the CFU -- 1.5x UR on every purchase.

A lot of people already have the CFU because that's a popular no fee card to downgrade a Sapphire fee card to. There's no reason to hold two 1.5x UR cards (the CFU and the CIU) when there's no cap on how much you can earn on either one card. And relatedly, just like how the CFU is a card one typically downgrades to, rather signs up for; the CIU has that same problem.

@SouthFayetteFan is right that the CIU is at best a 3rd choice business card. And when most people are looking at Chase approving them for only 2-3 business cards, without signing up for EINs to apply for more under, they have to be picky. The CIP offers a much more lucrative 80,000 UR (100k UR in branch/120k UR targeted) signup bonus, and the CIC currently has the same 50,000 UR bonus offer. But more importantly, the CIP and CIC offer useful benefits that are complimentary to a well-rounded wallet of other Chase cards, not duplicative. This ignores the SW Biz and Marriott Biz, which offer their own lucrative bonuses and would get you around the new One SW (Personal) Card and One Marriott (Personal) Card rules.

The CIP earns 3x UR on Plastiq; cable/internet/phone, which overlaps the CIC's 5x UR bonus category, but includes phone insurance that is not offered on the CIC; and eBay seller fees and eBay shipping, along with shipping through USPS/UPS/FedEx. The CIC earns 5x UR at office supply stores, which is great for physical gift cards; cable/internet/phone for apps like Gyft, Swych, and services like Netflix and Hulu; and 2x UR on gas. If you're trying to carry a wallet that has a Chase card for almost everything, it'd probably include the CSR (3x UR on dining and travel, and 1.5x redemption), CIP (3x UR on Plastiq for bills you can't pay with a credit card, and your cell phone bill for the insurance), CIC (5x UR on gift cards to places where you dine and shop), CF (probably downgraded from some other card for 5x UR quarterly bonus categories) -- and if all these other cards can't earn you 3x or 5x UR on some kind of payment, then it helps to have a "better than 1x" CFU or CIU for 1.5x UR on everything else.

1.5x UR on everything is simply not exciting when people can do better by being more aware of the category of their purchases and using the right card from a mix of Chase's other cards that'll earn you the best bonus. The CFU and CIU are the cards you throw spend on when its in a category that doesn't earn 3x or 5x UR on any of your other Chase cards. And arguably, you could do better by putting that miscellaneous spend towards a new card's MSR.

All that said, I will probably sign my DW up for a CIU. Here's why:

- We don't have the CFU, so no 1.5x UR on everything card.
- DW only has 1 Chase business card, the CIP, which she doesn't get much use out of, so the plan was to cancel or downgrade it to a no fee card after a year.
- I already have the CIC, and don't foresee needing a second CIC in the household for going past the $25,000 cap on the 5x UR bonus.
- The CIU is a no fee card.
- It's more lucrative to sign up for the CIU with a 50,000 UR signup bonus than get nothing for downgrading CIP>CIU. (I can eventually cancel the CIP and free up a slot of other biz cards.)
- The CIU is a biz card that won't add to DW's 5/24 count.
- The CIU is a biz card, so I can request an "employee card" for myself without adding to my 5/24 count.
- The CIU is simple to understand for my reluctant Player 2: "CSR for travel and dining. CIU for everything else." Asking DW to remember where to use only 2 cards would help her out a lot.

 

[Lain]

Hey there, I live in Davis and I had no idea flights from SMF to Orlando could be so affordable! Every time I’ve checked it’s been but around $500. I know SW recently added a direct route so I’ll have to check that out. I wish we could go in September but DS10’s soccer and school schedule make it impossible.

Nice lookin' new avatar you've got there, @Angrose.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

@SouthFayetteFan is right...

I REALLY enjoyed this part of your comment

 

[Lain]

I agree that the RI and springhill both look great! We've currently rebooked at the HOJO mainly for distance reasons.

Wow, I didn't think the HOJO was even on your radar! We've never stayed there, but hear good things.

 

[Lain]

Who’s gone to Disneyland during Christmas? We want to go Christmas 2019, once Star Wars land is open. We are going to try to talk DH’s parents into spending the week of Christmas in SoCal. They are WorldMark owners so we are hoping we can stay using their points. But I’m worried about going during Christmas.

Christmas week leading to New Year's is the busiest time of the year. The parks typically close to new entries and re-entries during this week. Disney blocks out all APs except the most expensive Signature Plus AP, but it will still be a madhouse. I can't even imagine how much worse it'll be when Star Wars Galaxy's Edge opens up.

 

[Lain]

Catching up on several days of reading. Plastiq question concerning CSP. As mentioned in an earlier post, I will have a $2,500.00 bill to a landscape contractor I would like to run through Plastiq. My CL on the CSP is only $8,000. With the new 20% of CL limit, that means I could only pay a bill up to $1,600.00. If I could get the contractor to agree to two separate bills-one for $1,600 and one for $900.00, would that be a work around the new Visa rules? Thanks!

That should be fine. In any case, Plastiq would give you a warning message before you hit submit if a payment will process as a cash advance.

 

[Albort]

Did someone here say never to buy gc at staples using amex? is this any type of gc,or just the visa gc for MS? B/c I got the staples offer but it's on an Amex biz card...

amex co brand or amex MRs. Amex co brand are a bit more relaxed vs amex MR cards. consensus is not to buy visa gift cards. any type of GC is okay with co brands, im not sure about MRs.
I have a level3 DP where i bought a $100 GC, i did receive points for it.

Lastly, avoid if your still making MSR

- We don't have the CFU, so no 1.5x UR on everything card.
- DW only has 1 Chase business card, the CIP, which she doesn't get much use out of, so the plan was to cancel or downgrade it to a no fee card after a year.
- I already have the CIC, and don't foresee needing a second CIC in the household for going past the $25,000 cap on the 5x UR bonus.
- The CIU is a no fee card.
- It's more lucrative to sign up for the CIU with a 50,000 UR signup bonus than get nothing for downgrading CIP>CIU. (I can eventually cancel the CIP and free up a slot of other biz cards.)
- The CIU is a biz card that won't add to DW's 5/24 count.
- The CIU is a biz card, so I can request an "employee card" for myself without adding to my 5/24 count.
- The CIU is simple to understand for my reluctant Player 2: "CSR for travel and dining. CIU for everything else." Asking DW to remember where to use only 2 cards would help her out a lot.

also wanted to note, CIU also could be a good idea to do if in the future you want to go apply at an inquiry sensitive bank ie, CFU will hit your credit report, CIU should not.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I got mine a week ago and have $4200 more to put on it. However, I am really second guessing my decision to get this card. I love Starwood hotels and I really should not have ventured into a new hotel chain so I can keep my rewards focused with Starwood. Plus, the points for the Hilton card are so limited in how they can be used (effectively at least). No membership rewards. Gah, should have opened a different Amex. Sure, lower points but useful ones for myself. I'm sure it will be useful to you, just talking about my own situation.

Oh no... I’m sorry. do you have a plan of the cards you need to get?

I’ve followed everyone’s advice. Start planning and saving points 2 years in advance.

I have a plan that I put in place 8 months ago for our summer 2019 vacation. The cards have changed up a bit because of the new rules and whatnot, but I don’t get a card if I don’t have use for the points. The Amex Hilton in on my list but we plan to use the points for our 2019 vacation. I have earned points faster than anticipated so I was able to add a vacation this year, but we already had the points and we still have plenty of time to continue to earn for our next trip.

I’m sorry you’re regretting your Hilton card! I’m also following the advice of trying to plan 2 years out. I’ve been doing UR earning cards since 9/17 for my 9/19 Disney trip. I also got a Marriott card because I stay at two high end Marriotts every year for work, and we prefer Marriott hotels and rewards over other hotels. I decided to go for the Hilton though because I plan to go to Japan in 8/20 and know that at the very least I will be staying at he Hilton near Tokyo Disney for two nights, so I’ll plan on using points for that. I’m sure I’ll find other use for Hilton points or earning between now and then (staying at the Hilton by DL this July and getting a GREAT return on my cash booking with triple points with my Hilton card), but I can see how it looks like a really long time to wait to use those points. I want to keep accruing URs but I’m planning to get the SPG card whenever they come out with the new offers for that.

I guess that’s just a long way of saying you may not see the immediate need for a card, but it could be helpful in the long run!

 

[Lain]

also wanted to note, CIU also could be a good idea to do if in the future you want to go apply at an inquiry sensitive bank ie, CFU will hit your credit report, CIU should not.

Well, kinda. CIU won't show as an account on a personal credit report, so won't count against 5/24; but CFU would show and count. However, you'll get a hard inquiry from Chase for either card.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

@mefordis and any others considering Hilton points in the future...

Hilton points are easy to earn...and perhaps for a reason. They can be challenging to use and properties are expensive. There are also limited flexible redemption methods. A good example is their TERRIBLE airline transfer rates (6.67:1 with American; 10:1 with Delta/United)!! Compare that to the new Marriott plan which will work at 2.4:1 when transferring 60k at a time. OR the even more lucrative nights and flights packages! And don’t even get me started on Hilton’s terrible program with using points on Amazon.

I’ve mentioned before that I like to have a backup plan for my points. Marriott points can work for hotels, transfer to airlines, or even cashed out to gift cards. I recently used up all of my Hilton points and have no plans to earn more. For those that like to stay at Hilton properties and understand their value and how to use them, they can be great. For others...I’d probably steer clear.

 

[Lain]

I am considering getting the SPG business card.
I am taking a break for awhile with Chase and the only business card from Amex that interests me isn’t the SPG one. I see on Reddit it says to ask here before applying so I thought I’d run it by you guys first.
I know the $200 statement isn’t a great offer but Im staying at two Sheraton within a year so it would get used .
Also would like an Amex to get all these offers you guys are getting.

The "$200" statement credit is so terrible compared to the 25k/35k Starpoints offers back before April. I agree with @Albort that you might want to wait on the SPG Biz until after 8/1/18. Rumor is Amex will continue issuing the SPG biz and personal, in addition to a new luxury card, into next year when the Marriott/SPG/Ritz-Carlton brands completely merge, and that Amex will have rich signup bonuses coming:
Yes, the Starwood Amex Really Will Stop Taking Applications Next Year, Bet On It
American Express WON’T Continue To Issue Personal SPG Cards Long Term (Rich Sign Up Bonus To Come)
Amex SPG Personal Card Won’t Be Discontinued & Rich Signup Bonus Coming Soon

In the meantime, what do you think of the Amex Blue Business Plus (BBP), which has a 20,000 MR targeted offer after a $5k/3 months MSR, or a 10,000 MR offer via referral after a $3k/3 months MSR. The BBP has no fee so makes for a great card to park MR points, won't report to your personal credit report or count against 5/24, and earns 2x MR on every purchase up to $50k.

Or the Hilton Biz, which has a high offer of 125,000 HH points + $50 statement credit after a $5k/3 months MSR.

 

[MrPTato]

Thanks! Yes, much better deal than Plastiq. Hmmm, with $600 I could prepay our electric for a bit since this month’s bill was only $89.

I wish mine was that low...I fell like we don't use much power and mine is double yours. I guess different parts of the country have different rates.

 

[mefordis]

I’m sorry you’re regretting your Hilton card! I’m also following the advice of trying to plan 2 years out. I’ve been doing UR earning cards since 9/17 for my 9/19 Disney trip. I also got a Marriott card because I stay at two high end Marriotts every year for work, and we prefer Marriott hotels and rewards over other hotels. I decided to go for the Hilton though because I plan to go to Japan in 8/20 and know that at the very least I will be staying at he Hilton near Tokyo Disney for two nights, so I’ll plan on using points for that. I’m sure I’ll find other use for Hilton points or earning between now and then (staying at the Hilton by DL this July and getting a GREAT return on my cash booking with triple points with my Hilton card), but I can see how it looks like a really long time to wait to use those points. I want to keep accruing URs but I’m planning to get the SPG card whenever they come out with the new offers for that.

I guess that’s just a long way of saying you may not see the immediate need for a card, but it could be helpful in the long run!

I don't think I'm really regretting the Hilton card, I just think I question myself a lot! I know I can use those points, though, and there is also a free night per year, I believe. I am also going to DLR this JUly! I used URs to book a room at the DL Hotel. Was so happy to be able to do that! It took a lot of points but we love staying there and I have to try to keep this CA trip budget down as much as possible!

 

[mefordis]

@mefordis and any others considering Hilton points in the future...

Hilton points are easy to earn...and perhaps for a reason. They can be challenging to use and properties are expensive. There are also limited flexible redemption methods. A good example is their TERRIBLE airline transfer rates (6.67:1 with American; 10:1 with Delta/United)!! Compare that to the new Marriott plan which will work at 2.4:1 when transferring 60k at a time. OR the even more lucrative nights and flights packages! And don’t even get me started on Hilton’s terrible program with using points on Amazon.

I’ve mentioned before that I like to have a backup plan for my points. Marriott points can work for hotels, transfer to airlines, or even cashed out to gift cards. I recently used up all of my Hilton points and have no plans to earn more. For those that like to stay at Hilton properties and understand their value and how to use them, they can be great. For others...I’d probably steer clear.

Thanks so much for the input. I didn't think this one through. I looked into the airline miles transfer and dang - no way. Too little return as you point out. I think I'll keep the card for the Hampton Inn stays next year for my daughter's gymnastics meets, then maybe close it? Or do I get a free night annually? If so, that would make it worth the $95 annual fee alone.