I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

Were you flying out of a gate by the lounge...we fly SW and the lounges aren’t by those gates unfortunately

This is why we never use the PP lounge at MCO

 

[Lain]

Well my plan isn’t working. After 35 mins on the phone with Chase recon I’m still denied for the CIC. I tried for this card back in April and couldn’t get it either. Do I move on? And just try for the CSP/CSR? They said my credit limit is too high with them. I just lowered them all back in May and I’m way under 50% of income. Think it would be easier to get the CSP/CSR over the CIC? Should I do the Amex SPG personal and lux still? Ugh, I wish this would have worked lol now my decisions got a lot harder

I'm sorry to read about the denial. That's rough.

Is there any more CL from Chase that you can trim while still keeping enough to reallocate to open a CSR ($10k) or CSP ($5k)?

You won't be able to try for the CSR/CSP until next month. But if CLs are an issue, approval could be tough. You need a minimum CL of $10k to open a CSR. And if you're approved for the CSR, it's usually with a big CL, which might pose a problem for the CSP. So leave some CL on your other Chase cards to offer to reallocate. On the other hand, Chase personal apps more often than not get insta-approval, unlike Chase business apps.

You'll have to roll the dice on the Amex SPG cards. You may still be at 1/90, so you have to choose whether to apply for the SPG Lux or Personal. For the reasons I outlined above, you should go for the Lux or else you'll be shut out of the Lux on and after 8/26. You can go for the SPG personal later. Amex is pretty easy with their approvals, so if you go for the Lux you'll likely get approved. That'll take you to 5/24 in about ~2 months. So going for the SPG Lux forces you to go for the CSR+CSP. In those 2 months, you need to double dip the CSR+CSP or you'll be locked out until your next oldest card ages past of 24 months. But of course, at this point, you don't know if you'll be approved for the CSR and CSP.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Well my plan isn’t working. After 35 mins on the phone with Chase recon I’m still denied for the CIC. I tried for this card back in April and couldn’t get it either. Do I move on? And just try for the CSP/CSR? They said my credit limit is too high with them. I just lowered them all back in May and I’m way under 50% of income. Think it would be easier to get the CSP/CSR over the CIC? Should I do the Amex SPG personal and lux still? Ugh, I wish this would have worked lol now my decisions got a lot harder

Sorry about that...what a bummer! At least on the personal cards you can move CL to get them approved...right? lol!

 

[Lain]

Thank you! That does sound easy. Do the VGCs have any of the issues activating that the MCGCs have? I bought one from Staples and had to make 7-8 phone calls to get it working. Never doing that again!

I usually get the Metabank VGCs from the grocery store. If you're just swiping the VGCs in store, no issue at all. They're activated when you buy them and you use the last 4-digits as the default PIN. If you want to use them online, you'll need to go to the website to register them. I think you can also customize your PIN. The Vanilla VGCs from Walgreens work similarly. They're activated when you buy them. But I think you have to set your own PIN by typing in your pick of 4 digits when you first use them. You also need to register them if you want to use them online. I've never had problems using either Metabank or Vanilla VGCs online after registering them.

 

[vanjust14]

Were you flying out of a gate by the lounge...we fly SW and the lounges aren’t by those gates unfortunately

No, I wasn't. I was actually flying Southwest. I have precheck so it wasn't bad at all. Probably took me 10 min to get over to the lounge and then afterward I breezed right through security (again).

 

[gottalovepluto]

Staples online did not trigger the CB for me but in store did. Hope it works for you!

I created a RMN account today to try out the Staples thing but think I might have missed the window. The only offer I see for Staples is $20 off online purchases, not seeing an in-store offer. Am I missing something or am I too late to this party?

 

[JKalai]

I saw the dedicated thread for reports/reviews for award hotel stays, but do we have one for flights and lounges? I tried searching, but couldn't find any. I wouldn't mind documenting some of the lounges we have been to as they seem to be a either a hit or miss.

 

[Sarah_B]

We are just starting our CC journey. I'm currently ending my MSR on the CIP. Instead of referring my husband for the CIP we were going to start him with a CSR/CSP double dip because we'd like to get and use the TSA Pre-Check credit before our flight in November. After his double dip we'd refer me for my double dip then after all that he could go back and do the CIP. Is there anything wrong with that idea? I know CIP is usually recommended first, but I've assumed that's because of the high point return on the MSR.

 

[wendow]

I created a RMN account today to try out the Staples thing but think I might have missed the window. The only offer I see for Staples is $20 off online purchases, not seeing an in-store offer. Am I missing something or am I too late to this party?

Did you download the app? The in-store Staples is $5 off $30 but you have to use the app.

 

[wendow]

We are just starting our CC journey. I'm currently ending my MSR on the CIP. Instead of referring my husband for the CIP we were going to start him with a CSR/CSP double dip because we'd like to get and use the TSA Pre-Check credit before our flight in November. After his double dip we'd refer me for my double dip then after all that he could go back and do the CIP. Is there anything wrong with that idea? I know CIP is usually recommended first, but I've assumed that's because of the high point return on the MSR.

I don't see a problem with your plan at all. Many times we recommend the CIP first simply cause the MSR is lower, yet has a great bonus and it won't take up a */24 spot.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Did you download the app? The in-store Staples is $5 off $30 but you have to use the app.

Just remembered that part! Rather important step!! Thank you for your DPs on this, I've been so short of time lately but this looks sweet while it lasts. Off to give it a shot today Worst that happens is I only get 10% off at the end of the day charging on my Amex so not really much risk here!

 

[wendow]

Feel like I should ask this on the Disney GC thread but so many here are there too...Has anyone used the RMN offer for Best Buy? They have an online offer for $15 back on $50 purchase. Wondering if Disney GCs would trigger the CB?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

We are just starting our CC journey. I'm currently ending my MSR on the CIP. Instead of referring my husband for the CIP we were going to start him with a CSR/CSP double dip because we'd like to get and use the TSA Pre-Check credit before our flight in November. After his double dip we'd refer me for my double dip then after all that he could go back and do the CIP. Is there anything wrong with that idea? I know CIP is usually recommended first, but I've assumed that's because of the high point return on the MSR.

The reason I recommend CIP first is because it maximizes your first year with the CSR. You get CIP (and 85k URs) then you double dip and now you have almost 200k URs and you have the CSR for 12 months before you have to pay the 2nd annual fee.

2 Player mode changes this a little bit too. While you could get another CIP now...that's longer you go WITHOUT a CSR and obviously the CSR makes your points worth more. I definitely think a double dip at this stage could make sense for you guys. You'll just want to make sure to wait 3-4 months before your husband applies for another card (which should be fine because you'll likely get the next card anyways).

EDIT: I ESPECIALLY like the plan to have him refer you to a double dip next. You're going to generate the maximum # of URs as quickly as possible this way! Hello FREE travel!!!

 

[amalone1013]

Feel like I should ask this on the Disney GC thread but so many here are there too...Has anyone used the RMN offer for Best Buy? They have an online offer for $15 back on $50 purchase. Wondering if Disney GCs would trigger the CB?

That's the one I rolled the dice on. It's today only.

 

[wendow]

That's the one I rolled the dice on. It's today only.

Oh sorry! Missed that. Thought you were rolling dice on Staples online. Ok, I may roll dice with you

 

[WVMomof3]

Great, thanks!! Yep, first MR card for him

Any thoughts on the spg biz bonus? Hoping it doesn't get lost in the merger stuff.

Super far behind so not sure if you got answer but I applied for DH last weekend with my link, Sunday I think? And am pretty sure saw points on Tuesday or Wednesday am.

 

[Calfan]

I think I have decided to book our return flights from Africa for next summer on Emirates using UR with the goal of upgrading to business via MR. I'm having the same issue others have experienced with the Chase travel portal saying I can't book more than 9 months out with my CSR, but pulling up flights farther out with my CF or CFU. (I'm looking at flights in July 2019). What is the best number to call for Chase travel to have them book for me so I can get 1.5 cents per point? Thanks!

Please share how it goes for you. I am looking at flights to and from Africa (South Africa) for next July too.

I called Chase travel this morning, and the agent was able to book my flights for me using URs valued at 1.5 cents each. She did not have an answer as to why the CSR UR online page gives an error message for bookings more than 270 days out but the UR pages for CF and CFU would allow a farther out booking. But there wasn't any issue with her doing the booking at the appropriate UR value for the CSR. It took a few minutes since there were four of us and I had to provide all of the relevant info such as full name, DOB, passport #, passport expiration date, but it probably didn't take much longer than it would have taken for me to enter all of the info on the booking site. For 253,120 UR, I got the return flights for the four of us on Emirates from JNB to SFO through Dubai. The United flights I was looking at with a similar total elapsed time and only 1 stop (through Zurich) were going to be 100,000 United miles each (unless savers miraculously popped up later, but I was too nervous to wait), so I feel ok with the number of UR used. Now my goal is to upgrade to business using MR transferred to Emirates. It looks like I can upgrade at 75,000 miles apiece. I am very close to having 150,000 MR, so once I get over that hump, I will see about upgrading two of us. I'll get the balance of the MR I need after meeting MSR on my new Biz Platinum card, so then I'll try to upgrade the other two. But it's nice to have the return flights in place, even if we end up in coach.

 

[amalone1013]

I got a push notification from my Dosh app for 20% back on in store purchases at Sam's Club, up to $15 per day, through Wednesday. Trying to decide if I make DH stop...

 

[amalone1013]

I feel like someone advised me on this but I can't find it...

For buying Disney GCs in store at Sam's with a Walmart GC, will I have trouble trying to use GCs earned from Swagbucks, Microsoft rewards, or shopkick?

 

[PolyRob]

I just used mine for the first time recently at MCO. The tomato basil soup was soooo good! Paired it with some wine and cheese. Excellent way to spend time waiting for my flight!

Ahh that sounds wonderful!

Were you flying out of a gate by the lounge...we fly SW and the lounges aren’t by those gates unfortunately

I have JetBlue booked roundtrip so I should be ok the next two trips. I do like and use SW, but the options home were not ideal for these trips. I hope I am not spoiled. I will have to find a SW lounge alternative.

No, I wasn't. I was actually flying Southwest. I have precheck so it wasn't bad at all. Probably took me 10 min to get over to the lounge and then afterward I breezed right through security (again).

That does not sound bad at all! Especially when DME drops you off really early. I wish I had the lounge access when DME made it an extra hour last December and I was delayed an additional 3 hours