I love credit cards so much!

[KPK02090]

Congrats on the double dip! I would have done GE as it covers both domestic and international but TSA was way easier. I needed to go into airport at Boston and that wasn’t happening. We fly out of Providence RI alot. They have since added another location but I also had no international travel on the horizon.

Thanks for this. I’m just outside Boston and use PVD too!
Do you know where the added location is?

 

[wisconsinmom]

I'm thinking about using UR to book flights to Europe. I finally got them to show up on the UR site, they are 643 so If I did the math right if I use my CSR then they'd be 43,066 each. We have 190,629 between DH and I. My plan is to buy 3 tickets with UR points and then to buy DH's ticket on his Capital One Venture Card and use the travel credit he has on there. I'd love some advice. They are open jaws tickets with a two day stopover in Iceland, then on to London and home from Paris. I've always transferred my UR to SW but booking through the portal seems OK in this case. Does this sound like a solid plan?

 

[speedyfishy]

Looking at the Barclay Aviator Biz card. After reading the info on DOC, I don't see any negatives to this. Am I missing anything. It's a biz card, so it won't goof up my 5/24...planning on SW biz and SW personal later this year. We don't fly AA a ton but sometimes it's the best option. Are there links on Dis churners?

I think it’s worth it. $95 for 60,000 AA miles is a great deal and it won’t have any impact on 5/24. There are no support links. I got the card when it was offering 50,000 miles. I had to send in personal documents before I got approved (social security card, utility bill, license) that was a bit of a pain, but still worth it lol

 

[DisneyMandC]

Apparently all I had to do was come on here and gripe a little because my Chewy and Google Express purchases just posted to my Amex Should put me about $25 over MSR, so I'll check tomorrow morning and maybe send a chat to confirm that I've met the MSR! Woohoo, 125,000 Hilton points!

Looking at the Barclay Aviator Biz card. After reading the info on DOC, I don't see any negatives to this. Am I missing anything. It's a biz card, so it won't goof up my 5/24...planning on SW biz and SW personal later this year. We don't fly AA a ton but sometimes it's the best option. Are there links on Dis churners?

Nope, no drawbacks. I've put one dry cleaning purchase on my card and earned 50,000 AA miles. Same for @speedyfishy. The only issue I had was identity verification where they require you to mail in a copy of your social security card, driver's license, and bank statement/utility bill. Some people are auto-approved, some require ID.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I think it’s worth it. $95 for 60,000 AA miles is a great deal and it won’t have any impact on 5/24. There are no support links. I got the card when it was offering 50,000 miles. I had to send in personal documents before I got approved (social security card, utility bill, license) that was a bit of a pain, but still worth it lol

Ha, synchronized posting.

 

[vanjust14]

Sooooooo my person who hasn't paid yet... even after I sent multiple messages, so I opened a case yesterday... Has left me feedback saying Great price and arrived fast

Lol!! Maybe that was their attempt to say sorry I'm not paying but don't get mad, here's some positive feedback? Boy, you haven't had much luck on ebay lately!!

 

[Psychodisney]

I'm thinking about using UR to book flights to Europe. I finally got them to show up on the UR site, they are 643 so If I did the math right if I use my CSR then they'd be 43,066 each. We have 190,629 between DH and I. My plan is to buy 3 tickets with UR points and then to buy DH's ticket on his Capital One Venture Card and use the travel credit he has on there. I'd love some advice. They are open jaws tickets with a two day stopover in Iceland, then on to London and home from Paris. I've always transferred my UR to SW but booking through the portal seems OK in this case. Does this sound like a solid plan?

What airline? I think I'd use the CSR for your DH's ticket to have the insurance on it. Maybe use your Capital One funds to pay for other travel expenses on the trip like hotels. My DS went through Iceland on Wow. He had some minor issues but his friend had major issues.

 

[vanjust14]

I needed to go into airport at Boston and that wasn’t happening. We fly out of Providence RI alot. They have since added another location but I also had no international travel on the horizon.



Uggh Amex is slow to post it’s like they do it on purpose.

Thanks for this. I’m just outside Boston and use PVD too!
Do you know where the added location is?

I'd like to know this as well! I'm in RI and don't want to go to Logan if/when I get global entry. I went for precheck since there wasn't anywhere closer.

 

[wisconsinmom]

What airline? I think I'd use the CSR for your DH's ticket to have the insurance on it. Maybe use your Capital One funds to pay for other travel expenses on the trip like hotels. My DS went through Iceland on Wow. He had some minor issues but his friend had major issues.

Iceland Air. Still a budget airline but a little better than Wow I think. Carry on luggage is free unlike Wow. The price is great and the flights are direct. Great point about using the CSR for DH's ticket too. The insurance still works even when booked on points? We could use Capital One to offset the cost of lodging.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Thanks for this. I’m just outside Boston and use PVD too!
Do you know where the added location is?

Ha! No way!! I love PVD, DH hates it because I always book a late night flight home and he has to drive! We are about 50 min from PVD.
GE is at either Logan or the Thomas P O’Neill Federal building. It’s near the Gaahhhden.
I’m not sure where in MA you are but I did my pre TSA in Worcester at an identity place. Got the appt quick, free parking and soooooo easy!

 

[liloca]

The only reason I got interested in this game was to get the SW CP. And 8 months after I started following this thread and many cards applications my DH was instant appproved for the SW Plus card(used a support link from reddit) He has a SW business (2/18) and we have over 70k points already.
So fingers crossed that I can get and apply the CP before our trip in October!

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Iceland Air. Still a budget airline but a little better than Wow I think. Carry on luggage is free unlike Wow. The price is great and the flights are direct. Great point about using the CSR for DH's ticket too. The insurance still works even when booked on points? We could use Capital One to offset the cost of lodging.

The only thing to mention is with a lot of airlines the economy booking with CSR doesn’t let you pre assign sites. Both times I ended up in the last seat of the plane. Jetblue made sure I could sit with my 2 kids. Delta was a hassle... might not matter for you

 

[striker1064]

I decided to cash in my 65,000 Citi TY points as a student loan payment, worth $650. Originally signed up for the card to use as versatile travel points, but with things like AA miles being so easy to get, plus the free nights from Marriott + IHG cards, this seemed like a better use in the long run. Seems to be a little known benefit and it is buried a bit in the TY redemption center, but it's nice to have unique options like that. They can also be used toward a mortgage payment, if your servicer accepts partial payments that is.

 

[AmyAnne]

I decided to cash in my 65,000 Citi TY points as a student loan payment, worth $650. Originally signed up for the card to use as versatile travel points, but with things like AA miles being so easy to get, plus the free nights from Marriott + IHG cards, this seemed like a better use in the long run. Seems to be a little known benefit and it is buried a bit in the TY redemption center, but it's nice to have unique options like that. They can also be used toward a mortgage payment, if your servicer accepts partial payments that is.

Thanks for posting this. I have found Citi TY points hard to use too. I did manage to use some for a flight but I think I have about 20,000 more that I might just apply to my mortgage.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

@disneymagicgirl - Did you double dip the SW cards? The 65k offer for the Priority card is saying expires today (8/22), if you didn't yet.

not yet. I have been pondering it because I am not happy with my flight choices for Dec, and if we don't fly SW for that, then there is no point in me getting the CP now. Will figure it out today.

 

[Psychodisney]

Iceland Air. Still a budget airline but a little better than Wow I think. Carry on luggage is free unlike Wow. The price is great and the flights are direct. Great point about using the CSR for DH's ticket too. The insurance still works even when booked on points? We could use Capital One to offset the cost of lodging.

Not sure about the ones booked on points. But you'd have it on the one you pay cash for.

 

[Lain]

The only reason I got interested in this game was to get the SW CP. And 8 months after I started following this thread and many cards applications my DH was instant appproved for the SW Plus card(used a support link from reddit) He has a SW business (2/18) and we have over 70k points already.
So fingers crossed that I can get and apply the CP before our trip in October!

This sounds like an approval to me! You can’t be throwing your own approval party. Congratulations!

​

 

[amalone1013]

YESSSSS my SW Plus retention credit showed up finally. I was worrying I'd have to bring it up again.

 

[spacerangerqueen]

I've wrapped up my MSR on my Hilton Biz (no points posted yet though) Trying to decide my next move. The next 2 cards I know I want are the CIP and a Southwest card. Not interested in the CP but would like the points because we fly my step-daughter down on Southwest each summer and thinking of doing a December trip for her this year in addition. We have a Southwest flight at the end of October so was thinking of applying then for a higher bonus.

Is it ok to go for CIP now and in 2 months a Southwest? Or is that too close?

Something else I should be considering instead?

Here's my stats:

1/18- CSP - 1/24
4/18- SPG Personal - 2/24
5/18- CIC - 2/24
6/18 - Hilton Biz - 2/24

 

[trstno1]

Iceland Air. Still a budget airline but a little better than Wow I think. Carry on luggage is free unlike Wow. The price is great and the flights are direct. Great point about using the CSR for DH's ticket too. The insurance still works even when booked on points? We could use Capital One to offset the cost of lodging.

I thought I'd share my experience using Chase UR and AmEx MR to fly IcelandAir in July.

I transferred Chase UR points to Alaska miles for our outgoing flight. After purchasing IcelandAir tickets with Alaska miles, I was able to select seats on the IcelandAir website. All of the seats purchased with Alaska miles were Economy Standard and included a free checked bag.

I payed for our return flight with AmEx MR points, and I purchased the flight on the AmEx travel portal. After purchasing tickets, I was able to select seats on the IcelandAir website. Unfortunately, the seats via the AmEx portal were Economy Light and required an extra payment for baggage. At the time, I could not find a way to purchase Economy Standard via the AmEx travel portal.

Also, you should know that IcelandAir used to have 3 seating classes, but now there are only two - Economy and Saga. Even though there is only one Economy Class, on their narrow body jets, the first six rows of economy have much more leg room than the rest of the plane. (It's like Economy Plus on United or Delta Comfort+.) I was able to select these seats for our flights regardless of whether I purchased Economy Standard with Alaska miles or Economy Light with AmEx MR points.

********Edit on 8/22/18, 2145 cst********
Sorry, but I must apologize about an error in my earlier post. I completely forgot that my transfer of Chase UR points to Alaska required a hack that significantly changed on 6/5/18. I learned about this technique after the ending date had been announced, so I never shared it here or anywhere else. Feel free to read on for details, but understand that this hack doesn't work the same way any longer.

Prior to 6/5/18, if you booked an Alaska Airlines flight directly from AlaskaAir, then cancelled the flight on the Alaska Air website more than 36 hours after purchase *and* more than 60 days from the scheduled flight, you were given the option to refund the entire cost of the flight to Alaska's, "My Wallet," without any penalty. You could then use those funds to purchase a different ticket on any Alaska Airlines flight or any partner flight, including IcelandAir. I used Chase UR points to purchase dummy tickets on Alaska in approximately the amount needed for my IcelandAir flights (at 1.5 cents/point), then cancelled the dummy bookings, then purchased our IcelandAir tickets. It was pretty slick.

As of 6/15/18, you can still do this, but there is a $125 fee unless you have gold status with Alaska. I guess it might still be worthwhile if you have a companion pass on Alaska, but I haven't tried that personally, and I haven't read about it either.

********Second Edit********
OK, I haven't tried this but you can still use this strategy if you purchase a higher priced refundable ticket rather than a nonrefundable ticket.