I love credit cards so much!

[schmass]

Yesterday I posted that I was on the fence about getting either the SPG personal or Marriott Biz. I didn't end up applying for either, and now I'm glad since the new Hilton offer just came out. I'm going to apply for that one today and hope that I don't get the pop-up about being ineligible for the bonus. I got the Plat Biz and Green Biz 3 weeks ago, but those shouldn't count since they are charge cards, correct?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I have used UR points for my last 2 car rentals. I have found this to be a good redemption for me. Someone else mentioned the insurance coverage with the CSR recently. My next rental I will use 17,500 UR and pay $13.75 with my CSR for my one week minivan rental. I’ll still watch to see if prices drop, but I haven’t seen better prices on the Alamo website than I was able to get through the UR portal. I was able to choose my car style.

I've also used UR points for car rentals and never had any problems at all. I've been able to choose my car style as well.

Since you two have experience with this - figured I'd ask (and anybody else please chime in too)...

I'm going to use URs through my CSR to rent a car for our Sea World trip in November.

• Do they deduct the URs immediately when you book the car?
• Can you continue to monitor the price and "rebook" your car to save points if a cheaper price comes out?
• If you cancel the car do you get your points back?
• What is the interaction like at the rental car company - is it clear that you don't owe any other money or are they weird about it?
• I've found articles online that clearly indicate that using URs through a CSR gives you the rental car coverage, so that is cool!
• Anything else I'm not thinking about here that I should be asking?

I sound like such a newb, lol - I've never used URs before since the last time I had some was early 2016 and I transferred them all to Southwest!

 

[SBWB48]

Yesterday I posted that I was on the fence about getting either the SPG personal or Marriott Biz. I didn't end up applying for either, and now I'm glad since the new Hilton offer just came out. I'm going to apply for that one today and hope that I don't get the pop-up about being ineligible for the bonus. I got the Plat Biz and Green Biz 3 weeks ago, but those shouldn't count since they are charge cards, correct?

Yep, they shouldn't count. I got both as well a few weeks ago and had no issues getting the Hilton Biz on 8/18.

 

[Rjw615]

You know - I should've realized that...the card came out 2 years ago this week haha. So you can't Sign up for the CSR again until it's been 24 months since you earned the bonus...which is probably December or January...

So an interesting thought here...do you have a business, or any sort of side hustle that could qualify as a business? (rental property, Sell things on Ebay, sell cookies, teach piano, consulting, etc.)... If you would be open to a business card I would recommend the Chase Ink Preferred (CIP).

I completely forgot about the Chase Ink Preferred, will apply for that! Thanks so much for your input!!

Where can I find a referral link so I can help someone out on here?

 

[mom2elal]

I've been resisting the FOMO of the SPG Lux - I don't need another $450 AF, but I really could do with replenishing my Starriott stash, and I do have a Starriott stay planned in a couple of months. No rush, though, because I haven't gotten a Marriott bonus within the last 2 years, so I can wait and do it later, right? Its just going to start the 2 year clock when I can get the next Marriott card a little later, right? I did get the SPG Biz, but that doesn't seem to limit my ability to get the Lux bonus, right? Breathing deeply...


Yes- you still get points and perks, even on a group rate (although not all brands offer all perks - if you are talking about Starriott, I don't think that Gaylord Hotels (big convention properties) give lounge access or breakfast to elites). In my experience, my points/nights from conference stays don't show up in my account automatically (even if I entered my rewards number when I registered). I usually have to fill out the "missing stay" paperwork, but everything eventually gets credited.

Yes as to points, but only on the rate you book. Can't speak to status because I was silver when I stayed at a Marriott back in April on a conference rate, so I wasn't expecting to get anything for that anyways. But I did earn points equivalent to the conference rate I paid.

Thanks!

So now the question is, do I pay $169/night cash or 40k/night points? This is a Hilton (Doubletree Flagstaff).

I'm leaning towards using the points because of not wanting to spend actual money, but I also feel like it may not be a good value and I do kind of have a fear of actually using my points and seeing that balance go down, as many of us do. But again, it's Hilton, so the cpp is never going to be high.

Status still works when you use points, yes? My dh has the Aspire now, so we're Diamond.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I completely forgot about the Chase Ink Preferred, will apply for that! Thanks so much for your input!!

Where can I find a referral link so I can help someone out on here?

I'll PM you to join our Reddit group! I'm sure somebody will be VERY appreciative of you using their link

 

[mom2elal]

Glad you could make a booking, but bummer about the wrong dates. Good thing you caught that! If you can switch, I recommend the Springhill Suites Anaheim Resort/Convention Center on Harbor Blvd. It’s closer, newer, walkable to the parks, and located above a CVS which is super convenient. The other one, Maingate, is on Ball Rd and does not have easy access to the parks. You would need to take the ART shuttle or drive. Hope they can switch that for you.

Ah! Just realized I thought you were talking about THIS Springhill Suites! Sorry!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks!

So now the question is, do I pay $169/night cash or 40k/night points? This is a Hilton (Doubletree Flagstaff).

I'm leaning towards using the points because of not wanting to spend actual money, but I also feel like it may not be a good value and I do kind of have a fear of actually using my points and seeing that balance go down, as many of us do. But again, it's Hilton, so the cpp is never going to be high.

Status still works when you use points, yes? My dh has the Aspire now, so we're Diamond.

40k Hilton seems like a lot for $169...but it's not terribly off base. It really comes down to what you're comfortable with - I'd probably use points before I'd pay cash in that scenario.

 

[mom2elal]

40k Hilton seems like a lot for $169...but it's not terribly off base. It really comes down to what you're comfortable with - I'd probably use points before I'd pay cash in that scenario.

That's what I'm thinking. We're also going to have another Hilton stay next summer, at WDW, that we're planning to pay cash on and use our $250 resort credits, so I figure I may as well use points for this one.

 

[schmass]

Thanks to those who replied about stacking the Amex offers! I just made my ebags purchase through Topcashback and got the Amex email immediately!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I completely forgot about the Chase Ink Preferred, will apply for that! Thanks so much for your input!!

Where can I find a referral link so I can help someone out on here?

If you pm @SouthFayetteFan he can help you out

 

[DisneyMandC]

Just booked two nights at the Double Tree at the Universal gates for November! I got a king bed Universal view for 57,000 points. I will have to pay $40 for parking, which is irritating, but oh well. Universal tickets are so expensive I was more interested in the hotel just being free.

On another note, do all Best Buys generally take Apple Pay now? I have my Hilton card on my Apple Pay and could go buy another gc there that way, since my actual card is still missing and a new one won't be here for several days.

 

[Alexle2007]

Since you two have experience with this - figured I'd ask (and anybody else please chime in too)...

I'm going to use URs through my CSR to rent a car for our Sea World trip in November.

• Do they deduct the URs immediately when you book the car?
• Can you continue to monitor the price and "rebook" your car to save points if a cheaper price comes out?
• If you cancel the car do you get your points back?
• What is the interaction like at the rental car company - is it clear that you don't owe any other money or are they weird about it?
• I've found articles online that clearly indicate that using URs through a CSR gives you the rental car coverage, so that is cool!
• Anything else I'm not thinking about here that I should be asking?

I sound like such a newb, lol - I've never used URs before since the last time I had some was early 2016 and I transferred them all to Southwest!

Yes, they deduct the URs immediately when you book the rental car.
Yes, you can monitor and re-book as long there is nothing in the rental car information about being nonrefundable.
Yes, as long as it is a refundable booking.
I had no problems at a pick-up counter or when I returned the car and always ended up with a $0 balance.

All in all it was super easy just like I would have booked it directly through the car rental site.

 

[amalone1013]

Can you charge to your room?

I believe so. I will when we go in a couple weeks.........................................
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd then I remembered we changed our dining plans last night... We were debating a Swolphin restaurant for next weekend, but are staying at ASMusic. But last night we decided to push it to our next trip when we'll be staying at Swolphin anyways (in a couple weeks )

Dining charges charged to your room will give you the same points as room charges (so 6x points in the new world). If you don't have a folio open with the hotel, regular restaurant charges at a hotel restaurant won't get the increased points. So, if you're going to Bluezoo at the Dolphin, be sure to stay the night so that you get the 6x points on your meal (or use your CSR if you aren't staying over).

Thanks! This is what I wondered, since the couple times earlier this year I got the extra points even without charging to the room... but when I was trying to read through it didn't sound like it anymore. I'll make sure to charge everything to the room!

 

[striker1064]

I truly have not followed the new Marriott restrictions very closely because both P2 and I got the Marriott Biz cards in January, so I figured we were locked out. And the Lux doesn't interest me. But P2 has never had the SPG Biz. Just to make sure I am understanding correctly, we have until tomorrow to apply for the SPG Biz and she will be in the clear? Or is there something different about the SPG Biz that would preclude her from getting it?

I think it's ok, but I want to make sure.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Yes, they deduct the URs immediately when you book the rental car.
Yes, you can monitor and re-book as long there is nothing in the rental car information about being nonrefundable.
Yes, as long as it is a refundable booking.
I had no problems at a pick-up counter or when I returned the car and always ended up with a $0 balance.

All in all it was super easy just like I would have booked it directly through the car rental site.

Thank you! SUPER helpful info Now I'm torn...I just thought now that I could pay with my CSR and instead of using the points I could get a chunk of my travel credit that way...Hmmmm

 

[schmass]

No Hilton Biz card for me

I got a pop-up saying "based on your history with American Express welcome offers, introductory APR offers, or the number of cards you have opened and closed, you are not eligible to receive this welcome offer". It then asked me if I wanted to proceed, which of course I did not! So my pop-up was different than the one that @LynnTH received, and mine was a lot more definitive.

Boooooo!!!

 

[vanjust14]

Mine doesn't have an upgrade offer. It just says Apply for the new card - I didn't really want to spend $450 on Fees.

Same here...makes my decision easier. I wasn't planning on getting the card now anyway.

 

[SBWB48]

Thank you! SUPER helpful info Now I'm torn...I just thought now that I could pay with my CSR and instead of using the points I could get a chunk of my travel credit that way...Hmmmm

I chose to use the CSR over UR for this exact reason.

*But, also because I booked through Costco. If you have a Costco membership, it's wonderful in that the reservation is charged only when you return the rental and by the rental agency, NOT Costco. Even better, you can cancel up until literally the time of the reservation. I canceled one the morning of after we decided we no longer needed the car that day. Also, you can cancel and rebook as many times as you like if rates keep changing, no fees or anything.

 

[amalone1013]

Universal tickets are so expensive I was more interested in the hotel just being free.

ugh, I know. I'm buying ours through UCT, but I'm trying to decide - so I get SPG Lux and use them towards MSR? Or do I charge to DHs Barclay so I can erase about $230 of the cost...

ETA: I guess I could also do either of those and use some of our ~$400 in Discover cashback towards it...