I love credit cards so much!

[striker1064]

@striker1064 - Thank you for suggesting Chercher! We ordered your suggestions and they were great! So glad we watch d You Tube videos on how to eat Ethiopian food.

View attachment 351105

Wow! The Kennedy Center is pretty awesome! We are looking forward to the show! #Riseup

View attachment 351108

I love that you went to Chercher and enjoyed it. It's one of my favorites. Enjoy your stay.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I know everyone here plays the game differently, and that every strategy is valid, but for me this is another reason I gave advice saying if you see an award you want, grab it. Who knows if it will be there later on? Or if the rules are about to change? We hold our points until we can can get enough to get what we want, and once we have enough I try to spend them as quickly as possible. The sands are always shifting and I kind of fatalistically assume they aren't going to shift in my favor.

This has been my mantra for the last few days. I booked both of my positioning flights today for next year's trip. I used URs at 1.5x for one (high travel time and I needed a specific flight) and UA had Saver space on the other flight. Grabbed it by transferring URs- it's not like my URs are earning me interest sitting in my account. The only flight I waited on was TY points I'll transfer to Etihad and that's because I just created the Etihad account today so I want to let it sit for like 24 hours before trying to transfer into it (TY to Etihad is a notoriously difficult transfer apparently and can sometimes take a couple weeks and multiple phone calls but I'm gonna try it anyway... tomorrow.) I'm still waiting on my hotels but I was much more concerned about my flights tbh!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I researched online and the commission is 10% from Disney to TAs on hotels/packages- that puts them underwater on all 1.25x and 1.5x points bookings even if they kept the entire 10% commission (which obviously they don't get to do)...

That's a great fact to know...and very alarming as that means it likely has been killed with intent and won't return in a similar fashion. Chase ain't in the business of losing money lately... Might be worth sharing that over on r/churning too... BOOOO

This is starting to make sense. The resorts used to show up just fine on the CSR portal. Then they went missing. Sometimes poly would show and every once in awhile they'd all pop back up but then quickly disappear again.
So the workaround was to call cruise and tours. It seems chase caught onto this work around and is stopping it. I say that based on the fact that the hotels show at 1cpp on CF portal. Also, when I booked our Aug trip the normal UR people couldn't help me. Said they could book me but not at the 1.5x rate. I HUCA to Cruise and tours instead and they took care of it.

I think we may be SOL on resort only ressies too.

ETA: park tix available on the CF portal but not the CSR portal. Chef mickey's meals available on both.

 

[wendow]

And yesterday, it looks like they (mostly?) killed UR redemptions for Disney.

It’s been a bloody month. Am I missing anything?

I don't understand why Chase would be targeting Disney redemptions. Aren't we just a small drop-in-the-bucket of people redeeming? Surely, r/churning isn't full of people redeeming for Disney?? Doesn't seem like the demographic.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

@SouthFayetteFan a while back you posted this advice for another poster:
"So you are about 7 months away from your trip...the one negative there is that I don't think we have enough time for you to fully cover your trip. Under normal circumstances if we were a year+ away from your trip...We'd tell you to do the following:

• Get a CIP (Chase Ink Preferred)
• Refer your husband to a CIP a couple months later
• Complete a CSR/CSP double dip a couple months after that (Chase Sapphire Reserve & Chase Sapphire Preferred)
• Refer your husband to a CSR/CSP double dip, again a couple more months

Getting those 6 cards would earn you $6,500 towards your tip and cover your flights, tickets and hotel (and potentially dining) in full. Of course this plan takes 6-9 months AND you want to book a trip well in advance...at least 60 days for your FPs but likely far sooner than that.

The bad news here...maybe we can't fully pay for this trip with points. The GOOD news - we can definitely offset a portion of it, and then you could implement some of these strategies for a future FREE trip."

Based on the recent changes with Chase (I can't keep track of all the changes b/c this thread moves soooo fast!), does the above advice above still work?

I finished the spend on my new Chase Marriott card, so the 6 night Protea Hotel portion of our South Africa safari trip is now free. I'm opening a new checking account to get the bonus money, so my London hotel will be 55% free. I still need to work on getting points to offset flights and rental car. I am torn about what to do next. I know I won't earn enough points for totally free flights. Since our tip is 10 months away, I'm afraid airline rewards flights will be long gone by the time I get any points. I'm not ready to buy flights just yet because I think prices will still come down (based on research I did for July 2018 flight prices). Some of the best flights (price and travel time wise) right now are on Virgin Atlantic and British Airways; although the BA flight is about $200 higher. So do I:

1) open a BA card, get the bonus (50,000 at first then up to 100,000 depending on spending for the year), rack up as many points as I can, take advantage of the 10% off flights perk and the AARP discount.

2) open a Virgin Atlantic card, get the bonus (20,000 at first then up to 90,000 depending on spending for the year), and rack up as many points as I can.

3) open a travel miles card like Chase Sapphire Preferred (50,000 point bonus with $4000 spend) or Capital One Venture Card (50,000 bonus with $3000 spend), rack up points as fast as I can, and then just use my points to offset the cost of the cheapest/best flights in a few months?

I am 1/24 for Chase cards right now due to the Marriott card. My 3 other Chase cards were opened years and years ago (GM, Amazon, Disney - way before I realized the value a card could get me).

Then there is Plastique - I need to start using this service with which ever card I choose above so I can really rack up points, but I know there has been all sorts of talk on here about changes in how it's coded or when it's allowed. I don't know all the ins and outs.

Any advice you can give me will be much appreciated. ETA: And I won't hold you accountable if it doesn't work out or if the rules change. Just read your post about you feeling bad. Don't feel bad for trying to help people!!!

Regarding my bolded previous advice...

1) Get A CIP still works
2) Refer to CIP still works
3) Double Dip is dead - So get a CSR OR a CSP but not both
4) Refer to Double dip is dead - can only refer to the card you got above

So getting those 4 cards instead of 6, you end up with about 310k URs vs. 430k URs. AND if you were attempting to redeem for Disney the 1.5x kicker may be out the window. In summary - my previous plan that could earn $6,500 could now be worth as little as $3,100 (maybe $4,600 if we can find a way to still get hte 1.5x).

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I don't understand why Chase would be targeting Disney redemptions. Aren't we just a small drop-in-the-bucket of people redeeming? Surely, r/churning isn't full of people redeeming for Disney?? Doesn't seem like the demographic.

Some of the major blogs have written articles on using URs for Disney. Chase seems to be out to eliminate all "losses" on their travel programs. The businessman in me would be doing the same thing if I were them. It's super sad and very unfortunate for us though

 

[bernina]

Similar circumstance here. Had 1 shot at 100k Plat...passed...never saw it again

There’s hope! I had it, lost it, got it for DH with wrong name and address, then pulled it up again and did the fastest cc application of my life.

 

[trenty]

my previous plan that could earn $6,500 could now be worth as little as $3,100

While that is a huge devaluation, $3100 is still a nice chunk of chase to have for a vacation. Trying to keep this positive.

 

[Mopedmom1]

So...I said I was rattled the other day, and I still am now...even worse.

The weird thing though is I am MUCH MORE upset about all the (now) bad advice I gave newer folks here though than my own loss (the ability to book Disney with URs). I REALLY REALLY am feeling sad about all the people (here, on reddit, in real life) who I have advising up to this point and now all these changes/issues. I honestly don't even know what to say...I know it's not my fault and yet I feel ilke a complete and utter jerk.

EDIT: This is just crazy - I was helping my Pastor at church earn enough URs for a Disney trip next fall, I was advising friends and family on the double dip and now they may have points in limbo...Wow...not to mention all our friends here where we've openly discussed/advised using URs.

It is easy to tell you are an extremely caring, compassionate, and conscientious person. In no way can you be held responsible for Chases recent actions. Don't be too hard on yourself.

I was coming here to say my CSP from the DD was closed today. I am at $3900 in spend on my CSR and was about to start pulling out the CSP for spend. No phone call, email, etc. I just signed into my online account and it shows account closed.

After signing into the DIS I saw the high number of new pages and figured I better skim through to see what was happening. Ugh, more bad news. I admit I read through pretty quick so I'm sure I missed a lot. I just booked a cruise with NCL this morning with the intention of transferring to Chase in the next couple weeks. Is this no longer possible, or is it just Disney that has been kicked to the curb?

ETA: On a positive note my CSR remains intact with the insanely high CL.

 

[wendow]

I'd be fine with hotels remaining at 1.5x. We don't do dining and I prefer to buy tix with discounted GC. Tentatively planning to get APs in Dec anyways. I feel bad for those who do like to book tix and dining with URs though. Guess we will wait and see what happens and then adjust however we can.

This is me too. Rooms are the biggie for me. I buy tix with discounted GC's or through a reseller, and we are also contemplating AP's. I want my Disney rooms at 1.5x though and I just am having trouble wrapping my brain around why that won't be possible through expedia.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

It is easy to tell you are an extremely caring, compassionate, and conscientious person. In no way can you be held responsible for Chases recent actions. Don't be too hard on yourself.

I was coming here to say my CSP from the DD was closed today. I am at $3900 in spend on my CSR and was about to start pulling out the CSP for spend. No phone call, email, etc. I just signed into my online account and it shows account closed.

After signing into the DIS I saw the high number of new pages and figured I better skim through to see what was happening. Ugh, more bad news. I admit I read through pretty quick so I'm sure I missed a lot. I just booked a cruise with NCL this morning with the intention of transferring to Chase in the next couple weeks. Is this no longer possible, or is it just Disney that has been kicked to the curb?

WOW...I'm so sorry about your CSP You did the double dip on 8/28, right?

Thanks for the kind words too. Also I don't think your NCL plans will be messed up but I probably wouldn't wait around to transfer it either...Chase is on a rampage.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

NO NEW THREAD...

Based on the results of our survey there is clearly not a consensus to do a new thread. Also, given that there's been SO many changes in the past month, IF we wanted to pursue a new thread, I think it would make more sense to do it in a quieter time.

I say we just leave things as is for now. If a mod ever says we HAVE to start a new thread, then we will. Maybe we can revisit this around the end of the year to see if we want to do a new "2019" thread or something like that. Thanks for all the input!

 

[wendow]

This is starting to make sense. The resorts used to show up just fine on the CSR portal. Then they went missing. Sometimes poly would show and every once in awhile they'd all pop back up but then quickly disappear again.
So the workaround was to call cruise and tours. It seems chase caught onto this work around and is stopping it. I say that based on the fact that the hotels show at 1cpp on CF portal. Also, when I booked our Aug trip the normal UR people couldn't help me. Said they could book me but not at the 1.5x rate. I HUCA to Cruise and tours instead and they took care of it.

I think we may be SOL on resort only ressies too.

ETA: park tix available on the CF portal but not the CSR portal. Chef mickey's meals available on both.

So, it's ok for Chase to say we can use points on our CF for Disney but not through the CSR...? If that is the case, I'm so gonna be cutting Chase from my life. That completely ticks me off

 

[AmyAnne]

@striker1064 - Thank you for suggesting Chercher! We ordered your suggestions and they were great! So glad we watch d You Tube videos on how to eat Ethiopian food.

View attachment 351105

Wow! The Kennedy Center is pretty awesome! We are looking forward to the show! #Riseup

View attachment 351108

So happy to see this post after pages of bad news

 

[Mopedmom1]

WOW...I'm so sorry about your CSP You did the double dip on 8/28, right?

Thanks for the kind words too. Also I don't think your NCL plans will be messed up but I probably wouldn't wait around to transfer it either...Chase is on a rampage.

Yes, 8/28. I tried to add the CSP to my SAMSUNG Pay last night and it wouldn't let me, saying that card was not supported. I had no problem adding the CSR a few weeks ago. I wonder if that somehow triggered the shut down?

I have to wait until my expired future cruise deposit is approved for reactivation on Monday before I can try to transfer. Oh boy, long weekend ahead.

 

[AmyAnne]

Ok so I posted this earlier before reading and everyone was in the midst of screaming into the void about Chase. Guess I'm now looking for answers/wondering how to even get this done with Chase...



So now I'm wondering if I do a Disney trip insurance policy, is Chase even going to be able to get it for me if they don't have access to Disney anymore? Can Disney do it for me directly if I booked through Chase? Are there other insurers I should look at?

I have not purchased trip insurance for a WDW trip but I always get it for any overseas trip (mostly for medical evacuation costs). I always go through the website insure my trip (one word but apparently it's not allowed here because it turns to asterisks). There are lots of options and lots of variables -- some policies only cover death or serious illness for travel partners, some for immediate family.

 

[MrsAlexis]

Haha - I appreciate that one

I think I actually am going to adopt some sort of disclaimer though going forward...just to make sure people are keeping their options open on this stuff.

I started this board just a couple months ago and I think there were quite a few of us newbies around that time. I'm almost positive you and @Lain and other frequent posters would qualify your recommendations that things could change at anytime, available offers could go up or down, etc. IMHO I don't think anyone here should feel bad for the awesome advice that is so freely given! Everyone knows, or should know, this game is a gamble

 

[wendow]

I think I'll keep our know-how over here article where I found it: http://hostagencyreviews.com/best-disney-travel-agents-booking-secrets/ (fair warning, nothing else of interest in said article)

Agree. I think the less we share on r/churning, the better.

 

[wendow]

I started this board just a couple months ago and I think there were quite a few of us newbies around that time. I'm almost positive you and @Lain and other frequent posters would qualify your recommendations that things could change at anytime, available offers could go up or down, etc. IMHO I don't think anyone here should feel bad for the awesome advice that is so freely given! Everyone knows, or should know, this game is a gamble

You are exactly right! This game is a big gamble. A few of us were GC churners before we were CC churners and we watched that die after it became highly publicized. We know all too well how this goes.

I've always cautioned that the CIP 3x plastiq coding could end at any time and that the DD was a loophole that could close at any time. I always tried to make sure newbies understood if they wanted to DD, do it ASAP. However, I never envisioned the 48 mo language on the Sapphires, or Chase not allowing Disney redemptions using the CSR.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

So, it's ok for Chase to say we can use points on our CF for Disney but not through the CSR...? If that is the case, I'm so gonna be cutting Chase from my life. That completely ticks me off

exactly. sleazy.