The SPG points no longer exist. Only Marriott points now. Even SPG earns Marriott points.
Ok—congratulations!
Just wondering if DH’s second CIP is using an EIN?
I'd definitely agree with the neck and neck with BI. I wish they would do that one again. Such a great cruise! 
It made more sense for us to do Hilton cards for our Hilton Tokyo bay stay. The rooms there on the UR portal are non refundable which is a big no no for me. I also figured why not get Hilton points and use the URs for the other parts of our trip.
I have a thread in the Tokyo Disneyland forum called Itinerary Help/Ideas or something like that. It has my whole itinerary on there if you wanna see it. I just read a lot from Tom bricker’s blog and japan guide. I watch a lot of YouTube videos too.ABD trips are expensive to be sure and the Japan trip is one of the pricier ones. I would love to hear about your plans. I am hoping to go a couple of days before and explore. I’m always open to ideas. If not for @striker1064 it would have never occurred to me to go try Ethiopian food. Now, I really want to go to the robot restaurant in Tokyo! Beyond that I haven’t given things much thought.
Yup! Mine goes up and down all the time but stays in the 800’s for the most part. It has dipped a few times over the last few years into the high 700’s and then pops back over 800. I open about 5-8 cards every year.
It may look like an ECG of a heart in ventricular fibrillation but it is actual footage of my credit score over the last few years.
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I use credit cards for hotels but don’t really put spend on them. I will pick one up for the sign up bonus and if the benefits are worth I will keep it. If they aren’t, I cancel after a year. Here is what I have and why. DH and I each always get the same hotel card to maximize value and get a 2 free nights together for weekend getaways on cards that offer a free night.
Marriott Premier Plus - The free night is for a hotel up to 35k points per night. We ar able to get a weekend stay near WDW each year. This is convenient when there aren’t DVC rooms to be had on a last minute trip or we want to conserve DVC points if we are planning something big. We may reload an Amazon gift card with the card once a year to have some activity.
SPG business- now with the new card earning structure I don’t put spend on it, it used to be the card I put all non bonus category spending on. Keeps JB it fun r the same reason as the Marriott Premier Plus. I know we will use the anniversary nights every year with no problem.
SPG Lux - this one comes with a 50k anniversary night. We’ve discovered that we like Staycations too. We like these at a beach front Marriott that is 15 minutes from home. It is a 50k per night property so that one weekend. The $300 credit which we’d soend to stay there anyhow is another weekend. This is the only hotel card we’d be putting any spend on.
IHG - This card used to offer an unrestricted free night each card anniversary which is worth way more than the $49 AF. We have one more unrestricted free night coming on our card anniversaries. After that the card get a free night up to 40k points. I will reevaluate if I am keeping it once the anninight restriction goes into effect.
Club Carlson - gives us 40,000 anniversary points each year. We’ve had a good number of hotel stays in Europe for free thanks to this card.
Despite the names, they all earn UR points. So when they say 5% cash back at Office Supply stores for the Ink Cash (a.k.a CIC), you'd get 5x UR points which can be redeemed for cash at the 1 cpp rate. My $100 toner cartridge from Office Depot earned me 500 UR. Since it's a Cash Back card it doesn't have any enhanced redemption values or options, all redemption options are at the 1 cpp value. You can redeem for cash deposit, a statement credit, turn it into GC's, or buy travel through the portal all at 1cpp - so my 500 UR is worth $5 regardless of redemption method. The Ink Unlimited (CIU) earns at 1.5x UR on everything, and the Ink Preferred (CIP) earns 3x UR on travel, shipping, internet, etc. as you mentioned.
The CIP is a premium card and gives an additional benefit - access to transfer your UR to travel partners and redeem the UR for an enhanced value on travel purchases if done through Chase. So if my internet bill is $100, I earn 300 UR on it. That 300 UR is worth $3 if I cash it out, take a statement credit, or turn it into GC's. But if I redeem it through the CIP UR portal, that 300 UR is worth $3.75 (1.25 x 300).
An additional feature Chase has is transferring, or combining, points within their UR cards. So you can earn 5x UR on purchases with your CIC, then transfer that UR to the CIP to get the enhanced redemptions getting a better value for the same purchase. For example, I take my 500 UR from my toner purchase, transfer it to my CIP with my 300 UR from internet purchase for a combined total of 800 UR. Now I can redeem that for travel through the CIP portal and get $10 of value. Hopefully that helps and didn't confuse more
(you can also do this between personal and business cards, I just used the biz cards as an example. I transferred my CIC points to my CSR to get a 1.5 value from them)
I know @miztressuz gave you an excellent explanation. I'm going to follow up with food for thought on the three cards for any who are not comfortable going for multiple business cards with Chase, slower paced churners etc. If I were below 5/24 and starting out again I'd be of two minds on choosing which business card with Chase. I'd be torn between the highest sign up bonus and the card I know will earn me the most UR points long term. I am gathering from your post that cash back is more important to you than travel redemption or points that can be transferred to airlines and hotels. Generally, I am the polar opposite but let's assume for a moment that cash was king for me and my only travel is to WDW which I do not need airline tickets for since it is a 3 hour drive.
CIC 5x Office Supply Stores, internet cable phone, 2x gas, dining
CIP 3x Travel, Shipping, internet, cable, phone, advertising social media
CIBU - 1.5x
In a perfect world I would go for the CIP for the higher bonus and PC to the CIC after one year. BUT with the knowledge that Chase eliminated the Chase Ink Plus card which has the same bonus categories I'd be afraid that the CIC's current form may be on the chopping block. If I were more conservative minded and wanted to have a card to keep as a UR earning machine I'd be going for the CIC. The bonus categories would earn me more long term than either CIP or CIBU. I'm going to use a few examples with just my WDW expenses that do not involve flying anywhere so we don't offend the Plane Princess' sensibilities who is known to lurk here from time to time
DVC annual dues on 1300 points is about $8,000 a year. DCL 3 day over a long weekend cruise $1500. Annual Platinum Plus Passes renewal about $1400 for the 2 of us. Cable, internet, phone $4000 a year give or take. Gas $2,000 a year give or take.
Office supply stores sell Disney gift cards. They also sell gift cards for many other 3rd party merchants so you can wind up earning 5x for much of your everyday shopping by making a quick pit stop at the office supply store.
CIC is going to earn me 78,500 UR points every year with no annual fee
CIP is going to earn me 44,700 in bonus categories with an annual fee of $95 which means I need to subtract that amount to cover the AF so 35,200 UR
CIBU will earn me 25,350 for the same amount of spend.
If I subtract the 35,200 from the 78,500 the CIC's earning potential covers the extra 30,000 UR points that you'd give up for a sign up bonus over the CIP.
I know our WDW expenses are not the norm but I think the example can help others look at their own expenses and spending patterns, what gift cards they may make good use of at the office supply stores and evaluate their choices that way. I hope this helps
DIS 101
The only way I talk anybody (myself included) out of anything is:
Imho only if they have said they want money to save up for something in the future. If it's just a "here's money because idk what to get you" or "here's money because everything in that registry is over $300 and that ain't happening" or "we want money for our honeymoon!" send the Visa. I had a friend who was saving up for a ranch so in that case even today I would send a check knowing how hard it is to turn Visa card into cash to put in a "for the ranch!" savings account.
I always forget whether you are 13 or I am
I will indeed! And get ready for this ... it's actually her *second* year! She is 19 now. Crazy how fast it goes. She's really drinking McWhisky now
Bummer! Just did Staples today, no issues. We used both used Freedom Unlimited cards.
My head is spinning just reading your list #BOSSI took about 2hrs to get home last night, ping ponging around to my deals. It normally takes 30-45mins. Hit Home Depot, then Best Buy. Couldn't get DHs card linked to Chase Pay in time to do one on each of ours, so I just did mine. Checked with DH that Home Depot was showing as pending before I continued. Then hit Kohl's, Walgreens, and Staples. Then I told DH we could go eat at the local restaurant on the RR dining network instead of going to buy a gift card. Everything shows as pending except Kohl's, where I bought socks so I'll keep the receipt in case it doesn't show up.
- Tues: Did HD/Walgreens/Staples for myself, bought $100 in Disney GCs and will get $30 from RMN and $5 from AMEX
- Last Night: Did HD/Walgreens for DH, bought $50 in Disney GCs and will get $20 from RMN; Did Staples for DH, bought $100 in Petco gift cards and will get $10 from RMN and $10 from AMEX; Did Chase Pay for myself at BB with swagbucks, another $100 Disney GC; should get $10 from RMN for Kohl's (and earned $5 in Kohl's cash - it's $5 for spending $25 right now)
- Tonight: Trying Chase Pay/BB twice, once for each of us, more Disney GCs I think; also will swing by that restaurant and get a gift card, and hope I get the RR dining sign up bonus, if not, not the end of the world.
I decided to get Petco gift cards at Staples because it's time for more dog food. They only had $25 Petco gift cards so when I got to the register the guy was like, are you doing a giveaway? Oh yes, these are raffle prizes for my business...I just told him that it's time to buy dog food and my credit card gives me extra points here. Anyways, tonight I will order dog food for ILs... It's about $120 for 2 bags after taxes, I have a $5 Pals reward, they're running a deal where if you buy 2 bags of dog food you earn a $15 gift card, I have a $50 gift card from an Amazon lightning deal (can't remember how much was left), and then I'll use the new ones from Staples. Obviously I'll end up with some left over but that's fine. And I will go through RMN because they are offering $10 back on $80+ and it does not exclude food
So $20 from RMN, $10 from AMEX, $15 Petco GC, and will earn enough points for another $5 Pals reward.
And DH left on his business trip this morning - this weekend I'll add the flight to his account as they flew SW and he'll get 2254 RR pts
Ack, just when you'd made up your mind. Ugh, I hate it because once I've made up my mind I'm like all in and something like that just screws with me so much as well!Update on the neverending resort saga:
So I slept on it last night...and decided...YACHT CLUB and GRAND FLORIDIAN on the Disney Visa offer is it!
Contacted the agent this morning to make the change...Trouble Point - the refunds from the deposits made on my Disney Rewards Redemption cards could take 7-10 days to process. I don't have enough money left on the redemption cards to make new deposits...
So I asked the TA if we could make the deposit on my Disney Visa and then REFUND the Disney Visa and make a payment on the Rewards Redemption cards in a week. I think this is possible with Disney. Of course the TA is questioning the need to do that - "why not just leave the payment on the Disney Visa?" she says...
So I then had to explain to her that 1-2% is not acceptable to me, lol. I'm expecting to generate an 18-30% return on purchasing Disney GCs and using the right CC. Now I'm waiting to see if she's able to book this all...And the reason I'm going through her is I can get a $50 Disney GC for booking the package (and I don't want to walk away from the TA because she has done some work here)...
At any rate.........WHY CHASE...THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!!!!YOU AND YOUR STUPID URs CHANGE HAVE ME DOING ALL THIS STUPID CRAP NOW!!!!! Sorry...I'm somewhat frustrated right now, lol!
Interesting. I thought NOLA would be a huge hit just because of how cool a city it is and people can can hit the highlights in just a couple days... but it's definitely not for everyone and can be expensive to fly into (at least the cash prices were expensive from CA when I was looking for my trip I did in June).The other was new Orleans. They made a much better deal out of that. Doesn't excite me at all. But I need a job. Hawaii is gonna be $$$ with only 2 sailings. At least I have plenty of time to buy discounted GC.
Why look a gift horse in the mouth?STRANGE thing happened yesterday or today with one of my Chase Freedom Cards...
I received 10,000 URs IMMEDIATELY for use...never pending (presumably from a support click). I wasn't expecting them...AND the statement closed 10 days ago on this account so it wasn't because of that. I've never seen URs just deposited directly into my account before...I guess my next statement in Oct may provide some insight. Very Strange - but I'll take them
They checked ID for me when I made purchases for the Visa discount. Idk if that was normal as I only made a couple purchases.
And FYI to anyone who is a DoD civil service, contractor or retired civil service worker with a CAC you're eligible until mid-Dec for Military Salute Tickets under a test program http://allears.net/2018/09/26/armed...nts-extended-to-dod-civilian-and-contractors/ (Not being any of the above I have no clue what most of this means but if this is you -probably means you didn't have google CAC like me- congrats on last minute ticket discounts!)But had to post, with all the negative news lately finally some good news today. Disney just announced an extension of their Armed Forces Salute.
With the news this past week of the ticketing changes and increased attendance next year for Star Wars there were some that thought that they would not renew. This is an amazing offer for those that can take advantage. $257 for a five day hopper! Hopefully Universal will also renew theirs and that will enable us to take 2-3 vacations next year! We haven't been to Disney since May 2017 and we are definitely missing it!
Well that’s unnerving. My HD from sat credited as did my Mom’s (families that bargain hunt together stay together!). Just did it again today and it’s “pending”. Didn’t buy fillers, didn’t buy disney Sat although i cant imagine that matters- I think we each bought Starbucks last time.
