I love credit cards so much!

[speedyfishy]

Looking for a bit of input. I was thinking about the new pink AmEx. However I did have the Gold AmEx a few years ago (I think I cancelled it about 2 years ago when I got the Chase CSR). Would this mean that I couldn't get the MR bonus?

Also, I have just received the following cards from Chase (completed the MSR on the Hyatt and almost done the MSR on the other):

• July, 2017: Hyatt (for the 60,000 points)
• September 15, 2018: Ink Business Preferred (for the URs)

Would it be too soon to apply for the pink AmEx (if I could get the bonus MR -- if not I won't consider the card)?

I don’t think you are eligible for the bonus. Amex is once per lifetime and this isn’t a different card. It isn’t too soon for you to get an Amex card. What’s ur 5/24 status? Do you want to use a slot on an Amex personal card?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Looking for a bit of input. I was thinking about the new pink AmEx. However I did have the Gold AmEx a few years ago (I think I cancelled it about 2 years ago when I got the Chase CSR). Would this mean that I couldn't get the MR bonus?

Also, I have just received the following cards from Chase (completed the MSR on the Hyatt and almost done the MSR on the other):

• July, 2017: Hyatt (for the 60,000 points)
• September 15, 2018: Ink Business Preferred (for the URs)

Would it be too soon to apply for the pink AmEx (if I could get the bonus MR -- if not I won't consider the card)?

I don’t think you are eligible for the bonus. Amex is once per lifetime and this isn’t a different card. It isn’t too soon for you to get an Amex card. What’s ur 5/24 status? Do you want to use a slot on an Amex personal card?

So this is where this could get confusing...did this person have the AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLD CARD or the AMERICAN EXPRESS PREMIER REWARDS GOLD CARD?

American Express discontinued the Gold Charge Card back in July 2017. It sounds like this "NEW" card is a revamp of the PRG...so previous PRG cardholders are ineligible. Do we have any idea if previous cardholders of the "vanilla" Gold Charge Card would also be ineligible? AND does @*WDW*Groupie* know which card they previously held?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

NEW SUPPORT LINK OFFER:

It appears that AMEX has upped the offer on the New Gold Card (Previous Premier Rewards Gold) to 50k for $2k spend AND that this is available through support links. I'd recommend folks update their links on DISchurners

 

[1st*toright]

Speaking of lounges... (I know no one was speaking of lounges, but aren't we always speaking of lounges?) Has anyone tried the Amex lounge at USO? Apparently if you buy your ticket with an Amex, there is a lounge with snacks and drinks that you can use.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

NEW SUPPORT LINK OFFER:

It appears that AMEX has upped the offer on the New Gold Card (Previous Premier Rewards Gold) to 50k for $2k spend AND that this is available through support links. I'd recommend folks update their links on DISchurners

@snugglebug @GlamMistress you appear to be the only 2 with links for PRG on DISchurners and both of your links currently aren't working FYI

 

[miztressuz]

Sounds like if you cancelled you'd get your money back in cash. Did you just uncover a secret way to cash out URs at 1.50x??? LOL! Of course nobody can actually take advantage of it because you'd have to already have a pending Disney Vacation booked through Connexions.

That was my thought I'd throw them all on it, worst case you got your trip at 1.5, but if you got a refund woohoo.

Here is her response to my attempt at confirming my assumptions:

Morlang, Melissa
To:Alexis
Oct 4 at 11:54 AM


Yes that sounds right. Mainly the problem is Chase Ultimate Rewards is no longer making any new Disney reservations. Connexions is still expected to be associated with Chase at least till the end of the year.

From: Alexis
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2018 11:51 AM
To: Morlang, Melissa
Subject: Re: Request for a takeover



Thanks for the quick reply! So it sounds like Connexions will still hold my reservation until I travel (and allowing discounts to be applied), but will no longer be associated with Chase, and so will be unable to refund me in URs if I overpay - in that case I'll be reimbursed by check. Does this sound right?

And that's what I've been thinking, at least until the end of the year. They're usually contract dates and so changes of vendor happen around contract expirations, usually calendar years make the most sense when doing a contract so I kinda wondered what's going to happen with Connexions/Expedia then. Part of me thinks the Expedia roll out to Sapphires/Inks isn't going to happen until next year for that reason, to maintain contractual obligations. I think I'll be running numbers soon to see if it just makes sense to pay the UR soon our non-Disney cruise or hold out and try for the end of the year. Would have been nice to save up until next May but with the way the winds are changing I'd rather use what I have than not be able to use any at all.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

So this is where this could get confusing...did this person have the AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLD CARD or the AMERICAN EXPRESS PREMIER REWARDS GOLD CARD?

American Express discontinued the Gold Charge Card back in July 2017. It sounds like this "NEW" card is a revamp of the PRG...so previous PRG cardholders are ineligible. Do we have any idea if previous cardholders of the "vanilla" Gold Charge Card would also be ineligible? AND does @*WDW*Groupie* know which card they previously held?

Honestly I have no idea! If I call AmEx will they tell me? I think it was just a plain AmEx gold card (if such a thing existed!)

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Honestly I have no idea! If I call AmEx will they tell me? I think it was just a plain AmEx gold card (if such a thing existed!)

If you tried to apply for the new card, and you previously held the card (or whatever it's predecessor was) you SHOULD see a popup come up that says "you previously held this card" or something like that.

 

[WVMomof3]

Speaking of lounges... (I know no one was speaking of lounges, but aren't we always speaking of lounges?) Has anyone tried the Amex lounge at USO? Apparently if you buy your ticket with an Amex, there is a lounge with snacks and drinks that you can use.

I have not used it, but have heard it is not that great. I want to say people said they had small water bottles and granola bars? I am sure I read about it on the Universal page here on the Dis so maybe check there.

 

[1st*toright]

I have not used it, but have heard it is not that great. I want to say people said they had small water bottles and granola bars? I am sure I read about it on the Universal page here on the Dis so maybe check there.

Yeah, I think low expectations would have to be in order. Could be nice if you're visiting when its hot and just want somewhere to sit in AC.

 

[LynnTH]

I just sent my payment early and did it on the amex...will let you know if it works.

Thanks. I will hold off until I hear if it goes through.

 

[trenty]

off topic, but I don't want to ask in DVC group and I know many of you are members (@calypso726)

I have a February use year. If I book a 2019 trip using some 2018 banked points and some 2019 points, what happens to the points if I need to cancel. Do all points get returned to 2019?

 

[gottalovepluto]

I think this is some GREAT insight here. This also doesn't sound like good news for those of us hoping this is temporary...Why would Chase stop Connexions from booking new Disney trips but still allow them to handle these existing ones...Well, Maybe because as you said a FORMAL SPLIT may be coming. Connexions will continue to be your agent, but you can't use URs anymore.

I think your plan sounds good.

Now we sit here and hope that if they roll Expedia out to CSR/CIP/CSP that perhaps Disney resorts and/or tickets come back as an option!!

I think the plan is good too, I'd throw all my current URs at the res if I were in the boat as well.

The TA owns the reservation and is responsible for it, there are contracts/paperwork involved there so they have to maintain control of it, they can't just peace out on you. Chase is not a TA so they can't take control of it so this does make sense now. If they fully split maybe there would be no practical way to apply/refund URs- which would be SWEET for @MrsAlexis as any refund beyond cash put in is cashing out your URs at $.015. (Connexions refunded me in URs with my ticket debacle so they were capable of issuing UR refunds.) I am still hesitant to believe they are 100% separating as Connexions is still booking other companies for Chase meaning they should still have access to Chase's UR system in the future and that this split might not be 100%...

(I'm in the Expedia roll-out Boat of Hope as well right now!)

 

[elgerber]

off topic, but I don't want to ask in DVC group and I know many of you are members (@calypso726)

I have a February use year. If I book a 2019 trip using some 2018 banked points and some 2019 points, what happens to the points if I need to cancel. Do all points get returned to 2019?

When is the trip?
The points will all go back to where they were before. If you have banked 2018 into 2019, then they will go back into 2019.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Here is her response to my attempt at confirming my assumptions:

XXXXXXXXXX
To:Alexis
Oct 4 at 11:54 AM


Yes that sounds right. Mainly the problem is Chase Ultimate Rewards is no longer making any new Disney reservations. Connexions is still expected to be associated with Chase at least till the end of the year.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
From: Alexis
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2018 11:51 AM

Subject: Re: Request for a takeover



Thanks for the quick reply! So it sounds like Connexions will still hold my reservation until I travel (and allowing discounts to be applied), but will no longer be associated with Chase, and so will be unable to refund me in URs if I overpay - in that case I'll be reimbursed by check. Does this sound right?

We don't post people's names so make sure to remove that

*SOUNDS* right. Do not bet on this, "sounds right" is not a guarantee.

ETA: hahaha you should probably remove the agents name from your quote reply too @SouthFayetteFan

 

[trenty]

When is the trip?
The points will all go back to where they were before. If you have banked 2018 into 2019, then they will go back into 2019.

potentially april 2019. So if I book today, and cancel within the guidelines (30 days???) all points will go back into 2019??

 

[striker1064]

Honestly I have no idea! If I call AmEx will they tell me? I think it was just a plain AmEx gold card (if such a thing existed!)

If you tried to apply for the new card, and you previously held the card (or whatever it's predecessor was) you SHOULD see a popup come up that says "you previously held this card" or something like that.

You should be able to chat with Amex and they'll tell you if you've ever had the card before. There was a plain Gold some time ago (it persists now as the Ameriprise Gold). If that's the card you had, you should be eligible for this.

If you've previously had the Premier Rewards Gold, you likely can't get this one.

 

[jhoannam]

This is how mine posted: AT&T*BILL PAYMENT 97DALLAS TX
We only have Internet service with AT&T. I guess technically there is a phone number attached on our HomeBase for the Internet service.
I wasn't sure if it had to $200 to get the credit or if they would have issued partial up to $200 so I just went with the $200 pre-payment to be safe and it worked like a charm. I just used DH's offer since mine worked.

Thanks for reporting back, just made a $200 payment to our ATT internet bill, hope I get credited.

 

[jhoannam]

I booked our 2019 Disney trip, so sad not to be able to use UR's but now I need to follow the gift card thread. My goal will be 20% discount on cards and the rest I'll cash out UR's, I was saving my UR's for this trip, I need to make this trip as free as possible. I would have used 165,000 UR's to pay for the hotels, I'll cash those out, but will still need about $3,000 in gift cards.

 

[miztressuz]

I think the plan is good too, I'd throw all my current URs at the res if I were in the boat as well.

The TA owns the reservation and is responsible for it, there are contracts/paperwork involved there so they have to maintain control of it, they can't just peace out on you. Chase is not a TA so they can't take control of it so this does make sense now. If they fully split maybe there would be no practical way to apply/refund URs- which would be SWEET for @MrsAlexis as any refund beyond cash put in is cashing out your URs at $.015. (Connexions refunded me in URs with my ticket debacle so they were capable of issuing UR refunds.) I am still hesitant to believe they are 100% separating as Connexions is still booking other companies for Chase meaning they should still have access to Chase's UR system in the future and that this split might not be 100%...

(I'm in the Expedia roll-out Boat of Hope as well right now!)

Normally I'd agree with this but with so many agents insisting that Chase UR has to be used a the time of transfer, I'm wondering if that was the writing on the wall. Connexions will still be the TA even after Chase separates, but there's no real incentive at that point. I had asked if they did any kind of deals or specials and they all said, no, just whatever the cruiseline offers. So they are a full service TA but it doesn't seem like they have any other side gigs going on with it. It's solely an admin for loyalty programs (vs. the TA that works with Discover. They are their own agency too so sometimes you can get their deal and still get the cashback on your Discover. )

Since booking directly with Chase requires you use your UR at the time of booking they could do that up until the last day of the contract. It's these transfer/delayed payment situations that are sticky. Not sure where I stand with the Expedia thing. Since they do cruise and tours too I'm not sure they'd both exist in the same ecosystem. Part of me thinks Expedia eventually takes over, and at first that seems like a good thing, but with Chase dictating what can and can't be shown still not sure it's going to make any difference.