I love credit cards so much!

[have2getaway]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I finally have earned enough chase rewards to use towards a stay at a Universal resort, but I’m not seeing how there’s a benefit to using the points in this manner? It seems as though redeeming for cash and then using the cash to pay for a Lowes resort stay is more cost effective? What am I missing? I’ve heard it’s always better to use the points, because they’re worth more than redeeming for cash, but I’m not seeing that here. In what situations is it most advantageous to use the points for travel?

 

[amalone1013]

Has anyone had their 15 elite CC nights for Marriott post since the merger? I am due mine in Dec so I am hoping they actually appear since after we stay at Fairfield this evening plus those 15 nights, I will make platinum.

So sad to be leaving ORLANDO though High of 81 degree today certainly beats the temp in MD. 6 more years until DS graduates and I retire and we can move to the warmth somewhere!

I did. I didnt pay close enough attention to see when they hit exactly, but my anniversary was in September and I got them

 

[havaneselover]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I finally have earned enough chase rewards to use towards a stay at a Universal resort, but I’m not seeing how there’s a benefit to using the points in this manner? It seems as though redeeming for cash and then using the cash to pay for a Lowes resort stay is more cost effective? What am I missing? I’ve heard it’s always better to use the points, because they’re worth more than redeeming for cash, but I’m not seeing that here. In what situations is it most advantageous to use the points for travel?

I used chase points because my $100/night room at cabana bay only cost 6,700 ur points when I used my csr.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I finally have earned enough chase rewards to use towards a stay at a Universal resort, but I’m not seeing how there’s a benefit to using the points in this manner? It seems as though redeeming for cash and then using the cash to pay for a Lowes resort stay is more cost effective? What am I missing? I’ve heard it’s always better to use the points, because they’re worth more than redeeming for cash, but I’m not seeing that here. In what situations is it most advantageous to use the points for travel?

It’s only advantageous if you have a card that multiplies the value of your points when you book travel via Chase portal. CSR 1 UR:$.015 or CSP/CIP 1 UR:$.0125

If you have only a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited you’re better to cash out. If you have a CSR/CSP/CIP you transfer points from your CF/CFU to those cards to get the better point redemptions. If you’re under 5/24 with only a CF/CFU and are interested in CSR/CSP/CIP we can help you decide which might be better for you

 

[have2getaway]

I used chase points because my $100/night room at cabana bay only cost 6,700 ur points when I used my csr.

Ty for the response. We are fairly new to ultimate rewards. I did notice that redeeming for cash is about $280 less than if we can redeem for travel, but found that using points actually costs more for a room at Portofino Bay than if we simply paid cash. This is where I’m confused—knowing what is the best use of the points versus reimbursing ourselves with cash back?

 

[striker1064]

For the triple dip experts out there, how late is too late to apply and still get it? P2 is getting the Schwab next but we're not quite ready for it yet.

 

[havaneselover]

Ty for the response. We are fairly new to ultimate rewards. I did notice that redeeming for cash is about $280 less than if we can redeem for travel, but found that using points actually costs more for a room at Portofino Bay than if we simply paid cash. This is where I’m confused—knowing what is the best use of the points versus reimbursing ourselves with cash back?

Yeah there are sometimes better deals. Maximizing points can be laborious

 

[have2getaway]

DH has a CSP, which is where I transferred the points. A standard room rate uses $25,000 points per night or $312 per night, which is identical to the Lowes site, but if we were to get an AP, then the cost is $240 per night. The Chase UR portal doesn’t match that. Am I right? How is supposed to compare? 75,000 UR points would equate to what in cash? I’m so lost with this.

 

[hsmamato2]

question regarding the timing of CSR TC..... so I have some travel expenses coming up, but we check out of hotel on Dec 15.... travel credit will reset for next year after Dec 20.... so I could put the charges on my CSR,and then apply the credit a week later,right?

 

[amalone1013]

Ty for the response. We are fairly new to ultimate rewards. I did notice that redeeming for cash is about $280 less than if we can redeem for travel, but found that using points actually costs more for a room at Portofino Bay than if we simply paid cash. This is where I’m confused—knowing what is the best use of the points versus reimbursing ourselves with cash back?

What UR card would you be redeeming through?

 

[gottalovepluto]

DH has a CSP, which is where I transferred the points. A standard room rate uses $25,000 points per night or $312 per night, which is identical to the Lowes site, but if we were to get an AP, then the cost is $240 per night. The Chase UR portal doesn’t match that. Am I right? How is supposed to compare? 75,000 UR points would equate to what in cash? I’m so lost with this.

Ah! Yes that’s the other part. Because you’re booking 3rd party you don’t get your AP discount. In that case cash out for $$$ to cover the cash cost. Or, leave the points for use elsewhere & pay out of pocket- that choice depends on 1) your budget & 2) future plans.

You should not be unsure of yourself You’ve got the redemption math down pat!

 

[gottalovepluto]

question regarding the timing of CSR TC..... so I have some travel expenses coming up, but we check out of hotel on Dec 15.... travel credit will reset for next year after Dec 20.... so I could put the charges on my CSR,and then apply the credit a week later,right?

No, credit is applied automatically. Those charges will post before Dec 20 so they won’t be eligible.

 

[kmc8826]

If you were targeted and activated the offer before, but came back and “lost” the discount, try clicking the Get 20% off offer banner and click to activate again before proceeding to checkout. You’ll get the red message, “Your points will be applied at checkout but we were not able to activate the promo code. If you have already activated this code, your discount will be applied at checkout,” but when you proceed to checkout you might see the Amex Holiday Promo applied again, just remember to change your pay with points to $0.01 or only 1 MR. Hope this works.

I don’t even have the banner now although I know I did before. I clicked on it and read conditions but didn’t activate (guess I should have). It is not reading my Plat Biz as even having MR points available. I added the Golds and it sees the points on the Biz but I tried the .01 trick and it didn’t discount. I think I am out of luck.

 

[miztressuz]

Ok, I bit the bullet and made my first non-SW award flight just now. Tell me everything I did wrong

After months of working out our rough Alaska post-cruise itinerary we called an audible this week, scrapped most of it and just decided to spend the whole week in Alaska - most likely Fairbanks but at the very least we're ending in Fairbanks. Found lots of options for First class awards on AA from FAI-PHL, but couldn't find any of the spiffy planes so it's just comfortable seats, not anything luxurious. Since there was nothing compelling about any flight over another, we picked the option with 2 red eyes which basically gives us a day layover in Seattle (arrive by 7am Saturday morning, leave 10pm Saturday night), this way we can see the city a bit. From a quick 5 minute search I think we can store our bags and catch a train from the airport if we don't want to rent a car and worry about parking and such.

After much analysis paralysis and anxiety over parting with ALL of my points at once, we're booked 2 one way tickets in First for 60k AA miles + $22.40. This makes it just $117.40 OOP total for two tickets ($95 AF + 22.40) courtesy of my Barclay AAviator Biz. I'm sure figuring out how to use my 20, 500 mile upgrades would have been useful but I think you needed to find economy sAAver space and that was in short supply (possibly, I never quite figured out how that worked or why I still have them. I thought they came from a promotion that expired earlier this year but they're still in my account) It still feels like "wasting" points BUT this is exactly why I got them, for the cross-country return flight so we could splurge a little at the end of the trip, it just ended up 10k more than planned since we're now coming from AK; very glad I jumped on it while 60k to have that extra available. I even remembered to put the fees on my CSR for the trip insurance.

 

[Judique]

THIS is why I've been thinking about getting a no AF low end amex MR card! FOMO on all these deals....

I have one and I was very disappointed not to get the offer...

 

[magickingdomprincess]

If I cash out my bonus of 80k UR points from the CIP bonus, it would be worth $800 in cash, correct? Really $850 with the $5k in spend? I get confused with It's too! Not sure why.

 

[WVMomof3]

DH has a CSP, which is where I transferred the points. A standard room rate uses $25,000 points per night or $312 per night, which is identical to the Lowes site, but if we were to get an AP, then the cost is $240 per night. The Chase UR portal doesn’t match that. Am I right? How is supposed to compare? 75,000 UR points would equate to what in cash? I’m so lost with this.

Universal was our first trip 2 years ago when we just got into credit card points. I was excited to use points but ran into this same problem. We ended up just using the AP rate and paying for it with our new CSR, did get the $300 travel credit out of it, but did not cash in any points because I knew they could be more profitable for a later trip. 75,000 UR points can be cashed in for $750 but would be worth a min of $937 through your CSP portal or could be worth more if you transfer to a partner, especially Southwest and Hyatt.

 

[hsmamato2]

No, credit is applied automatically. Those charges will post before Dec 20 so they won’t be eligible.

I messed up my timing on that one! Ok..... next plan... if I use my spg biz for expenses (it's a marriott) I should get like 12x points per dollar,right? either that or maybe i should do the arrival+.... if I got it now can I use the purchase eraser for travel at that point(Dec 15?) or is the timing rong for that too? I wouldn't hit the MSR yet by that date

 

[MarBee]

Ty for the response. We are fairly new to ultimate rewards. I did notice that redeeming for cash is about $280 less than if we can redeem for travel, but found that using points actually costs more for a room at Portofino Bay than if we simply paid cash. This is where I’m confused—knowing what is the best use of the points versus reimbursing ourselves with cash back?

When I used my CSP to book at Royal Pacific, I also factored in the cost of the express pass that comes along with staying there. It doesn’t affect how you book, but just something I wanted to throw my two cents in about for when you are choosing which hotel.

 

[havaneselover]

I have one and I was very disappointed not to get the offer...

Me too