I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

Maybe I’m just being dense, but how are people triple dipping on the CSR travel credit? I got the card in May 2017 (before the change so mine still resets on calendar year) & used the 2017 credit. My credit reset in mid-Dec, haven’t used the 2018 credit yet. I’ll be charged the AF again in May 2018, but my credit won’t reset again until Dec 2018. Did I just get my card at the wrong time to be able to triple dip? Or am I not understanding what people are doing?

I am rethinking, though, whether I should keep the CSR or have DW keep hers. If I PC mine after my 1-year mark in May, I can get $600 in travel credits plus a $100 global entry credit for one $450 AF plus whatever prorated AF I have to pay before I can PC. DW just got hers this month, so her travel credit is on card anniversary and will reset every Dec anyway. Also if she keeps hers she’ll only have to PC one card next Dec (she also got a CSP) instead of two. I’ll PC my CSP in March and then would have a couple months before I’d need to PC my CSR in May. I’m not sure it matters too much, but now that I’m thinking about it we’ll get a bit more “value” out of PCing my CSR since I’ll be able to double dip the $300 credit.

If I do decide to PC both my CSP & CSR, should I get a CFU & a second Freedom? I already have one Freedom (w/ DW as AU). I don’t know if I’d ever max out 5X categories on 2 cards but my only other option is the no-fee Sapphire, right?

I triple dipped BUT I did allow my CSR to go into the next calendar year. It ended up costing me $75 to get the 2018 travel credit. Yours is much further away in that you'd incur about half a years AF. It is based on when we got our cards.

We decided to PC my csr and have dh keep his CSR. I got mine in Sept 2016 and his in Mar 2017. For us, we are only going to keep one CSR. I can reapply for the CSR in Oct 2018. I may be well over 5/24 by then but at least that is closer than Apr 2019

I PC'ed both! I PC'ed my CSP to a no-fee Sapphire and my CSR to a CFU. I also am a AU on my dh's Freedom and we never max out the categories so I just went with the above. I may end up using my last spot to double dip and get my own Freedom. I just figured why give up bonuses through PC when I might be able to get those on my own?!?

 

[Ava]

May 2017 - credit one.
Dec 2017- credit two.
Dec 2018 - credit three. | May 2018 2nd AF kicks. May-Dec = 8 months? $300 AF fee. Not worth triple dipping.

did u use your GE credit? GE credit once used has a 4 year reset clock. you are correct on your PCs. your choices are CFU, CF and Sapphire card. i recall you have to PC to CFU before going to CF though. could be wrong there.

I haven’t used my GE credit yet. If I decide to PC my card, I’ll make sure to get that first. I planned to have both me & DW get GE this year anyway while we both have CSR to cover the fee.

 

[pillow]

i recall you have to PC to CFU before going to CF though.

I had heard this too, but my DH was able to go directly to CF from CSR without doing CFU.

 

[wendow]

I had heard this too, but my DH was able to go directly to CF from CSR without doing CFU.

Was he over a year with his CSR?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I used my Freedom card a lot this Q4 at WM, kohls and JCP. I earned 5% at kohls and jcp but I also ended up returning a lot of purchases. I looked at my account with the returns now posted and they did not claw back the 4% bonus. They have the 1% taken away but that is it. Will Chase take that extra 4% back later?

I noticed the same. I haven't returned a lot of things but they only took away 1% on the stuff I did.

No.

Wowza...super surprising!

 

[mhartman09]

Flew back in from Orlando on Monday evening after our short Christmas weekend trip to WDW. It was exhausting, but oh so amazing and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!! Still have lots of reading to do to catch up here.

A few weeks back we booked a 7 night stay for Easter using our UR points. This will be the 4th trip for us since June that we've booked our resort entirely using UR points (7 nights in June, 6 nights in October, 2 nights for Christmas, 7 nights in March/April 2018). We booked flights for all of these except for June using SW RR points and CP (also have a Vegas round trip flight coming up in February). Plus I've used 2 Disney Visa signup bonus gift cards and swagbucks cash outs turned to Disney gift cards for most of our spending money for our stays.

We were at my in-law's last night talking about how much fun we had at WDW over Christmas weekend. Then we got on the subject of our Easter trip. After talking about it for a bit, my SIL and BIL (DH's brother) quickly decided they want to join us for that trip. SIL began looking up rates to see if there was anything available at POR since that's where we are staying. I was able to book my parents and my niece rooms at POR last week using my AP rate, but there isn't anything still available with AP. She said she still wanted to book anyway, so went ahead with the 7 night stay and 8-day PH tickets for her family of 4. Room and tickets came to right around $4500. When she got home, she texted me asking "what's that card you guys have to get all the points?" I laughed so hard when I read that. It's just not that simple.

DH and I have talked about our cc bonuses before when we're at the in-laws and BIL and SIL are there, but they have never really expressed an interest in learning how any of it works (which is fine by me). SIL always says she's impressed, but "that just seems like too much work for not much back." Now she was at home looking at flights (they usually drive, but BIL wants to fly to save time and because we are all flying) and was not liking the cash prices to get all 4 of them round trip tickets. She knows how many resort nights and how many flights we've been able to book using our various points, but obviously never paid attention to any of the specifics. I sent her a little info, and told her I'd be happy to explain further and answer any questions she has. Maybe she's finally starting to get it.

Our current travel goals don't seem like much compared to some of the amazing trips you guys post about. Believe me, I'm envious!! I can't wait to get to that point. This first year of the cc hobby for us has been more about our WDW trips and maximizing the days we use our APs before they expire, but spend as little as possible OOP. Now that my first 12 months is almost over (January anniversary of my CSR), I feel like we really accomplished that and I'm very happy with our redemptions. Couldn't have done it without the amazing group of DISers here who are so willing to help and share their experiences.

 

[pillow]

Was he over a year with his CSR?

No- about 11 months in and received a prorated refund of the first year fee.

 

[calypso726]

Flew back in from Orlando on Monday evening after our short Christmas weekend trip to WDW. It was exhausting, but oh so amazing and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!! Still have lots of reading to do to catch up here.

A few weeks back we booked a 7 night stay for Easter using our UR points. This will be the 4th trip for us since June that we've booked our resort entirely using UR points (7 nights in June, 6 nights in October, 2 nights for Christmas, 7 nights in March/April 2018). We booked flights for all of these except for June using SW RR points and CP (also have a Vegas round trip flight coming up in February). Plus I've used 2 Disney Visa signup bonus gift cards and swagbucks cash outs turned to Disney gift cards for most of our spending money for our stays.

We were at my in-law's last night talking about how much fun we had at WDW over Christmas weekend. Then we got on the subject of our Easter trip. After talking about it for a bit, my SIL and BIL (DH's brother) quickly decided they want to join us for that trip. SIL began looking up rates to see if there was anything available at POR since that's where we are staying. I was able to book my parents and my niece rooms at POR last week using my AP rate, but there isn't anything still available with AP. She said she still wanted to book anyway, so went ahead with the 7 night stay and 8-day PH tickets for her family of 4. Room and tickets came to right around $4500. When she got home, she texted me asking "what's that card you guys have to get all the points?" I laughed so hard when I read that. It's just not that simple.

DH and I have talked about our cc bonuses before when we're at the in-laws and BIL and SIL are there, but they have never really expressed an interest in learning how any of it works (which is fine by me). SIL always says she's impressed, but "that just seems like too much work for not much back." Now she was at home looking at flights (they usually drive, but BIL wants to fly to save time and because we are all flying) and was not liking the cash prices to get all 4 of them round trip tickets. She knows how many resort nights and how many flights we've been able to book using our various points, but obviously never paid attention to any of the specifics. I sent her a little info, and told her I'd be happy to explain further and answer any questions she has. Maybe she's finally starting to get it.

Our current travel goals don't seem like much compared to some of the amazing trips you guys post about. Believe me, I'm envious!! I can't wait to get to that point. This first year of the cc hobby for us has been more about our WDW trips and maximizing the days we use our APs before they expire, but spend as little as possible OOP. Now that my first 12 months is almost over (January anniversary of my CSR), I feel like we really accomplished that and I'm very happy with our redemptions. Couldn't have done it without the amazing group of DISers here who are so willing to help and share their experiences.

Wow! I think it that is amazing that you were able to get 4 trips all on UR points and the SW companion pass! If I didn't live in Florida and didn't have DVC my own travel goals would be more focused on WDW. I may have to look into this whole Swagbucks thing as I keep seeing it mentioned and Disney gift cards are something I can always use.

I know exactly what you mean! Most of my friends and family know about my travel hacking hobby and most don't get it which is fine. I've had people tell me it sounds exhausting. I tell them that working the extra amount of time required to pay for our trips with real money would be more exhausting and there aren't enough hours in the day for me to do that anyhow. I understand that when the concept is explained to them it sounds overwhelming. My next question when confronted with the idea that "It's too much work and too complicated" is always, "Do you have a credit card that you buy things with?" Invariably they say they do and I explain they are already doing what I do, they just aren't getting the same return on their card application and spending that I get on mine.

Yup! "Which card do I get" is the hardest question to not really answer. Keep us posted on their progress!

 

[hsmamato2]

Has your new AF hit yet?

I just realized it hasn't yet- even tho statement date is the 18th. So it'll hit after Jan date? Should we wait till then to call in?(I'm trying to postpone my DH calling, he hates doing this)

 

[hsmamato2]

Maybe I’m just being dense, but how are people triple dipping on the CSR travel credit?

We got that card Dec2, 2016- used first TC right away(Alaska Cruise) Then the 2017 TC hit,and we used that (Alaska Cruise) statement date just closed on 12/18/17....now we have the 2018 TC (used already on a car rental) triple dip.

 

[kmc8826]

I know exactly what you mean! Most of my friends and family know about my travel hacking hobby and most don't get it which is fine. I've had people tell me it sounds exhausting. I tell them that working the extra amount of time required to pay for our trips with real money would be more exhausting and there aren't enough hours in the day for me to do that anyhow. I understand that when the concept is explained to them it sounds overwhelming. My next question when confronted with the idea that "It's too much work and too complicated" is always, "Do you have a credit card that you buy things with?" Invariably they say they do and I explain they are already doing what I do, they just aren't getting the same return on their card application and spending that I get on mine.

Yup! "Which card do I get" is the hardest question to not really answer. Keep us posted on their progress!

I don’t think anyone I know in real life really “gets” the credit card travel hacking. I get the impression people think I must be financially irresponsible. My parents understand that is how we are managing to go to WDW so much with the girls, but actually have no interest in it. All they use is a Marriott Card and Amex Delta. That is it. They book flights based on whenever they decide too without regard to prices at all. It makes me a little sick to think how much money they could be saving. I try not to think about it. It is just a little frustrating though because they say they want to go with us like on our trip in a month but “can’ t afford it.” I am like you could afford it if you would take some basic steps which aren’t that terribly hard!

 

[AmyAnne]

I just realized it hasn't yet- even tho statement date is the 18th. So it'll hit after Jan date? Should we wait till then to call in?(I'm trying to postpone my DH calling, he hates doing this)

I just checked my CSR account and my AF posted 10/1, statement date of 10/6.

 

[AmyAnne]

I don’t think anyone I know in real life really “gets” the credit card travel hacking. I get the impression people think I must be financially irresponsible. My parents understand that is how we are managing to go to WDW so much with the girls, but actually have no interest in it. All they use is a Marriott Card and Amex Delta. That is it. They book flights based on whenever they decide too without regard to prices at all. It makes me a little sick to think how much money they could be saving. I try not to think about it. It is just a little frustrating though because they say they want to go with us like on our trip in a month but “can’ t afford it.” I am like you could afford it if you would take some basic steps which aren’t that terribly hard!

I got my MIL to sign up for the CSR last Thanksgiving because she and FIL had several trips upcoming. I have to be careful about encouraging her (and other family members) to sign up for more credit cards because I know she carries a balance on at least one credit card and I'm not comfortable really stressing how important it is to pay off balances every month,

 

[hsmamato2]

I just checked my CSR account and my AF posted 10/1, statement date of 10/6.

I wonder why ours isn't posting yet?

 

[miztressuz]

Could be old news, but I got an email from AmEx today about offers only available through the app. It was for a $5 off $5 or more Dunkin Donuts purchase which hubby does hit a couple days a week for coffee. That offer was indeed only listed in the app and I think there was an H&R Block offer in there I don't have through the web. Like most of the AmEx UI changes don't really dig the app at first glance but might hang on to it if they send good offers through it.

 

[Ava]

Flew back in from Orlando on Monday evening after our short Christmas weekend trip to WDW. It was exhausting, but oh so amazing and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!! Still have lots of reading to do to catch up here.

A few weeks back we booked a 7 night stay for Easter using our UR points. This will be the 4th trip for us since June that we've booked our resort entirely using UR points (7 nights in June, 6 nights in October, 2 nights for Christmas, 7 nights in March/April 2018). We booked flights for all of these except for June using SW RR points and CP (also have a Vegas round trip flight coming up in February). Plus I've used 2 Disney Visa signup bonus gift cards and swagbucks cash outs turned to Disney gift cards for most of our spending money for our stays.

We were at my in-law's last night talking about how much fun we had at WDW over Christmas weekend. Then we got on the subject of our Easter trip. After talking about it for a bit, my SIL and BIL (DH's brother) quickly decided they want to join us for that trip. SIL began looking up rates to see if there was anything available at POR since that's where we are staying. I was able to book my parents and my niece rooms at POR last week using my AP rate, but there isn't anything still available with AP. She said she still wanted to book anyway, so went ahead with the 7 night stay and 8-day PH tickets for her family of 4. Room and tickets came to right around $4500. When she got home, she texted me asking "what's that card you guys have to get all the points?" I laughed so hard when I read that. It's just not that simple.

DH and I have talked about our cc bonuses before when we're at the in-laws and BIL and SIL are there, but they have never really expressed an interest in learning how any of it works (which is fine by me). SIL always says she's impressed, but "that just seems like too much work for not much back." Now she was at home looking at flights (they usually drive, but BIL wants to fly to save time and because we are all flying) and was not liking the cash prices to get all 4 of them round trip tickets. She knows how many resort nights and how many flights we've been able to book using our various points, but obviously never paid attention to any of the specifics. I sent her a little info, and told her I'd be happy to explain further and answer any questions she has. Maybe she's finally starting to get it.

Our current travel goals don't seem like much compared to some of the amazing trips you guys post about. Believe me, I'm envious!! I can't wait to get to that point. This first year of the cc hobby for us has been more about our WDW trips and maximizing the days we use our APs before they expire, but spend as little as possible OOP. Now that my first 12 months is almost over (January anniversary of my CSR), I feel like we really accomplished that and I'm very happy with our redemptions. Couldn't have done it without the amazing group of DISers here who are so willing to help and share their experiences.

That sounds amazing! Seeing Disney at Christmastime is on my bucket list, but with the kids’ school schedule and traveling to see family for the holidays it’s tough to find a time. Someday!

I’m also impressed that you were able to get 4 WDW trips on points. I started out very modestly in this hobby; 6 nights hotel in western PA, most of 3 nights hotel in Philly, bought Wyndham points to save on hotel in Newport, RI, our flights to WDW this summer. That’s about all I’ve done so far on points. Now I have more of a stash so am hoping to get a Feb trip to DC and summer trip to Disneyland/San Diego paid for mostly with points & CSR travel credits. I also have a counsin’s wedding in August; it’s in Maryland so I’ll need train tickets down there for me & DW and one night hotel, so hopefully I can do that on points as well.

 

[Ava]

I just realized it hasn't yet- even tho statement date is the 18th. So it'll hit after Jan date? Should we wait till then to call in?(I'm trying to postpone my DH calling, he hates doing this)

I’ve realized in tracking my Chase cards that the AF posts on the first of the month following the month the card was opened, regardless of the statement date. So if you opened the card in Dec, your AF will post on Jan 1st.

 

[wendow]

I just realized it hasn't yet- even tho statement date is the 18th. So it'll hit after Jan date? Should we wait till then to call in?(I'm trying to postpone my DH calling, he hates doing this)

Yes, I would wait until the AF hits and then maybe it will enable you to make the change through SM’ing.

 

[amalone1013]

DH and I have talked about our cc bonuses before when we're at the in-laws and BIL and SIL are there, but they have never really expressed an interest in learning how any of it works (which is fine by me). SIL always says she's impressed, but "that just seems like too much work for not much back."

This is the attitude we mostly get, so I don't get into it with people haha.

I know exactly what you mean! Most of my friends and family know about my travel hacking hobby and most don't get it which is fine. I've had people tell me it sounds exhausting. I tell them that working the extra amount of time required to pay for our trips with real money would be more exhausting and there aren't enough hours in the day for me to do that anyhow. I understand that when the concept is explained to them it sounds overwhelming. My next question when confronted with the idea that "It's too much work and too complicated" is always, "Do you have a credit card that you buy things with?" Invariably they say they do and I explain they are already doing what I do, they just aren't getting the same return on their card application and spending that I get on mine.

These are great responses!


Just quick calculations we saved at least $6k on our wedding/honeymoon trip (and probably more as my spending tracking petered out towards the end) via CC points and CC/Swagbucks to get deals on Disney GCs. Just rough calculations, based on my average post tax hourly pay (granted this is after deductions and almost maxing 401k), I would have had to work about 370 more hours this year to cover that... and since I already worked almost 850 hours of overtime this year, no thank you!!

Swagbucks is a survey/rewards site. There's a whole thread on the Budget Board if you're interested. There are many familiar faces between here, the GC deal thread, and swagbucks thread

 

[Lain]

Flew back in from Orlando on Monday evening after our short Christmas weekend trip to WDW. It was exhausting, but oh so amazing and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!! Still have lots of reading to do to catch up here.

A few weeks back we booked a 7 night stay for Easter using our UR points. This will be the 4th trip for us since June that we've booked our resort entirely using UR points (7 nights in June, 6 nights in October, 2 nights for Christmas, 7 nights in March/April 2018). We booked flights for all of these except for June using SW RR points and CP (also have a Vegas round trip flight coming up in February). Plus I've used 2 Disney Visa signup bonus gift cards and swagbucks cash outs turned to Disney gift cards for most of our spending money for our stays.

We were at my in-law's last night talking about how much fun we had at WDW over Christmas weekend. Then we got on the subject of our Easter trip. After talking about it for a bit, my SIL and BIL (DH's brother) quickly decided they want to join us for that trip. SIL began looking up rates to see if there was anything available at POR since that's where we are staying. I was able to book my parents and my niece rooms at POR last week using my AP rate, but there isn't anything still available with AP. She said she still wanted to book anyway, so went ahead with the 7 night stay and 8-day PH tickets for her family of 4. Room and tickets came to right around $4500. When she got home, she texted me asking "what's that card you guys have to get all the points?" I laughed so hard when I read that. It's just not that simple.

DH and I have talked about our cc bonuses before when we're at the in-laws and BIL and SIL are there, but they have never really expressed an interest in learning how any of it works (which is fine by me). SIL always says she's impressed, but "that just seems like too much work for not much back." Now she was at home looking at flights (they usually drive, but BIL wants to fly to save time and because we are all flying) and was not liking the cash prices to get all 4 of them round trip tickets. She knows how many resort nights and how many flights we've been able to book using our various points, but obviously never paid attention to any of the specifics. I sent her a little info, and told her I'd be happy to explain further and answer any questions she has. Maybe she's finally starting to get it.

Our current travel goals don't seem like much compared to some of the amazing trips you guys post about. Believe me, I'm envious!! I can't wait to get to that point. This first year of the cc hobby for us has been more about our WDW trips and maximizing the days we use our APs before they expire, but spend as little as possible OOP. Now that my first 12 months is almost over (January anniversary of my CSR), I feel like we really accomplished that and I'm very happy with our redemptions. Couldn't have done it without the amazing group of DISers here who are so willing to help and share their experiences.

So glad to read you had such a great time! Christmastime is our favorite time in the parks, sans the crowds; everything is dressed up so magically!

Sounds like you’ve got two potential referrals coming your way. Time to step up your A-game!