I love credit cards so much!

[CyndiLouWho]

I'm trying not to...

Same.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Thanks @disneymagicgirl. I did feel bad the other day suggesting such an aggressive plan for the rest of the year and into next year for your DH. I probably would’ve done it myself if the CSR and CSP double dip were still available to me, but I don’t think I would’ve suggested the same for my wife. With the Chase shutdown stories, it’s very prudent to play it slower. Your plan works just as well by focusing on the SPG Biz, CIP, and some form of SW double dip for CP at the turn of the year, and putting off the CSP/CSR for next year if that double dip is still working.

Don't feel bad at all. A couple months ago I would've gone for it. But with the recent stories of chase issues I am gonna take it slow. We have amounted a decent stash of points, though I will be wiping out a bunch of them for Hawaii if I can ever figure that out, so I am in a position to take it slow. I appreciate all your guidance!!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I read TPG articles, not the cc ones, but the booking ones. Today I read one about helpful apps. So I will check out all the apps and see which I might find helpful. It’s pretty clear he profits from links, it’s stated right on the blog.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

So speaking of Hawaii...I have discovered the GW on Maui sleeps 4 to a room and they will make an exception for 3 children. We have 3 littles plus a college student. So I need 2 rooms. Uggh. And they give pool wristbands, so I can't smuggle anyone in like we do at the beach in FL. Although last year at the beach DH actually told the desk clerk we had 6 in the room. I digress. Also, there is literally ZERO availability for the rest of the year in standard awards. That seems to change often, though. But I don't hold my breath that I will score 2 rooms.
I think I may need to stick with Hyatts then, since 2 rooms is 40-50k/nt total, vs hiltons 140k+. Anyone recommend good Hyatts in Hawaii? Hyatt Regency Maui? Or maybe a SPG hotel...westin Maui? I may need to do 5 nights at 2 diff places to get it all on points...Hyatt using URs and SPG using SPG points. I am also going to look at renting points for a couple nights at Aulani or possibly using UR points there. Since we can do a 1 bedroom, that may end up being less URs than 2 hotel rooms....

 

[kmc8826]

So speaking of Hawaii...I have discovered the GW on Maui sleeps 4 to a room and they will make an exception for 3 children. We have 3 littles plus a college student. So I need 2 rooms. Uggh. And they give pool wristbands, so I can't smuggle anyone in like we do at the beach in FL. Although last year at the beach DH actually told the desk clerk we had 6 in the room. I digress. Also, there is literally ZERO availability for the rest of the year in standard awards. That seems to change often, though. But I don't hold my breath that I will score 2 rooms.
I think I may need to stick with Hyatts then, since 2 rooms is 40-50k/nt total, vs hiltons 140k+. Anyone recommend good Hyatts in Hawaii? Hyatt Regency Maui? Or maybe a SPG hotel...westin Maui? I may need to do 5 nights at 2 diff places to get it all on points...Hyatt using URs and SPG using SPG points. I am also going to look at renting points for a couple nights at Aulani or possibly using UR points there. Since we can do a 1 bedroom, that may end up being less URs than 2 hotel rooms....

My review of Hyatt Regency Maui. We just returned March 2.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-867#post-58910721

Let me know if you have any questions.

Oh and in good news since I originally posted the review I checked my World of Hyatt account. I got 6000 total extra points for the 6 nights we stayed (1000 points a nice). I guess it was a promotion I signed up for. I really like Hyatt. There award chart is good and getting awarded on even on an all award stay is awesome.

 

[miztressuz]

I’m really surprised TPG would refer anyone to /r/churning. Anybody spending any amount of time there would see how many churners really hate the guy for being a shill who gives biased advice about which cards to get, misleads his readers to use his affiliate links that usually aren’t the best deal for them, all to line his own wallet.

ETA: I do read and even cite TPG occasionally because he can be a good source for news and things like how certain card [and hotel & airline] benefits work, but just be aware that his business does put into conflict making money for him and his bank sponsors and the best interests of his readers.

Wow, shouldn't have slept I have to run out again today so I only just skimmed a bit further than this but I'll just throw out a couple of thoughts -
1. I was surprised at the /r/churning too but it was in reference to the guy that asked about the mortgage payment and I think some where in his answer when he mentioned the MS he said if you went to reddit and checked /r/churning it'd have a whole lot of discussion about both topics. Something like that.
2. He is a business, he said he's got 25 employees that run the site with many more contributors and so for sure take everything with a grain of salt. He started as a side gig like everyone else and had some good marketing, when you build up a user base it makes it attractive to corporate sponsors so it doesn't surprise me he's been "bought out" or whatever happened. Unfortunately when you get bought/sponsored you have to play by the rules a bit. But he's been doing the FF game for so long I'd have to think if you stick with that side (like you and I think @calypso726 mentioned) that would be some good info. I took notes on some of the partner mileage tricks and such. He had an interesting story to outline an example of when buying points on a partner and transferring them to the airline of choice actually saved money over a split between cash or miles straight up with that airline. (i'm probably not explaining that right but it made sense and gave some food for thought for those in the "never pay for points/miles!" camp)

 

[KSR0330]

Chase can’t distinguish between personal and business transactions. Businesses purchase all those things you listed for various reason. You don’t need to worry about what you charge to your Chase Biz cards.

Just about any expense can find a justifiable reason to be considered a business expense. You go get that CIP and hit it with all you’ve got!

Great, thanks! It's exciting now that I have a plan and am beginning to put it into place. I can totally see how this can get totally addicting!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I read TPG articles, not the cc ones, but the booking ones. Today I read one about helpful apps. So I will check out all the apps and see which I might find helpful. It’s pretty clear he profits from links, it’s stated right on the blog.

I think he is clear that he profits from the links...however he isn’t clear that he gives biased advice because of the links...haha

On a small scale, I’d equate it to me telling everybody not to get a CIP, CSR, CSP but rather focus on Chase Disney, Freedom, and AMEX Everyday because they are “better”. Of course they aren’t better but I don’t have links for CIP, CSP, or CSR...hmmmm.

I only respect blogs that give unbiased advice. In this game it’s better in my opinion to do the right thing vs the selfish thing. I think DoC fits squarely into this category and I hope everybody sees that the advice I hand out here is absent any personal motives as well

 

[jhoannam]

Great, thanks! It's exciting now that I have a plan and am beginning to put it into place. I can totally see how this can get totally addicting!

Don’t forget to use one of the DisChurners link!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Honestly, I trust @SouthFayetteFan, @Lain, @calypso726 and the rest of you motley crew more than the bloggers

^^^^ditto

Thanks guys!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Great, thanks! It's exciting now that I have a plan and am beginning to put it into place. I can totally see how this can get totally addicting!

It will completely change your expectation of what you should get back on every purchase. If I get less than 10% back on any purchase I’m dissapointed lol - and I’d really prefer it to be 15-20%!

 

[afan]

I think he is clear that he profits from the links...however he isn’t clear that he gives biased advice because of the links...haha

On a small scale, I’d equate it to me telling everybody not to get a CIP, CSR, CSP but rather focus on Chase Disney, Freedom, and AMEX Everyday because they are “better”. Of course they aren’t better but I don’t have links for CIP, CSP, or CSR...hmmmm.

I only respect blogs that give unbiased advice. In this game it’s better in my opinion to do the right thing vs the selfish thing. I think DoC fits squarely into this category and I hope everybody sees that the advice I hand out here is absent any personal motives as well

They also post old articles to Twitter or keep reposting the same one every few days which is what drives me nuts. I use Twitter to filter him and click what I want to read but I get annoyed when it's a post from 6 months ago. I get it because it's obvious with what he promotes that he just wants clicks but I want to read current info.

 

[hsmamato2]

Thanks! I was reading Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country and he was discussing the phenomenon of time travel and it hit me...I don't have to turn 50! I'm torn between doing a Fiji on my own trip; Kensington has a Fiji/NZ trip but I'm not sure if they run it in the winter of NZ; or ABD Australia and do a little NZ exploration on my own. Right now the plan is a couple of days at Aulani, hop to Fiji; Australia/NZ Tauck tour in 2021. Of course things always subject to change. At least I'm planning 2 and 3 years ahead for miles/points so hoping to do most of the trip in relative comfort

Love Bill Bryson.... I'm reading anyones AU/NZ ideas here..... it's my dream trip

 

[Albort]

So what could I do before that? I am intrigued by the AMEX SPG Biz card. I know lots of people here value Starpoints. I think I need more DPs as I am not sure how I would use them. Trips this year are to Moab, UT and Cortez CO. Not hotbeds for Westins, Marriotts, Ritz Carltons! In the late summer going to Glacier NP and staying in the park. My normal hotels are Holiday Inns, Hampton Inns and Best Westerns as they are usually found in the out of the way places where NPs are at. My normal airline is Southwest which works well with URs. I am heading to Hawaii next year so there is a potential use for Starpoints either for hotels or airlines.

So the bottom line question - do I go after what is being called a high sign-up bonus for Starpoints even if I do not have a known use for them right now? or do I spend the 7K (MSR for SPG biz) on URs which I am sure I can use for my travel style?

SPG also goes to Airlines if u need to fill up. they go to airlines at a 20,000:25,000 ratio... meaning 20k SPG points are used, 25k airline miles are received on the other end. Marriott/SPG merge is currently the largest hotel chain in the world(although soon to be #2), so it might not work for you with the Galcier NP trip, perhaps there will be another trip you can find useful to them. There are some great properties in Hawaii to use with Starwood.

1. I was surprised at the /r/churning too but it was in reference to the guy that asked about the mortgage payment and I think some where in his answer when he mentioned the MS he said if you went to reddit and checked /r/churning it'd have a whole lot of discussion about both topics. Something like that.

heh, /r/churning doesnt have much good info on MS, the sat thread is also the same questions over and over again. Flyertalk does though. i dont think he reads /r/churning lol

Love Bill Bryson.... I'm reading anyones AU/NZ ideas here..... it's my dream trip

ive been reading a lot of suggestions about AU/NZ on how to get there from the states... I grip of ppl recommend doing Hawaiian Air with a stopover in Hawaii. Air New Zealand never has award tickets available. Some do suggest using UA miles to fly one of the Asian airlines.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Yeah, he is a shill. If I recall correctly, Chase didn't even advertise the CSR. They just told TPG about it. I don't rely on his cc advice. However, I do rely on his blogs about how to get from point A to point B with points and miles and using partner awards.
.

I use him for this—especially business/first class redemptions. Just read his JAL first class trip and now I’m obsessed The entire focus of my cc hobby is to not fly coach, especially for international travel. I just counted up my trips this year and I have 13-14, 5 of those are out of the country so I need all the help I can get, lol. I think someone needs to hire me for their travel blog

 

[speedyfishy]

what could I do before that? I am intrigued by the AMEX SPG Biz card. I know lots of people here value Starpoints. I think I need more DPs as I am not sure how I would use them. Trips this year are to Moab, UT and Cortez CO. Not hotbeds for Westins, Marriotts, Ritz Carltons! In the late summer going to Glacier NP and staying in the park. My normal hotels are Holiday Inns, Hampton Inns and Best Westerns as they are usually found in the out of the way places where NPs are at. My normal airline is Southwest which works well with URs. I am heading to Hawaii next year so there is a potential use for Starpoints either for hotels or airlines.

So the bottom line question - do I go after what is being called a high sign-up bonus for Starpoints even if I do not have a known use for them right now? or do I spend the 7K (MSR for SPG biz) on URs which I am sure I can use for my travel style

Honestly, I got the SPG for myself and I am planning to get it for my SO while I space out Chase applications. Idk what I’m going to do with the points. I can’t plan travel right now since my bar exam is this summer and my SO just started a new job. Maybe I’ll find something fun to do with them in 2019. I think it’s worth it to get the cards even though I have no plans yet. I’m sure I’ll find something lol. I find this super addicting and I need to always be meeting a minimum spend.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Mid-thirties, but who's counting?

My grandmother never aged past 49, just started counting over again from 21 . As a child it was terribly confusing though!

 

[pillow]

Frequent Miler, Mile Value and Points Chaser are some that I am currently reading.

I've deleted all travel subscriptions except Frequent Miler (was getting WAY too many emails daily).

 

[pillow]

Love Bill Bryson.... I'm reading anyones AU/NZ ideas here..... it's my dream trip

I love him too. I've read "A Walk in the Woods" 3 times over the last decade and recently read "A Short History of Nearly Everything." Glad you reminded me of him. I need to add more of his books to my reading list.

 

[Lain]

Don't feel bad at all. A couple months ago I would've gone for it. But with the recent stories of chase issues I am gonna take it slow. We have amounted a decent stash of points, though I will be wiping out a bunch of them for Hawaii if I can ever figure that out, so I am in a position to take it slow. I appreciate all your guidance!!

Thanks. I never want to steer anyone wrong, especially since we are talking about real money and finances here; so I was glad you're savvy enough to make a good decision for DH. As for Hawaii, good luck! I've never been to Maui so I'm really no help there.