I love credit cards so much!

[disneymagicgirl]

My question is how many non-churner rewards members would even know about N&F certs, or would have them hanging out in their account un-linked if they did? If you are using them as Marriott markets them, you'd buy a cert and use the miles and hotel nights to book a single vacation right away. They seem to have been popular with people "in the know" about points/miles etc more than your average traveler. So while I agree that Marriott has been sneaky about this, to some extent they are dealing with a worthy adversary - the people who are trying to maximize return on rewards, more than the average consumer. A good bit of the backlash has been from people who were hoping for a better reward due to the program change arbitrage. There may be sufficient backlash from the group who is in the know to allow upgrades under the new program, or it may be another instance of travel bloggers killing the golden goose The game is definitely different because of the dissemination of info (not that I would know a fraction of what I know about churning without travel bloggers and this lovely board).

Bottom line is that it could have all been avoided if marriott had released the mapping chart to their customers instead of feeding out misinformation of all sorts via CSRs for weeks/days/hours prior to the 18th.
Would some people have taken advantage and purchased whatever the best deal was? Sure. But the vast majority of people don't read travel blogs. Others have no clue what the best deal is. And still others, like myself, didn't care what the best deal was, and just wanted a cert they'd be likely to use.
If they had released the info I would have upgraded to a cat 7 cert to redeem on a new cat 5 hotel within my year window as is the policy and would be a happy customer now. Redeeming at purchase isn't/wasn't required. I needed to air miles immediately, not the week at a hotel.

It is what it is now. Even what was released yesterday isn't working. Apparently the CSRs are still unable to process the refund or attach certs at this time. It is a hot mess. I am not worried about it anymore. Either they fix it or I don't stay at Marriotts. They won't miss me and I won't miss them.

 

[FloridaNative8]

I gave DH his Hilton biz after it came, and told him to use it for everything ELSE - basically other than CSR for dining and Freedom for Gas. We'll knock out 2/3 of the spend with my car... eventually... so no reason to move category spend right now.

Looking through his purchases from the last week. We have fast food, small gas station purchases (like drinks)...

This is why I label DHs cards.

This sounds like my DH - you'd think he'd listen to me after all these years, but I've just learned that he doesn't

 

[gottalovepluto]

Not cc related: Got an offer from a local bank for a checking account today- they've upped their game! They have been offering a shopping bag for years but now they're offering an snapware set! ...If it weren't for the internet my bank bonus life would obviously be nonexistent. This is way too much work for a $10 snapware set!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Not cc related: Got an offer from a local bank for a checking account today- they've upped their game! They have been offering a shopping bag for years but now they're offering an snapware set! ...If it weren't for the internet my bank bonus life would obviously be nonexistent. This is way too much work for a $10 snapware set!

 

[Lain]

PP were correct in explaining the difference...another one that's pertinent if you like Hilton/Starwood/Delta/EDP/BBP is that Amex limits the number of credit cards to 5, with no apparent limit on charge cards. In my case, I have 5 credit cards and would really like the BBP and Hilton Aspire which means I'll need to dump a Delta co-brand in Nov to get the Hilton Aspire; another Delta co-brand or SPG or EDP for the BBP.

$250 airline fee credit triple dip?

 

[Lain]

View attachment 345398

New, raised limit to Marriott points transfers - 100,000 per year for $10 (free if higher than Silver status).

Better than the previous 50k limit. But say Player 2 gets two Starriott cards in a year (or an SPG Lux 100k+ bonus), that cap means P2 won’t be able to transfer all his/her points over.

 

[wendow]

Bottom line is that it could have all been avoided if marriott had released the mapping chart to their customers instead of feeding out misinformation of all sorts via CSRs for weeks/days/hours prior to the 18th.
Would some people have taken advantage and purchased whatever the best deal was? Sure. But the vast majority of people don't read travel blogs. Others have no clue what the best deal is. And still others, like myself, didn't care what the best deal was, and just wanted a cert they'd be likely to use.
If they had released the info I would have upgraded to a cat 7 cert to redeem on a new cat 5 hotel within my year window as is the policy and would be a happy customer now. Redeeming at purchase isn't/wasn't required. I needed to air miles immediately, not the week at a hotel.

It is what it is now. Even what was released yesterday isn't working. Apparently the CSRs are still unable to process the refund or attach certs at this time. It is a hot mess. I am not worried about it anymore. Either they fix it or I don't stay at Marriotts. They won't miss me and I won't miss them.

And I still don't understand why the only info that has really come out has only been released to a couple of bloggers. I don't read either one of those blogs. If it weren't for those here who are sharing info, I'd be in the dark that anything has changed.

Marriott has the travel packages right on their website as an option for people. It isn't like some secret menu at In & Out that you have to know about to order from it. It's right there on the website. So, these packages are available to all people...not just travel hackers...Marriott really should be distributing info through their website or emails to let people know what is going on

 

[Lain]

So any more news on that DP from FB where the double dip sapphires didn't work? I was planning to do my SW DD today...

ETA: I guess I could go back to the original plan of SW bus/personal. I just miss out on 40k extra SW points that way.

I don’t want to steer you wrong.

I have to wonder how well-versed that person on the FB travel group that @houstonmama mentioned is in travel hacking and the nuances of Chase’s bonus posting. That DP could be due to user error. He/she may have expected a bonus to post because they met spend before the statement close, but they may have missed the cutoff because they needed to meet MSR like a week before for the bonus to go pending (then post with the statement), not meet MSR a day or two before close and expect the bonus on that statement.

Again, the general understanding is that Chase does not approve cards without the bonus attached. If you are approved for the card, you’ll get the bonus.

Of course, this could change, but I personally have not seen any DPs of people not getting both bonuses from a double dip.

If it were me eyeing a double dip, I’d do it sooner rather than later. But I don’t want you to blindly take my advice because I don’t want to steer you wrong. Consider the worst case scenario if you double dip and don’t get one of the bonuses. What then? It’s your decision.

 

[DisneyMandC]

This sounds like my DH - you'd think he'd listen to me after all these years, but I've just learned that he doesn't

At this point, I just keep all cards that we're working on MSR on in my wallet and just leaving DH with his CIC currently. Most of what he charges is restaurants and gas anyways, so it works out easier all the way around lol.

 

[gottalovepluto]

If anyone is looking to do an aspirational Marriott future cat 8 redemption at the 60k point level FT forum and TPG now have reported success calling in and being able to book despite not seeing point rooms available online. It can take a LOT of persistence and HUCA and availability is limited. Rates I saw being posted (as I briefly debated canceling my 7 night cert and trying for my dream of St Regis Maldives) were 60k/night beach villa, 85k/night overwater villa at that property.

I've decided I'd rather go to South Africa and do a nice safari for now. I'll still get to the St. Regis Maldives someday but at the end of the day I think I'll have a better trip as a solo traveler going on a safari.

 

[Lain]

try it, there’s rumors of the 5 amex CC card being lifted.

It’s been hit and miss, more miss though. People who have more than 5 Amex credit cards seem to include those with forced conversions.

 

[PolyRob]

PP were correct in explaining the difference...another one that's pertinent if you like Hilton/Starwood/Delta/EDP/BBP is that Amex limits the number of credit cards to 5, with no apparent limit on charge cards. In my case, I have 5 credit cards and would really like the BBP and Hilton Aspire which means I'll need to dump a Delta co-brand in Nov to get the Hilton Aspire; another Delta co-brand or SPG or EDP for the BBP.

Would a Macy's "Amex" count towards the 5 credit cards?

I don’t want to steer you wrong.

I have to wonder how well-versed that person on the FB travel group that @houstonmama mentioned is in travel hacking and the nuances of Chase’s bonus posting. That DP could be due to user error. He/she may have expected a bonus to post because they met spend before the statement close, but they may have missed the cutoff because they needed to meet MSR like a week before for the bonus to go pending (then post with the statement), not meet MSR a day or two before close and expect the bonus on that statement.

Again, the general understanding is that Chase does not approve cards without the bonus attached. If you are approved for the card, you’ll get the bonus.

Of course, this could change, but I personally have not seen any DPs of people not getting both bonuses from a double dip.

If it were me eyeing a double dip, I’d do it sooner rather than later. But I don’t want you to blindly take my advise because I don’t want to steer you wrong. Consider the worst case scenario if you double dip and don’t get one of the bonuses. What then? It’s your decision.

I will be a DP. It looks like tomorrow is the day I will have the big charge split between the double dip cards. Just two weeks after applying and getting approved. That should meet the MSR timeline and allow sufficient time for the statement to close after meeting the spend.

 

[jhoannam]

I was able to pull the Amex Blue Biz 20K/$5K MSR offer. Should I apply? I'm almost done with the BGR $5k bonus spend. I currently have BGR, Business Green (got earlier this month).
Or should I apply for the SPG Biz, with DH's referral?
I'm at 4/24, plan is to double dip CRS/CSP later this fall. Amex didn't do a hard pull for the Biz Green. My last card Chase card was CIP on 4/1/18.

 

[Lain]

I was able to pull the Amex Blue Biz 20K/$5K MSR offer. Should I apply? I'm almost done with the BGR $5k bonus spend. I currently have BGR, Business Green (got earlier this month).
Or should I apply for the SPG Biz, with DH's referral?
I'm at 4/24, plan is to double dip CRS/CSP later this fall. Amex didn't do a hard pull for the Biz Green. My last card Chase card was CIP on 4/1/18.

Oh I’d want both!

Could you get the SPG Biz after the new rules go into effect on 8/26?

If you’re still eligible for the SPG Biz on and after 8/26, I’d get the BBP now because that targeted offer may not appear again, whereas the SPG Biz 100k offer is public and expires on 10/31/18.

 

[afan]

At this point, I'm just popping in every few days to see what deal they're going to kill next.

DoC tweeted the other day that someone was asking for ways to MS. I responded CIP and Plastiq, oops someone else already ruined that... DoC and others liked my tweet, I was quite happy with it. I follow all three but try and only read DoC because it's actually helpful and not clickbaity. Though sometimes TPG does suck me in but it's the crazy stuff like how someone got their return flight cancelled even though they flew on the outbound flight. Note there, if you have to switch seats get a new boarding pass, don't board with someone else's (duh). The gate attendant just swapped the passes around to the people.

 

[tink1970]

Would a Macy's "Amex" count towards the 5 credit cards?

That is a great question and sadly when I did a quick search the only thing I came up with is that in 2015 (!) DofC said "no."

In my experience, knowing I had 5 I wasn't surprised to get a call from Amex, and the CSR offered to close one card for me so I could open the Aspire. I suspect if the Macy's was a problem they would offer you the same.

 

[jhoannam]

Oh I’d want both!

Could you get the SPG Biz after the new rules go into effect on 8/26?

If you’re still eligible for the SPG Biz on and after 8/26, I’d get the BBP now because that targeted offer may not appear again, whereas the SPG Biz 100k offer is public and expires on 10/31/18.

Yes, I don't have any Marriott/SPG cards.

 

[PolyRob]

That is a great question and sadly when I did a quick search the only thing I came up with is that in 2015 (!) DofC said "no."

In my experience, knowing I had 5 I wasn't surprised to get a call from Amex, and the CSR offered to close one card for me so I could open the Aspire. I suspect if the Macy's was a problem they would offer you the same.

I have only used the Amex part of the card once in the 5 years I have had it opened. It has two separate credit lines and shows up on my credit report twice. So silly. I wish I had asked to been just considered for the store card. If the time comes and I am approaching, I will keep cancelling as an option! Maybe it could even be converted to just a store card. More research!

ETA: I see plenty on "upgrading" the card to Amex. I will call when I get home and have the card in my hands.

 

[amalone1013]

Better than the previous 50k limit. But say Player 2 gets two Starriott cards in a year (or an SPG Lux 100k+ bonus), that cap means P2 won’t be able to transfer all his/her points over.

Oh, well that would be a pain in the rear if we get SPG Luz for DH... guess we'll both have gold status then tho

At this point, I just keep all cards that we're working on MSR on in my wallet and just leaving DH with his CIC currently. Most of what he charges is restaurants and gas anyways, so it works out easier all the way around lol.

Ugh. I would do that but DH ends up being the one with more miscellaneous expenses popping up, and eating lunch out. He's had $1k in random work things to expense this year so far. Not a ton, but they always seem to come at some inconvenient time or something. Like $250 the day before his Hilton biz came Or remember when Chase had the 10x URs at Best Buy at the beginning of the year? He bought something there for work and comes home and was like, yes I charged a $275 thing to my Barclay but I will expense it. I was like nooooooo the URs could have been freeeeeee!

 

[amalone1013]

Silly DH. I even took his Barclay, Discover, and BoA cards out of his wallet.

But not his PP card, he likes to carry that all the time