I love credit cards so much!

[kidsfirsttrip]

Oh boy...here it is: https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurner...o_choooall_aboard_the_graavy_train_i_cringe/?

Full disclosure I directly plagiarized AK's guide. I did give the source link though if you want to read it with his formatting. Feel free to discuss/ask questions over here or over there, whatever is more convenient.

Awesome love the title. Choochoo. Embrace the cheesiness

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

For sure...I am going to check the recycle wheel tote outside to see if I can recover. I think there is a couple in there right now.

Sad that this hobby does not put us above trash picking

 

[amalone1013]

Sad that this hobby does not put us above trash picking

Bargain hunting

 

[mamathompson]

Approved for the CapOne Venture! Geez, I've never been so iffy on an app! Gonna throw myself a party.

It took 11 calendar days and 7 business days.

DH was auto-denied, so I've been thinking what's the difference between our apps. His e-mailed letter said too many recent inquiries.
- He was 1/24 (actually CapOne would only see 0/24 since the CSP was the day before) and 0 TU/2 Eq/5 Ex. I was 3/24 and 1 Tu/5 Eq/5 Ex.
- I'm an existing CapOne customer, he isn't. The CapOne Rewards card (1.5 cashback) was actually my everyday card until September when I started all this.
- I had no inquiries in the last 30 days, but he had 2.

So I'm wondering maybe they have some sort of criteria for recent inquiries within x number of days. Or maybe they're looking at all inquiries on the reports, but if existing customer, go to manual review, if not instant denial. I've had way too much time to mull about this, lol.

Anyways, glad I got the card, but going to think long and hard before I try another CapOne app. The 2x everything will be nice for non-category spend. Thinking after MSR, would I want 1.5x on the CIU with 1.5x travel = 2.25x but have to use the portal, or 2x as an eraser.

This is nearly our exact experience. Husband instantly approved me denied. I was 0/24 he was 1/24. It was my first application trying to learn how to churn. The bonus was nice and we have been using it in between MSRs for the 2x pts where we would typically only get one. I'm actually glad I didn't get one because we can use his for that and I'm still only 1/24.



This AA thing for Disney hotels sounds very appealing....

 

[jhoannam]

Have you seen our recent discussion that Disney hotels at 1cpp are a viable redemption method for AA miles?

EDIT: @speedyfishy beat me to it, lol!

I guess I totally missed this discussion... is this information going to be copied to DISChurners?

 

[MrPTato]

Trying to play catch up...

My grandmother went into hospice unexpectedly last week after being in rehab for either a minor stroke or a UTI around Thanksgiving. She was all well and dandy, other than being old, a month ago and was at home. Kidneys are failing...probably won't make it to Christmas. My birthday was on Saturday and my mother on Sunday so it was a rather blah weekend. I ended up trekking to New Hampshire visiting on Friday as we missed her (grandma) on Thanksgiving. My grandfather had an annual/bi-annual (maybe) on his heart as he had a valve replaced about 10 years ago. Turns out that it is functioning below a 25% (can't remember the term) but it means heart failure and too old to go in and fix. Hoping a medicine change or defibrillator may help. He was over 55%, which is very good, just 2 years ago. Did I mention my mother had put down our cat the week before Thanksgiving for another tumor...Vet thought it best at 16yo.

2019 Vacation Plans

March - Disney cruise with both a pre/post trip to the World.
July - Trip to LA, just DW and I, to some geek convention she wants to check out. Reliving her childhood.
Nov/Dec - Going to try and time a trip so that we can see both Halloween and Christmas in the World.

Will have some scattered overnight here and there I am sure.

 

[Albort]

@Lain Total Wine for me codes at 1x on CSR This is probably for the better though...

Oomph. Sorry for the bad DP. Thanks for testing it out though...

i thought Total Wine was coding 4x with the new Rose Gold card...

 

[MrPTato]

Did you see you can use for Disney hotels at 1 cent per point? Idk if I’m going to do that but that’s an option.

We usually do DVC, and now with MR points/SPG we could do Swan/Dolphin. This may be the key for the times where we need a room...like coming up in March pre cruise. Although I got a great deal so I will leave that one alone.

Have you seen our recent discussion that Disney hotels at 1cpp are a viable redemption method for AA miles?

Just saw it.

EDIT: @speedyfishy beat me to it, lol!

Sad that this hobby does not put us above trash picking

I figure I can recycle the recycles!

 

[Haley R]

Don’t know about Hilton...but the SW business card can’t be changed to a no fee version...Chase doesn’t offer one. If you like to keep the card you can call and ask about a retention offer...I was offered a $100 statement credit in August to keep mine

Okay we'll make sure we call and ask when that comes up. Thanks!

 

[Andysol]

@Andysol I see you are staying at the Hyatt’s all inclusive. I’ve been eyeing those for future stays. Did you do both your wife and your accounts under same number? Did you get 2 rooms with your family? It’s a bummer they charge the same price for 2 rooms if you have 2 kids with you instead of a discount if paying with points.

Wife and I have separate account numbers. It's easy to transfer and I didn't know you could "cheat" with the combining cards on same account until after I had them.

Yes- it's a major bummer. Yes, we have 2 rooms with the family. It's either 20k/nt + 10k per kid (x2) = 40k/nt for one room or 20k/nt and having an adult and kid in each room and just get them adjoining for the same 40k/nt. No brainer. Since I'm DVC, Ive gotten used to kids in a separate room anyway
That said- there are many times where it's better to book the Hyatts via the portal. Namely, if you were traveling in "off-season" like August or September, it might only be $300/night for 4 people in a room- so w/ CSR, thats only 20k UR/nt. A much better deal.

But say over new years, like when I'm going, and it's over $1,000/night/room just for double occupancy, 40k/nt is an absolute steal. 160k pts for 4 nights that's over $8k in value. Would I ever pay $8k? Absolutely not. But it's about going when it best suits you, and a nice beach in the middle of winter sounds like a nice reprieve, but I'm an "earn and burn" guy. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so live while you're able.

 

[Haley R]

Neither of these cards have a no AF downgrade option. You either pay the fee and keep it open or close it. You can attempt for a retention offer on both by calling in, actual results may vary but people often get good retention offers this way (especially if you use the cards some throughout the year).

Thank you!

 

[Lain]

PSA:
Save 15% off of a $200 Lowe's eGift Card

I know a lot of folks actually shop home improvement from Lowe’s and not just gift cards, so this is a nice little savings that’s better than the usual 10% off. This works out to $170 for a $200 eGC. (Note Lowe’s GCs cannot be used to purchase third-party GCs.) Max 3.

This deal is from Kroger, but it’s processed through GCM. Using your CIP should earn you 3x UR on the purchase amount.

This deal has been posted on Slickdeals, so it will probably sell out fast. Good luck!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I guess I totally missed this discussion... is this information going to be copied to DISChurners?

There's not a lot to say on this actually. When you login to your AA account and go to redeem points you can actually redeem them for Disney hotels at 1cpp. Now this is likely a lesser value than you'd get using them to fly...but still a decent redemption. We found that not all Disney hotels may show up for your dates, BUT if there are discounts available they should carryover.

 

[afan]

Trying to play catch up...

My grandmother went into hospice unexpectedly last week after being in rehab for either a minor stroke or a UTI around Thanksgiving. She was all well and dandy, other than being old, a month ago and was at home. Kidneys are failing...probably won't make it to Christmas. My birthday was on Saturday and my mother on Sunday so it was a rather blah weekend. I ended up trekking to New Hampshire visiting on Friday as we missed her (grandma) on Thanksgiving. My grandfather had an annual/bi-annual (maybe) on his heart as he had a valve replaced about 10 years ago. Turns out that it is functioning below a 25% (can't remember the term) but it means heart failure and too old to go in and fix. Hoping a medicine change or defibrillator may help. He was over 55%, which is very good, just 2 years ago. Did I mention my mother had put down our cat the week before Thanksgiving for another tumor...Vet thought it best at 16yo.

2019 Vacation Plans

March - Disney cruise with both a pre/post trip to the World.
July - Trip to LA, just DW and I, to some geek convention she wants to check out. Reliving her childhood.
Nov/Dec - Going to try and time a trip so that we can see both Halloween and Christmas in the World.

Will have some scattered overnight here and there I am sure.

Big hugs for you. It sucks when it all happens at once nevermind the time of year.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Welcome to DISchurners 213th and newest member... @Andysol

Probably a good time to remind all that ANYBODY can join DISchurners if they are a verified DISboards member and find us through this thread. The first rule of DISchurners is don't mention it on r/churning There will be no drama and no arguing here

EDIT: Another rule of thumb (although DISchurners mods can't really enforce this) is don't invite anybody from r/churning to this thread. We're pretty easy to find so if somebody wants to join here they can.

Andy - none of this is directed at you so don't feel awkward, lol. I'm just using this as an opportunity to give a few reminders.

 

[Albort]

PSA:
Save 15% off of a $200 Lowe's eGift Card

I know a lot of folks actually shop home improvement from Lowe’s and not just gift cards, so this is a nice little savings that’s better than the usual 10% off. This works out to $170 for a $200 eGC. (Note Lowe’s GCs cannot be used to purchase third-party GCs.) Max 3.

This deal is from Kroger, but it’s processed through GCM. Using your CIP should earn you 3x UR on the purchase amount.

This deal has been posted on Slickdeals, so it will probably sell out fast. Good luck!

we are told to buy 1 at a time. so dont go buy all 3 at once.

 

[speedyfishy]

Trying to play catch up...

My grandmother went into hospice unexpectedly last week after being in rehab for either a minor stroke or a UTI around Thanksgiving. She was all well and dandy, other than being old, a month ago and was at home. Kidneys are failing...probably won't make it to Christmas. My birthday was on Saturday and my mother on Sunday so it was a rather blah weekend. I ended up trekking to New Hampshire visiting on Friday as we missed her (grandma) on Thanksgiving. My grandfather had an annual/bi-annual (maybe) on his heart as he had a valve replaced about 10 years ago. Turns out that it is functioning below a 25% (can't remember the term) but it means heart failure and too old to go in and fix. Hoping a medicine change or defibrillator may help. He was over 55%, which is very good, just 2 years ago. Did I mention my mother had put down our cat the week before Thanksgiving for another tumor...Vet thought it best at 16yo.

2019 Vacation Plans

March - Disney cruise with both a pre/post trip to the World.
July - Trip to LA, just DW and I, to some geek convention she wants to check out. Reliving her childhood.
Nov/Dec - Going to try and time a trip so that we can see both Halloween and Christmas in the World.

Will have some scattered overnight here and there I am sure.

I’m sorry you are having a rough time.

 

[striker1064]

To those who were interested... posted a write-up with some pictures of the St. Regis NYC.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

To those who were interested... posted a write-up with some pictures of the St. Regis NYC.

GAH - thanks for mentioning that thread. I've been neglecting it and NEED to update the index on page 1. I'll try to do that today

Also thanks @striker1064 and anybody else who has posted there. It's a neat thread of hotel reviews by people I actually trust

 

[Alexle2007]

I think @Alexle2007 is platinum (?) with Marriott. She should get the breakfast credit. Looking at the National Harbor Gaylord - atrium room is an upgrade. Prices are pretty cheap over Xmas (a low of $135 plus $22 resort fee). They also have ICE if someone is interested and the new MGM Casino is right there and I think you get bused from the hotel. I've eaten at the Old Hickory Steakhouse at the hotel. Very pricey - for 2 it was over $300 but it was excellent. There are package deals if interested in ICE that include $100 resort credit and they come out cheaper than a room by itself plus tickets. You do have to pay for parking. Very little on street.

The gift card thing at the Marriott Hotels - I'm thinking that if the desk clerk is not familiar, they just say no. I'd check with their manager during business hours to be sure.

Thank you! I am indeed newly platinum! Now to decide what we are doing over Christmas!