I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[LuckyMamaInDE]

So this is a new one to me. I just received my new Venture X and there is no place on the back of the card for my signature

 

[afan]

DL lounges, only card holders allowed. otherwise i think its $40?
alternatively, u can add them as your AUs, get a card and get them in that way.

I don't like my coworker that much. And that's what I figured. We'll see how centurion is. She'll get free drinks which is the good part

 

[wanderlust7]

So I seem to be in a pickle and could use some "what card to get advice." At the end of the year and beginning of this year, it seemed I was crushed with MSRs and retention offers. I almost didn't make one, and had to move some AirBNB payments forward just to make MSR. Well now I am in the position where I need a new card again! It just seems my timing is way off.

- biz card
- MR or UR earning
- No foreign transaction fees (because much of the spend will be internationally for some upcoming trips)
- minimal AF ($95 at most)
- need to app by 3/14

I've talked myself out of the Venture X, but may talk myself back in because of the longer spend, and because I'm hitting the wall with the above requirements. I also am considering the BBP because I am probably going to downgrade a biz plat to that and I haven't had that bonus yet, but that doesn't help me with foreign transaction fees.

You can't downgrade the biz plat to a BBP. Can only downgrade to a biz gold or biz green (i.e. no good option). The BBP is good for holding MR if you end up canceling all your other MR cards.

Only card I can think of that fits all the criteria is a CIP, but the MSR is 15k.

Or if you have use for AA miles, maybe the Barclays AA biz? Might be handy to have a true chip and pin card. MSR is only $1000 though.

If you get an Amex, I wonder how widely they're accepted where you're going.

 

[djmeredith]

RE: DLP also heading there in August! Postponed from 2020.
i thought I read we still hve to convert our US cdc card to their electronic version at a pharmacy. I also think if your last shot was more than 270 days you need a booster.

I'd like to buy disney gift cards that can be used there to give the guests we're taking (from Hungary) so they don't use their own money. any ideas?

thanks for the response re paying taxes. I'll have to research the fees. with the amount we owe the fees will be high, not sure if it's worth it. this month I'm just buying gift cards to meet our ciu biz card msr.

probably get my p2 a venture x. I'm going to go for chase united biz. still waiting for god sub for csr to go back to one of those.
sheree

I read somewhere (maybe in the DLP thread) that the Disney GCs do not work at DLP.

Repositioning flight question... we have to reposition to ORD for our flight to Paris. Departure time 4:30PM on a Saturday. What time should we arrive in Chicago from our home airport? Our trip is in November. Should we fly in on Friday night?

Whichever you decide, make sure that there is at least one more flight from your home airport to ORD after the one you book. This gives you a back up flight if your flight cancels. As a former flight attendant, I can confirm that it happens all the time with mechanical delays, flight crews timing out etc. And it's even worse these days! My first leg cancelled the first time I went to Europe, and I had to drive 2 hrs and run through the airport to catch a flight.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Adding that lounges in Terminal 5, the international terminal, are either terrible or non-existent. Arrival time is so much about your comfort level, but assuming your flights go as planned, it's probably best to allow yourselves 2.5-3 hours before your next flight. TSA can be terrible at ORD and pre-check is hit or miss at Terminal 5. You also have to transit from your domestic terminal to Terminal 5, which is often by bus, as I think ORD has been under construction for like 100 years.
Also, really depends on what COVID requirments are around by then and how much paperwork the agent will need (if any) to check prior to flight.

Right, and I didn't even factor in the international terminal transit. I revise my rec to 3-4 hours LOL.
My abundance of caution is rooted in being burned too many times. Our first trip to Costa Rica our flight out of ORD was delayed making us miss our MIA connection. We spent 5 hours in MIA waiting for the next flight, which fortunately had seats available. Our return flight from CR went through DFW and we almost missed our connection to the point that the gate agent was yelling our names and then "RUN!!" as we approached the gate. They closed the plane door as soon as we stepped on. So nerve racking that I would now rather sit at the gate for 2-3 hours than be late. Even with that I have showed up at ORD to find a huge line for TSA making me freak out internally.

 

[punkin]

Ok recent London travelers, best way to get a covid test for return flight from London? Proctored home kit?

When we went (height of covid) we just booked a test at the airport on our way out. We got the results in 30 minutes... before we even cleared security.

Expresstest.co.uk

 

[CyndiLouWho]

When we went (height of covid) we just booked a test at the airport on our way out. We got the results in 30 minutes... before we even cleared security.

Expresstest.co.uk

Unfortunately our flight home is 7 am so onsite not really an option.

 

[GZanta77]

Unfortunately our flight home is 7 am so onsite not really an option.

Express Test has a testing location at Victoria Station - I seem to recall you were considering staying near there. Get an antigen fit-to-fly test the day before travel. Will obviously be more expensive than the proctored tests though.

I can say I have used expresstest several times at other locations and have been happy with their service.

 

[becauseimnew]

Ok recent London travelers, best way to get a covid test for return flight from London? Proctored home kit?

We just tonight used eMed home test kit for our cruise. It was super easy but took us almost an hour to do 3 test. If it is still required for our Paris trip in November I’ll use them again.
https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-2-pack/
3 pack
https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-3-pack

 

[Kestryl]

Ok, wading into the waters here… any suggestions on a travel card (or two) for an international trip from US to France?

I have the following cards:
credit union Mastercard (200
credit union visa (2012)
Citi Double Cash Mastercard (2012? 2013?)
Disney Chase Visa (2019)

I’m looking for no foreign transaction fees and bonuses; but also some kind of trip coverage. Specifically, if I need to get my appendix removed or a relative dies the day before the trip. (Morbid, I know.) Maybe actual trip insurance would be better though?

Thoughts on Delta card: know Delta probably doesn’t fit the metrics, but we’ll likely do a direct flight Atlanta to Paris, and I think it gives us checked bags for free. No foreign transaction fee, but limited use for American Express, I think. Another big draw are the miles- 70k for signup. I wouldn’t say I fly Delta a ton, but it is the best carrier for most of my trips to my home state. I would buy separate trip insurance with this.

Chase Sapphire Preferred has no foreign transaction fee, though that $95 annual charge is annoying. I don’t fully understand the travel coverage. The pre-existing condition limit gives me anxiety. I don’t have a known condition, though I did test positive for Covid in January… and I don’t know the full medical histories of my relatives. Seems risky?

There’s a part of me that would be fine using my Citi Card while there- should be easy to use, and with 2% back I’d basically be paying 1% foreign transaction fees. Which may be worth it for simplicity.

Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? Thank

 

[catsinawindow]

The Cap1 Venture X current offer is rare so I would apply for that in your case. I think everyone should apply for it honestly. $10k spend can seem like a lot but there is 6 months given to hit the spend (industry standard on offers is 3 months), authorized users get free Priority Pass and Cap1 Lounge access (literally unheard of, even Amex's obscenely priced cards don't offer free AUs with full Lounge privileges), the current annual fee pays for itself entirely ($300 travel credit and 10k points on your anniversary each year worth $100 toward travel charges) and the bonus is $1000-$395 annual fee + $300 travel credit = $905. (More if you can make use of the one time $200 vacation rental thing if that's still offered.) For beginners I specifically like that the points are easy to use ($.01/point when redeeming toward travel purchases- and those don't have to be made on the portal, any travel charge you put on the card would work).

The competitors to this premium card are the Sapphire Reserve ($550 af), Amex Plat ($695 af) and USB Altitude Reserve ($400 af but impossible to get approved for if not a us bank customer), all of which have their own bonuses but I don't think any are as good a bang for a beginner's buck as VentureX offer is.

I've been thinking about getting a new MSR, with the ultimate goal of collecting points for a Universal Orlando trip the summer of 2023. Was assuming that I'd be getting another CIC/CIU since I've been collecting URs, but this is making me wonder if I should consider applying for the Venture X before the bonus expires?

What would everyone lean towards, collecting more of the point currency that I've already invested in, or going with something new for the great bonus? Are Universal tickets/resorts available on the Capital One travel portal? Is airport lounge access a useable benefit for people who usually travel with young kids?

FWIW, I'm pretty sure I'm at 2/24, so I'd have the slot to burn and still be fine with Chase.

 

[EACarlson]

Repositioning flight question... we have to reposition to ORD for our flight to Paris. Departure time 4:30PM on a Saturday. What time should we arrive in Chicago from our home airport? Our trip is in November. Should we fly in on Friday night?

Personally I would fly in Friday afternoon, but I'm also an insanely crazy flyer about being there early and not missing my flight. That way I've got some options if things go sideways. That also depends quite a bit on where you are flying into ORD from. I've got 4 flights a day from my little airport, but I can also drive there in 2.5 hours. If I were driving into ORD I would shoot for noon for a 1630 international flight.
Right now most international departures are from T5, which has everything under construction. Theoretically they should have the inter-terminal train running, new lounges open and everything done at T5 this summer. Whether that happens or not is a whole other question. I flew out of T5 last April on SW. From my hotel driveway to the gate was 45 minutes with Pre and two small children.

 

[hsmamato2]

Hyatt (corporate), not the hotel. Your DH probably needs to call and he'll need your Hyatt member number.

I'm sorry to sound so dense here, so we have him call hyatt (like an 800 #) and ask to gift the free nite to me,can we do this if it's already booked? Or should i cancel the booking,and then call in? I was just gonna do the old "wife checking in earlier than DH arrives" thing....that doesn't work?

 

[trenty]

chase offers.... I used one on Sunday.... the purchase just posted, I don't see any credit tho.... how long does it take?

up to 14 business days. I made a purchase on Feb 26 - posted Mar 1. Just got the credit today - Mar 9. Sometimes it comes much sooner.

 

[StephPlum]

I'm sorry to sound so dense here, so we have him call hyatt (like an 800 #) and ask to gift the free nite to me,can we do this if it's already booked? Or should i cancel the booking,and then call in? I was just gonna do the old "wife checking in earlier than DH arrives" thing....that doesn't work?

I just did this for my IHG stay ( check in and say he’ll be there later). One night on my FNC and one on his. I don’t know if there is a place on the reservation to add your name. I’ve done that as well so I’m on there and they can see it when I check in. Good luck.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I've been thinking about getting a new MSR, with the ultimate goal of collecting points for a Universal Orlando trip the summer of 2023. Was assuming that I'd be getting another CIC/CIU since I've been collecting URs, but this is making me wonder if I should consider applying for the Venture X before the bonus expires?

What would everyone lean towards, collecting more of the point currency that I've already invested in, or going with something new for the great bonus? Are Universal tickets/resorts available on the Capital One travel portal? Is airport lounge access a useable benefit for people who usually travel with young kids?

FWIW, I'm pretty sure I'm at 2/24, so I'd have the slot to burn and still be fine with Chase.

I've been doing a side by side comparison, and here's what I've come up with:



If the value is 1.5cpp, the Venture X comes out to an $1800 value, while a CIC (with support) a $1650 value. But if you prorate the MSRs to be equivalent, the CIC is worth $2200. With no annual fee.

Now, if you have the EXTRA spend, then I think the Venture X would be fabulous, because you have such a long time to hit MSR and you can put anything that would normally be low earning categories on it.

I feel like I want to do the Venture X because of FOMO, but that it maybe doesn't make that much sense for me? I'm really tired of the high annual fees and trying to juggle getting those to wash out.

For me, I'm not ruling the Venture X out and might end up with it because I need a card without foreign transaction fees that will work well in Europe, but the simple SUB math says Chase is the way to go.

 

[hsmamato2]

I just did this for my IHG stay ( check in and say he’ll be there later). One night on my FNC and one on his. I don’t know if there is a place on the reservation to add your name. I’ve done that as well so I’m on there and they can see it when I check in. Good luck.

Yes it worked with IHG, I've never even used Hyatt FNC before- I did put in notes I'd be checking in earlier than DH

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Kroger 4x fuel points on gift cards is back on. I believe the dates are March 9-22. With fuel prices, might be the time to get on this if it works in your area.

 

[becauseimnew]

Personally I would fly in Friday afternoon, but I'm also an insanely crazy flyer about being there early and not missing my flight. That way I've got some options if things go sideways. That also depends quite a bit on where you are flying into ORD from. I've got 4 flights a day from my little airport, but I can also drive there in 2.5 hours. If I were driving into ORD I would shoot for noon for a 1630 international flight.
Right now most international departures are from T5, which has everything under construction. Theoretically they should have the inter-terminal train running, new lounges open and everything done at T5 this summer. Whether that happens or not is a whole other question. I flew out of T5 last April on SW. From my hotel driveway to the gate was 45 minutes with Pre and two small children.

Thanks… our options are 10am or 1:20pm arrival. We are booked on the 10 flight for now, as someone suggested not to take the last flight there before our flight. hopefully the international hub is done because it's going to be a long 6 hours.
We are so excited, not telling our girls until the night before.

 

[wanderlust7]

I'm sorry to sound so dense here, so we have him call hyatt (like an 800 #) and ask to gift the free nite to me,can we do this if it's already booked? Or should i cancel the booking,and then call in? I was just gonna do the old "wife checking in earlier than DH arrives" thing....that doesn't work?

Will your DH be staying? Do you need the stay credit under him? The way I see it, the note that you'll be checking in first might work fine, but why risk it when you don't need to.

I assume they can gift an FNC with a reservation attached. I'll need to do this, but haven't called yet.