I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[miztressuz]

I’m a complete newbie to the credit card points game. However, I’ve been following this thread for several months and I’ve listened to a number of podcasts regarding credit card points for travel.

Yesterday, I broke down and applied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Got approved immediately.

The main reason now: We are doing some landscaping to our front yard. We already have the funds, but a $3,000 landscaping project on the CSP will do a lot toward reach a $4,000 minimum spend.

The landscapers want $1,000 now. I realize I won’t get the card for another week. But the account is open. I put the card in my Apple Pay wallet. The card in the wallet shows the last four digits only. Is that normal? Will I just have to suck it up and just put the remaining $2,000 on the card?

Also, is there a way to find out my credit card number? Again, I have the funds, but I want to buy SW airfare. I found some reasonably priced airfare for February to visit my daughter in Houston.

As always, many thanks.

Southwest accepts Apple Pay for initial flight booking.
https://www.southwest.com/help/booking/forms-of-payment

For your landscapers, do they have an office or would be willing to let you tap to pay if you can't wait for a card to arrive? I'd give them a ring and see if there's an option. Some places have the terminals even if they usually process payments online manually. (Probably too much to hope that they'd have an online form you could use on Safari for Apple Pay.)

Unfortunately for fraud protections there isn't a way to see the full account number before you get the card. And phone reps have never been able to provide it either.

 

[AndreaDM]

So, question for all you wise churners!

DH has finally decided where he wants to spend his 50th birthday in Nov., we are going to Aruba. Now, I'm getting ready to book the flights (from CLE) and have a few options that I wanted opinions on. Basically, should we pay cash or use points? We have plenty of AMEX points, but I'd rather save them for an international business class flight next year (no concrete plans). Here are the options I'm looking at:

Delta on points, 28,970 one-way economy, OR $251 on United also economy. Both have similar arrival/departure times and both have a layover. I have a United CC that gives us free checked baggage, so I'm leaning that way. I guess I'd rather hoard the almost 60K points! WWDCD?

 

[EACarlson]

So, question for all you wise churners!

DH has finally decided where he wants to spend his 50th birthday in Nov., we are going to Aruba. Now, I'm getting ready to book the flights (from CLE) and have a few options that I wanted opinions on. Basically, should we pay cash or use points? We have plenty of AMEX points, but I'd rather save them for an international business class flight next year (no concrete plans). Here are the options I'm looking at:

Delta on points, 28,970 one-way economy, OR $251 on United also economy. Both have similar arrival/departure times and both have a layover. I have a United CC that gives us free checked baggage, so I'm leaning that way. I guess I'd rather hoard the almost 60K points! WWDCD?

For that differential, I'm going to pay the cash for United. I won't use points for less than 1 cpp. And I can usually do much better than that.

 

[wanderlust7]

Hiya Dis-ies!!!

Talk me into it… I’m still new at this and I’m looking at that 100k elevated Chase Ink preferred offer, and with a referral from P2, that would be an extra 40k… but I’m choking on the $95 AF… the 8k spend would be a bit of a stretch, but do-able…compared to the 15k MSR, it’s at least POSSIBLE… Logically I recognize that it’s a net win, but emotionally I’m still allergic to AFs…

So, opinions? please and thank you

If you want lower spend and no AF, the CIU/CIC are 75k for $6000 spend, no AF. The points to spend ratio is exactly the same as for the CIP (12.5 points per dollar spent).

I feel most constrained by Chase velocity rather than spend, so for me it was worth it to get the CIP and pay an AF.

 

[ten6mom]

Well I applied.... it hurts me that I didn't get instantly approved.

It did occur to me afterwards that my Marriot account is associated with a different email address than my Chase account. I hope that isn't a problem. Yikes.

edited to add: Chase "Fraud Prevention" just called (luckily I was able to Google the number while my phone was still ringing) to make sure I applied and to ask for proof of who I am. That's weird to me because I have had personal cards with Chase for at least 10 years! They are emailing me a link so that I can send them a copy of my DL.

I'm getting a little stressed now.

In addition to the phone call yesterday, Chase ALSO sent me a letter through the website (with an email this morning telling me they had sent me a letter) and the letter is a very long "we think someone is using your info fraudulently."

Does anyone know if 1- it's normal for them to both call AND send a letter and 2- what on earth could have triggered all this? I suppose I could have typed in some personal information incorrectly on the application but I really don't think I did. Could the different email addresses be the culprit, do you think? Or is this just one of those "sometimes you just get asked for extra info" things?

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Let's go w/ some comments before my replies are 10 miles long. LOL. It's going to take me 3 days to catch up!

I signed up for Indy and Miami (just bc Miami seems like not many are signing up for that one as opposed to Indy and Toronto ).

I actually went on Costco website and repriced our car rental for Yellowstone next May, and it was $35 cheaper than what I’d booked so I did it through them! I’ll check back again as time goes on and see if the prices come down further too! Happy about that… that savings almost covers my membership. I’m sure once I find out what these Starbucks egg bites are too, I may be hooked, lol.

I’ve also heard really good things about their alcohol selection. I’ve tried some really good whiskies at friends houses from Costco, and just had their Kirkland brand gin which wasn’t bad at all to mix either. I can’t wait to go to the club for the first time tomorrow

Costco is good for muffins, cake, wine, and gas! Oh and rental cars, LOL. I swear that's all I buy.

I usually count the days and try to get an outfit for each but usually I'm under 10 days. But for summer I use very thin fabrics and wear a jacket or sweater type thing while driving that will supply warmth if necessary. For me a 22inch suitcase will carry all the clothing I need. If bringing bulky shoes, wear the bigger ones such as hiking shoes.

Since I drive, I also carry a lot of other stuff that you would not need.

Plane travel - DD came into Dulles on Thursday after traveling through Miami. She was with other healthy family for a week, other than the plane ride. Last night she tested positive for covid. Itchy, scratchy throat, runny nose and generally achy. We asked her if she tested and she hadn't linked it at all, so took two tests - both came out positive. Although I've long ago given up masks, I think they might have helped her out a bit on the airplane, maybe, maybe not, there's no knowing for sure in this case. Just thought I'd remind that although not as serious, even a simple virus can ruin a vacation. For her it happened on return and she can wfh.

My BF got it at the end of July. The only reason he tested was because he still had some tests that expired soon. He was shocked when it was positive. He said sore throat and terrible headache was it.

App'd for the Surpass using Doc's link on July 19th.

My free night and 130K Hilton points are in my account this morning.

Now my debate with myself is do I blow through them in the next week or save them for a short trip next June.....

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my FNC! I hoard them so we can go to the AI in PDC. I'm hoping we do it again in Feb this year. I'm working on my $15k spend. The BF got a FNC from getting the free Hilton and I got another Biz card to a FNC too. So hoping we have 3. I like using them on "good" redemptions, LOL.

As a born and raised Chicagoan, it's always interesting to hear people's perspective on Lake Michigan or any of the Great Lakes. I've had people who were so surprised they couldn't see across Lake Michigan like that thought it was a big pond. I know Lakes Michigan, Superior and Huron have beaches. I haven't been to the other 2. Lake Michigan has significant beaches on all sides and dunes in Indiana large enough to be a National Park.

Back off my lakes, LOL. Honestly I'm an ocean girl....you can have them, LOL. Esp Superior w/ the biting flies! They are so bad!

Any recommendations for a leather women's wallet that will have a bunch of slots for credit cards? It's time to replace my wallet.

I bought this wallet and LOVE IT! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SQ89NXF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details Everyone laughs when I open it as every slot is full


Okay back to page 394

 

[havaneselover]

This morning I walked into Chase bank at 9:08 to change the name on my checking and savings account. There were two bankers there. I was told neither could help me because they both had appointments at 9:30. I'm not going to feel the least bit bad when I transfer my $15k out on day 91!

 

[afan]

This morning I walked into Chase bank at 9:08 to change the name on my checking and savings account. There were two bankers there. I was told neither could help me because they both had appointments at 9:30. I'm not going to feel the least bit bad when I transfer my $15k out on day 91!

I'm so tired of banks not doing anything if you walk in without an appt. My credit union is still walk in with the same sign up sheet system they used before covid.

If I walked in to open an account and they told me they couldn't because I didn't have an appt I would find somewhere else. It's ridiculous and I feel for the older generation that doesn't go online or doesn't get that this is a thing. Nevermind the rest of us that just want to do something quick like change a name or add someone to an acct. Neither takes long to do.

 

[ten6mom]

This morning I walked into Chase bank at 9:08 to change the name on my checking and savings account. There were two bankers there. I was told neither could help me because they both had appointments at 9:30. I'm not going to feel the least bit bad when I transfer my $15k out on day 91!

That seems ridiculous.

 

[becauseimnew]

Any recommendations for a Marriott hotel at Disney, not Swan/Dolphin/Reserve (60K+) for the date we need. Trying to use 35K. Thinking Springhill Suite Theme Parks/Lake Buena Vista (free breakfast) or is the Courtyard at the Village a better option? Just need it for one night for Christmas party.
Plan is to arrive in Orlando at noon, eat lunch and nap before heading to the park at 5:30PM. Direct flight the next day leaves at 3:50PM. Sleep in, checkout at 11, go to Disney Springs for lunch then head to airport at 2:00pm.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I need some expert opinions! Still trying to decide on a car for ds (his car was stolen on June 14th -- thank goodness he WFH lol). I have narrowed it down to the Audi Q3, Komfort (base model), with a package that includes blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert and some other unnecessary frills. I have narrowed it down to a dealership service dept. loaner vehicle with 6,800 miles and a brand new Q3. The difference in price is $2,700.00 incl taxes. I should add that ds doesn't drive much -- his stolen car was 2 yrs old and had 3,100 miles.

I was pretty set on the loaner vehicle, but started to worry that the vehicle may have been in an accident that wouldn't have been disclosed (because the dealership can fix and not report). I googled reviews on the dealership and they have 1.4 out of 5 stars (mostly for their service dept., but still). The dealer with the new car has 4.7 out of 5 stars. WWYD?

One more thing: the new car won't be delivered until the first week of September. If it's delayed the dealership will put in writing that ds will get a loaner vehicle until it arrives.

 

[ambgoph]

I need some expert opinions! Still trying to decide on a car for ds (his car was stolen on June 14th -- thank goodness he WFH lol). I have narrowed it down to the Audi Q3, Komfort (base model), with a package that includes blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert and some other unnecessary frills. I have narrowed it down to a dealership service dept. loaner vehicle with 6,800 miles and a brand new Q3. The difference in price is $2,700.00 incl taxes. I should add that ds doesn't drive much -- his stolen car was 2 yrs old and had 3,100 miles.

I was pretty set on the loaner vehicle, but started to worry that the vehicle may have been in an accident that wouldn't have been disclosed (because the dealership can fix and not report). I googled reviews on the dealership and they have 1.4 out of 5 stars (mostly for their service dept., but still). The dealer with the new car has 4.7 out of 5 stars. WWYD?

One more thing: the new car won't be delivered until the first week of September. If it's delayed the dealership will put in writing that ds will get a loaner vehicle until it arrives.

I would go with the new car. People treat loaners like crap. There is probably a lot of wear and tear on the loaner with multiple people driving it.

 

[lsutigers03]

In February DW and I will bring our kids to Universal Hollywood and Disneyland. We're flying into Burbank and will take an Uber to our hotel in Universal City. We're going to Universal the next day and then will move over to the Grand Californian. Does anyone have a car service they would recommend to get from the Hilton near Universal to the Grand Californian? The trip will be later in the night and around 40 miles.

 

[happ]

I'm getting a little stressed now.

In addition to the phone call yesterday, Chase ALSO sent me a letter through the website (with an email this morning telling me they had sent me a letter) and the letter is a very long "we think someone is using your info fraudulently."

Does anyone know if 1- it's normal for them to both call AND send a letter and 2- what on earth could have triggered all this? I suppose I could have typed in some personal information incorrectly on the application but I really don't think I did. Could the different email addresses be the culprit, do you think? Or is this just one of those "sometimes you just get asked for extra info" things?

With my most recent CIC, I got an email about a letter in my account. I got a little freaked out until I logged on to read it. It was just informing me that a new account had been opened. This was like two weeks after I already had the card and was spending on it!

 

[Judique]

Any recommendations for a Marriott hotel at Disney, not Swan/Dolphin/Reserve (60K+) for the date we need. Trying to use 35K. Thinking Springhill Suite Theme Parks/Lake Buena Vista (free breakfast) or is the Courtyard at the Village a better option? Just need it for one night for Christmas party.
Plan is to arrive in Orlando at noon, eat lunch and nap before heading to the park at 5:30PM. Direct flight the next day leaves at 3:50PM. Sleep in, checkout at 11, go to Disney Springs for lunch then head to airport at 2:00pm.

I stayed Residence Inn at Flamingo Crossings last year. Flamingo Crossings also has TownPlace Suites and either Springhill or Fairfield, I don't remember which. It's an easy ride there from Disney property and the RI was very nice.

 

[djmeredith]

So, question for all you wise churners!

DH has finally decided where he wants to spend his 50th birthday in Nov., we are going to Aruba. Now, I'm getting ready to book the flights (from CLE) and have a few options that I wanted opinions on. Basically, should we pay cash or use points? We have plenty of AMEX points, but I'd rather save them for an international business class flight next year (no concrete plans). Here are the options I'm looking at:

Delta on points, 28,970 one-way economy, OR $251 on United also economy. Both have similar arrival/departure times and both have a layover. I have a United CC that gives us free checked baggage, so I'm leaning that way. I guess I'd rather hoard the almost 60K points! WWDCD?

For that differential, I'm going to pay the cash for United. I won't use points for less than 1 cpp. And I can usually do much better than that.

I agree, definitely cash on this one. I hoard my pts for international biz class.

I would go with the new car. People treat loaners like crap. There is probably a lot of wear and tear on the loaner with multiple people driving it.

My parents have purchased a few dealer cars over the years, including a 1968 Chevelle that they still own! I purchased my first Honda Accord as a dealer car and had no issues. There may be some people that treat loaners bad, but there are also a lot of people like me who treat them as good or better than their own because they are a loaner. While $2700 isn't much when spread over a car loan, but that's a decent amount of money he could put towards savings/retirement acct.

In February DW and I will bring our kids to Universal Hollywood and Disneyland. We're flying into Burbank and will take an Uber to our hotel in Universal City. We're going to Universal the next day and then will move over to the Grand Californian. Does anyone have a car service they would recommend to get from the Hilton near Universal to the Grand Californian? The trip will be later in the night and around 40 miles.

I just finished planning a very similar trip for Sept, but I'm going in the opposite direction. SNA for DL then Universal and flying out of Burbank. You might want to check out a rental car, The Uber estimates were pretty high, so I can only imagine how much a car service would be. A rental car through Costco might be cheaper depending on parking. However, check Alamo direct as well, they have been cheaper than Costco a few times I checked recently.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So yesterday I was "excited" to put $3k of spend on my Hilton Surpass towards the FNC. Then my school asked me to put my Vegas conference on my CC and they'll repay me. So I put another $3k on my cards just after that! My AA Citi Biz is super close to hitting the $4k. I was going to just put my taxes on the Hilton Surpass, but since I'm putting $3k on their thanks to school, I think I need to get a new card. I'm happy to see the Bonvoy offer again, LOL. I got the 5 FNC back in 2020, my BF got it last year. So it's my turn again. We like using those in Mexico, LOL. Though I'm nto sure what our non-rev will be like since he is leaving Spirit and going to Delta. Everyone immediately says how awesome that must be....they don't understand that he's taking a HUGE paycut to do this (even delta pilots were SHOCKED what he makes, LOL) and my non-rev will be TERRIBLE! UGH. But I guess I'll give the Bonvoy card a try.

Last week I started in Vegas and ended in Mexico (both non-rev and free rooms). I used my IHG FNC at the Palazzo in Vegas. It was set to expire and they wouldn't extend it. Then I transferred URs to Hyatt to stay at the dreams playa mujeres golf & spa resort. My kids loved it, but 2 days was all they needed. On day 1 my son (14) goes, well now I see why you travel so much, LOL. I'm glad I got to take them before I lose travel bennies for them.

I will say w/ the move to Delta, I did make the BF agree to do SUB more often, LOL. He is willing. I'm hoping we figure out the secrets to Delta (by we, I mean me). Since I'll have a slew of FNC to redeem again.

Any New Orleans travelers here? Somehow we (well, my kids) scored 4 Taylor Swift tickets this morning and I have been tasked with finding a hotel. A Google search says the concert is at the Ceasars Superdome. Any walkable hotels? I have Hilton points, Chase UR points, and AmEx MR points. I also have 14 months to acquire other kinds of points (although my daughter says to book ASAP, which I think is next month).

I didn't think the areas around there were the safest to walk. I know my BF was even leary when they moved their overnight hotel from Bourbon St to over by the dome. But maybe there will be enough people walking around to make it "safe".

Tell me about how to save on cruising. Specifically looking for spring or summer 2024 leaving Brooklyn (MSC) or Manhattan (Norwegian?) or NJ (RC). Interested in saving using OOP cash or Chase UR or Amex MR. Never cruised before so any information about anything and everything will be helpful. Destination would be bahamas/florida or caribbean for 7 nights.

I did the Wyndham match....I need to look at the MSC options. I have the free cruise to try and cash in on.

If anyone was wondering, my 3 year old’s favorite part of the Neuschwanstein castle was the street cleaner

When my 14yo was around that age he wanted to be the "sweeper at the baseball game" and was obsessed with brooms. Sadly now I don't think he cleans anything, LOL.

My parents were supposed to head to Northern Michigan tomorrow for ten days. Everything was booked on my dad's Platinum card I believe. My dad was just taken to the hospital by ambulance. I'm trying to distract myself and be practical while I wait to find out what's going on--it looks like there's some trip insurance on the Platinum card but wondering if anyone has any experience using it.

I hate hearing this. I'm approaching the 1 year ann'y of my dad going into the ICU I'm thinking of you and hoping everything gets better (I hope in the 86 pages I had to read I didn't miss an update).

The most difficult part of travel hacking is convincing P2 of more trips.
We have a Marriott FNC and 2 companion passes which means we should definitely take a one night trip to Disney World to attend the MVMCP, but he doesn’t think it’s worth the travel time for just one night.
Also, where would you all stay? Swan/dolphin not an option. Preferably somewhere that has shuttle services.
JW Bonnet Creek? I’m not familiar with the Marriott options.
Trying to convince DH to go 12/8 party.

This is my BF. In his defense he's a pilot, so he's "traveling" for work all the time. But he's given me a TON more trips this year. So I can't complain too much. He's agreed to hack more so I can have more "free" flight options since non-rev is gonna be a lot harder. At least wherever we do go, normally we'd only need to worry about 1 ticket if we had to buy one. He rationalized to me if all we're spending is the money on my ticket, it's still a rather cheap trip. I just don't think I'll get 5 trips to Vegas, 3 trips to Cancun, 1 trip to NC, 1 trip to Nashville, and 1 trip to FL all in 8 mos, LOL.

 

[calypso726]

Any recommendations for a Marriott hotel at Disney, not Swan/Dolphin/Reserve (60K+) for the date we need. Trying to use 35K. Thinking Springhill Suite Theme Parks/Lake Buena Vista (free breakfast) or is the Courtyard at the Village a better option? Just need it for one night for Christmas party.
Plan is to arrive in Orlando at noon, eat lunch and nap before heading to the park at 5:30PM. Direct flight the next day leaves at 3:50PM. Sleep in, checkout at 11, go to Disney Springs for lunch then head to airport at 2:00pm.

My go to for 35k FN certs in WDW has always been either the Springhill Suites or Fairfield in Marriott village.

 

[Haley R]

We’re having terrible luck with flights. Been sitting on the plane in Munich waiting to fly back to the US. We were supposed to leave at 12:20. Everything was good and then all of the sudden they said there are storms in the area so we’re delayed

 

[catsinawindow]

I've been quiet for a bit as I've been giving Chase a break and using, rather than earning, those points! We also just got back from a 9-day Universal Orlando/Clearwater Beach trip, heavily funded by credit card rewards (thanks to tips from this group)! Lodging was Chase UR (Royal Pacific Resort through Chase portal, AirBNB at Clearwater with 1.5x redemption with CSR), Universal tickets were covered by Capital One rewards points, and flights were Southwest RR + companion pass). All we paid cash for was food & souvenirs

I'm on here now trying to figure out what I do with my Amex Gold card. My annual fee posts on Aug 28 and I've chatted twice asking about a retention offer and been offered nothing. I'm tempted to downgrade the card, but don't want to lose my MRs. Any recommendations about what I could downgrade to to save these? I don't have much of a relationship with Amex, so this is my only MR-earning card. Also, what do you find that MRs are good for? I've had no trouble using Chase UR and Capital One points, but my favorite redemption options don't seem available with Amex. Is it mostly good for (non-Southwest) flights? Even Amex's travel portal doesn't seem to have very good redemptions...