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

[punkin]

DH has the card, he got it last year. We probably won’t keep it, but I haven’t decided. It would have been a keeper at the $450 AF, but not sure the $650 is worth it. We flew American several times this year so got our $450 worth of food.
But it is a great SUB, so it would be worth it for a year.

I'm not sure...I'm really only interested because I've got a trip planned in AA in October. It allows 2 guests in the admirals club free... that would be DH and DD. I assume a child under 2 doesn't count anyway. If we did centurion lounge, DH and I are free and I would have to pay $60 for DD. And it has no foreign transaction fees so I could use it in Italy to make spend. I'm really considering it.

 

[becauseimnew]

I'm not sure...I'm really only interested because I've got a trip planned in AA in October. It allows 2 guests in the admirals club free... that would be DH and DD. I assume a child under 2 doesn't count anyway. If we did centurion lounge, DH and I are free and I would have to pay $60 for DD. And it has no foreign transaction fees so I could use it in Italy to make spend. I'm really considering it.

All immediate family members are allowed.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

The BBP is a nice keeper card to hold your MRs if you cancel the biz plat down the line. The only reason you might want to cancel it is if you end up bumping against the 5 Amex credit card limit. The biz plat is a charge card, so this doesn't apply.

There's a targeted offer on the biz plat for 190k MRs, $15k spend. Hopefully that's what you were offered.

Thanks for the insight, I think I'll probably just keep it as a back up just in case. I've been careful to not accumulate too many AmEx's for this reason. That's the offer that AMEX has been giving me the last few times I logged in. I'll probably jump on it soon.

 

[punkin]

Ok... another option...DH applied (and was approved) for a CIP 2 months ago. He already met the spend on that one. Can I refer him for another one now?

 

[Judique]

Checked Doctorofcredit.com a little earlier and learned Amex has a cell phone bill offer of 10% up to $40 through the end of December, so quickly added the offer and then changed my payment card. Got the 'Great News! You used your offer' email a few minutes ago.

I actually didn't expect my payment to be processed today as it's usually on the 5th, but I guess I got the card added just in time.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Hey Maldives experts. For our 25th anniversary, we have a trip planned to Portugal. But... I've been cobbling a few things together and might switch over to the Maldives, lol. So right now I have 5 nights booked at the Conrad Rangali in an overwater Sunset Villa. I also have flights home in business class on Etihad.

I don't have flights there yet. And, the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi looks absolutely amazing. I grabbed one night there while I stalk availability for more. If I could find more, I'd either switch over completely from the Conrad or look at a split stay.

So experts, what advice can you provide:

• Need (2) outbound business class flights. Open to routing and willing to stay a few nights along the way if need be, but would want to depart from ORD.
• Any advice on scoring WA Ithaafushi? Anyone stayed yet or have it booked? I have been following on FT and I'll put some alerts on openhotelalert and staywithpoints, and see if anything comes of that.

@*WDW*Groupie* you are headed to the Maldives this month, correct?

 

[IFlossU]

Ok... another option...DH applied (and was approved) for a CIP 2 months ago. He already met the spend on that one. Can I refer him for another one now?

The recommendation is every 90 days. However, if his overall Chase velocity has been low over the past year or so he is probably safe to get another. I did 2 Ink cards in 2 months because my last Chase card was 2 years prior. Instant approval for both.

 

[orangecuse]

Travel- American moved our flight up again. We are landing in LA earlier than we were originally leaving the east coast. Its about 60 days about and they have changed it three times- when are they going to stop fiddling?!

Disney- almost time to book our disneyland dining. Hoping we have a shot at a decent set of reservations if we are on right away.

Churning- Scarily I am already close to done with the Venture X spend. Debating a Venture X vs the new Marriott bonus for DH next- has Chase said when the Marriott offer ends?

 

[orangecuse]

So we have Japan coming up in May but I’m starting to think about where we’d like to go next so we can get the points ready. We’ve thought about Iceland but I think we want to wait until ds is older.

Where are your favorite places to go on points that you think would be fun with a 4 year old? Open to almost anything, in the US or international.

Since our kids are similar ages I always read your trip reports for inspo haha I don't have a lot of non-cruise suggestions at the present but we have some upcoming trips I will try and report back on as they happen!

We have 2024 fully booked but I also feel like I need a whisper of a direction for 2025 to be planning the churning pathway the best I can. We are debating Hawaii for 2025 vs Alaska vs Portugal. My husband thinks its absurd to be thinking about a 2025 trip yet haha

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

We have 2024 fully booked but I also feel like I need a whisper of a direction for 2025 to be planning the churning pathway the best I can. We are debating Hawaii for 2025 vs Alaska vs Portugal. My husband thinks its absurd to be thinking about a 2025 trip yet haha

Same here, 2024 is fully booked, but we're beginning to think of 2025. We'd like to do a May 2025 Europe trip. Has anyone here been to Hallstatt? It looks gorgeous from pictures/instagram, but is it just an "insta-famous" spot and nothing more? We are now thinking we'll do Munich, Salzburg, Hallstatt (?), and maybe Zurich together, as they are all close enough to drive and could be a shorter trip (less than 2 weeks). As opposed to what we were previously trying to plan (Germany, Austria, Italy). I think we'll plan a return trip and do just Italy separately, since there's so many cities I want to see there, and could probably easily do 10 days in Italy moving around.

 

[iujen94]

Travel- American moved our flight up again. We are landing in LA earlier than we were originally leaving the east coast. Its about 60 days about and they have changed it three times- when are they going to stop fiddling?!

Disney- almost time to book our disneyland dining. Hoping we have a shot at a decent set of reservations if we are on right away.

Churning- Scarily I am already close to done with the Venture X spend. Debating a Venture X vs the new Marriott bonus for DH next- has Chase said when the Marriott offer ends?

Your post sparked a question for me - when American changes your flight time, do they let you switch to another same-day flight at no cost? I need to book a positioning flight to Chicago for next summer, and prices are ridiculous for the time that I want. Wondering if I should book the cheapest flight that day and cross my fingers for a schedule change.

 

[punkin]

The recommendation is every 90 days. However, if his overall Chase velocity has been low over the past year or so he is probably safe to get another. I did 2 Ink cards in 2 months because my last Chase card was 2 years prior. Instant approval for both.

So...he got a CIU 3/15/23 and a CIP on 6/15/23. No other Chase cards (business or personal) since 2019.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Hey Maldives experts. For our 25th anniversary, we have a trip planned to Portugal. But... I've been cobbling a few things together and might switch over to the Maldives, lol. So right now I have 5 nights booked at the Conrad Rangali in an overwater Sunset Villa. I also have flights home in business class on Etihad.

I don't have flights there yet. And, the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi looks absolutely amazing. I grabbed one night there while I stalk availability for more. If I could find more, I'd either switch over completely from the Conrad or look at a split stay.

So experts, what advice can you provide:

• Need (2) outbound business class flights. Open to routing and willing to stay a few nights along the way if need be, but would want to depart from ORD.
• Any advice on scoring WA Ithaafushi? Anyone stayed yet or have it booked? I have been following on FT and I'll put some alerts on openhotelalert and staywithpoints, and see if anything comes of that.

@*WDW*Groupie* you are headed to the Maldives this month, correct?

I was in the Maldives last September and am going back again next week. Probably your best option to get there is on Qatar in QSuites (biz class). It truly is an outstanding configuration for biz class. For booking you'll be looking at either AA or BA, but availability is scarce with the increased demand for travel. I'd look at positioning flights from ORD to wherever you can find available seats (you might need to get creative).

While some people might be able to transfer between resorts, the transfer costs will be significant. From what I've read you will have to pay r/t seaplane from Male for the Conrad and r/t boat for the WA (some resorts do not allow private transfers at their docks and the distance between the Conrad and the WA would be significant). I had the WA booked twice on points during COVID and had to cancel both times. I am perfectly happy with the RC, but breakfast isn't included (I order a la carte which isn't too bad -- I can't justify the cost for the buffet when I am not a big buffet person). If you can get 5 + nights at the WA it would be o/s value on points, but there are a lot of people that love the Conrad since many report that it has a better house reef (if snorkeling is your thing -- it's not mine). @calypso726 and her dh have stayed at the Conrad.

From the Maldives it's an easy hop over to Europe, if that's an option for you. Heck you can probably do a few days in Portugal, fly to either Doha, Abu Dhabi or Dubai, then catch a flight to Male -- that might be the easiest way to get there points wise.

 

[Haley R]

Since our kids are similar ages I always read your trip reports for inspo haha I don't have a lot of non-cruise suggestions at the present but we have some upcoming trips I will try and report back on as they happen!

We have 2024 fully booked but I also feel like I need a whisper of a direction for 2025 to be planning the churning pathway the best I can. We are debating Hawaii for 2025 vs Alaska vs Portugal. My husband thinks its absurd to be thinking about a 2025 trip yet haha

What are you guys doing next year? What cruises have you done? I’ve tried convincing dh to do a cruise but he thinks ds is too young. I think we want to wait until he’ll go in the kids club alone. He also likes to stay in one place longer instead of stopping for a day.

We only have Japan next year and nothing planned for 2025. That’s my next plan. I think we’re really only planning one big trip a year

 

[orangecuse]

Your post sparked a question for me - when American changes your flight time, do they let you switch to another same-day flight at no cost? I need to book a positioning flight to Chicago for next summer, and prices are ridiculous for the time that I want. Wondering if I should book the cheapest flight that day and cross my fingers for a schedule change.

Yes they do! Most airlines will but the significance of the time change can be a deciding factor. Jetblue for example changed a flight of mine by 15 minutes and sent me an email offering a free change. I am not certain what Americans minimum is!

 

[orangecuse]

What are you guys doing next year? What cruises have you done? I’ve tried convincing dh to do a cruise but he thinks ds is too young. I think we want to wait until he’ll go in the kids club alone. He also likes to stay in one place longer instead of stopping for a day.

We only have Japan next year and nothing planned for 2025. That’s my next plan. I think we’re really only planning one big trip a year

Next year we have

April- eclipse at Niagara Falls

July- Rhode Island

August- San Diego, LA, Mexico (Mexico via cruise)

November- Miami to South America via cruise

We LOVE cruising with our kids. Our oldest went on his first at a year old. Our youngest has done Bermuda last year as a fresh 3 and Canada this year at 3.5. Without kids we have been all over on cruises.

For us these are what we like/find as good rules for ourselves for cruising with the kids

1. If possible, book a larger ocean view room. Our Canada cruise we had a corner room that had a walk in closet and a bunk area for the kids. It was like $100 more than a standard ocean view during a sale. Makes changing and unpacking everyone easier and allows space to play in the room if a quiet break is needed.

2. We keep their meal and bedtimes similar to on land whenever we can. We book the early dining and do casual breakfast/lunch, and pick our shows/activities with bedtime in mind. We have a fun routine where once the kids are asleep one parent goes out and loads up on drinks and treats for the room for us (or we get room service) and we watch shows on the ipad while having our own personal buffet lol

3. Book itineraries long enough to entice other families (5-7 days at least) and pick a line that focuses on family programing/kid friendly spaces.

4. Book a cruise excursion w/ the cruise line* so we have guaranteed understanding of transportation, age limits, length, and no stress on getting back on time. Also usually has bus transport so can avoid the car seat issue.

*exception here is if we have someone with us who knows the places well (like my dad who has lived in some of the countries we will see next year in SA or its a place that overnights you like Bermuda so you can get back anytime that first day).

We love cruising with our kids and they love it too! Our 2 next year are another 5 night and a 14 night.

 

[becauseimnew]

So we have Japan coming up in May but I’m starting to think about where we’d like to go next so we can get the points ready. We’ve thought about Iceland but I think we want to wait until ds is older.

Where are your favorite places to go on points that you think would be fun with a 4 year old? Open to almost anything, in the US or international.

Disney cruise, we went earlier this year with our friend that has a 3 & 5 year old and they loved it. So many great character opportunities plus the different port activities.
We also did an all inclusive in Puerto Vallarta when our girls were 5 & 7, there are lots of great excursions in Vallarta.

 

[havaneselover]

American changed DS' flight home for Thanksgiving. They moved it up and he would have to miss a class which I'm not comfortable with. Of course the other options aren't great.

 

[EACarlson]

Your post sparked a question for me - when American changes your flight time, do they let you switch to another same-day flight at no cost? I need to book a positioning flight to Chicago for next summer, and prices are ridiculous for the time that I want. Wondering if I should book the cheapest flight that day and cross my fingers for a schedule change.

It depends on the amount of time that the change is whether they have to or not. If you call in they will most likely change it with no issue if the change is more than a few minutes or you can make a claim as to why the change affects you negatively.

 

[Haley R]

Next year we have

April- eclipse at Niagara Falls

July- Rhode Island

August- San Diego, LA, Mexico (Mexico via cruise)

November- Miami to South America via cruise

We LOVE cruising with our kids. Our oldest went on his first at a year old. Our youngest has done Bermuda last year as a fresh 3 and Canada this year at 3.5. Without kids we have been all over on cruises.

For us these are what we like/find as good rules for ourselves for cruising with the kids

1. If possible, book a larger ocean view room. Our Canada cruise we had a corner room that had a walk in closet and a bunk area for the kids. It was like $100 more than a standard ocean view during a sale. Makes changing and unpacking everyone easier and allows space to play in the room if a quiet break is needed.

2. We keep their meal and bedtimes similar to on land whenever we can. We book the early dining and do casual breakfast/lunch, and pick our shows/activities with bedtime in mind. We have a fun routine where once the kids are asleep one parent goes out and loads up on drinks and treats for the room for us (or we get room service) and we watch shows on the ipad while having our own personal buffet lol

3. Book itineraries long enough to entice other families (5-7 days at least) and pick a line that focuses on family programing/kid friendly spaces.

4. Book a cruise excursion w/ the cruise line* so we have guaranteed understanding of transportation, age limits, length, and no stress on getting back on time. Also usually has bus transport so can avoid the car seat issue.

*exception here is if we have someone with us who knows the places well (like my dad who has lived in some of the countries we will see next year in SA or its a place that overnights you like Bermuda so you can get back anytime that first day).

We love cruising with our kids and they love it too! Our 2 next year are another 5 night and a 14 night.

That’s awesome you’ve done so many cruises! We’ve only been on one cruise and it was a Disney cruise. We had fun but dh doesn’t feel like he wants to do another one. If we do one it would have to be somewhere besides the beach since we live at the beach lol.

Which cruise lines have you done? Do you pay for them with points? I’m worried ds won’t have enough to do on the ship at this age. He’s so active and wants to be outside running all day. I’m also worried he won’t sit through the shows