I chose to change it to a CIC. No AF and gets 5x UR at office supply stores and phone/internet, 2x at gas stations. I think the phone insurance is not as good if that is important to you.I got approved for CIP#2!
What do you al do with CIP#1? My AF just hit and the 20k URs posted (and moved to CSR already). Close? Downgrade?
1/17 - CSR
7/17 - Disney Visa
3/18 - IHG
7/18 - CIP#1
11/18 - Amex Plat
8/19 - CIP#2
If you’re interested in playing this game long term I would consider joining DISchurners. This is where many of our tips are kept in an accessible format. (It is a private group composed solely of DISboards members from this thread). It also has a news thread that can help in keeping up with this thread that generates 10+ pages daily of chatter and fun mixed in with churning talk.I come seeking your advice! And I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say I am in awe of your miles mastery!!
Recently issued card and the only card we are routinely using:
01/19 - AMEX Delta Skymiles
Other Cards open / willing to replace:
04/06 - AMEX BlueSky
05/17 - VISA Slate
Our credit scores are in the upper 7s / low 8s. We have had some credit issues early in our marriage so we kept the older AMEX card open for credit longevity. I don’t think this is necessary anymore. We have completed all our credit transactions for our primary residence and our DVC was paid in full (except for downpayment on CC - paid off), not financed.
Delta Skymiles: 87,838
- We are probably looking at putting $2K - $3K per month on routine purchases. We shop primarily at COSTCO for household goods and gas.
- We will occasionally carry a balance, but we have the means to pay off monthly.
- We are flying out of PHX. My business travel takes me to the upper mid-west quarterly, thus the DELTA card. DH used to do a LOT of business travel on Southwest, but no more. His travel is sporadic, and if regional would be on Southwest
- Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? Yes, me: Delta Skymiles. Both of us: Southwest. DH has United also.
- Does SOUTHWEST service your airport? Yes.
- Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? No.
- Do you currently have any travel points in any program?
Southwest: Nominal. We used pts to fly to MCO in July 2019
I welcome your expertise!! THANK YOU!! (and I have no idea why I cannot unbold this post! forgive me!)
- We are closing on our DVC resale membership and looking to maximize our CC usage for flights:
- First trip: Aulani /HNL in Sept 2020. We will be traveling from PHX with a party of 8 (5 adults, 3 kids).
- The direct flight is on Hawaiaan air is prefferrable. However, we could fly Delta and Southwest is also an option. We will be paying for all 8 flights. A card that is non-airline specific would also work. I am not sure how to maximize this trip to build points for our future trips to WDW.
- Our next trip would be from PHX to MCO in March 2021. Our usual part of travel is 2 adults and 3 kids. We will most frequently be traveling from PHX to MCO. Southwest goes direct. I am hoping that with our 8 flights to Hawaii that we would have enough miles to off-set this trip.
- Our long term plan is WDW every 18 months - 2 years for a week long trip.
Thanks! I’ll give them a try! They have gone two rounds with some sort of stain spray/gel and they are much lighter but I still know they are there.
I’d say this depends on your future strategy. You could downgrade to CIU or CIC. If it has a high CL though you might want to reduce that to allow for future biz card approvals. You can always close it later so I’d downgrade initially until you’re sure what the right answer is. You can’t reopen it later lol.I got approved for CIP#2!
What do you al do with CIP#1? My AF just hit and the 20k URs posted (and moved to CSR already). Close? Downgrade?
1/17 - CSR
7/17 - Disney Visa
3/18 - IHG
7/18 - CIP#1
11/18 - Amex Plat
8/19 - CIP#2
Do you just buy the $500 VGC and have it mailed to you, then go to FD/DG and load it to Serve?Came home from Friday night high school football game to approval on CIP3! That makes 5 Chase business cards, 3 CIP open. It was a good week for me. I am loving giftcardmall for $500 VGC. Knocked out DH CSP MSR and finished last $1000 for DH Citi AA Biz. SUB posted for my first AA miles and DH Hilton. Happy that my Staples still doesn't care how many VGC you buy. I think my plan going forward is to use giftcardmall for non AmEx MSR and AmEx for organic spend. Should allow me to get another card. I'll wait until I have these VGC loaded to Serve and then just have to decide if I want to take the chance on another AA.
@PolyRob what is the “break even” for Tables in Wonderland? Can I get it when we upgrade to APs?
Someone also posted a way to get Deluxe Dining package and do some more expensive meals but just doing adult in child for the first part of a split stay. Was it @kmc8826? How do we do fast pass reservations if DH and DS aren’t listed in the room?
There was a Marriott sign up bonus that was for 2 free nights sometime after the merger.
Did she spend $60k that looks like another option for getting an additional FN
I need to be able to like and unlike this. Like as I will use at Meijer. Unlike as I just got back from a shopping trip there and didn't know about this so have to go back #firstworld problems. Seriously, thanks for updating us on these deals. It is much appreciated.