I love credit cards so much!

[Ngwira]

Hmm. I was lucky to get the personal spg 35k with 3k spend last year. I'm not a fan of the higher spend requirement as it would be TOUGH to spend 8k in 6 months (business version) without overspending or doing MS. Since AMEX is cracking down on MS, I'll have to pass.

 

[tink1970]

Just got approved for the AmExp Everyday Preferred with 30,000 MR points with 2K spend. Abnormally excited since I use my Reserve vice applying for a Platinum so the 30000 is the largest MR bonus I'm expecting to have. This will become my grocery card (other than Apr-June--Freedom 5% bonus) and I'm excited. Since I'm waaay over Chase's 5/24 I'm branching out to other companies and trying to really be wise and prudent about what spend goes on what card. Apologies for the length of this but since no one else I know does this I have to share my excitement somewhere

 

[lorijohnhill]

Please pardon my lack of understanding, but what isn't recon and what would I say when I call?

 

[peel]

JFK is a hub for both American Airlines and Delta. Between the two I'd choose AA for several reasons. Delta's Sky miles are often referred to as Sky Pesos meaning their value is not very high. Delta won't publish their award chart anymore so you never can tell what an award will cost. You can't churn Delta credit cards as they are issued by Amex and the bonus is once per lifetime. Delta is part of the Sky team alliance which is the smallest of the three so there are less partner airlines to choose from.

AA is part of the One World alliance which is the second largest so there is a greater selection for partner awards. You can get AA credit cards through Citibank and Barclays and they are churnable. AA does publish their award chart and does have saver awards available if you plan accordingly. Every single one of my flights using AA miles have always been booked in saver. I'm literally sitting at the airport right now and am traveling in an AA saver ticket

Exactly my thoughts, thanks. I never even considered Delta's Sky Pesos as a possibility.
Safe travels!!! Going anywhere fun?

 

[peel]

That's exactly my situation, though I prefer Newark over JFK since being stuck in Terminal 4 with no lounges I could get into.

One side effect of this thread is that I am now allergic to waiting at gates (especially dreary, overcrowded, NYC gates). I had never been in an airport lounge before I started reading this thread, and now I don't know what I'd do without them!!

I've never used a lounge! I just figured they were good for layovers, which I haven't had in years. I don't even consider Newark as a possible departure point. Maybe I should start. I have to say we're pretty lucky that we're pretty much equally close to Logan, JFK, and Newark, and Bradley is close by.

 

[calypso726]

Please pardon my lack of understanding, but what isn't recon and what would I say when I call?

Recon is short for reconsideration. This is the line that is called in order to speak to a person that can reconsider a credit card denial. What you say depends on the reason for the denial. If you were declined on an app because the issuer has already given you the maximum amount of credit they can you can offer to shift credit lines in order to open a new card. If the issuer feels you already have too many of their cards you convincingly explain why you need this one, focusing on on all of the perks and never mentioning anything about wanting it for the bonus. If you already have the card and are applying for second one you say you wish to separate business and personal expenses.

Exactly my thoughts, thanks. I never even considered Delta's Sky Pesos as a possibility.
Safe travels!!! Going anywhere fun?

I am flying to London for the weekend. i get in tomorrow. Staying at the Radisson Blu on points. We are seeing a show on Saturday and flying back home on Sunday. I know that sounds completely insane Gosh, I love this hobby!

 

[tinytinkmom]

One side effect of this thread is that I am now allergic to waiting at gates (especially dreary, overcrowded, NYC gates). I had never been in an airport lounge before I started reading this thread, and now I don't know what I'd do without them!!

EXACTLY!!! Our 7 and 12 year old girls are now addicted to airport lounges! I'm setting the bar high for their future travel "needs"!!!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

The 35k spg is back. I know you were looking for it..

Thanks! I did see that earlier on TPG. Just approved for AA Business (and anxiously awaiting its arrival to start spending). Hopefully will be able to complete the spend quickly & grab the SPG too Can't do 2 at once though the SPG has a longer spend for the last 10k points I think.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I am flying to London for the weekend. i get in tomorrow. Staying at the Radisson Blu on points. We are seeing a show on Saturday and flying back home on Sunday. I know that sounds completely insane Gosh, I love this hobby!

That sounds completely awesome!

 

[wendow]

EXACTLY!!! Our 7 and 12 year old girls are now addicted to airport lounges! I'm setting the bar high for their future travel "needs"!!!

How does that work getting kids in? We were stuck at the Denver airport for 8 hours in early Jan. I kept wondering if I could get my family in the lounge. I am never traveling alone...always the six of us or me and 4 kids.

 

[calypso726]

How does that work getting kids in? We were stuck at the Denver airport for 8 hours in early Jan. I kept wondering if I could get my family in the lounge. I am never traveling alone...always the six of us or me and 4 kids.

Several of the premium high annual fee cards offer lounge access. Amex Platinum cards come with Centurion lounge and Delta lounge access, American Airline executive card comes with AA lounge access, United Mileage Plus Club card comes with United lounge access, the United Mileage explorer card comes with 2 lounge passes each year. Some lounges allow you to purchase day passes. The CSR card comes with Priority Pass lounge access. Flying international first class will come with lounge access as well.

 

[wendow]

Several of the premium high annual fee cards offer lounge access. Amex Platinum cards come with Centurion lounge and Delta lounge access, American Airline executive card comes with AA lounge access, United Mileage Plus Club card comes with United lounge access, the United Mileage explorer card comes with 2 lounge passes each year. Some lounges allow you to purchase day passes. The CSR card comes with Priority Pass lounge access. Flying international first class will come with lounge access as well.

I only have the CSR. Could my whole family get in with my Priority Pass card?

 

[Lain]

I only have the CSR. Could my whole family get in with my Priority Pass card?

Yes!

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/09/05/sapphire-reserve-lounge-benefit/

Edit: I'd note that lounges may refuse additional guests periodically due to capacity. My family was traveling through SFO in January when we tried to get into the Air France - KLM Lounge lounge. The host told us they were only admitting airline passengers at the time due to capacity, and they expected to open up for Priority Pass guests about 30 minutes later. We passed, and that was a bit disappointing.

 

[MrPTato]

I've always been able to go in with any Chase card. I have the Disney Visa but never use it. Last year we used our CSR card to go in. I think you could do a refill but am not 100% sure. You'll need to go early as the line gets long and so does the wait as the day goes on.

Isn't this lounge just open during Food and Wine Festival?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Isn't this lounge just open during Food and Wine Festival?

That was my understanding. And open to all Chase cardholders. For Disney Visa only, they have a character meet & greet.

 

[mistyinca]

Yes!

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/09/05/sapphire-reserve-lounge-benefit/

Edit: I'd note that lounges may refuse additional guests periodically due to capacity. My family was traveling through SFO in January when we tried to get into the Air France - KLM Lounge lounge. The host told us they were only admitting airline passengers at the time due to capacity, and they expected to open up for Priority Pass guests about 30 minutes later. We passed, and that was a bit disappointing.

Wow. Not much of a priority is it? I just got the card so I haven't used the pp yet.

 

[calypso726]

I only have the CSR. Could my whole family get in with my Priority Pass card?

Yes. You will want to check the list of PP lounges and make sure there is one at your airport and terminal. We've only used PP twice. We use the Amex Platinum card to access Centurion lounges more often and of course the AA Executive card since we are usually flying out of Miami.

Isn't this lounge just open during Food and Wine Festival?

As far as I know. We've only visited the lounge during F&W. We very rarely have the Disney Visa with us. The last few years though we always had the CSP and now the CSR to visit.

 

[peel]

I am flying to London for the weekend. i get in tomorrow. Staying at the Radisson Blu on points. We are seeing a show on Saturday and flying back home on Sunday. I know that sounds completely insane Gosh, I love this hobby!

That's right, I remember now! It's just as insane as basing my Britain vacations around seeing bands! Have fun!!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Several of the premium high annual fee cards offer lounge access. Amex Platinum cards come with Centurion lounge and Delta lounge access, American Airline executive card comes with AA lounge access, United Mileage Plus Club card comes with United lounge access, the United Mileage explorer card comes with 2 lounge passes each year. Some lounges allow you to purchase day passes. The CSR card comes with Priority Pass lounge access. Flying international first class will come with lounge access as well.

Amex platinum also includes priority pass.

 

[hsmamato2]

Ok.... please be careful -to any on this thread just diving in...... be really careful. The churning game can be fun,and almost addictive- but it's really important to have specific goals in mind,otherwise you may find yourself spending money to be in the game that you don't have, or getting points you have no use for. The general rule of thumb (from diehards of the game) is the goal... there ARE a lot of great offers, but are all of them great for everyone? No. Just accumulating points b/c you can -the game changes constantly. That's the one constant. So what points can do for you right now (with a specific travel goal) they may not do in 6 months,or less,etc.
Also,getting all the bonuses is great, but it's not free,it costs in both time and money to get to certain levels of spending. Now if you get another card for the bonus, knowing you don't have the $ for the spend, you now have to learn how to MS (it's not a simple game) So that's a whole other level you're getting into. *and* it goes without saying that paying finance charges b/c you charged more than you can pay off in a month is not a good idea either.
Also if you have no travel plans, and don't plan to travel for quite a while, accumulating tons of points in various programs may not be the best idea,since,as noted before things change ALL the time. That coupled with keeping an organized record of cards,points,expiration dates,transfer options,etc is a part time job (at least!) so travel bonuses are ONLY valuable and useful if you have/can make plans to use them. I'm just tossing this out there b/c this thread is so very pleasnt and helpful....( I appreciate reading it daily) but once you really start 'getting into' doing this a bit.... on other boards you will definitely hear all of what I've noted (but mostly in not very nice words lol)
I'm not trying to discourage anyone here, but it isn't a 'no stakes' game it involves extra time, money,and commitment to doing it.
I've made plenty of 'oops' myself over the years I've been doing this sort of thing,so not on a high horse,just sayin'.....