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

[pompetti]

I believe most people wait a week. If I were getting ready to do this trip again in 2 years and starting from ground zero, here’s what I would do. I’d apply for a CIC before the offer ends on 3/21. It’s 90k for $6k spend in 3 months with 0% on purchases so you can float some expenses for up to 12 months if needed. I’d refer P2 for one as well. That would earn 212k URs with the two MSR, subs and referral. After those MSRs are met and 3 months have gone by, I’d go ahead and downgrade the CSP and then apply again after a week or so. Then refer P2 for one as well.

I may be misunderstanding or misremembering where you need to spend $15k. If you mean for a Hilton FN certificate on a Surpass, you would get one for holding an Aspire card.They do expire a year after deposit into your account. If you are going to go with the Hilton Rangali be sure to time having your points and FN certs in place about a year before booking. Amex will deposit them about 12 weeks after you make the spend or your card anniversary hits. You can also buy Hilton points at .005 cents per point which is not bad to use at some place like the Maldives for an overwater bungalow. In any case,

I was looking at the wrong Chase Ink card. I've now signed up for the Chase Ink Cash card last night and am awaiting a response. If I go the Hilton route for the hotel points, when would be a good time to apply? Is Aspire the way to go?

 

[calypso726]

Great! Thanks!
DH says he's already in one of those FB groups
I'm debating doing the photo package, but I hear it's a lot more expensive than it was when it first opened.

That's awesome! Even though my Starcruise is long past, I stayed in the group. I like seeing everyone's pictures and ideas. Odds are we will do it again down the line at some point.

Yes, I don't recall what the pricing is now. I did hear that it went up.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I was talking about the 90k - I doubt they would either, but if I would message them before the non-supported 90k offer ended and say that I saw that offer, they may consider it. I would be a long shot I know though.

Someone on DOC is reporting the applied with the 40k support link and 75K bonus yesterday, SM Chase today and they said after they meet the $6k spend to SM again and they will match to 90k…as always it’s probably YMMV

 

[have2getaway]

Is 40K worth $600? Sorry, we usually only sign up for 1 or 2 cards a year and I have never gotten a 1099.

I had DH use my support link for 20k bonus points. Does that mean I will get a 1099 for $200?

Also, DH received a $600 offer if he opens up a Chase checking account. Does that also result in a 1099 for the bonus?

 

[calypso726]

I was looking at the wrong Chase Ink card. I've now signed up for the Chase Ink Cash card last night and am awaiting a response. If I go the Hilton route for the hotel points, when would be a good time to apply? Is Aspire the way to go?

Honestly that depends.

If you are able to max the benefits as far as the $250 airline credit and the $250 resort credit, then the Aspire card essentially pays for itself. The Diamond status and FN cert become icing on the cake.

Depending on how long you are planning your stay, you can probably accumulate enough points to cover the nights between you and P2. Standard room rates at the Conrad Rangali are running 120k per night but you literally need to stalk day by day if you aren't flexible in order to snag one. This means practicing with the site to try and figure out when award room availability drops. Each of the resorts has different windows for booking. Right now the Conrad Rangali is booking out until March 16th of next year and there is no standard award availability. I saw some standard availability (no OWB though) for December but none for Jan-March. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi looks like its booking out until the end of February and no standard rooms are showing. Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa is booking out until the end of February and has standard award availability for Beach villas with a plunge pool. SAii Lagoon Maldives is booking out until March 16th as well with standard award availability.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi standard rates are 150k a night. Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa is at 110k a night. Only the Conrad Rangali has OWB for standard pricing from time to time. SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton is 85k points per night.

The Hilton business card is at 165k with a $5k MSR
Hilton Honors card is at 100K with $2k MSR
Hilton Surpass is 150k with a $3k MSR
Hilton Aspire is 150k with a $4k MSR

In 2 player mode you'd have 850k Hilton points between the SUBs and MSR without even going for the Aspire and that would cover 5-10 nights depending on the hotel you choose. Points should be in place once your spend is made and the statement closes. Its the FN certs that take forever.

Keep in mind food is expensive in the Maldives and having Diamond status was helpful since we got free breakfast and cocktail hour snacks. Also the resort credit helped with the sea plane transfer which I'm sure has gone up in price. So those are things to consider.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I had DH use my support link for 20k bonus points. Does that mean I will get a 1099 for $200?

Also, DH received a $600 offer if he opens up a Chase checking account. Does that also result in a 1099 for the bonus?

I believe all or most checking and savings account bonuses are issued a 1099 for any amount…
As far as the $200…in my experience Chase only issues a 1099 if your total in support bonuses are $600 or over and it would be on a different 1099 than the checking bonus

 

[georgina]

Yes, bank bonuses are interest and a 1099 will be issued over $10. Chase support over $600 cumulative in a year

 

[maria's_mommy]

Applied Friday and approval email today for my first CIC but it has not showed up on my online chase account with my other cards, is that normal and will I be able to add it?

 

[IFlossU]

Applied Friday and approval email today for my first CIC but it has not showed up on my online chase account with my other cards, is that normal and will I be able to add it?

If it’s your first business card you will have to create a separate login once you receive the card. After you have a separate login you can then merge your business and personal accounts.

 

[pinkxray]

I am thinking about upgrading my Amex gold to Platnium. How does that work with the annual fee? I just paid the $250 or whatever it was in Jan for the gold. Do I have to pay that $250 and now the $550 for the platnium? That doesn’t seem like a good deal and I will probably skip it if that’s the case?

 

[magickingdomprincess]

I booked a refundable SW fare to use up the remaining CSR travel credit on DH’s card, and I see the credit showing on his account now. Is there any best practice as to when I can cancel the flight? Is it better to wait for the current statement to close or can I go ahead and cancel it?

 

[MouseOfCards]

I used my Amex Gold card to purchase a pie via Cheesecake Factory's website on Feb 28 and picked up the same day. On the Amex site, the purchase shows posted on Mar 1 and the $10 Amex Dining Credit appeared on Mar 6. So, did the $10 Dining Credit apply to month of February or March?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I booked a refundable SW fare to use up the remaining CSR travel credit on DH’s card, and I see the credit showing on his account now. Is there any best practice as to when I can cancel the flight? Is it better to wait for the current statement to close or can I go ahead and cancel it?

You can cancel it now

 

[Judique]

I am thinking about upgrading my Amex gold to Platnium. How does that work with the annual fee? I just paid the $250 or whatever it was in Jan for the gold. Do I have to pay that $250 and now the $550 for the platnium? That doesn’t seem like a good deal and I will probably skip it if that’s the case?

They will prorate and charge you the difference. Have you had the Platinum card in the recent (about 7 years ago) past? If not, I'd wait for highest and best offer and do a new app. Plus use the gold benefits to recoup some of the AF beforehand until canceling. You can go back to the gold once you have the Plat for a year and the Plat is no longer covering it's cost.

 

[Judique]

I used my Amex Gold card to purchase a pie via Cheesecake Factory's website on Feb 28 and picked up the same day. On the Amex site, the purchase shows posted on Mar 1 and the $10 Amex Dining Credit appeared on Mar 6. So, did the $10 Dining Credit apply to month of February or March?

Most likely to March. One of the reasons I got tired of my Amex Gold and Amex's monthly credits on various cards. You can try to get another credit for March and if it doesn't post, call after about 10 days and complain about the cheesecake one. I did it a few times and they gave me the 'one time' credit. Best practice is too try and use the credit a few days earlier than end of month. It is frustrating. I don't seem to have the same problem with Chase offers.

 

[wweazel]

I used my Amex Gold card to purchase a pie via Cheesecake Factory's website on Feb 28 and picked up the same day. On the Amex site, the purchase shows posted on Mar 1 and the $10 Amex Dining Credit appeared on Mar 6. So, did the $10 Dining Credit apply to month of February or March?

if you click on the rewards and benefits tab, and scroll down, there is a tracker for the current month. it will show there if its counting for March.

 

[MouseOfCards]

if you click on the rewards and benefits tab, and scroll down, there is a tracker for the current month. it will show there if its counting for March.
View attachment 744875

Mine says, "Congratulations! You have earned your $10 Dining Credit for this month." So it looks like it applied to March - disappointing. Thanks for your help!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Reminder tomorrow 3/9 SW opens their schedule to 11/4/23

 

[MouseOfCards]

Redeemed some frequent flyer points for flight award seats. Paid for the additional fees with Amex Platinum. Will the fees count as 5x earn for airlines?

 

[MouseOfCards]

Transferred points from Amex, Chase, and Cap1 to Krisflyer to book award seats. Amex and Cap1 were almost instant. Why does Chase take 2 days to transfer?