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

[Haley R]

We’re looking at arriving 5/8 so we will miss it.

We’ll be there around the same time then!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Just double checking, I hit my spend on the Amex Hilton Biz, I think I'm at $4300, it was $4k spend. I'm about to make a return, $400. I'll want to put more spend on the card, right? Amex will claw back, right?

You have to work between?! Heck no would I do the cruise too. I would die lol.

Yeah, damn that teaching job. Though depending on how the year goes, we'll see. My admin is really trying to mess with me. I can retire on 12/31. I have about 8 weeks of leave too. I have FMLA that just expired on my daughter. I'm looking to file for her and/or me for this upcoming year. The stress they have put me through has been HELL and then some. So there is a possibility I might be retired I guess, LOL. There's just the hiccup of getting my BF to agree to support us, LOL. If I can make it through the school year, I get about $140/mo higher in my pension. We'll see how it all goes. We just got a new pay scale I wasn't expecting. It made it so I would actually make over $100k if I taught 2 more years. And then THIS all started to happen. So we'll see what I end up doing.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

With the $15K to $8K spending drop now I have a new dilemma. I have $18K in purchases coming up for a DVC direct purchase, I just applied for the CSP for P2 with the 80K UR (with $4K spend) link that was provided and I just applied for the CIP for myself with the $8K spend and 100K UR points. Should I pivot and try to refer P2 to the CIP so I could get a 40K + 100K bonus and then try to earn the CSP 80K bonus some other way?

Would there be an issue if P2 applied for the CIP shortly after applying for the CSP? IIRC you need 60 days between card applications and I don't have that long before the last DVC payment is due.

The usual recommendation is 90 days between chase applications….and Chase has a 1/30 rule on applying for business cards…so since P2 just got the CSP less than 30 days ago they would probably be denied.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I was just approved for the Hilton biz card using the DoC link. I don't think I can meet the spend on 2 biz cards, so will have dd (me lol) apply for a basic Hilton card. Might head back to the WA Cabo for 3 or 4 nights in February with the FNCs.

How soon can I apply for the personal Hilton card? Would love to have 3 FNCs.

 

[Liquidice]

The usual recommendation is 90 days between chase applications….and Chase has a 1/30 rule on applying for business cards…so since P2 just got the CSP less than 30 days ago they would probably be denied.

Thanks, my last payment to DVC is due on 8/15/23, and I applied for the CSP on 6/27. So in theory, I could apply for the CIP on 7/27 or 7/28 (assuming the $8000 promo is still running) and hope the new card arrives in time. Anyone have experience if that would work?

 

[SkampyOne]

I've seen a ton of support for the CSR card to purchase DVC but am curious if anyone knows whether the Amex Green Card is a viable alternative? It currently offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening, plus 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first six months of card membership (up to $200 back). Lower fees than the CSR too...

Is there another card I'm missing? I haven't applied for anything in the past year and have a high enough credit score that I *should* get approved for just about anything. Currently have 3 cards in my wallet: Marriott Bonvoy, Citi Costco and Disney Premier, none of which I'm super excited about using if there's a better alternative out there.

 

[snugglebug]

Yep. That’s crazy. Meanwhile mine was received 4/7 and still is in process.

DD's is also 4/7 and processing. Also a name change.

I see you got yours. Still waiting here...

 

[reliev]

Did anyone try to get the Hyatt points on Daily Getaways? I swear bots must be buying them because last year and this year I was on the website at 12:59, kept hitting refresh and when the offer for 80k pts posted it was already sold out. Grrr.

Ds's new car was stolen 2 weeks ago (this is a very common problem here with new cars -- he doesn't have a garage and wouldn't use a club). Once the process works its way through we will be buying him a new car. I was able to put $5,000 on a card when I bought his car less than 2 yrs ago, so am hopeful that I'll be able to do the same again (though it's unlikely we will use the same dealership). I am now deciding what card to get. The Hilton offers are tempting. I'm currently at 2/24 with 1 dropping off in December (I will re-apply for the Chase Aeroplan card as soon as I can), so I could get either the Surpass or regular card. Any thoughts? I was thinking of getting one of the Hilton cards for myself, then one for dd for 2 FNCs.

How can I apply for another Hilton biz card (I've had my current one since January, 2019 and keep it open to earn pts when I stay at Hilton hotels)?

Can I apply for a biz card and Surpass on the same day or a few days apart?

Hopefully the car dealership won't think I'm crazy for putting the downpayment for a new car on 3 different cards .

Last question: does anyone drive a VW Tiguan? I am hesitant to get ds another RDX since his was just stolen. Open to other suggestions for a small SUV (looking for either a 2022 or new 2023).

dont have the hilton card its tempting to get for the status but I wonder if everyone has the status how valuable it actually is.
I do know the new conrad at grand cypress here in Orlando looks amazing might have to cheat on hyatt like my DW says

 

[mom2febgirls]

Ugh, I have chatted 3 times asking for a retention on my AMEX Plat and nothing. Do you think I'd have a better chance calling?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Ugh, I have chatted 3 times asking for a retention on my AMEX Plat and nothing. Do you think I'd have a better chance calling?

I tried at least twice, maybe three times, before I got a retention offer. The last time I called. This was my third consecutive year getting a retention offer.

 

[havaneselover]

DD's is also 4/7 and processing. Also a name change.

I see you got yours. Still waiting here...

Yes. It arrived yesterday. We have three passports! I'm sure yours will come soon.

 

[afan]

Ugh, I have chatted 3 times asking for a retention on my AMEX Plat and nothing. Do you think I'd have a better chance calling?

They see the same thing. The computer either has the offer or it doesn't.

I will say I am seeing fewer people getting retention or lower than people had been getting a few months ago. Could be they aren't as concerned with spending to keep people or today is the end of the quarter, maybe it'll loosen up next week

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I am starting a new job in 2 weeks. As such, I have not planned any vacations for the rest of this year or next as I will have no accrued vacation for awhile. In addition, I will be the only person in my department so my vacations will either be uncovered (meaning lots of catch up when I return) or I will have to work it out with another facility to help cover my time off.
Knowing that, would you try to book refundable things now, or wait a few months to see how things are working and hope for the best when booking?

 

[calypso726]

I've 'bought' points this way in the past by searching for a rate that was at .005 or lower. Those are few and far between now, but if in a pinch you can easily get .006. Daily getaways (no longer available) just had the .005 offer so, since there were no pending points bargains I picked up a few to make a reservation.

Shortly afterwards I got the .005 offer from ihg/points.com

In the past this was a pretty large money saver. I could save as much as half on a room by buying up points. But, now IHG points value corresponds very closely to the value of the room. That means that earned points or points from a signup bonus are the best deal and makes buying them sort of a 1 to 1 transaction that mostly works if you want to use up some earned or leftover points.

With this in mind I just got the IHG Biz card with 165K signup bonus.

EDIT: just wanted to mention that I'm making a next year's reservation for an IHG property. I am lucky in that I got the room nights booked before they finished adjusting the rates. The room jumped from 13K a night to 111K a night. The 111K is probably a placeholder to keep people like me from booking ahead of the inevitable price increases that haven't been firmed up yet.

Speaking of point values, I was able to secure a weekend stay at Bakers Cay for this weekend in Key Largo with Hilton points. This is probably the absolute lowest cpp I have had using HH points over the years. The room was $491 a night and I booked using 90k points a night. So I’m at .0055 on this stay. Not complaining, but I’m glad I had the points to book it. Congrats on the IHG card! That was a super tempting bonus!

Thanks for the input- in the case of IHG,I love a big stash of those- I always seem to find use for them and need more! So I don't plan to cancel, but since it's a few months out anything can happen. If it goes sideways, at least I know I can use those easily.

You’re welcome! I imagine at some point I may find an IHG that I really want to visit besides the Willard. In the meantime, I’ve been delighted with using our capped FN certs in WDW. I’m in the same boat with Hilton and Hyatt. Love a big stash and always need more!

 

[calypso726]

Thanks, my last payment to DVC is due on 8/15/23, and I applied for the CSP on 6/27. So in theory, I could apply for the CIP on 7/27 or 7/28 (assuming the $8000 promo is still running) and hope the new card arrives in time. Anyone have experience if that would work?

If you call in after approval and ask them to expedite the card for a large upcoming purchase they will. You should get it in 1-2 business days.

 

[orangecuse]

I posted my saga on FB and one of my friend's is doing SB on Carnival too! But her ship didn't show up as free. I trust this friend (I've gone to Vegas w/ her, I know her style) and she said the ship I picked is a fun time. Older, but one she actually is cruising on in December. So that is making me feel a lot better. So I think I might bite the bullet, LOL. We'll see. I need to price flights.


What "summer" options are you getting and from where? I swear there was NO summer availability when I searched. What's the code you have? I'm assuming we all get the same code, LOL. I can't search anymore cruises right now. I'm guessing it's because I booked something. IDK. It's an 8 day cruise.


I went to AC and did all the casino matching, then did the cruise matching.


Ireland is my daughter....Cruise would be my son. Plus I have to teach the 2 days in between. I'm already pushing it using 3 personal days to do Ireland. I'd probably pl
ack for the cruise before leaving for Ireland. Since it's really 2 different types of trips, LOL. Obv if I get caught up in a travel snafu then both might not happen. I'll use my Chase card, though they seem to HATE refunding me. LOL.


I got the interior too. I'm looking at the dates over Christmas break. I have to decide if I want to be gone over Christmas or New Years basically or the option of both, LOL. I told my daughter I'll take her on that cruise since my son is getting the Carnival freebie.

FSA- tons in August (58), a few in June, one in July. We just booked an August one! It wasnt the longest/fanciest we could have chosen but it is on a nicer ship and gave us a window which I really need on a cruise when possible haha

 

[djmeredith]

I am starting a new job in 2 weeks. As such, I have not planned any vacations for the rest of this year or next as I will have no accrued vacation for awhile. In addition, I will be the only person in my department so my vacations will either be uncovered (meaning lots of catch up when I return) or I will have to work it out with another facility to help cover my time off.
Knowing that, would you try to book refundable things now, or wait a few months to see how things are working and hope for the best when booking?

I don't see a down side if it's fully refundable. Especially if there is a chance what you want to book will not be available if you wait.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I don't see a down side if it's fully refundable. Especially if there is a chance what you want to book will not be available if you wait.

The disappointment? COVID killed us having to book and re-book.
I guess I'm not sure I want to put in the work to plan, earn points and book a vacation I know I might not take. It's hard to get enthusiastic for anything.
I'm actually not inspired to plan anything right now but I'm not sure it's the job change per se or the general stress of changing jobs and the overall stress of the past few years that's getting me.

 

[orangecuse]

I am starting a new job in 2 weeks. As such, I have not planned any vacations for the rest of this year or next as I will have no accrued vacation for awhile. In addition, I will be the only person in my department so my vacations will either be uncovered (meaning lots of catch up when I return) or I will have to work it out with another facility to help cover my time off.
Knowing that, would you try to book refundable things now, or wait a few months to see how things are working and hope for the best when booking?

As impatient as I am (so I cant believe I am saying this lol) I would wait. There have been a few times in churning where I have rushed to do something ASAP in the name of getting the best redemption, only for something better to pan out closer to time. Sometimes I could switch easily and sometimes not.

That is just my way of saying, even if you don't book super far in advance, I bet you find something fantastic whenever you feel more settled in!

 

[orangecuse]

DP- Hilton Biz took 8 days to catch up to my spend and post, just like someone else mentioned.

P2s card is still lagging. I always spend extra over a min spend anyway though (in case of a later refund) so I'll top it this weekend and hopefully it clears soon.