I love credit cards so much!

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Just want to add on that because the BA award chart is distance based, the 25K RT is based on flying out from the west coast, @disneymagicgirl. Meaning, you'll need to get a flight to position your family to the west coast before and after.

Oops... sorry for multiple posts I’m on my phone which is awkward, but there are other Alaska air options with Korean for URs: https://awardwallet.com/blog/the-best-points-and-miles-to-use-for-free-flights-to-hawaii/ Slightly more URs round trip than Avios and there are some issues with Korean booking family tickets that you need to google but also migh mt be a possibility.

 

[eeyoreland]

Haha - this is definitely a "thing" There are numerous blogs on it (most people recognize "the points guy") and there's a large Reddit group that has over 100,000 people in it discussing this!

As for us here...it's hard to say how many people are active on this thread at any given time. There's a bunch of us who are regulars and with "lurkers" included I'd imagine we have well over 200 people here discussing this As long as you aren't actively pursuing a mortgage there really isn't a downside to this. A big thing to keep in mind is the cards we pursue often have very high interest rates so a key component to this game is to pay in full every month (otherwise the interest kills your savings).

Initially in the short term, you may see your credit score drop a little. However most people see their scores actually go up over time as their utilization goes way down (and utilization % is a large component of the credit score). We'd love to help get you started and give you some tips to formulate a strategy. If you give us the following info we can provide some great (customized) advice:

1) What cards have you applied for in the past 24 months (give us the month and year you applied or approx. if unsure)

2) Do you have any other credit cards that you didn't apply for in the past 24 months?

3) Do you have a spouse or significant other who is also interested in this game? (Maybe is an ok answer here)

4) What are your travel goals - are you looking to cover Disney trips, or do you have more extravagant plans in mind, or a little of both?

5) Do you have a business, or any sort of side hustle that could qualify as a business? (rental property, Sell things on Ebay, sell cookies, teach piano, consulting, etc.)... Some great offers out there are on business cards and you'd be surprised at how easy it is to qualify. If you're open to trying for business cards it opens up a whole world of AWESOME opportunities

Also - if you are on Reddit we have a private group setup there where we log some of the best advice and tips. It's only people from the DIS so it's a friendly group (I think about 130 members or so on last check). You're also able to support other DISers there by using their links or share links of your own. If you aren't on reddit it's easy to join at reddit.com. Just send me a PM here on the DIS with your reddit username I'll get you access.

I'm back!!!

Here's the info you suggested I give you so you can provide me with some advice.

1) I've applied for 5 cards in the last 24 months, but maybe it's important for you to know what they are if that makes a difference???
SW Chase - June 2017
CitiBank - April 2016
Another SW Chase - March 2018
JC Penney (I think an authorized user under my husband's name) - October-ish 2017
Mattress Firm (just for mattress financing) - summer 2017

Also, paid off a Chase vehicle lease, but then took out another Chase vehicle lease

2) I do have some additional credit cards. Some I use and some I don't. Maybe another 8 all together because I don't close the accounts. You aren't supposed to close them, right???

3) Not sure - probably not.

4) Mostly looking to take advantage of airline miles and pretty much only fly SW. Once a year trip to Disney, couple more trips a year to Florida because my daughter lives there, maybe one additional non-Disney trip with husband (within the US).

5) I mean...my husband is an electrician and has been known to do side jobs. Not sure I'd be comfortable opening business cards, but ???

Looking forward to hear what you have to say. Like I said when I started out, looks like this is a "thing" and given I have a good credit history, I'm interested in playing the game. Let me know if you need any further info.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Tahoe Hyatt is the one in Incline Village right? I don’t see any other options so I’m assuming that’s it. I know the area a bit so my two cents... Summer is a beautiful time to go. Summer storms happen but you have better of odds of good weather during summer than you do of good ski weather during winter. When winter is good it’s great but I’ve had Xmas’s up there when the ground was bone dry. You just don’t know, when there is little snow the big resorts have an ok ability to make snow on their main runs and even the little guys (Diamond Peak, Mt Rose) will make snow for their main runs so during the heart of winter dec/Jan/feb you should be able to ski no matter what but whether or not it has the potential to be that great Tahoe skiiing you won’t start to be able to guess until a few weeks out.

If you do summer you could consider trying to be at Tahoe for the 4th IF you can stay at that Hyatt! It has its own private beach and there are a few fireworks shows on the lake that night. I haven’t seen fireworks from down there so I’m not sure which shows you can see from Hyatt’s private beach. For sure you’ll catch the Incline Village show (not as great as the South Lake Tahoe one which is known as one of the best in the country, but it’s a nice fireworks show), the fireworks are set off a barge right there off the beach of Incline!
*don’t try to go to Tahoe for the 4th and spend the day at a Public Beach. You’ll be fighting tens of thousands of people who will plow you down at 6am for that perfect spot on the beach for the 9:30pm fireworks shows*

Thanks for all the info!! I am going to have to think about all this. We usually go to MI every summer and stay at DH's dad's house on the lake. Kinda burnt out on that so we were thinking Tahoe sounded good.
Yes, it is at incline village. I was surprised to see there is avail on the 4th with points. I was looking late July. All this depends on the Hawaii outcome.

 

[platamama]

Anyone who's done AS award flights: what is the probability that @disneymagicgirl will be able to find 6 RT tickets to HI at saver rates? Is AS known for releasing a decent amount of award availability at the saver level? I don't have any experience with this but am concerned here that it might be very hard to find that many saver tickets on the same flight.

THIS. Is kind of the kicker.

Many many pages ago, someone wrote about getting Alaska Airlines credit cards for the companion fare (was that you, @calypso726?) in order to not deal with trying to find a bunch of award tickets on AS for a family trip and so they opened up AS credit cards with the companion fare to help with their plans. Just another option, as if there aren't enough options to think about!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks for all the info!! I am going to have to think about all this. We usually go to MI every summer and stay at DH's dad's house on the lake. Kinda burnt out on that so we were thinking Tahoe sounded good.
Yes, it is at incline village. I was surprised to see there is avail on the 4th with points. I was looking late July. All this depends on the Hawaii outcome.

Have to admit I'm pulling for HI to work out for you (but Tahoe is beautiful all summer and less of a madhouse at end of July than over the 4th)

 

[disneymagicgirl]

what's the cash price on alaska vs UR portal with CSR?

Cash price is $752. Alaska points 35k. UR- doesn't even show up.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

British airlines may be your friend here. I would call them and ask them to search for the saver fares you found. They have to be the 17.5 Alaska awards each way for this to work. This is a sweet spot in the Avios redemption chart and my favorite use. Assuming those Alaska flights are still available they will only cost you 150k UR total for all 6 rt (25k avios each RT). You can Insta transfer once they have confirmed availability from chase to your British air account while on phone to book. They should waive any booking charges as you can’t do this online. I’m assuming you have a British air account. If you don’t, you’ll want to set one up and then double check that there isn’t a wait time for new accounts before transferring points.

OK, thank you. I did set up a BA account last night and tried following blog info to find alaska (and other) reward availability on their site. I couldn't get it to work. Will try phone.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Just want to add on that because the BA award chart is distance based, the 25K RT is based on flying out from the west coast, @disneymagicgirl. Meaning, you'll need to get a flight to position your family to the west coast before and after.

oohhhh, thats no good. It is looking like about 25k each just to get to west coast on SW. Ugh. We are in nashville.
The 35k alaska points is BNA-OGG.

Maybe I should get alaska cards next.

 

[Calfan]

Got my first survey for the Chase Innovators group around the United credit card. There were 7 questions geared at improvements respondents would like to see to the card's benefits. Options to select as high priority were, among others, to add a $100 companion fare, to add 2x earning categories and to add a $100 travel credit for flights or any other United purchases.

 

[vanjust14]

I booked a vacation package today, and completely forgot that I have the Disney Visa Rewards Card and can take advantage of the 0% for 6 months financing. I only paid the deposit today with another card that I have. Is it too late to change the payment type on this reservation? Also, even if I can't change the payment type on the $200 I paid today, would I be able to charge the rest of the package amount to the Dis Visa and at least get the 0% Financing on that? I know this isn't a Cash Back ?, but thought maybe one of you CC guru's might know the answer. TIA!

I'm not sure about switching the deposit payment type, but any subsequent payments of your vacation package (over $100) with your Disney Visa will be at 0% financing.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Anyone who's done AS award flights: what is the probability that @disneymagicgirl will be able to find 6 RT tickets to HI at saver rates? Is AS known for releasing a decent amount of award availability at the saver level? I don't have any experience with this but am concerned here that it might be very hard to find that many saver tickets on the same flight.

So that is a good point. In my search I was looking for any dates and only had 1 person plugged in. There aren't 6 seats at that price. There are more than one, but some tix would be 30k each way. Sigh.

Maybe we should get a babysitter and leave the kids home.

 

[amy1115]

I'm not sure about switching the deposit payment type, but any subsequent payments of your vacation package (over $100) with your Disney Visa will be at 0% financing.

Perfect! Thanks for the quick response!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

makes me wonder if she could hold out and do a marriott nights and flight that westin hotel(cat 7?)+ 120k alaska miles @330k marriott or 110k SPG

THIS. Is kind of the kicker.

Many many pages ago, someone wrote about getting Alaska Airlines credit cards for the companion fare (was that you, @calypso726?) in order to not deal with trying to find a bunch of award tickets on AS for a family trip and so they opened up AS credit cards with the companion fare to help with their plans. Just another option, as if there aren't enough options to think about!

I am wondering if I need to back burner this whole thing. It is seriously making me crazy. In the mean time, my next plan can be to do alaska cards to get points and companion fares. Plus, the Stariott merger would be complete and I could maybe combine with the night/flight thing at the westin. I am going to ponder this. I don't know when we would do it though, since we have alaska booked next summer. There is Christmas break but flights are high.

 

[ajwilhorn]

Anybody know if Chase has plans to offer Marvel characters on Disney Visa in the future? I currently have Darth Vader, but looked at other design optuins today and noticed just Star Wars themed ones apart from the regulars.
Thanks.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...Maybe we should get a babysitter and leave the kids home.

With 4 no one would blame you!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Anybody know if Chase has plans to offer Marvel characters on Disney Visa in the future? I currently have Darth Vader, but looked at other design optuins today and noticed just Star Wars themed ones apart from the regulars.
Thanks.

Idk but you can change your card at any time! That would be so awesome!

 

[Gwmw1210]

Has anyone else seen that offer on the Home Imp. Retails?? I couldn't get it to pull up on any of our other cards (3 other SPG) and DH has 2 Amex Lowe's cards. Nothing on any others.[/QUOTE]

I got the offer on my BCP & th AMEX Delta.

 

[Albort]

oohhhh, thats no good. It is looking like about 25k each just to get to west coast on SW. Ugh. We are in nashville.
The 35k alaska points is BNA-OGG.

Maybe I should get alaska cards next.

Alaska Card would probably the best to go for ur situation. i have also read a hack on how to use ur UR Points on Alaska too, so 1.5x redemptions + companion pass. the u just need 2 tickets if u do 2 alaska cards by using the miles earned.

But just throwing it out there, there are a ton of beaches closer, ie bahamas, aruba, exuma, etc. have u considered those at all? much closer and sw flies there.

 

[Lain]

Idk if anyone here hits giftcards.com via shopping portals...

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/gift...ng-out-via-shopping-portals-beginning-in-may/

Oh no! @speedyfishy

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm back!!!

Here's the info you suggested I give you so you can provide me with some advice.

1) I've applied for 5 cards in the last 24 months, but maybe it's important for you to know what they are if that makes a difference???
SW Chase - June 2017
CitiBank - April 2016
Another SW Chase - March 2018
JC Penney (I think an authorized user under my husband's name) - October-ish 2017
Mattress Firm (just for mattress financing) - summer 2017

Also, paid off a Chase vehicle lease, but then took out another Chase vehicle lease

2) I do have some additional credit cards. Some I use and some I don't. Maybe another 8 all together because I don't close the accounts. You aren't supposed to close them, right???

3) Not sure - probably not.

4) Mostly looking to take advantage of airline miles and pretty much only fly SW. Once a year trip to Disney, couple more trips a year to Florida because my daughter lives there, maybe one additional non-Disney trip with husband (within the US).

5) I mean...my husband is an electrician and has been known to do side jobs. Not sure I'd be comfortable opening business cards, but ???

Looking forward to hear what you have to say. Like I said when I started out, looks like this is a "thing" and given I have a good credit history, I'm interested in playing the game. Let me know if you need any further info.

So first off - I should mention that Chase has a rule known as 5/24. What that means is if you’ve opened 5 cards (or more) in the past 24 months, they will not approve you for some of their best cards.

I’m not 100% sure if the JC Penney and Mattress cards would count against that limit. For now let’s assume they would - since one of your cards was from April 2016 it’s falling off so you are 4/24.

You just got a SW card in March, are you still working on that MSR (minimum spend requirement)?

If you are comfortable applying for a business card you might want to consider the Chase Ink Preferred (CIP) Card. Many folks here use EBay sales as their business. My wife sells cookies from time to time - that’s our business.

The reason I recommend this card is the signup bonus on it is worth over $1,000 towards travel in the form of Ultimate Rewards points (URs). That can go towards flights, Disney on-site packages, hotels, etc. We have a whole thread on our Reddit site dedicated to using URs towards a Disney trip.

To give you a quick example: I’m currently working on earning enough URs to completely cover my Disney Hotel AND tickets for a Jan trip

The other nice thing about The CIP Card is that since it is a Biz card, it actually doesn’t add to your “5/24” count.

Of course if your husband is willing to consider a few cards that would be even more awesome for you. We’d want to know how many cards he has gotten in the last 24 months to customize the advice a little more.