I love credit cards so much!

[SouthFayetteFan]

Hello! I'm mostly a lurker but I will be jumping into this hobby headfirst again with tuition, and a home remodel and addition coming up - MSR will be met in no time!

I used to travel alot up until I had 4 kids and it became Disney (we're local), camping, road trips. 2 years ago, my husband and I each got the CSR with 100k UR sign up and used those points to book Norwegian Air flights to France for all of us. We have continued to use the CSR as our daily card since between one thing or another we max out the $300 credit and the points redemption I feel will be useful.

I've been reading and researching for a while to come up with a plan that will help us travel - my eldest is already 16 and if we don't do it now, when? My hope this year is Europe, a short visit to Colombia, and NYC. Here are our stats:

Me (2/24): CSR - late 2016 but still hasn't dropped off on my Chase credit score report
Citi AA Platinum Reserve - 5/17

Husband (4/24): CSR around the same time as me
Citi AA Platinum Reserve - 5/17
Something??? I can't remember.
Banana Republic store card - 12/18 (don't ask, he was so proud he saved 20% over Christmas, if I didn't leave his butt in the parking lot of the mall that day, I guess I never will)

One confession - 10 years ago, we had trouble with a business, and AmEx was a casualty. Almost 10 years to the day, I have received a 100k MR offer for the AmEx Platinum.

I have an actual Ebay business that grosses about $25k. My husband has a smaller one.

My plan, that I need a little help with

Me: Open a Chase personal, and a Chase Business in the next month. I am not sure which ones. For business, I am thinking CIP for the 80k. Personal card, I'm not sure and I don't know if I should apply in a specific order. We are in Miami, so an AA hub, but there's plenty of flights plus Fort Lauderdale. Then in February, apply for the AmEx Plat with the offer to see if I get approved. If I do, then that opens the world of AmEx, if I don't get approved, then I know to only focus on Chase/others for the rest of the year.
Husband: Open a Chase personal (which), and a Chase Business (probably CIP through a referral from me). Then, since he will be at 5/24 through May, see if AmEx has forgiven him, otherwise, see what other business and personal cards, non-Chase we could do.

I think Southwest might be good with CP to dedicate to a year+ of getting to know the US, but if I read correctly the past couple of months, in order to maximize the CP, I need to get the business and the personal towards the end of the year so that the CP will cover almost 24 months. Did I understand that correctly? If my husband and I do that, that's 2 CP...can a 16 year old get a credit card? I really do anticipate large expenditures with our home construction so I know I can meet any MSR that come my way.

What do you all recommend to help boost my UR points? I've started researching the grAAvy train to start boosting my AA miles account. And keeping fingers crossed that AmEx has taken us off their blacklist.
Thank you for any and all help.

Hey there and welcome!!

Here are my thoughts...

• Please consider joining our DISchurner reddit group. When applying for new cards you could support a fellow DISer I'll PM you about this!
• CIP is a GREAT card to get! You can't beat that 80k UR bonus. Also, like you said you could then refer your husband down the line and you'd get 20k and he'd get 80k. If you include the 5k MSR then you'd have 190k URs from just 2 cards!!
• Please consider supporting a DISer when you do your app (but definitely use your link for your husband yourself the second time )
• You want to apply for the business card first - Having no applications on file with Chase for the previous 30 days is a good move when applying for a biz card.
• You say you're 2/24 but a card from 2016 doesn't count. The "24" part means the last 24 months...at this point that would mean you'd only count cards that have an open date of Feb 2017 through Jan 2019.
• A SW CP isn't a bad plan either but you have a lot of cards you're looking at here and you can truly only tackle so many at a time.

Again Welcome and thanks for providing such detailed info with your questions

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Hello! I'm mostly a lurker but I will be jumping into this hobby headfirst again with tuition, and a home remodel and addition coming up - MSR will be met in no time!

I used to travel alot up until I had 4 kids and it became Disney (we're local), camping, road trips. 2 years ago, my husband and I each got the CSR with 100k UR sign up and used those points to book Norwegian Air flights to France for all of us. We have continued to use the CSR as our daily card since between one thing or another we max out the $300 credit and the points redemption I feel will be useful.

I've been reading and researching for a while to come up with a plan that will help us travel - my eldest is already 16 and if we don't do it now, when? My hope this year is Europe, a short visit to Colombia, and NYC. Here are our stats:

Me (2/24): CSR - late 2016 but still hasn't dropped off on my Chase credit score report
Citi AA Platinum Reserve - 5/17

Husband (4/24): CSR around the same time as me
Citi AA Platinum Reserve - 5/17
Something??? I can't remember.
Banana Republic store card - 12/18 (don't ask, he was so proud he saved 20% over Christmas, if I didn't leave his butt in the parking lot of the mall that day, I guess I never will)

One confession - 10 years ago, we had trouble with a business, and AmEx was a casualty. Almost 10 years to the day, I have received a 100k MR offer for the AmEx Platinum.

I have an actual Ebay business that grosses about $25k. My husband has a smaller one.

My plan, that I need a little help with

Me: Open a Chase personal, and a Chase Business in the next month. I am not sure which ones. For business, I am thinking CIP for the 80k. Personal card, I'm not sure and I don't know if I should apply in a specific order. We are in Miami, so an AA hub, but there's plenty of flights plus Fort Lauderdale. Then in February, apply for the AmEx Plat with the offer to see if I get approved. If I do, then that opens the world of AmEx, if I don't get approved, then I know to only focus on Chase/others for the rest of the year.
Husband: Open a Chase personal (which), and a Chase Business (probably CIP through a referral from me). Then, since he will be at 5/24 through May, see if AmEx has forgiven him, otherwise, see what other business and personal cards, non-Chase we could do.

I think Southwest might be good with CP to dedicate to a year+ of getting to know the US, but if I read correctly the past couple of months, in order to maximize the CP, I need to get the business and the personal towards the end of the year so that the CP will cover almost 24 months. Did I understand that correctly? If my husband and I do that, that's 2 CP...can a 16 year old get a credit card? I really do anticipate large expenditures with our home construction so I know I can meet any MSR that come my way.

What do you all recommend to help boost my UR points? I've started researching the grAAvy train to start boosting my AA miles account. And keeping fingers crossed that AmEx has taken us off their blacklist.
Thank you for any and all help.

Adding another thought on the 5/24...

I would register for free accounts at Experian.com and get your specific and actual 5/24 counts. Here's what I see:

YOU = 1/24
Late 2016 does not count so strike the CSR
05/17 - Citi AA Platinum Reserve

HUSBAND = 3/24
Again Late 2016 doesn't count since you said same time
05/17 - Citi AA Platinum Reserve
XX/XX - TBD Card (the credit report would assist with this)
12/18 - Banana Republic card

So this is good news. You both have A LOT of runway with Chase. Your husband will have one drop off in May so he'd actually be 2/24 then.

Also keep in mind that while you need to be UNDER 5/24 to apply for Chase business cards...they will not count AGAINST 5/24. So if you and him both get a CIP your count/24 will remain the same You may have known that but always good as a reminder. I would develop a rough strategy but be willing to call an audible where necessary. With Chase you'll want to space applications out where possible by 2 months.

 

[wendow]

I have never cancelled an Amex card but I need to cancel my BGR. Do I have to call? Please say no, please say no...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I have never cancelled an Amex card but I need to cancel my BGR. Do I have to call? Please say no, please say no...

Chat to cancel. It’s very easy!! If you do it right you can do it thru their automated system.

 

[vanjust14]

@SouthFayetteFan @wendow , I'm dying over here reading your banter from last night! I'm always late to the party, work is kicking my butt right now. Just wanted to chime in about Rainforest Cafe. I had an ADR booked for my recent trip in the early evening on our AK day, but my DD fell asleep! She fell asleep almost every day as we were about to have dinner, ugh. Totally didn't plan for that one. I had a Landry's gift card for the dinner, but I decided to swap ADR's last minute for Yak and Yeti. First time eating there and it was on my bucketlist. I must say it was SO GOOD! Still want DD to experience Rainforest Cafe though next time

 

[hsmamato2]

P2 approved for CIP Now to 'switch out' another card in his wallet (he's gonna growl) can I get an AU on this one with no repercussions to my 5/24 etc? (bc it's a biz)
------ now P2 has 2 chase biz cards. Does he need to call in to get those put on his regular acct page,or can he sm?

Hyatt transfers (UR- Hyatt) -instant? thanks I'm looking to maybe redeem some points on a last minute trip and it's only 8k per night when transferring!

 

[DisneyMandC]

I gathered from my neighbor that she didn't care for the food choices as much as she liked AoA. She felt that Pop was more junky...burgers, hotdogs, pizza, etc vs. AoA had healthier choices she said. Again, I've not stayed at either or eaten at either but that was her only complaint about Pop.

It's funny you say that because I specifically recall being in the food court at lunch and somebody walked by me with a great looking piece of salmon!

I do agree that I like the look of AoA better. However, I've never seen any rooms priced there at what I would consider a "value" price. I'd rather stay at CSR for the same price.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

P2 approved for CIP Now to 'switch out' another card in his wallet (he's gonna growl) can I get an AU on this one with no repercussions to my 5/24 etc? (bc it's a biz)
------ now P2 has 2 chase biz cards. Does he need to call in to get those put on his regular acct page,or can he sm?

Hyatt transfers (UR- Hyatt) -instant? thanks I'm looking to maybe redeem some points on a last minute trip and it's only 8k per night when transferring!

You should be able to order an employee card for yourself with no impact to your personal credit report or 5/24 status.

 

[wendow]

Chat to cancel. It’s very easy!! If you do it right you can do it thru their automated system.

Done! Thanks

 

[LynnTH]

“Tuition” must be due soon too, right?

Yeah - might wait until next month and do it again.. I have put about $1000 organic spend on the card so far. So, one more time should be good. Of course - DD was sad when I told her the $ in her account was not hers to keep..

 

[wendow]

It's funny you say that because I specifically recall being in the food court at lunch and somebody walked by me with a great looking piece of salmon!

I do agree that I like the look of AoA better. However, I've never seen any rooms priced there at what I would consider a "value" price. I'd rather stay at CSR for the same price.

Yup! She originally wanted me to book them at AoA but when I priced two rooms at Pop vs 1 suite at AoA, it was going to be 1k more! No thanks They just walked over to AoA for meals. I think it worked well for them overall.

 

[amalone1013]

One other thing about SNs and upgrades - usually way easier to use them/get them when you are only staying for a couple of days. That way they know the room type is unsold/likely to stay unsold and they are more willing to give it up for a night or two than 5 or 7 nights when someone who is willing to pay cash for the same upgrade may show up.

Good to know. And probably the only time I'll ever have these haha. Maybe I'll be able to use them on a weekend trip, or one of our one-two night hotels stays in June. At least they cost 'nothing' if I don't use them?

I do agree that I like the look of AoA better. However, I've never seen any rooms priced there at what I would consider a "value" price. I'd rather stay at CSR for the same price.

DH really wants to stay at AoA, not sure why because I keep telling him we're not booking a Cars or Lion King family suite for the two of us

 

[amalone1013]

Yup! She originally wanted me to book them at AoA but when I priced two rooms at Pop vs 1 suite at AoA, it was going to be 1k more! No thanks They just walked over to AoA for meals. I think it worked well for them overall.

And if the Pop bus line is super long, you can hop on AoA and walk across! lol

 

[StephPlum]

I am so proud of myself. So have not gotten into MSing at all. But have this shiny new CIP and wasn't sure how I was going to put $5000 on it. So, DD17 is set up for Venmo. So, I set up an account and then I tried it last night. I sent her $1250 (just some random # - didn't want too small or too big). I put Tuition/Books on it and she got it right away and sent it to her bank account, where I will go and then transfer to my bank account. That was really easy. I know there is a fee but getting 3x points also, so it all washes out.

What is the fee? This sounds like the safe MS strategy for me. Might make me keep my CIP.

 

[DisneyMandC]

And if the Pop bus line is super long, you can hop on AoA and walk across! lol

We thankfully never dealt with long bus lines during our trip, but I'm kind of glad we're planning to drive down so we'll have car. Our November trip was the first DH and I had ever had a car and not used Disney transportation. I still think Disney transportation is great, but it is nice to get back to your car after a long day at the park and be able to sit down and not stand on a crowded bus!

 

[LynnTH]

What is the fee? This sounds like the safe MS strategy for me. Might make me keep my CIP.

It is 3% - so a wash with the CIP card. But I may just use this in the future so I can open more cards faster....

 

[wendow]

It is 3% - so a wash with the CIP card. But I may just use this in the future so I can open more cards faster....

Does your dd bank at the same bank as you? @Lain tried to explain this to me before but I never did much beyond opening my own Venmo.

 

[miztressuz]

I gathered from my neighbor that she didn't care for the food choices as much as she liked AoA. She felt that Pop was more junky...burgers, hotdogs, pizza, etc vs. AoA had healthier choices she said. Again, I've not stayed at either or eaten at either but that was her only complaint about Pop.

It's funny you say that because I specifically recall being in the food court at lunch and somebody walked by me with a great looking piece of salmon!

I do agree that I like the look of AoA better. However, I've never seen any rooms priced there at what I would consider a "value" price. I'd rather stay at CSR for the same price.

So the funny thing about this is I was trying to think up what each station usually had since POP is our thing, but we haven't been since 2016 and we drove that trip so we weren't slaves to the food court that time. But as I was thinking about each station I realized if you didn't look closely it would look like the best junk food mall food court!

I called the one station the fried station, they usually had fried chicken and french fries and other similar stuff, but then there was a pizza station and I know there was always some type of pasta, another station was sandwiches and I think they did some hot things like hot dogs and burgers or meatball subs, and then there was desserts. But at one or two stations mixed in there was the "real" food, it could be meatloaf and mashed potatoes but then two options down would be a roasted chicken breast with wild rice and green beans... it was very eclectic There was always at least 2 or 3 nice meals that you wouldn't expect at a food court and it was always cooked well. Definitely not gourmet but you felt like you had a real dinner. However, if you didn't take the time to stare at the menus or look into the trays, I could see how someone might think it was all junk. Now, it's been a couple years and a remodel so I wouldn't be surprised if more junk took over and makes it harder to find the salmon and roasted chicken meals.

 

[afan]

So the funny thing about this is I was trying to think up what each station usually had since POP is our thing, but we haven't been since 2016 and we drove that trip so we weren't slaves to the food court that time. But as I was thinking about each station I realized if you didn't look closely it would look like the best junk food mall food court!

I called the one station the fried station, they usually had fried chicken and french fries and other similar stuff, but then there was a pizza station and I know there was always some type of pasta, another station was sandwiches and I think they did some hot things like hot dogs and burgers or meatball subs, and then there was desserts. But at one or two stations mixed in there was the "real" food, it could be meatloaf and mashed potatoes but then two options down would be a roasted chicken breast with wild rice and green beans... it was very eclectic There was always at least 2 or 3 nice meals that you wouldn't expect at a food court and it was always cooked well. Definitely not gourmet but you felt like you had a real dinner. However, if you didn't take the time to stare at the menus or look into the trays, I could see how someone might think it was all junk. Now, it's been a couple years and a remodel so I wouldn't be surprised if more junk took over and makes it harder to find the salmon and roasted chicken meals.

This was what I was going to say, though the food court hasn't been redone yet though there's hope it will be. While most of what I ate at the food court was pizza because I think it's good and it's a huge slice that is really two, there are a lot of options. They have the wood fired pizza now too not just the other but I think you have to get the entire pizza. But they do have a lot of options if you look closely. The turkey, mashed potatoes etc always look good but I don't want something so heavy. The pasta is decent and the meatballs are good. I'm not a huge fan of the sauce they use but I think they have two options. I had breakfast one day too which was good, Mickey waffles are the same all over property as are the scrambled eggs and sausage. I've never had a bad meal there and will eat there a few times on my next trip. Once I was solo this past trip I took afternoon breaks and then ate and early dinner before I went back to the parks for the evening. Much harder to go all day when you're alone without someone to keep you going and awake. The food court at AOA had different options, we went in 2016 and it wasn't that there was more variety just some different things. But at Pop you really need to look at the options to the right of the pizza which also generally doesn't have a line but that's where she would have found stuff.

 

[Tikitoi]

Does anyone know if I add my 21 year old daughter as an AU to my CF card could there be a possible bonus? I have had the card for 10 plus years..But just wondering if anyone knew off hand before I actually ask them.