I love credit cards so much!

[wanderlust7]

I'm so lost on my "strategy" after year 1, can anyone help?

Me: (4/24)
CSP 1/18 (planning on downgrading to Freedom on the 17th)
SPG Amex 2/18 (plan to close)
CIP Biz 6/18 (will keep for 1.25 redemption and business write off)
Capital One Venture 7/18 (will close)
CIU Biz 10/18 (will close)
Arrival+ 1/19

DH: (7/24)
CBNA 1/18
Chase IHG Traveler MC 2/18 (will keep)CSP (will downgrade to Freedom)
4/18 SPG Amex 4/18 (will close)
Capital One Venture 6/18 (will cancel)
Arrival+ 10/18
Macys 12/18 (didn't open, just found today, will dispute....nothing spent, $500 limit)

We have roughly $15k in expenses coming up on a rental rehab so I feel like we should do SOMETHING.

Upcoming trips through August 2019 are all paid for. No travel plans after except maybe an RC cruise in March 2020. I'd really like to bank points and do something tropical (Costa Rica, Mexico, etc) but family of 6 so $$$$.

Ideally, I'd like to keep my last Chase slot for Southwest CP possibly for 2020. Thinking of focusing on Arrival+ and 1-2 biz cards (Citi AA+ Platinum, Marriott Biz, Hyatt Biz?) + bank bonuses for me, and DH get Hilton AMEX Ascend + business cards?

If you have an EIN (or are willing to get one), you could do CIP #2. I think you could even self refer for an extra 20k URs. If not, then CIC as already mentioned. There's no AF on the CIU, so I wouldn't close that either. Just lower credit limits.

 

[Haley R]

LOL, well, I loved that resort and $900 is a lot of money to put towards another trip. So, yep. I'd switch

BUT if staying at YC and being CL was something you were really excited about, then just keep that. When will you be back to WDW? Is it likely you will plan another trip last minute, or do you have another planned?

It is a lot of money to save but we were both pretty excited about yc. We have one resort day planned to do stuff around the boardwalk. I guess we could always take an Uber over there though

 

[disneybirds]

I managed to fix my gift card issue!! The CM was super helpful and said she could see just the last 4 digits of the giftcard but could access it enough to apply the remaining funds towards my next years dues. That was completely OK with me!!! I didn't press for trying to get the cardnumber further because I was just so happy to not lose that 160 bucks I didn't care.
It definitely is a good reminder to be a little more cautious about gift cards and such. I am sure we acquire more gift cards then most people to take advantage of deals but it only takes losing one to make all that extra work not worth it! Unfortunately I get this panicky awkwardness whenever I am using/buying/converting gift cards so end up just cramming the card used in the first available pocket I can so I can get out of there. I do the same thing going through TSA lines at the airports which is how I have ended up losing my drivers license on more than once occasion

I love that they were able to apply this to next year. So glad you didn't lose $160!!

 

[Haley R]

Ooh, now it gets tougher! OK, fine. I give up for 900 bucks. LOL. POR is one of my favorite moderates too. I have never stayed at POFQ but I assume it is a similar experience. My only issue is that I have turned into a hotel princess and having a window with a balcony has become very important. I love sitting out on the balcony drinking coffee in the morning. At the very least not having windows that face the walkway with a constant stream of people.

But for almost 1000$ I think I would be sold. You could buy like 4 Dooney and Burkes with that!

Lol well I definitely wouldn’t use my money on dooney and burkes, not my thing, but it is a lot of money. We still haven’t decided. It’s a hard decision.

 

[Haley R]

I'd say for $900 do it. That is a whole extra quick trip another time!

Haha very true and I’m sure YC will be there the next time we plan a trip. We love pofq and it’s garden view which is even better than standard. I think we might switch. We can use the extra money for an Uber over to the boardwalk on our resort day

 

[castoral]

For you...what about the last Chase business UR card the CIC it wouldn’t add to you 5/24 count 50kURs with $3k spend ...Also I wouldn’t close the CIU...it’s a no annual fee card

Then a few other business cards for you and DH for the rest of the $15k

How did I miss that there was one more Chase BIZ card to get? That'll def be my planned card to open in March. And typo on the CIU....I actually missed that it didn't have an annual fee BUT its my only card with rewards left on it of any substantial amount (58,000). I was planning in keeping it open.

Mostly worried about DH though. I need to have him apply for something since we receive confirmation on this house any day but no clue what....

 

[PolyRob]

It is a lot of money to save but we were both pretty excited about yc. We have one resort day planned to do stuff around the boardwalk. I guess we could always take an Uber over there though

$900 and POFQ would probably force my hand. You could take Minnie Vans back and forth each day to parks or wherever you want to go and still probably be around $700 ahead!

I am a hoarder, can you book POFQ just to have it and make the final decision later? A non CL YC may even turn up!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

How did I miss that there was one more Chase BIZ card to get? That'll def be my planned card to open in March. And typo on the CIU....I actually missed that it didn't have an annual fee BUT its my only card with rewards left on it of any substantial amount (58,000). I was planning in keeping it open.

Mostly worried about DH though. I need to have him apply for something since we receive confirmation on this house any day but no clue what....

I’m under 5/24...so haven’t really been looking at other cards other than Amex business....others here know a lot about other cards and I’m sure will help you

 

[castoral]

How did I miss that there was one more Chase BIZ card to get? That'll def be my planned card to open in March. And typo on the CIU....I actually missed that it didn't have an annual fee BUT its my only card with rewards left on it of any substantial amount (58,000). I was planning in keeping it open.

Mostly worried about DH though. I need to have him apply for something since we receive confirmation on this house any day but no clue what....

Plus I keep thinking he better do the AMEX cards before we cancel the SPG AMEX, then move onto BoA cards?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

So Chase sent me a secure message back. DH will have to call to upgrade to the CSR. That will go over like a lead balloon. DH doesn't like to call banks... or anyone really.

Ugh..I had read they only way to PC..was to call....but was really hopeful that had changed since my DH will not do phone calls....so I’ll probably be closing his CSP via SM in June

You can call, hand phone to DH and let him indentify himself then say “I’d like DW to handle this, please talk to her, you have my permission” then you can take over the call.

 

[vanjust14]

Whoop! Didn't realize you had gotten your dh in the game!!

Yes, He was already 2/24 with a store card (ugh) and DiscoverIt. Those were his first cards ever! He now has a "business" so referred him to CIP, and he has SPG biz and CIC.

I ran out of 5/24 slots so had to convert him. He even does MO's at Stop and Shop BY HIMSELF lol.

 

[wendow]

Plus I keep thinking he better do the AMEX cards before we cancel the SPG AMEX, then move onto BoA cards?

I went back and looked at your dh's cards. I would suggest Amex biz cards if you are ever planning to dip your toes in MR's.

 

[wanderlust7]

Plus I keep thinking he better do the AMEX cards before we cancel the SPG AMEX, then move onto BoA cards?

If you have a use for Hilton points, maybe the Hilton Biz? 125,000 HH points, $95 AF, $3000 MSR. Do you have any non-cobranded AmEx cards that perhaps you didn't list? Those have universal referral to any AmEx card (I think most are 10k MR, the Gold Business is highest at 20k).

 

[wendow]

Thanks for all the advice for my hubby. I decided to get him an Arrival+ and he was approved!

 

[castoral]

If you have a use for Hilton points, maybe the Hilton Biz? 125,000 HH points, $95 AF, $3000 MSR. Do you have any non-cobranded AmEx cards that perhaps you didn't list? Those have universal referral to any AmEx card (I think most are 10k MR, the Gold Business is highest at 20k).

We only have SPG Amex’s as of right now.

Is there any reason DH couldn’t get the Hilton Biz AFTER a personal Hilton Amex Acsend? We got a targeted 150k point email yesterday. I’m sure we could eventually find a nice oceanfront Hilton to stay at

 

[amalone1013]

Thanks for all the advice for my hubby. I decided to get him an Arrival+ and he was approved!

Ugh, I want one! lol

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Thanks for all the advice for my hubby. I decided to get him an Arrival+ and he was approved!

Congratulations


But 6 AP

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Whoop! Didn't realize you had gotten your dh in the game!!

I think the Arrival+ also. It bought us 2 1/2 of our DLR tix last year and that was with only me having the card. With the 70k, which is really about $800+ of rewards after the spend, I could cover 4 tix if we both have the card. If dd is in dcp, that is only one tix OOP. SUCH a nice help since we may also be upgrading to AP's!

How do you pay for Disney tickets with Arrival + ?

 

[wendow]

But 6 AP

Well, only 5 if dd gets into dcp If no dcp for her, then we would not do APs. It sounds very expensive for me if she gets in.

 

[wendow]

How do you pay for Disney tickets with Arrival + ?

I will buy ours from UCT which codes as travel and then you ‘erase’ the charge using the arrival points. I did it last year with DLR tix from lmt club.