I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

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Its been crazy busy over here in mom of 4 kid land (why did I think working 16 hours of basketball tryouts would be a good idea?) BUT Spring Break has still been on my mind non stop. Looked at SW flights when they came out and the week of Mar 14th, there just isn't any great options for somewhere warm....Cancun, Aruba, Jamaica......so I'm pretty dead set on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. They had a kids sale free promo this weekend, those dates were blacked out and even the week before was more $$$. Soooo I'm coming to the conclusion this may be the answer.

So Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas 7 day 2 balcony connecting rooms is $7200. SW flights to accommodate that were going to be 220,000 pts (which I just about have and no companion pass till Feb). So my thought process is to upgrade my Freedom Unlimited to a Chase Sapphire Reserve, use the 210k points I have now toward the cruise so $3,150 off. Book flights now through Frontier for $1200. Then use points on a hotel in Miami before and after the cruise. Do some bank bonuses to cover the cost of gratuities and some excursions (Roatan and Cozumel). Is that a really stupid use of points? Does it help that we'll have 100+ SW points + companion pass after Feb/Mar and at that time DH will finally be under 5/24 and can go down the Chase Biz gauntlet?
We are doing a RCCL cruise that same week on Symphony’s sister ship the Harmony of the Seas out of Orlando. We have those same stops. We are very excited for the trip since DS will turn 13 during the trip. So it’s Spring Break and birthday all combined into one!
 
Looking for recommendations for a one-night offsite stay before we check into BLT in March, just for 2 people. We will be driving down from morning/afternoon meetings in Jacksonville. We have UR and Hyatt points but no other hotel currency.

I'd prefer free parking, of course. In the morning we'll do a grocery run before checking into BLT and relaxing before our adult kids arrive on property in the afternoon.

Disney Springs would be nice because of the location for an easy dinner. We've stayed at the Doubletree and whatever the B Resort used to be. But parking is simpler now (right?) with the garages, so we could stay outside of Disney Springs. Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt Grand Cypress or the Hyatt Place right by it?

:thanks:
 
That’s awesome that’s what I’m hoping for! I’ll try to remember to report back after my trip in November.

Off topic, but does anyone have recommendations for WDW restaurants that have a bar where you can eat? I’ve done a few but would love to hear others’ thoughts.
We've eaten at the Tune-In Lounge at 50sPTC multiple times. It can be hard to get a seat at the bar, but going at off times is helpful.

One of my favorite places is the outside patio area of the Nomad Lounge (not in the summer!). Dh and I order several small plates to share.
 
Any tips for favorite rewards business card currently? Business currently has two cards that I've held for years - one is a BofA Cash-back MC, standard 1% cashback card, the other is an AmEx Platinum Delta Reserve that gives back Delta miles. I'm not flying nearly as much anymore and they're jacking up the annual fee on that. I've got enough Delta miles to fly the whole family anywhere we want for the next several years probably, andw e're not loyal to any one hotel chain but I could be for the right price :drinking: so I'm thinking a general good cash-back card is the best way to go for some cost-savings.

Looking at Chase Ink or Capital One Spark but I see Discover mentioned a lot here too, any others I may have missed? We have a high spend monthly (over $50k) but nearly all of our dollars are spent at retail vendors that don't qualify for any of the special categories like grocery, dining, office supply, or gas stations so those seem like the ones that cover the most general categories.
 


Back from my weekend in Chicago at the Waldorf (thank you 2 free Hilton nights). It was nice but we had a slew of complaints. Despite my diamond status I didn't get any upgrade. The people in the room next to us had the fight of all fights Saturday night. I think it was over 6 hours long screaming on and off. I think they finally broke up Sunday morning. Our room had no full length mirror so my friend had to resort to standing on the bed, LOL. And the outlet situation for charging phones was annoying.

BUT it was 2 free nights at a Waldorf! I had $100 credit from Amex. And I had another $60 (in lieu of free breakfast). So it was nice to be forced to spend $160 there, LOL. I just wish the weather was nicer. It was like the most rain Chicago ever saw on Friday! And it was nasty on Saturday too. Next time I'm using this perk when it's nicer out, LOL.
 
Question on the Serve loads w/ the Staples VGC back. I've always asked to do $200. And use 1 card to pay. And then try to hit 1 more register to do another $200 load. It's annoying as I can only do the regular lines and the customer service desk. And often the 1 checkout they have is a LONG line and then sometimes another LONG line at CS.

So when I'm doing $1k in VGC it takes me a few trips. Are any of you loading more (like $400)? Can you swipe 2 different cards for payment?
 
:offtopic:

I wanted to share the success of our trivia team at finals this past Saturday.

http://www.district-trivia.com/content/summer-2019-tournament-champions-finals-scores
We began as me posting a weekly meetup on Reddit to meet people and make friends, and we've been so successful that we've advanced to each of the last 3 rounds of finals (each trivia season lasts 5 months with one month off, so there is one trivia final every 6 months).

Places 1 through 6 all get prizes at finals. 1st place wins $5,000, 2nd wins $1,000, 3rd wins $500, and 4th wins $100. 5th and 6th win gift certificates to area bars and restaurants. The winner is usually one of two teams who have strategies for qualifying and members who have been on national game shows, so it is insanely competitive.

This time, we placed 6th in finals out of 70 teams. It's the first time we've ever placed high enough to win prizes. I'm incredibly proud and slightly astonished at how much closer we were to finishing for money.

If you're ever in the DMV area, check out my Reddit post and come play! We drink and we know things. Alternatively, something like 100 bars and restaurants offer trivia Sunday - Thursday so just look one up! It's great fun.
This is so nerdy/cool! I wish I could come hang with you and your trivia crew - sounds so fun.
 


Barclays Aviator Business 75,000 Mile Working Link:
https://www.barclaycardus.com/apply...-619e-4adc-94bc-c5c16985bc98&hctky=1704606708
EDIT: I do believe this matches the all-time high offer on this card...

The offer for this card has been all over the board recently. Per DoC the link above should have this offer:
Earn up to 75,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles
  • Earn 65,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
  • Earn 10,000 miles when a purchase is made on an employee card
  • The $95 Annual Fee is NOT waived
Just a reminder that this card carries some odd baggage with it:
  • Some people have reported significant issues getting approved (asking for biz documentation and such) - Others have not had that issue
  • Barclays can be weird about churners - some get caught up in too many accounts/too many inquires - others don't
  • The website is a TRAIN WRECK
YMMV on the issues here but figured I'd put it out there - here is DoC's full writeup:
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/barclays-business-aviator-bonus-now-75000-miles/

Went for try number 3 or 4 on this card now in the last year. Once again I got "we need to look things over". I should just give up on EVER getting this card! I want AA miles DANG IT!
 
That’s awesome that’s what I’m hoping for! I’ll try to remember to report back after my trip in November.

Off topic, but does anyone have recommendations for WDW restaurants that have a bar where you can eat? I’ve done a few but would love to hear others’ thoughts.
We like the bar at the Brown Derby - more of a lounge, really. Food is tasty, and drinks were pretty good. Not in-park, but we LOVE the bar at Bluezoo! Really tasty small plates and outstanding cocktails. DH and I often eat at the bar in upscale restaurants - food is good, and we prefer to try 2 or 3 small plates rather than committing to a big meal.
 
Any tips for favorite rewards business card currently? Business currently has two cards that I've held for years - one is a BofA Cash-back MC, standard 1% cashback card, the other is an AmEx Platinum Delta Reserve that gives back Delta miles. I'm not flying nearly as much anymore and they're jacking up the annual fee on that. I've got enough Delta miles to fly the whole family anywhere we want for the next several years probably, andw e're not loyal to any one hotel chain but I could be for the right price :drinking: so I'm thinking a general good cash-back card is the best way to go for some cost-savings.

Looking at Chase Ink or Capital One Spark but I see Discover mentioned a lot here too, any others I may have missed? We have a high spend monthly (over $50k) but nearly all of our dollars are spent at retail vendors that don't qualify for any of the special categories like grocery, dining, office supply, or gas stations so those seem like the ones that cover the most general categories.

Goal: cashback
Spending: 50k
Legit biz

I'm assuming you're looking to keep it simple with just one or two cards.... Do you know about Chase Ultimate Rewards points? Would you use them as points or as cash? You could redeem for non-Disney travel through the chase portal for $.0125/point with your Ink Preferred (or Chase Sapphire Preferred) (or $.015/point if you also get a Chase Sapphire Reserve) or redeem for cash at $.01/point. With a Ink Preferred, Sapphire Preferred or CSR you can also transfer to travel partners like Hyatt and United at a 1:1 ratio. Chase will let you transfer UR points from your business cards to your personal cards and visa versa.

Chase:
Ink Preferred is the best bang for your sign up buck, it's only a 1% earner though. The $95 annual fee is not waived. The sign up bonus is 80k URs meaning after the spend you would end up with 85k URs worth $850-$95 annual fee =$755. I would wait 3 months and then get yourself the Chase Ink Unlimited for the $500 bonus for $3k spend and make that your daily driver card. Points could be redeemed at the rates discussed above for travel or cash or transferred. CIU cashback posts as UR points so technically you would get 50k URs. It's recommended to space out your Chase apps every 3 months.

Capital One:
Spark 2% cashback does targeted $1k for $10k spend offers and is a 2% card. Even if you can't get that they will anyone a $500 for $4500 spend offer which would net you $590 just on the sign up offer. The $95 AF is waived the first year.

My personal preference is UR points because I redeem them through the portal at 1.5x with my CSR, sometimes I transfer them to Hyatt or United, and sometimes I pull them out as cash if I need to cover a travel expense I can't otherwise cover. Ideally if I were you I would do Chase and if I got a shot at the $1k for $10k Spark 2% card offer I would do that too and shut it down before the annual fee hits for year 2.

Lets run some quick math for you. I'm going to assume you spend $4k/month for easy math based off your $50k/year spend estimate.

CIP + CIC = $1865 cash in your pocket after Annual Fee or 196k UR-$95 annual fee
(3 months of CIP spending = 12k UR + 80k bonus = 92k ) + (9 months CIU spending = 54k + 50k bonus = 104k)

Only CIP using same $4k/month spending = $1185 cash in pocket after AF or 128k URs-$95 AF

Only CIU = $1220 or 122k URS

Only Capital One Spark 2% public offer = $1460

Anyone feel free to fix my math for OP. I ended up with 48k/year spending to make comparisons easy.

OP, if you decide to go the Chase route (or even if you don't) feel free to join DISchurners on Reddit for more info and support links where you use someone's link to apply for a card and get them points in addition to getting your own points! And you can post your own support links for any issuers over there. PM @SouthFayetteFan for info on joining DISchurners if you want.
 
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I am going to throw the biggest psychotic tantrum of the century if Citi doesn't allow me to signon and make a new account for "DH"'s business card. Everytime I put in his card info, SS, and birth date it says "the information doesn't match our records". Phone call 1 went to India with an unhelpful rep that wouldnt help with anything because I am not DH. Phone call 2 with my fake voice version of DH went to an american rep who clearly knew something was up and wasn't happy about it. She insisted on turning on the voice detection thing (Ya, i'm not convincing as a man) so now I am worried if I try to call back with anything other than my fake man voice we are screwed! I just want to pay my $%#& bill!!!!

I think I lost all hope of this account activation process ever working :badpc: :badpc: :badpc: :badpc: :badpc: :badpc:
 
We are doing a RCCL cruise that same week on Symphony’s sister ship the Harmony of the Seas out of Orlando. We have those same stops. We are very excited for the trip since DS will turn 13 during the trip. So it’s Spring Break and birthday all combined into one!

I actually need to check pricing and flights on that one again. I know its basically the same ship but from Ohio its a heck of a lot closer lol. Plus we've been out of that port before and know what to expect.
 
@Lain and @Haley R - On Sunday am right after they opened I went to OM/OD and they didn't have any $200 gc's either and I didn't think it was worth it (for me) for 3 $100 cards, even with the CIC. I went to another that opened at 11, was there right when they opened and they didn't have $200 gc's either. They did have variable load cards, however and I didn't see anything on the fine print to say they had to be a fixed amount so I tried it. At first it didn't show the discount so I asked, and after the cashier put in my receipt method it took the discount off (I don't think he had to manually add it). I bought 2 cards for $200 each and my total was $398.90 ($6.95 activation fee). So, it wouldn't hurt to try if that's all they have. The cashier would only let me buy $400 worth, but said I could came back the next day. It's somewhat out of the way though so not sure how many times I'll be able to go back. Hope this helps!
The guy at my OD didn’t even know where the gift cards were lol. He had to ask someone and they were wedged into a corner no one would think to look in. I’m not sure if we’ll be doing it again this week but good to know it should work on the variable loads!
 
Question on the Serve loads w/ the Staples VGC back. I've always asked to do $200. And use 1 card to pay. And then try to hit 1 more register to do another $200 load. It's annoying as I can only do the regular lines and the customer service desk. And often the 1 checkout they have is a LONG line and then sometimes another LONG line at CS.

So when I'm doing $1k in VGC it takes me a few trips. Are any of you loading more (like $400)? Can you swipe 2 different cards for payment?
I actually just got back from Walmart. I went through the 15 items or less line because customer service was taking too long (a guy was trying to return a tv with no box or original instructions, just the tv).

I had 3 $100 gcs and she let me do it all at once with no problems. She just said let her know how much total and swipe when I was ready
 
Ahhhhh DH and I were just talking before the concert this weekend about how we haven't seen an artist we liked around in a while, and looking at the venue site today I see that artist and like 4 others I want to see!!!
 
Any tips for favorite rewards business card currently? Business currently has two cards that I've held for years - one is a BofA Cash-back MC, standard 1% cashback card, the other is an AmEx Platinum Delta Reserve that gives back Delta miles. I'm not flying nearly as much anymore and they're jacking up the annual fee on that. I've got enough Delta miles to fly the whole family anywhere we want for the next several years probably, andw e're not loyal to any one hotel chain but I could be for the right price :drinking: so I'm thinking a general good cash-back card is the best way to go for some cost-savings.

Looking at Chase Ink or Capital One Spark but I see Discover mentioned a lot here too, any others I may have missed? We have a high spend monthly (over $50k) but nearly all of our dollars are spent at retail vendors that don't qualify for any of the special categories like grocery, dining, office supply, or gas stations so those seem like the ones that cover the most general categories.

Discover Business might be your best bet at 1.5% cash back, DOUBLED for the 1st year. Unfortunately the card does show up on your personal credit report according to various websites I've checked. But 50K/mo x 12 mo x .03 = $18,000. I interpreted your post as 50K/mo not 50K/year. If I misinterpreted that then obviously the numbers are different.
 
@Lain and @Haley R - On Sunday am right after they opened I went to OM/OD and they didn't have any $200 gc's either and I didn't think it was worth it (for me) for 3 $100 cards, even with the CIC. I went to another that opened at 11, was there right when they opened and they didn't have $200 gc's either. They did have variable load cards, however and I didn't see anything on the fine print to say they had to be a fixed amount so I tried it. At first it didn't show the discount so I asked, and after the cashier put in my receipt method it took the discount off (I don't think he had to manually add it). I bought 2 cards for $200 each and my total was $398.90 ($6.95 activation fee). So, it wouldn't hurt to try if that's all they have. The cashier would only let me buy $400 worth, but said I could came back the next day. It's somewhat out of the way though so not sure how many times I'll be able to go back. Hope this helps!
Were you able to pay with a CC? I thought the variable cards were cash only?
 
Discover Business might be your best bet at 1.5% cash back, DOUBLED for the 1st year. Unfortunately the card does show up on your personal credit report according to various websites I've checked. But 50K/mo x 12 mo x .03 = $18,000. I interpreted your post as 50K/mo not 50K/year. If I misinterpreted that then obviously the numbers are different.
OH!! Lol, I think your interpretation of $50k/month was right @blistex if it's $50k/mo @platamama definitely has the best card.
 
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