I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I applied and was approved for the CSP in Sept 2021. Completed my MSR and got my SUB. Found this group and started researching here and elsewhere. Transferred 10,000 to my Hyatt account and booked 2 nights near college town to help DD move out in May 2022. Patting myself on the back on a good use of points.

Got the itch to accumulate more URs and had my DH (P2) do the MDD in October. Approved and still working on the MSR currently.

Since DH is the one with the only CSR in the family, does it make sense to "travel" under his name?

Which card should we consolidate all our UR points on? My CSP or DH's (P2) CSR? We will both have approximately the same amount of points once he gets all his SUBs, approx. 160K+ @. Should we consolidate or keep separate until we need to use them for something specific?

ALL loyalty programs (hotel, car, etc.) are typically under my name. I sometimes travel on my own but P2 always travels with me. It was always easier to just keep track of loyalty programs under one name.

I am second guessing myself for booking the Hyatt on points under my loyalty account instead of opening one in P2's name, if we want to get to a higher status one day. Am I over thinking this?

At the end of the day, I wish I had the CSR and not P2. Lol.

Thanks for any insight or help.

There have been more than one poster that mentioned using an award booking service. Any recommendations? I will probably need one eventually to help me get my parents to Asia when they are ready to travel again. It is a bit overwhelming for me.

They need to travel on at least premium economy because of the distance but they are are very price conscious as well.

I need to start researching for them now so that I know what to do when they are ready to pull the trigger.

I think if they don't have enough miles to get a free premium ticket, they can use points to upgrade? Is this possible?

They will mainly want to fly to HK or Taiwan. What points should I concentrate on accumulating for them?

If you are booking through the Chase Travel Portal, it is better to use your DH's account, as he'll get .015 cents versus your .0125 cents.
Example- you find a hotel on the Chase Travel Portal which costs $300:
Booked using URs with CSP (yours)= Cost is 24,000 points
Booked using URs with CSR (DHs)= Cost is 20,000 points

I tend to keep our points separate until I need to consolidate them. Here's why- since you hold most of the loyalty programs, you can typically only transfer URs to an airline loyalty program in your name. For example, maybe you have better hotel status than DH. You'd want the points to go to your account and book with your status. So, I just find it easier to wait to consolidate until I know how we'll use them.

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Not a service, but a tool to help you begin planning for Asia. I use Awardhacker to tell me which loyalty programs I'd have to book through. It will also tell you which points program (UR, MR, etc) you can transfer from. But, you have to PRACTICE. Let's say you want to fly biz class JFK to Taiwan. Awardhacker will give you a variety of options that you then need to research. Let's say you think ANA is a good option. You'd want to practice- when is there award availability open through? Can you snag two tickets once awards drop? Are the taxes astronomical vs more manageable on another airline? Is there a free stopover?

The rule of thumb is you'll need to book about a year in advance. Most people are doing this research 2 years in advance so that they can determine which program to use and be sure to be earning points for that program. And the game changes all of the time, so flexibility is key.

 

[Judique]

Had our first trick-or-treaters. Happy Halloween!

We got quite a few between 5 and 7. It was fun to see the little ones out and having a great time!

 

[Jax1023]

We got quite a few between 5 and 7. It was fun to see the little ones out and having a great time!

We live in a neighborhood of what was originally post World war 2 GI bill housing. 5 blocks, 150 houses. Lots are only about .2 acre, so houses are close.

I think my 9 year old, his best friend and their younger sisters hit every house in 1.5 hours. They got a crazy amount of candy.

We get hundreds of trick or treaters. Got though 300-400 pieces of candy every year. Kids who live here have all their friends from the neighborhoods with larger lots come here.

It’s insanity, but so much fun. They get block party permits and close our streets so kids can just run.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We got quite a few between 5 and 7. It was fun to see the little ones out and having a great time!

Where we are on LI between 2 and 5 was super busy…only had one group after that. My sister in St Augustine said the kids there go between 7 and 9

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I used to combine all UR to my CSR. But I don't redeem through the travel portal or PYB these days, so I stopped doing it. Had the CSR 3 years, finally downgraded it recently. Now, I do about 90% Hyatt and 10% SW. SW I only get about 1.3 cent per point, but I really value the flexibility for now. Will be going for the CP, so hopefully won't need to transfer more.

For the Hyatt reservation, it's easy to get the reservation changed to your DH's name/loyalty account if you wanted to. Though I'm not seeing a reason to because your DH has the CSR? Booking through the portal, you usually wouldn't get credit for the stay.

I didn't book through the portal. I transferred points and booked through the Hyatt website under my account and used 5000 points per room per night. I guess it doesn't matter since it's free?

 

[SleepyatDVC]

If you are booking through the Chase Travel Portal, it is better to use your DH's account, as he'll get .015 cents versus your .0125 cents.
Example- you find a hotel on the Chase Travel Portal which costs $300:
Booked using URs with CSP (yours)= Cost is 24,000 points
Booked using URs with CSR (DHs)= Cost is 20,000 points

I tend to keep our points separate until I need to consolidate them. Here's why- since you hold most of the loyalty programs, you can typically only transfer URs to an airline loyalty program in your name. For example, maybe you have better hotel status than DH. You'd want the points to go to your account and book with your status. So, I just find it easier to wait to consolidate until I know how we'll use them.

------

Not a service, but a tool to help you begin planning for Asia. I use Awardhacker to tell me which loyalty programs I'd have to book through. It will also tell you which points program (UR, MR, etc) you can transfer from. But, you have to PRACTICE. Let's say you want to fly biz class JFK to Taiwan. Awardhacker will give you a variety of options that you then need to research. Let's say you think ANA is a good option. You'd want to practice- when is there award availability open through? Can you snag two tickets once awards drop? Are the taxes astronomical vs more manageable on another airline? Is there a free stopover?

The rule of thumb is you'll need to book about a year in advance. Most people are doing this research 2 years in advance so that they can determine which program to use and be sure to be earning points for that program. And the game changes all of the time, so flexibility is key.

View attachment 618310

Thanks for the pointers! Time to research and practice!

The 1 to 2 years to book may be a monkey wrench. Not sure how patient my parents will be.

Anyone use points/miles to upgrade a ticket? I think my parents would be willing to spend $1-3k per ticket and a bunch of points to upgrade. I don't think my Dad would sleep very well on the plane even in comfy seats if he knows the ticket is $5k+! Points/mileages don't count in his mind.

 

[elgerber]

Maybe the award booking service could be on Dischurners? I would be interested just to know more about it.
I hoard points. We have a lot of points. Will have over a million URs when the next statement closes (wiped out that spend too quick, need another), over 500000 Delta miles, and more. Our problem is we can’t go anywhere for more than a week at a time. Which really really stinks.
we hide in the basement tonight. Our dogs go ballistic if anyone comes near the door so it’s just too much work.

 

[Happy_2_B]

I didn't book through the portal. I transferred points and booked through the Hyatt website under my account and used 5000 points per room per night. I guess it doesn't matter since it's free?

With Hyatt it is almost always better to transfer the URs to them then book direct through Hyatt. Hyatt is one of the best transfer partners to use with URs in my opinion. A while ago I booked the Hyatt in Siem Reap for 12,000 points a night- and the rate for a standard room was $600.00 per night. Next year we have a stay at one of the Hyatt properties in Venice for 12k per night- and the hotel is $700.00/night. Add to this an automatic upgrade to a suite for Globalist and that nightly rate goes to almost 1k per night. You can get INCREDIBLE value from URs transferring them to Hyatt if you do your research.

 

[Haley R]

I don’t have any cc news but DS had so much fun trick or treating tonight. He was a garbage truck and we were trash lol. We weren’t sure if he’d understand it much (he doesn’t really eat candy yet) but he loved it. He ran to every house and got to be with friends. We were out walking for about 2 hours.

 

[wanderlust7]

I didn't book through the portal. I transferred points and booked through the Hyatt website under my account and used 5000 points per room per night. I guess it doesn't matter since it's free?

I mentioned the portal because I was confused why it would matter for Hyatt status that your DH has the CSR. But maybe I misunderstood the question.

Hyatt award stays count for status. Globalist is the level that really gets you something. This year you need 30 nights. Next year, will probably go back to the normal 60 nights.

 

[LB002]

We live in a neighborhood of what was originally post World war 2 GI bill housing. 5 blocks, 150 houses. Lots are only about .2 acre, so houses are close.

I think my 9 year old, his best friend and their younger sisters hit every house in 1.5 hours. They got a crazy amount of candy.

We get hundreds of trick or treaters. Got though 300-400 pieces of candy every year. Kids who live here have all their friends from the neighborhoods with larger lots come here.

It’s insanity, but so much fun. They get block party permits and close our streets so kids can just run.

So fun!

Our lots are more suburban/rural so the kids really have to walk and "earn" their loot, LOL. But we have a great neighborhood and a nice group of kids to go around with (and the kids got PLENTY of candy!).

 

[LB002]

Happy Halloween!

P2 is looking to earn the SW CP and am confused by the card options this year. I have read the (very valuable) updated Fireside Chat. I did 2 bus cards last time - but now it looks like there is only one bus card option? And all the personal cards have the same bonus structure. So would the new recommendation be 1 personal card? I am obviously out of the loop!!! We have been slow on our card apps the last year, so P2 has availability to do either personal or bus. Thanks!

 

[havaneselover]

Lots of new Amex offers--Delta ($200 off $1000), BB ($25 off $250), etc.

 

[chattadisser]

Just a friendly reminder to not forget about the extra benefits on cards. Saturday night my DD was out with her friend/boyfriend (I get conflicting info on the status) and got a flat tire. We were able to use the roadside assistance on the CSR to get the car towed. So far I haven't seen the $50 charge for it but I suspect it may be delayed due to the towing company. Even if it does show up, I'm sure a tow directly from the towing company would be more.

Glad I was able to think of this in the moment. DH was none too thrilled at the moment, apparently she ran over a curb and blew out the tire. Second tire in a month. When my kids were little and people said " they get more expensive the older they get" I didn't see how that was possible. Now I do.

 

[Judique]

Just a friendly reminder to not forget about the extra benefits on cards. Saturday night my DD was out with her friend/boyfriend (I get conflicting info on the status) and got a flat tire. We were able to use the roadside assistance on the CSR to get the car towed. So far I haven't seen the $50 charge for it but I suspect it may be delayed due to the towing company. Even if it does show up, I'm sure a tow directly from the towing company would be more.

Glad I was able to think of this in the moment. DH was none too thrilled at the moment, apparently she ran over a curb and blew out the tire. Second tire in a month. When my kids were little and people said " they get more expensive the older they get" I didn't see how that was possible. Now I do.

I blew an almost new tire doing a legal U turn a few years back. I ran up on the curb because I underestimated the turn. Younger DD blew a tire by rolling up to a parking space with a concrete stop in it. The bolt they use to anchor them in the ground/pavement was exposed and it punctured the tire. Neither of us noticed it - I was riding in the passenger seat.

It can happen and make you feel really stupid!

Anyway, I had to get towed and because the police responded and I was in a spot where I couldn't just sit there nor could I move the vehicle, they called a tow vehicle, which wasn't AAA, which I keep. That tow cost me $150. For less than 5 miles. I did not get the opportunity to use AAA which would have cost me nada.

I will say I'm super careful with curbs now.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Happy Halloween!

P2 is looking to earn the SW CP and am confused by the card options this year. I have read the (very valuable) updated Fireside Chat. I did 2 bus cards last time - but now it looks like there is only one bus card option? And all the personal cards have the same bonus structure. So would the new recommendation be 1 personal card? I am obviously out of the loop!!! We have been slow on our card apps the last year, so P2 has availability to do either personal or bus. Thanks!

There are two SW business cards, you can see the second one via support links ….
if you have a SW card generate a support link and it will show up…if not look on our Reddit Dischurners group for one
So he can still get 2 business cards it that’s what works best for your planning

 

[Judique]

Got the $25 off $250 for Best Buy! I was able to get it on 2 cards so $500 more towards next years DVC dues with $50 saved. That's a great start plus still have to redeem my Giant and Best Buy offers on my Chase cards.

 

[iujen94]

Lots of new Amex offers--Delta ($200 off $1000), BB ($25 off $250), etc.

Can AMEX offers be used on GC only purchases? I know AMEX is weird about GC purchases to meet MSR...

 

[hsmamato2]

Of course it will negate any good. The only reason Marriott is doing this is because their certificates are about to become utterly useless with the amount of inflation they’re gonna unleash on their program.

I say we have about 1 year where we’ll be able to add like 15k to a 50k cert to get a night at say wherever Swolphin’s dynamic+inflated new rates come out at but by the next year forget it.

I was thinking about Swolphin redemptions also....do you predict they'll be over the top ridiculous there after all this? (oh how I long for the 10k per night days)

 

[LB002]

There are two SW business cards, you can see the second one via support links ….
if you have a SW card generate a support link and it will show up…if not look on our Reddit Dischurners group for one
So he can still get 2 business cards it that’s what works best for your planning

Ah! OK! Yes, I still have a SW Bus, so I should be able to generate a support link. Thanks for clarifying!