I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[calypso726]

Been on this board on and off for several years. We've been in a gardening state and not really churning lately.

However, DH and I are wanting to do a trip to Key West in February. I know I'll need AA points. What are the current rules for AA cards? We've had biz cards that I cancelled during covid. Seems like they were tightening down on churning...but I can't remember the details.

Then hotels..anyone have any experience staying down there? Good options for points redemptions? We have bonvoy cards and lots of chase points. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

I'd stay away from Crowne Plaza (IHG) in Key West. We've stayed at Casa Marina (Hilton) a few times. They have the largest private beach in Key West and we'd stay there again in a heartbeat if Key West is the destination. I think the resort is a good use of Hilton points if you get a new hotel card or a free night certificate with Hilton.

 

[tink1970]

Been on this board on and off for several years. We've been in a gardening state and not really churning lately.

However, DH and I are wanting to do a trip to Key West in February. I know I'll need AA points. What are the current rules for AA cards? We've had biz cards that I cancelled during covid. Seems like they were tightening down on churning...but I can't remember the details.

Then hotels..anyone have any experience staying down there? Good options for points redemptions? We have bonvoy cards and lots of chase points. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

All 3 of our trips have been to the Hyatt Centric but that said we're Globalists so it's free breakfast and the resort fees are waived (they're also waived with points bookings). The pool is nice, the breakfast is awesome and it's a great walkable distance to most of the "fun" things. It's next to a small public beach but I don't go for the beach (since I'm completely spoiled), more the water, atmosphere and the feel of "getting away." I've researched the Hilton hotels but as a a Hyatt Globalist, I consistently receive more from them than I do as a Hilton Diamond. Last time we were there, DH and I walked to The Reach (a Hilton Curio property) and it did seem very fun

 

[reliev]

Been on this board on and off for several years. We've been in a gardening state and not really churning lately.

However, DH and I are wanting to do a trip to Key West in February. I know I'll need AA points. What are the current rules for AA cards? We've had biz cards that I cancelled during covid. Seems like they were tightening down on churning...but I can't remember the details.

Then hotels..anyone have any experience staying down there? Good options for points redemptions? We have bonvoy cards and lots of chase points. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

I'm a fan of the Hyatt centric there it's redemption on points is great but if you are on here I figure you have Hyatt points or cur to transfer. it's right there in the middle of it all so it's walkable my DW and I were just discussing it this weekend and going to book it for next year.

 

[reliev]

All 3 of our trips have been to the Hyatt Centric but that said we're Globalists so it's free breakfast and the resort fees are waived (they're also waived with points bookings). The pool is nice, the breakfast is awesome and it's a great walkable distance to most of the "fun" things. It's next to a small public beach but I don't go for the beach (since I'm completely spoiled), more the water, atmosphere and the feel of "getting away." I've researched the Hilton hotels but as a a Hyatt Globalist, I consistently receive more from them than I do as a Hilton Diamond. Last time we were there, DH and I walked to The Reach (a Hilton Curio property) and it did seem very fun

we have only had 2 3rd next year for sure. I think I was typing my response at the same time as you. 100% agree.

 

[ten6mom]

I see mentions of a Hyatt Centric (although not the one I am staying at for one night prior to a cruise out of Long Beach).

I've never stayed at a Hyatt before (of any sort). I booked on points (transferred from URs). We are only staying the one night but is there anything I should know about a points booking? Did I see that breakfast is included, or am I misunderstanding? We only have one night but I'd like to take advantage of anything I can (if there is anything to take advantage of!)

Thank you.

 

[reliev]

I see mentions of a Hyatt Centric (although not the one I am staying at for one night prior to a cruise out of Long Beach).

I've never stayed at a Hyatt before (of any sort). I booked on points (transferred from URs). We are only staying the one night but is there anything I should know about a points booking? Did I see that breakfast is included, or am I misunderstanding? We only have one night but I'd like to take advantage of anything I can (if there is anything to take advantage of!)

Thank you.

we are globalists (the highest level of Hyatt).
With Hyatt status, you receive different perks like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, etc., the more nights you go.
Since you booked on points and have a World of Hyatt account you will eventually rack up nights if you enjoy the experience as much as we do. The good thing about booking on points is you won't have any resort fees/parking fees with Hyatt. but the breakfast and room upgrades etc are only for those with status.

 

[tink1970]

I see mentions of a Hyatt Centric (although not the one I am staying at for one night prior to a cruise out of Long Beach).

I've never stayed at a Hyatt before (of any sort). I booked on points (transferred from URs). We are only staying the one night but is there anything I should know about a points booking? Did I see that breakfast is included, or am I misunderstanding? We only have one night but I'd like to take advantage of anything I can (if there is anything to take advantage of!)

Thank you.

Hyatts are generally fine to great and Centrics are usually very nice and kind of quirky, reflecting their local surroundings and are less "cookie cutter." The Centric near Long Beach has good reviews from what I just skimmed. I don't think there is really anything to know, per se, about stays with Hyatts on points except that resort fees (if there are any) and parking fees (again, if there are any) are waived. Free breakfast is provided at Hyatt Places and Hyatt Houses for everyone but only for Globalists (top tier status) at their other hotels. Sorry if my post was misleading and hope you have a great cruise!

lol-you beat me to it this time @reliev

 

[afan]

Called the status line this morning and approved for the hyatt biz! Now to call about my locked acct and to just get it combined with my personal acct.

 

[havaneselover]

My only hotel cc is an Amex Bonvoy card. Should I go for Hyatt business and personal if I want to accumulate points for a trip to Europe next summer? I put about $15k/quarter on credit cards and am only at 2 or 3/24. I still have 240k Marriott points but know that’s going to run dry soon.

 

[afan]

My only hotel cc is an Amex Bonvoy card. Should I go for Hyatt business and personal if I want to accumulate points for a trip to Europe next summer? I put about $15k/quarter on credit cards and am only at 2 or 3/24. I still have 240k Marriott points but know that’s going to run dry soon.

If you want status and will spend for the fnc on the personal. Otherwise you probably do better with one of the inks and transferring.

But status with them is worth it for upgrades etc.

 

[havaneselover]

If you want status and will spend for the fnc on the personal. Otherwise you probably do better with one of the inks and transferring.

But status with them is worth it for upgrades etc.

Thanks. I’ll do the math and see what makes sense. Status has never been high on my list of priorities.

 

[Livelovedance]

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted here, but I’m back with a quick question for the experts. I owe all of my credit card knowledge to the people on these threads! I just have a basic question about two of the SW cards. I’m looking at the SW Premier vs the SW Plus.

Premier = $99 AF. 6,000 anniversary points. 3x points on SW purchases.

Plus = $69 AF. 3,000 anniversary points. 2x points on SW purchases.

I always pay for my flights with points via my CSP, but I’m looking at the 75,000 bonus offer right now. Is the extra $30 AF worth it for double the anniversary points?

(Edited due to a typo)

 

[Alexle2007]

Anyone been to Panama City Beach? They are opening a new Hyatt Place Beachfront that is a cat 4. Thinking it might been a good use of FNC.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted here, but I’m back with a quick question for the experts. I owe all of my credit card knowledge to the people on these threads! I just have a basic question about two of the SW cards. I’m looking at the SW Premier vs the SW Plus.

Premier = $99 AF. 6,000 anniversary points. 3x points on SW purchases.

Plus = $69 AF. 3,000 anniversary points. 2x points on SW purchases.

I always pay for my flights with points via my CSP, but I’m looking at the 75,000 bonus offer right now. Is the extra $30 AF worth it for double the anniversary points?

(Edited due to a typo)

Most people value SW points at about .0125-.015 cpp, so the additional $30 doesn't quite reach that, in my opinion.

Premier


Plus

 

[iujen94]

D

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted here, but I’m back with a quick question for the experts. I owe all of my credit card knowledge to the people on these threads! I just have a basic question about two of the SW cards. I’m looking at the SW Premier vs the SW Plus.

Premier = $99 AF. 6,000 anniversary points. 3x points on SW purchases.

Plus = $69 AF. 3,000 anniversary points. 2x points on SW purchases.

I always pay for my flights with points via my CSP, but I’m looking at the 75,000 bonus offer right now. Is the extra $30 AF worth it for double the anniversary points?

(Edited due to a typo)

Don’t sleep on the SW Priority card! It’s $149, but you get a $75 SW credit (even if you always book with points, that can be used to pay the $5.60 taxes and fees), 4 upgraded boardings per year, and 7500 anniversary points. To me, the credit plus the 7500 points “pays” for the annual fee, and the upgraded boardings (which save me from paying for EBCI) are just gravy.

 

[reliev]

Thanks. I’ll do the math and see what makes sense. Status has never been high on my list of priorities.

I made a spreadsheet on google documents.
you can plug in values etc and trips and keep a calculator going, it's how I've kept up status the last few years. Some payment systems like my homeowner's insurance and car insurance only take visa and nonbonus spending I put on there also it's a little work but I feel it's worth it. I've been upgraded almost every time (except airport hotels seem like a room/view upgrade) I also keep in my spreadsheet for fees I don't put what bloggers put at the value I put things as I know I would spend 10$ on breakfast so that has value to me. Personally, I think Hyatt globalist is worth about 3k a year. I'm not sure if I would upgrade myself as much as they do for us but I don't know it's great to have.
I should expand it to put how much the upgrade "values" are but since i get suites that I would never probably pay face value for I don't know if I would consider that in my evaluation but for us more space is almost always better.

 

[Jax1023]

Would you all choose to watch the magic kingdom fireworks from california grill or from in the park? The crowds always make me a little nervous…

 

[GZanta77]

After 4 canceled cruises over the past 2 years - we finally made it back on a cruise ship this past weekend - just a short trip out to Bermuda and back - but boy did it feel wonderful to be back on the ocean.......and Bermuda!!!! 8 hours nowhere near enough. We will be back for sure.

All being well - we have two more cruises planned this year and am even more excited for those trips now. I wanna put Covid in the rear view sooo bad, but just came back to the news my sister has caught it. Seems it just won't go away.

 

[Alexle2007]

After 4 canceled cruises over the past 2 years - we finally made it back on a cruise ship this past weekend - just a short trip out to Bermuda and back - but boy did it feel wonderful to be back on the ocean.......and Bermuda!!!! 8 hours nowhere near enough. We will be back for sure.

All being well - we have two more cruises planned this year and am even more excited for those trips now. I wanna put Covid in the rear view sooo bad, but just came back to the news my sister has caught it. Seems it just won't go away.

I think it is here to stay and we just need to learn live with it like the common cold and flu.

And for yay cruising! We loved our trip on the Symphony. I am trying to figure out when we can go again.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

D

Don’t sleep on the SW Priority card! It’s $149, but you get a $75 SW credit (even if you always book with points, that can be used to pay the $5.60 taxes and fees), 4 upgraded boardings per year, and 7500 anniversary points. To me, the credit plus the 7500 points “pays” for the annual fee, and the upgraded boardings (which save me from paying for EBCI) are just gravy.

Yeah, going Priority over Premier is a no-brainer if you're going to spend at least $75 with Southwest. That brings the actual cost down to $75 for 7500 in points, compared to the $69 for 3000. If you're not spending at least $75 in flight fees (6 round trip, 1 one-way if your flights themselves are all points), then I doubt any SW card is a good deal.