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

[happ]

Hi Everybody!

Been lurking around the boards for a bit but first time posting over in these parts. Hopefully someone has some good input as I'm not sure which direction to go in for my setup.

I do not fly much at all and I'm not looking for travel rewards. We are trying to focus on cash back... using that towards DVC dues and/or money when on vacation. My wife is leaving this to me so she would just be an AU.

Here is what's going on so far; I know this is more than the 24 month request, but figured the more thorough the better so cards aren't suggested that wouldn't work :

10/10 - Capital One Venture (was something else but bank got bought by Cap One)
1/11 - Chase Continental Airlines card >>> 2018 - Chase United Explorer
11/12 - Amex SPG >>> 9/13 - Amex Marriott Bonvoy (use for free night and status)
4/16 - Wells Fargo Cash Back (don't use anymore, don't like Wells Fargo)

Past 24 months
3/21 - CITI Simplicity
3/22 - Chase United Gateway (PC'd from Explorer, don't use/fly United anymore)
5/22 - Capital One Savor (gets most use)
6/22 - PC'd Cap One Venture >>> Quicksilver (catch all)

• What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? $2000
• Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month or do you carry any balances/pay any interest? I have a balance on one card I'm paying off but nothing on all other cards; paid monthly.
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? CLT
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? Prefer AA (not necessary tho)
• Does SOUTHWEST Airline service your airport? Yes
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? Marriott
• Do you currently have travel points or miles in any program? (if so, which programs and how much) Marriott Bonvoy - Gold - 13800, United MileagePlus - 42,051.
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? As stated above, I'm looking for cash back and if that can help offset DVC dues great, if not just extra spending money for vacation.
• When do you plan to take these trips? Usually vacation August - February

I'm trying to figure out what to pair with the Savor card as it gets good cash back. I'd like something more than the Quicksilver but it does the job for now. Should I move over to Chase? I like that I would have the option, if needed, to move points to Marriott; however, I feel like I'd still be making the same cash back mount and would need the Savor for groceries as Chase only has rewards for Online Orders. I'm not keen on Amex too much because their cash back is statement credit.

If I shouldn't change anything great but I need some input from more knowledgeable folks please!

I get most of my everyday cash back from 2 BofA cards, Customized Cash Rewards and Premium Rewards, and an Amex card, Blue Cash Preferred. Several years ago, I moved some retirement funds over to Merrill to meet the threshold for BofA Preferred Rewards. I chose online shopping as my category for the CCR card and earn 5.25%. The other BofA card earns me 3.5% on travel & dining and 2.62% everywhere else. It's called a travel card, but it's basically a cash back card. I just transfer the earnings to a checking account. For grocery spend I use the BCP and earn 6% cash back. You could use this card to buy Disney GCs at the grocery store and then use them to pay DVC.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

For grocery spend I use the BCP and earn 6% cash back. You could use this card to buy Disney GCs at the grocery store and then use them to pay DVC.

I did this for our trip this year. All grocery on BCP. Anything thru Instacart counted as grocery (including Costco) so got 6% on that. Used the BCP to buy DGC at grocery store, earning 6% then using the cashback to "erase" those charges. It only works as statement credit though.

 

[lsutigers03]

Yeah, p2 is happy to use whatever card I get for him, and to travel free, but not one to make calls. Especially for one with an annual fee like that LOL. Oh well. Not the end of the world.

My wife always complains when she needs to call and cancel a card. I tell her all she has to do is verify her identity and then give them permission to talk to me and I’ll handle it. I just booked our flights and hotel for 5 days in London and so far we’ve spent $60. So I told her to remember that the next time she wants to complain about taking 5 minutes to cancel a card.

 

[lsutigers03]

I have a question about the AMEX fine hotels and resorts credits. Are the $200 hotel credit and the $100 experience credit calendar year or card member year? Could I use them in 2022 and then again in 2023 before my AF hits again?

 

[Alexle2007]

The best use of Dell credit- indoor Nest camera! We have a dog sitter for the weekend and I love being able to see my puppy and what is happening. It’s amazing how Nest can tell the difference between a person and the pug for recording the history.

Dell now has the Google Nest cam with floodlights and they are on sale so I ordered them to replace our current floodlights.

 

[havaneselover]

I have a question about the AMEX fine hotels and resorts credits. Are the $200 hotel credit and the $100 experience credit calendar year or card member year? Could I use them in 2022 and then again in 2023 before my AF hits again?

Calendar year

 

[elgerber]

To confirm, with this wording, you can hold a personal IHG and still get a bonus on the biz card?

If you currently have an IHG Rewards Credit Card from Chase, or you earned a new cardmember bonus on that credit card within the last 24 months, you are not eligible to receive another of the same credit card.

 

[NewbieMom]

Hello, looking for some advice on the best ways to save for DCL (targeting 2024?). We are a family of 5 so it's quite expensive even for 3-4 nights. Is cashback card paired w/discounted DGC the best way to go? We've never been on a cruise (any line) so I'm not really sure on what to look for. How early would the booking window be? Looking at the DCL website, it looks like sailings are out to summer 2023, so maybe 1 year in advance? Any general advice would be appreciated!

 

[havaneselover]

Hello, looking for some advice on the best ways to save for DCL (targeting 2024?). We are a family of 5 so it's quite expensive even for 3-4 nights. Is cashback card paired w/discounted DGC the best way to go? We've never been on a cruise (any line) so I'm not really sure on what to look for. How early would the booking window be? Looking at the DCL website, it looks like sailings are out to summer 2023, so maybe 1 year in advance? Any general advice would be appreciated!

I book with Costco, pay with gift cards, and try to book as early as possible.

 

[Princess Michele]

I am looking for some advice on the best way to use my AMEX Plat $200 airline credit on actual Southwest flights. I know I can book a flight <$100 and cancel within 24 hours and I should receive the credit. Since I want to actually book flights I should be able to book a flight that is <$100 and then either modify it and pay the additional amount or cancel, receive travel funds, and use those to book the flight I actually want. Please let me know if I am missing something or not understanding. Thank you.

 

[reliev]

Hello, looking for some advice on the best ways to save for DCL (targeting 2024?). We are a family of 5 so it's quite expensive even for 3-4 nights. Is cashback card paired w/discounted DGC the best way to go? We've never been on a cruise (any line) so I'm not really sure on what to look for. How early would the booking window be? Looking at the DCL website, it looks like sailings are out to summer 2023, so maybe 1 year in advance? Any general advice would be appreciated!

I book through dreams for the shipboard credit I used to compare every cruise but I've found that if you do it right when it comes out this is always the best price and you get the shipboard credit from the 2 random cruises I checked (i no longer do this) it was a little better then Costco. Costco though if it's later on might be a better deal but with a TA you can get a cruise credit if all thing s are equal.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I have a question about the AMEX fine hotels and resorts credits. Are the $200 hotel credit and the $100 experience credit calendar year or card member year? Could I use them in 2022 and then again in 2023 before my AF hits again?

As someone said, calendar year. But the 2022 credit could be for a stay that occurs in 2023, if that makes sense, as you are prebooking it. Amex only cares about the charge post date, not the stay date.

To confirm, with this wording, you can hold a personal IHG and still get a bonus on the biz card?

If you currently have an IHG Rewards Credit Card from Chase, or you earned a new cardmember bonus on that credit card within the last 24 months, you are not eligible to receive another of the same credit card.

Yes, correct. I got the biz card as soon as it launched this year, and already hold the personal Premier. SUB posted without issue.

I am looking for some advice on the best way to use my AMEX Plat $200 airline credit on actual Southwest flights. I know I can book a flight <$100 and cancel within 24 hours and I should receive the credit. Since I want to actually book flights I should be able to book a flight that is <$100 and then either modify it and pay the additional amount or cancel, receive travel funds, and use those to book the flight I actually want. Please let me know if I am missing something or not understanding. Thank you.

Your plan is perfect.

 

[Alexle2007]

We are at the HR Grand Cypress Orlando this weekend and it has not been our usual family friendly experience. Yesterday, when we were in our room we smelled “skunk.” I reported the issue to the front desk and I am not sure whether they did anything. This morning our neighbors left the bowl and lighter out on the balcony. I went to front desk and requested a new room which they obliged. It sucked to repack but I have my 8 yr old great niece with us and we couldn’t even enjoy our balcony for the fireworks last night since we have a Disney view.

 

[havaneselover]

I book through dreams for the shipboard credit I used to compare every cruise but I've found that if you do it right when it comes out this is always the best price and you get the shipboard credit from the 2 random cruises I checked (i no longer do this) it was a little better then Costco. Costco though if it's later on might be a better deal but with a TA you can get a cruise credit if all thing s are equal.

I'm not following. Costco is about 8% back. I've never seen Dreams that high. I've used Dreams in the past a few times. Honestly I'm indifferent between the two. Costco is sort of easier because you don't have to wait for your specific agent to respond.

My last cruise (7-night Mediterranean) would have gotten $150 shipboard credit from Dreams but I got a $280 shop card from Costco. And with Costco you get the full amount even for onboard bookings. Dreams cuts the shipboard credit in half (not relevant to the OP since they don't have an OBB).

 

[lsutigers03]

As someone said, calendar year. But the 2022 credit could be for a stay that occurs in 2023, if that makes sense, as you are prebooking it. Amex only cares about the charge post date, not the stay date.

That's good to know if we can't book a stay in 2022. Hopefully we will be able to book a stay in 2022 and another in 2023 to get the credit twice and then cancel the card.

 

[havaneselover]

We are at the HR Grand Cypress Orlando this weekend and it has not been our usual family friendly experience. Yesterday, when we were in our room we smelled “skunk.” I reported the issue to the front desk and I am not sure whether they did anything. This morning our neighbors left the bowl and lighter out on the balcony. I went to front desk and requested a new room which they obliged. It sucked to repack but I have my 8 yr old great niece with us and we couldn’t even enjoy our balcony for the fireworks last night since we have a Disney view.

I swear it's so out of hand and yes, I'm old fashioned. When I was in Europe, there was a lot of cigarette smoke in Spain and Italy (not in GB) but I never smelled pot. My office in Richmond has 8 aparments above it and it constantly stinks. And I went to pick up my IPad at the Apple Store Friday and a mother and daughter came up and stunk. My son looked at me and I just don't know how we got here. It's just disgusting.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

 

[reliev]

I'm not following. Costco is about 8% back. I've never seen Dreams that high. I've used Dreams in the past a few times. Honestly I'm indifferent between the two. Costco is sort of easier because you don't have to wait for your specific agent to respond.

My last cruise (7-night Mediterranean) would have gotten $150 shipboard credit from Dreams but I got a $280 shop card from Costco. And with Costco you get the full amount even for onboard bookings. Dreams cuts the shipboard credit in half (not relevant to the OP since they don't have an OBB).

8 percent?! Last time i looked they didn't give me close to that. Next cruise I book I'll check it out most of the 2 we have been on before the rebooking extravaganza both times i got more on board then Costco. I just assumed it was the same will definitely check it next time.

The 2 times i tried they offered me roughly $50 less with a shop card.

 

[reliev]

We are at the HR Grand Cypress Orlando this weekend and it has not been our usual family friendly experience. Yesterday, when we were in our room we smelled “skunk.” I reported the issue to the front desk and I am not sure whether they did anything. This morning our neighbors left the bowl and lighter out on the balcony. I went to front desk and requested a new room which they obliged. It sucked to repack but I have my 8 yr old great niece with us and we couldn’t even enjoy our balcony for the fireworks last night since we have a Disney view.

This is my staycation hotel I didn't think you could even smoke on the balcony. Guess they are too short staffed to care.

 

[havaneselover]

8 percent?! Last time i looked they didn't give me close to that. Next cruise I book I'll check it out most of the 2 we have been on before the rebooking extravaganza both times i got more on board then Costco. I just assumed it was the same will definitely check it next time.

Yep. I've booked my last three with Costco after booking my first three with Dreams. I know for Alaska (2 staterooms) I got about $800 on about $9000 in cruise fares. And for the Mediterranean, I think my cruise fare was $3300 or so and I got $280. I've booked and canceled a ton of cruises with Costco (mostly due to Covid) and they are consistently at or around 8%.

 

[reliev]

Yep. I've booked my last three with Costco after booking my first three with Dreams. I know for Alaska (2 staterooms) I got about $800 on about $9000 in cruise fares. And for the Mediterranean, I think my cruise fare was $3300 or so and I got $280. I've booked and canceled a ton of cruises with Costco (mostly due to Covid) and they are consistently at or around 8%.

nice so how would you apply an fcc with Costco then? where are 90% sure we want to book one for next year.

the great thing about dreams is since there were so many cancelations I never had to do any movement etc or wait on hold I assume you cant change it online with Costco you have to call in? i don't think waiting for 4 hours is worth 100$ if this is the case. I also realize this is rare.