I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[FreeDiningFanatic]

nvm

 

[disneybirds]

I totally hear you. I've definitely blown a lot of points on certain trips because it's what worked with the kids schedules. P2 and I also have been talking more about using points in a way we want to. It's hard too when you gave one kid X and you need to make things "fair." I keep trying to remind myself that the climate for travel and award booking is much different now than even a year ago. So maybe I need to start thinking differently, rather than "I gave Kid A a grad trip to Europe" and then feeling I need to repeat that. Instead, maybe the thought process is, "I spent X points on Kid A's grad trip." Maybe that gets Kid B a 4 day trip instead of a 7 day trip, or you can still do the trip they want, they're just going to have to sacrifice flexibility in the time of year.

One of the biggest things I learned that I think is easy to take for granted is that in award travel and travel hacking, you can have low prices, specific dates and specific destinations, but very rarely can you have all three at the same time. If you want one of those things, most times you're going to have to sacrifice one or both of the other things. That might be something I have to start mentoring the kids on. When they're little, you're dealing with their school schedules. Now that they're older, you're dealing with their work schedules or their sig other's work schedules, PTO, etc. But it's so magical to continue to travel together...

So many great points in this post that I can completely relate to right now. This is so accurate: "you can have low prices, specific dates and specific destinations, but very rarely can you have all three at the same time." I would also add that ease of travel plays a huge part in my decisions as well. I have been able to find some great rates, but I don't want to travel for 24 hours when I know there is an option that is only 11 or 12 hours.

The May trip just works with everyone's schedule for next year, but hopefully we can start looking at other "off season" times to travel in the future. We definitely love traveling with our adult daughters!

 

[smallsy]

I'm ready for a new card and my Amex plat AF hit. I'm not sure if I want to keep it or not, but I also don't have anywhere to transfer MRs (unless they allow household transfers as P2 has one as well). We use the digital product credit, $200 hotel credit, and Saks credits, but that doesn't quite justify the AF.

I'd appreciate advice since this is only my 2nd ever amex card and all I know is that I don't want to piss off the amex gods with whatever I decide.

 

[becauseimnew]

I'm ready for a new card and my Amex plat AF hit. I'm not sure if I want to keep it or not, but I also don't have anywhere to transfer MRs (unless they allow household transfers as P2 has one as well). We use the digital product credit, $200 hotel credit, and Saks credits, but that doesn't quite justify the AF.

I'd appreciate advice since this is only my 2nd ever amex card and all I know is that I don't want to piss off the amex gods with whatever I decide.

What about the blue business plus? No AF and earns 2x.
I also saw that the Schwab Plat has an elevated SUB 125,000 if you want to keep a Plat.

 

[EACarlson]

I'm ready for a new card and my Amex plat AF hit. I'm not sure if I want to keep it or not, but I also don't have anywhere to transfer MRs (unless they allow household transfers as P2 has one as well). We use the digital product credit, $200 hotel credit, and Saks credits, but that doesn't quite justify the AF.

I'd appreciate advice since this is only my 2nd ever amex card and all I know is that I don't want to piss off the amex gods with whatever I decide.

On the personal side I think of a Gold as a keeper card, the Everyday is an option with no fee. On the business side the Blue Business Plus is the one I would recommend. No AF and 2 MR/$ on all spend.

 

[orangecuse]

I'm ready for a new card and my Amex plat AF hit. I'm not sure if I want to keep it or not, but I also don't have anywhere to transfer MRs (unless they allow household transfers as P2 has one as well). We use the digital product credit, $200 hotel credit, and Saks credits, but that doesn't quite justify the AF.

I'd appreciate advice since this is only my 2nd ever amex card and all I know is that I don't want to piss off the amex gods with whatever I decide.

Call and ask for a retention offer first. My husband has had the plat since 2019 and has gotten one every year. Theyll offer you to meet a certain spend for MRs or money.

You could get a green or buisness blue to hold your MRs. Do not downgrade the plat or you will block yourself out of the green bonus later- open a new card.

 

[IFlossU]

No luck with the Verizon discount for me. Went ahead and locked our numbers again. Glad it worked out for so many of you. It’s a nice savings.

 

[mmmears]

What about the blue business plus? No AF and earns 2x.
I also saw that the Schwab Plat has an elevated SUB 125,000 if you want to keep a Plat.

I thought it was reported that we couldn’t earn the SUB once we had a regular platinum. Is this info not true? I’m hoping I’m wrong because both DH and I have interest in getting the CS plat.

 

[jujubiee4]

So many great points in this post that I can completely relate to right now. This is so accurate: "you can have low prices, specific dates and specific destinations, but very rarely can you have all three at the same time." I would also add that ease of travel plays a huge part in my decisions as well. I have been able to find some great rates, but I don't want to travel for 24 hours when I know there is an option that is only 11 or 12 hours.

The May trip just works with everyone's schedule for next year, but hopefully we can start looking at other "off season" times to travel in the future. We definitely love traveling with our adult daughters!

Plus May is the time we can go before it gets too hot and crowded in the Summer.

 

[jujubiee4]

One of the biggest things I learned that I think is easy to take for granted is that in award travel and travel hacking, you can have low prices, specific dates and specific destinations, but very rarely can you have all three at the same time. If you want one of those things, most times you're going to have to sacrifice one or both of the other things. That might be something I have to start mentoring the kids on. When they're little, you're dealing with their school schedules. Now that they're older, you're dealing with their work schedules or their sig other's work schedules, PTO, etc. But it's so magical to continue to travel together...

Im even trying to narrow it more down by then looking at the plane configuration and how old it is. lol
My husband always reminds me they can switch aircraft. Im very lucky at this point I have never had that
happen trans atlantic or even domestic.(I always check the time I book and the time we leave). But I know
it can happen.

Air flying has changed so much. I use to love it and just the smell of the planes. Now I can't wait to get
on and off and pray there are no complications. lol

 

[jujubiee4]

Double post.

 

[jujubiee4]

@disneybirds If you tried pointsyeah to search for award flights, you should try it. Very easy interface, free and you can search for several dates at once. Of course, always make sure you confirm actual flight availability with the airline before transferring your points over. For some random dates I looked, saw some 30k (2 stops), 70k (1 stop) from SAV to FCO.

Thanks for this suggestion. I'm on the lookout for some kind of service that will alert us when points
may go down. Lot of them seem to be paid subscription. I will check out the one you mentioned.

 

[ten6mom]

You always have such good tips, I figure someone here will know:
I will be traveling to Canada again next September for a conference The conference is in Niagara, ON.

I believe the easiest thing for me to do is to fly into Buffalo and rent a car- so 1- is that truly the easiest (I do try to avoid connecting flights whenever possible) and 2- there any issues with crossing an international border in a rental car?

The rest of the questions:

I would LOVE to add on a couple days (on my own dime of course) while I am on that side of the country to visit Prince Edward Island.

It appears to be an 18 hour drive from Niagara to PEI; however, when I look at flights to Charlottetown Airport from the Buffalo airport, they're all over $1000 as well as an entire day or two traveling.

Is it reasonable to take that same rental car and drive to the Toronto Pearson Airport and from there fly to Charlottetown? I see a flight on Flair Airlines but I've never heard of them.. but I thought one of you might have!

 

[wanderlust7]

DoC reporting that Amazon no longer allows using Amazon GC to buy a third party GC. Link

There goes my strategy for pay with points deals where I reload my Amazon balance to just below the total on a MSR card so that only a small amount goes on the pay with points card (using 1 point).

 

[becauseimnew]

I thought it was reported that we couldn’t earn the SUB once we had a regular platinum. Is this info not true? I’m hoping I’m wrong because both DH and I have interest in getting the CS plat.

You are right, I totally forgot about that new rule.

 

[jujubiee4]

DoC reporting that Amazon no longer allows using Amazon GC to buy a third party GC. Link

There goes my strategy for pay with points deals where I reload my Amazon balance to just below the total on a MSR card so that only a small amount goes on the pay with points card (using 1 point).

Noooo I literally have netflix paid up for a year because of those deals. Not to mention some grocery
cards I have stocked up on. This sucks. Seems like everything is tightening down.

 

[lsutigers03]

I got my Chase Saph preferred 4/2019. Do I want until 4/2024 to close and be eligible for
Reserve?

You should be eligible now. Even if you took the entire three months to earn the sub on the CSP you're beyond 48 months now.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Headed to the pumpkin farm tomorrow. Can you believe peeps live places where you buy your pumpkins from the grocery store? That's tragic.

 

[georgina]

Headed to the pumpkin farm tomorrow. Can you believe peeps live places where you buy your pumpkins from the grocery store? That's tragic.

Did a pumpkin farm when we lived in PA, they were a 10 minute drive away. Now I buy from a local church that gets them from a farm.

 

[StephPlum]

I had a bit of FOMO so I and P2 each grabbed a Hilton card earlier this week. Talk me through the FNC. Is there a point limit for the FNC or if there is a room available on points you can use the FNC? I am thinking of using them at Baker Cay in Key Largo. Will that work?

Both FNCs hit our accounts and I was able to book Baker Cay for Feb. Got 1 King Junior Suite. Looking forward to Spring Break in the Keys and Everglades.