I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[elgerber]

For those wanting to hang onto the touch ID....the SE still has it. Honestly prior to masks, I loved the face ID. That was actually what failed on my XS and got me the new phone in June. Funny because now it fails since I have to wear a mask...GRRRR

except for the mask thing, I love face id too. It works so incredibly well!

 

[Judique]

I'm thinking about the new Marriott offer buy am having trouble figuring out where I'd use the 5 free nights. I know that they can sometimes be used at a category 6, but aside from putting in specific dates and seeing what comes up for how many points it'll cost is there a way to figure out when they can be used at a cat 6 and when they can't? For example Swan or Dolphin, is there an easy way to figure out what dates would fall under 50,000?

No way to predict what Marriott will actually charge other than to realize that the points requirements can change from day to day. Meaning you may see 50K points for a category 6 and go in to book later and it will be changed to 45k, 55k, or even 60K. Of course the 50K will cover the 45K, but you may find that the cash price is also low, causing the feeling that you are not getting your money's worth.

Usually the dates that go up will be high season dates. And slow times may see a 'drop' in point costs. Also, you may be in low season but some nights are filling up. Marriott sometimes will either pull the point rooms or raise the point cost.

I've found the Marriott FNC to be somewhat frustrating. Points are much more flexible. Points have a longer lifespan. Nights have been extended in the past, but if unused it's possible the extension might not happen.

Another point: I (and others here) were able to utilize a small window to grab a few cards with decent points signup bonuses when Marriott combined the SPG portfolio in 2018. For that reason, I have 5 free nights each year and a nice point stash. Not easy to do now. From that perspective I've come to know the value of points over FNC. I'm not against FNC but if I could get a 100k points bonus or 5 FNC, I'd take the points, unless I had a redemption in mind that I was pretty sure would use up the certificates.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

No way to predict what Marriott will actually charge other than to realize that the points requirements can change from day to day. Meaning you may see 50K points for a category 6 and go in to book later and it will be changed to 45k, 55k, or even 60K. Of course the 50K will cover the 45K, but you may find that the cash price is also low, causing the feeling that you are not getting your money's worth.

Usually the dates that go up will be high season dates. And slow times may see a 'drop' in point costs. Also, you may be in low season but some nights are filling up. Marriott sometimes will either pull the point rooms or raise the point cost.

I've found the Marriott FNC to be somewhat frustrating. Points are much more flexible. Points have a longer lifespan. Nights have been extended in the past, but if unused it's possible the extension might not happen.

Another point: I (and others here) were able to utilize a small window to grab a few cards with decent points signup bonuses when Marriott combined the SPG portfolio in 2018. For that reason, I have 5 free nights each year and a nice point stash. Not easy to do now. From that perspective I've come to know the value of points over FNC. I'm not against FNC but if I could get a 100k points bonus or 5 FNC, I'd take the points, unless I had a redemption in mind that I was pretty sure would use up the certificates.

Thank you for sharing all of this. I want to try for the CIC/CIU but I was also looking at the free IHG and then Marriott threw this at us. I used to LOVE SPG, it was my first rewards card. But when it went Bonvoy, I left. I have no Bonvoy points now. So many people are going nuts over the 5 free nights....but it seems like it might be a nightmare figuring out a max usage, and my luck....I'll end up using them somewhere cheap in the end. I think the free IHG is 100k right now. And honestly I can get 5+ free nights with that (since it's stay 3 get 4 free). So I think I might reload my IHG for now and wait around for a points with Bonvoy.

 

[mmmears]

Wait new iPhones don’t have Touch ID?

They don't (or mine doesn't at least). They replaced it with Face ID.

I think you've done all that you can, after that it's just luck. I'm in the same boat and haven't been targeted for a long time.

Same here. It's annoying since we buy a ton of things from Amazon.

 

[platamama]

I'm thinking about the new Marriott offer buy am having trouble figuring out where I'd use the 5 free nights. I know that they can sometimes be used at a category 6, but aside from putting in specific dates and seeing what comes up for how many points it'll cost is there a way to figure out when they can be used at a cat 6 and when they can't? For example Swan or Dolphin, is there an easy way to figure out what dates would fall under 50,000?

There's no super easy way to find this information, but here's an example of what you can find:



You can search by city, then apply a category filter (Dolphin is Cat6) to the results. Don't search by specific dates. Instead, search by flexible date for 1 night stay, using points/certificates and you'll pull up a calendar showing the current points needed for the days on the calendar.

It's clunky, but that's the best way I've found so far. In the above example you can see how the Dolphin ranges from 50K-60K per night in December depending on the specific night.

 

[Judique]

Thank you for sharing all of this. I want to try for the CIC/CIU but I was also looking at the free IHG and then Marriott threw this at us. I used to LOVE SPG, it was my first rewards card. But when it went Bonvoy, I left. I have no Bonvoy points now. So many people are going nuts over the 5 free nights....but it seems like it might be a nightmare figuring out a max usage, and my luck....I'll end up using them somewhere cheap in the end. I think the free IHG is 100k right now. And honestly I can get 5+ free nights with that (since it's stay 3 get 4 free). So I think I might reload my IHG for now and wait around for a points with Bonvoy.

That's exactly how I feel. Plus, Marriott has many hotels that use 4k on up in points that many can get a better value out of with a 100k point sign up bonus.

I'm on the same page with IHG - there are many decent hotels to stay at that are in the lower point categories.

I should note that I'm not talking high end resorts for the lowest points, but overnight lodging for 1-2 nights. Every point level/brand can come into play to make a trip come together. It can even play a part in aspirational travel.

 

[Judique]

There's no super easy way to find this information, but here's an example of what you can find:


View attachment 532271
You can search by city, then apply a category (Dolphin is Cat6) to the results. Don't search by specific dates. Instead, search by flexible date for 1 night stay, using points/certificates and you'll pull up a calendar showing the current points needed for the days on the calendar.

It's clunky, but that's the best way I've found so far. In the above example you can see how the Dolphin ranges from 40K-60K per night in December depending on the specific night.

Yes. This does make it so much easier. Problem is sometimes these get pulled and all you will find is a whole calendar with 'not available for check in'.

And, what I've experienced is finding the calendar, identifying some dates, not booking it on the moment then going back and the rate has been raised or sometimes lowered.

Does anyone think I'm spending way too much time poking through the Marriott website??

What I will say is if you see award nights at the right point value, and you are still within your cancelation window, book it before it disappears!

 

[WVMomof3]

If anyone with AT&T or Verizon is looking for the Iphone SE it is still $199 ($6.63 for 30 months but you can pay early) at Walmart dot com. I have bought 3 this way. I am really not sure why they are selling them that cheap when the apple site still lists them at $399. The 64GB is $199, I bought the 128 for $249. My 5 year old 6 worked great till I dropped it in the creek in June. DH's 5 year old 6S screen went black about 2 weeks ago. Phone still worked if you could guess where to hit the answer phone button. lol We tried rebooting, power cycling, several things and could not get it to come back.

 

[Haley R]

They don't (or mine doesn't at least). They replaced it with Face ID.



Same here. It's annoying since we buy a ton of things from Amazon.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So the BF is looking to possibly dip his toe into the CC game. I was telling him to look at the CSP. He's wondering what does the $95 AF get him? I have the CSR, so I honestly don't know.

Also, what cards would you suggest for him. He gets any/all flights for free (since he's a pilot). So airline cards don't make sense. Also if it has an AF, he wants that to make sense as well. Like he understood why I do the $450 on the CSR, but he's not sure if that would make as much sense for him.

He's buying a house and knows he'll be making a bunch of purchases (new appliances, new TV, furniture, etc). So he's open to possibly doing a few different cards.

 

[KPK02090]

No way to predict what Marriott will actually charge other than to realize that the points requirements can change from day to day. Meaning you may see 50K points for a category 6 and go in to book later and it will be changed to 45k, 55k, or even 60K. Of course the 50K will cover the 45K, but you may find that the cash price is also low, causing the feeling that you are not getting your money's worth.

Usually the dates that go up will be high season dates. And slow times may see a 'drop' in point costs. Also, you may be in low season but some nights are filling up. Marriott sometimes will either pull the point rooms or raise the point cost.

I've found the Marriott FNC to be somewhat frustrating. Points are much more flexible. Points have a longer lifespan. Nights have been extended in the past, but if unused it's possible the extension might not happen.

Another point: I (and others here) were able to utilize a small window to grab a few cards with decent points signup bonuses when Marriott combined the SPG portfolio in 2018. For that reason, I have 5 free nights each year and a nice point stash. Not easy to do now. From that perspective I've come to know the value of points over FNC. I'm not against FNC but if I could get a 100k points bonus or 5 FNC, I'd take the points, unless I had a redemption in mind that I was pretty sure would use up the certificates.

Thank you, I don’t have any experience with Marriott points so this is all good to know. It’s exactly why I’m trying to figure out where I might use the certs before going for the card. Ugh! Why do they make it so convoluted?

There's no super easy way to find this information, but here's an example of what you can find:


View attachment 532271
You can search by city, then apply a category filter (Dolphin is Cat6) to the results. Don't search by specific dates. Instead, search by flexible date for 1 night stay, using points/certificates and you'll pull up a calendar showing the current points needed for the days on the calendar.

It's clunky, but that's the best way I've found so far. In the above example you can see how the Dolphin ranges from 50K-60K per night in December depending on the specific night.

That’s so helpful- thank you!!!

 

[havaneselover]

The pandemic is causing me to lose my mind and I'm 15th on a wait list with a deposit down for a Havanese puppy.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

So the BF is looking to possibly dip his toe into the CC game. I was telling him to look at the CSP. He's wondering what does the $95 AF get him? I have the CSR, so I honestly don't know.

Also, what cards would you suggest for him. He gets any/all flights for free (since he's a pilot). So airline cards don't make sense. Also if it has an AF, he wants that to make sense as well. Like he understood why I do the $450 on the CSR, but he's not sure if that would make as much sense for him.

He's buying a house and knows he'll be making a bunch of purchases (new appliances, new TV, furniture, etc). So he's open to possibly doing a few different cards.

It gets him 80,000 URs! That’s what it gets him

 

[Hoosier John]

So the BF is looking to possibly dip his toe into the CC game. I was telling him to look at the CSP. He's wondering what does the [CSP] $95 AF get him? I have the CSR, so I honestly don't know.

Also, what cards would you suggest for him. He gets any/all flights for free (since he's a pilot). So airline cards don't make sense. Also if it has an AF, he wants that to make sense as well. Like he understood why I do the $450 on the CSR, but he's not sure if that would make as much sense for him.

He's buying a house and knows he'll be making a bunch of purchases (new appliances, new TV, furniture, etc). So he's open to possibly doing a few different cards.

It gets him 80,000 URs! That’s what it gets him

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking . Plus the ability to spend the points at a 1.25x rate for hotels, etc. (and temporarily for groceries and restaurants). But, transferring his points to you, gives the ability for you to spend the points at 1.5x on your CSR. If he just wanted the money he could "cash-out" his 80k for $800 dollars. Also, keep in mind he will have at least 84k points after meeting minimum spend ($4,000).

So after 1 year, when the $95 AF hits, he may want to PC the CSP.

 

[mmmears]

If anyone with AT&T or Verizon is looking for the Iphone SE it is still $199 ($6.63 for 30 months but you can pay early) at Walmart dot com. I have bought 3 this way. I am really not sure why they are selling them that cheap when the apple site still lists them at $399. The 64GB is $199, I bought the 128 for $249. My 5 year old 6 worked great till I dropped it in the creek in June. DH's 5 year old 6S screen went black about 2 weeks ago. Phone still worked if you could guess where to hit the answer phone button. lol We tried rebooting, power cycling, several things and could not get it to come back.

Is 64GB enough for anyone? I'll admit I'm a memory hog, but I have 512GB right now and it's more than half full.

The pandemic is causing me to lose my mind and I'm 15th on a wait list with a deposit down for a Havanese puppy.

So many people I know have added on to the family with a new puppy in the last few months. I hope you get one soon.

 

[mamathompson]

The pandemic is causing me to lose my mind and I'm 15th on a wait list with a deposit down for a Havanese puppy.

That's exciting! I totally get it. We lost our minds months ago and got 19 chickens. It seems silly, but those chickens have been like therapy to some of my children who are struggling with the pandemic. A puppy might not be too far off in our future as well.

 

[Judique]

I received one of those ' we are writing to provide you with an important notice regarding the above referenced account.' This was my Amex Brilliant (Bonvoy).

Most of the time I quickly look at these things and toss them in the shredder.

One of the changes was that 'person to person' transactions are not eligible to earn rewards. So, wonder who was making out on that??

Next was that a whole group of cash equivalents will now be considered as cash advances. Travelers Cheques, gift cheques, (their spelling not mine), foreign currency, money orders, digital currency, casino chips, race track wagers, precious metal coins, bullion, digital precious metal products.

I don't know if all these things created rewards for the purchaser or if they were already cash advances on other cards, but the only thing that I would possibly purchase with a credit card would have been a money order if required. Just found it to be an interesting notice in the context of churning.

 

[Haley R]

That's exciting! I totally get it. We lost our minds months ago and got 19 chickens. It seems silly, but those chickens have been like therapy to some of my children who are struggling with the pandemic. A puppy might not be too far off in our future as well.

I’m sorry but I had to laugh at this

 

[elgerber]

I received one of those ' we are writing to provide you with an important notice regarding the above referenced account.'

Most of the time I quickly look at these things and toss them in the shredder.

One of the changes was that 'person to person' transactions are not eligible to earn rewards. So, wonder who was making out on that??

Next was that a whole group of cash equivalents will now be considered as cash advances. Travelers Cheques, gift cheques, (their spelling not mine), foreign currency, money orders, digital currency, casino chips, race track wagers, precious metal coins, bullion, digital precious metal products.

I don't know if all these things created rewards for the purchaser or if they were already cash advances on other cards, but the only thing that I would possibly purchase with a credit card would have been a money order if required. Just found it to be an interesting notice in the context of churning.

person to person, like Venmo? what card was that?

 

[Judique]

That's exciting! I totally get it. We lost our minds months ago and got 19 chickens. It seems silly, but those chickens have been like therapy to some of my children who are struggling with the pandemic. A puppy might not be too far off in our future as well.

My older daughters best friend got chickens in the spring and they are laying eggs now. Made me 'almost' get inspired to get some myself, but not quite. She gets 7-8 eggs per day and now is giving them away, so I get a few eggs here and there. I've gone to visit the chickens. They are indeed therapy.