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

[happ]

Do you still have the Premier? I read that you can get a statement credit at 1 cpp now. But I don't know if it's targeted. I even saw a DP that the Rewards+ could cash out at 1 cpp, but when I checked mine it was only 0.5.

@punkin You can also pay mortgage and car loans at 1 cpp.

I just got the Premier, and I believe you are right about the statement credit at 1 cpp. I don't think it is targeted. I plan to try it in a few days when my first statement posts.

 

[iujen94]

If I close my Chase Ink Cash how long so I have to wait to get the same card again. Don’t want the CIP and have had CIU under a year.

No need to close it - you can have multiple CIC!

 

[Babars_Wife]

Have today off. I don’t usually have Tuesday off and it was going to be the first day since March 2020 I had the house to myself. If I am home from work someone else is here. Today the older kids would be at school and DD4 is finally back in daycare.

Got an email last night DS6 has been exposed at school and needs to stay home. Whomp whomp. So much for a day alone. I guess I’ll try again in next month.

this is me today. All set for first full day home alone - ds5’s teacher tested positive so the whole class is home for awhile…

 

[Judique]

Slept later this morning, 6am lol, after waiting for son and his new wife to land in Hawaii and get to their room.

I was ever so slightly anxious because I booked the room on my points, eventually through a CSR, and had added their name, put my credit card on it, gave them my card, just in case there were any front desk questions. I've booked my points for my kids multiple times stateside with no worries, but usually for a much less expensive property and usually for just a night or two.

Transferring the points to their accounts was not possible as the room and nights exceeded the allowable transfers. By triple. When I called Marriott and later the hotel, none had an issue and wished the couple well, welcoming their future arrival. But, still I was just a tad uneasy, because what if they were refused check in without me there?

The 2nd issue is, based on reviews, I would not have picked this property. The newer rooms were way out of my points range - more than a million for the stay. They had chosen the property before I offered my points and were going to book what worked for their budget in cash. Some of the reviews could be ignored - the ones that said 'they ignored my Titanium status', but, others were concerning as a good part of this hotel is circa 1987 and not recently upgraded. The part that is upgraded runs about $1400 a night plus taxes and resort fees and parking.

I had 10 suite nights available and I checked that out. Upgrade offered was a higher floor in the same, older tower that they booked. Pass on that. I felt if I took that upgrade, that would be it. So I left it to chance.

Imagine my relief when the room pic came through from them via text with my Dil holding the white bathrobe and the upgraded room in the background! I slept well last night! Son said they have a gorgeous ocean view and balcony. All is well.

Just another mention that I didn't say anything to the couple - I'm sure they would have been happy regardless of where they slept so long as it was clean and comfortable.

 

[Alexle2007]

Son and daughter in law are off to Maui this morning after their wedding this weekend.

All went well, it was a beautiful micro wedding!

View attachment 606176

Congratulations! The venue and the couple look beautiful. I am trying to figure out if I know the location.

 

[Judique]

We really liked Delta Suites in Vancouver. Service was excellent. I'm partial to SPG properties though.

We were SPG people before the merger. Service was always excellent at most of the properties and customer service was what we expected. We usually paid cash but also used the rewards program and if we had the points could usually get a room and were still very happy with the service. It was well balanced. The very few Marriotts I had stayed at were mostly lower tier and not impressive. I'm okay with many of them now, and can sort of understand the Bonvoy program a little better after the last few years.

It seems to me that the Marriott elites sort of flooded the system when the merger happened. And the merged properties like the Westin's and Ritz's were not used to extending the richer perks to so many customers. Reading through the terms and conditions, a lot of the properties are not actually required to offer some of the perks that the JW's and legacy Marriott properties include. But those who were used to getting certain perks under the Marriott umbrella seem to expect and demand regardless.

I think it's going to work out eventually, but point inflation is a thing, FNC's are so restricted with variable pricing, and staffing shortages also impacts service. I'm gradually migrating to Hyatt, with the hope that they increase their presence, and I'm using up my Marriott stash plus not worrying too much about building it up. I still think the 35k fnc's can have value at the more transient properties but the 50K's not so much as we look for more aspirational properties with them, and that's few and far between.

Funny thing - way back when I was partial to Hilton. May have to start checking them out again.

 

[hsmamato2]

We did DCL to Alaska and had the same itinerary minus Sitka. Definitely later is better. Bear season is July-September so the later in June, the more likely you'll see bears. I booked most of our excursions through Chase portal with URs. Recommend Juneautours.com for whale watching and Mendenhall glacier in Juneau.

Sitka was our favorite port stop.....

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Sitka was our favorite port stop.....

Actually Skagway was our favorite because we did the Yukon tour and dogsled. Juneau whale watching and the glacier were also pretty awesome. Next time we'll do a different cruise line and try for Sitka and Glacier Bay.

 

[hsmamato2]

I’m not going to lie. I have been kind of nervous about whether or not our April Hawaii trip will happen.
When I finished booked our dvc stay yesterday and the girl said “You are going to Hawaii!” I felt pretty good. I thought hey, 7 months is a long time. Who knows what things will look like.

Have today off. I don’t usually have Tuesday off and it was going to be the first day since March 2020 I had the house to myself. If I am home from work someone else is here. Today the older kids would be at school and DD4 is finally back in daycare.

Got an email last night DS6 has been exposed at school and needs to stay home. Whomp whomp. So much for a day alone. I guess I’ll try again in next month.

Also getting an the COVID exposure email the day before our Hawaii trip is my greatest fear

I hear you....I keep reading about all these folks traveling everywhere...I have an upcoming trip planned (to visit family) and I'm anxious....I kind of have a hard time making plans after all of this...I still do it, but it's more with a sigh,thinking 'oh,they'll probably not work out'..... things are just different now than they used to be,I'm trying to get used to what 'normal' is for me now......(haven't been on a plane since 2019!)

 

[Judique]

Congratulations! The venue and the couple look beautiful. I am trying to figure out if I know the location.

It's the Strathmore Mansion on Rockville Pike, close to White Flint and right across from Georgetown Prep.

We were all very pleased with the location, parking, staff, protocols, and the vendors. The guests/additional family who live in the area loved it. With such a small party, we were a slight bit afraid we would be rattling around in the spaces, but it turned out to be very intimate and enjoyable.

The ceremony was performed outside, under the tent, complete with the flower girls strewing the grass with flower petals and dad walking daughter down the aisle of chairs and guests.

Cocktails and bites were inside and then back outside for dinner, cake, the couples dance, speeches and farewells. The weather was also perfect, which helped.

The pic I posted is of their first dance and he has just twirled her around and it's from a guest's cell phone. I can't wait to see the professional shots.

 

[LynnTH]

We sailed DCL (totally not necessary though) in Europe. We had a one-way itinerary, so we started in Copenhagen and ended in Dover, so we spend a few days in CPH before the cruise and a few days after in London. It's really nice to not have to worry about hotels and dining every day. I've done land-based trips to Europe before, but they were more work to plan and more stressful. I really enjoyed taking the cruise. We did splurge on a few private tours in select ports, but the stuff we wanted to do in other ports was really not expensive. Adding a few days before the cruise was really fun, plus it's a good buffer in case you have any issues with the airlines.

This is where I am at too. Easier to not have to worry about hotels and trains/busses/subways especially if there will be 9 of us going. With a cruise we can go on tours together or each do our own thing. Also we have a few picky eaters in the group (me being one of them...) so will be nice to know our meals on the cruise will be familiar. We would probably fly in a few days early too. Just trying to figure out what airline miles I should try for. Looks like United is one of the main ones and I could get BIZ cards for us. Plan was for Me, DH, DS22 and DD20 to all get cards for flights - we all have UR's that we could use to top off the United Points to hopefully get airfare paid in points. That would be $4000-$5000 right there.

 

[Alexle2007]

It's the Strathmore Mansion on Rockville Pike, close to White Flint and right across from Georgetown Prep.

We were all very pleased with the location, parking, staff, protocols, and the vendors. The guests/additional family who live in the area loved it. With such a small party, we were a slight bit afraid we would be rattling around in the spaces, but it turned out to be very intimate and enjoyable.

The ceremony was performed outside, under the tent, complete with the flower girls strewing the grass with flower petals and dad walking daughter down the aisle of chairs and guests.

Cocktails and bites were inside and then back outside for dinner, cake, the couples dance, speeches and farewells. The weather was also perfect, which helped.

The pic I posted is of their first dance and he has just twirled her around and it's from a guest's cell phone. I can't wait to see the professional shots.

That sounds lovely! And you are right, this past weekend was beautiful weather!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Do you still have the Premier? I read that you can get a statement credit at 1 cpp now. But I don't know if it's targeted. I even saw a DP that the Rewards+ could cash out at 1 cpp, but when I checked mine it was only 0.5.

@punkin You can also pay mortgage and car loans at 1 cpp.

I checked. Statement credit, direct deposit or a check are all 1cpp. As are gift cards. Mortgage and student loans are 1cpp so I'm not sure the advantage over a statement credit or direct deposit. A number of airlines are available as transfer partners 1:1.
I'm bummed that the 1.25 went away for travel as I used TYP twice for Disney tix that way.

 

[LynnTH]

Thanks for the info.

Good point about the higher MSR for the CIC, almost like doing the CSP & CSR MSRs simultaneously. Hmmm...

So, if DH does the MDD, he should keep both Sapphires open together at the same time a year before PCing to a Freedom?

I guess I'm off to look up DP of people that had no trouble with the MDD and those that got in trouble and had Chase shut them down, to help me decide by tomorrow. Haha.

I did the MDD this year as did my DH. Since it is still early in the day - I would either SM Chase or call and have them lower the limit on your CSP, since they gave you a high limit. Better chance of getting instant approval on CSR. You can always get other Chase UR cards later, but this will be your only chance at getting points for CSR until 48 months from now.

One other thing. You can use the $300 Travel Credit and then next year when the annual fee comes due - use the $300 Travel Credit again before cancelling or downgrading the card. (if your plan is not to keep the card)

I always keep 1 CSR between DH and I. We get a lot of value in using the points for cruises and other travel on the Chase Website (or right now with the PYB). So, that makes up for the annual fee.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

We were SPG people before the merger. Service was always excellent at most of the properties and customer service was what we expected. We usually paid cash but also used the rewards program and if we had the points could usually get a room and were still very happy with the service. It was well balanced. The very few Marriotts I had stayed at were mostly lower tier and not impressive. I'm okay with many of them now, and can sort of understand the Bonvoy program a little better after the last few years.

It seems to me that the Marriott elites sort of flooded the system when the merger happened. And the merged properties like the Westin's and Ritz's were not used to extending the richer perks to so many customers. Reading through the terms and conditions, a lot of the properties are not actually required to offer some of the perks that the JW's and legacy Marriott properties include. But those who were used to getting certain perks under the Marriott umbrella seem to expect and demand regardless.

I think it's going to work out eventually, but point inflation is a thing, FNC's are so restricted with variable pricing, and staffing shortages also impacts service. I'm gradually migrating to Hyatt, with the hope that they increase their presence, and I'm using up my Marriott stash plus not worrying too much about building it up. I still think the 35k fnc's can have value at the more transient properties but the 50K's not so much as we look for more aspirational properties with them, and that's few and far between.

Funny thing - way back when I was partial to Hilton. May have to start checking them out again.

I feel you on the 50k FNC! I'm struggling because I want to get a good return on them....but I'm coming up short! They expire in Jan and I really hope that MAYBE they'll be extended so the BF and I can use them for my Feb break. But even then....I was looking and we could use them in Cancun and stay at the Ritz, but the reviews of the property are BAD!

I hear you....I keep reading about all these folks traveling everywhere...I have an upcoming trip planned (to visit family) and I'm anxious....I kind of have a hard time making plans after all of this...I still do it, but it's more with a sigh,thinking 'oh,they'll probably not work out'..... things are just different now than they used to be,I'm trying to get used to what 'normal' is for me now......(haven't been on a plane since 2019!)

I'm one of those people. I traveled throughout 2020 and 2021. I guess my mentality has been to live like Jimmy Buffett's line "I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead". I know lots of people are scared to travel seeing as they haven't in so long. I know part of my mentality also comes from spending 23 years in a germ factory, I mean classroom. I've been through so many outbreaks of all kinds of sicknesses and rarely ever catch it myself. And also with dating a pilot, he's been out flying during all of this as well. Now granted he's locked behind the door in flight and away from people. But he's still in airports and hotels. So there is always the chance of him bringing it home to me as well.

Now with all that said, I've been in a "bubble" (for me) the last 2 weeks as I have my Buffett concert Thursday! I get tested for it today. I would not be happy to test positive before that, LOL.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

. I know part of my mentality also comes from spending 23 years in a germ factory, I mean classroom. I've been through so many outbreaks of all kinds of sicknesses and rarely ever catch it myself

The problem with this is that no one has been through an outbreak of this magnitude before. I'm in healthcare and have been through "outbreaks" with flu, H1N1, etc. Nothing prepared me for this. The death and disability resulting are tragic. I'm so tired of watching people die.

 

[wanderlust7]

I checked. Statement credit, direct deposit or a check are all 1cpp. As are gift cards. Mortgage and student loans are 1cpp so I'm not sure the advantage over a statement credit or direct deposit. A number of airlines are available as transfer partners 1:1.
I'm bummed that the 1.25 went away for travel as I used TYP twice for Disney tix that way.

No advantage, I just mentioned the mortgage and student loans (oops, not car loans, I remembered that wrong) in case statement credit wasn't 1 cpp. So statement credit/direct deposit is the best deal now on Premier redemptions, unless there's a transfer goal.

I miss the 1.25 too. I got the Disneyland Hotel with my Premier SUB. I'd try harder to fit it into my or DH's 5/24 if they still had that.

 

[becauseimnew]

AA changed our return flight out of the Big Island (KOA), it went from a 1.5 hours layover at DFW to a 6 hour layover at LAX, instead of getting home at 9:30AM, we now don't get home until 5:30PM. Even if we switch to a "better" flight, the earliest we'd be getting home would be 3:30PM that's 12 hours of travel.

They do have better flight options out of Maui, what are the odds that they let us change our departure airport for free?

 

[DisMommyTX]

Jumping in here. We are looking at Europe for May/June 2023, when DD graduates from college. It would most likely be my family of 4 plus my brother, sil and niece and other brother and sil. Kids are all adults in their 20's. Originally we were just going to go to a few countries, but now am leaning more towards a cruise. Mediterranean is one of the possibilities (waiting for all the cruise lines to release the 2023 Europe cruises). What cruiseline did you go on and where did you fly into. Trying to get some miles for airlines ( I have plenty of UR"s but am trying not to use them for air if I don't have too - was thinking maybe United or AA??

Background: We are huge Disney fans and have sailed 30+ times on different lines, including many with our kids at various ages. We have a couple planned but not yet sailed since the pandemic, so all info is pre-Covid.

Each cruise line has things it does better than the others. NCL has the best live music and an all-inclusive feel as you can usually book with free drinks and dining packages included. Princess appeals to our nerdy-side with Seminars given by experts on local customs and culture. Carnival has the most ships, so more options for getting the perfect itinerary (ports are usually the reason we choose to cruise), especially if your dates are limited. DCL has a great kids club that allows everyone under 12 to hang out together. DCL is a safe bet for those worried about having a bad cruise experience--a solid B for us. Royal Caribbean is my kids' favorite and my top recommendation for families with teens, but you have to be careful to choose the right ship. We prefer mega-ships with more activities and options for everyone. On most lines, the older/smaller ships will run shorter itineraries with less experienced crew and tend to have worse service, food, shows, and onboard experience as a whole.

Hope this helps! I would wait to book until you start getting post-Covid reviews to see which line handles it all better. Cruise critic has a few reviews straggling in but not enough yet to get a clear picture of the differences.

 

[wanderlust7]

Saw a DP for retention on the Bonvoy Brilliant for 60k no spend. I'd keep it for that! So gave it a shot via chat, but only got 20k for $1500 spend or $75 for $1000. Another month until the anniversary, guess I'll try again when the AF posts.