Credit Card Thread - Now with a Beginner's Guide to free travel/FAQ

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by blind dog, Apr 10, 2015.

  1. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Legally I think they have to wait a year. I have a calendar alert for my anniversary for a downgrade
     
  2. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    It could be more too. I've been transferring to southwest and I'm getting .021/mile which makes it $4,200 for you
     
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  3. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    I used 16k Hyatt points I had transferred to book 550 bucks in rooms the other day
     
  4. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
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    Hyatt value is so damn good.
     
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  5. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    For some reason I haven't actually gone through and calculated the point value for a lot of the Southwest flights I take/would take until reading this. Almost all of them are redeeming for around .017/mile and I didn't realize Southwest miles were so valuable
     
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  6. Doug

    Doug Skeptical Doug-o
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    Is there a cost to transfer to SW? I wouldn't do them all - but some flights southwest does would be nice.
     
  7. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    1:1, no fee and mine posted within an hour. you have to do it in 1,000 increments
     
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  8. Doug

    Doug Skeptical Doug-o
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    Awesome - Costa Rica & Orlando here I come.
     
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  9. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
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    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

    Sitting in a lounge for the first time courtesy of CSR. Free booze and food? What is life?
     
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  10. two

    two Hello
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    Which lounge
     
  11. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
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    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

    The Club at Atlanta. Didn't have my priority pass card so the CSR rep said charge it and call back for reimbursement
     
  12. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
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    Just got the CSR. Have to wait until January to downgrade my CSP to Freedom though.
     
  13. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    hurry and maximize that travel credit before the end of Dec!
     
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  14. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
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    I'll have about $270 next weekend if it gets here in time. Is it through December or through the calendar year?
     
  15. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    the language to my understanding is per calendar year, so Dec 31 and would reset to start over Jan 1.
     
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  16. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
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    Yeah I just read about it. Hopefully it's here by Friday at 12
     
  17. Sam Elliott

    Sam Elliott Job title: Assistant Bouncer at the Double Deuce
    Florida State SeminolesChicago BullsGreen Bay PackersTampa Bay LightningManchester United

    For those with a Delta Skymiles Amex card, any attempts to switch to other Amex cards outside of Delta?

    I've had the DS card for four years now, originally traveled heavily with Delta but over time after moving around primarily use Jetblue now. I kept the card to rack up enough miles for a big trip which I am taking next summer with the wife, after that though I really don't have a long term use for it nor will the annual fee make it attractive. But also not looking to negative impact my score long term.
     
  18. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Closing one card won't do that much if you have other lines of credit. People take that too seriously imo
     
  19. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
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    Since you mentioned JetBlue figured I'd ask, any reason to own their Credit Card since I'm getting 3x points through the CSR? Do you have it?
     
  20. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Isn't JetBlue AMEX as well?
     
  21. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Every airline-specific card, unless you fly enough to warrant paying for the one(s) that gives lounge access, is a fucking rip off. My AA card sits in my nightstand unless they're offering bonus miles. 2x on AA purchases? :meh: GTFO
     
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  22. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Yep
     
  23. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
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    JetBlue is Barclays I believe.

    I think I could get 6x points using the card. I fly JetBlue 12-15 times a year not sure if it's worth getting the extra points since I don't really fly it for personal use. I do plan on taking a trip with it at some point but I'll have plenty of points from work trips. Was hoping the card could help me get to Mosaic this year but the points don't apply.
     
  24. Sam Elliott

    Sam Elliott Job title: Assistant Bouncer at the Double Deuce
    Florida State SeminolesChicago BullsGreen Bay PackersTampa Bay LightningManchester United

    I just have the Delta card, I have been thinking about the Jetblue one but definitely don't want two airline cards at the same time.

    A good cashback card is where I will likely look next and weigh my options with cancelling the Delta card.
     
  25. rezy

    rezy Member
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    It's through the December statement I believe, but you can use it for uber, airbnb etc not just flights/hotels. If you don't use it by then you can always buy an airline gift card for yourself
     
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  26. FriendsofJtyler

    FriendsofJtyler I strenuously object
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    Just hit the bonus with the CSR and add 100k with the CSP and were over 200k+ now.

    :diddydatass:
     
  27. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    I like the AMEX platinum Delta just for the companion pass and initial bonus, but I agree their perks are weak for the costs.
     
  28. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    People that are more knowledgeable on credit scores than I am...I just got approved for the Sapphire Reserve, so my first thought was to just downgrade my Preferred before the annual fee hits. However, I will now have the Discover It card, Chase Freedom, and Sapphire Reserve. I've had the Preferred for almost 7 months, so it's not a long credit history. I have a very strong credit score currently, so my question is, would it still make sense to downgrade the Preferred for the added benefit of transferring points or would canceling this card hurt my credit score that much? I already had a pretty high total line of credit, so my current monthly utilization percent is already fairly low and will get even lower with this new card's credit limit tacked on.
     
  29. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    downgrading is not canceling
     
  30. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Right. I'm asking if downgrading would still be the better option versus canceling. I know typically it is but I didn't know if my situation was any different since already have good credit and a high total line of credit
     
  31. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Why would you not downgrade? There's no reason not to if it's an option
     
  32. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    what you're saying is tantamount to "do I want this free $100? I know that most people would be super excited about $100 but I'm already a millionaire. should I still pick up this $100 bill?"
     
  33. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    Basically, I'm wondering at what point, if any, does a very low utilization percentage of your credit limit can it hurt your credit score since that is one of many convoluted factors that go into the score
     
  34. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    But it sounds like the answer is "just downgrade and quit overthinking it dummy"
     
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  35. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    You want as low utilization as possible. Thinking otherwise goes with the people who think you should carry balances to help your score.
     
  36. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    They won't let you downgrade until you hit the 1 year mark. Higher your credit line, lower is your utilization.
     
  37. gordon bombay

    gordon bombay magician's alliance enthusiast
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    Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    People really overthink the whole credit score thing. Assuming you pay off your credit cards like a normal person and don't get dinged for some crazy late payment during your lifetime, you are good to open and close your cards without really thinking about it. The only time I would really freeze opening/closing cards is if I was buying a house in the next year or so.
     
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  38. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Just got the AA Platinum Select card in the mail. I've had gift cards more study than this thing. Maybe CSR spoiled me but it feels flimsy
     
  39. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

    Similar thing happened to me with the Delta Amex Platinum. I called back and complained and threatened to cancel all of my cards with them and switch to the "far superior chase products" and they agreed to give me the full fee refund.
     
  40. OopsPowSurprise

    OopsPowSurprise Owed one ass kicking from poweshow
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    Florida GatorsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersMiami Marlins

    So I shit on my credit a while back but it's good now. Got chase freedom and JetBlue rewards recently

    Any tips on how best to use them for rewards? Going to get the 5K miles bonus easily
     
    #2040 OopsPowSurprise, Oct 24, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2016
  41. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
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    CSR bonus just posted. 175k points to spend :ahh:
     
  42. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
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    Can you elaborate? I have the Delta Amex Platinum and am considering getting rid of it. They waived your fee and let you keep the card?
     
  43. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    wow same
     
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  44. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

    Sorry, that was incomplete. I had the Delta Amex Platinum and wanted to downgrade it to a no fee card. The guy on the phone told me that they would refund the annual fee of $195 and I would be on my way. I then looked at my statement and saw that they only refunded $16. I called back and they said that they gave me the pro-rated amount because I had used it for 11 months of the current year already (I've had it a few years). I had to run at the time so I couldn't finish the convo, but I just called back and told them "if they want to nickle and dime a long time customer like this, then they can fuck right off and I'll cancel my other accounts (no fee hilton honors and amex platinum) and switch to the far superior Chase Sapphire product." They asked me to hold and then told me that the charge would be removed from my account in the next 45 days.
     
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  45. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

    Business class RT from NYC to Bangkok on Korean Air is 150k UR points... just sayin.
     
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  46. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

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  47. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
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    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

    My points also posted.
     
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  48. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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  49. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

    I have a lot of points with a lot of different CCs, hotels, and airlines so figuring out how best to piece together an itinerary for minimal miles could be a huge plus. I'd love to fly business class to Africa but it always looks crazy expensive when I look through the Delta portal. I'm sure there's some way that I could transfer my amex and UR points to some other airline and get a decent deal.
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  50. Doug

    Doug Skeptical Doug-o
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    I'll use a service like that, easily worth it imo