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. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    Hyatt Place in downtown SC is cat 4.
     
  2. The B1G Kucktis

    The B1G Kucktis 2 years, VARSITY!!
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia 76'ersPhiladelphia EaglesPhiladelphia FlyersTiger WoodsWolverhampton Wanderers

    Understood. I'd recommend any of the Andaz properties, HRC Sedona, Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, Chicago Athletic Association and The Bellevue in Philadelphia.
     
    Lipp and Buzz like this.
  3. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    never upgraded my amex spg when they had the new cards come out. just got an upgrade offer of 95k points and 125 buck annual fee. not a bad deal
     
    pratyk and CoastalOrange like this.
  4. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    Wouldn't be upset if this happened to me in the not-so-distant future.
     
  5. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I thought I got the same offer so had to do a double take. Turns out, it was an offer to apply for the Business version of the same card - 95k points for 3K spend
     
  6. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    you should do it. maybe ill do it too
     
  7. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    Just got a 70k Delta miles mailer for 2k in 3 months so that ones happening
     
  8. DexterRutecki

    DexterRutecki Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Wisconsin BadgersGrateful Dead

    Total credit card noob here looking for advice...

    I have been using my standard TD Cash credit card since I opened my account like 7 years ago. That is the only credit card I have and I put about $1,500 on it each month and pay it off each month. The limit is $10,000.

    Any recommendations for an upgrade? I have no idea where to begin.
     
  9. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    Chase business ink if you can spend 5k in 3 months instead of 4500

    If not, chase Sapphire reserve or preferred
     
    DexterRutecki likes this.
  10. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    after upgrades, my Marriott points value was

    Academia of Athens: 105k points, $1200 room, about 1.2 cents per point (average for Marriott)

    Mystique Santorini: 240k points, $6500 room (we got upgraded two levels), for an idiotic 2.7 cents per point
     
  11. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    71406AEA-3BFD-48C9-B2AE-45F7798C9397.jpeg

    View from our upper sun deck (the room has two patios and two hot tubs)
     
  12. RockHardJawn39

    RockHardJawn39 #FranklinOUT
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsSan Francisco GiantsPhiladelphia 76'ersPhiladelphia FlyersLiverpoolWrexham AFC

    I'm pretty pissed that they're adding new tiers and "peak" point rates for Marriott. I'm over 600k Marriott points currently. Looking forward to that not being enough for a week vacation
     
  13. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    wgaf just get more points
     
  14. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    Just realized you can see our neighbor in this. Dude sat in that hot tub on his MacBook for like two straight days and complained about Greek food loudly to his companions. Weird dude
     
    laxjoe, marcus and Arkadin like this.
  15. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    He sounds like a real Santormeanie lol
     
  16. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    What’s not to love about Greek food
     
    marcus likes this.
  17. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    I know right
     
  18. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    Got confused and transferred 40k points to United for a flight that was 25k points on UR.

    I feel dumb and annoyed.
     
    ohhaithur and Lipp like this.
  19. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
    Donor

  20. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    Best high end card still the Sapphire Reserve? About to start a new round of cards and will be starting with a new premium card to be a “keeper”

    After that I will be banking AA miles as much as possible
     
    PAHokie likes this.
  21. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    I think so. All of the benefits are well worth the $150 net AF. Between having to use trip delay insurance about once a year and Priority Pass I more than make that back.
     
    GoodForAnother, ohhaithur and PAHokie like this.
  22. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Yeah, they're all trimming benefits but csr is the best value still
     
    GoodForAnother likes this.
  23. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
    Donor
    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    Got approved for cip #2. Fiancée got two Hilton amex cards that will come with combined 240k in points plus 40k for referrals. Solid weekend for cc points
     
    TAS and marcus like this.
  24. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    You got a referral?
     
  25. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Nobody does :(
     
  26. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    :(
     
  27. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
    Donor TMB OG
    North Carolina State WolfpackAtlanta BravesCarolina PanthersCarolina HurricanesUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    CoastalOrange likes this.
  28. Louis Holth

    Louis Holth but we also just might be those motherfuckers
    Donor
    South Carolina GamecocksAtlanta BravesCarolina PanthersTottenham Hotspur

    What do I do after my CIP? Hit that min spend in one month...whoops. I have CSR, CIP x 1 and Hilton Aspire(I’ll be getting rid of before anniversary date).
     
    Buzz likes this.
  29. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

  30. tjosu

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

    Depending on how long you've had it the terms have changed a ton, I think now they say you're not eligible for the sign up bonus if you have another Sapphire or something along those lines
     
  31. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    It’s my wife’s
     
  32. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
    Donor
    Texas Tech Red RaidersTexas RangersChicago CubsDallas StarsTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    just called to check, CIP #3 was approved :smug:
     
  33. RockHardJawn39

    RockHardJawn39 #FranklinOUT
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsSan Francisco GiantsPhiladelphia 76'ersPhiladelphia FlyersLiverpoolWrexham AFC

    Still waiting to hear back on #2
     
  34. sally2dicks

    sally2dicks Well-Known Member
    Colorado BuffaloesCalgary Flames

    Got myself a situation. Not sure how it happened, but looking to see if there’s any recourse possible.

    I just got declined for Chase Sapphire Reserve (wanting this for a keeper card). Said they’ll send me more information regarding the decision in 7-10 days. Should I call to see if they can reconsider or provide that info up front? Or should I wait for the response and then decide if it’s worth calling? Am I just fucked regardless?

    It’s not a credit issue, my score is 805. I don’t think I broke the 5/24 rule.

    Hadn’t churned much in a couple years, but had some big expenses and am planning a big vacation for next year, so I’ve opened three cards this year and one card 1 year and 10 months ago. So that’s only 4 cards in 24 months.

    I did the CIP last year, but I thought Business cards didn’t count towards it. Am I wrong, or is it something else?

    Thanks for any help.
     
    TAS likes this.
  35. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Are you an authorized user on any? Are your credit reports frozen at any bureau?
     
    sally2dicks and TAS like this.
  36. sally2dicks

    sally2dicks Well-Known Member
    Colorado BuffaloesCalgary Flames

    No frozen credit reports and I should not be authorized on any other cards unless my GF added me to one and didn’t tell me lol. Would that show up on my credit reports as an account? I’ve gone back and looked at all opened and closed accounts and don’t see anything else.
     
  37. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Besides the 5/24 rule, I believe there is a "2 new cards per 30 days" rule. I'm not sure where or when you opened the other 3 cards, but that could be an issue as well.

    If you do end up getting denied and try to reapply, make sure you wait for the old application to cycle out (I think it takes 30 days) or they'll just deny you again based on the old application still being active.
     
    sally2dicks likes this.
  38. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
    Donor
    Texas Tech Red RaidersTexas RangersChicago CubsDallas StarsTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    Are your credit limits on your existing cards pretty high? If your Chase limits combined are 40-50% of your income, that may be a reason why.
     
    sally2dicks likes this.
  39. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Check your online account, under "statements and documents", there should be a letter posted a day or 2 after you're denied that will have the reasons for the decision. You don't have to wait the 7-10 days for them to mail it to you
     
    Lipp and sally2dicks like this.
  40. sally2dicks

    sally2dicks Well-Known Member
    Colorado BuffaloesCalgary Flames

    Nothing in past 30 days so not that.

    Hmm I’ll have to look, this could be the problem. Was not aware of that being an issue, thanks.
     
    TAS likes this.
  41. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    these fucking fascists put a 48 month rule in place for the sapphire and I got my last preferred in November 2015 smh
     
  42. Bricktop the white

    Bricktop the white Well-Known Member

    used my first CIP to buy an engagement ring.

    hit the spend requirement with one item.
     
    DistantFactor, laxjoe, WC and 2 others like this.
  43. sally2dicks

    sally2dicks Well-Known Member
    Colorado BuffaloesCalgary Flames

    This might be my issue also. Does this rule mean you can’t even get another sapphire card, or just aren’t eligible for the bonus?
     
  44. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

  45. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    both
     
  46. gordon bombay

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

    Uncle Tupelo likes this.
  47. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Non-profitable ones
     
    i am a bammer likes this.
  48. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

  49. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    Chase used to be so cool. Anyway, AA cards to hold me over until December. Just need to stay under 5/24
     
  50. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    It would appear that AMEX is trying to push people off the Aspire (too many diamonds?) and to the Surpass. The Surpass is currently offering a free weekend night and 130k for 4K spend until the end of the summer ($95 AF)