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. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    I keep a spreadsheet and just plug in TPG valuations because I'm lazy and not motivated to adjust or research others.

    I think last time I looked I have ~$6k currently after spending like $8k on my honeymoon. Lifetime total value of maybe $15k
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  2. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    think i'm about to drop 200k chase points for round trip business class tickets before every major airline gets rid of award chart redemptions. 50k each way to europe is nice.

    need to get on that repeat CIP game
     
  3. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    This is what I've spent so far

    cards.png

    My actual valuations I use are very different though. I feel like I get great redemptions, mostly because I have diversified currencies. I never *have* to use Hilton so I never have to take on 0.4 redemptions, so I average 0.7. Same with Hyatt at 2.5.

    Here's what I really have:

    cards2.png
     
  4. i am a bammer

    i am a bammer Ben Eblen>Jamychal Green
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideSan Diego Padres

    You just wanted to swing your dick huh
     
    EMAW FC, phunkybuck, tjsblue and 6 others like this.
  5. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    35 cards for your goldfish goes a long way
     
    i am a bammer and ohhaithur like this.
  6. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I think GFA might have me beat
     
  7. i am a bammer

    i am a bammer Ben Eblen>Jamychal Green
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideSan Diego Padres

    Mailmen HATE him
     
  8. 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 use Marriott a lot, usually 1-2 cents unless I get an idiotic deal like mystique. I try to book only when I’m getting more than 1-1.5
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  9. 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 have more Marriott points but nowhere near you on all the others
     
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  10. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    a
     
    #11160 ohhaithur, Jul 26, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2020
  11. Joystick Izzy

    Joystick Izzy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesTennessee TitansNashville Predators

    Thanks! Is there any issue with me recently closing a chase card (Southwest) and now opening a new one? Do I need to wait a certain amount of time like a month or something? Thought I remember reading something like that. Don’t wanna get blackballed by chase.
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  12. 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

    310k total since 2016 (80k coach to Rome, 230k business to Greece). Have about 100k left
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  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

    Have actually flown AA every time we’ve gone international. For Paris we had a Scott’s cheap flights deal, $432 RT each with a layover in Charlotte
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  14. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    That's usually for the same card (i.e. you would have to wait for the southwest card)
     
    Joystick Izzy likes this.
  15. night_fury2121

    night_fury2121 Active Member

    Last year I got offer (15% less actually) in my Amex card while traveling with delta. I was lucky to catch that. Most of the time card companies give offer when I don't need.
     
    #11165 night_fury2121, Jul 27, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2019
  16. Lip

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

    English motherfucker.
     
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  17. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Read it in a Russian accent.
     
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  18. Lip

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

    Just did the same and it was very enjoyable.
     
  19. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Are there no more referrals for CSR? How did I miss that?

    Looks like it’s available for about every other Chase card except CSR (including CSP.)
     
  20. PAHokie

    PAHokie Can't a bitch living say I bought her Michael Kors
    Donor
    Virginia Tech HokiesPittsburgh PenguinsAtlanta Braves

    I got the CSR almost a year ago and there were no referrals back then.
     
  21. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    upload_2019-7-28_11-2-31.gif
     
  22. Struggler

    Struggler Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati Bengals

  23. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    It’s like these creditors don’t want us taking vacations on their dime.
     
  24. Struggler

    Struggler Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati Bengals

    Someone is paying them interest and fees. I want some of that money.
     
    BrickTamland and Sportfan like this.
  25. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    really convoluted question about travel insurance coverage with the CSR

    CSR trip cancellation refers to coverage if any portion of trip is booked on the card, airfare, hotels, rental car, etc.

    if I book flights on a different card, but all hotels on CSR, in the event of a trip cancellation/interruption for whatever covered reason would the CSR reimburse flight costs as well?
     
  26. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    should add that if you have amex plat and are booking international flights the cost savings of booking with them is quite large

    saved $200/ticket using it
     
  27. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Interesting. I've never really gotten a better deal from them or chase as far as cash flights are concerned. Did you call in for reservations or online?
     
  28. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    in the last year they expanded it to being able to search online

    https://consumer-travel.americanexpress.com/international-airline-program

    gotta make sure you're searching IAP and not just regular travel, only applies for premium fares (premium economy and up). my premium economy booking round trip to tokyo is $110/pp more than economy. a steal to get into deltas premium select seats for 12hrs each way.
     
    pratyk likes this.
  29. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Some Hyatt cards offering 5x points for utility bills for August & September. Email sent out yesterday.
     
  30. arrdub

    arrdub Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Is the Amex Marriott 95k points offer a good one, or run of the mill?
     
  31. ryno23

    ryno23 Well-Known Member
    Donor

    47,500 points and $50 statement credit or 20,000 points and a $250 credit? i always lean towards the hgher statement credit. this would be amex delta card.
     
  32. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    Credit for sure.
     
  33. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    If you can't get more than $200 out of 27,500 points you're nuts but cash is king so do whatever
     
  34. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    Looking at some of the other flights you are right. For me it would be better to book 2 one way tickets at $118, get the points, get the points on my CC etc. than book two one ways for 14000ish.
     
  35. 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

    Can anyone use a mailer code regardless of the original intended?
     
  36. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    Is it ok to apply for my wife's second CIP using the same info as the first time (her SS number) or do I have to have an EIN for the second one?

    Just booked four nights in New Orleans for our anniversary in Oct so of course I'm always looking to stack up UR points for the next trip we plan.
     
  37. laxjoe

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

    I used the exact same information and had no issues with cip2
     
    Buzz likes this.
  38. 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

    Bump ohhaithur
     
  39. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    You can just text me dawg

    You can use it generally four times or until the original person uses it
     
    WC likes this.
  40. 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

    Got my first AA code. Signed up and got an approval page but then an email said pending approval. We’ll see what happens. Started spending on my first one already
     
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  41. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Anyone on here use the Amex Blue Business plus? I got targeted for the 20K MR bonus .. not bad at all for a no fee card. Thinking about applying even though i'm already working on an AA Citi Business Spend..
     
  42. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Colorado BuffaloesOakland RaidersFulhamLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    I have one. I put any of my business expenses on there that don't qualify for the ink bonus categories since its 2x points up to $50k.
     
    pratyk likes this.
  43. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I figured I'd club it with my Schwab Plat. 2x MR earned via BBP -> 2.5c cashed via Schwab.
     
    PJP3 likes this.
  44. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Marriott has announced that they’re launching an all-inclusive platform, giving their 133 million Marriott Bonvoy members new options for earning and redeeming points.

    To kick this off, Marriott has signed management contracts with hotel developers who plan to build five new all-inclusive resorts, expected to open between 2022 and 2025, at the cost of over $800 million.

    Initially Marriott’s plan is to leverage Ritz-Carlton, Luxury Collection, Marriott, Westin, W, Autograph Collection, and Delta by Marriott, for these concepts. Later on we could see more Marriott brands offer all-inclusive experiences as well.
     
    TAS, CF3234, Booyah! and 5 others like this.
  45. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    Nice, but knowing Marriott, it won't be competitively priced.
     
  46. 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

    approved af
     
  47. 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

    They must have heard about your hate for white supremacists
     
    Sportfan likes this.
  48. Joystick Izzy

    Joystick Izzy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesTennessee TitansNashville Predators

    ohhaithur i officially signed up for the Hyatt card with your referral link. Congrats!
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  49. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Dope, congrats man. And thanks
     
    Joystick Izzy likes this.
  50. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    So I tried to refer my wife to a Hilton card. She’s under 5/24, has never had any Hilton card before, only has 1 AMEX, debt/income ratio is great, great credit score, and yet when doing the application got the pop up that she was not eligible for a welcome offer on the card. What gives?