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. Volholic16

    Volholic16 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Tennessee VolunteersAtlanta BravesNashville PredatorsGrateful Dead

    It is shitty. Tried to book plane tickets today and ended up having to call and book over the phone because the site kept giving me an error when I was ready to check out.

    It’s just really clunky and you’re right, hotel prices are almost always higher on the site.
     
    LeonardWashington likes this.
  2. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    The chase portal can definitely be slow but I've never had issues booking probably 10+ flights through it. I like that they let me use the total value of however many points and then pay the rest in cash if needed. I mostly fly delta and their pay with points and cash option is a rip off.
     
  3. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    Total rip off. Upgrade w/ points and paying for drinks with points is the same.
     
  4. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    I stayed at the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris the week of Christmas. I booked the room for 25-30k points a night, depending on the day of the week. The standard room was valued at ~$1k a night so I was happy with the redemption.

    I had emailed the concierge before we left letting her know if was our anniversary and saying “anything you can do to make our stay more enjoyable would be appreciated.” When we arrived, they upgraded us to a deluxe room for our stay, which went for $1700 a night. So now my redemption is like an absurd 6 cents a point. Team Hyatt for life.
     
  5. i am a bammer

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

    Got a few nights at the Park Hyatt Kyoto for about the same price. Going to try your little trick.
     
  6. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Staying at the Park Hyatt Zurich (for now) in February end for a couple of days. The only "issue" is that it's more of a residential adjacent neighborhood and with only a couple of nights, I'm thinking of staying closer to the old town to make it easier.
     
    Lyrtch likes this.
  7. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    I’m jealous. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency when I was there. That hotel looks legit and it’s in a great location.
     
  8. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    Side story, went to a super nice restaurant in Ubud, Bali. Russell Simmons was a table over while he was running from rape allegations & avoiding extradition.

    Anyways, we're getting all this free stuff. Random appetizers, drinks, etc. Seemingly no one else was getting what we were getting. We're just loving it. Then the end of the night comes and the entire staff surrounds our table and loudly sings happy birthday to my wife. She's super embarrassed. Everyone is staring. Singing like we're at Applebee's or something. Forgot that I put a note that it was her birthday when I made the reservation on Resy. :laugh: Think I was just looking for a nicer table vs song
     
    LeVar Burton, tjsblue, Lip and 8 others like this.
  9. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    What's your Hyatt tier if you don't mind my asking?
     
  10. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    I’m a humble Discoverist.
     
    BellottiBold likes this.
  11. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    Just used your link to sign up, so hopefully you get some benefit. Thanks again.
     
    bigjrock and DuffandMuff like this.
  12. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Hey dudes - in the market for a personal Amex Gold, looking for the 90k welcome offer. Lmk if someone may have that as a referral
     
  13. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

     
  14. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Done - thank you sir. Enjoy the referral bonus!
     
    bigjrock likes this.
  15. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Have a 150k Amex point referral for the personal platinum card, lmk if anyone is interested.

    Also 120k for the business platinum
     
    bigjrock likes this.
  16. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    I was wrong on this. Apparently that wallet just shows miscellaneous credits, such as credits for refunds or if a price dropped after booking. I noticed my credit still hadn't shown up so checked my normal Capital One account and looked under the Benefits tab under the Rewards for my Venture X Card. There's a box that shows your annual travel credit.
     
    Lip likes this.
  17. Lip

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

    thanks - I see it there now and it renewed January 1st. I hope I used it last year tho
     
  18. kinghill

    kinghill Cool American Flavour
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsMiami HeatPoker

    2022 Costco Citi cashback comin soon, nice lil $450.
     
    LeVar Burton and DuffandMuff like this.
  19. kinghill

    kinghill Cool American Flavour
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsMiami HeatPoker

    Starting to regret this dumbass Marriott Bonvoy shit
    "5 free nights" but I can't find a damn hotel that qualifies... in fucking OCALA and LEESBURG, FL, christ, who goes there why is it a popular destination?
     
    Where Eagles Dare likes this.
  20. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    Why are you
     
  21. kinghill

    kinghill Cool American Flavour
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsMiami HeatPoker

    to bike/run the coochee trail
     
  22. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Seems like a sign to not be getting so close to The Villages.
     
    i am a bammer and kinghill like this.
  23. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    Signed up a week ago but still no physical card. It’s showing in my Chase app though. Weird.
     
  24. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Which card did you get? I know when I applied for the Mileage Explorer the screen said they need to review my app further or something?

    I never got any confirmation of approval, but it popped up in my chase portal a couple days later. Then I received the card 7-10 days later?

    It was real odd because every other credit card app I’ve done I received instant approval and the card would arrive within a week.
     
    THEBLUERAIDER likes this.
  25. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    Same one. United Explorer. I never received an email, but I don’t remember a screen saying it would take longer. I think I got a notification on the screen saying approved.
     
    DuffandMuff likes this.
  26. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Who has a 150k Amex Plat referral? Think my gf may snag one.
     
  27. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Here you go


    EDIT: Removed link, hit 90,000 in referral points thanks to this thread. Maximum is 100k in a given year so wanted to make sure the wealth is shared
     
    #14927 Whammy, Jan 29, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2023
    bigjrock and DuffandMuff like this.
  28. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    Only have 80K reward offer. :tebow:

    Is it just random? I got the 150K offer. I'm a consistent spender on the card. I've checked every time someone asks and never have it.
     
  29. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Whammy likes this.
  30. comrade static

    comrade static i love french fries
    Donor
    Oklahoma City ThunderPhiladelphia EaglesOklahoma SoonersBarAndGrillBig 8 Conference

    Would a same day flight upgrade to first class qualify for the “incidental fee” or whatever it is called on a lot of these cards? I know typically buying a beer on flight or a bag fee easily qualifies. Never tried it with a first class upgrade before.
     
  31. LeVar Burton

    LeVar Burton Knee deep in a dynasty, ROLL TIDE!
    Kansas JayhawksAlabama Crimson Tide

    man I’m still waiting for my executive membership 2% bonus check that never came last year
     
  32. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Much appreciated!
     
  33. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Folks routinely use AMEX's airline credit for post-fare seat selection, if that's what you're getting at...
     
    Where Eagles Dare likes this.
  34. comrade static

    comrade static i love french fries
    Donor
    Oklahoma City ThunderPhiladelphia EaglesOklahoma SoonersBarAndGrillBig 8 Conference

    yes it is. Thank you!
     
  35. milquetoast

    milquetoast Firm Security
    Donor
    Florida GatorsNew York MetsTampa Bay BuccaneersNew York Islanders

  36. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    I didn't know this. Good to know it works for seat upgrades
     
    comrade static likes this.
  37. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    BY all means sir - thank you fellas
     
  38. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    AS folks also tell of success using it to upgrade a cheap flight, then canceling the flight and having the full amount returned to their wallet (AS' credit thing)
     
    Where Eagles Dare likes this.
  39. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Check the amex board on FlyerTalk for your airline-specific datapoints imo
     
  40. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    i do the gift card purchase to drop ticket price to ~200 then it'll reimburse the ticket purchase

    its annoying but works
     
    bRamonceTaylor and BellottiBold like this.
  41. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    caveat emptor on that. Seat upgrades is term with different possible meanings.

    Like bellotibold, check FT for DPs on the exact type of purchase you are considering. It can even fail if you use the wrong purchase avenue (e.g. bought via agent over the phone vs in app), despite it being a would-be valid purchase type.

    He even said "post fare seat selection" which may not be the same as what you mean when you said "seat upgrade". It's definitely not the same as what comrade static was referring to.
     
  42. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    So if you have a 500 ticket, you buy 300 or $301 worth of gift cards then buy a ticket for $199 amex /301 giftcards. Then you'll get a 199 refund
     
  43. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    yes, i think the bar to trigger is $250. flyertalk thread is what I reference before doing it
     
    Where Eagles Dare likes this.
  44. Tommy Callahan

    Tommy Callahan Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta Braves

    Can only get 100k in referral bonus a year just fyi
     
    Whammy likes this.
  45. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Yea that was deliberate for sure :x
     
  46. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    On this topic:

    Since I'm not flying these days, I just hit $1300 in United Travel Bank with $200 more to add this year.
     
  47. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    I moved a flight back a couple days on Delta and the later flight was ~$150 more expensive. The airline credit was reimbursed for that.
     
    comrade static and BellottiBold like this.
  48. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I canceled my Platinum in September. I just received the Uber cash benefit for the fifth time since cancelling. $95 so far. This is how I win.
     
    tjsblue, BellottiBold, Lip and 3 others like this.
  49. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Is the delta Amex reserve still doing 100k+ offers?
     
  50. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    I've only seen 50k recently unless someone has a personal offer
     
    Whammy and Menelaus like this.