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
    Donor

    200,000ish. I've set five irl friends up with the csrcsp double dip since I'm the go to guy in my circle for this obviously

    But I've never referred someone to a card I didn't think was right
     
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  2. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    Probably something similar. I had a good run a few years back with csp referrals. Most of my irl friends all got the reserve via my advice right when it first came out so that killed a ton of them for me as it didn't have a referral bonus
     
  3. Tiger Tiger Woods Y'all

    Tiger Tiger Woods Y'all Putting big balls in little holes, circa 1995
    Donor
    Clemson TigersGolden State WarriorsPGA

    ~200k UR points in 5 months. AMEX probably felt like I fell off the map. What are the best methods for redemption? I typically buy international tickets and then use points to upgrade to business or first. Is that still the best method?
     
  4. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Moving some UR to United might be the best for you. Look at the rates
     
  5. PJP3

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

    I usually transfer the points to FF programs and buy the entire business or first ticket with miles as with many FF programs the upgrade amount of miles isn't that much less than just using miles for the full ticket. If you're looking to go to europe, a sweet spot is transferring to Korean air. They only charge 80k miles RT for business class on their partners to europe, while the same exact ticket if you transfer to United is 140k miles.
     
  6. Tiger Tiger Woods Y'all

    Tiger Tiger Woods Y'all Putting big balls in little holes, circa 1995
    Donor
    Clemson TigersGolden State WarriorsPGA

    sweet thanks.

    Currently evaluating our options. Might do Maldives, might do west Europe, might do Australia.
     
  7. PJP3

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

    Like I said Europe look at Korean, Australia really doesn't have any great transfer partners or award availability in my experience unless you have american miles, Maldives look at Singapore air or korean as transfer options.
     
  8. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    applied for amex plat offer w/ 100k points and was instantly approved. arrives in 2 days, no expediting requested.
     
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  9. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    When you look at Korean Air for example, do you just open a FF account with them, even if you've never flown with them before and move your points that way? Trying to figure out the best way to do a Thailand trip at some point. I like the United free regional flight, but doubt flights between Chiang Mai and Phuket, for example, are all that pricey, so not sure I need to stick to United for that trip.
     
  10. PJP3

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

    Yes, just open an account and you can search award availability. I have plenty of accounts with airlines that I have never flown just to search award flights. Make sure the flight you want is available before you transfer miles though, because you wont be able to transfer back if the award tickets are gone. One nice benefit with Korean is if you find availability, call them and they will hold the flight for you even if you don't have enough miles. I've been able to hold flights for like a month before with them. That way you don't risk the rather unlikely event that the award ticket goes away in the time you are transferring points.
     
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  11. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Nice. I always wondered how people found rewards deals on so many different airlines. Now I know. Thanks for the info.

    Need google flights to get a "rewards" option going.
     
  12. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    Every single award flight search portal airlines have is such clunky shit
     
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  13. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    how recently has the 4x$50 GC been done for AA?
     
  14. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideSeattle MarinersAtlanta BravesNew Orleans Saints

    So in response to my Chase Ink application, Chase sent me a letter asking for further clarification on my fake business legal name, my fake business address, and my fake business tax ID. Welp
     
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  15. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I did it for southwest on December. I have a friend who did it for American in March
     
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  16. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I bought 2 $100 AA a couple days apart in April
     
  17. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    Thanks pratyk ohhaithur

    Just go to to their desktop website? How did you do it?
     
  18. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

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  19. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
    Donor
    Texas RangersKansas City ChiefsDallas Mavericks altTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    Surely you didn’t just make up a fake tax ID?
     
  20. PJP3

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

    December. I have done it with no problem the last 4-5 years. I always buy one $50 card first just to make sure it still works. Also, american works but I know its not the same for all the airlines you can choose
     
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  21. CoastalOrange

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

    I did the "Sole Proprietor" option so the Tax ID is your SSN. I am guessing I will get caught in this as well. Though per ohhaithur suggestion, I am going to give them a call today and ask for an update on the card.
     
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  22. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    IMO, for most recent data points on airline credits, recon offers, etc., I always check Flyertalk
     
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  23. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
    Donor
    Texas RangersKansas City ChiefsDallas Mavericks altTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    There's nothing to get "caught" about. Just tell them you sell stuff on ebay or are an uber driver or whatever you wrote down
     
  24. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Just got approved for 100k on Ink. I am above 5/24 (although 2 are authorized users - dumb on my part but whatever). Went into the branch today after being referred by my boss’ friend who is a chase private banker. I have a legit rental property but filed under sole proprietor since it’s not in an LLC. They initially turned it down because they couldn’t verify the business...thankfully the banker followed up with Chase back office and was able to get it straightened out after I provided a utility bill to prove my “business” was legitimate.

    Apparently the in branch 100k is going until May 25th now according to him.
     
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  25. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    So I need to figure out my next move. Currently in the wallet
    CSR
    Ink
    Sapphire (no fee - downgraded from CSP)
    Freedom
    Freedom UL
    IHG
    Hyatt
    Delta Platinum Amex

    Thinking Amex platinum is next - just because I travel on delta a lot and the lounge access is a huge plus. Need to study value in that. The annual nights at Hyatt and IHG are nice but I never use the cards, and not really seeing a hotel card that’s worth it at this point.
     
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  26. PJP3

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

    Platinum seems like a good call just for the lounge use. Not sure if it matters to you, but I believe you only get 1 person into delta lounges, you have to pay for guests. The 5x points on flights is certainly great for someone who travels a lot.
     
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  27. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Hmmm...just walked my dad through the CSR and CSP double dip.

    CSR approved no problem. Then he went for the CSP and received a "thanks for your application, we need to review your info prior to approving, etc. and it could take up to 30 days"

    Is Chase finally cracking down on the double dip? Or should he call and play dumb to try and get it pushed through today?
     
  28. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    did you use the incognito window
     
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  29. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    id call right now
     
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  30. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    I explained it to him over the phone. I told him to use incognito, but he doesn't use chrome so I'm not sure he did it right. I had him close out the browser all the way before starting the next one, which is how I did it a few months back.

    Told him to give them a call to see what happens.
     
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  31. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    its not uncommon at all to get that 30 day message. so id just call right now and see what they say
     
  32. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Assuming that Ink is a preferred, plat seems like a fine choice for you
     
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  33. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Definitely call. He probably fucked up. Hope you sent him your referrals too
     
  34. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    They flagged him because I took him in branch last week to get the CIP 100k bonus. They told him since he's a new customer with 2 new cards in a week and doesn't have any payment history, they want to wait before approving. He doesn't really care as much about the extra 50k as I would, so he's fine with waiting to see how it plays out even if he gets denied. He's getting 150k points worth of bonuses within a week so he's good.

    He doesn't really get the churning game, so this is kind of hilarious. I feel like I roped my dad into a back alley poker club or something haha.
     
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  35. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I typically ask people how risky they want to be on a scale of 1 to 10 before starting and you jumped right into a 10 for your poor dad :roll:
     
  36. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Haha for his company he puts everything on a citi AA card and it’s a shitload per year. They do international stuff so lots of their suppliers/vendors/whatever will take a cc so they don’t have to deal with a wire/check from a foreign bank. As a result, my folks have millions of AA miles. He knew he needed to change it up, but I’m sure this isn’t exactly what he was envisioning.
     
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  37. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    You should be flying for free non stop
     
  38. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    It is.

    Seeing a lot of AA Citi card offers in the mail lately - fly Delta almost exclusively for work and I hate flying AA out of LGA - dunno if worth it.
     
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  39. rezy

    rezy Member
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesNew York YankeesLos Angeles ClippersNew York GiantsManchester United

    agree on the amex plat being next, but you should downgrade the sapphire to a second freedom
     
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  40. THE REAL GUBBERJK

    THE REAL GUBBERJK original ocean grown
    Donor

    meh smallish .
    unless it benefits you personally .
    peace bro .:awesomeface::blush::bow:..

    p.s. just like everyone has a opinion you must make shure it fits you personally so you smile when you use it .
    peace.:gocho:<3:smile:.
     
  41. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I almost suggested this but he might get around the "one sapphire" rule in the future by having two now...might be useful if he doesn't max out the 5x
     
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  42. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    a
     
    #5392 ohhaithur, May 11, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2020
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  43. THE REAL GUBBERJK

    THE REAL GUBBERJK original ocean grown
    Donor

    I,m really glad your posting .
    you have always been a quality poster
    much love .
    peace bro .
     
  44. rezy

    rezy Member
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesNew York YankeesLos Angeles ClippersNew York GiantsManchester United

    thats a valid point, but the 5x is usually pretty easy to max out with organic spending
     
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  45. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Agreed
     
  46. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Sorry don’t follow on this?
     
  47. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    There's now a rule that you can only have one sapphire product. There's two on that list. If you change to a second freedom you can never pc to a sapphire product like csp again if you want for some reason
     
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  48. 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

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  49. orangeonmymind

    orangeonmymind Well-Known Member
    Atlanta BravesCarolina PanthersClemson Tigers

    Got a room at some Curio collection Hilton hotel in Augusta for the Masters. It was going for $1,350 per night. Got it for 60,000 points. Booked it on Tuesday for a Friday night stay.
     
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  50. 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

    Hilton points are useless
     
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