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. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
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    so the question now is,

    do i just get to 110k points this year, only getting CP for 2020, or
    do i languish away trying to hit 125k points in early January to get two years. Not sure where I'd be able to get the extra 21k points need after the 104k from the bonus and spend.
     
  2. Zebbie

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

    Guess I’ll be waiting to apply for the personal card in the airport in January when I fly Southwest - when I flew them last month, the airport offer was a 50k bonus instead of 40k
     
  3. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    What do you and the wife have planned for 2020 and 2021?
     
  4. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    I would say pay for your wife’s flights now. :cerealkiller:
     
  5. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
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    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsFulhamSporting Kansas CitySneakers

    only thing planned is New Orleans 3rd week in Jan
    vegas trip for march madness where i switch companion to a buddy
    we take a lot of trips to texas to visit both her sister and see my relatives.
    other than that we just kinda plan stuff out 6 months in advance. done puerto rico the last couple years, don't think we'll do so next year.

    we have two delta comfort + roundtrip flight vouchers that we're using for vancouver next summer which i'm looking forward to
     
  6. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Check out the SW shopping portal. I lucked out a few years ago and got 6x on about a grand worth of camping gear from backcountry
     
    EMAW FC likes this.
  7. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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    That email cracked me up. Lead in with the good news, you keep your points forever. No strings attached. Then BAM! Two things that negatively impact flyers, up the companion pass requirement and now you owe fees and taxes for changing flights on the same day. Way to bury the lead.
     
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  8. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
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    Closes some loopholes I guess, since I primarily fly southwest (15-20 round trips a year) I do want better perks over those who get the majority of their points via CC’s. Don’t think this helps me at all on any fronts.
     
  9. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

    Also, had convinced my Mom to use the cards to get companion in early 2020. Looks like she can still easily get there with the business card and one personal card. Anything to look out for before I have her sign up in the next couple months?
     
    TAS likes this.
  10. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
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    Atlanta BravesDenver BroncosChicago BlackhawksBirmingham LegionMississippi Rebels

    Yes, they do earn membership rewards, and no they do not combine automatically.
     
  11. PAHokie

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

    2020 plans:

    February: half week trip to island/beach location.

    June/July: 1 week Italy & 1 week Croatia.

    fly out of Raleigh for both trips.

    I have CSR and just hit a year of ownership. Have 125k UR points.

    Any suggestions on locations/ways to use points or a new card to get to help with upcoming trips?
     
  12. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Chase Ink Preferred is your best bet to keep building Chase points. 80k points is the best offer in the game right now.

    Help a brother out and use my referral: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21a/7XSW6VNRJM
     
    Buzz, TAS, laxjoe and 2 others like this.
  13. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    No you're good
     
  14. Nelson

    Nelson Can somebody please get Ja Rhule on the phone
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    Nebraska CornhuskersDenver NuggetsDenver BroncosColorado AvalanceBorussia DortmundManchester UnitedColorado State Rams

    Looking for tips

    Wife and I are headed to NZ in February 2021 and want to fly Air NZ, which is Star Alliance

    We rack up chase ultimate rewards and Amex points. Any good general strategies for maximizing value on Star alliance carriers? Buy directly or convert to United/BA points, etc?

    thanks guys
     
  15. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    United’s rewards program is really devalued effective mid-Nov, which is a bummer. I got my parents churning Chase cards and they have a ton of AA miles. They just booked flights to NZ/AUS for January. It’ll depend where you’re going and what fare class you want, but for business/first, UA was substantially fewer miles than AA, like 40% less. I didn’t check BA (but probably should have). If you google around, I think there are crafty ways to get UR and MR points to lots of airlines beyond the partners.

    Not sure how soon you can book award travel for 2021. Out of curiosity, why do you want to fly NZ Air? I flew it while in NZ and thought it felt a little budget-y, but maybe just because it was regional.

    The UA flights they booked were 400k miles round trip with the new Polaris cabin for the long legs and a free NZ air one way between Auckland and Sydney. Cash value was $8k per ticket. If they would have simply done RT from NZ it would have been cash value of $12k for whatever reason.
     
    Nelson likes this.
  16. Todd Bonzales

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

    ohhaithur Det. Frank Bullitt tjosu

    Anyone else who has the Aspire and keeps it, have you gotten your annual weekend night yet? AF hit in September and just wondering where the night is. Got it around this time last year (earlier, actually)
     
  17. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Call them, they can see it. Known issue
     
    tjsblue, Struggler and marcus like this.
  18. Todd Bonzales

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

    Thanks, just trying to book a popular spot with dwindling rooms.
     
    Det. Frank Bullitt likes this.
  19. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    AF just posted on mine so will call in a few weeks. Want to use it to book rooms in japan in march so not in a huge rush.

    think with the $300 credit and free night it's worth keeping but thats a big AF
     
  20. Todd Bonzales

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

    Called AMEX, just to confirm like ohh said, there was a delay, so it should pop in within the next month.
     
  21. i am a bammer

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

    Mine is also posting soon and I'm on the fence. Debating just using the points/voucher to do a trip then downgrading, like you said. I accrued 90% of the points I ever will in one stay and have only sparingly stayed in Hiltons since
     
  22. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Update on my update for CIP5 - Sent in my address for verification as they requested. My status went back to 30 days for a couple of days then now it is back to 7-10 days. Waiting on more snail mail from them.
     
  23. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
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    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    Just applied for my wife's second CIP. She last got one in October of last year. Applied before midnight last night, called the number just now and she's been approved already. Boom.
     
    LSU90, CoastalOrange and Sportfan like this.
  24. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

  25. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Going way back. You sent me this about a year ago and I'm finally going to pull the trigger on the Hyatt, but your link doesn't work anymore. Can you send me a new one?
     
  26. Andy Reocho

    Andy Reocho Please don't get lost in the sauce
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas JayhawksKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsNewcastle UnitedBig 8 ConferenceFormula 1

    Are the CaptitalOne reward miles given to me at end of three months listed, or once I pass the $ threshold?
     
  27. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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  28. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    And I think the SW referalls are generic, not card-specific, so you can send a referral from any card and they can choose which card to apply for.
     
  29. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    this is correct
     
    TAS likes this.
  30. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
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  31. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    I don't know exactly how long they make you wait, but yeah they don't let you make referrals right away
     
  32. i am a bammer

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

    Any good offers I should be taking advantage of? Got some business travel coming up to hit a MS.
    I'm at 3/24 for Chase, but it's been a year since my CSR. Airline or hotel cards are cool, don't really have a strong preference on airlines but my local airport is SAN. Not comfortable with business cards like you degenerates.
     
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  33. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    DONT LET THE VAGINA HIT YOU IN THE DOOR ON THE WAY OUT
     
    CoastalOrange and i am a bammer like this.
  34. i am a bammer

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

    I'd sound like cousin Greg trying to convince someone I operate a business
     
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  35. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    Hyatt is a great option if you’re Looking for a hotel card.

    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/m/205a/6L5/FZLY/1552662143 Earn up to 50,000 Bonus Points with the World of Hyatt Credit Card. I can be rewarded too, learn more.
     
    CoastalOrange likes this.
  36. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    First time trying to use priority pass and this sign is outside the Alaska Lounge in PDX. Does this happen a lot? 7A3C68C0-8DB0-4F6D-9DFD-3FB9D22E724D.jpeg
     
  37. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Fairly common, I've seen it at that airport as well. Happens to other lounges too, in Denver and Chicago you'll see signs at United Clubs quite frequently that say they're not allowing people that are wanting to use a one-time pass because they're giving priority to first class/higher status/club members
     
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  38. Zabka

    Zabka Well-Known Member
    Donor

    I think that sign has become a permanent fixture at PDX, but you can use your PP at Capers or the distillery, or both.
     
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  39. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    That sign was up when I was at PDX in August as well
     
  40. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    I'd imagine Priority Pass wouldn't be happy about that
     
  41. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    yeah that’s some bullshit. I’m going to email them.
     
  42. tjosu

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

    They're well aware, this is an FAQ on their site:

    Why can't I get into a lounge in the Priority Pass program?
    We apologize for the inconvenience. Sometimes lounge operators will impose restrictions based on lounge capacity, to ensure that guests at the lounge have a pleasant experience. Please be sure to check the lounge pages on the Priority Pass app or website, before choosing your lounge - any pre-defined limitations on availability and opening times will be detailed here and we do our very best to keep these details as current as possible.

    If for any reason you are unable to get into a lounge, please be aware there could be other options available to you through your Priority Pass membership at the location where you are traveling. These options could include restaurants, bars or sleep pods and will be listed in the Priority Pass app or website.
     
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  43. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    I believe the distillery at PDX dropped from Priority Pass program a long time ago.
     
  44. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    theres quite a few lounges like that

    i assume priority pass lounges are going to be shit shows, everyone seems to have access now
     
  45. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    it still shows as active.

    I just wanted some pancakes from the printer.
     
    Lyrtch likes this.
  46. Zabka

    Zabka Well-Known Member
    Donor

    I think you might be thinking of the Capers Market that dropped out about a year ago. The Capers Cafe and the distillery (Westward Whiskey) are still involved. Westward Whiskey has some great whiskey flights not coincidentally priced at $28.
     
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  47. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Ahh, I totally miffed. They removed the ability to buy bottles (e.g. take home) from the distillery.
     
  48. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Did anyone get busted by Amex yesterday?
     
  49. Where Eagles Dare

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

    What happened?
     
  50. Where Eagles Dare

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

    I'm pretty annoyed delta isn't as shitty of an airline as American and they don't pump out points like crazy.

    I have two AA offers and really on the fence about using them. From Atlanta I can't get anywhere easily on AA, especially vs Delta.
     
    tjsblue likes this.