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. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    That's a massive sign up bonus. I'd absolutely jump on that.

    The $200 airline credit and $200 hotel credit on the Amex are definitely harder to use than Chase's $300 travel credit. Plus the Amex AF is $150 higher. However, I don't think you'll ever see a higher bonus that that with Amex.

    When did you receive your CSR sign up bonus? If it was more than 4 years ago you can get the CSP 100k bonus. Only $95 AF. You don't get lounge access, which you said you don't care about.
     
  2. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    It's a very person-specific decision, but even if I don't want to pay that AF in year 2, 150k MR points is a fucking sweet value (jealousy ensues, wish I had held out just a little longer)
    Can you use the $200 airline credit?
    There are decent values to be had with the FHR & THC hotel credit (esp when you take advantage of 3rd night free pricing) imo
    Plus the random rewards that come and go throughout the cycle you just never know about. I mentioned a modest marriott credit a few posts above, and now there seems to always be something like that (I got on a $50 back staypineapple one the other day)
    Are Marriott and Hilton Gold worth anything to you?
     
    #13602 BellottiBold, Sep 3, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2021
  3. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    No brainer

    But also the Amex plat isn't worth it for me anymore and I think I'll cancel it soon

    Value on so many of these cards is kind of vanishing
     
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  4. i am a bammer

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

    If anything I guess just get it and downgrade shortly after the AF hits. Doesn't seem worth it at all to keep when the CSR exists. I've redeemed so many points from Pay Yourself, rip that program.
     
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  5. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I've briefly doubled up my Amex Plat with a Charles Schwab Amex Plat. I get a 100k bonus from the Schwab card and those points can be redeemed at 1.25x to a Schwab account although it's soon going to 1.1x. Pretty good deal considering I'm also getting 10x points at restaurants and small businesses the first six months.
     
  6. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    The Plat and the CSR had stupid value for these last couple years and within 12 months, they've moved most normal users to considering or even executing the cancel/downgrade. If not for pandemic benefits and statement credits given out for users who ask, it likely would have happened even faster (moreso looking at Amex here).

    Crazy opportunity shoppers will figure out how to use Equinox, CLEAR or whatever specific credit is on there, but for everyday users, it's just not there. I have both, use/spent plenty on both, and may not have either in 12 months.

    I think after the Plat upshift is complete, Amex will create a new card between Gold and Plat, closer to where the CSR or Plat used to be.
     
  7. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    on the spoiler there was a rumor a year or two ago they were wanting to create a tier between Plat/Black, but maybe they decided just to do what you said and move the regular plat up to keep that brand tied to a deluxe card then bring in a new tier below it

    in the next year i probably won't have the plat (i recently renewed at the 550 mark so will hold on until the big AF hits probably), will drop the CSR when it's AF hits

    but oddly the card i might pick up to maintain lounge access and the perks that i can easily recoup the AF is the Delta Amex Reserve. we've started buying the occasional domestic first class ticket so that companion pass will be clutch. calculus used to be the Plat/CSR's bring better and more flexible value at similar AF but thats vanished.
     
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  8. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    now to figure out where to send the UR points or get the CSP

    and whether i can really use 2 Delta Amex Plats and a Reserve
     
  9. Jimmy the Saint

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

    CSR was an easy keep when the credit made the fee effectively $150. Getting an extra $55 vs. the CSP wasn't terribly difficult. At $550 it's not quite as easy.

    The biggest (direct monetary) benefit I got from the CSR was the trip delay reimbursement. But every time I would've gotten the same coverage with the CSP since it ended up being over 12 hours/overnight anyway.

    I got the CSP originally just for the 100k bonus but I might just keep it until Sapphire window opens again in 4 years.
     
  10. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    whats the dynamic for the csr downgrade then csp bonus? i'm past the 48 month window

    just downgrade to CFU and wait a couple days? won't lose the points from CSR I assume just can't reimburse as UR until CSP approved
     
  11. Uncle Tupelo

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

    As far as I understand it, you are good to apply right after you downgrade to the CFU. Like you, I'd probably wait like 48 hours just to make sure everything went through on Chase's end before applying
     
  12. Uncle Tupelo

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

    I agree with alot of the points on this page. The CSR just doesn't seem to be a great value anymore. I just downgraded mine a few weeks ago. It seems to be the same thing with the platinum.

    I might be wrong, but I feel like churning might have peaked 4-5 years ago. Benefits on alot of these cards seemed to be getting nerfed, AFs are going up, and banks seem to be much better at curbing churners through application rules and clawbacks.
     
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  13. Jimmy the Saint

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

    I downgraded to Freedom Flex (I already have a CF and CFU so it was just for the sake of something different) on a Thursday, applied for CSP the following Monday and was approved based on advice ITT. I think at a minimum let 24 hours lapse so it "clears."

    No loss of points, they just carried to the Flex and then I moved them to the CSP. I didn't try to do anything with them in the interim so no idea on that but I'd assume that's the case.
     
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  14. Jimmy the Saint

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

    I think a lot of the crazy loopholes have been closed (getting referrals from pets, multiple business cards, etc.) but as someone who just opens a card, spends to the bonus, and moves on, it's still fine. AMEX is the only one that has given me a problem trying to open new cards lately.
     
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  15. Uncle Tupelo

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

    I've had the Amex popup for over a year now. Shit is so frustrating. I've only ever had 3 AMEX cards, 2 of which I still have open and put spend on. I wonder if its worth just to open a low bonus card like the plum to try to reset the algorithm.

    I agree with you that for the middle of the road churner, its probably still mostly fine, but a few years ago, I essentially got a 2 week European vacation completely paid for with the multiple CIP/Venmo loophole. It seems like that kind of stuff is going away (Understandably for CC companies.). Now I'm sitting in AMEX pop up hell, waiting on the sapphire 48 month clock to reset. Both of which weren't things a few years ago.
     
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  16. ryno23

    ryno23 Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Does anyone have a Cap One Venture? I have had this for a long time and just noticed I can no longer book travel through CO. Instead I have to be reimbursed or transfer them to another partner program.
     
  17. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    Does anyone know if there is a way to earn rewards points on an Amex corporate card? I thought there was but I'm not finding much info. I'm starting a new job soon which will be travel heavy, and they said they would get me an Amex Platinum corporate card if I want it, or if I don't want that I can use a personal card and they will reimburse me. It looks like the corporate card comes with lounge access and that sort of thing which is nice, but I'll have several thousand dollars per month in business expenses so I'm not sure I want to miss out on those points/miles.
     
  18. laxjoe

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

    This is from years ago, but may still be applicable?

    https://millionmilesecrets.com/news...rship-rewards-points-on-amex-corporate-cards/
     
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  19. Bishop

    Bishop Future Member
    Donor
    Auburn TigersBoston Red SoxAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsAtlanta UnitedGrateful DeadSneakers

    There are so many high sign up bonuses right now I'd just sign up for a personal card or two.
     
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  20. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Question about Chase referrals. The CSP 100K offer is supposed to end tomorrow, but my referral link (good for 100k) says they need to use it within 6 months. Does that mean someone could use the link in a month or two and still get the 100k? Or does the referral sign up bonus change with the public offer?
     
  21. Bishop

    Bishop Future Member
    Donor
    Auburn TigersBoston Red SoxAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsAtlanta UnitedGrateful DeadSneakers

    I've seen people say the referral offer is going to last a little bit longer. Not sure how long.
     
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  22. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    So I am an idiot and I cancelled my sapphire reserve after 48 months so I could apply for a preferred. A month passed and all my point disappeared because I forgot to move them over to a different card on the same account. I called and they said they would put in a ticket and have someone call me in 7-10 days but their department could not do anything...How fucked am I because there was a lot of points in there?
     
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  23. Bishop

    Bishop Future Member
    Donor
    Auburn TigersBoston Red SoxAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsAtlanta UnitedGrateful DeadSneakers

    Ouch! Got to downgrade not cancel.
     
    #13623 Bishop, Oct 6, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2021
  24. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Idk man but good luck
     
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  25. MA

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

    Is it pretty much SOL to file an insurance claim through a CC after the date in their terms?

    Amex cell phone coverage has "within 120 days or claim may not be honored" and curious about their use of "may."
     
  26. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    Cracked screen? Didn't it just happen yesterday? Who's to say otherwise?
     
  27. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    The public offer is now back to 60k but my referral link still shows 100k :rain:

    Just in case anyone missed the deadline for the CSP 100K sign up bonus

    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6c/AYICINNSMR
     
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  28. Bishop

    Bishop Future Member
    Donor
    Auburn TigersBoston Red SoxAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsAtlanta UnitedGrateful DeadSneakers

    I used someone's link from page 271. So whoever got the referral bonus your welcome! :beerchug:
     
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  29. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
    Staff Donor
    LSU TigersTexas RangersNew Orleans SaintsFulhamDulwich Hamlet

    figured this is a good place to ask since points whores become status whores

    I'm 3 nights away from making Diamond in Hilton Honors, but I don't anticipate staying at any more Hilton properties by the end of the year. I figure if I'm smart with selecting the nights I could book three one-night stays at a local Hampton or Hilton Garden Inn for roughly $80/night. Is the benefit difference between Gold and Diamond worth $240?

    thanks
     
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  30. tjosu

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

    I’m in a similar position with Hyatt; thanks to their reduced nights needed for their levels, a month ago I found myself two nights short of Globalist. We leave for our honeymoon on October 30th in Hawaii at the Hyatt Regency so we found two random nights to go stay in Tulsa so that we can hit that level and at least guarantee some sort of room upgrade with a good chance at a suite. So yes I thought a status bump was worth a couple cheap nights as on this trip alone, the room rate we get bumped to will *hopefully* be much higher than what we spent on those two nights
     
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  31. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    I'd vote yes.
     
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  32. Nelson

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

    I got the 100k offer eight months ago. Amex turned a $800 a night stay in Monaco into basically $200 out of pocket. If you can use the credit on a fine hotels & resorts property even one night in the year, it’s an absolute no brainer
     
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  33. Bishop

    Bishop Future Member
    Donor
    Auburn TigersBoston Red SoxAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsAtlanta UnitedGrateful DeadSneakers

    So got the CSP in September with the 100k reward. Planning on using this for a nice vacation with the family and seems that transferring the points to Hyatt opens alot of options. I am currently at 4/24 so thinking to use that last one for the Chase Hyatt card and adding the extra 30k Hyatt Rewards and then down grade it to a Flex or Freedom. Decent plan?
     
  34. 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

    I think it’s a great idea. Doubled down on the WOH with the wife a while back and the point values are top notch, along with the free annual night.

    Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points with the World of Hyatt Credit Card or 75,000 Bonus Points with the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. I can be rewarded, learn more.
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/m/205f/6L5/GLLX/1555166454
     
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  35. Smuggy

    Smuggy Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson Tide

    They only have a 30,000 point sign up bonus currently? I'd probably pay the annual fee 2x (i.e. wait at least 13 months) before downgrading if you decide to get a Hyatt card.

    If someone else wants a referral
    Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points with the World of Hyatt Credit Card or 75,000 Bonus Points with the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. I can be rewarded, learn more.
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/205f/BL8D1ECI6L
     
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  36. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    So update on me being an idiot and losing my chase points...they arent giving them back to me but I got them to escalate the issue.
     
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  37. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    how many UR points?
     
  38. laxjoe

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

    Using two of my free weekend nights from Hilton for a weekend getaway at the Waldorf in Chicago. Had wanted to save those for vacation but we needed to be gone for the weekend and there was her enough availability for a standard room reward at the hotel.
     
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  39. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Think about 500k.
     
  40. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
    Donor
    Oregon DucksPortland Trail BlazersSan Francisco 49'ersManchester UnitedPortland Timbers

    :doge:
     
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  41. Lip

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

    Chase downgraded the limits on my two Ink business cards due to my limited use of them. Are they cracking down on a lot of these “businesses”?
     
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  42. wolfpck

    wolfpck haters gonna hate
    Donor
    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    I'm about to aim for the Southwest companion pass with their new 100k sign up offer right now. I currently have the CSR which I got right when it came out. Since then I've only added a Chase business card, so I should be clear of any 5/24 or other restrictions. From what I'm understanding, the best move is for me to downgrade CSR to the CSP and then sign up for the new Southwest card and hit the bonuses at the start of 2022 so I would then have the companion pass through 2023. I'll have 100k points at that time and then just need 25k more to have the companion pass.

    My one question would be should I downgrade my CSR before signing up for the SW card or after?

    Article below discussing the new SW bonus.

    https://thepointsguy.com/guide/earn-southwest-companion-pass-new-year/
     
  43. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    finally got a 100k offer on plat for the wife

    also got a delta reserve, so between the two cards we can always have sky club access. going to have three companion tickets to use a year now with the two delta plats i have.

    will nuke my own amex plat come january
     
  44. g8r

    g8r Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsBoston Red Sox

    Anyone still have a referral with 100,000 for the csp? Buzz
     
  45. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Is there a reason you want downgrade from the CSR to CSP? It shouldn't have anything to do with signing up for a Chase SW card, or achieving the companion pass, or the 5/24 status with Chase.
     
  46. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

  47. Houndster

    Houndster Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG

  48. Jimmy the Saint

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

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  49. wolfpck

    wolfpck haters gonna hate
    Donor
    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    Was mainly due to the difference in yearly fee. I never really use the travel perks of the reserve like lounges, so didn't seem worth the additional fee.
     
  50. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Gotchya. Like I said, you can downgrade whenever you want, it has no impact on applying for unrelated cards