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. Dale Doback

    Dale Doback Well-Known Member
    Donor

    So the 100k CSP is tempting but i already have the CSR. With the increase in AF coming up, what is the best strategy to move to CSP?
     
  2. tjosu

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

    Depends, when did you get the CSR bonus? If you got it within the last 4 years you’re out of luck. Otherwise you can downgrade that card and apply for the CSP
     
  3. Dale Doback

    Dale Doback Well-Known Member
    Donor

    I got the CSR right when it came out. Would have to double check exact date.
     
  4. tjosu

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

    Then I think you’re in the clear to downgrade and get the CSP. Someone else may know better but there might be a short suggested waiting period between downgrading and then applying for the CSP
     
    Dale Doback likes this.
  5. Dale Doback

    Dale Doback Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Thanks. Think i may downgrade to Freedom Unlimited and then apply for Preferred
     
    phunkybuck likes this.
  6. Jimmy the Saint

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

    My AF is coming up on the CSR in September. Curious if anyone knows the exact wait period to downgrade and apply for a CSP. I'm very tempted by this.
     
  7. phunkybuck

    phunkybuck Your pennies have been in my ass
    Donor TMB OG
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsColumbus Blue JacketsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansGrateful Dead

    This is what I did a few months ago. Had no issues getting the CSP bonus.
     
  8. phunkybuck

    phunkybuck Your pennies have been in my ass
    Donor TMB OG
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsColumbus Blue JacketsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansGrateful Dead

    As long as it's 4+ years since the CSR bonus, you can downgrade one day and apply for CSP the next. May want to wait a week just to be safe, but my understanding is that there's no gap needed.
     
    Jimmy the Saint likes this.
  9. Wicked

    Wicked Next One's Comin' Faster
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesChicago Blackhawks

    I was fucking around on my chase account today and noticed my credit score dropped 67 fucking points. Haven't been late on payments, no recent checks other than for a home refi back in March. I'm kind of pissed tbh. I'm baffled.
     
    Lip likes this.
  10. Zebbie

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

    pull your credit report & see if anything weird is on it
     
  11. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Did you have any statements close with a large balance? I had mine drop over 50 after buying furniture earlier in the year. I generally try to pay it off before statement closing if it's significantly higher than normal.
     
  12. Wicked

    Wicked Next One's Comin' Faster
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesChicago Blackhawks

    The only thing abnormal is that I paid my bill today instead of the 11th when it's due as ill be out of town. I never have done auto pay as I like to check over my statements before I pay but I guess I may have to change that.
     
  13. laxjoe

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

    Definitely switch to autopay (you can still review your statements, but won’t ever run the risks of missing a payment).

    That said, that’s not gonna drop your score by 67 points. Something may be off. Pull your credit report and see if something is wacky
     
    Tommy Jefferson likes this.
  14. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    the current recommended wait time between downgrade & new app is 3-4 days.
     
    Lip and Jimmy the Saint like this.
  15. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Like Zebbie said, you should apply for your free annual credit report, if you haven't done so recently, as this is the best way to confirm your credit report does not contain any incorrect information (such as late payments or accounts you didn't authorize, for example)

    https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

    Since you are referencing a drop in your credit score, you must have some sort of monitoring service, possibly the one offered by Chase (or credit karma/credit sesame). Whoever it is, they should give you a breakdown of the different credit factors (age of accounts, account mix, credit utilization, # of negative marks, # of hard credit pulls) and how changes in those factors led to the drop in your credit score.
     
    Tommy Jefferson and laxjoe like this.
  16. Wicked

    Wicked Next One's Comin' Faster
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesChicago Blackhawks

    Just pulled it. Nothing abnormal. Not sure at this point.
     
  17. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Who are you using to get your credit score?
     
  18. Wicked

    Wicked Next One's Comin' Faster
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesChicago Blackhawks

    I was just using the free credit score through chase.
     
  19. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    It should give you a breakdown of the different credit factors and how those changes affected your credit score.
     
  20. The Hebrew Husker

    Donor
    Nebraska CornhuskersSeattle MarinersColorado AvalanceWWENebraska Cornhuskers alt

    How long does the offer on some of these benefits last? I couldn’t find it.
     
  21. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    They typically will not publish any sort of end dates on the benefits that come with a card. They reserve the right to change or discontinue benefits whenever they choose to.
     
    The Hebrew Husker likes this.
  22. The Hebrew Husker

    Donor
    Nebraska CornhuskersSeattle MarinersColorado AvalanceWWENebraska Cornhuskers alt

    Makes sense. Might consider signing up for this one even with the 95.00 fee I’d get 60 back for the Peloton, plus the 1200ish for travel.
     
    TAS likes this.
  23. laxjoe

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

    It’s a literal no brainer
     
    The Hebrew Husker likes this.
  24. The Hebrew Husker

    Donor
    Nebraska CornhuskersSeattle MarinersColorado AvalanceWWENebraska Cornhuskers alt

    Another dumb question does it work to redeem the travel rewards? I assume there’s some kind of link through Chase?
     
  25. Tommy Jefferson

    Tommy Jefferson Well-Known Member
    Nebraska CornhuskersKansas JayhawksKansas City RoyalsKansas City Chiefs

    The Hebrew Husker likes this.
  26. The Hebrew Husker

    Donor
    Nebraska CornhuskersSeattle MarinersColorado AvalanceWWENebraska Cornhuskers alt

    Appreciate it. Only use one card right now and I just use all rewards for cash back so have never messed with the other stuff.

    Also just assume stuff is too good to be true, lol, even the Peloton thing I feel like I’m missing something as to why I wouldn’t get the 60.00 back.
     
    Tommy Jefferson likes this.
  27. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Downgraded Reserve to Freedom Flex (already have Freedom and Unlimited). Guess I'll wait until Monday to apply for the Preferred.

    Not having the trip delay insurance makes me nervous but both trips I have booked I won't be able to use it on we have friends/family nearby so I guess it's not a huge deal. It has bailed me out several times over the years though.
     
  28. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
    Donor

    My current plan is to get my wife to get the CSP and transfer the 100k points to me, redeem them through my CSR at 1.5x, then downgrade my card to a Freedom product. Then I'll get the CSP and get another 100k points, get my wife to upgrade her CSP to a CSR, and transfer the points to her CSR and redeem them at 1.5x. So we basically get $3k in travel value for $190 in annual fees and keep the same benefits that I currently have.
     
  29. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    The $695 Amex Plat fee is wildly high, but I think I've figured out my plan.

    My current regular Plat annual fee comes up in September. I just booked an FHR hotel for early September to get that $200 calendar year credit. Just used this period's Saks Fifth credit. Then I plan on cancelling the card sometime in mid/late September.

    Mid August I'm going to get the Schwab Plat. Transfer over all my MRs from regular Plat. Cash 50,000 points at 1.25x (this goes down to 1.1x on 9/1/21) to essentially pay for the new annual fee. Then before this calendar year is up I'll use the new card's $200 hotel credit and $50 Saks credit. As 2022 comes I'll get another $200 hotel credit and two more Saks credits. I'll also be able to double up on the $200 calendar year airline credit.

    The 100,000 MR SUB is by far the best that's ever been offered on the Schwab card. The 10x point return at restaurants and Shop Small will also be a big boost.
     
  30. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    I think they gave me 30k points to keep it earlier this year. I believe the terms say they will claw back that retention offer If I cancel within 365 days.

    Sucks for them. Paying $695 is a non-starter as the card stands and I'll gladly return the 30K MR points.
     
  31. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Is your renewal date next year? With mine this September I would still get an annual fee of $550 if I kept the regular plat. The $695 kicks in on January 1st for current cardholders.

    Regardless, I’m canceling the regular and hopping over to the Schwab for the SUB.
     
  32. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

    I am pretty happy Tesla put my model 3 loan through US Bank. I could never get approved for the credit cards since they like people with existing relationships.

    Churning them at the moment.
     
  33. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    Cant decide if opening a new Citi Savings account and parking $10k there for 60 days is worth the SUB of 20k AAdvantage miles.
     
  34. comrade static

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

    When paying for flights, what card should I use? I’ll most likely be flying American Airlines.

    I have an American Airlines card along with CSR, Hilton Aspire, IHG, and Hyatt. The values with the hotel cards confuse me a little bit.
     
  35. tjosu

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

    Flights always go on CSR for me, but if you need the free bag that I’d assume comes with the AA card then that could be worth it. If American is your airline of choice for the Aspire then I think baggage/seat fees would use that airline credit so that’s an option too
     
  36. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    I normally pay less attention to the minute differences in value and look at the different trip insurance/protection offerings. Or the free bag, like tjosu said.

    CSR has protections for lost/delayed luggage, delayed flights, travel insurance, overall it's hard to beat
     
    laxjoe likes this.
  37. NoNatty

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

    some of the American cards offer free baggage even if you book with a different card.
     
    laxjoe likes this.
  38. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Does Chase still send out return envelopes for old Sapphire cards?
     
  39. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Anyone filed a luggage damage claim through Chase?

    Delta broke my surfboard. I left the airport bc I was in a hurry and then couldn't get back in time to file a claim within 24 hours of landing. Doesn't matter I tried to call and they had a fucking 8 hour hold time.

    So I want to try and file with Chase and get replacement value. I have an invoice. It's probably $700.

    Anyone??
     
  40. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Not luggage but I did use Card Benefit Services (the 3rd party you'll likely deal with) for the car insurance. If you have all the documentation and your claim fits within the coverage, you should be good (even if they drag the shit out forever)
     
    Where Eagles Dare likes this.
  41. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Found that someone had been using my chase hyatt card to purchase something from Uber eats every day for the past week. Almost up to $300. Wtf. Never lost my card and hadn’t used in about a week before the first fraudulent charge.
     
  42. NoNatty

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

    never used the luggage damage but my rental was backed into in the Virgin Islands. Their insurance was extremely easy to deal with and handles everything.
     
    Where Eagles Dare likes this.
  43. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Amex ppl - check for a new $50 Marriott credit offer ($250 spend)
     
  44. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Lifeiskilingme79 and laxjoe like this.
  45. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    I referred my girlfriend for the CSP and she's been using her new card. How long does it take for my referral bonus to appear?
     
  46. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Glad to see dining got bumped up on the CSP. It was pretty silly it was lower than the Unlimited.
     
    laxjoe likes this.
  47. Sportfan

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

    Work travel is not picking back up at all. Going to have to make the CSR to CSP plunge. Been over 48 months just gotta do this correctly. Gonna be a sad day.
     
  48. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Anyone know if the Priority Pass card is still good even after cancelling the CSR? My PP card doesn't expire until the end of September and I had an unexpected trip next week pop up where I can actually use it.
     
  49. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    It gets canceled at some point. I remember using my PP card after downgrading my CSR. I want to say it worked at some point after canceling the CSR, but there was definitely a time I tried entering a lounge at IAH and they told me it wasn't valid/didn't work. I tried to act confused and showed my PP card didn't expire for a while, but no dice.
     
  50. i am a bammer

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

    Got a 150k MR Amex plat mailer, is that about the point it's worth it? Trying to decide if I should ditch the CSR but honestly the benefits seem a lot better on the CSR (I travel but dgaf about lounges).