I love credit cards so much! v7.0 - 2025 (see first page for add'l details)

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I received an e-mail from AmEx for the plat biz card for 150k MRs for 20k MSR. I read through the t&cs and didn't see any restrictions prohibiting me from using the offer since I've had the card before (cancelled in January, 2021). The offer isn't great, but the MRs are somewhat attractive.

Any ideas how I could make the spend? With property taxes I could make half, but can't think of any way to make the other half. Even if I prepay hydro and gas for the next 6 months I couldn't come close to closing the gap.

 

[StephPlum]

No, I did not get a good deal. We have done a few Viking cruises now so I went with them. I did book the cheapest room, and will spend most of my time on the upper levels and only use it to sleep. I justify it by looking at how much DH is spending to travel business class to a dive trip in the Pacific at the same time (WAY more than my trip!)

Just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a good solo deal. I would love to try Viking. I just have to get over the sticker price!

 

[afan]

Just want to double check my thought process after reading flyertalk and the Aspire resort credit.

For Sept 2026 stay, I could book the 2 or 3 nights I need separately, 1 an advanced purchase rate to use the 2nd 2025 credit and the other 2 on points. Then Jan 2026 book one ap rate and cance the points night, July 2026 do the same. As long as nothing changes, all would use the credit or if it does I can keep the points. Try and book them in the same category so they link and we don't move each night. Or contact the hotel after July and ask them to link them.

Won't need the credit while we're there, the lounge is good.

 

[pinkxray]

Jealous of all the high UR balances. I think I have 13000 or so

I just pulled the trigger for our summer vacation next year. 11/26 is our 25 anniversary so I want to do something different. I’ve been wanting to do an Alaskan cruise for years but the kids were pretty small. They are now 10/8 so I think they will enjoy it. Booked us on HAL Kongisdam for 7/26 since we can’t do an Alaskan cruise in Nov.

I’m a little nervous bc I’m sure NCL or RCL will be better for the kids but when I make a list of what I actually want the only option is HAL. The kids are pretty easily entertained so I’m hoping I made the right choice.

Will have to start working on whatever cards we need to at least help cover the flights. Not sure what those are yet.

 

[wanderlust7]

Just want to double check my thought process after reading flyertalk and the Aspire resort credit.

For Sept 2026 stay, I could book the 2 or 3 nights I need separately, 1 an advanced purchase rate to use the 2nd 2025 credit and the other 2 on points. Then Jan 2026 book one ap rate and cance the points night, July 2026 do the same. As long as nothing changes, all would use the credit or if it does I can keep the points. Try and book them in the same category so they link and we don't move each night. Or contact the hotel after July and ask them to link them.

Won't need the credit while we're there, the lounge is good.

It would need to be a hotel outside the US. I’ve done it before for the Hilton Tokyo Bay. They make the charge about a week after booking. I’m not sure if all will charge in a timely manner.

Assuming you keep the card, the third night you can do a regular rate and pay at the hotel using the second 2026 credit. Keeps it more flexible.

 

[Sheree]

AMA

Just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a good solo deal. I would love to try Viking. I just have to get over the sticker price!

check AMA. they have single cabins and with amex plat offered extra bennies

 

[reliev]

It's confirmed the fee hike
https://sites.chase.com/services/cr...tml/content/dam/pricingandterms/LGC62006.html

 

[havaneselover]

It's confirmed the fee hike
https://sites.chase.com/services/cr...tml/content/dam/pricingandterms/LGC62006.html

So crazy

 

[ten6mom]

Good morning all...

I am traveling on United PHX to HOU at the end of the month (I booked the tickets by transferring URs to United) and my ticket class is YN on the outbound and X on the return (both say "United Economy" and it did allow me to choose seats).

I will probably have to check a bag, since I am worried about overhead bin space for small roller bags.

Does it matter what card I use to pay for the checked bag? I have a CSP and Amex Gold, but no United cards or anything. (Sorry to be dumb; I rarely check a bag if I can help it).

Unfortunately the $25 Travel Bank credit I get from some other card (maybe the IHG?) can only be used on a plane ticket and not other types of United purchases).

Thank you

 

[Haley R]

We ended up switching to the TWA hotel for our one night before flying to London at JFK. We fly in around 2 pm and don’t fly to London until the next morning. Our original hotel we would’ve needed to take an airport shuttle. There’s a rooftop pool but I’m not sure if we’ll do it. It requires a reservation and costs $25/adult and $10/kid. Might give us something to do though after we land

 

[afan]

Good morning all...

I am traveling on United PHX to HOU at the end of the month (I booked the tickets by transferring URs to United) and my ticket class is YN on the outbound and X on the return (both say "United Economy" and it did allow me to choose seats).

I will probably have to check a bag, since I am worried about overhead bin space for small roller bags.

Does it matter what card I use to pay for the checked bag? I have a CSP and Amex Gold, but no United cards or anything. (Sorry to be dumb; I rarely check a bag if I can help it).

Unfortunately the $25 Travel Bank credit I get from some other card (maybe the IHG?) can only be used on a plane ticket and not other types of United purchases).

Thank you

If you are only using carry on and don't want to check your baggage, keep it with you. If they need to gate check there won't be a fee and if they don't you can still do a carry on.

 

[ten6mom]

If you are only using carry on and don't want to check your baggage, keep it with you. If they need to gate check there won't be a fee and if they don't you can still do a carry on.

oh! Well that is a lot smarter! This is why I need this thread... thank you!

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

We ended up switching to the TWA hotel for our one night before flying to London at JFK. We fly in around 2 pm and don’t fly to London until the next morning. Our original hotel we would’ve needed to take an airport shuttle. There’s a rooftop pool but I’m not sure if we’ll do it. It requires a reservation and costs $25/adult and $10/kid. Might give us something to do though after we land

Please report back on the hotel. We have a 6 hour layover at JFK and we're thinking to go over to TWA just to take a look and hang out to kill some time... it does look pretty neat!

 

[reliev]

So crazy

I got a feeling that CSP is next maybe right away maybe in a few months.
there is also a new card that is 295 coming as well, a business card. I doubt thats the sapphire business card but maybe.

 

[Haley R]

Please report back on the hotel. We have a 6 hour layover at JFK and we're thinking to go over to TWA just to take a look and hang out to kill some time... it does look pretty neat!

I’ll try to remember to report back. It seems to have mixed reviews but it’ll be so much easier than waiting on a shuttle and they have a few things to do at the hotel

 

[afan]

I think it's been awhile since anyone has done award travel in Asia aside from Japan and then not from China. I just want to make sure that I'm not missing anything from all I've read in case anyone has seen something.

It seems since covid flights from China are hard to get due to lower inventory and fewer releases to partners. Seems China Airlines has really cut back on releasing to partners and it can be sporadic, so still good to check flying blue but don't rely on it.

Don't way to strand anything at Kris flyer but that may be the one option though I'm not sure it makes the most sense.

Tempted to just book the DL nonstop from Shanghai to SEA in c+ or premium and hope for a sale/good upgrade to d1. Also think this might help my sanity, every time I think I've figured it out I search and find nothing or only 1.

Eva is out since I don't have cap1 or citi to transfer and no opp to get before I need to book.

Aeroplan seems out due to partner availability. Ana seems out because of needing 2 and we're not related. Plus it's not an instant transfer and I don't want to strand points there.

Korean might be possible but their seats didn't seem that great and it didn't seem as good of an option as KF.

Using most of mt AA for our flight to Japan and no opp to get more.

Plenty of UR and MR with some left at VS but again is the patner issue which I think United has as well.

The other option is to book the dl and realize we may be stuck in the cabin it's booked in and keep searching and hope something opens. At least if there's no upgrade I could get my miles back for the 2 tix.

 

[chattadisser]

For anyone that has YouTubeTV, here's a new promotion that I had not seen anywhere:

Get $10 a month off, go to your account online, click the icon in the upper right, then Settings, click Membership then Manage (the top option). There should be an offer you just have to click on to enable the promo on your account.

This will stack with the Amex offer on YouTubeTV as well, if you have it.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I think it's been awhile since anyone has done award travel in Asia aside from Japan and then not from China. I just want to make sure that I'm not missing anything from all I've read in case anyone has seen something.

It seems since covid flights from China are hard to get due to lower inventory and fewer releases to partners. Seems China Airlines has really cut back on releasing to partners and it can be sporadic, so still good to check flying blue but don't rely on it.

Don't way to strand anything at Kris flyer but that may be the one option though I'm not sure it makes the most sense.

Tempted to just book the DL nonstop from Shanghai to SEA in c+ or premium and hope for a sale/good upgrade to d1. Also think this might help my sanity, every time I think I've figured it out I search and find nothing or only 1.

Eva is out since I don't have cap1 or citi to transfer and no opp to get before I need to book.

Aeroplan seems out due to partner availability. Ana seems out because of needing 2 and we're not related. Plus it's not an instant transfer and I don't want to strand points there.

Korean might be possible but their seats didn't seem that great and it didn't seem as good of an option as KF.

Using most of mt AA for our flight to Japan and no opp to get more.

Plenty of UR and MR with some left at VS but again is the patner issue which I think United has as well.

The other option is to book the dl and realize we may be stuck in the cabin it's booked in and keep searching and hope something opens. At least if there's no upgrade I could get my miles back for the 2 tix.

EVA and ANA are both Aeroplan partners. If you practice bookings, are flexible with where you depart from and land on your return, are somewhat flexible with your dates and don’t mind transferring in Taipei (Eva), Aeroplan is a good option. I’m flying home from Japan on Eva in January (I couldn’t get YYZ this time, so I’m landing in the US, then onwards), flew with them this past January and have booked first class with ANA through Aeroplan a few times.

If you can get to Vancouver easily you should have some excellent Aeroplan options.

I haven’t had much luck booking international flights with AC (redemption ‘costs’ too many points), but I love making partner bookings with points.

 

[Nala83]

I think it's been awhile since anyone has done award travel in Asia aside from Japan and then not from China. I just want to make sure that I'm not missing anything from all I've read in case anyone has seen something.

It seems since covid flights from China are hard to get due to lower inventory and fewer releases to partners. Seems China Airlines has really cut back on releasing to partners and it can be sporadic, so still good to check flying blue but don't rely on it.

Don't way to strand anything at Kris flyer but that may be the one option though I'm not sure it makes the most sense.

Tempted to just book the DL nonstop from Shanghai to SEA in c+ or premium and hope for a sale/good upgrade to d1. Also think this might help my sanity, every time I think I've figured it out I search and find nothing or only 1.

Eva is out since I don't have cap1 or citi to transfer and no opp to get before I need to book.

Aeroplan seems out due to partner availability. Ana seems out because of needing 2 and we're not related. Plus it's not an instant transfer and I don't want to strand points there.

Korean might be possible but their seats didn't seem that great and it didn't seem as good of an option as KF.

Using most of mt AA for our flight to Japan and no opp to get more.

Plenty of UR and MR with some left at VS but again is the patner issue which I think United has as well.

The other option is to book the dl and realize we may be stuck in the cabin it's booked in and keep searching and hope something opens. At least if there's no upgrade I could get my miles back for the 2 tix.

If you have Alaska miles, Hainan Airlines is a partner and flies to China from SEA. Alaska also transfers to Starlux, which would require a transfer in Taipei.

 

[afan]

If you have Alaska miles, Hainan Airlines is a partner and flies to China from SEA. Alaska also transfers to Starlux, which would require a transfer in Taipei.

Hainan isn't bookable any more on AS, maybe they'll get it fixed. I'll look into Starlux, it didn't come up in my searching as an option. I don't have enough AS miles though and I haven't been flying them enough to want to speculative transfer since that MR to Hawaiian ends soon I think, or will eventually. I just got a new card so no time to get an AS biz.

EVA and ANA are both Aeroplan partners. If you practice bookings, are flexible with where you depart from and land on your return, are somewhat flexible with your dates and don’t mind transferring in Taipei (Eva), Aeroplan is a good option. I’m flying home from Japan on Eva in January (I couldn’t get YYZ this time, so I’m landing in the US, then onwards), flew with them this past January and have booked first class with ANA through Aeroplan a few times.

If you can get to Vancouver easily you should have some excellent Aeroplan options.

I haven’t had much luck booking international flights with AC (redemption ‘costs’ too many points), but I love making partner bookings with points.

I would prefer to not do 2 connections to get home which is why I haven't looked out of Vancouver.

I searched aeroplan earlier for end of calendar and there's nothing reasonable in biz. It had EVA but it was mixed with the biz being from Shanghai and economy to Seattle.

We're not flexible on dates, this trip already has me taking off almost 3 weeks, I would rather be back home on Sat than Sun, but that would be the only flexible bit. ABD finishes in Shanghai so it makes most sense to fly from there. There also doesn't seem to be much partner availability that makes it to aeroplan, and now that ANA allows OW booking it'll be worse, it's competing with people trying to get home from Japan.

I'll explore all of my options at 360 days because I can't book dl that early. And maybe it really is a matter of being on when they drop vs just searching end of calendar but even economy wasn't pulling up for most of what I looked for this afternoon.

There's issues with sky team partners not getting as many awards or it's very sporadic. China just seems more difficult than Japan and with the ABD we're stuck with dates etc.

Almost makes me want to look into the emirates flight I saw through Dubai So far out of the way.