I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[disneybirds]

Here’s our little guy

So sorry that you are having to go through this and hope he is better soon, but he is soooo cute!!!!

 

[Psychodisney]

It’s only been one month lol. Unless you’re talking about before he was born too

Yes! I'm talking about all the extra Covid stress leading up to his birth!

 

[Hoosier John]

Hi everyone!

I've been a member for a long time but go years at a time without posting. First set of kids grew up and out of trips, but now with a 5yo-getting back into it (yea!). So I'm looking for some credit card advice , to help out with a May 2021 trip! I looked at the format in the sticky, so I'm using that to ask.

08/19 BOA MC Amtrak rewards
I also have a Visa from a credit union I've had for many years.

I don't carry any balance on either. I can put a spend of $1000 monthly on it, perhaps more. I'm not interested in airline points-I live just under 2 hrs from Disney so I just drive. Also not into hotel points, I like Pop Century.

So, my goal is to make some points or $ to put towards the trip. I know it won't be much, but any amounts helps! I am open to closing the old card, and even the BOA one-I got that one to earn points for train travel but with current events, I'm only traveling by my own car, so I don't need that. I have about enough points on that one to cover a $100 Disney gift card.

My first thought was, get a Chase Disney card, but I wanted to ask here to see if there are better options! Thanks for any advice!

I know others will chime in with good advice. Looks like you are good to get most cards. Most of us would try and get you a Chase Business Card but Chase has clamped down on getting them right now. For your situation I would start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. You get 60,000 UR Points after you spend $4000 in 3 months. You can cash out that and it would be worth $600. If you are in 2 player mode - then after you meet the MSR on that card - refer your Player 2 . You will get a 15,000 point referral and then player 2 will get 60,000 points. When all is said and done you could cash out about $1400 between just these 2 cards. There is a $95 annual fee on this card but the bonus more than makes up for that.

Is Disney the only thing you have in mind? If so, I think u should look into travel eraser cards. this is where u can erase your travel expenses with the points u earned. (article here). they are still restrictive though.
Like what @LynnTH said, the CSP is a good start, u can earn quite a bit of points with the UR line. You can redeem these UR at $.01 per point against your statement. its not that great and u can get a better value booking for other trips other than Disney, ie perhaps Disney Tokyo or Disney Shanghai in the future.
your last option is to find perhaps a cashback card. depending on what you have. If you have a nice investment account, store them at BOA and each credit card gives u a nice boost. If not, there are a few 2% cards(ie Double cash) that gives u 2% off everywhere and u can use that to pay for your disney trips.

back!

I'm selfishly bumping this, because I have similar habits (not big on air or hotels), and though I'm a year ahead of you on cards, I remain at 2/24 (because of recent business cards). Chase has an under 5 personal cards in the last 24 months rule, so you're in great shape at 1/24.

Also, I wouldn't cancel older cards because it helps with your average age of credit (which helps with your credit score). And I think you'll find that the Disney card (and even regular rewards cards) are out-rewarded by earning Sign-Up Bonuses (SUBs) on other cards.

Good luck! And I need to figure something out in a month, so I have a place to start meeting the next Minimum Spend Requirement (MSR) toward a new SUB.

ETA: Oh, and unless you have a Player 2 (P2) who can support you with a new card offer, we have a separate place where one of us (well, not me, but others here) can provide support. @SouthFayetteFan will likely offer more on this when he gets caught up.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I’ve been at a children’s hospital for over 24 hours now. Elliott had a fever yesterday morning so we took him to the ER next to our house. They did a horrible job and couldn’t even get his iv in after 20 minutes so we left and drove to Orlando to the children’s hospital instead since they’re specialized in pediatrics. His fever was slightly higher at 101 by the time we got there (an hour drive). They took his blood samples and collected urine. They also swabbed him for Covid which was horrendous for me to watch. He screamed so bad and there was nothing I could do to help him.

Dh was not allowed into the hospital at all because they have a one parent rule. So I’ve been here by myself the entire time and he’s at home worried sick. They told us yesterday that Elliott was doing much better and likely would go home today at 2 pm. They got his culture back today and results from his kidney ultrasound. One of his kidneys is slightly enlarged from reflux with the urine. The urine culture came back and he has a rare type of bacteria that requires more testing to see what antibiotic he needs so instead of going home today I might not be going home with him until tomorrow or possibly even later. If they can’t find an antibiotic that works against the bacteria then he will stay longer, get a more permanent iv in his arm, and a nurse will have to come to our house to give antibiotics that way every 6-8 hours.

This has been a horrible couple of days and I know Dh is feeling worried stuck at home. I’m crossing my fingers they find an antibiotic so we can go home tonight but it isn’t looking good. So it had nothing to do with my diet this entire time. It was just something we couldn’t control

I’m so sorry . It is so very scary when little ones are sick .
That he will get better and be home soon.

 

[wendow]

@Haley R I'm so sad for all you are having to go through and I'm praying they find the right antibiotic for this bacteria. Hang in there, friend! Hugs to you all

 

[Psychodisney]

Just thought I’d put a PSA out there in @SouthFayetteFan ‘s apparent absence. SWA schedule extension through 1/4/21 should be released tomorrow.

BTW, where is @SouthFayetteFan?

 

[DaveL]

Just thought I’d put a PSA out there in @SouthFayetteFan ‘s apparent absence. SWA schedule extension through 1/4/21 should be released tomorrow.

BTW, where is @SouthFayetteFan?

I was going to post earlier but I did the last few times, figured he might get mad at me calling him out of hiding so often. @SouthFayetteFan

 

[mhartman09]

I’ve been at a children’s hospital for over 24 hours now. Elliott had a fever yesterday morning so we took him to the ER next to our house. They did a horrible job and couldn’t even get his iv in after 20 minutes so we left and drove to Orlando to the children’s hospital instead since they’re specialized in pediatrics. His fever was slightly higher at 101 by the time we got there (an hour drive). They took his blood samples and collected urine. They also swabbed him for Covid which was horrendous for me to watch. He screamed so bad and there was nothing I could do to help him.

Dh was not allowed into the hospital at all because they have a one parent rule. So I’ve been here by myself the entire time and he’s at home worried sick. They told us yesterday that Elliott was doing much better and likely would go home today at 2 pm. They got his culture back today and results from his kidney ultrasound. One of his kidneys is slightly enlarged from reflux with the urine. The urine culture came back and he has a rare type of bacteria that requires more testing to see what antibiotic he needs so instead of going home today I might not be going home with him until tomorrow or possibly even later. If they can’t find an antibiotic that works against the bacteria then he will stay longer, get a more permanent iv in his arm, and a nurse will have to come to our house to give antibiotics that way every 6-8 hours.

This has been a horrible couple of days and I know Dh is feeling worried stuck at home. I’m crossing my fingers they find an antibiotic so we can go home tonight but it isn’t looking good. So it had nothing to do with my diet this entire time. It was just something we couldn’t control

So sorry your little guy is going through this, and that you have to be there alone. It's always hard when kiddos are dealing with things like this, and especially when they are so little. Hoping they can nail down the right meds and he's better soon.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I was going to post earlier but I did the last few times, figured he might get mad at me calling him out of hiding so often. @SouthFayetteFan

I’m here. I just don’t have a lot to say right now unfortunately.

 

[Haley R]

Yes! I'm talking about all the extra Covid stress leading up to his birth!

Oh okay then yes it’s been very stressful. This would normally be stressful as it is but with the virus I can’t even take a break really because there aren’t any other rooms I can go to for sleep

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I’ve been at a children’s hospital for over 24 hours now. Elliott had a fever yesterday morning so we took him to the ER next to our house. They did a horrible job and couldn’t even get his iv in after 20 minutes so we left and drove to Orlando to the children’s hospital instead since they’re specialized in pediatrics. His fever was slightly higher at 101 by the time we got there (an hour drive). They took his blood samples and collected urine. They also swabbed him for Covid which was horrendous for me to watch. He screamed so bad and there was nothing I could do to help him.

Dh was not allowed into the hospital at all because they have a one parent rule. So I’ve been here by myself the entire time and he’s at home worried sick. They told us yesterday that Elliott was doing much better and likely would go home today at 2 pm. They got his culture back today and results from his kidney ultrasound. One of his kidneys is slightly enlarged from reflux with the urine. The urine culture came back and he has a rare type of bacteria that requires more testing to see what antibiotic he needs so instead of going home today I might not be going home with him until tomorrow or possibly even later. If they can’t find an antibiotic that works against the bacteria then he will stay longer, get a more permanent iv in his arm, and a nurse will have to come to our house to give antibiotics that way every 6-8 hours.

This has been a horrible couple of days and I know Dh is feeling worried stuck at home. I’m crossing my fingers they find an antibiotic so we can go home tonight but it isn’t looking good. So it had nothing to do with my diet this entire time. It was just something we couldn’t control

Thinking of you and sending positive energy. ( and remember to eat and drink to keep yourself well.) it sounds like you are in the right hospital. And he is just SO cute.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Well you can't make resort reservations right now. I don't even know what to do about our August trip now, because DH was so "get it done" about airline tickets, that we have THOSE paid for again now. We were going to do park hoppers and pretty much do one park in the morning and one in the evening and do afternoons at the pool. I have so many questions. We booked the "covid-cancelled-please-reschedule free dining" deal, which i thought you HAD to have park hoppers for. Which would be useless now? Nothing about procedures for resorts/pool areas. We have MNSSHP tickets. But there are no character meets now? No parades? No fireworks? We are flying down on SW so now I'm considering taking our stroller apart to possibly fit into a suitcase and gate-checking her car seat and then renting a car for a day or 2 to go off-property for some activities. It's not worth the cost (IMO) to go and just stay at a resort for as long as we are planning if we scrap park days altogether, plus DH would hate a trip where we aren't going and doing tons of things. I know that all of the precautions are for a good reason, but I'm so sad and disappointed with how different this trip is going to end up from what I had planned.

yes. We are planning on aug 24-29. I’m a planaholic. I like to make my “everything goes how I want” plan and then backup plans of x or y goes wrong. I HATE being stuck in the middle of a big trip and having to trouble shoot and make a new plan on the fly. We do have a character meal (1900 park fare) booked that I might make a backup alternative reservation for.....

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with so many unknowns for your trip. I understand being a planner and just wanted to say don’t take crap from anybody over this. I can’t possibly envision enjoying WDW under the proposed circumstances personally and that makes me really sad. I don’t want to hear people say “make the best of it” or “at least you’re lucky to have gone before”... that’s not helpful (and yes I have friends/family/coworkers saying that crap). Just let me feel the way I want to feel!

It’s ok to like your trips the way you like them... and it’s ok to be upset that the ridiculousness of literally everything right now has put you in a tough position. Hopefully things can improve in the next few months and you can get more clarity around your plans. Sorry you’re caught up in this.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I don’t want to hear people say “make the best of it” or “at least you’re lucky to have gone before”... that’s not helpful (and yes I have friends/family/coworkers saying that crap).

THIS.
THIS.
A hundred times
THIS.
I can’t count how many times I have heard
“ be thankful for all the times you went to Disney” or my in-laws favorite saying “you’ve been so many times, you probably didn’t need to go more”
You know what? I AM THANKFUL and no, we didn’t NEED to go. But we’re still sad to have missed Flower & Garden this year. But I’m glad we’re safe at home and well... but that doesn’t mean I’m not still sad about this. And sad we’ve waited all of these years to get a companion pass and we haven’t used it a single time. ( yes, pitty party tonight. I’ll be fine.)

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

“you’ve been so many times, you probably didn’t need to go more”

But if I said back to my coworker “You’ve driven that Lexus plenty of times, you should probably just crash it into a tree and get a Honda Civic” it’s rude...

 

[ten6mom]

@Haley R , I hope they figure it out soon! My older one had similar feeding and crying issues and they ruled out colic (in fact, in his case they never did find out anything... it eventually just got better) but know that I am thinking of your family!

Soooo I wasn't going to get any more cards for awhile, but I now need several hundred dollars' worth (probably well over a thousand, actually) on my car, and I'd hate for the spend to "go to waste" as it were. (I am currently just using the Amex BBP as recommended earlier as an "in between" card. Since I could easily easily hit an MSR on a few things and am currently 2/24, I suppose most options are open to me? (I know CIP seems to be out).

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

@Haley R , I hope they figure it out soon! My older one had similar feeding and crying issues and they ruled out colic (in fact, in his case they never did find out anything... it eventually just got better) but know that I am thinking of your family!

Soooo I wasn't going to get any more cards for awhile, but I now need several hundred dollars' worth (probably well over a thousand, actually) on my car, and I'd hate for the spend to "go to waste" as it were. (I am currently just using the Amex BBP as recommended earlier as an "in between" card. Since I could easily easily hit an MSR on a few things and am currently 2/24, I suppose most options are open to me? (I know CIP seems to be out).

Do you have a CSP? Seems to be a popular choice given the recent death of Chase biz cards.

 

[afan]

In the next month or so I'm going to start saving for a new car. I don't have a goal or a timeline for lots of reasons. I think a high yield savings acct is going to be my best bet so I can add to it each month and have access when I need it.

Is there somewhere I can look for who has them and what they pull from? I'm guessing they'll all be online banks which I'm fine with but I have EVERYTHING frozen so I need to know if they pull from chex or something first.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

In the next month or so I'm going to start saving for a new car. I don't have a goal or a timeline for lots of reasons. I think a high yield savings acct is going to be my best bet so I can add to it each month and have access when I need it.

Is there somewhere I can look for who has them and what they pull from? I'm guessing they'll all be online banks which I'm fine with but I have EVERYTHING frozen so I need to know if they pull from chex or something first.

Are you getting a Lexus or a Honda Civic... asking for a friend

 

[ten6mom]

Do you have a CSP? Seems to be a popular choice given the recent death of Chase biz cards.

I do not. I did briefly consider it but I'd have to take a long hard look at the cost (didn't it go up fairly recently?) and associated benefits.

I have a Chase Freedom, Chase Ink Preferred, and the Amex BBP. Oh and the Hilton Amex Biz.

Oh and a Citi AA

EDITED: I was thinking of a different Sapphire. The CSP AF is reasonable!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I do not. I did briefly consider it but I'd have to take a long hard look at the cost (didn't it go up fairly recently?) and associated benefits.

I have a Chase Freedom, Chase Ink Preferred, and the Amex BBP. Oh and the Hilton Amex Biz.

Oh and a Citi AA

You’re thinking of CSR...

CSP is its low maintenance friend who gives a nice bonus for a normal $95 AF.