I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I think I've decided that I hate Membership Rewards. The redemption options really suck unless you're doing exclusively international business class flights. Convince me I'm wrong.

Agreed, love it for international biz class. But I also really like it for Hilton. 1MR-2HH, plus right now there is a bonus of 30%, do 1:2.6 is pretty sweet in my book.

 

[reliev]

Looking for large group advice. Booking a party of 14 for summer of 2023. Plan to pay cash for airfare on IcelandAir. Their group booking quote did not provide favorable rates. Our dates are not flexible, meaning I need airfare on very specific dates.

The calendar just opened a few days ago for our dates, but I'd ideally like to buy during a sale, and i think I have time to wait for one. Any thoughts on how to predict the best time to buy?

did you see the deal on the new flight service? I think it was under 1k I deleted the email already I bet it comes up again (was premium economy), in my experience best times are 6m/3m or 30 days before but not a year out is wishy-washy. I wouldn't be surprised if it came up again. (this is for points and cash)

 

[newski_mom]

I think I've decided that I hate Membership Rewards. The redemption options really suck unless you're doing exclusively international business class flights. Convince me I'm wrong.

Honestly, I pretty much feel the same. DH and I both have plat cards and we each got golds when they had 90,000 points plus 20% back on dining and we keep getting offers to add AUs and retention offers, so I've had a stream of points.

For us, we just built a house, so I've been cashing in for lots of Home Depot gift cards so I'm getting a penny per point which I'm ok with. The other thing I've used them for is when they have redemption bonuses on Hilton or Marriott and I've been able to get some good deals on hotels that way. I read this morning that they are having another transfer bonus, so if that's something that would help you, you might want to take a look at that.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Agreed, love it for international biz class. But I also really like it for Hilton. 1MR-2HH, plus right now there is a bonus of 30%, do 1:2.6 is pretty sweet in my book.

HH are only worth about 50 cents to begin with so that's more like 1:1.3.

 

[Arcades]

I think I've decided that I hate Membership Rewards. The redemption options really suck unless you're doing exclusively international business class flights. Convince me I'm wrong.

If you get targeted for the 50% bonus to Hilton (3:1) that's not a bad transfer option. I usually get .5-.6 cpp on my Hilton redemptions, so its good value albeit rare. The usual 30% bonus (2.6:1) isn't as great, but it's an okay option.

 

[Haley R]

Honestly, I pretty much feel the same. DH and I both have plat cards and we each got golds when they had 90,000 points plus 20% back on dining and we keep getting offers to add AUs and retention offers, so I've had a stream of points.

For us, we just built a house, so I've been cashing in for lots of Home Depot gift cards so I'm getting a penny per point which I'm ok with. The other thing I've used them for is when they have redemption bonuses on Hilton or Marriott and I've been able to get some good deals on hotels that way. I read this morning that they are having another transfer bonus, so if that's something that would help you, you might want to take a look at that.

We use our MRs on Home Depot gift cards also

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If you get targeted for the 50% bonus to Hilton (3:1) that's not a bad transfer option. I usually get .5-.6 cpp on my Hilton redemptions, so its good value albeit rare. The usual 30% bonus (2.6:1) isn't as great, but it's an okay option.

How do I see these?

Just to be clear, this is transferring MRs to HHonors, not booking Hilton properties through Amex Travel, right?

 

[NewbieMom]

Anyone see anything good on Dell.com for a non-gamer, non-PC family? I'm struggling to use up the credit this time around.

We used our credits to turn our home "smart" - nest hub, nest thermostats, smoke alarm, keypad entry, doorbell, security cam.

My kids want the insta cameras. I need a new Fitbit.

Beware of the film cost (which Dell doesn't sell). I got a camera for DD last xmas and she goes through a pack of film (usually 20 pics) in one sitting.

 

[Arcades]

How do I see these?

Just to be clear, this is transferring MRs to HHonors, not booking Hilton properties through Amex Travel, right?

Login to AMEX, go to any charge card and click the "Explore Rewards" button below your MR total, then select Transfer Points option in the "Ready to Redeem?" section. Click View All and it will show you all present transfer rates. Currently, there's a 30% bonus to HHonors (2.6:1) and several airlines. I usually monitor Doctor of Credit's website to know when some people are targeted for more than the standard 30% bonus (50% is max).

 

[becauseimnew]

Looking for large group advice. Booking a party of 14 for summer of 2023. Plan to pay cash for airfare on IcelandAir. Their group booking quote did not provide favorable rates. Our dates are not flexible, meaning I need airfare on very specific dates.

The calendar just opened a few days ago for our dates, but I'd ideally like to buy during a sale, and i think I have time to wait for one. Any thoughts on how to predict the best time to buy?

Have you looked at Google Flights price tracker? You should be able to see how their prices for the last 45 days are trending.

I think I've decided that I hate Membership Rewards. The redemption options really suck unless you're doing exclusively international business class flights. Convince me I'm wrong.

Before this year, I would usually cash them out around the holidays, they usually have a bonus cash redemption where you can cash them out at 1CPP.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Did something happen to HawaiianMiles redemption values? I used to book Boston to Honolulu for about 30,000 points and now it's 80,000. I would expect some seasonality but tripling seems extreme.

 

[disneybirds]

Got all of mine plus some extra! Did 2 transactions for Best Buy, but got 3 credits ($30 when max is $20). 2 transactions for Carnival with $40 max and got the $40 twice. Very weird! Maybe they'll end up clawing it back.

I went to Best Buy yesterday and they said only 3 Disney GC per day per person. Is anyone gotten this same restriction? I am thinking we will just buy 3 and something else or not worry about the extra. Thoughts?

 

[wanderlust7]

I went to Best Buy yesterday and they said only 3 Disney GC per day per person. Is anyone gotten this same restriction? I am thinking we will just buy 3 and something else or not worry about the extra. Thoughts?

I did it online. It only lets you buy 1 of each denomination ($25 and $50). But I did 2 orders of $50 and it went through. Tried to do the same for the Lowe's GC that was 10% off, but the second order was canceled.

 

[WaltsMartini]

Hi all, looking for some advice before I apply for a new card. Currently have SW, Sapphire Reserve, and Freedom Unlimited, all through Chase.

Saving points/$$ for a family CA vacation next year. Using SW and transferring URs to get flights for free. Trip will include two hotel stays - one at BWI and another in Fairfield, CA; an air BnB that I am splitting with family (they have booked); and two nights at Disneyland Hotel/ 3 days at Disneyland. So - needs are cash and/or a way to pay for the non Disney hotels.

I can apply for another Chase card, as it’s been over 3 months since last app. Was planning on applying for IHG, earning the 140k points, using for the BWI and Fairfield hotels, and then being able to use remaining points for some random winter travel.

Is the IHG my best bet? Should I focus on another Chase product that can get me more URs to transfer to cash or hotel nights? Or should I can go for another card type altogether?

 

[becauseimnew]

Got all of mine plus some extra! Did 2 transactions for Best Buy, but got 3 credits ($30 when max is $20). 2 transactions for Carnival with $40 max and got the $40 twice. Very weird! Maybe they'll end up clawing it back.

Something is going on, I got an extra ATT fiber 2 $65 credit. There is also a weird Delta credit, we did cancel a flight that was 2 months ago. I need to check to see if we got that credit back earlier

 

[reliev]

not sure if its targeted or not but just noticed this from amex

 

[becauseimnew]

I went to Best Buy yesterday and they said only 3 Disney GC per day per person. Is anyone gotten this same restriction? I am thinking we will just buy 3 and something else or not worry about the extra. Thoughts?

Best Buy also told me max of 3 Disney GC, the cashier said that they have a max amount per transaction, but she let me do 2 transactions

 

[smallsy]

No one told me about the fancy packaging my plat amex would arrive in! I mean I guess that's what you get for the insane AF, but the CSR AF is nearly as high now and all I got with that is an envelope.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Got all of mine plus some extra! Did 2 transactions for Best Buy, but got 3 credits ($30 when max is $20). 2 transactions for Carnival with $40 max and got the $40 twice. Very weird! Maybe they'll end up clawing it back.

I got lots of credits, too. Wonder what's going on. And I hope they stay!

 

[elgerber]

Did anyone mention the ShopDisney 10% on Chase Ink cards? I have it on all 5 cards today.