I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[wweazel]

Trying to help my mom book a week in Petoskey, MI in the second half of August or the first half of September (they'll want to get out of Naples by then) and there is basically nothing avaialble. It's crazy. The Inn at Bay Harbor which is a Marriott property has spotty availability and a standard room is $1200 / night. I told her they should just go on a river cruise instead.

us Michiganders do love our up north fall getaways - most of the time those book out a year in advance. Not sure if a nearby option would work, but Harbor Springs and Charlevoix are pretty lake towns - smaller than Petoskey. They are also likely booked:-(

 

[Haley R]

I know this question wasn’t directed at me, but I’ve spent 4 months total in Germany over the last 18 months at different times of the year. While I can’t speak for summer months personally, my DD who is stationed here in the Air Force says the summers can be extremely warm and rainy. She is stationed at Ramstein which is in SW Germany. Make sure to request lodging that includes AC. Most older German homes do not have it. Also make sure to request it for your rental car, plus an automatic unless you prefer manual. Having a rental car will give you the opportunity to visit so many different places, especially those hidden gems outside of the big cities.

It’s so hard to find places with AC. The house we booked in Fussen near the Neuschwanstein castle doesn’t have AC and I don’t think the apartment we booked in Nürnberg does either We really wanted a kitchen so we could cook. That’s why we went the Airbnb route but we might need to reconsider since they don’t have AC

 

[calypso726]

Thanks for this great info. I thought .02pp was high but was hoping it could be attainable.

My wife was the same cards as I do.

We do want to go to Europe next summer. At least Germany and maybe UK or France. I would use the points for airfare or hotels.

My points would be covering 4 people.

to the thread!

You will find this group has lots of different opinions and advice on using points and miles and what works for them. Even though they are all different, it doesn't mean any of them are wrong. We all have different travel goals and priorities. I think that is a great benefit on this thread!

When we did our stays at Ventana Big Sur and the Grand Hyatt Kauai, we definitely got well over .02 per point in points used vs cost of stay by transferring URs to Hyatt. A good number of our international first class flights booked with miles have also been well over .02 per point vs price of actual flight. Emirates with and without the shower, Singapore Suites both the classic and the new planes, ANA, JAL and even British Airways come to mind.

When I plan a trip, I tend to plan two years out. One year to accumulate the points and miles I will need. Then, have them in place a year before my trip to book my preferred hotels and airline experiences. My travel goals are to fly in business or first and stay in aspirational properties for the most part. Therefore, my choices are limited for airline award seats. Those who would rather fly in coach and save their points/miles will have more availability and flexibility for award seats than those trying to snag J or F seats.

European hotels notoriously do not have a great selection for more than 2 people in a room. Just something to look out for when you go to book your rooms.

Thanks!

I’m glad to hear that you have had success in transferring to Hyatt. I could probably stay at Hyatts when I go to New York or other big cities, and use my Marriott and Hilton points for other trips. It seems like you can consistent get good value transferring to Hyatt.

I’m not all that interested in getting another Chase card, or even another credit card right now. Although I had considered getting the Amex Platinum. The fee is big and I’m not all that interested in lounge access. What points system do you think is better, UR or MR?

I do get a K-1 so I likely qualify for a business card.

I treat all of our points and miles like an investment portfolio. Diversification is a key goal for me. I mostly use our URs for transfers to Hyatt. I did recently transfer URs to United to book our flights on Egypt Air in J for our return flight on the Egypt ABD next year since it was my best option. The value was .017 cpp with the transfer vs .015 using the CSR to book through the portal. But under normal circumstances, I tend to transfer MRs to airlines for flights. If Amex is offering a transfer bonus, then even better. We took advantage of a 25% transfer bonus on Air France and booked our flights in J to Tahiti for this summer. That said, I don't do speculative transfers of the MRs, only when I know I am very likely to use that airline within the next year.

Easiest way to get approved for a business card is applying as a sole proprietor and using your first and last name as the business name and your ss# for the EIN.

Thanks to all of those who have responded to my posts. I really appreciate the insight.

That's good point about not adding my wife as an authorized user to gain more SUB points. I don't plan to aggressively go after SUB with different cards but will keep this in mind going forward.

My current plan is to wait until early next year for my 5/24 to open up and then have my wife apply for the CSR card and then downgrade my CSP card to Freedom Flex. I will then apply for the AMEX Platinum Business card for the SUB and to use on everyday spending. This way, my wife can earn in the UR ecosystem and I can earn in the MR ecosystem and we can reap the benefits of both!

I like the idea of using UR points for Hyatt stays. That seems to provide consistent value. I can then use my MR for flights to Europe and/or transferring them to SkyMiles since I like flying Delta.

I'll still keep the Bonvoy Brilliant and AMEX Platinum for earning status and their associated perks.

What do you think? Thanks again!

Once you are under 5/24 you will be also be 48 months past receiving your bonus on the CSP and you are therefore eligible to apply for it again. Personally, I'd wait and get some Ink Cash business cards first before doing that.

Not sure if you are aware but the Amex Blue Business Plus is a no fee card that gets 2x MRs on all spend up to $50k per year in spending. If you are not looking for lounge access and other benefits associated with the Business Plat or playing the upgrade downgrade game with it, then you are better off with the BBP card as an everyday spend card. It's a keeper card for me in case I happen to cancel any of my Amex Plat cards or other annual fee cards to keep my MRs alive by holding a BBP card.

Hope all of this helps

 

[havaneselover]

us Michiganders do love our up north fall getaways - most of the time those book out a year in advance. Not sure if a nearby option would work, but Harbor Springs and Charlevoix are pretty lake towns - smaller than Petoskey. They are also likely booked:-(

They just sold their house in Bay Harbor in October so they may consider Charlevoix or Harbor but Bay Harbor is preferred (my dad was born in Petoskey so that's what he considers home). We are looking at the Earl in Charlevoix, which has availability.

I think they should just do something totally different and plan ahead for next year (although my dad's health isn't great).

 

[Spivey378]

to the thread!

You will find this group has lots of different opinions and advice on using points and miles and what works for them. Even though they are all different, it doesn't mean any of them are wrong. We all have different travel goals and priorities. I think that is a great benefit on this thread!

When we did our stays at Ventana Big Sur and the Grand Hyatt Kauai, we definitely got well over .02 per point in points used vs cost of stay by transferring URs to Hyatt. A good number of our international first class flights booked with miles have also been well over .02 per point vs price of actual flight. Emirates with and without the shower, Singapore Suites both the classic and the new planes, ANA, JAL and even British Airways come to mind.

When I plan a trip, I tend to plan two years out. One year to accumulate the points and miles I will need. Then, have them in place a year before my trip to book my preferred hotels and airline experiences. My travel goals are to fly in business or first and stay in aspirational properties for the most part. Therefore, my choices are limited for airline award seats. Those who would rather fly in coach and save their points/miles will have more availability and flexibility for award seats than those trying to snag J or F seats.

European hotels notoriously do not have a great selection for more than 2 people in a room. Just something to look out for when you go to book your rooms.




I treat all of our points and miles like an investment portfolio. Diversification is a key goal for me. I mostly use our URs for transfers to Hyatt. I did recently transfer URs to United to book our flights on Egypt Air in J for our return flight on the Egypt ABD next year since it was my best option. The value was .017 cpp with the transfer vs .015 using the CSR to book through the portal. But under normal circumstances, I tend to transfer MRs to airlines for flights. If Amex is offering a transfer bonus, then even better. We took advantage of a 25% transfer bonus on Air France and booked our flights in J to Tahiti for this summer. That said, I don't do speculative transfers of the MRs, only when I know I am very likely to use that airline within the next year.

Easiest way to get approved for a business card is applying as a sole proprietor and using your first and last name as the business name and your ss# for the EIN.




Once you are under 5/24 you will be also be 48 months past receiving your bonus on the CSP and you are therefore eligible to apply for it again. Personally, I'd wait and get some Ink Cash business cards first before doing that.

Not sure if you are aware but the Amex Blue Business Plus is a no fee card that gets 2x MRs on all spend up to $50k per year in spending. If you are not looking for lounge access and other benefits associated with the Business Plat or playing the upgrade downgrade game with it, then you are better off with the BBP card as an everyday spend card. It's a keeper card for me in case I happen to cancel any of my Amex Plat cards or other annual fee cards to keep my MRs alive by holding a BBP card.

Hope all of this helps

Thank you for this great info! More to consider!

 

[punkin]

Thank you for this great info! More to consider!

I would also agree that using the Platinum for everyday spend is not a great idea. I've had to fight my DH on this because he just loves whipping out his platinum like it's a status symbol.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Does anyone know if paying for dining reservations (ex. HDDR) at time of booking with AMEX Gold will trigger 4x for restaurants?

 

[IFlossU]

I would also agree that using the Platinum for everyday spend is not a great idea. I've had to fight my DH on this because he just loves whipping out his platinum like it's a status symbol.

Haha! Same with my DH. He loves his platinum cards. He’s an engineer so he appreciates its “heftiness” as he calls it. I handed him a CIU yesterday, and he feigned outrage at its “meagnerness.” I told him not to complain because that card would help him fly up front.

 

[Spivey378]

What is the best MR card for everyday spending?

 

[punkin]

What is the best MR card for everyday spending?

I find the gold very useful but that's because 75% of my spend is on groceries and restaurants.

 

[NewbieMom]

Does anyone have experience flying to London with JetBlue? My friend is looking for tickets for 3 to London out of the northeast (economy is sufficient; they don't need business). JetBlue is usually her preferred airline domestically and I guess she found flights to London. I'm not sure if I should advise her to accumulate JetBlue points (I see a pretty good SUB on the biz card) or another flex currency so if she doesn't fly JetBlue she can have more options.

 

[calypso726]

What is the best MR card for everyday spending?

For non bonus categories, I would say the Blue Business Plus at 2x.
For groceries, I would say the consumer Gold at 4x
For dining I would say the consumer Gold or the business Gold at 4x
For gas, I would say the business Gold at 4x

 

[IFlossU]

What is the best MR card for everyday spending?

We use the Blue Business Plus for all non-bonus spend for the 2x MR.

 

[emilymad]

It’s so hard to find places with AC. The house we booked in Fussen near the Neuschwanstein castle doesn’t have AC and I don’t think the apartment we booked in Nürnberg does either We really wanted a kitchen so we could cook. That’s why we went the Airbnb route but we might need to reconsider since they don’t have AC

I work for a German company so I know many, many Germans and it is very hot (90s+) in the summer and very uncommon to have AC. Even the work office buildings don't have AC. They do all have windows that open which is different than the US. I have only traveled there during the winter months so I can't personally speak to the conditions. In the winter I died from the heat then since the entire hotel has the heat turned on and the lowest you could get the room was way hotter than I would usual sleep.

 

[Haley R]

I work for a German company so I know many, many Germans and it is very hot (90s+) in the summer and very uncommon to have AC. Even the work office buildings don't have AC. They do all have windows that open which is different than the US. I have only traveled there during the winter months so I can't personally speak to the conditions. In the winter I died from the heat then since the entire hotel has the heat turned on and the lowest you could get the room was way hotter than I would usual sleep.

I think we’re gonna book hotels with ac as backups and then cancel as it gets closer and we can see what the forecast will be

 

[emilymad]

Does anyone have experience flying to London with JetBlue? My friend is looking for tickets for 3 to London out of the northeast (economy is sufficient; they don't need business). JetBlue is usually her preferred airline domestically and I guess she found flights to London. I'm not sure if I should advise her to accumulate JetBlue points (I see a pretty good SUB on the biz card) or another flex currency so if she doesn't fly JetBlue she can have more options.

I don't know the answer to this but I was coming here to ask the same thing. JetBlue concerns me with all of their cancelations and it seems like there is only ever a few flights a day so if your flight is canceled there aren't too many options. We are debating if we should go with a legacy carrier.

 

[2TxAgs]

Bavaria is such a beautiful area of Germany. We visited over the New year’s holiday in 2021 and again in May 2022. We stayed both times in Garmisch at a military hotel called Edelweiss. So many things to see in the area: Partnach gorge, the Ettal Monastery, Zugspitze, and the town of Oberammergau is so beautiful and friendly. If you have the opportunity, go visit Salzburg, Austria. The old town is amazing!

@sinnika I love reading your posts as they bring back memories of living in Germany as a teenager years ago. I haven't heard 'Partnach Gorge' in many, many years, but when I read your post I thought 'I remember that!'. We also spent some time in Garmisch, and we went rapelling somewhere around there (maybe Partnach Gorge??) So many of your descriptions take me back..... We were also at Ramstein - I attended high school there.

 

[mom2febgirls]

Haha! Same with my DH. He loves his platinum cards. He’s an engineer so he appreciates its “heftiness” as he calls it. I handed him a CIU yesterday, and he feigned outrage at its “meagnerness.” I told him not to complain because that card would help him fly up front.

LOL...my DH is also an engineer and since we started getting the higher fee cards he scoffs at even carrying his Freedom...he hates the raised numbers :/

 

[iujen94]

LOL...my DH is also an engineer and since we started getting the higher fee cards he scoffs at even carrying his Freedom...he hates the raised numbers :/

This conversation makes me laugh. My P2 currently gets to carry a SW card (5x on gas, dining and groceries right now) and a CFU. He’s so salty about it

 

[georgina]

I do not like the metal cards because I can't use my shredder to destroy them.