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

[FreeDiningFanatic]

ARGHHH!! Foiled again by AMEX. I had mentioned previously that we are doing a big remodel and will be able to pay a majority of it by Credit Card. I just recently got the AMEX Plat Biz Card (after pop up jail for a few years). Spend on that will be done by next week.

Plan was to get me the AMEX Plat and AMEX Gold Personal with the new SUB's and DH the AMEX Plat Personal. Figured we should be good as they let me have the Biz Plat and had been getting emails for both of us about being approved for Biz Cards.

I should know better - not eligible on all of them.....Now to try and figure out a Plan B. I will still have about $16,000 to $25,000 in spend. Was trying to stay away from Chase for awhile, since most of our cards are Chase Cards.

I am 4/24 with 2 cards falling off beginning of April and DH is 2/24. I may get DH the Cap One Venture and maybe get me the Chase IGH Biz Card before the high SUB goes away... Any other ideas!!

I think your alternatives are good ideas. I've also heard of the 250k C1 Venture X business card, if you're willing to put in some effort to apply, but the spend is 50k, tiered over 6 months. Blogs here and here.

 

[LynnTH]

I think your alternatives are good ideas. I've also heard of the 250k C1 Venture X business card, if you're willing to put in some effort to apply, but the spend is 50k, tiered over 6 months. Blogs here and here.

$50K would be a big stretch.... Will have to mull over my options.... Dang you AMEX!!

 

[punkin]

That might actually be your best chance, as people miss flights, get delayed, etc. I think sometimes some carriers hold bulkheads as well (sometimes opening up at 24 hours), so those might come available. Good luck- it's really junky not to have the experience together. Biz is great, but can be a bit isolating and it's nice to share it with someone. If nothing else, maybe try inquiring at check in if there's anything that can be done?

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. We are flying economy. But you are right, I will keep checking.

 

[sinnika]

I'm trying out seatspy, so thought I'd do a quick search for you. I think you fly from somewhere in Texas, maybe houston? I think flying blue might transfer from all three currencies you have. 50 euro change/cancel fee so you'd wanna be sure. AF has a reportedly really nice new biz product, so you might want to take a peek at some recent reviews and see if that aircraft matches any of your dates.

KLM has 65k biz class fares + 200ish euros in taxes from IAH-AMS on your preferred dates.

View attachment 748767

80k from IAH-CDG + 189 euros

View attachment 748769

Thanks! My daughter said there are some strikes going on in Paris with trains and trash hasn’t been collected in 2 1/2 weeks. I found a business class on United from IAH to AMS for 62,400 United miles plus $5.60. Same points from IAH to Munich in business class. Think I’ll call United to see what they are forecasting regarding strikes in Germany. As long as I make it over the pond in early April I’m good. My daughter’s due date is April 13. So I’ve got some cushion.

 

[sinnika]

$50K would be a big stretch.... Will have to mull over my options.... Dang you AMEX!!

I did that spend 3 years ago. We do have an actual business but still it was a stretch. Don’t forget you also earn double miles for the $50,000 spent so that’s 350,000 C1 miles you get! I closed that card a year ago after applying for the Venture x and transferring the miles to that card. I love using my points to pay off travel charges like Ubers. And I’m booking my tours thru the Cap1 site thru Viator because there’s a 12% savings.

 

[wanderlust7]

I may try as a last resort. It was just so nice that the Personal Cards only have $6000/$4,000 spend...instead of $15,000.

It would need to be 90 days from your last biz plat.

Did you also try the plat and gold without a support? Sometimes you get the pop-up with a support but not without.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Thanks! My daughter said there are some strikes going on in Paris with trains and trash hasn’t been collected in 2 1/2 weeks. I found a business class on United from IAH to AMS for 62,400 United miles plus $5.60. Same points from IAH to Munich in business class. Think I’ll call United to see what they are forecasting regarding strikes in Germany. As long as I make it over the pond in early April I’m good. My daughter’s due date is April 13. So I’ve got some cushion.

The amount of trash piling up in Paris streets is . I am concerned about my April 14-17 stay and have been looking at other cities. I don't think I want to go if the strike hasn't been resolved and the trash cleaned up by then.

 

[Haley R]

Looks like you can do it at Toronto airport. Link

We did Enrollment on Arrival at SJC coming back from Scotland (no appointment needed). It took awhile because they had trouble with the fingerprint machine. But was otherwise easy. It wasn't really an "interview". The agent kept asking if we had any questions lol.

I thought we had to do it when we get back to the US though so we couldn’t do it in Toronto right?

 

[wanderlust7]

I thought we had to do it when we get back to the US though so we couldn’t do it in Toronto right?

All those international locations on the list are preclearance locations as @EACarlson mentioned. So you could do it as you depart Toronto

 

[Haley R]

All those international locations on the list are preclearance locations as @EACarlson mentioned. So you could do it as you depart Toronto

So if we choose to do that in Toronto we won’t have to do any global entry interviews after? This is all new to me

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

From DoC:

(YMMV) Instacart: $20 Off $80 (Promo Code CHASE20!)​

 

[afan]

If you've been saving up your door dash credits since using them in Dec don't forget to use them by the end of the month.

I almost forgot and need to make a note for the rest of the year. I haven't noticed the emails lately which is what I'd started relying on

 

[wanderlust7]

So if we choose to do that in Toronto we won’t have to do any global entry interviews after? This is all new to me

Yup!

 

[Haley R]

Yup!

Okay so just to make sure I’m understanding right. Will we be approved for global entry after doing the preclearance?

 

[mmmears]

Thanks! My daughter said there are some strikes going on in Paris with trains and trash hasn’t been collected in 2 1/2 weeks. I found a business class on United from IAH to AMS for 62,400 United miles plus $5.60. Same points from IAH to Munich in business class. Think I’ll call United to see what they are forecasting regarding strikes in Germany. As long as I make it over the pond in early April I’m good. My daughter’s due date is April 13. So I’ve got some cushion.

I think it's my fault since I also have an upcoming trip to Paris. Or maybe it's all our fault. I really want to go there, though, so I'm just going to hope things get better before we leave.

 

[Zhoen]

The savings account has to maintain the balance for 90 days, then the following Tuesday you should see the bonus post. You should have an email with your dates, or sign in to your personal account for the tracker (if a combined business and personal, won't see the tracker from the combined login) I see it more easily in the app. But if not, they count from open date to calculate for yourself. You should see the bonus on Tuesday of the following week 98% of the time. Sometimes Wednesday.

Checking bonus posts as soon as you make the required deposit. Savings you have to wait the 90 days. Then you’ll get the bonus. My 90 days isn’t up until 4/20.

See, and **THAT'S** why I ask the experts!!! Thanks, y'all!

 

[wanderlust7]

Okay so just to make sure I’m understanding right. Will we be approved for global entry after doing the preclearance?

You'll be approved for Global Entry after you complete Enrollment on Arrival (you need to be conditionally approved before you do this). Preclearance is when you clear border control before you arrive in the US.

When you fly out of Toronto, you'll need to clear US border control. See if there are any Enrollment on Arrival signs, if not ask someone where you should go. It may just be the Global Entry line.

 

[Sheree]

I think it's my fault since I also have an upcoming trip to Paris. Or maybe it's all our fault. I really want to go there, though, so I'm just going to hope things get better before we leave.

just got back. garbage piled neatly on sidewalks! but a lot. police resence at main train station in opera district. we didn't walk by Plaza de Concorde as that's where most protests were. we did drive by and saw the barricades and police. at inght heard sirens. but nothing really bothered us. heavy trtaffic and some taxi's tried to up their charges citing traffic. G7 and uber were much cheaper

 

[Limes96]

A friend of mine is thinking about booking something through Luxury Escapes from an Amex
offer. I have never heard of them. I went on my account and saw the offer. Looks like
they are a travel company/agent. Anyone heard of them or have experience?

When I first saw this offer on an Amex card I looked them up and was interested because they had some options for DL on there. Never booked anything though.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

So if we choose to do that in Toronto we won’t have to do any global entry interviews after? This is all new to me

If you want to do your appts. in Toronto make appts well in advance of the day you select. They centre at the airport was closed for almost 3 yrs and just re-opened in the last few wks. It's going to be very, very busy and walk-ins may not be accommodated.