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

[NJMomto2]

Seeking advice to maximize credit card rewards:

my 2 year history

02/24 - Citibank AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard Personal

04/24 PNC Cash Unlimited

07/24 CCB Michaels Store Card - will close today

09/24 The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card Personal Card - happy to close

11/24 Synchrony Home Credit Card (Closet Factory) will pay off and close in next few weeks

Question - does closing matter?

I pay off all balances immediately no interest.

I charge/ spend a lot. Probably $80,000 - $120,000 a year or more.

If I close these three, is there a better one to open?

 

[elgerber]

Haha, yes, narrowing down our list of things to do was tough. We walked over 40 miles in 4 days!

We walked TONS when we were in the UK.

 

[becauseimnew]

Seeking advice to maximize credit card rewards:

my 2 year history

02/24 - Citibank AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard Personal

04/24 PNC Cash Unlimited

07/24 CCB Michaels Store Card - will close today

09/24 The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card Personal Card - happy to close

11/24 Synchrony Home Credit Card (Closet Factory) will pay off and close in next few weeks

Question - does closing matter?

I pay off all balances immediately no interest.

I charge/ spend a lot. Probably $80,000 - $120,000 a year or more.

If I close these three, is there a better one to open?

Hi and welcome!

Closing cards before the year isn't a good idea, banks frown on that. And no point in closing them as they are already on your credit report, I would wait until you've had them for a year before closing.

Looks like you are at 5/24 for Chase cards, meaning you've opened 5 personal cards within the last 24 months and Chase won't approve you for any cards.

At this point I would look at all other banks to maximize rewards, but if you ever want to open any Chase credit cards you will have to stop opening personal cards and move to business cards. Anyone with a side hustle can apply for business credit cards.

What are your goals with credit cards? Would you be willing to open business cards?

 

[becauseimnew]

Does anyone have a good trip report for Norway? Planning to go next summer, might look into a cruise. Any recommendations?
Family of 4, 2 teens (15 & 18).

 

[NJMomto2]

Hi and welcome!

Closing cards before the year isn't a good idea, banks frown on that. And no point in closing them as they are already on your credit report, I would wait until you've had them for a year before closing.

Looks like you are at 5/24 for Chase cards, meaning you've opened 5 personal cards within the last 24 months and Chase won't approve you for any cards.

At this point I would look at all other banks to maximize rewards, but if you ever want to open any Chase credit cards you will have to stop opening personal cards and move to business cards. Anyone with a side hustle can apply for business credit cards.

What are your goals with credit cards? Would you be willing to open business cards?

Thanks for the info - my goal is just to travel for lower costs where possible. I can open business cards as I have a side business. Basically to maximize my rewards on dollars spent.

 

[ahself]

That’s a lot of walking! I’m going to attempt to group things together to minimize the walking. Ds can walk for a while but I don’t want him to get so tired he’s cranky.

I grouped as well, and used the tubes as much as possible, but walking through museums, parks, etc. really adds up.

 

[Shannon G]

We stayed at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel in late August and it was great, in terms of the hotel/room, breakfast and (in particular) location. While that's not an option for you, the London Eye area is just across the river and also within walking distance to many major attractions, e.g. Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Horse Guards Parade, Downing Street, Churchill War Rooms, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Trafalgar Square, etc. I went back and forth on the Churchill or GSY and chose the GSY for location and it didn't disappoint. By extension, I think the area around the London Eye would be a great base location as well. Happy to answer any questions.

I looked at GSY, and would have loved it for the location, but there were no standard suites available for us to apply the suite upgrade award to the reservation. I keep checking though!

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Does anyone have a good trip report for Norway? Planning to go next summer, might look into a cruise. Any recommendations?
Family of 4, 2 teens (15 & 18).

No TR per se, but I had an AMAZING time in Norway in September, 2023 and definitely recommend going! I flew from Copenhagen to Stavanger (4 nights), then a ferry from Stavanger to Bergen (4 nights), then flew to Stockholm (3 nights), then home. This was on my way home from the Maldives. Going back to Norway is something I really, really, really want to do. I was able to walk everywhere in Stavanger (I took a bus from the airport to city centre) and Bergen. Stavanger IMHO has some of the best hiking. Preikestolen (Pulpit's Rock) and Kjerag (weather prevented me from doing this hike). In Norway there is a chain of hotels called Thon -- they are solid 3* with clean and comfortable rooms, superb staff and an amazing breakfast. I'd have no issue staying with them again.

I have a good friend who is there now and they are taking a Hurtigruten cruise up the coast for a few nights. I'm looking forward to hearing about her trip and seeing pictures.

 

[becauseimnew]

Thanks for the info - my goal is just to travel for lower costs where possible. I can open business cards as I have a side business. Basically to maximize my rewards on dollars spent.

Awesome. I would recommend starting with Amex Business MR earning cards, since they won't add to your 5/24 count and if you stay at 5/24 you'll be able to apply for Chase business cards 2/26. And you'll be able to transfer the membership reward points to many airline partners.
If you are okay with a high annual fee and can pull off spending $15K in 3 months you should look at the American Express Business Gold card. Monkey Miles explains how to get the best offer. He also maintains a list of the best offers and how to get them, great place to learn more about all cards and benefits.
https://monkeymiles.boardingarea.com/american-express-business-gold-referral/
You can hop over to our Reddit group to get a support link. https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/

 

[becauseimnew]

No TR per se, but I had an AMAZING time in Norway in September, 2023 and definitely recommend going! I flew from Copenhagen to Stavanger (4 nights), then a ferry from Stavanger to Bergen (4 nights), then flew to Stockholm (3 nights), then home. This was on my way home from the Maldives. Going back to Norway is something I really, really, really want to do. I was able to walk everywhere in Stavanger (I took a bus from the airport to city centre) and Bergen. Stavanger IMHO has some of the best hiking. Preikestolen (Pulpit's Rock) and Kjerag (weather prevented me from doing this hike). In Norway there is a chain of hotels called Thon -- they are solid 3* with clean and comfortable rooms, superb staff and an amazing breakfast. I'd have no issue staying with them again.

I have a good friend who is there now and they are taking a Hurtigruten cruise up the coast for a few nights. I'm looking forward to hearing about her trip and seeing pictures.

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Thank you! so you didn't have a car?

 

[AndreaDM]

I have an offer on my Amex for $150 back for a purchase of $375 or more at Marriott Bonvoy. Looking at these T&Cs, would the Dolphin qualify? It's on the Marriott app, technically a Sheraton, but this doesn't say excludes Sheraton properties.

Qualifying Purchases

Offer valid only on room rate and room charges at participating Marriott Bonvoy® properties in the U.S. and U.S. territories, the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. Reservations must be made online at Marriott.com, via the Marriott Bonvoy® App or by calling 1-888-236-2427. Excludes The Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis®, EDITION®, The Luxury Collection®, W Hotels®, JW Marriott®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Design Hotels™, Protea Hotels by Marriott®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy®, and Vistana™. Excludes gift card purchases. Not valid for online retail purchases, hotel amenities, or purchases of Marriott Bonvoy® points. Qualifying purchase means a purchase at a participating Marriott Bonvoy® property made during the offer period with your enrolled American Express Card and which is in an amount totaling at least $375 USD as posted to your account, following conversion from a foreign currency, if applicable, in accordance with your Cardmember Agreement. Offer not valid for lodging stays that are paid for before the promotion start date or after the promotion end date.

Quoting myself because I have one more question pertaining to this offer. I did book a room, but it is less than $375, but it also states room charges would qualify. I'm assuming I can charge from any bars/restaurants at the Dolphin to my room and have this card on file? I have stayed there before but I don't remember ever charging to the room. I want to make sure the charges are through Marriott and not the restaurant/bar.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Quoting myself because I have one more question pertaining to this offer. I did book a room, but it is less than $375, but it also states room charges would qualify. I'm assuming I can charge from any bars/restaurants at the Dolphin to my room and have this card on file? I have stayed there before but I don't remember ever charging to the room. I want to make sure the charges are through Marriott and not the restaurant/bar.

Yes, you can charge to your room from any Swolphin bars/restaurants and then on check-out day they’ll charge the lump sum to your card on file.

 

[georgina]

Quoting myself because I have one more question pertaining to this offer. I did book a room, but it is less than $375, but it also states room charges would qualify. I'm assuming I can charge from any bars/restaurants at the Dolphin to my room and have this card on file? I have stayed there before but I don't remember ever charging to the room. I want to make sure the charges are through Marriott and not the restaurant/bar.

Can't tell from the offer wording if it needs to be all in one purchase, but whenever I book the Swan through Marriott they charge me for one night up front.

 

[georgina]

Got a letter from Transunion relating to my Chase Ink app that Chase decided was fraudulent. They have removed the credit inquiry from my record. Wonder if that means I am safe to try again. It's been almost 2 months since the saga began.

 

[AndreaDM]

Can't tell from the offer wording if it needs to be all in one purchase, but whenever I book the Swan through Marriott they charge me for one night up front.

I didn't quote the entire offer, but it did say something along the lines of "one or more transactions".

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Bummer you were sick!
What resort were you at? My son is there rn and we were face timing yesterday and the whales were jumping in the back ground. So cool!

We were at the Waldorf Astoria. We'll for sure go back again. There are direct flights from DTW to Cabo at this time of year. My BF has the same weeks off next year, so I guess we'll start stalking points, LOL.

 

[AndreaDM]

Any way to use Pepper to get disney GCs? I seem to recall there was still a way to use a Sam's Club GC to buy a Disney GC (maybe by using it at walmart?) but I'm not up on the latest info.

DD is in her second stint in the DCP and I'm heading down to visit for a few days next week, so a Disney GC could come in handy.

I just purchased a $200 Giant Eagle (grocery store) gift card through Pepper. They sell Disney gift cards so I'm going to buy one tomorrow, will let you know how it goes. Worst case scenario, I spend the $200 on groceries which is a few dozen eggs these days lol.

 

[NJMomto2]

Awesome. I would recommend starting with Amex Business MR earning cards, since they won't add to your 5/24 count and if you stay at 5/24 you'll be able to apply for Chase business cards 2/26. And you'll be able to transfer the membership reward points to many airline partners.
If you are okay with a high annual fee and can pull off spending $15K in 3 months you should look at the American Express Business Gold card. Monkey Miles explains how to get the best offer. He also maintains a list of the best offers and how to get them, great place to learn more about all cards and benefits.
https://monkeymiles.boardingarea.com/american-express-business-gold-referral/
You can hop over to our Reddit group to get a support link. https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/

Thanks for the links - requested access to DISchurners also

 

[havaneselover]

We walked TONS when we were in the UK.

We're definitely in the 10-15 miles a day camp when in London. I need to win the lottery (which I don't play) and move there.

 

[havaneselover]

Does anyone have a good trip report for Norway? Planning to go next summer, might look into a cruise. Any recommendations?
Family of 4, 2 teens (15 & 18).

We're going on an 8-night Norwegian Fjords Disney cruise in August (I had leftover gift cards from a canceled Covid cruise otherwise I doubt I would have sprung for DCL). So no help yet but super excited.