I love credit cards so much!

[jujubiee4]

Recently got an email from Capital One Venture that now THEY are adding priority pass to
the card. Seems like several cards are jumping on the bandwagon. My AF is still 59 so i will
hold on to it for now.

 

[jujubiee4]

https://dealswelike.boardingarea.co...ta-rica-papagayo-blocking-award-availability/

Looks like the Andaz in Costa Rica is playing games with award availability.

I am really hoping they won't change the points needed for this but I have a feeling they will. Wasn't planning on going
until 2020.

 

[StephPlum]

the priority lounge doesnt look that great. it looks like a place for a guy to hang out in.
have you considered the other lounges? i think all you need is to show your Amex card.

Thanks for the perspective on the priority lounge. I'll have to see if it is worth going to. I only have the SPG biz and Hilton Biz card (early in my AMEX card gathering) so no Platinum card. And no lounge cards from Chase yet. I think this is the only benefit I have right now.

 

[miztressuz]

Thanks for the heads up and for answering my question. So it is better to just choose one card then? I wanted the CSR for the benefits, but the preferred says we could earn lots of bonus points if we put enough on it in the first year.

And if we do try for 2 in one day, is there a better order? And a better day to try?

@Lain 's been following this ( thanks! ) and just posted a combined update for us here: Lain's Double Dip: r/churning data points post

As for doing the double dip or just one card it's all down to your risk tolerance. Like @disneymagicgirl said, so far no one has reported a shut down or losing either card. I did my double dip in April and got both bonuses just this week. (oh that's a thing of beauty ) Several more here did it in May so we should be hearing from them soon-ish. I think @speedyfishy just did it in the last 2 weeks and so far so good.

@gottalovepluto broke down Preferred vs Reserve pretty well when we were discussing it a few days ago here: gottalovepluto CSR/CSP things to consider
The CSP has more bonus potential (either 50 + 5 for AU, or 50 + 30 for either 20k or 30k in spend first year) whereas CSR is a fixed offer, but the CSR might be more useful on redemptions or perks. So it's going to come down to what's more interest to you. If deciding on just one, you could also do the CSP for the bonus potential and then PC to the CSR later. You don't get the bonus that way but you'd get the benefits when you need them. We discussed that too some time in the last week or so.

Doing the double dip it's usually suggested to apply for the card you really want first, otherwise there's not a particular order needed. You may want to apply on a day the reconsideration department is open in case you don't get automatic approvals, so you can call and get everything approved on the same day. Someone on reddit did a good writeup on the double dip here: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8oirea/guide_to_doubledipping_csr_and_csp_with_chase/

 

[gottalovepluto]

Memory Bank bonus dead. I told my dad last week I’d help him with it next week (he wants to be walked through each of these so i don’t pass too many along). Father’s Day Bank Churning Fail

 

[Ngwira]

I alternate tickets and AP's. Right now I'm on an AP cycle. Once my AP expires, I'll use a ticket deal or I'll use some of my stash of no expiry tickets - these are used very sparingly. My last two AP's cost around $550ish each. Incredible that they are over 1K now.

Yeah a little over $900 with tax, sadly.

 

[gottalovepluto]

For those that use lounges on arrival, how do you deal with checked luggage? I'm just paranoid about luggage getting lost or accidentally taken if we stopped by the lounge while everyone is down at baggage claim

I always assumed it was hope and a prayer that the airline pulls it when no one picks it up and puts it in their office- would be happy to find out if there is another way!

 

[mmmears]

Thanks so much. Will read those links you posted and try to figure out where to go from there. DH will be less "on board" if they are calling people or downgrading the cards.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Small rant and then a question. I don't fly much - max 3 times a year. We normally fly SW and I don't remember ever having the schedule change once I book. But like I said, we don't fly a lot so maybe I forgot a time. Delta has now changed our flight out to Spokane 2 times UGGGH. First was only a 15 min change so no biggie. Latest - we are leaving 2.5 hours earlier so that means I now have a 3 hour layover in MSP vs 45 mins. I am kinda of locked in as there are limited options from here (Columbus) and I don't want 2 or 3 stops! This brings up the question. I was just reading the Hilton Biz benefits and see I get priority pass access and MSP has a priority pass lounge. So it looks like we can spend our layover in the lounge.

Questions: 1) How do I get my priority pass card from AMEX? 2) the priority pass website says I'll get $15 off per person for cardholder and registered guest. Do I need to register my guest in advance or is that something that happens at the lounge? First time lounge visitor so not familiar... Thanks for all your help.

Just remember Hilton only gives you 10 free uses of Priority Pass/year, then you can use it but you will be charged $27/person.

 

[Ngwira]

For those with an upcoming trip, they have a really fun “concert” in Epcot featuring the “Guardians of the galaxy”. They have an actor that looks like “Starlord” and an actress that looks like“Gamora”. The actress playing Gamora really looks like her. It’s a fun experience. Lots of 70s and 80s music. Took me back to my childhood. But it’s hot.. lol 91 today.. lol.

 

[speedyfishy]

Thanks for the heads up and for answering my question. So it is better to just choose one card then? I wanted the CSR for the benefits, but the preferred says we could earn lots of bonus points if we put enough on it in the first year.

And if we do try for 2 in one day, is there a better order? And a better day to try?

I did the double dip for my SO last week. Haven’t gotten any calls from Chase yet. We did the CSP first since if we could have only one we would want that one. The CSR though requires a higher credit limit than the CSP though so it may makes sense for you to get that one first. The CSR also has a higher earning and redemption rate.

SO got approved instantly for both but do it on a weekday incase you have to call reconsideration.

 

[Lain]

For those with an upcoming trip, they have a really fun “concert” in Epcot featuring the “Guardians of the galaxy”. They have an actor that looks like “Starlord” and “Gamora”. The actress playing Gamora really looks like her. It’s a fun experience. Lots of 70s and 80s music. Took me back to my childhood. But it’s hot.. lol 91 today.. lol.

Disney California Adventure has a similar show with Starlord, Gamora, and Groot in front of the Collector’s Fortress (aka Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT).

Glad you’re having fun at EPCOT!

 

[tink1970]

Small rant and then a question. I don't fly much - max 3 times a year. We normally fly SW and I don't remember ever having the schedule change once I book. But like I said, we don't fly a lot so maybe I forgot a time. Delta has now changed our flight out to Spokane 2 times UGGGH. First was only a 15 min change so no biggie. Latest - we are leaving 2.5 hours earlier so that means I now have a 3 hour layover in MSP vs 45 mins. I am kinda of locked in as there are limited options from here (Columbus) and I don't want 2 or 3 stops! This brings up the question. I was just reading the Hilton Biz benefits and see I get priority pass access and MSP has a priority pass lounge. So it looks like we can spend our layover in the lounge.

Delta Skymiles plat here (translated: I fly a few times both internationally and domestically several times a year). Saturdays Delta changes schedules...so every other Sat I check ALL of my flights to make sure things haven't changed to the point it's going to be an issue. Forewarned is forearmed and all.

Honestly, I'd be happy with a 3 hour layover v. a 45 minute layover at MSP...MSP is pretty long so if you land at one end and have to get to the other, it's quite a haul. I've run through it before (when I had only an hour and my flight was delayed 15 min) and it was not fun. There were two others on my flight and I seriously wondered if all three of us hadn't been first class if they would have held it. Three hours sounds horrible but it's a nice cushion of time and even if you don't use a lounge you can walk (remember, it's long), shop, snack, relax and go to the restroom. Of course, I once got a good deal with miles and spent a 9 (!) hour layover in ATL so...

 

[amalone1013]

Grandpa: How much is my hotel for the weekend I'm coming to visit?
Me: Free
Grandpa: $300?
Me: No, free. Zero dollars
Grandpa: How is that?
Me: We had extra hotel points so I used those.
Grandpa: How do you have those?
Me: *thinking* We opened 2 CSRs, 2 SPG personals, 2 SPG biz, 2 SW cards, a Marriott personal, a CIP, a Freedom...
Me, says: Oh we opened an airline miles credit card and a hotel points credit card when we paid for our wedding...

 

[miztressuz]

Memory Bank bonus dead. I told my dad last week I’d help him with it next week (he wants to be walked through each of these so i don’t pass too many along). Father’s Day Bank Churning Fail

And mother's day worked out so well for everyone, that's a shame. I somehow doubt that opening a Target RedCard debit for the $25 coupon will be a suitable substitute either. Hopefully something good comes out next week or so and it'll just have to be belated!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Grandpa: How much is my hotel for the weekend I'm coming to visit?
Me: Free
Grandpa: $300?
Me: No, free. Zero dollars
Grandpa: How is that?
Me: We had extra hotel points so I used those.
Grandpa: How do you have those?
Me: *thinking* We opened 2 CSRs, 2 SPG personals, 2 SPG biz, 2 SW cards, a Marriott personal, a CIP, a Freedom...
Me, says: Oh we opened an airline miles credit card and a hotel points credit card when we paid for our wedding...

This sounds like me! My best friend just says "is that the points credit card?" whenever I buy something. I just respond "yup!"

 

[Lain]

Grandpa: How much is my hotel for the weekend I'm coming to visit?
Me: Free
Grandpa: $300?
Me: No, free. Zero dollars
Grandpa: How is that?
Me: We had extra hotel points so I used those.
Grandpa: How do you have those?
Me: *thinking* We opened 2 CSRs, 2 SPG personals, 2 SPG biz, 2 SW cards, a Marriott personal, a CIP, a Freedom...
Me, says: Oh we opened an airline miles credit card and a hotel points credit card when we paid for our wedding...

You got my upvote on /r/churning.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Memory Bank bonus dead. I told my dad last week I’d help him with it next week (he wants to be walked through each of these so i don’t pass too many along). Father’s Day Bank Churning Fail

awwww, man, that was on my list too.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

never mind

 

[wendow]

Memory Bank bonus dead. I told my dad last week I’d help him with it next week (he wants to be walked through each of these so i don’t pass too many along). Father’s Day Bank Churning Fail

Was planning to help my dd18 open with her grad money but hadn’t gotten to it yet. Hopefully another easy one like memory comes along soon.