I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

Status
Not open for further replies.
At the Swan/Dolphin, has anyone recently used points to upgrade to a "Deluxe Alcove Suite?" If so, were you able to do this ahead of time via phone or did you do it at check-in?

We'd love to take advantage of the current non-peak Marriott promo, but with 5 of us the normal room would be a little snug.

View attachment 541404

We did this a few years ago at the Swan. I called and upgraded with points before arriving. We also asked for a rollaway bed that fit perfectly between the couch and the wall. Hope it is available!
 
Hello everyone. I'm new here. I came across this forum while researching lately for the best credit card to have for reducing costs of vacationing to Disney World. Any advice on which cards I should apply for would be greatly appreciated. I have never had a credit card in my life, so this would be my first at 26 years old. I've always been content with just a debit card until I realized the kind of rewards you can get with credit cards. I would be spending probably $1000 per month on the credit card (gas, food, bills, insurance, entertainment, etc.), and plan on paying it off in full every month. As I mentioned before, the main reason I want to get a credit card is to use the rewards to reduce expenses on vacations to Disney World. I try to go to Disney World at least once a year, but sometimes has to be every other year. I am a solo traveler. I typically fly out of Chattanooga, TN, with a layover in Atlanta, and then on to Orlando. I have on occasion driven to Atlanta to forgo the layover since it is only a 2 hour drive. I have sometimes driven the entire distance, instead of flying. It really just depends on the circumstances. I usually fly Delta, but will fly any airline. Southwest does serve Atlanta, but not Chattanooga. Again, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
 


Lost over an hour of sleep, but I managed to get all the maintenance work done on the r/churningreferrals subreddit.

For those of you newer around here, you might not know this, but I'm one of the moderators on that reddit sub. Hope you all have a great night! I'm sure many will enjoy waking up to the exciting news of support links being back!
 
Here's your friendly reminder that Southwest Airlines next schedule release is expected to occur NEXT THURSDAY December 10th. For those planning to snag flights, set those calendar reminders so you don't forget! I'll post additional reminders as the date draws nearer.

Currently SW is offering flights through 4/11/21 and this next release will take their schedule out to 6/5/21.
For those that care about "release timing" it can vary, but here are the recent "go live" of previous releases:

Release Date - Time (eastern)
8/13/20- 9:15am
5/28/20- 9:06am
3/12/20 - 9:40am
12/11/19 - 9:10am
10/30/19 - 7:15am
9/26/19 - 7:30am
8/15/19 - 10:41am
5/30/19 - 9:20am

Also ICYMI, 2 months ago I shared some thoughts about SW schedule extension patterns here. Southwest has had just 4 schedule releases in 2020 vs. 7 in each of the past two years and that comment delves a bit deeper into what's going on.
On a somewhat related topic, with the return of the 737 Max, do we think free unrestricted flight changes on Southwest are gone forever?
 


On a somewhat related topic, with the return of the 737 Max, do we think free unrestricted flight changes on Southwest are gone forever?
It's hard to say at this point if those change windows are now related to Max or more largely related to COVID. My guess is it's not due to COVID. They get a sense of their demand and then reconfigure the whole schedule based on who's actually flying so free changes may continue until air traffic stabilizes.
 
Hello everyone. I'm new here. I came across this forum while researching lately for the best credit card to have for reducing costs of vacationing to Disney World. Any advice on which cards I should apply for would be greatly appreciated. I have never had a credit card in my life, so this would be my first at 26 years old. I've always been content with just a debit card until I realized the kind of rewards you can get with credit cards. I would be spending probably $1000 per month on the credit card (gas, food, bills, insurance, entertainment, etc.), and plan on paying it off in full every month. As I mentioned before, the main reason I want to get a credit card is to use the rewards to reduce expenses on vacations to Disney World. I try to go to Disney World at least once a year, but sometimes has to be every other year. I am a solo traveler. I typically fly out of Chattanooga, TN, with a layover in Atlanta, and then on to Orlando. I have on occasion driven to Atlanta to forgo the layover since it is only a 2 hour drive. I have sometimes driven the entire distance, instead of flying. It really just depends on the circumstances. I usually fly Delta, but will fly any airline. Southwest does serve Atlanta, but not Chattanooga. Again, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
:welcome: Glad you found us!

There are some huge Southwest fans here, and they just enhanced their rewards program, but I'm thinking that since you have no credit card history, maybe you should start small and build history. And I wouldn't be surprised if SW has direct flights from Nashville to Orlando.

Discover it is a good starter card with no Annual Fee (AF). The Discover Sign Up Bonus (SUB) is small by our standards at $50, and has 5% cash-back rolling quarterly reward categories, that are doubled during your first year. Essentially a 10% discount on everything you buy that falls within the current bonus category, during year one.

The SUB is where the money is. There are cards out there that easily have $500 to $1,000 SUBs. You'll want to keep your credit score up, not cancel old cards (can always Product Change them, but don't cancel), and pace your new cards to one every 3 month or more.

Chase Freedom Flex (CFF) might be your next card in a few months, but wait until later to decide because there might be something better by then. The no AF CFF has a $200 SUB and earns 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on drug stores, and has 5% quarterly bonus categories. Plus 5% back on groceries the first year.

Down the road, don't be afraid of high AF cards, because that's where the big bonuses are (I just got a $1,250 SUB on the Amex Platinum which has a $550 AF). After holding the card for one year, when the next AF hits, I'll decide if the other benefits from the card out-weigh the AF, or if I should Product Change (PC) it down to a no AF card. Always ask here before making a move though, because, Amex for instance, has some really tricky rules, especially dealing with new cards and spending.

In the future Business (Biz) cards might be beneficial. Chase has a 5/24 Rule, where they only allow a new Chase card if you've had less then 5 cards (from anyone) in the last 24 months, except business cards don't count. Now you might say, I don't have a business, but you might have some side-hustle that will count. I have a rental house. Others tutor, sell on eBay, or preform services on the side. It seems your Biz income doesn't have to be large. Right now, Chase seems to just be starting to relax new business cards approvals, since the economy tanked in March. So keep in mind some kind of Biz you might have going for the future, because Biz cards are a great way to stay under Chase's 5/24 rule.

Let's see what other think. Welcome to the group and good luck!

ETA: Thanks to @miztressuz for clarifying CFF's travel benefit (which I didn't even catch)

ETA: @Scrappy94 If you join our private DISchurners group, you can find support links from our group here to pay it forward by benefiting one of our members, while still earning your Sign Up Bonus. If you're interested, let SouthFayetteFan know by posting here, because I don't think you have enough postings to Private Message him, yet.
 
Last edited:
It's been a while since I've had Target GCs (in fact, probably since this promo last year)... they don't allow a Disney GC purchase with a Target GC, right?
Correct, they made a system change that prevents it. As of last year was probably the last time I stumbled onto a report of it working at someone's Target like it used to, so there may be some unicorns out there still maybe, but I wouldn't bank on it. Last time I tried the system was sophisticated enough to let you pay for regular stuff with the GC but excluded the 3rd party GC from the amount and asked for another form of payment for that.
 
Thank you! DH has had his for a year. It was PC’d from a CSP and we are trying to decide if we want to do the flex or the new ink cash offer, which offers a larger bonus. I’ve heard the business cards have been harder to get approved. I don’t foresee a problem, but just trying to weigh the bonus versus overall card benefit. We are ordering groceries a lot, so would likely make out with the flex, along with the other benefits. Does it matter if it’s the quarterly or unlimited? Do both give the 5% on groceries?
Yes business cards are harder to get now, some here have applied with the same information for themselves and spouse...one was approved, the other wasn’t. Chase also looks at how much credit they have already given, so make sure the CLs on other Chase cards is well under 50% of household income or a max of around $75-80k

Both the CFF and CFU give the 5%...the CFU is a visa and earns 1 1/2% on other purchases, the CFF is a MasterCard and earns 1%
 
Couple things not sure if anyone mentioned. First, a target 10% of target GCs is this weekend I believe (reportedly December 5-6) Use Discover for an extra 5% (Red card won't give a bigger discount)
Second AA supposedly giving everyone with an AA account a 'gift' December 2-16, be it miles, Admirals club pass or Complimentary MCE seat.
Also got an email for $10 off with PayPal when using Discover rewards with a purchase of $50 or more.
I got the discover email too plus another one for 10% off using discover on Apple pay up to $100.
 
Couple things not sure if anyone mentioned. First, a target 10% of target GCs is this weekend I believe (reportedly December 5-6) Use Discover for an extra 5% (Red card won't give a bigger discount)
Second AA supposedly giving everyone with an AA account a 'gift' December 2-16, be it miles, Admirals club pass or Complimentary MCE seat.
Also got an email for $10 off with PayPal when using Discover rewards with a purchase of $50 or more.
Thanks for the tip about the AA 'gift'. Logged in this morning to both mine and DH's accounts and got 100 pts in each. Not much, BUT it resets the point expiration, and that is what was worth it to me!! Thank you!!

PS. I see DoC has it posted as well. Most everyone without status gets 100 points.
 
Any idea how much it cost? Was this under Bonvoy or the old SPG program? I'm intrigued as well!

We did this back in 2018 under the old SPG program. We were there the week after Christmas 2018. It was a great trip with 2 nights at the Swan and 3 nights at the Contemporary for NYE booked under Chase points. Had no idea that would be the only time I get to book Disney hotels with Chase points! Here is what I wrote about the Swan.

Swan - upgraded to the Deluxe Alcove room (booked for 14,500 SPG points before the merger). Great room with a view of the Dolphin/pool/beach area. We had a rollaway bed brought in so the girls each had their own sleeping space. It fit perfectly in between the pull out sofa and wall. The bathroom configuration is great with a separate sink outside the bath. Sink, toilet, and walk-in shower in the actual bathroom. A refrig in room. I really like staying here except for the walk to the Dolphin to get counter service food.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the tip about the AA 'gift'. Logged in this morning to both mine and DH's accounts and got 100 pts in each. Not much, BUT it resets the point expiration, and that is what was worth it to me!! Thank you!!

PS. I see DoC has it posted as well. Most everyone without status gets 100 points.
Thanks for the reminder, we all got 100 pts.
 
Hello everyone. I'm new here. I came across this forum while researching lately for the best credit card to have for reducing costs of vacationing to Disney World. Any advice on which cards I should apply for would be greatly appreciated. I have never had a credit card in my life, so this would be my first at 26 years old. I've always been content with just a debit card until I realized the kind of rewards you can get with credit cards. I would be spending probably $1000 per month on the credit card (gas, food, bills, insurance, entertainment, etc.), and plan on paying it off in full every month. As I mentioned before, the main reason I want to get a credit card is to use the rewards to reduce expenses on vacations to Disney World. I try to go to Disney World at least once a year, but sometimes has to be every other year. I am a solo traveler. I typically fly out of Chattanooga, TN, with a layover in Atlanta, and then on to Orlando. I have on occasion driven to Atlanta to forgo the layover since it is only a 2 hour drive. I have sometimes driven the entire distance, instead of flying. It really just depends on the circumstances. I usually fly Delta, but will fly any airline. Southwest does serve Atlanta, but not Chattanooga. Again, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
Hoosier John gave you great advice!
As a mom of 3 young adults, I want to remind you that you should only spend what you can pay off on the new cards. Otherwise, the value of the rewards is lost to the interest you'll pay. Do not carry a balance!
Starting your credit profile is so important! Not just for rewards but for lower rates on insurance, loans etc.
 
Hello everyone. I'm new here. I came across this forum while researching lately for the best credit card to have for reducing costs of vacationing to Disney World. Any advice on which cards I should apply for would be greatly appreciated. I have never had a credit card in my life, so this would be my first at 26 years old. I've always been content with just a debit card until I realized the kind of rewards you can get with credit cards. I would be spending probably $1000 per month on the credit card (gas, food, bills, insurance, entertainment, etc.), and plan on paying it off in full every month. As I mentioned before, the main reason I want to get a credit card is to use the rewards to reduce expenses on vacations to Disney World. I try to go to Disney World at least once a year, but sometimes has to be every other year. I am a solo traveler. I typically fly out of Chattanooga, TN, with a layover in Atlanta, and then on to Orlando. I have on occasion driven to Atlanta to forgo the layover since it is only a 2 hour drive. I have sometimes driven the entire distance, instead of flying. It really just depends on the circumstances. I usually fly Delta, but will fly any airline. Southwest does serve Atlanta, but not Chattanooga. Again, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
You’ve already gotten a lot of really good advice! I’m 27 and started with the discover card. It’s a good starter because there’s no annual fee and you get cashback on certain categories.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!










Top