Chase Sapphire Reserve is changing... Alternative cards with high points for MVC maintenance fee payments?

[zentraveler]

I'm hijacking the thread, but I'm curious how you liked Stereophonic. We saw it last night, and all I kept thinking was "it must have been a really slow year for plays if this is the one that won all the awards."

I am curious too. I looked it up and saw that it was 3 hours long and that cooled any potential enthusiasm right there! (And sorry to participate in the hijacking ).

 

[Eric B]

Does hijacking a thread count as travel and get 4x?

 

[zentraveler]

Does hijacking a thread count as travel and get 4x?

EricB thanks for getting us hijackers back on the CC track .

 

[mountainboy]

spend more for a car rental or a hotel just to book it through a travel portal and get bonus points. Unless the price difference is tiny, you'll almost always be better off to book at the place that gives you the best price, using the credit card portal when the difference is zero or near-zero.

*I HATE portals & prefer to never use them (esp with many folks' shared experiences) & hence almost always book Alamo via costco...

 

[mountainboy]

*We stayed in HI for 2 weeks recently & have 2 such trips coming up in the next year (+ another one to PNW x > 2 weeks), & hence I know we will be spending plenty on car rentals, hence exploring....

Want primary car rental insurance via CC..... have always used CSR as was 3x but a real bummer they nerfed it to 1x; unlikely to use portal (despite their multipliers)....

May use BoA PRE or Capital one Venture X...

Citi Costco visa does not have primary car rental insurance (+ don't have that card), so not a good fit for me...

TY!

 

[ausman]

I'm with you in wanting to use a card that offers primary insurance on the rental. In your case I'd be using the AMEX and paying the $25 to do so.

I don't want the experience of an accident and then having to deal with the car rental company, my insurance company and the credit card company. Giving up the potential points for peace of mind is worth it to me.

 

[mountainboy]

In your case I'd be using the AMEX and paying the $25 to do so.

Or use any of the other premium cards, like CSR or Cap1 VX or BoA PRE, which all DO provider primary car rental insurance...

 

[ljmiii]

Which card would you use for Car rental (booked directly or via Costco), not via bank portal?…

I use the AMEX Hilton Aspire which gives 7x points worth 3.5 cents (at least to me) with AMEX primary coverage.

If I didn’t live in NY I might use the United Club card giving 2x points worth 3.2 cents…but the Visa Infinite cards no longer provide primary insurance for NY residents for US rentals. I might still use it for rentals outside the US if I’m feeling low on United miles.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I'm hijacking the thread, but I'm curious how you liked Stereophonic. We saw it last night, and all I kept thinking was "it must have been a really slow year for plays if this is the one that won all the awards."

I had mixed feelings about the show. I had first heard about the show when the author was interviewed for a podcast I follow, and I thought it sounded interesting. Once it was nominated, and then it won all the Tony awards, I was really excited about the show. In the end, I am glad I saw the show, but similar to you, I am surprised it won so many awards. From what I read, the SF version is about 10 or 15 minutes shorter than the version that ran in NYC. I think they could have cut more without hurting the storyline, it would just be less arguing.. I knew this was not a musical, but a play with music, in advance. However, I think they could have included at least a few joyful or happy moments in the show. Any time someone experienced joy or happiness, it came at the expense of someone else...

However, moving back to the credit card theme, I did purchase our tickets with the Freedom Flex during the quarter when live performances offered 5%...

 

[daviator]

I had mixed feelings about the show. I had first heard about the show when the author was interviewed for a podcast I follow, and I thought it sounded interesting. Once it was nominated, and then it won all the Tony awards, I was really excited about the show. In the end, I am glad I saw the show, but similar to you, I am surprised it won so many awards. From what I read, the SF version is about 10 or 15 minutes shorter than the version that ran in NYC. I think they could have cut more without hurting the storyline, it would just be less arguing.. I knew this was not a musical, but a play with music, in advance. However, I think they could have included at least a few joyful or happy moments in the show. Any time someone experienced joy or happiness, it came at the expense of someone else...

However, moving back to the credit card theme, I did purchase our tickets with the Freedom Flex during the quarter when live performances offered 5%...

Thanks for your thoughts, I completely agree. The play consisted of a bunch of talented but very dysfunctional people arguing, and I got weary of it pretty quickly. I thought it was very well performed, but the play itself was not really something I enjoyed.

This ends my hijack of the thread, lol.

 

[mountainboy]

Looks like Chase sapphire dining tables only goes until 12/31; no Jan reservations open for the ones I saw...
Do we anticipate Jan dates to open December 1st?
TY!

 

[heathpack]

I have a Jan 2 reservation

 

[Eric B]

I have a Jan 25 reservation. It varies from restaurant to restaurant.

 

[daviator]

Yay! That is great news for all of us who own Westin/ Sheraton.

Maybe. I made a $100 payment on my WKORV yesterday to make sure I would get 4x points. It’s still pending so I can’t tell yet how many points I will get, but the category it shows is “timeshare” and not travel. So I am not sure it’s going to work the way we want it to.

Interestingly, I also made a $100 payment on my MOC, and that one codes as “Marriott.” Who knew they were their own category. Anyway I’m wondering if I’ll get 4x for the MOC but not for the WKORV. I’ll report back.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Mine worked with "Timeshare" for WKV and SDO

 

[Eric B]

Ate at El Taller del Xiquet Saturday night. CSR table $150 credit posted Monday morning.

 

[daviator]

I can confirm what others have already confirmed: Charges to CSR for both Vistana and MVC timeshare weeks' MFs posted with 4x points as "hotel."

This has kind of changed the equation for me, along with the realization that I can probably use some of the new CSR benefits I didn't think I'd use. I am now thinking that I'll keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve, begrudgingly paying the $795 fee. But I think I'll get rid of the Marriott-branded credit card I carry... 4x Chase points = about 8¢/dollar, while 6x Bonvoy points is more like 4¢ (and falling.) I don't think there is any sense in charging Marriott stays and MF payments to the Bonvoy card any more.

 

[Eric B]

I can confirm what others have already confirmed: Charges to CSR for both Vistana and MVC timeshare weeks' MFs posted with 4x points as "hotel."

This has kind of changed the equation for me, along with the realization that I can probably use some of the new CSR benefits I didn't think I'd use. I am now thinking that I'll keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve, begrudgingly paying the $795 fee. But I think I'll get rid of the Marriott-branded credit card I carry... 4x Chase points = about 8¢/dollar, while 6x Bonvoy points is more like 4¢ (and falling.) I don't think there is any sense in charging Marriott stays and MF payments to the Bonvoy card any more.

I'm kind of wondering if the Bonvoy Amex cards are worth it now, too. The business one comes with a 35K FNC, which is a bit tough to maximize value of, plus 20% of the elite nights towards earning a potential 40K FNC, which is also a bit tough to maximize the value of. I was able to use both for stays during a trip overnight near an airport so they worked out. That covered the annual fee for that one. The Bonvoy Brilliant one comes with an 85K FNC, which is a bit easier for me to get the most out of, plus a third of the elite night credits towards a potential 40K FNC. Those plus the $300 in dining credits covers the annual fee. I kind of wonder how long it will before those get overhauled and how many benefits will duplicate ones I get from other cards.

 

[igopogo]

Based on this thread I actually signed up for CSR for the first time. I’m already happy…my upcoming shore excursions triggered the $300 travel credit, which surprised me since they are in no way related to air travel. So I’m almost halfway there.

I didn’t realize these credits are based on the anniversary year and not the calendar year. That’s surprising based on my experience with other cards, and disappointing since I signed up in November, but rational.

Also based on this thread I upgraded my bonvoy to ritz. I don’t think I will post any more Marriott stays on this card, but I will absolutely take advantage of unlimited chase lounge guests, the travel credit, and the usable free night award. The only reason I might keep using this card is to transfer to Atmos points. Hopefully with their new branding they will also find some new credit card partners.

 

[Janann]

Based on this thread I actually signed up for CSR for the first time. I’m already happy…my upcoming shore excursions triggered the $300 travel credit, which surprised me since they are in no way related to air travel. So I’m almost halfway there.

They are very generous with the definition of travel. Even toll roads at home will trigger the credit.

 

[daviator]

I can confirm what others have already confirmed: Charges to CSR for both Vistana and MVC timeshare weeks' MFs posted with 4x points as "hotel."

Based on this thread I actually signed up for CSR for the first time. I’m already happy…my upcoming shore excursions triggered the $300 travel credit, which surprised me since they are in no way related to air travel. So I’m almost halfway there.

I didn’t realize these credits are based on the anniversary year and not the calendar year. That’s surprising based on my experience with other cards, and disappointing since I signed up in November, but rational.

Also based on this thread I upgraded my bonvoy to ritz. I don’t think I will post any more Marriott stays on this card, but I will absolutely take advantage of unlimited chase lounge guests, the travel credit, and the usable free night award. The only reason I might keep using this card is to transfer to Atmos points. Hopefully with their new branding they will also find some new credit card partners.

The $300 annual travel credit applies to anything that's even remotely travel-related. So things like Uber/Lyft charges, car rental, hotels, attractions, etc. are all likely to trigger it. I don't think I've ever gotten to February without having used the $300 up, it is super easy to use.

The annoying thing is all of the credits that are split into Jan-Jun and July-Dec. So the $500 credit for "The Edit" hotels is really two $250 credits, each requiring a two-night stay in hotels that are often too expensive for my tastes. Same for the $300 "Sapphire Exclusive" restaurant credit, it's really two $150 credits. But if you can remember to use everything, you can get a lot of value out of it.

 

[daviator]

So I have realized that I am getting quite a bit of value out of the "new" CSR and that it's probably worth keeping, even at $800/year. And the Citi Strata Elite, which I opened as a potential replacement for the CSR, has given pretty good value too. So I may keep them both, but I have nine more months to evaluate the Citi card before I have to commit to a renewal (or cancel it.) The two kind of complement each other because they provide different opportunities for points earning bonuses.

But interestingly, I realized that I was almost to $75,000 in spend for the year on CSR, at which point you unlock several additional benefits, one of which is IHG Diamond Elite status. Now I have never been a frequent IHG guest, but I'm thinking with this newfound status, and no real need or benefit to stay loyal to Marriott (I keep my Titanium status regardless how much or little I stay) that I am going to give IHG a whirl and see how their properties are and how they treat their elite members. I have a trip coming up in January where I just cancelled my Marriott reservation and replaced it with a reservation at an IHG property.

So I appreciate the opportunity that the CSR gives me to test drive elite status in a different hotel program. I wish it was Hyatt, but I'm willing to give IHG a try.

 

[Eric B]

So I have realized that I am getting quite a bit of value out of the "new" CSR and that it's probably worth keeping, even at $800/year. And the Citi Strata Elite, which I opened as a potential replacement for the CSR, has given pretty good value too. So I may keep them both, but I have nine more months to evaluate the Citi card before I have to commit to a renewal (or cancel it.) The two kind of complement each other because they provide different opportunities for points earning bonuses.

But interestingly, I realized that I was almost to $75,000 in spend for the year on CSR, at which point you unlock several additional benefits, one of which is IHG Diamond Elite status. Now I have never been a frequent IHG guest, but I'm thinking with this newfound status, and no real need or benefit to stay loyal to Marriott (I keep my Titanium status regardless how much or little I stay) that I am going to give IHG a whirl and see how their properties are and how they treat their elite members. I have a trip coming up in January where I just cancelled my Marriott reservation and replaced it with a reservation at an IHG property.

So I appreciate the opportunity that the CSR gives me to test drive elite status in a different hotel program. I wish it was Hyatt, but I'm willing to give IHG a try.

I used to frequent IHG hotels quite a bit for work and have kept the Chase IHG Visa just for the FNC, which is a 40K one you can add as many extra points as a stay would need. That makes it superior to some of the Marriott FNCs but not as good as Hilton FNCs. CSR comes with IHG platinum before you get to $75K, which isn't bad. The Kimptons are quite nice.

 

[rickandcindy23]

United's first class seats to/from Orlando in January using Chase UR points were a great deal with Points Boost. I booked the fares going, about 25,000 points for a $500 seat X 2.

I was just about out of points, so I had Rick log in to see how many he had. He still had 500,000 UR points! I have been using mine consistently over the last few years and didn't bother to ask how many he had. What a surprise! He explained how he got those points, and of course it's true because we have been doing the same thing, both of us, we have been using our old Ink Plus Chase cards for Disney gift cards to pay our fees on DVC and to purchase our AP's, plus we use the cards at restaurants in Disney. That adds up because we get 5X on gift cards (we also buy Amazon and some restaurant gift cards at Office Depot). $20,000 X 5 -= 100,000 points, transferred directly to Reserve over the last few years. What a deal.

I did the math and a purchase of $5,000= 25,000 in gift cards gets us each a free seat in first class going to/ from Orlando. That's 10%. I wonder if Chase will put an end to transferring points from our Ink cards?

Edited to add: Too bad Marriott doesn't have gift cards you can use for MF's. That would be awesome to build UR points. I would buy them every time I pass by an Office Depot.

 

[mountainboy]

I have a Jan 25 reservation. It varies from restaurant to restaurant.

The restaurants I was looking at, in PHX had not opened their Jan schedule until today... Booked today for next month..
TY!