I need to double check a couple of things to make sure I understand correctly. I have read every post but still am not quite clear.

The charter benefits by 7/31/2012...does that mean you need to get the card by then OR get the card and charge the $1,000 by then? I want to get the card at the end of July and charge $1,000 by the end of Oct but do not want to miss the charter benefits.

Charging $15,000 in a years for 2 stay credits.....am I to understand that these are just credits toward platinum status or are they actual stays you can use? In other words, after the first year anniversary and the $15,000 spend in one year, would you have 3 days available?

Thanks very much.