Originally Posted by Mile-a-holic (Post 19046297)

So I sympathize: we couldn't afford a honeymoon and our first few anniversaries were within driving distance, so I really applaud your travel hacking approach. But a few questions:

1) Are you sure she'd agree that Hawaii is the best use of 130k miles? Or, would she prefer a different destination?
2) If you're carrying balances on other cards, will it mean you'll be stressed about other costs while in Hawaii? Would she/you rather go in a year when you can perhaps afford to splurge on a helicopter tour, or hop between the islands, buy a special souvenir, etc?

Is she the type that enjoys planning trips? Would she love spending two or three nights in a very upscale hotel (on points of course!) nearby for anniversary two, with the present being "let's plan a trip together anywhere for next year using miles and points?"

It's just food for thought - Hawaii is spectacular, and can be done relatively inexpensively if you rent a house or condo surprisingly. But if you're staying at a hotel, you want to be able to enjoy the pool and not be worried about the cost of ordering a drink or food, or skip things that you really want to do (whale watches, etc).

Originally Posted by squeakr (Post 19047588)

Now i only use miles/points for upgrades, not for tickets so I don't konw the world of reward tix at all.
BUT if you are spending 2-3000 /month on a CC, couldn't you save a couple of months worth and buy two C tickets?

Originally Posted by Jesperss (Post 19041772)

I went through the same thing a year ago.

I added my wife as an AU to three cards (using her SSN) with a long credit history and within a few months she had a score of 740. ^

Originally Posted by love2ft (Post 19047422)

... now we don't have to worry about going into debt for a vacation...

Originally Posted by sharka (Post 19055053)

Not sure about this as putting anyone as an AU will not affect their credit score. The person responsible for the AU is still the primary user. Thats why whenever you want to add an AU all the CC company wants is their name. I've never been asked for even the SS # for any AU and its the SS# thats needed to track one's credit history. Only having a joint CC acct where both are responsible will affect the other persons credit.

Originally Posted by mnscout (Post 19056194)

+1. However, one has to remember that having a joint account is a big no-no in this... well, hobby.:D

Originally Posted by rcross23 (Post 19056587)

Could you clarify this statement? As a newbie here, as well as recently engaged, it would be great if you could explain what you mean. Are you referring to joint bank accounts? Joint CCs? What is your reasoning? Thanks!

Originally Posted by sharka (Post 19055053)

Not sure about this as putting anyone as an AU will not affect their credit score. The person responsible for the AU is still the primary user. Thats why whenever you want to add an AU all the CC company wants is their name. I've never been asked for even the SS # for any AU and its the SS# thats needed to track one's credit history. Only having a joint CC acct where both are responsible will affect the other persons credit.

Originally Posted by peggster (Post 19058121)

Interesting. My parents recently added me as an authorized user on their Amex account. Amex asked for my SS#, and the account is now appearing on my credit report, showing me as an authorized user. Maybe this is a YMMV thing?

Originally Posted by sharka (Post 19068909)

Then yes, in your case it was YMMV.
Myself and many others have added AU to our CC accts and never once was even asked for the AU social #.
I've added AU's to amex cards (for promotions of course) and Amex never ask for SS#, just the persons name.
If the cc company did ask for the AU SS# then I could see that as a reason why it would affect the AU's credit report.

Originally Posted by GoGreen (Post 19070322)

I am also an AU on a lot of cards and they do show up on my credit report, but as AU, so I don't think they affect me much. I know it's better not to be an AU but I do it because I have to meet the minimum spend on my spouse's cards. There is no hard pull for AU.

Originally Posted by GoGreen (Post 19070322)

. However most recently (last week) when I asked to have an AU put on a card, an explanatory pop-up popped up next to the ss number block (which was next to the name of the proposed new AU) and said "put in your ss number." Therefore I put in my own ss number. .