Newbie in a Predicament
Aug 2, 2012 | 10:48 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: Doing GS11, probably affiliated with every program out there
Posts: 188
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).
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).
Aug 2, 2012 | 11:00 am
#32
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SFO
Posts: 198
Good luck, OP in reaching your goal. You've received some great advice on this thread from all the posters.
I agree with the poster that asked how your wife feels about this trip. Mr. love2ft and I are finally going to Hawaii too...for our 10th anniversary and I'm okay with that. It may have taken us longer to get there, but now we don't have to worry about going into debt for a vacation nor do we have to pass up on any experiences/shopping while we're on our trip. Staycations are great when you're with the right person!
As you're new to the "game", make sure you pay down your debt as others have advised and avoid getting into new debt while you chase the miles/points. It's very easy to charge things "for the points", but your credit is more important than anything else!
I agree with the poster that asked how your wife feels about this trip. Mr. love2ft and I are finally going to Hawaii too...for our 10th anniversary and I'm okay with that. It may have taken us longer to get there, but now we don't have to worry about going into debt for a vacation nor do we have to pass up on any experiences/shopping while we're on our trip. Staycations are great when you're with the right person!
As you're new to the "game", make sure you pay down your debt as others have advised and avoid getting into new debt while you chase the miles/points. It's very easy to charge things "for the points", but your credit is more important than anything else!
Aug 2, 2012 | 11:23 am
#33
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues, Information Desk & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
Posts: 11,319
I'm a little confused...seriously...
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?
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?
Aug 2, 2012 | 10:34 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
Aug 3, 2012 | 3:10 pm
#35
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 756
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.
Aug 3, 2012 | 3:19 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
But me and my SO worry about going into debt for vacation all the time. What credit cards do we need to get? How much do we need to spend to get our miles and points? And what will we pull from our bag of tricks to manufacture the spend. Oh, it keeps us up half the night, all that worrying. And then it is the airlines and banks turn to worry.
Aug 3, 2012 | 7:16 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
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.
Aug 3, 2012 | 9:17 pm
#38
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 114
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!
Aug 3, 2012 | 10:54 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
Aug 4, 2012 | 7:55 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: RDU
Posts: 43
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.
Aug 6, 2012 | 10:04 am
#42
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 756
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.
Aug 6, 2012 | 1:23 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 385
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.
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.
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.
Aug 6, 2012 | 2:37 pm
#44
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 756
I've also been an AU on many cards (for promotion bonus miles/points when they add AU to cards). It never affected my score at all. I was put as an AU on several family member's cards (5) all at the same time. Think it was the Chase UA Mileage card. My Score never changed at all for the next 3 months, then score dropped 3pts a month later but thats only because I had cancelled a card.
Aug 6, 2012 | 2:42 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 756
Asking to put in your own SS# for an AU maybe just a new way to update their computer system to ensure you are the one getting the bill as the primary user is responsible.