I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Alexle2007]

Choice Hotels just sent out an email that you can get 3x Choice points when you book a hotel through their mobile app for stays from now until July 31. I have one stay booked for June, but I'm keeping that since I booked it under a 10% back Ebates rate. I booked another stay for a horse show at the end of July through the app since Ebates is only giving 2% right now. Choice Points have turned out to be pretty easy for us to earn this year!

I also earned over 5000 points for our first IHG stay at DH's horse show last weekend since they offered my 2500 points as a new member.

Interesting mine says 5x when booking through the app. (ah, that's for being a Choice Privileges Visa cardholder.) I still have a bunch points I need to use. I keep not wanting to use them so I can build up my Marriott nights and hopefully stay platinum for next year.

 

[vanjust14]

I booked two nights at Royal Pacific Resort for 12/31-1/2. Hope the kids don't get used to staying at nice hotels! Love the GrAAvy train!!!! Plane tickets courtesy of SW. Will probably purchase UO tickets through UR.

Great idea to use AA miles for Universal. I love Royal Pacific! I may have to check this out. Which site gave you the better rates?

ETA: I just saw you already answered this question

 

[mmmears]

It's been so long since I packed in a one-sided suitcase that I don't know if I could anymore I'm so used to the size of the packing cubes and where they go in the suitcase(s) we use!

I've seen several expandable carry-on that look like possibilities

So much fun to look at all these choices

I'm glad I remembered to share those thoughts then. I'm used to the one large compartment. I have my cubes all perfectly sized so I can fit in the maximum. It's like a Tetris game. And every time I look at new luggage I realize that I'd have to find a new strategy. The 2 half-sides to me are harder, since I just pile in by Med. cube over my Med. envelope and it's ok if one is stuffed too much and taking more than half the height of the bag. I agree it's fun to look at them all. I take this stuff seriously!

 

[LynnTH]

A couple questions:

Looks like I will be finishing up MSR on AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant card today. (Actually DS20 is finishing it up for me - he spoils his sister and decided he wanted to buy her a $500 Gift Card from Lululemon for her Graduation/Birthday Gift. Told him that was a little excessive but he said it is his money and she is going to college and needs to dress the part - whatever. DD18 will be thrilled...)

So, looking for next card. At 4/24 will be 3/24 in July and another drops in December. Need to save 1 spot for SW Personal Card. Will probably get another Chase Business Card but was reading on Redditt and someone had mentioned the US Bank Altitude Reserve. Does anyone know anything about that card and if it would be worth using a spot for? I know you have to have a US Bank account, which I just opened in April for a bank account bonus. But want to see what everyone here thinks or if that is a bad idea and just stick with Chase.

Also, Going on Alaska Cruise next June. We always buy Trip Insurance just in case (and have used it a few times). But thinking this time since we are just going to Alaska that our medical would still work as we are still in the U.S. I put the down payment on my CSR so thinking that gives me Trip Insurance through Chase correct? But if I downgraded my CSR before we left than that would not be applicable anymore right?

 

[Calfan]

Last two months I haven’t even used my credit for the Amex rose gold. It is just a pain. Am I going to have to go to the shun corner?!?

If you are going to the shun corner, I have no idea where I'm going, because I have NEVER used the dining credit on my Amex Rose Gold (other than the welcome offer cumulative dining discount up to $120). The card is still worth it to me, though, for the SW gift card with the travel credit and the 4x earn on dining and grocery. We don't have a Shake Shack nearby, which is where I might use the credit. We do have a Cheesecake Factory, but it's about 20 minutes away and just not worth it for me to try to buy a gift card, etc. because we eat there so infrequently (there is always somewhere else we'd rather go). We do have a Ruth's Chris downtown, but steakhouses/chains really aren't our thing either.

Also a DP from a few days ago. I think I've seen it posted here before that Amex doesn't typically give retention offers on the same card two years in a row. I can verify that, having called in to see if I could get a retention offer on my Plat since the AF just hit. The CSR indicated that because I got a retention offer last year, I was not eligible this year. He did agree when I asked that it was likely I could get one next year. It was also clear that he could see all my Amex cards and the spend I put on them when he noted I was a very good customer for them

 

[Lain]

So, looking for next card. At 4/24 will be 3/24 in July and another drops in December. Need to save 1 spot for SW Personal Card. Will probably get another Chase Business Card but was reading on Redditt and someone had mentioned the US Bank Altitude Reserve. Does anyone know anything about that card and if it would be worth using a spot for? I know you have to have a US Bank account, which I just opened in April for a bank account bonus. But want to see what everyone here thinks or if that is a bad idea and just stick with Chase.

@gottalovepluto has the USB AR.

 

[wanderlust7]

A couple questions:

Looks like I will be finishing up MSR on AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant card today. (Actually DS20 is finishing it up for me - he spoils his sister and decided he wanted to buy her a $500 Gift Card from Lululemon for her Graduation/Birthday Gift. Told him that was a little excessive but he said it is his money and she is going to college and needs to dress the part - whatever. DD18 will be thrilled...)

So, looking for next card. At 4/24 will be 3/24 in July and another drops in December. Need to save 1 spot for SW Personal Card. Will probably get another Chase Business Card but was reading on Redditt and someone had mentioned the US Bank Altitude Reserve. Does anyone know anything about that card and if it would be worth using a spot for? I know you have to have a US Bank account, which I just opened in April for a bank account bonus. But want to see what everyone here thinks or if that is a bad idea and just stick with Chase.

Also, Going on Alaska Cruise next June. We always buy Trip Insurance just in case (and have used it a few times). But thinking this time since we are just going to Alaska that our medical would still work as we are still in the U.S. I put the down payment on my CSR so thinking that gives me Trip Insurance through Chase correct? But if I downgraded my CSR before we left than that would not be applicable anymore right?

Does your medical cover you in Canada? I think some excursions cross over and not too sure if the ship will sail in Canadian waters. Our medical covers us worldwide, but I still buy it for cruises. I'm most worried about needing to be helicoptered off the ship. CSR has 100k in medical evacation. So just depends on if you're comfortable with that amount.

I love that your son spoils his little sis. My 10 year old son and his 7 year old sis, all they do is bicker.

 

[AmyAnne]

If you are going to the shun corner, I have no idea where I'm going, because I have NEVER used the dining credit on my Amex Rose Gold (other than the welcome offer cumulative dining discount up to $120). The card is still worth it to me, though, for the SW gift card with the travel credit and the 4x earn on dining and grocery. We don't have a Shake Shack nearby, which is where I might use the credit. We do have a Cheesecake Factory, but it's about 20 minutes away and just not worth it for me to try to buy a gift card, etc. because we eat there so infrequently (there is always somewhere else we'd rather go). We do have a Ruth's Chris downtown, but steakhouses/chains really aren't our thing either.

Also a DP from a few days ago. I think I've seen it posted here before that Amex doesn't typically give retention offers on the same card two years in a row. I can verify that, having called in to see if I could get a retention offer on my Plat since the AF just hit. The CSR indicated that because I got a retention offer last year, I was not eligible this year. He did agree when I asked that it was likely I could get one next year. It was also clear that he could see all my Amex cards and the spend I put on them when he noted I was a very good customer for them

I've let the dining credit lapse a few months. I do try to stop by Cheesecake Factory when I am out that way and it's not a weekend (otherwise the parking hassle is not worth it). I've used grubhub a few times but the only pick-up option is a bad Mexican restaurant.

I am curious how many AmEx cards you have? I am looking to get another biz card this summer but I feel like I am heading into territory where an AmEx rep is going to look at all of my cards and say who the heck needs all of those.

 

[LynnTH]

Does your medical cover you in Canada? I think some excursions cross over and not too sure if the ship will sail in Canadian waters. Our medical covers us worldwide, but I still buy it for cruises. I'm most worried about needing to be helicoptered off the ship. CSR has 100k in medical evacation. So just depends on if you're comfortable with that amount.

I love that your son spoils his little sis. My 10 year old son and his 7 year old sis, all they do is bicker.

Good points. I guess I will just suck it up and get it. I also like to get the "Cancel for Any Reason" as you just never know - especially with our parents getting older. So, that adds a bit to the insurance but then will cover 75% of cost if need to cancel up until the cruise date.

 

[Lain]

If you are going to the shun corner, I have no idea where I'm going, because I have NEVER used the dining credit on my Amex Rose Gold (other than the welcome offer cumulative dining discount up to $120). The card is still worth it to me, though, for the SW gift card with the travel credit and the 4x earn on dining and grocery. We don't have a Shake Shack nearby, which is where I might use the credit. We do have a Cheesecake Factory, but it's about 20 minutes away and just not worth it for me to try to buy a gift card, etc. because we eat there so infrequently (there is always somewhere else we'd rather go). We do have a Ruth's Chris downtown, but steakhouses/chains really aren't our thing either.

Have you tried Grubhub for pickup at local restaurants? No fees for pickup!

There’s usually some bonus for first time Grubhub customers on Ebates (I think I signed up when there was a $10 CB/MR offer; it’s currently only 7% CB/MR for new customers), and Ebates pays out 1% CB/MR for Grubhub orders (I just click through the Rakuten app and it launches the Grubhub app on my iPhone), a promo code for $10 or $12 off your first order (try check RMN or Coupon Cabin), and I’m pretty sure there’s a widely available Amex Offer for an additional MR/$1 spent on Grubhub that I’ve added to my Gold for 5x MR/$1.

I think @Albort mentioned a few additional stacks for Grubhub recently.

Also a DP from a few days ago. I think I've seen it posted here before that Amex doesn't typically give retention offers on the same card two years in a row. I can verify that, having called in to see if I could get a retention offer on my Plat since the AF just hit. The CSR indicated that because I got a retention offer last year, I was not eligible this year. He did agree when I asked that it was likely I could get one next year. It was also clear that he could see all my Amex cards and the spend I put on them when he noted I was a very good customer for them

I’ve read scattered DPs that say retention offer availability resets after 13 months. So it might be possible to get a referral offer early enough one year, and then another one 13 months later the next year.

 

[Lain]

I am curious how many AmEx cards you have? I am looking to get another biz card this summer but I feel like I am heading into territory where an AmEx rep is going to look at all of my cards and say who the heck needs all of those.

Not @Calfan but as of yesterday 10 for me. And I can say a rep did look at all my cards during my Plat retention call and asked me why would I even want to keep the Plat when I have all these other cards?

 

[Calfan]

I've let the dining credit lapse a few months. I do try to stop by Cheesecake Factory when I am out that way and it's not a weekend (otherwise the parking hassle is not worth it). I've used grubhub a few times but the only pick-up option is a bad Mexican restaurant.

I am curious how many AmEx cards you have? I am looking to get another biz card this summer but I feel like I am heading into territory where an AmEx rep is going to look at all of my cards and say who the heck needs all of those.

I have 10 Amex cards (Plat, Biz Plat, Rose Gold, BBP, Biz Gold, Biz Green, Hilton Aspire, Hilton Biz, Hilton no fee, Delta Biz Gold). The cards that see regular spend are the Plat (when I have an offer or when I am paying cash for Southwest flights to get 5x (and not worried about needing the insurance I get from the CSR), Rose Gold (dining and grocery), BBP (I've got some recurring payments set up on this one like the gym, Orangetheory, etc.) and occasionally Biz Gold (for gas, but I haven't used it in several months). The Biz Plat I use if I have an offer or for things like the Dell credit, but I'm not planning to keep it pas the AF date this year. I'm also planning to cancel Biz Gold and Biz Green when those AFs hit. I've continued to put a little spend on my Hilton Biz past meeting MSR to keep the RATs happy since I met MSR with one big charge. I'm not planning to keep that card after a year either. Cross fingers, but I've never gotten an Amex popup...

 

[Lain]

I have 10 Amex cards (Plat, Biz Plat, Rose Gold, BBP, Biz Gold, Biz Green, Hilton Aspire, Hilton Biz, Hilton no fee, Delta Biz Gold). The cards that see regular spend are the Plat (when I have an offer or when I am paying cash for Southwest flights to get 5x (and not worried about needing the insurance I get from the CSR), Rose Gold (dining and grocery), BBP (I've got some recurring payments set up on this one like the gym, Orangetheory, etc.) and occasionally Biz Gold (for gas, but I haven't used it in several months). The Biz Plat I use if I have an offer or for things like the Dell credit, but I'm not planning to keep it pas the AF date this year. I'm also planning to cancel Biz Gold and Biz Green when those AFs hit. I've continued to put a little spend on my Hilton Biz past meeting MSR to keep the RATs happy since I met MSR with one big charge. I'm not planning to keep that card after a year either. Cross fingers, but I've never gotten an Amex popup...

10 Amex Cards Club!

 

[chattadisser]

A couple questions:

Looks like I will be finishing up MSR on AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant card today. (Actually DS20 is finishing it up for me - he spoils his sister and decided he wanted to buy her a $500 Gift Card from Lululemon for her Graduation/Birthday Gift. Told him that was a little excessive but he said it is his money and she is going to college and needs to dress the part - whatever. DD18 will be thrilled...)

Wow, what a great brother! Does he want an ahem..older, much much older sister?? . I'm sure his sister will be thrilled, my oldest DD would be over the moon with that gift. Alas, she's so petite that most of their clothes are still too big for her. Oh whoa the problems...

 

[amalone1013]

Looks like DH will have two work trips before the cruise. One to Utah (that might be just the day) and then a couple days in Chicago.

I asked if I could take off work and go to Chicago...

 

[Calfan]

Have you tried Grubhub for pickup at local restaurants? No fees for pickup!

There’s usually some bonus for first time Grubhub customers on Ebates (I think I signed up when there was a $10 CB/MR offer; it’s currently only 7% CB/MR for new customers), and Ebates pays out 1% CB/MR for Grubhub orders (I just click through the Rakuten app and it launches the Grubhub app on my iPhone), a promo code for $10 or $12 off your first order (try check RMN or Coupon Cabin), and I’m pretty sure there’s a widely available Amex Offer for an additional MR/$1 spent on Grubhub that I’ve added to my Gold for 5x MR/$1.

I think @Albort mentioned a few additional stacks for Grubhub recently.

I’ve read scattered DPs that say retention offer availability resets after 13 months. So it might be possible to get a referral offer early enough one year, and then another one 13 months later the next year.

I've just been looking into GrubHub. Until recently, it was slim pickings here in Boise. The number of outlets has gone up, but the variety is still pretty limited (i.e., lots of Subways) but there are 2 or 3 places I'd definitely consider doing a pickup order from. So maybe starting in June I will start using that credit! Thanks for the tip on stacking with eBates. I am loving the MR earning there!

And good to know about the 13-month Amex retention thing.

 

[LynnTH]

Wow, what a great brother! Does he want an ahem..older, much much older sister?? . I'm sure his sister will be thrilled, my oldest DD would be over the moon with that gift. Alas, she's so petite that most of their clothes are still too big for her. Oh whoa the problems...

He is an awesome Big Brother - very happy about that. They get along very well and will both be going to the same college next year so that will be nice. (Especially since he will have a car there and be able to take her places and drive back home on some weekends and holidays without us having to do that).

 

[amalone1013]

Hmm. Now thinking, DHs first work trip will put him into SW A list status so 25% extra points on flights. Currently we have a $50 SW GC, a $150 Luv voucher, and if we get AMEX Plat another $200 GC. Maybe I would rebook some June flights/pay a little extra to use up some of those and get 25% extra points... I was hoping they would do another promo like last spring where you earned double points on paid flights, that was when we used part of the GC stash.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I am a long time lurker here. I am so impressed by you guys and what you do. I just read a little and let it wash over me, a little is retained, much is forgotten.

I've dipped my toe in the waters (I'm sure in the wrong order, should be pinky toe to big toe. I did an Amex first, doh) and I was wondering about my next step.

DH and I are both 2/5 and we have some tuition coming up in August. We're paying $6K on one kid and $1.5K on another. There is a 2.35% convenience fee for the payments. But a sign up bonus would make that worth the while, right?

I was thinking a Chase card with UR points to be the most effective. I'm trying to get to England for our 25th anniversary next year and I figure the more flexible points would be best. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks for all you all do!!

Welcome I’m going to assume you are 2/24...two new personal credit cards opened in the last 24 momthe
for me paying a convenience fee was worth it on my Chase Ink Preferred CIP sign up bonus....acquired 85k URs..which we used to book a 2br villa for 6 nights
I am not familiar with using URs traveling to England...I do know Chase has travel partners and URs can be transferred to them to book flights, hotels etc or they can be booked through the Chase travel portal.

If you are fine with opening business cards...I sell some things on eBay.....the CIP has the highest sign up bonus 80k URs after a $5k spend...

On the Chase personal cards...the Chase Sapphire Preferred CSP has a 60k UR sign up bonus after a $4k spend...

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Wow, back from Disney and the boards look amazing....like it is 2019 even. Whoohoo!

So quick question so I can get caught up on my to-do list at home then caught up here...

I need to close DH's CIP today to get the AF refund. He has about 2500 points earned on next statement pending.

If I close it today, will he still get those points since he will still have a UR account thru his CSR?