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

[disneedee]

Hello, all.
New to this thread, but not to Disboards.
Looking to make my credit cards work smarter for me. I pay them off 95% of the time.
I have two teenage boys, and a 21 yr old daughter. I'm divorced and travel isn't something I can do without maximizing everything possible to make it less expensive. Thought you all would be a great resource and have some great advice for me.
We try to travel to WDW every other year. However, I just booked an airbnb for Long Beach, CA!! My boys and are going and we'd like to go to DL and CA for the first time. We'd also like to hit Universal. We'll be traveling in May, although I haven't booked airfare yet.

We live in Kansas and the closest, most convenient airport is in Kansas City, Mo. The airport code is MCI. And Southwest does fly out of there.

I am on the fundraising committee for our high school All Night Prom. I put many things on my credit card and then submit for the committee fund to pay it. It's not uncommon for this time of year through April to charge $2500+, especially Black Friday.

I do have some points in the following programs...
SWA Rapid Rewards: 6589
Somehow I have 2 different Delta Skymiles accounts- One has 5907, the other 505
Hilton Honors- 1120 points

Here are my monthly budgeted expenses-
Cell Phone- $70
Utilities (electricity, water)- $260
Security Monitoring- $28
Internet- $75
Cable- $30
Gas- $200
Car Insurance- $206
Groceries/Dining Out- $400
Gym Membership- $33


Here is a listing of my credit cards...

07/15- Chase- Amazon Visa Signature
08/03- Chase- Disney Visa (I just upgraded to card that has a $49 per year fee because it had a $50 statement credit)
10/11- Bank of America- Extra Bases Mastercard
10/17- American Express- Blue Delta Skymiles
12/03-Sam's Plus Card- Sam's Club
08/12-Victoria's Secret Angel VIP
12/11- My Maurices
And I just recently opened a Kohls charge since the old one was closed when I divorced last year.

I was thinking of opening a SWA credit account since they have a 40000 miles offer when you spend $2000 in the first 3 months. That can easily be done with All Night Prom purchases. Thoughts??

In addition to wanting to maximize credit card benefits with points/miles etc, I'd also like to have just a one payment per month. I have my mortgage and car loan that cannot be put on auto pay, but everything else is all over the board with due dates. Simplify!

I would so appreciate the expertise of everyone here! This thread is crazy! I cannot believe the detail and knowledge of everyone! So THANK YOU for what you all do!

Look forward to getting your advice.
Sincerely,
Gretchen from Kansas

great job listing everything out. Someone will be along soon that is better than I at planning. Do want to mention that paying those CCs off every month is very important for maximizing your vacation dollars. I get excited about earning 10% discount on my travels and those fees they charge if you don’t pay it off every month really cut into the $$ you are trying to save.

don’t jump on that southwest deal. Pretty sure people have been doing the 80,000 pts one. Think it is still available. Cutting it kind of close for earning points to fly in may but you might be able to make it work yet.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Hello, all.
New to this thread, but not to Disboards.
Looking to make my credit cards work smarter for me. I pay them off 95% of the time.
I have two teenage boys, and a 21 yr old daughter. I'm divorced and travel isn't something I can do without maximizing everything possible to make it less expensive. Thought you all would be a great resource and have some great advice for me.
We try to travel to WDW every other year. However, I just booked an airbnb for Long Beach, CA!! My boys and are going and we'd like to go to DL and CA for the first time. We'd also like to hit Universal. We'll be traveling in May, although I haven't booked airfare yet.

We live in Kansas and the closest, most convenient airport is in Kansas City, Mo. The airport code is MCI. And Southwest does fly out of there.

I am on the fundraising committee for our high school All Night Prom. I put many things on my credit card and then submit for the committee fund to pay it. It's not uncommon for this time of year through April to charge $2500+, especially Black Friday.

I do have some points in the following programs...
SWA Rapid Rewards: 6589
Somehow I have 2 different Delta Skymiles accounts- One has 5907, the other 505
Hilton Honors- 1120 points

Here are my monthly budgeted expenses-
Cell Phone- $70
Utilities (electricity, water)- $260
Security Monitoring- $28
Internet- $75
Cable- $30
Gas- $200
Car Insurance- $206
Groceries/Dining Out- $400
Gym Membership- $33


Here is a listing of my credit cards...

07/15- Chase- Amazon Visa Signature
08/03- Chase- Disney Visa (I just upgraded to card that has a $49 per year fee because it had a $50 statement credit)
10/11- Bank of America- Extra Bases Mastercard
10/17- American Express- Blue Delta Skymiles
12/03-Sam's Plus Card- Sam's Club
08/12-Victoria's Secret Angel VIP
12/11- My Maurices
And I just recently opened a Kohls charge since the old one was closed when I divorced last year.

I was thinking of opening a SWA credit account since they have a 40000 miles offer when you spend $2000 in the first 3 months. That can easily be done with All Night Prom purchases. Thoughts??

In addition to wanting to maximize credit card benefits with points/miles etc, I'd also like to have just a one payment per month. I have my mortgage and car loan that cannot be put on auto pay, but everything else is all over the board with due dates. Simplify!

I would so appreciate the expertise of everyone here! This thread is crazy! I cannot believe the detail and knowledge of everyone! So THANK YOU for what you all do!

Look forward to getting your advice.
Sincerely,
Gretchen from Kansas

Welcome fellow Kansan! Are you open to business cards? Many of us with very small "businesses" or side hustles use those for biz cards that have some more lucrative sign up bonuses, and also to stay below Chase's 5/24 rule. For instance, the Chase Ink Preferred (CIP) has 80k ultimate rewards for a $99 annual fee. The SW Performance biz has a 70k SUB for $5k spend with $199 AF. Are you familiar with the SW CP (companion pass)? Many of us are going for the first of two SW cards right now but waiting to complete the spend till next year to get two years worth of the CP.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Hello, all.
New to this thread, but not to Disboards.
Looking to make my credit cards work smarter for me. I pay them off 95% of the time.
I have two teenage boys, and a 21 yr old daughter. I'm divorced and travel isn't something I can do without maximizing everything possible to make it less expensive. Thought you all would be a great resource and have some great advice for me.
We try to travel to WDW every other year. However, I just booked an airbnb for Long Beach, CA!! My boys and are going and we'd like to go to DL and CA for the first time. We'd also like to hit Universal. We'll be traveling in May, although I haven't booked airfare yet.

We live in Kansas and the closest, most convenient airport is in Kansas City, Mo. The airport code is MCI. And Southwest does fly out of there.

I am on the fundraising committee for our high school All Night Prom. I put many things on my credit card and then submit for the committee fund to pay it. It's not uncommon for this time of year through April to charge $2500+, especially Black Friday.

I do have some points in the following programs...
SWA Rapid Rewards: 6589
Somehow I have 2 different Delta Skymiles accounts- One has 5907, the other 505
Hilton Honors- 1120 points

Here are my monthly budgeted expenses-
Cell Phone- $70
Utilities (electricity, water)- $260
Security Monitoring- $28
Internet- $75
Cable- $30
Gas- $200
Car Insurance- $206
Groceries/Dining Out- $400
Gym Membership- $33


Here is a listing of my credit cards...

07/15- Chase- Amazon Visa Signature
08/03- Chase- Disney Visa (I just upgraded to card that has a $49 per year fee because it had a $50 statement credit)
10/11- Bank of America- Extra Bases Mastercard
10/17- American Express- Blue Delta Skymiles
12/03-Sam's Plus Card- Sam's Club
08/12-Victoria's Secret Angel VIP
12/11- My Maurices
And I just recently opened a Kohls charge since the old one was closed when I divorced last year.

I was thinking of opening a SWA credit account since they have a 40000 miles offer when you spend $2000 in the first 3 months. That can easily be done with All Night Prom purchases. Thoughts??

In addition to wanting to maximize credit card benefits with points/miles etc, I'd also like to have just a one payment per month. I have my mortgage and car loan that cannot be put on auto pay, but everything else is all over the board with due dates. Simplify!

I would so appreciate the expertise of everyone here! This thread is crazy! I cannot believe the detail and knowledge of everyone! So THANK YOU for what you all do!

Look forward to getting your advice.
Sincerely,
Gretchen from Kansas

So, we each have a hard and fast rule of 100% payment all the time. Life happens so that doesn’t happen sometimes but until you’re there no taking on a new cc We beat banks, not get beat by them. There is no way to have just one payment per month with all your cc unless you carry debt which does not mesh with this hobby at all. If you want to do this you will need to organize. A lot of cc allow you to change due dates so you could simplify everything to the same due date but that’s not a great idea if the budget is stretched thin sometimes imho.

Call Delta and get your accounts condensed to one. You won’t be using those miles but who knows down the road, just get this out of the way.

I have no idea what card to recommend because I’m confused on how much spend you have. Are you looking at $2500 per month now through April? I think you are but want to make sure...

Oh, and back to the 95% payment thing- I’m not harping I promise Like I said, I 100% get that life happens. Do you know anything about bank bonuses? Basically you open a bank account, meet some requirements (debit card purchases, work direct deposits, maintaining a certain amount of money for X number of days, etc) and the bank gives you money. If you’re interested I think the best one to start out with is the $300 Chase Checking bonus it had easy to understand fine print and they have good IT. You can read more about that and many more bank bonuses from Doctor of Credit here https://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-bank-account-bonuses/

 

[afan]

Peasant at MCO because the lounge by my gate doesn't open til 6 and ME dropped us at like 420 for 7am flights. I get why some of you take uber, I'll just solve it by never taking an early flight again. But when I get home I'll be glad to have the time to get stuff done without taking an extra day off.

 

[afan]

The club in the DL terminal, gates 70 to 99 is much bigger than the one's at SeaTac. There seems to be a good breakfast spread but since I was hungry 2 hours ago I had McD's. Eating some strawberries to combat all the crap I've eaten the past 5 days, ot works that way right?

Will drink my airborne and be on my way to the gate shortly since it starts boarding in less than 10.

 

[bernina]

Peasant at MCO because the lounge by my gate doesn't open til 6 and ME dropped us at like 420 for 7am flights. I get why some of you take uber, I'll just solve it by never taking an early flight again. But when I get home I'll be glad to have the time to get stuff done without taking an extra day off.

You can also give ME slightly later flight info so you get there closer to your preferred time. The flight info you give ME doesn't have to match the info you give the airline check in desk (if you utilize that option). Lots of times we use airline checkin and then Uber to MCO closer to our flight time.
Safe travels and hope you had an awesome trip.

 

[reliev]

I don't know of any trick to make it magically appear. I think that I just went to the Amex website and looked to see what they were willing to offer me, but the only Amex card I had at that time was a Plat AU. The platicorn was there and I went for it and never looked back. Love those MRs.

so I know this from experience, card match tool will give you 100k if you haven't had an AMEX card I tried for months to get the 100k offer. never happened I went to churning on Reddit and asked they told me since I have 2 AMEX cards already that since Amex already had me as a customer its very unlikely to get a 100k offer, so I went to an incognito browser and sure enough I got 75k , Do I wish I got a 100k offer? sure doesnt everyone? I couldn't be happier though with the AMEX perks like my uber credit for my food take out shame but more importantly, the mid-tier status I get with hotels and the FHR benefits have paid for itself on the trips I take every 2 months or so. So the reason you might not be getting it is that you already have Amex cards, now if you dont I would keep hitting the card match tool as well as icgonito browsing you will get 100k offers eventually if you are "creditworthy"

 

[afan]

You can also give ME slightly later flight info so you get there closer to your preferred time. The flight info you give ME doesn't have to match the info you give the airline check in desk (if you utilize that option). Lots of times we use airline checkin and then Uber to MCO closer to our flight time.
Safe travels and hope you had an awesome trip.

I know we could have given ME something different but my friend has to go from dulles to work so I'd hate to have had something mess up.

It was a good trip and a a good farewell to my AP. Did some new things, some favs and said goodbye to other stuff. My only complaint was that fri to yesterday wasn't warm enough for me. I enjoyed wed and thurs and no the locals and most others liked the cooler temps but I'm a warm weather person and went to thaw out. Nothing to be done there though.

The skyliner was awesome and further cements pop as my fav along with now knowing I can and did get Mickey waffles after a day at the parks.

Had an issue with the bathroom fan constantly running so I sent a message per the in room letter and had a message right away. I called back and the manager on duty was really nice and kept asking what I wanted aside from the fan fixed and I kept saying nothing. They were able to fix it thurs am and I got a message on my cell in the afternoon and on the in room phone. When we finally got back around 9 I found a mickey photo which was awesome and better than more fp, we didn't use all we had. I sent another message to thank them for the pic anf fixing the fan and shortly after had another message thanking me for the message and to let them know of there was anything else.

Even if they hadn't been able to fix the fan I would have been fine with just the pic. Ot was only annoying when I was doing stuff at the sink/mirror.

Doors closed, next stop the PP loungeless SLC airport.

 

[havaneselover]

@Lain I visited Reddit and followed your advice. My bonvoy brilliant is now a bonvoy!

 

[hsmamato2]

I wish I could figure out how to search reddit properly for all this info I see noted here..... I can't figure out where to look most of the time....

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I wish I could figure out how to search reddit properly for all this info I see noted here..... I can't figure out where to look most of the time....

if you search for DISchurners the group will come up....then what I did was save it to my communities ...

 

[DisneyMandC]

I know we could have given ME something different but my friend has to go from dulles to work so I'd hate to have had something mess up.

It was a good trip and a a good farewell to my AP. Did some new things, some favs and said goodbye to other stuff. My only complaint was that fri to yesterday wasn't warm enough for me. I enjoyed wed and thurs and no the locals and most others liked the cooler temps but I'm a warm weather person and went to thaw out. Nothing to be done there though.

The skyliner was awesome and further cements pop as my fav along with now knowing I can and did get Mickey waffles after a day at the parks.

Had an issue with the bathroom fan constantly running so I sent a message per the in room letter and had a message right away. I called back and the manager on duty was really nice and kept asking what I wanted aside from the fan fixed and I kept saying nothing. They were able to fix it thurs am and I got a message on my cell in the afternoon and on the in room phone. When we finally got back around 9 I found a mickey photo which was awesome and better than more fp, we didn't use all we had. I sent another message to thank them for the pic anf fixing the fan and shortly after had another message thanking me for the message and to let them know of there was anything else.

Even if they hadn't been able to fix the fan I would have been fine with just the pic. Ot was only annoying when I was doing stuff at the sink/mirror.

Doors closed, next stop the PP loungeless SLC airport.

The fans in the bathrooms at Pop are weird... ours wouldn't run constantly, but it would like slowly come on at random times when we were in the bathroom that didn't correlated with when we turned the light on. It was strange. I also hate hotel bathrooms that automatically come on when you turn the light on.

 

[havaneselover]

I wish I could figure out how to search reddit properly for all this info I see noted here..... I can't figure out where to look most of the time....

Yeah, this is me. I’m trying hard because I appreciate so much what everyone here offers and respect the desire to keep some details off here.

I found what I needed in the loopholes thread. @Lain had, as always, explained it incredibly thoroughly.

The one thing I can’t figure out on reddit is posting support links but I’m okay with that.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Hello, all.
New to this thread, but not to Disboards.
Looking to make my credit cards work smarter for me. I pay them off 95% of the time.
I have two teenage boys, and a 21 yr old daughter. I'm divorced and travel isn't something I can do without maximizing everything possible to make it less expensive. Thought you all would be a great resource and have some great advice for me.
We try to travel to WDW every other year. However, I just booked an airbnb for Long Beach, CA!! My boys and are going and we'd like to go to DL and CA for the first time. We'd also like to hit Universal. We'll be traveling in May, although I haven't booked airfare yet.

We live in Kansas and the closest, most convenient airport is in Kansas City, Mo. The airport code is MCI. And Southwest does fly out of there.

I am on the fundraising committee for our high school All Night Prom. I put many things on my credit card and then submit for the committee fund to pay it. It's not uncommon for this time of year through April to charge $2500+, especially Black Friday.

I do have some points in the following programs...
SWA Rapid Rewards: 6589
Somehow I have 2 different Delta Skymiles accounts- One has 5907, the other 505
Hilton Honors- 1120 points

Here are my monthly budgeted expenses-
Cell Phone- $70
Utilities (electricity, water)- $260
Security Monitoring- $28
Internet- $75
Cable- $30
Gas- $200
Car Insurance- $206
Groceries/Dining Out- $400
Gym Membership- $33


Here is a listing of my credit cards...

07/15- Chase- Amazon Visa Signature
08/03- Chase- Disney Visa (I just upgraded to card that has a $49 per year fee because it had a $50 statement credit)
10/11- Bank of America- Extra Bases Mastercard
10/17- American Express- Blue Delta Skymiles
12/03-Sam's Plus Card- Sam's Club
08/12-Victoria's Secret Angel VIP
12/11- My Maurices
And I just recently opened a Kohls charge since the old one was closed when I divorced last year.

I was thinking of opening a SWA credit account since they have a 40000 miles offer when you spend $2000 in the first 3 months. That can easily be done with All Night Prom purchases. Thoughts??

In addition to wanting to maximize credit card benefits with points/miles etc, I'd also like to have just a one payment per month. I have my mortgage and car loan that cannot be put on auto pay, but everything else is all over the board with due dates. Simplify!

I would so appreciate the expertise of everyone here! This thread is crazy! I cannot believe the detail and knowledge of everyone! So THANK YOU for what you all do!

Look forward to getting your advice.
Sincerely,
Gretchen from Kansas

I think @gottalovepluto nailed some of the advice. I'm a single mom, kinda freshly divorced too (April 2018). 100% of my expenses go on credit cards and I pay those off monthly. I did work out my pay dates vs due dates and moved some cards around to balance it out. I have an app that will remind me when cards are due. There's no way to make "just one payment".

Like others said, Biz cards are the way to go if you can. I have had a legit business for 14 years, and I slacked on biz vs personal and now I've been waiting a LONG time to get the CIP (but I finally can this month). I would say look at the travel you want to do and what type of points benefit you. I have a LOT of Hilton points (as I've churned through almost all the Hilton cards now, just have the $0 AF card left to get at some point). I have LOTS of UR points as I was part of the 100k for the CSR and I have the Freedom too. I have a bunch of Delta (from doing 2 Delta cards, gold biz and gold personal). AA is my points of choice, and I am working on getting those reloaded.

Good luck, it can be done! And like others said, you gotta pay your bill 100% monthly, or this "game" doesn't work.

 

[hsmamato2]

if you search for DISchurners the group will come up....then what I did was save it to my communities ...

Oh I have that bookmarked, it's the individual topics within it that I have a hard time finding,other than the broad category headings. I'm reddit-stupid.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Yeah, this is me. I’m trying hard because I appreciate so much what everyone here offers and respect the desire to keep some details off here.

I found what I needed in the loopholes thread. @Lain had, as always, explained it incredibly thoroughly.

The one thing I can’t figure out on reddit is posting support links but I’m okay with that.

Are you trying to post them on the newer version of reddit, or the old version? The new version can be more difficult.

 

[amalone1013]

My SW Priority AF has hit from when I upgraded my Plus. Original Anniversary/AF date was 6/1, upgraded 6/17, had AF refunded, new AF posted 11/1

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

@Lain @platamama or anyone else that can help me. How do I search "incognito" mode for the platicorn? Is there info on the dischurners -- I looked quickly yesterday but didn't see anything?

 

[jhoannam]

Good morning churners:
The Hilton Aspire T&C show $0 fee the first year, with 150,000 points and $4k MSR. Seems like a great offer.
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/...rs-aspire-credit-card/36182-11-0/#offer-terms

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Okay, I feel like I need to come clean on here since we are basically dealing w/ money day in and day out on here w/ these cards and SUB and MSR, etc.

Somehow I fell off the wagon this summer. I'm "lucky" in that I have a nice chunk in savings right now (thanks to the divorce and my granny dying). For 21 years my ex did all our bills, and I lived cluelessly. I took over my portion of bills before he left, so I've been budgeting for awhile. I was doing great, but this fall it's hit me. And now I've had to dip into my savings to the tune of $2500.

I know some factors like my 4 trips this summer hurt my budget and Chicago last month. I have been on a bit of a wine buying bender too. I've also been buying clothes (for dates, and just because I don't have much to wear even day to day). My daughter's homecoming was a few hundred. Then things like I get less per paycheck this year (as we have a 27 pay schedule vs 26). So despite my (small) raise, I am getting less. And then things like my cable went up $20. We added a phone for my 10yo, that's another $20. My mortgage is now up almost $100/mo (between last year's increase and this year) because of the dang escrow balance they "require" (I'm going to call on that afterschool and see if I can just start pulling the amount I need myself, because at least I'd be getting interest). And I did increase my car payment $90/mo this past spring. I have like $500 tied up w/ the state of Michigan on "back taxes" they say I owe, I don't and I've submitted the paperwork 100 times to prove it. It's kinda, when it rains it pours.

It just scares me as I am REALLY hoping to buy a place in NC (rental property) in the new year, so most of my savings will be drained in doing that. But I've ran the numbers, and I SHOULD be able to make a small profit while covering all the costs associated with it. I'm sitting on so many things I need to sell around the house. And I've been slacking on looking into doing other things to add money to my budget (one being the "teach english online"). I really need to get off my butt and get cracking on things and stop spending as well! Christmas is coming, and it's sad to say, but part of me was hoping I might score the $1000 bump from Delta again this year coming back from Vegas, but school isn't sending me to Vegas. My 14yo completely understands, and will understand a smaller Xmas if needed. But my 10yo still thinks Santa will grant him his heart's desire. The good news is, my mom goes over the top at Xmas and often plays Santa for them.

This all just sucks, because a year ago, I was anticipating getting married, my BF moving in and someone helping with expenses so this NEVER became my reality. Now I'm sitting here single, and moving money around like crazy to cover due dates. I'm doing bank bonuses for extra money, banking the interest on the VGCs while I can (as every dollar helps).

Sorry, just really bummed out this monday as I had to "borrow" $370 to cover one bill and my $350 in bday money is going to cover another (which I guess in reality is going to pay off clothes and wine and other stuff I bought for "me" so it's not like it's paying my gas bill, LOL). Adulting sucks! Especially with 2 kids, and doing this solo.....grrrrrrr! On the flip side, my ex is spending money like it grows on trees. I know his mortgage is less than mine, but his jeep is more, as are his utilities (we are both still being billed together, lol). So it makes me question if he got a raise and I need to try for more child support, LOL. Right now I only get $300/mo and that basically just covers the kids insurance which I pay. But I'm afraid to do that as we didn't use friend of the court to establish the amount. Our lawyer had a program that could estimate what I would get. In reality I'm only supposed to get $200/mo, but the ex bumped it up for me. I'm worried if I request an adjustment, I'd get less.

Okay, venting over....back to your regularly scheduled churning