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

[SouthFayetteFan]

Just got back from our almost 2 week adventure using mostly cc rewards. We did 3 days in Disney prior to our cruise which left last Sunday. And then just finished 4 days at RPR universal. We had a great time!

Wanted to say I’m extremely glad @SouthFayetteFan does the Reddit updates I found it really helpful while away!
Disney was busy but after browsing this board (no way can catch up to it all) it sounds like we dodged a major bullet not going over Presidents weekend. Most people have stayed where we stayed so I won’t get too into it. One night Pop it was sufficient and worked out great as we got ME and magic bands but i couldn’t see us staying there long term. Then we switched to the Swan (a first for us). We loved it! The rooms and location were great! Will def head back there for a longer trip. The parks were busy (Friday 2/8, Sat 2/9) but managable. The kids chose AK and HS and I was able to get FOP in the afternoon - amazing. Then we did HS Saturday and SDD FP. It’s nice how everyone flocks to the new parts so you have some time to get other rides in first thing. We were able to do RNR X2 and TOT X2 standby with min waits in the am. That’s never happened any trip before.
Our cruise set sail Sunday. We took the RCCL Oasis to the western carribean. Another ship (Norwegian) from the same Port had an issue that week crashing into a dock in Puerto Rico. I can see why. It was incredibly rough the first 2 days. I felt so bad it was my kids first experience and it was unusually rough waters. Things calmed down and we had 2 great port days. It was a beautiful ship, lots to do and my kids had fun. We’ve cruised before but I wouldn’t call is “cruise people”. We like other types of vacations a bit more. But still if the price was right we’d cruise again.
Lastly we ended at RPR universal for 3 nights. Loved the hotel. Rooms were great. Parks were busy so EP was totally needed - was so glad to have it. My kids loved universal. I liked it but too many 3D/4D experiences and my head felt just gross. We did upgrade to APs because it was only $29 per person and they are good for 15 months. Will prob go back and do a more relaxed trip. Some mornings in the park and enjoying the pool/resort a bit more!
Came home late last night on a delayed flight to freezing rain and horrible roads to find our heat not working. Oil guy came at 4am so I am exhausted!!!!

Thanks! Also a huge shoutout to @Lain who has helped a ton with those updates!!

 

[speedyfishy]

Got a serve card today at Walmart and did the first load using a VGC without any problems. Can’t wait to get another one for me and two for SO. Easy $20,000 MS every month. Thanks @Albort for your help.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I think he needs to do this. For those in serious trouble - CC need to be off-limits.

I think one of the reasons it’s popular is that people have a hard time with control and temptation. (Obviously not those here ). I mean people go nuts following no carb diets because they can’t handle ‘just a little’ bread/sugar/whatever. Lots of people are like that with debt. One of my coworkers is like that. I hesitate to mention much beyond I travel on points because she way overspends. She complains it’s not fair that she can’t have everything she wants, she’s entitled to it. She has new clothes all the time (and this kills me but she just buys stuff without trying it on and then never bothers to return things that don’t fit). She has enough ‘stuff’ to fill a 2 bedroom condo and an extra rented storage unit. If Dave Ramsey said “CC are ok for disciplined people” she’d think, well I am disciplined.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Has anyone ever used a cc, in full or partially, to purchase a new car? Like new-new, not new-to-you

Um Tesla Guy

It’s nice how everyone flocks to the new parts so you have some time to get other rides in first thing. We were able to do RNR X2 and TOT X2 standby with min waits in the am. That’s never happened any trip before.

This is great info. Have FP for SDD and RNR but DS loves TOT so we may head there first.

 

[platamama]

Yeah, I totally forgot that's how the refreshed Biz Gold works. I have no plans to ever upgrade my BGR to the Biz Gold and have to pay a fee. And since Amex considers the BGR to be the same product as the Biz Gold (but didn't bother to upgrade the benefits*), I'm locked out of another bonus; and without that, it's not worth applying for.

*or send me a shiny metal card!

This is what I don't understand, how can they consider it the same product? If you have to pay an extra $120 to get the Biz Gold's new benefits then obviously it's not the same product as the BGR. That's some serious handwaving going on there. Will your BGR have a $295 renewal fee next year or are you grandfathered into $175? It would not fit Amex's pattern to grandfather you in (thinking of the SPG Biz going up to $125 next year...just got my $95 renewal notice for this year but expect it will be $125 next year).

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Um Tesla Guy

Oh. No. You. Didn’t.

 

[wendow]

Because you need to keep Biz expenses separate. And you’re trying to grow your business

This is definitely what I will say if they ask. I'm probably more worried they are going to see I opened the Arrival+ in 9/17, closed it 10/18 and opened another one 12/18 They probably won't believe anything I tell them after that!

My app is still pending so hope is still alive

 

[Natgridenergy]

Got a serve card today at Walmart and did the first load using a VGC without any problems. Can’t wait to get another one for me and two for SO. Easy $20,000 MS every month. Thanks @Albort for your help.

Where are you getting vgc to maximize points and what card are you using?

 

[Lain]

Um Tesla Guy

You did not just go there...

 

[amalone1013]

She has new clothes all the time (and this kills me but she just buys stuff without trying it on and then never bothers to return things that don’t fit)

My sister is like this and it drives me batty.

 

[elgerber]

I hate going to the bank. Dh gets on me right away about doing direct deposit lol

OMG, when I first got mobile deposit I wanted to shout it's glory from the rooftop!!! Best thing since pay at the pump, gas!!!

 

[Haley R]

OMG, when I first got mobile deposit I wanted to shout it's glory from the rooftop!!! Best thing since pay at the pump, gas!!!

Wait....they didn’t used to have pay at the pump gas? Lol

 

[amalone1013]

Were halfway home from DHs interview and hes still flustered

 

[Lain]

Were halfway home from DHs interview and hes still flustered

Does he know you plan to make him downgrade his CSR and take away his Priority Pass card yet?

 

[mmmears]

@SouthFayetteFan Oh, I didn't think about that. I don't want to get you in trouble with AMEX.

Were halfway home from DHs interview and hes still flustered

Did they ask odd questions? (happened to me )

I missed like 25 pages in the last 2 days and tried to skim through some, but I'm waving the white flag.

Looks like nothing terribly important was missed...according to the dischurners news thread.

In other news, we have enough points to book 2 rooms at grand Wailea if we want to try and hop on the soon to be released SW flights. Not likely, but nice to know the option is there. But the fact that we have all those points, means I don't have enough stuff planned.

It's so hard to catch up here. Woo Hoo for having so many points! GWR was our go-to for years. It has a really fun swimming pool with slides and a sandy shallow area for little ones, and it's really pretty there. Also on a fantastic beach. Now I want to go back!

 

[speedyfishy]

Where are you getting vgc to maximize points and what card are you using?

The plan for this year
Sign up Bonuses- Giftcard mall
Amex Gold 4x At grocery stores
Ebates Card I’m hoping I can get 4x MR at Giftcardmall with this.
CIP x2 trying to get $150,000 each at giftcard mall
Hyatt 15k for a free night(this is low in my list right now) I’ll try getting giftcards when I get a good deal.

 

[Ngwira]

Add me to the list of people who now live by the mantra “Amex is dead to me, I’m rocking with Chase”. Last December, I was targeted via mail for the 10k pay over time offer. I signed up on December 2 and still don’t have my points.
I’ve chatted twice only to be told to wait up to 12 weeks. Today when I chatted I was told they “investigated” and found no offer attached to my account. This after three reps confirmed they saw it.
I went ballastic. The rep had the audacity to say they can’t manually give me the points because “they already gave me a 20,000 point retention offer”. I said those points weren’t free, I had to spend $2,000 and I just paid a $725 membership fee on my Platinum card on 2/15. Please don’t act like you gave me anything for free.

I escalated it to a supervisor who confirmed that the offer is on my account and to wait the 12 weeks. If I don’t get them by March 2, I’ll be contacting the executive office and the cpfb.

They messed with the wrong one today..lol I have every intention of canceling my bbp and blue cash ever day. Chase will get all my business going forward. I’ll transfer my existing points to JetBlue and be done with it. I’m keeping my Platinum until next year because I just paid the fee.

 

[MrPTato]

You're going to make Zack downgrade his CSR?! What will the Lounge Lord do for Priority Pass access? Will he just carry around his Priority Pass card even if it doesn't get him in anywhere?

I was curious about this...if the PP card is good for 2 years, but you cancel or downgrade the CC you got it with, do you lose access even if you still have the PP card?

 

[Judique]

Everyone here gets their electronics from Walmart, Best Buy, Target or Amazon. Unless you get some guy selling them off the dock in the back, cash isn't going to do anything for you here.

Or in my case, Costco.

 

[Lain]

I was curious about this...if the PP card is good for 2 years, but you cancel or downgrade the CC you got it with, do you lose access even if you still have the PP card?

Yes. The PP benefit is tied to the CSR (or whatever card that offers the benefit). Cancel or downgrade that card, and you lose the PP regardless of the expiration date on your PP card.