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

[Lain]

I need to add my DD13 as an AU. Is there any reason to pick one card over another when adding kids? We have a Discover, CSP, AmEx Gold, and CapOne Venture as options.

Amex Gold cardmembers, check your account/email to see if you’re targeted for an AU bonus:

• Add new additional card members to your account through this e-mail and earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points after they spend $500 in eligible purchases on their card in the first 3 months of card membership (limit of 20,000 points). Offer ends April 14th, 2019.

See: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/new-...bonuses-hilton-everything-you-need-to-know-2/

Note, Amex requires you to provide SSN information for the AU(s) within 60 days after the card is issued. AUs have to be 13+ years old. In the past, people have added AU cards, hit the $500 spend quickly, then the bonus will post. However, Amex will close AU cards that are not registered with DOB and SSN after 60 days. Unclear how Amex will treat bonuses obtained on AU cards without providing SSN and ultimately closed going forward.

 

[elgerber]

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[JKalai]

There was a recent convo on here about Global Entry interviews, so thought I'd share my recent experience. DS11 and I did ours on Sunday afternoon. We had to pick up DH at SFO anyway, so we did a walk-in. We only waited about 30min until we got called in. They took both of us in together and never asked about previously getting fingerprinted. The agent asked DS11 simple questions like what school he goes to and what grade he's in. It was so easy and now we're set for the next 5 years! Yay! However, we are still waiting for DH's application to be approved. He's a permanent resident so I think that, along with the recent shutdown, might be why his is taking longer. Ours only took 4 days for the preliminary approval.

It seems like males and females have a big gap as far as getting applications approved. My SO (F) got approved within a couple days whereas my (M) took more than 30 days.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

What would you say to booking a room for a couple k's...

I always try to break in my cards initially with some innocent smaller charges. Do I need to do that - probably not. I just like giving the issuer a sense that all is normal before I jump out of the gate with a $1,000+ charge. If you can't wait though...I would absolutely do it. Don't let spend like that go to waste on a non MSR!

 

[lyshia04]

Have P2 get the CSR and you should go for CIP. Then refer him to CIP in a month or so

Thank you.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

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[CyndiLouWho]

Wow that sucks! I was complaining that overdrive “only” allowed me toa take 5 books at time and keep 10 on hold!

And it’s ‘per month’ so if you take out 3 or 5 at the beginning, you’re out of luck by end of month.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Now I just label cards and if I notice he is habitually using the wrong card I mention it. But I still have these thoughts about the one off purchases

I’m still stewing about DH get EBCI on our SW flights and using the wrong card. We got one $20 credit, had to pay for another and still have $80 left to use.

 

[lyshia04]

I fly out of RIC! I've found Jetblue to be the best price/flights to Orlando. You can transfer URs to Jetblue which often turns out to be a better value than booking Jetblue flights through the UR portal. For example, I just looked at Jetblue flights to Orlando for September. Direct flight down there is $89 one way or 5,600 Jetblue points. If you were to book through the Chase portal, it would be about 7100 URs. But instead, you can transfer 5,600 URs directly to Jetblue and book that way cheaper.

RIC is also starting direct Southwest flights to Orlando in August, but only Saturdays. I don't really dabble in SW miles, but a lot of people here do and can tell you more about them and getting companion passes, etc.

I bought Universal tickets with URs for a trip last November and had no problems.

Thank you. We just booked spirit round trip in September for $581 for all six of us. For that price I dint want to chance it. RIC is a little far away but doable. All our family lives in the tri-cities area so we can swing down and visit them if we want.

I know some love southwest. I need a direct flight with kids. One of my littles is autistic and finds car rides etc and boring. I mean he finds Disney boring .

Thanks for the info.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

My dh is actually getting to be so well-trained. He knows when the CF quarters end and comes to me with his wallet all dumped out and asks me to re-label for any changes. I love that! He either loves me and what this hobby provides OR he's scared to death of my wrath for using the wrong card

I need to make my DH more scared.

 

[lyshia04]

I’d stick with Chase cards while your under 5/24....Universal hotels can be booked with URs....

.if the spend on the CIP is too much right now....wait to apply when you have that big expense.

Since P1 has the CSP...they can refer P2 .....this way P1 gets the $10k UR referral bonus and P2 gets 50k URs sign up bonus...all URs can be combined on one persons card.
Once your done with that spend...the other business cards CIC and CIU...have a 50k UR sign up bonus for a $3k spend...you can alternate between P1 and P2 applying for them

Thank you I’m copying everything and putting it into a notes. Trying to get a good handle on this. To think I was happy with my cash rewards card at 1%.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thank you I’m copying everything and putting it into a notes. Trying to get a good handle on this. To think I was happy with my cash rewards card at 1%.

Once you learn of this world it is crazy! If I earn less than 10% back on a purchase now I’ll start to twitch lol!

 

[lyshia04]

Agree with the recommendations to stick with Chase UR cards while you're under 5/24. CIP since it has the highest bonus and eventually a CSR so you can redeem at 1.5x (either P2 apply or you can upgrade from CSP after 1 year).

I want to add that PNC bank accounts are great for meeting spend since you can charge $2000 on account opening. You can get a $200 or $300 bank bonus while you're at it. Chase cards have been working pretty reliably as purchases and not cash advances - but just in case send a secure message to reduce your cash advance limit to the lowest possible (should be $100). The direct deposit requirement for the bonus does not necessarily need to be from a paycheck, some bank push work as well. You can also open other savings accounts for more credit card funding, no bonus though.

Here's more info, with links to data points for what works.
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/pnc-up-to-300-checking-bonus-no-state-restriction/

Thanks that could definitely work on cards with a higher spend. I will be sticking with chase then.

 

[wanderlust7]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I will buy $500 OBC and purchase two $250 Cruise Next certificates while on board. They frequently let you use two to book a balcony or higher. If nothing else I should be able to have the OBC refunded by check I believe, if we decide not to buy the certificates. Please correct me if I am wrong!

You can also use the OBC on gratuities, if you haven't prepaid those already.

For refunds, checks are mentioned on Cruise Critic. But I think @disneedee had it refunded to credit card attached to her onboard account. Would want to make sure it's not back to the CC used for the AmEx offer though! You're going soon? Please report back if you end up with a refund.

 

[Tikitoi]

I always try to break in my cards initially with some innocent smaller charges. Do I need to do that - probably not. I just like giving the issuer a sense that all is normal before I jump out of the gate with a $1,000+ charge. If you can't wait though...I would absolutely do it. Don't let spend like that go to waste on a non MSR!

Definitely won't let it go to waste. But at least I've got a room saved that doesn't need to be paid until we get there. And for now the charged to go on there will be smaller amounts. Such as license renewal, tires, and car insurance. Definitely need these for my business...

 

[DisneyMandC]

Thank you. We just booked spirit round trip in September for $581 for all six of us. For that price I dint want to chance it. RIC is a little far away but doable. All our family lives in the tri-cities area so we can swing down and visit them if we want.

I know some love southwest. I need a direct flight with kids. One of my littles is autistic and finds car rides etc and boring. I mean he finds Disney boring .

Thanks for the info.

Spirit has some good flights too. My ILs flew Spirit from RIC to FLL. Our only problem with Spirit is paying extra for the bags and by that time I feel like we're probably coming out the same flying Jetblue.

 

[Haley R]

Wow today was the first time I’ve heard of the momo thing. That’s scary! I wouldn’t watch that as an adult let alone as a kid. I was already scared of our basement as a kid and the dark. I can’t believe someone would even think to do that

 

[liloca]

Ok, first I would like to thank everyone who gave advice it was super helpful. I’ve been keeping up with the thread, man it sure goes fast.

So we got the CSP. We are working on that spend now. I’m trying to let it be organic I don’t want to force it. Any suggestions for where to go next. The spend for the business cards is just a little out of reach for us unless we have something big planned. (Like the roof I put on my rental three months ago). So we were looking where to apply next. I saw all the grAAvy talk.
Right now we are at:
P1-1/24
P2-0/24

I don’t need the points for this upcoming vacation. Although I wouldn’t mind a weekend away this year. (Any suggestions welcome we are near dc, flying away would be lovely.)

So I was looking at what I need for next year. We are doing universal and SeaWorld.
So I need:
Hotel: Hyatt? 5 nights (would love on-site. It sure I make the points)
Tickets: I think you can get them through UR
Food: still thinking about this.
Rental/ Uber ? Depends on where we stay
Flights: we can fly out of IAD or RIC.

So maybe we should AA or another chase.

I welcome any tips. Thanks so much.

What about pre-paying bills? I did this for my electric, gas, internet/cable, cellphone, etc.

 

[havaneselover]

Spirit has some good flights too. My ILs flew Spirit from RIC to FLL. Our only problem with Spirit is paying extra for the bags and by that time I feel like we're probably coming out the same flying Jetblue.

My issue with Spirit is leg room and I'm not tall. 29" is just not enough IMO.

ETA I checked and it's actually only 28".

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thank you I’m copying everything and putting it into a notes. Trying to get a good handle on this. To think I was happy with my cash rewards card at 1%.

Lol..yes..this was me a year ago..happy with 1% on my Disney or SW cards.....