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

[Haley R]

I called up Disney to try to payoff my reservation at CSR. I read off the numbers from my CSR to the CSR and finished the payment. So excited to stay at CSR and earn extra points on my CSR! See...that wasn’t so bad, right???

I will add RAT when I get a chance!

Dh even understood this and thought it was funny lol

 

[Haley R]

My boys lose interest too pretty quickly in the thread but my 10yo ds wants his pic in my avatar lol!

As far as Tokyo, I think we are looking at 5+ years out. My dh told me he would much rather us go someplace tropical, especially since we will have SW CP for the next two years. SO, i am going to 'table' Tokyo for now, and revisit in a couple years.

I can convince him to go to Tokyo lol. I’m glad Dh is on the same page as me. Although the things we want to do in Japan are completely different so we will each get a little of what we want

 

[Albort]

So I guess I'll see how much this history keeps the pop-up at bay. My new BGR, I don't intend to keep the second year. I do plan to spread out the MSR as @Lain suggested. Then I'll do restaurant spending on it for 4x (even though I'd rather put it on my CSR). DH's Rose Gold we might keep. The dining credit is easy to use with Grubhub pickup and the airline GC figure I can sell for at least $80, so effective AF would be $50. His Hilton Biz we might cancel after the first year. I'm thinking I should get more cards this year before I need to start canceling. There aren't a lot of AmEx cards that I see myself keeping and regularly using. So probably not a matter of if but when I get the pop-up.

i was about the same the same as @Lain about spreading your MSR over the blah month period you are given. I would also suggest continue to put the same amount of spendings on the same card for a couple of months, then applying for the card, and start spending on that. Continue. I believe as long as you put similar spendings, u can stop spending on the old card, i did exactly that with the Biz Plat.

Your other option would be to spend higher amounts on any other card. This would be a great opportunity to learn to MS, MS will increase your spendings... Amex does not care after your done with MSR.

 

[calypso726]

They are pretty rigid about the 5 cc limit-the only exception I can think of is when they acquired the Hilton portfolio exclusively and some of the Citis were transferred (I think @Judique 's DD was someone with 6 but I could be wrong, @Lain hasn't sent me a spreadsheet in a while).

What is going to be your 5th Amex CC in 2019? I still need to bump one off for the Aspire.

I haven’t decided yet. There’s nothing compelling like the Aspire was for me last year. I’m basically keeping it open in case they come up with an awesome card. The only thing remotely interesting is the Hilton Business card since I know I won’t keep it.

Shockingly I’m toying with the idea of getting under 5/24 *gasp* for the first time ever and going back into the Chase playground simply because there is nothing compelling at the moment. We’ve got enough points to cover all upcoming travel plans and room for a number of whims. I’d like the Marriott business card as a keeper even without a bonus. I’m finding great value with FN certs and would like to pick up the Hyatt card too. I don’t know that I will actually do that but I am thinking about it. I have to see where we both are and how long it will take to get under 5/24.

 

[Judique]

I haven’t decided yet. There’s nothing compelling like the Aspire was for me last year. I’m basically keeping it open in case they come up with an awesome card. The only thing remotely interesting is the Hilton Business card since I know I won’t keep it.

Shockingly I’m toying with the idea of getting under 5/24 *gasp* for the first time ever and going back into the Chase playground simply because there is nothing compelling at the moment. We’ve got enough points to cover all upcoming travel plans and room for a number of whims. I’d like the Marriott business card as a keeper even without a bonus. I’m finding great value with FN certs and would like to pick up the Hyatt card too. I don’t know that I will actually do that but I am thinking about it. I have to see where we both are and how long it will take to get under 5/24.

I also want to get back under 5/24 so that I can pick up the Chase business UR cards. Then I would probably transfer them to my Hyatt card. At least enough to keep several nights available.

I'm happy to hear you saying you find great value in the free nights. That's been my feeling all along, but of course I realize everyone is different. I have 5 Marriott free night cards and my daughter also, plus she has the Ritz card. I also have the Hyatt, IHG, and Radisson. Between us we can do some nice redemptions coupled with points nights.

 

[kmc8826]

Thank you! I figured it had to still be Polynesian related.
I think I know the Stitch you are talking about! I saw it in July at Poly and was almost tempted to purchase it myself. Green lei on his head as well as around his neck with flowers???

Sooo sorry to hear your first DVC stay started out rough! At least your points were refunded and you're enjoying the villa now

Yes that is the Stitch. The 20% merchandise discount gets you in trouble...it makes things easier to justify. I was not going to let them spend their money until we did the outlet store but that was so cute and different. It was at HS yesterday.

Oh no -- hoping that the stay continues to improve!

Thank you everyone! I think (fingers crossed) it should be good now. That really was just so bad. You know when you are on the phone with the front desk at 4 in the morning and they want to talk to the maintenance guy who finallly showed up and I have to say “it’s not because we are stupid and don’t know how to use the bed it is because it is BROKEN” that it is not a good start.

On the pop up issue...I hardly ever use my personal Delta Platinum that I have had since 2009. Since I started getting other Amex cards two years ago that has been the pattern. I think the main issue is getting a new card and then stopping or changing the spending habit on those. As much as I can tell at least. Watch next time I apply for an Amex it will be pop up for me.

 

[schmass]

Thank you everyone! I think (fingers crossed) it should be good now. That really was just so bad. You know when you are on the phone with the front desk at 4 in the morning and they want to talk to the maintenance guy who finallly showed up and I have to say “it’s not because we are stupid and don’t know how to use the bed it is because it is BROKEN” that it is not a good start

I'm glad to hear things are looking better now. I hate that feeling of having to complain and explain why things should be made right when you are spending so much money. For the prices Disney charges, things like a working hotel room are expected. Sorry, I love Disney but feel like we've had to fight with them during our past few stays for things that should be standard.

 

[happ]

Bonvoy my friends! Marriott apparently heard my message from a month or so ago and gave me 500 more points from the 29 ways promo (I specifically complained about 1 missing 500pt win). Woohoo...not that I needed them but yay, lol!

AND I found this while doing my regular "check all my points" in every account update Points can be used fraudulently and stolen so keep track and check them often!

Thanks for posting this. I just checked my account and my missing 500 posted, too.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Fall Break (last week of September) - Great week

That’s when I’m going this year! Really hoping we have a great laid back trip.

@DisneyMandC I finished the book tonight. It didn't have as much law stuff in it as I thought it would but I really enjoyed it. It did start slow and took until about page 150 to get better but it's the first book in the series which I didn't realize. The next comes out in May so I imagine it won't start as slow. It's The Widows of Malabar Hill and it's the most recent one I rated on good reads.

Thanks, going to add it to my list!!

 

[DisneyMandC]

DH’s Citi AA Biz FINALLY showed up yesterday. I was seriously starting to think I had imagined him getting approved for that card. I broke it in by buying my new horse a halter with his name on it We have to order DH a new cowboy hat today and I have a $137 vet bill to pay for my horse, so we’re breaking this card in fast!

 

[Lain]

I was involved in a discussion awhile back on r/churning about this and it was so strange. Basically there's people who have gotten burned or are worried about getting burned AND there are people that think it's overblown.

I said I was pretty much done with AMEX and people were frying me for it. "You've never been denied" / "You're going to avoid them because there's a chance they may deny you a bonus" / "You're not going to risk spending $5k over the small chance you won't get a bonus" etc...

Do these people think money grows on trees??? $5k of spend for me (the Schwab Plat MSR) should be worth a minimum of $500. And that's 20%+ of the annual spend I have to devote to sign-up bonuses. So YES I will avoid AMEX because I'm not about to hand them $5k in spend for nothing. I get it that it's the MS culture that exists there that causes them to be so dismissive of any MSR but I can't help but shake my head at some of those fools at times...

I remember the conversation, and I want to say pizzy? I can’t keep up with the characters there.

 

[havaneselover]

Instant approval for SW Biz!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Instant approval for SW Biz!

Congrats

 

[kayteekt]

Since you have a legit business, you could potentially go for CIP #2 if you have an EIN (or are willing to get one). It'll require some additional verification like faxing in your EIN letter. You can refer your DH for an additional 20k URs. Then when you're sure you're under 5/24, he can refer you.

I'd hold off on Citi Prestige until it's relaunched and see what the bonus is. Supposed to be sometime this month.

ETA: Don't forget to reduce credit limits before you apply.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. He cancels and gets the CIU (or don't cancel, some people hold 3 biz cards), and you get the CIP when you get your amex thing sorted out. If he cancels first, make sure and save his referral link though, so you can use it.

Thanks for the thoughts on 2 CIPs. That is actually a good idea for DH, he already has an EIN. We incorporated 1/18, so he should be able to apply with that new EIN right? I can refer him. Then I can sort out the AU thing and apply for the CIC.

 

[amalone1013]

Bonvoy my friends!

This reminds me... we drove past a new senior living place the other night and it finally had a sign up. Bonaventure. All I could think was they must have talked to Marriott.

I still need to upgrade to Deluxe due to my HSA

My HSA is the only reason I have to upgrade. It's like really? For a form that is no more complicated than say, the student loan interest from? (Though this will be my second year not having to file with the student loan interest deduction- yay!)

 

[trenty]

You can ALWAYS reserve that right

I figure now that I am under 5/24 I will have those slots if a great sign up bonus offer comes from any of the cards I have considered in the past, especially CFU, United or IHG.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks for the thoughts on 2 CIPs. That is actually a good idea for DH, he already has an EIN. We incorporated 1/18, so he should be able to apply with that new EIN right? I can refer him. Then I can sort out the AU thing and apply for the CIC.

Yes he can apply with the EIN ....from your referral....we just did this...Chase did ask for the EIN letter to be faxed in

 

[disneybirds]

That’s when I’m going this year! Really hoping we have a great laid back trip.

We really enjoy our trips at the end of September. This year was probably the hottest week we have ever been - even summer. It was unusually hot in Florida for September. The only downside to the week is that most of the parks close around 9 pm. For perspective, our friends went with us and they have not been in 3 years and they thought it was really busy. Obviously, they have never been at Christmas.

 

[georgina]

Bonvoy my friends! Marriott apparently heard my message from a month or so ago and gave me 500 more points from the 29 ways promo (I specifically complained about 1 missing 500pt win). Woohoo...not that I needed them but yay, lol!

AND I found this while doing my regular "check all my points" in every account update Points can be used fraudulently and stolen so keep track and check them often!

Thanks! DH was given another 2000 pts when they owed him 1900 (had credited 2 of his 1000 pt wins as only 50) I'll take it. Off to check mine. HATE that Bonvoy name!

I've never used a software program to do my taxes, always just do the free fillable forms and file online that way. My taxes are not too complicated.

 

[Alexle2007]

Just opened a Wells Fargo Checking account for the bonus and funded the measly $50 on my CC. Hoping my credit union continues to work for the DD like it did for Chase. I put the reminders on my calendar to do the $500 monthly DD to avoid the monthly fee. And wow, the questions were hard. I had to remember of the years of my previous cars.

Now to set one up for DH.