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

[jhoannam]

What about at Best Buy with Swagbucks? These are perfect for doing the SB deal $100 at a time.

I haven’t done the SB deal, what’s the return?

 

[amalone1013]

I haven’t done the SB deal, what’s the return?

Currently its $11.50 per $100, $7.50 within a few days and $4 30 days later.

Plus BB reward points, which their certificates can still be used towards gift cards. That depends on reward level.

And for swagbucks, if you refer P2 to it, you get 10% of their earnings. So if i stop alone I use DHs account for $12.65 total. You can only do $100 per day per account though so if we both go we each do $100

 

[gottalovepluto]

Staples .com running a no-fee $100 MCGC deal again.

https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/fee-free-100-mastercard-gcs-at-staples-com/

Details have this expiring 2/2 so anyone who wants it I'd jump.

Picked one up at the end of the last deal to finish off my Staples Amex deal (despite having previously decided to pass) and successfully liquidated on Plastiq paying a bill.

If anyone needs to activate it but the code hasn't come in yet I followed the suggestion here https://www.doctorofcredit.com/staples-com-100-mastercard-with-no-fees/#comment-712813 and called their number to activate it, just needed my Staples order number and order date. The first time I called it said the wait time was over 2 mins. At 10 mins I hung up and called again, they answered after 3 mins so the phone system might be a bit wonky. Did my Plastiq payment about half an hour after the activation.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I haven’t done the SB deal, what’s the return?

Currently its $11.50 per $100, $7.50 within a few days and $4 30 days later.

Plus BB reward points, which their certificates can still be used towards gift cards. That depends on reward level.

And for swagbucks, if you refer P2 to it, you get 10% of their earnings. So if i stop alone I use DHs account for $12.65 total. You can only do $100 per day per account though so if we both go we each do $100

And if you do it DEFINITELY sign up for the Best Buy rewards program. Once you have enough you can cash out for rewards certificates and they work on 3rd party gift cards at BB.

 

[Lain]

I haven’t done the SB deal, what’s the return?

You get a 750 SB bonus when you make a $100+ purchase in-store when scanning your SB QR code. However, you can get only one bonus per day, and you'd buy only a $100 Disney GC to maximize the deal. That's on top of the usual 2 SB/$1, which is currently increased to 4 SB/$1 (don't know when 'til). The 750 SB bonus usually posts about a day or two after purchase, the 2 or 4 SB/$1 posts within a month. 1000 SB cashes out to $10 via PayPal. You might get a slightly better rate cashing out to a VGC. So typically, you're looking at a $9.50 return on $100; currently with the 4 SB/$1, you're getting $11.50 back on $100. You also earn 1-2.5% rewards at Best Buy depending on your Elite status. Buying the $100 MCGC from Staples with CIC earns 5x UR. If you have the 10% back Amex Offer at Staples, that's ... 10% back.

 

[afan]

Watched Charade. Interesting movie that was a bit hard to follow. Enjoyed it though. I do enjoy Audrey Hepburn. I think next week will be Rebel Without a Cause.

 

[mmmears]

You don’t need a mailer if you haven’t applied in 10 years. You need a mailer with no 24 month language if you’ve had a card/bonus in past 24 months, correct @Andysol ?

Thanks! I think you're right, but I guess I could use it for the next card if I decide to do it. That's a big if at this point but I'm trying to come up with a plan for 2019.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thanks! I think you're right, but I guess I could use it for the next card if I decide to do it. That's a big if at this point but I'm trying to come up with a plan for 2019.

I’m struggling with a good plan as well. I’d Like a SW CP but DH got the personal less than 24 months ago, and I’m over 5/24 until May.
We are just finishing DHs CIC spend so I applied for the AA CitiBiz tonight. Instant approval!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I’m struggling with a good plan as well. I’d The a SW CP but DH got the personal less than 24 months ago, and I’m over 5/24 until May.
We are just finishing DHs CIC spend so I applied for the AA CitiBiz tonight. Instant approval!

Congrats on the instant approval

 

[mmmears]

I’m struggling with a good plan as well. I’d The a SW CP but DH got the personal less than 24 months ago, and I’m over 5/24 until May.
We are just finishing DHs CIC spend so I applied for the AA CitiBiz tonight. Instant approval!

Congrats! That's fantastic! It's challenging to plan when the sands keep shifting.

 

[lyshia04]

Are either of these good to start off with? I have been looking around to try and find good ones. We haven’t applied for any cards in years and have good credit.

https://www2.theexplorercard.com/40...MI3-LU4s6d4AIVxh-GCh3vwQqDEAAYASAAEgIPK_D_BwE


https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/...=W22YFF&lp_cx_nm=HPCOL_LH&intr_pg_nm=HPCOL_LH

Thanks for the help. I’ve been reading all the posts. Wow it moves so fast.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

On the ground in Pittsburgh. About 40 min late to the gate. So blessed to be affected so little today.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Are either of these good to start off with? I have been looking around to try and find good ones. We haven’t applied for any cards in years and have good credit.

https://www2.theexplorercard.com/40...MI3-LU4s6d4AIVxh-GCh3vwQqDEAAYASAAEgIPK_D_BwE


https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/...=W22YFF&lp_cx_nm=HPCOL_LH&intr_pg_nm=HPCOL_LH

Thanks for the help. I’ve been reading all the posts. Wow it moves so fast.

It’s hard to give concise advice on this topic...but typically we advise people to start with Chase cards - and often the Chase Ink Preferred if you can qualify for a business card via a side hustle (ie even selling on eBay would qualify).

 

[Lain]

Are either of these good to start off with? I have been looking around to try and find good ones. We haven’t applied for any cards in years and have good credit.

https://www2.theexplorercard.com/40...MI3-LU4s6d4AIVxh-GCh3vwQqDEAAYASAAEgIPK_D_BwE


https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/...=W22YFF&lp_cx_nm=HPCOL_LH&intr_pg_nm=HPCOL_LH

Thanks for the help. I’ve been reading all the posts. Wow it moves so fast.

The United Explorer card is a terrible offer at only 40k UA miles. That card has an in-flight offer link (also available publicly) for 50k miles, and often has targeted offers of 50k and 60k miles, and as high as 70k miles in summer 2017.

If you’re open to applying for business credit cards, as @SouthFayetteFan suggested, the United Business credit card is offering 75k miles after spending $5k in 3 months. That offer ends 3/18/19.

Arguably, however, the Chase Ink Preferred (“CIP”) that @SouthFayetteFan suggested is a better deal at 80k Ultimate Rewards (“UR”) bonus points after spending $5k in 3 months. If you fly United, UR points transfer to United miles 1:1, so 80k UR > 75k UA miles. UR also gives you the additional flexibility of being used like cash to book flights and hotels on the Chase UR travel portal. This is helpful if you can’t find good award availability using, for example, United miles, or if using UR like cash costs less points than it would take to book an award seat. The CIP gives your UR points 25% extra value, so 1 UR point that is usually worth only 1 cent if you cash it out, is worth 1.25 cents when used to pay for travel on the Chase portal. If you decide to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve (“CSR”) and move your UR points to that card, your points are worth 50% more and redeem as 1.5 cents towards travel booked on the Chase portal.

If you are under 5/24, don’t even think about the Wells Fargo card. There are so many good signup bonuses from Chase’s cards, but you have to be under 5/24 to be approved for pretty much any of their cards.

Please don’t rush into anything! There are a lot of rules for particular cards and issuers that we want to help you keep straight. While you’re still getting the hang of this hobby, it’s always a good idea to run your strategy and plans with us before any application for a new card.

 

[gottalovepluto]

My BFF texted me this out of the blue today. With all the 1099 drama I know some here can relate...

 

[amalone1013]

DHs Global Entry app is officially in. Just a year and a half after getting his CSR. And I actually paid with mine which is... 2 years and 3 months old. Oops! Will make that call to downgrade after the credit shows up. I'll take a 2/3 or 3/4 credit still.

 

[lyshia04]

It’s hard to give concise advice on this topic...but typically we advise people to start with Chase cards - and often the Chase Ink Preferred if you can qualify for a business card via a side hustle (ie even selling on eBay would qualify).

Ok that’s good I sell quite a bit on eBay to fund our vacations. Thanks! I will check it out.

 

[Albort]

@Lain when u go through Masterpass with a MCGC, does it charge the 2.5% or 1%

 

[Andysol]

You don’t need a mailer if you haven’t applied in 10 years. You need a mailer with no 24 month language if you’ve had a card/bonus in past 24 months, correct @Andysol ?

Correct.

@mmmears

 

[Alexle2007]

@SouthFayetteFan and @Alexle2007 so glad you aren’t delayed too much. How incredibly scary - I keep thinking how easily he could have landed on someone below too and it could have been even worse

Thanks! Just got back to the 20 degree weather in Baltimore. Brrrr...Definitely missing the warmth of FL.