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

[wendow]

I was thinking corn...

Me too! I make taco soup a lot and add corn. No velvetta though for us cause we have a dairy allergy. I love taco soup. I have extra teens Friday night so I might make it then.

 

[wendow]

We are not getting as much as other areas but I'm over the snow and cold here in CO too. We've been spoiled the last 3 years or so with hardly any winter but we're making up for it this year My neighborhood doesn't get plowed so getting out is a chore. After that the roads are fine but it's SOOOO COLD

 

[amalone1013]

Me too! I make taco soup a lot and add corn. No velvetta though for us cause we have a dairy allergy. I love taco soup. I have extra teens Friday night so I might make it then.

My roommate and I used to make it for parties in college

 

[striker1064]

Got an email from Hilton a couple hours ago that my free weekend night was in my account, so I guess I'm just gonna be very thankful that the hotel chain is prudent with awards even though the issuing bank is not.

Now to figure out where to use it!

 

[Albort]

Did anyone post this yet?

Earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Gas Stations, Uber and Lyft from April 1–June 30, 2019, on up to $1,500 in purchases.

https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/cashback-bonus/cashback-calendar.html

For Discover it® and Discover® More® cardmembers only: Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Gas Stations (stand-alone), Uber and Lyft from 4/1/19 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 6/30/19, on up to $1,500 in purchases. Purchases made at Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets and supercenters may not be eligible. Purchases made through Uber Eats will not qualify. Purchases of Uber and Lyft gift cards may not be eligible. Listed merchants are in no way sponsoring or affiliated with this program. Certain digital wallet transactions qualify for 5%, for more information see Discover.com/digitalwallets. Purchases made using tap-and-pay, mobile or wireless card readers, virtual wallets or similar technology will not be eligible if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details for rewards qualification. Rewards are added to your Cashback Bonus account within two billing periods. See Cashback Bonus Program Terms and Conditions for more information about your rewards.

 

[Lain]

I'm almost done with my Hyatt MSR and DH and I are starting to think about next steps.

We are thinking he should apply for a CIC (most likely) or a CIU. Anyone know a reason to choose one over the other (other than how CIU gets us 1.5 URs on every purchase, but CIC gets us 5 URs on certain categories)?

Also, do we need to wait for DH to get under 5/24 before he applies? If so, is Credit Karma a good place to see when that pesky card opened in March of 2017 falls off the list? How much time should we buffer so he doesn't run into any issues?

I wanted to circle back to this when I had some time.

With Chase, pretty much all their cards are subject to the 5/24 Rule now; the Chase Ink Business cards are absolutely subject to 5/24, so DH does need to get under 5/24.

Check Credit Karma for all the cards DH has opened in the last 2 years that show up on his reports and count them. CK pulls from Equifax and TransUnion, but that's good enough for counting purposes.

If Chase pulls DH's credit report from only Experian, Experian back-dates all account opening dates to the first of the month. So it shouldn't matter if DH opened the card on 3/28/17, it's backdated to 3/1/17 and drops off of the last 24 months on 3/2/19, meaning DH could apply anytime after if that makes him 4/24. However, Chase has been pulling both Experian and Equifax for my wife and me on every application in the past year. Since we're just up the road from you guys, there's a good chance Chase may pull both EX and EQ reports. In which case, Chase will see from the Equifax report that DH may not be under 5/24 yet. It's best to wait until 4/1/19 to apply for either Ink card.

CIC or CIU?

Same 50k UR SUB. Same $3k MSR in 3 months. Same $0 AF.

CIU: 1.5x UR on everything.

CIC:

• 5x UR at office supply stores, which sells physical gift cards to Amazon, Disney, gas, (pretty sure) Whole Foods, Visa and Mastercard GCs (which often has no fee and $-off promos, so you can buy them then carry-over the 5x UR bonus to spend at places that don't earn that high of a bonus). I've also found some stationary stores like Paper Source code as 5x UR.
• 5x UR on internet, cable and phone services, so your cable tv, internet, cell phone bills, Netflix and Hulu.
• 5x UR on electronic gift cards to hundreds of merchants (including Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods) on Gyft and Swych when using PayPal checkout. (Note that the way these apps code could change in the future, but then you could still buy physical GCs from office supply stores.)
• 2x UR at gas stations and restaurants.
• 1x UR on everything else.
• *5x UR categories are capped at $25k/year.

Ultimately, you should have DH apply for both the CIU and CIC. You can PC the CIP down to either the CIU or CIC, but you won't get any SUB if you PC. Apply for the CIU and CIC. Keep your Chase CLs in check (<50% of household income), space out your applications adequately, and DH shouldn't have problems getting approved for 3 or 4 Chase biz cards.

 

[Albort]

I'm almost done with my Hyatt MSR and DH and I are starting to think about next steps.

We are thinking he should apply for a CIC (most likely) or a CIU. Anyone know a reason to choose one over the other (other than how CIU gets us 1.5 URs on every purchase, but CIC gets us 5 URs on certain categories)?

Also, do we need to wait for DH to get under 5/24 before he applies? If so, is Credit Karma a good place to see when that pesky card opened in March of 2017 falls off the list? How much time should we buffer so he doesn't run into any issues?

depends on personality to be honest. I have friends i recommend CIU because simplicity is the best for them.
the power of the CIC is office supplies, which means lots of gift card options... Ppl who are willing to work for the extra URs should go this route.

 

[alryan]

Help please

I just received my SW biz card, my first biz card with Chase (and ever lol). I assume I need to create a separate business account with Chase to access the card since it does not appear in my listing o' cards? How on earth do I do that?

Congratulations!!Yes, you will have to set up a different login for the business accounts. I called in to do it, not sure if it can be done by SM. If you do combine them it will be a new login under your new business login, but will include personal cards too. Some just leave it separate, but I like to have them all in one place. I know there was a reason some keep it separate, possibly something with Chase Pay.

 

[Natgridenergy]

Just got this on my SW card. Not sure its worth it, the AF increases to 149. Anyone else?

Introducing a Really Big Deal
with the Heart to match.
Earn 2,500 bonus points when you upgrade to the new Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and make a purchase by 3/31/19.1
This is a limited-time introductory offer. Upgrade today.

Enjoy more benefits and more points when you upgrade to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. It all starts with 2,500 Rapid Rewards bonus points after you upgrade and make your first purchase by March 31, 2019.1 Upgrading will increase your annual fee to $149. As long as you continue to meet our credit criteria, your upgrade request will be approved and your new product benefits will take effect in up to 4 business days. You will also receive a letter in the mail explaining the new fee, when it will apply, and your right to reject the change for this new product.

 

[amalone1013]

Just got this on my SW card. Not sure its worth it, the AF increases to 149. Anyone else?

Introducing a Really Big Deal
with the Heart to match.
Earn 2,500 bonus points when you upgrade to the new Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and make a purchase by 3/31/19.1
This is a limited-time introductory offer. Upgrade today.

Enjoy more benefits and more points when you upgrade to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. It all starts with 2,500 Rapid Rewards bonus points after you upgrade and make your first purchase by March 31, 2019.1 Upgrading will increase your annual fee to $149. As long as you continue to meet our credit criteria, your upgrade request will be approved and your new product benefits will take effect in up to 4 business days. You will also receive a letter in the mail explaining the new fee, when it will apply, and your right to reject the change for this new product.

I wonder when the AF increases. Would they do a pro rated refund then charge the new fee?

If so...
$149 AF minus AF credit
Get:
2500 RRs ~ $35
$75 travel credit
4 upgraded boardings (I consider them bonus)
Next year get 7500 RRs for anniversary ~ $105
Cancel before paying 2nd AF

So $215 in value... not as good as the original upgrade offer that I never got (not bitter or anything ) because that was 5k RRs, but I'd probably do it since we fly SW so often. Unless there was fine print about it messing with me getting the CP for 2021-2022 (like the Starriott wording for cards, with the upgrade offers making you ineligible... I'd doubt they have that for this)

For my current situation, I would only get $17.25 back for the AF (June), so $131.75 for $215+upgraded boardings... plus we have CP so those points take us farther. Ok I talked myself into it, but I'll probably never get an offer because Chase seems to think I have the Premier instead of the Plus

 

[amalone1013]

Speaking of upgrades... Still no new Marriott card fee. Took upgrade 10/17, made purchase 11/27, AF posted 10/1, AF refund posted 11/9, Paid my purchase off 12/10. Crickets...

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I
Nice!!! The London Hamilton show is on my wish list too. We finally got face value tix for the NY show later this summer. Comparing productions and casts has been fun. While we never got to see the original cast in person, I have seen a bootleg filming of the show with the original cast. Not the same, but without a time machine, the closest I'll get. Do let me know what you think of the London production!

We got face value because they were returned tickets, but that isn't saying much, LOL. They are a pretty penny as my mom would say. But I figured since we aren't really doing anything this week, we could splurge. Did I tell you that DD met Chris Jackson (original George Washington) at the NY show and got a selfie with him? It was a HUGE highlight (especially since One Last Time is my favorite song). The cast used to come out to talk to people in line before the show but not everyone realizes it. We recognized him and sent her over. It was so cool! I will definitely let you know. Going on Thursday ...

 

[platamama]

Speaking of upgrades... Still no new Marriott card fee. Took upgrade 10/17, made purchase 11/27, AF posted 10/1, AF refund posted 11/9, Paid my purchase off 12/10. Crickets...

Same here, upgraded sometime in late fall, got a prorated refund and haven't seen the new AF. I suspect mine will post on 6/1(?) which is my AF anniversary. But DH also took the upgrade in Dec, got a prorated refund, got the new 35K FN cert in Jan (card anniversary month), and his new AF hasn't posted on 2/1 like I had expected.

Did you get your FN certificate yet?

 

[Natgridenergy]

I wonder when the AF increases. Would they do a pro rated refund then charge the new fee?

If so...
$149 AF minus AF credit
Get:
2500 RRs ~ $35
$75 travel credit
4 upgraded boardings (I consider them bonus)
Next year get 7500 RRs for anniversary ~ $105
Cancel before paying 2nd AF

So $215 in value... not as good as the original upgrade offer that I never got (not bitter or anything ) because that was 5k RRs, but I'd probably do it since we fly SW so often. Unless there was fine print about it messing with me getting the CP for 2021-2022 (like the Starriott wording for cards, with the upgrade offers making you ineligible... I'd doubt they have that for this)

For my current situation, I would only get $17.25 back for the AF (June), so $131.75 for $215+upgraded boardings... plus we have CP so those points take us farther. Ok I talked myself into it, but I'll probably never get an offer because Chase seems to think I have the Premier instead of the Plus

Terms look decent:

Spoiler: Terms & Conditions

Accept Terms of Upgrade
Please read the following disclosures about the upgrade we will be processing. Check the "I agree" box below and click the "Submit upgrade request" button when complete.

This account will now have an annual fee of $149.
This is the only fee change to your Cardmember Agreement. All other Terms and Conditions on your new account will be the same as those on old account. You will receive a letter explaining the new annual fee, when it will apply, and an explanation of your right to reject the change to your product and the associated annual fee to be charged.

If you continue to meet our credit criteria, it may take up to four business days for the upgrade request to be approved and new benefits to take effect. You will receive the Rapid Rewards® Rules and Regulations of the Southwest Rapid Rewards®Priority Credit Card with your new credit card(s) in approximately 7 to 12 business days.

With this upgrade, there is no change in your APRs. Any promotional balances attached to the old account will transfer to your new account based on terms of the original promotion.

If you have previously been excluded from receiving solicitations you will continue to be excluded from solicitations going forward.

Please note that your expiration date and signature panel code will change. If you have automatic charges billed to your current card you will want to inform those merchants of the new expiration date once you receive your new card.

Please agree to the disclosure in order to request your upgrade to your card.

 

[speedyfishy]

Whats the deal with Simon Mall gift cards? I know they recently allowed a massive daily max but do they code more than 1x on any Chase cards?

I think the CIP is 3x

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Just got this on my SW card. Not sure its worth it, the AF increases to 149. Anyone else?

Introducing a Really Big Deal
with the Heart to match.
Earn 2,500 bonus points when you upgrade to the new Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and make a purchase by 3/31/19.1
This is a limited-time introductory offer. Upgrade today.

Enjoy more benefits and more points when you upgrade to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. It all starts with 2,500 Rapid Rewards bonus points after you upgrade and make your first purchase by March 31, 2019.1 Upgrading will increase your annual fee to $149. As long as you continue to meet our credit criteria, your upgrade request will be approved and your new product benefits will take effect in up to 4 business days. You will also receive a letter in the mail explaining the new fee, when it will apply, and your right to reject the change for this new product.

I took the upgrade offer on my SW plus card last August...since the $69 annual fee had just posted..they refunded the full amount...I still haven’t been charged the $149
For us it would be worth the fee, with the $75 SW credit .and 4 upgraded boarding positions

 

[amalone1013]

Same here, upgraded sometime in late fall, got a prorated refund and haven't seen the new AF. I suspect mine will post on 6/1(?) which is my AF anniversary. But DH also took the upgrade in Dec, got a prorated refund, got the new 35K FN cert in Jan (card anniversary month), and his new AF hasn't posted on 2/1 like I had expected.

Did you get your FN certificate yet?

I got a 25k one at the beginning of Sept, I opened my card on 9/5/17. So I booked something with it... then cancelled... and it never came back. But Marriott support claims they can see it Part of my Marriott call is about missing referral points, and the other part is I'm going to try and book something with this cert...

 

[Rob Huff]

Hello All,

I'm a long-time reader of the Budget Board and occasional poster. I like the way that my wife and I have set up our credit cards to date, but I figure that, if there's any place that can help us ensure that we're maximizing our efficiency, it's this thread!

So, here goes with our info from the opening post of this thread:

1) Credit Cards (the cards we have and how we use them)
xx/02 - CITI Mastercard Dividend (5% rotating categories) (me only)
xx/04 - CHASE Freedom (5% rotating categories) (wife only)
07/14 - AMEX Blue Cash Preferred (6% groceries up to $6K, 3% gas; $95 annual fee)
03/17 - CITI Double Cash (2%)
01/18 - UBER Visa (4% dining out, 3% airfare/hotels)
09/18 - Target RED (5% Target) (wife only)

2) Secondly we'll want to know a little bit about you. Specifically - what you spend, and what you want to earn!

• What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? I don't think there's such thing as a normal month for us, but let's ballpark this at $3-4K.
• Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month or do you carry any balances/pay any interest? In full every month. I used to pay it off weekly but I've shuttered that paranoia thanks to the autopay.
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? GRR (Grand Rapids, MI)
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? No. We also don't fly all that often (1-2 times per year).
• Does SOUTHWEST service your airport? Yes. They are our preferred carrier, though again, we don't fly much.
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? No.
  
• Do you currently have any travel points in any program? (if so, which programs and how much) No. We are second-class (resale) DVC members at PVB, but I think this is asking about credit card point programs.
• What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? (i.e. Disney World Trip, Cruise, European Trip, Cash Back to pay-off a mortgage or student loans, etc. - you can have multiple goals too!) Maximize value. I generally like to maximize cash back - I withdraw the cash every month or two, then invest the proceeds in an ETF. However, we go to WDW enough that I'd prefer the most efficient use of cash back. If it's WDW, great! If it's cash, great!
• Who does your travel party consist of? (Spouse, Kids (& ages), other relatives/friends) Me (32), DW (31), DD (7), DD (4)

I'm unreasonably excited to hear what you all have to say! Thanks!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We went on Thanksgiving in London and it was amazing! We saw it in SLC last year also and it was definitely fun to compare casts!

Too funny! We were here over Thanksgiving, too, but that's when my lottery luck failed me, LOL. I was so surprised to see three tickets pop up that I grabbed them right away. I can't wait!

 

[vanjust14]

Terms look decent:

Spoiler: Terms & Conditions

Accept Terms of Upgrade
Please read the following disclosures about the upgrade we will be processing. Check the "I agree" box below and click the "Submit upgrade request" button when complete.

This account will now have an annual fee of $149.
This is the only fee change to your Cardmember Agreement. All other Terms and Conditions on your new account will be the same as those on old account. You will receive a letter explaining the new annual fee, when it will apply, and an explanation of your right to reject the change to your product and the associated annual fee to be charged.

If you continue to meet our credit criteria, it may take up to four business days for the upgrade request to be approved and new benefits to take effect. You will receive the Rapid Rewards® Rules and Regulations of the Southwest Rapid Rewards®Priority Credit Card with your new credit card(s) in approximately 7 to 12 business days.

With this upgrade, there is no change in your APRs. Any promotional balances attached to the old account will transfer to your new account based on terms of the original promotion.

If you have previously been excluded from receiving solicitations you will continue to be excluded from solicitations going forward.

Please note that your expiration date and signature panel code will change. If you have automatic charges billed to your current card you will want to inform those merchants of the new expiration date once you receive your new card.

Please agree to the disclosure in order to request your upgrade to your card.

I took the upgrade as well when it was 5KRR. I'd still do it for 2500. I agree with @palhockeymomof2 that the upgraded boardings and credit are worth it. The credit does apply to the $5.60 fees if you are using points to book flights.

ETA: I just checked and my $69 fee was refunded June 1 and the $149 fee posted December 1.