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

[Judique]

@mmmears
And my random observation for tonight if anyone cares Trader Joe’s beer bread is way yummy. (Buy a box while they still have it as it is seasonal). It is especially good and makes you happy when cut on your WDW AP Food and Wine strangely small wooden cutting board. [/QUOTE]

I may go to Trader Joe's today! Haven't taken my mini cutting board out of the plastic bag yet as it didn't seem like a functional object other than maybe as an oversized coaster for my coffee cup.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

DH is a huge proponent of password programs (network security is something he deals with daily at work). He likes One Password. I know this because he is constantly telling me I need to start using it, and I keep putting it off. Even my DD has been using it for a while. It supports long, meaningless passwords that would be impossible to memorize. Hope this helps. I'll likely be using it soon (can only say "next week" for so long LOL)


Nothing good comes of it. I still don't have my $10 from Shake Shack, even though they both said they would investigate and also that they would manually credit me. It's been about a month, and I decided it wasn't worth the effort, but DH bugged them about it yesterday and they kept asking him if it was in a ball park (um, no, it's not like there are more than 1 around these parts) and if we bought merchandise (can you even do that?). All for food that was just sort of ok. AMEX is making us work way too hard to get this reimbursed, and I don't really want to draw all this attention to my account over $10.

I just started using 1password and really like it. I did the trail period for the family option and liked it so much, I just bought it. You pay for the year in advance, so I think it was about $60. Its has vaults that allow you to have passwords in places only you can access as well as passwords that can be shared among the family. I love that it works really well across devices. I have it on all my computers (desktop/laptops), phones, and iPads. Pretty easy to use, although my non-tech husband hasn't really dug in yet. He needs a lesson

Add me to the Shake Shake frustration. We went at the end of last month, and when it wasn't immediately credited as Grubhub was, I SM'd. She confirmed that my charge was eligible, but said it could take 2-4 weeks to post. Of course, it still hasn't posted. I think I'm going to tweet Amex about how a benefit that you have to constantly follow up on isn't really a great benefit. The first month, I was also screwed out of a charge because I used Grubhub on the last day of the month and the transaction didn't post until two days later. UGH! Amex really needs to take some lessons from Chase if they want to give them a run for the money on benefits. The Chase travel benefit is how they all should be done.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

First sent last night for the match. Wish me luck.

 

[kandb]

I would also specifically recommend that you signup for a FREE account at Experian.com and verify the exact list of you cards and approval dates (mind you that any card - open or closed - showing on your credit report counts towards 5/24). This would also let you verify when you get the AU situation resolved.

OK, to clarify. The Capitol One card that I have that was opened in 4/17 is a CO Venture. The card that I am an AU on that my husband signed me on in 2/18 is a Chase Freedom Unlimited. I believe both Chase Disney Visa's were just regular rewards cards. I cut up the one I cancelled, so don't have it anymore. The one I presently have, my 15 year old daughter is an AU on. I had opened the one Chase rewards card getting $200 and then they sent me a pre-approved letter to open another one where I got a $200 gc and a $50 gc since my daughter was an AU and used the card as well. Yes, I would be interested in joining reddit but I am just learning about this cc stuff. Yes, I clean houses for family and they pay me, so perhaps that is a good business to say I am in. I know most like the Chase ink preferred on here.

I did go onto Experian and sign up for my credit report. They told me on there that my score was only 711. It was 797 and 810 on trans/Equifax? I wonder why the big difference. I don't know why it would be so low. This is why they scored me low:

Payment history-Very Good
Amount of debt-Exceptional
Credit history length-Exceptional (this means your old, Lol)
Amount of New Credit-Fair (says inquiries in last year-2)
Credit Mix-Exceptional

I have a $217 collection under payment history for Sprint which screwed up the 4 phones we bought/service over 2 years. Got them all the same day and when the contract ended and I went to T-Mobile (because they sucked), they said 2 of the phones had a 25 month contract. Dealing with them was like dealing with a 2nd grader. They wanted me to pay for ending my contract early for the two phones, even though we didn't. The girl who set up the 4 phones at the beginning of the contract was illiterate. I even had the district managers cell phone number due to this. Anyway, not sure how long this will stay on my credit report. I haven't had Sprint for 14 months now. Looks like they keep putting it on my credit report like it just happened.

Is that odd that my Experian score is 100 points lower then the other two (or close to it)?

 

[EACarlson]

The dining credit is one of the reasons I'm considering getting rid of my Gold when it comes up for Renewal. The only places it works around me are a Ground Round, a sports bar and one chinese place. So the Wife and I have to order chinese once a month to use this. It's not a problem when we travel to larger cities for weekends away but 70 miles to a Cheescake Factory or 150 to a Ruth's Chris isn't worth it. Also not happy they are getting rid of the gas station multiplier, but 4x restaurants and 4x groceries might make it worthwhile.

 

[tink1970]

To those who have a viable flying use for these points we must seem crazy!

I cannot tell a lie, yes, yes it does! That said, if it works for you then great.

Dr Reluctant P2 is considering the CIP so hopefully in a week @mmmears and I will both have good news to report

 

[Judique]

The first month, I was also screwed out of a charge because I used Grubhub on the last day of the month and the transaction didn't post until two days later. UGH! Amex really needs to take some lessons from Chase if they want to give them a run for the money on benefits. The Chase travel benefit is how they all should be done.

This also happened to me on my first month. Were you able to get them to credit you the $10? I didn't even try.

I wasn't stressing because of the extra 20% on restaurants and I am looking to keep this card. Unless they screw up the airline credit and I'm unable to get that $100 as a gift card (SW) I will be keeping the card until something I like better comes along.

The 4X grocery and restaurants does it for me and I have all the options for the $10, plus the gift cards, making it a nice card to keep.

 

[EACarlson]

I did go onto Experian and sign up for my credit report. They told me on there that my score was only 711. It was 797 and 810 on trans/Equifax? I wonder why the big difference. I don't know why it would be so low. This is why they scored me low:

Is that odd that my Experian score is 100 points lower then the other two (or close to it)?

Are these numbers you are getting from Credit Karma, Credit Sesame or Capital One? If so those numbers are worthless, they don't use the Fair-Isaac algorithm that makes the FICO numbers that almost all creditors use. With the collection on there 711 is a pretty good score, it's not going to go too much higher as long as that is on there, especially if you have 60-90-120 day lates plus the charge off. They will come off your report 7 years from the first time you didn't pay. Two options are to contact them and try to get them to remove the derogatory in exchange for payment, or dispute it through the credit reporting agencies. I had to fight with Sprint for 8 months to get them to remove something similar from my report. I was lucky I had written correspondence and recorded phone conversations.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Did they give you an amount? Was it like the cost of one night’s stay?

Gosh I don’t remember. I was appalled at the 50k plus resort fee plus parking plus it wanted to charge me.
But I just tried to do it again and it didn’t show any charge now....at least that I can see on my phone. In other news...$475 a night for a standard room!?!? So ridiculous.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

OK, to clarify. The Capitol One card that I have that was opened in 4/17 is a CO Venture. The card that I am an AU on that my husband signed me on in 2/18 is a Chase Freedom Unlimited. I believe both Chase Disney Visa's were just regular rewards cards. I cut up the one I cancelled, so don't have it anymore. The one I presently have, my 15 year old daughter is an AU on. I had opened the one Chase rewards card getting $200 and then they sent me a pre-approved letter to open another one where I got a $200 gc and a $50 gc since my daughter was an AU and used the card as well. Yes, I would be interested in joining reddit but I am just learning about this cc stuff. Yes, I clean houses for family and they pay me, so perhaps that is a good business to say I am in. I know most like the Chase ink preferred on here.

I did go onto Experian and sign up for my credit report. They told me on there that my score was only 711. It was 797 and 810 on trans/Equifax? I wonder why the big difference. I don't know why it would be so low. This is why they scored me low:

Payment history-Very Good
Amount of debt-Exceptional
Credit history length-Exceptional (this means your old, Lol)
Amount of New Credit-Fair (says inquiries in last year-2)
Credit Mix-Exceptional

I have a $217 collection under payment history for Sprint which screwed up the 4 phones we bought/service over 2 years. Got them all the same day and when the contract ended and I went to T-Mobile (because they sucked), they said 2 of the phones had a 25 month contract. Dealing with them was like dealing with a 2nd grader. They wanted me to pay for ending my contract early for the two phones, even though we didn't. The girl who set up the 4 phones at the beginning of the contract was illiterate. I even had the district managers cell phone number due to this. Anyway, not sure how long this will stay on my credit report. I haven't had Sprint for 14 months now. Looks like they keep putting it on my credit report like it just happened.

Is that odd that my Experian score is 100 points lower then the other two (or close to it)?

Unfortunately that Sprint collection will stay on your report for 7 years unless you dispute and get it off

Looks like you have a business to me...but you need to be under 5/24 to apply for the CIP...so need to remove the AU from your credit report or wait until 5/1 when the capital one card is over 2 years old and drops off

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Hey OP from the OG thread!

Is this all one one trip? If so, my first would be to free stopovers. Iceland air offers free stopovers between Europe and North America in either direction or one way. Bergen, London, Amsterdam Reykjavik are all options as well as MCO, ORD, CLE, DEN, MCI, MSP, JFK, EWR, PHL, PDX, SFO, SEA, TPA, IAD

It is all one trip!! Unfortunately, Icelandair has more of a domestic style business class, which isn’t ideal. I’m pretty sure non-lie flat seats (or seats with elevating leg rests) are going to be a dealbreaker for my group on 8+ hr flights. I will look into if stopovers can help us though we don’t ever leave from the same airport. Significantly cheaper or free cost would hold some sway!

I’ve found our likely options so far-

Flight #1 MCO (probably) to Bergen on Delta (blech)

Flight #2 Amsterdam to London probably on BA as they have 2 flights a day and It’s not an expensive flight

Option A
Flight #3 Reykjavík to MCO (probably) on Icelandair

Option B
Flight #3 Reykjavík to London on Icelandair

Flight #4 London to MCO (probably) on Virgin Atlantic

If anybody has any tips for how to get a boatload of sky pesos, that would be helpful!

 

[Limes96]

I have to say, wheat thins and Milano cookies don’t exactly say “Aloha” or evoke Hawaiian culture to me, but I suppose that’s because Southwest is new to the islands and hasn’t developed partnerships with local companies yet.

I was thinking the same thing...What says “Hawaii” more than Wheat Thins and TicTacs? Lol!!! Personally, if I could munch on chocolate covered macadamia nuts the whole flight I’d be pretty happy.

 

[Natgridenergy]

Stop #2 on the grAAvy train complete!!!

 

[calypso726]

Just watched this Ask Sebby video about the AmEx Hilton cards and upgrade bonuses.

He talks about getting all 3 AmEx Hilton cards (no fee, Ascend, Aspire) and then upgrading with upgrade offers for a total of 6 bonuses (3 welcome, 3 upgrade). I'm intrigued. Sounds great for when I'm over 5/24. But I'm wondering are upgrade offers pretty predictable after you've had the card 1 year? And do you get the upgrade offer if you already have the card (i.e. upgrade offer for Ascend to Aspire when you already have the Aspire)? Does it matter which order to get the cards initially?

Thank you for sharing that! I still have an open Amex spot but have already had the old version of the Ascend and so has DH. I am thinking we can each get the no fee version for the bonus, upgrade bonus to Ascend and then upgrade that to a second Aspire card. I hope @SouthFayetteFan didn't just

 

[hsmamato2]

I keep getting these citi AA mailers for both me and P2- it's for spend $500 get 10k AA...seems like a waste of time...I want the better offers!

 

[kandb]

Are these numbers you are getting from Credit Karma, Credit Sesame or Capital One? If so those numbers are worthless, they don't use the Fair-Isaac algorithm that makes the FICO numbers that almost all creditors use. With the collection on there 711 is a pretty good score, it's not going to go too much higher as long as that is on there, especially if you have 60-90-120 day lates plus the charge off. They will come off your report 7 years from the first time you didn't pay. Two options are to contact them and try to get them to remove the derogatory in exchange for payment, or dispute it through the credit reporting agencies. I had to fight with Sprint for 8 months to get them to remove something similar from my report. I was lucky I had written correspondence and recorded phone conversations.

Thank you so much for your help. Wow, 7 years. Yikes. TBH, there is no way I will pay 1 penny more for Sprint. I sent back the phones, after speaking with the agent and him telling me everything was fine and then like 6 months later I got a letter saying I owed them money. It was the worse company I have ever dealt with. At the time, I didn't care if they sent it to collections because I knew I wasn't going to be buying anything on credit. I have never had one late payment for a credit card, mortage payment, car payment ever. So it's just the Sprint BS. I think I might have the original 4 contracts that show we got all 4 phones at the same time. I don't know if I have the patience or time to fight with them tho because dealing with them was a nightmare. I will think about it. Yes, my two other scores 797 and 813 are with CreditKarma but I just looked and my score with Capitol One is the 711, same as Experian.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Are these numbers you are getting from Credit Karma, Credit Sesame or Capital One? If so those numbers are worthless, they don't use the Fair-Isaac algorithm that makes the FICO numbers that almost all creditors use. With the collection on there 711 is a pretty good score, it's not going to go too much higher as long as that is on there, especially if you have 60-90-120 day lates plus the charge off. They will come off your report 7 years from the first time you didn't pay. Two options are to contact them and try to get them to remove the derogatory in exchange for payment, or dispute it through the credit reporting agencies. I had to fight with Sprint for 8 months to get them to remove something similar from my report. I was lucky I had written correspondence and recorded phone conversations.

I check Credit Karma also. In fact I just checked there for the reporting dates on each card so I know when I have to pay in order not to show outstanding balances. Per CK, they all report the balance 4 days after the payment due date. I have also noticed that the two scores reported on CK are higher than the “FICO score” I get from my CU. The CU doesn’t give any detail - only that info was obtained from Experian. That explains it...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[calypso726]

It is all one trip!! Unfortunately, Icelandair has more of a domestic style business class, which isn’t ideal. I’m pretty sure non-lie flat seats (or seats with elevating leg rests) are going to be a dealbreaker for my group on 8+ hr flights. I will look into if stopovers can help us though we don’t ever leave from the same airport. Significantly cheaper or free cost would hold some sway!

I’ve found our likely options so far-

Flight #1 MCO (probably) to Bergen on Delta (blech)

Flight #2 Amsterdam to London probably on BA as they have 2 flights a day and It’s not an expensive flight

Option A
Flight #3 Reykjavík to MCO (probably) on Icelandair

Option B
Flight #3 Reykjavík to London on Icelandair

Flight #4 London to MCO (probably) on Virgin Atlantic

If anybody has any tips for how to get a boatload of sky pesos, that would be helpful!

I hear ya. My next suggestion would be Alaska Air award tickets on partner airlines, or Singapore award tickets on partner airlines. Both allow stopovers to be built into the itinerary. I would caution diving into Delta Sky Pesos unless you are reasonably sure they will work. I made that mistake once. DH and I each got 140k Sky Pesos from two cards thinking this should cover a trip to Iceland on a business/first seat and if I was a little short I could transfer some MRs to Delta. When I went to book the actual award ticket they wanted 350k sky pesos for EACH ticket I wound up using URs to book the flight instead.

 

[Natgridenergy]

Instant approval? Don’t show that to wendow LOL! What did you put as your revenue, years in biz and what type of business if you don’t mind me asking.

Instant approval. 5k revenue, 3 yrs business and Other Professional Services.

I keep getting these citi AA mailers for both me and P2- it's for spend $500 get 10k AA...seems like a waste of time...I want the better offers!

At least you're getting SOMETHING.... Im in a dry hole.