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

[gottalovepluto]

More saber rattling by Qatar today on pulling out of Oneworld according to TPG. The notable part of the TPG article:

Al Baker said that the carrier will make its final decision on whether or not to leave the alliance within the next two months.
“In the matter of a month or two, we will give you the news if we are going to stay or withdraw [from Oneworld],” Al Baker said. “I think it is the latter that will happen.”
​

Saber rattling is nothing new here, QR & Oneworld are ever quarreling. But to anyone looking to book QR with AA points who lives in the better safe than sorry camp here's an fyi.

 

[havaneselover]

@amalone1013 did you do PayPal with Cardpool. Did the money get deposited? My check is being mailed really hope it come!!!!

I did a check with cardpool and it arrived 7 days after they told me it would be mailed. No issues.

 

[amalone1013]

I did a check with cardpool and it arrived 7 days after they told me it would be mailed. No issues.

Recently, since all of the changes? My check has always come quickly/on time before, but I haven't done a check since last summer probably.

 

[havaneselover]

Recently, since all of the changes? My check has always come quickly/on time before, but I haven't done a check since last summer probably.

Yes, I got it on Monday. I did cardpool over raise because raise would approve listing my aa card for 45 days. This was before I knew people were having issues with cardpool.

 

[platamama]

I have a bit of an OT question; but it relates to travel so I'm hoping this group of well seasoned expert travels can lend of levity to a discussion in our household. If too OT, I can delete it.

As with all of you, we are trying to find more and better ways to maximize travel opportunities. The last few years have been great and this group has really allowed us to take some trips we would never have without you. I'm planning more and more exotic trips all the time and finding ways to get there efficiently using points and tips from this thread. But.... we are debating sending DS12 to a private school for 7th grade next year and through high school. Our local schools are good, better than average, used to be top notch but falling over the last 10-15 years. The private school has some social and intangible values we are high on as well as being one of the top education programs. But, it's not cheap and it is a much more rigorous program study and homework wise.

Now the question: this year we took the kids DS12 and DD8 out of school for a week in January for a cruise. No problem, DS12 caught up after a few hours of homework. DD9 had nothing to catch up. Next year I'm concerned that may not be so easy. We have always traveled during school sessions due in large part to the much lower costs (lower crowds help too). Advice from those of you with older kids? At what age do you think it's too much to take kids out of school for travel? And, how hard (or easy) is it to utilize all these travel award points programs to travel during the peak seasons of summer, winter break, spring break? Looking at cruise prices and they are at least 50% more for those weeks. It dosn't help that Chase UR cannot be used for DCL anymore - buggers.

Sorry again for OT.

In case you haven't noticed, there's practically nothing that's OT around here.

For your query though, I'll agree that It Depends. Have you asked the private school what their policies are or can it be found on their website? I would think if your school offers a rigorous program such that part of that description is based on how much work is assigned, then it is going to demand a lot from your child to catch up on missed work (in addition to concurrent work), and that doesn't include the actual missed face-to-face time in class that could help solidify concepts/topics. Maybe private school is different from public school, but in public middle school for DD it was entirely on her to find out what she would miss (ask classmates & friends & hope the teacher posted on their websites what was due) and deadlines were only extended by two days after return with no extensions at all on long-term projects. [She only missed one day voluntarily - meaning we pulled her out - and that was to go see the only total solar eclipse in the US so far in my lifetime, totally worth it.] If there's anyone you can talk to at the prospective school, whether it's administrators or other families that attend, that could help with your decision.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

So P2's Fico dropped by 38 points last month after hovering within 5 or 10 points for quite a while. Anyone have any reasons this might happen? Is it something to be worried about. I'm wondering if it has to do with one of the following:

She opened a CIC and spent over half of her CL last month. We don't carry balances but we do wait to pay statement balances around the due date.

Wow, that’s puzzling. I lowered my credit line by 16K and it hit my CS but only 5 points.

Love this! Thanks for sharing it again. I agree. Plus, you never know what's going to happen. We had no plans to fly to Norway this year and stay for a week, and now I think it's likely going to happen. Couldn't do it without the points we've been hoarding for this kind of thing. Best use of points? Maybe not for everyone, but I think it would be a good use for us.



Ah, ok. I'll tell him to pay the wireless then and see what happens.



Following along since Chase didn't exactly give me a big credit line for the CIP that's on its way. I think it was 5K, but after the almost 2 hours on the phone with them I honestly can't remember.

Woah. Was it really 2 hours? If so, I’m not going to call lol

 

[1st*toright]

question on Marriott Bonvoy program...can we make a res using DH's acct points,in his name, but I check in?

Yes- just make sure you call and add both names to the reservation. I don't think you can add 2 guests names via the website, but if you call and say that you will be checking in first, they will let either person on the reservation check in. You can make reservations for anyone using points. You only earn elite night credit/get elite perks if the elite member is actually staying in the room (or at least, is on the reservation )

I hate to be a downer but middle school is the hardest emotionally and socially and high school ideally is the most difficult academically. I think the last year I would have pulled DD out of middle school would have been 6th grade (her "middle school" was 5-8th) and never during high school---but hers is a very rigorous program that has a 30% attrition rate and several peers have been accepted to Ivy League schools. Only you know how your children can play "make up" but there is a lot of material lost during those times gone IF it's a good school. Also, you're paying a LOT for private school tuition so why would you miss it?

Tough love and just my opinion---go on vacation during the expensive times. Make them smaller or less expensive vacations (not less fun, less pricey!). If you're serious about education in this environment then make it a priority, not going to WDW during the low period (if that exists anymore) or DCL during the cheaper times. Delay gratification and put education first. I hate to be negative and there will be others who disagree but that's my take on someone who's daughter is a senior in high school and I've seen the stress/burnout/exhaustion of her friends and peers as well as the crazy expectations of college admission committees. Frankly, these kids (in a high pressure environment) don't even want to do big vacations-they sleep/study/sleep more/veg out during breaks.

I know others will disagree and that's fine but it's been an eye opening 4 years here.

As a counterpoint to the input you've received so far, I missed A LOT of school for horse shows in middle school and high school. I showed more then than I do now and would miss at least one Thursday/Friday a month to leave for an out of state horse show, and usually one other Friday as well. I finished top 20 in my high school class and was diligent about making up my work. I think it all depends on your kids, and it sounds like they have been good about handling work previously, but I guess it depends on how rigorous you think next year will be.

This is so school and kid specific. My DD's private middle school was super accommodating of travel, but expected the kids to be caught up when they got back (so you could get work ahead of time, but it better be done when you return). Her high school (public school, super competitive if you're taking honors/AP classes) is reasonably accommodating, but the workload is really heavy, so its hard to stay caught up if you're missing school. They often have assignments due by midnight on Friday (online submission) which I'm not a huge fan of - seems weird to me to have a stressy teen working like a crazy person all Friday afternoon/evening. We follow her lead about pulling her out - she has missed a Friday or a Monday here or there to facilitate travel, but she works like demon on the airplane and will get all her work done (or will find a quiet space and do work while we are away). We wouldn't do it near midterms or finals, and we try to make those decisions fairly close to the date, so she knows if there is a test or major project before she commits to taking time off.

If there was an option to skip finals if you didn't have many absences, she would never be willing to miss a day!

ETA - some spontaneity and madness is a good thing too - we let her skip a day this fall to go see her favorite band (a friend got tickets last minute and invited her to a concert an a city a couple hours away). She takes everything very seriously, and does well in school - its good for her to remember that life isn't always all about work.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

I did a check with cardpool and it arrived 7 days after they told me it would be mailed. No issues.

When? They were recently sold and they’ve been a nightmare. Before the holiday I had a great experience - quickly paid out. This time I sold to them 1/24 and just got an email yesterday my money is coming! This is after at least 5 messages (all ignored) and phone call messages and eventually going to Twitter and Facebook.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/share-your-recent-experiences-with-cardpool-gift-card-selling/

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Yes, I got it on Monday. I did cardpool over raise because raise would approve listing my aa card for 45 days. This was before I knew people were having issues with cardpool.

Oh that’s great for you! Maybe they are finally straightening themselves out I’ll let people know if the check comes. But still, I won’t give them another dime

 

[calypso726]

Is there rumors of this happening?

It would change our strategy, if only because as of now Chase URs are our only method. We have numerous Chase cards and I'd close several and start down the Amex or another path. I'd also have to really think again about keeping the CSR. Right now it's on my keep and my main use card for personal. There would be no need to keep a CIC and a CIP; or a CFU, CF and CSR (times two of us).

There have been rumors since Chase issued a survey to get feedback on that in 2017. Recently there are more rumors regarding changes with Chase's UR program. So, it just got me thinking. We proactively transfer all points from all UR cards as soon as they post to our CSR cards.

Limit transfers between the card products themselves? Or family members?
If between card products with one holder, I'd have DH downgrade his CSR to a CSP. (The only reason he hasn't is he hates calling). If the ability to transfer between products remained but not to other family then I'd actually have him add a CF so he could maximize the 5x categories.

For me, if they didn't transfer between products I'l likely eliminate one of my CFs or both. My oldest card is my Disney so I'd keep that. Marriott is on the fence (I might cancel it or upgrade to R-C this year), and I'd keep my CSP. Also, if I couldn't transfer between products I wouldn't really feel the need to try to get and stay under 5/24 so in December (my under 5/24 date) I'd get the United biz, United card, Aer Lingus

Of course, I'm different than lots on this thread and don't care about Disney anymore (I know), primarily want to travel overseas, have lost any strong affiliation to an airline and want to do all of my aspirational traveling within the next 3-8 years. I also despise the UR portal so only use URs to transfer to partner affiliates, so I consider URs transfer potential and not in terms of 1.25 or 1.5 redemptions. They certainly aren't my holy grail currency.

Either one really. I'd more concerned about limiting transfers between the cards. If that happens I'd be fairly done with Chase URs. I'd go under 5/24 for sure and pick up the Hyatt card and United business card after cancelling the CF and CFU. I'd downgrade the CSR to a CSP and keep my Ink Plus for the 5x and airline transfers.

I think it would depend how deeply Chase cuts into the program.

If Chase eliminates transfers within households but not cards, it’d be similar to Amex’s MR program. P2 and I could still earn enough separately through SUBs and organic/bonus spend to have two sizeable enough stashes.

If Chase eliminates transfers between their cards, then I would have to cancel some/many because there’s not enough ongoing spend on them even with bonus categories to earn any significant amount and those points would essentially be orphans on those cards.

If I couldn’t transfer points off no-fee cards (like the CF and CIC, which are high earners) to fee cards (like the CSP, CSR, or CIP), points on them would be worth only 1 cpp — since you can’t transfer to airline and hotel partners, transfer them to a card with a better redemption on the Chase travel portal, and all you could do with them are redeem them at 1 cpp on the portal or cash out. I guess 5x on Freedom bonus categories, and office supply stores and internet on the CIC is better than most other cards, but not better than return on MSR, and I don't know if I could spend enough on the CF and CIC every year to earn a meaningful enough stash to redeem for travel -- again, at 1 cpp -- so really, they'd just become cash back cards where I'd cash out the points at 1 cpp.

The other survey questions that involve something like, keeping the ability to transfer but the points retain the redemption value of the card they were earned on seems a bit complicated technically and confusing to average consumers. It would create 3-tiers of UR points worth 1, 1.25, and 1.5 cpp. (Although, Chase does have that thing on the UR portal that says your points are worth $x,xxx in cash, or $x,xxx towards travel that could help make the value of your points easier to see). I guess compared to some of the above suggestions, it wouldn't be too bad if I could still move points earned on my CF and CIC under 5x categories to combine with our stash on the CSR, even if those points do retain just 1 cpp redemption value (they'd still redeem at 1 cpp, and not get the CSR's .5 multiplier, but at least those points can top off your stash for bigger redemptions).

We'd have a fair amount of mathing to do. It would be an interesting scenario. I imagine I'd hold tight for a little while to see if one of the bloggers figures out the best way to game any new system they put in place and go from there. IN the meantime, Amex would get all my attention.

 

[Haley R]

Have you been on the trains tour at MK? I'm guessing it's down now since the trains aren't running, but my neighbor who is also super obsessed with trains used to be a guide for it and it was like the highlight of his career haha.

We’ve actually never done any tours at Disney but we probably will try one out next trip!

 

[Calfan]

On the question of whether a change in Chase's transfer/pooling policies would affect my strategy, as others have said, what I would do depends on exactly which changes Chase makes. If Chase eliminates transfers between family members but not across cards, this would definitely affect my strategy with DH. Right now he has the CIP and CIC with Chase (I just cancelled his CSP). We aren't putting any spend on his CIP since I have my own, and I plan to cancel his when the AF hits, so that strategy wouldn't change. But we put a ton of spend on his CIC for the 5x, so I would need to get myself a CIC, stat. That's the next Chase card I plan to go for anyway in April. And if for some reason I can't get it, then I will downgrade my CIP to a CIC when my year is up. I'd probably have him keep his CIC open since it's a no-fee card, but we wouldn't put any spend on it if the points could no longer make their way to my CSR. Instead, I'd have him use my Rose Gold Amex at the grocery store via Apple Pay, and I'd probably get him an employee card on my BBP and have him use that everywhere else. For me, my strategy would only change if Chase eliminates transfers/pooling across cards. If I could no longer move points from my CF, CFU, CIP, CIC (assuming I got it before any policy change), etc. to my CSR, then I'd stop putting any spend on those cards unless Chase makes some kind of corresponding change to allow transfers from those cards directly to airlines, hotels, etc. I'd definitely keep using my CSR for travel (and some dining; right now DH is using my CSR for dining and I'm using my Rose Gold) since the points on my CSR would continue to have a lot of value for me to transfer to partners and occasionally for a redemption through the portal, and we spend enough OOP on travel that I would still accrue significant points by continuing to put that spend on my CSR. But other spend would likely all go to my Amex cards. I'd also probably pursue some additional Chase United cards.

 

[vanjust14]

Has anyone tried the $45 Sams club membership, get $45 by shopping online? There are a couple of DPs on DOC that it works, but thought maybe someone here has tried it. I do not have a Sams Club anywhere near me so I would order once online to use the credit and then use the membership for giftcards.

 

[striker1064]

Citi got me yesterday. In the past, I've received a Premier fairly quickly, and DW got her Premier last month less than a week after approval. Last week I applied (and was approved for) the AA Biz, and decided a couple days later to grab the AA personal as well. Received the cardmember materials for the biz on Monday. Saw a thick white envelope in Informed Delivery yesterday, but it was... the cardmember materials for the personal.

 

[amalone1013]

Yes, I got it on Monday. I did cardpool over raise because raise would approve listing my aa card for 45 days. This was before I knew people were having issues with cardpool.

I liked cardpool too for the additional 2% back on the value of the sold gift card from Top Cash Back.

 

[wendow]

Has anyone tried the $45 Sams club membership, get $45 by shopping online? There are a couple of DPs on DOC that it works, but thought maybe someone here has tried it. I do not have a Sams Club anywhere near me so I would order once online to use the credit and then use the membership for giftcards.

I was thinking about doing just that. I have a Sam's close by but online is so much easier right now. I wasn't sure if the $45 would credit or not. Good to hear some DPs are saying it does!

Do you have anywhere in your account where it shows the $45 promo?

 

[alryan]

In case you haven't noticed, there's practically nothing that's OT around here.

For your query though, I'll agree that It Depends. Have you asked the private school what their policies are or can it be found on their website? I would think if your school offers a rigorous program such that part of that description is based on how much work is assigned, then it is going to demand a lot from your child to catch up on missed work (in addition to concurrent work), and that doesn't include the actual missed face-to-face time in class that could help solidify concepts/topics. Maybe private school is different from public school, but in public middle school for DD it was entirely on her to find out what she would miss (ask classmates & friends & hope the teacher posted on their websites what was due) and deadlines were only extended by two days after return with no extensions at all on long-term projects. [She only missed one day voluntarily - meaning we pulled her out - and that was to go see the only total solar eclipse in the US so far in my lifetime, totally worth it.] If there's anyone you can talk to at the prospective school, whether it's administrators or other families that attend, that could help with your decision.

We saw that solar eclipse also...just amazing. Really hard to describe. We were able to fit it in with a trip to Glacier and Yellowstone. I can totally see why people travel the world to see them. Next one is April 8, 2024 and I'll be able to drive to southern Illinois.

 

[wendow]

Getting ready to put my dh on the grAAvy train Been scouring the offers on DISchurners. Is the dummy 40k/2k/$200GC what everyone considers the best currently?

 

[vanjust14]

I was thinking about doing just that. I have a Sam's close by but online is so much easier right now. I wasn't sure if the $45 would credit or not. Good to hear some DPs are saying it does!

Do you have anywhere in your account where it shows the $45 promo?

From what I've read, the credit is tied to the email you use when signing up with the offer link, and you should see the autodeduction in your cart before placing an order as long as you have $45 of qualifying purchases.

 

[elgerber]

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