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

[palhockeymomof2]

Helpful advice for Beginner?

Email offer Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MC: 65k bonus miles, $4k spend in 4 months; $99 AF waived first year. Good way to start?

Travel between DCA and MCO about 10x per year, but prefer to drive
No fear of flying, I have thousands of hours in the air, just got tired of the hassle
Might enjoy AmTrak Auto train (which I think trades with United Air)
Could also use points for hotels around Disney/Universal
Prefer to use toward mortgage if there's a way with Mr Cooper (apparently the largest non-bank lender, who bought my mortgage)
Credit Karma score around 810 (Discover FICO 795)
Married, but I don't think wife will play until I can prove it's valuable

All of my cards are personal and no AF. Recent cards:
10/17 PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature (5% gas / 3% grocery)
01/18 PenFed Power Cash Visa Signature (2% everything)
11/18 Barclays Uber Visa (4% dining)
Also 2 Chase Feedoms from the 1990s (one has $4k balance at 4% that I'm not too concerned about paying off)
And older Discover It, BoA Cash Rewards Visa Signature, Cap1 Menards, and USAA

Thank you for any advice you may have!

Hi and Welcome
I’m not familiar with how that Citi offer compares to what they have offered as bonuses previously

But most of us here start out applying for Chase cards first, due to their 5/24 rule...they will not approve you if you have opened 5 personal cards from any issuer in the last 24 months.
Looking at your cards...you are 3/24.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points ..URs...are very versatile...can be used to book hotels, flights etc on the Chase travel website, transfer to travel partner hotels, airlines or cashed out.

If you are willing to apply for business cards..the one with the highest sign up bonus in the Chase Ink Preferred..CIP....80,000URs after spending $5k in the first 3 months ..there are two others as well CIC and CIU...which offer 50k URs after spending $3k

The Chase personal card with the highest sign up bonus right now is the Chase Sapphire Preferred CSP...you receive 60kURs after a $4k spend

If your wife decides she is willing to play you can refer her to different cards and receive a support bonus as well as her sign up bonus....Chase allows household members points to be combined too.

 

[amalone1013]

The cat was confused at me but immediately rebounded, demanding his breakfast 2 hours early

Sounds like that was his plan all along...

One perk I love from my Amex cards is ShopRunner. Free 2-day delivery from a lot of online stores, including eBags!

Eddie Bauer is gone now, which makes me sad. They have a shop right down the street so super easy to return

Is Build-a-bear on Ebates? Because they have stuffed Pokémon. I mean it’s not like my kid has them all or anything...

Gotta catch em all?

 

[Natgridenergy]

I just got an email with a Citi AA Biz offer I'm going to save this just in case

Both my dogs got the same email!

 

[DrFacilier]

My FIL is still working but not sure how much longer he can do so. Once they send my MIL home (couple mos more I think), unless there has been great improvement, he will have to retire early. They do not have savings. Their house is paid off and has good value though so if they can sell it and buy something less expensive, maybe they'd be okay for awhile. Hopefully their lawyers encourage them to hold out too. My MIL has never worked so no loss of income there.

Hope things turn around for your family soon and that the lawyers can sort this out for them and make it a little more bearable.

 

[Judique]

Sounds like that was his plan all along...

Eddie Bauer is gone now, which makes me sad. They have a shop right down the street so super easy to return

Gotta catch em all?

I didn't give it to him. And yes, they play tag team trying to get me up between 3 and 4ish as when I worked, they got fed early.

Now, there are mornings I want to laze in bed so they don't get fed until 7am. Since one is a urinary issue, I have to monitor what is eaten. The Persian will self regulate and does not gorge even when food is constantly available. She maintains at about 9 pounds. The orange tabby would eat it all and hurt himself and make yucchy messes for me. Because of his issue I feed him 4 times a day when I am there, which is most of the time now. Anything past what he is allotted and he throws it up. All the time.

 

[kmc8826]

Order Costco Cash cards from costco .com. The website accepts Mastercards (and Visa, Discover, Diner’s Clubs — just NO AMEX!). Use the Costco Cash cards in store.

If you’re buying in volume, you may want to alert your credit card company about the big purchase beforehand, and maybe even chat with a Costco rep to clear your order. I think you can load one Costco Cash card up to $1,000.

Just not sure about the shipping time.

This is exactly what I will do! Thank you for the suggestion!

In my experience (around last September) Costco takes a while to ship and then for them to finally arrive. It seems like it took a couple weeks. And then when they come you have to call in to an automated line to activate them as well. So just something to keep in mind. It is a great work around to make MSR though on any card not Amex.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Gotta catch em all?

DH told me last night he wanted to go see Detective Pikachu. He tried to convince me to go by saying it had my favorite, Ryan Reynolds, in it Yeah, but just his voice... not the same.

 

[Judique]

Helpful advice for Beginner?

Email offer Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MC: 65k bonus miles, $4k spend in 4 months; $99 AF waived first year. Good way to start?

Travel between DCA and MCO about 10x per year, but prefer to drive
No fear of flying, I have thousands of hours in the air, just got tired of the hassle
Might enjoy AmTrak Auto train (which I think trades with United Air)
Could also use points for hotels around Disney/Universal
Prefer to use toward mortgage if there's a way with Mr Cooper (apparently the largest non-bank lender, who bought my mortgage)
Credit Karma score around 810 (Discover FICO 795)
Married, but I don't think wife will play until I can prove it's valuable

All of my cards are personal and no AF. Recent cards:
10/17 PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature (5% gas / 3% grocery)
01/18 PenFed Power Cash Visa Signature (2% everything)
11/18 Barclays Uber Visa (4% dining)
Also 2 Chase Feedoms from the 1990s (one has $4k balance at 4% that I'm not too concerned about paying off)
And older Discover It, BoA Cash Rewards Visa Signature, Cap1 Menards, and USAA

Thank you for any advice you may have!

You may want to consider and ebay business and follow @bernina 's sample above using your ssn and your first and last name for application.

Business cards help keep you eligible for more personal cards that you might be interested in. The Chase Ink (referred to here as CIP) Business is pretty easy to get, and your business does not have to extravagant or successful, just an outlet to rid yourself of things you are trying to get rid of anyway or may sell in your day to day life. I sell stuff I don't need usually on craigslist. Some use ebay or poshmark, or facebook. CIP is 80,000 UR's if approved and are very versatile - book with them or transfer them or cash them out. Since you have 2 CF's you already know. You can also let the card go after a year unless it's your best card.

 

[calypso726]

Is that across multiple programs or just one?

 

[Judique]

In my experience (around last September) Costco takes a while to ship and then for them to finally arrive. It seems like it took a couple weeks. And then when they come you have to call in to an automated line to activate them as well. So just something to keep in mind. It is a great work around to make MSR though on any card not Amex.

My experience is quite a few years ago. I wanted to use Visa and bought Costco cards online. My first order never arrived but Costco replaced it so all was good. Just took a month to get my cards. Not good if you need them quickly. But again - maybe 8-10 years ago. I've ordered other gift cards from them with no problem. Only the cash cards were a problem.

 

[Judique]

Hi and Welcome
I’m not familiar with how that Citi offer compares to what they have offered as bonuses previously

But most of us here start out applying for Chase cards first, due to their 5/24 rule...they will not approve you if you have opened 5 personal cards from any issuer in the last 24 months.
Looking at your cards...you are 2/24.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points ..URs...are very versatile...can be used to book hotels, flights etc on the Chase travel website, transfer to travel partner hotels, airlines or cashed out.

If you are willing to apply for business cards..the one with the highest sign up bonus in the Chase Ink Preferred..CIP....80,000URs after spending $5k in the first 3 months ..there are two others as well CIC and CIU...which offer 50k URs after spending $3k

The Chase personal card with the highest sign up bonus right now is the Chase Sapphire Preferred CSP...you receive 60kURs after a $4k spend

If your wife decides she is willing to play you can refer her to different cards and receive a support bonus as well as her sign up bonus....Chase allows household members points to be combined too.

I'm seeing 3/24 - what did I miss?

 

[1st*toright]

I bought this last year for Disney and loved it. It’s on clearance too (but doesn’t really help you get to the $100 for Amex, maybe you need a cord organizer too )

https://www.ebags.com/product/travelon/anti-theft-mini-shoulder-bag/217139?productid=10267534

I have the exact same one! I like that it has a lot of pockets and is comfortable to wear. More comfortable than some of my other regular crossbody bags, think it's due to the slightly wider strap.

I agree! It took a bit of getting used to because it’s wider and also the way it attaches to the purse sometimes twists, but now it’s my go to bag anytime I want to be hands free but still carry the basics. I’ve even been known to slip a venti Starbucks cup in there to get on a ride. The straw pokes out but no one seems to notice.

Yay - happy to see love for this bag. It's the one I wound up buying! I also bought a Motherlode Junior, so amex offer applied, plus ebates...

 

[PolyRob]

@wendow So sorry to hear about your MIL. Hoping for a successful recovery.

I am glad that this hobby has helped getting around financially during this time.

 

[PolyRob]

shopdisney?

Combined with free shipping, no minimum... I am very interested in making a purchase now. lol

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I'm seeing 3/24 - what did I miss?

I’m sure it’s me....no coffee before posting...lol..will go back and adjust

 

[miztressuz]

Helpful advice for Beginner?

Email offer Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MC: 65k bonus miles, $4k spend in 4 months; $99 AF waived first year. Good way to start?

Travel between DCA and MCO about 10x per year, but prefer to drive
No fear of flying, I have thousands of hours in the air, just got tired of the hassle
Might enjoy AmTrak Auto train (which I think trades with United Air)
Could also use points for hotels around Disney/Universal
Prefer to use toward mortgage if there's a way with Mr Cooper (apparently the largest non-bank lender, who bought my mortgage)
Credit Karma score around 810 (Discover FICO 795)
Married, but I don't think wife will play until I can prove it's valuable

All of my cards are personal and no AF. Recent cards:
10/17 PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature (5% gas / 3% grocery)
01/18 PenFed Power Cash Visa Signature (2% everything)
11/18 Barclays Uber Visa (4% dining)
Also 2 Chase Feedoms from the 1990s (one has $4k balance at 4% that I'm not too concerned about paying off)
And older Discover It, BoA Cash Rewards Visa Signature, Cap1 Menards, and USAA

Thank you for any advice you may have!

Since you're asking about a Citi AA card, I'll point you back to a post from our benevolent dictator with an analysis of all the AA offers out there:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...-addl-details.3729982/page-1199#post-60584596

Would you like to use the points to stay at Disney or Universal? Or do you prefer off-site locations? As alluded to in SouthFayetteFan's post, the AA miles can be used for Disney hotel (for now at least) as well as flights so they're more versatile than they appear at first. Chase UR points can be used for Universal hotels and tickets through their travel portal, which can get you a better value points redemption if you have one of their premium cards. They both can be used for offsite as well but more mathing gets into play there

It looks like you are 3/24 with one falling off in Oct so it's a pretty good position. Despite their rudeness at removing Disney as a redemption option, Chase UR points are still a favorite and recommended if you're under their 5/24 rule. But it looks like you have some runway so you could still do a AA card and jump into UR too. Are you familiar with Plastiq? For a fee it'll let you pay bills that normally don't accept a CC with a CC so that can be helpful with your mortgage question. Mastercards allow you to pay mortgages through them so that's also a point in the AA card's favor. Sometimes you could trick Plastiq into paying a mortgage with a Visa, and at one point Mr Cooper was working for a few folks here, but it's been a while and I don't personally use it so I don't recall if they caught onto that one.

Don't know how long you've been following along, but we have some additional information posted out on our private Reddit group regarding using the Plastiq service and how to use AA miles for Disney hotels (among many other topics). If you're interested PM @SouthFayetteFan , @Albort , or @Lain for an invite to the group. There's a wealth of information stored there.

You mentioned that you're carrying a balance on one card so I'd be remiss if I don't mention that you should be careful when taking on MSR's to earn points that you pay off the balance each month in full to avoid the interest. It's easy to fall into the spend trap where you either spend money you don't need to or spend it too quickly and not be able to pay in full, just to meet the requirements. It seems like what you have there had a plan so it's not too concerning, but something to keep in mind when starting out in this game. Otherwise you'll just be giving back in interest what you gained in points - And you know the pirate's creed... take what you can, give nothing back!

 

[Lain]

Is that across multiple programs or just one?

That’s just TPG’s MR balance. It’s basically all business expenses and redemptions. He is the business. 4x MR on the Biz Gold and 3x UR on the CIP (which are both capped at $150,000/year, so multiple cards?) for online internet advertising. 5x MR on the Plat for flights. 2 cpp MR redemption via his Centurion card. In the same video, he later says he earned 18 million MR points in 2018 and redeemed 17 million that same year. He also spent like $500k in dining and travel on his CSR last year. And books a ton of hotels on his Capital One for 10x at hotels .com. He doesn’t show his UR or Cap1 balances, but it’s probably like his MR in a constant state of earn and burn.

 

[Judique]

I'm pushing myself to apply for a new card! Just having a hard time with jumping aboard the gravy train - I don't know why, but I think it's because I just want to clean up everything, so when I hit Chase in a year there will be no reason to not approve me.

So, I want to do it now because I would like to add a night or two to my DVC trip in February at probably AKL or Grand Floridian - not using my DVC points - I'd like to do Concierge level and have my brother over for drinks and snacks - I would add him to my room but he would stay at his daughters over in Reunion. He's quite a bit older and not interested in paying to sit on a bench in the parks, but likes to visit the resorts and has done so as a visitor with me in the past.

I started a late booking at BWV - 11 month booking window had passed so I'm hopscotching to get a reservation together in standard view for my week. Garden view was available and I booked it in segments with waitlists for missing standard nights. I'm still missing 2 nights but got 5 out of 7 so far. It's a tedious process but it will work out. I will do a total of two weeks, with a trip to the beach as well as DVC and hopefully a free CL room if I can get some AA points going. In any case I have rooms, but I've got preferences so will be monitoring this so it all falls into place.

 

[PolyRob]

My CIP #2 was approved yesterday, referred to via my own CIP link. When should I expect to see the referral points? Would tonight be too soon? They usually post on Tues nights, is that right?

I self-referred to CIP #2 and was approved on 4/30.

My referral bonus went pending on 5/7. Hopefully you see yours 5/14

 

[miztressuz]

Sorry if I missed it before, been busy lately, but I just saw new AmEx offer for Princess cruises -

Princess Cruises spend $750+ get $225 back, expires 6/30
Get a one-time $225 statement credit by using your enrolled Card to spend a minimum of $750+ on cruise reservations