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

[DisneyMandC]

Did you see their latest promotion for bonus points? Someone mentioned it in the DD thread on r/churning yesterday and it seems like a good option for you if you have at least 2 stays by Aug 9.
https://www.choicehotels.com/deals/gift-card

So they are advertising a gift card, but it's just bonus points that could be used for a gift card. You don't have to (and probably shouldn't) redeem them for one of the discounted GC options. You get anywhere between 5k and 8k, depending on your base points earned. I imagine the full T&C has the criteria for what amount you'll get to plan accordingly.

Yes! I signed up for that the other day. I'm glad you pointed that out that it's a bonus point redemption for the gift card though, because I just assumed I had to take the gift card. I would definitely rather have the points. I got 8k points for their last double stay promotion even though I definitely didn't actually meet the requirements... but I'm not going to argue with them over it lol.

Have you done this yet? I was googling it and just seeing some articles say you can only do it once a lifetime, and you should do it after July 1st... https://loyaltylobby.com/2018/07/09...lid-through-2020-united-states-canada-europe/

Thanks! I did not catch the part about July 1 when I was reading it earlier. We have 7 nights worth of stays booked after July 1, so I'll do my match then.

 

[miztressuz]

Okay back with more questions and don’t want to abuse @SouthFayetteFan PMs haha

1. After SFF gave me the details I think I’ll make my first hop CSP
2. I was thinking of making my second a Hilton card. My current points plus their bonus points plus the rewards make a free trip for me essentially and MSR is easy (for us haha) Probably the middle level ($95 AF)

(No CSR right now as I need to show my husband how this works before his brain can handle a $450 annual fee haha)

Questions-
1. I’d want to wait to refer P2 until these meet the MSR simply so we don’t have such a large MSR total yes? He's taking two courses for work he has to pay for upfront (gets reimbursed later) that I’d like to time with all of this as its 2k right there.

2. Do you have corresponding checking accts for these CCs? We have two checking accounts (a credit union and BOA). My thought is it’d be easier to open a Citi (Hilton) and Chase checking acct to go with the CCs so I am not figuring out how to transfer funds but is that how everyone else plays it? Have to be careful as the credit union doesn’t care how much we give it but BOA is a fickle beast and must be fed a certain $ lest he get fee happy. I don’t want to close BOA because its been my account for a long time and its always been in good standing. We like to keep the credit union because its a grandfathered account we can’t get back later.

Anyway- thoughts?

1. Probably. The clock starts ticking once the card is approved, so if you apply for P2 soon after P1, then you'll have 2 MSR's going simultaneously. You probably want to overlap them some but if you don't have a high amount of spend right now probably makes sense to space it out a month or two to comfortably meet the requirements.

2. Nope! First, FYI, Hilton cards are through AmEx not Citi any more. Second, I add my checking account to the card's payment service and just setup my payments there. I don't think I've ever had a bank account with a company I have a credit card with, come to think of it, well until right now, I did just open a BoA checking for a bonus but I had my CC's with them way before that. So if you're happy with BoA and the credit union, I wouldn't add more complexity into the mix at this point.

Now later, Chase has a good bank bonus for opening a checking account so I'd not turn you off from doing that. But it's just as easy to pay on a Chase card without it if that makes your life easier.

 

[pillow]

Got the following SM from Barclays after asking them to match the current SUB for P2:
"We have completed your request to forward your account for review on your AAdvantage Aviator Business Card account. We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to service your financial needs. Should you have any questions, we are available at www.AviatorBusinessCard.com or at (866) 383-0361 from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM ET, Monday through Saturday. Thank you, Business Card Services"
The message is marked as "Complete". Do I send them another message in a few days to check on it?

I received the same thing a couple months ago from them after asking for a match. I never heard anything after that; however, the extra points magically appeared in 2 statement cycles.

I just sent them a match request for DH's card. I may send another SM simply because I want to clarify that I'd like the extra 10k on the employee card. Not sure I worded the first SM very well. It certainly can't hurt to reach out again.

 

[pillow]

I'm definitely planning on those BG tickets this Friday.

Competition! Drats!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks. Yes, love stretching my points! However, I always have a car and like a room down by the tennis courts for easy access. The lobby area rarely sees me - out the back door to the car, to the bus and/or to walk to the studios or even Epcot by cutting across the driveway or down the stairs! (At least so long as I am healthy and not carrying kids/pushing strollers.) February should be a by myself trip, so doing a studio. One bedrooms are necessary when grands and daughter come and 2 bedroom when son in law comes. He's done Disney and HH and the beach with us in the past but usually takes a pass most of the time now. (I think he likes peace and quiet at home.) The 2 nights are booked garden view so I'm in a room but if my waitlist comes I won't have to move. The missing first night is the Sunday before Presidents Day - worst case I cancel GV and spend the day at the beach or drive to Vero before my Disney trip. Maybe I'll go on there and book an Ocean View Inn Room just in case - I have 39 VB points available for Feb. I was saving them to beef up a Hilton Head trip since I never have enough HH points. I'm also working on a late March trip so that I can do Flower and garden next year, but haven't booked yet. I think that will be 2-3 nights Disney and more beach days on Marriott's dime. Don't really have a plan for the March nights - may look at Swan, or Riviera ?? just to try it out?

Too funny I always request high floor by the tennis courts...my DH is not a fan but I love it down there...like the quiet and we always rent a car too

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Okay back with more questions and don’t want to abuse @SouthFayetteFan PMs haha

1. After SFF gave me the details I think I’ll make my first hop CSP
2. I was thinking of making my second a Hilton card. My current points plus their bonus points plus the rewards make a free trip for me essentially and MSR is easy (for us haha) Probably the middle level ($95 AF)

(No CSR right now as I need to show my husband how this works before his brain can handle a $450 annual fee haha)

Questions-
1. I’d want to wait to refer P2 until these meet the MSR simply so we don’t have such a large MSR total yes? He's taking two courses for work he has to pay for upfront (gets reimbursed later) that I’d like to time with all of this as its 2k right there.

2. Do you have corresponding checking accts for these CCs? We have two checking accounts (a credit union and BOA). My thought is it’d be easier to open a Citi (Hilton) and Chase checking acct to go with the CCs so I am not figuring out how to transfer funds but is that how everyone else plays it? Have to be careful as the credit union doesn’t care how much we give it but BOA is a fickle beast and must be fed a certain $ lest he get fee happy. I don’t want to close BOA because its been my account for a long time and its always been in good standing. We like to keep the credit union because its a grandfathered account we can’t get back later.

Anyway- thoughts?

1- I time referring my DHs to a card based on our spend....so your smart to do so....it could take 10 days to 2 weeks to receive a card so factor that in your timing too

2-I have many Chase cards and have never had any checking or savings accounts there.....have everything at BOA

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Bummed that my first Plastiq payment has been delayed. I paid $225 (on my CIP of course) for my daughters local basketball camp and they want proof that it is legit. I sent them a copy of the (pretty lame looking) registration form and a link to the facebook page. Hoping that is enough. Anyone else go through something like this and/ or have any tips?

Had to do this twice. Once for my landscaper very standard handwritten invoice and a diagram and scribbled invoice for fence installation. Plastiq approved both no issues. I love them!!

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

What is the best cash rewards credit card?

 

[DisneyMandC]

Competition! Drats!

Haha! I'll be going to BG Tampa, so at least I won't be taking up a spot in line in front you!

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Thanks. I see some on Shoes.com that has 15% back but I am not seeing any that really jump out at me. Do you have recommendation for a particular kind?

I love Olukai sandals too. Seem to be around the same price but super comfy. Got them from Nordstrom during the big sale

 

[Lain]

What is the best cash rewards credit card?

Goliath National Bank's Unobtanium Reserve Plus Card™



























j/k

There's no one easy answer. Do you want only one credit card that earns you a high percentage cash back (usually about 2%) on everything? Or are you willing to open multiple credit cards for their signup bonuses, and ongoing bonus categories in the 3-5% range or more to cover your different kinds of spend? Check the first page of this thread, give us some information about yourself, then we can better advise you.

 

[Judique]

That 100k Hilton for $500 is almost tempting. I could hit some MSR and not burn a 5/24 slot on a Hilton personal...

I'm definitely planning on those BG tickets this Friday.

Use your quick fingers! I've gotten 1 universal ticket in the past with 2 of us on separate computers. They were gone in an instant. Maybe BG will be easier? Good luck!

I snoozed on IHG and missed them. Could have used $50 worth of points....next year!

 

[amalone1013]

Haha! I'll be going to BG Tampa, so at least I won't be taking up a spot in line in front you!

Tempted to try and buy and then decide which park to go to... lol

 

[Judique]

What is the best cash rewards credit card?

Any Chase UR card...the UR's can be cashed out to your account. And a Chase Freedom has great bonus categories at 5% that change 4 times a year.

Other Chase with annual fees have larger sign up bonuses.

Just a few options - there are lots of choices. What are you looking at?

 

[pillow]

Tempted to try and buy and then decide which park to go to... lol

I don't think you should. Busch Gardens is SO overrated!

Or buy and sell them to @DisneyMandC or me!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

My Disney Premier $100 upgrade credit also posted on 5/7. I made a $5 purchase on 5/3. Now I have a -$95 balance.

I will wait to charge anything else until the AF hits. haha

This prompted me to check and mine posted too. Free $50 towards our trip in a couple weeks.

 

[DrFacilier]

I received the same thing a couple months ago from them after asking for a match. I never heard anything after that; however, the extra points magically appeared in 2 statement cycles.

I just sent them a match request for DH's card. I may send another SM simply because I want to clarify that I'd like the extra 10k on the employee card. Not sure I worded the first SM very well. It certainly can't hurt to reach out again.

Great. Thanks!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[miztressuz]

What is the best cash rewards credit card?

That's actually tough to answer, much of this is subjective. Are you looking for something you can redeem as cash? Sounds like an odd question but sometimes the best cash rewards start out as a points bonus. Chase Ultimate Rewards points have a cash value of 1 cent per point, which is pretty good, but they're not all of them are usually considered cash rewards cards. The Sapphire Reserve (CSR) or Preferred (CSP) cards offer a 50k point bonus for meeting a 4k spend requirement that cashes out to $500. Many of the strictly cash back cards would require higher spends to get the same return. Off hand the Discover it card with the first year cashback match would require 5k of spending in the 5% categories (for an effective return of 10%) to match that.

They can also be useful for ongoing spend, but your best return is almost always going to be a sign up bonus. The Chase Freedom does the 5% on rotating categories as well, and that is earned as UR points with the same cash out value. I think 4-5% is the max for most cards and it's always in a category of some type. So if I say the CapOne Savor card is best because it gets 4% back... but only on dining and you don't eat out at all, then it's not really the best rewards card for you. So it's pretty subjective unfortunately.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I'd love to see those rates there....the only dates I've ever checked have been 300+ a night

I'm going 5/23-30 and it is well under $200 night...I think was $159 for swan last I checked a couple days ago.