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

[SouthFayetteFan]

@SouthFayetteFan - any thoughts on this?

I have my daddy brain on right now and don’t have the mental ability to pick up all the details. I’ll read it again tonight.

You technically can’t book SW flights through the MR portal. You need to book and pay directly through Southwest, then call Amex Travel to apply your MR points to the SW charge at 1 cpp. If you paid with a Biz Plat and have SW selected as your airline, you’ll also eventually get 35% of those MR rebated to you (bringing your redemption up to ~1.54 cpp). But because you paid SW directly (and get reimbursed by MR points), all SW sees is a cash fare and you earn RR points on the flight.

Booking with UR through the Chase portal also acts like a revenue booking, but you can’t book SW through the UR portal; you need to transfer UR to SW RR and book the flight as an award flight, on which (I don’t think) you earn more RR points.

Ok - I have my head around it now...
#1) For those that truly get great value out of MRs, it really isn't even a good use of MRs...
#2) Who pays for SW flights (even with MRs...)?? That's what my INSANE stash of SW points is for!!
#3) I don't have a Biz Plat...and you have to have a biz plat to make this work...and if you have a biz plat...you probably have a better use for MRs (back to #1)
#4) If you're solely paying the AF on a biz plat for this benefit...more power to you, lol!

Neat loophole...not sure it means anything to me, lol!

(It seems like it could make a lot of sense for people who can book their own reimbursable flights for work!)

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Regarding the EBATE / RAKUTEN name debate: If I were to master the rebate program, I would MUCH rather be known as a Master Rakutener!

What's wrong with being a Master Ebat......... OOOOOOOOHHHHH!

 

[3 DD love princesses]

This woman knows her CIPs!

One could say that her CIPpy cup runneth over!!

only because of the great advice and encouragement here

Not really helpful but I (DH) is in the same boat. I made the qualifying charge ($2000) last week and while those points are showing pending nothing as far as sign up bonus. Makes me a little nervous!



My Ebates MR posted too! Easy way to earn points. I know have 370k. Not 670k but not bad since I just started last September. Ebates for MR was especially nice for Amazon which is not on the usual portals I use.

my CIP from february took two statements. met the spend before the first statement but the bonus didn't post till the second statement. I was worried I wasn't getting it but it came with the second statement. I was ready to contact them if it didn't hit the second statement.

 

[amalone1013]

My business is a home rental.

I have been racking my brain for several minutes for another business venture. No one ever gives me money for anything. I don't paint, bake, sew, sing......

Wait just a minute. I must be boring.

It's ok, it just means you're not locked in a tower

 

[ctinct]

What's wrong with being a Master Ebat......... OOOOOOOOHHHHH!

Oh my gosh. I was wondering the same thing; so glad you cleared it up for me.

Off to clean my iPad since I just spewed Diet Coke all over it from busting out laughing.

 

[Mopedmom1]

Guys, I’m so upset I’m not sure what to do. As mentioned here last night, there was a tragic crash of 2 floatplanes full of tourists in Alaska yesterday. I booked a floatplane tour for us on our cruise in 2 weeks. While I’m really sad and upset for those that lost their lives, I also don’t know what to do about our tour. I booked thru Chase portal with URs, 55,000 Points, and it’s non-refundable. So do I cancel and move on? Or suck it up and go?

I understand your concern totally, but for a little perspective there are THOUSANDS of airplanes flying in Alaska on any given day. It is a huge form of transportation in the state. How many crashes like this do we hear of during the course of a year?

I offer a weak analogy.....If your two next door neighbors hit head on driving home one evening, would you stop driving your car and sit at home, fearing the same could happen to you?

Only you can make the decision, but Alaska is stunning and this is an amazing way to view the sights.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Guys, I’m so upset I’m not sure what to do. As mentioned here last night, there was a tragic crash of 2 floatplanes full of tourists in Alaska yesterday. I booked a floatplane tour for us on our cruise in 2 weeks. While I’m really sad and upset for those that lost their lives, I also don’t know what to do about our tour. I booked thru Chase portal with URs, 55,000 Points, and it’s non-refundable. So do I cancel and move on? Or suck it up and go?

If it were me, I'd consider skipping it if the weather is not perfect. Points can be replaced but your lives cannot. It's a very personal decision.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

This been shared here yet? Just popped up on my app. Link Hilton with Lyft and earn 3points/$.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Guys, I’m so upset I’m not sure what to do. As mentioned here last night, there was a tragic crash of 2 floatplanes full of tourists in Alaska yesterday. I booked a floatplane tour for us on our cruise in 2 weeks. While I’m really sad and upset for those that lost their lives, I also don’t know what to do about our tour. I booked thru Chase portal with URs, 55,000 Points, and it’s non-refundable. So do I cancel and move on? Or suck it up and go?

I am sure you have been looking forward to it for some time, and gosh I hate that it is nonrefundable, but I'd cancel. Or maybe just wait it out and see if they cancel and you get a refund. No harm in that since it is nonrefundable if you cancel.
Take what I say with a grain of salt though, b/c I'm a scardy cat. I would have been too scared to book that in the first place.

 

[Hoosier John]

My business is a home rental.

I have been racking my brain for several minutes for another business venture. No one ever gives me money for anything. I don't paint, bake, sew, sing......

Wait just a minute. I must be boring.

It's ok, it just means you're not locked in a tower

Oh my, that went right past me ... it's from the Rapunzel movie?

And how do you find all those animated memes?
.

 

[Albort]

Ok - I have my head around it now...
#1) For those that truly get great value out of MRs, it really isn't even a good use of MRs...
#2) Who pays for SW flights (even with MRs...)?? That's what my INSANE stash of SW points is for!!
#3) I don't have a Biz Plat...and you have to have a biz plat to make this work...and if you have a biz plat...you probably have a better use for MRs (back to #1)
#4) If you're solely paying the AF on a biz plat for this benefit...more power to you, lol!

Neat loophole...not sure it means anything to me, lol!

(It seems like it could make a lot of sense for people who can book their own reimbursable flights for work!)

its missing a step #5 to make it really a Neat Loophole. its just not stated in the article and amex has shut some ppl down for it too.

 

[Lain]

I did this on Delta about 2 years ago. Booked a companion pass and paid with my Amex Platinum. Called Amex and asked if it could be covered by points. They subtracted the points and about 2 months later I called and they manually credited 50% of the points back (how I miss the 50%!). The Amex agent said it was a one time courtesy. Here is an old Frequent Miler article. I would think YMMV whether they are still doing this or not. https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/amex-business-platinum-awesome-1-time-exception/

Except with Southwest, that's exactly what Amex Travel tells you to do:

Redeeming points with Southwest Air
To redeem your Membership Reward® points for Southwest Airline tickets, book your ticket directly with them and then redeem your points after the charge posts. You can do this via Your Charges or through the American Express app on your mobile device.
You can schedule a point redemption for eligible pending charges through the American Express Mobile app. You must have enough Membership Rewards points to cover the entire cost with Your Charges.

Source: https://help.amextravel.com/service/#/article/25185

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I am sure you have been looking forward to it for some time, and gosh I hate that it is nonrefundable, but I'd cancel. Or maybe just wait it out and see if they cancel and you get a refund. No harm in that since it is nonrefundable if you cancel.
Take what I say with a grain of salt though, b/c I'm a scardy cat. I would have been too scared to book that in the first place.

For right now, I have booked a Disney excursion, by boat but in a similar area. Since I have a few days, I’ll wait it out a bit. The DCL excursion is $650 for the 3 of us, so if I keep it I guess I need some more GCs Lol. I really doubt I can go now. I mean, I knew it was a little risky but this just makes it too real. I doubt we will get canceled, since the company we booked is not involved.
The company with the bigger plane, Taquan, was DCL’s provider. I guess all floatplane excursions for the 5/20 cruise have already been canceled.

 

[Hoosier John]

For right now, I have booked a Disney excursion, by boat but in a similar area. Since I have a few days, I’ll wait it out a bit. The DCL excursion is $650 for the 3 of us, so if I keep it I guess I need some more GCs Lol. I really doubt I can go now. I mean, I knew it was a little risky but this just makes it too real. I doubt we will get canceled, since the company we booked is not involved.
The company with the bigger plane, Taquan, was DCL’s provider. I guess all floatplane excursions for the 5/20 cruise have already been canceled.

If you were to keep the plane excursion, I sure it would be perfectly safe, BUT you would be on edge and enjoy it less.

We booked swimming with the stingrays in the Caribbean, then Crocodile Hunter was killed by a stingray. We kept the excursion. Crew chummed the water to attract them. It was fun, until I, being courteous, allowed everyone to get back on the boat first. What I didn't realize was, they swarmed the last person in the water. Scary (but memorable)
.

 

[Lain]

its missing a step #5 to make it really a Neat Loophole. its just not stated in the article and amex has shut some ppl down for it too.

Cancel the SW flight?

 

[FloridaNative8]

This all reminds me of another new commercial I've been seeing for VRBO. I always thought it was pronounced by saying each letter on its own but the commercial says vrrr-beau. Maybe because it's an app they are pushing instead of the website or maybe I just never realized you were supposed to say it out but it sounds ridiculous. Should we not call it Triple A any more and just say aaaaahhhh? I know it's an acronym but I thought VRBO was too.

VRBO = Vacation Rental By Owner, so an acronym for sure! I will never be on board with saying "vrrr-beau"!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

If you were to keep the plane excursion, I sure it would be perfectly safe, BUT you would be on edge and enjoy it less.

Exactly. I would probably worry the whole time up to and including the flight. Plus DS says he wants to go, but I’m not sure he’ll even enjoy it as he hates the loud plane noise on commercial flights and I think he’ll find a floatplane worse.

 

[FloridaNative8]

Someone once asked how to spell my last name. It’s Williams...

My last name is Harris - I ALWAYS spell it out, because for whatever reason, it'll end up with extra/missing/incorrect letters

Fun story - my maiden name is also Harris. When my DH and I first started dating, we didn't know each other's last names (no social media back then, THANK GOODNESS). His friend and I had the same hair dresser, and a few weeks later, when the friend found out my last name was the same, he called my now DH, and told him to break up with me because I was crazy and going around using his last name already Thankfully my DH knew at that point and decided to keep me around!

We did make sure our family trees were in different orchards! If we had more unique last names, I would've been more worried! I am still grateful that I never had to go through any crazy name change stuff (I always think of that when you tell us about your last name drama @amalone1013 !).

 

[Albort]

Cancel the SW flight?

yeah, $.015 per MR is pretty good.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

My last name is Harris - I ALWAYS spell it out, because for whatever reason, it'll end up with extra/missing/incorrect letters

Fun story - my maiden name is also Harris. When my DH and I first started dating, we didn't know each other's last names (no social media back then, THANK GOODNESS). His friend and I had the same hair dresser, and a few weeks later, when the friend found out my last name was the same, he called my now DH, and told him to break up with me because I was crazy and going around using his last name already Thankfully my DH knew at that point and decided to keep me around!

We did make sure our family trees were in different orchards! If we had more unique last names, I would've been more worried! I am still grateful that I never had to go through any crazy name change stuff (I always think of that when you tell us about your last name drama @amalone1013 !).

My maiden name is one everyone always pronounces or spells wrong. So I grew up saying, then spelling, my last name. No problem. But when I changed my name after getting married, I stopped spelling my name every time I said it because I didn’t need to...until that one time.