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

[FloridaNative8]

I'm sure I missed a few in my multi-quote, but I had a similar experience when I went to activate DH's employee card for my Aviator Biz yesterday. (I had SM'd to request the match to the higher offer + employee purchase. I got the response that my request has been forwarded, but nothing else yet. I decided to go ahead and order an employee card for DH and make a purchase just in case I can get those extra points.) When I entered the 16-digit card number on DH's employee card, the automated system told me it didn't recognize that number. I tried again thinking I had maybe keyed it in incorrectly, and same thing. But then it occurred to me that the sticker on DH's card said to have his employer call to activate, and when I (the employer) did so, it told me to enter my card number. So I thought maybe it wanted my card number and not DH's employee card number. So I entered mine, and the system told me mine was already activated, lol. But it did offer to let me activate another card, and this time when I entered the info from DH's card following the prompts, it successfully activated. It did make me select another pin, though, and it is not clear to me if that pin is just for DH's card, or if it changed the pin on my card. I'm not really planning to use this card much, so I don't really care. About a half hour later I put a small purchase from my work cafe on DH's employee card and it went through, so that card is now permanently in the sock drawer. Definitely not an easy process.

On the other question, I was not auto approved for the Aviator Biz, and Barclays called me well over a week later. That was a very easy conversation about the nature of my business, the other sources of income I had, etc. I was upfront that my business was a side business selling on eBay. No issue. The guy asked if he could move some CL from my personal Aviator (opened about a month before) over to the biz. I agreed and was approved. None of this nonsense about needing to send in "documentation." That is just so bizarre, and the disparate treatment we have seen here from Barclays on this is another head scratcher.

THANK YOU for this! Just did exactly as you said above, and we're all set.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

How ridiculous about the MagicBands! The Stitch one I added is still in stock, but on principle I am no longer upgrading my bands this trip. I'll take two free solid colors on my split thank you very much. I don't really need them and if I upgraded both it would be the cost of my rapid refill mug. Take that Disney

Lol...I just decline them now that we can, have way too many clogging up my account and don’t need anymore

 

[wendow]

There’s a VV Outlet in Williamsburg that I am trying to figure out how to get back to before school starts in the fall for DS’s uniform pants. (Unless I can get them at a decent price online.)

My dd16 flies to VA on Sunday and they will be in Williamsburg! She was so bummed she missed out on the VV stuff at target. I’ll have to tell her to check out the outlet!!

 

[speedyfishy]

Is this the 6-day one with Walt Disney Studios, The Jim Henson Company, and Disneyland?

Yeah im doing that one.

Its incredibly easy to travel in Costa Rica on your own. Driving there is a bit tricky, but it can be done. If you don't want to drive, you can take shared shuttles from town to town - or even arrange private transportation. We flew Southwest on points and then used UR's for most hotels and a few activities. For 4 of us, our cash out of pocket was $2k for 10 days. You'd probably want to avoid the rainy season, which starts about now I believe.

Funny you should mention South Africa. I'm exploring options there now. You can self drive through Kruger park, and there are quite a few Marriott properties there. The price seems reasonable (although I may have to splurge and stay 2-3 nights at a private game reserve). First class on AA each way is 75k points into Johannesburg from the east coast. Or 80k on United/Ethiopian (and less flying time). This is a fun read - https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/south-africa-road-trip-itinerary/

Sometimes I don’t know how to adult lol the driving does make me nervous I’m much more comfortable using public transportation. That’s why I think I could do most of Europe on my own, but some of these other countries scare me. I hope I get more comfortable. I remember reading your Costa Rica review and I really had no idea how you planned it. TBH I don’t even know what I want to do in these countries. I just want to see the world and do something different, but I don’t have anything specific in mind. So I don’t even know where to start. I was thinking maybe I could just take the Disney itinerary and copy it? But it seems like a lot of work.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I listed 2 $250 AA gift cards on Raise 4 days ago and they are still pending. It is my first-ever listing. Is this normal or do I need to contact them about it?

Airline cards have to wait 45 days before they’ll be listed.

 

[PolyRob]

How ridiculous about the MagicBands! The Stitch one I added is still in stock, but on principle I am no longer upgrading my bands this trip. I'll take two free solid colors on my split thank you very much. I don't really need them and if I upgraded both it would be the cost of my rapid refill mug. Take that Disney

Quoting myself... there is now a disclaimer on the customization page

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[PolyRob]

Yeah im doing that one.

Ahh looks so fun! I am considering it for 2020 and saw the save $750 promo and am thinking of booking it through Costco.

 

[snugglebug]

I’m so nervous to plan my own trips. The only trips I have planned were Disney trips lol and that’s easy lol

I planned our trip to Costa Rica. I was so afraid something would go wrong, but it was a great trip. It was a quick weekend trip to San Jose so not too much to plan. I booked a hotel (club level suite because it's so cheap) and made sure they offered airport transfer. I booked a tour through Grayline to see Poas volcano, La Paz waterfalls and Doka coffee plantation. The next day we took an Uber downtown. The popular Central Market was closed since it was Sunday, but there was still plenty of shopping to be done. Popped into a nice cafe for food, then Uber'd back to the hotel. So many people speak at least a little english so we really didn't have any language issue.

 

[DrFacilier]

Airline cards have to wait 45 days before they’ll be listed.

Ohhhhh... I guess I should stop holding my breath. It will be a nice surprise when they sell lol.

 

[speedyfishy]

Ahh looks so fun! I am considering it for 2020 and saw the save $750 promo and am thinking of booking it through Costco.

Does Costco offer any deals? Dreams unlimited travel gave us $300 off in addition to the $750 early booking promo.

 

[wendow]

Ok - so it's worth noting that you could actually book 2 rooms with only 1 rental car on AAvacations.com and that cuts your cost of those two rooms from 237,200 points (or your roughly 118k x 2) down to 227,200. This doesn't help in your situation (I can't come up with a scenario where it actually costs you less OOP) but is something interesting for those following along.

That said, I believe what you've outlined is best. I ran the scenarios a few different ways and could not come up with anything that cost less OOP. You probably want to book the last 3 rooms in the order I detail below as it saves you a little money:

• POFQ Room 1 = 118,600 pts = booked with your husband's points, I show the OOP cost to $105.60
• POFQ Room 2 = 118,600 pts = booked with your points, no OOP cost
• Swan Room 1 = 75,500 pts = booked with your points, no OOP cost
• Swan Room 2 = 84,500 pts = booked with your remaining 65,900 pts, OOP cost = $186

By leaving the last room (where you only partially cover the cost with points) to useAAmiles.com you actually save yourself a little bit out of pocket. That's because the OOP cost formula is slightly better for you on UseAAmiles vs. AAvacations.

Now, I also know you previously mentioned that you might have some AA gift cards. Is that still true? If so, I'd want to call both AAvacations and UseAAmiles to see if they'll accept an AA gift card as payment. That could affect the order you want to book (i.e. say if AAvacations accepts the gift card but UseAAmiles does not).

Why does the only one car but two rooms not work for my scenario?

Interesting that it's slightly better for the OOP on useAAmiles! Good catch! See, this is why I come to you and ask first

I sold my GC's so I cannot be a DP. Sorry! I never got around to calling them and then I forgot about our convo about it

@mmmears and @pillow There is a note on the checkout screen for aavacations (can't remember about useaamiles) saying 'if you want to pay with an AA gc, you need to call'. I think the question is does it work when you are also points as part of the payment??

 

[Haley R]

I know this is crazy since we haven’t even started our Japan trip but I’m already thinking about potential trips for next year. I’d really like to do Hawaii but I’m not sure Dh is on board with that one. He’d like to go to Ireland which isn’t my first choice but I’d go.

 

[wendow]

I’ve been dutifully tracking along, despite things being crazy at work!

When I last posted, the recommendation from a number of you was to go for CIP #2 (sorry for not tagging you here - but thank you for your advice!)

In preparation, I reduced my CL on all my Chase cards. It’s now been just over a month since I did that, so I’m ready to apply.

Couple quick questions:
1) Is there a minimum business income I need to list for the CIP app? At some point in the past I remember 4 figures being brought up as a minimum, but I don’t know if that held.
2) How loose can I be in my listed income? Can it be “projected,” or should I stick to what I have documentation for?
3) Can I apply in the same category as my original CIP, or should I pick a new one?

Thanks all!

Hey friend! I did everything pretty much the same on my dh's CIP#2 app. $1k income, same income and same category for his 'business'.
Nice to 'see' you here

 

[mfly]

-I don’t believe there is a minimum income to list
-if you think you are going to earn more this year you could list it..I have never had them ask for documentation
- Yes

difference between 2 and 3
1.I did 50 more
2. I did $500 more
3. mine was a the same

Hey friend! I did everything pretty much the same on my dh's CIP#2 app. $1k income, same income and same category for his 'business'.
Nice to 'see' you here

Thank you all! Just applied - got “decision pending.”

Fingers crossed!

Anyone mind reminding me what my means of checking the status (that doesn’t involve talking to a human) is?

 

[FloridaNative8]

Quoting myself... there is now a disclaimer on the customization page

View attachment 402390

For the AP bands we have now, I got decals from a shop I found on Instagram and applied them myself - we love them, and there are a ton of options. You can choose a different design for each side as well. We've gotten a ton of compliments on them, and it cost less than the ones Disney is offering!

 

[DrFacilier]

So I'm trying to wrap my head around this whole Plastiq thing. My mortgage and my car payment are by far my 2 biggest monthly bills. I could churn a lot more quickly if I was willing to pay the 2.5%. It would add about $3000 of easy spend for about $75 a month right barring any FFDs or other discounts. Can someone talk me into/ out of this thinking?

 

[wendow]

Thank you all! Just applied - got “decision pending.”

Fingers crossed!

Anyone mind reminding me what my means of checking the status (that doesn’t involve talking to a human) is?

Call 1-800-432-3117 and follow the prompts. Incessantly LOL!

 

[PolyRob]

Does Costco offer any deals? Dreams unlimited travel gave us $300 off in addition to the $750 early booking promo.

It looks like 2% back for executive members and a Costco cash card up to $2,000. It says call to book so I am not sure what value you get per person for the 6-night CA trip. I may call tomorrow and find out

 

[PolyRob]

For the AP bands we have now, I got decals from a shop I found on Instagram and applied them myself - we love them, and there are a ton of options. You can choose a different design for each side as well. We've gotten a ton of compliments on them, and it cost less than the ones Disney is offering!

I've always been tempted to buy decals, but never actually did it! The most i've done is swap colors with the 2.0 bands. I may have to do it this time!