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

[calypso726]

The hotel we just stayed in was a hyatt and it was pretty bad. I’ll write a review when we get back probably.

Oh no! I always hear such good things about Hyatt but don’t recall staying in one. I think you’re in Japan now, right? Which Hyatt and what made it bad? We are staying our first two nights in Japan at the Park Hyatt Tokyo that was booked with UR points transferred to Hyatt.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Oh no! I always hear such good things about Hyatt but don’t recall staying in one. I think you’re in Japan now, right? Which Hyatt and what made it bad? We are staying our first two nights in Japan at the Park Hyatt Tokyo that was booked with UR points transferred to Hyatt.

I think the one Haley stayed at was right outside LAX for her positioning flight. She might have already done the review for it on the hotel thread, but I can't remember.

 

[havaneselover]

Caution: No Ebates in-store cash back for GC purchases - FM

Seems like Ebates is threatening to shut down and has shut down accounts/clawed back cash back for buying GCs with a linked credit card for in-store cash back. The comments seem to point to OD/OM.

Yikes and boo

 

[amalone1013]

I think the one Haley stayed at was right outside LAX for her positioning flight. She might have already done the review for it on the hotel thread, but I can't remember.

@calypso726 I am 99% sure she has a review up! It was the LAX one.

 

[ten6mom]

I hate calling too. Speak to a live person?? The horror.

Not only the waiting on hold but I prefer to have all such correspondence in writing! That way no one can say "we didn't tell you that"!

 

[MKTokyo]

@MKTokyo - I noticed you changed your avatar! Is that you and DF at the Fêtes Galantes?

It is! We don't look so fancy now, though. We're in park clothes, going to stuff our faces & watch Godzilla.

 

[miztressuz]

found the answer on pointsguy

btw- you guys are awesome! I totally want to do more of this churning, so once I clear some very time consuming things off my agenda (renovating 2 rental properties- ugh!) I will be on here reading and LEARNING!!

While I totally get how time consuming renovating is, could any of that spend go towards MSR's for new cards? Seems like you have a legit business with a legit business need for some credit with all the expense of rentals, so now may be a good time to use some of that. Unless this is an ongoing thing and you'll always have a good amount of spend to use towards the minimum spend requirements? If not, might make sense to carve out some time to discuss a couple first steps to take advantage of your current situation.

 

[amalone1013]

Thanks to Award Wallet I can see that my KSC tickets via Expedia triggered the CSR credit on FILs correctly, even though I can't actually log in to his account at work.

 

[crazymomof4]

While I totally get how time consuming renovating is, could any of that spend go towards MSR's for new cards? Seems like you have a legit business with a legit business need for some credit with all the expense of rentals, so now may be a good time to use some of that. Unless this is an ongoing thing and you'll always have a good amount of spend to use towards the minimum spend requirements? If not, might make sense to carve out some time to discuss a couple first steps to take advantage of your current situation.

Well, without going into too much detail (my kids say I tend to do that LOL)
One of the rentals is owned by our 30 yr old son. Is not technically a "rental" yet as required extensive work which DH and I were helping him with when my Mom suddenly passed away. Her home is still owned by "the estate of" while we upgrade it enough to make it desirable enough to rent and then I will transfer deed to my name (as per will).
So yes, we eventually will be "Landlords" but not yet. And according to my accountant we should save all records of cost of work done for when we actually are renting...THEN we can use them as business expenses and will operate as a "business"
Entering into waters that I am totally unfamiliar with, but Mom wanted her home to stay family-owned so ....here I go!

But to answer your ?.... Yes... the "spend" requirement should be easy to reach for us with our expenses for reno's.

 

[Alexle2007]

D

 

[havaneselover]

How many AA points did you need, if you don't mind sharing? We are headed there at the end of Dec also. I am thinking DH needing a AA Biz. I should have 60k shortly (assuming my extra 20k is approved.)

I used aavacations.com and it ended up being just under 100k aa miles for two nights. It's $500/night at that time of year Hard Rock and Portofino Bay were both around 105 k AA miles for 2 nights. I love Cabana Bay but no way am I going on New Year's Eve without Unlimited Express Pass!

And useaamiles.com had it at almost 100K/night which I don't get.

 

[wanderlust7]

Ok I have some AMex questions.... maybe some experts can help me out here...I currently hold Hh,Hh Biz,Bonvoy Biz myself, I'm AU on P2's Hh Ascend & Bonvoy Biz () nd I hold a Biz Green. So is this counted as me having 5,or 3 Amex cc's? (since the biz green is a charge card)
....ANNNND..... I have an upgrade offer on my Hh basic- for Aspire,150k/4k spend. Is this worth thinking about,or will upgrading this affect my 5/24 with Chase? (more important)
Do all the offers with this card still work($250 credit/etc)? If I did took this, I just don't want to mess with my 5/24- and I guess I wouldn't be eligible for a new card bonus later on the aspire,right? (isn't it a moot point if the bonus is the same?)
...AANNNNND..... p2 has this same offer on his Ascend card(I'm AU on this one!) so what are any thoughts on him taking the offer? same questions as for myself,except would that AU card affect my chances on other apps/cards if he upgrades?
Thank you!
(I'm currently after more UR, but any extra Hh is also welcome if I don't take a 5/24 hit)

I've read that you can apply for the card you got the upgrade offer on, and then quickly also take the upgrade offer before it goes away. So then you get 2 bonuses. The application for the new card needs to be first. No personal experience though, so maybe someone else can chime in about that. Taking the upgrade offer won't add to your 5/24. The new Aspire would though, so that's something you'd have to consider if you go this route.

Amex Business Gold 4x Bonus Category Points Not Posting Properly Since April - DoC

That's for remembering. I was starting to wonder if it's just me, good to see it reported.

 

[miztressuz]

I am a long time lurker here. I am so impressed by you guys and what you do. I just read a little and let it wash over me, a little is retained, much is forgotten.

I've dipped my toe in the waters (I'm sure in the wrong order, should be pinky toe to big toe. I did an Amex first, doh) and I was wondering about my next step.

DH and I are both 2/5 and we have some tuition coming up in August. We're paying $6K on one kid and $1.5K on another. There is a 2.35% convenience fee for the payments. But a sign up bonus would make that worth the while, right?

I was thinking a Chase card with UR points to be the most effective. I'm trying to get to England for our 25th anniversary next year and I figure the more flexible points would be best. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks for all you all do!!

Since you say "2/5" I take that as you have each opened 2 cards in the last 24 months, taking up 2 spots in Chase's 5/24 rule, aka 2/24? That's not bad and still a good place to start. I'm always a fan of UR but not as familiar with redemptions to England so someone else can chime in for best for that UR vs MR. But I think it'll come down to which airline(s) are you looking at or what properties you're looking to stay (are the chains you can transfer points to or independents that can booked through a portal or would you need to cash out if that's what you want to cover? having an idea of that is helpful when deciding a direction.)

As for paying the fee for tuition, most sign up bonus are going to get you at least a 10% return on your spend, so it should cover the cost of that fee. If you were to go for the CIP with a 5k MSR and just put the whole 6k on it, it would be $141 in convenience fee + $95 AF for ~86,000 UR points worth at minimum $860. That gives you a profit of $641 which is a return of 10.3% on your spend; so you definitely make out better than not using it and paying cash. All that said, you make out even better if you can avoid paying the fees to meet MSR but if you can't, paying 2 to get 10 seems like a fair tradeoff. I myself am pretty sure we're going to use our property taxes which has a fee for CC payment to help meet the CIP MSR. I am fee adverse but the numbers for a MSR return have swayed me.

 

[ten6mom]

From Chase's SM:

"Congratulations on your new Chase Ink Preferred business
credit card!

We mailed your new card via Rush Delivery to the mailing
address on your account. You should receive it in one to
two business days."

Woo hoo!

 

[miztressuz]

Well, without going into too much detail (my kids say I tend to do that LOL)
One of the rentals is owned by our 30 yr old son. Is not technically a "rental" yet as required extensive work which DH and I were helping him with when my Mom suddenly passed away. Her home is still owned by "the estate of" while we upgrade it enough to make it desirable enough to rent and then I will transfer deed to my name (as per will).
So yes, we eventually will be "Landlords" but not yet. And according to my accountant we should save all records of cost of work done for when we actually are renting...THEN we can use them as business expenses and will operate as a "business"
Entering into waters that I am totally unfamiliar with, but Mom wanted her home to stay family-owned so ....here I go!

But to answer your ?.... Yes... the "spend" requirement should be easy to reach for us with our expenses for reno's.

So that sounds like start up costs to me, you can have expenses before opening for business, and as your accountant pointed out they are business expenses even if you haven't received any revenue yet. I'm not an accountant, I don't even play one on TV, but if you do plan to rent a unit out (even if it's to family) I'd consider using it to open new cards. They are expenses that you are paying anyway, may as well get a better return for it while you do so and help your future goals in the process.

But, I know that's a lot on top of what you're dealing with, and sorry to hear of your Mom's passing that's a blow without the extra crazy on top of having to renovate, so if meeting 3-5k MSRs within 3 months is usually doable without throwing in the renos you shouldn't lose out on much. Just wanted to put some food for thought out there since not everyone has large expenses, and this could be an opportunity to jump start your churning goals. Bright side is you have a legit side business starting to pick up business cards, which are very helpful in the journey

 

[Alexle2007]

Sometimes it is not that easy. I now try to use mine near the first part of each month. That didn't happen in May.

I don't use it for gift cards now. I buy an appetizer and sometimes that's my lunch. And, this past weekend we combined it with a Maggianos discount on a carryout meal.

1. Buy Maggianos gift card for 10% off using Lowes or other discount. I get this 10% on my BOA card every month also.
2. Order Maggianos carryout family meal: $50 ($10 discount from email all the time) using gift card and Rose Gold for taxes and possible extras.
3. Order appetizer from CF. Pick up in curbside pickup and if ordered online, pay with Rose Gold.
4. Drive around the corner and pick up Maggianos order.

Do this when family descends on you without warning or maybe every 3 months. There is enough for 4 adults and 2 kids in the $50 family meal for our family and usually leftovers. We 'upgrade' the salad to the one with tomato and avocado for $2 extra, and sometimes will get an extra dessert - not cheesecake.

We are outside the delivery area for these restaurants so have to pickup. Youngest DD will always pickup if I say 'are you cooking tonight?'.

I haven't missed a credit yet as I also go for dr's appt near the CF and can do a small purchase fairly easily. I've had the card since November. Sometimes it's an app and it may also be cheesecake. If I find I don't want it from CF there is always grub hub pickup. But we seem to do a lot of take out on the weekends. Most restaurants are not an experience for me and I prefer their food in a bag at my own dining room table. For younger folks I think the social aspect is more important.

Is this at the Columbia Mall? We don't do pick-up but I will take DS to PF Chang's (his favorite restaurant of all time) and then just run into CF for the lemoncello cake to take home for dessert.

 

[Albort]

Amex Membership Rewards adds Qantas as a transfer partner at 1:1

was this posted?

 

[Psychodisney]

Finally caught up after a crazy busy last few days!he
We had a great trip to Naples over the Holiday weekend. Our flight back to MDW was cancelled due to weather (not in FL). So much crazy weather last weekend! Ended up renting a car and driving 3 hours up to MCO to get home on Weds AM. MCO has so many more flights than RSW, especially this time of year. We pulled in our driveway at 11 AM and I was at work by noon.
Now I'm working on my CSR trip delay benefit. I was pretty good about receipts but they request quite a bit of info. I need a statement from SWA of why the flight was cancelled. Otherwise, I can come up with all of the other supporting documentation. Hopefully the claim processes smoothly.
Just a reminder, even on award flights, use your CSR to pay the taxes and fees!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Choice Hotels just sent out an email that you can get 3x Choice points when you book a hotel through their mobile app for stays from now until July 31. I have one stay booked for June, but I'm keeping that since I booked it under a 10% back Ebates rate. I booked another stay for a horse show at the end of July through the app since Ebates is only giving 2% right now. Choice Points have turned out to be pretty easy for us to earn this year!

I also earned over 5000 points for our first IHG stay at DH's horse show last weekend since they offered my 2500 points as a new member.

 

[Alexle2007]

D