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

[Alexle2007]

Ugh, bank bonus fail! Just got hit with a stupid $12 Chase monthly checking fee. I had transferred the $500 to the savings instead of checking. I guess I should have just let the $5k sit in savings and earn $.03 instead. Two more months and I can close these accounts.

 

[wanderlust7]

I know this is far down the line, but if I did not want it for the AF past the first year, would PCing it to say the green card upset Amex less than outright cancelling it?

PCing should be better than canceling. But the green comes with a $95 AF with no real benefits. It's rumored to be refreshed though, so maybe that'll change. You'll want to check for retention offers first. That might make it worth keeping another year.

 

[Haley R]

For anyone going out of the states, our heritage bank card has refunded us every foreign fee we’ve had so far.

 

[miztressuz]

Does anyone know how to enroll in auto pay for the Barclays Aviator Business? I cannot for the life of me figure out how to enroll.

I was finally able to get in after calling. The tech had me try using Safari (I was using Chrome) and it worked.

Now if I can figure out Barclays Biz Aviator. Thanks to @wendow I have a payment method added (thank you!!!) but I can’t find anywhere to schedule auto pay. I’m wondering if I have to wait until my first statement cuts.

For Barclays you can't set it up yourself from the web, you have to SM, or probably could call, to setup auto pay. I have no experience myself but that's been the answer from many questions asked on r/churning. Seems they have the capability to do it but didn't make it self service.

Farmers' market here tomorrow---and I can use cards with all the farmers and other vendors because everyone has Square We deal with groundhogs and deer---the foxes keep the bunny populations under control

Ugh don't even get me started! Between the two, and probably some other critters, they ate a few hundred dollars of perennials last year. It was a very sad bunch of beds last summer. Fortunately they seem to be coming back (wasn't sure if they would, they were eaten down to the ground early on) but now they're eating the Skip Laurels which I bought because they were supposed to be deer resistant! More like irresistible from what I'm seeing right now. Sigh. I bought my house because of it's location to the woods, gives it a peaceful nature setting in the 'burbs, but I'm starting to think you can have too much nature.

I have more Amex news. 2 days I dug up my American Express account. It had been 6 feet under for about 5 years. Two days ago had a targeted offer for Gold card with the 50k bonus. I also had an upgrade offer and bonus on my blue card. I got both of these cards. Last week I tried to get a Hilton Aspire card and got the pop-up. Today I logged in and had an offer to upgrade my old no AF Hilton card to the Aspire with the 150k point bonus. It seemed too good to be true.... no credit check, no opening a new card, no contributing to the 5/24 rule. I couldn't do it online since I can't find my old Hilton card. I was able to do it over the phone.

Ok on to the bad news I need to spend 7k to get the bonuses. I could write off the blue card If I have to that would put me at 6k. On a normal spending month I put about 1500 on my cards. I don't have any big spends the next three months.
I'm going to start paying my electric bill with one of the cards. In the Summer my bill is around 300-400 a month. They charge 2% to pay with a card, but oh well you got to do what you got to do. I'm going to WDW on the 11th. Hopefully one of these cards will be here by then. If not my Dh is arriving on the 15th and could bring a card. The rooms are already paid for all on points, but I could change my room charges before I leave.

I'm going on Transatlantic cruise in September. The cruise is paid for, but I still need to pay tips, transport excursions alcohol etc. I can do this all before the cruise by adding on board credit....that's probably an extra 1200. I'm also considering upgrading my annual passes. I have from July 20 to Oct 20. I was planning on doing it in October if I was going to do it, but I might have the money to upgrade one in August so that's an extra 800.00.
I already pay my cell phone with a credit card. I'm going to see what other utility bills I can charge. I'm also going to have to stop shopping at Costco for the next 3 months. Any other ideas. I think in the long run I'll be happy with all the bonuses but right now. It's a bit of a challenge.

They say no gift cards. Do the credit card company's know if you buy gift cards at the grocery store or target?
They also said my AF would be prorated. My anniversary date is March. Does that mean I pay a 3/4 of the annual fee and then the total annual fee in March? I would assume I'm available for the annual perks in March???

For the most part if the store doesn't send Level 3 data then AmEx doesn't know what you bought, just don't make it obvious that you bought a gift card with a 505.95 charge. If you throw one in with your normal grocery order it should be fine. Staples for sure and I think OM/OD do send L3 data so it'll show up right on your statement that a GC was purchased and be iffy. I'd avoid that during MSR. I'd do a test purchase at the store and see how it shows up online to know if you're good or not. I believe @Lain did that for Costco ( or another vendor that doesn't take AmEx) buying at the grocery that doesn't send L3 data. It has been pretty obvious if they do or don't when you open the transaction detail. Just don't use the new interface when it pops up and asks, when I last used that it wasn't showing the L2 and L3 data. But if you don't see specific items you bought listed in the transaction detail, just a category, then it should be ok.

 

[disfanforlife]

I really like my personal gold. I used a personal slot to get it this past October. It is a significant competition with the CSR so that’s something to think about. I end up using it a lot more than the CSR.

The BBP is a great card but you might want to wait for it until there is a time where you could take advantage of the 0% for 15 months. I am using it to float the money on a big chunk of my DVC purchase. (You should tour the Riviera model on your upcoming solo trip..,just saying).

Maybe get one and then self refer for the next one?

I started with the MR cards with calling in and getting the Biz Gold and Biz Plat but that is a significant spend to commit too. Good luck deciding!

Just wanted to say congratulations on Riviera! I am going to try and book a stay there next year, looks beautiful!

 

[Lain]

And hope I'll get to use a Centurion lounge.

It’s just a trip across the bridge. Have you used the Escape Lounge at OAK?

 

[Haley R]

I can’t even escape galaxy’s edge in Japan lol

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Wow, thanks for all the advice. It looks like I should start on the CIP and see where we go from there.

And you guys got me, I meant 2/24. Still learning the lingo, lol.

You are approved...
Just remember...business name is just your first and last name
Business EIN- your SS number

 

[have2getaway]

I currently use a credit sesame just to make sure we are keeping our score and credit limit where we need to be to continue churning. I continue to get notices that Chase has add someone to my card as an authorized user. I am guessing it is myself and DH added to the other, but I haven’t called yet to confirm. Has this happened to anyone else? We didn’t want to be authorized users in each other’s cards.

 

[bernina]

I currently use a credit sesame just to make sure we are keeping our score and credit limit where we need to be to continue churning. I continue to get notices that Chase has add someone to my card as an authorized user. I am guessing it is myself and DH added to the other, but I haven’t called yet to confirm. Has this happened to anyone else? We didn’t want to be authorized users in each other’s cards.

I received the notifications as well.

Chase recently changed their name and it appears to be what triggered all the notifications.

More here: Doctor of Credit

 

[pinkxray]

I just signed up for a local 5k next week and a half marathon in Sept. which finished off the spend for Barclay AA biz. I need to start figuring out a path of where I’m going next.
My Dh who can’t stand Disney actually agreed yesterday to a 2021 disney trip after watching Tim Trackers galaxy edge coverage. Our last trip was probably around 6000-7000 with 2/3 covered by URs and SW points and the rest with discounted gift cards.
I want to go for the CIP but I just don’t know if I can meet the high spend for that. I think I’m going to wait a few weeks to make a plan.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I just signed up for a local 5k next week and a half marathon in Sept. which finished off the spend for Barclay AA biz. I need to start figuring out a path of where I’m going next.
My Dh who can’t stand Disney actually agreed yesterday to a 2021 disney trip after watching Tim Trackers galaxy edge coverage. Our last trip was probably around 6000-7000 with 2/3 covered by URs and SW points and the rest with discounted gift cards.
I want to go for the CIP but I just don’t know if I can meet the high spend for that. I think I’m going to wait a few weeks to make a plan.

I have to plan my CIP applications around large bills...insurance, DVC dues etc....some bills can be prepaid too....so if your phone, cable etc allow it that may help meet the MSR

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We're leaving for our first trip since FP+ on Friday, so I have to ask...when you say that you didn't do any stand-by lines, do you mean that you were able to get more fastpasses after you had used your 3? I'm stressing about using the FP+ system with the crowds, because I'm so used to the way DLR does it and we usually get TONS of fastpasses there.

On that note, does anybody have any obscure hot tips for these WDW novices??

Yep, pretty much just that. After using the initial 3, keep pulling more one at a time. The con is that it requires a lot of refreshing so your stare at your phone the entire trip. I’d subscribe to Kenny the pirate’s character locator. I never did because I knew most of his tricks already (like how to get so many FP), but a couple days before my trip discovered there is some info in there I didn’t know that proved useful.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thankfully, only trying to bunny proof about a 1.5ftx3ft area, using some green netting that I had and makeshift stakes, with wiring and discarded branches to secure where the bottom meets the ground-so nothing fancy. Last year I had to replant my cucumbers because the bunnies ate the tender seedlings, they have already done a number on my pea shoots this year. So just hoping the netting keeps them out for the next few weeks...the bunnies loose interest as the plants mature. I know I have a family of bunnies. I saw 3 of them in my yard-two of them were very fat (thinking pregnant). More off topic but at my previous house, I had these lovely raised beds-tried to bunny proof them, and ended up with a bunny making a nest in one of the beds and having 5 babies bunnies, so hoping try 2 works a bit better.



I guess if my netting doesn't work, I'm going to have to look into .

 

[Judique]

Sometimes when I scroll down the page I accidentally hit a link; like, +quote, etc. Maybe that is what happened to you???

@hsmamato2 - I responded to the post but I did not report you. At least not that I know of. What does the 'report' indicate? Since I haven't used report I'm not sure of how it works. I would think it means to bring inappropriate posts to mods attention but haven't read anything needing eye bleach other than @SouthFayetteFan 's crop top

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Ugh don't even get me started! Between the two, and probably some other critters, they ate a few hundred dollars of perennials last year. It was a very sad bunch of beds last summer. Fortunately they seem to be coming back (wasn't sure if they would, they were eaten down to the ground early on) but now they're eating the Skip Laurels which I bought because they were supposed to be deer resistant! More like irresistible from what I'm seeing right now. Sigh. I bought my house because of it's location to the woods, gives it a peaceful nature setting in the 'burbs, but I'm starting to think you can have too much nature.

So frustrating, I know. My veggie garden is a series of raised beds enclosed with integrated deer fencing---dh built it for me a few years ago. Groundhogs got through the screening of one of the doors the first year and ate everything they could reach up to about 3' off the ground The door design was modified after that!

 

[sibesx2]

I've been lurking for a while and am also a member on DISchurners. I think I need advice for my next moves. Here is what I have -

02/17 AmEx Marriott Bonvoy
04/18 Chase Sapphire Preferred
04/19 Citi AAdvantage Business

05/19 Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Business - I thought I was denied but received a letter asking me to send in ID info. Has anyone received the card after sending in the info?

I also have very old Citi Thank You and Dividend, Chase Freedom and Disney (just upgraded), Cap One Quicksilver, Lowes and Best Buy. I currently carry a small balance on Best Buy with 0% interest.

I put about $1000 a month on CC's.

I don't travel often but when I do it is with my DD and DGS (who just turned 18). We don't fly because I am a reluctant flyer and DD is in the no way category. We drive to Disney and would probably use Amtrak for longer distances.

My only definite plans right now is a 2021 trip to WDW for the 50th. This is why I jumped on the grAAvy train. I'm not sure how far it will take me with limited spend and no access to mailers. I also hope to do a RCCL cruise using UR's someday but am only about 1/3 of the way there. I don't think I can make the MSR on the CIP but am thinking about the CIC or CIU. Can I do both? I also want to start collecting Hilton points but not sure of the options. More Marriott points would be great but again not sure how to amass them with my spend. Amtrak CC is also on my radar for a possible trip to Disneyland some day.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

You guys are a great group and I enjoy reading this board!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I've been lurking for a while and am also a member on DISchurners. I think I need advice for my next moves. Here is what I have -

02/17 AmEx Marriott Bonvoy
04/18 Chase Sapphire Preferred
04/19 Citi AAdvantage Business

05/19 Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Business - I thought I was denied but received a letter asking me to send in ID info. Has anyone received the card after sending in the info?

I also have very old Citi Thank You and Dividend, Chase Freedom and Disney (just upgraded), Cap One Quicksilver, Lowes and Best Buy. I currently carry a small balance on Best Buy with 0% interest.

I put about $1000 a month on CC's.

I don't travel often but when I do it is with my DD and DGS (who just turned 18). We don't fly because I am a reluctant flyer and DD is in the no way category. We drive to Disney and would probably use Amtrak for longer distances.

My only definite plans right now is a 2021 trip to WDW for the 50th. This is why I jumped on the grAAvy train. I'm not sure how far it will take me with limited spend and no access to mailers. I also hope to do a RCCL cruise using UR's someday but am only about 1/3 of the way there. I don't think I can make the MSR on the CIP but am thinking about the CIC or CIU. Can I do both? I also want to start collecting Hilton points but not sure of the options. More Marriott points would be great but again not sure how to amass them with my spend. Amtrak CC is also on my radar for a possible trip to Disneyland some day.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

You guys are a great group and I enjoy reading this board!

Welcome......

I have not applied for a Barclays card so hopefully others can help

You definitely can apply for both the CIU and CIC....just put about 3 months between applications ...which would fit with your spend....also check credit limits on your other Chase cards to make sure you aren’t close to 50% of household income....reduce if needed about a month or more prior to applying

I meet the $5k MSR on the CIP by applying before large bills are due...insurance I pay upfront for the year, DVC dues, property taxes etc...

 

[wed100105]

Guys, my best friend just fell for the CEO email scam. She's currently going through a very nasty divorce, with 4 young kids and her soon-to-be EX husband (who asked for the divorce) is being incredibly difficult to her. She's just maxed out. She received the email on her work email and didn't catch that it wasn't actually from her boss. She spent $3000 on her mom's credit card and her debit card and sent the codes (Walmart gift card and a Google Play gift card). Finally she felt like something wasn't right and called her boss. It, of course, was a scam. Is there anything she can do? I feel sick for her. She doesn't have the money right now, and under normal circumstances she would never fall for something like this. She's just drowning in stress.

 

[StephPlum]

Calling any PNC bank bonus players. When is it safe to close that account? I've already downgraded to the lowest account and only have $500 sitting there.