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

[hsmamato2]

so my teen ds got an IRS letter the other day... this is his first time filing....he's set up as his own little biz..... paid Dec 2018 taxes for past year thru official payments (one of the choices on the IRS website) using his debit card. (did all this before April 15) letter states they didn't get his payment and extra interest
so I have him call on speaker to the payment agency,after verifying and pulling up the payment proof records...
csr tells him yes it all went thru fine, and the IRS is late b/c of the shutdown...(????) and not to worry about it,it'll go thru eventually.(!!!!!) I don't think that last part is true...
so I have to sit with him to call IRS direct later....anyone heard of something like this before? It should be simple, he's got his paper trail (filed with help from a professional friend) I'm always leery when it comes to IRS nonsense and paperwork.... I've used official payments in the past and never had a problem.....

 

[Psychodisney]

Those of you who have made estimated tax payments online with a credit card....which service did you ?

Never had to make any, but received a distribution from my moms FPA...a portion is taxable....elected to not have any taxes withheld...so I could put them towards a MSR.

I use pay1040 all the time. Works without a hitch. I think it has the lowest fees too.

 

[miztressuz]

so..... which is the recommended method..... book a cruise thru say,costco,and then call in and transfer,paying the bulk using UR- or Just finding a cruise I like, and calling to use UR for the whole cruise?

Hmmmm....can you transfer Costco (which is a travel agent) to another travel agency? I think it depends how you want to fund your cruise. I booked directly with RCCL since I wanted to use my Arrival + points to erase the deposit. And then I am transferring to Chase to pay the balance with URs. If you wanted to pay entirely with URs then you would book directly with Chase.

Just to confirm on this, you wouldn't want to book it with Costco if you planned to transfer it to Chase. In order to transfer a reservation, the party holding the reservation has to release it first. As a TA, Costco may agree to release it to another TA but they're not obligated to. If you book directly with the cruise line, they have policies in place that will state when they will agree to release and after that date they won't agree. So if anyone thinks they may want to use a TA of any kind - either through a travel portal or an independent/regular agency - it's best to either book directly with them or with the cruise line directly and then transfer within the window. It's not impossible to go from TA > TA but there's not much incentive for them to do so and you don't really get any benefits from doing it.

 

[alryan]

Go Raptors. That is all...

We the north! I will add for my canadian friends even if I don't really understand the meaning/purpose behind the phrase though I'm guessing national pride. I'd rather they win anyway, canada hasn't had a champion in anything outside of the olympics in awhile.

I'm way behind, but We the North doesn't make much sense to me either. Even though they beat my team, the Milwaukee Bucks, I'm cheering for them as well. Although I've seen way too much Drake, that guy drives me crazy! Get off the court!!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Okay my mom has $4000 to put on a credit card for her cruise over in Europe this fall. I'm trying to think of the best card to have her sign up for to get bonuses on this $4k. She's not going to do an Business cards and she's under Chase's 5/24. We're open to any ideas, what do you think might be best? I was thinking the CSP?

 

[miztressuz]

How do I ask for Advice?
02/19 Delta AMX
10/17 Chase Sapphire

We have 6 other cards- but have had them 3-10+ years..two carry balance, but paying those off by end of year.



2) Groceries-2k a month
Gas- $50-100 a month
Insurance $400 a month
Cell phone $200 a month
Cable $50
Car $550 month
Pay off 2 cards we use each month- 2/8 cards have balance paying off this year
Fly out of Houston/Atlanta
Spirit, United, Delta- fly weekly
Yes, SW comes to these airports
Hilton
Hilton- 40k
Disney Chase- 200 reward pts
Spirit- 60k
Delta- 25k companion ticket award
United- $4,000 in travel certificates exp in year

We are planning a family trip with 5 adults ( all kids in college) for a graduation next year- Europe or New Zealand
Trying to figure out which cards to use on groceries/misc for best return

So I was going to think on this a bit since you have a few directions but my brain just keeps coming back to this "Groceries - 2k a month " and screaming AmEx Gold FTW! But that only works if where you buy your groceries actually codes as a grocer/supermarket for AmEx. If it's mostly Walmart or Warehouse clubs or other types of stores then that's definitely not as helpful. MR would help with your Hilton balance and Delta flights if they turn out to work for this trip.

Since you have the United travel certs to use, part of me is also thinking to try Chase UR since you can use those for United. But 4k worth of certs will go differently depending on if you decide on Europe or NZ.

But your best return in a short period is going to be sign up bonuses. And you may have to decide what goal you want to work towards because I'm unsure if you'll have enough points or cash earned in a year to cover both flights and hotels for 5 people. It's probably possible if you narrow down your focus. I'd play a What if type game where I choose Europe and then decide where/what I want to do in Europe to get an idea of what places I want to stay and what hotels I'd stay at. The options available in Italy are probably going to vary from the options available in, say, Norway as far as hotel chains and airlines. Then do the same for a NZ trip. Doesn't have to be exacting, but knowing there's 20 Marriotts in XZY city and only 2 Hiltons could change the goals (either you decide it has to be that city and you plan to spend more for hotels if you have to, or you leave that city for another trip and find somewhere more budget friendly but just as enjoyable for this one) From that I'd decide which I'd want to do first and then start there.

 

[cajunmommy]

I am! There are a lot of hotels available. In fact, the small hotel we chose (using TripAdvisor reviews) is on the portal, but we got a better deal booking directly with the hotel. We wanted to stay within the historic center so that we'd be able to walk everywhere should we choose to do so.

As you can imagine, there are a zillion tours offered through many, many providers--Colosseum, Vatican, catacombs, food tours, cooking experiences, you name it. I cross-referenced provider names with ratings/references from Rick Steves' books and forum and from TripAdvisor reviews and that forum. I also used the book and those sites to decide what exactly we'd need a tour for vs on our own

We're definitely going to book a food tour and a Vatican tour through the portal and maybe a Colosseum/Forum tour (will try to book directly through coopculture .it first). We only have 6 full days to tour.

Great! Last trip to Europe we did mostly independent hotels vs. major chains (actually got DH to redeem some points he had been hoarding!) We preferred the charm of the independents, and also found that booking directly yielded better deals, so redeeming for tours will likely be the best way to use URs. Your planning & research sounds just like mine!

 

[Alexle2007]

so my teen ds got an IRS letter the other day... this is his first time filing....he's set up as his own little biz..... paid Dec 2018 taxes for past year thru official payments (one of the choices on the IRS website) using his debit card. (did all this before April 15) letter states they didn't get his payment and extra interest
so I have him call on speaker to the payment agency,after verifying and pulling up the payment proof records...
csr tells him yes it all went thru fine, and the IRS is late b/c of the shutdown...(????) and not to worry about it,it'll go thru eventually.(!!!!!) I don't think that last part is true...
so I have to sit with him to call IRS direct later....anyone heard of something like this before? It should be simple, he's got his paper trail (filed with help from a professional friend) I'm always leery when it comes to IRS nonsense and paperwork.... I've used official payments in the past and never had a problem.....

Are you sure it is a legit IRS letter? I had been getting letters from the "IRS" saying that they needed my tax return a few years ago. The real IRS clearly had it since it was attached to the check they cashed. I just ignored the letters.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Okay my mom has $4000 to put on a credit card for her cruise over in Europe this fall. I'm trying to think of the best card to have her sign up for to get bonuses on this $4k. She's not going to do an Business cards and she's under Chase's 5/24. We're open to any ideas, what do you think might be best? I was thinking the CSP?

Would trip insurance be worth considering when making the payment. I'm not sure how the CSP would compare to the CSR.

 

[miztressuz]

so my teen ds got an IRS letter the other day... this is his first time filing....he's set up as his own little biz..... paid Dec 2018 taxes for past year thru official payments (one of the choices on the IRS website) using his debit card. (did all this before April 15) letter states they didn't get his payment and extra interest
so I have him call on speaker to the payment agency,after verifying and pulling up the payment proof records...
csr tells him yes it all went thru fine, and the IRS is late b/c of the shutdown...(????) and not to worry about it,it'll go thru eventually.(!!!!!) I don't think that last part is true...
so I have to sit with him to call IRS direct later....anyone heard of something like this before? It should be simple, he's got his paper trail (filed with help from a professional friend) I'm always leery when it comes to IRS nonsense and paperwork.... I've used official payments in the past and never had a problem.....

You and he can also view his tax account online to check the payment history. https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account
Maybe it was late in being processed which generated the letter and then it should just be a matter of asking how to submit proof you paid on time. If it's really not showing then you'll probably have a longer conversation on your hands while working out how to get the payment credited to the right place.
Fingers crossed for you it's a letter sent in error or just the delay.

 

[castoral]

Has anyone actually been able to download the free kindle books with IHG Platinum Status? There's a book I'd really like that's not at any local libraries...

 

[Limes96]

so my teen ds got an IRS letter the other day... this is his first time filing....he's set up as his own little biz..... paid Dec 2018 taxes for past year thru official payments (one of the choices on the IRS website) using his debit card. (did all this before April 15) letter states they didn't get his payment and extra interest
so I have him call on speaker to the payment agency,after verifying and pulling up the payment proof records...
csr tells him yes it all went thru fine, and the IRS is late b/c of the shutdown...(????) and not to worry about it,it'll go thru eventually.(!!!!!) I don't think that last part is true...
so I have to sit with him to call IRS direct later....anyone heard of something like this before? It should be simple, he's got his paper trail (filed with help from a professional friend) I'm always leery when it comes to IRS nonsense and paperwork.... I've used official payments in the past and never had a problem.....

Are you sure it is a legit IRS letter? I had been getting letters from the "IRS" saying that they needed my tax return a few years ago. The real IRS clearly had it since it was attached to the check they cashed. I just ignored the letters.

It does sound kind of hokey, but if it’s legit..grrr. If something like that happened with any of my teen’s taxes I’d be pretty upset.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Would trip insurance be worth considering when making the payment. I'm not sure how the CSP would compare to the CSR.

The CSR is well beyond what she needs though. She's not gonna be down with the $450 AF like I am, LOL.

 

[Albort]

When are you looking? I am still seeing availability in the park. Did you check the calendars on the Xanterra site? Might depend on the bed arrangement you need.

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/

yeah, need 2 beds. i see most of them all have 1 bed. maybe ill figure something out. thanks!

edit: thanks for poking me more... i checked all of them. found the old faithful snow lodge had a night available on monday and snagged it right away!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Has anyone actually been able to download the free kindle books with IHG Platinum Status? There's a book I'd really like that's not at any local libraries...

I don't think mine was with Platinum status, but I got an IHG offer for free Kindle books and was able to get the To Pixar and Beyond book to download.

 

[WVMomof3]

yeah, need 2 beds. i see most of them all have 1 bed. maybe ill figure something out. thanks!

I think it was Grant Village where I was seeing 2 bed with quite a bit of availability.

 

[Albort]

I think it was Grant Village where I was seeing 2 bed with quite a bit of availability.

yeah, but im not sure how well my parents enjoy sleeping together on double beds haha. but yeah, thats a thought as well. thanks!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Okay my mom has $4000 to put on a credit card for her cruise over in Europe this fall. I'm trying to think of the best card to have her sign up for to get bonuses on this $4k. She's not going to do an Business cards and she's under Chase's 5/24. We're open to any ideas, what do you think might be best? I was thinking the CSP?

I think your right have her apply for the CSP....using your support link so you get some URs too

 

[ep1229]

It was only 180k points which is really easy to get with chase. I didn’t think I would like being apart from Dh like that but I really enjoyed having my own space. I turned around a lot to talk to him over my seat but really I was tired most of the time and watched movies.

180K for two people round trip in business class? That's awesome!

 

[miztressuz]

Has anyone actually been able to download the free kindle books with IHG Platinum Status? There's a book I'd really like that's not at any local libraries...

I have but I haven't tried lately. Last couple times I looked they hadn't refreshed the selection and there wasn't anything I was interested in. I think I let the last 2 just expire. Are you getting an error at some point?