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

[LynnTH]

Thanks for the great info... I was not factoring in the referral bonus or the points earned on the spend aspect to meet the MSR. If we play it a little slow and each open a CSP separated by a month or so we should have no problem hitting the MSR. Then maybe look into the CIP's a little apart and we should have above 330,000 points with little effort. The key will be to develop a "business" for the CIP cards.

I think most of us were hesitant to open "business cards" but after you get the 1st one it is kind of addicting. Especially since most of them don't count again your 5/24 status. I sell on Ebay/Craigslist once in a while and used that as my business. My DH Shrink Wraps boats on the side in the fall for his business. Just added up between the 2 of us we have opened up 22 Business Cards in the past 2-3 years, and still have more to get. The CIP is the best. I just opened my 3rd and will soon open #3 for DH. I also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve that I used to book 2 cruises and got and extra 50% value in doing that.

Ask lots of questions and then jump in. You both are at a great place to start. Just remember to not add each other as AU's on your cards as those will count against the other person's 5/24 count (unless it is a business card).

I have learned so much since finding this thread. Going to Aruba, Las Vegas and RCCL Cruise for 4 of us and then another cruise for just DH and I next year. All with points!! It is addicting and so much fun!

 

[Alexle2007]

D

 

[WVMomof3]

Thanks for the great info... I was not factoring in the referral bonus or the points earned on the spend aspect to meet the MSR. If we play it a little slow and each open a CSP separated by a month or so we should have no problem hitting the MSR. Then maybe look into the CIP's a little apart and we should have above 330,000 points with little effort. The key will be to develop a "business" for the CIP cards.

There are several businesses here. Probably most common is EBay and/ or FB selling. We also have tutors, dog grooming, nanny, horse braiding, baby sitter, notary etc etc. Personally, I use EBay selling. I more think about selling than actually doing it, but I have the cards ready when I finally ramp up the business.

 

[MKTokyo]

Paging @elgerber and anyone else interested re: Delta Amex Biz bonus.....

Called again today to chase my missing 70,000 Skypesos. Got told 1. My offer was 35k after 4k spend and then another 35k after some additional amount of spend (Actually it was 70,000 miles after $4k). 2. My qualifying spend to date is $197 (I have spent about $4,800 on the card). 3. Tax payments don't count. (They do)

The phone rep was very helpful and courteous, but I get a different story every time I call. (I have given up using online chat as they are beyond useless). Anyway, after 15 mins on hold, I got told that yes, tax payments do count and a query has been sent to the relevant department. I should call back in a week if I don't see my miles.

So back to wait and see......

I got my points but they did indeed credit to my SkyMiles account as two separate 35K transactions & I thought that was weird. Now I know why.

 

[jaysraptor]

I think most of us were hesitant to open "business cards" but after you get the 1st one it is kind of addicting. Especially since most of them don't count again your 5/24 status. I sell on Ebay/Craigslist once in a while and used that as my business. My DH Shrink Wraps boats on the side in the fall for his business. Just added up between the 2 of us we have opened up 22 Business Cards in the past 2-3 years, and still have more to get. The CIP is the best. I just opened my 3rd and will soon open #3 for DH. I also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve that I used to book 2 cruises and got and extra 50% value in doing that.

Ask lots of questions and then jump in. You both are at a great place to start. Just remember to not add each other as AU's on your cards as those will count against the other person's 5/24 count (unless it is a business card).

I have learned so much since finding this thread. Going to Aruba, Las Vegas and RCCL Cruise for 4 of us and then another cruise for just DH and I next year. All with points!! It is addicting and so much fun!

Wow, that is quite a bit of travel just on points. That is what we are looking to get to.

There are several businesses here. Probably most common is EBay and/ or FB selling. We also have tutors, dog grooming, nanny, horse braiding, baby sitter, notary etc etc. Personally, I use EBay selling. I more think about selling than actually doing it, but I have the cards ready when I finally ramp up the business.

The wife and I have been selling some old furinture on a Facebook sells site, so I guess we have a business.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks for the great info... I was not factoring in the referral bonus or the points earned on the spend aspect to meet the MSR. If we play it a little slow and each open a CSP separated by a month or so we should have no problem hitting the MSR. Then maybe look into the CIP's a little apart and we should have above 330,000 points with little effort. The key will be to develop a "business" for the CIP cards.

DH and I play slowly...we work on one MSR at a time and when it’s almost done...support the other to open the same card...
I sell a bit on eBay....so if you have ever done that, garage sales, tutoring...the ideas are endless....
When applying just use your first and last name as the business name...nothing else...and your SS number as the business EIN...

 

[punkin]

Has anyone been to Charleston? The Amex platinum collection has a decent (but still astronomically expensive) rate at the Belmond. Any experiences? We were looking at the Governor's house inn also. This is our first time in Charleston. Any recommendations are welcome. Need to book soon.

 

[platamama]

Hello All!

My name is JJ and I joined the Disboards in May of 2017 to help with planning a family trip to DisneyWorld in October of 2017. The board was a treasure trove of useful info. I came across this thread a little over a week ago, and have been lurking, as the wife and I have been discussing more travel and the best way to do it for as little out of pocket money as possible. I cannot believe how fast this thread moves. I started reading the first few pages and the volume of information is like drinking from a fire hose. I tried to catchup on the last 100 or so pages to educate myself on the best ways to collect rewards for travel purposes.

A little background… We are a family of 4, myself, my wife, and 2 kids ages 12 and 10. My wife and I have been saving our Wells Fargo Rewards points to help pay for some travel. We liked to keep things simple with using one credit card to pay for almost all of our bills. If we had the option to have the bill paid via auto pay we would do it. We have come to the realization that the Wells Fargo Rewards program was just not earning us enough points for the travel we want to do.

I will post our current card situation and answers to the first page questions below. From what I have been able to read and learn, we are a fairly blank slate to start working with. I have been thinking of a bunch of questions to try to get us started and will ask some more as they come up.

My open cards
06/1997 Wells Fargo Rewards Card
06/2000 Wells Fargo Rewards Card – AU (Wife’s Card) – All purchases/most bills paid with this card.
03/2012 Sears Card

My closed cards
02/2002 Bank of America

Wife's open cards
06/2000 Wells Fargo Rewards Card – All purchases/most bills paid with this card.
10/2007 Target Card
11/2011 Sears Card
05/2017 Lowes Card

Wife’s closed cards
08/2000 Bank of America

What amount of spend would you put on a card monthly (i.e. groceries, gas, insurance, cable, cell phone, other expenses)? $3000 - $4000
Do you currently payoff your CCs in full every month? Yes
What airport(s) do you typically fly out of? Tucson/Phoenix AZ
Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? No
Does SOUTHWEST service your airport? Yes
Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? No, but have a Choice Privileges Rewards Program account.
Do you currently have any travel points in any program? Yes, Wells Fargo Rewards – 145,000
What at your specific goals for churning credit cards? Disney World Trip 2021, Cruise for 20 year anniversary 2022, European Trip 2025 ish.
Who does your travel party consist of? (Myself, Spouse, 2 Kids – age 12, 10)

Thanks for reading my long post. Any help and direction will be very much appreciated.
JJ

Thanks for the great info... I was not factoring in the referral bonus or the points earned on the spend aspect to meet the MSR. If we play it a little slow and each open a CSP separated by a month or so we should have no problem hitting the MSR. Then maybe look into the CIP's a little apart and we should have above 330,000 points with little effort. The key will be to develop a "business" for the CIP cards.

The wife and I have been selling some old furinture on a Facebook sells site, so I guess we have a business.

Welcome to the thread! You're in a great spot to start earning more on your living expenses. Thank you for giving enough information for us to help you most effectively.

You've received some good info so far. If you have any side business money (garage sales, craigslist, petsitting, etc.) the quickest way for you to accrue the most flexible and user-friendly points would be to apply for a CIP asap for you or your DW. It doesn't have to be much income, and it can even be projected income (I projected $1K for myself this year). Once one of you has the CIP, then you can refer the other to their own CIP. The lovely thing about Chase Biz cards is that they don't count against your 5/24 with Chase, so even if you both open a CIP, you are both still sitting at 0/24. The general rule of credit card spacing with Chase is 3 months between approvals per person, although in your situation at 0/24 you could probably get another Chase card at 2 months from the first. But for subsequent cards I'd stick with 3 months. Other Chase business cards are the CIC and CIU (both offer $500 or 50000 URs for a $3K MSR). If you and your DW got all of them you would still be at 0/24, think about that for a second!

A combination of Chase cards would ultimately serve you well. Chase Freedom (for quarterly 5% categories - this quarter is grocery stores and home improvement stores) + CFU/CIU (for 1.5% everywhere) + CSP/CIP (for 1.25x redemption) OR CSR (for 1.5% redemption). If you fly SW, those URs transfer over instantly, and if you end up going for a SW companion pass down the line then those URs just became worth ~$.03 per UR when transferred to SW. That could fly you to WDW in 2021 and to a nearby airport for the 2022 cruise (depending on the port of departure). You wouldn't want to apply for the SW cards though until late Oct 2020 for those travel plans. It's a good thing you're planning your travel far in advance, that's very helpful for travel hacking!

 

[3 DD love princesses]

We are planning a California trip next summer to hit Universal Hollywood and maybe Knotts Berry farm. Planning Disney World for 2021 and a Cruise to celebrate our 20 year wedding anniversary in 2022. We are not against the business card option, but would need more info to be comfortable with it since neither of us have any "businesses".

If we both sign up for cards, ie player 1 and player 2, is there an easy way to combine the points together? Also, how would the timing/spacing be between applying so we do not have to spend extra to meet the MSR for each card?

Thanks
JJ

I would have P1 apply (using a dischurner link unless you have a family member who has one) and then a month later have P2 apply using P1 referral link. This way P1 would get 85k UR minimum after meeting the $5k spend. Then another 20k from when P2 gets approved. You can transfer UR between the two or you. If you go for the CSR then you can redeem at 1.5x vs CIP 1.25x. As for applying for a business it sound like you both have one from selling on fb. When you apply use your name as the business name and your SSN. You don’t need an EIN to apply. If you have more questions feel free to ask.

ETA you need to be 0/30 to apply for the CIP. It’s also recommended to have 3 mo between chase card apps. I’d go for the CIP first just Bc the bonus is greater and you have time before going for a personal card.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

What’s the equation on figuring out the amount I have left to max out the freedom category? Giant is doing the 4x all gift cards except visa, MC, Amex, reloadable, and Giant cards. Got the teacher gifts but wondering how much I have left so I can max it out.

 

[Alexle2007]

Has anyone been to Charleston? The Amex platinum collection has a decent (but still astronomically expensive) rate at the Belmond. Any experiences? We were looking at the Governor's house inn also. This is our first time in Charleston. Any recommendations are welcome. Need to book soon.

@disneymagicgirl is from there...

 

[Alexle2007]

What’s the equation on figuring out the amount I have left to max out the freedom category? Giant is doing the 4x all gift cards except visa, MC, Amex, reloadable, and Giant cards. Got the teacher gifts but wondering how much I have left so I can max it out.

You can take amount earned (say 50)/75 (max)*1500 = amount spent ($1000)
1500- amount spent ($1000) = amount remaining ($500)

 

[schmass]

Do you have APs? I do love me some Santa’s Village but really there is no comparison If the price is the same!!!

Yes, we do have APs. And SW companion pass!

I would do Santa's Village...get a nail ring and a nice gingerbread cookie you can decorate yourself. Don't forget your bathing suit for Ho-Ho-H20!

I haven't been since I was a child. My kids will be 4 and 6 - is that too young? Where have you stayed? It seems like it's too far from N. Conway and no place to stay on points!

 

[schmass]

Has anyone been to Charleston? The Amex platinum collection has a decent (but still astronomically expensive) rate at the Belmond. Any experiences? We were looking at the Governor's house inn also. This is our first time in Charleston. Any recommendations are welcome. Need to book soon.

We are going next week for the first time. If you search the thread, @disneymagicgirl and @castoral gave me some good ideas a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Etonduf]

DP on Citi Biz #2.

#1 opened 9/11/18 4,000 spend for 70,000 points. Closed card 12/18.
#2 opened 4/9/19 $4,000 spend for 70,000 points. Points just posted 6/8 after statement closed.

Both cards opened on public link. Still trying to get DH a card but they keep having new reasons why he is denied. Will try again after the 95 days are up since last time trying...

(I'm planning to try in a couple more weeks)

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Asking here Bc I’m sure someone here can help. DH sold something on fb. How can that person send him money through his iPhone? We don’t have PayPal and not sure how the pay a friend works on the iPhone. Thanks

 

[havaneselover]

Asking here Bc I’m sure someone here can help. DH sold something on fb. How can that person send him money through his iPhone? We don’t have PayPal and not sure how the pay a friend works on the iPhone. Thanks

Set up venmo. Takes no time. I did it yesterday so my sister could send me money for my dad's father's day gift.

 

[afan]

I might need some for work, for which store?

It was at Fred Meyer which is owned by Kroger. They always have notebooks that I have never seen anywhere else. The label says Top Flight and their website is topflilghtpaper.com.

 

[Alexle2007]

It was at Fred Meyer which is owned by Kroger. They always have notebooks that I have never seen anywhere else. The label says Top Flight and their website is topflilghtpaper.com.

Thanks. Pretty sure that equates to “not being able to get them” since The MD/PA line has neither

Slight retraction: Looks like we have Fred Meyer Jewelers according to the Kroger locator but that doesn’t help with notebooks

 

[needsomesun]

Yes, we do have APs. And SW companion pass!


I haven't been since I was a child. My kids will be 4 and 6 - is that too young? Where have you stayed? It seems like it's too far from N. Conway and no place to stay on points!

I live in NH, so used to drive to Santa's Village, can't really give advice on hotels. But your kids are good ages for it, it's geared to the younger crowd, IMO. I have stayed at the Mountain View Grand Resort, which is nice. Jefferson is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. When I do stay in the White Mountains, we usually stay in either Lincoln or North Conway areas, both almost an hour from Santa's Village. But more to do near both of them.