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

[wendow]

can I still buy grocery store gc that way? I had thought it was all 100% gone! I would love to knock out some spend this way since that's where most of my money goes anyway...

Yes just add the gc in with your grocery purchase or if just buying a gc, throw in a pack of gum to throw the dollar amount off.

 

[wendow]

why close anything if the CL are low enough overall? I'm curious about this subject since we have a lot, but 3/4 of them are older than 5 years tho

A few are not keeper cards long term or they are multiple CIPs

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

You almost have me convinced to go for the Biz Plat. I am looking for the next card. Need to sit out with Chase until sometime in September (3 mo past last card). DH just got Delta Biz and it is already spent on next semester's tuition. I need an MSR! I was thinking of the Hilton Surpass since it is at a high point. That would put me at 4/24 but I have been going slow on personal cards so will drop back to 3/24 in March next year. I think 4/24 is still ok with Chase, right? Already did the Hilton Biz last year so I can't go for that. My biggest hold up is I don't know what I would use MRs for. I don't have any international travel in the works. I guess I could just use to erase charges but that doesn't seem like a good value.

Or dip my toe in MSing and forgo a MSR until I can get the next Chase card. All this serve talk has me contemplating that. Yeah, I know I could do MS and MSR at the same time but that might overwhelm me!! Decisions, decisions.

4/24 is fine with Chase do you have one slot. The aspire is a great card! The biz plat won’t take a spot. I was hesitant with MRs too but now I see the value! Planning to get a Shwab to cash some out but also using them for domestic flights. 1:1 ratio and with the biz plat you get 35% back if flying chosen airline (I picked JetBlue)

Wow - the woman at the desk at RPR was very nice. I might or might not have had to present an ID (I can't recall) but it was a very quick process and I am quite certain that no one else had to show an ID because they were all off in line to store our bags so we could go to the park while we waited for our rooms.

Yes super nice at the RPR desk. I hope this works out for @SouthFayetteFan. We’ve all
had some sort of churn error or fail or drama. As The World Churns.......

Tapping into the hive mind for thoughts:

If you had to pick a Mastercard product to put $25K spend on (since Plastiq allows loan payments with MC) - what specific card would you choose? Consider elite status, annual spend bonuses, value of points/miles on 25K spend. I have FFDs to cover it on Plastiq.

The "gold standard" I'm comparing to is the Discover IT Miles card that will earn 3% cash back in the first year, but has no sign up bonus, nor extra perks for reaching high spend.

DH got a new car last night and I want to pay it down asap.

Any suggestions? I was considering the recent Amtrak offer, but being in CO, there's not many options for using Amtrak points here.

hmmm JetBlue is MasterCard . If you spend $50k you get Mosaic status. Too bad arrival + is dead. Or Citi AA for many miles

 

[PolyRob]

Oh man, I was just hearing a story the other day at work.... someone in our department on 2nd shift put in an order with one of the delivery companies for her and another person. At night they have to go through the guard station... people do this all the time during the day, it either ends up at the guard station or the receptionist desk and they call whoever's to come get it. This time around, THE GUARD ATE MOST OF THE ORDER! What is wrong with people? He said he thought it was for him yeah okay, door dash is just giving out order. With other people's names on them.

I'm not sure what happened... I hope they threw a fit over it with management or HR. Our guards are through a 3rd party and I personally dont feel like someone who will steal a $10 dinner is great for security.

Right now I am just glad I'll have a use for my uber credits for Aug and Sept.

That is crazy! I would definitely not trust "security" like that. What else could the guard be lying about?

I'm impressed you got a refund from Uber. Anytime I have an issue and contact them, they tell me "Too bad, we're not doing anything for you since you have so many credits and adjustments on your account." I assume this is in reference to the Amex Plat credits, but the implication is I'm always getting adjustments due to complaining - which is of course not true.

I continue to be impressed by just how awful Uber and their customer service are, but I use it and UberEats because of the Plat credits, so I'm part of the problem. We don't use it once the credits are gone for the month, though. Don't even price compare to Lyft.

That is horrible that Uber considers a benefit from a card you pay an AF for as a credit/adjustment and won't help when you have an issue.

I have honestly never used Uber. I had it on my phone and removed it when it would continue to track your location even after quitting the app in iOS.

I had to do a case study about Lyft and Uber and really favored what I saw about Lyft. I recently added the Uber app back to my phone because of the Plat credit. I changed my location preferences, but still have not used it once I favor Lyft and even prefer it when traveling for work.

Yeah I hate Uber their customer service is awful. I did a charge back one time because I didn’t get my full order and stuff was wrong and they refused to do anything. I stopped using them because I had a negative balance on my account. I went to use them again when I got my Plat credits. They charged for the negative balance and I explained it to Amex and they just took care of the charge. Maybe my account now says give her refunds or we will be paying for charge backs lol. I try and only use them 3x a month using the credits but sometimes it’s a little more than that. lol the McDonald’s delivery is just amazing. It’s right across the street so it’s a .99 cent fee lol but I always use lyft for actual rides. The last time I used Uber for a ride was at LAX when the wait for a lyft was 18 mins and Uber was 5 mins lol

That $0.99 fee means a lot McDonalds orders with the credits!

 

[wendow]

I was meaning to ask you this question today..... I want to app ds for the CIP - he has a 2-3 year history as AU on one of my freedoms, last year got turned down for discover(???) but got the BoA cashback card and a BCE(accidental app lol) his credit score last I checked was high 700-low 800's.... he currently runs his own part time handyman biz,and dogwalking biz- is there anything I should know or be aware of for his app? It's an actual biz, but no ein. And if he's approved, can we expedite thru sm? or calling.... also looking for thoughts on an AU, I know it doesn't count towards 5/24, but if I get one in my name as AU,will that affect my next CIP app?(in 3 months) Thanks for insights on this.

Do nothing different than when you’d app for yourself. Use his first and last name as biz name, sole proprietor, ssn, etc.

You can have the card expedited. If he has no biz card already, and therefore no biz account online with chase, he will need to call for expediting but it’s an easy call. You can add on as an AUer. Good luck!!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[PolyRob]

I opened up our (4) disney visas one year (this was before I got into the game for real) b/c we got $200 cash for each bonus and I used it to book the dining plan....ah the good old days.... it was memorable however. Our family still talks about all the steaks and creme brulee that we got sick of I still have them...once in a while we use them for a free photo or whatever,or to save a bit on a dinner.

A free dining plan is not bad at all!

The card is cute, but I only carry it when visiting WDW. I actually remember I got a promo in 2017? where I paid my car insurance bill with it and I got a higher percent back. That went towards my AP renewal. I guess that was my best use of it.

 

[amalone1013]

Morning everyone... how long does it take for the CIP to arrive if we don't call to expedite? We need to have our AC repaired and I want to use it to pay, it's our downstairs unit so we've been trying to hold off.

It's been a consistent 7 days for us each time

 

[wendow]

Tapping into the hive mind for thoughts:

If you had to pick a Mastercard product to put $25K spend on (since Plastiq allows loan payments with MC) - what specific card would you choose? Consider elite status, annual spend bonuses, value of points/miles on 25K spend. I have FFDs to cover it on Plastiq.

The "gold standard" I'm comparing to is the Discover IT Miles card that will earn 3% cash back in the first year, but has no sign up bonus, nor extra perks for reaching high spend.

DH got a new car last night and I want to pay it down asap.

Any suggestions? I was considering the recent Amtrak offer, but being in CO, there's not many options for using Amtrak points here.

I’m thinking 5 citi AA cards as well if you have a use for those miles. But you can only open every 95 days so you’d want p2 involved and it’d still be the better part of a year getting that many unless you were willing to get personal cards too.

 

[wendow]

For those who didn't see the original message here - @Natgridenergy cashed out 150k miles for each spouse via Disney Gift Cards on Points.com.

A couple more Qs:
- How much in gift cards did 150k get you?
- Was it clear that you were capped at the 150k?
- If the cap is enforced, Is there any indication on when you can do it again? (Does it reset in the new calendar year or is it some weird rolling 12 months)?

Thanks!

How many spouses does he have?!?

ETA: I’m kidding. These are good questions that many of us want to know answers to!!

 

[Natgridenergy]

Sorry for all the follow up Qs but I think you are the first person who cashed out AA miles for Disney GCs on the thread.

For those who didn't see the original message here - @Natgridenergy cashed out 150k miles for each spouse via Disney Gift Cards on Points.com.

A couple more Qs:
- How much in gift cards did 150k get you?
- Was it clear that you were capped at the 150k?
- If the cap is enforced, Is there any indication on when you can do it again? (Does it reset in the new calendar year or is it some weird rolling 12 months)?

Thanks!

No problem! It was 12,294 points for a $50 GC so I actually used 147,528 per account for $600 in GC's per account. It shut me off when I tried to do an additional one. This is the error I got.

Spoiler: Error message

You have exceeded the maximum number of points per year that you can transact. For questions please contact Points Customer Support for assistance.
American Airlines AAdvantage® requires a minimum of 25,000 AAdvantage® miles or to have Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum or ConciergeKey status to complete a transaction.

American Airlines AAdvantage® allows a maximum of 150,000 AAdvantage® miles for redeem transactions, in aggregate, per year.

 

[Natgridenergy]

How many souses does he have?!?

Only 2

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

No problem! It was 12,294 points for a $50 GC so I actually used 147,528 per account for $600 in GC's per account. It shut me off when I tried to do an additional one. This is the error I got.

Spoiler: Error message

You have exceeded the maximum number of points per year that you can transact. For questions please contact Points Customer Support for assistance.
American Airlines AAdvantage® requires a minimum of 25,000 AAdvantage® miles or to have Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum or ConciergeKey status to complete a transaction.

American Airlines AAdvantage® allows a maximum of 150,000 AAdvantage® miles for redeem transactions, in aggregate, per year.

Thanks for all the info! It's VERY helpful to know that they do enforce the 150k limit. It seems from the wording that this is based on calendar year. Of course we wouldn't know for certain until 2020. Did they come in the mail and how quickly did you receive them?

All of that said, if anybody is thinking about cashing out a large amount of AA miles for gift cards, you'll want to consider this cap as we approach year end. You could possibly cash out 300k miles in a short amount of time if you did 150k in December and another 150k in January.

 

[afan]

I haven’t seen near the amount of chatter on the budget forum about ordering bottled water for resort delivery. We’ve always ordered a couple of cases but it’s frequently changed as to the best, current method. Anyone know what that is right now? Do they still sell gallons of water in the markets?

Not sure if they sell gallons, your best bet to find that out is on the resort board. But I know you can buy cases of 12 to 24, forget which but I think 24, at pop because ots2 often asked in the info thread. They may not be in the case you'd have to ask for them. I'd check on the POR thread unless you want to get them at pop and have luggage services move them with your luggage. Can't remember the price, more than home but less than just buying the bottles. I carry a metal bottle and fill it at qs locations and on my way to/from the bus at pop. Easier and cheaper for me and it tastes fine out of the fountains. Though one did taste better than the other at pop but I might've been getting some of the drink flavor.

 

[Natgridenergy]

Thanks for all the info! It's VERY helpful to know that they do enforce the 150k limit. It seems from the wording that this is based on calendar year. Of course we wouldn't know for certain until 2020. Did they come in the mail and how quickly did you receive them?

All of that said, if anybody is thinking about cashing out a large amount of AA miles for gift cards, you'll want to consider this cap as we approach year end. You could possibly cash out 300k miles in a short amount of time if you did 150k in December and another 150k in January.

Submitted the redemption on points dot com on 7/19. They shipped 7/30. Have not received them yet. Website says to allow 20-30 days. I am also thinking this is calendar year by the wording on the message.

 

[mmmears]

I thought of all of you late last night when I was reading the thread on the DCL board that talks about what a sound financial choice it is to put your Disney cruise, well that and pretty much all of your spend, on a Disney Visa because the rewards are so fantastic...

Thank you! It’s actually really fun for us to go back and watch them because it’s like we are reliving the trip.

I totally get that. I made a video from our trip last summer (not a vlog, just our videos and pics, and added a nice soundtrack) and I know that DH and DD and I have watched it over and over just trying to relive that trip.

 

[jhoannam]

My operation liquidate AA miles is complete. I booked our week at BC in November and then just burned 300k miles for disney GC's to get park hoppers. Not a good value but it's still free!

Why is everyone liquidating their AA miles?

 

[Lain]

Tapping into the hive mind for thoughts:

If you had to pick a Mastercard product to put $25K spend on (since Plastiq allows loan payments with MC) - what specific card would you choose? Consider elite status, annual spend bonuses, value of points/miles on 25K spend. I have FFDs to cover it on Plastiq.

The "gold standard" I'm comparing to is the Discover IT Miles card that will earn 3% cash back in the first year, but has no sign up bonus, nor extra perks for reaching high spend.

DH got a new car last night and I want to pay it down asap.

Any suggestions? I was considering the recent Amtrak offer, but being in CO, there's not many options for using Amtrak points here.

Are you looking at only Mastercards? Visa allows payment of auto loans via Plastiq, too. Is Chase out of the picture (>5/24)? Are personal cards ok?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Yes and Yes. 150k for each of us.

How much did it come to in gift cards for the 150k?

Never mind....saw you replied to SFF already.0

 

[StephPlum]

Tapping into the hive mind for thoughts:

If you had to pick a Mastercard product to put $25K spend on (since Plastiq allows loan payments with MC) - what specific card would you choose? Consider elite status, annual spend bonuses, value of points/miles on 25K spend. I have FFDs to cover it on Plastiq.

The "gold standard" I'm comparing to is the Discover IT Miles card that will earn 3% cash back in the first year, but has no sign up bonus, nor extra perks for reaching high spend.

DH got a new car last night and I want to pay it down asap.

Any suggestions? I was considering the recent Amtrak offer, but being in CO, there's not many options for using Amtrak points here.

I pay car loans on Plastiq on a VISA. If you can get it to code as car loan you are not limited to MC.