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

[wendow]

What do you use your MRs for? Dh is thinking we should just keep putting spend on his CSR until I can get a CIC

I’m earning MRs to cash out (or I’d take discounted HD gcs if I got that option). I really have not found any travel options using MRs that we want at this time.

 

[Albort]

What is the main factor for the shutdowns? I will hold off ordering any extras until I can figure out the system....

I drove past two WalMarts today. I was taking my 90 year old neighbor to the Market and didn't feel I could ask her to please sit in the car in 90* weather while I run inside to see if I could get my Serve card loaded!

Serve? no factors. they just do it because they can.

 

[speedyfishy]

What is the main factor for the shutdowns? I will hold off ordering any extras until I can figure out the system....

From DPs on Reddit it seemed like anyone who loaded with a GC got shut down.

 

[cajunmommy]

In the past 10 months I have used almost 600K MRs. I've booked BA 1st class for two from ATL- Edinburgh (twice), Dublin to MCO in biz and Virgin Australia in biz from AKL-LAX (for 2). I've also topped off Delta accounts several times allowing for planned and unplanned trips with them for family as well as myself. I know this board loves their URs but MRs rule for me and our international travel

This is why I'm thinking we should consider something from AMEX for our non-category spend. We have friends who just returned from an awesome European vacation booked through AMEX, and it sounds like the vast portion of the trip was courtesy of MRs.
After years decades of balancing spend on my Disney Visa (Day 1!) and Discover (first card, remember when they were partnered w Sears?), y'all helped me realize that I can do so much better than 1% cash back. We do what we can to max out the 5% rotating categories without MS, but really it's only 2/4 quarters (restaurants, gas).

P1 is 1/24, P2 is 0/24 & we're still about 30d out from being able to try for CIP #2. And MSR-less to boot! A lucrative SUB would be great, but is there somewhere else I should be looking to put our everyday spend?

 

[platamama]

DH has been waiting for his Hilton Biz all week. They said 2 business days.
Thank you so much. I'm going to check it out, although it's sounding iffy in my area. Also, I had no idea it was an AMEX product.

I’ve been waiting on DH’s Hilton Biz too. The approval screen said 2-3 business days (a week ago). The only thing I’ve gotten is a welcome letter saying the card would arrive in 7-10 business days.

Amex sold the Serve platform to InComm last year. I would doubt it would have any impact on your MRs.

And if you get shut down with Serve, you can still withdraw all your money, it’s not like they freeze the account. You just can’t add more funds to it.

 

[mmmears]

I’ve been waiting on DH’s Hilton Biz too. The approval screen said 2-3 business days (a week ago). The only thing I’ve gotten is a welcome letter saying the card would arrive in 7-10 business days.

Amex sold the Serve platform to InComm last year. I would doubt it would have any impact on your MRs.

And if you get shut down with Serve, you can still withdraw all your money, it’s not like they freeze the account. You just can’t add more funds to it.

Thanks for the info, and also for the DP on the Hilton Biz. Some other stuff that was supposed to arrive didn't so I was worried maybe this was lost somehow.

 

[Limes96]

The base earn rate for "other purchases" on the HHBiz is 3x, so it's not any special bonus category.

No, but aren’t we wondering when/if Amex will stop issuing any points at all for gift card purchases? That’s the only reason I mentioned it. I’ve been double checking to make sure I’m getting points for gift cards at places like office supply stores and gift card only stores. Maybe I misunderstood?

 

[Albort]

No, but aren’t we wondering when/if Amex will stop issuing any points at all for gift card purchases? That’s the only reason I mentioned it. I’ve been double checking to make sure I’m getting points for gift cards at places like office supple stores and gift card only stores. Maybe I misunderstood?

the term is in there about gift cards, but as of now, we havent seen any denial of points from stores. The only exception to this is currently Simons Mall VGC purchases.
edit: also want to note, we think it has something to do with the 1k VGCs...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Late to the party but just wanted to say that Amex MR gift card promos are absolutely targeted! I never have gotten good rates on Walmart or Home Depot but often get promos for gift cards I'd never think about using. It's frustrating...if I got the Home Depot promo I'd cash out everything I had in a heartbeat!

 

[amalone1013]

I’m loving all these people that have gotten a Serve card! Just remember you can and will be shut down it’s just a matter of when. they just shut people down in May and before that it was 2 years ago, so I’m hoping I have time. (I think @calypso726 got shut down awhile ago?) Order extra cards now and don’t activate them. Only use them if your other one gets shutdown. If you are doing Serve at Walmart you can also sign up for BlueBird. Also, don’t float too much. Be prepared for the worse possible scenario if this ends or if there is fraud am I going to be ok without these funds for a little while. In my case I would just stop signing up for new cards to spend down the giftcards but just be careful.

I was reading back on some of the discussion on this the other day via the news thread, and was going to ask... one post you recommended ordering the extra in case of shut down but spreading it out. Think one a day? Over a few weeks? Does it matter?

 

[speedyfishy]

I was reading back on some of the discussion on this the other day via the news thread, and was going to ask... one post you recommended ordering the extra in case of shut down but spreading it out. Think one a day? Over a few weeks? Does it matter?

You can get them all now if they let you but I was getting an error after a few that stopped me. Just have to wait a bit and then you can try for more

 

[platamama]

From DPs on Reddit it seemed like anyone who loaded with a GC got shut down.

Well, if that’s why, then I should open a card monthly. Oh wait, I’ve opened four between me and DH since Feb, that is almost monthly.

 

[Haley R]

I completely understand, especially wanting to fly back to Iowa for family visits. My only caution is that if you want to travel internationally sometimes it takes a year-two years to stockpile points. I know I worked on my Australia stash for a good 18 months. Just a reminder, you do you

That’s true. I guess right now Dh and I are so focused on starting a family that I don’t see us planning any international travel in the near future, except for japan in 2022 but we should be able to use chase points for that (hopefully). I did ask him about the Amex and he said he doesn’t want it right now so I think we’ll just hold off. Maybe after I get my CIC he’ll feel more comfortable going for it.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We’re currently working on dh’s CIP3 MSR and are getting close to being done. I may try it out just to see how it works. I need a serve card though right? Will I get it in time?

You can buy VGCs now (or whenever they go on sale fee free or otherwise, then keep them until you you get the card. I bought some to meet MSR with Amex, planning to use them at Costco. I had them a month or so but decided to liquidate through Serve.

Ah okay I was worried for a second. I most likely would move the money right after I get home from the store. Do they have an app or do you have to do it on the computer?

They have an app but I haven’t used it.

If the app has a way to transfer money to bank account, I can’t find it. I had to use website to link my bank account and even after linking I see no way to transfer from app. App is only useful to check and make sure Serve Card loaded. Then I log into account thru website (on my phone, in DG parking lot) and transfer the money to my bank.

I'm right there with y'all. My Discover dates back to 1988 (and Sears was older than that)

1986. I added DH as AU and my mom was horrified since DH and I weren’t married yet. Guess it worked out, still married.

 

[StephPlum]

I’ve been waiting on DH’s Hilton Biz too. The approval screen said 2-3 business days (a week ago). The only thing I’ve gotten is a welcome letter saying the card would arrive in 7-10 business days.

Amex sold the Serve platform to InComm last year. I would doubt it would have any impact on your MRs.

And if you get shut down with Serve, you can still withdraw all your money, it’s not like they freeze the account. You just can’t add more funds to it.

I’m waiting on DH’s Delta Gold Biz. The approval email said 2-3 days but it has been a week. Just looked at the status page and it says 7-10 days. I guess I’ll give it until Monday. Impatient!

You can get them all now if they let you but I was getting an error after a few that stopped me. Just have to wait a bit and then you can try for more

I just signed up for 3 and didn’t get any error messages.

 

[Haley R]

If they app has a way to transfer money to bank account, I can’t find it. I had to use website to link my bank account and even after linking I see no way to transfer from app. App is only useful to check and make sure Serve Card loaded. Then I log into account thru website (on my phone, in DG parking lot) and transfer the money to my bank.

1986. I added DH as AU and my mom was horrified since DH and I weren’t married yet. Guess it worked out, still married.

I think I’m just gonna go ahead and delete the app then. Sounds like it isn’t too useful

 

[Haley R]

I’m waiting on DH’s Delta Gold Biz. The approval email said 2-3 days but it has been a week. Just looked at the status page and it says 7-10 days. I guess I’ll give it until Monday. Impatient!

I just signed up for 3 and didn’t get any error messages.

Wait so people are signing up for more than one serve card?

 

[Albort]

Wait so people are signing up for more than one serve card?

lets just start with one first... :]

 

[StephPlum]

Wait so people are signing up for more than one serve card?

Only planning to use one. The other ones are if they shutdown the one I will currently be using. It is fine to just get one.

 

[jaysraptor]

Finally got my Citi AA Biz card denial letter in the mail.

Got my CIP1 6/19 and met MSR by 7/19. Got P2's Citi AA Biz card also in 6/19 and her CIP1 in 7/19. I applied last week for my Citi AA Biz since we had met the MSR on P2's Citi AA Biz, and I got an instant denial.

According to the letter they "used a credit scoring system that assigned a numerical value to various items on my credit report. The information didn't score a sufficient number of points for approval because:"

1. Your commercial credit report shows insufficient credit history for one or more of your accounts.
2. Your consumer credit report shows that you have low credit limits.
3. The ratio of balances to available credit limit is too high on the commercial credit report.
4. Your commercial credit report shows a new account that was opened too recently.

Addressing reason #1. So, since we, myself and P2 just started playing the game, neither one of us have ever had a business credit card. I had my CIP opened for a month before applying for the Citi AA Biz, and the Citi AA Biz card was P2's first business card. I apparently had insufficient history, but P2 had none.

Reason #2, low credit limits. P2 and I are both 0/24 and I have 2 Wells Fargo Rapid Rewards cards that show on my credit report. Card #1 has a $7,000 limit and a $0 balance. I am an AU on Card 2, and it has a $14,500 limit . At the time of my Citi AA Biz app, the card also had a $0 balance since we were putting all organic spend on my CIP1, and then P2's CIP1. First Wells Fargo card was opened in 1997, and the second was opened in 2000.

Reason #3. At the time of my app, my CIP1 had a little over $5,300 on it. The credit limit on that card is $11,000, so slightly less than 50%. My CIP balance was paid off on 7/27/19.

Reason #4. New commercial account opened too recently. Obviously this was from my CIP1 the month before. I can understand this one.

Just thought I would pass along the info for some DP's. At the time of the Citi AA Biz app, both Equifax and Transunion were reporting my credit score as 822. According to the letter and Credit Karma, they only pulled from Equifax.