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

[amalone1013]

I'm back, with a new nickname I think... just call me Dreamkiller as I think that's what I'm doing to DH right now.

DH just gets these wild hairs sometimes and then I poke holes in them and ruin everything. Today it is a single cup hot water heater... not a coffee maker, but just a thing to heat hot water to keep at his desk for his tea. He is 15ft from the breakroom... which has a filtered water dispenser that dispenses boiling hot water. So he would have to go to that each time anyways for cold water to fill it, or walk PAST it to the sink to get water for this thing? He has an answer for that though, he is going to keep a water bottle at his desk...

His other recent idea like this was that he wants to buy disposable coffee cups with the plastic lids and use it to take tea to work in the morning too...

 

[elgerber]

I'll just connect it to my Ally account and eventually transfer it back into my savings. That's what I generally do with all of my bank bonus accounts.

I have not found a way to connect any accounts. I have had to use billpay and send funds to my bank, in $1700 increments.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I have not found a way to connect any accounts. I have had to use billpay and send funds to my bank, in $1700 increments.

Do you mean from GSB?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Woke up this morning to find my CIC had been approved overnight.

aannnddd..... because I have DS college bills coming due in a few weeks..... applied and instantly approved for Amex Plat. No platicorn....but maybe the baby platicorn...75k plus 15k referral from P2.

Congrats

 

[Judique]

Ok!! So you made the reservation for yourself, attached the cert, and then called to add him as a guest, correct?

Yes. But I specifically told them he would do check in. I did not state whether I was coming or not coming.

The first time I did it, he was in another state and I called before I booked and asked the desk people how to book the room on my points for my son. She took his name and said she would add it and for me to just go ahead and book it. I then booked the room on points and called back and confirmed that all was in place. Both times I had no problems.

 

[amalone1013]

We walked around a bit and I saw @amalone1013 I was super awkward and brief because SO was starving and I never introduced him. (Sorry @amalone1013 it was nice seeing you though!)

I'm glad we got to say hello! I also was going to say, I had just put lotion on my hands so I promise they weren't just really sweaty I thought that after you left, I was like she probably thinks I'm a weirdo with gross hands lol

We got food at docking bay 7 and somehow managed to spend $52. I got the fried tip yip which was good, but nothing special I’d rather get the chicken at 50s and the vegetables were mixed in my mashed potatoes, eww lol)

I haven't looked at our receipt from there yet... I just used up the last of a gift card that had $8-$12 on it and it was still like $30 left I could deal with the carrots in the potatoes but whyyyyyyy peassssss I HATE THEM SO MUCHHHHH. And there were so many peas!

The vegetables in the mashed potatoes was exactly why I got the kids tip yip lol. It came with broccoli and mac and cheese.

Should have done this!

 

[orangecuse]

I have not found a way to connect any accounts. I have had to use billpay and send funds to my bank, in $1700 increments.

I saw your post on this earlier! So how long are you waiting between increments? That seems like a PITA!

 

[Judique]

I'm back, with a new nickname I think... just call me Dreamkiller as I think that's what I'm doing to DH right now.

DH just gets these wild hairs sometimes and then I poke holes in them and ruin everything. Today it is a single cup hot water heater... not a coffee maker, but just a thing to heat hot water to keep at his desk for his tea. He is 15ft from the breakroom... which has a filtered water dispenser that dispenses boiling hot water. So he would have to go to that each time anyways for cold water to fill it, or walk PAST it to the sink to get water for this thing? He has an answer for that though, he is going to keep a water bottle at his desk...

His other recent idea like this was that he wants to buy disposable coffee cups with the plastic lids and use it to take tea to work in the morning too...

Seems like a very small investment to keep DH happy. I just take the disposable cups and lids from my room at some hotels I frequent and then I use them for my own drive or to send DD off with a cuppa when she wants one for the road. Otherwise all my nice to go cups end up at her house.

 

[happ]

I guess you can also get it down to 40k if you book 5 nights and get 1 night free. Could they also be referencing that?

Bummer. That could be. I didn't think of that. I was hoping it was the new off peak pricing even though I was not optimistic that the Swalphin properties would get it.

 

[amalone1013]

Seems like a very small investment to keep DH happy. I just take the disposable cups and lids from my room at some hotels I frequent and then I use them for my own drive or to send DD off with a cuppa when she wants one for the road. Otherwise all my nice to go cups end up at her house.

That's a good idea. I noticed DH grabbed some from work last week. Also I did look this morning and the disposable cups cost a lot less than I remember them being (which was pricing them out in college, considered them for taking to campus so I didn't have to keep track of my mug all day, but felt too poor for them lol).

The hot water heater makes me laugh. I told him that that's the kind of thing we each have a hobby budget for so he can spend that however he wants. I know I will do the actual purchasing though, as he found it on Amazon so he leaves that part to me to decide if we should buy a GC for it somewhere, etc.

 

[elgerber]

I saw your post on this earlier! So how long are you waiting between increments? That seems like a PITA!

It is a huge PITA! I haven't been really doing it regularly, I think I have done 3. I didn't want to risk a shutdown or anything weird, so I am taking my time.

 

[afan]

I know nothing about digital book and movies from the library, but since you mentioned it I checked the website and ours participates in this and a bunch of other stuff. I am going to figure out how to set it up now. Thanks!

Haven't gotten to the point as to whether I can download the app to my tv but I can screen share from my phone to the tv which is something to keep in mind too.

I'm the same way! Teacups are a hard no.

I can't do the spinning because I'm old and don't enjoy it any more. But it's the up and down and the 3D virtual that get me. Dramamine helps with most but sometimes I have to close my eyes with the 3D, my mind doesn't connect it to being a rollercoaster on minions or simpsons. But I'm fine on fop and star tours I think because they are more realistic.

 

[mmmears]

Wow. Finally caught up. Slow down, people, it's not a race.

@Haley R, yes, you can change the card on file, even in the middle of the cruise. We did it to get the discount on pics (when using the Disney Visa). Also, there are so many things that people rave about on DCL that are upcharges, but I'll add that we usually leave without a huge bill and have always really really enjoyed our trip.

Thank goodness for the news thread on Reddit. Spent last week in the boonies, and was pretty much totally unplugged.

DP on funding TD Bank with a credit card - used the Chase IHG card to put in the first $500, and it apparently went through as a cash advance. Boo. So I'm out $5 on the transaction so far - hope that bonus actually posts (I did a discover push, not a real direct deposit).

I'm looking at my next card - was thinking about the Amex Gold - the 4pts on groceries sounds good, and we could probably use the dining credit most months and can maybe swing a SW flight arrangement that would trigger the airline credit. Also, the company I work has been affected by the tariff nonsense, so I'm hearing rumors that travel/conferences will be harder to get approval for, which will cut down on some of my spend, so the lower spend for the Gold is attractive (saw an offer for 50k points for 2k spend - plus referral, maybe?)

I am, however, feeling like I'm getting up there on annual fees - my CSR and Amex Biz Plat are both keepers for me, so even though I know the value is probably there, I'm a little reluctant to add another fee card to my collection.

I hear you on the AFs, but honestly that Gold card is awesome. Who doesn't spend money on food? And those 4x points for food is really nice.

 

[amalone1013]

I got my first Departures magazine in the mail today. I had no idea why I was receiving this publication until I saw the Amex logo on an insert. Based on the inside I am not Amex's targeted demographic for this card.

Ahhh I was sorting the mail this morning, grabbing ours so I could look through it at work today and saw that and thought, what the heck is that from...

The one that’s heavier than the Amex Platinum and the CSR!

DH got an offer for it last week. I also was reading him your post about seeing people play with the Plat at brunch places and asked which he prefers, Plat or CSR since both are in his wallet currently. He likes the CSR best, he thinks it's prettier

I was looking on my Lyft app because I was wondering if we could just get a ride to Port Canaveral and not park our car. It would cost $44 just to get there and then we would have to pay that on the way back, too. I'm thinking we may just drive our car and leave it there instead. What do you guys think?

Also, for the cruise check-in it wants me to put a card on file. Can I change this later? I probably will end up either putting the CIC on it or some other card, but I'm not sure yet what we'll be working with in November.

You can change the card out, even on board at guest services. We switched ours out mid-cruise to DHs Platinum since we were meeting MSR on it.

I'm not familiar with what parking at the lots run for cruises, or how far you are exactly. It could possibly also be cheap to do a one way rental? That will probably be a closer calculation for you though, we did $50ish from Swolphin to Port because we had 5 people, stopped for wine, and uber or shuttles was more than $50 for our group.

Hey guys! So today I got an email from Amex with the subject line: Small Business owners – We’d like your feedback. It offered a $20 check for a 10 minute survey about possible revamps to the SPG/Bonvoy Biz. From DoC posts about similar Amex surveys, I knew I had to select that I was a business owner (and not just employed full time) in order to qualify. It also asked a little about my business, the hotels I’ve stayed at, which brands, how many times in the past year, and what loyalty programs I belonged to, etc., in order to be eligible.

The survey presented 12 different variations of new benefits on the Bonvoy Biz, while keeping the $125 AF and existing 4x bonus categories, and asked how likely would the benefit changes make me spend more on the card, and whether the benefits listed made the card better than other cards. What caught my attention were some card options included a $100/$125/$150 travel, Marriott or resort credit, while other versions included a token amount of Uber credit with your stay, capped at some number per year; some versions included a 50k FN anniversary certificate and the ability to earn a 50k FN cert by spending $60k, while others kept the 35k FN certs; the ability to earn Platinum Elite status by spending $75k; the ability to spend your way — something like $30k — to a room upgrade, higher % bonus points on stays, and late checkout (which seemed kind of redundant to me if you have a high enough Elite status); and 3x Marriott points on non-category spend (basically restoring the base spend value of the old SPG cards) but capped at either $30k or $50k a year, then back to 2x. There were a few options that bumped up Marriott category spend to 12x! I replied that I was most likely to increase my spend on cards with the 3x base rate and the 50k FN certs. The travel or resort credits are also interesting and would effectively negate the AF, but they don’t really encourage ongoing spend.

Anyway, Amex seems to be thinking about revamping the Bonvoy Biz! We shouldn’t expect to see all of the above make it onto one card, but they’re some of the ideas that Amex is considering.

We both got these surveys. Will have to do them for the $40 at least

 

[happ]

Sorry, I forget, but is this for the AA biz? I was thinking about asking if anyone has recent DP’s on this re them asking for documents. I’m thinking about applying for this card soon but the whole business document thing is so annoying.

When I got the card, the only documents I had to send them were to verify my identity/address. I didn't have to send any business documents.

 

[punkin]

Can I just rant for a second?

I was at Costco yesterday restocking our pantry and fridge after coming back from vacation, where I passed by the Citi Costco credit card booth offering up a cooler bag for signing up, and a young techie wearing his company swag t-shirt (some machine learning startup) actually signing up with a big grin on his face! I can only hope that he’s well past 5/24 and really needed that cooler bag to store some brews for a nice picnic at a park somewhere. Because otherwise...

One more /facepalm story. I live near a popular brunch spot (like, every neighborhood in San Francisco has one or several popular brunch spot(s)). When the weather is nice, like it was this past weekend, they do al fresco dining out front. And as I was walking past with my kiddo on the way to the park, I saw a couple of yuppies paying their check with an Amex Platinum card. Sure, it’s flashy, but it’s got a terrible earn rate—especially when so many other cards earn nice bonuses for dining! I really hope he was working on the MSR. Like seriously, I have 3 Platinums right now and the only time they ever see the light of day is when I’m headed to a Centurion Lounge. I don’t need to drop a Platinum on a check to show off if that’s all it does for me. (Besides, Rose Gold is much prettier. ) And nope, this brunch spot isn’t part of the the Resy program or promo, so no extra MRs there.

I think I’m in too deep when I pay attention to what cards other people are applying for and using. I was sorely tempted to intervene, but I’ll settle for silently judging people.

Ok. I resemble this remark. It is very difficult figuring out when to use DH's platinum card, but I have to put spend on it to keep the RATs at bay.

 

[amalone1013]

I'd start with Mission Space Orange...

This was one of our first WDW rides ever But what was worse was we ate soooo muchhhhh foooddddd. We got up, had Mickey waffles (duh) then went to see our wedding ceremony site. Had lunch right when House of Blues opened to try most of the stuff on our wedding menu... so 2 apps plus 2 entrees at... 11am? Went to Epcot, I know we did a few other things like SE but we decided to do a dining package for the Arts Festival concerts... DH had called and the only time he could get was 4pm... at Garden Grill. And then we did MS Orange. I thought I was gonna die.

I still remember my senior trip to Universal and we did the Forbidden Journey ride. She was so nervous because they have so many motion sickness signs in that que. She was so sick afterwards lol. There's that puking pastilles statue in the store and she stood next to it and acted like she was throwing up. She was a trooper

DHs dad hadn't been on any type of ride in years and years and years, and in 2016 we went to California and the first thing we took him on for the whole trip was Forbidden Journey. He was not happy.

 

[amalone1013]

DH has more SW drink coupons in the mail today. My new citi AA biz came some time between between Friday and yesterday - so fast!

 

[kmc8826]

I need help on how to use my UR's/free night certificates! I can get points...I just have a hard time spending them sometimes.

First two nights of our December trip we are homeless. We fly in late Friday night (11:30 pm) and then check into AKV-Kidani Sunday. But I need to figure out where to stay/what to do Friday night and Saturday night.

Which option?

1. Check in Friday night and either use Hyatt free night or Marriott free night certificate. Check out next day and pay cash for night at CBR. (cheapest on property I can get that sleeps 5). Go to WDW Saturday and Sunday.
2. Check in Friday night and stay at Marriott's Cyprus Harbor Villas Friday night and Saturday night. Rooms look huge, have full kitchen, and resort looks okay. I could use the free night certificates for both mine and DH's Brilliant so no out of pocket cost. During Saturday we would just hang out; I guess if motivated could drive to Epcot or something. Has anyone stayed there?
3. Check in Friday night to Hyatt/Marriott by Universal and use free night. Then Saturday use UR's and stay at Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino. HRH would be 23,266 UR's and Portofino only has club level at 32,600. We would then go to Universal (part with more UR"s) either Saturday afternoon and Sunday or just Sunday. Which one of the two hotels/options for those who have been there? (I apologize as I know this has been addressed before but I don't remember).

We last went to Universal 3 years ago. Girls love Harry Potter but for the most part we were underwhelmed and figured out that we are absolutely a Disney family. BUT they want to go again and using UR's on it makes sense. Since Disney was taken away I pretty much have just been cashing out all the UR's and not made a redemption other than a night June 2018.

I also briefly thought about using UR's for Sea World but I think they would rather do Universal.

DH is sick of me asking him and the trip is a surprise Christmas present for the girls so I can't ask them (not that they would be much help). Thanks!

 

[PolyRob]

That's a good idea. I noticed DH grabbed some from work last week. Also I did look this morning and the disposable cups cost a lot less than I remember them being (which was pricing them out in college, considered them for taking to campus so I didn't have to keep track of my mug all day, but felt too poor for them lol).

If you are looking for disposable travel cups, Costco sells the Chinet comfort cup. I LOVE these cups because they have a lid and are insulated. They can be so expensive at say Target or Walmart. Much cheaper at Costco. I think I can get 70 for $10.99? I found them years ago when I had a long commute to work.