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

[havaneselover]

When in August? Seafair will be the 1st weekend that month not that it fills hotels with people but the fleet is in for at least a few days. I think some got kicked out thurs so the HUGE cruise ships could dock. Blue angels should be back too I would imagine.

Cruise would be 8/10 but I was looking at flying into Seattle 8/7 and spending two nights, I love the blue angels. I don’t think I’ve seen them since I lived in Chicago.

 

[havaneselover]

My son has an IEP (3 LDs, anxiety, depression) and I totally feel you on the advocating front. I was fortunate to have a friend that teaches in our county that told me what to ask for, and what verbiage to use. We went through a lot to get him what he needed, as far as the testing went. We got lucky when he went into middle school last year - his team anticipated what accommodations he would need, and he got everything I asked for. There were several meetings near the end of elementary school where I almost went full momma-bear, because i was so frustrated!

We've had a tutor for him the past 4 years - it has helped immensely.

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way.

Oh, this is encouraging—thank you!!! I hear you on the frustration. Really really hope the counselor is good.

 

[amalone1013]

I really just need to nail down our plans for both LD weekend and for HHN in September. I think my main problem is I feel like I am out of MSRs I've mostly convinced myself to cash out URs for some of the ticket costs, but I still need to put them on a card in the first place

We've got ~$330 left on DHs Platinum, and ~$3400 left on my CIP. Then I have my newest Citi AA Biz which is the 75k/$5k offer, but I have to wait until 9/18 or so to make sure the offer credits with my refundable charges. The plan was the AA Biz and my CIP MSRs were going towards our car loan via Plastiq… but I've really only made a $600 payment with my CIP and we've got just under $16k to go towards it I just keep finding myself with random non category things to buy so I pull out my CIP.

Happy news, I think we have convinced MIL to go to HHN and bring aunt along. FIL has no interest in HHN It would be for the weekend mainly, so we are looking at doing 2 nights with some Dis friends and then 2 nights with MIL/Aunt. Right now I have a room for DH and I at Royal Pacific for Thurs - Sun, 66k URs, we fly in late-ish Wed so I'll probably book Cabana Bay or something.

I feel like options for MIL/Aunt are: book them a room for Fri-Sun at RPR for 45k URs, or just put them in our room for Fri night and book them a room for Sat night for EP for 22k URs as their flight will be late-ish. I'm cheap and thus lean towards option two... am I being points stingy? The difference in points would cover one of their park tickets plus 20% of the second ticket, for just one night... Plus there will be the flights (hopefully points) and HHN tickets (cash) though I know there will be arguments about who pays for what

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

DISCHURNERS REMINDER - Introduce Yourself v2.0
A new thread was created to talk a little bit about yourself::
DISchurners - Introduce Yourself... v2.0

I've enjoyed reading what people have posted so far. We have a very interesting group!

 

[NewbieMom]

DoC is reporting that Office Depot/Office Max stores are offering a $15 instant discount when you buy $300 in Mastercard gift cards, valid 8/18 – 8/24/19.
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/offi...ift-cards-save-15-when-you-buy-300-8-18-8-24/
While MCGCs are not as preferred as VGCs for MS, these $15 off deals are as good as they get, so act fast or expect your store(s) to be picked clean.

Did you get any? It's only Wednesday, and when I stopped by OD during lunch today, they were all sold out already. The guy even mentioned that he searched all their bins earlier for another person.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

DoC is reporting a new Plastiq signup offer of $5,000 FFDs...but don't get too excited:
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/plas...ee-processing-with-no-requirements-125-value/
To qualify, you must submit your email address at the link above, register for a new Plastiq account with the same email address, complete the Plastiq account registration form, indicate the account is to be used for ‘business’ or ‘personal & business’ (by August 31, 2019 at 11:59pm EDT), schedule a time to speak to a Plastiq sales representative (may take place after August 31), and then speak to the Plastiq sales representative by phone.

The Fine Print

• Plastiq sales representative will make the sole determination whether the user is a legitimate and registered business entity, speak with the user about Plastiq services, then award the 5,000 Fee-Free Dollars (“FFDs”) to user’s account. The representative’s determination on the eligibility of your registered business is at his or her sole discretion and is final.
• FFDs awarded through this promo is subject to our existing FFD expiration policy.
• If you do not meet the qualifications of this promotion or attend presentation, no FFDs will be awarded as a part of this promotion. This does not exclude you from being awarded FFDs as a part of any other ongoing promotion or referral program in effect at the time of the account opening.
• You may not participate in this promotion if you have an existing Plastiq account, either as a personal or business user.
• Offer valid one per business only.
• Plastiq reserves the right to withhold or revoke FFDs in user’s accounts if the user has a second Plastiq account, up to and including account termination.
• Plastiq reserves the right to cancel or modify this promotion at any time and/or for any violation of Plastiq’s Terms and Conditions.

 

[NewbieMom]

Thanks, I followed this DoC post this morning to more Barclays info and read that it’s difficult to get a second Barclays card within 6 months. I got my A+ the end of April this year. I have been using it a lot. With the 2% back, it’s my best non category card right now. I may pay it down some, wait until beginning of September, then apply. Do they update your TU credit score weekly? Last time I looked at credit karma it seemed like I noticed it very frequently updated.

Which Barclay card are you trying for? I don't have my s/s with me, but from memory, I opened an AA card around Sept/Oct, A+ around Dec/Jan, and recently Jetblue in June. For all, I've met MSR and sockdrawered. AA was instant approval, but I did have to call recon for A+ and Jetblue. A+ call was bad, rep was really rude. Jetblue was super easy, asked a few fraud and business app questions, and approved. Hope this helps!

 

[chattadisser]

Just applied for CIP#2 for me from DH's referral. Got the we need more time message...come 'on Chase why delay the inevitable, approve the card!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Just applied for CIP#2 for me from DH's referral. Got the we need more time message...come 'on Chase why delay the inevitable, approve the card!!

What's that I hear...you'll be approved soon?? Excellent!

 

[Alexle2007]

In my county we have home schools and specialty centers. For the most part the specialty centers are for gifted/high-performing students.

I am looking into an iep advocate. It’s hard to advocate for your child without looking like you’re nuts/unreasonable. I stink at walking that line! And yes we will also put the resources we were going to spend toward tutoring.

The IEP advocate was a huge help for my friend whose son has Down’s Syndrome. Her school wanted to do something totally different than what she thought was best and the advocate really helped her get through the process.

 

[Lain]

Thanks for all the advice today on those Biz Green cards. Certainly wishing I hadn't signed up last year for those 20K points. Here is my situation and maybe you have some thoughts on this as well.

Amex Cards: (also have 5 or so cards that I have closed since 2012 - mainly Delta)
EDP (2014)
Biz Plat (10/12/16)
BBP (2017)
Biz Green (8/8/18)
Hilton (9/11/18)

Originally, I was thinking that I would close the Biz Green and ask for retention points on the Hilton. Now I am wondering if I close the Hilton and renew the Biz Green, then closer to December upgrade to Biz Plat. But I don't need two Biz Plat, so I would close the old one. Not sure closing two cards is such a great idea so close together. We spend lots on the EDP and BBP every month as well as a decent amount on the Biz Plat. The Biz Green and Hilton have gotten very little love. We have lots of bills coming up, so hitting the spend won't be a problem. Any thoughts?

What kind of Hilton is it? I haven't seen anyone have luck getting a retention offer on the Hilton Biz. There was a DP a few weeks ago about a retention offer on the Surpass of either a $100 statement credit or 20k Hilton points after $2,500 spend in 3 months. The Hilton Honors or Surpass could be worth keeping because they're often targeted for upgrade offers.

I was having the same dilemma about what to do with the Biz Green. I can't read the RAT's mind, but my own reasoning is it's better to cancel a card I'm not using and spend on the cards I still have open than to keep a card open and put little or no spend on it. Amex values spend because they rely on interchange fees a lot more than other issuers. If I can get a retention offer or an upgrade offer to a card that has some use to me for the next year, I'll take it over closing it and keep the card open for another year. The Biz Green was barely getting any spend, and that's after I threw some subscription charges on it. I upgraded it to a Biz Plat, figuring the $10k MSR over 5 months will keep me spending on it for the 50k MR. Like I said, to minimize my net fees, I should've either jumped a week sooner for the Jan-June Dell credit or waited two months to avoid the prorated AF.

I *think* my comment that you quoted is how the AF would work in an upgrade/downgrade situation. Calculating the dates when the fees prorate is tricky.

ETA: @SBWB48 says it looks like Amex is charging the prorated AF based on AF posting to AF posting vs. actual anniversary date.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...t-page-for-addl-details.3729982/post-60785814
I do plan on canceling my original Biz Plat when the AF posts later this month. Then I'll have recently canceled the Hilton Biz and Biz Plat, and I don't know what that'll do to me pop up-wise. My last Amex app was in June for the BBP. I'm about tapped out on Amex biz cards, and don't plan on opening any Amex personal cards for the rest of this year to stay at 4/24. (Another slot won't open up until next April.) In the meantime, I'm spending a lot on my Amex Gold, BBP, and putting consistent spend on my Plat and new Biz Plat, and to a lesser extent my BGR, which I'm looking to upgrade to another Biz Plat in December.

Basically, I'm doing what you're thinking of doing. Upgraded the Biz Green to a Biz Plat. Going to close my original Biz Plat. Keep spend up on my Amex cards, and hope I don't get the pop up.

Oh, I do think that there's something to length of your relationship with Amex, like @platamama said. I haven't gotten the pop up yet, but I've been an Amex cardmember for 8 years so it's not like I'm a grab all the bonuses and go kind of customer.

 

[Lain]

What's that I hear...you'll be approved soon?? Excellent!

I hope Agent Smith comes back for Matrix 4!

 

[Ngwira]

Did you stay at Chateau Frontenac? Take the elevator down to Old Quebec?

No, staying in Montreal but we toured it. We did a day trip to Quebec City. We did go in the CF and it’s gorgeous and steeped with so much history.

 

[chattadisser]

I think I'm trying to distract myself but I'm considering switching our Western Caribbean cruise next August to Alaskan (on DCL). DS hated flying to Vancouver because I booked flights with two connections (trying to optimize UR points) but I can fly SWA nonstop from BWI to Seattle and spend a few days in Seattle with the kids before taking Amtrak to Vancouver. Living in Central VA a trip somewhere cooler in August is nice. My cruise fare would go up $800 or so but we wouldn't be doing any pricey excursions this time since we've done the floatplane and whale watching before. I just feel a lot more excited about this than going to Jamaica in August!

I'd totally do this, the chance to be somewhere cooler in August would be awesome!!

 

[Lain]

Did you get any? It's only Wednesday, and when I stopped by OD during lunch today, they were all sold out already. The guy even mentioned that he searched all their bins earlier for another person.

I grabbed two $200s at the SoMa/Mission OM on Monday morning. I thought about going back for more, but haven't had the time, so I don't know if they're sold out.

 

[Limes96]

.

 

[disneybirds]

What kind of Hilton is it? I haven't seen anyone have luck getting a retention offer on the Hilton Biz. There was a DP a few weeks ago about a retention offer on the Surpass of either a $100 statement credit or 20k Hilton points after $2,500 spend in 3 months. The Hilton Honors or Surpass could be worth keeping because they're often targeted for upgrade offers.

I was having the same dilemma about what to do with the Biz Green. I can't read the RAT's mind, but my own reasoning is it's better to cancel a card I'm not using and spend on the cards I still have open than to keep a card open and put little or no spend on it. Amex values spend because they rely on interchange fees a lot more than other issuers. If I can get a retention offer or an upgrade offer to a card that has some use to me for the next year, I'll take it over closing it and keep the card open for another year. The Biz Green was barely getting any spend, and that's after I threw some subscription charges on it. I upgraded it to a Biz Plat, figuring the $10k MSR over 5 months will keep me spending on it for the 50k MR. Like I said, to minimize my net fees, I should've either jumped a week sooner for the Jan-June Dell credit or waited two months to avoid the prorated AF.

I *think* the my comment that you quoted is how the AF would work in an upgrade/downgrade situation. Calculating the dates when the fees prorate is tricky.

ETA: @SBWB48 says it looks like Amex is charging the prorated AF based on AF posting to AF posting vs. actual anniversary date.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...t-page-for-addl-details.3729982/post-60785814
I do plan on canceling my original Biz Plat when the AF posts later this month. Then I'll have recently canceled the Hilton Biz and Biz Plat, and I don't know what that'll do to me pop up-wise. My last Amex app was in June for the BBP. I'm about tapped out on Amex biz cards, and don't plan on opening any Amex personal cards for the rest of this year to stay at 4/24. (Another slot won't open up until next April.) In the meantime, I'm spending a lot on my Amex Gold, BBP, and putting consistent spend on my Plat and new Biz Plat, and to a lesser extent my BGR, which I'm looking to upgrade to another Biz Plat in December.

Basically, I'm doing what you're thinking of doing. Upgraded the Biz Green to a Biz Plat. Going to close my original Biz Plat. Keep spend up on my Amex cards, and hope I don't get the pop up.

Oh, I do think that there's something to length of your relationship with Amex, like @platamama said. I haven't gotten the pop up yet, but I've been an Amex cardmember for 8 years so it's not like I'm a grab all the bonuses and go kind of customer.

Thanks for the detailed response. It is a Hilton Biz so no retention on that card. I think at this point I will renew the Biz Green and then upgrade in Nov/Dec after I cancel the original Biz Plat. The upgrade I saw on DoC shows a 12/20 expiration, but I don't see one in my account.

 

[afan]

Cruise would be 8/10 but I was looking at flying into Seattle 8/7 and spending two nights, I love the blue angels. I don’t think I’ve seen them since I lived in Chicago.

The first sat in aug is the 1st so it's that weekend. Had to look it up to check to male sure. But it should still be nice weather.

I'd totally do this, the chance to be somewhere cooler in August would be awesome!!

Maybe. Anchorage kept setting records in the 90s this summer. Been warmer up there than down here. Not happy with the mid 60s today, the rain is fine though it made it humid. We never really got the hot streak I'm used to and look forward to. Though summer's not tecnically over yet sure feels like it.

 

[speedyfishy]

I have started MSing my BBP and freedom Unlimited with GCM. If I get points for the BBP I should be able to get 100,000 MR for about $165 in fees. For the freedom unlimited I’m hoping to cash out the fee cost and profit 20,000 URs a month. Once I get the hang of this I’ll work on SOs freedom unlimited and BBP.

 

[ten6mom]

DISCHURNERS REMINDER - Introduce Yourself v2.0
A new thread was created to talk a little bit about yourself::
DISchurners - Introduce Yourself... v2.0

I've enjoyed reading what people have posted so far. We have a very interesting group!

And here I thought @Mopedmom1 rode a moped!

Thanks for doing that post. It is fun!