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

[amalone1013]

Just as a cautionary tale, my Raise account got locked earlier this year for using VGCs for 5 purchases over 3 days... I had to call in and be lectured about how prepaid cards are not allowed for payment. Haven't tried anything since (haven't really had anything to buy either)

 

[chattadisser]

Ok, this is travel related as in your ID to show to get on the plane to travel.

My drivers license was going to expire in a couple of weeks on my birthday so I was going to need to get it renewed. TN just started offering their "Real ID" (I have no idea what other states refer to it as but its the ID that will let you travel on aircraft after October 2020), so I figured when I renewed my license I would get the Real ID and gathered all my documentation. I get to the office hand over my DL, passport, W2, and two more utility bills all to prove who I was. (If I remember right I had to provide less documentation for pre-check) The clerk looks at it all, says great, attaches it to a form that I need to sit down to complete. After filling that out, which only consisted of my name, address and DOB (which were on all the documentation attached )

I then proceed the next clerk who tells me I can't get the real ID because and here's the kicker...my passport has "First Name, Maiden Name, Last Name", my DL has "First Name, Middle Name, Maiden Name, Last Name". She said since they didn't read identically I couldn't get the real ID. I asked why the first clerk didn't mention this and she of course, shrugged. I asked what did I to provide to get the ID and she tells me a copy of my birth certificate and a copy of my marriage license. I'm not sure what that will show as none of them have first, middle, maiden and last names on them. Maybe it would show the progression?? Anyway I asked if I could still renew my license so it wouldn't be a whole waste of time and she say "you want to". The smart A** in me wanted to shoot back "well since it expires in less than two weeks its probably a good idea". But I just said yes. We took the picture and she says "are you sure you don't want to smile" like 3 times to me. After saying no every time on the last one I told her "no, every time I look at that picture I'll think of you". Yes, I could only hold it in for so long.

Anyway, the real point of this story is for those who recently got married or are getting married soon, take this into consideration when switching your names on documents and accounts. I kinda wished I just had never changed anything and had a legal name and just used my husbands last name in social settings. I might try to get the ID again sometime in the future but anchor trip to the DMV is not in my near future. Until then I'll just used my passport as ID when traveling.

Then I was thinking about it and why does the state of TN essentially have 2 DL's? One that lets you drive and one that lets you get into a federal building? Do other states do this or did they incorporate the ID into one license?

 

[Lain]

Question on this, does this only work with certain cards? I assume you should have two cards you want, just in case the first one goes through with no pop-up?

The idea is a pop up on a card will lock you out of that card and the same family of cards (at least temporarily). For example, if you apply for a Hilton Biz and get the pop up, you’re locked out of the Hilton family of cards, i.e., you’ll get the pop up if you try to apply for the Surpass, Aspire, or Hilton Honors card. At least, until one of whatever criteria Amex uses to weigh your “history” (e.g., spend, age of cards, opening/closing cards) changes.

If you get a pop up, the theory is to immediately apply for a card in another family of cards, like a Marriott Bonvoy, Delta, or Amex-branded card, and the pop up shouldn’t carry over to the different family. If you wait to apply, say until the next day, Amex will probably re-run the pop up algorithm and the pop up might reappear, even on a card from a different family, if nothing material has changed in your “history.”

 

[smmco]

Argh. I supported DH this morning to the Amex Blue Business Cash. My thinking was: (1) he's in Hilton popup jail so let's try something else; (2) a 2% cash back card would be nice and easy for him (he has no MR cards so I don't want him to get a BBP yet); and (3) DD3 has therapy bills over $500 a month, and this will give us something to work on into next year, since you have 6-12 months to hit the 2 part MSR. Her therapist accepts Amex.

Then, I find out TODAY that DD3's therapy company has been sold, to a new provider that she also uses which DOESN'T TAKE AMEX. I need to borrow this, please: Maybe I can make partial payments using VGCs from Meijer... Grrr.

But, as a DP, DH got the popup for the Hilton card. I put about 2k on his Amex cards, tried again, still got the popup. Applied for the BBC shortly after and he got instantly approved, no popup.

I have one more Amex slot. I’m thinking about one of the blue business cards. Most likely the one that earns MR’s. Its a simple card no AF and no msr. 2 points for every dollar. I was also considering the Hilton biz but that’s not a card I’d keep. I plan on cancelling my delta gold in March after AF posts and cancelling or downgrading my BCP in July. Im trying not to upset Amex. Is cancelling business cards more acceptable?
Im keeping the Aspire’ Gold and Marriott. That’s already 825.00 in AF’s. Yikes.! I’m not sure what the best strategy is.

 

[elgerber]

The idea is a pop up on a card will lock you out of that card and the same family of cards. For example, if you apply for a Hilton Biz and get the pop up, you’re locked out (at least temporarily) of the Hilton family of cards, i.e., you’ll get the pop up if you try to apply for the Surpass, Aspire, or Hilton Honors card. At least, until one of whatever criteria Amex uses to weigh your “history” (e.g., spend, age of cards, opening/closing cards) changes.

If you get a pop up, the theory is to immediately apply for a card in another family of cards, like a Marriott Bonvoy, Delta, or Amex-branded card, and the pop up shouldn’t carry over to the different family. If you wait to apply, say until the next day, Amex will probably re-run the pop up algorithm and the pop up might reappear, even on a card from a different family, if nothing material has changed in your “history.”

with my luck, I would apply for something we don't want that badly, because he is in pop-up jail, hoping to try this trick, and then have the first app go through with no pop up LOL.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Gorgeous! We will miss the sunrise unfortunately. My head is acting up again and early morning is the worst time for me. This is our last morning It's 5:29a local time and I'm on the balcony taking in the quiet morning before the chaos of packing up begins.

Sorry to hear about your head acting up--safe flight home!

 

[GZanta77]

Ok, this is travel related as in your ID to show to get on the plane to travel.

Then I was thinking about it and why does the state of TN essentially have 2 DL's? One that lets you drive and one that lets you get into a federal building? Do other states do this or did they incorporate the ID into one license?

Sad...but there's a reason why DMV employees have the reputation they do.

I can confirm that MA also has this 2 license system. I had to get the old format too...so I guess I'll be using my passport for ID soon.

 

[imbatman]

*snip*I then proceed the next clerk who tells me I can't get the real ID because and here's the kicker...my passport has "First Name, Maiden Name, Last Name", my DL has "First Name, Middle Name, Maiden Name, Last Name". She said since they didn't read identically I couldn't get the real ID.

My mom went through the same thing. She legally changed hers back to First, Middle, Maiden, Last. That way, she was also able to help with my grandpa when he needed legal help when his health declined. Thinking I will do the same soon, as my DL is expiring and I'd like the Real ID DL.

 

[Judique]

Here’s his not so happy face.

Awww....he's a real cutie!

 

[DisneyMandC]

I hope you don't like the body lotion... reports on the DIS show it isn't being left in rooms and some housekeepers are saying there isn't any ☹

Confirmed from our recent stay - no body lotion and no bar soap in the tub/shower - both at POR and Pop

Oh no, the lotion is my favorite!! I love the sea salt one.

 

[chattadisser]

Sad...but there's a reason why DMV employees have the reputation they do.

I can confirm that MA also has this 2 license system. I had to get the old format too...so I guess I'll be using my passport for ID soon.

Seems like it would be easier for everyone to have one license, I mean at some point, everyone had to provide the documentation to prove who they were to get a license in the first place.

It also seems more unfair to women as men aren't changing their names as often as women. I know they're are men who do change their names but I have to believe the majority of name changes are for women.

 

[chattadisser]

My mom went through the same thing. She legally changed hers back to First, Middle, Maiden, Last. That way, she was also able to help with my grandpa when he needed legal help when his health declined. Thinking I will do the same soon, as my DL is expiring and I'd like the Real ID DL.

So did she have to file with the courts? I'd like to ditch my middle name, its not a family name, and I couldn't tell you the last time I used it for anything.

 

[calypso726]

What are you using for travel? Gold for dining?

Dining at Disney and any Disney related travel is with Disney GCs purchased for 5x with the Ink+ or 10% or more off via random Amex offer.

Non Disney dining is gold card. If I pay for airfare I’m using the Amex Plat for 5x.

Most of our paid travel is with Disney and we use the GCs. Outside of that we will pull out the CSR for anything we might pay real money for that is travel related.

I regret not getting the CSR. At least your getting something in return for the AF. I tend to make large travel purchases because we cruise two to three times per year. If we spend 10k-15k on cruises a year the extra point is pretty significant not to mention the travel protection that comes with the card. I'll decide in March if I want to cancel or upgrade. I'm not sure how long I have to wait to get the CSR if I cancel. A lot of cards offer 2 points per dollar, but right now I can't think of another card that would offer me 3 points on a cruise or WDW vacation package.

Definitely a good card to use for the 3x on travel. I just wanted to illustrate the value when points are redeemed if one has a CSR. The majority of our UR points are earned with Freedom cards and the old Ink+ which is no longer available. The Ink Cash has the same category bonus.

For those who have built a family of Chase UR keeper cards as their work horses to earn at 5x the CSR May be the better option when it comes to redeeming.

 

[smmco]

with my luck, I would apply for something we don't want that badly, because he is in pop-up jail, hoping to try this trick, and then have the first app go through with no pop up LOL.

I was getting pop ups on all Amex credit cards and charge cards. They went away when I upgraded my blue cash to blue cash preferred. The next day the pop ups were gone. It was weird. Maybe yourtrick will work.

 

[PolyRob]

Oh no, the lotion is my favorite!! I love the sea salt one.

Yes, so sad! Here is the No More Lotion... thread

 

[smmco]

Dining at Disney and any Disney related travel is with Disney GCs purchased for 5x with the Ink+ or 10% or more off via random Amex offer.

Non Disney dining is gold card. If I pay for airfare I’m using the Amex Plat for 5x.

Most of our paid travel is with Disney and we use the GCs. Outside of that we will pull out the CSR for anything we might pay real money for that is travel related.




Definitely a good card to use for the 3x on travel. I just wanted to illustrate the value when points are redeemed if one has a CSR. The majority of our UR points are earned with Freedom cards and the old Ink+ which is no longer available. The Ink Cash has the same category bonus.

For those who have built a family of Chase UR keeper cards as their work horses to earn at 5x the CSR May be the better option when it comes to redeeming.

Sounds like a good strategy. Since I don’t need points for airfare my goals are somewhat different. I need the URs for hotel stays. Mostly Hyatt. I’m locked out a Chase for 6 months and even then I’ll be limited to business cards.

 

[Judique]

I have one more Amex slot. I’m thinking about one of the blue business cards. Most likely the one that earns MR’s. Its a simple card no AF and no msr. 2 points for every dollar. I was also considering the Hilton biz but that’s not a card I’d keep. I plan on cancelling my delta gold in March after AF posts and cancelling or downgrading my BCP in July. Im trying not to upset Amex. Is cancelling business cards more acceptable?
Im keeping the Aspire’ Gold and Marriott. That’s already 825.00 in AF’s. Yikes.! I’m not sure what the best strategy is.

I have $1411 in annual fees. I need @calypso726 to come by and give her numbers so I'll feel better. Seriously, most of the fee cards give free nights so I just consider them discount cards.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I have $1411 in annual fees. I need @calypso726 to come by and give her numbers so I'll feel better. Seriously, most of the fee cards give free nights so I just consider them discount cards.

@calypso726 can make anybody feel better about their annual fee total

 

[wanderlust7]

All this talk about the Amex pop-up makes me think about trying for the Surpass for DH. He got the pop-up for Aspire. So I'm really curious if he'll get it for Surpass. He did end up getting the Aspire and the SUB, but I think the pop-up glitched out. Plus "best ever" offer, I'm such a sucker for that.

But it'll take him to 4/24. I don't think I want to do that. So - must...resist...temptation!

 

[Judique]

In other news, older DD has found a place to use her last (of 3) 7 night certificate. We've been waffling back and forth on this one since 2018! At first we were going to do New Orleans but that one had to be canceled due to the accident.

Now its spring break 2020 on Hilton Head Island.

So, I jumped in and booked 2 nights at Disney's resort in the middle of the visit - idea being if I'm feeling suffocated at the hotel, we can get a Disney fix, use the pool for 2 days - it's got a slide and a baby pool and is very sheltered if it's cooler in March, plus there are kid friendly activities. It definitely won't be beach weather, other than nice walks.