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

[IFlossU]

I did it! My first Serve load with Christmas bonus!
The Dollar General is literally a 2 minute drive from my office, and John the lovely young man who helped me couldn’t have been friendlier. He let me know what a great card Serve is because it has no fees for loading cash. I couldn’t agree more John!
This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship

 

[GZanta77]

I’ve been wanting to try this place:
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/t...h?src=hvoi_business_hrcsanantonio_wor_5_10_17I haven’t lived in TX in a long time so @snugglebug and @Artygal90 would probably have better recs. I just know I would not really want to spend July 4th in Houston (and whatever you do, don’t go to Galveston). It’s an all out zoo on July 4th.

That's showing unavailable for July 4th weekend, but I might keep an eye on it. The only reason I am ever going to Galveston is if I am getting on a cruise ship.

I'm just surprised there doesn't seem to be anything decent in the greater Houston area. Seems everyone I talk to about Houston suggests going to San Antonio or Austin. I guess Houston just isn't a place for tourists.

 

[miztressuz]

Makes sense based on that $6k worth of pass-through activity YTD. Could be a new algo Schwab has in place to watch for pass-through activity? No broker wants to find themselves in a money laundering mess.

Agreed. I think it's something new or we'd have seen more reports before with the larger withdrawals I've seen reported. Something must have got their attention. Could be the influx of cashouts due to the shutdowns? Like it was something on the list but it wasn't important until recently. Or just coincidental timing they finally got around to it now. I mean they've been working on changes already, like the change to the bonus requirements in September for their brokerage account. I'm pretty sure someone ran some numbers and pieced together where their deficits are. ("How do we have all these new open accounts, tons of transactions, and yet no money still??") Like you said, if they're smart, they don't want to be anywhere near money laundering activities like that.

 

[Haley R]

Interesting I will have to check it out. I run ad blockers in Chrome on my laptop but never really spent the time to look for a mobile version. Does it cost?

Nope it’s free!

 

[wendow]

That's showing unavailable for July 4th weekend, but I might keep an eye on it. The only reason I am ever going to Galveston is if I am getting on a cruise ship.

I'm just surprised there doesn't seem to be anything decent in the greater Houston area. Seems everyone I talk to about Houston suggests going to San Antonio or Austin. I guess Houston just isn't a place for tourists.

It isn't that Houston isn't a place for tourists. They have great sports activities, museums, shopping and restaurants. But they aren't known for hiking and it'll be awfully hot that time of year. Austin and SA both will be hot but have lower humidity than Houston so will be more tolerable. Plus both of those areas are just a lot more pretty!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Ugh, you reminded me I need to close BOA accounts. Do I really need to call?

Yes. I hate calling BoA. I had to sit on hold 30 mins for my first account, about 15 last time and once they're on the line it takes the rep forever to close the thing. But it's worth it for the bonus money.

 

[snugglebug]

That's showing unavailable for July 4th weekend, but I might keep an eye on it. The only reason I am ever going to Galveston is if I am getting on a cruise ship.

I'm just surprised there doesn't seem to be anything decent in the greater Houston area. Seems everyone I talk to about Houston suggests going to San Antonio or Austin. I guess Houston just isn't a place for tourists.

Houston is all concrete. The north side might be better, the Woodlands area, but our families are south so I don't venture up that way. And the traffic. It's just not enjoyable much.

Hill country is beautiful though and not as humid, something to consider in July. If you're looking for outdoorsy stuff to do, it's better over here. I can't stand to be outside in Houston in summer.

I almost booked us here last month, but it would have been a one night stay for softball so we wouldn't have been able to enjoy it that much.
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubv...e/satcv/hoteldetail#scmisc=nav_hoteldetail_cv

 

[miztressuz]

With so many restaurant offers out, I don't recall if this AmEx offer was out before -

Subway (the restaurant chain), spend $15+ in a single purchase, get 400 MR points, expires 12/31

Also new to me are:

IBM Cloud Services, Spend $250 or more get $50, expires 2/11/20
(this is also on my personal card, so that's interesting)

AT&T Fiber, Spend $50+, get $50 back x2, expires 2/7/20
I think I've read about this one already, but don't recall where, sorry if it was reported here. It " Excludes any transactions bundled with DIRECTV or U-Verse TV, AT&T Access, AT&T TV NOW, U-Verse TV/DIRECTV, and/or AT&T Wireless" but I thought I read it might still trigger with a uverse account/bundle. Have to dig that up at some point.

Aspen Snowmass, Spend $300, get $75 back, expires 2/23/20


And extra MR offers:
Coach, 7x MR (capped at 10k pts), expires 2/29/20
Peter Millar, 5x MR pts, expires 12/31

 

[apollodi]

Wanted to share a HUCA success story. I have 2 weekend night certificated at Hilton in my account. I wanted to use them for a trip DH and I are taking to Seattle this summer. The hotel we wanted didn't have points availability for a 1 night stay, but it did have standard awards available for a 2 night stay. When I called, the first representative said they could only apply free night certs for one night stays, so I couldn't book the hotel. So, HUCA. The next rep was able to apply both my certs onto a 2 night stay so we got the hotel reserved!

I’ve been wanting to try this place:
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/t...h?src=hvoi_business_hrcsanantonio_wor_5_10_17I haven’t lived in TX in a long time so @snugglebug and @Artygal90 would probably have better recs. I just know I would not really want to spend July 4th in Houston (and whatever you do, don’t go to Galveston). It’s an all out zoo on July 4th.

I have a reservation at that place for spring break! We're not totally sure we'll go yet, but I'm hoping it works out.

 

[Haley R]

With so many restaurant offers out, I don't recall if this AmEx offer was out before -

Subway (the restaurant chain), spend $15+ in a single purchase, get 400 MR points, expires 12/31

Also new to me are:

IBM Cloud Services, Spend $250 or more get $50, expires 2/11/20
(this is also on my personal card, so that's interesting)

AT&T Fiber, Spend $50+, get $50 back x2, expires 2/7/20
I think I've read about this one already, but don't recall where, sorry if it was reported here. It " Excludes any transactions bundled with DIRECTV or U-Verse TV, AT&T Access, AT&T TV NOW, U-Verse TV/DIRECTV, and/or AT&T Wireless" but I thought I read it might still trigger with a uverse account/bundle. Have to dig that up at some point.

Aspen Snowmass, Spend $300, get $75 back, expires 2/23/20


And extra MR offers:
Coach, 7x MR (capped at 10k pts), expires 2/29/20
Peter Millar, 5x MR pts, expires 12/31

God I miss subway so much. I’m not supposed to eat cold meat sandwiches

 

[ambgoph]

This site is HORRIBLE on a mobile device, using an iOS device and Chrome I get the same &*(@#) and pretty much have to close and start over. I don't visit this site on a mobile device anymore.

I use AdGuard on my iPhone (free) and haven’t had any problems since.

 

[Haley R]

I like Amazon’s 2-day shipping a lot more than Target’s “2-day shipping”. FedEx said the package would come today and now it’s not coming until Thursday apparently. But of course we’ll be in Orlando that day. At least amazon gives you a credit if it’s late. I doubt target does that.

ETA: apparently I just needed to chat with target. They are giving me a $30 e gift card for it being a day late.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

God I miss subway so much. I’m not supposed to eat cold meat sandwiches

I’m sure you are going to listen to your doctor and avoid cold cuts, hot dogs, etc all the things your doctor said to avoid....
unfortunately our good friends daughter-in-law didn’t listen to her doctor, and contracted listeria. She didn’t realize it, so her baby was born 3 months early....the baby is now almost 1 1/2 and has spent most of her life in the hospital

 

[justreading]

Hoping I could get some advice from those-who-know-so-much-more-about-credit-cards-than-I-do.

My short term goal is to acquire more mileage that I could use for United flights. (Southwest doesn’t have direct flights for me). But my long term goal is to earn as much cash back as possible. Would likely use a United CC to earn the Bonus Points and then switch to a more consistently earning cash back card. But I would love some feedback on that thinking.

My history is as follows:

Player 1
Many years ago - Chase Freedom – plan to keep. I max out the 5% categories as much as possible.
2/19 – Chase Sapphire Preferred – would like to cancel when the AF is charged.
9/16 – Chase Disney Visa (upgraded to premier 2/19) – will downgrade to Disney Visa when AF is charged.
3/18 – Chase United Mileage Plus Explorer - closed Jan 2019. (wish I didn’t do that)

Player 2
Many years ago – Chase Sapphire – plan to keep
2/19 – Chase Freedom Unlimited

Putting $3000 or $4000 on one credit card in 3 months will be a stretch so we could only open one card at a time.

I appreciate your thoughts on what may be the better credit cards to consider.

 

[Haley R]

I’m sure you are going to listen to your doctor and avoid cold cuts, hot dogs, etc all the things your doctor said to avoid....
unfortunately our good friends daughter-in-law didn’t listen to her doctor, and contracted listeria. She didn’t realize it, so her baby was born 3 months early....the baby is now almost 1 1/2 and has spent most of her life in the hospital

Oh my gosh I didn’t realize how serious it is! Wow I thought they were just being overly cautious with the whole lunch meat thing. I did have white queso at Disney awhile back and they couldn’t tell me if it was pasteurized or not. I figured it was so I ate it but I probably shouldn’t have

 

[mamathompson]

I'm super behind but wanted to say congratulations to @speedyfishy !

My whole family is sick. Everyone, even my DH who hasn't taken a sick day in over ten years took one today. If you remember the Parks and Rec when Ron is sick....yep that's him right now! It's not the flu just a bad chest cold. I'm holding out mostly and really hoping it stays away from me.

 

[WVMomof3]

Hoping I could get some advice from those-who-know-so-much-more-about-credit-cards-than-I-do.

My short term goal is to acquire more mileage that I could use for United flights. (Southwest doesn’t have direct flights for me). But my long term goal is to earn as much cash back as possible. Would likely use a United CC to earn the Bonus Points and then switch to a more consistently earning cash back card. But I would love some feedback on that thinking.

My history is as follows:

Player 1
Many years ago - Chase Freedom – plan to keep. I max out the 5% categories as much as possible.
2/19 – Chase Sapphire Preferred – would like to cancel when the AF is charged.
9/16 – Chase Disney Visa (upgraded to premier 2/19) – will downgrade to Disney Visa when AF is charged.
3/18 – Chase United Mileage Plus Explorer - closed Jan 2019. (wish I didn’t do that)

Player 2
Many years ago – Chase Sapphire – plan to keep
2/19 – Chase Freedom Unlimited

Putting $3000 or $4000 on one credit card in 3 months will be a stretch so we could only open one card at a time.

I appreciate your thoughts on what may be the better credit cards to consider.

How many years ago was P2's Sapphire? Is it Preferred or Reserve? If it was more than 48 months ago, I would say to downgrade that card to a Freedom and then have P1 support P2 to another CSP before you downgrade yours (and I would personally downgrade and not cancel, only because it looks like you may have ticked them off by cancelling United in less than a year). That way you get the 60K SUB plus 15k support. If it is less than 48 months, then you will need a different strategy. I don't think the United bonus is very good right now. Are you interested in business cards at all? The Chase Ink line is great and will really add to your URs. Since they all transfer to United, you don't necessarily need a United card, just a CSP, CSR or a CIP to transfer to partners.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Oh my gosh I didn’t realize how serious it is! Wow I thought they were just being overly cautious with the whole lunch meat thing. I did have white queso at Disney awhile back and they couldn’t tell me if it was pasteurized or not. I figured it was so I ate it but I probably shouldn’t have

They didn’t either unfortunately, her sister in law also ate everything and had 3 healthy kids, so told her she could eat everything in moderation
Now they aren’t speaking

 

[Haley R]

They didn’t either unfortunately, her sister in law also ate everything and had 3 healthy kids, so told her she could eat everything in moderation
Now they aren’t speaking

That’s really sad

 

[Limes96]

Got my HH free night email already! I expected it to take a lot longer. Also got my CIP bonus showing as pending today!