I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[kylenne]

Hi! New around here, trying to not get too confused in all the strategies and acronyms, and I have a bunch of questions! Really hope you can help a newbie out!

I'm planning for a Sept 2021 WDW trip for our family of 4 and am looking for clever ways to reduce the cost. I got the email from JetBlue about the special 60K SUB for their Plus card. Seems like a really easy way for us to get the points to pay for the trip easy-peasy, especially with point pooling. What do the experts here say?

We currently have 3 cards, I think all in my name, but DH has a card to use on all of them. We've both got great credit. We rarely travel.

• AmEx Blue Preferred: This is only used for things that get max rewards such as the 6% on groceries (we achieve the $6k max in about 6 months), 3% gas, and a few streaming subscriptions and tolls. We use it for cash back credit ($500?) at the end of the year to help pay for Christmas
• Cash Back Visa through my work (I work for a bank), no annual fee: Everything else that can go on a CC goes on this. We get 1% on most purchases, 2% on grocery (normally I swap when AmEx is exhausted), 3% on dining out; Typically bring in around $400-$500/year on cash back, again, paying towards Christmas
• LL Bean card: We only use it a LL Bean and that's maybe 1-2 times a year, if that

For the Disney vacation, we'd either fly out of Boston, Portland, ME or Manchester, NH. We're not loyal to a particular airline, but SouthWest and JetBlue have such great amenities and customer service for the value, we often choose them for our rare trips. I'll only fly non-stop flights.

Questions:

1. Looks like the annual fee easily is made up by the earned points plus the free baggage discount. Is this a no brainer to apply for?
2. Can both my husband and I each apply for one of these, earning 120k TB pooled points? We can very easily hit the MSR with groceries and not miss out on any AmEx rewards for the year.
3. I estimated that the flights will "cost" 90-120k points, but that's based off of this September. What risk is there of assuming I'd have enough points with just the initial SUB, only to find we're severely short come booking window? Covid really makes me question my estimates...
4. What is the risk of cancelling these cards after 6-9 months to avoid the annual fee next year? Is it easy enough to just do the Product Change to the no fee card, in case we need to earn extra points to meet a threshold and for use for the free checked bags?
5. Is there a better strategy you'd recommend for a non-brand specific card that could do all of this, but not lock us in to JetBlue?

So many thanks in advance! I really hope this question doesn't get lost in all the lovely chit-chat in this tight knit group! The thread really flies!

Welcome!!! I’m far from an expert on churning and am a very casual player compared to most around here, but I can definitely speak to how great the JetBlue Plus Card is, I’ve had mine a little over a year. 60k is an excellent SUB for this card, historically this is where it’s topped out at and it typically only happens once in a blue moon (no pun intended). Your husband is eligible for it too iirc as long as you don’t put him as an authorized user on yours.

The AF more than pays for itself if you ever check bags, and probably the biggest benefits besides that are the 5k TrueBlue points on your cardholder anniversary and the 10% refund on points when you redeem them. It’s very much a no brainer if you live near a JetBlue hub and their routes work for you. JFK is my home airport and basically all my domestic flying happens on JetBlue routes so I love it.

If you want a more flexible currency, I would strongly consider looking into Chase cards. Chase has a notorious unspoken rule where they auto deny applications if you’ve gotten 5 cards with any issuer within the past 24 months, we call this the 5/24 rule. Since you are under 5/24, you may want to give the Chase Sapphire Preferred a shout, this is the younger sibling to the premium Sapphire Reserve and while its multipliers aren’t as good as the CSR and it lacks the fancy lounge access etc, currently it has a 60k SUB on $4k spend. Worth noting JetBlue is one of the UR partners so you can transfer points, but people don’t tend to value that over other transfer partners like Hyatt. But people like to pair Sapphires with other UR earning cards like the Freedom/Freedom Unlimited/Ink Preferred. If you see talk of a Chase Trifecta or Quadfecta that’s what is meant by that.

Southwest is another good option for an airline specific card but I never fly them (I’m not a fan) so I can’t speak to their cards but I know they are very popular due to the companion passes.

 

[trenty]

that’s great...hadn’t looked to see If I could change names since I was always going to be checking in

It's great until they ask him for he card used to book when he checks in. I guess they can't since I don't have to provide it? He does have a CC to give for "incidental" - just not my CSP.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

It's great until they ask him for he card used to book when he checks in. I guess they can't since I don't have to provide it? He does have a CC to give for "incidental" - just not my CSP.

All the Marriotts and WBC never asked for the CC I used to book when checking in. Like your reservation I book with URs...they do ask for a CC for incidentals...looks like he is covered there with his own CC

 

[Budzooka]

Completely agree with this! I scheduled an life insurance payment through them and they sent it a week late. Ended up having to call the life insurance company and pay over the phone to keep the policy active. Then numerous calls to get back the extra payment. Sometimes Plastiq just isn't worth the hassle!

I have definitely heard stories about problems with Plastiq on here, but I have at least 4 payments every month for the last 2 years and never had a problem. I do make all of the payments on the same day when the new billing cycle starts on my CIU.

I have found Plastiq to be a great way to bolster my UR balance. I realize it isn’t free, but no different than I am willing to accept annual fees for cards, my goal is drastically reduced travel. Plastiq helps me achieve that, but boy do I miss the 3x on the CIP.

 

[amcc]

Do you have a link for the offer?

Here. See if that works.

 

[hlhlaw07]

Wow, that's awesome! Was this a streamlined refinance?

Yep, it is a streamlined Interest Rate Reduction Refinance. Was way simple!

 

[hsmamato2]

I read this way too fast and didn't see the quote above it. I thought this was in real life and cringed inside.

oh no! I'm so sorry I should have noted the context.... I love Jim Gaffigan, and his family etc.... love his standup comedy. That's why I was surprised by his role on the show, But then I discovered he's also an actor,and sometimes plays a 'not nice' guy too.

 

[Haley R]

Here. See if that works.

Apparently we aren’t eligible. We normally aren’t. Oh well

 

[hsmamato2]

well,I had a big huge exciting morning today..... I actually bought some clearance clothing items from my fave store,online. It's one store where the sizing is consistent,and I know the tops I bought will fit. This is kind of scary for me b/c I haven't spent *one cent* on anything since March (except food) but I am SOOOO tired of wearing the same shirts in my drawer! Plus I feel like I feel every season change.... for some reason what felt like a good fit last spring just doesnt seem to fit right this spring.... and I had a (stupid) vgc burning a hole in my pocket,since the last two times I tried to use it (food) the purchase amount exceeded the vgc amount,and was declined.....so it's been sitting here unused.... until I actually make a purchase that's less than the balance.... anyway...8 tops for a total cost of $55 (wow there are some great sales) and I feel half guilty (for spending anything on non-necessities) and half thrilled (bc this is as exciting as it gets right now)
And later today, I'm going to buy a bogo two bags of potting soil for my little garden pots..... what an exciting day!

 

[Haley R]

well,I had a big huge exciting morning today..... I actually bought some clearance clothing items from my fave store,online. It's one store where the sizing is consistent,and I know the tops I bought will fit. This is kind of scary for me b/c I haven't spent *one cent* on anything since March (except food) but I am SOOOO tired of wearing the same shirts in my drawer! Plus I feel like I feel every season change.... for some reason what felt like a good fit last spring just doesnt seem to fit right this spring.... and I had a (stupid) vgc burning a hole in my pocket,since the last two times I tried to use it (food) the purchase amount exceeded the vgc amount,and was declined.....so it's been sitting here unused.... until I actually make a purchase that's less than the balance.... anyway...8 tops for a total cost of $55 (wow there are some great sales) and I feel half guilty (for spending anything on non-necessities) and half thrilled (bc this is as exciting as it gets right now)
And later today, I'm going to buy a bogo two bags of potting soil for my little garden pots..... what an exciting day!

I honestly think finding happiness in anything right now is really important. If that means splurging on clothes then do it, especially if you haven’t had spending since March!

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm pretty shocked by that as well given what we now know about asymptomatic spreading and the role masks can play in stopping it. I suspect as the mixed message begins to clarify that will change, but it certainly doesn't help you when you are dealing with a newborn! My anxiety would have been through the roof as well. It's weird, but once you get used to the whole mask thing you really notice when people aren't wearing them, and it makes you much more anxious. Fortunately where I am, people are really starting to get the message. They are mandatory, but there were flouters. Now, I rarely see people not wearing them.



Too funny! Great minds I hadn't seen the t-shirt material ones at Love Your Melon. Might have to order a few of those. They look really comfy. DS would probably like those. He loves his USC one

I know.... And I do wear my homemade mask when at stores as directed. I don't wear it outside walking since none of us (anyone else walking outside) go near each other, it's not a city situation here..... but in a store or a hospital? oh my yes...

 

[wed100105]

DP - DH applied for CIP today and was denied. We have not had any issues being approved before. It was through an old referral link; I have no idea whether or not that matters.

 

[GZanta77]

Hi! New around here, trying to not get too confused in all the strategies and acronyms, and I have a bunch of questions! Really hope you can help a newbie out!

I'm planning for a Sept 2021 WDW trip for our family of 4 and am looking for clever ways to reduce the cost. I got the email from JetBlue about the special 60K SUB for their Plus card. Seems like a really easy way for us to get the points to pay for the trip easy-peasy, especially with point pooling. What do the experts here say?..........

So many thanks in advance! I really hope this question doesn't get lost in all the lovely chit-chat in this tight knit group! The thread really flies!

Welcome @Maine_Belle - I'll try to answer your questions below......

1. Looks like the annual fee easily is made up by the earned points plus the free baggage discount. Is this a no brainer to apply for? It is a good offer- 60k points after $1k spend - certainly the best offer for the personal plus card I can remember.
2. Can both my husband and I each apply for one of these, earning 120k TB pooled points? We can very easily hit the MSR with groceries and not miss out on any AmEx rewards for the year. Yes, you can.
3. I estimated that the flights will "cost" 90-120k points, but that's based off of this September. What risk is there of assuming I'd have enough points with just the initial SUB, only to find we're severely short come booking window? Covid really makes me question my estimates... Covid throws everything up in the air so no guarantees, but I would certainly hope that 120k miles will be enough if you are avoiding Labor Day weekend.
4. What is the risk of cancelling these cards after 6-9 months to avoid the annual fee next year? Is it easy enough to just do the Product Change to the no fee card, in case we need to earn extra points to meet a threshold and for use for the free checked bags? No benefit to cancelling before 12 months and you cannot product change before 12 months - you can cancel within a month of annual fee posting and get it credited. BUT.....I would argue that you do not want to cancel or downgrade this card. This card provides 5000 TB points annually for $99. It also provides 10% of flown award points to be rebated after an award flight is taken - might be subject to annual maximum of 10,000 miles. If you cancel before you fly in Sept 2021, you will lose that 10,000 mile rebate - and possibly the free bags too. If both you and DH get the card, you could cancel one of them after a year - just not the one you used to make the booking.
5. Is there a better strategy you'd recommend for a non-brand specific card that could do all of this, but not lock us in to JetBlue? As @palhockeymomof2 mentioned above - you could get into the Chase ecosystem (or Citi ecosystem) - the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Citi Thank You Premier both provides 60,000 points in either Chase Ultimate Rewards or Citi Thank You points. Both of these programs offer 1:1 transfers to JetBlue and many other travel partners, but you would need to meet a minimum spend of $4,000 on each card within 3 months to get the bonus. Both Citi and Chase have other cards in their portfolio that enable you to earn points in different bonus categories.

Personally, I love the JetBlue plus card and have held it for a few years. The $99 annual fee is worth it to me for the free bags, 5000 annual points and 10% points rebate - so I would definitely recommend. You also have time on your side - i.e. you could get the JetBlue cards now.....and in a few months get the Chase cards for example. Many options open to you. I would also note that we generally do not recommend adding your spouse/partner as an authorized user on credit cards as these cards then show on their credit report too and may impact their ability to apply for cards down the road - particularly from Chase with their no more than 5 new cards in 24 months rule.

Hope some of that helps - feel free to ask additional questions as needed.

 

[elgerber]

Yay my IRS page also says the 6th! I can then send it right back to them LOL.
I am not eligible for this Amazon offer :-(. I just used the 20% one last week.
Off to take 3 dogs for annual vet visits, after a $350 illness visit last week. Between that and tick/flea/heartworm meds I ordered, CIP spend will be finished in no time LOL. Darn dogs.

 

[Limes96]

My DS1 turns 21 tomorrow! He just finished his jr year yesterday and was hoping for an internship this summer, but that didn’t work out due to obvious reasons. Also had a mission trip to Peru canceled. But he was able to get a really good summer job at the same place he worked last summer, and it was a pretty good paying job for a college student, so we’re really grateful he was able to get that. DS2 (just finished freshman year in college) doesn’t have anything lined up yet. So he’s applying to a local community college to get a gen-ed requirement in over the summer online. Also has a mowing job (not much) and summer piano lessons via video call. He’s the sort that can’t not be busy though, so imagine he’ll find something more before long.

 

[StephPlum]

Working my way through MSRs
DH SW (75K for 5K) was completed awhile ago but stmt just closed and last 35K RRs posted to his account. He was going for the CP but we're going to hold on that as I don't know how much we'll need it. SW extended my CP through June 2021.
DH BBP - still have $1k. Spend period extended through July
My CIP - $2.2K left. Extended through Sept
DH CIP - $4.9K left. June 30 deadline.

I tried yesterday with Plastiq but I was too late and my attempts on my acct and DH acct both had fees. I was going to knock out my MSRs if the fee was 0

This week I did the grocery pick-up at Meijer for the first time. Went fairly well. Just two things that weren't right. What do you do when that happens - try to return (not sure they are taking returns right now) or send an email for a refund? They were small so just going to let it go but wondered what is the right protocol in the future. Also wasn't sure how much people tip their shopper. Is it like other service where you do 15% of the amount or is it usually a flat amount per trip?

 

[Limes96]

Also wasn't sure how much people tip their shopper. Is it like other service where you do 15% of the amount or is it usually a flat amount per trip?

When I looked this up for Kroger pick up I found out they don’t allow tips for their pick up shoppers. Not sure about Meijer, but when I order from Kroger, I don’t think the people that bring the order out to the car are the same people that do the shopping. I’ve only had one mistake so far. I ordered cilantro and got Italian parsley. I was annoyed but it wasn’t that big of a deal so I didn’t do anything. I ordered cilantro again for my pickup today. I hope I get it!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

DP - DH applied for CIP today and was denied. We have not had any issues being approved before. It was through an old referral link; I have no idea whether or not that matters.

Unfortunately that seems to be the new normal with Chase business cards

 

[Limes96]

I had an office max/depot offer on my CIC this morning that I hadn’t seen before. Wish I could use it in store for a fee free vgc.

 

[Psychodisney]

I had an office max/depot offer on my CIC this morning that I hadn’t seen before. Wish I could use it in store for a fee free vgc.

I was just coming to post about this. I got 10% off up to $8 back.