I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[wanderlust7]

Thank you both! The distinction between card benefits and offers makes sense!

I do have 1 gold AU. I’ll have to get the login and see what offers are listed.

Does anyone know - do free Gold AUs get different offers than Platinum AUs would (both being AUs on a Platinum account, if that matters)?

Some offers are only on certain cards, some are biz vs personal, and some are a mystery who gets targeted. I haven't heard of any predictable difference in offers between Gold vs Plat AU. Plat AU gets Centurion lounge access. That's the only reason I can think of to make it worth paying for.

 

[GlamMistress]

I got the Amex green and hit the MSR in about 12 seconds due to the bathroom remodel. I should have picked up a card with a 10k spend requirement. We were hoping this project would be cheaper than it has turned out to be.

Between working for work and working on the bathroom, both DH and I are zombies at this point.

I've been doing some research on trips. Our 20th anniversary is 2022 (next year). I think I want to do something with England. Still in the planning stages... that's the fun part!

 

[3 DD love princesses]

I'm going to apply for a new Chase business card in mid-February. I'd been thinking CIP all along (sadly the minimum spend isn't an issue), but now I'm second-guessing, since double the minimum spend only gets me 25k extra URs (100k instead of 75k) - AND CIP has an annual fee. And the bonus categories for CIP don't do anything for me since those are all covered by other cards. 3x on shipping is the only "extra" I'd get.

Of CIP, CIC, and CIU, which offer support links? (I don't have a P2 that is eligible for business cards, but I like to spread joy - and URs.)

I’d do the CIC or CIU. All three cards offer the support link for all three.

Decided to book a trip to Universal for March Spring Break (from the cancelled cruise that became the cancelled trip to Cabo...). Never been and we are going to Disney in May so figured this would be a good time to try out Universal. Got a great AP Rate for Cabana Beach Resort (about $1000 for the week). Booked a car service with CSR UR's - only 8100 points RT.

Question on tickets. So, I am going to get the seasonal AP tickets as they are not much more than a 4 day ticket. I can book a 4 day ticket with UR's. Can I get that with points and then upgrade these to AP once we get there? And can we do that at the hotel or do we have to do that at one of the parks?

Very excited to try something new. Volcano Bay opens up right before we are there so going to include all 3 parks in the AP's. Now I have to read up on everything as I know NOTHING about Universal. Especially the rides that are Roller Coasters - I can't do those (except the small ones like Thunder Mountain and Mine Train). Any input would be great. Thanks.

gringotts you would probably be fine with. Hagrids motorbike is the girls favorite but one won’t go on it. Have a great trip

 

[ski_mom]

We really like it and would return in a heartbeat! They offered a room upgrade, but we didn’t take it because the room wouldn’t have a sofa. It was a room with a view. We are on the first floor and it is a good enough view for me! We had breakfast here 2 days and it was good. Omelette my DH had was HUGE!! His pancakes and my French toast another day were good, also. Coffee was good and I’m picky about my coffee! Lol Breakfast is pricey even with the $38 credit they give towards it.



I think it’s a GREAT value for 42,000 points! Any questions, I’d be glad to try to answer.

Thanks! Is the $38 credit just good for breakfast in (I assume) the Calusa Restaurant? It looks beautiful!

 

[alryan]

Got an email to apply for the Amex business plat.

For a brief moment I actually considered it.

Then I looked at the spend and there is just no way! Oh well. I really don't want a $595 card anyway!

Not to change your mind if you can't do the spend anyway, but the email to add a Business Platinum to your wallet are the ones that ended up having the annual fee waived. I just got another email today after already getting a no AF Biz Plat in December. The chance of 100kMR with no AF is tempting me to go for it again.

ETA: Looks like there is lifetime language in the email that I didn't see. But who knows if this current round of emails is no AF if you've never had the card before.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Not to change your mind if you can't do the spend anyway, but the email to add a Business Platinum to your wallet are the ones that ended up having the annual fee waived. I just got another email today after already getting a no AF Biz Plat in December. The chance of 100kMR with no AF is tempting me to go for it again.

FYI - I heard reports that the emails that went out today are not NLL. Can you check and report back?

 

[alryan]

FYI - I heard reports that the emails that went out today are not NLL. Can you check and report back?

Here's the first part of it. Nothing about ever having the card previously, correct?
To be eligible to earn the points associated with this offer you must charge $15,000 (the "Threshold Amount") of eligible purchases* during the first 3 months of membership on an eligible Business Platinum Card from American Express. Eligible purchases can be made by the Basic Card Member and any Employee Card Members on a single Card Account. Limit one offer per Card Account. Offer may not be combined with any other special offer. Your Card account must not be canceled or past due at the time of fulfillment of any offers.

*Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, purchases of traveler's checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, purchases of gift cards, person-to-person payments, or purchases of any cash equivalents.

You can earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first three months of Card Membership starting from the date your account is approved. In rare instances, your period to spend $15,000 may be shorter than three months if there is a delay in receiving your Card. Also, purchases may fall outside of the three months period in some cases, such as a delay in merchants submitting transactions to us or if the purchase date differs from the date you made the transaction. (For example, if you buy goods online, the purchase date may be the date the goods are shipped). Points will be credited to your Membership Rewards account within 8-12 weeks after the last eligible purchase you made to meet the Threshold Amount appears on your monthly billing statement.

 

[Minnie368]

Any recent success stories calling recon for a Chase business card? I was denied for a new CIC with the reasons being: You have too many active accounts or too much available credit, Too many recent requests for credit, Credit report shows too many recently opened accounts, New Chase business card recently opened. My last Chase biz account was opened in 4/20 and one before that in 1/20. It also cited my credit score which showed at >800. I applied as sole prop, used merchandise sales. Based on this info, is it even worth a call to recon? And what would my reasons be? I really wanted this card because I don't have a CIC. If approved I planned to then PC a CIP to a CIC so that I could have two to take advantage of the Staples VGC sales.

 

[Minnie368]

I got the wireless credit offer on a Delta biz card. I currently have Verizon wireless and get $10 off per line for 5 lines= $50/month off for autopay from checking account. I think I remember reading someone on here buying Verizon GC and that didn't affect the auto pay discount? Would love to hear where to buy the Verizon GC and if this actually does work.

 

[wanderlust7]

I got the wireless credit offer on a Delta biz card. I currently have Verizon wireless and get $10 off per line for 5 lines= $50/month off for autopay from checking account. I think I remember reading someone on here buying Verizon GC and that didn't affect the auto pay discount? Would love to hear where to buy the Verizon GC and if this actually does work.

You can buy it directly with Verizon online. $25 is the minimum. I've had no issues with Amex crediting it and I don't lose the autopay discount when I use the GCs. Problem is, the GC never come working for me. Separate orders, across many months. Never. I had a rant post about this the other day lol.

If you do encounter this problem, the key words to say when you call is that you need a ticket for a "payment investigation".

I've got the credit on 2 cards. I'm tired of calling. Decided to pay my brother's T-Mobile bill instead. Guest pay is pretty convenient, don't need to login to his account, just his mobile number.

 

[Minnie368]

Are either Citi or Capital One known for closing dormant cards? I log into those accounts every so often to make sure they're still at a zero balance but I haven't actually used either of them in some time.

Citi closed a card of mine and one of DH last year due to non use. If they notified us ahead of time I missed it. Just got a letter that they were closed.

 

[Minnie368]

You can buy it directly with Verizon online. $25 is the minimum. I've had no issues with Amex crediting it and I don't lose the autopay discount when I use the GCs. Problem is, the GC never come working for me. Separate orders, across many months. Never. I had a rant post about this the other day lol.

If you do encounter this problem, the key words to say when you call is that you need a ticket for a "payment investigation".

I've got the credit on 2 cards. I'm tired of calling. Decided to pay my brother's T-Mobile bill instead. Guest pay is pretty convenient, don't need to login to his account, just his mobile number.

Yes I think it was your post I was remembering! I really don’t have anyone else’s bill I can use it on- that would be a great idea. So maybe I’ll try the gc. Hate to lose out on $10/month. Did this happen to you every time or did you get a working gift card at least every now and then?
ETA: I see you did say never. Yikes!

 

[wanderlust7]

FYI - I heard reports that the emails that went out today are not NLL. Can you check and report back?

I see the LL at the bottom of the e-mail, but not the actual offer terms in the application.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I see the LL at the bottom of the e-mail, but not the actual offer terms in the application.

Are you going to tempt fate??

 

[wanderlust7]

Are you going to tempt fate??

LOL. No, I'm not even done with the MSR on the last one! I did think about it for like 2 seconds though.

 

[wanderlust7]

Yes I think it was your post I was remembering! I really don’t have anyone else’s bill I can use it on- that would be a great idea. So maybe I’ll try the gc. Hate to lose out on $10/month. Did this happen to you every time or did you get a working gift card at least every now and then?
ETA: I see you did say never. Yikes!

Yup, not a single one. I counted that I've bought 15. Hopefully you have better luck!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

LOL. No, I'm not even done with the MSR on the last one! I did think about it for like 2 seconds though.

The RAT knows that you thought about it for 2 seconds... HAHA! I haven't received an email yet so I'm not facing this dilemma yet BUT I will be monitoring r/churning to see if any positive DPs come out of it. Why do they have to be confusing/unclear on this one!

 

[Minnie368]

Looking for a vacation spot for mid-May but unfortunately needing to stick to the US. DS starts an internship the following week, and while I'm totally happy to vacation outside of the country right now, I just don't want to risk the small chance that he would test positive for covid before returning from our trip and be stuck missing the first two weeks of his internship. We just did WDW in Dec, so not looking to do that again yet. My family likes active vacations. Well, DD and I would be perfectly content sitting on a beach and doing nothing for a week, but DH and DS can't handle more than a day or two of that. Would love to be able to use our Hilton points or FNCs somewhere instead of dipping in to our URs, but either way it's ok. I think we would enjoy visiting a national park, but for some reason I just can't seem to get my kids on board with it (DS21, DD19). I was looking at Baker's Cay and Marco Island. Can anyone with experience comment on what there is to do in those areas? I see Baker's Cay website says they offer paddle boards and kayaks, fishing gear, recreational equipment, bikes, etc. Would love to hear some details about that- like the space they have available for using those things and if they have a lot available? On the other hand, we have annual passes to Six Flags for any of their parks because they kindly extended all 2020 passholders through 2021, so we were thinking of maybe heading to San Antonio. We've never been to Texas. Any thoughts on that area would be welcome, as well as thoughts on the Six Flags in San Antonio if anyone has been there that would like to comment. Thanks!

 

[Albort]

Any recent success stories calling recon for a Chase business card? I was denied for a new CIC with the reasons being: You have too many active accounts or too much available credit, Too many recent requests for credit, Credit report shows too many recently opened accounts, New Chase business card recently opened. My last Chase biz account was opened in 4/20 and one before that in 1/20. It also cited my credit score which showed at >800. I applied as sole prop, used merchandise sales. Based on this info, is it even worth a call to recon? And what would my reasons be? I really wanted this card because I don't have a CIC. If approved I planned to then PC a CIP to a CIC so that I could have two to take advantage of the Staples VGC sales.

pull your credit score and redo your 5/24 count.

 

[Alexle2007]

Looking for a vacation spot for mid-May but unfortunately needing to stick to the US. DS starts an internship the following week, and while I'm totally happy to vacation outside of the country right now, I just don't want to risk the small chance that he would test positive for covid before returning from our trip and be stuck missing the first two weeks of his internship. We just did WDW in Dec, so not looking to do that again yet. My family likes active vacations. Well, DD and I would be perfectly content sitting on a beach and doing nothing for a week, but DH and DS can't handle more than a day or two of that. Would love to be able to use our Hilton points or FNCs somewhere instead of dipping in to our URs, but either way it's ok. I think we would enjoy visiting a national park, but for some reason I just can't seem to get my kids on board with it (DS21, DD19). I was looking at Baker's Cay and Marco Island. Can anyone with experience comment on what there is to do in those areas? I see Baker's Cay website says they offer paddle boards and kayaks, fishing gear, recreational equipment, bikes, etc. Would love to hear some details about that- like the space they have available for using those things and if they have a lot available? On the other hand, we have annual passes to Six Flags for any of their parks because they kindly extended all 2020 passholders through 2021, so we were thinking of maybe heading to San Antonio. We've never been to Texas. Any thoughts on that area would be welcome, as well as thoughts on the Six Flags in San Antonio if anyone has been there that would like to comment. Thanks!

We went to San Antonio Labor Day weekend and had a nice time. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country that is right near SeaWorld. We just enjoyed pool time and went to visit The Alamo in the morning before our afternoon flight home. I would love to go back.

@ski_mom and I are headed to Baker’s Cay next month. @snowmanlover is there now or just recently left. We were supposed to be heading to the Caribbean for Spring Break but are opting for the FL Keys instead for some place new and to avoid the testing constraint (although our resort in the DR was offerigg by on-site testing.)