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

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

My CIP AF posted. With the CSR and the cell coverage on my IHG, I have no real purpose to keep the CIP. Can I PC on SM? Will they refund my AF?

 

[IFlossU]

Is that freezing by going to each credit agency and doing it? Or paying for a service to do it?

I froze my credit myself. It’s pretty easy to go each of the 3 bureaus’ websites and place a free credit freeze. Took me maybe 15 minutes to freeze all 3. I found the websites through a Google search of each bureau name and credit freeze. It also only takes a matter of minutes to unfreeze for application purposes. For me personally paying for the service hasn’t been necessary, but there may be others here that can speak to additional benefits.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Re: the Amex Plat $200 travel credit comments. Thank you for posting this. I don’t think I originally qualified for this but with the renewal extension, I now qualify. I wouldn’t have checked if it wasn’t for your post. I see now at the actual amex site when logging in there is a ticker indicating how much has been used.

 

[wendow]

That’s what I was planning to go off of but a few others told me to talk to the chef to make sure it absolutely doesn’t contain dairy. Did you guys always just go based off the menu? That would be a lot easier for us. We’re on the first step of introducing dairy so hopefully we won’t have to even deal with it

We always went off the allergen menus (since those came out - before that we did have to do a chef consult). My ds was HIGHLY sensitive, as you know, and he never had a reaction at Disney from dairy. They take allergies very serious. It's literally the best place for people with allergies. They prepare the meal separately to make sure there is no contamination so it can take a bit longer. Just something to keep in mind as you try to time your mobile pickup.

Hopefully you don't have to worry though and he will be eating dairy by then!!

 

[afan]

Is that freezing by going to each credit agency and doing it? Or paying for a service to do it?

What @IFlossU said. And when I want to unfreeze like last night I Google experian unfreeze and thrm do a temp one for one day. So I unfroze it last night amd some time today it'll refreeze. I could have gone back in after they did the pull and changed it but I don't. There's also a way to get a code or something that allows a borrower you specify to access your credit, which I imagine is what you'd do if you were applying for a mortgage and knew who would pull and that they would more than once.

It also keeps you from spontaneously applying for a cc since you have to unfreeze at least one of them and it'll make you think. I unfreeze even with Amex knowing they'll probably just do a soft pull. I'd rather not worry about it.

But between this and credit karma and the other cc offered alerts I feel good about it and no need to pay. Plus I think a lot of homeowners cover stuff to some extent.

I also froze my Chex which is the one I have to remember if I want to open a bank account. But knowing all my info was out there I didn't want to leave it open either. It all comes down to what you trust being out there and what you feel you can manage on your own. Those pins ans stuff feom the cresit bureaus need to be kept long term. Any credit karma you do for a child should be done with an email they will eventually use even if just for that type of stuff.

 

[Limes96]

Just used my AAVACATIONS travel voucher from last year’s cancellation to book a trip to WDW in mid April!

 

[Alexle2007]

Does anyone know, for Hilton stays booked on points, is parking included? I know I need to pay the resort fee. Parking is $49/night at HHV which is ouch but we need a car if we are going to explore the island.

 

[platamama]

I think it's for renewals through March, but targeted. DH's new plat got it, but the one that was upgraded from Gold did not (January anniversaries). My plat that got a retention last year also did not. Would be nice if they extended it so I can get it on my Schwab.

Yeah, DH had 2/2 plats targeted (both were renewals and both had gotten retention offers) and I got 0/2, although only one of those was a renewal. I'm annoyed, as I'm the one who steers credit card applications and spend.

We both have a BoA Biz MC, and he got a spend offer of $100 for $2500 spend, and I got one for $50 for the same $2500. C'mon, seriously? Makes me cranky.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I just read this article, which is about 9 months old, but it sums up the experience when trying to explain this hobby to others.

https://milestomemories.com/why-i-dont-tell-friends-family-about-miles-points-travel/
Thought it might be a good discussion. What has your experience been sharing this hobby with others?

Mine: Whenever I explain maneuvers to my husband, even things I think are simple, he always says, “I could never retain any of that.”
I also referred a P3, but see they might not pay their balances in full, and now regret helping them earn points which will cost more in the long run.

 

[afan]

Ok I get indoor dining isn't open but she's on a smartphone so mobile order. Instead she's walking, pushing a toddler in a stroller, through the McD's drive thru. I don't get people sometimes.

 

[Haley R]

We always went off the allergen menus (since those came out - before that we did have to do a chef consult). My ds was HIGHLY sensitive, as you know, and he never had a reaction at Disney from dairy. They take allergies very serious. It's literally the best place for people with allergies. They prepare the meal separately to make sure there is no contamination so it can take a bit longer. Just something to keep in mind as you try to time your mobile pickup.

Hopefully you don't have to worry though and he will be eating dairy by then!!

Thank you! That makes me feel more comfortable. We didn’t want to have to go in and ask for it to be specially made so we’ll go based on the menu. I’m not sure how much we’ll even use mobile order because we plan to make almost all of the meals in the cabin but we’ll use it if we decide to go to mk

 

[palhockeymomof2]

My CIP AF posted. With the CSR and the cell coverage on my IHG, I have no real purpose to keep the CIP. Can I PC on SM? Will they refund my AF?

To PC you have to call Chase....you can cancel via SM

 

[RhodyKP]

My 125,000 MRs for the Amex Plat I was approved for on 1/27 posted today! Plus about 18k more because I spent about $200 on travel (5x, also got the credit for that) and a bunch on gas and grocery (10x), including $1,500 in Disney GCs. I know this is old hat for you guys but to me THIS IS VERY EXCITING.

In less exciting news, not a peep from Chase since I got their "Thanks for your interest...we'll let you know" email when I applied for a CIC last Thursday.

 

[wanderlust7]

Does anyone know, for Hilton stays booked on points, is parking included? I know I need to pay the resort fee. Parking is $49/night at HHV which is ouch but we need a car if we are going to explore the island.

No resort fee on Hilton point stays. But as far as I know, you do have to pay for parking.

 

[wanderlust7]

Yeah, DH had 2/2 plats targeted (both were renewals and both had gotten retention offers) and I got 0/2, although only one of those was a renewal. I'm annoyed, as I'm the one who steers credit card applications and spend.

We both have a BoA Biz MC, and he got a spend offer of $100 for $2500 spend, and I got one for $50 for the same $2500. C'mon, seriously? Makes me cranky.

Well, there goes my theory that it's the brand new plats on first renewal that get the offer.

 

[striker1064]

Is there a way to close a BofA card via chat? I haven't figured out how to do it and the AF is due soon.

No chat or SM with BOA. You have to call to close.

 

[georgina]

Almost had a CC Disaster. So, on Monday I applied DH for another of the BOA Biz Cards (since it now has a $750 statement credit with $5000 spend). Instant approval. Had him call on Monday to expedite the card. (We will be at Universal starting Saturday and would use the card for the Hotel and Food, so about $2000 or so going towards MSR). So, card came yesterday already (yeah). Normally I just take the card and shred the paperwork. Good thing I actually glanced at the paperwork - as it said "Here is your new card - please shred your previous card". What....

Glad you caught it! Just wanted to add that your post prompted me to apply DH for one of these also. We are racking up the expenses so fast with moving things I think we can make the spend!

He's outside doing his favorite thing - powerwashing. The weather is so nice the garage floor and driveway are getting cleaned.

 

[thevalley]

What @IFlossU said. And when I want to unfreeze like last night I Google experian unfreeze and thrm do a temp one for one day. So I unfroze it last night amd some time today it'll refreeze. I could have gone back in after they did the pull and changed it but I don't. There's also a way to get a code or something that allows a borrower you specify to access your credit, which I imagine is what you'd do if you were applying for a mortgage and knew who would pull and that they would more than once.

It also keeps you from spontaneously applying for a cc since you have to unfreeze at least one of them and it'll make you think. I unfreeze even with Amex knowing they'll probably just do a soft pull. I'd rather not worry about it.

But between this and credit karma and the other cc offered alerts I feel good about it and no need to pay. Plus I think a lot of homeowners cover stuff to some extent.

I also froze my Chex which is the one I have to remember if I want to open a bank account. But knowing all my info was out there I didn't want to leave it open either. It all comes down to what you trust being out there and what you feel you can manage on your own. Those pins ans stuff feom the cresit bureaus need to be kept long term. Any credit karma you do for a child should be done with an email they will eventually use even if just for that type of stuff.

Thank you for all the info. I will look into it.

 

[mfly]

Thank you! That makes me feel more comfortable. We didn’t want to have to go in and ask for it to be specially made so we’ll go based on the menu. I’m not sure how much we’ll even use mobile order because we plan to make almost all of the meals in the cabin but we’ll use it if we decide to go to mk

Just to echo what @wendow shared: I have a brother with celiac who is extremely gluten sensitive (as in a single crumb would ruin our entire night).

We feel totally comfortable with him at Disney. We’ve never had an issue, and he eats 100% on-site when we’re there.

We do normally have a chef come out to be sure the kitchen knows to be super careful about cross-contamination, but we haven’t done that a few times and he’s been fine. If I wasn’t worried about extreme prevention of any cross-contamination, I’d definitely feel comfortable ordering on the app.

p.s. Hi, @wendow! I just came back to this little community a few weeks ago and was surprised to not see you posting! Good to hear from you, friend!

 

[Killer Fish]

Have not had much time to chat in here....hotel business is coming back keeping me very busy at work (a great thing).

Just wanted to say had a great 2 night stay at the Dolphin that we used points for. Succeeded in riding Rise (1PM boarding pass) and we loved MMRR. Also first time I have done the skyliner. Great little trip.

Picture of my 2 kids loving the sky liner.