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

[becauseimnew]

I feel like there have been a lot of new people joining our thread so I wanted to share how this thread has helped cover our vacation costs.
We are a family of 4 (2A + 2C), we take about 4 trips a year, about 26 nights/year.

History of our savings:

• 2017 (when I found this thread) we "saved" $3,400 using points/miles.
• 2018 -- saved $5,500.
• 2019 -- Don't have good records for this year (I was crazy busy at work) going to guestimate $6,000
• 2020 -- saved $9,600
• 2021 -- saved $11,650

Yes, it takes a lot to manage all the cards, keep track of every penny spent, and plan all the trips but I love it. We started by staying a value type hotels, but with credit card rewards we now stay at deluxe type hotels. Our girls live a club level, concierge, airport lounge life. We only fly SW and the only international trip we've made was to Mexico to visit family. Happy to answer any questions.

 

[becauseimnew]

I’m $2,000ish shy on my CSR MSR and statement closes tomorrow. I really need those points ASAP to book an international trip soon for next year. I’ve never done any MS at all (and don’t understand all the tricks/pitfalls). Any hazards with buying $2K in fee free cards at Staples today to hit the spend? I don’t want to set off any red flags or anything.

oh man, the charges may not post until tomorrow so you may not get points. I would try calling Chase to move your closing date. Make sure that you text fraud alerts, in case the transactions gets flag, you'll receive a text to approve it.

 

[djmeredith]

Thanks! I never thought trying to move the date.

 

[havaneselover]

I’m $2,000ish shy on my CSR MSR and statement closes tomorrow. I really need those points ASAP to book an international trip soon for next year. I’ve never done any MS at all (and don’t understand all the tricks/pitfalls). Any hazards with buying $2K in fee free cards at Staples today to hit the spend? I don’t want to set off any red flags or anything.

No, should be fine if they have them and let you buy ten.

 

[Alexle2007]

I’m $2,000ish shy on my CSR MSR and statement closes tomorrow. I really need those points ASAP to book an international trip soon for next year. I’ve never done any MS at all (and don’t understand all the tricks/pitfalls). Any hazards with buying $2K in fee free cards at Staples today to hit the spend? I don’t want to set off any red flags or anything.

The other option is book a refundable SW flight and then cancel and make-up the $2k spend.

 

[djmeredith]

Thanks all! Couldn’t move the date because they said it takes a month to take effect. But the SW flight might work if it posts today. It’s worth a try.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I’m $2,000ish shy on my CSR MSR and statement closes tomorrow. I really need those points ASAP to book an international trip soon for next year. I’ve never done any MS at all (and don’t understand all the tricks/pitfalls). Any hazards with buying $2K in fee free cards at Staples today to hit the spend? I don’t want to set off any red flags or anything.

In my experience it takes more than a day for Staples purchases to post on my Chase cards. Usually 2-3 days after the purchase

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks! I never thought trying to move the date.

Probably if you call to move the date, it wouldn’t take effect until your next statement…but does not hurt to try

 

[jujubiee4]

Thanks all! Couldn’t move the date because they said it takes a month to take effect. But the SW flight might work if it posts today. It’s worth a try.

I wonder if Chase is like Discover? When im trying to make a category bonus even if I make the purchase
the last day but the charge does not post until a few days later Discover still goes by purchase day. At
least they always do for me. Example when they have have 5x wholesale. A couple times I bought gift
cards online from Costco on the the very last eligible day 31st and charge didnt post for a week because it
took Costco that long to ship them ...I still got the 5x. Call Chase

 

[afan]

I wonder if Chase is like Discover? When im trying to make a category bonus even if I make the purchase
the last day but the charge does not post until a few days later Discover still goes by purchase day. At
least they always do for me. Example when they have have 5x wholesale. A couple times I bought gift
cards online from Costco on the the very last eligible day 31st and charge didnt post for a week because it
took Costco that long to ship them ...I still got the 5x. Call Chase

She wants the sub points though. Once you meet thr spend the points will post after the next statement cuts. She needs the charges to post today, not be pending.

Not sure of anywhere I've spent $ lately that it doesn't go pending for at least a day.

 

[jujubiee4]

She wants the sub points though. Once you meet thr spend the points will post after the next statement cuts. She needs the charges to post today, not be pending.

Not sure of anywhere I've spent $ lately that it doesn't go pending for at least a day.

Oh that's right I forgot she needs the sub. SW seems best option unless anyone can think of anything else.

 

[Alexle2007]

Thanks all! Couldn’t move the date because they said it takes a month to take effect. But the SW flight might work if it posts today. It’s worth a try.

Good luck. It may not work but seemed to be the easiest option to try..

 

[StephPlum]

New Avatar! Finally completed my long awaited trip to Glacier. We spent 9 days there.

To relate to CCs, final costs
Total trip $5,057
OOP $640

25K RRs + CP for flights. Used my 4 upgraded boarding credits as well
3 Bonvoy FNCs
135K URs through PYB on normal spend. Covered hotels, rental car, gas, annual NPS pass, boat rides

Glad we went even though it was smoky. The long range views were hazy/muted but all the hikes were amazing. We managed to see (from a very safe distance), 6 bears, 3 moose, 2 deer, 1 fox, several ducks and other birds and a ton of wildflowers!

Off to plan next year - I think it will be Crater Lake and Redwoods.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I think that depends on your state. In MN, there are papers that must be wet signed at closing, you can do all digital, up until that point.

We are doing our home sale/purchase nearly digital. We are out of town for our closing this Friday but our state (and the bank) allow our lawyer to close purchase with power of attorney. The sale can be 100% digital here.

"I'll need an ID." "Nobody's asked me for that before!" This is hilarious to me since DD works as a drive-thru bank teller and over and over again there are customers who want to withdraw money from their accounts without showing ID, indignantly saying they never had to do that before. Um, yes, you did, it's to make sure that your account is secure and only you can withdraw money from it. lol

Ok I get that I need an ID to withdraw, but it annoys me that I need one to deposit. Like, it's my money, I should be able to deposit it wherever I want. I can't deposit money as a gift (yes I know people do illegal things, but it's still annoying)

Just want to make sure whatever is on the floor won't be slippery.

My first thought of marble is "slippery". As someone who has slipped on wet surfaces twice and broken bones, I am super paranoid about wet slippery surfaces.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks all! Couldn’t move the date because they said it takes a month to take effect. But the SW flight might work if it posts today. It’s worth a try.

Sending it works for you…I just went back and looked my SW $5.60 charges usually take 2 days to post on the CSR

 

[havaneselover]

We are doing our home sale/purchase nearly digital. We are out of town for our closing this Friday but our state (and the bank) allow our lawyer to close purchase with power of attorney. The sale can be 100% digital here.


Ok I get that I need an ID to withdraw, but it annoys me that I need one to deposit. Like, it's my money, I should be able to deposit it wherever I want. I can't deposit money as a gift (yes I know people do illegal things, but it's still annoying)

My first thought of marble is "slippery". As someone who has slipped on wet surfaces twice and broken bones, I am super paranoid about wet slippery surfaces.

Yes, and high maintenance (I don't want to worry about sealing it). So not-slippery porcelain is the direction I'm going in.

 

[Sheree]

Do you have any other new cards in the last 24 months? Include store cards and authorized user on someone else's card. Sounds like a 5/24 issue but hard to tell.

not an AU on anything and i thought I was 4/24, 3 chase, 1 target

hmmm

 

[Alexle2007]

So the roller coaster with Puggles continues. The vet today said it is not healing at all and he really needs to see the specialist. Of course, we are out of town. I am beyond . He is my baby and 2nd child.

 

[Sheree]

I’m $2,000ish shy on my CSR MSR and statement closes tomorrow. I really need those points ASAP to book an international trip soon for next year. I’ve never done any MS at all (and don’t understand all the tricks/pitfalls). Any hazards with buying $2K in fee free cards at Staples today to hit the spend? I don’t want to set off any red flags or anything.

go on amazon and buy amazon gift cards as well
that's what I did

 

[havaneselover]

So the roller coaster with Puggles continues. The vet today said it is not healing at all and he really needs to see the specialist. Of course, we are out of town. I am beyond . He is my baby and 2nd child.

Oh, no. So sorry.