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

[Judique]

Nice, my dec statement also says 450 af Feb 1. Hadn't even thought about it not being 550.

Also, forgot about the dd credit. That's good the whole year right, so it doesn't have to be used by June or something.

Just need my gold uber credits to hit so I can use it all at once this month. Also waiting for the PP credit to hit now that it's no longer a pending charge.

What are Gold Uber credits? Are you referring to the Gold card and the new monthly credit?

 

[wanderlust7]

Curious on people's thoughts on this - Retention offers.

I had planned on keeping both my plat and CSR this year, and while I know I could probably get a retention offer at least on the plat, I feel that I'm getting the value I want from it this past year despite little travel, and will hopefully this year. Also knowing Amex is every 13 months, would you, as I'm planning to do, wait until next year to see about a retention offer? I'd rather get it when I know I may be thinking of downgrading than get it now when I know I'm going to keep the card. Or is that backward thinking since I know I'm keeping it, get it now. Except I'm more likely to keep it next year if I get a retention offer, and tbh the gold doesn't do a thing for me since my normal grocery store doesn't code as grocery, so I actually use the plat more than the gold.

With the CSR, since they normally don't give retention, would it make more sense to try no thinking they won't offer them next year? And can I do it via chat?

If anything I'll be looking to add the Aspire later this year and then the green for the sub, assuming no popups on either, and then drop the gold and my hilton biz. Unsure what I'll do with my surpass as it depends on the Aspire.

I would definitely do the plat retention this year if you can get the 50k. I doubt they'll be offering that next year. At the Schwab cashout rate, they're paying me $75 to keep the card. Not even counting any of the credits. I've also been able to get the retention way before my renewal date, which would hopefully solve the 13 months issue.

For the CSR, if it makes sense for you to keep it with a retention of $150 or $250, definitely try that too. Chase doesn't have chat that I know of and I don't recall anyone mentioning SM works.

 

[disneybirds]

Just curious, does any CC give extra rewards on tax payments? I always just use EFT from my bank account, but will have a large payment due in April so may open a new card for MSR.

I don't know of any CC that give extra rewards on tax payments, but that would be nice. Sometimes Paypal is 5x for the quarter if you have one of the appropriate cards. I seem to do something different every quarter since we pay estimates. Sometimes I am meeting a MSR so I charge on that card. For the last quarter, I bought $1K GCs at Simon Mall. You are allowed 2 payments per quarter per payment processor so 6 payments per quarter. By the time I paid the fees, it saved about half of charging on the credit card.

The easiest thing to do is sign up for a new card if the benefits outweigh the cost! Here is an article from Frequent Miler that I refer back to every now and then. https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/

@CaliforniaGirl09 Loved your list of "to-dos" in London. I have saved anything to my Churning/Travel document in months, but this definitely was added!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Curious on people's thoughts on this - Retention offers.

I had planned on keeping both my plat and CSR this year, and while I know I could probably get a retention offer at least on the plat, I feel that I'm getting the value I want from it this past year despite little travel, and will hopefully this year. Also knowing Amex is every 13 months, would you, as I'm planning to do, wait until next year to see about a retention offer? I'd rather get it when I know I may be thinking of downgrading than get it now when I know I'm going to keep the card. Or is that backward thinking since I know I'm keeping it, get it now. Except I'm more likely to keep it next year if I get a retention offer, and tbh the gold doesn't do a thing for me since my normal grocery store doesn't code as grocery, so I actually use the plat more than the gold.

With the CSR, since they normally don't give retention, would it make more sense to try no thinking they won't offer them next year? And can I do it via chat?

If anything I'll be looking to add the Aspire later this year and then the green for the sub, assuming no popups on either, and then drop the gold and my hilton biz. Unsure what I'll do with my surpass as it depends on the Aspire.

For Chase you need to call in and ask about retention offers.....
I don’t have any Amex cards with fees, But I did call on my CSR and received $150...my though was who knows if they will be giving retention offers next year so may as well try while they are

 

[gottalovepluto]

Nice, my dec statement also says 450 af Feb 1. Hadn't even thought about it not being 550.

Also, forgot about the dd credit. That's good the whole year right, so it doesn't have to be used by June or something.

Just need my gold uber credits to hit so I can use it all at once this month. Also waiting for the PP credit to hit now that it's no longer a pending charge.

Yeah, DD credit is good all year.

 

[Albort]

Marriott has awarded 30 nights again this year. So 20 nights to keep Platinum status, which I haven't used yet. Is this a 'double' thing that they have going or am I getting credit for Chase and Amex? Whatever - I will take it and I've got 8 free nights sitting - 5 need to be spent by August. Time for me to get to booking....

Plus, I got a promo bonus of 574 points that I don't know where they came from. Probably Amex from months ago when I was doing a little extra spending on my card. They take so long to post. I really should have kept track since they were offering up to 10 points per $ for a bit.

double should come from 1 personal card and 1 biz card.
you didnt get that last year? not only did they gave us 30 nights, but they gave us half of 2019 which puts most of us with <10 nights for Platinum+.

 

[afan]

What are Gold Uber credits? Are you referring to the Gold card and the new monthly credit?

Yes, they added it. Last I saw the other day no one on reddit had seen the uber credit either. But they also pointed out that while it said it was I think 120 for the year it never said it'd start in Jan, everyone just figured it would due to the amount. Haven't been back on to really read any of it.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

P3 is doing MDD with 2 Chase southwest personal cards to earn companion pass. Applied for 1st card today and got the “review your application” message.

Is it best to call recon before applying for card 2, or just let the application process? P3 has two other Chase cards and limits which can be moved around.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I was able to use my AmEx Plat $200.00 airline credit to start a United travel bank (in 2 x $100.00 deposits). This option should also work with the Aspire. I used FT for reference!

Thanks for the head's up. Hadn't heard of this. I'll go check it out on FT.

@CaliforniaGirl09 Loved your list of "to-dos" in London. I have saved anything to my Churning/Travel document in months, but this definitely was added!

Yay! So glad you enjoyed and found it useful

 

[Judique]

Yes, they added it. Last I saw the other day no one on reddit had seen the uber credit either. But they also pointed out that while it said it was I think 120 for the year it never said it'd start in Jan, everyone just figured it would due to the amount. Haven't been back on to really read any of it.

I just paid my annual fee in December but I'm really thinking of letting this card go. The $10 dining worked as I rarely missed one in the last 2 years but adding an Uber $10 credit to the mix really doesn't do it for me. It would have to be dining also and as we open back up in 2021, I'm not that interested and more about collecting UR's since my MR's will go for gift cards anyway. I have an MR credit card so my remaining points are safe.

I searched the Amex site and came up with this:
Exclusive Uber Eats Pass Offer

From burrito bowls to sushi rolls, you can order your favorite dishes from local restaurants on Uber Eats, right to your door. And now, you can turn those cravings into savings by subscribing to Eats Pass, which gives you unlimited $0 Delivery Fee and 5% off orders over $15 at eligible restaurants.[2]

Get up to 12 complimentary months of Eats Pass when you subscribe with your Green, Gold, or Platinum card. That’s a value of up to $119.[1]

and this:

$120 Uber Cash Benefit
Starting in early 2021, American Express Gold Card Members will receive $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. That’s up to $120 in annual savings.

Add your Gold Card to your Uber wallet today, so you can take advantage of this benefit when it launches. Stay tuned for more details, including benefit launch date.

So can we do both? The free pass and the $10 credit? I think I know the answer.

I didn't key in on the SW credit back to points. Should have paid attention to that. Might have made me feel better about keeping. I got retention last year so doubt they will spring twice.

 

[afan]

I just paid my annual fee in December but I'm really thinking of letting this card go. The $10 dining worked as I rarely missed one in the last 2 years but adding an Uber $10 credit to the mix really doesn't do it for me. It would have to be dining also and as we open back up in 2021, I'm not that interested and more about collecting UR's since my MR's will go for gift cards anyway. I have an MR credit card so my remaining points are safe.

I searched the Amex site and came up with this:
Exclusive Uber Eats Pass Offer

From burrito bowls to sushi rolls, you can order your favorite dishes from local restaurants on Uber Eats, right to your door. And now, you can turn those cravings into savings by subscribing to Eats Pass, which gives you unlimited $0 Delivery Fee and 5% off orders over $15 at eligible restaurants.[2]

Get up to 12 complimentary months of Eats Pass when you subscribe with your Green, Gold, or Platinum card. That’s a value of up to $119.[1]

and this:

$120 Uber Cash Benefit
Starting in early 2021, American Express Gold Card Members will receive $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. That’s up to $120 in annual savings.

Add your Gold Card to your Uber wallet today, so you can take advantage of this benefit when it launches. Stay tuned for more details, including benefit launch date.

So can we do both? The free pass and the $10 credit? I think I know the answer.

I didn't key in on the SW credit back to points. Should have paid attention to that. Might have made me feel better about keeping. I got retention last year so doubt they will spring twice.

You can do both, the uber eats pass started last year. It's on both the plat and the gold but uber only found it on my gold Not that it matters, the past two deliveries I had, one uber and one grub hub, I'm only doing pick up for any of it. It's quicker and the foods actually hot when I get home vs when they finally get it to me.

 

[georgina]

I don't know of any CC that give extra rewards on tax payments, but that would be nice. Sometimes Paypal is 5x for the quarter if you have one of the appropriate cards. I seem to do something different every quarter since we pay estimates. Sometimes I am meeting a MSR so I charge on that card. For the last quarter, I bought $1K GCs at Simon Mall. You are allowed 2 payments per quarter per payment processor so 6 payments per quarter. By the time I paid the fees, it saved about half of charging on the credit card.

The easiest thing to do is sign up for a new card if the benefits outweigh the cost! Here is an article from Frequent Miler that I refer back to every now and then. https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/

@CaliforniaGirl09 Loved your list of "to-dos" in London. I have saved anything to my Churning/Travel document in months, but this definitely was added!

Thanks for the link.

I saved the London list too. We had been tentatively planning London in fall 2020, plus Scotland with DD and her DH. I have a niece in London we are hoping will get married over there once this virus is done, so we can go then!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

P3 is doing MDD with 2 Chase southwest personal cards to earn companion pass. Applied for 1st card today and got the “review your application” message.

Is it best to call recon before applying for card 2, or just let the application process? P3 has two other Chase cards and limits which can be moved around.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Well my first piece of advice would have been to attempt step one on a Monday. We can't fix that now, but at least you know for the future. (see my edit below though - perhaps this is now outdated advice)

HERE is info on how to do a MDD

HERE is a complete rundown of a double recon MDD I did early last year.

Is Recon open today? I honestly don't know, but if they are, you can call!

EDIT: (A google search says they do now have Sunday hours so maybe the Monday advice isn't as big of a deal anymore - it seems their hours can change sometimes though.)

You can possibly let it go if you want to. It's basically just important that they are approved on back to back calendar days (the reset of the day occurs at Midnight Eastern). Oh and if you get approved and used a DISchurner link, you might want to send a quick PM letting them know so they can thank you and be on the lookout for points. Good Luck!!!

 

[ski_mom]

I need to have DH call about the CSR retention offer. Is it a difficult call? He hates calling... Would it work for me to start the call and then when they say they have to talk to him, just have him tell them that he gives me permission to talk to them about it?

Ugg - I hate this, but it's worth if for $150-250

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I need to have DH call about the CSR retention offer. Is it a difficult call? He hates calling... Would it work for me to start the call and then when they say they have to talk to him, just have him tell them that he gives me permission to talk to them about it?

Ugg - I hate this, but it's worth if for $150-250

Ugh My DH also hates to make calls the one time I had to have him call Chase was on a fraud alert after I tried to use my CIC AU card....some have had luck with him giving permission for me to speak to them...but it didn’t work out for us and he was not amused
My call for a CSR retention offer was less than a minute, just asked if one was available and given the $150...hopefully his will quick as well

 

[EACarlson]

I just paid my annual fee in December but I'm really thinking of letting this card go. The $10 dining worked as I rarely missed one in the last 2 years but adding an Uber $10 credit to the mix really doesn't do it for me. It would have to be dining also and as we open back up in 2021, I'm not that interested and more about collecting UR's since my MR's will go for gift cards anyway. I have an MR credit card so my remaining points are safe.

I searched the Amex site and came up with this:
Exclusive Uber Eats Pass Offer

From burrito bowls to sushi rolls, you can order your favorite dishes from local restaurants on Uber Eats, right to your door. And now, you can turn those cravings into savings by subscribing to Eats Pass, which gives you unlimited $0 Delivery Fee and 5% off orders over $15 at eligible restaurants.[2]

Get up to 12 complimentary months of Eats Pass when you subscribe with your Green, Gold, or Platinum card. That’s a value of up to $119.[1]

and this:

$120 Uber Cash Benefit
Starting in early 2021, American Express Gold Card Members will receive $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. That’s up to $120 in annual savings.

Add your Gold Card to your Uber wallet today, so you can take advantage of this benefit when it launches. Stay tuned for more details, including benefit launch date.

So can we do both? The free pass and the $10 credit? I think I know the answer.

I didn't key in on the SW credit back to points. Should have paid attention to that. Might have made me feel better about keeping. I got retention last year so doubt they will spring twice.

$10 per month on GrubHub, $10 Uber= $20/month in free food x 12 months = $240 in food for a card with a $250AF. Add in the AMEX offers and I'm making out quite well on that card.

 

[Judique]

You can do both, the uber eats pass started last year. It's on both the plat and the gold but uber only found it on my gold Not that it matters, the past two deliveries I had, one uber and one grub hub, I'm only doing pick up for any of it. It's quicker and the foods actually hot when I get home vs when they finally get it to me.

DD does the ordering and pickup, because I'm lazy and let her take care of it. She does both pickup and delivery depending on venue.

But, if it goes on my gold, she would have to put my gold in her uber wallet, if she has one. I can see her just ditching it and using her own card.

Before '2020', using my credits was easier - I would drop by a restaurant if I felt like it.

It's nice to have the credits but it becomes another chore to utilize them. And, having the credit entices one to order. I really think I want to get back to more cooking than ordering. I think my Gold days are over.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Ugh My DH also hates to make calls the one time I had to have him call Chase was on a fraud alert after I tried to use my CIC AU card....some have had luck with him giving permission for me to speak to them...but it didn’t work out for us and he was not amused
My call for a CSR retention offer was less than a minute, just asked if one was available and given the $150...hopefully his will quick as well

how close to your AF date do you have to be in order to ask for a retention offer?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

how close to your AF date do you have to be in order to ask for a retention offer?

not sure....My AF hit 9/1....I called in I think November when there were reports of retention offers and received the $150

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Yes, same as on any of the other Am Ex cards. Buy a <$100 fare.

ETA: I had a $109 fare credit on my Aspire last year but I was biting my nails about it the whole time.

Oh, got it. Yes, they do.

Oh man, I am a terrible churner (hangs head in shame) I totally didn't realize the Aspire had an airline credit until these posts. My DH has an Aspire (although I will admit I can never remember the name of the card because they all sound the same to me). So, my DH needs to call Amex to select his airline and then we can use it to pay EBCI fees or taxes on award flights, is that right?