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

[elgerber]

Amex question. I have an offer on my BBP page for the Biz Gold for 80000 points. I can't meet the spend now, but curious, I have had a Biz Gold before. If I did take it, (but I can't cuz I cannot meet that spend) would it bypass the lifetime rule? I have done it on my Delta personal before, upgraded to the platinum at least twice. Man if I could make that spend I would jump just to try to get out of pop up hell. Any creative spending methods for an Amex MSR? I don't think there are?

 

[GlamMistress]

Just buzzing by to say hello.

Getting excited for my WDW trip in June. DH's companion pass came through so that is nice... SW changed our perfectly timed R/T direct flights to a chaotic mish mash so that was not nice. So now we are flying out of CMH instead of CVG to keep nonstop but whatever. Life moves on and Disney will soon be back in my life!

 

[becauseimnew]

Amex question. I have an offer on my BBP page for the Biz Gold for 80000 points. I can't meet the spend now, but curious, I have had a Biz Gold before. If I did take it, (but I can't cuz I cannot meet that spend) would it bypass the lifetime rule? I have done it on my Delta personal before, upgraded to the platinum at least twice. Man if I could make that spend I would jump just to try to get out of pop up hell. Any creative spending methods for an Amex MSR? I don't think there are?

Look at the terms and sear for “offer not available”

 

[Princess Michele]

And for those with this Navy Fed CC, an offer valid thru Aug 31st (now if I could figure how to activate it Judique helped me find it):

View attachment 571125

View attachment 571141
More Detailed Instructions:
1. Sign into your account
2. Select you CC
3. Click Rewards (under Cash Rewards)
4. Click Rewards and Offers Details
5. Click View Offers
6. Click Enroll

Thanks for posting this. I had my DH look at his account today but our cards only get the 5% on restaurants. 5% back on gas would have been better for us.

 

[Princess Michele]

Anyone else watching all the info about the Disney Wish? Guess I know what I need to start saving for after Aulani.
Nov 2022?
The rooms look amazing and DD4 will be in frozen/Princess heaven.

The Disney Wish looks wonderful. I know I am dreaming but it would be nice to add a 3 night cruise onto our August 2022 WDW trip.

 

[snugglebug]

Got this email for Freedom:
Spend $20 on a monthly bill, get $10 statement credit. Exp 7/31. Good for phone service, internet, cable utilities and insurance.

You might be able to try this link: https://www.chase.com/mybonus

 

[Judique]

I somehow skipped the whole school visit thing. I think because of the pandemic and because I thought dd would end up at my alma mater.

I managed to lose the $300 Kroger gift card I bought at Lowe’s. Figured I should go through the kitchen trash just in case. And that’s where I found it.

'Love' is for happy you found it!

Since part of my ageing process is walking across the room and forgetting what I got up to do, I've reduced my gift card accumulation accordingly.

Now, I spend my time getting Disney gift cards to pay dues and as soon as I get them I apply to my account.

Was tempted to do the 2 $200 visa at Lowes and collect $30 in Lowes money, but let it pass as I've still got some Lowes money and plenty of Home Depot money.

Will work the 5% deals for Disney dues money of I get close to a month where I have to debit my account to pay, but so far doing fine with 10% to 25% deals.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

the $1k buffer is actually normal. We require a 2 month cushion each, for the taxes and insurance. So $1k, would be right, if they are $500 a month. That buffer is in the case of a huge tax/insurance increase that happens. But yes then they have to repay the buffer and still collect enough so they don't have to tap into the buffer the following year. So it sounds evil, but that is just the way it works. I work in mtg, and I haven't escrowed my taxes/insurance in probably 12 years.

Yeah, I didn't mind the $1k buffer when they calculated it correctly and I wasn't playing catch up. I was PISSED because it made my monthly payment $200 HIGHER than it was BEFORE my refi! It was like, gee....bait and switch much? So in principal I was like, I'm going to figure out how to do all this myself and "keep" the lower payment. The mortgage company doesn't need at least $1k extra of my money, and the fact it was going to be MORE than before my refi REALLY made me mad.

I somehow skipped the whole school visit thing. I think because of the pandemic and because I thought dd would end up at my alma mater.

I managed to lose the $300 Kroger gift card I bought at Lowe’s. Figured I should go through the kitchen trash just in case. And that’s where I found it.

That's the one thing I fear about my missing $400. There was not way for me to check the garbage once I noticed they weren't in my school bag. It had already been at least a week. But I'm REALLY good about NOT throwing away even the empty ones for awhile after getting burned by the "dud" card last year. So I normally won't throw away the packaging until I've cleared the card.

And the plot thickens w/ my missing cards....I just found the receipt for them in my school bag. I checked it against the cards I do have in my wallet and they aren't the same. So they WERE in my school bag at some point. UGH. Now to figure out where they went. In a normal year I might be worried that a student might have grabbed them out of my bag (not really, but at this point it would be a thought). But w/ Rona, none come back by my desk at all! So I really don't think it went missing at school.

 

[havaneselover]

'Love' is for happy you found it!

Since part of my ageing process is walking across the room and forgetting what I got up to do, I've reduced my gift card accumulation accordingly.

Now, I spend my time getting Disney gift cards to pay dues and as soon as I get them I apply to my account.

Was tempted to do the 2 $200 visa at Lowes and collect $30 in Lowes money, but let it pass as I've still got some Lowes money and plenty of Home Depot money.

Will work the 5% deals for Disney dues money of I get close to a month where I have to debit my account to pay, but so far doing fine with 10% to 25% deals.

I hear you. I've had a busy week and when I have too much going on, I don't think clearly.

Yeah, I didn't mind the $1k buffer when they calculated it correctly and I wasn't playing catch up. I was PISSED because it made my monthly payment $200 HIGHER than it was BEFORE my refi! It was like, gee....bait and switch much? So in principal I was like, I'm going to figure out how to do all this myself and "keep" the lower payment. The mortgage company doesn't need at least $1k extra of my money, and the fact it was going to be MORE than before my refi REALLY made me mad.



That's the one thing I fear about my missing $400. There was not way for me to check the garbage once I noticed they weren't in my school bag. It had already been at least a week. But I'm REALLY good about NOT throwing away even the empty ones for awhile after getting burned by the "dud" card last year. So I normally won't throw away the packaging until I've cleared the card.

And the plot thickens w/ my missing cards....I just found the receipt for them in my school bag. I checked it against the cards I do have in my wallet and they aren't the same. So they WERE in my school bag at some point. UGH. Now to figure out where they went. In a normal year I might be worried that a student might have grabbed them out of my bag (not really, but at this point it would be a thought). But w/ Rona, none come back by my desk at all! So I really don't think it went missing at school.

I don't throw away empty ones either (if I die tragically and someone cleans out my house they are going to wonder why there are empty gift cards everywhere). So why I tossed one still attached to the hang tag is beyond me.

I really hope yours show up.

 

[LB002]

I just went to apply and those links are dead, ugh... Why did I wait?

We didn't get to it last night either! :-(

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I hear you. I've had a busy week and when I have too much going on, I don't think clearly.

I don't throw away empty ones either (if I die tragically and someone cleans out my house they are going to wonder why there are empty gift cards everywhere). So why I tossed one still attached to the hang tag is beyond me.

I really hope yours show up.

I'm really hoping they are in the house, but I'm losing faith. I'm really not sure where they could be though. Obviously they made it into my school bag at some point. It's crap fabulous here in MI (at least today). And the BF feels he's going to get a trip tomorrow. With no soccer and no hockey, and no BF, the kids and I have nothing better to do than to gut the house and see what we find, LOL. If nothing else, I really need to clean the office yet again. I swear the damn room NEVER stays clean. It's our dumping ground.

I do remember having giftcards in my hand when I was trying to figure out if I could pay my DD's car payment w/ the VGC. And that was when I was in the office. So maybe they are in here. But my DD and I did a pretty good job looking around prior. UGH.

 

[LB002]

I am working on a CIC $7k min spend, but only have a $3k limit, which I am near. It says my next payment is due May 27, but the statement STILL hasn't closed. I'd like to pay it off so DDs summer camp payment can go on that card on Monday. I know credit cycling is bad, but how bad? Will I anger Chase if I pay off my balance today???

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I should add on the hockey front....Not sure if I shared but hockey teams like to overlap tryout times. On Monday we went to the one his coach recommended. Well the one we passed on, that coach emailed me that night to say he was bummed DS wasn't at that tryout as he remembered him from when we played each other Sadly though, he managed to fill the team Monday night. He MIGHT have openings for the fall team. That's the other thing that sucks. Right now we're technically only trying out for Spring, which is like 1.5mos. But most teams fill their fall team now too. So the choice we make right now is likely for a year.

Callbacks for the other Monday team (we went to) were last night. Brady's coach said he'd reach out to that coach and let him know Brady is great/awesome/etc. And that Brady shouldn't have any trouble getting on the team. Well he didn't get a spot. UGH! That's okay as that team/parents are a bit "rougher" than I like. In fact I always hate playing that team, LOL. Also one of Brady's former coach's (from 2 teams ago) kid was there. The ex and Brady HATE him. So Brady didn't want to play if his son was on that team. I'm sure that dad said something to the coach. He never gave Brady a chance on his team. And Brady is 100000 times better than his son (and Brady can play his position, LOL).

So tonight is the last team/option we have. There is another team, but they are 35 min away, and exDH isn't thrilled about having to drive that far. We skipped that team on Monday and their 2nd is today, which we now will be missing as well, UGH. All our hope lies in the closer team (which Brady skated at on Weds). I am fine w/ the location and the club "in theory". But reading the talk about it on the hockey forums, all the kids from last year jumped ship (many went to the teams that Brady passed going to on Monday). They say the coach is terrible. Brady liked the skate. He liked some of the other kids trying out, etc. Downside, the rink is terrible for viewing....they don't have seats, just an upper observation area you watch from. So I can't really cheer him on at home games, and it makes it harder for my parents to come to games (limited viewing area). And if the rumors are true and the coaches suck, it could be a long year, unless we luck out and there are fall tryouts.

Have I mentioned before I HATE tryouts, LOL. I guess if at the end of today we don't have a team, I'll be taking his coaches up on their promise to get him on a team somewhere.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Can anyone give me any insight on dealing with American and changing/cancelling a flight booked on URs after the 24 window?

I booked my whole family (6) flights on URs on Tuesday, and this morning Frontier's rates have dropped by around $25/person AND is a non-stop flight. Ideally, I would like to just change my existing AA flight into the RETURN flight (which won't be released for another week), or just turn it into a credit with them (AA) to use for our return flight. But I don't know if I can do this, and google isn't really helping.

 

[afan]

I am working on a CIC $7k min spend, but only have a $3k limit, which I am near. It says my next payment is due May 27, but the statement STILL hasn't closed. I'd like to pay it off so DDs summer camp payment can go on that card on Monday. I know credit cycling is bad, but how bad? Will I anger Chase if I pay off my balance today???

No just pay it. It's not a huge deal unless you are constantly doing it.

 

[LB002]

No just pay it. It's not a huge deal unless you are constantly doing it.

Thanks!

In all my CC years I've never had a reason to do it.

 

[WVMomof3]

Thanks! That's one on our list! That's why I was checking out the car rental from Cleveland to BWI, but at over $2000 for that, I quickly went back to flying into PIT. We'll just drive from Pittsburgh for a night in Cleveland. Any recommendations for places to eat with outdoor seating (either Cleveland near CWRU or Pittsburgh near CMU/UPitt)? Hope you're enjoying your new surroundings!


She's at the end of junior year. Funny thing is that we did our first school tours two years ago when she was a freshman...and those might be the only real tours she's going to get, since a lot of campuses are still closed to visitors (that is something I need to check for all the schools still). Last year I was planning a similar trip over spring break but obviously that got canceled. I was hoping to avoid putting all the school visits in a compressed period of time, but that's what's ending up happening anyway. Oh well, that is a small thing to complain about given what we've all gone through.

I can't remember where we ate at when we toured Case but I highly recommend fitting in the Cleveland Art museum if you can. It is free but looks like you need to reserve tickets online. My family only lives about 30 minutes away so it wasn't a big todo to go there for us so we just got something quick to eat close to campus. Neither one of my kids that toured it liked it enough to apply.

My DD lived in Oakland (CMU/Pitt) for a summer and she recommended The Yard, Stack'd or Mad Mex. Neither of my kids liked CMU enough to apply either. If you are looking for other stuff to do I recommend Phipps Conservatory. It is right by campus though it is not free. I will just say that driving into Pittsburgh freaks me out. lol You go straight from a 2 lane tunnel to a multilane bridge and you want to look around but you have to immediately know which lane you need to be in because you might be getting on a 2nd bridge and you need to make decisions quick. It sends me into a panic every time. lol Where is your hotel?

Where else are you going? For $2000 I could pick you up and be your tour guide. (Though see above about my panicking driving in Pittsburgh and you will probably think that is a very bad idea.)

 

[georgina]

Thanks! That's one on our list! That's why I was checking out the car rental from Cleveland to BWI, but at over $2000 for that, I quickly went back to flying into PIT. We'll just drive from Pittsburgh for a night in Cleveland. Any recommendations for places to eat with outdoor seating (either Cleveland near CWRU or Pittsburgh near CMU/UPitt)? Hope you're enjoying your new surroundings!

Haven't been back to that part of Cleveland since I graduated in 1985, Case has changed a LOT and so has Cleveland (for the better on both counts I think!) Oops, just remembered I got married in one of the on-campus chapels in 1987! So haven't been back since then.
I see WVMom recommended Phipps, they also require timed tickets, they have a nice organic food cafe in there that is free to go to but I think the menu may be somewhat limited still. The Porch is nearby in Schenley plaza, they have some outdoor seating. Haven't been there in a few years. It is a pretty area to walk around.

Had to laugh at her comments about coming through the tunnel and having to shift lanes fast. I always hated that when going from our house in the north suburbs to my sisters' in the south.

 

[platamama]

I can't remember where we ate at when we toured Case but I highly recommend fitting in the Cleveland Art museum if you can. It is free but looks like you need to reserve tickets online. My family only lives about 30 minutes away so it wasn't a big todo to go there for us so we just got something quick to eat close to campus. Neither one of my kids that toured it liked it enough to apply.

My DD lived in Oakland (CMU/Pitt) for a summer and she recommended The Yard, Stack'd or Mad Mex. Neither of my kids liked CMU enough to apply either. If you are looking for other stuff to do I recommend Phipps Conservatory. It is right by campus though it is not free. I will just say that driving into Pittsburgh freaks me out. lol You go straight from a 2 lane tunnel to a multilane bridge and you want to look around but you have to immediately know which lane you need to be in because you might be getting on a 2nd bridge and you need to make decisions quick. It sends me into a panic every time. lol Where is your hotel?

Where else are you going? For $2000 I could pick you up and be your tour guide. (Though see above about my panicking driving in Pittsburgh and you will probably think that is a very bad idea.)

LOL I'm sure you'd be a great tour guide! Thanks for the recommendations, and the heads up on the bridges! Now I see I need to go do Google satellite view searches of our driving routes ahead of time. Yes, it will be an adventure lol. Am I nuts? A 12-day trip driving through Cleveland, Pittsburgh, University Park, Lancaster, Haverford, Swarthmore, Philadelphia, Princeton, Baltimore, College Park, and Chesapeake Bay (the last one just to relax). I've never been to any of those areas before; school visits are a good excuse to check out other parts of the country lol.

Haven't been back to that part of Cleveland since I graduated in 1985, Case has changed a LOT and so has Cleveland (for the better on both counts I think!) Oops, just remembered I got married in one of the on-campus chapels in 1987! So haven't been back since then.
I see WVMom recommended Phipps, they also require timed tickets, they have a nice organic food cafe in there that is free to go to but I think the menu may be somewhat limited still. The Porch is nearby in Schenley plaza, they have some outdoor seating. Haven't been there in a few years. It is a pretty area to walk around.

Had to laugh at her comments about coming through the tunnel and having to shift lanes fast. I always hated that when going from our house in the north suburbs to my sisters' in the south.

Thank you!

 

[Jax1023]

LOL I'm sure you'd be a great tour guide! Thanks for the recommendations, and the heads up on the bridges! Now I see I need to go do Google satellite view searches of our driving routes ahead of time. Yes, it will be an adventure lol. Am I nuts? A 12-day trip driving through Cleveland, Pittsburgh, University Park, Lancaster, Haverford, Swarthmore, Philadelphia, Princeton, Baltimore, College Park, and Chesapeake Bay (the last one just to relax). I've never been to any of those areas before; school visits are a good excuse to check out other parts of the country lol.


Thank you!

Hi- I lived in Pittsburgh for 6 years, the porch at at schenely is a nice restaurant right near pitt. My all time favorite restaurant Point Breugge is a few miles away in point breeze.

I’m literally down the street from Haverford college now, if your looking for anything in this area.