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

[LynnTH]

Did you find someone to rent to you?

I had found a renter but they didn't have enough points for all 7 nights at BWV - they could have booked a split stay as they have points elsewhere. We would rather not have to change resorts so am going to go with a company. It costs a bit more but they said they have all the points to book at 11 months out. Hoping to get Boardwalk View but I know those go fast. Oh - and they take MC/Visa so going to open a new Chase Ink Biz Card for DH to help meet minimum spend.

 

[wanderlust7]

So my United card gives me up to a $100 credit for either precheck or global entry. I'm thinking of going ahead with global entry but it seems like a big hassle. I travel internationally at least once, maybe twice a year, then another 2-3 domestic flights a year. For those of you who do have GE, is it worth going through all that or should I just get the precheck?

Your next international trip, you can do Enrollment on Arrival when you come back if your airport participates. We did that on our last international trip so we didn't have to make a separate trip to an enrollment center. Haven't had a chance to use the GE part yet when the pandemic hit. Did use the Precheck that comes with a few times and that was nice.

Since you travel internationally, I'd think it's worth it as long as you can do the in person part relatively easily.

 

[Alexle2007]

So my United card gives me up to a $100 credit for either precheck or global entry. I'm thinking of going ahead with global entry but it seems like a big hassle. I travel internationally at least once, maybe twice a year, then another 2-3 domestic flights a year. For those of you who do have GE, is it worth going through all that or should I just get the precheck?

Yes, GE is worth it! I LOVE breezing through customs when arriving as everyone else waits in line. I would even be willing to pay for it without the CC incentive.

 

[AndreaDM]

Your next international trip, you can do Enrollment on Arrival when you come back if your airport participates. We did that on our last international trip so we didn't have to make a separate trip to an enrollment center. Haven't had a chance to use the GE part yet when the pandemic hit. Did use the Precheck that comes with a few times and that was nice.

Since you travel internationally, I'd think it's worth it as long as you can do the in person part relatively easily.

So our next international trip we will be coming back from Iceland, into ORD, then on to our small airport in Ohio (which doesn't participate). Would we do this in Chicago?

 

[wanderlust7]

So our next international trip we will be coming back from Iceland, into ORD, then on to our small airport in Ohio (which doesn't participate). Would we do this in Chicago?

I think so, since that's where you would go through customs, right?

Here's the info. Looks like it's only available 8 am-8 pm M-F at ORD. So hopefully you land during those hours.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-arrival
ETA: Just remembered your Iceland trip is fairly soon? You'll need to be conditionally approved to do this. So hopefully that can happen quickly. Some get it very fast and others take a while (who knows why).

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

For those that signed up for Motley Fool... when do you plan to cancel? I don’t feel like I have received any good information, like when I click on a link with the next big stock they just want me to sign up for another product to get the deets.

Immediately after signing up, I sent an email to them to remove auto-renewal. They sent a ticket and email back confirming auto-renewal was cancelled.

 

[AndreaDM]

I think so, since that's where you would go through customs, right?

Here's the info. Looks like it's only available 8 am-8 pm M-F at ORD. So hopefully you land during those hours.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-arrival
ETA: Just remembered your Iceland trip is fairly soon? You'll need to be conditionally approved to do this. So hopefully that can happen quickly. Some get it very fast and others take a while (who knows why).

We are going in August and will be landing in ORD around noon I think.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

For some reason I thought I had until the end of June to use my 10x MR at grocery and gas on my plat but I don’t, it ends June 3! Feeling a little like a deer in headlights. What do I do! I won’t be able to max it out full value since I’ve also been working on 5x UR grocery on a freedom card I got last summer and I don’t want to raise the rat’s eyebrows with my sudden large grocery purchases. But I want to get something done before June 3. I’m thinking about maybe getting a $150 Kroger gift card plus misc grocery purchases about every 2-3 days until then. If I keep it <$200 but more frequent I’m thinking that will work. Just thinking out loud here but chime in if you have thoughts on this!

I'm in a similar boat. Mine expires in the middle of June. My only grocery store in town besides walmart does not accept Amex, so I've been trying to do mostly grocery pickup at walmart which has worked pretty good. I am going to experiment today - I have a pickup set for some plain black shirts for DS. He got a new job and has to wear a black collared shirt each day. I just picked up a couple of cheap ones in two sizes since I'm not sure how that brand runs. I'm going to return the ones that don't fit and I'm hoping that they will just put the refund on a gift card instead of going back to the credit card. If they will, I may do a couple of purchase/returns to get some walmart gift cards built up, but I'm not sure if the effort will be worth it. I'm going to decide when I try it with the shirts.

The closest actual grocery store that takes AmEx is about 20 minutes away and they are priced a bit higher anyway, so not worth going there to me. If I could sneak in a few gift cards it might be worth a trip, but nothing that I can do small amounts regularly because of the drive just to get there.

Instacart codes as grocery for Amex. So perhaps local stores are on Instacart? For example, I do Instacart for Aldi and select pickup to avoid high fees.
You may also have some Instacart offers on your Amex cards.

 

[wanderlust7]

We are going in August and will be landing in ORD around noon I think.

The kids and I got our conditional approval in a week. DH's took like 3 months. Not sure how things are looking now. Hope you can get yours quickly!

 

[iujen94]

I’ve seen it mentioned here in passing so I know this isn’t news to most of you, but I thought it might help another relative newbie like myself.

I needed another $2800 in spend before June 4 to get my United Quest SUB before I have to book our Switzerland flights for next summer. I was so desperate I even thought about paying part of my kids’ tuition and sucking up the 3% fee. But then our electric bill came - hooray! $250 in spend! Then I remembered that folks here have mentioned paying ahead on their bills. Sure enough, I was able to pay ahead $1000 on electric (that was the max). I also paid $1000 on our water bill and $800 on our gas bill. BOOM. Spend met, and (bonus!) we basically won’t pay any utility bills for the rest of the year!

THANKS to those that have mentioned this strategy before, and hope this will help someone else.

 

[stitchfan18]

Quoting myself because P2 and I opened CIPs the same week last April, so I went ahead and SM to close mine to see if Chase would call or just close the account. Chase called within an hour and wanted to discuss other card options I could change the CIP to. I'll have DH wait a couple days to see if they go ahead with the request via SM or if they want to talk in person to close.

P2 had a SM closing the CIP account a couple hours ago. He didn't return the phone call to Chase, so it seems like closing accounts can still be done by SM. Chase must be calling to try to retain some business, but luckily they don't make you talk to someone to complete the closure. Just a heads up if you are closing an account with Chase soon and don't like phone calls.

 

[Judique]

I’ve seen it mentioned here in passing so I know this isn’t news to most of you, but I thought it might help another relative newbie like myself.

I needed another $2800 in spend before June 4 to get my United Quest SUB before I have to book our Switzerland flights for next summer. I was so desperate I even thought about paying part of my kids’ tuition and sucking up the 3% fee. But then our electric bill came - hooray! $250 in spend! Then I remembered that folks here have mentioned paying ahead on their bills. Sure enough, I was able to pay ahead $1000 on electric (that was the max). I also paid $1000 on our water bill and $800 on our gas bill. BOOM. Spend met, and (bonus!) we basically won’t pay any utility bills for the rest of the year!

THANKS to those that have mentioned this strategy before, and hope this will help someone else.

That's my go to as I have very little spend. The utilities, the car insurance, life insurance, and I even once sent a payment on my home insurance even though at the time it was through escrow. The insurance company nicely mailed me back a check which I redeposited. I've still got credit on my electric bill from my last card back in Nov 2020.

Even my spend for food is absolutely minimal as daughter keeps ordering through Amazon Fresh, Instacart, Doordash and all the other services. I don't pay those things but will happily spend at an actual market or Costco or Aldi where I can look at my food myself before selecting it, lol.

And, then there are the Amazon reloads....another way to create spend before actually spending.

 

[mmmears]

Ok anyone who has read this book, when does it get good? I am now over halfway and it is clear I have not read it before and it has been torturous to get this far. I keep thinking it must get better later and it hasn’t happened yet. I keep reading reviews and there are many like me who thinks it’s a disjointed mess but so many more love it. I hate to give up but not sure I want to put more time into it.

It took me a while to get into it, but I was listening to the audiobook and really liked the reader. I came to realize it was more about Savannah itself than the people mentioned, and I thought it painted a really interesting picture of the place, but I can also understand why it's not for everyone.

 

[miztressuz]

New Amex Offer for Bonvoy spend $200 get $40 back. Of course I didn't get it on our Bonvoy cards. Would have been a nice stack since I have plans to use the Brilliant credit soon.

If you can hold out and don't need it now, I believe most times it'll show up on the co brand cards eventually. Sometimes takes a week or two, sometimes couple days. Unless I'd rather earn MR points, or have an immediate need, I gamble and wait it out.

 

[atxbound]

I occasionally comment but just wanted to see others opinions. Been churning for a long time and I used to have no trouble with decisions to close cards. However, since all the rules have been instituted (lifetime rules for Amex), marriott restrictions, 5/24, etc, I have analysis paralysis around closing cards because of hesitation around not being able to get them again. For example, between P2 and I we have 7 cards that provide a marriott free night certificate. I used those free night certificates for 2 weekend trips a year (football) and loved the value. The football team has now moved to a location where hyatts are the better choice. Part of me thinks I should just close all the cards but 3 (2 ritz carlton and 1 bonvoy business) but then I think "may use those in the post covid world."
Currently debating what to do with an amex gold that is up for renewal. I took a retention offer last year so I won't be eligible for another one until after the AF refund cancellation period. Current options are to: 1) Keep as is & pay the 250 fee 2) upgrade to amex platinum for 25k points and get the 200 airline credit, uber and saks credit for $550 annual fee, 3) downgrade to green card with 150 fee or 4) cancel
I am leaning towards cancelling as I have both the personal and business amex plat currently. Option 2 sounds good with the airline credit, uber and saks credit but I also have to do some fuzzy math to really justify another $550 fee card.
What would ya'll do?

 

[atxbound]

Some current cards (Between P2 and I)
2XHyatt
2xAspire
4xAmex biz plat
1xamex per. plat
1xamex bus. gold
1x amex personal gold
3XIHG
7x marriott brand card

 

[afan]

I occasionally comment but just wanted to see others opinions. Been churning for a long time and I used to have no trouble with decisions to close cards. However, since all the rules have been instituted (lifetime rules for Amex), marriott restrictions, 5/24, etc, I have analysis paralysis around closing cards because of hesitation around not being able to get them again. For example, between P2 and I we have 7 cards that provide a marriott free night certificate. I used those free night certificates for 2 weekend trips a year (football) and loved the value. The football team has now moved to a location where hyatts are the better choice. Part of me thinks I should just close all the cards but 3 (2 ritz carlton and 1 bonvoy business) but then I think "may use those in the post covid world."
Currently debating what to do with an amex gold that is up for renewal. I took a retention offer last year so I won't be eligible for another one until after the AF refund cancellation period. Current options are to: 1) Keep as is & pay the 250 fee 2) upgrade to amex platinum for 25k points and get the 200 airline credit, uber and saks credit for $550 annual fee, 3) downgrade to green card with 150 fee or 4) cancel
I am leaning towards cancelling as I have both the personal and business amex plat currently. Option 2 sounds good with the airline credit, uber and saks credit but I also have to do some fuzzy math to really justify another $550 fee card.
What would ya'll do?

No comment on the gold card, though if I don't get retention in a couple months when my af hits I'll be apping for an Aspire and then cancelling it. Worry I might trigger the pop up by cancelling since I've only had it a year, but I get 0 value from it aside from uber and grubhub and eating out credits aren't worth the AF.

For the Marriotts, if you can swing the af for now, maybe keep them or figure out where you'll be vacationing next year and can use them. I only have a hyatt fnc each year but I do find value in it. I don't have others yet since I don't currently have a need for it. We'll see what happens to the Aspire eventually But if you are able to get value from the cards I'd keep them, if they become too hard to use because where you are traveling they don't make sense, then there's no point in keeping them. I think about those cards sometimes for the Swan and Dolphin, but that's the only place I'd ever use anything since that's the only place they are even mildly on my radar.

 

[amcc]

Ok anyone who has read this book, when does it get good? I am now over halfway and it is clear I have not read it before and it has been torturous to get this far. I keep thinking it must get better later and it hasn’t happened yet. I keep reading reviews and there are many like me who thinks it’s a disjointed mess but so many more love it. I hate to give up but not sure I want to put more time into it.

You’re talking about Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

If you’re halfway through and you hate it, I don’t think you’ll decide you like it. Personally, I enjoyed it and I’ve read it twice, but I can see why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

I agree. If you don't like it by now, it probably won't get any better for you by the end. I loved it but not all books are for everyone and as I get older, I realize I don't want to waste my time on a book when there are so many other good ones out there waiting for me.

 

[WVMomof3]

It took me a while to get into it, but I was listening to the audiobook and really liked the reader. I came to realize it was more about Savannah itself than the people mentioned, and I thought it painted a really interesting picture of the place, but I can also understand why it's not for everyone.

Part 1 was just so random to me. Odd stories that didn’t seem to go together at all. I thought I knew the story was about a murder but you have to get halfway through the book before that even happens and those characters weren't even mentioned that much in the first half. I’m not sure if the second half somehow ties things together or not. My library loan expired today so I did not finish. I really tried to get through it but it was very boring to me, I kept falling asleep. I had 14 uninterrupted hours in the car last week and I still couldn’t finish. Does the book go into all 4 trials? Reading the actual back story seems like the book should be interesting. I put another hold on the book. I may try again in a few weeks. Almost all the negative reviews gave up on the book so I keep thinking I just need to finish it.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Usually that warning says don’t give any of that info if Citi calls you. In both of your instances you called Citi. The reason a security word exists is so you can give it to Citi when you call them. It’s also common for a cc company to need your account number so not sharing it with them when you call them doesn’t make sense.

Except I gave them all the info. I gave them the account number. Then they want my login. Then my security word. So pretty much I gave them all the access I have. The security word I refused the second time. How do I know the phone number in the email is not a scam? My mom got a scam email just like that last week. Chase shut her accounts and reissued cards.