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

[georgina]

I have Citi double cash back and pay it off each month. It doesn't look like it gives me the 1% cash back on the full amount that I've paid. I cannot make sense of it, even after reading the fine print. The fine print does say that I can call to ask for reinstatement when I have paid (like I said, I pay it off each month). Do I seriously need to call them every month to ask them to apply the other 1%? Because I'll just close the account instead.

I HATE the Citi DC rewards process (same as the AmEx BCE/BCP cash back) because it lags. The other 1% will show up eventually, not if you pay it off early, but by the time the next month statement closes. Somewhere on the website it will show you what is crediting next month. I only use it occasionally for large purchases that do not count as travel.

 

[becauseimnew]

Finally getting some me time after a busy week, we hosted a conference at the Hyatt Regency. I was booked in a suite on the 12 floor, I was the chair for the host committee. When I checked in, I was upgraded due to my Globalist status.


it was a huge king suite with 2 full baths, 2 sitting areas, 3 TVs, a dining table and a grand piano. I called it my sweet suite.

 

[calypso726]

I was just coming here to point out what I think is the biggest change - NO MORE AWARD NIGHT CATEGORIES. It's going all dynamic pricing after March 2022. It's not exactly tied to the nightly price like say a Southwest flight is, but it'll be a range like Hilton does now.

This is bad news for some high priced, low category redemptions. On the other hand, perhaps the Swolphin will make more sense now in some seasons.

Anyone with Marriott plans for next year should start planning strategy now. If you think it'll go up, try to lock in now. But keep in mind points advances don't lock in a rate and are only good short term now. And don't go crazy with speculative points transfers unless you were planning to do it anyway. Would suck to have a bunch of UR stuck as Bonblah points. However, good to have a plan, backup plan, and an alternative given that we have no idea how good or bad this may shape up.

Yup, the removal of award categories and switch to dynamic pricing has me pretty aggravated. I can see the current peak price of the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa going from 100k per night to something like 250-400K per night This throws a monkey wrench into some of my plans.

 

[platamama]

I have Citi double cash back and pay it off each month. It doesn't look like it gives me the 1% cash back on the full amount that I've paid. I cannot make sense of it, even after reading the fine print. The fine print does say that I can call to ask for reinstatement when I have paid (like I said, I pay it off each month). Do I seriously need to call them every month to ask them to apply the other 1%? Because I'll just close the account instead.

It is 1% on purchases and 1% on payments, and the 2nd 1% posts on the statement date following your payment. If you really want the full 2% to post by statement close date, then pay your bill as you go along and basically finish with a $0 statement balance on the closing date. If you don't like the card, perhaps you can call to have it PC'd to another Citi product.

 

[gottalovepluto]

So, just put the money and park it? No trades or any other brokerage-y stuff required?

Yep! Make sure to say no to margin as that can trigger a hard pull.

 

[mmmears]

https://www.disaadvantagestatus.com/

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[EACarlson]

I have Citi double cash back and pay it off each month. It doesn't look like it gives me the 1% cash back on the full amount that I've paid. I cannot make sense of it, even after reading the fine print. The fine print does say that I can call to ask for reinstatement when I have paid (like I said, I pay it off each month). Do I seriously need to call them every month to ask them to apply the other 1%? Because I'll just close the account instead.

On your statement there should be a box labeled Cash Rewards Summary on the right side. That should tell you exactly how much was earned during the month. It should be 1% of your payments and 1% of your new charges.

 

[Judique]

There's an Ebay $5 off $15 offer on all my Amex cards today for those that buy from Ebay.

 

[Happy_2_B]

There's an Ebay $5 off $15 offer on all my Amex cards today for those that buy from Ebay.

Thanks for the heads up- loaded it to my card and DW's as well

 

[wdwcindy]

If I PCd a CSR to a Flex and was approved for a CSP, can I PC the Flex back to a CSR?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Some Marriott changes. I think this one is interesting.
Plus, coming in early 2022, if you have a Free Night Award certificate, you can combine it with up to 15,000 points from your account (or that you’ve purchased) to access even more hotel and resort stay options.

Though this might negate good?

Our current redemption process with hotel categories will remain in place through February 2022. After that, you won’t see hotel categories (1–8) or redemption rates classified as Off-Peak, Peak, or Standard.

Of course it will negate any good. The only reason Marriott is doing this is because their certificates are about to become utterly useless with the amount of inflation they’re gonna unleash on their program.

I say we have about 1 year where we’ll be able to add like 15k to a 50k cert to get a night at say wherever Swolphin’s dynamic+inflated new rates come out at but by the next year forget it.

 

[becauseimnew]

Of course it will negate any good. The only reason Marriott is doing this is because their certificates are about to become utterly useless with the amount of inflation they’re gonna unleash on their program.

I say we have about 1 year where we’ll be able to add like 15k to a 50k cert to get a night at say wherever Swolphin’s dynamic+inflated new rates come out at but by the next year forget it.

I’m glad Hyatt is expanding. We’ll use the last of our certificates and cancel all 3 of our Marriott cards when the fee post.

 

[snugglebug]

Had to move over to my second laptop, but approved for Amex Biz Plat at 150K for $15K spend.

I tried all my regular browsers on my main machine and could only get 120, even clearing everything.

 

[wanderlust7]

If I PCd a CSR to a Flex and was approved for a CSP, can I PC the Flex back to a CSR?

Probably? There was talk on reddit that Chase is now only allowing 1 PC a year, but @platamama was able to do it recently. So not sure if it's YMMV or just an unfounded rumor. If you PC'd within 30 days, they allow an undo, so that should be no issue.

If you try it, please report back.

 

[Arcades]

Yup, the removal of award categories and switch to dynamic pricing has me pretty aggravated. I can see the current peak price of the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa going from 100k per night to something like 250-400K per night This throws a monkey wrench into some of my plans.

I absolutely hate the change. I got into the hobby to pay for my college football trips. Prices skyrocket the weekend of a big game. I was thinking about hanging on to my Bonvoy Brilliant card for a year to get the 25k points and 50k FNC, but now it hardly seems worth it. Thank god there's Hyatt (and several category 2 Hyatt Places in big college towns).

 

[Judique]

Of course it will negate any good. The only reason Marriott is doing this is because their certificates are about to become utterly useless with the amount of inflation they’re gonna unleash on their program.

I say we have about 1 year where we’ll be able to add like 15k to a 50k cert to get a night at say wherever Swolphin’s dynamic+inflated new rates come out at but by the next year forget it.

I can't 'like' this because I agree with it.

In my case last year they pushed the 35K spots to 50K points and the 50K up to 60K. Meaning in 2020, my Marriott FNC's got me 1 night at the beach because I booked before they did all the switching. Before the 50K jump they were doing 40K.

So now, the original 50K is 70K and out of reach of the 50 plus 15. And the 'new' 50K's that went to 60, well, who knows until we see some available nights, when the 15K kicks in?

 

[sinnika]

Update on my SW card. I still have not received it and I wanted to get it before I leave for Germany on Sunday. Called chase customer service and was able to get it expedited. She said it had been long enough for the card in the system and it would just mean I’ll have a duplicate card. My closing date is November 21 and due date is December 18. The rep asked if I wanted to change my closing date. Wasn’t sure if that would be advantageous or not. What do y’all think? Planning to earn the CP in early 2022 and 2023. Thanks for any input.

 

[iujen94]

In case this hasn’t been posted already:
10% off virtual Visa GCs at giftcards.com with code TRICKORTREAT. Max discount $75. More details here: https://frequentmiler.com/giftcards-com-save-10-on-virtual-visa-gift-cards-with-code-trickortreat/

(Plus 1% back at Rakuten)

Has anyone tried to buy today? I'm getting a message that "this promotion is not currently active," even though it's supposed to run until October 31.

 

[snugglebug]

I think @Arcades makes good points about the Biz Plat. I'll add some more. It's even better if you open one, refer P2 to an Amex card of your choice (I got a $0 AF biz card for P2) using the current support offer of 15K MR plus 4xMR on all spending up to $25K spend (exp. 12/1/21). That way, you'll be stacking MRs on top of your SUB. And there's also a current offer to add employee cards (green ones are free) and get 20K MR for $4K spend per employee card up to 100K MR total. If you have five employee cards to max out that offer, you could rake in MRs.

In my case I got a 150K MR/$15K MSR SUB targeted offer. P2 got an Amex card using my link, so that I could get the additional 4xMR. P2 has an employee card from my Biz Plat. So on that employee card, I'm getting 20xMR per dollar on the first $4K spend: 10x from SUB + 1x regular earning + 4x supportal + 5x employee card.

You get automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold by holding the Biz Plat (just make sure to enroll).

You could pick Southwest as the airline for the $200 airline credit. When you use MRs to book flights with the Biz Plat, then you would get 35% points rebate on your chosen airline. Additionally, First or Business class fares on any airline also qualify for the 35% points rebate.

If you'd rather have the SW CP, then the new offers look great too.

When I get the employee card for the Biz Plat, those purchases will count toward MSR, correct? Just double checking as I'm laying out my spend and app'ing. So I have the Biz Plat, used my link to get P2 a $0 AF biz card, next is the employee card. Is there a minimum age for employee card?

 

[wanderlust7]

Update on my SW card. I still have not received it and I wanted to get it before I leave for Germany on Sunday. Called chase customer service and was able to get it expedited. She said it had been long enough for the card in the system and it would just mean I’ll have a duplicate card. My closing date is November 21 and due date is December 18. The rep asked if I wanted to change my closing date. Wasn’t sure if that would be advantageous or not. What do y’all think? Planning to earn the CP in early 2022 and 2023. Thanks for any input.

That does seem like it would be advantageous. If you leave it as is, your second statement would be around December 21, so you can't meet MSR until the third statement for a 2022/2023 CP.

The first tier of the personal SW MSR is only $2000. So be very careful you don't meet it until the statement that closes in January.

ETA: Adding @SouthFayetteFan 's fireside chat on Dischurners with what can go wrong.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/comments/oexcz7/_/h48wtgb