I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[ambgoph]

I am panicking a little bit, maybe you all can help me.

I signed up for the AMEX gold when it was 90,000 and 20% off dining. How does that 20% back show up? I am in my account and realizing I do not see that anywhere. Which was a big reason I got the card. I see a similar data point on DoC and it did not go well for them. Is it usually really obvious or is it trickier to see?

Under Transactions, the 20% shows as a credit, usually a few days after the restaurant charge posts.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

AHHHHHH! I was NOT thinking about the fact I no longer have my CSR as I've been working on planning a trip to Ireland and taking advantage of the 30% transfer bonus. The bonus ends in 7/31. And I'd like to book my tickets ASAP. I was planning on doing it tomorrow. UGH.

WWYD? I have (in the UR family) the CIC (2 actually), CIU, CF (the OG), CFF (from downgrading my CSR). I'm sitting on 4/24 and have been planning on doing the MDD at some point this summer/fall. I was looking to jump on the Delta Plat Biz Amex offer before I did that though. Now I'm thinking I need to do the MDD now, and miss on the elevated Amex offer, no way I can meet all those spends!

Is it possible to upgrade one of my CICs back to a CIP (one was a CIP first)? That would allow me to transfer to BA. Or is my only option the CSP/CSR? If I apply for the CIP again, I don't HAVE to meet the SUB, right?

WWYD knowing you need to transfer these URs ASAP to Avios? I know I can combine my UR accts between biz and personal.

AHHHHHHHHH! I can't believe I missed this component!!!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Can anyone confirm that I can use a Global Entry credit for someone besides myself? I already have it, but I might as well get it for my kids while I have a few cards that will reimburse the application fee.

 

[afan]

AHHHHHH! I was NOT thinking about the fact I no longer have my CSR as I've been working on planning a trip to Ireland and taking advantage of the 30% transfer bonus. The bonus ends in 7/31. And I'd like to book my tickets ASAP. I was planning on doing it tomorrow. UGH.

WWYD? I have (in the UR family) the CIC (2 actually), CIU, CF (the OG), CFF (from downgrading my CSR). I'm sitting on 4/24 and have been planning on doing the MDD at some point this summer/fall. I was looking to jump on the Delta Plat Biz Amex offer before I did that though. Now I'm thinking I need to do the MDD now, and miss on the elevated Amex offer, no way I can meet all those spends!

Is it possible to upgrade one of my CICs back to a CIP (one was a CIP first)? That would allow me to transfer to BA. Or is my only option the CSP/CSR? If I apply for the CIP again, I don't HAVE to meet the SUB, right?

WWYD knowing you need to transfer these URs ASAP to Avios? I know I can combine my UR accts between biz and personal.

AHHHHHHHHH! I can't believe I missed this component!!!

Just pc something back to one that can transfer and call and do it now. You don't have to keep it as whichever for a year if you don't want to. I mean some on r/churning would tell you to pc to csr, use the travel credit and then pc it back 4 days before you do the mdd. But it all depends on your risk.

Either way do it now so you can transfer once it changes in the app to the new card.

 

[Alexle2007]

Can anyone confirm that I can use a Global Entry credit for someone besides myself? I already have it, but I might as well get it for my kids while I have a few cards that will reimburse the application fee.

Absolutely. You can use the credit for anyone.

 

[punkin]

Can anyone confirm that I can use a Global Entry credit for someone besides myself? I already have it, but I might as well get it for my kids while I have a few cards that will reimburse the application fee.

Yes. I've used it for everyone in my family

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Yes. I've used it for everyone in my family

How many cards with that benefit do you carry? Don't they all only cover one fee every four years?

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Just pc something back to one that can transfer and call and do it now. You don't have to keep it as whichever for a year if you don't want to. I mean some on r/churning would tell you to pc to csr, use the travel credit and then pc it back 4 days before you do the mdd. But it all depends on your risk.

Either way do it now so you can transfer once it changes in the app to the new card.

Can you upgrade business cards? So could I bump a CIC back to a CIP? Since that will let me transfer.
If I did the CSR, I have to pay the $550 right? But I could use the $300 TC and then transfer back to a CFF (I wouldn't use the TC until mid-August). And I'm assuming all this fun will cost me then $250, LOL. So it would probably be better to do a CSP since that's $95 (and would give me coverage for my rental car in August, LOL).

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

How many cards with that benefit do you carry? Don't they all only cover one fee every four years?

I've used it for myself and one for my BF. I have a credit waiting for my DD and one shortly coming for my DS too, LOL.

ETA: Actually I used my CSR orginally for myself to get TSA Precheck. Then after 4 years used it for my BF to get GE. I used my IHG Premier to get myself GE (I didn't have a passport till last year, LOL). And now have another IHG premier credit (I churned the card) to use for my DD

 

[Alexle2007]

Can you upgrade business cards? So could I bump a CIC back to a CIP? Since that will let me transfer.
If I did the CSR, I have to pay the $550 right? But I could use the $300 TC and then transfer back to a CFF (I wouldn't use the TC until mid-August). And I'm assuming all this fun will cost me then $250, LOL. So it would probably be better to do a CSP since that's $95 (and would give me coverage for my rental car in August, LOL).

Yes, CIC and CIU can be upgraded without any problem. Just call Chase and ask them to product change it.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I've used it for myself and one for my BF. I have a credit waiting for my DD and one shortly coming for my DS too, LOL.

ETA: Actually I used my CSR orginally for myself to get TSA Precheck. Then after 4 years used it for my BF to get GE. I used my IHG Premier to get myself GE (I didn't have a passport till last year, LOL). And now have another IHG premier credit (I churned the card) to use for my DD

You and your USCBP agent must be on a first name basis! You gotta sync up those interviews!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Yes, CIC and CIU can be upgraded without any problem. Just call Chase and ask them to product change it.

I totally just called and upgraded one of my CICs (the OG CIP card) back to a CIP. Saved me from doing the MDD, or messing w/ all that mess of having a CSP or CSR and downgrading, etc. I think it was the "easiest" fix for $95. And it gives me rental car coverage since technically I am doing my daughter's senior pictures in NC while we are there, LOL. And it's my photography biz listed on the car

You and your USCBP agent must be on a first name basis! You gotta sync up those interviews!

Ha! I actually went to 2 different places and did them about 3 years apart. I'm going to try like hell to schedule my kids the same day.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Kudos to whoever tipped me off on the US Bank Altitude Connect card. $500 sub, waived AF for the first year, and Global Entry reimbursement on an otherwise-$95 card is crazy good. I won't get any value out of the card beyond the first year, but it's a heck of a good first year.

 

[afan]

Can you upgrade business cards? So could I bump a CIC back to a CIP? Since that will let me transfer.
If I did the CSR, I have to pay the $550 right? But I could use the $300 TC and then transfer back to a CFF (I wouldn't use the TC until mid-August). And I'm assuming all this fun will cost me then $250, LOL. So it would probably be better to do a CSP since that's $95 (and would give me coverage for my rental car in August, LOL).

It normally takes like 4 mos for the af to post so technically you could use the credit and then pc before the af hits. It again depends on your risk tolerance.

Also easier to do what you did with the biz cards.

 

[punkin]

How many cards with that benefit do you carry? Don't they all only cover one fee every four years?

I have a LOT of cards between me and DH. Lol

 

[mmmears]

Has anyone bought trip insurance recently and have recommendations? I'm not even sure what I need. I've never bought it before but with covid and the crazy flight issues lately, I'm considering it. I booked flights for 2 to Rome on points. Paid for hotels through prepaid amex to get the platinum credit. I will need train tickets to and from Florence. I will probably book some tours as well. What do I need? Do I need health insurance as well?

It depends on what you want. I always get medical + evacuation when we go overseas. You can't insure the points spend, but you can insure the rest of the trip in the event you need to cancel or can't go. I opt for "cancel for any reason" because I don't want to fight with them about whether or not my reason qualifies, but that adds on a cost you might not want to have. For a simple air on points + hotel (with a 1-2 cancellation policy on the hotel) booking I've just done medical. I don't mind losing the cost of a night or two if we had to cancel. For a cruise (so no way to really get money back after PIF date) I insure the entire trip.

 

[djmeredith]

I'm kinda shocked a pilot wife doesn't just pass her bigger stuff to her husband. I make my BF take all my bigger liquids and wine, LOL. Most I know make their pilot carry the stuff and go through the KCM check vs TSA. I'm just proud I'm getting able to pack a carry-on only for trips with him. He loves to joke I'm the only person who would check a bag for 2 days. And I so would and have, LOL.

I think she travels without him frequently, and I get the sense they both like to travel minimally with just what they actually need.

Also, can anyone recommend foundation which has a little more coverage, but is good for sensitive skin? It can't have any of those anti-aging chemicals, etc. I was previously wearing just a tinted moisturizer, but my new facial scar is much larger than I had anticipated, though I know it will improve with time.

Maybe try Chanel Velvet. I don't think it has any anti-aging chemicals, but not sure.

I am panicking a little bit, maybe you all can help me.

I signed up for the AMEX gold when it was 90,000 and 20% off dining. How does that 20% back show up? I am in my account and realizing I do not see that anywhere. Which was a big reason I got the card. I see a similar data point on DoC and it did not go well for them. Is it usually really obvious or is it trickier to see?

I got mine during that promotion as well. My dining credits started showing up immediately. They posted it as a credit a couple of days after the purchase.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

A reminder the SW schedule opened through 3/8 this morning. Kind of a bummer of a schedule extension- doesn't even make it to our spring break, or within 14 days of it, if you are into that hack

Same here. DS's spring break is always last week of March. Trying to look at Costa Rica flights and seeing crappy schedule, I preemptively booked a return flights with AA because it was a great time and I had enough miles to cover all 3 of us.

Also, on the subject of eyeglasses, my son, 9, has been complaining of poor vision with distances and failed his screening at the pediatrician's office, so we have a pediatric opthomologist appointment. If he is in need of glasses, any advice for kids of this age? I've never purchased a pair of eyeglasses, ever.

Agree with what everyone else says but also adding to look for spring temples and plastic frames. Companies like Nike make kids glasses and they are pretty durable. If he plays sports, think about sports glasses/goggles as they are safer and stay on. I get the prescription from the optho and order the sports glasses online. (There's always offers on AMEX for discounts) When DS first had glasses, I bought his initial ones from the optometrist at the optho office (they share space). After I knew they were ok, I now get the script and take it to Pearle.

 

[punkin]

It depends on what you want. I always get medical + evacuation when we go overseas. You can't insure the points spend, but you can insure the rest of the trip in the event you need to cancel or can't go. I opt for "cancel for any reason" because I don't want to fight with them about whether or not my reason qualifies, but that adds on a cost you might not want to have. For a simple air on points + hotel (with a 1-2 cancellation policy on the hotel) booking I've just done medical. I don't mind losing the cost of a night or two if we had to cancel. For a cruise (so no way to really get money back after PIF date) I insure the entire trip.

Thank you. The hotels are cancelable until 2 days prior so I'm not so worried about that. I'm more worried about trip interruption and getting stuck somewhere.
I'm thinking medical and evacuation as well.
Do you have a company to recommend?

 

[StephPlum]

Can anyone confirm that I can use a Global Entry credit for someone besides myself? I already have it, but I might as well get it for my kids while I have a few cards that will reimburse the application fee.

Yep! I have enough cards with benefits I did this for DH, DS, and DD. One credit every 4 years. I’m planning out renewals now.