I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

We have so many FNC about to expire. I need to figure out where to use these! I have 5 FNC w/ Marriott that expire at the end of Nov. I tried to use them to take my kids to Cancun but that fell through. My BF has off the 2nd half of Sept, but I only can travel 9/20-24. We're trying to figure out a good place to use some of the FNCs. Cancun might be an option. We're trying to look at where we might be able to snag D1 to Europe, LOL. I'm trying to figure out if there's some other great redemptions I'm not thinking of for the 50k FNC. I might use the leftovers to do a quickie trip to DC w/ my son. We'll see. I guess worst case I could used them for my 4 nights in San Diego in October. I have a room booked at the Hilton employee price, but free is better than cheap, if I'm going to just lose them, LOL.

 

[platamama]

The only issue I've had with Mastercards is when I'm running them as debit. I can pay my Target card and Lowe's card at the desk with prepaid Visa using debit, but Mastercard doesn't work. Assuming your county is running as credit, not debit (which, with the AmEx in there seems likely) I wouldn't forsee any issues. I would probably only get one as a test just to be sure, but I'm inherently risk averse.

I paid my Redcard bill last week with running a MC (Pathward) as a debit successfully. But I change the PIN online first before going to the counter to make payment. Have you tried that?

 

[eticketplease]

I can pay my Target card and Lowe's card at the desk with prepaid Visa using debit, but Mastercard doesn't work.

I had heard that you could do this but I have never attempted to do so.

This means you are getting 10% off then right? 5% off with Lowes or Red card plus using a card from Staples/OD using the ink cash?

Does the Lowes CC apply the 5% to Disney Gift cards?

 

[VGCgroupie]

40K referral now pending for the CIP. Amazing! Was a great deal!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

40K now pending for the CIP. Amazing! Was a great deal!

Just checked my account also have 40k pending from DHs 8/30 application…that was fast

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I paid my Redcard bill last week with running a MC (Pathward) as a debit successfully. But I change the PIN online first before going to the counter to make payment. Have you tried that?

Yes, I always set the pin and register online first. Maybe I just had back luck, but since the Visa always work and they come up every 4 weeks at Staples, I just go that route.

I had heard that you could do this but I have never attempted to do so.

This means you are getting 10% off then right? 5% off with Lowes or Red card plus using a card from Staples/OD using the ink cash?

Does the Lowes CC apply the 5% to Disney Gift cards?

It's to technically 9.5% or something like that since you're getting 5% on the 95% when you pay the card. But, nearly 10%.

I've never tried to do the Lowes with gift cards. I do Target when we have a circle bonus that'll apply, so it's better than just 10% there. Between mine and Hubby's target circle accounts, we end up with a lot of bonuses available there.

Lowes has been for actual home renovation projects that we've had going on the past year or so.

 

[StephPlum]

Can someone please remind me if there's a reason to avoid prepaid Mastercards? When I used to convert to money orders, I thought only the Visas worked (not even sure if that's right). Anyway, I now use prepaid cards for taxes (personal property and property) and my water bill. The county's system takes Visa, MC, and Amex. So prepaid Mastercards should work, right?

I use both MCGC and VGC to pay my prop tax, just whatever I have at the time. I never register mine. I might be missing something on that but knock on wood no problems yet.

 

[elgerber]

Just checked my account also have 40k pending from DHs 8/30 application…that was fast

mine was pending this morning from p2's app at the end of August

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I just wrapped up a night at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare using a FNC. I arrived yesterday morning and took the free shuttle to the hotel. I wasn’t expecting early check-in since I got there around 10:30, but they gave me a key to my room and also a free upgrade to a king room in the Executive Tower. Room was newly renovated (though strangely they left the shower/tub combo in place instead of putting in a stand-alone shower) and very quiet. So quiet I wasn’t sure if anyone else was staying on my floor. Bed comfy, shower pressure good, friendly staff, 6 min walk to the blue line (35-40 mins downtown), efficient shuttle service. If I had an early morning flight out of O’Hare and an expiring FNC (this one would’ve expired on October 4th) I’d definitely stay here again.

Heading to Japan in first (booked using Avios) at noon. Excited to be trying the MUJI Hotel in Ginza, but wishing that I had used Hyatt points to stay at the Centric in Ginza (I am a bit flush with Hyatt points currently)

Two nights in Tokyo and I’m off to Bali (Singapore Air first, booked by transferring URs to Singapore Air) via Singapore (55 min layover). Since I’m arriving around 7pm I booked the Novotel at the airport for 1 night before heading to Ubud. In Ubud I used points from a Cdn cc to book 5 nights at Komaneka at Bisma (walkable to town). Then off to the Umana LXR in Ugasan for 5 nights booked using 5 nights with HH points and 1 FNC. From there off to Seminyak where I’ll be staying 4 nights at the Legian which I booked using AmEx FHR to get 5X points, free breakfast and $100 f&b credit.

Leaving Bali on Singapore Air biz class (booked using AP points). Six nights at the Conrad where I’ll use the spend $750 get $150 credit on my AmEx plat. Booked using a stay 4 pay for 3 promo and got the room for under $275 / night. I had a stay booked at the Kempinski booked through Luxury Escapes but they graciously let me cancel my stay. Staying at the Conrad will save me quite a bit of $$$, plus I’m hoping for an upgrade from the basic room I booked to something nicer now that I’m a HH diamond again (thanks to the Aspire).

From Singapore I’m flying SA biz class to Taipei, where I have a 7 hour layover. Then home on EVA air biz class booked using AP points with a Priorirty Reward from dh’s account (which gave me half off the mileage cost). I’ve read very good things about Eva Air biz class so I’m hoping for a good flight.

This trip will net me 3 new pairs of pajamas; I doubt I’ll keep the ones from SA and JA (I find both to be too thick), I plan on keeping the EVA jammies because they are designed by Jason Wu and are supposed to be really nice (EVA gives them out in biz class). My all-time fav pajamas are Emirates — I wear the pants as lounge wear all the time.

Excited for this trip — I booked the Japan Air flight in late September, 2023.

In Ubud I have the following booked: bike tour of Tagalalang rice paddies, cooking class, full day tour with private driver — not going to Lampuyang Gate because departure time from hotel was 4am for a 3 hour drive — can’t get excited about that for 3 poses in front of the gates (that’s all that they allow). I plan on taking a few yoga classes, whether free or at the hotel or a local place. And of course foot massages daily lol. The driver that I booked for transfers plus the day trip (recommended on FT) kept trying to get me to do things in “his village” and offered me several times to eat dinner with his family. I’m not sure if this is customary, but I have no interest in either visiting his village or dining with his family, esp as a solo female traveler. I have politely declined no less than 4 times and if he asks again I’m not sure how polite I can be.

A HUGE thank you to this community, without whom this travel would NEVER be possible. And also a big thank you to @CaliforniaGirl (I think) who recommended Patagonia capilene shirts — I have 2 s/s t-shirts and they come with me on every.single.trip that I take. The 2 l/s sleeve ones accompany me on trips to colder climates. I’m looking for capilene tanks to round out the wardrobe but haven’t found any.

Oh my, that sounds like quite the trip!! I couldn't keep count of how many nights that is total? Love when you give us updates as you move along...

I don't like that Ubud private driver being so persistent about his village. Likely he wants to take you to vendors he gets a kickback from. I get that is common. But that fact that he is not respecting your "no" has me hesitant.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I try to follow along but most of the time I am lost, I’m the worst when it comes to all this. I am constantly referring to page one and the acronyms to help me. However, I do not see OBC or FNC on the list. A little help for a newb please?

At first I casually chased sign up bonuses for a few years, but I remember when I started really following this board, the acronyms had me so confused. I spent a lot of time on page one as well!! It does come with time, I promise. And everyone here is so kind with questions- you'll never see cranky "do a search" type responses. Keep asking questions, even if you think it might seem obvious, we all remember our early days.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

r/churning was entertaining today

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Oh my, that sounds like quite the trip!! I couldn't keep count of how many nights that is total? Love when you give us updates as you move along...

I don't like that Ubud private driver being so persistent about his village. Likely he wants to take you to vendors he gets a kickback from. I get that is common. But that fact that he is not respecting your "no" has me hesitant.

It started with an ATV tour. I was thinking of doing one, but wanted to read reviews and check out how safe the company was before committing. When I asked the name of the one he said he was taking me to, he said “it’s in my village” and never gave me the name. If I can’t read reviews then it’s a hard pass for me. When I told him that I didn’t need him to drive me to the Sacred Monkey Forest because I can walk from my hotel, he said that his village has a much better one. That’s when I said no to everything else that he was suggesting because I was sensing a lot of kickbacks with little to no regard to my safety or what I wanted to do. That and I have no interest in eating with his family. So now I’m just doing hotel drop-offs and the full day tour with him. I didn’t ask him about a cooking class or bike tours, but I bet his village has them lol.

For anyone interested in how the MUJI Hotel is, I LOVE it. Fantastic location, gorgeous and extremely quiet room, a nice spread set up from 4-8 of snack foods and drinks in the lobby (you have to show your room key to gain access), lovely staff, great breakfast. I’d definitely stay here again. I searched for it on the Chase portal, alas I couldn’t find it.

Man oh man is it hot here. As much as I love Tokyo I prefer the weather in winter to the unrelenting heat of summer. I’m pretty sure I would’ve melted at Disney if I had attempted it today. I know that Bali will be just as hot, but I won’t be doing as much moving around (21k steps today).

Transit here is extremely efficient and easy to use. I took the monorail and subway to the MUJI Hotel yesterday and used it all day today. So far it has cost me around $14.00. I will take the subway / monorail to the airport bright and early tomorrow morning.

Japan Air first class was really nice. As expected I didn’t keep the pajamas (though I did keep the bag they came in). They are too thick and I already have a pair at home. The amenity kit was a disappointment, didn’t keep that either. They did give out a Cle de Peau box that contained a very nice face mask (I used it on the plane) and 2 small pouches of cream and serum, both of which I kept. For lunch I had the Japanese set menu and the food was excellent. The seat across the aisle from me was empty and the FA offered to set it up as my bed, which I agreed to. But of course I could.not.sleep. I tried for 2.5 hours without success so returned to my seat and finished the show on Netflix that I’m watching, then watched a movie. I munched on chicken skewers (not great), a lobster roll (decent for plane prep) and something else that I can’t remember, which was good. At some point before we landed I was able to doze off (sitting up lol) for 1.5 hours.

We landed right on time; since I did my customs form online before I left all I had was scan the QR code at immigration. At customs I had to go to a machine and scan my passport and the QR code again before exiting using the “electronic” line (which was longer than the other line).

I already have my Visitor Visa for Bali and have completed my Monkey Pox form (this seems odd to me), so hopefully I’ll be through immigration and customs quickly.

TripIt says my trip is 28 days but at least 2 of those days are on plane.

 

[eticketplease]

?? about Chase Personal vs Business cards.

This never occurred to me before as I always pay the bill on the due date but when I logged in this morning my personal card's statement had closed and it was showing the new balance due for the next month.

The business card that has the same due date was showing $0 due for last month and the statement had not posted.

I went and dug through mine and P2's accounts and seems like the business cards have to be paid a week before the statement close date but for the majority of the personal cards they only have to be paid 4 days before the statement ends. We have a few exceptions on the personal cards for those that close on the 1-3rd of the month but generally it is 4 days on the personal cards.

Curious if this is the normal behavior for others.

 

[havaneselover]

What are everyone's thoughts on flying premium economy Dulles to London but standard economy home? I honestly am okay with regular economy but the flight to London is overnight so it seems well worth it to upgrade. On the way home the flight leaves at 5 PM London time (so maybe I'd get a few hours sleep before we land at Dulles). Do you think once we fly Premium there we'll dread flying regular home? I'm about two weeks out from being able to book (Virgin Atlantic).

 

[eticketplease]

What are everyone's thoughts on flying premium economy Dulles to London but standard economy home? I honestly am okay with regular economy but the flight to London is overnight so it seems well worth it to upgrade. On the way home the flight leaves at 5 PM London time (so maybe I'd get a few hours sleep before we land at Dulles). Do you think once we fly Premium there we'll dread flying regular home? I'm about two weeks out from being able to book (Virgin Atlantic).

I would want to be as relaxed and rested going overseas. This would allow you to start enjoying your destination easier imo.

On the way back I wouldn't be as worried about it as you would have plenty of time to get adjusted.

If you don't have the points for both I think what you have is a solid plan.

 

[Limes96]

Just had P2’s 40k UR support bonus post yesterday directly to his UR account (it didn’t go pending first) and it was labeled “adjustment”. This was for my CIU app on JULY 1. This was a welcome surprise since I had pretty much given up on getting it. They added it to his CIC card though and the support was actually through his CIU. So they put it on a different card than what we used.

 

[leeniewdw]

What are everyone's thoughts on flying premium economy Dulles to London but standard economy home? I honestly am okay with regular economy but the flight to London is overnight so it seems well worth it to upgrade. On the way home the flight leaves at 5 PM London time (so maybe I'd get a few hours sleep before we land at Dulles). Do you think once we fly Premium there we'll dread flying regular home? I'm about two weeks out from being able to book (Virgin Atlantic).

I am in no way as experienced as most here, but we've done Biz to Ireland (from BOS) twice and returned in economy. It was fine. With the day time flights, we weren't so concerned about sleeping (and figured it would help re-adjust once we were home if we didn't sleep).

Once we got aisle seats on the same row (across the aisle from each other) and the other time we paid a little to get the bulkhead seats with lots of leg room (turned out to be unnecessary because the plane was pretty empty LHR-RDU).

As of now, we're doing Premium Economy from RDU-CDG (economy from CDG to MUC) next year and Economy home GVA-CDG-RDU.

 

[pzw90]

r/churning was entertaining today

Any thread in particular?

 

[afan]

r/churning was entertaining today

Ooh why? I was too busy getting caught up with work and dealing with the new puppy and making sure Tux still knows he's number 1.

 

[reliev]

So I called T-Mobile and was told that with our plan we get 5 Gigs of data at slow speeds. The upgrade of faster data and 10 Gigs for $35 isn't worth it since we can get an e-sim for $14 that would do the same. So we'll just do the e-sim

yeah, i jumped ship from Tmobile to google fi the speeds were great there I was getting 5g everywhere.