I love credit cards so much! v7.0 - 2025 (see first page for add'l details)

[mmmears]

If we only had time for one.... would you visit the Griffin Science and Industry museum, or Field museum? For context, we have been to Chicago before (love it!), and we will likely be back again. This is just a quick weekend trip, we have some other things on the agenda, and only time for one museum this trip. We have been to the Museum of Natural History in NYC so many times when we lived there, also been to the Smithsonian Natural History museum in DC. We've also done the Air and Space in DC. The Field museum to me seems like another natural history museum, right? Whereas the Science and Industry seems more like an Air and Space type feel, obviously not just focused on space stuff but with more sciency and tech exhibits. We're leaning towards Science and Industry museum, just because Field museum seems a bit redundant (dinosaurs), but would love input from those who have been!

I've been to both. They are really different from one another. We were able to walk to the Field Museum which was nice. It is similar to the Natural History Museum in NYC so if you want something different I'd go to the S&I Museum. We visited that one about 10 years ago, so my memories about it aren't as clear, but I remember enjoying it a lot. We were staying with friends in Hyde Park, so it was nearby which made it nice. Honestly I think they are both great and I'd go with whichever sounds more fun for this trip.

Have you been to the Planetarium? I'm going back to Chicago and I'm wondering if it's wroth a visit there.

 

[VGCgroupie]

After something like 6-7 years playing this game, both DH and I seem to have finally landed in pop-up prison. Any advice? We both canceled a card in the last month or two. Neither of us seem to be able to get the Surpass on a referral from the other. Is it worth trying without the referral link? Or do we just need to wait this out?

I have been reading along here for years, so I know that most people suggest putting spend on our Amex cards. I try to spend on each one every month, but sometimes one or another will fall through the cracks? Does that matter more than the total amount on monthly spend we put on AMEX (DH puts a LOT on his, I put roughly $300-$1000 on mine every month?

Any help or advice would be truly appreciated.

This wont help if you are looking to get a specific Amex card but my P2 applied for an Amex Plat Business and got pop up. Immediately applied for Delta Gold Personal and no pop up.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

If we only had time for one.... would you visit the Griffin Science and Industry museum, or Field museum? For context, we have been to Chicago before (love it!), and we will likely be back again. This is just a quick weekend trip, we have some other things on the agenda, and only time for one museum this trip. We have been to the Museum of Natural History in NYC so many times when we lived there, also been to the Smithsonian Natural History museum in DC. We've also done the Air and Space in DC. The Field museum to me seems like another natural history museum, right? Whereas the Science and Industry seems more like an Air and Space type feel, obviously not just focused on space stuff but with more sciency and tech exhibits. We're leaning towards Science and Industry museum, just because Field museum seems a bit redundant (dinosaurs), but would love input from those who have been!

The S&I industry in Chicago is amazing -- that would get my vote. I've been a few times, most recently in 2021 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd go back again and again.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I've been to both. They are really different from one another. We were able to walk to the Field Museum which was nice. It is similar to the Natural History Museum in NYC so if you want something different I'd go to the S&I Museum. We visited that one about 10 years ago, so my memories about it aren't as clear, but I remember enjoying it a lot. We were staying with friends in Hyde Park, so it was nearby which made it nice. Honestly I think they are both great and I'd go with whichever sounds more fun for this trip.

Have you been to the Planetarium? I'm going back to Chicago and I'm wondering if it's wroth a visit there.

Thanks! I think we’ll go with S&I Museum this time then. Our list of things to do in Chicago never lessens.. it seems like we only ever get to do long weekend trips, and only so much you can fit in each time. So we’ll save the Field museum for next trip.

We haven’t done the Adler planetarium yet, but it’s also on our list for some point.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

The S&I industry in Chicago is amazing -- that would get my vote. I've been a few times, most recently in 2021 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd go back again and again.

Great to know, thank you! DH is really interested in the U boat exhibit, and I personally think the coal mine exhibit looks cool (my grandparents come from coal mining families), so I think we’ve fully decided on going to S&I this trip, and I’m excited

 

[wanderlust7]

I just check my Transunion and I too have a CIC I opened in September, I’ve been carrying a balance to take advantage of the 0 APR. that’s the only one reported, so maybe they are only reporting those that carry a balance? That puts me at 5/24.

ETA: Just checked all reports only Transunion is showing the CIC.

Does Chase pull Transunion for you? They pull Experian for us. I'm thinking as long as the biz cards stay off EX and they continue to pull EX, then we're okay for 5/24 purposes.

 

[becauseimnew]

After something like 6-7 years playing this game, both DH and I seem to have finally landed in pop-up prison. Any advice? We both canceled a card in the last month or two. Neither of us seem to be able to get the Surpass on a referral from the other. Is it worth trying without the referral link? Or do we just need to wait this out?

I have been reading along here for years, so I know that most people suggest putting spend on our Amex cards. I try to spend on each one every month, but sometimes one or another will fall through the cracks? Does that matter more than the total amount on monthly spend we put on AMEX (DH puts a LOT on his, I put roughly $300-$1000 on mine every month?

Any help or advice would be truly appreciated.

I would try without the support links.

 

[mmmears]

Does Chase pull Transunion for you? They pull Experian for us. I'm thinking as long as the biz cards stay off EX and they continue to pull EX, then we're okay for 5/24 purposes.

Which one is better that they stay off?

 

[wanderlust7]

Which one is better that they stay off?

Whichever one Chase pulls when you apply. Since we're in the same state, my guess is they pull Experian for you. Maybe also Equifax, they used to pull both EX and EQ for me (not for DH).

 

[mmmears]

Whichever one Chase pulls when you apply. Since we're in the same state, my guess is they pull Experian for you. Maybe also Equifax, they used to pull both EX and EQ for me (not for DH).

Thanks. I will have to check and see but I think it will be similar.

 

[mmmears]

I would try without the support links.

Thank you. I just tried and still get a pop up. I wanted the Surpass but I already have an Aspire.

 

[becauseimnew]

Thank you. I just tried and still get a pop up. I wanted the Surpass but I already have an Aspire.

Did you try the NLL floating around?

 

[gottalovepluto]

After something like 6-7 years playing this game, both DH and I seem to have finally landed in pop-up prison. Any advice? We both canceled a card in the last month or two. Neither of us seem to be able to get the Surpass on a referral from the other. Is it worth trying without the referral link? Or do we just need to wait this out?

I have been reading along here for years, so I know that most people suggest putting spend on our Amex cards. I try to spend on each one every month, but sometimes one or another will fall through the cracks? Does that matter more than the total amount on monthly spend we put on AMEX (DH puts a LOT on his, I put roughly $300-$1000 on mine every month?

Any help or advice would be truly appreciated.

You've had a good run. Most likely you're just stuck for awhile with NLL offers being the only game so keep an eye on Amex pop-ups, Amex offers and snail mail as Amex targets through all of those.

Long shots- apply without a referral (what do you have to lose?), put more spend on Amex cards

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you. I just tried and still get a pop up. I wanted the Surpass but I already have an Aspire.

DoC has an NLL link for it article - but use these at your own risk.

 

[ahself]

Did you try the NLL floating around?

This worked for me and I was approved for the 175k Aspire. Thanks!

 

[mmmears]

Did you try the NLL floating around?

No. That's what started me looking at these cards again, but I'm not willing to take the chance.

You've had a good run. Most likely you're just stuck for awhile with NLL offers being the only game so keep an eye on Amex pop-ups, Amex offers and snail mail as Amex targets through all of those.

Long shots- apply without a referral (what do you have to lose?), put more spend on Amex cards

Any idea how long this usually lasts? It's not really possible for us to put more spend on Amex in general (Jan-Feb was high spend TBH because of some flights that were booked). Would it be better to shift spend to even out how much goes on each card? I tend to not use my Hilton at places other than hilton, as an example (but used it in Feb.)

DoC has an NLL link for it article - but use these at your own risk.

I saw that but when I looked into it it sounds like it comes from a shady overseas modified link and I think that's a line I'm not really willing to cross at this point, especially with them already worried about us.

I'm wondering if the recent Ink cards are the issue.

 

[ahself]

DoC has an NLL link for it article - but use these at your own risk.

I found the NLL link elsewhere, but what is (was) the risk?

As I mentioned, I was approved (after getting the pop-up two days ago). I received the confirmation email from Amex and I called to request that the card be expedited...and I was told it'll arrive in two days anyway.

 

[StephPlum]

After something like 6-7 years playing this game, both DH and I seem to have finally landed in pop-up prison. Any advice? We both canceled a card in the last month or two. Neither of us seem to be able to get the Surpass on a referral from the other. Is it worth trying without the referral link? Or do we just need to wait this out?

I have been reading along here for years, so I know that most people suggest putting spend on our Amex cards. I try to spend on each one every month, but sometimes one or another will fall through the cracks? Does that matter more than the total amount on monthly spend we put on AMEX (DH puts a LOT on his, I put roughly $300-$1000 on mine every month?

Any help or advice would be truly appreciated.

I was (probably still am) in pop jail. The NLL links on DOC worked for me. Not sure if more important to get surpass or the referral in your situation. If you want the card maybe try that.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I found the NLL link elsewhere, but what is (was) the risk?

The risk is account shutdown. The links can come from some sketchy places and if Amex decides they don't like them being used they could theoretically shutdown everyone who used one. It's not an entirely unfounded fear as years ago Chase did this when there were links floating around that bypassed 5/24. Those who play around in this world of links don't store up lots of Amex points as Amex is fairly aggressive about taking away your MR points if you're shutdown, I believe the exception to the rule is NY as they have a state law requiring 30 days to use your points or something.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Any idea how long this usually lasts? It's not really possible for us to put more spend on Amex in general (Jan-Feb was high spend TBH because of some flights that were booked). Would it be better to shift spend to even out how much goes on each card?

No clue, haven't even managed to get myself out of PUJ for the last couple years. In my defense no one has really cracked the code of why/how to get out of PUJ. I would just move on.