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

[VGCgroupie]

That sounds much nicer. We kept going to the lounge because we felt like we should use the benefit, but every time we got in there we wanted to leave. Our last 2 trips we decided to skip it. We’ve been through HNL enough times now that we know where to find a quiet place to wait, and the free food in the lounge isn’t worth the trouble. Sounds like you made a good choice.

Thanks! I will probably buy myself ramen anyway it was really good there at the airport.

 

[catsinawindow]

Speaking of lounges, is anyone familiar enough with LAS to let me know how easy/quick it is to travel between concourse B/C to Concorse D (all within Terminal 1) and back? It looks like our flight will be leaving from B or C (Southwest), but the Capital One lounge is in D. From a map they look to be in separate buildings, but I've read that we can travel between them without leaving security? It would be nice to get free breakfast in the lounge before our trip, but my husband also gets nervous when traveling and prefers to be near the gate...

 

[Tumnus]

I used to be big into churning credit cards about 10-15 years ago, but have not really done much besides a few big cards lately. Are there any amazing deals without a huge card fee? I already have Amex Platnium, Marriott, Southwest credit cards with annual fees for specific travel reasons, along with a lot of other cards that don't have fees - USAA 1.5% cash back (RIP used to be 2.5%, prob should get a new card for spend), Amex Blue, Chase Freedom, BoA, and a few random ones.

Mainly looking for a good sign up bonus for a direct DVC buy, but without another huge annual fee as I'm close to $1,000 a year (but I get the perks to make it worth it) in annual fees already.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I used to be big into churning credit cards about 10-15 years ago, but have not really done much besides a few big cards lately. Are there any amazing deals without a huge card fee? I already have Amex Platnium, Marriott, Southwest credit cards with annual fees for specific travel reasons, along with a lot of other cards that don't have fees - USAA 1.5% cash back (RIP used to be 2.5%, prob should get a new card for spend), Amex Blue, Chase Freedom, BoA, and a few random ones.

Mainly looking for a good sign up bonus for a direct DVC buy, but without another huge annual fee as I'm close to $1,000 a year (but I get the perks to make it worth it) in annual fees already.

Chase Sapphire Preferred is currently at 75,000 points which can equate to $750 or more. Capital One Venture is also at 75,000. Both have $95 annual fees. If you are open to business cards there are quite a few more offers.

 

[calypso726]

I used to be big into churning credit cards about 10-15 years ago, but have not really done much besides a few big cards lately. Are there any amazing deals without a huge card fee? I already have Amex Platnium, Marriott, Southwest credit cards with annual fees for specific travel reasons, along with a lot of other cards that don't have fees - USAA 1.5% cash back (RIP used to be 2.5%, prob should get a new card for spend), Amex Blue, Chase Freedom, BoA, and a few random ones.

Mainly looking for a good sign up bonus for a direct DVC buy, but without another huge annual fee as I'm close to $1,000 a year (but I get the perks to make it worth it) in annual fees already.

If you are under 5/24 and willing to apply for a business card, then the Chase Ink Preferred would be a nice one for a direct DVC purchase. We did our last direct DVC purchase and paid with two Ink Preferred cards to hit the MSR. It codes as travel so we got 3x. The bonus is 90k for $8k spend. DH and I referred each other and also got a referral bonus.

 

[Tumnus]

Chase Sapphire Preferred is currently at 75,000 points which can equate to $750 or more. Capital One Venture is also at 75,000. Both have $95 annual fees. If you are open to business cards there are quite a few more offers.

I have never understood business cards - whats the requirements to get them? I have always assumed I don't qualify.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I have never understood business cards - whats the requirements to get them? I have always assumed I don't qualify.

Sole proprietor. My husband used his rarely ever posted on you tube channel as his business.

 

[reliev]

The newest rumor i heard the last few days is new citi card is supposed to replace the prestige and we should hear more details by Monday.

 

[mrandmrsthomas0618]

I have never understood business cards - whats the requirements to get them? I have always assumed I don't qualify.

They just state anything that makes a profit. So if you have ever sold on ebay or Facebook marketplace, that would qualify.

When you sign up, you just use your name for name of business and SSN instead of EIN

 

[newski_mom]

Changing the flight definitely puts you into the new rule structure.

Is one of the folks on the reservation A-List or a SW credit card holder? If yes, those statuses get you a free bag for each person on the reservation up to 8. If no, you have to pay for bags.

Thank you - we do not have A-list or a SW credit card. I'll probably just leave flights as is - thank you!

 

[ten6mom]

I just SM'd to close one of my older CIC's.

The AF for my CIP, which I would have expected this month (I originally got approved on 7/4/24) has not yet shown up, but when it does (next month I guess???) I plan to cancel.

That will leave me with one CIC open.

On 8/31/25 I should drop to 4/24 (currently at 5/24) when my Chase Bonvoy falls off.

I am hoping this will be enough to allow me to get another CIC... does that sound reasonable?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Curious how in-the-weeds you all get with maximizing spend. (I know I'm way more intense than your average Joe, but, for this thread, I'm probably middle of the road.)

When you have an MSR, do you just go ahead and put all spend there until it's hit? Or, do you only put your lower-return spend (items where you would only be getting 2% anyway) and continue to do your higher earn spend on those cards?

My particular use case is a DCL balance. I have the RedCard and a CIC, so I can get Disney GCs at a minimum of 9.5% return but it does require the hassle of buying the VGC and paying off the red card balance $200 a time at customer service. I'm 3 minutes from both a Staples and a Target, so not a huge commute, but still special trips that need to be taken.

OR, I can just put the balance on a card that'll only earn 1% but moves me towards spend.

It would save me a ton of trips to Target if I just put the DCL charge on this card. But, it also feels like I should only put things that would be 2, 3, or even 5% towards this spend and save Disney expenses, with the 9.5% floor, for the RedCard/CIC combo.

Also, it's an AmEx, so I can't split the difference and use this card at Staples to buy the VGC to keep some of that return.

Thoughts?

 

[happ]

Curious how in-the-weeds you all get with maximizing spend. (I know I'm way more intense than your average Joe, but, for this thread, I'm probably middle of the road.)

When you have an MSR, do you just go ahead and put all spend there until it's hit? Or, do you only put your lower-return spend (items where you would only be getting 2% anyway) and continue to do your higher earn spend on those cards?

My particular use case is a DCL balance. I have the RedCard and a CIC, so I can get Disney GCs at a minimum of 9.5% return but it does require the hassle of buying the VGC and paying off the red card balance $200 a time at customer service. I'm 3 minutes from both a Staples and a Target, so not a huge commute, but still special trips that need to be taken.

OR, I can just put the balance on a card that'll only earn 1% but moves me towards spend.

It would save me a ton of trips to Target if I just put the DCL charge on this card. But, it also feels like I should only put things that would be 2, 3, or even 5% towards this spend and save Disney expenses, with the 9.5% floor, for the RedCard/CIC combo.

Also, it's an AmEx, so I can't split the difference and use this card at Staples to buy the VGC to keep some of that return.

Thoughts?

I usually put all spend toward MSR unless I know I have an upcoming big expense that will meet it. Several times I've been too close for comfort in meeting spend before the deadline. It feels wrong not to maximize earning on every purchase by using the card that earns the most, but when you factor in the bonus earned it makes sense. For your situation you could add a little savings in by using your MSR card to purchase discounted GCs at a warehouse store. It won't be 9.5% return, but it's something and will save you some time.

 

[mrandmrsthomas0618]

I'm always working towards a sign up bonus so all spend always goes on that card

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

For your situation you could add a little savings in by using your MSR card to purchase discounted GCs at a warehouse store.

But AmEx is sensitive to buying GCs to hit spend, right? I know folks have talked about adding a GC to a regular grocery order but I was under the impression that I shouldn't load up on GC during an AmEx MSR.

 

[*pixie*]

My DH just got the CSR. I’m kicking around trying it for a year, and if we like it, opening one in my name next year and cancelling his. If I become an AU on his account, would that affect me being eligible for SUBs when I open my own account?

Also thinking about getting the Amex platinum for me this year. I’ve read that this card may also be getting an overhaul similar to what CSR just received. Would it be better to get it now, or wait until the new changes and hope it also offers a great SUB with its changes?

 

[georgina]

But AmEx is sensitive to buying GCs to hit spend, right? I know folks have talked about adding a GC to a regular grocery order but I was under the impression that I shouldn't load up on GC during an AmEx MSR.

I'm not an expert, but I believe from personal experience that only certain businesses tell AmEx what you purchased. The problem is knowing which ones. I had trouble with a GC purchase for MSR once, from Lowe's I think? But I have not had issues with grocery stores, hotels, other businesses.

 

[newski_mom]

I'm also kind of middle of the road. I probably wouldn't do the Staples / Target deal, but I don't have a Staples local to me, so I can't say for sure lol!

I do tend to continue using "deals" on cards when they come up. For example - I had a 10% back on insurance payments on one of my AmEx cards. I called in to pay our semi-annual auto insurance paying the first $200 on the AmEx card to max out the 10% discount and put the rest on my new MSR card. I mainly do that because I know we have plenty of non-bonused spend coming up (medical bills, etc), so I won't have any problems meeting it.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I just SM'd to close one of my older CIC's.

The AF for my CIP, which I would have expected this month (I originally got approved on 7/4/24) has not yet shown up, but when it does (next month I guess???) I plan to cancel.

That will leave me with one CIC open.

On 8/31/25 I should drop to 4/24 (currently at 5/24) when my Chase Bonvoy falls off.

I am hoping this will be enough to allow me to get another CIC... does that sound reasonable?

Sounds reasonable to me….the AF on the CIP will post 8/1 since you were approved in July

 

[palhockeymomof2]

But AmEx is sensitive to buying GCs to hit spend, right? I know folks have talked about adding a GC to a regular grocery order but I was under the impression that I shouldn't load up on GC during an AmEx MSR.

From what I have read they are and I’m pretty sure Staples sends L3 data so Amex can see what you have purchased