I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

DH got his free weekend night certificate emailed to him today too! Just called Hilton and we are booked for 3 nights at the Hilton Times Square this July. It is close to the Lyric theater which is where the Harry Potter play is showing. We got 2 free nights (friday and Saturday) and we booked Thursday night on a discounted AARP rate. Been an AARP member for years and haven't hit the big 5 OH yet. Love the discounts. We will Thursday night with the Aspire card which gives a $250 resort credit. We will use my Aspire card for the other $250 in room service etc. So excited to book another free weekend getaway! Next, checking out the shows lottery and see about getting us 2 surprise shows on Friday! As much as I"d like to see Hamilton in NYC, I think DH would have a stroke if he sees me on Stub Hub searching for Hamilton tix.

 

[Lain]

More bad news...

Amazon plans to remove Amazon Gift Cards from online gift card malls effective 4/1/18

This is a real blow to gift card apps like Gyft and Swych, which are still earning 3x UR on CIP and 5x UR on CIC/Ink+, and MPX.

Short term, Freedom will earn 5x UR up to $1,500 in purchases at grocery stores next quarter, which do sell physical Amazon gift cards.

Longer term, this makes the CIC —now with a 50k UR signup offer — that much more attractive because the way apps and online services code and what they sell are so temperamental and changes often for the worse; office supply stores are a built-in bonus category with the CIC and will almost certainly always have physical gift cards, including Amazon, for sell.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

How did they ask? I have one payment that still hasn't been mailed. I am worried they don't like it but they have not emailed me for info, as yet...

They emailed me.

What kind of payment and what card? I am unfortunately familiar with this.

Rv loan and CIP

 

[Calfan]

I am not sure what to do in your case. I already have the CIP and I love the signup bonus and plastiq coding. I'd have a hard time delaying that for the IHG.

That’s what I keep telling myself. Maybe I’ll late fate decide and see if I can pull the 80k offer.

I understand that feeling. I'd feel the same way. I was looking at the new card benefits to see if I liked them better than what I have with my $49 IHG card now. They wouldn't sway me to PC my IHG to the new card. I put no spend on it so 10,000 bonus points for $20k spend makes me laugh. I don't see myself purchasing IHG points with any regularity so 20% off points doesn't sway me either. Besides, the current card gives you 10% of your points back on redemption. I very rarely stay anywhere for 4 nights so a 4th night free doesn't do it. The annual free night at "eligible" hotels is downright scary. Maybe I'm paranoid but that smacks of cat 1-5 only in Marriott-speak. No thanks. I'll stick with the current IHG card.

Yep. None of those benefits really lure me either. Given the group travel we do, it’s rare that we need more than 2 or 3 consecutive hotel nights. I wish there was some comfort around that “eligible” language and the cert. It’s the free night that would come in handy for us. I’d suck up the additional $40 in AF to stick with my current plan if the cert wasn’t an issue with the new card. Although the 10% back on points bookings would also be nice...

DH got his free weekend night certificate emailed to him today too! Just called Hilton and we are booked for 3 nights at the Hilton Times Square this July. It is close to the Lyric theater which is where the Harry Potter play is showing. We got 2 free nights (friday and Saturday) and we booked Thursday night on a discounted AARP rate. Been an AARP member for years and haven't hit the big 5 OH yet. Love the discounts. We will Thursday night with the Aspire card which gives a $250 resort credit. We will use my Aspire card for the other $250 in room service etc. So excited to book another free weekend getaway! Next, checking out the shows lottery and see about getting us 2 surprise shows on Friday! As much as I"d like to see Hamilton in NYC, I think DH would have a stroke if he sees me on Stub Hub searching for Hamilton tix.

I laughed at this! We are going to NY in early June because I also scored tix to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (first time slot of first release even!) and we have a free Saturday. I keep checking both the matinee and evening performance for Hamilton for that day and keep choking over the asking prices. It doesn’t help that I just saw it last month when I was in NY for a business trip and that I’d be force feeding it to DH. But I’d really like my kids to see it, and I’d love to see it again. Will keep checking and choking, lol.

 

[Lain]

They emailed me.


Rv loan and CIP

Strange. A RV loan is less like a mortgage and more like a car loan, which are allowed on Visas. For a mortgage, I’d say definitely don’t send a bill in; there’s nothing to be gained because they’ll deny the payment anyway. For an RV loan, I think there’s a fair chance of the payment being approved if you submit the paperwork.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

More bad news...

Amazon plans to remove Amazon Gift Cards from online gift card malls effective 4/1/18

This is a real blow to gift card apps like Gyft and Swych, which are still earning 3x UR on CIP and 5x UR on CIC/Ink+, and MPX.

Short term, Freedom will earn 5x UR up to $1,500 in purchases at grocery stores next quarter, which do sell physical Amazon gift cards.

Longer term, this makes the CIC —now with a 50k UR signup offer — that much more attractive because the way apps and online services code and what they sell are so temperamental and changes often for the worse; office supply stores are a built-in bonus category with the CIC and will almost certainly always have physical gift cards, including Amazon, for sell.

Well crap

They emailed me.


Rv loan and CIP

I’d send the info they requested in that case. It will get the ball rolling.

 

[wendow]

Someone more tech savvy help! I got jealous of @SouthFayetteFan and his easily accumulated UR's on his Freedom today. I figure I would do some arm-chair category maxxing except for....I can't figure it out. We are 2 player with 1 Freedom each. DH has a LG & a Samsung phone (so I think he can use Samsung pay, Chase pay and Google pay). I have a Moto Z so I can use Chase Pay and Google Pay. Google seemed easiest but I can't do P2P and pay with CC? Bank account only. I can't find any P2P info on the Chase pay app. Has anyone made this work?

I did this on an iphone too. I sent my dh money through imessaging using Apple pay. I have no idea if the option exist to do P2P through Chase Pay. And I've never used Samsung Pay but I read through their site, and I also don't see the P2P option there. Looks like you can through Google pay but you have to use a google balance or debit card. I wonder if you can load a google balance with a CC? Sorry I'm not more help here!

 

[wendow]

So the first one I converted took a little over a day to show up as a Freedom. THEN I called to activate Q1 and Q2... Once yours turns to a Freedom I guess you'll see then if it's activated or not...

Of course with my man Geno...well you all know the store, he was freakin awesome I only have eyes for you Geno...hahaha

I was so hoping for your man, Geno. When the csr began to say his name, I heard a 'G' sound coming and my heart skipped a beat. But then I was quickly deflated as I heard his name, "J.M.". He was definitely no Geno

 

[wendow]

Can anyone give me a PNC bank account primer? I've read that I can use Visa or MC to fund up to 2k, and can do this for a checking and savings account. How do I handle the direct deposit piece? A bank bonus is awesome if there is one but that is not a make or break it deal. Just how complicated is opening, and eventually closing, PNC accounts? Can it be done 100% online? How long do I have to keep it open and with how much in the account to avoid fees?

Thank you!

 

[calypso726]

Can anyone give me a PNC bank account primer? I've read that I can use Visa or MC to fund up to 2k, and can do this for a checking and savings account. How do I handle the direct deposit piece? A bank bonus is awesome if there is one but that is not a make or break it deal. Just how complicated is opening, and eventually closing, PNC accounts? Can it be done 100% online? How long do I have to keep it open and with how much in the account to avoid fees?

Thank you!

Here is DOC's write up https://www.doctorofcredit.com/pnc-300-checking

Here is a list of DPs for what credit cards will/won't count as cash advance with bank funding the PNC
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/does...card-count-as-a-purchase-or-cash-advance/#PNC

Here are the DPs as to what has counted as a direct deposit. https://www.doctorofcredit.com/knowledge-base/list-methods-banks-count-direct-deposits/#PNC
PNC are back and offering up to $300 in checking bonuses. All of the bonuses require at least 10 debit card transactions. How much you’ll receive depends on the account you plan to open and is broken down as follows:

• Open a Virtual Wallet Account and receive $50 with direct deposits totaling $500
• Open a Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend and receive $200 with direct deposits totaling $2,000
• Open a Virtual Wallet with Performance Select and receive $300 with direct deposits totaling $5,000

Keeping it fee free depends on the bonus and account type you are going for. https://www.doctorofcredit.com/pnc-300-checking/#Avoiding_Fees

$25 fee is account is closed before 180 days. Some DPs suggest they don't follow through on that https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/6em0m2/daily_discussion_thread_june_01_2017/dic4q7v/

 

[speedyfishy]

Can anyone give me a PNC bank account primer? I've read that I can use Visa or MC to fund up to 2k, and can do this for a checking and savings account. How do I handle the direct deposit piece? A bank bonus is awesome if there is one but that is not a make or break it deal. Just how complicated is opening, and eventually closing, PNC accounts? Can it be done 100% online? How long do I have to keep it open and with how much in the account to avoid fees?

Thank you!

The account can be opened online. The credit card funding needs to be done then. They ask for personal info, and then have some security questions took about five minutes. Then PNC sends you a debit card and you can set up the online account once that comes in the mail. The credit card funding comes first so you may need to pay your credit card bill before you have access to the funds.

What bonus are you going for the $50 or $200 or $300?
The $50 bonus requires 500 in the account to be fee free. the 200 2k and the $300 5k.

The basic savings is fee free with $300 in the account.

For the direct deposit I don’t have an DPs of what bank transfers work but you will see how it codes so you can do some trial and error. This is what Doc says works: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/knowledge-base/list-methods-banks-count-direct-deposits/#PNC

Early termination fee is $25 if closed before 180 days.

I haven’t closed my account yet.

 

[calypso726]

More bad news...

Amazon plans to remove Amazon Gift Cards from online gift card malls effective 4/1/18

This is a real blow to gift card apps like Gyft and Swych, which are still earning 3x UR on CIP and 5x UR on CIC/Ink+, and MPX.

Short term, Freedom will earn 5x UR up to $1,500 in purchases at grocery stores next quarter, which do sell physical Amazon gift cards.

Longer term, this makes the CIC —now with a 50k UR signup offer — that much more attractive because the way apps and online services code and what they sell are so temperamental and changes often for the worse; office supply stores are a built-in bonus category with the CIC and will almost certainly always have physical gift cards, including Amazon, for sell.

*opening up MPX app to buy Amazon gift cards*

 

[SBWB48]

My wife kept grumbling she should’ve gone into the precheck line with DD because she has Global Entry, and left me to stand in line with the mobs because I still haven’t gotten around to getting precheck or GE.

Sounds eerily familar to stories of proposing that the SO who rather not churn slum it in economy while the churner other half enjoys life in First Class. Hey @calypso726

*opening up MPX app to buy Amazon gift cards*

View attachment 311691

THIS. I struggle to find reasons to use MPX for giftcards now...

 

[DisneyMandC]

Awesome! Any problems using it? We haven't tried. I assume it should be good to go!

No issues! I've used it out of state and nonstop since getting it a month ago. Never been questioned.

 

[Alexle2007]

I have about $500 more needed to meet my MSR for Amex SPG Biz. Do you think it's safe to purchase GCs on Raise.com to finish up the spend?

 

[miztressuz]

DH got his free weekend night certificate emailed to him today too! Just called Hilton and we are booked for 3 nights at the Hilton Times Square this July. It is close to the Lyric theater which is where the Harry Potter play is showing. We got 2 free nights (friday and Saturday) and we booked Thursday night on a discounted AARP rate. Been an AARP member for years and haven't hit the big 5 OH yet. Love the discounts. We will Thursday night with the Aspire card which gives a $250 resort credit. We will use my Aspire card for the other $250 in room service etc. So excited to book another free weekend getaway! Next, checking out the shows lottery and see about getting us 2 surprise shows on Friday! As much as I"d like to see Hamilton in NYC, I think DH would have a stroke if he sees me on Stub Hub searching for Hamilton tix.

What age is AARP down to now for being a member? I did hear they lowered it, but never followed up on how low... didn't expect 40's. Mom signed up sometime early to mid fifties and we thought that was low for a "senior citizen" program I guess the upside to starting young is when you get to be a senior citizen you don't feel like it, ease you into it She keeps forgetting to ask for the senior rates at everyday places.
We've got AAA so most times I thought the Senior/AARP rate was the same or similar but they're supposed to have discounts other places. Do you find a lot of use outside of travel?

 

[Jaime4004]

@calypso726 I absolutely agree with you on the love of the Reserve. I know it was not the popular plan for people on here but it has a ton of value for us. Both DH and I have kept the Reserve past year one.

I know the advantage of the IHG is the free night but what about the points? It seems that whenever I have looked for rooms on their site that point nights are not available. Is that typical or has my limited experience been abnormal?

I'm a professional lurker, but I posted that question a while back. I always have a hard time finding rooms for points also. I usually have to book pretty far from where I really want to be to find a room.

 

[hsmamato2]

Just in case someone else runs into this... DHs SPG personal card is rarely used, I usually carry it in case I run into a one per account type online deal like Raise. So I hadn't logged in for a bit. But I did get him an Employee card several months into MY SPG biz spending... which he never even put in his wallet. But we are able to see it in his account. It had me concerned this weekend when I logged in to activate HIS new SPG biz card and saw two biz cards, I was worried about duplicate apps or something. Mystery solved!

And unrelated, I also went for the Costco Visa Checkout deal. I was already planning on buying a $200 cash card with my Discover, so here's hoping I get an extra $50 on top of what I'd planned. If not, I'm just losing out on $10 of Discover cashback.

How did you find this so late in the day? My BIL was looking for it around 7 pm ET and it was GONE from the website.... I read on DoC it was dead around 4 pm ET....

 

[pillow]

Here is DOC's write up https://www.doctorofcredit.com/pnc-300-checking

Here is a list of DPs for what credit cards will/won't count as cash advance with bank funding the PNC
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/does...card-count-as-a-purchase-or-cash-advance/#PNC

Here are the DPs as to what has counted as a direct deposit. https://www.doctorofcredit.com/knowledge-base/list-methods-banks-count-direct-deposits/#PNC
PNC are back and offering up to $300 in checking bonuses. All of the bonuses require at least 10 debit card transactions. How much you’ll receive depends on the account you plan to open and is broken down as follows:

• Open a Virtual Wallet Account and receive $50 with direct deposits totaling $500
• Open a Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend and receive $200 with direct deposits totaling $2,000
• Open a Virtual Wallet with Performance Select and receive $300 with direct deposits totaling $5,000

Keeping it fee free depends on the bonus and account type you are going for. https://www.doctorofcredit.com/pnc-300-checking/#Avoiding_Fees

$25 fee is account is closed before 180 days. Some DPs suggest they don't follow through on that https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/6em0m2/daily_discussion_thread_june_01_2017/dic4q7v/

Just adding to this. Transfers from a Capital One 360 account worked as direct deposit. I can't remember if I pushed or pulled the funds in though. I believe I may have originated the transaction on the Capital One side. @havaneselover may recall how she set hers up.

 

[pillow]

Some people have been able to pull up the 80k offer today also. Was it @peel?

I pulled it yesterday morning by logging in to my IHG account and simulating a booking. The offer was 80K + a $50 statement credit. Happy camper here!