I love credit cards so much!

[mmmears]

Whenever I shop at Whole Foods (which is not often), I get a WF gift card from Office Depot -- do you have a card that gets 5% back at office supply stores?

I don’t think so. I’ll doubel check. That’s a great idea. We don’t have any business cards. AMEX plat is what we mainly use and there was a time we earned bonus points but not anymore from what I can see.

 

[Albort]

Good luck, you two! I love reading about CIP approvals!

same as @Haley R, mine is now says 2 weeks too.

 

[Lain]

Does anyone know of the best card to use for grocery spending, esp at Whole Foods? We have an AMEx and should have the 2 CS cards soon (waiting for them to arrive). Don’t want the Amazon card and of course thats what they are pushing.

I can't say what the "best" card is, but I use the Amex Everyday for groceries. No AF. There are others with an AF that may get you more back.

When Chase Freedom or Discover IT has groceries as the 5x category I switch my grocery spend to those.

Whenever I shop at Whole Foods (which is not often), I get a WF gift card from Office Depot -- do you have a card that gets 5% back at office supply stores?

I occasionally shop at Whole Foods, and like @AmyAnne, I'll buy a Whole Foods gift card from an office supply store to carry in my wallet. The Chase Ink Business Cash (CIC) earns 5x UR at office supply stores. The CIC is a $0 AF card.

I also buy Amazon gift cards from office supply stores with my CIC for 5x UR, which I sometimes use to buy Whole Foods gift cards. Amazon allows you to purchase third-party gift cards, like Whole Foods, with your gift card balance, and Amazon occasionally has Whole Foods gift cards on sale as lightning deals. A few months back, it was possible to purchase Amazon gift cards with the Chase Ink Business Preferred (CIP) through Gyft and Swych for 3x UR, but Amazon's since removed their gift cards from electronic gift card marketplaces.

Earlier this year, the Chase Freedom included Apple Pay in its Q1 5x UR bonus category, which I used a few times at Whole Foods, and the Q2 bonus category included grocery stores, including Whole Foods.

There are other cards that'll get you a discount at Whole Foods, like the Chase Amazon credit card gets Prime members 5% back or 3% back for non-Prime customers; the Amex Blue Cash Preferred gets you 6% cash back on up to $6,000/year at grocery stores. But these cards don't come with very big signup bonuses, the Amazon Prime card is not subject to 5/24, and the Amex BCP will add to your */24 count, so it's usually advised to not waste an under 5/24 slot on these cards -- save them for later.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

No but I already had a USPS account. I just turned it on from there.

Ugh. For both of us, it said need to verify identity in person. Not worth my time.

 

[Albort]

I occasionally shop at Whole Foods, and like @AmyAnne, I'll buy a Whole Foods gift card from an office supply store to carry in my wallet. The Chase Ink Business Cash (CIC) earns 5x UR at office supply stores.

I also buy Amazon gift cards from office supply stores with my CIC for 5x UR, which I sometimes use to buy Whole Foods gift cards. Amazon allows you to purchase third-party gift cards, like Whole Foods, with your gift card balance, and Amazon occasionally has Whole Foods gift cards on sale as lightning deals. A few months back, it was possible to purchase Amazon gift cards with the Chase Ink Business Preferred (CIP) through Gyft and Swych for 3x UR, but Amazon's since removed their gift cards from electronic gift card marketplaces.

Whole Foods is on gyft.com too. buy on the fly!

 

[Lain]

Whole Foods is on gyft.com too. buy on the fly!

Oh cool. Thanks! I hadn’t noticed.

 

[Haley R]

Good luck, you two! I love reading about CIP approvals!

Thanks!

 

[Haley R]

same as @Haley R, mine is now says 2 weeks too.

Good luck to us both!

 

[mmmears]

I occasionally shop at Whole Foods, and like @AmyAnne, I'll buy a Whole Foods gift card from an office supply store to carry in my wallet. The Chase Ink Business Cash (CIC) earns 5x UR at office supply stores. The CIC is a $0 AF card.

I also buy Amazon gift cards from office supply stores with my CIC for 5x UR, which I sometimes use to buy Whole Foods gift cards. Amazon allows you to purchase third-party gift cards, like Whole Foods, with your gift card balance, and Amazon occasionally has Whole Foods gift cards on sale as lightning deals. A few months back, it was possible to purchase Amazon gift cards with the Chase Ink Business Preferred (CIP) through Gyft and Swych for 3x UR, but Amazon's since removed their gift cards from electronic gift card marketplaces.

Earlier this year, the Chase Freedom included Apple Pay in its Q1 5x UR bonus category, which I used a few times at Whole Foods, and the Q2 bonus category included grocery stores, including Whole Foods.

There are other cards that'll get you a discount at Whole Foods, like the Chase Amazon credit card gets Prime members 5% back or 3% back for non-Prime customers; the Amex Blue Cash Preferred gets you 6% cash back on up to $6,000/year at grocery stores. But these cards don't come with very big signup bonuses, the Amazon Prime card is not subject to 5/24, and the Amex BCP will add to your */24 count, so it's usually advised to not waste an under 5/24 slot on these cards -- save them for later.

Thanks for this info. We don't have any of the cards that will work for this. I'll just work on our minimum spend I guess. I really appreciate everyone who's helping me!

 

[Lain]

Thanks for this info. We don't have any of the cards that will work for this. I'll just work on our minimum spend I guess. I really appreciate everyone who's helping me!

@mmmears --

I'd add to my earlier post, it pays to have the right credit card for every situation, which is what I mean about being strategic about getting new cards with advantageous category bonuses to fill gaps in your non-bonus spend, but also being aware of each issuer's rules (like Chase's 5/24) so you're not locked out of getting a card you want to fill out your wallet. So before you or DH apply for new cards, loop us in and we can give you feedback.

Your husband just got the CSP and CSR, which each have a 50k UR bonus after $4k of spend in 3 months. So for now, focus on those cards and put your groceries on them.

Let's break it down:
- $4k spend gets you 50k UR points (really, at least 54k UR points including the points from minimum spend).
- Assuming a bare minimum value of 50k UR points = $500 (1 UR = 1 cent), that's at least a 12.5% return on 1x UR category spend like groceries while you're trying to meet MSR.
- Assuming you transfer all your UR to the CSR for a 50% bonus on redemption through the UR portal, 50k points are worth $750 in travel, which is at least a 18.75% return on groceries while meeting MSR.

 

[StephPlum]

If you want to go for the CSR+CSP double dip, I'd put that at least 3 months after your (or your husband's) last Chase card or reported card. So that would be 9/18 for you and 8/18 for DH. In the meantime, I'd not apply for another Chase card (biz or personal) or personal card from another issuer before then. I'd also look over my (or Player 2's) total credit lines with Chase vs. stated household income and start reducing (to < 50%) accordingly.

Keep in mind, when proactively reducing credit lines:

- It's best to reduce CLs far enough in advance so that the lowered CLs are reported to the credit report(s) that Chase pulls before submitting a new application. Although you can SM Chase to reduce a CL on a card, and Chase will reduce your CL effective immediately, Chase does not report the reduced CL to the credit bureaus until the close of statement on that card. So although Chase should know how much credit it's extended to you, its approval algorithm may still be looking at your credit report and see the higher CL.

- If your CLs are high, when deciding how much to reduce a CL to, leave an extra $5k in available credit for each new card you may be applying for (and $10k for a CSR) in case you have to move credit from an existing card to open the new card(s). On a double dip, you cannot move credit from the first newly opened card to open the second card.

- Chase will not let you move credit from personal cards to open a biz card, or from biz cards to open a personal card. So reduce CLs among your personal and biz cards with that in mind (i.e., if planning to apply for a personal card, leave enough credit on your personal cards to reallocate, and lower the biz card limits instead).

DH could go for the CSR+CSP double dip sooner than you, as soon as early August, but he may have to call in to get one or both cards approved so they're on the same day, and as you said he's reluctant. CSRs are almost always expedited and should arrive within 2 business days following approval, so you could have it in time for your Glacier trip.

One last thing to consider if you're planning to double dip. As you may know, I've been following DPs and discussion about Chase double dips followed by lowered credit lines on both newly approved cards. In none of these DPs has Chase closed a newly approved card or told the applicant they can't have two Sapphires; but Chase has unilaterally lowered the credit lines on the cards, likely, if they think the automated system overextended credit to you on two approvals.

Thanks, Lain.

- CLs - I'll keep that in mind. I am planning to reduce some, I'll put that in the works right away.

- DH. We have to call to set up Hilton Biz since I tried yesterday on-line and it didn't work. Maybe if that goes well, he can do the CSR/CSP and call in (but not holding my breath).

- Double dip: I'm hoping they don't start to close cards and just reduce limits when I am ready. Could use in August but if I don't get both then, I'll wait until Oct based on the expenses coming up.

 

[mmmears]

@mmmears --

I'd add to my earlier post, it pays to have the right credit card for every situation, which is what I mean about being strategic about getting new cards with advantageous category bonuses to fill gaps in your non-bonus spend, but also being aware of each issuer's rules (like Chase's 5/24) so you're not locked out of getting a card you want to fill out your wallet. So before you or DH apply for new cards, loop us in and we can give you feedback.

Your husband just got the CSP and CSR, which each have a 50k UR bonus after $4k of spend in 3 months. So for now, focus on those cards and put your groceries on them.

Let's break it down:
- $4k spend gets you 50k UR points (really, at least 54k UR points including the points from minimum spend).
- Assuming a bare minimum value of 50k UR points = $500 (1 UR = 1 cent), that's at least a 12.5% return on 1x UR category spend like groceries while you're trying to meet MSR.
- Assuming you transfer all your UR to the CSR for a 50% bonus on redemption through the UR portal, 50k points are worth $750 in travel, which is at least a 18.75% return on groceries while meeting MSR.

Thanks for this analysis. That's definitely what I'm going to do. I'm new to this and I'm learning so much here.

 

[Lain]

I think @wendow was looking at a Discover card for her DD?

"Please note, you'll get a $20 statement credit for your good grades instead of cash back starting September 1, 2018."

 

[Lain]

Trying to catch up.

I see there’s a lot of chatter about Marriott’s nights and flights packages, here are more successful DPs of people booking the 5 nights packages (YMMV):

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8us9xz/comment/e1ior1f?st=JJ1AG9G1&sh=a05a5ba0

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8us9xz/comment/e1ibwq3?st=JJ1ALUZ1&sh=50b4bcd4

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8us9xz/comment/e1itssf?st=JJ1AH046&sh=54c21ec9

Even more DPs:

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8v155j/comment/e1kqdx7?st=JJ26GQM1&sh=b933e056

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8v155j/comment/e1kh2lu?st=JJ26I8WB&sh=178b6a7f

People are still getting the 5N Marriott package:

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8v97fq/daily_discussion_thread_july_01_2018/e1ljw7d

I got a 7 night cat 6 certificate a short while ago. I was happy to get it done then, but looking at the 5 night certs I think the miles are better. I’m having a tiny bit of buyers remorse but I’ll get over it quickly.

P.S. The above DP says:

The CSR told me I can convert back and forth until August 1. I had actually went with the 7-day at first. After she had already processed it, she gave me some more details on how the certificate works. At that point I changed my mind and she was able to switch it to 5-day and refunded me 35,000 points.

So until August 1, if you get the right person on the phone, you may be able to convert your 7-day to 5-day and get 35,000 Marriott points refunded.

It might be worth calling the 866-814-6901 number (not the 800 number) that's been in these DPs to see.

 

[hurt817]

I was looking at the chase site yesterday for Disney hotels and found nothing for any dates that I put in, except swolphin. Last week there were plenty. Not sure what's up with that.

Has anyone figured out why Disney Resorts / Hotels are no longer in the UR Portal? I have searched from today thru December & no Disney Rooms are pulling up.

 

[kmc8826]

Has anyone figured out why Disney Resorts / Hotels are no longer in the UR Portal? I have searched from today thru December & no Disney Rooms are pulling up.

Same for me! I looked all last week. Friday late ended up just booking direct with Disney with plan that will still be able to pay with the UR’s once I contact the Cruise and Tours Department.

 

[bernina]

I’m going to be making an approximately $3k purchase via PayPal soon (buying transferred DVC points). Any recommendations on best way to fund? I don’t think they sell PayPal My Cash anymore? I have Chase Ink Preferred, Ink Plus. Too bad this wasn’t last quarter!!! Not currently working on any MSR at the moment (blew through the CSP/CSR double dip way too fast).

Also, has anyone transferred points before? Any recommendations or things to look out for?

Edited to add: I have the Amex Staples and Lowe’s 10% deals as well as 2 Chase Freedoms.

 

[hurt817]

Same for me! I looked all last week. Friday late ended up just booking direct with Disney with plan that will still be able to pay with the UR’s once I contact the Cruise and Tours Department.

I didn’t know that was an option. Thanks for the info. Really hoping they show back up.

 

[kmc8826]

I didn’t know that was an option. Thanks for the info. Really hoping they show back up.

You also could try calling and asking for what you want. There is a post on Reddit Dischurners that explains the process. I hope it works out for me as I decided my preference is to control the reservation as long as possible by booking with Disney direct (so I can make changes, requests, etc) and then have Chase take over the reservation to pay with the UR’s. I did a room booked straight from the portal in January and it was a bit of a pain as I decided I wanted to add dining plan but then wasn’t able too.

 

[Lain]

I’m going to be making an approximately $3k purchase via PayPal soon (buying transferred DVC points). Any recommendations on best way to fund? I don’t think they sell PayPal My Cash anymore? I have Chase Ink Preferred, Ink Plus. Too bad this wasn’t last quarter!!! Not currently working on any MSR at the moment (blew through the CSP/CSR double dip way too fast).

Also, has anyone transferred points before? Any recommendations or things to look out for?

Edited to add: I have the Amex Staples and Lowe’s 10% deals as well as 2 Chase Freedoms.

Is Venmo an option?