I love credit cards so much!

[SBWB48]

There’s nothing in Walgreens’ system prohibiting paying for gift cards with a credit card, except for a $500 daily limit that’s hard coded into their POS, but each store may have their own policies.

I was told at two different Walgreens here in MD that the daily limit was $500 PER ISSUER. They actually have a sign at the giftcard rack that says this; I originally misread and thought it was $500 per day generally speaking. I ended up walking out with a $500 VGC and a $100 Amazon GC.

Staples usually sells Meta/US Banks... i need to test those too but have been lazy in doing so.

Meta/US Banks liquidate fine at WMs here in MD. Just did it last week

 

[DisneyMandC]

Not to bring things down, but I didn't get the job. Trying to focus on the positive that it means I'm supposed to do something else/better but it's hard because I have a hard time with getting jobs. Most I've gotten, even all the way back to my first job in hs, was through someone, whether I was referred or found out once I applied that I knew someone there, or through a temp agency. I felt much better about all of this than other jobs I've interviewed for and didn't get. I did realize that I forgot to send a thank you note, but I wasn't given a business card and it was a group interview so I just spaced on it.

Sorry about the job Don't beat yourself up on the thank you note. It's a nice touch, but I've gotten a job where I realized when they called to make me an offer that I never sent a thank you note- and it was a one on one interview lol.

Something else great is going to come along for you soon! I was miserable in my last job and had several rejections while I spent 5 months searching for another job. I was pretty upset at the time because I hated my current job so much, but I finally landed in the best job I could imagine!

We've decided on Japan in late fall 2019. I'm having such a hard time deciding which airline to book my Marriott N+F package with. I'm currently waffling between Alaska for JAL or Virgin Atlantic for ANA. We'd have enough for business or first, but from what I'm reading I don't think it's worth spending the extra points on first, for a couple of reasons. DH is vegan, I'm vegetarian, so the food offerings will be limited in either class. And since we're traveling together, the first class seats seem to actually be too secluded. Especially on ANA, it's very difficult to talk to your travel partner. As long as we have lie-flat seats, I think business will be more than adequate. I have to admit though that I'd love to SAY I flew first class to Japan.
It looks like points will be lower but taxes will be higher for ANA, and there seems to generally be more award availability than JAL. Both products look mighty sweet to me. I wish someone would just tell me what to do!

I actually thought the same thing about ANA first versus business. It looks like I wouldn't be able to hardly talk to DH on the flight in first lol.

 

[peel]

I actually thought the same thing about ANA first versus business. It looks like I wouldn't be able to hardly talk to DH on the flight in first lol.

Right! It's perfect if you're traveling alone (or if you don't like your traveling companion ) but it looks like you have to both lean really far forward to even see each other.

 

[wendow]

@wendow -

I recall you're looking to buy an Amazon Fire to replace DD's lost one. I don't know if your DD's Fire was an 8 or 10.

There's a deal for Prime Members-only today on a refurbished Fire HD 8 16GB Black tablet (with ads) for $39.99: http://a.co/3nexWfj

There doesn't seem to be any deals on the Fire HD 10 right now, but Prime Day is next week so there should be some good deals coming up.

Remember to go through Ebates for 4% cash back on Amazon devices and pay with Amazon gift cards you can buy for 5x UR or 10% off.

There are targeted Amex Offers too, but they're probably better maximized on other deals.

Thanks for this! I will check it out. She still needs one. I was waiting for Prime Day. Her Fire was actually the 7. So, this would be an upgrade!

 

[schmass]

Wait! CFPB them first! You have screenshots right? File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It doesn’t take long but it will at the least make Fidelity use resources to reply to your complaint and at the best get you your bonus. I would also try calling first so in your CFPB complaint you can say you contacted them two different ways.
ETA: their “technical difficulties” are not your fault or responsibility. They are still obligated to fulfill their financial promise.

Arghh, nope no screen shots! Should I still try anyway?

ETA: I do have the emails from Fidelity when I opened the account, so I do have some back up. I will try!

 

[wendow]

Not to bring things down, but I didn't get the job. Trying to focus on the positive that it means I'm supposed to do something else/better but it's hard because I have a hard time with getting jobs. Most I've gotten, even all the way back to my first job in hs, was through someone, whether I was referred or found out once I applied that I knew someone there, or through a temp agency. I felt much better about all of this than other jobs I've interviewed for and didn't get. I did realize that I forgot to send a thank you note, but I wasn't given a business card and it was a group interview so I just spaced on it.

Sorry, that stinks You were so excited too

 

[disneymagicgirl]

This deal is in the mousesavers newsletter. Seems good I think...

DL direct 3 day hoppers are $330 +tax...so $15 extra for sea world and LEGO land. I doubt we’d use legoland but still good deal unless I am missing something.

I could buy the 3 day hoppers with 10% back GC for $300 each. So I guess really it is $45 extra for the other 2 places.

ETA: universal Hollywood vs universal Orlando....thoughts?

 

[Albort]

Meta/US Banks liquidate fine at WMs here in MD. Just did it last week

i found another option to unload, so far the vanilla vgc didnt work. next would be metas.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Arghh, nope no screen shots! Should I still try anyway?

ETA: I do have the emails from Fidelity when I opened the account, so I do have some back up. I will try!

Oh bummer! I'd still try anyway fwiw.

 

[wendow]

View attachment 335840 This deal is in the mousesavers newsletter. Seems good I think...

DL direct 3 day hoppers are $330 +tax...so $15 extra for sea world and LEGO land. I doubt we’d use legoland but still good deal unless I am missing something.

I could buy the 3 day hoppers with 10% back GC for $300 each. So I guess really it is $45 extra for the other 2 places.

ETA: universal Hollywood vs universal Orlando....thoughts?

Did you check LMTclub? We had 4 day ph’ers that we’re 315. I’ll confirm the price later but pretty sure.

ETA: I just realized you are paying with GCs bringing the cost down.

 

[DisneyMandC]

There's an interesting thread on r/churning right now discussing burnout and generally getting too obsessed with this hobby. A lot of the comments get to what we often discuss here about how there's "no wrong way to churn" and using points however you feel is best, even if it's not the world's greatest cpp redemption.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/8xcnaa/discussion_frustrations_with_the_act_of_churning/

 

[miztressuz]

I don’t understand this at all. Do people generally walk around with wads of cash they can whip out and use to buy gift cards? Such a weird policy.

Most stores will take debit card for gift cards, just not credit. I think they make you use the PIN option or the transaction doesn't complete. I know my Mom almost got stuck putting a whole grocery order on debit because she grabbed a gift card while she was there. I think she got it worked out though to only pay for the GC with a debit and put the rest on credit.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Not to bring things down, but I didn't get the job. Trying to focus on the positive that it means I'm supposed to do something else/better but it's hard because I have a hard time with getting jobs. Most I've gotten, even all the way back to my first job in hs, was through someone, whether I was referred or found out once I applied that I knew someone there, or through a temp agency. I felt much better about all of this than other jobs I've interviewed for and didn't get. I did realize that I forgot to send a thank you note, but I wasn't given a business card and it was a group interview so I just spaced on it...

Just want to say I'm sorry to see that That is such a rough time, hopefully we can help distract you a bit to keep your spirits up!

 

[gottalovepluto]

So doing anything with Chase credit cards freaks me out these days, I sent an SM to close my Disney Premier today and I'm scared it's going to trigger a soft pull (there is 0 data supporting that fear) which will cause a shutdown (very little data supporting that fear) and all my plans will be ruined- I need to GET A GRIP. Logically, this fear is completely illogical! I'm closing a card for goodness sakes, I'm bring my Chase CL:income ratio down from 88% to 67%. I have to stop reading that Chase Shutdown thread, it's totally screwing with my head...

 

[trenty]

@Lain - DH will be applying for the United Card soon- hoping to trigger an offer better than 40000 for him, before he applies for the CSP since the MSR is less for the United card (one tuition payment for DS college and it will be covered). If I add my other DS who might occasionally use United to fly back and forth to his school will he get any benefits (mostly want free checked bag)? And if DS gets TSA precheck can I use the credit for him if he is AU?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Me too! I used my Discover for everything once I got it!

I get super anxious when DHs 4'10" 85 year old grandma pulls out her bank envelope of $100s to pay for things.

My Mom was a depression baby..it’s the way they were brought up....you pay cash for everything...my parents paid cash for the two houses they bought and every car

 

[amalone1013]

View attachment 335840 This deal is in the mousesavers newsletter. Seems good I think...

DL direct 3 day hoppers are $330 +tax...so $15 extra for sea world and LEGO land. I doubt we’d use legoland but still good deal unless I am missing something.

I could buy the 3 day hoppers with 10% back GC for $300 each. So I guess really it is $45 extra for the other 2 places.

ETA: universal Hollywood vs universal Orlando....thoughts?

We did the Citypass a few years back, it was 3 days DLR, Universal, Sea World, and we added San Diego Zoo. Super easy to use. So that probably comes down to if you want to actually go to Sea World and Lego Land (never been).

As for Hollywood vs Orlando... I think I'd say I like Orlando better personally, since it's bigger and thus more to do. But I really love the Studio Tour in Hollywood, as cheesy as it may sound. There are some rides that are the same between the two. I think the animal show and Waterworld in Hollywood are better (I think that for Disney too, my thought is the talent pool is better in Cali with people probably trying to break into acting...).

But We did Hollywood in Feb 2015 and July 2016, and when we were out there this past April after having been to Orlando in September, we were good to skip Hollywood. So hopefully this was a super confusing contradictory report I guess I'd say I'd be up for Hollywood every few years or so, if we were visiting Orlando regularly. If we weren't doing Orlando yearly or so, I'd make Hollywood more of a priority next time I go to Cali.

 

[Calfan]

@Lain - DH will be applying for the United Card soon- hoping to trigger an offer better than 40000 for him, before he applies for the CSP since the MSR is less for the United card (one tuition payment for DS college and it will be covered). If I add my other DS who might occasionally use United to fly back and forth to his school will he get any benefits (mostly want free checked bag)? And if DS gets TSA precheck can I use the credit for him if he is AU?

The primary card holder needs to be flying on the itinerary for the free bag benefit to apply.

 

[trenty]

The primary card holder needs to be flying on the itinerary for the free bag benefit to apply.

Ok. thanks. no point in making him AU then unless they offer an additional sign on bonus.

 

[Lain]

@Lain - DH will be applying for the United Card soon- hoping to trigger an offer better than 40000 for him, before he applies for the CSP since the MSR is less for the United card (one tuition payment for DS college and it will be covered). If I add my other DS who might occasionally use United to fly back and forth to his school will he get any benefits (mostly want free checked bag)? And if DS gets TSA precheck can I use the credit for him if he is AU?

From the offer terms:

1. You'll earn an additional 5,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and addition of an authorized user to your account; both must occur during the first 3 months from account opening. So you making a purchase and adding DS as an AU within the first 3 months will get you an extra 5k UA miles on top of whatever is the signup bonus.

2. Card benefits like free first checked bag, are for the primary Cardmember and one traveling companion on the same reservation; authorized users are only eligible if they are on the same reservation as the primary Cardmember.

and,

3. The way the Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® fee credit benefits have worked on cards that offer it is you can sign up anybody (not limited to only the primary Cardmember) for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®, as long as you pay with the card (in this case, the Explorer card ), you'll receive the credit up to $100.

 

[SBWB48]

i found another option to unload, so far the vanilla vgc didnt work. next would be metas.

Would you be willing to share the new option in our reddit group thread?

Vanillas are/have been the biggest pain and of course, that is all Walgreens sell. I plan to just save them for everyday use if I don't come across any better avenue.