I love credit cards so much!

[CyndiLouWho]

any updates on the sams club amex offer? I got my credit for the purchase,yet it's still showing in my offers,can I get it more than once? I know some of you here had tried it

I haven’t even gotten the credit yet and it’s been over a week since I ordered GCs

 

[Lain]

I went through quite quickly because the sweet scent of new squishy babies was making my ovaries twitch, so I wanted to get out quickly before I got any crazy ideas .

I am immune to squishy baby scent so...

 

[Lain]

I've never flown first class before and I honestly don't see DH spending the extra money to get it so we will most likely end up flying economy. We are probably going to fly with United/ANA.

Would the one CIP be enough for us or would we have to get different Chase cards as well? I'm just worried about spending the $5000 plus more to get the bonuses.

I think we may just stick with the two CIP cards (DH now and mine when he refers me).

I think we are only planning on getting enough points for our plane tickets, but I may be able to convince DH to apply for a CSR when my MSR for my CIP is done.

[W]e like seeing what we get bonus points on with our CIP.

I think Dh is going to apply for the CSR so we can keep getting points to help pay for hotels and things.

I think @Haley R 's seen the light!

 

[Haley R]

I think @Haley R 's seen the light!

Lol! I love that progression. It makes me look really indecisive

 

[Lain]

Lol! I love that progression. It makes me look really indecisive

I like to think it makes you look brave! You went from worrying about applying for biz cards, to wanting only the one CIP, to two and a CSR next. And you're upgrading your vacation plans all the while with all these points -- economy to business class, and paying for hotels with points and not out of pocket. Bravo!

 

[SBWB48]

Anyone here doing an M&T Bank bonus? Having lots of trouble getting the bonus to trigger. It looks like they've (justifiably) battered down on what counts as a DD for the bonus.

So far, pushes from Ally Checking, Ally Savings, and Schwab Brokerage have not worked. My next attempts will likely be Schwab Checking and Alliant Checking (just opened), but unless I start going down the accounts I have open for other bonuses I'm running out of ideas. If necessary I can use a legit DD, but it'll be another couple weeks before that takes effect so I might as well keep trying.

Wells Fargo worked for me during the bonus frenzy last year around this time. I used WF for all 8 of the accounts we opened Not sure if that's an option for you, but I haven't tried the new M&T bonus since it says no bonus for anyone who's received a bonus in the last 12m.

any updates on the sams club amex offer? I got my credit for the purchase,yet it's still showing in my offers,can I get it more than once? I know some of you here had tried it

I haven’t even gotten the credit yet and it’s been over a week since I ordered GCs

This was a weird situation. I did the last Sam's Club offer (thanks to @calypso726 pointing out you can split it between 2 cards) that expired June 15. When I didnt see the credit post after 2 weeks, I opened a chat (2x). Both times the reps told me Sam's Club offers are weird. They always have processing issues with leads to a need to manually process them (whatever that means in Amex terms). They told me I would see the credit within 8 weeks. And well, last week, I did it fact see the $15 credit on both cards I used. It didn't show up as a Sam's Club credit, but rather "American Express Corporate Adjustment" and if you click into the transaction, I can see a note for Sam's Club offer. Not sure if this is everyone since I opened a chat to inquire, but for me, this was the case. Maybe @calypso726 can opine since she did that one too?

 

[Haley R]

I like to think it makes you look brave! You went from worrying about applying for biz cards, to wanting only the one CIP, to two and a CSR next. And you're upgrading your vacation plans all the while with all these points -- economy to business class, and paying for hotels with points and not out of pocket. Bravo!

I honestly couldn’t have done any of this without this thread. I want to thank everyone that has helped us get to this point. When I tell people we will be flying to Japan for free they are amazed and can’t believe it and that’s how I used to be! We make so many monthly payments already that it’s so easy to get points.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

This was a weird situation. I did the last Sam's Club offer (thanks to @calypso726 pointing out you can split it between 2 cards) that expired June 15. When I didnt see the credit post after 2 weeks, I opened a chat (2x). Both times the reps told me Sam's Club offers are weird. They always have processing issues with leads to a new to manually process them (whatever that means in Amex terms). They told me I would see he credit within 8 weeks. And well, last week, I did it fact see the $15 credit on both cards I used. It didn't show up as a Sam's Club credit, but rather "American Express Corporate Adjustment" and if you click into the transaction, I can see a note for Sam's Club offer. Not sure if this is everyone since I opened a chat to inquire, but for me, this was the case. Maybe @calypso726 can opine since she did that one too?

That is strange. I don’t want to chat about it though, because right now I have an odd BB&B $75 credit. I have no idea where it came from (used the card for $5 off off, but only bought $50) but eyes on the account might get it removed. The 2 Sam’s offers we’re $30 total, so an accidental $75 beats that.

 

[hsmamato2]

Wells Fargo worked for me during the bonus frenzy last year around this time. I used WF for all 8 of the accounts we opened Not sure if that's an option for you, but I haven't tried the new M&T bonus since it says no bonus for anyone who's received a bonus in the last 12m.





This was a weird situation. I did the last Sam's Club offer (thanks to @calypso726 pointing out you can split it between 2 cards) that expired June 15. When I didnt see the credit post after 2 weeks, I opened a chat (2x). Both times the reps told me Sam's Club offers are weird. They always have processing issues with leads to a new to manually process them (whatever that means in Amex terms). They told me I would see he credit within 8 weeks. And well, last week, I did it fact see the $15 credit on both cards I used. It didn't show up as a Sam's Club credit, but rather "American Express Corporate Adjustment" and if you click into the transaction, I can see a note for Sam's Club offer. Not sure if this is everyone since I opened a chat to inquire, but for me, this was the case. Maybe @calypso726 can opine since she did that one too?

mine showed up as sams club and the $15..... but I'm debating trying to use it again since it still shows lol

 

[Lain]

Referred myself for the Biz Green from my new Biz Plat, and instantly approved!

Looking forward to seeing the 20k MR referral bonus, and those 5k+5k MRs Biz Green bonuses soon!

 

[jhoannam]

Referred myself for the Biz Green from my new Biz Plat, and instantly approved!

Looking forward to seeing the 20k MR referral bonus, and those 5k+5k MRs Biz Green bonuses soon!

How many MSRs are you trying to meet?

 

[speedyfishy]

Lol! I love that progression. It makes me look really indecisive

I think you progressed really quickly with this hobby and weren’t indecisive at all. I was reading up on this for months before I decided to apply for a new card and then I started with the freedom unlimited. It then took me another three months to get the Southwest cards. I also was too nervous to get a business card until I was 6 months into this hobby. You’re doing great.

 

[amalone1013]

I think @Haley R 's seen the light!

We need all of the dates of these posts, and then we can use @Haley R as our poster girl

This was a weird situation. I did the last Sam's Club offer (thanks to @calypso726 pointing out you can split it between 2 cards) that expired June 15. When I didnt see the credit post after 2 weeks, I opened a chat (2x). Both times the reps told me Sam's Club offers are weird. They always have processing issues with leads to a new to manually process them (whatever that means in Amex terms). They told me I would see he credit within 8 weeks. And well, last week, I did it fact see the $15 credit on both cards I used. It didn't show up as a Sam's Club credit, but rather "American Express Corporate Adjustment" and if you click into the transaction, I can see a note for Sam's Club offer. Not sure if this is everyone since I opened a chat to inquire, but for me, this was the case. Maybe @calypso726 can opine since she did that one too?

You reminded me to look at the ILs accounts... I thought I messed up their $15 off $30 offers because I did in store pickup to get them dog treats, but it didn't post until after the 15th and I thought it was because we didn't pick up until the 18th. Now I see they did go through and manually credit them the $15. Phew! I just felt kinda bad, I mean buying the treats at Sam's is a big price saving anyways, but with 2 $15 off $30 offers there were basically getting 2 bags free which is way more exciting!

 

[Lain]

How many MSRs are you trying to meet?

ROFL

DW's Hilton Biz - Still got about $3k and 2 months left

Biz Plat - $10k/3 months

Biz Green - Fortunately, this only requires a single purchase (no minimum amount) within the first year for a 5k MR bonus, first year AF waived. (There's a quirk that seems to be double crediting the 5k MR bonus on the Biz Green.)

Looking at adding the following in the next month - 2 months:

Marriott Premier Plus - $3k/3 months. I'd have to apply before the new restrictions hit on 8/26 and disqualify me from that card.

CIU for DW - $3k/3 months, maybe when we wrap up her Hilton Biz

SPG Lux for DW - expected to be $5k/3 months.

To meet all this spend, I'll probably have to sideline my CIP on Plastiq for the next 3-4 months, but the bonuses we'd get from the new cards would be:

125k+ Hilton Honors points
100k MR signup bonus + 10k MR from MSR
20k MR for the self-referral to Biz Green + 5k+5k MR signup bonus.

and if I go through with more cards:

75k Marriott Rewards signup bonus + 3k points from MSR
50k UR + 3k UR from MSR
125k Marriott Rewards signup bonus + 5k points from MSR

I think @striker1064 would be proud, especially since we had that discussion about lost opportunity costs in points optimizing vs. always hitting MSR earlier this week.

There's nothing that motivates me more than limited time, historically high offers (the Amex Biz charge cards) and closing windows of opportunity (the Marriott/SPG cards with their new restrictions).

 

[Haley R]

I think you progressed really quickly with this hobby and weren’t indecisive at all. I was reading up on this for months before I decided to apply for a new card and then I started with the freedom unlimited. It then took me another three months to get the Southwest cards. I also was too nervous to get a business card until I was 6 months into this hobby. You’re doing great.

Thanks! We are having fun doing it. When I talk to other people I realize how much I enjoy doing it.

I’m getting nervous about plane tickets because we won’t be able to get them until end of August and I’m seeing some award flights starting to disappear.

 

[Haley R]

We need all of the dates of these posts, and then we can use @Haley R as our poster girl

You reminded me to look at the ILs accounts... I thought I messed up their $15 off $30 offers because I did in store pickup to get them dog treats, but it didn't post until after the 15th and I thought it was because we didn't pick up until the 18th. Now I see they did go through and manually credit them the $15. Phew! I just felt kinda bad, I mean buying the treats at Sam's is a big price saving anyways, but with 2 $15 off $30 offers there were basically getting 2 bags free which is way more exciting!

Lol I would totally be the poster girl.

 

[Lain]

Hmmm.... this would push us into being able to meet a $10k MSR. I added up my hail damage, universal tickets, paying auto insurance in full, AND upgrading our tickets to APs in September, plus moving all spend except gas to it and got to $8k. And moving all spend isn't really reasonable because I cannot for the life of me convince DH to take my card.

churningsearch has been down, but I'm pretty sure I've seen discussion that MCGCs liquidated through Masterpass/Plastiq works. The $250 per payment limit makes liquidating $500 MCGCs nice and even too.

 

[calypso726]

Let’s start from the beginning. I saw @Haley R post on the ABD forum.

I was really excited about Japan being added because we've never done an Adventures trip before, but that price point is absolutely crazy. I'm so surprised people are able to pay that much money for a trip. That's enough money to pay back all of my student loans. We are still planning on going next May, but we will just have to book everything on our own. I really wanted to try staying at the MiraCosta, but I don't think that we can swing that either. We may just be in over our heads idk.

So I responded and then tagged her on our thread.

@Haley R - I will agree that the price point of Japan is pretty We are fortunate to be able to swing it and don't take that for granted. I'm chiming in on your post because you mention going on your own and not being able to do MiraCosta. You can, if you have good credit and don't carry balances on your credit cards. You just have to think outside the box and perhaps my post here will lead you to a new hobby that will allow you to travel for free or at least mitigate a lot of your travel expenses. 6 years ago my desire to go on the ABD Scotland trip and thinking the price point was too high led me to a new hobby some of us call travel hacking. I learned how to collect and then use points and miles to pay for my airfare, hotels and a number of other travel related costs. I can honestly say it changed my life. I did go on the Scotland ABD and we flew to Europe using points and miles in first class to boot.

We will be on the China ABD next week and decided to fly to Japan on from Shanghai using points and miles to visit the parks. When I saw what a Harbor View room at MiraCosta costs I decided there was no way I'd be paying that much money to stay there so I initially decided to travel hack it instead and formed a plan to pay for it with points. The plan would take several months to implement fully but it would cover the hotel costs. It involved signing up for a few credit cards that offered high bonuses of $400 or more and opening a few new checking accounts for bank bonuses that also allow credit card funding without coding as cash advance. Between 2 or 3 credit cards and a few bank bonuses you can easily get yourself between $1500 - $2000 for your hotel stay. It will all sound complicated and overwhelming, it really isn't. I'm no expert but I've still managed to fly and travel (on non ABD trips) on mostly points and miles for the last 6 years.

There is a thread here on the Disboards in the Budget Board section that is pretty active and moves fast, called "I love credit cards so much". The regulars there, including me, help out all new comers and it is one of the friendliest threads on the Disboards. The folks that post there and help out or seek to get help range a wide spectrum of travel goals. Some of folks can probably afford to pay for their travel without this hobby but choose not to or use it as a means to upgrade their style of travel without it affecting their wallet. A few of them are regulars here on the ABD board too. Some of the folks there, have much more restrictive budgets and would not be able to do any travel at all if not for this hobby. I'll tag you over there so you can find us. Come say hi, tell us what your travel goals are and the regulars on the thread will take it from there.

I think @Haley R 's seen the light!

I totally agree!

 

[calypso726]

Wells Fargo worked for me during the bonus frenzy last year around this time. I used WF for all 8 of the accounts we opened Not sure if that's an option for you, but I haven't tried the new M&T bonus since it says no bonus for anyone who's received a bonus in the last 12m.





This was a weird situation. I did the last Sam's Club offer (thanks to @calypso726 pointing out you can split it between 2 cards) that expired June 15. When I didnt see the credit post after 2 weeks, I opened a chat (2x). Both times the reps told me Sam's Club offers are weird. They always have processing issues with leads to a new to manually process them (whatever that means in Amex terms). They told me I would see he credit within 8 weeks. And well, last week, I did it fact see the $15 credit on both cards I used. It didn't show up as a Sam's Club credit, but rather "American Express Corporate Adjustment" and if you click into the transaction, I can see a note for Sam's Club offer. Not sure if this is everyone since I opened a chat to inquire, but for me, this was the case. Maybe @calypso726 can opine since she did that one too?

I used two different Amex Sams Club offers over a few cards. They all credited just fine. Both offers required me splitting payments over 2 cards. So I did two Sams Club transactions which resulted in 4 statement credits.

 

[wendow]

I'm sorry...summer is so busy I can't see if anyone replied to that rewards question on a PC card..... if I go down to the no AF version, everything stays the same,including my accrued rewards?

I PC’ed mine in June. All rewards I had earned stayed the same.