I love credit cards so much!

[amalone1013]

I personally think the books are so much better than the movies. Just an idea here, but if he doesn't like to read, check out the audio books. The reader is awesome (and has different voices for Hagrid, McGonagal, etc.) and I listen to them sometimes when I'm too busy to read. (Granted I read the books multiple times before trying the audiobooks, but I still think they would be good if he wants to hear the story).

The books are always better this is a great idea though. I got into audio books last summer a bit on my commute but fell off after a bit. I think I'll definitely plan on it either for our FL trip or when we end up driving back to NE when my cousin has her baby, if I dont before.!

 

[linzjane88]

I have discovered that there is another credit card churner and/or Swagbuck-er in my neighborhood and this person bought almost ALL of the Disney gift cards at my local Best Buy yesterday I was there two days ago and there was a mostly full row of $25 and a good number of $50 and some variables -- all gone except one lone $25. I took the $25 card to the cashier to ask if there were more somewhere in the store and he said No, someone bought all of them yesterday. I decided to buy a $50 Bed Bath & Beyond GC on the chance that I could convert it to a Disney GC. BBB is two stores down from Best Buy, and if I was stuck with a BBB GC it wouldn't be the end of the world -- fortunately I was able to convert it (one slight hiccup but it did work). As I was checking out at Best Buy with the BBB GC, I gave my Swagbucks QR code to the cashier and said that BBB wasn't as good as Disney but it would do, and he asked about the Swagbucks deal. I told him it was a reward for making a purchase at Best Buy and wondered if the person who bought all of the Disney cards was trying to get multiple rewards. The cashier did say that this person checked out in multiple transactions. Definitely someone with multiple AmEx cards . . . and maybe a Swagbuck-er who doesn't know the promotion is one per day . . .

I was thinking, doesn’t this person know the SB deal is once per day?! What a waste, and drawing so much attention to yourself, at that.

Is it 1x per day? I didn't know it was supposed to be but then again my nearest BB is about an hour away so I rarely do this deal. When I did I bought about $800 is gc's over 3 stores on two different days. All points seemed to have posted? I actually wasn't going to get that much but the checkout girl was so easy going and chill (and the store was basically empty) that I couldn't resist.

Myself and @Lain are the only crazy kids to have gotten it here (so far...). I’ll mix in some MS likely along the lines of 4-5K similar to what I did for the Spark Biz that also had a 10K MSR and prepay a couple more things.

I can't remember, do you and @Lain have a business or a "business"? I loathe phone calls and basically get anxiety putting in takeout dinner orders so I don't know why I am contemplating this...but it's almost too good to pass up. I am strangely interested


In other news I had a moment of confusion between my BFF's card plans and mine. I had everything straight when working P2 but now that I sorta have a P3 ....well I just don't know! I drew up this grandiose spreadsheet outlining how both our families will get to Hawaii for free in April. Well I mentally mixed up our plans (all because I was too lazy to walk to the office and grab my notebook). I was supposed to sign up for the Marriott personal with her referral (I think it is over but because we were having issues getting ti to work when it was live she SM'd and they said they would manually add the points once I was approved). Unfortunately I had a brain fart and applied for the Biz . I immediately applied for the regular right after. Wasn't really trying for a Marriott double dip but I guess that's what you get when you haven't had enough coffee yet. The biz went 7-10 days and the personal went 2 weeks via automated line. I am not really in need of the business card so I don't think I will call recon? Haven't decided yet. This is my first denial though so I am a little sad.

 

[miztressuz]

Just applied for global entry for myself using DH’s new Amex Plat. He applied a few weeks ago using his CSR.

For anyone that has experience with Global Entry, I know it also provides TSA Pre Check, will we be able to use the pre check line with our 7 yo daughter who does not have Global Entry? We don’t have any upcoming international flights so would only be using pre check. If I decide to apply for the Biz Plat then I’d use that credit to purchase Global Entry for her.

One other question, how long from application to interview on average?

I did mine last year, getting the interview appointment depended on how busy the location. I think I was approved to schedule about a week or ten days from app, but open appointments were like 3 months out at PHL. I grabbed the first available and then stalked the site. I also looked at other locations I'd be near in the meantime and snagged one at PIT well before. They had added days or something to their schedule so I was fortunate and had a couple times to choose from. I guess it depends on how busy your area is. I heard some other areas in the same time were only couple weeks out.

 

[bernina]

Thank you for all the data points on pre check for minors as well as application processing times, greatly appreciated!

Speaking of data points, how does Amex handle property tax payments made either via plastiq or other online processors? We have an approx $2k bill that would knock a chunk out of the $5k min we’re working on for the personal platinum. I don’t want to anger the Amex overseers though.

 

[wdwcindy]

Question for travelers to Europe: I used sky pesos for a trip this fall to Italy. Delta changed my return flight from a layover in Atlanta to a layover in Amsterdam. I have never flown from one country in Europe to another before heading back to the states. Is there anything special I need to be aware of security-wise? Flight is from Rome to Amsterdam to Detroit.

Thanks again for all the great churning, banking, traveling info from the nicest group on the web!!

 

[mmmears]

I know this came up at some point, but I didn't think it pertained to me at the time. It looks like DD may need a new laptop very soon. I know there are student discounts right now so at least the timing could be worse. Any tips on how to maximize points, and also which CCard comes with the best warranty for something like this? (We are talking Apple here, and our better cards are: Citi AA Plat, AMEX Plat, CSR & CSP, with the 2 Chase cards still needing a bit to get the MS but I don't think that will be an issue even if we don't use them). Any advice would be appreciated. (DH can get the discount through his work, so we will likely buy through them, not a retail chain). TIA!

 

[Artygal90]

Question for travelers to Europe: I used sky pesos for a trip this fall to Italy. Delta changed my return flight from a layover in Atlanta to a layover in Amsterdam. I have never flown from one country in Europe to another before heading back to the states. Is there anything special I need to be aware of security-wise? Flight is from Rome to Amsterdam to Detroit.

Thanks again for all the great churning, banking, traveling info from the nicest group on the web!!

Oh, I know this one! (I'm useless on most churning questions but I know about stuff like this). Nope, nothing special*. You might need to go through security/customs/immigration again (never flown through Amsterdam or Rome so can't say for sure where exactly the "international transit" bubble would start for you) but since the Netherlands and Italy are both covered under the Schengen agreement, you don't need a special visa or anything. It's as easy as flying from Detroit to Atlanta!

Source: https://ind.nl/en/short-stay/Pages/Stopover-in-the-Netherlands.aspx

*I am assuming you have a US passport. If you hold a passport for another country you'll want to double-check the list on that link I posted above. But I'm 99.99% certain you'll be fine!

 

[Haley R]

Okay I have a question. It looks like my cc limit is $5000 for the month but we are close to meeting the $5000 for my CIP. Are we able to get directly at $5000 so we can get the bonus points asap or should we not risk going over my limit?

 

[Lain]

Okay I have a question. It looks like my cc limit is $5000 for the month but we are close to meeting the $5000 for my CIP. Are we able to get directly at $5000 so we can get the bonus points asap or should we not risk going over my limit?

You could pay down your balance, thus freeing up some space under your CL.

 

[mmmears]

Question for travelers to Europe: I used sky pesos for a trip this fall to Italy. Delta changed my return flight from a layover in Atlanta to a layover in Amsterdam. I have never flown from one country in Europe to another before heading back to the states. Is there anything special I need to be aware of security-wise? Flight is from Rome to Amsterdam to Detroit.

Thanks again for all the great churning, banking, traveling info from the nicest group on the web!!

Just to second the previous poster, but there is nothing special you need to worry about if you have a US Passport. Haven't stopped in Amsterdam, but I've had layovers in London and is was a non-issue. Have a great trip!

 

[AmyAnne]

Is it 1x per day? I didn't know it was supposed to be but then again my nearest BB is about an hour away so I rarely do this deal. When I did I bought about $800 is gc's over 3 stores on two different days. All points seemed to have posted? I actually wasn't going to get that much but the checkout girl was so easy going and chill (and the store was basically empty) that I couldn't resist.

According to multiple people on the Swagbucks and/or Disney gift card threads (I can't recall which one, or could be both), SB changed the terms of the offer recently (a few weeks ago maybe?) so that the 500 points are only available once per day.

ETA: I realized I had the SB page up from when I printed the code earlier today and it says "Bonus SB can only be earned once per day."

 

[linzjane88]

According to multiple people on the Swagbucks and/or Disney gift card threads (I can't recall which one, or could be both), SB changed the terms of the offer recently (a few weeks ago maybe?) so that the 500 points are only available once per day.

ETA: I realized I had the SB page up from when I printed the code earlier today and it says "Bonus SB can only be earned once per day."

That's disappointing but good to know! I last tried about a month ago.

 

[tink89]

DH keeps getting an offer from chase when he signs in to his bus online banking. He currently has the chase ink preferred. The offer the pops up is the business chase ink unlimited with $500 after min spend of $3k.

Is this a good offer?

 

[linzjane88]

Aviator Biz auto approval . I couldn't help myself, the FOMO was strong.

 

[linzjane88]

DH keeps getting an offer from chase when he signs in to his bus online banking. He currently has the chase ink preferred. The offer the pops up is the business chase ink unlimited with $500 after min spend of $3k.

Is this a good offer?

Pretty sure that's the standard offer but I could be wrong.

 

[SBWB48]

I can't remember, do you and @Lain have a business or a "business"? I loathe phone calls and basically get anxiety putting in takeout dinner orders so I don't know why I am contemplating this...but it's almost too good to pass up. I am strangely interested

@Lain has what can be defined as a real business IMO but will let him opine.

I have what skews more towards a “business”, despite having sold a few items here and there.

The phone call was painless. The rep was very chatty and only asked a few basic questions like “years in business”, “how many employees”, and “annual revenue”. Have a logical story for your “business” if that’s the case and just let the conversation flow. Beverly even asked what my most popular item was (only because she was curious she said lol).

I know this came up at some point, but I didn't think it pertained to me at the time. It looks like DD may need a new laptop very soon. I know there are student discounts right now so at least the timing could be worse. Any tips on how to maximize points, and also which CCard comes with the best warranty for something like this? (We are talking Apple here, and our better cards are: Citi AA Plat, AMEX Plat, CSR & CSP, with the 2 Chase cards still needing a bit to get the MS but I don't think that will be an issue even if we don't use them). Any advice would be appreciated. (DH can get the discount through his work, so we will likely buy through them, not a retail chain). TIA!

Amex is the gold standard IMO when it comes to protections, other than price which they don’t do. Apart from the fact that Chase got rid of purchase protection, I never thought Chase had a great administrator and claims I heard were painful and drawn out. Amex has been nothing but a pleasure to deal with when I have had claims to file.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Pretty sure that's the standard offer but I could be wrong.

Totally right. Card just came out a couple months ago, that’s the only offer we’ve seen so far. Decent imho.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Aviator Biz auto approval . I couldn't help myself, the FOMO was strong.

SCORE!!

 

[Haley R]

You could pay down your balance, thus freeing up some space under your CL.

We’ve actually already paid about $1000 of it. Is it $5000 as the CL at one time or for the whole month?

 

[mmmears]

Amex is the gold standard IMO when it comes to protections, other than price which they don’t do. Apart from the fact that Chase got rid of purchase protection, I never thought Chase had a great administrator and claims I heard were painful and drawn out. Amex has been nothing but a pleasure to deal with when I have had claims to file.

Thanks for the info. We've never actually made a claim with AMEX so it's good to know that they are good about this stuff. We have always had Apple Care added to our laptops, so maybe that's why. I guess I need to do some research now and go from there.