I love credit cards so much!

[Eighty8Keys]

I'm probably really behind the times on this one, but I hadn't checked DH's amex in a while and just saw that he has 10% back at office supply stores. I don't see any gift card language. Anyone gotten this and had luck with gift cards?

This thread moves so fast that I’m not sure if anyone has responded yet, but I used this offer at Office Depot on a $50 Disney gift card and got the 10% back.

 

[LynnTH]

SSA has online services so you can order an replacement card without ever having to go into the office. First, you need to set-up a myssa.gov account and then you can order the replacement card. I will say they tried very hard to stump me with the questions that had been pulled from my credit report but this is definitely needed to prevent fraud, which, unfortunately, is rampant. This will also allow you to see your earnings, etc. Once the account is established, it is a very easy process to request for the card. You reminded me that I don't currently have one so I just did the online request. I am not sure how long it will actually take to receive my card.

Yeah. Just tried doing that. Signed up DH. (He wouldn't know any of the answers - good thing I did). Unfortunately, my state is not one that you are able to request a card online. (Figures). So, now waiting for SS office to call me back. It says you can go in person (but hours are crappy) or you can mail in the request to your local office but not sure what supporting documentation needs to be mailed with it)

 

[DisneyMandC]

This thread moves so fast that I’m not sure if anyone has responded yet, but I used this offer at Office Depot on a $50 Disney gift card and got the 10% back.

Thanks! Going to try that out in the next couple weeks.

 

[mmmears]

Guys...I’m so excited. I can’t even focus on work HAHA!

Congratulations! I'm happy it worked out so well for you. And your story shows me that I need to work on a long term game plan (yours really was great). We really don't know what we are doing at this point. The MSR on the double dip is almost done and DH is asking me where to put the overflow spending (CSR or AMEX) and I honestly don't know. We leave in a couple of days so we won't be getting a new card anytime soon.

Closed cards don't seem to impact her score in the least. I've closed 22 cards in the past 20ish months - no impact. Wife has closed 8 cards in the past 2 years, no perceivable impact.

This is really good to know. I don't like the idea of having a ton of cards open and hidden away somewhere. I'd much rather be able to close accounts we don't want anymore.

 

[Lain]

Calling SEA peeps-- @afan and I think someone else I am missing? I need some lounge input if you have any. I am starting to panic about my late night flights with two kids and no DH to help!

I am flying out of SEA with my dds (6 & 10) to AK to go visit family. Flight times are disappointing (but red eyes are pretty much mandatory for Anc flights). I am taking the train up from my house and will get an Uber to the airport. Because of train times I will have about 3.5 hours to kill, 1600-1930 on a Wednesday evening and between 5am and 630am the following Wednesday. Would it be worth it you think to get an Amex card to gain access to the Centurion lounge? I am thinking if we have someplace nice to recharge a bit it will help with sleepy/cranky kids. I have PP with my CSR so I don't know if those lounges are comparable? My other issue is that I have waited until 1 week prior to my trip so I would need to get it expedited.

It might all be fine. I did a redeye when they were 2 and 6 and that was so so awful I swore I would never do it again. It's dd10 though that turns into a pumpkin when the clock strikes bedtime. Maybe she can handle it better now that shes older? I'm talking out loud here.

Just keep in mind the only cards that’ll get you access to a Centurion Lounge are the black Centurion card (by invite only) and all variants of the Platinum cards (which carry a $450-550 AF, except the Ameriprise Platinum). A Platinum card will get you and two guests in complementary, but you’ll have to pay for additional guests. As with all Amex cards, welcome bonuses are generally once per lifetime, so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the highest or near best bonus offer on whichever card you apply for, and not just look for the benefit the card will get you. From what I’ve read, the SEA Centurion Lounge is the smallest in the network and doesn’t offer a hot meal bar and has a snack bar instead. It’s been years since I’ve flown through SeaTac, so I can’t comment on how the Lounge offerings compare. If I knew I’d be flying through an airport with a Centurion Lounge a few times a year, I could justify the AF that usually comes with the Plats, but if this is a one off, I don’t know if it’s worth it. Platinum cards are almost always expedited if you decide to jump. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Teal03]

Finally my statement posted. I did the Gillette offer on Swagbucks and it took forever to post and of course shady WF posted it at the last minute a day and a half before my statement date. I had pending payments and really didn’t feel like adding it up and accidentally paid over $.80 Now my balance is negative. That should be fine right?

Credit Karma said paying this card off would move me up 20 points and put me in the late 690s. I read that they’re slightly off so I should be in the 700s.

 

[Alexle2007]

Yeah. Just tried doing that. Signed up DH. (He wouldn't know any of the answers - good thing I did). Unfortunately, my state is not one that you are able to request a card online. (Figures). So, now waiting for SS office to call me back. It says you can go in person (but hours are crappy) or you can mail in the request to your local office but not sure what supporting documentation needs to be mailed with it)

Totally forgot that was still be rolled out. (They happen to be my employer.) Here's a link to the information you need: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/

 

[speedyfishy]

So I haven't opened any credit cards (or become an authorized user of) in the last 24 months. Leastways, that I can recall. All of my cards I've had a for quite some time. Do you want to know what cards I have?

I would likely fly there, but it's not necessary. I live in Washington, DC, so it's technically drivable. Not doing it this time because the idea of taking a 5 year-old on a 14 hour road trip makes me want to cry. I don't have any favorite airlines either. My wife has a Southwest card that she uses for an occasional flight to visit a friend out in Chicago.

We're flying JetBlue for this upcoming trip.

Welcome! I’m living in Nova and there are a bunch of us here in the DMV area. Are you looking for one card that you can use everyday or are you open to opening multiple cards? A lot of us open a new card meet the requirements for the bonus and open a new one. Is this something you’re willing to do?

If so you should look into any Chase Ultimate Reward earning cards. Since you have less than five cards opened in the past 24 months you are eligible for all the good Chase cards. With Chase UR earning cards you can call the cruise and tours department and they can book you any Disney package on points, or just a room, special event tickets, regular tickets etc anything on the Disney website you can use points for.

If you have a business id start with the CIP. This card earns 80,000 points after you spend 5,000 in three months.


If you aren’t comfortable with a business I’d recommend applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred on the same day. This would give you 100,000 points for 8,000 in spend. If you have the CSP or CIP your points are worth 1.25 cents per point. If you have the CSR they are worth 1.5 points per point. You can also transfer the points to travel partners.

 

[Stefien Quix]

Welcome! I’m living in Nova and there are a bunch of us here in the DMV area. Are you looking for one card that you can use everyday or are you open to opening multiple cards? A lot of us open a new card meet the requirements for the bonus and open a new one. Is this something you’re willing to do?

Yes. I did something like that a long while back trying for point bonuses in general. But I know there's a impact to my credit for doing so. So I don't love that, but I'm willing. So, I guess the answer is I'm looking for a card that I can use everyday AND I'm open to opening new cards just to get the bonus points and then tossing them.

If so you should look into any Chase Ultimate Reward earning cards. Since you have less than five cards opened in the past 24 months you are eligible for all the good Chase cards. With Chase UR earning cards you can call the cruise and tours department and they can book you any Disney package on points, or just a room, special event tickets, regular tickets etc anything on the Disney website you can use points for.

If you have a business id start with the CIP. This card earns 80,000 points after you spend 5,000 in three months.


If you aren’t comfortable with a business I’d recommend applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred on the same day. This would give you 100,000 points for 8,000 in spend. If you have the CSP or CIP your points are worth 1.25 cents per point. If you have the CSR they are worth 1.5 points per point. You can also transfer the points to travel partners.

I currently have the Chase Disney card. I'll look into the CUR, I think I remember seeing that abbreviation as well as the CIP (what's that stand for?). My wife has a business that we may be able to get a card under, but her business doesn't really require much in the way of business expenses (she's a massage therapist), so I'm not really sure on the rules of that. Can you get a business CC and then just use it for whatever after you have it? Or does it have to be used only for business expenses?

Are the CSP and the CSR in addition to the CUR? And if I get the CIP, do I want them too?

 

[DisneyMandC]

Yes. I did something like that a long while back trying for point bonuses in general. But I know there's a impact to my credit for doing so. So I don't love that, but I'm willing. So, I guess the answer is I'm looking for a card that I can use everyday AND I'm open to opening new cards just to get the bonus points and then tossing them.

Generally, most of us only see positive increases to our credit scores by getting involved with churning. The key is to ALWAYS pay your balances in full and on time, just as you would with any credit card that you weren't churning. You may occasionally see a slight dip in your credit score if you close a card, but nothing alarming (5-10 points). I've gotten 7 new cards in the last year and my score has remained the same. The only thing you may want to watch out for us if you're planning to apply for a mortgage or some sort of large purchase like that where your credit report will be pulled and carefully scrutinized.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Hi everyone! I was advised via another thread I started that I should come over here and ask for some help. So here I am!

I'm about to start my first Disney vacation with my daughter and I'd like to start planning to take her on another one. But not like next year, or even the year after, but probably something closer to 5 years. I'd like start saving (obviously) but also figure out other ways to make the most of my money and spending so I can have my money do more for me! I poked around this thread some and, quite frankly, was super overwhelmed. There's a lot of phrases and abbreviations that I don't follow.

But I'm told everyone here is super friendly and willing to hold my hand (metaphorically speaking) to help me out

So... hi!

Welcome, like speedyfish recommended I would start with chase UR cards. If you and your spouse are both willing to apply for cards that will help you get more UR quicker from bonuses. The chase ink preferred (CIP) is a business card. If you have bills you pay that dont take a credit card you can use plastiq to use a credit card to pay your bill. The fee is 2.5% but using the CIP you will earn 3x per $1 so it outweighs the fee. You can get fee free dollars by using a link in our dishchurners group. Message @SouthFayetteFan, @Albort, or @Lain to join the group. Theres also links to just about any card that offers referrals.

After the CIP I would refer your spouse for the CIP. Then get the CSR/CSP double dip as long as its still around.

 

[Albort]

Thanks! Asked on Reddit too and had someone else say they didn't have a problem doing that deal. Going to make my second stop for it this afternoon. Only had the deal on one card so only four more to go...

it seems very generalized Level2 data like what @Lain said. it list them as "electronics" you should be good. just buy a bottle of water to throw off the .00 at the end id say ur good!

So I haven't opened any credit cards (or become an authorized user of) in the last 24 months. Leastways, that I can recall. All of my cards I've had a for quite some time. Do you want to know what cards I have?

I would likely fly there, but it's not necessary. I live in Washington, DC, so it's technically drivable. Not doing it this time because the idea of taking a 5 year-old on a 14 hour road trip makes me want to cry. I don't have any favorite airlines either. My wife has a Southwest card that she uses for an occasional flight to visit a friend out in Chicago.

We're flying JetBlue for this upcoming trip.

Southwest is a good path to go down. your second option is pretty wide one as many programs transfer for it. heres a chart u can look at --> http://www.awardhacker.com/#f=DCA&t=MCO&o=0&c=y&s=1&p=0
I would continue down Chase as those points are the easier to earn. Chase Ultimate Rewards program has a few cards that earn it. Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom, Chase Ink Preferred, Chase Ink cash, Chase Ink unlimited. lots and lots of cards.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Yes. I did something like that a long while back trying for point bonuses in general. But I know there's a impact to my credit for doing so. So I don't love that, but I'm willing. So, I guess the answer is I'm looking for a card that I can use everyday AND I'm open to opening new cards just to get the bonus points and then tossing them.



I currently have the Chase Disney card. I'll look into the CUR, I think I remember seeing that abbreviation as well as the CIP (what's that stand for?). My wife has a business that we may be able to get a card under, but her business doesn't really require much in the way of business expenses (she's a massage therapist), so I'm not really sure on the rules of that. Can you get a business CC and then just use it for whatever after you have it? Or does it have to be used only for business expenses?

Are the CSP and the CSR in addition to the CUR? And if I get the CIP, do I want them too?

You can apply under your ssn as a business. If you ever sell anything online that can be a business or if you think you might one day.

 

[SBWB48]

Is it terrible that I was kinda hoping one or both cards didn’t get insta-approved and @SouthFayetteFan would’ve had to call in to recon pretending to be Mrs. SouthFayetteFan?



Congratulations, my good man!

I want to recall my previous statement and reword as:

Please make your story even better and tell us you had to call in as Mrs. SouthFayetteFan!?

 

[striker1064]

There is a culture in r/churning that says if you aren't flying first class to Thailand you aren't playing the game right (or pick some other strange extravagant trip that I have no interest in). It's really a poison over there because I think people just compete to show a great redemption, and is it really what they wanted to do?

I know we have some folks here looking to go international, and that's so cool! I hope they enjoy it. For us, give me some sand, the gulf of Mexico, some bikes and a kayak and I'm gooooood

I myself do not fly well at all, so I sympathize with your wife. I hate it, I want to travel internationally, but things are tough. But yes, Reddit is a hivemind. All of it, not just r/churning. The real affection of r/churning is international travel in premium business class, especially the lie flat seats. They are obsessed with CPP and will pay more out of pocket if it means a higher CPP. It's generally not a good place if you aren't well-versed in Chase churning and traveling out of the country.

Reddit is 60% helpful and 40% a troll breeding ground.

Hah, I think you're being pretty optimistic in your helpful percentage there...

 

[mmmears]

@SouthFayetteFan - I went into Reddit and upvoted your post (I think). I'm still working on figuring Reddit out. I don't understand why people care where or how other people choose to vacation. We go overseas far less often than many of our friends - I hate the flights. And when we do go we won't fly coach, which means we blow a lot of points. People are critical of that, too, since we could go twice if we flew coach. It's silly - people should do what makes them happy and stop judging everyone else.

 

[LynnTH]

Try 1-877-523-0478. I think it might be the personal line, but they should at least be able to connect you with the right person when you tell them you're calling on the business card.

Thanks. Called that # - they got me to the correct dept. Instead of SS card we can send in our latest 1040 tax form. So, that is good. Will get all that documentation tonight and get that one on its way.

 

[speedyfishy]

Yes. I did something like that a long while back trying for point bonuses in general. But I know there's a impact to my credit for doing so. So I don't love that, but I'm willing. So, I guess the answer is I'm looking for a card that I can use everyday AND I'm open to opening new cards just to get the bonus points and then tossing them.



I currently have the Chase Disney card. I'll look into the CUR, I think I remember seeing that abbreviation as well as the CIP (what's that stand for?). My wife has a business that we may be able to get a card under, but her business doesn't really require much in the way of business expenses (she's a massage therapist), so I'm not really sure on the rules of that. Can you get a business CC and then just use it for whatever after you have it? Or does it have to be used only for business expenses?

Are the CSP and the CSR in addition to the CUR? And if I get the CIP, do I want them too?

I wouldn’t be too worried about your credit score it will drop a few points from the hard pull, but should rebound and go up after a bit. You will have more available credit so your utilization should go down. My score has increased since I started doing this hobby. I have gotten four personal cards in the last year and 7 business cards and my score has gone up 20-30 points.

You can use the CIP for anything. I put all my normal expenses on it when I was meeting the minimum spend. They have no way of telling if it’s a real business expense.


There is no CUR. URs is the point currency that Chase gives on certain cards. The CSR and CSP give UR points.

 

[MrsAlexis]

Food recommendations!

If you're hungry but not sure what you want, a good idea is to start at the Eastern Market Metro and walk down 8th St/Barracks Row. There are tons of restaurants. Here are a couple highlights:

Ted's Bulletin - they make adult milk shakes and homemade pop-tarts, and they're the closest thing DC has to true, home-cooked comfort food. Lines get long.

Ambar - Get the Balkan Experience! $49 per person, all you can eat small plates and all you can drink rail drinks for 2 hours. A true one of a kind experience, and everything is so delicious.

Cava Mezze - Greek mezze/small plates. This adds up price wise because you'll be ordering a bunch of plates, but it is very tasty. I think they also do bottomless brunch.

For other specific cuisines:

Dolan Uyghur - I had no idea what Uyghur cuisine was. Spoiler - it's wonderful. It's a blend of a couple of different cuisines. I had a noodle dish that I loved.

El Rinconcito - Salvadoran is pretty similar to Mexican cuisine. This is a small hole-in-the-wall type of place not far from the Convention Center. They have really interesting dishes if you're feeling adventurous, or the usual fare you might expect.

And now, my favorite, Ethiopian. DC has so many good Ethiopian restaurants I could write an entire blog post, but here are only two of my favorites:

Chercher - This is where I bring everyone the first time they try Ethiopian. It's my favorite restaurant. It's close to the Convention Center, at 9th and O St. I highly recommend the Ybeg Tibs (lamb tips) and the veggie platter. It's more food than you could possibly finish at once. A lot of people like to try Doro We't (chicken stew) for their first time, and it's pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of Ethiopian stews (We't) because I find the individual meats have more flavor. But it's worth a try - We't is hugely popular for a reason.

Quara - Quara is a small restaurant tucked away on the busy restaurant row of H Street. It used to be in Adams Morgan and recently moved. Quara has good meats, but the truly spectacular dish is Shiro (stewed legumes). They have the best Shiro I've had at any Ethiopian restaurant.

While you're on H Street, don't miss Dangerously Delicious Pies. I don't really have anything more to add about that one, it's pretty self-explanatory. And it's as amazing as it looks.

This turned out to be much longer than I expected.

Thanks for the recommendations! Anything you'd recommend for families? Younger kids not very adventurous eaters. We went to Old Ebbotts Grill several years ago and remember it being good.

 

[miztressuz]

Finally my statement posted. I did the Gillette offer on Swagbucks and it took forever to post and of course shady WF posted it at the last minute a day and a half before my statement date. I had pending payments and really didn’t feel like adding it up and accidentally paid over $.80 Now my balance is negative. That should be fine right?

Credit Karma said paying this card off would move me up 20 points and put me in the late 690s. I read that they’re slightly off so I should be in the 700s.

Congrats on paying it off
Overpayment is fine, it'll sit there until you make another charge to use it up. (Or if not, at some point they'll cut you a check)

Have you checked on your FICO score too? Credit Karma uses a different scoring model so you can have a different FICO score than what's on CK. While more credit issuers are using the model CK does, called VantageScore, the majority are still using the FICO model. So it's good to know both. I believe you can get that for free from Experian, which is doing a service similar to CK. Then you can track both as your card pay off is reported to your credit reports.