I love credit cards so much!

[DisneyMandC]

I booked our stay in April 2018 through the chase UR portal but now when I look for Disney resorts I can’t find any in the UR portal. Can you only call to get the details? They used to show up in searches for lake buena vista.

The UR portal has been unreliable for Disney lately. The best thing to do is to look at what you want on the Disney website and then call Cruise and Tour and get them to book.

 

[Lain]

Thanks! You are in that window of people that saw points go pending before all the delays popped up. From What I’ve seen, The delays started for people who met MSRs in mid-August or later.

I'm waiting on both a CIP bonus and a CSP bonus (second half of a double dip) - several weeks since we met spend and the CSP statement has closed. They must be holding them up for some reason. (Fair warning, I'm about to go into financial statement-based conspiracy theories with zero information to back it up) Is it possible they are trying to delay posting the liability for the value of the points? They'd need to hold out until October 1 for the difference to affect their financials, but maybe they want it all to post in Q4? Possibly to coincide with updated info relating to the impact of the 2017 tax reform legislation? They have until Q4 to true up their estimate of the cost of the toll tax (I think they said it would cost them 2+billion in their initial estimate) so they are trying to smooth out their deferred liabilities? Yeah, I've got nothing to back that up, but the issue seems too widespread for them to be scrubbing everyone's account.

I’ve been thinking along the lines of @1st*toright that these delays in Chase bonuses may be due to a policy decision by Chase to defer posting the bonuses until 6-8 weeks after qualifying as they are required under the offer terms, rather than some kind of technical glitch. Chase has been on record at its Q2 earnings report about how they're seeing greater than expected rewards liability and faster than anticipated rewards redemption, which are affecting their bottom line. This might be an effort to delay the reporting of liabilities.

 

[Judique]

I too used direct debit until this January, when I used my SW cards to hit the spend...for 2019...my plan is to get the CIC and buy Disney gift cards at Staples to pay the dues.

So, are you applying for the CIC before Dec? I read that the payment must be made if paying in full by Jan 15, 2019. So, my 'new up to 5K Biz card' will be gotten by late November as I have those insurance payments to make as well as DVC dues for 2019.

@Lain - put that on the spreadsheet so you can remind me what the best non Chase biz card will be!

 

[Psychodisney]

My DH got the 5x offer on his CSR. None for me. Hoping the offer shows up for me too! Just for kicks, I looked in the app...nothing there either.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I’ve been thinking along the lines of @1st*toright that these delays in Chase bonuses may be due to a policy decision by Chase to defer posting the bonuses until 6-8 weeks after qualifying as they are required under the offer terms, rather than some kind of technical glitch. Chase has been on record at its Q2 earnings report about how they're seeing greater than expected rewards liability and faster than anticipated rewards redemption, which are affecting their bottom line. This might be an effort to delay the reporting of liabilities.

This theory is gaining traction in my mind as well - and is somewhat frustrating that Chase would potentially play with people’s vacation funds and plans over their quarter end results.

 

[MrPTato]

So, are you applying for the CIC before Dec? I read that the payment must be made if paying in full by Jan 15, 2019. So, my 'new up to 5K Biz card' will be gotten by late November as I have those insurance payments to make as well as DVC dues for 2019.

@Lain - put that on the spreadsheet so you can remind me what the best non Chase biz card will be!

You technically have until Feb 15 with no penalties if you need to hold off on applying for some reason.

 

[GZanta77]

I’ve been thinking along the lines of @1st*toright that these delays in Chase bonuses may be due to a policy decision by Chase to defer posting the bonuses until 6-8 weeks after qualifying as they are required under the offer terms, rather than some kind of technical glitch. Chase has been on record at its Q2 earnings report about how they're seeing greater than expected rewards liability and faster than anticipated rewards redemption, which are affecting their bottom line. This might be an effort to delay the reporting of liabilities.

I may be wrong but I'm fairly sure they would have to report the liabilities anyway if the bonus has been earned. The fact they are delaying the posting of the points doesn't alter their obligation to report the liability.

However, what they might be doing is delaying the points posting to prevent redemption. Why? Well a point redeemed is a 'realized' expense, especially if redeemed via CSR @ 1.5x, whereas points outstanding is a potential liability which may or may not become realized. Now lets say Chase has some historical data that says only 82% of outstanding points get redeemed at an average cost to chase of 0.7cpp. They could reasonably report that liability on their financials which would be significantly different to reporting a liability of 100% of outstanding points at the maximum theoretical redemption value of 1.5cpp.

Make sense?

ETA: @Lain - On reflection, this post may be nit-picking, and is really just reflecting what you posted anyway.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Well I drug DH to Staples tonight (on our date night) to grab some 200 Visa Gift Cards. It was gonna be so good. No fee. 10% amex offer. But alas not a 200 gc to be found. Track down manager, he says guy came in and bought 6k worth earlier in the week. I'm ticked off and trying my best to explain to DH how MS works. He picks it up pretty quick and is like that guy made $600 bucks. Yep, that's right. But nothing for little ole me

Can you break this down in simple terms for me? I might give it a go? All I know is no fee on the GC at Staples right? So buy one (with 10% back on Amex?) and then what?

Etah and stack RMN too! I’m seeing the bigger savings now!

 

[tink1970]

I received the 5x UR (actually 6.5) for my CFU. In the spirit of @calypso726 , I headed to eBags on the United MilesPlus site where they are having a 5x MP (v usual 4x). The Chase Pay actually flashed and reminded me I'd earn an extra 5% (so that was nice) before I checked out. A much needed car charger and portable charger later and I earned 275 United Miles and 357 UR. I might just have to swing by BB today because, why not?

 

[trenty]

Thanks! I’m anxiously awaiting that application and hoping for the best. I’ve never cared about a CL before now lol.

Yes this 0% consideration is new for me as well. I always pay all of my cards in full. I know my score will take a hit with opening the 2 cards and keeping a balance, but it’ll be worth it over time to make a larger downpayment that I can pay off over time at 0%.

My score never drops more than a few points. I do churn slowly but am at 5/24. The lowest I have been since starting this game is 799. I am usually around 815 give or take a few points.

 

[tink1970]

Can you break this down in simple terms for me? I might give it a go? All I know is no fee on the GC at Staples right? So buy one (with 10% back on Amex?) and then what?

Since we don't have a Staples near , I'll give it my best shot. Usually there is an activation fee for Visa cards ($5.95 or $6.95) but right now there isn't. So...go to staples and get a $200 gc for $180 (after the Amex 10% return) so saving...say $25.95. For folks who use vgc at costco, etc this is good (again, guessing since I don't have a CostCo nearby either) or perhaps for @Albort 's favorite pastime of m...s...ing

Now, typing that out I want to drive the hour to our closest Staples. Grr...

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Since we don't have a Staples near , I'll give it my best shot. Usually there is an activation fee for Visa cards ($5.95 or $6.95) but right now there isn't. So...go to staples and get a $200 gc for $180 (after the Amex 10% return) so saving...say $25.95. For folks who use vgc at costco, etc this is good (again, guessing since I don't have a CostCo nearby either) or perhaps for @Albort 's favorite pastime of m...s...ing

Now, typing that out I want to drive the hour to our closest Staples. Grr...

Thx! So with RMN ($7/$140) it is a $200 vgc for $173. Then I could take it to sams and buy dis GC at another 4% or so savings. Great!

 

[hulagirl]

Good morning all! Last time I posted, I made a case for the suite of American Express Hilton cards which would currently net you over a million hotel points and a lot of free weekend night certificates if you're in two player mode and had none of those cards yet. This morning, I'd like to present a case for CASH. What? you say... cash? How boring. Have you not read any of our posts here? Do you not understand the value of traveling for free on fabulous planes and in staying in glorious hotels for a fraction or none of the cost? Ah, but I do... and I have enjoyed all those things very much. But at some point, I got a little tired. I took 7 trips in one year and on the 7th, I came home and thought... you know what? I need to rest. I need that ol' cliche vacation from my vacations. I realized I really like home... my comfy bed, and my little dog and being surrounded by all my favorite people and things. And that's okay. When I finally slowed down, I started to think about how fast it all goes. Not just our points and miles (lets face it, you can burn through a couple hundred thousand for something that lasts a week). But life. I was yearning for something that lasted longer so I'm going to tell you something that will make some of you pass out. I spent a boatload of UR points on a 70 in screen tv that is still hanging in my living room some two years later and has hosted countless movie nights filled with laughter and popcorn and candy and silliness in a room full of millennials I really really love. It plays an app called ArtCast that runs through some of the most beautiful paintings by classic artists and an app that will continuously roll ocean waves, swaying palm trees and thunderstorms when those are the things my heart craves. It makes me happy. That tv, silly as it may sound... was the catalyst for a loooong conversation with myself in my head about what really matters to me, what I, myself find important and lasting... not the bloggers, not reddit, not the internet at large, not the influencers or Instagram or some stranger telling me what the worth of my points are. YOU are the only one who really knows that. And it will take a journey with real highs and some lows, to figure it all out. Those of you who are long time veterans already know this. But there are some new reading here. I know there are. And there are also some of you beginning to wonder... what the heck am I doing and why.

So is it a TV I paid for with Chase points that makes my "Case for Cash?" Nah, it's just my long winded way of saying there are many many ways to make this work for you and... I wish someone had said a few things to me before I got started in all of it myself. I wish I had a me that said Slow down. Take your time. Figure out what you really want - YOU ... not Doc, or the Points Guy or Frequent Miler or Miles to Memories, or reddit, or even the DIS. You. In the end, I realized that for me... I both wanted and needed something tangible that would last a long time, in addition to all the amazing memories we were making in those fleeting weeks that seem to disappear all too fast. Even better? A way to do both. Something lasting, tangible, and magical memory building all rolled into one.

What if I told you that my love of American Express credit cards bought my initial DVC contract for cash? That 50 points at the Boardwalk buys a stay at home mom about to experience Empty Nest syndrome 5 nights and 6 days in a standard view studio villa every year during the Food and Wine Festival all the way through early December and its lovely Christmas festivities and then again through six weeks of winter? You choose... when do you want to go? This is a Disney forum - so I know in my heart that those words will mean a lot to some of you. And if you have any interest in DVC at all... it's possible. And that contract you purchase doesn't disappear in a week or two. It lasts for 20 years or more. Now that is my case for cash. I do not manufacture any spending but I do have two kids in college at the same time and one who finished not long ago so our expenses have been high for several years. If you have a side business, a rental home, college expenses, etc, it adds up fast. For others... the process might be slower and you'll want to save the Schwab Plat card for your very last card. Anyway, that's enough. I'm sorry I keep writing books to you. It's just nice to have a place to talk about it with people who actually get it, or are trying to learn. We have so many good options for these points. SO many. Make sure you're thinking outside the box once in awhile and taking stock in the middle to make sure you're getting out of it what is really important to you. A couple blog posts to get you thinking:

https://windbagmiles.com/2017/11/09...changer-or-at-least-a-game-somewhat-affecter/

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/opening-schwab-brokerage-checking-amex-platinum-credit-card/

http://travelinpoints.com/i-schwabed-out-8k-in-membership-rewards/

 

[Judique]

Since we don't have a Staples near , I'll give it my best shot. Usually there is an activation fee for Visa cards ($5.95 or $6.95) but right now there isn't. So...go to staples and get a $200 gc for $180 (after the Amex 10% return) so saving...say $25.95. For folks who use vgc at costco, etc this is good (again, guessing since I don't have a CostCo nearby either) or perhaps for @Albort 's favorite pastime of m...s...ing

Now, typing that out I want to drive the hour to our closest Staples. Grr...

You know, every time I read about the 10% at Staples amex deal I get jealous, because I didn't have an amex biz when this offer came out. When I got my amex biz, it didn't jump onto it either.

Do I remember that there was some way to get offers added in the past that one didn't get in the first go round? I have a Staples just a few minutes away, and would love that 10% offer!

 

[miztressuz]

My score never drops more than a few points. I do churn slowly but am at 5/24. The lowest I have been since starting this game is 799. I am usually around 815 give or take a few points.

It's going to depend more on the utilization ratio than the picking up new cards. When I paid for my roof on top of my usual charges my ratio went up and my score dropped more than a couple points. But there's no history to utilization so I got them all back the next month when my ratio went back to normal. So someone paying it down should see a steady increase, if maybe small, each month as the ratio gets better.

 

[miztressuz]

You know, every time I read about the 10% at Staples amex deal I get jealous, because I didn't have an amex biz when this offer came out. When I got my amex biz, it didn't jump onto it either.

Do I remember that there was some way to get offers added in the past that one didn't get in the first go round? I have a Staples just a few minutes away, and would love that 10% offer!

americanexpress.com/domorebusiness

But it hasn't been working for us. It showed up as a tab in the offers section, but once the savings tab disappeared I haven't seen any extra tabs show up. Tried it for hubby's new Hilton Biz but no dice. He did get the 25% off FedEx shipping, but that just showed in his regular offers. Nothing else, I was hoping for the Staples or Lowe's. Seems kinda rude to take away standing offers for biz cards and replace it with limited ones that people who get cards later can't get the benefit.

 

[Judique]

americanexpress.com/domorebusiness

But it hasn't been working for us. It showed up as a tab in the offers section, but once the savings tab disappeared I haven't seen any extra tabs show up. Tried it for hubby's new Hilton Biz but no dice. He did get the 25% off FedEx shipping, but that just showed in his regular offers. Nothing else, I was hoping for the Staples or Lowe's. Seems kinda rude to take away standing offers for biz cards and replace it with limited ones that people who get cards later can't get the benefit.

Yes. I texted daughter and she has the staples 10% on her spg biz, so I'm going to use her card to get 'some' value out of the offer. She didn't have any time to bother with it.

 

[SBWB48]

@Judique Which Courtyard did you go to for that $300 Marriott Giftcard? The Courtyard by me, in addition to a SpringHill and Residence Inn, said they didn't sell giftcards at their locations

ETA: Actually, found one just now!!

 

[spacerangerqueen]

I see mostly hotel rewards being used here for booking free nights or discounts largely associated with Hilton, SPG, IHG, for example. Does anyone here book hotels not in the usual credit card reward system offers and if so what's your best strategy to minimize the cost? I'm trying to find a good way to easily word this to make my question more clear, but I can't come up with one. I'm looking at Great Wolf Lodge in particular.

My cards are SW Plus, CF, CFU, USAA preferred, and Amex EveryDay. I am booking after Christmas but during the two week school holiday so the prices are crazy, however, this is when DH has off and also aligns with one of the kid's birthdays. I would definitely be way over 5/24 because I also had JCPenney, Kohls, and Macys in the last year or two and have since closed, and the others were all within two years minus my CF that I've had since 2007. Anyway, is there a good strategy for minimizing cost on a hotel like GWL?

*I'll add that I've debated on opening a card with a cash back bonus offering $100-$200, and using the lodge to meet the MS. Or, alternately to somehow use this as building up airline miles (for next year Disney trip). These are my target areas, reduce the cost if possible, and if not then maximize the airmiles on SW. Thanks!

I booked the Great Wolf Lodge in Anaheim with UR points. We decided to cancel yesterday in favor of something closer to Disneyland, but it was about 62,000 points for 4 nights.

 

[trenty]

It's going to depend more on the utilization ratio than the picking up new cards. When I paid for my roof on top of my usual charges my ratio went up and my score dropped more than a couple points. But there's no history to utilization so I got them all back the next month when my ratio went back to normal. So someone paying it down should see a steady increase, if maybe small, each month as the ratio gets better.

So...If I am currently carrying a balance on my 0% Discover IT card I should pay that down before applying for a new card? My next card will probably be Chase's United Mileage Plus Card.

ETA: I just checked Credit Karma - down 4 points around 810.