I love credit cards so much!

[MKTokyo]

Based on kind advice I received here, I compared Amex Plat to Amex Delta Plat (since I'm mainly looking for SkyMiles) & came away with this...

Amex Plat
AF - $550
minimum spend: $5k/3 months
minus Global Entry renewal fee ($100)
minus planned seat upgrade on JetBlue ($200)
minus Uber credits I will actually use ($50)
plus cost of SkyMiles conversion - max $99
end result: 105K MR for $299

Delta SkyMiles Plat
AF - $195
minimum spend: $3K/3 months
end result: 83K SkyMiles for $195

I like that the Delta Plat is easier to work with in terms of a lower MSR, no need to transfer points, etc. The Delta Plat AF is lower but the regular Plat benefits cover things that I'd normally pay for anyway, so I guess it's almost a wash. I didn't assign a monetary value to some of the regular Plat benefits like Centurion Lounge access but I would definitely use those. I do already have a Priority Pass membership but it seems I would be able to access lounges that Priority Pass doesn't include.

So, the Delta Plat would end up being about $100 cheaper & given historical pricing, should be enough to cover the flight I want to buy. However, because there is no award chart, I don't know how many SkyMiles I will need, and Delta is not one of my most frequently-used airlines. If I have a lot of SkyMiles left over, I'm not sure when I will use them I could, however, use any extra MR for other trips, so I'm leaning toward getting the regular Plat & making the most of it for the next year.

Is there anything I'm not considering? Thanks again for all the help & patience with a newbie

 

[mmmears]

That is great about all the credits. We don't really uber except at disney, but I can use them at disney in Dec. Can I buy uber gift cards or reload DD19's uber app or something to get the credits?

That's perfect since you get double the credits in December.

ETA - I see that Lain has beat me in sharing this. Sorry for the extra post. I'll add that those Centurion lounges have come in handy lately (like when AA stranded my DD in PHL overnight and then rerouted her through DFW and made her miss the connection).

 

[gottalovepluto]

Amex Biz Cards targeted offers:

$200 statement credit/20k MR when spend $200 AT&T wireless

$50 statement credit when spend $150 AT&T wireless (usable 3 times)

Had $50 on BGR & BGR AU card

 

[Haley R]

We could get a flight May 28-June 13. I want to book it, but at the same time I was supposed to meet up with another DISer and she will only be there until May 24. I'm also hesitant to book because June is supposed to be more rainy than May. I would like to go 2 weeks earlier than that, but maybe we should just take what we can get?

 

[mmmears]

We could get a flight May 28-June 13. I want to book it, but at the same time I was supposed to meet up with another DISer and she will only be there until May 24. I'm also hesitant to book because June is supposed to be more rainy than May. I would like to go 2 weeks earlier than that, but maybe we should just take what we can get?

Personally I tend to grab flights when I find them. That sometimes leads to a bit of regret that we didn't try for better dates or routes. But on the other hand we are flying in first or business overseas... and that's worth a LOT to me. I am guessing other people here have more experience with this than I do and can give you some better tips but for me, I take what I can find since I've seen inventory disappear very quickly.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I don’t think the Vanillas work with Venmo. I feel bad, because I think I suggested you pick up some MCGCs from Walgreens, which happens to be Vanillas. You could liquidate the MCGCs on Plastiq’s Masterpass promo if you have bills to pay, or feel ballsy pay ... um ... your landlady?

Oh don't sweat that at all - you did plant the seed in my mind. Like I said though, I have a use for this one - I'm moving through my CSR/CSP double dip MSRs faster than I planned to. I picked up a $500 MCGC to slow my pace a bit and apply it against my 6 mo. Auto insurance bill. I figured I'd try it out on Venmo in case it worked (even though I had seen that Vanillas don't work). I'll have to inspect the card selection at my Walgreen's a little more next time and see if there's any non-vanillas there.

 

[Lain]

Has anyone ever received an in store bonus when having the cashier order something online for you before?

Trying to take advantage of the Wells Fargo deal. Want an Apple Watch from Macys but they don’t carry it at my store.

New Apple Watch being announced tomorrow...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm in! Thank you very much

You are now in a super elite club. Don't let it go to your head

 

[Haley R]

Personally I tend to grab flights when I find them. That sometimes leads to a bit of regret that we didn't try for better dates or routes. But on the other hand we are flying in first or business overseas... and that's worth a LOT to me. I am guessing other people here have more experience with this than I do and can give you some better tips but for me, I take what I can find since I've seen inventory disappear very quickly.

Thanks for the tip! I'm sure we will end up booking something tonight.

 

[amalone1013]

All this talk of flights on ANA (which I don't even know what ANA is, LOL!), United, Virgin even has me stressed. And then you guys start throwing out terms like saver awards and ExpertFlyer and other stuff...

I'll just stick with my old pal Southwest and my domestic travel LOL! I consider myself to be EXPERT level on many things churning. I will full out admit that I have no clue how to fly with anybody other than Southwest...and no desire to learn

*judgement for your travel style*

need more pillows @pillow
21 year olds like pillow forts.

pillows @pillow pillows @pillow

27 year olds do too, okay?

Last weekend we stayed at Pop, and they've finished the remodel with the two queen beds, one being the murphy bed. So since the Murphy bed is folded up, they put all 8 pillows on the other bed.

Dh sensibly took two pillows and put the others on the chair.

I made a nest.

 

[Psychodisney]

Thanks for that tidbit. I double checked even though I don't recall referring anyone and sadly that isn't the case. It reads: Bonus on Premier Plus Upgrade 10,000. I sent a follow up message to the reply I had received. If I don't get anywhere there I'm going to call. In my reply I asked who I should speak to to get it fixed.

Anyone have experience with things like this? Is Chase pretty good about making things right? Will threatening to cancel the card get me anywhere if it isn't fixed in a timely manner? 40k points is a lot to just let the issue go.

I had a 20K bonus. 10K posted on the first cycle and the rest cam through on the next cycle.

 

[Lain]

Thanks for that tidbit. I double checked even though I don't recall referring anyone and sadly that isn't the case. It reads: Bonus on Premier Plus Upgrade 10,000. I sent a follow up message to the reply I had received. If I don't get anywhere there I'm going to call. In my reply I asked who I should speak to to get it fixed.

Anyone have experience with things like this? Is Chase pretty good about making things right? Will threatening to cancel the card get me anywhere if it isn't fixed in a timely manner? 40k points is a lot to just let the issue go.

So sorry to hear. Send a SM to Chase. If that doesn't work, call and escalate. I think the more proof you have that you received and accepted the 50k upgrade offer, the easier the process will be. Emails, screenshots help. Threatening to cancel the card won't help. I'm hopeful Chase will fix this.

 

[Lain]

Who has experience with Prepaid Gift cards and Venmo around here? Trying to maybe hit a little bit of that Q3 Freedom 5% category. It seems that Vanilla VGCs or MCGCs aren't gonna fly on Venmo? That's what I had read online, I picked one up (which if it doesn't work on Venmo, I have a use for it so no risk) and it's giving me an invalid zip code error (even though I setup my zip code).

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Also tagging @SBWB48 for her thoughts.

 

[GlamMistress]

My Barclays bills came along today (I'm never paperless, but always full autopay, natch). Good grief, DH and I spent a lot of money last month (Aerosmith tix, flights, eating out too much).

And speaking of spending, I made an offer on a DVC contract this afternoon. I didn't get it - they wanted full ask and I refused. So maybe I saved thousands today, yay?

I'm thinking I'll sign DH up for the no AF Hilton. I need another 100,000 points for Barcelona and this will get me that with just $1k spend. I've got $2.5k spend on deck because I need to pay off my cruise.

I'm pumped for the extra 10% off with my Target RedCard later this month. I need more excitement in my life. https://www.doctorofcredit.com/targ...ing-users-30-off-100-for-new-users-9-16-9-22/

 

[Lain]

Is there a particular way to fish for the 100,000 MR AMEX offer? One that makes it easier to get?

Have you checked CardMatch or your Amex pre-qualified offers recently? See https://www.doctorofcredit.com/cardmatch-offering-people-100000-points-american-express-platinum/ There have been a lot of new reports of folks being targeted when they weren't previously.

 

[Lain]

lololol I did it. I am queasy from the fee, but you, @SFF, and @Alexle2007 say do it, so I did!

ETA: I also got an instant card number to start using!

Catching up, and just caught on that you applied and got approved for the 100k Amex Platinum! (Ok, DH did, but you did all the hard work!)

Congratulations!

If you need help understanding any of the card benefits, let us know!

 

[pillow]

My 21 year old college son responded to my text about getting water, non perishables, batteries, and gas for the car with "We're getting a case of beer, a life raft, and that is all." Boys!!!

Yes! Too funny. I was actually wondering if I should hide my wine when they come.

 

[Lain]

Not sure about the gc, but she could have that card as her payment method in uber. Pay you for anything over the monthly credit? Not sure if the card earns more points with uber than what she's currently using.

@disneymagicgirl - I agree that adding the Platinum to your DD's app should get the Uber credits deposited to her account every month. See https://thepointsguy.com/2017/03/getting-200-uber-platinum-benefit/

Beyond the $15 monthly Uber credits (and $35 in December), the Plat doesn't earn any bonus points for Uber rides. (In general, the Plat has terrible bonus categories.) Uber codes as travel, so a CSR or CIP would earn 3x UR for any charges beyond credits and gift card balance. I have my Plat added to my Uber app for the monthly credits, but my CSR selected as the default card.

However, I never have any Uber charges go onto my CSR because you can often find Uber gift cards for a better deal. Uber GCs often go on sale for less than face value (usually 10% off, like $5 off $50, $10 off $100). You can buy Uber GCs at office supply stores and Gyft, which earns 5x UR on the CIC; and at Walgreens, which earns 5x UR on the CF this quarter. And you can buy Uber GCs on MPX, which being a travel category merchant earns 3x UR on the CSR or CIP and 1 UA mile/$1.

 

[mmmears]

Have you checked CardMatch or your Amex pre-qualified offers recently? See https://www.doctorofcredit.com/cardmatch-offering-people-100000-points-american-express-platinum/ There have been a lot of new reports of folks being targeted when they weren't previously.

I haven't but I will. Thanks for the tip. :

 

[Haley R]

Dh called and Virgin told him the flights aren't available. I can see them on ANA's website so I really don't know what we are doing wrong. Can someone help me? We would like to have these booked by tonight. I'm seeing flights available from May 21-June 11 and he said those dates weren't working.