I love credit cards so much!

[striker1064]

As someone who very much wants both the Hyatt and IHG cards, I'm quite interested in this DP from yesterday of someone who was approved for the IHG at 40/24:

https://old.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9njbdj/daily_discussion_thread_october_12_2018/e7nrxou/

Of course, scrolling down further, they only have 4 new accounts in the last 6 months, so that seems like that'll be a big factor if they aren't shut down.

 

[GlamMistress]

Wrong thread for this but I'll ask the experts here - I'm checking into SSR Monday on rented DVC points. I want to pay for an extra cleaning midweek. Is there a way I can book that cleaning in advance since I'm staying on rented points? I'd like to get that sorted today if possible. Just seems easier.

 

[calypso726]

Check your BCE for an upgrade offer to BCP. Was just reading that there are some good offers floating around. I had one that waived the 95 fee for a year. I need to go back and see if that offer has changed.

When I had called in to request the Rose gold card to replace my new to me but old gold card they asked if I wanted to add any AU. I politely declined and casualty mentioned I’d be adding AUs to my Amex Plat soon. What I didn’t mention was that I was waiting for an Amex Plat AU spend offer to do so. Well I got it on the phone. If I added up to 4 AUs and each spent $500 I’d get 5,000 MR. Up to 3 AUs on an Amex Plat is $175 and that is what I was going to do. I explained that I didn’t want to add a 4th due to the additional fee. But I was told my 4th AU could be a free to me Amex gold card and still qualify for the spend bonus. So that is what I did.

The Amex rep then mentioned I could upgrade my no fee ED card, spend $2k and get 25k MR. This is also not anywhere I can see on my account. Between finishing up MSR on the Lux, the rose gold card and 4 new AUs I said I was interested but it would have to wait. He said it should be available to me when I’m ready.

Anyhow, I think it pays to ask about any AU, or upgrade offers over the phone.

 

[Judique]

All this talk of AMC Theaters! Did you know that you could be earning at least 5 United miles per dollar spent on AMC GCs on the MPX app? Occasionally more during holiday promotions. +25% bonus miles if you’re a MileagePlus credit cardholder. You can purchase AMC GCs in exact amounts almost instantly after you get your total due at the ticket booth and concession stand.

Is that better than the $9 per ticket at Costco or Costco.com? You have to buy 4 or 9 at Costco.com? I have no idea what a movie costs.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I agree their produce isn’t the best and we butcher our own beef so we don’t buy much for meat. We do get a good portion of our other groceries there because it is so close and easy for us. We have been getting the Gyft cards for 5x UR with the CIC and PayPal.

How do you input the GC to pay? I looked before and couldn’t find a way to do it, so I’ve been getting 1x points or hitting msr with my orders.

 

[Judique]

For those who either upgraded their SPG personal to Lux or even considered it...what was your offer? I think @MrPTato, @Judique, @CyndiLouWho? Any chance it was 100k after $4k spend? I have googled it and looks like the common offer was to spend $5k if getting the 100.

I swear my offer was spend $5000 in three months and get the 100k bonus points. I have been plowing through on it while at the same time working on my BGR. From my math which I have kept up on and double checked I still have about $2k on the BGR and $800 on the Lux. Tonight I got on the app to check and my $100k points have posted on the Lux. Double checked that it was not just on the app but on the actual Marriott account and it is there (100,000 bonus Lux posted 10/11). Any ideas? Should I keep going and meet the $5000 I was planning on or do you all think I am good now? If I don’t need to spend on the Lux I will definitely back off so I can finish the BGR and then get going on the personal Gold when it arrives. Not to mention the general “Amex don’t hate me I will spend a little on all my cards” plan. I am not complaining but it is a weird problem to have.

Look at your statements and count it up. Including your fee you will need 5450 I think. I applied outright and mine posted as soon as my last charge credited.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Remind me: if I PC any CSP to a CFU, does the card number stay the same? And I can keep using the CSP until I receive the CFU?

I actually have cont using my csp for months b/c it is prettier than the CF.

 

[Judique]

Busy on the CC front today. Been working on some flight options and based on the it might be worth having airline points, and the offers going seem worthwhile. Even hubby agreed it seemed logical to have options. So after nearly 5 months I went for some new cards today.

1. Applied for the Barclay AA Biz 60k for the $95 AF+ a purchase. I didn't see it mentioned before, so either it's not enforced or everyone knows anyway, but the T&C says you need activity every 6 months or you can lose your eligibility for the card program. Instantly approved! I was surprised, expected to wait. So Barclay not as scary as I thought, it was deceptively easy.

2. Went for BoA next for the Alaska Air Biz 30k with the free companion fare for 1k in spend. Wow BoA asks a lot of stuff on a business app. This I should have been scared of. They wanted down to the month and year I opened the business. So many fields to potentially goof up. It went pending as expected and now I wait anxiously.
If I get it my plan for MSR is some bank account funding I've got my eye on for bonuses. I'm morally flexible when it comes to BoA so as long as they don't do a full shutdown like Chase, I'll survive any potential repercussions.

3. Between all the new cards this year (and stocking up on stuff last year) this has all made my Target RedCard feel sad and rejected. I got a letter in the mail today asking for me to let them know if I've misplaced it - they'd be happy to send me a replacement since they noticed I haven't used it recently
Nope, just getting at least 10% off on GC's which beats your 5%. Since they never sent me my 10% anniversary coupon after calling twice about it And since no more GC > GC, not as much incentive to shop there often for their deals.(yep after 15 years, finally a little salty towards Target) I wonder how many of these letters they've sent out in the last few months

Target will close your Redcard if you don't use it. So will Macy's.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Wrong thread for this but I'll ask the experts here - I'm checking into SSR Monday on rented DVC points. I want to pay for an extra cleaning midweek. Is there a way I can book that cleaning in advance since I'm staying on rented points? I'd like to get that sorted today if possible. Just seems easier.

I really think your better off arranging the cleaning when you check in at the front desk...this way you can confirm the day with SSR people rather than someone at a call center....not even sure if you are able to arrange in advance since we’ve never done an additional cleaning

 

[striker1064]

Target will close your Redcard if you don't use it. So will Macy's.

Is that a new thing? I've had a Redcard for years with very long stretches of inactivity.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

For those thinking about calling for a retention offer on SW cards...used it to meet the MSR in January...they only used it a few times In flight...very minimal spend since 1/18

Called this morning on my SW business card....definitely didn’t want to pay the annual fee but was not sure about closing vs trying for a retention offer....since I’d like to apply for the CIC next month. Rep put me on hold, they can back and asked if I was considering closing it....Told her not today but was considering closing...she then offer me a $100 statement credit to keep it open...which I accepted...

 

[calypso726]

I just looked at the BJ site and I think that's changed...it made me sign in to see the prices... (it's easy to get a free temp membership here)

What?! Nooooooo. Darn it. Now I has a sad

 

[calypso726]

Does anyone know of any existing ways to generate a link or get a code for an Amex Business Platinum card without the lifetime language? Asking for a friend

 

[Judique]

Is that a new thing? I've had a Redcard for years with very long stretches of inactivity.

My long stretch was about 2 years. And I was trying to use it about a year ago, so not sure if it is new or not.

 

[Judique]

For those thinking about calling for a retention offer on SW cards...

Called this morning on my SW business card....definitely didn’t want to pay the annual fee but was not sure about closing vs trying for a retention offer....since I’d like to apply for the CIC next month. Rep put me on hold, they can back and asked if I was considering closing it....Told her not today but was considering closing...she then offer me a $100 statement credit to keep it open...which I accepted...

Excellent! Now the pertinent question - were you spending on the card? Me - maybe $50 in the last year...but I'll call today anyway.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Excellent! Now the pertinent question - were you spending on the card? Me - maybe $50 in the last year...but I'll call today anyway.

I’d definitely call....for this rep it seemed I had to say I was considering closing it due to the fee but I stressed not today since statement haven’t closed or my bonus points posted...obviously didn’t tell her that ...lol

I wasn’t spending on the card...good point...just edited my post.....met the MSR in January of this year....only used the card a few times since in flight ...most of the time I’ve had it out to pay for a drink the FA dont take it

 

[GlamMistress]

I really think your better off arranging the cleaning when you check in at the front desk...this way you can confirm the day with SSR people rather than someone at a call center....not even sure if you are able to arrange in advance since we’ve never done an additional cleaning

Ok thanks for the response. You are probably right. As with most things in life, in person conversations usually are best.

 

[kmc8826]

Not familiar with BJs. Do you need to be a member to buy online?

Nope and there are/were some Amex offer for an extra MR per point. You also may be able to get additional miles by going through a shopping portal first.

A couple months ago (maybe longer) BJ’s changed it that to buy you need a membership. You can get an online only membership for $10 a year. Since the savings on the gift cards is decent especially now when used on Discover or Freedom it could be worth it. I decided it was worth it.

 

[kmc8826]

Look at your statements and count it up. Including your fee you will need 5450 I think. I applied outright and mine posted as soon as my last charge credited.

I slept on it last night and recounted the statements and still not at even $5k. I did a screenshot of when the offer popped up but not another on on the terms. I guess to be safe I will just keep spending on it like @tink1970 says.

 

[ctinct]

To those of you with sleep problems, give melatonin a try. Life changing for me. Your body produces it naturally, but it drops off sharply as you age. I had to go up to 15 mg. before I noticed a significant difference in my sleep, and I still occasionally wake up too early or in the middle of the night, but on the whole, my sleep is about 90 % better than it was.