I love credit cards so much!

[trenty]

@trenty - I can't double check my work, but I have 4 contracts. I went contract by contract paying them, and I used 15 gift cards. On some if I had a $50 gift card and the remaining balance was 35.78, I entered 35.78 and it deducted that from the card and my owed amount went to zero.

As I paid off each contract the amount I owed for the month was reduced until it was totally eliminated.

I've never called for any payment, so I can't say what they would tell you.

Go to 'dues' on your dashboard and select pay dues and just read what it says. That's basically what I did and I didn't put much thought into it, so don't actually remember it all, just that I could have stopped entering cards at any time during the process and that would have left a remaining balance.

Thank you. I will look into this. I am not in Disney card earning mode since we don't have a trip scheduled. But I am earning a little here and there from sites like swagbucks. I was going to just build up my gift card balance for next year's dues but maybe I will do this instead.

 

[trenty]

@trenty I paid all of my dues on one contract and then only had $5.66 left on my giftcard. I went to pay my other contract dues and as a test I used the $5.66 remaining on the gc successfully. I did it online. It decreased the amount of my payment that's scheduled to be drafted in January by that amount.

Thank you. I like this idea a lot.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I wonder if we'll ever see any decent RMN deals for Staples again... I'd love to do better than 10% on Disney GCs. Lowe's I'll probably do a mixture of GCs and organic spend since DH unsupervised in a Lowe's is dangerous during gardening season.

Also, the TA that booked our trip sent me back an email that she has been slammed all day with emails from people trying to book FD and of course the website has been down for her as well. I told her that I just went ahead and rebooked my entire trip this morning and would transfer it to her. She was very thankful. The poor woman is on her last day of vacation and was about to get on a plane when she emailed me. I'm glad I pulled the trigger on it this morning. I just checked and the only FD availability I'm seeing for our dates now is All Star Sports, POR, and Caribbean Beach.

I need to go figure out how to link DH's CIP and CSP now so I can transfer some URs in from his CIP to pay off the $600 in deposits. Yes, that's right. I'm cashing out. So you know what that means... Disney will be available to book through Chase starting tomorrow morning

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

New Wells Fargo Bank Bonus: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/wells-fargo-250-nationwide-checking-bonus/

- $150 bonus for cumulative $500 or more direct deposits within 60 days; bonus to post within 45 days of meeting requirement
- Additional $100 if you have cumulative $500 in direct deposits every 30 days for an additional 150 days after the initial 60-day qualification period; bonus will basically post within 255 days from account opening (8.5 months)

Essentially, you deposit $250 into the account every other paycheck. You start that in month 2...you get $150 (you could obviously start sooner). Then you continue that for 5 more months and you get another $100.

I've been out of the bank bonus game for awhile...but it's easy for me to split up my direct deposit so I'm strongly considering this one for an easy $500 between the 2 players

I've not played the bank credit game. 1- do you get a tax form for this bonus? 2- does the DD have to come from your employer? Or can I do it from my Chase checking into the WF account?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Tagging @CyndiLouWho also...

I believe it’s some sort of backdoor method where you pick universal tix and then it suggests Disney tix at the bottom (like “people also viewed this” or something like that, lol). I know I’m not explaining that well but maybe somebody else can further clarify.

I did try all the other activities and none “suggested” Disneyland. I haven’t tried yet today but may look later.

 

[Judique]

I missed this- ezpass screwup? I had one a couple of weeks ago too...what happened

Central Florida turnpike now takes EZ Pass but when I breezed through I did not realize and intended to add my car to my sunpass
that evening but forgot - meaning I could have gotten a ticket or actually its a bill from sunpass (I've had one before), but my ez pass is attached to my windshield. Figured it out this morning when my account was replenished.

I knew I could 'fix' the sun pass registration later that day. Problem was I completely forgot!

 

[miztressuz]

So if we do the suite nights instead, will we get to use them in 2019?

Yes, had to go to the FAQ's for this one as they didn't put in the T&C but they expire at the end of the year following when you earned them.

Do Suite Night Awards expire?
Yes, Suite Night Awards expire on December 31st of the year following the year in which you earned them. For example, if you achieve Platinum Elite status with 50 nights on October 1, 2018, and select the Suite Night Awards as your Elite Choice Benefit, you’ll be able to use them through December 31, 2019.

 

[Judique]

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Thanks again! Still loving every picture!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So strange..... so I called my Hh acct today to ask about the extra 20k points for the email referral thingy we did last month.... (p2 got 100k) I was supposed to get 20k for the referral- so the rep told me the date, and it appears I got a 10k bonus and a 60k bonus...even tho on his end he said it looked like a 10k+ 20k bonus on that date..... ??? any ideas what's going on here?

I self referred from my Ascend to the Aspire. I haven't hit my spend but I got the 20k referral in my account.

 

[Judique]

Mine posted too! (And I haven’t been charged an AF yet.) DH’s 1 year is on 1/25 so I am hoping he gets the 50k upgrade offer also.

I got an email or snail mail that told me my fee would be charged in February. My anniversary was xmas day.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

In Sequoia we stayed in a cabin in the Grant Grove section. I was happy with the location, as I wanted to be able to hike at least one of the trails without driving. This turned out to be good since we got the hike to Grant Grove in the morning and then had to stay in because of snow. Although the cabin did have a private bath, it was quite rustic. When we checked in she mentioned something about animals getting in the cabins. So I didn't sleep very good those nights! We went down to the hotel and roasted marshmallows in the lobby there while we got the snow. If I had to do again I would just stay at the hotel. We had wanted to do a cave tour, but it wasn't open yet.

Either because it was out of our budget or I didn't make reservations early enough, we didn't stay in the valley in Yosemite. We booked a condo, still within Yosemite, but about 30 minutes from the valley. Even in May the parking was crazy, but once you found a spot you could use the free shuttle to get around the valley. I was going to mention the waterfalls as well, but glad to see that some of them will still be flowing. We also did Vernal Falls, but if you go be careful. More than the falls, all I remember is wet rocks, tons of people, and a drop that was hundreds of feet down. We turned around as soon as we could see the falls, thanking God that we didn't fall. Don't think I slept good that night either! If it is in your budget I would definitely recommend staying in the valley.

Perhaps you already know this if you've taken other NP trips, but be prepared for everything to take longer than expected. I can't remember drive times exactly, but it takes hours to get from one area of the park to the other. I think the drive between the two parks was only suppose to be 4-5 hours, we left Grant Grove in the morning, not super early, stopped in the Sequoia grove in the south part of Yosemite and probably got to the condo around supper time. Oh, and don't forget Dramamine or something for motion sickness. Never again will I be without some in my purse! Any other questions, I'm happy to answer.

Thank you

I haven’t looked at Sequoia yet, but for Yosemite we were looking at Yosemite Valley Lodge. I haven’t delved too deep yet, but you’ve given me a great direction to go in.
Dramamine for Car sickness? Or heights? None of us has ever gotten car sick.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I've not played the bank credit game. 1- do you get a tax form for this bonus? 2- does the DD have to come from your employer? Or can I do it from my Chase checking into the WF account?

Yes - you’ll get a 1099-INT for the amount of the bonus. Doctor of credit is a good resource for what counts as DD. I only use employer deposits so I’ve never tried other things BUT some may work depending on the bank.

I did try all the other activities and none “suggested” Disneyland. I haven’t tried yet today but may look later.

Looks like others are commenting that they are now completely missing.

 

[Judique]

Thank you. I will look into this. I am not in Disney card earning mode since we don't have a trip scheduled. But I am earning a little here and there from sites like swagbucks. I was going to just build up my gift card balance for next year's dues but maybe I will do this instead.

No time like the present to start saving money. I'm kicking myself for all the dues (18 years worth) that I paid straight up by letting them take it out of my account. Especially the years my son had a job at Target and I made out like a bandit on his employee discount and Targets own deals that they offered - There were gift cards I got for as high as 35% off. Even when I started entering the cards, it didn't truly kick in mentally until I saw all those zeros on my contract balances.

 

[Alexle2007]

Yes, had to go to the FAQ's for this one as they didn't put in the T&C but they expire at the end of the year following when you earned them.

Do Suite Night Awards expire?
Yes, Suite Night Awards expire on December 31st of the year following the year in which you earned them. For example, if you achieve Platinum Elite status with 50 nights on October 1, 2018, and select the Suite Night Awards as your Elite Choice Benefit, you’ll be able to use them through December 31, 2019.

I guess I might have to try that option then.

 

[GusGus16]

A few churning activities... met MSR for both of my SW cards over the past week, now just waiting for the bonus points to post later this month. Booked 1 flight for feb, hope the CP posts by the end of the month, and need to figure out how I'll book the 2nd flight needed. I'll probably cancel one of flights I have booked later in the year and have the points refunded to get that flight booked later this week vs. waiting until some of the point post. Only thing holding me back is for some reason I can't cancel that flight online and I would need to call in to cancel (oh the horror). Was hopeful after seeing @amalone1013 SW flights drop and I checked all of my flights and got a whole 8 points back, unfortunately not enough to book the other flight.

My sapphire preferred year will be tomorrow, will be calling to product change to the freedom, at this time I see no reason to keep it, I have the CIP, and my original plan was to have all my UR's and product change to the reserve, but without being able to book disney, I ended up transferring to SW and Hyatt and getting a better redemption value than the 1.5 cents anyway. I also have the SPG lux so have primary rental car insurance with that card.

My DiscoverIt 1 year will be up in March, working on maxing the current 5% category to maximize the first year double. Nice that this year, the first quarter for discover is groceries and the freedom is gas.

Worked super hard on actually writing down a budget, it is crazy that my computer doesn't have office so will need to pick that up to get it all in an excel spreadsheet. I'm going to work very hard on trying to keep a budget and track my spending better. I have always had some rough budget but never have paid close attention to it and haven't had a problem with this in the past. With this I want to be better at tracking everything, redemption history and CC points. My biggest concern with this is being able to keep track what every dollar is allocated for and accounting for pre-paid gift cards so I can max the above credit card rewards.

Going to look at another bank bonus after I get everything transferred for the new year with max'ing the 2019 IRA and HSA. I'm still waiting for my last bank bonus to post-citibank. In regards to credit cards, no plans for another card, plan is to slow down for the next several months. I'm currently 5/24 until March, so no plans to open anything new unless a business card with a reasonable MSR and awesome sign on bonus comes to light.

I have two trips planned this year, and hoping to plan at least one other trip probably in fall/early winter. First trip is to phoenix and 2nd is disneyland/san diego. No plans for WDW for now and probably going to take a break for awhile.

Wow long post today...Happy New year.

 

[Judique]

It comes to about $3.50 for 8 little bottles which isn't too terrible (but nothing compared to almost 40 bottles from Costco for almost the same price). I am 100% a mug person though. I drink enough carbonated beverages that I do think I actually make my money back to justify it for a week long trip. That mug comes with me everywhere. I will stop in every resort QS if I have a sec and am passing by just to help just offset the cost.

PolyRob...if we are ever there at the same time, let me know and I'll toss a 40pack of Costco water in the van for you, lol.

I like a little soda, like orange crush or root beer. Not a cola fan. But I very rarely drink it. I drink coffee, tea, milk, water and the occasional glass of wine or non alcoholic beer such as Odouls (or any of the brands - I don't drink it often enough to be fussy), if I'm out to dinner.

 

[Alexle2007]

Has anyone stayed the Renaissance SeaWorld? Thinking of using my free night cert there at the end of month since we’ll get lounge access for breakfast and can just walk from there to SeaWorld before we head to HRH later in the day.

 

[wenpop]

Just got my first Chase Card, CSP... I hope that was the right card to get first... I am now 5/24 Wish I had got the business card first but wasn't sure I would get it. If I take myself off as an authorize user on my husband's bank of america card I could still apply for a business card right?

 

[afan]

Has anyone stayed the Renaissance SeaWorld? Thinking of using my free night cert there at the end of month since we’ll get lounge access for breakfast and can just walk from there to SeaWorld before we head to HRH later in the day.

Is the one by seaworld one that gets park perks? If not I'd do the airport to get to bed sooner. But what do you do with your stuff either way? Rental?

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So there were only 30 or so pages to read since I took a quick trip to the BF. Booked the trip and flew out less than 24 hours later. Got to love the last minute flights via points. Only problem was my flight back last night was delayed 7 hours. AA offered me $150 for my delay. I think it's BS they charge me $75 for the "last minute" rush charges on my miles, which takes them MINUTES and I get $150 for 7 hours of my time. We weren't offered a hotel, food vouchers, etc. When I took a 3 hour bump on my delta flight, they gave me $1000 for that. Today I wasn't able to go to school as we didn't land until 9am! And it was AA's fault. In reading on flyertalk, people have gotten 15k miles for broken IFE (tv's) and I get $150 for 7 hours! I'm not sure how to get proper compensation back from AA. When my BF was delayed (similar to this) they offered him 15k back, which would reimburse the flight essentially. The $150 doesn't help me as much as the miles since we often book last minute.

In CC world, I booked our hotel room using a combo of hotel points and money. No despite my diamond status they would only extend "late" checkout 30 minutes! So I had to book the room another night. For whatever reason they ran 2 charges, $126 and $50. There's an offer on my Amex Aspire, (which I used) for $40 off $175. Do you think I'll trigger this offer? I'm not sure why they ran the reservation as 2 charges.