I love credit cards so much!

[DisneyMandC]

I just had someone from Chase Fraud call me on my new CSP card that I received yesterday. I put a $107 charge on it last night after activating it and they just wanted to verify it. Is that normal? I didn't give out any personal information beyond my email and confirming the charge, and the number they called from is a Chase customer service number. I figured maybe they're just being extra careful what with the Equifax breach?

 

[Lain]

Chase Freedom Q4 5% Category confirmed: Walmart and Department Stores.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Chase Freedom Q4 5% Category confirmed: Walmart and Department Stores.

Ick.

 

[wendow]

Ick.

Agree. Was hoping for Amazon like two years ago.

 

[disneychic2]

@disneychic2 - Yes, I'd say every successful travel hacker pays their credit card bills in full every month. I see you are just getting started reading through this thread. If you read it all, you will come to find that I've been able to have some pretty amazing travel experiences thanks to this hobby and even done some ridiculous things just because I could, thanks to this hobby. None the less, I have barely scratched the surface of what is possible and still consider myself a novice compared to the bloggers I follow. So if I can do this, anyone can.

You are correct, paying interest would negate the value of your miles and points. We are also debt free, mortgage is paid. I never pay cash for anything if I can help it. I get nothing in return for using cash. Debit cards are far more dangerous to use than credit cards if one's info is compromised, so those are out of the question for me too.

I have over 30 credit cards. Most sit in a drawer. Many are too old to close. The rest, I keep for a particular benefit but don't spend anymore than needed to keep them active. This amounts to buying something once a year. I keep about 5-7 in my wallet for specific reasons and actually use those for spending.

There are plenty of bloggers and most have a beginner section. Million Mile Secrets, The Points Guy, Frequent Miler,
One Mile at a Time, Mile Value and many others.

Ask questions here on this thread. Everyone here is friendly and helpful. You will not find that on other forums. The game is better if you can do it with 2 players. DH and I each get the same card, our own accounts, not as authorized users so we get double the bonus. This is why and how we can easily maintain over 2 million points and miles.

Get your Chase cards that are subject to 5/24 first. This may not make sense right now but it will later and you will be glad you did Set a travel goal and then get the points and miles you need to reach it. Figure out what is important to you when it comes to this hobby and know that your priorities may be very different than others in the hobby and that is ok.

Hope this helps!

It is very helpful!! Thank you!! I may have trouble spending the minimum in the 90 days allotted. But I'm definitely going to educate myself and frequent this thread to see if it will work for us.

Question...we already each have a Southwest card with miles earned. To take advantage of the current offer of 60,000 bonus miles (x 2) should we cancel those cards, or just apply for new ones? If we cancel, what happens to the points we have. (not a lot of points, but would hate to lose them). Thanks in advance!

 

[calypso726]

Except if you're @calypso726.

in her case, it's called lol/24. :]

I have a tendency to forget that some people actually get back under 5/24.

 

[wendow]

Question...we already each have a Southwest card with miles earned. To take advantage of the current offer of 60,000 bonus miles (x 2) should we cancel those cards, or just apply for new ones? If we cancel, what happens to the points we have. (not a lot of points, but would hate to lose them). Thanks in advance!

There are three SW cards. The Plus, the Premier and the Business card. All currently have 60 k signup bonuses so you apply for whichever one you do not have. Depending on how old your other cards are, I'm not sure I'd close them. Rapid Rewards points are attached to your rapid rewards account and not the credit card so you are safe from losing them if you do close the card.

 

[Alexle2007]

It is very helpful!! Thank you!! I may have trouble spending the minimum in the 90 days allotted. But I'm definitely going to educate myself and frequent this thread to see if it will work for us.

Question...we already each have a Southwest card with miles earned. To take advantage of the current offer of 60,000 bonus miles (x 2) should we cancel those cards, or just apply for new ones? If we cancel, what happens to the points we have. (not a lot of points, but would hate to lose them). Thanks in advance!

The SW points are deposited to your SW RR account not to your SW CC so they will remain in your RR account. If it has been more 24 months since you were approved for the account, you are eligible for the bonus again and can cancel and reapply. You could even apply for both Plus and Premier in order to get CP then one of you could fly for free.

 

[calypso726]

It is very helpful!! Thank you!! I may have trouble spending the minimum in the 90 days allotted. But I'm definitely going to educate myself and frequent this thread to see if it will work for us.

Question...we already each have a Southwest card with miles earned. To take advantage of the current offer of 60,000 bonus miles (x 2) should we cancel those cards, or just apply for new ones? If we cancel, what happens to the points we have. (not a lot of points, but would hate to lose them). Thanks in advance!

You're welcome! There are many creative ways to make the spend for a bonus. When you find you and your significant other cant both get the same card at the same time and make the spend that is ok. Still get both cards for the double bonus just not at the same time.

Southwest is probably the only popular card in this hobby that I have not had. I play the game for first class international flights and to borrow a phrase from another DISer on this thread, "snooty hotels" LOL Therefore, my knowledge is limited there. Fortunately, we have plenty of knowledgeable SW fans on this thread that can chime in and correct me if I am wrong. Your points go to your Rapid Rewards account so you wouldnt lose them. Personally, I'd apply for a second card and say I wanted to separate business expenses from personal expenses. I'm sure others with more experience will chime in with good advice.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I just had someone from Chase Fraud call me on my new CSP card that I received yesterday. I put a $107 charge on it last night after activating it and they just wanted to verify it. Is that normal? I didn't give out any personal information beyond my email and confirming the charge, and the number they called from is a Chase customer service number. I figured maybe they're just being extra careful what with the Equifax breach?

Nothing to do with the breach, Chase Fraud is pretty pro-active.

 

[wendow]

Got approved for the Barclay Arrival+ last night. Feels kind of weird lol...I've never had a MC or a non-Chase card (other than my BCP). I don't really think this is going to be a keeper card for me but you never know. I was considering getting dh a Barclay too but he is so close to being 3/24 (one drops off this month and one next month). I'd rather wait and get him a CIP.

Question for those of you who have the IHG. To really maximize the annual free night, should dh & I apply for that card at the same time? Does the certificate have a time restriction on the usage?

 

[hurt817]

Got approved for the Barclay Arrival+ last night. Feels kind of weird lol...I've never had a MC or a non-Chase card (other than my BCP). I don't really think this is going to be a keeper card for me but you never know. I was considering getting dh a Barclay too but he is so close to being 3/24 (one drops off this month and one next month). I'd rather wait and get him a CIP.

Question for those of you who have the IHG. To really maximize the annual free night, should dh & I apply for that card at the same time? Does the certificate have a time restriction on the usage?

My husband & I both have the IHG card - we didn't get them at the same time & I wish we had. The free night is good for one year from the date your fee is charged. Ours are about 6 months apart so it's not ideal.

 

[tink1970]

Chase Freedom Q4 5% Category confirmed: Walmart and Department Stores.

I guess I'm a little more optimistic...going to get WM gc and then use them at Sam's like I just did with the Chase 10X rewards. I have pc'd my CSR so I can get 2x1500 so that's $3000 worth of gc to put towards my next cruise or ABD plus UR (I have a CSP from the Fairmont pc and DH has his CSR still).

Agree. Was hoping for Amazon like two years ago.

LOL...I'm trying to figure out how to max out my DiscoverIt 5% with Amazon & Target so I'm not as bummed. I can spend $3000 on Disney GC via WM-> Sam's (DCL/ABD are expensive!!!) but $1500 at Amazon is a stretch for me. I'll welcome any hints (all of DH's nieces and nephews will be getting gift cards for Christmas, I can assure you!).

On a disappointing note, I decided to apply for Citi Premier and got the review email. I was torn about applying but figured 75,000 points was nothing to sneeze at and when have $9,000 in home improvements in the next couple of months. Oh well... guess I'll be using my Amex and earning Skymiles instead

 

[wendow]

LOL...I'm trying to figure out how to max out my DiscoverIt 5% with Amazon & Target so I'm not as bummed. I can spend $3000 on Disney GC via WM-> Sam's (DCL/ABD are expensive!!!) but $1500 at Amazon is a stretch for me. I'll welcome any hints (all of DH's nieces and nephews will be getting gift cards for Christmas, I can assure you!).

Two years ago the CF had 10x on Amazon for at least a good part of Q4. We bought almost all our Christmas gifts from Amazon and then we bought a bunch of GC's to use the following year. Since we are practically daily Amazon shoppers, it was a great deal for us I just don't do much with Walmart but I may try to get some Disney GC's.

 

[Alexle2007]

I am going to PC DH's CSR to Sapphire until I can turn into a CF. With the Sapphire, can we transfer UR points to the airlines like SW? He currently has several thousand SW points but I know our airline tickets for XMas to "somewhere in the Caribbean" will be more than he currently has so I wanted to be able to move some points from my CSR to the Sapphire to SW.

 

[hsmamato2]

questionfor BCP holders/fans out here... I just got one (1000/200 deal woohoo) for DH and I'm the AU, I'm thinking I can hit 6k max for year in about 6 months easily ( I spend a lot on groceries and at the store) is it a good idea for me to apply for my own? what are the odds I'd get that great bonus offer again? Or should I concentrate on something else for grocery purchases? Still eyeing barclaycard for travel expenses but....

 

[wendow]

I am going to PC DH's CSR to Sapphire until I can turn into a CF. With the Sapphire, can we transfer UR points to the airlines like SW? He currently has several thousand SW points but I know our airline tickets for XMas to "somewhere in the Caribbean" will be more than he currently has so I wanted to be able to move some points from my CSR to the Sapphire to SW.

Why not just transfer them from the CSR to SW? I've not done it but pretty sure it's a 1:1 transfer. You cannot move them from CF to SW directly.

 

[wendow]

questionfor BCP holders/fans out here... I just got one (1000/200 deal woohoo) for DH and I'm the AU, I'm thinking I can hit 6k max for year in about 6 months easily ( I spend a lot on groceries and at the store) is it a good idea for me to apply for my own? what are the odds I'd get that great bonus offer again? Or should I concentrate on something else for grocery purchases? Still eyeing barclaycard for travel expenses but....

I love my BCP and I think it is the best card for grocery purchases (unless CF is 5% for grocery). I think if you can hit 6k in 6 mos, then it makes sense for you to have your own card. We spend a lot on groceries (rarely eat out) but it still takes me about 9-10 mos to hit the 6k. I also stop using it if CF is 5% so that eliminates 3 mos of the year. I got my card a couple of years ago with a $250 offer. I think you could find another good bonus offer.

ETA: I do a lot of Costco shopping too so I think that is one reason I drag out my 6k spending so much. I so wish I could get 6% back from Costco. I spend $400 mo there.

 

[Alexle2007]

Why not just transfer them from the CSR to SW? I've not done it but pretty sure it's a 1:1 transfer. You cannot move them from CF to SW directly.

We haven't decided where we are going yet and I was trying not to move more points than are needed. DH is antsy about making sure he isn't hit with the annual fee so he wants me to get it changed ASAP. His year isn't up until the end of Oct. so I thought I had to PC to a Sapphire and then change to CF in early Nov. But by then we should have booked our Christmas flights.

 

[platamama]

I do a lot of Costco shopping too so I think that is one reason I drag out my 6k spending so much. I so wish I could get 6% back from Costco. I spend $400 mo there.

I also drag out my 6K spending on BCP for the same reason as you. Maybe it's not 6% at Costco, but if you have the Exec Membership (2%) and Costco VI card (2%), you can get 4% at Costco. Break even after $3000/annual spend ($250/mo). And just starting this month, Costco Travel will also earn you 2% back if you have the Exec Membership. Plus, I buy Costco cash cards with whatever new MC I'm trying to meet minimum spending on, so Costco has gotten a lot of my grocery shopping this year. I see I've only reached $2400 out of my 6K on BCP for the year so far. Looks like I'll be getting gift cards from grocery stores for the next couple of months...

Alternatively, I'll buy VGC from Staples whenever they're running their promos (like getting a $20 VGC for buying $300 VGC) with my Ink Cash thereby getting 5xUR, and use VGC at Costco for things that I'm not worried about having an extended warranty for, like food.