I love credit cards so much!

[GlamMistress]

Devaluations scare me too especially when sitting on a huge stash. We ended up concentrated in Southwest and Marriott because it was just so easy to earn those points and those were the programs I used when I traveled for business. We almost have a million Marriott points...

Another strange thing I'll point out for some of the folks here is we consider those points part of our Emergency Fund. If we needed to I could cash out to Target gift cards (at about 50-60% of the value) and we could support our groceries and necessity items (or sell online and actually get cash). I don't recommend actually redeeming in that manner but when people are planning what points to concentrate on it's not a bad idea to understand what other options there are to convert and how those points could help in an emergency situation.

Funny you say that about the emergency fund. I said the thing to my husband about our Membership Rewards pile the other day. If it all went to seed, I could keep us alive by paying for groceries, etc with them. He looked at me like I was crazy. But it's true.

 

[AmyAnne]

Are anyone else's AmEx offers taking longer than usual to credit? Usually mine show up in 2 - 3 days after the purchase, but at the moment I'm waiting on Exxon (purchase posted on Dec. 4) and Google Express (purchased on Dec. 1).

 

[calypso726]

Devaluations scare me too especially when sitting on a huge stash. We ended up concentrated in Southwest and Marriott because it was just so easy to earn those points and those were the programs I used when I traveled for business. We almost have a million Marriott points...

Another strange thing I'll point out for some of the folks here is we consider those points part of our Emergency Fund. If we needed to I could cash out to Target gift cards (at about 50-60% of the value) and we could support our groceries and necessity items (or sell online and actually get cash). I don't recommend actually redeeming in that manner but when people are planning what points to concentrate on it's not a bad idea to understand what other options there are to convert and how those points could help in an emergency situation.

Excellent observation with regards to emergency fund. I’ve considered the idea that in an emergency we’d be able to use points like UR and MR as a statement credit or stay in a hotel if needed. Never considered the gift card option and reselling. Great food for thought!

Ok gotta say I am totes jelly on your million Marriott points. That is a sweet stash!

I know the general rule is earn and burn but that isn’t my style. I’m more the opportunistic hoarder. Other than being in an AA hub and knowing the majority of my options will be with AA, there is no rhyme or reason to our vacation destinations. So I like having multiple options. I hate devaluations but understand and accept that they can and do happen which makes having a plan B all the more important for me.

 

[wendow]

Ideas for using my CSR travel credit? I'd like to PC my card asap so I need to get this credit spent. I am too chicken to pull the trigger on buying DLR tickets. Between my dd's health and our maybe moving out-of-state in 2018, I'm afraid the trip may get pushed out.

We only fly SW but I really don't want a $300 GC because we have plenty of points right now.

No other travel coming up to use the credit on.

I miss the option of funding the DVA.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Never considered the gift card option and reselling. Great food for thought!

It's nice to know the option exists. I would mourn the loss of points if I ever had to do it LOL!

Ok gotta say I am totes jelly on your million Marriott points. That is a sweet stash!

I know the general rule is earn and burn but that isn’t my style. I’m more the opportunistic hoarder. Other than being in an AA hub and knowing the majority of my options will be with AA, there is no rhyme or reason to our vacation destinations. So I like having multiple options. I hate devaluations but understand and accept that they can and do happen which makes having a plan B all the more important for me.

I'm glad to see somebody else who isn't all big on earn and burn. With it becoming harder to "earn" these days it's nice to have a stash. I'm proud of the Marriott stash too haha - 2 Marriott personal, 1 Marriott biz, 1 SPG personal, 2 SPG biz, A bunch of rooms from my sisters weddding, and a bunch of business travel from my precious job all contributed to that. I told my wife we could stay 5 months at a CAT1 if we ever needed to haha.

 

[pillow]

The card fee? The card fee is only $95 (waived the first year). Her school doesn't charge for credit cards, I have paid all her tuition with a card, fee free.

Lucky! My son's school charges a 2.75% fee when paying via credit card. :-(

We dump funds into our 529 and let them sit for a few days before transferring to the college. That way we can get the State tax deduction. For us thats 5.75% for Virginia.

An option if you have a 529 is to buy the "Gift of College" gift cards (carried at Toys R Us currently) by credit card which can be transferred to a 529 account. The fee on those is $5.95 per $500 card I believe. Best Buy is supposed to start carrying them soon - although I'll believe it when I see it as it keeps getting delayed. Would be nice to earn BB rewards on those purchases.

http://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/2016/10/25/how-to-fund-college-savings-with-a-credit-card/

 

[pillow]

Are anyone else's AmEx offers taking longer than usual to credit? Usually mine show up in 2 - 3 days after the purchase, but at the moment I'm waiting on Exxon (purchase posted on Dec. 4) and Google Express (purchased on Dec. 1).

Google Express is wonky. Two of my purchases posted quickly, along with the $20 credit. Two others are in never never land. The other weird thing is that they price adjusted my purchase DOWN - no idea why. Normally I would be thrilled for a price reduction, but their adjustment pushed me below the $50 threshold (sigh). I emailed them asking if they would waive shipping so that I could purchase another item to push me back above $50, and they were very accommodating. Also, the taxes are just an estimate. Mine came in lower than what I calculated, which I don't understand since I know our State's tax rate. I've used this offer on several cards, and I'm beginning to think its more work than its worth.

 

[havaneselover]

Google Express is wonky. Two of my purchases posted quickly, along with the $20 credit. Two others are in never never land. The other weird thing is that they price adjusted my purchase DOWN - no idea why. Normally I would be thrilled for a price reduction, but their adjustment pushed me below the $50 threshold (sigh). I emailed them asking if they would waive shipping so that I could purchase another item to push me back above $50, and they were very accommodating. Also, the taxes are just an estimate. Mine came in lower than what I calculated, which I don't understand since I know our State's tax rate. I've used this offer on several cards, and I'm beginning to think its more work than its worth.

When my order went mia I called them and they gave it to me for free. They seemed helpful but no way would I use google Express but for the Amex offer.

 

[wendow]

For Google Express - I ordered enough items from Target to push me over $50 to trigger the amex offer. Well, Target could not fulfill a couple of the items so my total was only $40. No amex credit. Then I didn't like one of the Target items...but you can't just return to the store...they want you to pay to ship it back to them. Such a pain.

 

[miztressuz]

So now I'm glad I never got the Google Express offer I'm having trouble enough with one that I thought would be stupidly simple, and yet it didn't get picked up and now I have to call to get the points (tried chat, that was useless) Was just supposed to spend more than $20 in one or more transactions at a small business listed in the directory and get 1000 MR points. I put my zip code in, found a business, charged $25+ and nothing.

So far that's my only dud, but after hearing all the duds you folks got very glad I didn't get the express offer.

 

[wendow]

So now I'm glad I never got the Google Express offer I'm having trouble enough with one that I thought would be stupidly simple, and yet it didn't get picked up and now I have to call to get the points (tried chat, that was useless) Was just supposed to spend more than $20 in one or more transactions at a small business listed in the directory and get 1000 MR points. I put my zip code in, found a business, charged $25+ and nothing.

So far that's my only dud, but after hearing all the duds you folks got very glad I didn't get the express offer.

Yeah, I was less than impressed with Google Express. I did place another order at Target (had to spend $35+ for free ship when only need $9 more to trigger the offer...) so hoping this gets me the credit. I have the offer on another card too but not sure I will even bother.

 

[pillow]

For Google Express - I ordered enough items from Target to push me over $50 to trigger the amex offer. Well, Target could not fulfill a couple of the items so my total was only $40. No amex credit. Then I didn't like one of the Target items...but you can't just return to the store...they want you to pay to ship it back to them. Such a pain.

Target is notorious for showing inventory online, but then cancelling items due to no inventory!! This happened to me as well on yet another Google Express order. After that happened, I purchased something else to bump me above $50 and they agreed to waiving shipping again! I have to say that this process in a pain, but at least the folks at Google Express are accommodating. I agree with @havaneselover - would not use them except for the nice rebate on the Amex offer.

Edited . . . plus I'm starting to feel like a hoarder - lol. I have enough toilet paper to last 6 months + enough dishwasher detergent, coffee, and clothes detergent to last about that time as well. Its hard to stop when you find these good deals! I need to STOP!

 

[Albort]

Yeah, I was less than impressed with Google Express. I did place another order at Target (had to spend $35+ for free ship when only need $9 more to trigger the offer...) so hoping this gets me the credit. I have the offer on another card too but not sure I will even bother.

im not sure how my google express deal worked but it did...

Nov 25
GOOGLE SERVICES MOUNTAIN VIEW
-$20.00
Nov 23
GOOGLE *WALMART G.CO/HELPPAY# CA
$6.25
Nov 13
GOOGLE *WALMART G.CO/HELPPAY# CA
$49.71

i thought i screwed up haha.

 

[wendow]

Did anyone ever see a way buy GC's using google express? I saw Chili's (and their chains) but that was about it.

 

[pillow]

Did anyone ever see a way buy GC's using google express? I saw Chili's (and their chains) but that was about it.

They had a MasterCard, but it sold out quickly. I bought a Subway card, but they subsequently sold out of those as well. I clearly need to work faster next time!

 

[havaneselover]

On the chase pay ebags offer, has anyone done it more than once? I’ve picked up one set up packing cubes (with cf) but am thinking I might as well get another (with csp).

 

[wendow]

On the chase pay ebags offer, has anyone done it more than once? I’ve picked up one set up packing cubes (with cf) but am thinking I might as well get another (with csp).

What is the offer and is it available on all Chase cards?

 

[havaneselover]

What is the offer and is it available on all Chase cards?

2000 ur points for spending $20 on cf, Cfu, and csp when paying with chase pay.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Ideas for using my CSR travel credit? I'd like to PC my card asap so I need to get this credit spent. I am too chicken to pull the trigger on buying DLR tickets. Between my dd's health and our maybe moving out-of-state in 2018, I'm afraid the trip may get pushed out.

We only fly SW but I really don't want a $300 GC because we have plenty of points right now.

No other travel coming up to use the credit on.

I miss the option of funding the DVA.

I'd probably still go for SW credit card because it won't expire (I think) and you can eventually use it. Unless you need Uber or something.
You'll have to post whether it works to pic your card and still get to keep the credit and get AF refunded.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

DH has CSR & CSP. I need to pc one of them. In the past year, earned 20k points from CSR. Not much on CSP since CSR was a bigger focus. Planning to use travel credit as soon as it resets this month. While I like CSR, the $450 is kinda tough right now. Already have 2018 vacations planned/paid for (travel credit will be the last bit to pay) so next thing I'd use UR for would be in 2019. If I pc CSR to FU, and keep CSP, I can pc back to CSR in 2019 right?