I love credit cards so much!

[SBWB48]

You've really laid it all out well. I started to type a response 3 times...and then re-thought things. So I understand your conundrum...I just keep coming back to the fact that the CIP points are worth so much more than the Marriott points...I'd probably go CIP, then do the double dip (which could still get you precheck before June), then hope Marriott is still around. BUT if you do something different it wouldn't be a bad decision in my book either. Good Luck!!

With 2-player mode you always worry you are forgetting something or overlooking something, so wanted to think aloud here in case I was! I'm leaning towards the CIP as well just because the bonus+referral does outweigh the Marriott bonus and I can still hope the Marriott Biz card is around later this year. If I do opt to go CIP, I definitely need to get cracking soon in order to fit that plus the CSP/CSR in by May (to make sure we have enough time to get pre-check done before the end of June). I'm tired just thinking about it, yet it's an adrenaline rush

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

P.S. @SouthFayetteFan, I know several members here use Plastiq so maybe we can create a DISchurners post where people can put up their Plastiq links.

We have that Misc thread over there and we really haven't stopped anybody from posting anything there - things like Ebates and stuff are in there so Plastiq seems fine too

 

[Albort]

Anyone read the reddit thread about keeping below 5/24 forever? It seems like a good policy. Ive been doing this as well. just noticed im down to 2/24 in a month or so haha.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Anyone read the reddit thread about keeping below 5/24 forever? It seems like a good policy. Ive been doing this as well. just noticed im down to 2/24 in a month or so haha.

I thought it was interesting, if I were in 1 player mode though I'm not sure I'd be looking to try to stay under. I still feel like in many cases the game is a sprint as much as it's a marathon.

I know many of us are in 2 player mode here and that certainly changes things. I think by alternating players we can always have somebody below 5/24. My wife goes under 5/24 in April, I'll stop getting personal cards in my name then and be back under 5/24 in May 2019...I see A LOT of Chase Cards and Business cards in our future over the next 3 years

 

[Albort]

I thought it was interesting, if I were in 1 player mode though I'm not sure I'd be looking to try to stay under. I still feel like in many cases the game is a sprint as much as it's a marathon.

I know many of us are in 2 player mode here and that certainly changes things. I think by alternating players we can always have somebody below 5/24. My wife goes under 5/24 in April, I'll stop getting personal cards in my name then and be back under 5/24 in May 2019...I see A LOT of Chase Cards and Business cards in our future over the next 3 years

as a 1 player mode, i think it benefits me with hitting the Sapphire 50k every 2 years. I dont travel much so UR points seem to work out for me though. I guess in 2 player mode, it would be different.

PS, havent been able to find a VGC at BB.

 

[Calfan]

Did you buy something or buy gift cards?

I bought gift cards. Two $300 Southwest gift cards and one $300 Disney gift card.

 

[amalone1013]

Lots of good things getting me thinking today.

I was waiting for myself to be under 5/24 for CIP, but I realized yesterday that I miscounted my cards I thought I'd be 4/24 in July (25mths) but it's actually October - I forgot I double dipped my last spot back in September. My SW biz will be one year old in May and I have no reason to keep it open, so I could maybe get Marriott Biz in the next few months, close SW in May/June, and apply for CIP in October.

DH we could work through SPG Biz, both Marriotts, and maybe also CIP. He is 4/24 now, and they're from 3/16, 2x 8/16, and 8/17, so we have some room to get him cards but keep him open for CP. Ideally he'd be 4/24 at the time to get CP, he'd get SW biz, then double dip last spot with SW personal + something else. But then that puts him at 3 Chase Biz cards for the year, seems unlikely.

Then the in-laws are 225 and 300 points away from hitting the 1000 threshold for transferring starpoints in their SPG accounts, so before they close their cards I'd like to put something on each of them and pay it, so we can transfer their points to my account, that will be 7k starpoints total.

And as I look I realize my CSR bonus posted in 11/16, so I'm a year from another Sapphire bonus and double dipping if that's still around...

 

[wendow]

And as I look I realize my CSR bonus posted in 11/16, so I'm a year from another Sapphire bonus and double dipping if that's still around...

My CSR bonus posted same time so my plan is to go for the CSR again in early 2019 (if I can stay under 5/24 lol). Hard to believe it will be time to apply for that card again!!! Time flies when you are having fun

 

[SBWB48]

My CSR bonus posted same time so my plan is to go for the CSR again in early 2019 (if I can stay under 5/24 lol). Hard to believe it will be time to apply for that card again!!! Time flies when you are having fun

On the flip note, while this hobby has been SO much fun and 'rewarding', it makes me kind of sad that it almost feels like you are wishing time away

 

[WVMomof3]

For the CIP, make sure you are 30 day past your last Chase application(s) due to Chase's 0/30 rule for approval of business credit cards.

If you plan to meet a minimum spending requirement by paying your DD's rent using Plastiq, I'd suggest going for the CIP over the SPG Biz.

• The CIP has a 80k UR signup bonus after spending $5,000/3 months. The SPG Biz currently has a 25k SPG signup bonus after spending $5,000/3 months.
• Using the CIP for payments through Plastiq still earns 3x UR. The SPG Biz codes as only 1x SPG.
• Plastiq charges a 2.5% transaction fee for payments using credit cards. Earning 3x UR back on the principal amount plus fee on the CIP negates the transaction fee and even makes Plastiq a small moneymaker. Transfer the UR points you earn on the CIP to your CSR, and they're worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal.
• Since the SPG Biz earns only 1x SPG, whether Plastiq is worth it depends how much you value the SPG points you'll get from the signup bonus and spend vs. the 2.5% fee.
• Residential rent payments through Plastiq are okay on the CIP (Visa) and SPG Biz (Amex); but both Visa and Amex don't allow Plastiq payments for mortgages and have been cracking down on holes that still let mortgage payments through.
• Before you sign up for Plastiq, you may want to find out if your DD's landlord, property manager, or property management company accepts credit card payments (like through some community website or payment portal). You may luck out if they accept credit cards for a flat fee.
• If you plan to sign up for Plastiq, you may want to do so through a referral link because it'll give you $500 "fee free dollars" after you spend $500. This means after you spend your first $500, Plastiq will waive the 2.5% fee on the next $500 in payments ($12.50).

P.S. @SouthFayetteFan, I know several members here use Plastiq so maybe we can create a DISchurners post where people can put up their Plastiq links.

Thanks! The new card will be for my husband. He is currently 3/24 with last card he applied for was in June 17. I am currently at 5/24, with one falling off in April so will have him get first, then refer me in the summer. Will see if I can bring myself to do a business app now. I filled out all the information last time and just couldn't pull the trigger after I read that I was agreeing that all expenses would really be business expenses. I know everyone else has done it, but it makes me nervous. And I am not sure if DH will go with it. Though, he didn't like this hobby at first, he is liking it more and more as we get to use the points.

I wish the landlord would take visa. He only has a couple units, and he is not the best at collecting rent at all, tried to get him to do venmo or paypal, as my daughter doesn't have checks so she wanted to just pay him that way and he has not looked into it at all. Most of the time her rent is very late, as is her roommates, so can't complain about him too much, he just tells them to pay as soon as they can and doesn't add any fees. Would think a college landlord would learn to get with the modern times. lol

 

[Albort]

I wish the landlord would take visa. He only has a couple units, and he is not the best at collecting rent at all, tried to get him to do venmo or paypal, as my daughter doesn't have checks so she wanted to just pay him that way and he has not looked into it at all. Most of the time her rent is very late, as is her roommates, so can't complain about him too much, he just tells them to pay as soon as they can and doesn't add any fees. Would think a college landlord would learn to get with the modern times. lol

get him a check from Plastiq.

 

[amalone1013]

On the non-debating what card to get next topic...

I've squared away how we will cover hotel costs in April to reduce OOP costs.

SoCal:

• 1 night in San Diego at Springhill Suites Bayfront, ~$260, using Hotels.com GC that I got at about 15% off (or perhaps if we pick up some more SPG/Marriott cards, I will use points... )
• 2 nights between San Diego and LA for wedding, Econolodge next to wedding venue (not many options) is about $90/night, Hotels.com GC or UR points
• 3 nights at Disneyland, Hyatt House Resort, 12k points/night transferred from UR (about 2.2cpp)

Vegas trip:

• 2 nights booked through Excalibur for special rate plus 2 buffets at any MGM property is $282 including the resort fees, will erase $42 with my Barclay Arrival (no fee versions) and $186 with DH's Barclay Arrival Plus for OOP cost of $54

 

[CoP Luv]

Referring your husband to CSR is a great idea! You'd get a minimum of 64k URs out of it PLUS $300 Travel Credit (x2 including next year) PLUS Global Entry.

Regarding the CSP, Chase now has a rule that says you can't get a CSP IF you got a CSR in the past 24 months (and vice versa). SO the only way for him to get both is to get them at the same time (the CSR/CSP double dip you hear a lot of us talking about). So in your situation (assuming you are ONLY getting 1) you'd need to figure out which one is of more value to you...that can be a hard comparison BUT the math likely favors the CSR. I did a post the other day here https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-652#post-58698294 kind of comparing the two...

If your dates are right your Kohl's card is coming off now so you're really at 2/24. You have a lot of options then!

I think I am leaning toward referring DH for the CSR, then after this summer trip PC my CSR to the CFU so we only have one CSR (and one AF). I think I have read the the AF will get pro-rated? Or would it be better to keep my CSR for the next $300 credit? By then it will probably be less than six months until it hits. Come next January, I will have been 24 months since i got the original 100K bonus for the CSR and was thinking of getting the CSP at that time.

What would be a good recommendation for an everyday grocery, gas, everyday spend card? Right now I am putting everything on my Freedom when it doesn't have a category, otherwise gas (3%) and grocery (2%) spends go on a BOA cash back card. We probably average about $2,200-$2,500 per year in those categories (for actual food and gas, not when category bonus times occur).

Thanks again for your help!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Altitude Reserve approved!! If you are a US Bank customer and want this card check your pre-qualified offers!

 

[SBWB48]

I think I am leaning toward referring DH for the CSR, then after this summer trip PC my CSR to the CFU so we only have one CSR (and one AF). I think I have read the the AF will get pro-rated? Or would it be better to keep my CSR for the next $300 credit? By then it will probably be less than six months until it hits. Come next January, I will have been 24 months since i got the original 100K bonus for the CSR and was thinking of getting the CSP at that time.

What would be a good recommendation for an everyday grocery, gas, everyday spend card? Right now I am putting everything on my Freedom when it doesn't have a category, otherwise gas (3%) and grocery (2%) spends go on a BOA cash back card. We probably average about $2,200-$2,500 per year in those categories (for actual food and gas, not when category bonus times occur).

Thanks again for your help!

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred (if you are looking for a non-travel card) is probably the best for groceries (6% up to a limit of $6,000 total spending) and gas (3%) if you are just looking for an everyday card. The card comes with an annual fee of $95, but easily offset by the first year bonus and in general, if you can max the spending limit. Those who don't spend the 6,000 organically on groceries tend to utilize the card on giftcards for other spending to get the 6% back on other areas of spending like restaurant, Disney GCs, etc. @wendow has Kroger by her, which offers fuel rewards on top of the 6%, and has been able to maximize the Amex BCP quite well I believe.

Otherwise, there's the Discover IT that acts like the 5% rotating Freedom, but for the first year, they double your cash back, CFU (1.5% on the surface, but if transferred to a CSP/CSR, becomes up to 2.25 when redeemed through the UR portal and possibly more if transferred to a partner) or the Citi DoubleCash (2% outright) which many seem to love who are over 5/24.

Honestly, the best return for everyday spend in this hobby is the sign up bonuses. If you are always working on a minimum spend, the return is almost always at least 10%.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I think I am leaning toward referring DH for the CSR, then after this summer trip PC my CSR to the CFU so we only have one CSR (and one AF). I think I have read the the AF will get pro-rated? Or would it be better to keep my CSR for the next $300 credit? By then it will probably be less than six months until it hits. Come next January, I will have been 24 months since i got the original 100K bonus for the CSR and was thinking of getting the CSP at that time.

What would be a good recommendation for an everyday grocery, gas, everyday spend card? Right now I am putting everything on my Freedom when it doesn't have a category, otherwise gas (3%) and grocery (2%) spends go on a BOA cash back card. We probably average about $2,200-$2,500 per year in those categories (for actual food and gas, not when category bonus times occur).

Thanks again for your help!

I'm a terrible person to recommend an "everyday" card lol - I haven't been without a minimum spend to hit since Sept 2014, lol. I'm always working on a large signup bonus.

AMEX Blue Cash and Blue Cash preferred have been popular cards in that arena though.

Also - I assume your CSR annual fee is going to hit in February (based on that 1/17 signup date) soooo maybe you could get your $300 travel credit, refer your husband, and downgrade it before the end of Feb and not pay any AF!

 

[Albort]

SoCal:

• 1 night in San Diego at Springhill Suites Bayfront, ~$260, using Hotels.com GC that I got at about 15% off (or perhaps if we pick up some more SPG/Marriott cards, I will use points... )
• 2 nights between San Diego and LA for wedding, Econolodge next to wedding venue (not many options) is about $90/night, Hotels.com GC or UR points
• 3 nights at Disneyland, Hyatt House Resort, 12k points/night transferred from UR (about 2.2cpp)

one thing ive learned about SPG is to play with their BRG. I did it last time and it worked out great. Booked a room @ $104+ tax. Found a rate that was $87. did a BRG, they lowered my roommate to $87 and then gave me a choice of 2000 points or another 20% off. I researched this before booking the room...

 

[wendow]

What would be a good recommendation for an everyday grocery, gas, everyday spend card? Right now I am putting everything on my Freedom when it doesn't have a category, otherwise gas (3%) and grocery (2%) spends go on a BOA cash back card. We probably average about $2,200-$2,500 per year in those categories (for actual food and gas, not when category bonus times occur).

Another recommendation for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred. I love this card! It earns 6% back at grocery stores and 3% on gas. I typically use my Costco Citi for gas (4% back) unless it's a Freedom category but at least I don't have a freak out moment if my dh gases up with the Amex lol! It's a good card. It does have a $95 AF but there is a referral offer of $250 back after $1000 spend so you'd have that AF covered for 2.5 years. Plus if you spend a decent amount on groceries, you can earn your AF back in 3-4 mos. The 6% back is on up to $6000 in grocery spend.

There is also a no fee version of that card that earns 3% cash back on groceries.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'll be saving all my SPG points for the Dolphin too! Maybe some other locale can entice me to spend but I doubt it I have a long ways to go though to get enough for all/most of our nights covered (need two rooms) so I'm focused on those and the Marriott cards right now (after done with my BRG)!

Ha ha. I'm the same. I gave a friend some of my Marriott points and my only regret was giving away a night at the Dolphin.

 

[amalone1013]

one thing ive learned about SPG is to play with their BRG. I did it last time and it worked out great. Booked a room @ $104+ tax. Found a rate that was $87. did a BRG, they lowered my roommate to $87 and then gave me a choice of 2000 points or another 20% off. I researched this before booking the room...

I looked around at that for the San Diego hotels, but everything is high - probably because it's the week after Easter? Or maybe there's something going on, I didn't even look at that.