I love credit cards so much!

[elgerber]

Thanks - not sure how I'll do Chase and Wells . . . suggestions welcome!

Hope everything goes ok with your hubby's surgery!

Let me know if you figure out Chase, I'd like to figure that out too!

 

[WardFam]

We just opened a marriott card (went for the 120k bonus because we had a large spend) i charged the entire $12,000 on Monday - how soon until the points show up? Is it ok to go ahead and pay that off before my points post?

 

[miztressuz]

DH said something last night that I am probably going to regret not taking him up on immediately, but I'm trying to remember my bigger scale travel plans... We were eating dinner and discussing our budget/plans for the year and he told me I should book us a Disney trip this year We had previously decided this would be an off year for us since we're doing the big family vacation to Disney in 2019. I thought about it though and I'm really not sure that a big Disney trip is something I want to spend the money OR points on this year. I realized the other day that, so long as I get approved for the CIP later this year, we will have enough points to cover rooms onsite for 6 adults even if we earn don't any additional URs for the rest of the year. So I'm really thinking I don't want to sacrifice the URs when I know I will appreciate those more when trying to foot a big Disney bill in 2019.

We have been talking about doing Universal for a couple days for DH's birthday later this year though, so I'm thinking maybe we'll do two days at Universal and I'll tack on a day at Hollywood Studios for us so we can check out the new Toy Story Land. We'll just stay off property at a hotel near Universal and either road trip down or catch some cheap direct flights on Spirit. I'm pretty well-versed in the tips and tricks for earning discounted Disney gift cards, but does anyone have some good tips for Universal tickets? I know about buying tickets through Undercover Tourist and that sometimes Costco has decent deals as well. Didn't know if I was missing anything that anyone here could think of to maximize my point values.

I think that sounds like a good compromise to get a little Disney in without derailing the bigger plans. I got our last Universal tickets from the UR store but it looks like that's radically changed since we did it so probably not the best value anymore. (I miss that deal-of-the-decade; 4 1day-PTP tickets = 20,000 pts. if I hadn't used up all my UR points getting that I'd have grabbed more.)
I think you can use the Universal GC's to buy tickets and I think most people were hitting up their gas rewards stores to get the GC's as a discount.

 

[Eeyore2142]

I think I messed up. With my work, I have started traveling more and flying American and staying at Marriott. So, makes sense to apply for the cards, right? When I applied for the Marriott today, I got the "30 day" notice. When I looked back, I forgot that Ulta had just talked me into the card for 20% off. So, I know I'm over what Chase likes. I need to get better at this. LOL

 

[miztressuz]

Nah, we are just making the best of it!
I had both eyes done for cataract surgery last year but insurance took care of it all but the $20 copay, so no 'spend' for me.

OT, but wow that was cheap. If she'd have gone with the insurance lenses I think they were covered and it was 10 or 20% of the services, which was reasonable, but she'd been stuck wearing glasses full time (actually, I think bifocals, which would have been better than the trifocals she had, but still). But for a little more there were spiffy lenses she could get and not need glasses at all, but insurance wouldn't cover any part of those lenses so she paid OOP for both of those. Worth it though, she's got 20/20 vision which she never had, and doesn't have to wear glasses but she has a pair for night driving; makes her more comfortable that way.
But we had been discussing the travel she wants to do in her impending retirement and how to go about it and it struck me she could have been sitting on a nice pile of points if we had the forethought to open up some new cards instead of putting them on existing ones. (hindsight and all)

 

[DisneyMandC]

I think that sounds like a good compromise to get a little Disney in without derailing the bigger plans. I got our last Universal tickets from the UR store but it looks like that's radically changed since we did it so probably not the best value anymore. (I miss that deal-of-the-decade; 4 1day-PTP tickets = 20,000 pts. if I hadn't used up all my UR points getting that I'd have grabbed more.)
I think you can use the Universal GC's to buy tickets and I think most people were hitting up their gas rewards stores to get the GC's as a discount.

Thanks for the help! I didn't realize you could use UR to purchase Universal tickets. I've never seen any Universal gift cards in my area before- I wonder if it's more regional. I'm going to have to explore that more.

 

[SBWB48]

Hello Everyone!
I am looking for the best card for a college student. I am thinking it would be better for them to take a credit card (rather than cash and debit card) on an upcoming spring break trip so I want to make a quick decision. Also, this will help build credit. I have been reading and doing research but WOW there is so much info out there that it’s hard to filter through it.

My college age kids have the Discover student card.

So if she's a senior I guess she has some income she can prove? Otherwise you may have to co-sign for it if she's still under 21. If she doesn't have any other debt on her credit report to build a risk profile I'd probably stick with cards designed for students as the first one. Once she establishes a history with that and maybe gets some higher income with that fancy degree the better rewards cards are possible.

But there are still good student rewards cards, if she can be responsible and not over extend because of the rewards. Personally Discover and Citibank were two of my first cards (although, sadly, probably longer ago than is relevant now, hehe). Looks like both the Discover it cards have student versions, which get the same main benefits plus some. Might have to look into it more but the Good Grade Reward seems like it's a cashback bonus and the cashback bonus is matched on the first year so that sounds intriguing. https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/student

Citibank does a ThankYou points card for students. It's a Visa, I think, if you're concerned about wide acceptance (not sure where's she's headed for spring break). I think it's a little easier to get this one too and folks here have good things to say about ThankYou points. (but as I said, it's been a while since I got my citi student) But that does make me think, have you checked her credit score or report? Even with student cards there's thresholds the issuers set. Need at least a Fair score for most, and some might even need Good range. Otherwise you may have to look at secured cards, or co-sign.

@MinnieMay I was helping a coworker with this a couple weeks ago. His daughter is now a college freshman and he did not want to go down the AU route since he only has one credit card that he uses with a large credit line (adverse to credit). He tried the BoA Student card first and she was denied given no credit history (the irony there...student card and student gets denied) and he couldn't even pull a credit report for her since she had nothing, but they offered her a secured card option. Told him to try Discover IT because that was my younger brother's first card as well (he also had zero credit history) because Discover seems to be ok approving those with minimal to no history, but with fairly low limits, which makes sense. Younger brother's CL initially was $1,000. Since then, they've bumped it up to $3K. They applied and she was instantly approved after uploading a picture of her license for verification. The upload took no more than 5 min after a call to confirm that was all they needed and she was approved within 30min of applying. The good grade report ($20) mentioned by above is also a nice little bonus.

Chase Freedom, while a great starter card, isn't always an easy approval for those with minimal credit history; CapOne seems to be the case as well, but less so than Chase and I already mentioned the BoA situation he encountered. Citi is generally good for starters if you rather have her carry a Visa since Discover isn't always accepted, though I find that to be less and less true these days with Discover's footprint having grown extensively. If she doesn't get approved for any, and you have a card you don't use, add her as as AU. If the CL is more than you are comfortable with, you could also lower consider lowering the limit on a dormant card or apply a spending limit to the account for the AU.

But Discover, Citi, CapOne would be how I would rank the issuers she will most likely be approved for based on my experience with the younger brother and my coworker's daughter recently.

 

[Judique]

OT, but wow that was cheap. If she'd have gone with the insurance lenses I think they were covered and it was 10 or 20% of the services, which was reasonable, but she'd been stuck wearing glasses full time (actually, I think bifocals, which would have been better than the trifocals she had, but still). But for a little more there were spiffy lenses she could get and not need glasses at all, but insurance wouldn't cover any part of those lenses so she paid OOP for both of those. Worth it though, she's got 20/20 vision which she never had, and doesn't have to wear glasses but she has a pair for night driving; makes her more comfortable that way.
But we had been discussing the travel she wants to do in her impending retirement and how to go about it and it struck me she could have been sitting on a nice pile of points if we had the forethought to open up some new cards instead of putting them on existing ones. (hindsight and all)

I have 20/20 distance vision. I have to wear glasses for smaller print reading, although I can see some prints and fonts clearly.

I was not a candidate for the lens that would have completely eliminated glasses, but that would have been covered as well. So now I have a couple pairs of 'drug store' glasses - actually Costco 3 pack for 18.99.

 

[wendow]

Good luck with the surgery! I 'thanked' you with my plastiq account. I am guessing you won't see my 'gift' until I send a larger payment though. Thanks for helping!

Thank you so much!!! I so appreciate that gift!

 

[wendow]

Nah, we are just making the best of it!
I had both eyes done for cataract surgery last year but insurance took care of it all but the $20 copay, so no 'spend' for me.

My dh is having a 'vitrectomy'. He has a huge floater that is attached on both sides, like a hammock, to his retina. It's severely impacting his vision in that eye and sometimes blocks his entire field. SO, they are gonna stick needles in his eyeballs and suck it out Our part of the surgery is $1500 so that is definitely gonna help with this SPG card we are struggling to get spend on.

 

[wendow]

Plastiq let me know that "Attn: Cashier" deposited my payment today Love it!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I think I messed up. With my work, I have started traveling more and flying American and staying at Marriott. So, makes sense to apply for the cards, right? When I applied for the Marriott today, I got the "30 day" notice. When I looked back, I forgot that Ulta had just talked me into the card for 20% off. So, I know I'm over what Chase likes. I need to get better at this. LOL

What cards have you been approved for in the past 24 months?

 

[DaveL]

Who transferred their Disney reservation to UR? Can you give me the contact information for UR CSR you used? I'm going to transfer my reservation over since we are going to add the dinning package and I want to use URs to pay for it.

Yeah that was me, here is the post with all the info: https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-661#post-58705303

Also I learned that you do not have to have all the points at the time of transfer, you can keep earning up till the final payment date so keep that in mind!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks for the help! I didn't realize you could use UR to purchase Universal tickets. I've never seen any Universal gift cards in my area before- I wonder if it's more regional. I'm going to have to explore that more.

Nothing to lose but some time if you call Chase travel and ask for the cruise and tour department and ask them if it's possible to book Universal tickets. Life regrets that I didn't do that last year when I was buying disney tickets left and right!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I know we had a couple people watching for DPs on JetBlue bonuses posting here's another from Reddit since we're kinda light on that card here: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/80uxgr/daily_discussion_thread_february_28_2018/duyzc05/

 

[Eeyore2142]

What cards have you been approved for in the past 24 months?

I have
CSP
Southwest
Costco
American Airlines

and then the stupid ULTA card I forgot about.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I have
CSP
Southwest
Costco
American Airlines

and then the stupid ULTA card I forgot about.

Have you called the automated status line for your application? If so, what's it say?

There are reports of people who have been denied due to 5/24 but then getting approved thru recon if one is a store card. Is the ULTA card only good at that store?

 

[mhartman09]

DH's call to Chase the other day to PC his CSR went very well. He said it was painless and quick. That gives me hope that he'll be more open to calling for things in the future. Should be receiving his Freedom soon.

Had a nice surprise when I logged in to my AMEX BCE account today. I was notified someone used my link so I knew I'd see some bonus points, but there were way more than I expected. Thank you to whoever the others were who used my link for this card!! It's very much appreciated!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

DH's call to Chase the other day to PC his CSR went very well. He said it was painless and quick. That gives me hope that he'll be more open to calling for things in the future. Should be receiving his Freedom soon.

Had a nice surprise when I logged in to my AMEX BCE account today. I was notified someone used my link so I knew I'd see some bonus points, but there were way more than I expected. Thank you to whoever the others were who used my link for this card!! It's very much appreciated!

I've noticed sometimes American Express will have a sudden "catch up" on referrals. Sometimes they come one at a time and sometimes I'll get 2 or 3 at once that I've been expecting/waiting on for some time. Not sure if that's what happened in your instance but congrats nonetheless!

 

[Eeyore2142]

Have you called the automated status line for your application? If so, what's it say?

There are reports of people who have been denied due to 5/24 but then getting approved thru recon if one is a store card. Is the ULTA card only good at that store?

I got the "7-10 day message" on the automated line. So, I am assuming this will be a denial. If so, I will call recon. My score is in the high 800s and I have a long history with Chase. If still denied, I will use my CSR and wait for a better Marriott bonus. I don't need it all right now.

Ulta is a mastercard.