I love credit cards so much!

[pillow]

For folks that use Chewy . com for pet food there is an Amex offer for 25 off 75 out today.

Thanks - perfect timing! Was just getting ready to order tomorrow from Petsmart.

 

[mfly]

Was someone here going to DC for the Cherry Blossoms this year?

They've just announced 2018's peak days will be March 17 to March 20.

@calypso726 I believe?

 

[kmc8826]

On the phone, do they sound out the word “rat” or do they say the acronym R-A-T? Because I’m laughing so hard imagining a customer service rep saying the account’s been referred to the rats.

WT! is a RAT team???

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rumor-american-express-now-rewards-abuse-team-rat/

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex-clawing-back-signup-bonus-points-gamed-spend/

http://milesperday.com/2018/02/amex-rat-not-giving-spending-bonuses-due-gc-purchases/

They spelled it out. But yes once I figured it out the acronym is hilarious. What I think happened on DH’s is initially we made a a couple purchases in the $500 to $1000 range. One was insurance and then some was the rest of the payment for our townhome for our November WDW trip. I did get some Disney gift cards through BJ’s. I spent about $1500 on airfare and then thinking I had met the $4000 threshold figured we were good and put it away. Some combination of what we did caught their attention though. I ended up putting an extra $1000 on it before the time lapsed at the 3 months. DH has Amex SPG personal and Delta personal. No other cards and credit in 800’s. So I don’t know why we caught their RAT sneaking attention.

 

[Lain]

This is a comment on @Lain's second DoC link. It's only one DP, but it's enough for me to not mess with Plastiq for the SPG minimum spend.

Edit: The image isn't loading for some reason. Here's the link to my screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/yJiAU

I remember that DP.

I'm no RAT, so I have no insight on what Amex won't count towards the MSR. However, my thoughts on this is Plastiq, for most purposes, is legitimate spend. The DP claims he was denied a Delta Platinum bonus because of a mortgage payment through Plastiq, which I'm guessing DP was counting towards MSR. Exclude that payment, and DP probably fell short of MSR. DP's post was in December 2017. There was that period of about two weeks in late October, early November 2017 when we couldn't use Amex cards to make payments through Plastiq. When the option to use Amex came back in early November, it came with additional restrictions against payments for mortgages, car loans, etc. Some of what Plastiq's CEO said during his Reddit AMA suggested Amex came down on Plastiq to block mortgage and other categories of payments if they wanted to continue being an Amex merchant; Plastiq complied. I consider those restricted categories of Plastiq payments on Amex cards at risk of being denied as not qualifying towards MSR. The allowed categories of payments shouldn't pose a problem for MSR, because if they did Amex could've made them restricted too. If DP made the mortgage payment after November 2017, then it was at risk of not counting towards MSR.

I took a look at my Amex SPG Biz statements and Plastiq codes as "PQ*Plastiq Bill Payment - San Francisco, CA" (preschool tuition), with the amount due and service fee combined into one transaction line. However, on my Amex Platinum, Plastiq coded as "PQ*RECIPIENT NAME - San Francisco, CA" (student loan) for the principal amount and "PQ*Service Fee - San Francisco, CA" for the service fee. Same on my Amex PRG -- "PQ*Recipient Name - San Francisco, CA" (preschool tuition) with the service fee as a separate transaction "PQ*Service Fee - San Francisco, CA." I don't know if this difference in how the transactions code is due to the SPG Biz being a co-branded card vs. Amex's own cards; credit card vs. charge cards; or both. So I don't know how Plastiq would've coded on DP's Delta Platinum, but if the transaction appeared as "PQ*MORTGAGE COMPANY - San Francisco, CA," then that's a pretty big red flag to RAT.

As for my SPG Biz, I had a $10k/6 months MSR that I had to meet, and I don't know that I could've done it without Plastiq. I put only my DD's preschool tuition via Plastiq on the SPG Biz to supplement organic spend. (I could've put rent via Plastiq on the SPG Biz too, since residential rent is an allowed category, but I didn't want to miss out on rent earning us 3x on the CIP.) But remember my organic spend included a $1,200 iPhone X, for which I had like 6 or 7 returns due to QC issues. The actual "spending" side because of buying multiple iPhones pushed me very quickly past the $6k and $10k thresholds for 25,000 SPG points and the additional 10,000 SPG points, respectively. The points deposited within a day or two into my SPG account after hitting those spending thresholds, regardless of the fact that I subsequently made returns and got refunds. (I was so worried all these returns would draw Amex's attention!) Refunds aren't supposed to count towards MSR, and I guess Amex could've clawed back the bonuses but they never did. I still made sure to hit the $10k MSR so there's no issue down the line. But before I met the MSR (factoring in the refunds), I had 40k+ SPG points from the SPG Biz in my account, which I "spent" on a hotel in Hawaii; but I could've just as easily transferred the points to DW's SPG account, away from RAT's claws. DP notwithstanding, I think there's some truth to Amex RATs not going after or or clawing back partner rewards as hard.

 

[Albort]

I remember that DP.

I'm no RAT, so I have no insight on what Amex won't count towards the MSR. However, my thoughts on this is Plastiq, for most purposes, is legitimate spend. The DP claims he was denied a Delta Platinum bonus because of a mortgage payment through Plastiq, which I'm guessing DP was counting towards MSR. Exclude that payment, and DP probably fell short of MSR. DP's post was in December 2017. There was that period of about two weeks in late October, early November 2017 when we couldn't use Amex cards to make payments through Plastiq. When the option to use Amex came back in early November, it came with additional restrictions against payments for mortgages, car loans, etc. Some of what Plastiq's CEO said during his Reddit AMA suggested Amex came down on Plastiq to block mortgage and other categories of payments if they wanted to continue being an Amex merchant; Plastiq complied. I consider those restricted categories of Plastiq payments on Amex cards at risk of being denied as not qualifying towards MSR. The allowed categories of payments shouldn't pose a problem for MSR, because if they did Amex could've made them restricted too. If DP made the mortgage payment after November 2017, then it was at risk of not counting towards MSR.

I took a look at my Amex SPG Biz statements and Plastiq codes as "PQ*Plastiq Bill Payment - San Francisco, CA" (preschool tuition), with the amount due and service fee combined into one transaction line. However, on my Amex Platinum, Plastiq coded as "PQ*RECIPIENT NAME - San Francisco, CA" (student loan) for the principal amount and "PQ*Service Fee - San Francisco, CA" for the service fee. Same on my Amex PRG -- "PQ*Recipient Name - San Francisco, CA" (preschool tuition) with the service fee as a separate transaction "PQ*Service Fee - San Francisco, CA." I don't know if this difference in how the transactions code is due to the SPG Biz being a co-branded card vs. Amex's own cards; credit card vs. charge cards; or both. So I don't know how Plastiq would've coded on DP's Delta Platinum, but if the transaction appeared as "PQ*MORTGAGE COMPANY - San Francisco, CA," then that's a pretty big red flag to RAT.

As for my SPG Biz, I had a $10k/6 months MSR that I had to meet, and I don't know that I could've done it without Plastiq. I put only my DD's preschool tuition via Plastiq on the SPG Biz to supplement organic spend. (I could've put rent via Plastiq on the SPG Biz too, since residential rent is an allowed category, but I didn't want to miss out on rent earning us 3x on the CIP.) But remember my organic spend included a $1,200 iPhone X, for which I had like 6 or 7 returns due to QC issues. The actual "spending" side because of buying multiple iPhones pushed me very quickly past the $6k and $10k thresholds for 25,000 SPG points and the additional 10,000 SPG points, respectively. The points deposited within a day or two into my SPG account after hitting those spending thresholds, regardless of the fact that I subsequently made returns and got refunds. (I was so worried all these returns would draw Amex's attention!) Refunds aren't supposed to count towards MSR, and I guess Amex could've clawed back the bonuses but they never did. I still made sure to hit the $10k MSR so there's no issue down the line. But before I met the MSR (factoring in the refunds), I had 40k+ SPG points from the SPG Biz in my account, which I "spent" on a hotel in Hawaii, but I could've just as easily transferred the points to DW's SPG account. DP notwithstanding, I think there's some truth to Amex RATs not going after or or clawing back partner rewards as hard.

heres a DP for u.
my Plastiq is categorized as rent.
NOV172017 PQ*Plastiq Bill Payment - San Francisco, CA
Doing business as:
PLASTIQ
View Details on Merchant Website
1475 FOLSOM ST STE 400
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94103
UNITED STATES
Additional Information: 0AMXRRN9268 PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Category: Business Services - Other Services

@wendow @vanjust14 how does yours code?

 

[peel]

DoC set up a post to share our SPG Biz 35K referrals.
My comment went to pending for approval, so I'm probably going to miss out, but some others might have better luck!

 

[Lain]

Plastiq transactions as posted on my SPG Biz. The first payment was for utilities, all others were for DD's tuition.

NOV 6 2017
PQ*Plastiq Bill Payment - San Francisco, CA $████████

Doing business as:
PLASTIQ
View Details on Merchant Website
1475 FOLSOM ST STE 400
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94103
UNITED STATES
844.752.7847
Additional Information: ███████████ TAX PAYMENT

TAX PAYMENT

Reference: ██████████████████
Category: Business Services - Banking Services


NOV 22 2017
PQ*Plastiq Bill Payment - San Francisco, CA $████████

Doing business as:
PLASTIQ
View Details on Merchant Website
1475 FOLSOM ST STE 400
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94103
UNITED STATES
844.752.7847
Additional Information: ███████████ TAX PAYMENT

TAX PAYMENT

Reference: ██████████████████
Category: Business Services - Banking Services


DEC 23 2017
PQ*Plastiq Bill Payment - San Francisco, CA $████████

Doing business as:
PLASTIQ
View Details on Merchant Website
1475 FOLSOM ST STE 400
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94103
UNITED STATES
844.752.7847
Additional Information: ███████████ TAX PAYMENT

TAX PAYMENT

Reference: ██████████████████
Category: Business Services - Banking Services


JAN 23 2018
PQ*Plastiq Bill Payment - San Francisco, CA $████████

Doing business as:
PLASTIQ
View Details on Merchant Website
1475 FOLSOM ST STE 400
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94103
UNITED STATES
844.752.7847
Additional Information: ███████████ TAX PAYMENT

TAX PAYMENT

Reference: ██████████████████
Category: Business Services - Banking Services

 

[Albort]

So weird...

Plastiq codings
Rent - Professional Service
Utilities - Tax Payment
Tuition - Tax payments, Banking Services.

 

[marsh0013]

DoC set up a post to share our SPG Biz 35K referrals.
My comment went to pending for approval, so I'm probably going to miss out, but some others might have better luck!

Mine too thanks for sharing. Same thing happened to me with the Disney card one on DOC. I kept checking and it never showed up. Then I tried again and it went through. No clue.

 

[Lain]

So weird...

Plastiq codings
Rent - Professional Service
Utilities - Tax Payment
Tuition - Tax payments, Banking Services.

I have to wonder. If RATs can't "see" who is being paid other than Plastiq and for what, at least on the SPG Biz, does it matter if you're really paying a mortgage?

 

[Albort]

I have to wonder. If RATs can't "see" who is being paid other than Plastiq and for what, at least on the SPG Biz, does it matter if you're really paying a mortgage?

honestly, i dont think so. it did worry me when i made my spendings but it all came through.
new month just started... which means i can try testing out Roomipay(rent due). will report back.

edit: their rate is 2.5% now... no point on trying... :\
edit2: aaaaand i cant even sign up even with the 2.5% haha. that was a bust.

 

[Lain]

honestly, i dont think so. it did worry me when i made my spendings but it all came through.
new month just started... which means i can try testing out Roomipay(rent due). will report back.

edit: their rate is 2.5% now... no point on trying... :\
edit2: aaaaand i cant even sign up even with the 2.5% haha. that was a bust.

Didn’t you hear? Roomipay is legit now! Their checks aren’t handwritten anymore! That extra margin’s helping them print their checks!

 

[Albort]

Didn’t you hear? Roomipay is legit now! Their checks aren’t handwritten anymore! That extra margin’s helping them print their checks!

honestly, id love to see a handwritten check from roomipay lol.

 

[wendow]

Mine too thanks for sharing. Same thing happened to me with the Disney card one on DOC. I kept checking and it never showed up. Then I tried again and it went through. No clue.

I had same problem with DOC. Mine ended up way down at the bottom, which it does seem many people don't scroll down that far and then actually load more comments, which you had to do to see mine, but I still think maybe someone used it. So, don't lose hope

 

[wendow]

@Albort My dd's dance tuition on my Amex using plastiq posted as a tax payment. I don't know how to block out info like @Lain did.

 

[MinnieMay]

How many cards have you opened in the past 24 months? What are your travel goals? I recommend starting with Chase if you have less than five cards in 24 months. Especially, UR earning cards. If you are under 5/24 and can say you have a business I’d recommend starting with the CIP. If you aren’t comfortable with that double dipping the same day with the CSR and CSP is a good option if you can spend 8k in three months.

If you PM me your reddit name - I can add you to DISchurners. IF you don't have a reddit name you can register for one
We'd love to help you work through this. Anybody who is saying don't start with Chase might have ulterior motives. For about 97% of people it's going to make sense to start and focus on Chase initially. Share with us some of your goals (travel, hotels, air, cashback?) and what airlines you typically fly if flights are on the table. We can definitely help out!

We haven't flown much recently, so I have no favorites, but I believe Southwest would be a likely airline using BWI. Most of our travel has been road trips during the last few years. We travel a lot for the kids' sports plus a few family road trips that we tack on where possible. We have spent a small fortune (for us) on hotels, rental cars, gas, meals, etc. with no points to show for it! We drive to Florida (but not always WDW) every year or so. We might have flown but we were deterred by the cost for 4 of us. We also try to get some time at the beach every summer (Myrtle is our favorite). We would certainly be open to air travel if I can make it affordable.

My short term goal is to save money on the sports travel and/or earn points to pay for family travel. Stretch goal is I would love to go to WDW during Thanksgiving break. It would be a shorter trip that would require us to fly. Previously, I thought it would never happen but, after reading and learning, I am thinking it may be possible LOL!

The only recent card we have added is Chase Disney (DH with me as AU) about 1+ year ago. I don't currently have a business but I could be thinking of starting one. Can I get approved in advance of getting the business rolling? There's no branch around here so I'd have to apply online. How good does your credit have to be? What's the best way to check it? (there are so many LOL) How to decide if it would it be better for me to apply or DH?

 

[DisneyMandC]

I requested an employee card for myself for DH's CIP last night. I see it is now showing up in his account as a second card with a different number. Will this card with a different number still count towards MSR?

 

[gottalovepluto]

We haven't flown much recently, so I have no favorites, but I believe Southwest would be a likely airline using BWI. Most of our travel has been road trips during the last few years. We travel a lot for the kids' sports plus a few family road trips that we tack on where possible. We have spent a small fortune (for us) on hotels, rental cars, gas, meals, etc. with no points to show for it! We drive to Florida (but not always WDW) every year or so. We might have flown but we were deterred by the cost for 4 of us. We also try to get some time at the beach every summer (Myrtle is our favorite). We would certainly be open to air travel if I can make it affordable.

My short term goal is to save money on the sports travel and/or earn points to pay for family travel. Stretch goal is I would love to go to WDW during Thanksgiving break. It would be a shorter trip that would require us to fly. Previously, I thought it would never happen but, after reading and learning, I am thinking it may be possible LOL!

The only recent card we have added is Chase Disney (DH with me as AU) about 1+ year ago. I don't currently have a business but I could be thinking of starting one. Can I get approved in advance of getting the business rolling? There's no branch around here so I'd have to apply online. How good does your credit have to be? What's the best way to check it? (there are so many LOL) How to decide if it would it be better for me to apply or DH?

Credit Karma. If you don't have overdue balances or missed payments or use credit lines up to their max or a bankruptcy your credit should be ok, download credit karma to get an idea of where each of you are at.

A lot of us have "businesses" so if you've been kinda doing what you'd go into business doing you're good. Your business start-up date is whatever date you kinda started doing stuff. Almost always best to apply online for a "biz" card anyway, bankers ask so many questions sometimes and can take forever to put in the same app you could have done yourself online. Also, since you are in 2 player mode, referrals only work if you click on the link and fill out the application on that link. Otherwise no referral bonus.

Others can address SW and companion pass for you, I don't fly SW so I can't help there (not at my home airport). If the companion pass is something you're interested in make that your #1 Chase priority before moving onto other cards.

Other cards I can help with, hopefully! Things to remember about "biz" cards and Chase: 1 application every 30 days or you will be auto denied. Other cards to consider if you can handle $4K-8K in spend are CIP, CSR and CSP. You don't want to run afoul of Chase so I personally would not apply for more than 3 chase cards per person this year. If you and player 2 get the same cards, one gets the card first and then refers the other- that will get you the most points! One CIP alone could net you 80K UR, worth $1,000 towards travel booked with Chase or $800 cash, but there is a $95 annual fee so account for that. The referral bonus on that is 20K UR so if P1 refers P2 together you will net 180K UR (and 2 $95 AFs- don't forget those in your calcs). There is also the CSP + CSR double dip but before pursuing that you need to be able to handle $8K in spend in 3 months (3 month's + another week or two technically), otherwise analyze each on it's own to determine what's right for you.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

We haven't flown much recently, so I have no favorites, but I believe Southwest would be a likely airline using BWI. Most of our travel has been road trips during the last few years. We travel a lot for the kids' sports plus a few family road trips that we tack on where possible. We have spent a small fortune (for us) on hotels, rental cars, gas, meals, etc. with no points to show for it! We drive to Florida (but not always WDW) every year or so. We might have flown but we were deterred by the cost for 4 of us. We also try to get some time at the beach every summer (Myrtle is our favorite). We would certainly be open to air travel if I can make it affordable.

My short term goal is to save money on the sports travel and/or earn points to pay for family travel. Stretch goal is I would love to go to WDW during Thanksgiving break. It would be a shorter trip that would require us to fly. Previously, I thought it would never happen but, after reading and learning, I am thinking it may be possible LOL!

The only recent card we have added is Chase Disney (DH with me as AU) about 1+ year ago. I don't currently have a business but I could be thinking of starting one. Can I get approved in advance of getting the business rolling? There's no branch around here so I'd have to apply online. How good does your credit have to be? What's the best way to check it? (there are so many LOL) How to decide if it would it be better for me to apply or DH?

Southwest has strong presence in BWI!

 

[GusGus16]

Hi all, been following along for a bit...I got an AMEX SPG about a year ago, coming up on my AF, called today and got an retention offer for 1500 spend in 3 months and 7000 points, wondering if this is likely the best retention offer I will get or if I should call back in a week or so and see if there is anything else? Thanks!