I love credit cards so much!

[SouthFayetteFan]

Watching this thread feeling like...

 

[wendow]

Hi! I'm a new poster, but LONG time lurker. You guys have been amazing to follow...I can't even.

I'm at work and can't keep up with how fast this thread is moving....Oh man.

Here's my dilemma I'm hoping for a quick answer.

I need Hawaiian Airlines miles specifically. I'm in 2 player mode, but DH doesn't care for the game much. LOL

We just finished the MSR on our 2 HA cards. I have some SPG points from both of our personal SPG's that I want to convert to Marriott for the Miles/Nights package, but I still need about 70k Marriott points if I do it that way.

So I was thinking of either getting the SPG Biz (spend is a little high for me) or Marriott.

DH is 3/24, I am 5/24 til the middle of this month.

Can we have a personal SPG and a Biz?

Or is there a better credit card to transfer for HA miles?

Welcome to the posting side

No clue on HA. @Lain has flown them so I am betting he can give advice there.

Definitely you can have both the personal and biz SPG's. If you can pull off the spend on the SPG biz, that higher offer seems to be the way to go. But there are still links for the lower offer if the 7k is too much.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Help me think through the math on paying bills via Plastiq when NOT in min spend mode . . .

For example, my electric company only charges $1.65 per cc payment up to $1k. Even though the fee is tiny, it may make more sense to pay via Plastiq/CIP:

$1,000 payment
$25 Plastiq fee (2.5%)
UR earned 3,075
value of UR $46.13 (@1.5 - assume xfer to CSR)
Net value $21.13 ($46.13 less $25 Plastiq fee)

$21.13 = 2.1% net cash back

If I pay direct to the power company - even with a 2% cash back card, I would earn:

$20.03 (2% cash back x $1,001.65)
-$1.65 fee
$18.38 Net = 1.8% net cash back

Of course, how one values UR matters + in the above case (since the difference in cash back isn't large), one could argue that cash back now is more valuable vs points used later (and potentially devalued). Curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

I will only entertain paying those fees on bills (utilities, taxes, etc.) when working on a min. spend. Otherwise, to me the return just isn't there.

 

[miztressuz]

discover deals.... is this an additional earn opportunity on top of the 5% cashback categories (quarterly)- altho it looks like it doesn't work on gift cards at sams club which is one offer I see

Correct, that's how it should work but I haven't had opportunity to do it myself yet with the rotating category, just regular purchases. (I only got the 5% card a couple months ago). But the discover deals is added separate from your regular earning so it can stack. Not sure about the Sam's gift cards, it's possible it may work if you have something else in the order? I seem to recall some DP in the Gift Card thread from last year but not what they actually are because I didn't have the 5% card then so it didn't stick in my brain.

 

[havaneselover]

Anyone know how much you can prepay to Verizon Fios?

 

[miztressuz]

Anyone know how much you can prepay to Verizon Fios?

I think I know this one, I'm pretty sure they will only let you carry a $500 credit on the account. I know for sure the wireless side stops it there and I think I got the warning when I tried FiOS as well.

 

[jbhodj]

CIP is the Chase Ink Preferred. It is a business card that has an 80k ultimate reward signup bonus which is a very flexible and valuable rewards point. It's a popular card here on this thread cause it's pretty easy to get and the bonus is great! If you have a spouse applying for cards as well, once you have the card, you can refer them with your link and get an extra 20K + their 80K.

We'd love to help you get caught up to speed! When did you get the cards you have? What are your travel goals? Some here are big on int'l travel, first class travel, free Disney rooms...we all have different travel goals...I'm sure we can help you come up with what cards would work best for you. Welcome!

ETA: ask about any acronyms you don't get. Super friendly bunch here!

Thanks for reply. Still reading some lurking around. As for my cards I have had them for 3-56 years. The Disney Chase is the oldest. We don’t travel Intl much but do enjoy upgrades and free rooms.

I will browse and lurk around a little and see if this is something I can get into.

Thanks again

 

[jbhodj]

yeah, dont read all 800 pages... a lot of it is old news that most likely expired. if u want to start reading, id suggest maybe 50 pages back.
heres a nice list if u need to look it up --> https://www.doctorofcredit.com/knowledge-base/credit-finance-acronyms/
Most of the posts are customized on where/how to start. We usually would need to know your home airport, your vacation destination, and also a list of all your cards u have opened in the past 24 months.

@Lain gave a starter idea here --> https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-817#post-58878884
@calypso726 gives some ideas to another here --> https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-575#post-58617538
and here --> https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-577#post-58619415
and here --> https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-577#post-58619941
and here --> https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-577#post-58619415

might give u a lowdown on how credit card turning works. If you have questions, just ask.

Thank you very much for reply. Lots to learn

 

[havaneselover]

I think I know this one, I'm pretty sure they will only let you carry a $500 credit on the account. I know for sure the wireless side stops it there and I think I got the warning when I tried FiOS as well.

Thanks! That works. I should be able to pay three bills plus a $500 Credit so that knocks out $875 on my spg biz.

 

[tink1970]

Hi! I'm a new poster, but LONG time lurker. You guys have been amazing to follow...I can't even.

I'm at work and can't keep up with how fast this thread is moving....Oh man.

Here's my dilemma I'm hoping for a quick answer.

I need Hawaiian Airlines miles specifically. I'm in 2 player mode, but DH doesn't care for the game much. LOL

We just finished the MSR on our 2 HA cards. I have some SPG points from both of our personal SPG's that I want to convert to Marriott for the Miles/Nights package, but I still need about 70k Marriott points if I do it that way.

So I was thinking of either getting the SPG Biz (spend is a little high for me) or Marriott.

DH is 3/24, I am 5/24 til the middle of this month.

Can we have a personal SPG and a Biz?

Or is there a better credit card to transfer for HA miles?

You can have a business and personal SPG

Marriott looks good if your DH will go for it.

Another way, IF you know exactly what/how/when you'll use them is to buy 24,000 SPG points, transfer them to Marriott and then you'll have 72,000 Marriott points for the Miles/Nights package. Granted, there's a cost to buying SPG points (right now 25,000 is $582 or so, I just looked quickly) so that's not free...but it is immediate. I actually bought SPG points with my SPG business card to work on the minimum spend so sort of double dipped, in a sense.

Unfortunately, Hawaiian Air doesn't have a lot of partners from what I can tell.

 

[jbhodj]

to our little corner of the DIS! We do love free around here, unfortunately free comes with 3 things:
1) Discipline to pay your credit card in full every month and to NOT SPEND MORE THAN YOU OTHERWISE WOULD when meeting a minimum spend (I'm not counting paying ahead on things like utilities because you would already purchase those)
2) Organizational skills to not miss payments, miss spending deadlines, lose your points to expiration, pay annual fees on cards you don't intend to keep
3) Time. This will take time, you will have to research each offer, ask questions here or on reddit (they're not as nice I warn!). If you have a little time but are not looking to take on a whole new hobby take that into consideration when you get a credit card.

(OMG guys, I came up with an acronym!! DOT!... yeah, no. Well, I felt cool for like 2 seconds )

That out of the way if you are still with me continue on! (If not it's OK, this isn't for everyone.)

Reading all 800 pages here is not a great starting point for sure. I'd skim the last 100 to get a feel for stuff.

Here are two places for you to start your learning: skim the wiki of r/churning https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/wiki/index and DoC's list of best credit card offers https://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-current-credit-card-sign-bonuses/
The wiki is a decent starting place, but it is by no means gospel. Personally I haven't opened loyalty accounts everywhere because some I will never use. The rule of thumb for cleaning up your credit score for mortgage apps in the community is 6 months, super-super-super conservative is that 2 years- I'd actually never seen 2 years before scanning that wiki right now. As for DoC, I prefer his info over outfits like TPG (ThePointsGuy) because most bloggers promote whatever credit card gets them referrals even if you are getting half the bonus you could on a different link. DoC doesn't use their referrals for credit cards.

In general Chase is where many start unless an amazing offer somewhere else comes along: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/5mhaai/beginners_chase_guide_for_folks_under_524/

Glossary! https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/wiki/glossary

ETA: literally everyone already has you covered! I'm leaving this here but lol, I love this thread guys! Credit card ninjas- you have questions, you'll get an answer basically before you've even asked it [insert ninja emoji here]

Thanks for reply and information.

 

[Calfan]

So sorry to be asking this, but I read 20+ pages of this thread last night and can't for the life of me find the original posts now about the increased sign-up bonus offer for the CSP. I'm only finding 50,000 point offers, and not the new 60,000 point offer. Does anyone have a link to the new offer?

 

[jbhodj]

Wow what an amazing community right? I asked a question and viola I get a plethora of information to start me out. Admittedly I’m not sure if this is for me yet but hey I like Learning new angles. Fortunately I have zero credit card debt right now and when I do use any of my cards I pay them immediately.

Lots to read and learn. Thanks for everyone’s replies and posts to links.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

So sorry to be asking this, but I read 20+ pages of this thread last night and can't for the life of me find the original posts now about the increased sign-up bonus offer for the CSP. I'm only finding 50,000 point offers, and not the new 60,000 point offer. Does anyone have a link to the new offer?

Unfortunately for our fellow DISchurners, the new CSP offer is not available thru referral yet. The referrals are 50k with annual fee waived. The public offer is 60k but you pay the annual fee. The public offer is definitely better so if you're ready to apply now you'll want to go with that. IF not you could wait and see if the referral offers are increased later.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Wow what an amazing community right? I asked a question and viola I get a plethora of information to start me out. Admittedly I’m not sure if this is for me yet but hey I like Learning new angles. Fortunately I have zero credit card debt right now and when I do use any of my cards I pay them immediately.

Lots to read and learn. Thanks for everyone’s replies and posts to links.

One thing to keep in mind is there are differing levels of churning. Some of us (me included) are at level: CRAZY...but you don't have to do that. You could just consider getting 2-3 cards a year and still generate about $1,000 - $2,000 in travel or cashback. We're happy to help those that want to dabble too!

 

[pillow]

I think your math needs to be a more case-specific in your second example, i.e., paying the utilities directly.

Your utilities will charge that $1.65 fee whether you pay a $1000 bill or a $100 bill, so the percentage of the fee will be different.

On a $1000 bill, a $1.65 fee represents 0.165%. On a $100 bill, it's 1.65%. Both are lower than Plastiq's 2.5%. Either way, it's a raw $1.65 out of pocket.

However, if I pay Plastiq using CIP, then:

On a $1000 bill, I pay a $25 fee, but earn 3,075 UR, worth $30.75 in cash, and net $5.75. On a $100 bill, I pay a $2.50 fee, but earn 307.5 UR, worth $3.07 in cash, and net 0.57¢. (I'm assuming only a cash value here because you can cash out 1 UR point = 1¢ at anytime. Of course, UR points are worth more when redeemed for travel through CSR.) On simply cash value, I could cash out the UR points earned on the Plastiq transaction, use the cash to pay the fee, and still come out ahead. So instead of paying $1.65 I'll never see again, I'll have made some money.

I always pay $1,000 at a time to spread the $1.65 fee.

In the case where you reimburse yourself the fee, you profit by 575 UR which is $8.63 @ 1.5x. Charging to a 2% card, you would make much more even after deducting $1.65.

 

[Calfan]

Unfortunately for our fellow DISchurners, the new CSP offer is not available thru referral yet. The referrals are 50k with annual fee waived. The public offer is 60k but you pay the annual fee. The public offer is definitely better so if you're ready to apply now you'll want to go with that. IF not you could wait and see if the referral offers are increased later.

Well, I can't even find the 60k public offer. Is there a trick to the search terms? I've tried Chrome and Safari, and all I get is the 50k offer.

 

[SBWB48]

Well, I can't even find the 60k public offer. Is there a trick to the search terms? I've tried Chrome and Safari, and all I get is the 50k offer.

Ask and you shall receive

This is from/via DOC.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chas...point-offer-annual-fee-not-waived-first-year/

This was the direct link I was able to get from Chase direct:

https://creditcards.chase.com/rewar...P3H=Y71UH0&S81H=Y538C4&SP4R=Y538C4&iCELL=61FX

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Try this link: https://creditcards.chase.com/rewar...CELL=61GD&IP3H=FH24R8&S81H=Y538C4&SP4R=Y538C4

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Well, I can't even find the 60k public offer. Is there a trick to the search terms? I've tried Chrome and Safari, and all I get is the 50k offer.

Try this link: https://creditcards.chase.com/rewar...CELL=61GD&IP3H=FH24R8&S81H=Y538C4&SP4R=Y538C4

Also...are you doing a CSR/CSP double dip? Just wondering what your plan is