I love credit cards so much!

[Judique]

Just a nit-picky comment - might want to use Min. Spend or the abbreviation MSR when referencing the Minimum Spend Requirement as MS is commonly understand as Manufactured Spend in churning lingo

Thanks for posting this! I was slightly confused about the abbreviations in other posts but usually understood what people were trying to get across.

And I am extremely antsy to get going on my own MSR, but have to wait to apply for a card until I know I'm going to spend x dollars in 3 months. 5K, 7K, 8K are out of reach for me without a project! 3K is just perfect, but I'm eyeing those business cards as well as maybe a double dip.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Why aren’t you using CIP with Venmo? CIP earns 3x UR.

If it weren’t for all the great signup offers on Amex cards, it’s a wonder I even bother to use them. Amex makes it so hard to put any kind of meaningful spend on their cards, from gaps in merchants that even accept Amex to their insane rules on signup bonuses and categories.

I do, but I have spg amex spend to meet.

 

[Lain]

I do, but I have spg amex spend to meet.

I have a really hard time justifying (to myself) shifting spend that earns 3x UR on one card to another, even if I’m trying to meet MSR on that other card for a signup bonus.

 

[Lain]

Thanks for posting this! I was slightly confused about the abbreviations in other posts but usually understood what people were trying to get across.

And I am extremely antsy to get going on my own MSR, but have to wait to apply for a card until I know I'm going to spend x dollars in 3 months. 5K, 7K, 8K are out of reach for me without a project! 3K is just perfect, but I'm eyeing those business cards as well as maybe a double dip.

Sounds like you need a Marriott Biz. 75k Marriott points for $3k MSR in 3 months, first year AF waived.

 

[elgerber]

Just a nit-picky comment - might want to use Min. Spend or the abbreviation MSR when referencing the Minimum Spend Requirement as MS is commonly understand as Manufactured Spend in churning lingo

Sorry, I do know that. Puppy-lack of sleep brain fog here.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Does this sound like a good valuation of Marriott points to this group? Lol, sometimes I get so turned around on points values it's hard for me to tell! 40,000 points for a room with two double beds for my mom and I at the Fifth Avenue Courtyard in NYC Dec. 22-23. Standard rate is $549/night, prepaid non-refundable was $469. 40,000 would be a good use, correct?

 

[Ngwira]

Does this sound like a good valuation of Marriott points to this group? Lol, sometimes I get so turned around on points values it's hard for me to tell! 40,000 points for a room with two double beds for my mom and I at the Fifth Avenue Courtyard in NYC Dec. 22-23. Standard rate is $549/night, prepaid non-refundable was $469. 40,000 would be a good use, correct?

Yes, I would say so. I paid about 45,000 points for 1 night at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. You are going around Christmas time so rates are high.

 

[Albort]

I have a really hard time justifying (to myself) shifting spend that earns 3x UR on one card to another, even if I’m trying to meet MSR on that other card for a signup bonus.

im having a situation myself as well... im still working on the 12k on Marriott. With the new SPG promo ($5000 for 5k point bonus) im not sure how much of the SPG promo i want to do. It will take all my power to get $10k in 4 months... :\

Does this sound like a good valuation of Marriott points to this group? Lol, sometimes I get so turned around on points values it's hard for me to tell! 40,000 points for a room with two double beds for my mom and I at the Fifth Avenue Courtyard in NYC Dec. 22-23. Standard rate is $549/night, prepaid non-refundable was $469. 40,000 would be a good use, correct?

u usually will take the cash prize, divide it by the number of points.
so 469 / 40,000 = .012 cpp
or 549 / 40,000 = .014 cpp (this would be closely match since i recall booking on points cancel easily).

Marriott points according to TPG is at .9 cpp. which means u are def getting a good value...

 

[Ngwira]

Used the remainder of my IHG bonus (40,000) on two nights in Ocean City, Maryland this summer. We are going on a Saturday and Sunday at the end of July for my birthday so rates are in the $300 range for the Holiday Inn Express and Suites. I booked the points plus cash option so 20,000 points plus $70 a night. The cash rate would be $600 for the 2 nights so $140 plus 40,000 IHG points all in is a very good deal.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Yes, I would say so. I paid about 45,000 points for 1 night at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. You are going around Christmas time so rates are high.

u usually will take the cash prize, divide it by the number of points.
so 469 / 40,000 = .012 cpp
or 549 / 40,000 = .014 cpp (this would be closely match since i recall booking on points cancel easily).

Marriott points according to TPG is at .9 cpp. which means u are def getting a good value...

Thanks! The points values are looking pretty similar across the board for Marriotts around that time. I see that the Marriott Marquis has a similar room for 45,000/$584 night. I could pay out of pocket and stay cheaper downtown where DH and I stayed last year, but I have the Marriott points so I may as well use them and get a good value. Plus, we're only going for one night so I really want to be in either Times Square or Midtown so we're close to all the action and not spending a lot of time in cabs/on the subway.

 

[Ngwira]

I've collected three easy bank account bonuses (no DDP) this year and currently working on a fourth-the Chase $300 after one DD.

Thanks! The points values are looking pretty similar across the board for Marriotts around that time. I see that the Marriott Marquis has a similar room for 45,000/$584 night. I could pay out of pocket and stay cheaper downtown where DH and I stayed last year, but I have the Marriott points so I may as well use them and get a good value. Plus, we're only going for one night so I really want to be in either Times Square or Midtown so we're close to all the action and not spending a lot of time in cabs/on the subway.

Marriott Marquis is awesome. Would definitely stay again.

 

[Lain]

im having a situation myself as well... im still working on the 12k on Marriott. With the new SPG promo ($5000 for 5k point bonus) im not sure how much of the SPG promo i want to do. It will take all my power to get $10k in 4 months... :\

Couldn’t you MS or buy gift cards for some of the Marriott $10k MSR? And shift more legitimate spend to the SPG promo? Chase seems like they d.g.a.f how you spend the MSR; Amex might.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Marriott Marquis is awesome. Would definitely stay again.

How is the noise level being right there in Times Square? That's my only concern.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I have a really hard time justifying (to myself) shifting spend that earns 3x UR on one card to another, even if I’m trying to meet MSR on that other card for a signup bonus.

It is an occasional expense here and there, not like a weekly $300 or something so no big deal. But you are waaayyy more detailed about this than I am. It is easier for me to just throw everything at my card that needs to meet MSR and then switch back to categories. Should've seen me juggling 3 kids at the stores and trying to remember whether to use Freedom or CIP the last 2 months. Ha! Luckily, I maxed CF and met MSR on CIP... now and on to the SPG!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Checked with that link. Approved. Thanks!

Hoping the card comes quickly like the personal SPG's do. I need to buy some Disney tix within a week.

I am hoping mine comes asap too. I app'd 3/1. I am trying to hold off any spending anything til it gets here...including a Sams run!

Couldn’t you MS or buy gift cards for some of the Marriott $10k MSR? And shift more legitimate spend to the SPG promo? Chase seems like they d.g.a.f how you spend the MSR; Amex might.

So do we think I can still buy the SPG points to help hit the min spend on the spg biz or is that a no-no now with these new rules.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Good news...I found a MasterCard buried deep in my wallet. I am going to use that to send a payment to the mortgage company to establish a relationship so I can hopefully then send it with CIP next time. Fingers crossed!

 

[Ngwira]

How is the noise level being right there in Times Square? That's my only concern.

I didn't hear a peep. They also upgraded us to a "Times Square view" since I am Marriott Gold (via Amex Platinum card). You literally walk out the door and you are in TS. It's also next to the Richard Rodgers Theater which shows "Hamilton". For 5,000 more Marriott points, I'd personally book the Marquis. It's a large hotel with a cool elevator system.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I need to sign up for AAA. Anyone want to PM me their support code? It asked me on the first page if I was referred.

 

[babyready]

Considering using Plastiq to pay my mortgage to help get through the MSR on my CIP quicker. This feels like a big step! I am working my way through the Guide to Plastiq on reddit.

Any tips or things I may not be considering? Is there place on r/churning that tells you about specific companies and how to address things? Our mortgage is through Caliber, so not one of the big ones but I still want to research it a bit.

 

[havaneselover]

I am hoping mine comes asap too. I app'd 3/1. I am trying to hold off any spending anything til it gets here...including a Sams run!



So do we think I can still buy the SPG points to help hit the min spend on the spg biz or is that a no-no now with these new rules.

I’m going to buy spg points for minimum spend. I think it’s fairly safe.