I love credit cards so much!

[hopemax]

Hello everyone! I am not a normal poster in this thread, but I spent a lot of time reading it at the beginning of last year. We were researching a CC to use when we visited London in March 2017, and that was when the CSR was the "hot card" of the moment. We had a wonderful trip to London, used our Priority Pass at the lounge in Heathrow (and a couple times since), applied and received our Global Entry cards and have been earning as many points as possible.

We aren't churners, and we didn't try to squeeze every ounce of value out of the points (we just booked via the Chase Portal, no transferring points around). But we just "cashed in" for the big payoff. Our goal was to do something with the points that we wouldn't necessarily do paying cash (so nothing domestic). It's our 20th anniversary this year, and the traditional gift is china. I joked about changing it up and going to China. Wasn't sure we were quite ready for Shanghai, but we just booked an 8 night vacation in Hong Kong for May. We used the points for the airfare and 4 nights in central Hong Kong (and we have points leftover, already saving for the next adventure). We are also doing 4 nights at HK Disneyland (2 days at Disney, and exploring Lantau Island) but because the other part of the trip was "free" we splurged for the Sea View room at the Explorer's Lounge (although, compared to WDW hotel prices, HKDL is a bargain).

Even though we aren't "hard core" I just wanted to share our upcoming fun. And I guess I need a trip countdown.

 

[WVMomof3]

So in looking at Credit Journey, It showed only one hard pull in the last two years. For the Lowes card. ?? I was approved standing at the register! That's a hard pull??

Haha @Judique You accidently posted this comment in @wendow moving to FL post. I will just move it over here for you! Speaking of the credit pulls, I don't really understand them. You made me curious so I looked at my Credit Journey and it said I had no pulls. I have opened 4 chase cards in my name this last year, I only had AUs cards prior to that.

 

[Judique]

Haha @Judique You accidently posted this comment in @wendow moving to FL post. I will just move it over here for you! Speaking of the credit pulls, I don't really understand them. You made me curious so I looked at my Credit Journey and it said I had no pulls. I have opened 4 chase cards in my name this last year, I only had AUs cards prior to that.

Thanks! I secretly want to buy property in Florida also! But not really to move there. Too hot for me! I just want a little winter home for January and February but want my own place. Maybe for March also if we keep getting these Nor'Easters! I've been swinging between both threads reading it up over there!

 

[wendow]

Sorry, I thought you were asking about having 2 of the same co-branded cards, like Marriott, IHG, United etc. We've never held 2 of the same co-branded Chase cards. Yes, he does and he is able to max out the bonus on both cards each quarter. I went with the CFU when I PCd the CSP because I struggle to max out the quarterly bonuses on the CF. It made more sense for him to PC his CSP to another CF.

Thanks, I was kind of asking about them all lol! I thought I remembered you saying your dh had two Freedom cards. Really I'm just curious what Chase allows, and maybe the rules are different if you PC'ed to a second card vs getting another signup bonus.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks, I was kind of asking about them all lol! I thought I remembered you saying your dh had two Freedom cards. Really I'm just curious what Chase allows, and maybe the rules are different if you PC'ed to a second card vs getting another signup bonus.

I have 2 Disney no AF cards. One came via a downgrade from the Disney premier card.

 

[miztressuz]

The chase freedom earns UR, you won’t be able to use them for travel, cash back only, but you can transfer them to the CSR/CSP next year when you are ready to apply.

The sign on bonus is $150 for $500 spend, that translates to 15,000 UR.

Technically Travel is listed as an option for the CF cards, BUT you get the same points ratio as cash back so essentially not much incentive to use it that way; unless somehow it works out cheaper to book through Chase.

 

[Lain]

Well all this who's who, guy or girl, age stuff struck me funny as well.
Lain - you come through at least to me as a guy from get go. I would have been extremely surprised if you were female. Age wise I've got you as late 30ties early forties. Anywhere close?

Mid-thirties, but who's counting?

 

[wendow]

Mid-thirties, but who's counting?

I'm trying not to...

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Haha @Judique You accidently posted this comment in @wendow moving to FL post. I will just move it over here for you!

I hadn't realized that was @wendow 's post so I just wandered over there to get the scoop. I like that we all are learning more about each other than just the credit card stuff. Feels like our own little community here in this thread.

and PS- glad everyone slowed on posting this afternoon/evening. I could barely keep up this week! ha!

 

[miztressuz]

You guys made it a light catch up day, appreciate it! I was out all day in the city and on a related theme met TPG at a travel show. He did throw out /r/churning towards the end of his presentation in the response to a question so you might be getting a small influx of middle to senior aged men stumbling around. However, most of the audience was familiar with him so they might already be over there as some of the questions were a little specific; like some people have started the churning game already (and not sure where to go with it).
The only thing I'd fault him on is he said that paying your mortgage with a credit card was considered manufactured spending, or it was a gray area in MS unlike the coin game which was MS. (it wasn't in the presentation, just a question at the end, so on the spot) You're not getting the money back in any way, or pushing it down the road like pre-buying VCGs, so I don't see it as MS... just a kind of side-step of generally accepted practice and/or perhaps a violation of certain card agreements maybe. (but I'm no expert, what do I know, but just didn't feel right based on discussions around here) But otherwise it wasn't a bad presentation, he hawked a couple of his apps, but he's a businessman can't fault him for that. But he also grew up a couple towns over from where I grew up, apparently, so I might give him a small pass on some stuff.

 

[miztressuz]

I got this offer as well as one for they're dining program to receive 4000 points when I eat at one of the restaurants on a list...

That's pretty sweet, I'm fairly positive when I signed up it was much less than that. Which reminds me, I have to update some of my cards there, thanks!

 

[elgerber]

Ha I have been reading the moving to Florida thread and didn’t even look at who posted it

 

[wendow]

Glad so many of you are enjoying the 'Moving to FL' thread

 

[Lain]

on a related theme met TPG at a travel show. He did throw out /r/churning towards the end of his presentation in the response to a question so you might be getting a small influx of middle to senior aged men stumbling around.

I’m really surprised TPG would refer anyone to /r/churning. Anybody spending any amount of time there would see how many churners really hate the guy for being a shill who gives biased advice about which cards to get, misleads his readers to use his affiliate links that usually aren’t the best deal for them, all to line his own wallet.

ETA: I do read and even cite TPG occasionally because he can be a good source for news and things like how certain card [and hotel & airline] benefits work, but just be aware that his business does put into conflict making money for him and his bank sponsors and the best interests of his readers.

 

[wendow]

I’m really surprised TPG would refer anyone to /r/churning. Anybody spending any amount of time there would see how many churners really hate the guy for being a shill who gives biased advice about which cards to get, misleads his readers to use his affiliate links that usually aren’t the best deal for them, all to line his own wallet.

ETA: I do read and even cite TPG occasionally because he can be a good source for news and things like how certain card benefits work, but just be aware that his business does put into conflict making money for him and his bank sponsors and the best interests of his readers.

I didn't know that. How sad

 

[elgerber]

Glad so many of you are enjoying the 'Moving to FL' thread

Enjoying it because I someday hope to do it!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I didn't know that. How sad

Unfortunately the evidence shows it to be quite true. A good recent example is that he makes no mention of the increased CSP offer (60k w/out AF waived). This is clearly a better offer for anybody but he won’t call it out for fear of losing his affiliate clicks.

Another good example is the incessant “let’s compare CSR, AMEX plat, and Citi Prestige” articles where the one that wins is always whoever is paying him the most, lol. It’s unfortunate but I’d say TPG has no place in the life of a true churner...He preys on the pretenders tho for sure. But I’m sure he has made a lot of money doing it so good for him, lol.

 

[platamama]

I’m really surprised TPG would refer anyone to /r/churning. Anybody spending any amount of time there would see how many churners really hate the guy for being a shill who gives biased advice about which cards to get, misleads his readers to use his affiliate links that usually aren’t the best deal for them, all to line his own wallet.

ETA: I do read and even cite TPG occasionally because he can be a good source for news and things like how certain card benefits work, but just be aware that his business does put into conflict making money for him and his bank sponsors and the best interests of his readers.

I thought TPG was pretty good a number of years ago, but maybe that coincided with the beginning of my learning curve. I pretty much regularly check DoC, FrequentMiler, and here. I used to spend tons of time on Flyertalk (lurking) and I still visit there if I'm searching for the answer to a specific question because there are some knowledgeable people there...just have to make sure I've searched and searched the forums before posting anything lest I get flamed.

 

[wendow]

Enjoying it because I someday hope to do it!!

I'm glad to know we are not alone in thinking about moving!

 

[Albort]

ETA: I do read and even cite TPG occasionally because he can be a good source for news and things like how certain card benefits work, but just be aware that his business does put into conflict making money for him and his bank sponsors and the best interests of his readers.

hehehehhee, i made a bet with a friend that the day Chase CSP referral jumps to the 60k version, hes gonna advertise the hell out of it. He hasnt made a post of it yet. is the only travel blogger that hasnt mentioned it at all yet.