I love credit cards so much!

[CyndiLouWho]

So I've been trying to use Plastiq, but every bill I try to pay comes up with the "no relationship with this recipient. Your charge will post as cash advance". I mean, they have no relationship with big companies like Allstate insurance? What can I pay?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Informed delivery is basically an email that you get Mon-Sat which has a scan of the front of all of the standard pieces of mail that you will receive later that day. It doesn't include large envelopes or things like magazines/catalogs. I signed up for it when I got an email starting that my account was eligible. It is nice to get something early in the day and see what will be delivered later that afternoon. Not really necessary, but nice and definitely would let you know if someone had swiped mail from your box.

I always put my mail on hold when I will be gone, even for a long weekend or such. I have an unlocked mail box and never want things to sit in my box overnight. Another thing that I always do is to take mail that needs to be posted and drop it in an actual USPS postal box, rather than putting it in my own mailbox with the flag up. I have heard stories of mail theft from people's home boxes and never want to risk that.

Great summary of informed delivery.

Yeah, we're having some long discussions addressing a certain not-me person in the family who refuses to put our mail on hold because they're convinced it will make us a target for theft if someone snitches at the post office. I think we've gotten them to come around between the "we have an alarm" , "it's all online now" and "the mailwoman already knows- it's pretty obvious when the mail piles up at the box!" *sigh* Fingers crossed he won't freak and will let the mail be put on hold next time

Gosh, where I live you're basically guaranteed to have your mail stolen if you leave it in your box to go out. It's literally raising a red come rob me flag... Although the bank of boxes broken into was the one that had the "out" box in it so I guess not everyone has adopted to dropping mail directly at the post office. Good reminder!

@CyndiLouWho here's the website: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

You can type in her zip code to see if she is eligible. Many zips are in the program but not quite all of them yet.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks. We don't actually have many USPS boxes around here anymore so I usually hand mail to the post woman or drop at the post office. I can leave it half hanging out the mail slot, but it sometimes falls out or if it's not the regular mail woman, they just push it back into my house (I usually do this for mail delivered to wrong address) Our mail slot is not visible from the street, so I've never had issues. I may do the informed delivery for my mom, although another email she can call me about with questions might be a headache.

Lol- I get that! Trying to prevent a headache for someone else just ends up giving you a never ending one! Yeah, it might not be for her then. Emails don't come every day only if something was scanned, only certain things get scanned, and once in awhile mail slated for today's delivery doesn't come until tomorrow.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Lol- I get that! Trying to prevent a headache for someone else just ends up giving you a never ending one! Yeah, it might not be for her then. Emails don't come every day only if something was scanned, only certain things get scanned, and once in awhile mail slated for today's delivery doesn't come until tomorrow.

I checked and it is available in our area. I need to talk with my mom before signing her up. She did have a Target CC go missing before she ever received it. Somehow they were charging a bunch of stuff in a suburb over an hour away. She had to repeatedly tell Target she has never been to that burb, it is actually not that close.
She drives me nuts with spam emails. Forwards them or calls or texts, asking about them. I have repeatedly told her how to check the senders email address, look for appropriate logos, proper English, etc. Worst is the "We have locked your account" emails. I always ask "Do you have xxx account?" "Well, I don't know, maybe your dad did." Dad has been gone 4 years, if you haven't used it in 4 years who cares? But better than not asking and doing something silly.

 

[Lain]

So I've been trying to use Plastiq, but every bill I try to pay comes up with the "no relationship with this recipient. Your charge will post as cash advance". I mean, they have no relationship with big companies like Allstate insurance? What can I pay?

Plastiq payments to recipients with no prior relationship coding as a cash advance is a Visa-specific issue. The easiest way to get around this issue is to make a small payment to your intended recipient using an Amex or MC, first; (I'm not sure if you have to wait for the recipient to deposit the payment) before paying with a Visa. Your payment using an Amex or MC will establish a relationship with the recipient and you shouldn't have any further issues paying that recipient using a Visa. (If you get the cash advance warning again, just wait for the initial payment to be deposited before trying again). Keep in mind that Plastiq payments can take up to two weeks to deposit.

On the subject of Plastiq, a few months ago, Plastiq stopped processing mortgage payments using Visa cards; and a few weeks ago, Plastiq stopped allowing mortgage payments using Amex cards. This rule against mortgage payments using Visa and Amex cards has been spottily enforced and YMMV. If your mortgage lender is a big bank or has a name that obviously has to do with mortgages in it, your lender was very likely blacklisted by Plastiq and you'd get an error message if you tried to use a Visa or Amex card to pay them. If the lender is a smaller bank, credit union, or financial institution, or doesn't have "mortgage" in their name, a lot of people were reporting that they could still make mortgage payments using a Visa or Amex card through Plastiq.

So this DP couldn't make a mortgage payment using Amex through Plastiq to "Regions Bank d/b/a Regions Mortgage," so he changed the name (by creating a new "recipient") to just "Regions Bank" and it worked! See: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/72rj2d/daily_discussion_thread_september_27_2017/dnlk69x/ I imagine DP probably categorized the payment as "Rent/Real Estate" too. Note that if this trick also gets around the Visa-ban, making a mortgage payment using CIP via Plastiq is currently earning 3x UR.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Plastiq payments to recipients with no prior relationship coding as a cash advance is a Visa-specific issue. The easiest way to get around this issue is to make a small payment to your intended recipient using an Amex or MC, first; (I'm not sure if you have to wait for the recipient to deposit the payment) before paying with a Visa. Your payment using an Amex or MC will establish a relationship with the recipient and you shouldn't have any further issues paying that recipient using a Visa. (If you get the cash advance warning again, just wait for the initial payment to be deposited before trying again). Keep in mind that Plastiq payments can take up to two weeks to deposit.

On the subject of Plastiq, a few months ago, Plastiq stopped processing mortgage payments using Visa cards; and a few weeks ago, Plastiq stopped allowing mortgage payments using Amex cards. This rule against mortgage payments using Visa and Amex cards has been spottily enforced and YMMV. If your mortgage lender is a big bank or has a name that obviously has to do with mortgages in it, your lender was very likely blacklisted by Plastiq and you'd get an error message if you tried to use a Visa or Amex card to pay them. If the lender is a smaller bank, credit union, or financial institution, or doesn't have "mortgage" in their name, a lot of people were reporting that they could still make mortgage payments using a Visa or Amex card through Plastiq.

So this DP couldn't make a mortgage payment using Amex through Plastiq to "Regions Bank d/b/a Regions Mortgage," so he changed the name (by creating a new "recipient") to just "Regions Bank" and it worked! See: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/72rj2d/daily_discussion_thread_september_27_2017/dnlk69x/ I imagine DP probably categorized the payment as "Rent/Real Estate" too. Note that if this trick also gets around the Visa-ban, making a mortgage payment using CIP via Plastiq is currently earning 3x UR.

Ironically the only payment I have been able to make is my Chase mortgage with a Chase Sapphire. So I only have a Visa entered in Plastiq right now. I'll have to give it a try another time. I ended up mailing a check but I was frustrated that I can't pay online or with a CC for DHs life insurance. Over 1k in lost points . Better luck next time I guess.

 

[Albort]

I'm wondering if anyone has had success using UR for stay/park/fly packages and which hotels you may have had success if any.

i have heard of good things from Marriott's Vacation Club, its like 250k points for 80k miles + 7 night stay at x category hotel. Im not sure if its worth it from UR though, as UR is valued at 2.2 cents per point while marriott is 1.0 cents per point. I think the best way to do this is from SPG card, 100k pts --> 300k marriott points.

@everyone else, no Marriott reward+NFL points this week huh? didnt see anything but a lot of "sorry, were taking a #byeweek."

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

i have heard of good things from Marriott's Vacation Club, its like 250k points for 80k miles + 7 night stay at x category hotel. Im not sure if its worth it from UR though, as UR is valued at 2.2 cents per point while marriott is 1.0 cents per point. I think the best way to do this is from SPG card, 100k pts --> 300k marriott points.

@everyone else, no Marriott reward+NFL points this week huh? didnt see anything but a lot of "sorry, were taking a #byeweek."

I believe you mean Marriott Hotel + Air Packages http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi Redemptions start at 200,000 Marriott Rewards Points.

Marriott Vacation Club is a timeshare membership.

 

[Albort]

I believe you mean Marriott Hotel + Air Packages http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi Redemptions start at 200,000 Marriott Rewards Points.

Marriott Vacation Club is a timeshare membership.

yeah, thats it.

 

[Lapink]

Hi everyone! We are going to Disney for the first time in many years and taking our grandchildren. We are so excited! We would like to save some money on tickets. Is the Capital One Venture Card strategy still valid that is detailed here: https://www.richmondsavers.com/strategy-free-disney-world-park-tickets/ or is there a better one? Thank you so much for any help or recommendations you can provide!!

 

[wuzzle02]

Can one of the experts here help me with a Companion Pass question, please?

I applied for the 2 SW cards over the summer and just recently earned CP. What do I do at my 1-year anniversary - do I have to pay the annual fee for the cards again in order to keep CP or in order to keep my earned points? TIA

 

[speedyfishy]

Can one of the experts here help me with a Companion Pass question, please?

I applied for the 2 SW cards over the summer and just recently earned CP. What do I do at my 1-year anniversary - do I have to pay the annual fee for the cards again in order to keep CP or in order to keep my earned points? TIA

You will keep the cp and points. You can wait for your one year anniversary and get the anniversary points then within 30 days of the annual fee posting you can call and cancel the card and keep the anniversary points too and they will refund the annual fee.

 

[GPC0321]

Hi everyone! We are going to Disney for the first time in many years and taking our grandchildren. We are so excited! We would like to save some money on tickets. Is the Capital One Venture Card strategy still valid that is detailed here: https://www.richmondsavers.com/strategy-free-disney-world-park-tickets/ or is there a better one? Thank you so much for any help or recommendations you can provide!!

Cap One Venture should still work fine for getting tickets via Undercover Tourist. As the article points out, Barclaycard Arrival+ is another option. I have a grudge against that card though...they declined me. Poo.

I'm thinking about a Cap One Venture in the future for this very purpose.

 

[elgerber]

Plastiq payments to recipients with no prior relationship coding as a cash advance is a Visa-specific issue. The easiest way to get around this issue is to make a small payment to your intended recipient using an Amex or MC, first; (I'm not sure if you have to wait for the recipient to deposit the payment) before paying with a Visa. Your payment using an Amex or MC will establish a relationship with the recipient and you shouldn't have any further issues paying that recipient using a Visa. (If you get the cash advance warning again, just wait for the initial payment to be deposited before trying again). Keep in mind that Plastiq payments can take up to two weeks to deposit.

On the subject of Plastiq, a few months ago, Plastiq stopped processing mortgage payments using Visa cards; and a few weeks ago, Plastiq stopped allowing mortgage payments using Amex cards. This rule against mortgage payments using Visa and Amex cards has been spottily enforced and YMMV. If your mortgage lender is a big bank or has a name that obviously has to do with mortgages in it, your lender was very likely blacklisted by Plastiq and you'd get an error message if you tried to use a Visa or Amex card to pay them. If the lender is a smaller bank, credit union, or financial institution, or doesn't have "mortgage" in their name, a lot of people were reporting that they could still make mortgage payments using a Visa or Amex card through Plastiq.

So this DP couldn't make a mortgage payment using Amex through Plastiq to "Regions Bank d/b/a Regions Mortgage," so he changed the name (by creating a new "recipient") to just "Regions Bank" and it worked! See: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/72rj2d/daily_discussion_thread_september_27_2017/dnlk69x/ I imagine DP probably categorized the payment as "Rent/Real Estate" too. Note that if this trick also gets around the Visa-ban, making a mortgage payment using CIP via Plastiq is currently earning 3x UR.

I just paid my Chase mortgage on Monday with my AMEX. it posted just fine on Friday.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

i have heard of good things from Marriott's Vacation Club, its like 250k points for 80k miles + 7 night stay at x category hotel. Im not sure if its worth it from UR though, as UR is valued at 2.2 cents per point while marriott is 1.0 cents per point. I think the best way to do this is from SPG card, 100k pts --> 300k marriott points.

@everyone else, no Marriott reward+NFL points this week huh? didnt see anything but a lot of "sorry, were taking a #byeweek."

Thanks @Albort. I think that maybe I don't always communicate clearly. What i'm actually looking for is a place to stay before our trips. We fly out of MSP usually for 2 weeks at a time. It is usually better to spend the night and leave the car at a stay/park/fly hotel and get transportation to/from the airport. I think the Marriotts and Hyatts have packages, I'm just wondering if anyone has used this option and how it might work for points.

 

[wendow]

Thanks @Albort. I think that maybe I don't always communicate clearly. What i'm actually looking for is a place to stay before our trips. We fly out of MSP usually for 2 weeks at a time. It is usually better to spend the night and leave the car at a stay/park/fly hotel and get transportation to/from the airport. I think the Marriotts and Hyatts have packages, I'm just wondering if anyone has used this option and how it might work for points.

I looked for it before our last flight to MCO. We live an hour from the Denver airport and our flight out was at 6:15am. With 4 kids, I was trying to find a place to stay close to the airport where we could also park our car. I couldn't find the park, stay and fly rates on UR.

 

[kayteekt]

I forgot to mention eBay seller fees and shipping (even PO boxes) code as 3x too, in case you actually use your CIP for "business."

eBay seller fees code as 3x?! If this is the case, that's the best news I've heard since I started this! I was going to have ebay fees come off of our CIP anyway to help meet the spend. DH's ebay fees are more than our mortgage so this is awesome!!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Remind me. Is the Chase 5/24 inquiries or cards opened? I am in the process of getting divorced. When I'm running the show, I will be doing to CC game to be able to accrue points to travel with my kids I already have the CSR, but I'm thinking I may want to add another to my portfolio shortly. That said, this weekend I went for two 0% cards to transfer the CC debt I'll be getting from the divorce onto. Gotta love that one is the 0% transfer fee and 0% balance fee apr for 15 mos! If it's cards opened, I'm okay for now. If it's inquiries, I'm over (we refi'd and I leased a new car so I'm totally over 5/24 on credit checks).

Thanks

 

[havaneselover]

Remind me. Is the Chase 5/24 inquiries or cards opened? I am in the process of getting divorced. When I'm running the show, I will be doing to CC game to be able to accrue points to travel with my kids I already have the CSR, but I'm thinking I may want to add another to my portfolio shortly. That said, this weekend I went for two 0% cards to transfer the CC debt I'll be getting from the divorce onto. Gotta love that one is the 0% transfer fee and 0% balance fee apr for 15 mos! If it's cards opened, I'm okay for now. If it's inquiries, I'm over (we refi'd and I leased a new car so I'm totally over 5/24 on credit checks).

Thanks

Cards opened.

 

[Lapink]

Cap One Venture should still work fine for getting tickets via Undercover Tourist. As the article points out, Barclaycard Arrival+ is another option. I have a grudge against that card though...they declined me. Poo.

I'm thinking about a Cap One Venture in the future for this very purpose.

Thank you!!