I love credit cards so much!

[AmyAnne]

What would be a good recommendation for an everyday grocery, gas, everyday spend card? Right now I am putting everything on my Freedom when it doesn't have a category, otherwise gas (3%) and grocery (2%) spends go on a BOA cash back card. We probably average about $2,200-$2,500 per year in those categories (for actual food and gas, not when category bonus times occur).

I'm looking seriously at the Alliant Visa Signature Card - it's 3% cash back on all purchases in the first year (2.5% after the first year), and no annual fee ($59 after the first year). This is a new card so there's not much information on it -- anyone else here thinking about it?

 

[wendow]

one thing ive learned about SPG is to play with their BRG. I did it last time and it worked out great. Booked a room @ $104+ tax. Found a rate that was $87. did a BRG, they lowered my roommate to $87 and then gave me a choice of 2000 points or another 20% off. I researched this before booking the room...

What is a BRG?

 

[Albort]

What is a BRG?

Best Rate Guaranteed.

also, lowered my room rate, not roommate... lol

 

[Lain]

Altitude Reserve approved!! If you are a US Bank customer and want this card check your pre-qualified offers!

Congratulations! But iirc, that’s the card that people were getting shut down for buying gift cards and using mobile payment to buy gift cards and VCGs, right?

 

[hsmamato2]

I think I am leaning toward referring DH for the CSR, then after this summer trip PC my CSR to the CFU so we only have one CSR (and one AF). I think I have read the the AF will get pro-rated? Or would it be better to keep my CSR for the next $300 credit? By then it will probably be less than six months until it hits. Come next January, I will have been 24 months since i got the original 100K bonus for the CSR and was thinking of getting the CSP at that time.

What would be a good recommendation for an everyday grocery, gas, everyday spend card? Right now I am putting everything on my Freedom when it doesn't have a category, otherwise gas (3%) and grocery (2%) spends go on a BOA cash back card. We probably average about $2,200-$2,500 per year in those categories (for actual food and gas, not when category bonus times occur).

Thanks again for your help!

I got the Blue Cash Preferred a few months back and I LOVE it..... I searched around and found a referral for no AF first year plus $200 signup bonus.... 6% groceries 3% gas

 

[gottalovepluto]

Congratulations! But iirc, that’s the card that people were getting shut down for buying gift cards and using mobile payment to buy gift cards and VCGs, right?

Yes it is- a very good reminder for anyone looking at the Altitude Reserve! I banged out my SPG Biz spend using bank accounts so that I could go 100% legit spend on this card (no gift cards, plastiq, money orders, bank account funding etc.) luckily I can make it with work expenses. Nobody got their cards re-opened after US Bank shut them down so I am absolutely not going to risk it.

 

[platamama]

I'm looking seriously at the Alliant Visa Signature Card - it's 3% cash back on all purchases in the first year (2.5% after the first year), and no annual fee ($59 after the first year). This is a new card so there's not much information on it -- anyone else here thinking about it?

I don’t have it since I’m planning on the SW CCs later this year and need to stay under 5/24, but I think it looks like a great cashback card for the first year. The negative is there’s no signup bonus...

I’m assuming this is for non-bonused category spend, or for using on Plastiq for the .5% spread the first year. I guess it depends on how it compares to your best non-bonused category spend card.

Tip: if you decide to join Alliant CU, you can join the Freelancers Union for free and that qualifies you for Alliant membership.

I have a BoA Premium Rewards card that has a $500 signup bonus, and earns 3.5% travel/dining and 2.625% everywhere else (due to being at the Plat Honors tier). It has a $95 AF but a $100 annual travel credit and some other benefits. I will probably end up downgrading to the no-fee BoA Travel Rewards card after I use the $100 travel credit since I’d rather put travel and dining on my CSR.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

The problem I have when booking SPG/Marriott is that you can get that 5th night FREE! So I find myself not wanting to use the points unless its on a longer stay so that I get the best use out of them. I just booked 1 night in Vancouver for this summer using my Marriott points, and I kinda feel guilty about it.

I do this with Hilton too....since 5th night is free.
We travel a lot of weekends for kid sports so I always just pay for the rooms and bank the points to use for those longer stays so I get my free nights worth.

Annoying thing I am learning is these tournaments like to dictate where you stay and hat you book through their link. 2 weeks ago the official link was a Marriott for $140/night that was only $80/night direct. Ummmm, no. So I booked a suite at a Hilton property for $99. No one ever said anything. Next month they want us to stay at some country inn and suites place. I booked it because we were getting nasty emails that we weren’t booked yet, but I intend to cancel on the final day I can...and I have a Hilton property booked as our real hotel. Where do they get off telling me when/how to spend my money?

 

[wendow]

Where do they get off telling me when/how to spend my money?

Amen, sister! That would not sit well with me either!

 

[wendow]

@Lain or any others who understand plastiq...I am trying to set up paying my dd's dance tuition through plastiq so I can pay with my Amex BRG. Plastiq is giving me an error:

American Express cards cannot be used to pay this recipient. Other card types are supported for this payment.

It's just a dance studio. I marked the payment as 'business services'. Is that the problem? I'm not sure what to list it as. Any thoughts?

ETA: I'll try to edit the type of service and see if that goes through.

 

[Lain]

@Lain or any others who understand plastiq...I am trying to set up paying my dd's dance tuition through plastiq so I can pay with my Amex BRG. Plastiq is giving me an error:

American Express cards cannot be used to pay this recipient. Other card types are supported for this payment.

It's just a dance studio. I marked the payment as 'business services'. Is that the problem? I'm not sure what to list it as. Any thoughts?

ETA: I'll try to edit the type of service and see if that goes through.

I’ve been paying my daughter’s preschool marked as “education” or “tuition” or something like that. In fact, I made a payment yesterday using my Amex SPG Biz just fine.

 

[wendow]

I’ve been paying my daughter’s preschool marked as “education” or “tuition” or something like that. In fact, I made a payment yesterday using my Amex SPG Biz just fine.

Changed to 'education' and that is going through Thanks! Looks like there is an Amex promo also with only 2% fee.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Thanks! The new card will be for my husband. He is currently 3/24 with last card he applied for was in June 17. I am currently at 5/24, with one falling off in April so will have him get first, then refer me in the summer. Will see if I can bring myself to do a business app now. I filled out all the information last time and just couldn't pull the trigger after I read that I was agreeing that all expenses would really be business expenses. I know everyone else has done it, but it makes me nervous. And I am not sure if DH will go with it. Though, he didn't like this hobby at first, he is liking it more and more as we get to use the points.

I wish the landlord would take visa. He only has a couple units, and he is not the best at collecting rent at all, tried to get him to do venmo or paypal, as my daughter doesn't have checks so she wanted to just pay him that way and he has not looked into it at all. Most of the time her rent is very late, as is her roommates, so can't complain about him too much, he just tells them to pay as soon as they can and doesn't add any fees. Would think a college landlord would learn to get with the modern times. lol

CIP is a great card. I’ve gotten lots of UR for things I already paid with a cc before but now get 3x the amount. As for your rent use plastiq and do a small amount First Incase it charges as cash advance. Then after the first payment you can do any amount since it will be in the system.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Re the chase pay at BB. Apparently their customer service really needs to get on the same page. The 10x is on both the CSR and CSP and isnt a targeted promo. Marketing just sends out info slowly according to the guy I talked to today. If it doesn’t credit within two statements contact them and they will manually credit you.

Used the CSR today to get shell gc. Planning to do the CSP next week since I’m hoping ibotta has the 1% back on my account.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

I do this with Hilton too....since 5th night is free.
We travel a lot of weekends for kid sports so I always just pay for the rooms and bank the points to use for those longer stays so I get my free nights worth.

Annoying thing I am learning is these tournaments like to dictate where you stay and hat you book through their link. 2 weeks ago the official link was a Marriott for $140/night that was only $80/night direct. Ummmm, no. So I booked a suite at a Hilton property for $99. No one ever said anything. Next month they want us to stay at some country inn and suites place. I booked it because we were getting nasty emails that we weren’t booked yet, but I intend to cancel on the final day I can...and I have a Hilton property booked as our real hotel. Where do they get off telling me when/how to spend my money?

Can I ask what you need to do to get 5th night free at Hilton? Are there restrictions? I'm hoping to plan a Hawaii trip next summer and would like to stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Any info or tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

...Annoying thing I am learning is these tournaments like to dictate where you stay and hat you book through their link. 2 weeks ago the official link was a Marriott for $140/night that was only $80/night direct. Ummmm, no. So I booked a suite at a Hilton property for $99. No one ever said anything. Next month they want us to stay at some country inn and suites place. I booked it because we were getting nasty emails that we weren’t booked yet, but I intend to cancel on the final day I can...and I have a Hilton property booked as our real hotel. Where do they get off telling me when/how to spend my money?

WHAT?! If your group rate is above what the public is paying with general discounts the travel agent/s handling your group/tournaments/leagues is either making a killing or horrible at their job. I'm glad you're knowledgeable enough to research it out yourself!

 

[snugglebug]

Annoying thing I am learning is these tournaments like to dictate where you stay and hat you book through their link. 2 weeks ago the official link was a Marriott for $140/night that was only $80/night direct. Ummmm, no. So I booked a suite at a Hilton property for $99. No one ever said anything. Next month they want us to stay at some country inn and suites place. I booked it because we were getting nasty emails that we weren’t booked yet, but I intend to cancel on the final day I can...and I have a Hilton property booked as our real hotel. Where do they get off telling me when/how to spend my money?

Yes! Some of my daughter's tournaments are "stay to play" meaning we have to stay in an approved hotel and it has to be booked through their agent/service/whatever. It annoys me because I usually have to call in so I can't link through Swagbucks or any other portal. But, they do have minimum requirements for the hotel, one being breakfast. I can't remember where we stayed in 2016, but the hotel didn't normally offer breakfast and had to set up the conference room and provide breakfast for us each day. At least I get my CC points and last year was Marriott so I banked a few points there too, but I'd rather shop around for a lower rate, etc. I'm wondering if I can pay with points this year because that would be really nice.

 

[Albort]

hmm... SPG just credit me 8 stays and 20 nights... im 1 stay away from gold, 5 nights until gold.

also, what you guys think of Marriott's 75k deal? Im tempted...

 

[Tikitoi]

My CSR bonus posted same time so my plan is to go for the CSR again in early 2019 (if I can stay under 5/24 lol). Hard to believe it will be time to apply for that card again!!! Time flies when you are having fun

So you just close the account and reapply again...?...Interesting...

 

[lovewdwfun]

hmm... SPG just credit me 8 stays and 20 nights... im 1 stay away from gold, 5 nights until gold.

also, what you guys think of Marriott's 75k deal? Im tempted...

My husband got a 100K point deal last year, so I would wait to see if it gets higher. There is a referral bonus for 80K now, so if you want to apply now, get someone to refer you (PM me if you need one) for 80K points instead of the 75.