I love credit cards so much!

[uksaint]

Thanks to Calypso I got into miles hacking a couple years ago, but now I'm really trying to amp up my game for a couple big trips so I've been following this board much more closely the past couple weeks. So much awesome info! I'm focusing on UR but I also do MR. I was able to use the 10x chase at BB for one $300 gift card, but I'd really hoped to find Amazon/Kindle gift cards at our store and didn't see any. I read that BB discontinued these cards... can anyone confirm? If it's store by store, I'll get on the phone!

I haven't seen Kindle gift cards at BB in a long time, and like you, I have also read that all BB stopped selling them.

 

[DaveL]

Quick help from all my favorite Disney and UR experts i just want to make sure I do this right. We check out of Disney Wednesday. If I book the current bounce back tomorrow but use UR points to pay for it I just will need to call Disney, book what and when I want on the bounceback,, and then call Chase UR tours within a week to transfer the reservation to them. Is that right? Thanks.

Thats pretty much exactly what I did. Book with Disney and pay the min deposit then once you get a conf number call Chase and start the process to transfer it to them. Once transferred, took about a week, you can use UR points to pay the rest off.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-love-credit-cards-so-much.3528202/page-661#post-58705303

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I haven't seen Kindle gift cards at BB in a long time, and like you, I have also read that all BB stopped selling them.

Thanks so much for the confirmation. Bummer, but you saved me an afternoon on the phone calling stores

I really want to take advantage of the Best Buy/Chase Pay offer, but the gift card selection wasn't calling to me. Unfortunately, I don't have any big upcoming Southwest or Disney charges. If Southwest would announce its Hawaii schedule, I'd be all over those though.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Do you mind sharing what state you are in? Are you in CT? I've only tried 2 stores but they were cash only.

Can you buy groceries and throw the cards in the pile so they don't pay attention? I don't understand why they won't allow it. Weird.

Ibotta has worked for me every time when I buy Disney gift cards. Just got credit today for my Saturday purchase.

I got 300 shopkicks for gift card purchases (3rd party gift card, not VGC or Best Buy gc) at Best Buy last week.

I am apparently missing out on a lot here. I have shop kick but just open it to get walk in kicks and that is it. I used to scan products in the store but now I have a 2 year old, so,...not anymore. I don't know how to use it for getting points for buying stuff, and I don't know about Iobotta at all. Off to research...

 

[DisneyMandC]

were you guys able to get your card expedited? I called but they told me no dice. online DP shows a mix. some got it instantly, some had to wait 7 days despite being expedited.

I didn't even ask on this one. I don't have any immediate large bills to pay with it, so I didn't mind the wait. They expedited CSP and CF with no questions asked.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I am apparently missing out on a lot here. I have shop kick but just open it to get walk in kicks and that is it. I used to scan products in the store but now I have a 2 year old, so,...not anymore. I don't know how to use it for getting points for buying stuff, and I don't know about Iobotta at all. Off to research...

Teach the 2 year old to scan. My son loved to do this. Now at 8 he's less interested. You can also get kicks from receipts. You actually get more kicks from purchasing than scanning. You just take a pic of your receipt in the Shopkick app. You can link a credit card for in store shopping like TJ maxx or shop online thru Shopkick app for kicks. I just started really doing Shopkick again since they added Disney GCs. Almost at my first one.

 

[afan]

Thanks to Calypso I got into miles hacking a couple years ago, but now I'm really trying to amp up my game for a couple big trips so I've been following this board much more closely the past couple weeks. So much awesome info! I'm focusing on UR but I also do MR. I was able to use the 10x chase at BB for one $300 gift card, but I'd really hoped to find Amazon/Kindle gift cards at our store and didn't see any. I read that BB discontinued these cards... can anyone confirm? If it's store by store, I'll get on the phone!

I mentioned it to the guy when I was checking out today and he says they see them as a competitor so they don't carry the cards but he didn't understand that because they carry amazon products.

So far I’ve gotten credit with ibotta and Shopkick fof using a gc to buy a gc. Also have gotten credit for paying with a cc and buying a gc.

Ibotta wouldn't load once I was in the store and since I was trying to do it while waiting for a cashier to come over and I needed to get chase pay open I forgot to try shopkick. Oh well. He at least finally got me registered for BB Rewards. There's some guy registered with my number so I've never been able to but he told me you can have multiple accounts with the same number you just have to tell them which person you are. He said some numbers have 3 accounts. I haven't missed out on a ton but I do occasionally buy stuff other than gc there.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I mentioned it to the guy when I was checking out today and he says they see them as a competitor so they don't carry the cards but he didn't understand that because they carry amazon products.

I know that totally makes zero sense. The checkout guy I had today was certain they carried them, but the manager told him they didn't.

 

[wdwcindy]

I really love this group. You are all so nice to answer questions, whether the person asking is a pro at this or a newbie!

My latest question is in regards to Amex cards. I opened a Delta Platinum Amex for the skymiles bonus a few months ago. Since Amex bonus is once per lifetime does it make sense to cancel the card after the bonus is earned? If yes, how long after opening should I close it?

 

[Albort]

I really love this group. You are all so nice to answer questions, whether the person asking is a pro at this or a newbie!

My latest question is in regards to Amex cards. I opened a Delta Platinum Amex for the skymiles bonus a few months ago. Since Amex bonus is once per lifetime does it make sense to cancel the card after the bonus is earned? If yes, how long after opening should I close it?

1) Are you using it at all? if Yes, dont cancel.
2) Does it have an AF? if No, dont cancel.
3) Is there another card you can product change it to? if yes, product change it.

also advisable to keep the card for at least a year too.

 

[SBWB48]

were you guys able to get your card expedited? I called but they told me no dice. online DP shows a mix. some got it instantly, some had to wait 7 days despite being expedited.

I didn't even ask on this one. I don't have any immediate large bills to pay with it, so I didn't mind the wait. They expedited CSP and CF with no questions asked.

I called just to ask and was told no go as well because it needs to go through partner verification. Didn’t push since I’m working on the SPG Biz and didn’t have an immediate need for it just yet.

 

[wdwcindy]

1) Are you using it at all? if Yes, dont cancel.
2) Does it have an AF? if No, dont cancel.
3) Is there another card you can product change it to? if yes, product change it.

also advisable to keep the card for at least a year too.

I am not using it.i have better rewards on other cards.
It does have an AF.
I think it can be PCd to a no AF card.

So a product change is the way to go?

 

[Albort]

I am not using it.i have better rewards on other cards.
It does have an AF.
I think it can be PCd to a no AF card.

So a product change is the way to go?

if there is a No AF card to PC to, then yes, its better to PC. If not, Cancel it!

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Can you buy groceries and throw the cards in the pile so they don't pay attention? I don't understand why they won't allow it. Weird.





I am apparently missing out on a lot here. I have shop kick but just open it to get walk in kicks and that is it. I used to scan products in the store but now I have a 2 year old, so,...not anymore. I don't know how to use it for getting points for buying stuff, and I don't know about Iobotta at all. Off to research...

Ibotta you add the coupons/deals and then take a pic if your receipt and submit. Best Buy you click on use your card and have them scan the code before hitting the total button. I’ve only had the offer once. Check out the Reddit group to create magic if you would like

 

[3 DD love princesses]

For the Best Buy chase pay deal can you do multiple transactions to equal the 300 or is it a one time deal?

Would like to use sb to purchase something and then use ibotta or Shopkick to buy the balance in gc which sb won’t credit.

 

[wendow]

@disneymagicgirl I haven't really gotten into Shopkick yet but I use Ibotta quite a bit. I've only been using it for about 9 mos and already earned about $122. A lot of the offers I use are 25 or 50 cents so it definitely adds up. It's very easy to use. Add offers, shop and upload receipt. How much you earn depends on the type of products you buy. I have a friend who earns ~$50 month with it but she buys the type of items they give rebates on.

 

[Lain]

I've been planning our annual Christmas vacation to Hawaii over the last couple of days and... random travel thoughts at 3 in the morning:

• The Hilton Hawaiian Village is "sold out" pretty much between Christmas and the first few days after the new year. Seriously, I can't pull up any availability on Hilton direct, UR portal, Amex FHR...
• I really should focus on getting more Marriott/SPG points this year, to use if not this Christmas then next[-next] year. I love SPG's Waikiki properties (the Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Sheraton); but why would I pay 21,250 Starpoints to stay at the Sheraton (from $504/night) or Moana (from $475/night), when I can redeem the same amount of points at the Royal Hawaiian (from $727/night)?
• Marriott Business or Personal? If personal, the 75k offer or 120k offer? Decisions...
• Really, I'd welcome some thoughts on the above. I'm 3/24 with 1 dropping off after April 2018.
• UR points are great and still my transferrable currency of choice, but the UR travel portal isn't giving me [m]any good options for refundable reservations over the new year.
• I think I've optimized too much of our spending between Plastiq, Freedom categories, and discounted and 5x gift cards.
• Hawaiian Airlines flight availability opens 330 days out, but there's no award availability between December 14 and 26. I've been checking as availability becomes available at midnight HST, and nothing comes up. HA customer service rep says to keep checking because award seats tend to be released later. But there's already award availability for December 27 -- one-way first class lie flat seats for 80,000 HawaiianMiles. For reference, one-way award seats in main cabin for December 13 going all the way back to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving are going for 17,500 HawaiianMiles plus change.
• Chase UR's booking calendar looks like it displays only 330 days out, but you can manually input later dates.
• I really miss Marriott's Twitter trivia and tweet for points promos.

ETA:

• I love having our big monthly expenses, which we couldn't otherwise pay with a credit card, paid through Plastiq using the CIP. Besides the 3x UR earned on these expenses, because it's a business card, that account and balance don't show on my personal credit report and the utilization on my personal credit lines hovers around 2%.

 

[kmc8826]

I really love this group. You are all so nice to answer questions, whether the person asking is a pro at this or a newbie!

My latest question is in regards to Amex cards. I opened a Delta Platinum Amex for the skymiles bonus a few months ago. Since Amex bonus is once per lifetime does it make sense to cancel the card after the bonus is earned? If yes, how long after opening should I close it?

I find that the Delta Platinum Amex is a keeper card for me because while it does have the AF you get the companion certificate every year when it is due. I have had it for years and always came out ahead with the companion certificate; sometimes way ahead. Hard these days to find a flight for under $195. If you fly Delta a lot keeping it may be worth considering.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I've been planning our annual Christmas vacation to Hawaii over the last couple of days and... random travel thoughts at 3 in the morning:

• The Hilton Hawaiian Village is "sold out" pretty much between Christmas and the first few days after the new year. Seriously, I can't pull up any availability on Hilton direct, UR portal, Amex FHR...
• I really should focus on getting more Marriott/SPG points this year, to use if not this Christmas then next[-next] year. I love SPG's Waikiki properties (the Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Sheraton); but why would I pay 21,250 Starpoints to stay at the Sheraton (from $504/night) or Moana (from $475/night), when I can redeem the same amount of points at the Royal Hawaiian (from $727/night)?
• Marriott Business or Personal? If personal, the 75k offer or 120k offer? Decisions...
• Really, I'd welcome some thoughts on the above. I'm 3/24 with 1 dropping off after April 2018.
• UR points are great and still my transferrable currency of choice, but the UR travel portal isn't giving me [m]any good options for refundable reservations over the new year.
• I think I've optimized too much of our spending between Plastiq, Freedom categories, and discounted and 5x gift cards.
• Hawaiian Airlines flight availability opens 330 days out, but there's no award availability between December 14 and 26. I've been checking as availability becomes available at midnight HST, and nothing comes up. HA customer service rep says to keep checking because award seats tend to be released later. But there's already award availability for December 27 -- one-way first class lie flat seats for 80,000 HawaiianMiles. For reference, one-way award seats in main cabin for December 13 going all the way back to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving are going for 17,500 HawaiianMiles plus change.
• Chase UR's booking calendar looks like it displays only 330 days out, but you can manually input later dates.
• I really miss Marriott's Twitter trivia and tweet for points promos.

Are there anymore Chase cards you're trying to get in the future? If so, could be a good idea to do Marriott Business.

I second the Marriott Twitter trivia!

 

[tink1970]

My latest question is in regards to Amex cards. I opened a Delta Platinum Amex for the skymiles bonus a few months ago. Since Amex bonus is once per lifetime does it make sense to cancel the card after the bonus is earned? If yes, how long after opening should I close it?

If you fly Delta primarily or even as a secondary airline, I vote with @kmc8826 for keeping it-the companion certificate is useful to have (I always try to keep one "active" since both DH and exDH's parents live farther away and are perpetually ill. There ARE restrictions on the fare class you can use but I'll fly wonky hours if it saves me money.

Remember, too, that after $25,000 spend you're MQD exempt and earn 10, 000 MQMs....which means nothing if you don't value Delta Medallion Status but if you do...then it's definitely worth $195 for that, probably even for Silver level (I think tpg values platinum medallion around $1,000 and it's helped me achieve this for 2 years).

If you don't envision yourself flying Delta again (or much) in the future, then cancel but wait until month 11 or 12 so Amex doesn't view you as a churner (even if you are!). I recently cancelled my Delta Reserve after the AF posted and cancelled it, explaining its benefits overlapped with my Amex Plat/Amex Delta Plat (true!) and after a couple of steps and three days, got the AF returned. So to avoid all that, I'd cancel right before the AF posts. You can say whatever you want to cancel, making it plausible of course