I love credit cards so much!

[elgerber]

I don’t think you need to close the account. I have no personal experience with two accounts, but I have heard of people opening 3 accounts every 30 days. I plan on trying for more in a few weeks because I think I want the SPG business card next. Some people are getting 8+ accounts. I have no idea if that will work. If the bonus has also been a year you maybe eligible for another bonus if you close the first one though. I’d look at the terms.

I just met MSR about two weeks ago on the Delta Business with only BMO funding and the points posted. I think this could be different from a cash equivalent because Amex sees it as a purchase from a bank. You could always say it was processing fees or other bank fees or something.

I might have missed, is there a limit to the amount you can fund with?

 

[wendow]

Or should I just sit tight for a while? Are you "experts"-- @SouthFayetteFan, @calypso726, @wendow, @Lain, etc.-- usually always working toward a MSR on a new card or are you sometimes just generating bonus points by actually using the cards you've already had for a while? I don't know if I'm supposed to be satisfied with earning points at this "slower" rate or if I should always be working toward a signup bonus.

I'm far from being an expert!! I don't have anywhere close to the knowledge that many here have. I am pretty much always in a mode of working on a MSR and that is mainly because it takes me a really long time to meet the spend that my apps are just nicely spaced naturally. Between that and being in 2-player mode, there are far more cards than we can actually get.

ETA: I do long to NOT be working on a MSR. I have some great cards that I am not using currently for as much as I'd like. I love the CSR, CIP and CF. Those are my favorites because I've found UR to work really well for us. We all have different preferences for cards and points.

ETA2: I am, as I referenced above, a huge fan of the CIP. This card has a phenomenal signup bonus and if you are in 2-player mode, you can refer your spouse and get the 80k + 20k. It's just too good a card to not get. Then add in using it to pay bills on plastiq codes 3x (currently...always subject to change).

 

[pillow]

I was hoping for this offer and looked on all my cards and dh's but we didn't get it on any. Which card did you get it on?

I have noticed that offers are sometimes slow to roll out. The first time I checked for the Chewy offer, it was only on a few cards. I checked again 2-3 days later, and it was on almost all of them. So its worth checking again in a few days.

 

[Angrose]

I don’t think you need to close the account. I have no personal experience with two accounts, but I have heard of people opening 3 accounts every 30 days. I plan on trying for more in a few weeks because I think I want the SPG business card next. Some people are getting 8+ accounts. I have no idea if that will work. If the bonus has also been a year you maybe eligible for another bonus if you close the first one though. I’d look at the terms.

I just met MSR about two weeks ago on the Delta Business with only BMO funding and the points posted. I think this could be different from a cash equivalent because Amex sees it as a purchase from a bank. You could always say it was processing fees or other bank fees or something.

Sounds good. I'll go for it. Thanks so much!

 

[speedyfishy]

I might have missed, is there a limit to the amount you can fund with?

1k for each account. I did a savings, checking, and money market with 1k each. You have to open all at the same time or wait 30 days.

 

[miztressuz]

I have noticed that offers are sometimes slow to roll out. The first time I checked for the Chewy offer, it was only on a few cards. I checked again 2-3 days later, and it was on almost all of them. So its worth checking again in a few days.

Seconded! There's been a couple offers that folks reported on the boards here that I didn't get until several days later. Which is why I added into my daily routine to check AmEx every day cuz I might be surprised what pops up.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Sorry - about to reply to a bunch of things, I actually had a sales call over lunch today so I've been out of commission for a few hours hahaha! Hate when work gets in the way of my true passion

If I'm understanding right, what you're asking here is: what is the value of 50K SW (aka RR) points? The last I heard, the redemption of SW points for flights is basically 70 SW points = $1. (It used to be 60 SW points = $1, but even SW devalues over time. And before that there was the SW credit system which was even sweeter if you used it right...) There's a bit more to it, because using points as payment also reduces some other fees associated with the ticket and no matter the cost of the ticket there's always a $5.60 one-way fee domestic to pay OOP. But for this purpose, let's keep it simple.

Going with the 70pts/$1 --> 50,000 SW pts = $714

Buying 17K SPG points on sale = 51,000 Marriott points. Costs $387

$714 - $387 = $327 extra value

Stuff like this is why I buy SPG points on sale. I've flown Southwest for years on points alone through the Marriott travel packages.

So the 70pts/$1 thing is based on the base fare and there's a tax component you save on too. This morning I booked flights that CASH cost was $132.98. It cost 7,949 points and I pay $5.60 out of pocket. So my 7,949 points saved me $127.38 and my cents per point was 1.60. Using that as a template...50,000 SW pts are actually worth $800 so that even sweetens your calculation. You'll find that your cpp on SW flights is a little higher on lower cost flights due to this tax component.

Good point about number of points vs value! One more thing I wanted to add is that I've read where there is a 5 night package out there as well as the 7. Technically I believe it is reserved for timeshare owners; however, some have been able to get it by request. Its something to check for those who don't want all 7 nights.

I believe the 5 night package is totally dead. Some of the major blogs picked it up and beat it to death so everybody and their brother starting asking for exceptions and that killed it a couple of years ago. I haven't seen a positive DP of a non Marriott Vacations owner getting it in a long time.

I already have a CSP so I can't double dip (in the first sense of the term as defined by @Lain). I will have had this card for two years as of June. I have never had the CSR. Would I be able to cancel the CSP and then re-apply for it after June and at the same time apply for the CSR?

I currently don't have any card on which I'm working toward the minimum spend, so I should probably apply for another card now. If I'm going to do what I mentioned above I can't apply for another Chase card because I'll need to still be 3/24 in July. Any suggestions? I just got both the AmEx Gold Biz and the AmEx SPG Biz in the last few months.

Or should I just sit tight for a while? Are you "experts"-- @SouthFayetteFan, @calypso726, @wendow, @Lain, etc.-- usually always working toward a MSR on a new card or are you sometimes just generating bonus points by actually using the cards you've already had for a while? I don't know if I'm supposed to be satisfied with earning points at this "slower" rate or if I should always be working toward a signup bonus.

So I think this is largely a personal decision. I move from min spend to min spend constantly. I've said this before, but I have not been without a minimum spend since Sept 2014. Now this strategy was a little easier back before 5/24 (May 2015); then Chase co-brands still weren't affected by 5/24 (that started in May 2016), BoA used to hand out cards like candy, etc... However this remains my plan and strategy and I think I can continue to pursue ONLY min. spends for another year to 18 months with no issue whatsoever. This means I don't care about the Freedom 5x categories, don't care about AMEX Blue Cash Pref earning 6% at grocery stores, etc...I find a min. spend that returns me > 10% in value and devote all my spend to it. Sometimes I'll be strategic, i.e. when we get our CIP pretty soon here I'm going to attempt payoff my cable bill for the year with it to earn the bonus. When I was working on my AMEX BGR I bought a lot of gift cards at my local gas station to earn the 3x MRs and then used them for my spending, etc...but once I hit the min. spend those cards went to the "sock drawer"!

While that's what I do, I don't fault somebody who wants to go slower and not be as crazy as me

How about CIP for now? It won't count toward your 3/24 in July, and you could be meeting MSR on it while waiting for July to arrive (curious why you need to be 3/24 in July?). Once you have your CIP, transfer your CSP URs over to the CIP URs and then close your CSP (or convert as suggested by others) after every last UR is transferred including the pending ones. Once you're past the 24 month bonus timeframe from the CSP (I like the 30 day padding @miztressuz suggests) then apply for the CSR if you want it then.

As for always working toward a MSR, I'm definitely conflicted. Once you have the livery of credit cards that serve you well, there is that feeling of lost opportunity that @Lain is speaking to. What I try to calculate is the monetary value of my per $1 spend ($850 cash worth of UR points for $5000 spend is 17% back [potentially even higher if redeeming at 1.25 thru the CIP UR portal for travel]) which is how I think @SouthFayetteFan tends to approach cc applications (not trying to speak for him, just basing that on comments he's previously made). Then there's also the fringe benefits (price protection, extended warranties, rental car insurance, etc.) to consider when you make purchases, as well as if you're paying an AF are you getting enough out of it to break even. Lots of things to consider, for sure!

I'm all about the % return. If it's some sort of "points" I figure out what they're worth to ME (not some random TPG valuation) and I'm always chasing >10% and really prefer that 20%+ return offer

 

[platamama]

I could buy 20k points for $455 (sale) and turn my 90k spg into 270k Marriott for the 7 nights+ 120k SWA points.
Going with this premise, that extra 50k SWA will cost me $455....right?
This is IF,and it's a big IF....I can find a place I want to be in Cat 1-5 Marriott within the next year. For my 'small potatoes' life, this is big decision to make.

Oh, ok, yes I can see how that extra 50k SW would cost you $455. That part about finding a place to be for a week in a Cat 1-5 Marriott is challenging, especially as they change the categories yearly (and not for the better). I've more or less given up on finding a Cat 1-5 place and look into the higher categories that I would WANT to spend a week or few days in and then figure out if it's still worth it. I've used the packages in the past in a RI in Redmond, WA (Cat 5) to visit the Seattle area, and to an RI in Cambridge, MA (Cat 6) to visit the Boston area last year, and I'm planning on Costa Rica (Cat 8) this year. I'm getting good value out of them, but it is highly dependent on your travel preferences.

 

[snugglebug]

What? I thought USAA was just for military families too. I don't care about the car rentals; its the INSURANCE I want!

USAA is meant for military members, as non-military you only have access to a few services: Investments, Life Insurance and Shopping & Discounts.
If you have a military connection, then you get full access.

My auto policy (husband is Navy vet)- 2 teen drivers (21 & 19, I guess not exactly teen anymore), one with an at fault accident and accident forgiveness, both have gotten tickets and taken defensive driving. We have 4 drivers and 3 cars (2004, 2005 and 2010, so not new), my 19yo son is not primary driver on any car. $2434 for 6 months.

My daughter is spinning off to her own policy in August, I need to call and ask about my son as he's about to go off to bootcamp, that became official yesterday. My price should be dropping soon thankfully, until the next one gets up there.

I was just on the phone with them this morning and was accused of being a fraud lol We're trying to get my account set up separately from my husbands. Their web support team isn't very nice.

 

[elgerber]

1k for each account. I did a savings, checking, and money market with 1k each. You have to open all at the same time or wait 30 days.

Ok, to try and not ask anymore questions... LOL, let me see if I have this...
If I just skip the sign up bonus, then I don't have to have any direct deposits or debit card purchases.
I can open one of each and put $1k in each, and meet my spend.
I can then just pay my AMEX from another savings account and ignore the BMO account for at least 90 days and then I can withdraw and close?

 

[speedyfishy]

I just thought I’d share how I’m keeping my BMO Harris accounts fee free for 6 months until I can cancel.

Checking is free since I’m under 25.

Savings is free when there is $500 in the account.

Money Market is free since I transfer $100 out of checking every month into the account.

I left $700 in the checking and $500 in the savings. The transfers are automatic. In 6 months my excel sheet will remind me to cancel. If you can float money for a few months it’s a great easy way to meet MSR. My SO and I have no problem keeping our emergency fund in different accounts. If an emergency occurs and I need the money I would pay the early termination fee for the accounts.

Edit: oops it is 90 days not 6 Months.

 

[speedyfishy]

Ok, to try and not ask anymore questions... LOL, let me see if I have this...
If I just skip the sign up bonus, then I don't have to have any direct deposits or debit card purchases.
I can open one of each and put $1k in each, and meet my spend.
I can then just pay my AMEX from another savings account and ignore the BMO account for at least 90 days and then I can withdraw and close?

The Money market needs 2500 in it or you can set up an automatic transfers of $100 from your checking every month to keep it fee free. You only need $500 in the savings so you can take some out. The checking I have free since I’m under 25, but I’m sure there is another easy way for you to keep fee free. I think electronic statements keeps it fee free but just confirm that.

Thanks for stating it’s only 90 days I was planning 6 months. 90 days is much easier.

 

[vanjust14]

I just thought I’d share how I’m keeping my BMO Harris accounts fee free for 6 months until I can cancel.

Checking is free since I’m under 25.

Savings is free when there is $500 in the account.

Money Market is free since I transfer $100 out of checking every month into the account.

I left $700 in the checking and $500 in the savings. The transfers are automatic. In 6 months my excel sheet will remind me to cancel. If you can float money for a few months it’s a great easy way to meet MSR. My SO and I have no problem keeping our emergency fund in different accounts. If an emergency occurs and I need the money I would pay the early termination fee for the accounts.

Edit: oops it is 90 days not 6 Months.

Thank you for this info! I think I want to try this. Did you set up your accounts online? When you say open all three at same time, do you mean on the same day? I don't have a branch near me so I will be doing this online. Oh just saw the 90 days...even better!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I got it last night....for Alaska you mean, right? Southwest was today too. Ha! Lots going on early this am.

So for Alaska I am sticking with DCL. My quote for 2 connecting 7As was $14,700 on 5/27. Ouch.
So I emailed her to knock us down to connecting deck 2 cat 9s. I haven’t gotten the new amount back yet It will save me around $3400 by my calculations, making the trip more palatable.
I could’ve decreased even more by doing the 5/20 sailing but my DS would have to miss 5th grade promotion. Nice thing about 5/27 is DH uses one less vacation day too.

I ruled out NCL Bliss because I read you can’t leave the kids in the club and go ashore. That won’t work with a 3 war old.

I booked the same cruise! Also on deck 2. I see a Dischurners meet coming!

 

[elgerber]

The Money market needs 2500 in it or you can set up an automatic transfers of $100 from your checking every month to keep it fee free. You only need $500 in the savings so you can take some out. The checking I have free since I’m under 25, but I’m sure there is another easy way for you to keep fee free. I think electronic statements keeps it fee free but just confirm that.

Thanks for stating it’s only 90 days I was planning 6 months. 90 days is much easier.

Thanks, I noticed our posts overlapped.
So, this is now my thought...
refer DH today for Delta Biz gold from mine.
Once his card arrives next week...
fund checking for $1000 or $1500
fund savings for $1000 or $1500
Fund money market from his card for $3000, can I do that much, or is there a limit to how much I can fund with the card?
Just leave it all there for over 90 days.

 

[vanjust14]

The checking I have free since I’m under 25, but I’m sure there is another easy way for you to keep fee free. I think electronic statements keeps it fee free but just confirm that.

I just read that the BMO Smart Advantage checking is fee free if you opt for estatements.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

For some reason I was thinking you were booking this morning. Yeah - expensive - ouch. We had luck upgrading at the port. It may be more difficult for you with 2 rooms, but you can always try. I paid something like $630 to upgrade from a cat 9 (C I think?) to a 5 something at the port.

That might have been me you were thinking of. We did book this morning. It was about $500 over budget but DH won. I already have about 1/2 the money from cash back bonuses, bank account bonuses & Disney GCs. Will just have to get more credit cards.

 

[linzjane88]

That might have been me you were thinking of. We did book this morning. It was about $500 over budget but DH won. I already have about 1/2 the money from cash back bonuses, bank account bonuses & Disney GCs. Will just have to get more credit cards.

Spoken like a true churner!

 

[vanjust14]

@wendow, are you following this BMO Harris credit card funding info? It might be our ticket to the new SPG Biz offer without chancing Plastiq.

 

[speedyfishy]

Thank you for this info! I think I want to try this. Did you set up your accounts online? When you say open all three at same time, do you mean on the same day? I don't have a branch near me so I will be doing this online. Oh just saw the 90 days...even better!

My accounts were set up online. All three were set up at the exact same time. It asked what accounts do you want to open and I selected the three. I had to call in also to confirm my identity. That was fine, but took about 10 minutes. Just a warning some people have a hard time with the security questions, but I got approved fine.

After I set up my online accounts. I sent a secure message setting up the transfer to keep the Money market account free. It’s automatic and confirmed my other accounts will be free.

Also, please don’t forget to set the cash advance limit to 0 just incase. You can do this with a secure message to Amex.