I love credit cards so much!

[hsmamato2]

They get a bad rap because flights are sometimes crazy expensive versus other airlines & crazy expensive in miles vs cash. When traveling with fam I’m looking at flights to Hawaii or FL mostly and FL is a bit of a sweet spot on their award chart for us & the smaller west coast airports we fly out of. I got almost 2cpp on our comfort+ redemption for fall. If we wanted to do HI however their prices are horrendous, even in miles (3x what I’d pay on other airlines). Play around with searching potential awards using the 5 week flexible search to get a feel for it, that helped me and I got our FL the lowest I’ve seen them all year that way. Also, card holders can redeem at 1cpp against the cash rate so there are never blackouts, that’s the base redemption value for me. (Others the base redemption is cashing out for gift cards at 0.7cpp because they never fly DL).

Imho this offer is good for someone who needs the lower spend of $1K, other offers lately have required $2K in 3 months & another 1K within 6 months (which are still easier than other cards $3k in 3 months). It should be (YMMV) great for someone wanting Delta miles who already had the card due to the lack of once in a lifetime language if they can pull the offer.

The $50 statement credit is something to remember. Only valid for Delta purchase (website or onboard) in first 3 months. Those not flying Delta buy a Delta gift card for $50. I didn’t want to go that route because I don’t have use for a DL gc & didn’t want to hassle with selling it. I was actually flying DL within 3 months so I bought a pair of $2 headphones to get my $50. DoC says they’ve seen up to $100 statement credits offered on this card but I chose not to wait since I was flying DL anyway last year ($50 saved on bag fees) and wanted to start accumulating some DL miles.

I’ve looked at DL for short hops in CA but they’re practically useless on the West Coast and for my New Orleans trip but prices were ridiculous. Some people find the best value in their international redmeptions but I haven’t researched those.

Well since I'm new to Delta, I'm not aure what a good price on awards is for them. I do see some flights I'm interested in tho- what are their cancel policies- anyone know firsthand?

 

[Albort]

Well since I'm new to Delta, I'm not aure what a good price on awards is for them. I do see some flights I'm interested in tho- what are their cancel policies- anyone know firsthand?

Delta has been releasing some okay redemption. not like super good but still something. They are called Skypesos for a reason.
some examples, Trips to Europe and Hawaii

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I need some expert opinions! I am running ahead of schedule on our two SPG Biz cards (is that good or bad? )--one down, $2700 to go on the other. That being said I might need to shoehorn another application (or five ) in but I want to make sure we are not missing anything obvious and also that we don't jeopardize my current plans. Red are 5/24 spots.

DH cards: SPG Biz (4/18), Google Credit (1/18), CSR AU (12/17), Chase Ink+ ($85 AF due 6/1, planning to cancel), Chase Disney, CF, (Irrelevant cards: Arrival, Discover IT)
My cards: SPG Biz (3/18), CSR (12/17), Target card (3/17), CF, Amex BCP, (Irrelevant cards: Arrival, Discover IT, Commence)

My app plans were:
Me: Marriott personal 100k in May
DH: SW Biz+SW Personal in Oct/Nov for CP in 2019/2020.

We do about $3500 in organic spend per month but can get another $2500 if using Plastiq/Money Orders. The SW CP is the only thing I am really not wanting to mess up. I feel like the CIC or the CIP are calling my name but not sure who should get it (me or DH) or which card. My ideal point currencies are UR's and Starriott (basically programs with easy transfers to SW/BA/Alaska).

What if u do CIP first...doesn’t add to 5/24. Then refer DH....stays 3/24 (or 2/24 if remive the Au). Then cancel his Ink+ so he can get the
Sw combo late in the year (3 or 4/24). You can still do the Marriott soon too (3/24), after CIP. And you could even get a cic later this year for your 2nd biz card (remain 3/24.)

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Just started this year but I think I am addicted to MSR. Two cards (DH's CIP and my IHG) have MSR still to be met but it is all planned out and in my mind done! I feel antsy by spending on cards without MSR.

Next up CIC. Tomorrow is 30 days after my last Chase card approval, IHG. I'll probably wait until next week, in my feeble attempt to be patient .

We are in the same boat (DH CIP and my SPG) and next on our radar is CIC. I was going to wait till 60 days but maybe I’ll just wait to hear how you do next week at 30 days.....​

Also, Costco had a deal on rental cars and I was able to rebook at a lower price and get a $20 Costco cash card.

How did you find out about the Costco rental car deal?​

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Another thing— I am somewhat anxious about if and/or when SPG/Marriott comes out with new cards that might have great sign up bonuses for an initial, but short, time period. I would like to be in a position to take advantage of them, but wih my luck, I will have just applied for new cards.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Well since I'm new to Delta, I'm not aure what a good price on awards is for them. I do see some flights I'm interested in tho- what are their cancel policies- anyone know firsthand?

Same as the other big guys so I’ve never tested it! 24 hours from booking, after that $200+ in change fees.

 

[kmc8826]

How did you find out about the Costco rental car deal?​

Just get on the Costco travel rental car finder and run your dates and it comes up as an option. I always rent from Costco. Cash card deal or not it is always cheapest. I check everyday as prices fluctuate quite a bit and not a big deal to cancel and book again. Costco is nice too because no charge for 2nd driver.

 

[pinkxray]

Question for those who open new checking accts. for business.
How long do you keep them open once you have the bonus? I got a decent offer from Citizens bank but don’t really want to have to keep track of another checking act. It would be worth it if I could just close it after the initial 90 Days it needs to be open to get the bonus.

 

[Albort]

Question for those who open new checking accts. for business.
How long do you keep them open once you have the bonus? I got a decent offer from Citizens bank but don’t really want to have to keep track of another checking act. It would be worth it if I could just close it after the initial 90 Days it needs to be open to get the bonus.

depends on the bank. each bank has their own policy on when u can close the account without losing the bonus if there is one.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Question for those who open new checking accts. for business.
How long do you keep them open once you have the bonus? I got a decent offer from Citizens bank but don’t really want to have to keep track of another checking act. It would be worth it if I could just close it after the initial 90 Days it needs to be open to get the bonus.

Check both the bonus fine print and the bank’s schedule of fees for an early closure fee.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Just got a mailer from SPG with an SPG Preferred Plus Card and the accompanying material is absolutely covered in places I want to go now! I’m going to have to re-evaluate how much value I could get out of purchasing SPG points... maybe a combo Italy/Greece trip and a different trip to Southeast Asia... I’m gonna need to make use of that Global Entry credit on my Altitude Reserve if SPG keeps sending flyers with these pretty pictures!

 

[StephPlum]

How did you find out about the Costco rental car deal?​

I got an email saying that they were running a deal that included the cash card. I just reentered my dates and the rental itself was $2 higher than what I had already booked but with the cash card it really is $18 cheaper. If you go out and run some dates through, it will say which ones are eligible for the deal. I can't remember which dates are included but it is at least May since that is when I booked. I really like how you can compare all the companies at one time and pick the cheapest. Plus the second driver saves me a ton of money as well.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I got an email saying that they were running a deal that included the cash card. I just reentered my dates and the rental itself was $2 higher than what I had already booked but with the cash card it really is $18 cheaper. If you go out and run some dates through, it will say which ones are eligible for the deal. I can't remember which dates are included but it is at least May since that is when I booked. I really like how you can compare all the companies at one time and pick the cheapest. Plus the second driver saves me a ton of money as well.

Awesome! I am going to book DH's weekly work rentals through Costco during the promotion. $20 in my pocket every week for free!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Just get on the Costco travel rental car finder and run your dates and it comes up as an option. I always rent from Costco. Cash card deal or not it is always cheapest. I check everyday as prices fluctuate quite a bit and not a big deal to cancel and book again. Costco is nice too because no charge for 2nd driver.

Thanks for the reminder. Even though our dates aren’t eligible for the cash card, i rebooked for $8 less. Woo hoo

 

[CyndiLouWho]

one of the properties i watch had an exploding wall heater. the contractor wanted 4% fee. I used plastiq @ 2.5%

Not sure they will wait for a check to be sent but I’ll consider it.

When we first started discussing playing the bonus game, the other half went all wow 4k in 3 months? that's a lot! And I'm like wow, you need to pay the bills for a while

Hilarious and true. DH has no clue.

 

[thevalley]

Hey everyone. I hope you all are having a great Saturday night. I was wondering about chase business cards. I already have the CIP back from March 13. So that was my last cards. I think I can apply for the CIC but was not sure about chase business status. Does having both those cards and then trying for he SW business later this year seem doable? I wasn’t sure if co-branded cards for business count or matter. I thought you could have possibly 2 business cards total, not sure though.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I need some expert opinions! I am running ahead of schedule on our two SPG Biz cards (is that good or bad? )--one down, $2700 to go on the other. That being said I might need to shoehorn another application (or five ) in but I want to make sure we are not missing anything obvious and also that we don't jeopardize my current plans. Red are 5/24 spots.

DH cards: SPG Biz (4/18), Google Credit (1/18), CSR AU (12/17), Chase Ink+ ($85 AF due 6/1, planning to cancel), Chase Disney, CF, (Irrelevant cards: Arrival, Discover IT)
My cards: SPG Biz (3/18), CSR (12/17), Target card (3/17), CF, Amex BCP, (Irrelevant cards: Arrival, Discover IT, Commence)

My app plans were:
Me: Marriott personal 100k in May
DH: SW Biz+SW Personal in Oct/Nov for CP in 2019/2020.

We do about $3500 in organic spend per month but can get another $2500 if using Plastiq/Money Orders. The SW CP is the only thing I am really not wanting to mess up. I feel like the CIC or the CIP are calling my name but not sure who should get it (me or DH) or which card. My ideal point currencies are UR's and Starriott (basically programs with easy transfers to SW/BA/Alaska).

If I were you my #1 card right now would be to get a CIP (and then another for a spouse). I would have your husband get one first due to the plan you charted out...

• Wait and see if the CIP 100k offer is available online next week.
• If not - are you near a Chase branch and would he apply in person?
• If not - then use a DISchurners link
• Spend 5k, earn 85,000+ URs
• Then have husband refer you to CIP in July/August
• Spend 5k, earn 105,000+ URs
• Those two signups paired with your CSR are worth over $2,800!!
• Then you could apply for the SW duo in late 2018 for the 2019/2020 CP
• Perhaps you have a specific reason for wanting that Marriott card...but those CIPs are super awesome and I'd get them now while you are under 5/24 and the offer is still at 80k (+ the referral offer for 20k).
• If you really need the Marriott for some reason you could have Husband do CIP now, you do Marriott in May or June...and then get back on the plan I outlined

Hope that helps As long as you don't get too aggressive with applications (which is why I say do husband CIP first and then have him stay quiet until later year for the SW cards) you probably can't go wrong

EDIT: I should add I like that you have a long term strategy. I would probably even extend that strategy out 12 months with a plan of cards and dates. That's what I do, and then if something special/urgent comes along (i.e. an increased bonus on a card you had your eye on) you can call an audible!

 

[wendow]

@calypso726 Love you and dh's Dapper Disney bounding! Awesome outfits!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

@peel No idea if this is helpful or relevant but I thought of you
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/deal-alert-dublin-229-round-trip/

 

[Artygal90]

Only tip is, I see you said "$100 net" to me that means "profit". The application will ask about revenues, not profit, so you'd want to use your gross. That should make it look a little better. After all, you're not going to be charging your profits onto the card, you'd be charging expenses. If you used $2000 of material to generate a $2100 sale, you'd net $100 but they'd make money on the 2k you charged (potentially).

Awesome! That's a relief! Yes, it was about $100 profit, I think - maybe $300 gross. This was just for Halloween projects for people, so not a ton of high-end work. If I really hustle and pursue alterations, custom home decor work, freelance contracts around town, I might gross $2k, which would be even better Thanks!