I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

[nvm]

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Now you all get a long post from me

Things have changed a bit since March when I thought we'd pay off my car… New circumstances boil down to, DH owes $12.5k on his car that we are about to pay off. I haven’t used Plastiq much so it just has my Marriott card and SPG biz card in there, and AMEX blocks both Ford and Toyota on Plastiq. Visa comes up fine, and I have made a payment on Toyota with it, no problem. So Amex might be out for that purpose.

Last post was also about two weeks before the CIC 50k offer went public. So all of the posts about CIC vs CIP the last few days really had me debating. And I was leaning towards CIP because I figured if that's the only card I get, at least I could put it all on CIP and come out slightly ahead vs direct payment from checking. But we don’t have many bills to take advantage of CIP/Plastiq currently, so we’d probably benefit more from CIC on everyday spending.

I’ve now worked up three scenarios:

1. Get CIP for DH, pay off car entirely through this card

$12.5k x 2.5% fee ($312.50) = $12,812.50 = 38,437.5pts + 80k bonus at 1.5cpp with CSR = $1776.56

2. Get CIC for DH, pay off $3k of car to meet MSR and rest through direct debit

$3k x 2.5% fee ($75) = $3,075 = 3,075pts + 50k bonus at 1.5cpp with CSR = $796.13

3. Convince MIL to double dip CSR/CSP, pay $8k of car to meet min spend, Plus get DH CIP for remainder of car, leaves us with ~$400 left of CIP spend.

CSR/CSP: $8k x 2.5% fee ($200) = $8,200 = 8200pts + 100k bonus at 1.5cpp with CSR = $1623
CIP: $4.5k x 2.5% fee ($112.50) = $4,612.50 = 13,837.5pts + 80k bonus at 1.5cpp with CSR = $1407.56​

Yup sticking with CIP over CIC for my situation I do hope it sticks around though….

So the reasoning behind scenario 3, which just came to me this morning, is that we are planning a surprise family cruise next summer, with the three kids and SOs covering the in-laws. So the CSR/CSP/$300 credit minus AF could go towards the ILs cabin, total of $1473. If I had to cancel and rebook to do this it’d be about $1273 because the price is slightly higher, but it’d be awesome if I could transfer it to Chase and make a payment with URs. This would mainly hinge on being able to transfer the UR points to DHs account as a household member, because I wouldn’t want MIL to get any emails and spoil the surprise. And on the whole approval thing And hey, maybe i could get MIL to switch to CSP instead of her Capital One card, I think she'd come out ahead. Does this just sound like a super crazy plan?


Plans:

• Now: Scenario 1 or 3, and possibly AMEX Business card for one of us...
• Nov: Refer me to CIP, downgrade my CSR to CF, start thinking about double dip CSR/CSP for me (bonus received 11/16, this will depend on upcoming expenses - could be looking at paying my car off around then, if so that could also be delayed to help the double dip since its it's a 0% loan)
• Dec/Jan: Try for SW CP either double dip or biz + personal
• Make more plans for DH, as at this rate he’ll be at 0/24 for SW CP… nothing crazy, just need to do some research.

Circumstances have changed a bit since I first posted this, but I just updated all the card info:

Can I just say I love how you laid out your math and did it to the penny!!

 

[DisneyMandC]

OK lets try this again. Kind of off topic, but I thought you would be amused by the only mail I have coming today on USPS informed delivery LOL.

Lol I almost said something on your first post. I was like "surely she realizes..." hahaha.

 

[elgerber]

Lol I almost said something on your first post. I was like "surely she realizes..." hahaha.

took me wayyyy too long to figure out how to delete the darn picture! I realized immediately, but deleting the photo was not readily obviously done.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'm planning on doing the horse tour in Stanley Park (& the aquarium). Did you enjoy it? My mom is joining us and she's in her mid-70s so I thought this was a good way for her to get to see the park. The kids and I are also planning on doing Capilano and Grouse Mountain but now you have me wanting to do Fly Over Canada. I wonder if UR has that as an activity.

Did you book excursions? Thru DCL or independent? I’m looking to book excursions with UR.

 

[miztressuz]

So @Calfan , I don't suppose you could suggest to Safeway corporate to do more Visa and MC coupons, say in a couple weeks before the Discover quarter ends? I wouldn't mind another $600 worth to finish off that category.

I didn't think of it for the Visa coupon but I might see if FIL can add the MC coupons to his account and then use his to buy another round too. So far it seems to have worked to pay our Verizon bill ok, so it seems an easy way to spend on Discover and get ~$3 off to boot.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Lake County, IL! Where are you?

Dupage County IL here! Taxes due 6/1

 

[speedyfishy]

I called Atlantis today to see if I would get any perks for being a Gold member. They only said I’d potentially get a room upgrade since it’s a resort. I’m pretty bummed. Their terms are so confusing too. They say resorts don’t get free breakfast, but the autograph collection does. Marriott lists Atlantis as an Autograph Collection hotel.

 

[amalone1013]

Can I just say I love how you laid out your math and did it to the penny!!

You should see the scratch paper around my desk... I like to do it all by hand still too, and always down to the penny! Credit cards, budgeting, predicting the next couple paychecks... Can you say OCD?

 

[DaveL]

Dupage County IL here! Taxes due 6/1

I grew up in Bloomingdale, went to HS in Lombard... Still make it out that way now-and-then but do NOT miss the traffic! Pizza yes!

 

[mhartman09]

Decided to pull the trigger on the CIC yesterday afternoon. Of course I got the 30 day message. Called in this morning, then again after lunch to check status and it's still at 30 days. Ugh, I have no patience with these things.

On another note, I've got a SW CP question. I think I know the answer already, but figured I'd double-check with y'all. My SIL and BIL have both earned CP. Since they are a family of 4, their goal is to each name one of their kids as their companion. They are coming to WDW with us in Sept for our adults only trip. When they booked their flights, BIL decided to just name SIL as his companion (first time). SIL is now thinking about booking a fall WDW trip for the family and wants to book flights soon. She's asking me how it would work if they want to use each kid as one parents' companion. I would imagine since SIL is BIL companion at this time, they wouldn't be able to change that until after our September flight takes place, correct? I know you can change your companion, but I have absolutely no experience in doing so. I feel like what I'm thinking is correct, but would hate to give her incorrect info.

 

[speedyfishy]

Decided to pull the trigger on the CIC yesterday afternoon. Of course I got the 30 day message. Called in this morning, then again after lunch to check status and it's still at 30 days. Ugh, I have no patience with these things.

On another note, I've got a SW CP question. I think I know the answer already, but figured I'd double-check with y'all. My SIL and BIL have both earned CP. Since they are a family of 4, their goal is to each name one of their kids as their companion. They are coming to WDW with us in Sept for our adults only trip. When they booked their flights, BIL decided to just name SIL as his companion (first time). SIL is now thinking about booking a fall WDW trip for the family and wants to book flights soon. She's asking me how it would work if they want to use each kid as one parents' companion. I would imagine since SIL is BIL companion at this time, they wouldn't be able to change that until after our September flight takes place, correct? I know you can change your companion, but I have absolutely no experience in doing so. I feel like what I'm thinking is correct, but would hate to give her incorrect info.

After, the flight they can change the companion. I’d book the kids tickets with points now and then after the September flight I’d call and get the points refunded and then add the kids as a companions. They won’t have to book the kids flights but if they book it with refundable points it insures the flight won’t be sold out.

 

[trenty]

Decided to pull the trigger on the CIC yesterday afternoon. Of course I got the 30 day message. Called in this morning, then again after lunch to check status and it's still at 30 days. Ugh, I have no patience with these things.

On another note, I've got a SW CP question. I think I know the answer already, but figured I'd double-check with y'all. My SIL and BIL have both earned CP. Since they are a family of 4, their goal is to each name one of their kids as their companion. They are coming to WDW with us in Sept for our adults only trip. When they booked their flights, BIL decided to just name SIL as his companion (first time). SIL is now thinking about booking a fall WDW trip for the family and wants to book flights soon. She's asking me how it would work if they want to use each kid as one parents' companion. I would imagine since SIL is BIL companion at this time, they wouldn't be able to change that until after our September flight takes place, correct? I know you can change your companion, but I have absolutely no experience in doing so. I feel like what I'm thinking is correct, but would hate to give her incorrect info.

Companions can be changed. (I think it is a maximum of 3 times.) Once the first flight takes place, the companion can be changed for the next flight.

 

[Calfan]

So @Calfan , I don't suppose you could suggest to Safeway corporate to do more Visa and MC coupons, say in a couple weeks before the Discover quarter ends? I wouldn't mind another $600 worth to finish off that category.

I didn't think of it for the Visa coupon but I might see if FIL can add the MC coupons to his account and then use his to buy another round too. So far it seems to have worked to pay our Verizon bill ok, so it seems an easy way to spend on Discover and get ~$3 off to boot.

Sadly, I don’t think I have that kind of influence, lol.

 

[DaveL]

I might have to get a loto ticket tonight... Got the CIC approved and just scored a TSM FP for my June trip!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I grew up in Bloomingdale, went to HS in Lombard... Still make it out that way now-and-then but do NOT miss the traffic! Pizza yes!

Glenbard East? I graduated from Willowbook.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

So I still have a hard time wrapping my head around awards bookings on partner airlines. When I look for ORD to PEK, on AA first class is like 170k miles one way. Looking on AS, it is 70k miles, looks to be AA metal. Do I need AS miles to book thru AS or is there a way to book with AA miles at the lower rate?

 

[DaveL]

Glenbard East? I graduated from Willowbook.

Yep. Most kids from my area went to West/North (I think) but by the time I got to HS they were all full, Had to pass like 2~4 other HS's on my way to East. Was about a 45~60min bus ride and they dropped us off an hour before school started so they could use the same buss to pickup local students.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Yep. Most kids from my area went to West/North (I think) but by the time I got to HS they were all full, Had to pass like 2~4 other HS's on my way to East. Was about a 45~60min bus ride and they dropped us off an hour before school started so they could use the same buss to pickup local students.

Yikes! I grew up in Villa Park, lived in Lombard 18 years as an adult (though still in Willowbroo’s district) and moved back to Villa Park a few years ago.
Small world.

 

[Albort]

So I still have a hard time wrapping my head around awards bookings on partner airlines. When I look for ORD to PEK, on AA first class is like 170k miles one way. Looking on AS, it is 70k miles, looks to be AA metal. Do I need AS miles to book thru AS or is there a way to book with AA miles at the lower rate?

http://www.awardhacker.com/#f=ORD&t=PEK&o=0&c=f&s=1&p=0

yes, u will need AS miles to book it. Doesnt look like there is any other route to fly AA unless u book AA directly, but less miles with AS.