I love credit cards so much!

[DaveL]

For those who have asked to expedite your Chase card, what service was it shipped and how soon did they get it out? I called and asked for my CIC to be expedited and she said I'd have it in a day or two. That was yesterday at 8AM but FedEx/UPS delivery managers show nothing in bound to me yet. :-( Was hoping to get it tomorrow to get some spend put on it this weekend as we are going to get a lot of yard work done.

 

[Psychodisney]

I’m a little slow. Finals week is killing me lol. So I can match? Do I match to RCCL or the Hyatt match still works.

Seems like a lot of work. You call M life to get your RCCL status match.( I was told my emerald RCCL would match to Diamond M Life) I don't know if you'd have to go in person to get your card. Then show the card in person at a TR property. Looks like it gives you status through 1/19.
I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the Atlantis trip, so not worth jumping through hoops.
As far as Hyatt, it seems like you'd need Explorist to still be able to match.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I've been following this thread for a little over four months now and as much as I've learned, I'm still finding this all a little overwhelming. It's like sitting in on a calculus class when all I've had is basic arithmetic. But I have faith that I'll get there!

Right now I have a very basic question. I jumped right in when I first got started with this and got three new cards in three months. My husband was "on board" to an extent, but he doesn't understand how this all works (not that i really do either) and just doesn't have the time or the inclination to figure it all out. While he trusts me, this is making him a little nervous. So I'm putting my plans for going into two-player mode on hold just for the summer. It's been hard to go from meeting minimum spends to just "spending!"

So my question is, now that I went from only a couple cards to (what seems to me) like a wallet full, how do I decide which one to use for which purchases? I need to figure out what cards get the best returns in various spending categories. I understand from this board that this also changes from time to time?

Right now when I get to a register I feel like I'm looking into my wallet and going "pick a card, any card" and I just grab one. There must be a strategy more worthy of the excellent tutelage I've received on this thread!

 

[speedyfishy]

Seems like a lot of work. You call M life to get your RCCL status match.( I was told my emerald RCCL would match to Diamond M Life) I don't know if you'd have to go in person to get your card. Then show the card in person at a TR property. Looks like it gives you status through 1/19.
I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the Atlantis trip, so not worth jumping through hoops.
As far as Hyatt, it seems like you'd need Explorist to still be able to match.

Thanks! I’m going to login into my Hyatt account when I get home because I think whatever status I have I do have a M Life status. I hope they respond to my email saying I don’t have to go in person to get the match. Because, I agree that it wouldn’t be worth it. I’m far from a casino.

 

[schmass]

I've been following this thread for a little over four months now and as much as I've learned, I'm still finding this all a little overwhelming. It's like sitting in on a calculus class when all I've had is basic arithmetic. But I have faith that I'll get there!

Right now I have a very basic question. I jumped right in when I first got started with this and got three new cards in three months. My husband was "on board" to an extent, but he doesn't understand how this all works (not that i really do either) and just doesn't have the time or the inclination to figure it all out. While he trusts me, this is making him a little nervous. So I'm putting my plans for going into two-player mode on hold just for the summer. It's been hard to go from meeting minimum spends to just "spending!"

So my question is, now that I went from only a couple cards to (what seems to me) like a wallet full, how do I decide which one to use for which purchases? I need to figure out what cards get the best returns in various spending categories. I understand from this board that this also changes from time to time?

Right now when I get to a register I feel like I'm looking into my wallet and going "pick a card, any card" and I just grab one. There must be a strategy more worthy of the excellent tutelage I've received on this thread!

It sounds like we're in similar positions. I recommend the wallaby app!

 

[miztressuz]

...except I'm not sure I really understand this workaround...DoC says you have to cancel your membership FIRST, then it still extends to actual date it would end(???) how does that work? If i cancel it now doesn't it end NOW? and then supposed to buy gift of membership thingy and hold onto it until that (above noted) date?

Basically you have to go in and set your Prime to not auto-renew. So you can wait until your Prime is coming up for renewal, cancel it then, and then apply the gift. Or you can go full out and do it now like DoC says here:
"Cancel your existing Prime membership at this link. It’ll seem scary at first, as if you’re losing your Prime immediately, but as you click through they’ll make it clear that you’ll keep the full Prime membership until your year is up."
(Italics mine)

My plan is to just set a reminder to cancel it later this year before it renews and then apply the Gift. Seems simpler to me, and I don't think I'm missing anything.

 

[hsmamato2]

quick question re: points activity on accounts to keep them active..... I know the time periods(like 12 mos etc) but does all activity count? like using some points, or geting soem thru cc spend? just double checking as I had a close call here with one acct.(whew)

 

[shairpdrh]

What are your next moves after this? If you've followed my (crazy) posts about my decision making process...knowing your next 4-5 cards (at least) + what you're trying to earn points for could affect a recommendation.

Finally getting to typing this up! I will do my best to explain my strategy. I can't say what I will do in 4 years like you described, but I think I have a plan for the next 6-12 months. My goals at this point are to earn points or cash for travel mostly for Disney and family travel (so no need for hotel stays). So far we have used card bonuses and points for flights. We fly Delta almost exclusively and so far I have been focusing on Chase UR and Delta miles.

5/2018 CIC (4/24)
8/2018 Discover IT for the double cash back in the first year or Southwest Plus (to cash out) (5/24)
1/2019 (or when finished with minimum spend) CIP (4/24 after my CSR drops off)
8/2019 Southwest Plus or Discover IT or something with a good offer (5/24)

The long break in the fall is for my second player (who is 0/24) to CSP/CSR double dip or CSP if I can't convince him to do both. We don't seem to have a problem meeting spend, but the CSR/CSP double dip will be tight with organic spend.

I might add another Amex Business card in there depending on how minimum spend goes for the other cards. At the beginning of next year I will have to decide whether to wait to get under 5/24 (August) or go for other cards and leave the Chase cards for player 2. He is pretty hesitant at this point even after seeing what I have been able to do with my accounts alone. I will also be looking ahead for a big trip in 2021 where we will want to fly to Asia (arrival point TBD) and possibly a cruise while there. Thanks for your willingness to help think things through!

 

[speedyfishy]

Ok so I matched my Hyatt Gloablist to MLIFE Gold. Hoping I can match to Total Rewards via email. If not maybe I’ll take a trip lol.

 

[trenty]

So my question is, now that I went from only a couple cards to (what seems to me) like a wallet full, how do I decide which one to use for which purchases? I need to figure out what cards get the best returns in various spending categories. I understand from this board that this also changes from time to time?

Right now when I get to a register I feel like I'm looking into my wallet and going "pick a card, any card" and I just grab one. There must be a strategy more worthy of the excellent tutelage I've received on this thread!

We can't answer that unless we know what cards you have and use. Here is what I am doing for now:

Groceries - Discover IT - I am in my first year so am basically getting 10x back since grocery is the 5x category
Restaurants - Sapphire Preferred - 2x - will switch this when Discover goes 5x to restaurants this summer
Paypay purchases - Freedom 5x; will put groceries on here if and when I max out Discover IT if paypal purchases don't max by then
Small purchases - Amex - need to do 20 transaction for the bonus points.
Everything else, including college tuition, car insurance, cell phone bill, etc - Discover IT - 2% back (1% now and 1% match in January) I do put some of this spend on Amex too to help out with the 20% more points bonus.
If I am working on a MSR (which I am not right now) almost everything goes to whatever card that is.

When my Discover IT anniversary hits I will only use it for the 5x rotating categories and my Amex will get more spend on it.

Basically - know what each card gives you so you know how to utilize it best.

 

[spacerangerqueen]

So I'm thinking the answer is no, but can I transfer a room only Disney reservation to Chase to pay with UR? Specifically a Cast rate room.

 

[KPK02090]

I plan to get a southwest card at the end of the year, so points hit in 2019. Should I go ahead and enroll in southwest rapids reward program now?
Also could some explain what they mean by “double dipping”?

Just starting out and finding this board to be very helpful. Thanks!

 

[1GoldenSun]

It sounds like we're in similar positions. I recommend the wallaby app!

Perfect, that's exactly what I needed! All set up now; thanks so much @schmass!

 

[schmass]

Perfect, that's exactly what I needed! All set up now; thanks so much @schmass!

So happy I could finally help someone here. I feel like I'm always on the receiving end of the help!

 

[StephPlum]

For those who have asked to expedite your Chase card, what service was it shipped and how soon did they get it out? I called and asked for my CIC to be expedited and she said I'd have it in a day or two. That was yesterday at 8AM but FedEx/UPS delivery managers show nothing in bound to me yet. :-( Was hoping to get it tomorrow to get some spend put on it this weekend as we are going to get a lot of yard work done

I think it depends on the service rep. On my CIP, they expedited it through USPS but it took 3 days (due to weekend in there). On my CIC, the rep put it in UPS overnight air and I got it the next day. I asked for a rush the same way so not sure if the CIC was faster due to my already having a business card so "long-term" customer or just who I happened to talk to that day!!

The kicker was the return address is Westerville, OH - 30 mins from my house. I might offer to drop by and pick up the next one!!!

 

[DisneyMandC]

So I'm thinking the answer is no, but can I transfer a room only Disney reservation to Chase to pay with UR? Specifically a Cast rate room.

I'm not sure on the cast rate part, but yes, you can transfer reservations to Chase as long as you do so within the first 30 days after making the reservations. There are specific details on how to do this on the Reddit page if you're a member of that!

 

[spacerangerqueen]

I'm not sure on the cast rate part, but yes, you can transfer reservations to Chase as long as you do so within the first 30 days after making the reservations. There are specific details on how to do this on the Reddit page if you're a member of that!

Thanks! I'll go read up there. I was thinking only packages could be transferred. And I'm sure Cast rate is tricky and might not work

 

[DisneyMandC]

Thanks! I'll go read up there. I was thinking only packages could be transferred. And I'm sure Cast rate is tricky and might not work

I don't see why it wouldn't work for room rates, but maybe I'm wrong. Try it and let us know the results if you do!

Also, assuming that there aren't any other special details the Chase agent would have to input for the cast rate, I would think they'd just be able to transfer it the same way they would a bounceback offer or discounted room. If your rate is already locked in at the cast rate through Disney, maybe it wouldn't be an issue?

 

[miztressuz]

I've been following this thread for a little over four months now and as much as I've learned, I'm still finding this all a little overwhelming. It's like sitting in on a calculus class when all I've had is basic arithmetic. But I have faith that I'll get there!

Right now I have a very basic question. I jumped right in when I first got started with this and got three new cards in three months. My husband was "on board" to an extent, but he doesn't understand how this all works (not that i really do either) and just doesn't have the time or the inclination to figure it all out. While he trusts me, this is making him a little nervous. So I'm putting my plans for going into two-player mode on hold just for the summer. It's been hard to go from meeting minimum spends to just "spending!"

So my question is, now that I went from only a couple cards to (what seems to me) like a wallet full, how do I decide which one to use for which purchases? I need to figure out what cards get the best returns in various spending categories. I understand from this board that this also changes from time to time?

Right now when I get to a register I feel like I'm looking into my wallet and going "pick a card, any card" and I just grab one. There must be a strategy more worthy of the excellent tutelage I've received on this thread!

So as much as I'm a techie in some things I'm still old-school in others. I myself take the list approach Either in a spreadsheet or a scratch pad I list out what cards I have and what categories they get increased rewards and what benefits I'd get with them. Then depending on our current goals we rotate cards. It's also good to know if there's milestones, like hit X amount of spend in a period get this benefit. So I make sure I keep that in mind too.

For example, we now have at least 3 cards that get 2x or 2% on gas purchases. Usually we'll go for the 2% cash because it's simple, but if we need points for something we'll switch to the 2x cards. (since our 2x I think are hotel points or something not flexible like UR... unless it's a 5% rotating category on Freedom )

It gets a little more complex if there's rotating categories or special promotions but once you have a basic plan it gets easier to swap cards for short term promos. (I think at least). But I do my Cards as Rows and then Categories as Columns then I can sort highest earning cards in each category.

And I'm sure we joke on here, but labeling helps! At least in the beginning so when you're staring at your wallet of plastic you're not crushed by indecision. I also low tech it and use colored post-it notes. The real small size (1x2 I think they are?) and I just cut the adhesive part and write on there. That way I could color code if I got that into it, and it's easy to peel off to swap out for rotating categories.

I have over 10 active cards but I only really use 4 or maybe 5 at a time. And they all have specific jobs, and yes, I still sometimes label them for myself

 

[DaveL]

I think it depends on the service rep. On my CIP, they expedited it through USPS but it took 3 days (due to weekend in there). On my CIC, the rep put it in UPS overnight air and I got it the next day. I asked for a rush the same way so not sure if the CIC was faster due to my already having a business card so "long-term" customer or just who I happened to talk to that day!!

The kicker was the return address is Westerville, OH - 30 mins from my house. I might offer to drop by and pick up the next one!!!

I was pretty sure she said UPS overnight, but nothing went out yesterday or overnight. Figured something would go out by now since I called at 8AM yesterday. Checked USPS and no lables made on that yet. I didn't have them expedite the CIP and I got that in like three days, so might just end up getting it in the same amount of time. LOL. Informed delivery shows my Landry's card has arrived, as well as a car insurance bill (YAY!!! ?Woah! That's a first!).