I love credit cards so much!

[afan]

If Chase asks for verification, you could probably just send in a copy of the first page of the current lease for that property that should list you (or your formal business entity) as the landlord/lessor, the property management company as your agent, the lessees and the amount of rent they’ve agreed to pay that’s your revenue.

I should probably have a copy of that...Though for all I know it's on my owners portal, I've never looked. They never really explained what's on there and I had to figure out how to get my tax document this year because they didn't send it like they had before. Never been super happy with the mgnt co but it'd be such a pain to switch it all being this far away. And really when the tenants are good the mgnt co is good.

 

[MrPTato]

Did you set up a Dosh account for their 2% back at Exxon? I just got an email that they are doing 4% back this weekend.

Decided to sign up and try it out? Is it just automatic if I put my card in at the pump? I have the Speedpass app now, but I think it uses ApplePay, which would use a different number at the pump I think? I don't have that number. I added my DoubleCash for now, and it know it was liked to Swagbucks and wanted me to unlink before it would let me add it.

 

[amalone1013]

Decided to sign up and try it out? Is it just automatic if I put my card in at the pump? I have the Speedpass app now, but I think it uses ApplePay, which would use a different number at the pump I think? I don't have that number. I added my DoubleCash for now, and it know it was liked to Swagbucks and wanted me to unlink before it would let me add it.

It's supposed to be automatic. I haven't actually had a chance to try it because I haven't needed gas. Plan to this weekend, if it works and it's 4% bonus Interesting it made you unlink from swagbucks, I'd read a rumor it might stack.

 

[amalone1013]

Decided to sign up and try it out? Is it just automatic if I put my card in at the pump? I have the Speedpass app now, but I think it uses ApplePay, which would use a different number at the pump I think? I don't have that number. I added my DoubleCash for now, and it know it was liked to Swagbucks and wanted me to unlink before it would let me add it.

Playing with it now. I added my AMEX straight to the Speedpass app and made that default. I also had Samsung Pay as an option. Idk if paying with Samsung Pay would work, I might try it at some point... If I do I'll report back. I tried to add the AMEX to swagbucks after and it said nope, so no stacking. Bummer, would be nice for SB local SWAGO squares!

 

[amalone1013]

Good news: talked to body shop my insurance is sending me to for hail damage appraisal, and got DHs vehicle scheduled.
Bad news: my car/claim isn't in their system yet so I couldn't schedule the appointments together.

Dang it, I just want to know what the amount of the checks they're going to cut me will end up being so I can figure out which card(s) I'm getting!

 

[MrPTato]

Playing with it now. I added my AMEX straight to the Speedpass app and made that default. I also had Samsung Pay as an option. Idk if paying with Samsung Pay would work, I might try it at some point... If I do I'll report back. I tried to add the AMEX to swagbucks after and it said nope, so no stacking. Bummer, would be nice for SB local SWAGO squares!

I filled my car today with Fuel Rewards from Stop N Shop...I'll top off my wife's Prius and try it out...it has a super large 8g tank. Lots of savings coming my way this weekend!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Ok experts, I have a couple of questions for you all. I am planning a South African safari for July 2019 for me, DH and my two college kids. I have an RCI timeshare trade request in now, but I'm also looking at other lodging options. During my research, I saw a great article about the Protea Paul Kruger Gate hotel (owned by Marriott). It was a level 1 points hotel but just recently changed to a level 2 points hotel. The article went on about how it was 7500 (level 1) Marriott points a night but only 2500 Starwood points a night if you converted (not sure what he meant by converted or how that works or if it's even relevant now). As of May 2018 at level 2, it's 10,000 points a night. Then he said the sign up bonus for an AMEX SPG personal card was 35000 Starwood points.

I clicked on the link, and the AMEX SPG 35000 point offer expired a couple of months ago, so I googled some more and found all sorts of info about the SPG cards changing to Chase or some were staying at AMEX and some were moving to Chase. Very confusing.

Then I went to the Protea Paul Kruger Gate hotel site to check regular rates and this came up: Introducing the New Marriott Rewards Premiere Plus Card by Chase. Limited Time Offer of 100,000 Marriott Bonus Points offer after you spend $5000 in first 3 months, $95 yearly fee.

So with 100,000 Marriott points, I could get 2 rooms for 5 nights. I'm tempted. Are there any pitfalls to this new card? I am new to the travel hacking game, so any advice is appreciated.

 

[peel]

DH called Chase, they just need to verify his birthdate. Hopefully after we fax them his license we'll be in the clear, and then we'll have a dance party!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Nah - I'm such a big time do-it-your-selfer we just went to it with Shop Vacs, fans, dehumidifiers, and got it done Also installed a sump pump that is more powerful and has a backup pump on a battery so less stress when we're away. I must REALLY like vacations because the amount of work I accomplished in the last 36 hours to make this happen seems impossible!

Ahh I’m glad you could do it. Our was far beyond DIY. Required a dumpster, removing water heater, furnace, walls etc. Water got to about 3 feet deep. All that was left was studs and floor and a toilet in the corner. All this despite 2 sumps with back-up inside, plus one outside. It was a walkout basement. Water filled the stairwell, then bent the steel door in half asst rose.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I went through it too, but it was because they counted my Amazon card as 5/24. I ultimately talked my way into being approved but it was extremely unpleasant and I had to have a glass of wine when I got off the phone.

I'm baffled by the 2 weeks turning into 7-10 days. I didn't think that hardly ever happened.

Yeah, I guess you’re just lucky like that. Lol It happened to my DH on CIC. I cleaned up his credit report, applied for CIP about 35 days later and was approved.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Ugh... real estate. It seems such a trouble category! I recall @Psychodisney and maybe @CyndiLouWho ? had trouble with their CIP applications when choosing real estate. I wonder if Chase’s approval algorithms have different standards for different categories.

DH was denied CIC for too many cards, so I removed closed AU cards from his credit report. Applied for CIP without too much issue about a month later. Unless you’re remembering it better than me. Which is possible. I’m forgetful and you have that amazing spreadsheet

ETA. I did need to send an invoice to Plastiq for the payment to my roofer.

 

[tink1970]

If I book a flight through the Chase portal for flights on United (instead of transferring points), do we get credit for miles flown when booking that way (as if it was a paid flight)?

We have another last minute trip to visit our other daughter on her study abroad in Australia. We didn't think we were going to be able to go, but have decided to do it at the beginning of her trip since we can't go at the end of the semester. It's almost the same number of points to book through the portal vs transferring the points to United to book and we have a better flight time option through the portal.

Our example:

1. We could transfer 80,000 points to United to book the round trip flight from STL to SYD.

2. We could book through the portal for 81,xxx points, but we'd have a better flight time going down (mainly because the flight we could get through the portal "costs" 57,500 miles on United.com for the trip down. We don't have enough points to choose it when transferring points).

Advantage of booking through portal - better flight time and possible earning miles for the travel.
Downside - ??? I'm not sure, so want to make sure I'm not missing anything.

If you book through the Chase portal, it will count as miles (if you put in your MilesPlus number of course).

If the flight is better then I'd go for it with the only caveat being when I had a problem with a travel issue booked through the UR portal the person I called to help troubleshoot was fairly useless. I suppose that could happen calling United too so I'd probably hope for the best and use the portal.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

DH called Chase, they just need to verify his birthdate. Hopefully after we fax them his license we'll be in the clear, and then we'll have a dance party!

great news !!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Ok experts, I have a couple of questions for you all. I am planning a South African safari for July 2019 for me, DH and my two college kids. I have an RCI timeshare trade request in now, but I'm also looking at other lodging options. During my research, I saw a great article about the Protea Paul Kruger Gate hotel (owned by Marriott). It was a level 1 points hotel but just recently changed to a level 2 points hotel. The article went on about how it was 7500 (level 1) Marriott points a night but only 2500 Starwood points a night if you converted (not sure what he meant by converted or how that works or if it's even relevant now). As of May 2018 at level 2, it's 10,000 points a night. Then he said the sign up bonus for an AMEX SPG personal card was 35000 Starwood points.

I clicked on the link, and the AMEX SPG 35000 point offer expired a couple of months ago, so I googled some more and found all sorts of info about the SPG cards changing to Chase or some were staying at AMEX and some were moving to Chase. Very confusing.

Then I went to the Protea Paul Kruger Gate hotel site to check regular rates and this came up: Introducing the New Marriott Rewards Premiere Plus Card by Chase. Limited Time Offer of 100,000 Marriott Bonus Points offer after you spend $5000 in first 3 months, $95 yearly fee.

So with 100,000 Marriott points, I could get 2 rooms for 5 nights. I'm tempted. Are there any pitfalls to this new card? I am new to the travel hacking game, so any advice is appreciated.

So the bottom line is, Marriott and SPG rewards programs are merging. Right now you can join both programs and link them to transfer points back and forth. 3 Marriott points =1Starpoint. As of August, they will all be one currency (sometimes we call them Starriott points) and all SPG points will be converted to 3 of the new Starriott points, whether you want them to or not.

As for the Marriott Card, you have figured out what this thread is all about. Free travel! If you have good credit, pay your credit card balances off each month and haven’t applied for more than 5 credit card in the past 24 months, then there is likely no downside.

There are lots of other cards you can get as well. Most of us start with Chase cards because they have a restriction that you can’t get more than 5 cards in 24 months (referred to as 5/24) from any issuer or Chase will deny you.

Let us know your other travel plans (do you need flights etc) any cards you have and whether you have a spouse who would also apply for cards, and people here can give you recommendations

 

[Psychodisney]

I should probably have a copy of that...Though for all I know it's on my owners portal, I've never looked. They never really explained what's on there and I had to figure out how to get my tax document this year because they didn't send it like they had before. Never been super happy with the mgnt co but it'd be such a pain to switch it all being this far away. And really when the tenants are good the mgnt co is good.

@Lain was correct about my situation. I had brought a copy of the lease to the bank as well. I don't use a management company but it shouldn't matter. It's still a legit business. Does the management company take care of your state and local taxes? In FL, I pay county and state sales and use tax. I brought the state tax documents as proof.

 

[amalone1013]

Pretty sure MIL just got the $5k/100k Amex Platinum mailer.

I want it!

 

[Lain]

Pretty sure MIL just got the $5k/100k Amex Platinum mailer.

I want it!

What ever happened to DH’s mailer? Did you try to get Amex to honor it past its expiration?

 

[Psychodisney]

Ok experts, I have a couple of questions for you all. I am planning a South African safari for July 2019 for me, DH and my two college kids. I have an RCI timeshare trade request in now, but I'm also looking at other lodging options. During my research, I saw a great article about the Protea Paul Kruger Gate hotel (owned by Marriott). It was a level 1 points hotel but just recently changed to a level 2 points hotel. The article went on about how it was 7500 (level 1) Marriott points a night but only 2500 Starwood points a night if you converted (not sure what he meant by converted or how that works or if it's even relevant now). As of May 2018 at level 2, it's 10,000 points a night. Then he said the sign up bonus for an AMEX SPG personal card was 35000 Starwood points.

I clicked on the link, and the AMEX SPG 35000 point offer expired a couple of months ago, so I googled some more and found all sorts of info about the SPG cards changing to Chase or some were staying at AMEX and some were moving to Chase. Very confusing.

Then I went to the Protea Paul Kruger Gate hotel site to check regular rates and this came up: Introducing the New Marriott Rewards Premiere Plus Card by Chase. Limited Time Offer of 100,000 Marriott Bonus Points offer after you spend $5000 in first 3 months, $95 yearly fee.

So with 100,000 Marriott points, I could get 2 rooms for 5 nights. I'm tempted. Are there any pitfalls to this new card? I am new to the travel hacking game, so any advice is appreciated.

You're on the right track! No known pitfalls. As long as you are under 5/24, the new Marriott card would be perfect for you. If you're over 5/24, then you could look at the Marriott Business card.

As far as the SPG cards, the good bonuses dried up after they announced some of the merger information a couple of months ago. 1 SPG point would be equal to 3 Marriott points.

 

[Lain]

DH called Chase, they just need to verify his birthdate. Hopefully after we fax them his license we'll be in the clear, and then we'll have a dance party!

So glad your husband is willing to call and it’s something as simple as verification!

 

[amalone1013]

What ever happened to DH’s mailer? Did you try to get Amex to honor it past its expiration?

Need to call still. It got put on the back burner with the car buying, I knew itd stress DH out too much until the ILs CSR payments and his CIP payment were paid. Now I'm waiting to see how the cars come in for hail damage... I'm hoping that will mean we can swing 2 $5k MSRs. Him calling in is top on the list.