I love credit cards so much!

[Haley R]

I finally called to get myself signed up for an account with my new CIP card. I also was successful transferring DH's UR over to my CIP card. It's extremely exciting to see how many points we have accumulated in such a short time. Our spontaneous trip to Disney this weekend gave us a good chunk of bonus points as well.

 

[amalone1013]

ETA: Pop is on hotwire for $88/night next weekend if anyone needs a disney fix.

You're an enabler

 

[Psychodisney]

What's the best strategy to apply for the SW Business and SW Premier cards? Apply for both on the same day? Spaced 30 days apart? Spaced 3 months apart? (making sure that all the points post early in the year to maximize the Companion Pass, of course). I've got everything with my CIP set up and now just have to wait for my organic spend to work through the MSR, so now I'm kind of twiddling my thumbs over here and looking to the next step in The Plan...

Thinking about my plan too. I have a SW trip in mid Nov and Dec. I think I’ll sign up for the biz in Nov. Then the question is do you need to wait 30 days befor the personal or not? Who knows if the regular signups might go higher or if the new SW card might come out. If the regular bonus is still 40K points, I’ll sign up in flight for the personal card.

 

[wendow]

@wendow - ok - in my honest opinion, with your kids, if the ship is Majesty of the Seas - I would pass. It is a small, older ship and you won't get the same great experience for families that the larger ships provide.

However, I notice there are some 4 and 5 day itineraries out of Fort Lauderdale on Independence of the Seas. We have sailed her twice and love that ship. Your family would have a blast I'm sure. Even if a few $$ extra or a day less, I would save some extra money to be able to sail Indy over Majesty any day.

Just my 2c.

Thank you! I had took a look earlier, while juggling making dinner, and I didn't love what I saw with Majesty. It just looked kind kind of 'meh'. My kids have seen way too many DCL commercials and would not be impressed with Majesty. That cruise won't work anyways because my dd18 won't be done with classes until Dec 11. SO, now I am on the hunt to see if I can find a cool ship with a date that works (and a price that works!). I'll look for Independence sailings

ETA: None of the dates/sailings work for us (at least on this sale).

 

[disneymagicgirl]

You're an enabler

It’s too bad I can’t go 2 weekends in a row.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Thinking about my plan too. I have a SW trip in mid Nov and Dec. I think I’ll sign up for the biz in Nov. Then the question is do you need to wait 30 days befor the personal or not? Who knows if the regular signups might go higher or if the new SW card might come out. If the regular bonus is still 40K points, I’ll sign up in flight for the personal card.

Don’t forget the new premium card coming...

 

[Lain]

PSA Gyft users and Target shoppers:

So I came upon a new issue when trying to use Gyft to purchase a Target e-gift card. The Target gift card no longer comes delivered with an Event Number.

I purchased a Target gift card in line as I was about to pay, cashier scanned the barcode and her register prompted that it needed an Event Number. Cashier could not apply the gift card without an Event Number. The new e-gift cards don't come with an Event Number. The old ones did. I reached out to Gyft, and they replied:

"We apologize for any inconvenience. In order to obtain the event number, Target is now requiring that the gift card is registered online on Target.com or to download the Cartwheel app and register the gift card there."

I haven't gotten around to registering the Target gift card yet, but this is one added hassle if you're thinking about buying a Target gift card on your way to pay.

It’s pretty easy to add a GC to Target app if that’s all it is. I add all those little ones I get feee. You just have to remember to look at you available GCs in the app and place a check next to which one(s) you want to use. Then they scan your barcode, it applies cartwheel offers and GCs. It is an extra step though.

So previously, Target gift cards purchased from Gyft could be scanned and used directly from the Gyft app, or loaded to the iPhone’s Apple Wallet. Now, you have to enter the Target gift card’s number and access code into the Target app; it takes a moment to register; then you can use it like any other gift card in the Target app -- which means you have to request the access number (by email) if you don't have it handy at checkout.

Sadly I needed to email them today. My account is now getting the error message, and this time my card was charged. And I lost out on over 300 points since I could not use the app. I may delete it. As good as it is when I earn the points, it is very frustrating when it does not work.

I'm so sorry to hear that. I swear by these gift card apps and they're a key part of my strategy to maximize spend and earn lots of points and miles. So I always recommend them, and I'm sad to read when people who've taken my suggestions report problems. I know Gyft has made some people here want to throw their phones at the wall, and MPX has its downtimes and issues. I will say that I've earned almost 12,500 MileagePlus miles from using MPX this year, not to mention the underlying UR, MR, and SPG points on the credit cards I tend to use as payment. I'd encourage you to stick with it because these gift card apps do tend to be hypersensitive to anything it perceives to be fraudulent, especially if you're a new user, but they get better once you've been using them for some time.

 

[amalone1013]

Just as I tell myself I'm done with Prime day they put up a Kitchenaid stand mixer deal...

 

[wendow]

It’s too bad I can’t go 2 weekends in a row.

Wish we lived close enough to get there that quickly. I'd be all over these recent deals!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Good news for CIP #2 I’ve been helping my dad with, he went 7-10 days, called in and they want him to fax/send/drop off address verification docs! Hopefully all is well and he gets approval after dropping the docs off at a Chase branch in the next couple days! (It’s like redemption to me after we botched my mom’s app for CIP#2 so I’m feeling very invested here!)

 

[amalone1013]

I want the stand mixer... I have a problem. It would be going in storage for an undefined amount of time... it just seems like a great deal! I picked up extra in Amazon gift cards from Lowes in case some great housewares deal came up, and I kept looking though the deals all day and wasnt seeing anything. So I pulled the trigger on $200 worth of gift cards to resell with them. Now I wish I had that $200 back! I know paying outright vs using my AMEX Lowes offer is $20, so not the end of the world... it's the internal struggle of knowing it's not going on my counter as soon as it would show up. So maybe I should just hope for another deal...

 

[gottalovepluto]

Alaska removing their 3 lounges at Sea-Tac from Priority Pass on the day I leave for SFO is really messing up my next two trips. I was planning breakfast at the Alaska lounge because I'm flying them so it'd be closer to my gate. Now I've got two options with The Club which I wasn't overly impressed with in May. It'll be good enough to run in and grab a snack before my red eye in Nov at least. Maybe I can get some cereal or something to eat quick/take with me. It'll either just be a really long walk or I'll have to use the subway to get to my gate. Maybe I'll luck out and Alaska will upgrade me to 1st and I can use their lounge that way (haha, I only have basic status with them. Too bad using their card isn't worth it for everyday, not that I'd spend enough for status).

I know they often blocked PP from accessing the lounges but I figured an almost 7am flight on a Saturday and a red eye on a Thursday would have gotten me in due to lack of travelers leaving. At least there's still something here as opposed to SFO and their one lounge in the international gates.

They’re saving you heartbreak and unnecessary walking. (Fwiw I found SEA a fairly easy airport to get around with its underground transit system )

 

[gottalovepluto]

I want the stand mixer... I have a problem. It would be going in storage for an undefined amount of time... it just seems like a great deal! I picked up extra in Amazon gift cards from Lowes in case some great housewares deal came up, and I kept looking though the deals all day and wasnt seeing anything. So I pulled the trigger on $200 worth of gift cards to resell with them. Now I wish I had that $200 back! I know paying outright vs using my AMEX Lowes offer is $20, so not the end of the world... it's the internal struggle of knowing it's not going on my counter as soon as it would show up. So maybe I should just hope for another deal...

Well... Amazon Prime Day will happen again next year and Black Friday will happen before that...

 

[mmmears]

You're an enabler

Wish we lived close enough to get there that quickly. I'd be all over these recent deals!

Me, too. It's a long, expensive flight from here so there's no chance. And I'm picky about the hotels in general, but I'd be willing to try it for $88/nt. Amazing deal!

I want the stand mixer... I have a problem. It would be going in storage for an undefined amount of time... it just seems like a great deal! I picked up extra in Amazon gift cards from Lowes in case some great housewares deal came up, and I kept looking though the deals all day and wasnt seeing anything. So I pulled the trigger on $200 worth of gift cards to resell with them. Now I wish I had that $200 back! I know paying outright vs using my AMEX Lowes offer is $20, so not the end of the world... it's the internal struggle of knowing it's not going on my counter as soon as it would show up. So maybe I should just hope for another deal...

I have one and I love it. That said, I see them going on sale all the time. Sur la Table, Costco, Williams Sonoma, and other stores constantly have these mixers on sale. So don't feel bad if you have to pass this time. It'll come around again.

 

[afan]

Just as I tell myself I'm done with Prime day they put up a Kitchenaid stand mixer deal...

Especially since it'll go in storage, wait. I got one via an estate sale for 25 bucks a couple months ago and have used it once. It's not that I don't like baking and stuff but I can't eat it all and can only give stuff away so often. I had a friend that got a deal on one at Kohls when you got Kohls cash back, may be a good way to do it or like @gottalovepluto said, there will be other prime days and black friday. Wait until you have a place to keep it and use it.

They’re saving you heartbreak and unnecessary walking. (Fwiw I found SEA a fairly easy airport to get around with its underground transit system )

It's my home airport which is why I'm annoyed. Alaska is my preferred carrier which is why I'm annoyed. it's not a bad airport to get around it's just the hassle of having to go all over with my carryon when I know I can't stay in the lounge as long as I want because I've got to get to the gate in another area.

 

[amalone1013]

Well... Amazon Prime Day will happen again next year and Black Friday will happen before that...

I'm slowly talking myself off the ledge...

But really, we dont need it now and they will go on sale again, and even if they're not that low they wont be THAT much higher.

Also, I'm starting to get the feeling that MIL is going to send her basic white 4.5qt model with us when we move out... and really I would happily take a 20 year old Kitchenaid stand mixer to go with my 15+ year old Kitchenaid hand mixer. I have great faith in them lasting for many more years! Then you get the multi generational warm fuzzies... my hand mixer was my great grandmas, and my grandma ended up with it when they had to sell the house to pay for great grandmas nursing home... and when I decided I wanted to buy a $4 black Friday hand mixer, grandma pulled that out and passed it on to me

 

[gottalovepluto]

...It's my home airport which is why I'm annoyed. Alaska is my preferred carrier which is why I'm annoyed. it's not a bad airport to get around it's just the hassle of having to go all over with my carryon when I know I can't stay in the lounge as long as I want because I've got to get to the gate in another area.

Oh ouch Yeah, there’s no upside for you... I’m legit sorry for your loss!

 

[afan]

I'm slowly talking myself off the ledge...

But really, we dont need it now and they will go on sale again, and even if they're not that low they wont be THAT much higher.

Also, I'm starting to get the feeling that MIL is going to send her basic white 4.5qt model with us when we move out... and really I would happily take a 20 year old Kitchenaid stand mixer to go with my 15+ year old Kitchenaid hand mixer. I have great faith in them lasting for many more years! Then you get the multi generational warm fuzzies... my hand mixer was my great grandmas, and my grandma ended up with it when they had to sell the house to pay for great grandmas nursing home... and when I decided I wanted to buy a $4 black Friday hand mixer, grandma pulled that out and passed it on to me

My mom got a Hamilton Beach stand mixer that we used when I was growing up. She gave it to me when I moved into an apartment in college. I burnt the motor out the first time I used it, haha. I was making my grandma's molasses cookies which is a heavy dough and the old mixer just couldn't take it. It had been several years since it had been used which may have been part of the problem but mom was still a bit sad I had to throw it out.

 

[wendow]

Especially since it'll go in storage, wait. I got one via an estate sale for 25 bucks a couple months ago and have used it once. It's not that I don't like baking and stuff but I can't eat it all and can only give stuff away so often. I had a friend that got a deal on one at Kohls when you got Kohls cash back, may be a good way to do it or like @gottalovepluto said, there will be other prime days and black friday. Wait until you have a place to keep it and use it.

I got my kitchenaid through a fantastic Kohl's deal years ago. It's so heavy though that I barely use it. It's tons easier to just grab the hand mixer. I know my dh looks at it all the time and wonders why I bought it and why I still have it

 

[amalone1013]

My mom got a Hamilton Beach stand mixer that we used when I was growing up. She gave it to me when I moved into an apartment in college. I burnt the motor out the first time I used it, haha. I was making my grandma's molasses cookies which is a heavy dough and the old mixer just couldn't take it. It had been several years since it had been used which may have been part of the problem but mom was still a bit sad I had to throw it out.

Oh no! This stand mixer is used often still. I just have high hopes because the hand mixer has lasted so long. It would have been bought in the late 90s (oh gosh its older than I was thinking!) Then went to my grandma in early 2000s, from regular use to very little use. Grandma was not aBaker, not sure how she ended up with it. Then I got it in 2009, 2010 and put it to good use. It's a beast! In college I'd make quadruple batches of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies in a Halloween candy bowl, no big deal

I got my kitchenaid through a fantastic Kohl's deal years ago. It's so heavy though that I barely use it. It's tons easier to just grab the hand mixer. I know my dh looks at it all the time and wonders why I bought it and why I still have it

I always go for the hand mixer because it's all I've ever had. DH always goes for the stand mixer hes more determined than I am about getting a stand mixer, I'm wishy washy for the most part