I love credit cards so much!

[SouthFayetteFan]

You know I’ve never estimated the value of our points and miles. I’m not even sure how I’d begin because so much of it is perceived value for us. I’d never pay the real out of pocket cost to do some of what we do.

First Off - @calypso726 - you definitely NEVER throw anything in anybody's face. Everything you post here reads with a tone of trying to HELP others!

On the topic valuing points and miles...I totally get what you're saying on it being difficult to value them given how you redeem them. For us it's fairly simple - I value it on historical redemptions and expected future redemptions and as you know, we rarely (never?) do any wild redemptions so perceived value is real value to us.

SW RR = 503,419 @ 1.48cpp = $7,451 (expected value of flights)
Chase URs = 322,364 @ 1.50cpp = $4,835 (expected to redeem for Disney through Chase UR travel/tour)
Amex MRs = 247,520 @ 1.25cpp = $3,094 (expected Schwab cash-out)
Marriott = 1,422,187 @ 0.8cpp = $11,377 (0.8cpp based on historical and future expected redemptions)
TOTAL = $26,757
We also have another scattered 37k points across 5 programs that I value at $175.

This is just the nerdy spreadsheet guy in me that wants to not only know my actual net worth but also my "churning net worth" haha!

 

[mmmears]

Hi everyone! I've been trying to get caught up here all afternoon and now my head is spinning! I agree that this is a great thread with so many helpful people. And I love that I can try to do this slowly and not be judged for doing it all wrong. We live in a high cost of living area (a bit south of you @Lain) and I'm trying to play this game by only spending what we would already spend.

I do have a few questions if that's ok:

1) If I don't have a business card (just not comfy with that idea at this point) is Plastiq something I don't need to worry about?

2) What is LOL/24? I'm assuming it's much higher than 5/24. I didn't think that was possible. Can someone explain it to me?

3) If I am an AU on my DH's AMEX Platinum, do I need to get rid of that card if I want to try to get one of my own for the MR bonus? Can I even get my own for the points? Can we combine points? Is it worth the effort?

4) Once DH hits the MS on the CSP/CSR cards, should he refer me? Should he downgrade his cards at some point?

Sorry for so many questions again.



ETA: I really appreciate people sharing their different approaches to all of this since it helps me learn about so many different options.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

No, only gift cards.













Jk jk. Of course they do!

I recently got my mom to sign up for CF. I was happy to see Walgreens as bonus for her, since she does fill a lot of prescriptions there. (Me, I’ll be lucky to spend $100 there this quarter) So she goes today to pick up a $400 prescription and a few other things. She tried to use her CF, got denied. It wouldn’t go thru, so she used Discover. (Funny enough, DS9 told me all this, including knowing which cards Grandma used). Turns out they wanted to verify it was her, but she doesn’t have a smart phone. No text means denied charges.
Epic fail.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I think it's super important that we remember this - and thanks for saying it again @trenty! We are NOT r/churning here, and we are NOT flyertalk (thank God)! We are a group that is (a) super welcoming and helpful to newbies and (b) operating on the DISboards. Now while other places on the DIS are known for petty arguments, one-upsmanship, and full of "I'm Right, You're Wrong" posters - that isn't and can't be us! We are my safe place on the DIS, and it's so awesome chatting about churning with the great folks here!

We also have people stumble on to our thread who are looking to just apply for 1 card...ONE CARD? Crazy, right?? But we help them make the best choice and they probably think we're crazy and move on. This is unheard of on places like r/churning where we must nail the newbie to the wall and lash them for their utter lack of knowledge of churning.

Last week was the 2 year anniversary of our thread (yup 7/18/16 it all started). I've been a lurker since the beginning and quite active for over a year myself. I know many here have been active for well over a year. Our DISchurners reddit group is almost a year old and now has 178 members. This thread often moves through 10 pages a day or more when it used to be a page a day. While it's exciting to see how we've grown, I hope we don't lose sight of why we are the BEST churning group on the internet. Let's respectfully disagree, admire others strategies if they are different, and always remember that there is NO WRONG way to churn.

I think we’re the nicest bunch, churning or otherwise, on DIS or elsewhere. And I hope we can keep it that way.

 

[havaneselover]

Did my sixth $50 Best Buy purchase and got the Amex email right away.

Should be right around my one year csp anniversary. Not keeping it since I have a csr. Think I’ll go with Cfu since it will be better for everyday spend than spg.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Hi everyone! I've been trying to get caught up here all afternoon and now my head is spinning! I agree that this is a great thread with so many helpful people. And I love that I can try to do this slowly and not be judged for doing it all wrong. We live in a high cost of living area (a bit south of you @Lain) and I'm trying to play this game by only spending what we would already spend.

I do have a few questions if that's ok:

1) If I don't have a business card (just not comfy with that idea at this point) is Plastiq something I don't need to worry about?

2) What is LOL/24? I'm assuming it's much higher than 5/24. I didn't think that was possible. Can someone explain it to me?

3) If I am an AU on my DH's AMEX Platinum, do I need to get rid of that card if I want to try to get one of my own for the MR bonus? Can I even get my own for the points? Can we combine points? Is it worth the effort?

4) Once DH hits the MS on the CSP/CSR cards, should he refer me? Should he downgrade his cards at some point?

Sorry for so many questions again.



ETA: I really appreciate people sharing their different approaches to all of this since it helps me learn about so many different options.

1) you could potentially use Plastiq to hit a large MSR but most likely it isn’t something to worry about (especially since you stated you plan to go slow and have high organic spend already)

2) There is no real definition for lol/24. I actually dislike the term with a fiery passion but if pressed I’d say it’s AT LEAST 12/24 in my opinion. If you aren’t applying with Chase it’s possible to get a card every month or 2 (or even more frequently if you wanna get crazy).

3) you do not need to get rid of the AU card to earn your own points. You cannot combine points. If you have a good use for MRs then yes - worth it! If you don’t have a good use for them then...probably not

4) if you want A TON of URs then that’s a great idea. He could downgrade his cards when the fees post next year (especially if you still had a CSR open and had pooled your points together). Alternating applications between players is a great way to keep your 5/24 count down.

 

[mmmears]

I recently got my mom to sign up for CF. I was happy to see Walgreens as bonus for her, since she does fill a lot of prescriptions there. (Me, I’ll be lucky to spend $100 there this quarter) So she goes today to pick up a $400 prescription and a few other things. She tried to use her CF, got denied. It wouldn’t go thru, so she used Discover. (Funny enough, DS9 told me all this, including knowing which cards Grandma used). Turns out they wanted to verify it was her, but she doesn’t have a smart phone. No text means denied charges.
Epic fail.

So frustrating. I admit I have FOMO with this Walgreens thing. We spend way too much on prescriptions these days.

 

[mmmears]

1) you could potentially use Plastiq to hit a large MSR but most likely it isn’t something to worry about (especially since you stated you plan to go slow and have high organic spend already)

2) There is no real definition for lol/24. I actually dislike the term with a fiery passion but if pressed I’d say it’s AT LEAST 12/24 in my opinion. If you aren’t applying with Chase it’s possible to get a card every month or 2 (or even more frequently if you wanna get crazy).

3) you do not need to get rid of the AU card to earn your own points. You cannot combine points. If you have a good use for MRs then yes - worth it! If you don’t have a good use for them then...probably not

4) if you want A TON of URs then that’s a great idea. He could downgrade his cards when the fees post next year (especially if you still had a CSR open and had pooled your points together). Alternating applications between players is a great way to keep your 5/24 count down.

Thanks so much! I guess when we are ready I'll be asking for advice on what our next move could be. I have FOMO with Plastiq and mortgage & tuition payments, but you're correct that we don't need to use it right now to cover our MSRs. Normal life plus our upcoming trip should make that a non-issue. I'm just trying to figure out ways to pay for all the trips I'd love to take.

 

[GusGus16]

My first bank bonus posted! Picked one that does not require DD and is only for my state, the only downsize is I have to keep 1k in the account to keep it fee free and the account should stay open for 12 months. Need to look at Doc of credit and see what my next one should be, my work is not flexible with the DD, and so far it doesn't appear my current accounts transfer work for many of the requirements. So far a good experience with my first bank bonus, a bit more work on the front end, but now should be pretty low maintenance.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I saw that...I've done that 500 point thing 3 times over the years (once as my wife in my high voice...that was a fun 10 minutes, lol!). It's really not bad...I don't understand why people had to try and make you feel dumb about it. So it's not your preferred method of earning points...move on then, LOL!

Aww thanks! I read it and only three letters came to mind... I’ll let you all guess. I responded to one person and then just moved on. People can be very strange.

@calypso726 I’ve definitely never gotten the impression of one-up-manship from you! Your posts are some of my favorites to read. It seems like you always have a great gameplan on getting the best value for the travel you and the Plane Princess like

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Did my sixth $50 Best Buy purchase and got the Amex email right away.

Should be right around my one year csp anniversary. Not keeping it since I have a csr. Think I’ll go with Cfu since it will be better for everyday spend than spg.

I've been trying to talk myself into doing that, but hauling the kids in there 6 times....maybe not worth the savings. lol

I will have to double check when it expires since school starts in 2 weeks.

 

[july541]

Step 1 of my 1st Plastiq payment successfully completed with my card processed this time. 15k URs coming my way...Now I wish I could convince DH to use it for other payments like our mortgage but he is already flipping out about $122 fee for our real estate taxes.

Thanks for great guide! How I can sell a house?

 

[liloca]

Anyhow, it’s hard to read tone on a message board. I would be horrified if someone thought my posts were meant to come off as “my way is better” or one upmanship or something like that. So I’m putting that out there for those who haven’t been on here for 2 years or read the last nearly 2,000 pages of this thread.

Never got that from any of your posts!

I must say I love when you break down your points and how you used it.
It is great for someone new like me to see what CAN be done with points even though I will never get to your level is awesome to see all the possibilities.

I think when I just started following this thread in the beginning of the year some of you posted your vacations and points used. I was very enlightening to really see how much value you can get with credit card points.

I really want to thank everyone in this thread for being so helpful! I would never imagine that I would get a Disney Trip for “free” (I rented DVD points back in November before learning about churning) using points and only being in this game for 6months!

 

[liloca]

I've been trying to talk myself into doing that, but hauling the kids in there 6 times....maybe not worth the savings. lol

I will have to double check when it expires since school starts in 2 weeks.

Wowww school starts in 2 weeks I feel like Summer just started!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Wowww school starts in 2 weeks I feel like Summer just started!

I don't...they got out May 18.

 

[speedyfishy]

My first bank bonus posted! Picked one that does not require DD and is only for my state, the only downsize is I have to keep 1k in the account to keep it fee free and the account should stay open for 12 months. Need to look at Doc of credit and see what my next one should be, my work is not flexible with the DD, and so far it doesn't appear my current accounts transfer work for many of the requirements. So far a good experience with my first bank bonus, a bit more work on the front end, but now should be pretty low maintenance.

Keeping the account open for a long time is annoying but I just have an excel sheet of when they can be closed and I link the accounts to mint so I can monitor them incase anything goes wrong.

 

[liloca]

I don't...they got out May 18.

Woww yeah your kids got out more than a month early than up here in MA!

 

[Lain]

Did my sixth $50 Best Buy purchase and got the Amex email right away.

Happy to report that I also completed my sixth BBY trip stacking the Amex Offer with Swagbucks on the first of our three Amex cards with the Offer over the weekend. Also got the Great news! email immediately after I met the combined $300 spend. And my SB points are crediting about two days after purchase. Except for that hiccup last Tuesday, when I think the cashier started the payment process before he scanned my QR code and it came up as invalid, every other transaction has been smooth.

 

[GlamMistress]

I just got a passholder email from Disney with regard to special VIP passholder events - one in August, Sept, and October for 2 hours each after park close. We don't go until November so won't make it, but the event seems similar to the DVC events, two of which I've attended. Sort of like a free 'after hours'.

You know, I've never received a single passholder email. Can you tell me the dates/details of the October events, please?

 

[speedyfishy]

You know, I've never received a single passholder email. Can you tell me the dates/details of the October events, please?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/authentication/login/?returnUrl=/passholder-program/verify/

You can try this link to see if spots are available. The only one in October was the 25th at Epcot from 9pm-11