I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

True, but if I go for it in December I can triple dip still right?

True, but no guarantees the 100k/$5k personal or 100k/$10k biz offers will be around.

 

[amalone1013]

Also wonder about December for triple dip, plus will be waiting for Denver Centurion Lounge to open, otherwise no Centurion Lounges for me.

Hmmm, unless we buy that house and start updating... But for some reason I think that would come to more than $10k in 3 months

 

[dirtyjerz]

Hi there!

So at first glance, you get back 50% of that you spend in regards to the bonus. Seems great! And easy!

The problem is that disney is a chase card. Chase has a rule called 5/24...meaning you can only get 5 personal credit cards (from any bank) in a 24 month period and they won't give you more if you are over that (aside from few outliers such as the disney card, last I heard). Boo. So ideally, you want to start by getting all the chase cards with the highest/most valuable bonuses, and then move onto other issuers. Authorized user cards count towards this 5/24 count as well.

If you'd like to save waaaayyy more than $250 on a disney vacation, or any vacation, we can help you! Just let us know what cards you currently hold, and when you opened them.

Also, when would you like to travel and where. How many people. Where do you fly from?

We can then point you in the direction of a strategic plan to start racking up some free travel. Yes free. No, it isn't too good to be true!

ETA: Also, please advise how much per month you tend to spend on things...not a full breakdown, but how fast can you hit a minimum spend of $5k, for example? And do you own a business, or pet sit, or sell things on ebay, etc?

Wow! Thanks for the info. My husband and I have had most of our credit cards for a while but does it count as a new card if I recently changed my name?! We did sign up for a rewards Visa CC last year together but that's it I believe from opening new cards recently. He also has some travel reward card (no annual fee) but I don't know which one.

Currently we don't have any solid plans to travel soon. It would be nice in a few years (hopefully when we have a kid or 2) to go to Disney and stay at a deluxe and bring the rest of our family so saving up and getting some free things is key! If we were to travel soon it would be just the 2 of us flying from NJ.

Eesh spending per month? Umm we probably couldn't spend $5k too quickly. No business but I do sell on eBay and that has slowed considerably recently.

 

[SBWB48]

True, but if I go for it in December I can triple dip still right?

True, but no guarantees the 100k/$5k personal or 100k/$10k biz offers will be around.

@Lain posted above that the 100K/$10K offer is due to expire at the end of the month? Obviously, could get extended or come back, but something to consider.

Not as easy as bank funding, but MS? I know I will be doing it for at least half of the MSR...

 

[platamama]

Need some advice on the Disney Visa. I received what seems like a good offer in the mail. $250 gift card for spending $500 in 3 months and an additional $50 gift card for adding an authorized user. What are your pros and cons of this card? And is this a really good offer that I should take advantage of? Thanks!

Welcome to the thread! @disneymagicgirl gave you some good information.

Let me throw out another possibility - often Chase Bank (which is the one that issues the Disney Visa card) will offer bonuses for signing up for their checking or savings accounts. You could get a $300 sign up bonus for opening a Chase checking account and making one direct deposit (which for many of us consists of transferring money from another bank account). When you choose your debit card design, pick the Disney themed card, and that debit card will come with most of the benefits (discounts, etc.) that the Disney Visa card does. And it doesn't show up on your credit report.

I received my most recent sign up bonus offer in a Valu-Pak coupon mailer envelope, and Chase makes it available periodically. Some people who live in states without a Chase branch find they can't open a checking account. Also, usually you need to park some money in there to avoid monthly fees ($1500 min bal in the one I have right now) and you need to keep the account open for 6 months.

We are all about the free money here!

 

[Lain]

@Lain posted above that the 100K/$10K offer is due to expire at the end of the month? Obviously, could get extended or come back, but something to consider.

Not as easy as bank funding, but MS? I know I will be doing it for at least half of the MSR...

That deadline is per the link (Amex rep mentioned it). The 100k/$10k Biz Plat offer comes and goes too, but I don’t remember seeing it so widely available to anyone who calls in. Usually Amex reps will give you a hard time and ask for rsvp codes and whatnot.

 

[AmyAnne]

@Lain posted above that the 100K/$10K offer is due to expire at the end of the month? Obviously, could get extended or come back, but something to consider.

Not as easy as bank funding, but MS? I know I will be doing it for at least half of the MSR...

AmEx is pretty strict about MS for meeting MSR . . .

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Need some advice on the Disney Visa. I received what seems like a good offer in the mail. $250 gift card for spending $500 in 3 months and an additional $50 gift card for adding an authorized user. What are your pros and cons of this card? And is this a really good offer that I should take advantage of? Thanks!

If you definitely want the Disney card The $250 gift card is the highest I’ve seen...my daughter got a $200 statement credit after a $500 spend a few months ago. Don’t add an authorized user.....once you have the card you refer the second person for the card so you get another $250 plus whatever the referral bonus is.

Like @disneymagicgirl wrote in her reply there are other Chase cards that can save you $$

 

[SBWB48]

AmEx is pretty strict about MS for meeting MSR . . .

They are, but I guess it's about not making it obvious to the eye. I MS'd part of both the SPG Biz for DH and myself. The key often (while simple, but for some reason trips some people up) is to not buy VGCs at the L3 retailers and stick to grocers, which I prefer anyways since the ones by me actually carry variable loads for up to $500, throw something else into the purchase to avoid the obvious $505.95, and don't do it at some set frequency (e.g. every 3 days, or every week). I mixed it up during the 3 months for both the two SPG Biz and had no issues with the bonus posting immediately once I met the $7K.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Wow! Thanks for the info. My husband and I have had most of our credit cards for a while but does it count as a new card if I recently changed my name?! We did sign up for a rewards Visa CC last year together but that's it I believe from opening new cards recently. He also has some travel reward card (no annual fee) but I don't know which one.

Currently we don't have any solid plans to travel soon. It would be nice in a few years (hopefully when we have a kid or 2) to go to Disney and stay at a deluxe and bring the rest of our family so saving up and getting some free things is key! If we were to travel soon it would be just the 2 of us flying from NJ.

Eesh spending per month? Umm we probably couldn't spend $5k too quickly. No business but I do sell on eBay and that has slowed considerably recently.

I sell on eBay too...and you can use it as a business...I’ve opened the Chase SW business card and Chase Ink Preferred cards using my eBay business...you use your name and SS number for,the business information...your eBay income as business income..but make sure to put your and your husbands total income under household income

Is there a particular airline you’d fly...if so you could open an airline card for those points

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I’m still learning the credit card tricks, so I don’t have a preference as of yet. I’ve been building up URs and recently transferred some with the CSP to SW to book flights, but that’s it so far. I don’t have any travel plans yet, but I know either way using the credit cards will help me save for future plans!

I’ve never had a Discover card, so when I got the mailing it did peak my interest! Thanks for the information!

So as others have mentioned, get the Chase cards you want first then hit Discover if you’re still interested. Since you only get double cash back the first year, I’d save it until you have plans that would benefit from cash. We’re doing a cruise next year, so I applied for Discover It on January 1 so I’ll have my double cash back in time to contribute to to my final payment. (I have other plans for paying it down as well, but knew I’d never have enough URs to pay for a cruise)

 

[AmyAnne]

They are, but I guess it's about not making it obvious to the eye. I MS'd part of both the SPG Biz for DH and myself. The key often (while simple, but for some reason trips some people up) is to not buy VGCs at the L3 retailers and stick to grocers, which I prefer anyways since the ones by me actually carry variable loads for up to $500, throw something else into the purchase to avoid the obvious $505.95, and don't do it at some set frequency (e.g. every 3 days, or every week). I mixed it up during the 3 months for both the two SPG Biz and had no issues with the bonus posting immediately once I met the $7K.

I don't MS (mostly because of the horrible Wal-mart customer service line) but I have read about AmEx not counting GC spend toward the MSR. I see how it could work if AmEx doesn't get Level 3 data and the GC purchase is not obvious.

 

[platamama]

AmEx is pretty strict about MS for meeting MSR . . .

They are, but I guess it's about not making it obvious to the eye. I MS'd part of both the SPG Biz for DH and myself. The key often (while simple, but for some reason trips some people up) is to not buy VGCs at the L3 retailers and stick to grocers, which I prefer anyways since the ones by me actually carry variable loads for up to $500, throw something else into the purchase to avoid the obvious $505.95, and don't do it at some set frequency (e.g. every 3 days, or every week). I mixed it up during the 3 months for both the two SPG Biz and had no issues with the bonus posting immediately once I met the $7K.

I think AMEX may be more strict on the MR earning cards, as they can claw those back easily. Branded cards like SPG or Hilton are a different beast since AMEX doesn't have control of those points.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Wow! Thanks for the info. My husband and I have had most of our credit cards for a while but does it count as a new card if I recently changed my name?! We did sign up for a rewards Visa CC last year together but that's it I believe from opening new cards recently. He also has some travel reward card (no annual fee) but I don't know which one.

Currently we don't have any solid plans to travel soon. It would be nice in a few years (hopefully when we have a kid or 2) to go to Disney and stay at a deluxe and bring the rest of our family so saving up and getting some free things is key! If we were to travel soon it would be just the 2 of us flying from NJ.

Eesh spending per month? Umm we probably couldn't spend $5k too quickly. No business but I do sell on eBay and that has slowed considerably recently.

Your ebay selling is a great business! It is all about how you present it. The Chase Ink Preferred business card gives you 80k ultimate rewards as the bonus. They can be redeemed for 1.25x value through the chase portal for air, hotel (disney included), cruises, rental cars. If you were to eventually open a Chase Sapphire Reserve they'd be worth 1.5x value.

Some people have to warm up to the idea of the business card...I did too...so if you don't want to start there, then that is totally fine!

In that case the Chase sapphire reserve or preferred would be great too. They also earn UR points.

Do you think you'd be interested in these types of cards? If so, I can elaborate.

I am going to disney next weekend...booked Coronado springs resort through chase for 26,000 points. You can get tickets and dining there too, but I opted to use discounted gift cards I had stashed away. I booked flights with southwest points (also transferred from chase). This is just an example, to help you see options for travel.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thanks! I applied and was approved on 7/18, yet have only received the welcome materials...sigh.

Took 11 days I think, for me to get it. It was a looong time

 

[speedyfishy]

I don't MS (mostly because of the horrible Wal-mart customer service line) but I have read about AmEx not counting GC spend toward the MSR. I see how it could work if AmEx doesn't get Level 3 data and the GC purchase is not obvious.

I’ve been buying the VGC at the grocery store and 711 no issues for me yet.

 

[Livelovedance]

So as others have mentioned, get the Chase cards you want first then hit Discover if you’re still interested. Since you only get double cash back the first year, I’d save it until you have plans that would benefit from cash. We’re doing a cruise next year, so I applied for Discover It on January 1 so I’ll have my double cash back in time to contribute to to my final payment. (I have other plans for paying it down as well, but knew I’d never have enough URs to pay for a cruise)

Planning the dates out appropriately would definitely help with paying for a trip. I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks!

 

[SBWB48]

I don't MS (mostly because of the horrible Wal-mart customer service line) but I have read about AmEx not counting GC spend toward the MSR. I see how it could work if AmEx doesn't get Level 3 data and the GC purchase is not obvious.

I think AMEX may be more strict on the MR earning cards, as they can claw those back easily. Branded cards like SPG or Hilton are a different beast since AMEX doesn't have control of those points.

For personal cards, I can see why recurring $500+ purchases would raise flags, but for a "Business" card, it can be a lot easier to 'justify' as a business expense. Company party catering

It's always a risk, but like most things, one I'm willing to roll the dice on and will be the DP for the group hah . Not going to MS the entire 10K like the crazy MS-ers over on reddit, but I will be using it to meet the MSR. Will likely try to finish in 2 months to see if the bonus posts immediately for the time being. I know with the Personal Plat I got in May, the bonus posted as soon as I reached $5K and so far...has been 'safe'. I had maybe $1.5K of MS thrown in.

Not pushing MS, but it's an avenue, and I particularly noted that to @speedyfishy because I know she's a fellow MS-er (and around my area).

 

[SBWB48]

Took 11 days I think, for me to get it. It was a looong time

Definitely feels like forever...I want to jump in on the MasterPass Plastiq promo lol

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Definitely feels like forever...I want to jump in on the MasterPass Plastiq promo lol

Off to look into that.
That feeling when you get approved for a new card
That feeling when you’re waiting for your new Citi Card