I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

I’d go for the Plat. Especially because you can refer yourself to the Biz Green (only one purchase) and Biz Gold (if you can swing a 5k MSR)

@schmass - I agree with @speedyfishy, with some variations.

The Hilton Biz is at 100k HH points, which is the same as its standard public offer, but the appeal of the current offer is the $50 statement credit and $95 AF waived in the first year. There's also the lower $3k/3 months MSR and the fact that it's a business card that'll have no effect on 5/24. This offer expires 8/19/18.

The call-in offer on the Biz Platinum is for 100k MR points after $10k/3 months. The appeal of this offer is that it's usually highly targeted and hard to get; but this number gets you to, I believe, the Phoenix call center, where they're making this offer available to anyone who calls in with a colorable claim to a business. This offer is rumored to expire today. In addition, there's a small window to use your new Biz Plat to refer yourself (and maybe P2 or whomever else) to Amex's other (cheaper) business charge cards, the Biz Gold Rewards and the Biz Green (first year AFs waived), for 20k MR per referral, and referees will get the welcome bonuses if they meet MSR. The referral bonus is set to expire 8/8/18. If you self-refer to the Biz Green, that's an extra 30k MR. If you refer P2 to the Biz Green, that's another 20k MR for you, 5k MR (I think credits to you), and 5k MR for P2. The Biz Green only requires a single purchase (crickets! bananas! gum! Amazon reload!) to get the welcome bonus. If you can meet the $5k/3 months MSR on the BGR, that's a 20k MR referral bonus and a 50k MR welcome bonus. That's a lot of MR. And none of these cards count against 5/24. You might not even get a hard pull.

With a $7k/month rent, and $21k/3 months, you can do:

1. Biz Plat 100k MR $10k/3 months MSR then refer yourself to BGR for 20k MR and the 50k MR/$5k/3 months MSR offer, and refer yourself to the Biz Green for another 20k+5k+5k MRs = 200k MR minimum (+ 15k MR from minimum spend). That's after $15k MSR. If you're feeling ambitious, you can opt for the call-in BGR offer for 75k MR/$10k/4 months instead (you'd apply over the phone, not refer yourself).

2. After hitting $15k of spend, it looks like you still have spend to put towards another card -- the Hilton Biz? That has just another $3k in MSR you were going to spend anyway. That offer doesn't end until 8/19/18, so you could apply in a few weeks to stretch out when you have to meet MSR.

 

[Albort]

AS was never a discount airline they just aren't big enough to compete fully with the legacy carriers. It started as a regional airline for the west coast and runs a lot of the same routes as SW and Virgina America, which is part of why they bought them. That's part of what keeps the sales and some flights low. Their fc is 2 and 2 and economy 3 and 3 on all the flights I've ever been on. They do fly 737 for the most part with the VA fleet being Airbus A320 (yuck, sorry dad retired from Boeing and I grew up in Seattle, plus Airbus are so loud). You'll find some smaller regional jets and prop planes for the puddle jumps, some of which do leave out of SEA.

speaking of Seattle, any recommendations?

Currently, Flights LAX-->SEA will be 15k on BA, AA metal. flying E175
Hotel im looking at is Grand Hyatt 15k a night.

what to do is my problem...
have space needle, Chihuly garden, starbucks, Pikes place, boeing, museum of flight pinned. also have Snoqualmie Falls pinned too.
what did i miss?

 

[Lain]

Am I crazy for considering this?

I am at 5/24 so out but DH is 4/24 he had
CFU (3x promo) hit credit report 5/31/18
Marriott premier 7/14/18

We will both be out of most Stariott options because of Marriott premiers each. I could apply him for Marriott Biz after the 14th before the restriction goes into play. Too risky? Too many chase apps for him?

Does he have any SPG cards? If he only has the Marriott Premier/+, and no SPG card’s, he shouldn’t be disqualified from the Marriott Biz after 8/26. (Chase has said they’ll eventually make all their cards subject to 5/24 though... the Marriott Biz currently isn’t, but I don’t know about the Marriott Biz+ that’s supposed to replace it on 8/26.)

ETA: just to add, did DH get the Marriott Premier on 7/14/18 too? If so, he needs to wait 30 (say, 31) days from his last application or he’ll run afoul of the 0/30 rule for Chase biz cards and he’ll likely be denied the Marriott Biz.

Check the new Starriott restrictions here: https://viewfromthewing.boardingare...r-marriott-and-starwood-credit-card-approval/

 

[Calfan]

Dh and I will just have to make sure we are able to go. As of right now there isn’t anything that should be stopping us from going but you never know.

You are probably aware of this already, but you can buy a separate travel insurance policy if the travel protection on the cc you are using isn't sufficient. There is a website called Insure My Trip that you can use to compare various policy coverages and premiums.

I tossed and turned all night thinking about the biz plat. As much as I want the MRs, I don’t think I want the stress of a 10k MSR. Amex are hard anyways but 10k is just a ridiculously high MSR for us, even if a visa. So, my fomo May get the better of me and I cave but gonna try to stay strong and resist!

I briefly considered this offer as well but I don’t feel it warrants an audible from our current strategy. So you aren’t alone in considering it but passing on it.

In the same boat as lots of other posters on this one. I find my head getting turned by the 100k MR/$10k MSR Biz Plat offer and the opportunity for self-referrals for the other MR cards. But I try to keep reminding myself that UR are king for me, at least for now. I'm sure I'd find a use for all of the extra MR, but I couldn't meet the $10k MSR without diverting all spend away from my UR earning cards, and it would kill me to give up the bonus category UR-earning spend. Is it wrong to wish I had some kind of very large expense coming up that wouldn't otherwise fall into a bonus earning category on one of my UR cards, lol? Going to try to stay the course on this one and not fall to temptation.....

eBay keeps changing it...but the last time I did it...you into your account...then site preferences on the left....scroll down to buyer requirements....hit show...then edit...then buyer block exemption list...then the blocked buyer list will show up and add them there

I also put strict guidelines on the buyer requirements ..auto blocking buyers with 2unpaid item strikes in 12 months

Thank you so much. I was able to do it this way and have blocked my most recent non-paying buyer, as well as adjusting some of my other buyer requirements.

 

[Calfan]

speaking of Seattle, any recommendations?

Currently, Flights LAX-->SEA will be 15k on BA, AA metal. flying E175
Hotel im looking at is Grand Hyatt 15k a night.

what to do is my problem...
have space needle, Chihuly garden, starbucks, Pikes place, boeing, museum of flight pinned. also have Snoqualmie Falls pinned too.
what did i miss?

MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture) has some pretty cool exhibits if you're into movies, tv, music, etc. It's right by the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass (which is fantastic, so good to see it on your list). There is also the underground tour. I really liked it the first time I did it. I was less sure when I went back with DH and kids a number of years later. The Seattle Aquarium is a pretty good one if that is of interest.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

I would be afraid to do 3 Chase in less than 3 months.

Thinking the same I’ll sit tight

Does he have any SPG cards? If he only has the Marriott Premier/+, and no SPG card’s, he shouldn’t be disqualified from the Marriott Biz after 8/26. (Chase has said they’ll eventually make all their cards subject to 5/24 though... the Marriott Biz currently isn’t, but I don’t know about the Marriott Biz+ that’s supposed to replace it on 8/26.)

ETA: just to add, did DH get the Marriott Premier on 7/14/18 too? If so, he needs to wait 30 (say, 31) days from his last application or he’ll run afoul of the 0/30 rule for Chase biz cards and he’ll likely be denied the Marriott Biz.

Check the new Starriott restrictions here: https://viewfromthewing.boardingare...r-marriott-and-starwood-credit-card-approval/

Ahh. No he doesn’t have SPG at all. Think I’ll hold tight and get him the Marriott biz come fall and then get the regular SPG when we go above 5/24 for him.

 

[Calfan]

I tried to use the Bed, Bath & Beyond Amex offer today, only to find out that our local BBB only sells iTunes and BBB gift cards. Was told they sometimes have Disney gcs around the holidays. Boo!! But I was successful using the Best Buy $30 off $300 offer with all three of my Amex cards that had it, and the statement credits have all posted, so that's a win. I bought Disney gcs that I will either use on several upcoming Disney trips (3 for runDisney races) or apply to our DVC dues.

 

[Lain]

My original plan was Hilton Biz today and then SPG Lux mid-Sept. My upcoming travel is:

We have a one night pre-cruise Hilton stay in October. DH has gold status through his Hilton card, but I booked this way back in January and the price has gone up so I don't want to rebook. It looks like I'd get gold status with the Plat, as well though.

I have a two-night work stay at a Sheraton in October, so I'd be able to take advantage of the SPG Lux $300 credit and get reimbursed by my company.

Next month I'll be booking airfare to Germany for a work trip in December. Not sure which airline yet. And I'll probably stay at a Marriott while I'm there.

With your amount of spend, you might still be able to do the Hilton Biz in mid-August and the SPG Lux in mid-September. Remember, these cards give you 3 months to meet MSR; you don’t have to hit them all in the first month.

Relatedly, as you noticed, the Hilton Biz gets you Hilton Gold status, but the Biz Plat gets you Hilton Gold status and SPG/Marriott Gold status too. (The SPG Lux will also get you SPG/Marriott Gold status.)

 

[schmass]

AHHHH I did it! I was totally shaking as I called in but it was super easy and I got approved for the 100k Biz Plat!

@Lain I had your post with what you said during your call in front of me -thank you!

 

[WVMomof3]

So I just logged into my DDs tuition portal. My Plastiq check posted OK, yay! In fact, the description of payment is Plastiq. Wasn't expecting that, lol. For my first Plastic payment I sent the dentist a check just to make sure I knew what I was doing. I then sent one to Metlife for life insurance and the 3rd to tuition. My first payment I did get an email to let me know the check was cashed. I did not get anything for the other two. Do you usually get an email for each transaction that it was cashed?

 

[amalone1013]

Any inkling on how late we have to call AMEX today? I thought I'd get a chance to do it on my break at work but ha! So it won't be til I'm home.

 

[Albort]

So I just logged into my DDs tuition portal. My Plastiq check posted OK, yay! In fact, the description of payment is Plastiq. Wasn't expecting that, lol. For my first Plastic payment I sent the dentist a check just to make sure I knew what I was doing. I then sent one to Metlife for life insurance and the 3rd to tuition. My first payment I did get an email to let me know the check was cashed. I did not get anything for the other two. Do you usually get an email for each transaction that it was cashed?

i get an email per check... so i get like 10 at once(cuz you know, Masterpass)

 

[Lain]

Thinking the same I’ll sit tight

Ahh. No he doesn’t have SPG at all. Think I’ll hold tight and get him the Marriott biz come fall and then get the regular SPG when we go above 5/24 for him.

Ah, there’s the catch. Check that link from VFTW for the post-8/26 restrictions on the SPG Personal. If DH gets a Marriott, he can’t get the SPGs after 8/26 — and that’s when the points offers are rumored to come back.

 

[Lvsdisney]

If you downgrade a card to a no AF card, can you then reapply for the original card and get the sign up bonus (provided you've met the time requirement)?
Specifically referring to Chase cards.

 

[afan]

speaking of Seattle, any recommendations?

Currently, Flights LAX-->SEA will be 15k on BA, AA metal. flying E175
Hotel im looking at is Grand Hyatt 15k a night.

what to do is my problem...
have space needle, Chihuly garden, starbucks, Pikes place, boeing, museum of flight pinned. also have Snoqualmie Falls pinned too.
what did i miss?

Dates? Because weather plays into things also the amount of time you have. Also, it's Pike Place Market, the street it's on is Pike St. Surest way to be known as a tourist is to call it Pike's Place

Use the monorail to get from Westlake Center to Seattle Center where the Space Needle is, Chihuly (blah but I think he's way overdone and overhyped here) and MoPop (formerly Experience Music Project) which is on my list of things to do. I went to a free concert there years back and wandered around a bit but haven't actually been there.

I think the Museum of Flight is awesome if you are into planes and space travel. They have free docent tours as well which can be a better way to see a museum, less reading and more stories. I recommend this for any of the Smithsonian museums as a side note.

The falls are good but it's going to depend on when, and the amount of rain we've had. It's the dry season (shh...we don't really have one of those) and there's probably not much going over compared to spring with the snow melt or during/after a huge rain storm. But it's still good to see but if time is an issue.

MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture) has some pretty cool exhibits if you're into movies, tv, music, etc. It's right by the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass (which is fantastic, so good to see it on your list). There is also the underground tour. I really liked it the first time I did it. I was less sure when I went back with DH and kids a number of years later. The Seattle Aquarium is a pretty good one if that is of interest.

The Underground Seattle tour is great! It starts in Pioneer Square, which I think is a bit of a mess with the streetcar line construction but everything is still open. It's cool because it shows parts of old Seattle that's now underground. The aquarium is also great, though I'm biased because I spent a summer there as a high school naturalist volunteering. You do want to wander the waterfront and for sure go to Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, it's full of all kinds of odd things. Ivars is good for quick food but there are better seafood places if you want sit down.

The Ballard Locks (Chittenden Locks) are fun. You can watch the boats go between the sound and the lake and if it's fall the salmon will be going up the ladder to get to the river. Or you may see the sea lions eating them. Another place I've heard good things about is the observation level of the Columbia Tower it's taller than the Space Needle and you can see the needle from it. It's the stop of an office building.

I recommend Dick's Drive In, either the sit in location on Queen Anne which isn't far from Seattle Center or one of the drive in locations, that you can walk up to, there's one on Capital Hill which is also a fun neighborhood to wander in. You don't want to be driving, except to get to the falls for if you want to go down to Mt. Rainier. Another thing that's fun it to take a ferry ride, even if you walk on and only get off on the other end and get back on. But that becomes a time thing too. West Seattle/Alki Beach has great views of Seattle but you would want to drive there.

The Hyatt is in a good spot to walk to a lot of things. Along with the monorail that only goes between the two stops, there's also a light rail that you can take to/from the airport or use to get between things downtown, like down to Pioneer Square to the tour, which is about the only reason I would go there.

Tip to get to the water front from the market. There's a parking garage attached to the market, if you go in the main entrance to the right of the flying fish people towards the fresh flowers and veggies there should be a parking sign that points to a hallway. Down the hallway is the elevator to the garage. Take the elevator to the bottom and you'll be at the waterfront level. Otherwise you'll be going up/down a ton of stairs.

Let me know if you have any other questions or things your interested in.

 

[Lain]

AHHHH I did it! I was totally shaking as I called in but it was super easy and I got approved for the 100k Biz Plat!

@Lain I had your post with what you said during your call in front of me -thank you!

I'm just sitting here trying to catch up, and I'm seeing this:

CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so happy for you (and everyone else getting approved)!

 

[Albort]

Dates? Because weather plays into things also the amount of time you have. Also, it's Pike Place Market, the street it's on is Pike St. Surest way to be known as a tourist is to call it Pike's Place

thanks. I finish summer class Aug 5th, so between then and Aug 25th.

 

[speedyfishy]

If you downgrade a card to a no AF card, can you then reapply for the original card and get the sign up bonus (provided you've met the time requirement)?
Specifically referring to Chase cards.

Yeah, but wait 30 days so they don’t just reactivate the downgraded account.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Well, either I misread it or it was a typo/misprint that got corrected. I checked all the blogs I follow for their articles on the SPG lux and am unable to find it. Dang! So much for optimism. Now to decide what MSR and card I want to go for next.

Well, I'm all for optimism nonetheless! I was hoping you had a good source tho, lol!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

FYI - for those slower churners among us...Citi Double Cash now has a $150 offer for $500 spend. IF this was 2015 OR I was a slow churner, this would sound like a great offer...

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/93edgr/citi_double_cash_150_public_offer_500_spend/

I also put some discussion in this link about what it would take to actually signup for this (for a serious churner). If anybody shares their feelings on Reddit about our fun hypothetical discussion, I'll be sure to hit you with some upvotes!