I love credit cards so much!

[palhockeymomof2]

Can someone help with my next credit card selection? I'm kinda stuck and we have about a $30k kitchen remodel coming up in the next month so obviously makes sense to get some new cards...

Travel plans for the next year....
Disney Nov 2018 (fully covered with points now)
Carnival Cruise Mar 2019 (cruise paid in full, Holiday Inn 2 nights before covered with points) - driving
June 2019 - 4 night boating/lake stay in KY/TN - AirBNB (driving)
Aug 2019 - Hilton Head via AirBNB (driving)
Only plans beyond that is *maybe* Vegas/Grand Canyon/Cali trip in July 2020 but nothing in stone....

Cards:
Me - Chase Freedom 4/2016, CSP 1/2018, SPG Amex 2/2018, Chase Ink Business 6/2018, Capital One Venture 8/2018 (hit bonus today)
Hubby - Citi Toro CC 1/2018, Chase IHG 2/2018, CSP 4/2018, SPG Amex 4/2018, Capital One Venture 6/2018

I just sent my husband the referral link for Chase Ink Business card, and he's going to open an account at Chase this month for the $500 bonus, but not sure what direction I should go....thoughts? And yes, I'll be using referral links to apply as a thank you because this group is the best!

For yourself maybe apply for the CIC or CIU.....the sign up bonus is 50,000 URs with a $3,000 spend.....I’m not familiar with non Chase cards so I’m sure others will help you out there

 

[speedyfishy]

try it, the worse they can say is no.
walmart is hardcode 4 swipes.

Yeah but then won’t they know I’m using a Giftcard and the store policy is not to allow giftcards since one person there turned me down.

 

[Alexle2007]

Thank you @Judique @striker1064 @wendow. This just seems so overwhelming. I just sent our guide an email asking about Beach Club or Boardwalk since we prefer that area. I’ll see what he says.

Wow, they are expensive for only 24 years remaining.

 

[Judique]

Wow, they are expensive for only 24 years remaining.

Puts it more into perspective, doesn't it? There are a lot of things to take into consideration.

Going to go there and add what may or may not be obvious: DVC has artificially held it's value. I bought at 56.75 a point and could sell easily at $112 a point. Yes, I know that's less than the going rate, but at that price point I'd have a buyer in minutes and DVC would jump in and 'take' the points in a right of first refusal clause that they have put in every contract which keeps values way up there so people do not get many bargain contracts - in my opinion! So, I would basically get my money back, and just have paid dues for all my fun visits. Dues are the real cost to DVC. Check dues history for the resorts. You can find this on the DVC boards stickies.

 

[Alexle2007]

Puts it more into perspective, doesn't it? There are a lot of things to take into consideration.

I think I’m going to push for those hardwood floors I have been eyeing and DH wants to wait a couple of years to put in instead. They’ll help with resale when we go to sell in 6 years and we can enjoy them in the meantime.

 

[1st*toright]

I just sent my husband the referral link for Chase Ink Business card, and he's going to open an account at Chase this month for the $500 bonus, but not sure what direction I should go....thoughts? And yes, I'll be using referral links to apply as a thank you because this group is the best!

For yourself maybe apply for the CIC or CIU.....the sign up bonus is 50,000 URs with a $3,000 spend.....I’m not familiar with non Chase cards so I’m sure others will help you out there

Agree with @palhockeymomof2, one of the other Inks would be a good way to go. Or you can try to harness the unicorn of a 100k Amex Platinum offer, if you haven't gotten it before. MRs are not quite as flexible as URs, but you can book air bnb type lodging with MRs too.

 

[Judique]

I think I’m going to push for those hardwood floors I have been eyeing and DH wants to wait a couple of years to put in instead. They’ll help with resale when we go to sell in 6 years and we can enjoy them in the meantime.

I added another bit to the post you quoted just in case you missed it.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Need some help on my plan here...

So after finding out Disney was no longer on UR redemption, I was thinking I would not get the CSR for DH and would instead refer him to the CSP. Now I'm not sure what I want to do. I still need to get Universal tickets and want to do that around the end of October, so I need to make a decision in time to purchase those.

My thoughts in reference to getting DH the CSR are I can either 1) use URs at 1.5 to purchase both our tickets (but that means sacrificing some of the URs I've saved for Disney, which I'll now cash out); 2) buy one ticket with URs at 1.5 and use part of the $300 travel credit and buy the other Universal ticket from UT, or 3) buy both tickets from UT and save my URs.

I go back and forth on using the URs. I am saving them to cash out, but it feels like a real bummer to have saved them all this time and then not be able to get any better redemption value out of them than 1 cpp.

The other thing is, I really don't know how much value we'll get out of the CSR over the coming year now that Disney offline. We are planning a trip to AZ in the spring, but honestly I highly doubt I'd use any URs for that because I'll be cashing out every available UR I have to pay cash for the 2019 Disney trip. I also don't know if I feel like paying the $450 AF right now, even with the $300 credit.

My other option is just refer DH for his own CSP and then drop mine down to CFU and redeem for Universal tickets at 1.25. I could always PC that CSP to a CSR next October in preparation for our Tokyo 2020 trip, when I'll be done with our Disney trip and willing to spend URs on other things.

Thoughts?

 

[GlamMistress]

Do we have any data points - does the CapOne Savor code Disney as "entertainment" by chance? It's 4% cash back on the one with the fee and 3% on the no fee version, which is pretty good.

Anyone?

 

[tink1970]

As always, late to the party. I guess when you're in bed by 8 and don't hit the computer until 10 there's lots happening in 14 hours

Seriously though my somewhat secret 5 year travel plan is to get us to Scotland again with points/miles. It is one country I need to revisit. If DH wants to bring the girls that works, if not I am good with that too. I just want to go back!

Go back! I've been 5 years in a row and am trying to figure out how to sneak in a trip next year. There is always something new to see!

Oh my! You had to wait for each book to come out?! Geez, I'm glad I started it later in life since I got to binge read the series. I actually prefer listening to it to be honest. Davina Porter is one of the best narrators I've ever heard. She really makes the story come to life.

That is what we are doing this summer. Going back using points and miles. I love visiting there and told DH that when we retire, I'd like to be able to go every year and stay for a month if we could. Might take points and miles to do that too

I was one of those who had to read the series book by book, too. Of course I was also critiquing her "medical" skills/knowledge so sometimes I think I was reading just to be a jerk

DH (fortunately) agrees with my love of the Old Country so if we win the Lottery (which would be easier if we bought tickets) we can buy one of the gorgeous town homes in Edinburgh.

Of course, if DD is accepted to St. Andrews this would ensure multiple trips in the upcoming years. That would be the ideal!

#4 followed by #1

I love seeing the points go pending. I don’t like meeting MSRs or spending my points. I just like to see them there! And, of course, who doesn’t love getting approved!?! Whether instant approval from Amex or checking the phone line with chase every hour, it’s a rush once you know you are approved.

Me too! It's great to see the payoff of the game but also nice to know the bank likes me, they really like me

MRs are not quite as flexible as UR

Blasphemy!

 

[Oscar Madison]

RMN Update: HD and CVS-are pending, WG waiting for RMN to receive word of the purchase.

These offers just came up on Mon so they are only available for 2 weeks. After these offers expire, they’ll be new ones for x period for who knows what stores or amount back on what $ spend. They have been aLl over the place. These are the best offers I have seen. I am up to $100 cashback between DH and I. At least a 33% savings.

Good idea. I'm going to have my DW do this as well. I've already linked the CF to my account, so I won't get the extra 5% cash back, but it's still very tasty.

 

[platamama]

Yeah but then won’t they know I’m using a Giftcard and the store policy is not to allow giftcards since one person there turned me down.

You're right that it is YMMV. At my closest WM, the card machine thing faces the customer so the cashier never sees what card I'm using and doesn't ask to see it. On my evening trip yesterday I did 4 swipes (3 vgc), using my Discover debit for the 4th swipe to cover the fees. I had no idea I could do this until the cashier in the morning told me I could lol. Do they know I'm using a vgc? I'm guessing not since I got past the manager last night! So really, a ymmv situation.

 

[miztressuz]

The UR game....yes!

My September statement closed on my Chase Freedom yesterday. It's my only UR earning card right now, but that's okay as I have plans for others next year!

Anyway, I had gotten the bonus on my first statement in August plus 2500 plus UR's for a $500 Disney card at Walgreens. Then I bought another at Walgreens for this past statement. I was able to see my balance go to 20049 UR! Yay! Or in other terms - $200.49.

Now since my statement has closed, I will buy another $500 gift card before 9/30 to cap my $1500. That will put me up to $225+. And then, 4th quarter will be another $75 in credits or 7500 UR, whichever sounds more exciting!

These UR's have no plans at all. The idea was to become a player. But, with little or no effort or significant cost and no annual fee, I can use this card over 1 and 1/2 years to save $600 in easily accessible funding by spending on something (Disney gift cards) that up to this past month I was paying full price for - my DVC dues! Or, I can get more UR cards eventually and cash out for other travel at 1 and 1/4 or 1 and 1/2 times.

I know others have been doing this and other ideas for years. And I've been sitting here reading and truly not letting it click into my brain that for a DVC owner this is almost a 'must do'! It's effortless! And requires almost no work.

Of course, you can use your Freedom to get better return by doing RMN, and maybe other purchases but I wanted to just show an example of a very simple way to make up to $300 a year almost passively. This may appeal to people who don't like the idea of annual fees or who just don't want to get into a lot of credit card MSR.

This is an awesome example of why a CF at "1%" is the better card than CFU, if you could only have one ( with some rare exceptions, I'm sure) Until this year that was my only UR earning card and had never maxed out a category but still passively earned at least 20k points a year... that's with using 3 or 4 other cards along with it. I can only imagine if I would have actually tried harder like using the portal and looking for deals (since Chase never emailed me about anything fun like Chase Pay until I got the Sapphires this year ) or trying to max out a quarter. But it seemed to work as we earned enough to cover all the ancillary charges for vacation like food and activities from all our cards... now I'm trying to reverse it and use points for the flights/lodging etc and maybe only have to pay for food and fun out of the Vaca budget

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Need some help on my plan here...

So after finding out Disney was no longer on UR redemption, I was thinking I would not get the CSR for DH and would instead refer him to the CSP. Now I'm not sure what I want to do. I still need to get Universal tickets and want to do that around the end of October, so I need to make a decision in time to purchase those.

My thoughts in reference to getting DH the CSR are I can either 1) use URs at 1.5 to purchase both our tickets (but that means sacrificing some of the URs I've saved for Disney, which I'll now cash out); 2) buy one ticket with URs at 1.5 and use part of the $300 travel credit and buy the other Universal ticket from UT, or 3) buy both tickets from UT and save my URs.

I go back and forth on using the URs. I am saving them to cash out, but it feels like a real bummer to have saved them all this time and then not be able to get any better redemption value out of them than 1 cpp.

The other thing is, I really don't know how much value we'll get out of the CSR over the coming year now that Disney offline. We are planning a trip to AZ in the spring, but honestly I highly doubt I'd use any URs for that because I'll be cashing out every available UR I have to pay cash for the 2019 Disney trip. I also don't know if I feel like paying the $450 AF right now, even with the $300 credit.

My other option is just refer DH for his own CSP and then drop mine down to CFU and redeem for Universal tickets at 1.25. I could always PC that CSP to a CSR next October in preparation for our Tokyo 2020 trip, when I'll be done with our Disney trip and willing to spend URs on other things.

Thoughts?

I’d probably go with referring your husband to the CSP...and dropping yours to the CFU or CF if you don’t have one. Your only giving up .25 in redemption value, you gain an extra 10,000URs and save $450

 

[striker1064]

Need some help on my plan here...

So after finding out Disney was no longer on UR redemption, I was thinking I would not get the CSR for DH and would instead refer him to the CSP. Now I'm not sure what I want to do. I still need to get Universal tickets and want to do that around the end of October, so I need to make a decision in time to purchase those.

My thoughts in reference to getting DH the CSR are I can either 1) use URs at 1.5 to purchase both our tickets (but that means sacrificing some of the URs I've saved for Disney, which I'll now cash out); 2) buy one ticket with URs at 1.5 and use part of the $300 travel credit and buy the other Universal ticket from UT, or 3) buy both tickets from UT and save my URs.

I go back and forth on using the URs. I am saving them to cash out, but it feels like a real bummer to have saved them all this time and then not be able to get any better redemption value out of them than 1 cpp.

The other thing is, I really don't know how much value we'll get out of the CSR over the coming year now that Disney offline. We are planning a trip to AZ in the spring, but honestly I highly doubt I'd use any URs for that because I'll be cashing out every available UR I have to pay cash for the 2019 Disney trip. I also don't know if I feel like paying the $450 AF right now, even with the $300 credit.

My other option is just refer DH for his own CSP and then drop mine down to CFU and redeem for Universal tickets at 1.25. I could always PC that CSP to a CSR next October in preparation for our Tokyo 2020 trip, when I'll be done with our Disney trip and willing to spend URs on other things.

Thoughts?

I think it is not so obvious anymore to get the CSR over the CSP, with the double-dip dead. Here's one thing to consider - if you're not planning to use your URs at 1.5x in the next year, you can get the CSP right now with the same sign-up bonus and waived AF, costing you essentially nothing except the spend you put on it. After a year, when you're ready to redeem some URs at 1.5x, PC that CSP (or even a CF or CFU) up to a CSR, pay the AF, use the travel credit both years, redeem at the higher rate, then PC back down. Rinse and repeat when a high enough redemption makes sense to where you still make money with the extra 0.25cpp on URs.

 

[Lain]

Ok so my friend with the 720's score I was going to rec. she try for the CIP, how should she fill out the app? If she's the bookkeeper in her Dh's biz, but not called a co owner- or under her own name ss#? since she has a side childcare biz of her own right now? (and for her DH who is high 600's,could he try for the FR card to get his own credit score moving up? or a discover card? what's a good start for him?

For W, I’d probably go with her SSN and the daycare biz.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I need some help with business cards. DH and I are renting out some properties and he wants to open a cc to keep all related expenses on. His idea is for one of us to open a new account and add the other as an authorized user. We would lose out on any sign up bonuses for that AU though. I'm leaning toward us each opening our own accounts ( have to wait to be sure...not sure how he is structuring this new business of ours). We both have Ink's for other business ventures. Are there any other great bonus opportunities out there for us? Doesn't have to be Chase but I am at 4/24 and he is at 2/24. TIA

 

[MKTokyo]

Thank you @Judique @striker1064 @wendow. This just seems so overwhelming. I just sent our guide an email asking about Beach Club or Boardwalk since we prefer that area. I’ll see what he says.

We own at Poly, BCV & BLT. We toured Boardwalk with a friend who owns there but I have to say I really didn't care for it. The rooms felt dated & at the time, it was very hard to book the rooms with nice views. This was about two years ago, so it may have changed, but I would anticipate it only got harder. AND - I really hate that clown! No way am I spending any vacations looking at that (literal) Bozo!

You can always add points later - even resale points - and retain full benefits if you bought your initial contract directly from Disney. You can also buy a larger resale contract and add on 75 points from Disney, which would then give you full benefits that way, if you want them.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I need some help with business cards. DH and I are renting out some properties and he wants to open a cc to keep all related expenses on. His idea is for one of us to open a new account and add the other as an authorized user. We would lose out on any sign up bonuses for that AU though. I'm leaning toward us each opening our own accounts ( have to wait to be sure...not sure how he is structuring this new business of ours). We both have Ink's for other business ventures. Are there any other great bonus opportunities out there for us? Doesn't have to be Chase but I am at 4/24 and he is at 2/24. TIA

Which Inks do you currently have ?
For business cards you be added as an employee so you can sign up for a card on your own as well...I’ll also add even if your an AU on a personal card you can sign up for your own card

 

[miztressuz]

For the Delta flyers, new sign up offer on the Delta Reserve card reported from Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9hflzm/newhighest_70k_bonus_on_amex_delta_reserve/

Having not flown Delta ever have no idea if that even makes it worth the fee or not But since they come up a lot lately figured someone would want to look.