I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

Is that a new thing? I've had a Redcard for years with very long stretches of inactivity.

My wife received a letter recently about inactivity on her REDcard, and that Target will close it if she doesn’t use it in the next few months, but will send her another letter before they do close it. I’ve been meaning to put in an order for hand soap or something to keep it active.

 

[Judique]

My wife received a letter recently about inactivity on her REDcard, and that Target will close it if she doesn’t use it in the next few months, but will send her another letter before they do close it. I’ve been meaning to put in an order for hand soap or something to keep it active.

I was busy back then and if I got a letter I probably didn't even open it.

 

[afan]

My wife received a letter recently about inactivity on her REDcard, and that Target will close it if she doesn’t use it in the next few months, but will send her another letter before they do close it. I’ve been meaning to put in an order for hand soap or something to keep it active.

I wonder if they would do the same with the debit which is what I have. I wouldn't think it would be as big of a deal but I also use it at least every 2 weeks so no biggie. They are still one of my go to stores but we are grocery store poor here.

 

[Lain]

Is that better than the $9 per ticket at Costco or Costco.com? You have to buy 4 or 9 at Costco.com? I have no idea what a movie costs.

Honestly, I don’t know what a movie costs nowadays either. A few months ago, we were paying $13/ticket at AMC; more recently, we’re paying $7.79/ticket. I don’t really like the tickets from Costco because they’re blacked out for (most? all?) new releases on opening week and maybe the week after. We’ll often sneak in water, popcorn, and snacks, too; but when we do buy drinks and snacks, MPX can be really handy.

 

[miztressuz]

Not familiar with BJs. Do you need to be a member to buy online?

You do now normally, but I'm seeing reports they are going to like a open house period for a few weeks where you don't need membership to buy. I'd think the website would be the same but I haven't looked into it yet. Starts soon and goes into Nov.

My wife received a letter recently about inactivity on her REDcard, and that Target will close it if she doesn’t use it in the next few months, but will send her another letter before they do close it. I’ve been meaning to put in an order for hand soap or something to keep it active.

Since I have the old one I assumed I'd get a letter like all my other CCs with the warning before they deactivate it, unlike store cards where they just stop working. I actually thought that's what this was But it's not been that long since I used it last. It has been a giant shift from typical spending though which is probably why I got this letter.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I am trying to remember, as long as the link still works, it will generate a bonus, right?

I haven't had a CSR in months, but I saved the link, and it continues to look just fine when I click it. But if that's no longer the case I definitely don't want to leave it up.

As long as that card is still open (even if PCed to a Freedom for example) your link should track and work

 

[wendow]

Check your BCE for an upgrade offer to BCP. Was just reading that there are some good offers floating around. I had one that waived the 95 fee for a year. I need to go back and see if that offer has changed.

I had a BCP before and earned a bonus. I cannot warm another one right? This offer is just to waive the $95?

 

[wendow]

I thought the Stubs Premiere was $15? I haven't done the upgrade, but sounds like it's worth it.

They send me an offer every year to renew for $9.99. It was $15 my first year.

 

[pillow]

I had a BCP before and earned a bonus. I cannot warm another one right? This offer is just to waive the $95?

I don't think the once/lifetime language applied on the BCPs. I know I read that but have to find it. My upgrade offer is for $150 after 2K spend + fee waived for a year. Apparently some are getting $250 after 2K spend. We have both the everyday and preferred. I think I will upgrade my BCE and downgrade DH's BCP. Not super excited about spending $2k on this card but 3 months worth of groceries at 6% back would help.

Even if you don't get a bonus again, you'd get an additional 3% back on your groceries (assuming you don't put grocery spend on another card to meet MSR).

 

[happ]

My wife received a letter recently about inactivity on her REDcard, and that Target will close it if she doesn’t use it in the next few months, but will send her another letter before they do close it. I’ve been meaning to put in an order for hand soap or something to keep it active.

I received a similar letter several months ago saying they would close my card. I made a small purchase shortly afterward to keep the account active. Just last week I got another letter reminding me it's been a while with no activity. This time it didn't have the "we're going to close your card" language. It bothers me that they're being so pushy. If I hadn't had the card for so long, I would just let it go. I hardly ever use it or shop there these days and I still have a stash of giftcards.

 

[pillow]

Marriott elite night drama . . . I have sent 5 SM's to Chase about missing elite nights from early August spend. It was my understanding that spend up until August 26 would count since you'd be earning towards those elite nights until that time. Chase is telling me that since the elite nights POST in early September (after the Aug 26th discontinuation of this benefit), I am not eligible. Does this make sense to anyone? Seems that as long as you EARN those credits before August 26th, you should still get them. Posting date should not be relevant. I need to go search for the letter Chase/Marriott sent about the discontinuation of this benefit and see how its worded.

Has anyone received elite night credits from August spend (pre Aug 26)?

 

[pillow]

I received a similar letter several months ago saying they would close my card. I made a small purchase shortly afterward to keep the account active. Just last week I got another letter reminding me it's been a while with no activity. This time it didn't have the "we're going to close your card" language. It bothers me that they're being so pushy. If I hadn't had the card for so long, I would just let it go. I hardly ever use it or shop there these days and I still have a stash of giftcards.

Me too. But occasionally I'll run out of gift cards and its nice to be able to get 5% back on the remainder. I think of it as a nice back up. I've had very long periods on non-use, but have never received a letter from them.

 

[StephPlum]

Seeking any and all free cert experts! I am planning ahead for next year. Will be taking a trip to the PNW. Flying in and out of Seattle; visiting Oylmpic NP and Mt Rainier NP. I want to spend the last day prior to flying out in Seattle and would like to use one of my free certs I will be getting next year.

Cert 1 - IHG. Should be getting the unlimited cert (first and last since they changed this benefit). While I don't have the cert yet (Anniversary in May), I was looking for for availability in July. I am assuming I need to find something with reward availability to use my cert. Right now all the super nice ones are showing no reward availability. There are some hotels with availability but if I have an unlimited cert, would really like to use at a 300+ night room instead of 120 night room .
Questions - 1. am I right that there needs to be reward availability?
2. I am just looking too far out? Will they open more reward availability later?
3. If I don't get my cert until May, can I book on points before and then change to the free cert?

Cert 2 - SBG Biz. This now comes with a free night (up to 35K), right? This should be good on any Starriott brand?

Thanks, all.

 

[miztressuz]

I slept on it last night and recounted the statements and still not at even $5k. I did a screenshot of when the offer popped up but not another on on the terms. I guess to be safe I will just keep spending on it like @tink1970 says.

AmEx doesn't count returns when auto calculating the bonus. So in reality you are under but if you added all purchases without subtracting returns did you make it? Still need to spend it either way but might explain it.

 

[StephPlum]

Movies at the theater are just not my thing. I actually cannot remember the last time we went to the movie theater to see a movie. It probably was the dollar theater when my kids were small (youngest is 20)! I have no problem seeing the movie months later at home. Watching from home, it is either rented through the library or on Netflix. My cheapness is not making it easy to meet these MSRs!

 

[miztressuz]

Seeking any and all free cert experts! I am planning ahead for next year. Will be taking a trip to the PNW. Flying in and out of Seattle; visiting Oylmpic NP and Mt Rainier NP. I want to spend the last day prior to flying out in Seattle and would like to use one of my free certs I will be getting next year.

Cert 1 - IHG. Should be getting the unlimited cert (first and last since they changed this benefit). While I don't have the cert yet (Anniversary in May), I was looking for for availability in July. I am assuming I need to find something with reward availability to use my cert. Right now all the super nice ones are showing no reward availability. There are some hotels with availability but if I have an unlimited cert, would really like to use at a 300+ night room instead of 120 night room .
Questions - 1. am I right that there needs to be reward availability?
2. I am just looking too far out? Will they open more reward availability later?
3. If I don't get my cert until May, can I book on points before and then change to the free cert?

Cert 2 - SBG Biz. This now comes with a free night (up to 35K), right? This should be good on any Starriott brand?

Thanks, all.

RE IHG, the CC free night is good as long as you can book a standard room at the hotel, doesn't depend on reward availability. I've never tried to hold one with points then apply the certificate so not sure how well that works.

 

[pillow]

Seeking any and all free cert experts! I am planning ahead for next year. Will be taking a trip to the PNW. Flying in and out of Seattle; visiting Oylmpic NP and Mt Rainier NP. I want to spend the last day prior to flying out in Seattle and would like to use one of my free certs I will be getting next year.

Cert 1 - IHG. Should be getting the unlimited cert (first and last since they changed this benefit). While I don't have the cert yet (Anniversary in May), I was looking for for availability in July. I am assuming I need to find something with reward availability to use my cert. Right now all the super nice ones are showing no reward availability. There are some hotels with availability but if I have an unlimited cert, would really like to use at a 300+ night room instead of 120 night room .
Questions - 1. am I right that there needs to be reward availability?
2. I am just looking too far out? Will they open more reward availability later?
3. If I don't get my cert until May, can I book on points before and then change to the free cert?

Cert 2 - SBG Biz. This now comes with a free night (up to 35K), right? This should be good on any Starriott brand?

Thanks, all.

I'm not sure about your IHG question re rewards availability = free night availability. I do see the Kimpton as available in July (16th). I think that would be a nice redemption as its a 60k hotel.

Also check out the Courtyard Downtown. The location looks good + you should be able to use the SPG Biz 35k cert. What is your anniv date on that card? My anniv date was 10/6 on my SPG personal and I don't have my cert yet . . .

 

[speedyfishy]

Movies at the theater are just not my thing. I actually cannot remember the last time we went to the movie theater to see a movie. It probably was the dollar theater when my kids were small (youngest is 20)! I have no problem seeing the movie months later at home. Watching from home, it is either rented through the library or on Netflix. My cheapness is not making it easy to meet these MSRs!

I agree with this. I had Moviepass so we went all the time for $10 a month, but they had issues so we cancelled. I can’t stomach paying $15 a ticket. We rent from Redbox now and there is a cheaper theater we will go to that’s $5 a ticket but it’s a hike.

 

[miztressuz]

Marriott elite night drama . . . I have sent 5 SM's to Chase about missing elite nights from early August spend. It was my understanding that spend up until August 26 would count since you'd be earning towards those elite nights until that time. Chase is telling me that since the elite nights POST in early September (after the Aug 26th discontinuation of this benefit), I am not eligible. Does this make sense to anyone? Seems that as long as you EARN those credits before August 26th, you should still get them. Posting date should not be relevant. I need to go search for the letter Chase/Marriott sent about the discontinuation of this benefit and see how its worded.

Has anyone received elite night credits from August spend (pre Aug 26)?

So all the points I earned pre 8/26 should be doubled since they posted after the new earning structure change on 8/26, right? Where are my points

 

[havaneselover]

Marriott elite night drama . . . I have sent 5 SM's to Chase about missing elite nights from early August spend. It was my understanding that spend up until August 26 would count since you'd be earning towards those elite nights until that time. Chase is telling me that since the elite nights POST in early September (after the Aug 26th discontinuation of this benefit), I am not eligible. Does this make sense to anyone? Seems that as long as you EARN those credits before August 26th, you should still get them. Posting date should not be relevant. I need to go search for the letter Chase/Marriott sent about the discontinuation of this benefit and see how its worded.

Has anyone received elite night credits from August spend (pre Aug 26)?

I can’t help but it’s like how my spending on spg biz between the time my July statement closed and 8/1 got treated as August spending and was only worth 2 Marriott points /$ not 3. It’s minor compared to your issue but still seems unfair.