I love credit cards so much!

[disneymagicgirl]

No. First and probably last cruise so I figured it’s not worth the effort. But I can always leave surprises in the room.

famous last words...

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I am trying to transfer UR from DH CSR to my CF so I can send them to my Hyatt account. A room finally opened up for my parents. Well...chase's UR portal says can't transfer points at this time and try again later. My tin foil hat has me concerned.

I just tried and it seems ok. I didn’t actually transfer but got to the last step before confirm. Maybe try a different browser?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I just tried and it seems ok. I didn’t actually transfer but got to the last step before confirm. Maybe try a different browser?

Yeah, when I click confirm is when I get the error. Tried 2 browsers and incognito.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

famous last words...

Yes we’ll see. But I’m only interested in the destination and we’re not beach people so Caribbean and such cruises are out. Lots of other interesting ports but too much $

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Yeah, when I click confirm is when I get the error. Tried 2 browsers and incognito.

I was able to move 5 points from CSR to CFU

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I was able to move 5 points from CSR to CFU

really!? Wonder what the issue is for me. It is to a card I have transferred to before so not like the error when you try to add a new card. Hmmnnn. Weird. Thanks for the info. I can take my tin foil hat off for now, at least.

ETA: figured it out. Was trying to transfer to the card that just got closed for fraud. Changed it out and prob solved.

 

[elgerber]

I’m impressed with Hyatt redemption. We stayed at Hyatt in downtown Minneapolis just a few blocks from US Bank stadium for 8k per night. The hotel was great, clean and modern plus free breakfast. Our pre cruise hotel in Vancouver is 12.5 k per night. Haven’t stayed there yet but looks great and close to port.

Now I am thinking I need a Hyatt card??

 

[Albort]

Now I am thinking I need a Hyatt card??

Hyatt card for status. u can still transfer UR to Hyatt.

 

[mmmears]

famous last words...

I might be one of those to uttered those words... and then had to eat them.

Yes we’ll see. But I’m only interested in the destination and we’re not beach people so Caribbean and such cruises are out. Lots of other interesting ports but too much $

It's the interesting ones, not the PC/Carib ones that grab our interest, too. Not cheap, but truly wonderful.

I do like the beach, but if I want a beach vacation I'd rather park myself at a nice resort in Wailea or Kona for a week or two.

 

[afan]

Totally get why people do solo trips. I've missed so many details on attractions because we talk while on them. And the whole fp refresh thing is great. At mk tonight I did btm, pooh, met Tiana and Punz, small world, pan, mine train during fireworks and buzz.

Now to get some hot chocolate and a cookie from sb and wait for the kiss good night. And mid day breaks, totally get it now

 

[Lain]

FYI to United MPX users - I made a purchase at macy's and used my CFU through MPX - It did not earn 5%. Tagging @Lain and @calypso726 because I know they use MPX.

MPX wouldn't code 5x UR on the CFU. The CFU is a 1.5x UR earning card everywhere, outside of Chase Pay promotions et al.

Are you mixing up the CFU with the CF, which is supposed to earn 5x UR at department stores this quarter?

Firstly, MPX's "pass through" coding -- which is supposed to code a gift card purchase on MPX the same as the underlying merchant's MCC (merchant category code) to Chase credit cards, and trigger a category bonus if there is one -- has been hit or miss lately. See https://old.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9ucmi2/daily_discussion_thread_november_05_2018/e93fkb8/

Second, even if pass through coding is working, the CF's 5x UR bonus category is actually "specific" department stores. You need your transaction to code to a specific participating merchant (similar to how last quarter's bonus was Walgreens not CVS, Lyft not Uber), and not just the department store category, in order to earn the 5x UR bonus. If you go to the CF's website and click on the list of qualifying merchants, you'll see you earn only 5x UR at the following:

JC PENNEY
NORDSTROM & NORDSTROM RACK
MACYS
KOHLS
DILLARDS
SAKS FIFTH AVE & OFF FIFTH
SEARS
NEIMAN MARCUS
LORD & TAYLOR
BLOOMINGDALES
STEIN MART
BELK
ALIEXPRESS
BOSCOV'S DEPARTMENT STORE
VON MAUR
THE BON TON
CARSON PIRIE SCOTT
YOUNKERS
HERBERGERS
BOSTON STORE
STAGE STORES
PEEBLES DEPT STORE
BEALL'S OF FLORIDA
ELDER-BEERMAN
GORDMANS
BERGDORF GOODMAN
BERGNERS
GOODY'S
GUMPS

Pass through coding for Macys might get you the "department store" MCC coding, but would post as MPX* (or something similar), not Macys, which is what you need to trigger the 5x UR bonus.

 

[Lain]

I am trying to transfer UR from DH CSR to my CF so I can send them to my Hyatt account. A room finally opened up for my parents. Well...chase's UR portal says can't transfer points at this time and try again later. My tin foil hat has me concerned.

I don't think you can transfer UR to hotel partners on a CF. You need to do that on a CSP, CSR, or CIP.

 

[MrPTato]

Getting caught up from last Thursday but had to post...

Just got 1,000 pts for the Marriott game! woohoo!

 

[MrPTato]

Anyone have the Discover It card? I'm trying to find the best way to max out the 5% bonus this quarter. I'm a new member, so Discover will match my cashback at the end of the year so it is really 10%.

I'm thinking of buying the BJ's online membership, which costs $10. I'm told Disney gift cards are 8% off right now, but I can't see the price as a non-member. Can anyone confirm this, and that online only members can purchase them? I can buy from Sam's for 4% off, but even with the $10 I would spend, BJ's comes out ahead.

I did a Disney gift card and also did VGCs.

Anyone looking for a full BJ's membership it's on groupon right now for $25. I do this deal every year: https://www.groupon.com/deals/bjs-wholesale-club-94?deal_option=b2d0fff7-aaf1-436b-b93e-3f7e637e5b8e

How do you get past the "new members only?" That is a sweet deal and mine is up in December.

 

[afan]

Unbeliveable, bus left not packed because people didn't want tp stand. And I was too far back when they asked if anyone else wanted on. I'll stand, I want my bed not a seat. Thankfully the busses are coming one right after another but three have left, I might make this one.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I don't think you can transfer UR to hotel partners on a CF. You need to do that on a CSP, CSR, or CIP.

yeah, it is a multi step process the way I have the chain set up. CSR to CF to CIP.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Unbeliveable, bus left not packed because people didn't want tp stand. And I was too far back when they asked if anyone else wanted on. I'll stand, I want my bed not a seat. Thankfully the busses are coming one right after another but three have left, I might make this one.

oh thats odd. Ive never seen people not pack in as tight as sardines at park closing.

 

[afan]

oh thats odd. Ive never seen people not pack in as tight as sardines at park closing.

Me either, I guess since they had busses lined up they didn't feel the normal need to do it. Over 10 min and I still see mk parking, bad traffic. Makes me worry about mvmcp Thurs since I was in the park about 40 min after close.

 

[wendow]

Since the referral code seems to still be active, I'd call the Promotions Team at 866-855-9102 and ask them what happened. I tried chatting for mine and that's the result I got, call those guys. The offer code was/is REFER. Probably don't need the screenshot but I thought DoCs article had one in it. So far they have been quite pleasant and quick to work with. They deposited the money same day when I called.

Do I just say I used the referral code from a friend? Thanks for the help! It's nice to hear they have such great customer service.

 

[Lain]

American Express Business Gold Rewards 75,000 Signup Bonus for $10,000 Spend Via Phone (Rumor Last Day 11/07/2018)

DoC is reporting a rumor from his comments section that the call-in 75k MR BGR offer is coming to an end t̶o̶m̶o̶r̶r̶o̶w̶ today, 11/7/18.

When I called in for the Biz Plat over the summer, my Amex rep also offered the BGR to me with a 75k MR/$10k MSR/4 months offer. Others have received targeted mailers for the BGR with a 75k MR/$5k MSR/3 months offer.

I’ve been very on the fence about the call-in offer’s $10k MSR. I don’t MS, and having just finished the Biz Plat’s $10k MSR recently, it’s not something I really look forward to doing again. Besides, one could potentially self refer with up to a 15k MR bonus to the BGR’s 50k MR/$5k MSR/3 months standard offer, net 65k MR with a lower MSR. But Amex’s one bonus per lifetime rule favors getting the highest offer possible on any card product. There’s some good discussion about the numbers on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9unf4e/comment/e96ztf6?st=JO6OZIFS&sh=96ba05cc

This offer is not for everybody, but if it’s something you’ve been eying, you should call in for it tomorrow. The comment indicated the number on DoC’s writeup is no longer working. We have some direct lines to Amex reps who can probably help you with the offer, so let me know if you need that information. A call into an Amex rep to apply for a biz card is nothing intimidating. They’ll ask you about your “business” only in a chatty sort of way; just have a story to talk about before calling, and all the numbers and information that’s required by the standard online application ready to provide to your rep. The rep just inputs your information into their application; their computers make the decision, not the reps.

There’s speculation that Amex may announce changes to the BGR after tomorrow. Over the weekend, DoC mentioned that his sources said Amex is up to something and would be making some big announcement. Unclear if this is it, or part of it. DoC had previously posted a new design for the BGR, but didn’t expect any other significant changes. New American Express Business Gold Rewards Card Design – Will Other Changes Follow? (Our Sources Say No) [Update: New Card Name].

ETA 11/7/18: American Express Business Gold Card To Relaunch – $295 Annual Fee, 4x Categories 25% Points Back When Booking For Flights

Some key takeaways:

• AF increases from first year waived and $175 afterwards to $295 not waived.

• Revamps the earning structure from 3x on one select category, 2x on other categories, 1x on everything else to 4x on two highest spend select categories every month, 1x on everything else. (Wording is a little unclear whether you pick what you think are your two highest spending categories to earn 4x, or 4x points are automatically assigned to your two highest spending categories at the end of each billing cycle.)

Bonus categories are:

• Airfare purchased directly from airlines
• U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases for shipping
• U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers

• Introduction of 25% points back after you book a flight with Pay with Points (the Biz Plat has a similar 35% rebate). Likely limited to flights booked with points in any class on your selected airline, or first and business class on any airline.

Unlike the Amex Gold update, I don’t think these changes are particularly good. Amex is not offering any cash value benefit to justify the raise in AF, and first year AF will no longer be waived. For many, this is a card you sign up for one year, then cancel. The 4x categories might appeal to actual businesses, not so much churners. The most obvious picks aren’t really compelling if you have the personal Plat and Gold — the Plat earns 5x on airfare, the Gold earns 4x at supermarkets where you can buy gas gift cards and possibly earn fuel rewards. Shipping could be useful if you have an eBay biz, but the CIP earns 3x UR and I’m not sure how broadly defined Amex’s shipping category is. The introduction of a 25% rebate (1.33 cpp) of MR points used to book flights with Pay with Points is interesting, but the Biz Plat offers a better 35% rebate (1.54 cpp) and both benefits will likely share the same limitations.

If you've been eying the BGR's 75k MR call-in offer, or even self-referral to the 50k MR standard offer, I'd jump on it today while both offers still waive the first year AF.