I love credit cards so much!

[gottalovepluto]

I thought it was $4,000? $2,000 in savings and $2,000 in checking, or whatever they call their "wallet" things. The terms I believe say it is fee free for $5,000 average balance or for putting $5,000 DD in that month, so your first month should be covered by the 2nd qualifier. If you are able to change before the end of the 2nd month, I think you should be fine. Though I did hear the same about the grace period, when I asked about this a few months ago.

Ah yes- good catch. My first statement was for a half a month and met no qualifications, my 2nd statement is the one that had my $5k "dd".

 

[havaneselover]

Does anyone here know anything about Alaska Cruises? Next year will by our 25th Anniversary. (not sure how that happens when your only 30..) I always plan our vacations and DH and kids just go wherever. (Usually Disney or Caribbean Cruises) DH has always wanted to do an Alaskan Cruise - I have always been hesitant because it does not have really warm weather and palm trees. But I hear they are great. So, I was going to surprise him next year with this cruise. Our anniversary is in March but would go in June/July. I still have CSR so could book on points at 1.5 redemption. I started doing some research and just keep getting more confused on where to go. I did read not to go out of Seattle but go out of Vancouver as it is more scenic and calmer. Any suggestions would be great... Thanks.

We did Disney to Alaska last summer. Before that we'd done five Disney cruises (4 to the Caribbean and one to the Bahamas). Everyone says Disney is not the way to go but we loved it. That said, there are lots of other great options that cost a lot less. I love warm weather and crystal blue water, but Alaska was unreal and I loved Vancouver. We went on a float plane (amazing), whale watching, drove the Klondike Highway. I really want to go back (maybe with one less child next time!).

I would start looking at Princess and maybe Celebrity and Holland America. I think one way with Glacier Bay is preferred but am not sure since we only looked at Disney.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

It is my understanding the SW biz 60,000 going away in a few days also, correct? I thought I would wait to get DHs biz, I don't think we will use CP until summer, but now wondering if I should not wait. With my just getting United and still finishing off personal SW I didn't want too much MSR as I am really trying to decrease our spending this year. And I didn't realize he was at 70K with Chase. I did lower some limits, but it was just last week. What to do, what to do.

The best news I had today was finally our HS went to online paying of AP tests!! Yay finally can use a CC for this stupid expense. I am not a College Board fan. So that is $500+ I can add to my spend. I think I am talking myself into applying now.

What?!?!?!?

I got a SW personal on 12/1. I don’t know if I’d be able to get a Biz this soon. Plus, I still haven’t lowered my limits. Argh!

I am going by DOC post that says - Southwest 60,000 Points Signup Bonus on All Four Versions (Ending 1/9/19)

I know it's not entirely clear (and nobody really knows for sure) but I'm thinking the 60k biz may continue. My guess would be that it's just the the personal cards that may go back to other offers. 60k on Biz is pretty much the standard offer while 40k on personal is.

 

[snugglebug]

I found my screenshot of my CIP app (it was filed incorrectly). For Business info I used my EIN, for contact info I used my SSN. Does that mean I can apply for CIP #2 using my SSN? I wasn't supposed to use EIN for both right? Hmmm, I had plans to refer DH for this card and now I can possibly refer myself for another.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Does anyone here know anything about Alaska Cruises? Next year will by our 25th Anniversary. (not sure how that happens when your only 30..) I always plan our vacations and DH and kids just go wherever. (Usually Disney or Caribbean Cruises) DH has always wanted to do an Alaskan Cruise - I have always been hesitant because it does not have really warm weather and palm trees. But I hear they are great. So, I was going to surprise him next year with this cruise. Our anniversary is in March but would go in June/July. I still have CSR so could book on points at 1.5 redemption. I started doing some research and just keep getting more confused on where to go. I did read not to go out of Seattle but go out of Vancouver as it is more scenic and calmer. Any suggestions would be great... Thanks.

We took a Princess cruise out of Vancouver, one-way north. We chose the one-way because we wanted to spend time at Denali NP. We did not do a cruise tour because those were very pricey for what you got (time in Denali was limited compared to what we wanted).

You need to decide:

• round-trip or one-way? Do you want see more of Alaska than just the southeastern portion? Airfare might be more expensive with a one-way.
• to start from Seattle or Vancouver? Check to see if the route from Vancouver goes between that big island (lol) and the mainland for the true Inner Passage views.
• how important glacier viewing is to you. Only a few cruise lines have permits to enter Glacier Bay National Park. Glacier Bay was my top priority for the cruise. Some cruises go past the incredibly large Hubbard Glacier. I'd consider Hubbard a good second choice to Glacier Bay. The Tracy Arm Fjord is not as spectacular as the other options. Princess also goes into the College Fjord in Prince William Sound on their one-ways. We had two glacier days on our cruise, Glacier Bay and College Fjord, plus we did a glacier hike while in Juneau.

Adding--I spent an entire year reading the Cruise Critic Alaska forum before booking!

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

I know it's not entirely clear (and nobody really knows for sure) but I'm thinking the 60k biz may continue. My guess would be that it's just the the personal cards that may go back to other offers. 60k on Biz is pretty much the standard offer while 40k on personal is.

Thank you I'm hoping the biz will stay the same. I really don't want to apply for it in January since I just got the Priority on December 1.

 

[miztressuz]

Thank you! I don't know why this process has me so confused. Yes, I could do 2k on the CSP and 3k from Ally. I have some other cash tied up in other accounts from bonuses, so couldn't do the 5k on two accounts at once. But I'm thinking I could do 5k now on an account for DH with his CSP, and then when I (hopefully) get a CIC in a couple months, I could do the same for me, assuming the bonus is still around.

That sounds doable. The current promo period goes until 3/31. So as long as you open the account by 3/31 you'll get in and then have 60 days from that date to meet the requirements. (They've also been extending this for some time now so it's possible they do the same promo for Q2. Even the latest post by DoC started around q2 last year and it's just been updated since - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/pnc-up-to-300-checking-bonus-no-state-restriction/)

DP from r/churning that as of Nov the CC funding was still counting towards the DD requirement, so may still be good there too: Data Points Central Thread - Week of January 03, 2019

I thought it was $4,000? $2,000 in savings and $2,000 in checking, or whatever they call their "wallet" things. The terms I believe say it is fee free for $5,000 average balance or for putting $5,000 DD in that month, so your first month should be covered by the 2nd qualifier. If you are able to change before the end of the 2nd month, I think you should be fine. Though I did hear the same about the grace period, when I asked about this a few months ago.

There's two VW's with bonuses, the VW with Performance Spend and VW with Performance Select. The Spend version requires 2,000 in DDs into the Spend account of the Wallet within 60 days for a $200 bonus. The Select version wants $5,000 in DD's into the Spend account within 60 days for a $300 bonus. It appears they give you a grace period of at least 2 months before they start charging the monthly fee; which is waived if you have 2k/5k, respectively, in minimum balance in statement cycle in the Spend/Reserve accounts OR that amount in DDs into the Spend account that statement cycle.

So yeah, if you can get everything in quick and they post the bonus on time, even without the grace period you should be good to avoid the fees. I was later than planned finishing up my debit card transactions so my bonus didn't post until the 3rd statement cycle - but it was so easy to fake a DD with CapOne360 that I just pushed money to avoid the fee and then took it back for that month

 

[punkin]

Bad idea: working on your 2019 budget while in the middle of an MSR.

It's just a minute into January and I am already over my proposed budget. I probably won't churn much this year as we are going on austerity until next December or so. I'm trying to cover DD's college for next year completely out of current earnings while not reducing our retirement contributions.

 

[LynnTH]

We did Disney to Alaska last summer. Before that we'd done five Disney cruises (4 to the Caribbean and one to the Bahamas). Everyone says Disney is not the way to go but we loved it. That said, there are lots of other great options that cost a lot less. I love warm weather and crystal blue water, but Alaska was unreal and I loved Vancouver. We went on a float plane (amazing), whale watching, drove the Klondike Highway. I really want to go back (maybe with one less child next time!).

I would start looking at Princess and maybe Celebrity and Holland America. I think one way with Glacier Bay is preferred but am not sure since we only looked at Disney.

Thanks. Yeah it definitely won't be a Disney cruise. I read Glacier Bay is the way to go. It's all the other stops that confuse me..

 

[alryan]

Answering q’s every time you want to transfer is crazy! Why don’t you pull from PNC (meaning use the transfer feature of your other bank) instead to avoid that?

That makes sense, thanks!

 

[LynnTH]

We took a Princess cruise out of Vancouver, one-way north. We chose the one-way because we wanted to spend time at Denali NP. We did not do a cruise tour because those were very pricey for what you got (time in Denali was limited compared to what we wanted).

You need to decide:

• round-trip or one-way? Do you want see more of Alaska than just the southeastern portion? Airfare might be more expensive with a one-way.
• to start from Seattle or Vancouver? Check to see if the route from Vancouver goes between that big island (lol) and the mainland for the true Inner Passage views.
• how important glacier viewing is to you. Only a few cruise lines have permits to enter Glacier Bay National Park. Glacier Bay was my top priority for the cruise. Some cruises go past the incredibly large Hubbard Glacier. I'd consider Hubbard a good second choice to Glacier Bay. The Tracy Arm Fjord is not as spectacular as the other options. Princess also goes into the College Fjord in Prince William Sound on their one-ways. We had two glacier days on our cruise, Glacier Bay and College Fjord, plus we did a glacier hike while in Juneau.

Adding--I spent an entire year reading the Cruise Critic Alaska forum before booking!

I have been reading Cruise Critic too. ( I just get more confused). So, Vancouver is probably place to start and then either come back to Vancouver or fly out of Alaska somewhere... I had read on Cruise Critic about Glacier Bay and most people recommend a cruise that goes through there. Boy the balconies are sure expensive on Alaskan Cruise - I can do a Caribbean for the 4 of us on a balcony for less than 2 for a balcony on an Alaskan Cruise. Not sure if the kids will go yet or not. We will be going with another couple - will depend on if their kids go. (Ours would be 21 and 19 at the time and love to travel too).

Are there any other stops you recommend? That is where I am getting more confused. So, many options and I know next to nothing about them.

 

[vanjust14]

Just PC'd my CIP to a CIC. I really thought it would be a keeper card but since 3x with Plastiq died I just can't justify it. Office supply stores, here I come!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I got a request from a u/deeda_77 on reddit to join DISchurners...I don't know who you are on the DIS...identify yourself lol! And then I'll get you added

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I can tell you....

Applied for CIP#2 with EIN on 12/1.
Went to 2 Weeks for a few days - then 7-10 days. Assumed was denial so opened Venture card.
Got letter in mail. They needed documentation so faxed over License, SS Card and Print out of EIN Letter.
Went to 2 weeks again and then again to 7-10 days.
I called to see what was up. Apparently the Print out of EIN Letter was not good enough. They wanted a Welcome Letter.
Someone here on board (can't remember who ) gave me the info to call IRS and ask for this letter.
So, after being on hold for about an hour. Got the letter. Faxed in to Chase
Was approved on 12/26.
So, a bit of a hassle but worth it for the 100,000 points.

decided since DH has 3 Chase business cards and I have 3 to have him apply for a second CIP with EIN...applied yesterday...the message today is 7-10 days...so will wait to see if they need documentation or if it’s a denial

 

[tink1970]

@tink1970 welcome back home. That sounds like if your Lux credit goes through that might be the best redemption of the travel credit yet on it. Jury is out but I want to either be you or @calypso726 when I "grow up."

@schmass I don't know which business card to recommend. We only have Amex or Chase. Maybe one of the Citi business cards? Did you ever get it worked out with Amex and your personal Gold card? Did points post? I have thought about trying to get DH another Amex but the whole pop up/no pop up but still no points thing scares me. I don't need that aggravation.

Thanks so much! I have to admit I'm amazed at the vacations I've been able to take once I got serious about this hobby.

ps-I think we all want to be @calypso726 at some point or another-her trips are amazing

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Okay these bank bonuses.....switching my DD from work is a PITA. So I don't want to do that. I do have $20k sitting in savings I could play around with to meet these minimum balance reqs. But I'm confused as to the work arounds on the DD. I see some people saying they are doing it with credit cards. How?

I'd love to get in on this "free" money since every little bit helps as a single mom. But I don't wanna have to keep changing up how I'm depositing my paycheck to do it.

Also when an account requires XXX of debit card transactions, are you guys doing anything special for that? Obv we want to put every dollar we can on our CC's to meet MSR or points/etc. So are you just doing stuff like a pack of gum? Or are you "scamming" some other way (like PP, etc). Oh and I did read the DOC list on ways that DD's have worked but it has my head spinning as some say things like PP work, and others say it doesn't. I'd rather hear from people what has worked.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Make sure the name you put on the account matches your cc exactly. I like to check DoC right before and search for the newest DPs to see if anyone has recently, used my cc. I used CFU 10/28.

Any idea if a real direct deposit has to match the name on bank account? I already did PNC for DH. Planned on doing it for me as well but his DD is easily changed online. So will it matter if his DD goes into my account?

 

[GusGus16]

Okay these bank bonuses.....switching my DD from work is a PITA. So I don't want to do that. I do have $20k sitting in savings I could play around with to meet these minimum balance reqs. But I'm confused as to the work arounds on the DD. I see some people saying they are doing it with credit cards. How?

I'd love to get in on this "free" money since every little bit helps as a single mom. But I don't wanna have to keep changing up how I'm depositing my paycheck to do it.

Also when an account requires XXX of debit card transactions, are you guys doing anything special for that? Obv we want to put every dollar we can on our CC's to meet MSR or points/etc. So are you just doing stuff like a pack of gum? Or are you "scamming" some other way (like PP, etc). Oh and I did read the DOC list on ways that DD's have worked but it has my head spinning as some say things like PP work, and others say it doesn't. I'd rather hear from people what has worked.

Best resource is doc of credit, lots of different bank bonuses. Many don't require a DD. Many you can use another method to achieve DD, but best information is from DOC because there are so many more users that participate so hopefully you have the best information. I would recommend looking at DOC's best bank bonuses and starting with a non-DD one-I'm in the process of completing a citibank bonus and that did not require a DD. DOC does a great job of going through all the information and ways to meet the requirements because each bank bonus is different. There is a guide on dischurners as well that was helpful to get you started, I used it when I first started looking at bank bonuses.

ETA: only certain bank bonuses allow credit card funding the most popular one being PNC, which was recently being discussed. DOC also lists which credit cards have worked for people.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Okay and one more crazy one out there...I put my stuff on the credit card match to see what if anything comes up. I had 2 Chase cards come up. The CSP and CF. I am WELL outside of the 5/24. So is it just random I got these on my list? Or is this one of those "targeted" Chase offers I've heard about in folklore? I mean I bank through Chase (I have my biz bank account, 2 personal checkings, and 4 savings), I have the Slate, CSR and IHG....but that hasn't made them want to give me an Ink in the past. I'd want the Ink over the CSP...but I mean who am I to blow off a Chase offer if I can snag one.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I am going to head to Staples this morning. I have the 30% off on my CSR and CF. Any good/bad experiences? Hoping to snag a Disney GC, but I don't remember if they sell them in store. Also need invitation envelopes and a cork board (for my ever expanding pin collection...opps).

I’m sure someone answered the first part but yes Staples has Disney GCs.
But here’s part of our pin collection