I love credit cards so much!

[vanjust14]

OK, so I have now got 2 POSTED sams club online orders on the amex. The $15/$30 offer is still NOT PENDING! What gives? Has anyone received the credit yet?

ETA: And in other news, got a fraud alert on DH's CSR this am. UGGHH. That is the one card he carries with him. I have told him to carry a 2nd card exactly for this possibility. He is out of town for work til Wed pm and will have to use a debit now. GRRR. I thought the chip thing is supposed to prevent the fraud anyways?

My gift card purchase didn't even go through. The charge was pending and then dropped off. I logged into my Sam's Club account online and it still says processing. I called customer service today and they said all I could do was wait it out or put in a ticket to cancel the order. I just went with canceling. Not sure if I should try again or not. Maybe I will wait to see if anyone gets the credit first.

ETA: ha @pillow we posted at the same time with the same issue!

 

[miztressuz]

OK, so I have now got 2 POSTED sams club online orders on the amex. The $15/$30 offer is still NOT PENDING! What gives? Has anyone received the credit yet?

ETA: And in other news, got a fraud alert on DH's CSR this am. UGGHH. That is the one card he carries with him. I have told him to carry a 2nd card exactly for this possibility. He is out of town for work til Wed pm and will have to use a debit now. GRRR. I thought the chip thing is supposed to prevent the fraud anyways?

That sucks on the fraud. I thought so too with the Chip thing, but after my Discover was compromised the last time something on the call had me thinking about the charges and I realized I still swipe about half the time as I use the chip. Almost all restaurant charges are still swiped, and like 95% of gas pumps still swipe. And then there's the online shopping. So since it was my Gas and Restaurants card, when we went back over the charges everything in the last statement was a swipe!
In a bit of irony, there almost seems to be more fraud now than before the chips For me, pre-chip, card info was stolen once. Post chip, I've had like 2 or 3 fraud charges on a few different cards. (and not to mention the couple of card number changes from data breaches to prevent fraud... and yet I got fraud on that card after the changes.) And I haven't really changed my charging habits. It's why I kinda gave up trying to prevent it and just go with it, may as well make life easier or get discounts while I can since they'll find a way to steal it anyway. But I digress...

At least this might make your DH carry a back up card now! I can't imagine only carrying one CC. It'd be like only taking your favorite child to Disney. First how to pick your favorite and second I think the rest of them would feel left out. At least when I have them all with me it's like The Claw and they all feel like they have an equal chance of being chosen

 

[pillow]

My gift card purchase didn't even go through. The charge was pending and then dropped off. I logged into my Sam's Club account online and it still says processing. I called customer service today and they said all I could do was wait it out or put in a ticket to cancel the order. I just went with canceling. Not sure if I should try again or not. Maybe I will wait to see if anyone gets the credit first.

ETA: ha @pillow we posted at the same time with the same issue!

I'm hoping they are just delayed, so I'm waiting it out. If we get close to the Amex offer exp date, I guess I'll cancel and try to order something other than a gc.

 

[Gwmw1210]

My gift card purchase didn't even go through. The charge was pending and then dropped off. I logged into my Sam's Club account online and it still says processing. I called customer service today and they said all I could do was wait it out or put in a ticket to cancel the order. I just went with canceling. Not sure if I should try again or not. Maybe I will wait to see if anyone gets the credit first.

ETA: ha @pillow we posted at the same time with the same issue!

Sam's club order #1 May 12 - 2 items showing cancelled 1 still processing
Order #2 May 14 - Both items cancelled
Order #3 May 19 - processing

 

[wendow]

Congratulations! My DD has her preschool graduation ceremony this week! But that doesn't even compare. Parenting is hard work and I want too often for DD to grow up faster, but then I realize how much she's already grown up every time our photo stream plays on our tv. I can't imagine DD as a teenager, much less graduating high school and becoming an adult.

I think the big churning news is Amex increased signup offers on their no fee personal and biz cards:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amer...rs-card-no-annual-fee-card-75000-point-offer/

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/hilton-honors-american-express-business-card-125000-point-offer/

@afan is on her trip to Disneyland Paris. @calypso726 is on her ABD China vacation and posted pics from the Virgin Atlantic Skyclub Lounge at JFK and her two in-air suites on Singapore Airlines (she has an ongoing trip report in the ABD thread). @jhoannam just got back from WDW. I think @StephPlum is on her Moab trip by now. (I'm sorry if I'm missing anybody -- you all have so many things going on!)

As for pics, I use imgur. It's free, easy to upload to, and provides easy to click and copy links for posting in different formats.

It is so amazing how you keep track of everyone (and their cards)! I always pride myself on my memory but yours is just really something! Thanks for the rundown. I did see some of @calypso726's pics before things got really crazy here. Wow! What a way to travel!!

And congrats on the preschool graduation! Time does fly. I feel like my dd was 3yo yesterday. I don't understand why time seems to move faster the older I and my kiddos get, but it does. Try to savor every moment!!

Congrats!! I am definitely one who could not have homeschooled. Did you have your party already? Ours is this Sunday. How did the taco bar go? That is what I am planning as of now, but we went to 2 parties already with taco bars and my DD has been to at least 10 parties so far and said most of them had them. I guess everyone thinking the same easy thing. But I hate to do what everyone else is doing! How much meat did you buy?

We did the party on Saturday evening. Got home from grad ceremony at 3:30 and party at 5. We scheduled it as an open house from 5-8 but most people arrived at 5 and were all still here at 9. Last guests we 'shooed' out at 10:30 lol! It was a ton of fun!! We had 85-90 people (and again, most were here the whole time) so it was crazy loud and my house was packed full. We had planned to set up table out back and use the deck and yard. But the weather was wet and cold so we had to keep the party indoors. Thankfully, it was all still good

The taco bar went well, and yes, that seems to be the 'thing' this year. We changed from bbq style foods to the taco bar to be able to accommodate more allergies. My dd's have been making the party rounds all weekend and afternoon parties have not had much food at all and evening parties have been the taco bar. We had planned on people being able to sit down at tables so I had a fairly elaborate spread with tortillas to put everything in. Unfortunately, people were forced to stand and eat more or hold plates on their laps. SO, in that case, doing the 'walking tacos' would have been better. Have you seen that idea? It's where you open a small chip bag (fritos, doritos, tortilla) and put the meat and toppings in the bag. Mix and eat. Easier to do while standing. Most popular toppings were lettuce, guac and cheese. Onions and tomatoes barely moved.

I cooked 14lbs of meat, and we had very little left over. I also did black beans for the vegans. Not many ate those. @disneymagicgirl advised me to not have tons of food as she said not as many ate at her dd's party and that was good advice. A lot of people had been snacking at other parties, and just kept snacking rather than having a meal.

Try not to stress. Whatever you do will be great! Just enjoy the party and celebrating your dd Congrats!

 

[vanjust14]

Sam's club order #1 May 12 - 2 items showing cancelled 1 still processing
Order #2 May 14 - Both items cancelled
Order #3 May 19 - processing

So strange! I wonder what the issue is.

 

[DaveL]

Nobody has received the Sam’s Club credit yet. I’ve seen it take a month for credits to come in so I’m not worried yet.

Many months ago when AMEX had the $25 membership sign up offer I signed up (Even tho DW had an active card, we alternate back and forth on deals) and the $15/$30 credited about a month after the transaction. I never use that card and forgot about it, when I noticed it used the wrong one I didn't have time to call, then like 6mo later out of no where the $25 credit posted so I got both the $15 and $25. There has to be something up with how Sam's reports transactions as it was very delayed and I never got the instant "You used * offer" notification as I do with all the other offers. It also seems the $25 was a manual adjustment but I never brought it to their attention.

 

[wendow]

DS frequently asked me to homeschool him when he was in elementary school but given all of the extra gray hairs I gained just from trying to get him to do his homework that was not happening. I am curious how you handled teaching subjects when they got to the higher levels. Even though I have taken higher level math courses that is almost 30 days ago and I even find with some of the geometry and stats and probability that is the 7th grade math book that we have him working on that I have to look up the topics since I don't remember those formulas.

I hear you on the gray hairs from school!! For math, I actually did really well in algebra and still remember it so I've been ok to teach that. Anything higher though and I've needed help. We use a math curriculum that is online so it's taught by someone else and the program even grades it (love that!!). If we don't understand the teaching, we google the concept and use Khan academy to see it taught a different way. Math hasn't been too bad here. I 'farm' out high school science and writing. High school science requires too many supplies than I want to deal with, and I'm terrible at grading my own kids writing since I know what they are trying to say. I'd rather have someone else handle all that

 

[wendow]

Congrats mama! My oldest graduated last may ON her 18th bday! It was quite an event. I know how proud, exhausted, joyful, etc you are feeling right now.
Glad the hard part is behind you and you can now relax and enjoy the family.

I have been feeling like I should pull my boys and homeschool them for a couple years now but haven't bitten the bullet. Over the last few months I have been feeling it much more strongly. My DD was a perfect fit for public school, but my boys are not. I discussed the possibility with them for next year and told them about some tutorials I have found (hockey, even!). My youngest son wanted to do it for about 2 weeks, then changed his mind. My oldest son said no from the start. I am going to continue to discuss it this summer and see where it leads us. The final straw for me was not allowing parents at any school events over the last 2 months...(field day, spelling bee, etc.) in the name of security. That is over the top. Combine that with how teaching is so focused on testing, and other issues I have had over the years with public ed, and I am just ready to be done with it.

Sorry about your DH and the CIC. That stings. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to these things. I wonder if it was the $500 that did it.

Yes, all those emotions!! I thought I would cry a lot and I did some but more than anything, I'm very proud and happy for her.

I have a lot of moms come to me to get help in deciding whether they should pull kids out to homeschool or not. What I have seen over the years is that the longer you wait, the harder it gets to make the change. Kids only get more resistant to it. Your ds's ages is a common age when things begin to change at school and parents start getting frustrated (for all kinds of reasons). You can always have a trial year, and just see how it goes. There really is no harm in that. My cousin needed to homeschool her ds for one year. He was behind when she pulled him out, spent one year really doing the minimum, and he went back way ahead of everyone else. That one-on-one is just really so good for kids. So, you wouldn't damage them or anything. If it's not a fit, put them back in. Some kids are resistant to it until they understand how much more free time they will have in their day (and evening with no homework).

I don't get the no parents at the activities. That would burn me up!!

Not sure on the $500 too. I remembered @speedyfishy getting approved for the CIP with so little income that I thought $500 was a more honest answer and would be ok.

 

[calypso726]

Points with a crew wrote about the Hamilton presale that occurred on Friday. Ticketmaster had a lottery and my email was randomly selected to purchase tickets. I’m stoked that I was able to get them at face value.

Congrats!!! I got the presale letter too. Unfortunately, even with Wi-Fi on the plane I did not receive the text with the link and code. No Hamilton tickets for me this round. Maybe next time.

 

[Ngwira]

Congrats!!! I got the presale letter too. Unfortunately, even with Wi-Fi on the plane I did not receive the text with the link and code. No Hamilton tickets for me this round. Maybe next time.

I used two different emails and only one was selected. However, I have my tickets in hand and can't wait to experience the show with my family.

 

[GZanta77]

Many months ago when AMEX had the $25 membership sign up offer I signed up (Even tho DW had an active card, we alternate back and forth on deals) and the $15/$30 credited about a month after the transaction. I never use that card and forgot about it, when I noticed it used the wrong one I didn't have time to call, then like 6mo later out of no where the $25 credit posted so I got both the $15 and $25. There has to be something up with how Sam's reports transactions as it was very delayed and I never got the instant "You used * offer" notification as I do with all the other offers. It also seems the $25 was a manual adjustment but I never brought it to their attention.

Yes, I have seen Amex credits delayed before. They usually come through and I have every faith that Amex will deliver on these. I placed two orders of $150 Disney Cards each and both have shipped. $300 to spend at Disney for only $225.96 OOP is a great deal.

 

[Alexle2007]

Congrats mama! My oldest graduated last may ON her 18th bday! It was quite an event. I know how proud, exhausted, joyful, etc you are feeling right now.
Glad the hard part is behind you and you can now relax and enjoy the family.

I have been feeling like I should pull my boys and homeschool them for a couple years now but haven't bitten the bullet. Over the last few months I have been feeling it much more strongly. My DD was a perfect fit for public school, but my boys are not. I discussed the possibility with them for next year and told them about some tutorials I have found (hockey, even!). My youngest son wanted to do it for about 2 weeks, then changed his mind. My oldest son said no from the start. I am going to continue to discuss it this summer and see where it leads us. The final straw for me was not allowing parents at any school events over the last 2 months...(field day, spelling bee, etc.) in the name of security. That is over the top. Combine that with how teaching is so focused on testing, and other issues I have had over the years with public ed, and I am just ready to be done with it.

Sorry about your DH and the CIC. That stings. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to these things. I wonder if it was the $500 that did it.

OMG, that is horrible about not allowing parents at any school events. I would be over it too! It was much easier to be involved with DS was in elementary school but I have been lucky that I have gotten to know all of DS's 6th grade teachers and they are simply amazing! But the testing and common core is definitely helping to send us the private school route (since I'd rather expend $20k+ a school year) than give up my job since I am set to retire in 6 years when DS graduates.) DS s retaking a math test today because the teacher took points off because he didn't show his work even though he got the answer correct. And the PARCC testing is just ridiculous, six days of solid testing plus an extra day since we were "piggy pigs" for something. I am so over common core since it is supposed to be about doing things multiple ways but if you don't do it the way it has been "instructed" and don't so every freakin' step you are dinged. The poor kids who can think abstractly...Ok, off my soap box as I prepare for the upcoming private school tuition bills...

 

[snugglebug]

SO...not been on for days...and no energy to catch up! Please, do tell, if anything terribly exciting happened! I want to know!! Missed you all!

Got my 'first born' graduated. She also turned 18yo this past week, so lots of biggies. Graduating her was so surreal. Not just as a mom but as a homeschool mom. I began the homeschool thing with her in K and it was to be for ONE YEAR. One year and then we would figure out what we were going to do for school because, no way, no how, was I homeschooling all the way through. But one year turned into two and three and so on. It's been the best decision our family has ever made and I wouldn't change it for anything. It's the road less traveled but the one that has made all the difference for us. I don't think it's for everyone. It's hard, and not to say that other moms couldn't do it, but I really believe if you are meant to do it, you kind of know it inside. You feel 'called', and if you feel that, then you and your children will thrive. Otherwise, the struggle is real. So, I'd never push it on people cause I just don't think it is for all.

I thought I'd share a couple of pics. And then I remembered that I can never figure out how. I miss photobucket when it was free. So, if I figure it out, I may throw some up.

I've still got family in town the next few days but the big stuff is done!! So glad. It's been a lot planning all this. I know all you parents who've already graduated kids can relate. WOW, I had no idea before!! Now, I get it. I totally get it!!

Congrats Mom! You did it! I completely understand that pride and accomplishment you feel, enjoy it, you deserve it.

When the second one graduates it's still exciting, but you have more of a "I know what I'm doing" feeling instead of that "we finally reached the finish line"

 

[LynnTH]

I am trying to figure out our next couple of cards. We are in 2 player mode and are not AU on each other cards. I am working on spend on SPG Business and have about $2,000 left until Mid July so that will be no problem.

Here is what DH Has from past 24 months and credit limits. May need to lower some first.
1. August 2016 - CSR/Now Freedom - $34,000 Limit
2. April 2017 - Barclay Card - Closed
3. July 2017 AMEX SPG Business - $5000 Limit
4. January 2018 - SW Business - $5,000 Limit
5. January 2018 SW Plus - $30,000 Limit

So should be 3/24 -thinking about CIP - would love the 80,000 UR Points. Don't think we would be candidate for shut down. Should I lower the limits of the $34,000 and $30,000 cards.


Here is what I have and not sure if DH should get 2 cards in a row or if he should get one then me:

1. November 2016 CSR/Now Freedom - $9,000 Limit
2. May 2017 Marriott Personal - $5,000 Limit
3. June 2017 SW Business - $6,500 Limit
4. June 2017 SW Plus - $30,000 Limit
5. December 2017 - AMEX SPG Personal $18,000 Limit
6. February 2018 - Marriott Business - $5,000
7. April 2018 - AMEX SPG Business - $15,000

Also have Disney which has been opened since it came out with $5,000 Limit and CSP with $19,000 Limit - these are both past 24 months. So, I am at 4/24 right now.

So, we basically have UR Points. SPG/Marriott Points and SW Points. Would love more UR Points and open to other suggestions. We are planning on new carpeting shortly and building a new deck and getting new deck furniture so that could be a spend easily then in the fall will have some College Payments so that would be another spend. So, trying to figure out the next couple of cards. And if I should lower limits on anything. Thanks.

 

[amalone1013]

We did the party on Saturday evening. Got home from grad ceremony at 3:30 and party at 5. We scheduled it as an open house from 5-8 but most people arrived at 5 and were all still here at 9. Last guests we 'shooed' out at 10:30 lol! It was a ton of fun!! We had 85-90 people (and again, most were here the whole time) so it was crazy loud and my house was packed full. We had planned to set up table out back and use the deck and yard. But the weather was wet and cold so we had to keep the party indoors. Thankfully, it was all still good

That sounds like my grad party We had mine a week after graduation, and did 1-4 or something... and people were there until 10pm! And it ended up being horribly hot, like triple digits. We had put up some canopies in the back yard with tables, and then had planned on tables in the garage, but we ended up just shutting the big garage door and leaving the kitchen door open to 'air condition' the garage for the day, plus some box fans.

 

[wendow]

That sounds like my grad party We had mine a week after graduation, and did 1-4 or something... and people were there until 10pm! And it ended up being horribly hot, like triple digits. We had put up some canopies in the back yard with tables, and then had planned on tables in the garage, but we ended up just shutting the big garage door and leaving the kitchen door open to 'air condition' the garage for the day, plus some box fans.

That is so fun!! It certainly made my dd feel good that her party was the place to be

 

[eeyoreland]

I have a sort of related to credit cards question. I'm responsible for setting up a couple of work related meetings in the near future. Both hotel contracts are asking me if I belong to the rewards program (Marriott and SPG). I do not, but I'm thinking I should. Why not if I can maybe earn enough or come close to earning enough for any kind of reward. (See what you folks have created???) Anyhoo, the Marriott contract is asking if airline miles are desired instead of Rewarding Events Points and there's a spot for my frequent flier airline miles account number. SW is all I really fly and yes, I do have a RR account. Is the feeling that I should take the Marriott points or put down my SW account number? I really have no idea how many points I'm going to earn and what, if anything, I can use them for. Appreciate all advice. I need to get the contract signed today!

 

[Albort]

Please remind me, which OTA does Chase Ultimate Rewards use? I'm looking at a few low budget hotels across from DL, and I can't figure out whether I can book them with UR when they aren't showing up on the Chase travel site. Thanks!

expedia.com

 

[DisneyMandC]

I guess I should just hold off on getting this Marriott card... sigh. It would definitely put me into shutdown territory as it would be my 5th Chase card (2 business, 2 personal) in the last 9 months. And DH has two business cards and no personal cards, but I NEED him to get the CSR, so that's more important.

I'm going for that Hilton Amex next month though!