I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[DrFacilier]

Oh no, your poor guy! I've fostered a lot of dogs after "fast kill" heartworm treatment. Please PM me if you have any questions (I'm no expert but have been through the process more time than I'd like. I hate heartworms!). The waiting and keeping them still is the worst part. I hope he does well.

Thanks so much. It’s the first time for us and we are a little nervous.

I didn't see if anyone answered this part, but in my experience when the room charges go to your credit card, it is one lump charge as Walt Disney World Resort. They have not sent charges individually to the card.

Weird. I may be losing my mind lol.

 

[wanderlust7]

I need some ideas for a new AMEX biz card. I will apply on Monday for a CIP but I also want to apply for a new AMEX biz card as I have an abundance of spend coming up. I only have the SPG biz and I am hoping for another instant (no HP) approval. Thinking of the Hilton Biz card. Does anyone have an opinion of that card? We can always use hotel points. But maybe an MR earning biz card is a better choice. Also, should I apply for the AMEX card before or after the CIP?

My cards:
4/18 - SPG biz
5/18 - CSR and CSP

I got the Hilton Biz for the SUB. But I'm going to have a hard time justifying keeping it the second year due to the $95 AF. So just depends if you're worried about the dreaded pop-up. If you have really large spend, there's a call-in offer for the Biz Plat 100k MRs for $10,000 spend. @Lain just helped me out with that. I believe @Albort has the info too. AF is $595, but you can get some of it back with the $200 airline credit, $200 Dell credit, etc. Best redemption for MRs seem to be business or first class flights. Or cashout at 1.25 cpp, but you'd need a Schwab Plat and a Schwab account.

 

[trstno1]

I need some ideas for a new AMEX biz card. I will apply on Monday for a CIP but I also want to apply for a new AMEX biz card as I have an abundance of spend coming up. I only have the SPG biz and I am hoping for another instant (no HP) approval. Thinking of the Hilton Biz card. Does anyone have an opinion of that card? We can always use hotel points. But maybe an MR earning biz card is a better choice. Also, should I apply for the AMEX card before or after the CIP?

My cards:
4/18 - SPG biz
5/18 - CSR and CSP

I agree with others about the Blue Business Plus. The signup bonus isn't great, but it's really good for everyday spend and has no annual fee. It's the only MR earning card that I consider permanent.

However, you may want to apply for the Business Gold card first. It offers 20K MR for every referral, more than any other AmEx card. You will earn a bunch of MR by self-referring from the business gold card.

The AmEx Business Platinum is a great card, but the ideal signup time is December to triple dip the airline credit, unless you can get the 100K MR for $10K spend signup offer.

 

[Lain]

DH's marriott biz AF is due, any DP on recent retention offers?

About a month ago, Chase was offering $90 statement credits as a retention offer on the Marriott Biz. Last week, I recall seeing mention of a $50 credit retention offer for the Marriott Biz on r/churning. Definitely worth a call.

Keep in mind, Chase sent out 1099s that included the value of the retention offers if you received $600 or more in reportable income from them.

The AF on my Marriott Biz just posted on 3/1, and my plan was to cancel it, but I've already used the 35k FN cert from the Marriott Biz that deposited into my Marriott account a few weeks back, and I gotta say, I kind of like the idea of paying only $99 (minus whatever retention offer I might get) for a FN cert (even if it's capped at 35k) that I can use on a room that costs $250 otherwise. I used it to book the Residence Inn Anaheim just before it jumped up in category and now costs 50k, but I could've also used the 35k FN at the next door SpringHill Suites (which goes for about the same cash price), or nearby Anaheim Marriott, Sheraton Park, and Fairfield Inn when visiting the Disneyland Resort.

Oh, I forgot to mention last night, I booked a quick weekend trip to Universal Studios Hollywood in April for my wife, who's been stressed out at work and in need of escape, and kiddo, who won't get to spend spring break with her mama because mama will be traveling for work. I wish I had more of those 35k FN certs around, because the Sheraton Universal Hotel that's right across the street from USH is only 35k/night. Sadly, my next 35k FN certs probably won't deposit until May and July.

(Other details: we got Friday night flights on United from SFO>BUR for about 8k UR/each, which was less than the 10k UA miles for saver fares that United wanted. We'll try to get to the airport early enough to have dinner at the Centurion Lounge or PP restaurants. United flies out of Terminal 3, so we have lots of options. And I'll use Amex Plat Uber credits to offset the trip from the airport to the hotel and back. I'm finally using up some of my SW GCs from all those Amex airline fee credits on WGA flights back from BUR>SFO. Need to look into deals for USH tix.)

I'm now planning on calling Chase in the coming days to ask for a retention offer on the Marriott Biz. I've lowered the CL on it to only $1k, so hopefully keeping it won't affect my Chase biz card application strategy too much.

 

[Alexle2007]

For the M & T bank bonus, once I make my $500 DD, how long do I need to leave it sit there and when I send the request to change my checking acct to the basic to avoid the fees? This just seems too easy for $250. I am just for my test deposits to clear so I can complete the setup with my CU and make the transfer.

 

[jhoannam]

About a month ago, Chase was offering $90 statement credits as a retention offer on the Marriott Biz. Last week, I recall seeing mention of a $50 credit retention offer for the Marriott Biz on r/churning. Definitely worth a call.

Keep in mind, Chase sent out 1099s that included the value of the retention offers if you received $600 or more in reportable income from them.

The AF on my Marriott Biz just posted on 3/1, and my plan was to cancel it, but I've already used the 35k FN cert from the Marriott Biz that deposited into my Marriott account a few weeks back, and I gotta say, I kind of like the idea of paying only $99 (minus whatever retention offer I might get) for a FN cert (even if it's capped at 35k) that I can use on a room that costs $250 otherwise. I used it to book the Residence Inn Anaheim just before it jumped up in category and now costs 50k, but I could've also used the 35k FN at the next door SpringHill Suites (which goes for about the same cash price), or nearby Anaheim Marriott, Sheraton Park, and Fairfield Inn when visiting the Disneyland Resort.

Oh, I forgot to mention last night, I booked an quick weekend trip to Universal Studios Hollywood in April for my wife, who's been stressed out at work and in need of escape, and kiddo, who won't get to spend spring break with her mama because mama will be traveling for work. I wish I had more of those 35k FN certs around, because the Sheraton Universal Hotel that's right across the street from USH is only 35k/night. Sadly, my next 35k FN certs probably won't deposit until May and July.

(Other details: we got Friday night flights on United from SFO>BUR for about 8k UR/each, which was less than the 10k UA miles for Saver fares that United wanted. I'm finally using up some of my SW GCs from all those Amex airline fee credits on WGA flights back from BUR>SFO. We'll try to get the the airport early enough to have dinner at the Centurion Lounge or PP restaurants. United flies out of Terminal 3, so we have lots of options. And I'll use Amex Plat Uber credits to offset the trip from the airport to the hotel and back. Need to look into deals for USH tix.)

I'm now planning on calling Chase in the coming days to ask for a retention offer on the Marriott Biz. I've lowered the CL on it to only $1k, so hopefully keeping it won't affect my Chase biz card application strategy too much.

I really want to keep the cards, I like the flexibility of the certificate. We have 4 Bonvoy cards, we didn't pay the AF on any of them the first year so I want to keep them all for at least another year. $400 in fees is worth the 12 free nights (8 from last year + 4 from the new year).

 

[Haley R]

Looks like Windmere may be nearby

Yep I saw that! We’re gonna look into that since Windermere is supposed to be nice

 

[Calfan]

@Lain I seem to recall you saying you bought gift cards at Seven for All Mankind and maybe Splendid to take advantage of the stacking Amex offers. I've got offers for $50 off $150 + 5k MR at Splendid and $75 off $250 + 7,500 MR at Seven. I just spent some time poking around both websites and did not find anything I wanted to buy. (As an aside, that is fairly shocking, since I am a champion shopper, lol). But both are brands that I can see having items of interest in the future (if not for me, then for my DD). Did you buy the gift cards online? I don't have either of those stores near me here in Boise.

 

[Lain]

I really want to keep the cards, I like the flexibility of the certificate. We have 4 Bonvoy cards, we didn't pay the AF on any of them the first year so I want to keep them all for at least another year. $400 in fees is worth the 12 free nights (8 from last year + 4 from the new year).

I agree -- for now. My concern is when Marriott implements peak pricing, some of these Cat 5 hotels will cost more than 35k/night at peak, then we won't be able to use our FN certs where and when we want to. My guess is because these FN certs are capped by points and not category, if the points required go up during peak, the FN cert won't be useable even if the hotel is otherwise Cat 5. But we'll deal with that come AF renewal time next year.

 

[striker1064]

For the M & T bank bonus, once I make my $500 DD, how long do I need to leave it sit there and when I send the request to change my checking acct to the basic to avoid the fees? This just seems too easy for $250. I am just for my test deposits to clear so I can complete the setup with my CU and make the transfer.

M&T should post the bonus within a few business days after your DD hits the account. From there you can transfer it out and ask to change to EZ Choice Checking. I feel like I waited a month, but I don't think even that is necessary.

It is that easy.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

@mmmears tried the $100/10k MR off $175 AT&T for Wireless Business Amex Offer on her home account and it did not credit.

All DPs of prepayments towards personal (doesn’t have to be business) wireless lines triggered the Amex Offer.

Relatedly, DoC is reporting a new Amex Offer out today for 10% back on cell phone bill payments, which should stack with the AT&T offer if you have them on the same card and haven’t already used the AT&T offer.

I had the offer on my Amex Business Platinum and paid my wireless bill from my desktop yesterday. No immediate email so I'm worried.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Yep I saw that! We’re gonna look into that since Windermere is supposed to be nice

It is we went out of Disney the back way....lots of shopping...the HS looked brand new....one of my husbands co-workers lives there in a golf community

 

[Lain]

@Lain I seem to recall you saying you bought gift cards at Seven for All Mankind and maybe Splendid to take advantage of the stacking Amex offers. I've got offers for $50 off $150 + 5k MR at Splendid and $75 off $250 + 7,500 MR at Seven. I just spent some time poking around both websites and did not find anything I wanted to buy. (As an aside, that is fairly shocking, since I am a champion shopper, lol). But both are brands that I can see having items of interest in the future (if not for me, then for my DD). Did you buy the gift cards online? I don't have either of those stores near me here in Boise.

I did buy $200 and $50 GCs to 7 for All Mankind online about 2 weeks ago, but since then it appears their GC page has gone missing! It's weird because their GC page is still up at https://www.7forallmankind.com/gift-cards, but if you click on either physical or e-GC, both pages are gone. Their FAQs still say they sell GCs, but they don't... at least not at the moment. Ugh.

I was planning to do the 7 offer on my wife's card too, because she has the same offers. It was a really good deal because the MR points and statement credit offers stacked, and I got 3% MR back on Ebates! I think this Amex Offer expires in about a week. If the GC page doesn't come back before then, I may have to head over to their store to buy a GC in person. There's a store here in SF, and the other ones in the Bay Area are at the outlets. I'm sorry that this doesn't help you more...

ETA: 7 for All Mankind has a contact us form if you want to send an inquiry about their gift cards.

 

[tink1970]

Although I've only driven through there, I do know where Temple is. My ex was stationed in Kingsville, Texas back in 1979 and I lived there until 1983. It was a Naval Air Station with a few training squadrons. Out in the middle of oil fields, mesquite trees, and cactus. I had a lot of fun.

Kingsville and Ingelside are the pits. Corpus Christi (which is where my father was stationed when I was in school) is only slightly less yuk (to me). That's why I spent most of my summers in Temple, College Station and Virginia. My good friend was a pilot training others in the mid-late 90s there-he was not thrilled with that assignment either.

Thanks so much. It’s the first time for us and we are a little nervous.

If you're not a little nervous you don't understand the procedure. Just go in with the best attitude you can, keep him as quiet as possible and hope for the best.

 

[ski_mom]

I'm looking to apply for another card or two. We are in 2 player mode, so I'll list what we both have:

me:
01/19 Chase Ink Bus Preferred (Referred by DH)
08/18 AmEx Green Business (to close Gold Business w/o losing points)
08/17 Citi TY Premier
03/17 CSP (closed 4/18)
01/17 CSR (converting to CFU)

So, I'm at 2/24 with the closed CSP and Citi TY.

DH:
05/18 Chase Ink Bus Preferred
08/17 Citi TY Preferred
03/17 Chase SW Plus (closed)
03/17 Chase SW Premier (closed)
10/16 CSR
OLD - CF - DH also has a Chase Freedom card which he's had forever.

DH should be at 3/24 including the SW cards which should fall off this month.


We love UR's, but neither are eligible for CSP/CSR. I have a bunch of MR from the AmEx Gold Business card that I've never used.

Looking for suggestions - I'm hoping to keep spot(s) open to go for the SW CP early next year.

Thanks for any suggestions / advice!

 

[AmyAnne]

If you have had it at least 12 months, and use it regularly, Amex has been known to offer generous upgrade incentives. In the past 9 months both DW and myself have gone from Ascend to No Fee - offered 75k pts to upgrade back to Ascend and then a few months later 150k pts to upgrade to Aspire. This is also not the first time we have taken these upgrade offers.

I have seen some folks offered 100k for the NoFee to Ascend upgrade - the key seems to be having some good spend on your card for a couple months before the upgrade is offered. Of course there is no guarantee that an offer will come your way, but might be worth putting some spend on the card to see what happens.

Thanks for this. I have had it almost two years but have not put regular spend on it lately -- just the occasional offer. I do have some spend I could direct towards it without losing much in the way of other points.

Did you get the upgrade offer by calling in? Or does it show up on your account somewhere?

 

[Lain]

 

[Calfan]

I did buy $200 and $50 GCs to 7 for All Mankind online about 2 weeks ago, but since then it appears their GC page has gone missing! It's weird because their GC page is still up at https://www.7forallmankind.com/gift-cards, but if you click on either physical or e-GC, both pages are gone. Their FAQs still say they sell GCs, but they don't... at least not at the moment. Ugh.

I was planning to do the 7 offer on my wife's card too, because she has the same offers. It was a really good deal because the MR points and statement credit offers stacked, and I got 3% MR back on Ebates! I think this Amex Offer expires in about a week. If the GC page doesn't come back before then, I may have to head over to their store to buy a GC in person. There's a store here in SF, and the other ones in the Bay Area are at the outlets. I'm sorry that this doesn't help you more...

ETA: 7 for All Mankind has a contact us form if you want to send an inquiry about their gift cards.

Thanks! I'll cross my fingers the 7 gift card page comes back. In the meantime, I'll go ahead and send an inquiry. Maybe they would take a phone order....

 

[FoxC63]

Why is that trouble?

Looks like Windmere may be nearby

I was thinking Windmere as well.

Trouble you ask, I'd be going to USO & WDW instead of going to work!

 

[Haley R]

It is we went out of Disney the back way....lots of shopping...the HS looked brand new....one of my husbands co-workers lives there in a golf community

Looks like doctor Phillips (weird name for a town) is closer than Windermere