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

[DisneyMandC]

What type of room are you gonna go for?

Literally anything with at least a queen bed haha. I’m not fussy about views or anything like that and the way we travel I know we aren’t going to be in the room enough to enjoy any extras.

 

[1st*toright]

So I'll quote all of those here just for anybody that wants to read through...

It seems from what @disneymagicgirl said this requires an AMEX plat so for somebody sporting an AMEX ED and/or AMEX BBP or Gold or BGR but no Plat, probably not an option I guess?

Normally if I were in the know on this, I'd write up a quick bulleted guide. If we think this is something to benefit the group, perhaps somebody can do that. Otherwise I'll just let it go since it's not really for me, haha. If my wife could get a Plat we'd just get Schwab and cash-out that way.

EDIT: adding this comment from @Lain to cap this off as one comment with all the pertinent info: You'll need a Platinum or Business Platinum to access Amex's Fine Hotels & Resorts program. Amex recently added a Pay With Points option for FHR to redeem MR at 1 cpp.

TPG trigger warning: Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts Stays Are Now Bookable With Points

Thanks @Lain and @SouthFayetteFan - didn't really realize I had stumbled into something new or I would have done a better job of articulating the opportunity. Thanks for clarifying - keeping the machine running around here.

This is where I get frustrated with most hotel point redemptions. Free night certs are easy for me since I can easily find a FN at a hotel that costs more than the AF. Redeeming actual points is tough. The Al Maha redemption was well over 2 cents pp. Looking at the rates for next March and even at the increased 85k per night it is still over 2 cpp. That's an easy decision since I'd never pay $1300 - $1800 per night for a hotel.

When I take a look at my favorite staycation Marriott on the beach it is about $250 - $310 per night or 50k points. That's .005 - .006 cpp. I can't bring myself to do it. I'd sooner find the less expensive dates, pay OOP, get the $300 Bonvoy credits and earn points for the stay or blow a FN cert on it if I really want the date. I think I'm at a point where I've gotten super picky about hotel redemptions if I have to use points. I know what I CAN get with them so anything less than that doesn't give me the same thrill. #travelhackingproblems

I find it easiest to use Marriott points at the very high end or the very low end. The properties in the middle often just aren't worth it from a cpp perspective.

 

[Oscar Madison]

Noticed today that after I went to Meijer last week and made 3 separate small purchases in self checkout that my 1500 pts is showing up in the review my activity section.

Does anyone know if ALDI counts as a grocery store for the CF 5%? It is absent from their list, but it's not a superstore so....

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Is there any way to search by map view on the ihg website? I have a Chase offer for Staybridge Suites that I could use when driving to get dd from college, but I can't tell if anything is on our route(s).

 

[bernina]

Is there any way to search by map view on the ihg website? I have a Chase offer for Staybridge Suites that I could use when driving to get dd from college, but I can't tell if anything is on our route(s).

Try this and select only Intercontinental. I tested for my area and it shows all IHG properties.

https://www.awardmapper.com/#

 

[bernina]

Try this and select only Intercontinental. I tested for my area and it shows all IHG properties.

https://www.awardmapper.com/#

Also, the IHG app has a map search so I’m sure the website does too. I’m just not familiar with it.

 

[alryan]

-

 

[amalone1013]

DH may have a $600ish item to expense today. Tried to talk him into my AMEX but that was a no go. At least I had his CIP on me and that will knock out almost all of the remaining MSR if he does it.

 

[speedyfishy]

Has anyone here done this? I'm trying to think of options to help with a CIP MSR if my DH goes for that in the next month. https://www.greatsouthernbank.com/moneymarketoffer When I type in my zip code I don't get the 2.48%, only 0.7% APY, but says there is the option to fund up to $5000 with a credit card. Couple of DPs of the credit card funding working on DoC https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ar-i...southern-bank-2-48-apy-on-balances-over-2500/

Are you in one of those states?

 

[alryan]

Noticed today that after I went to Meijer last week and made 3 separate small purchases in self checkout that my 1500 pts is showing up in the review my activity section.

Does anyone know if ALDI counts as a grocery store for the CF 5%? It is absent from their list, but it's not a superstore so....

Yes, I'm getting the 5% for Aldi on the Freedom

 

[alryan]

Are you in one of those states?

No, but you put your zipcode at the beginning of the application and when I did it still prompted me to apply. The only thing is is that the APY changes to 0.7%. So to me it looks like you only need to be in those states to get the 2.48%, not necessarily open the account.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Just hit submit on Plastiq on my final private student loan payment! I am also now officially $4500 into CIP MSR!

 

[elgerber]

No, but you put your zipcode at the beginning of the application and when I did it still prompted me to apply. The only thing is is that the APY changes to 0.7%. So to me it looks like you only need to be in those states to get the 2.48%, not necessarily open the account.

Hmmmm, interesting. I am in one of these states, but of course I only care about the CC funding. This would greatly help DS on his CP and I am always looking for ways to make spend on something

 

[alryan]

Hmmmm, interesting. I am in one of these states, but of course I only care about the CC funding. This would greatly help DS on his CP and I am always looking for ways to make spend on something

That's what I thought! I'd try it, but wanted to wait until I'm working on a higher MSR.

 

[1st*toright]

Just hit submit on Plastiq on my final private student loan payment! I am also now officially $4500 into CIP MSR!

Woo hoo - mostly for getting rid of the student loan.

 

[1st*toright]

I just pulled the trigger on the Bonblech Brilliant - instant approval with a pretty high credit line. Does anyone reduce Amex credit lines? Is there any reason to do so?

Nice that Amex gave me the option to get my card number right away - not sure that has happened before (this is my first personal Amex - all my others are biz cards). Of course, I need to continue to prioritize my CIP because I'm only $1500 into that MSR, but I've got some Marriott stays coming up and wanted the option to offset with the Bonblech hotel credit. Also, this offer is supposed to only last until April 24 - I figure I have a decent chance of getting matched to the new offer if it is better than the one I just got.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Try this and select only Intercontinental. I tested for my area and it shows all IHG properties.

https://www.awardmapper.com/#

Also, the IHG app has a map search so I’m sure the website does too. I’m just not familiar with it.

Thanks for the award mapper hint! I can't find a map search on the website--it just gives me lists by state/city I don't really want to download an app that I will barely use lol

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Awesome, congratulations to her!!

Both times I called in the main concern was verifying income and then shuffling credit. I’m wondering if including income for me + DH wasn’t really necessary. I figured the higher number would look better but I think it just triggered them to verify. We’re not talking a crazy high amount or anything either.

What did you have to do to “verify” the income?

 

[bernina]

Thanks for the award mapper hint! I can't find a map search on the website--it just gives me lists by state/city I don't really want to download an app that I will barely use lol

On the website pretend like you’re booking a stay for the date and a major city near where you think you could spend a night. When you get the results click View Map at top left. You can also expand the search radius from 30 miles to 100 and then filter only on Staybridge.

I’m not sure how big of an area you need to search though. On the app it’s nice because you can move the map and click to search the new area and display results. I’m not seeing that on website.

 

[bernina]

What did you have to do to “verify” the income?

The rep just read me a disclosure of what’s considered income as well as what you don’t need to report if you don’t want considered for repayment, etc. Basically the same info that’s listed on the application. He then read off the amount I had put in the app and asked me to verify that was correct. I said it was and that was it.