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

[amalone1013]

It has been a weird two days, guys. Well, really just yesterday but I’ve still had a lot of anxiety today lol. Our biggest horse show of the year is currently going on in Columbus, OH. The show lasts almost the entire month of October. I have been arguing with our horse show association all year that DH was qualified to show in a certain class there with his horse and they kept telling me he wasn’t. After many frustrating conversations over the summer, we finally gave up and decided we weren’t going to the show there this month since he couldn’t show in that class. Entries for the show were due August 25.

Yesterday morning, more than 60 days since the last time I discussed this issue with anyone, our association called me with the “great news!” that DH was qualified for that class all along. I burst into tears and let them know they had ruined our horse show plans for the month as a result of their ineptitude and that we hadn’t signed up for the show and the class DH would’ve shown in was this upcoming Sunday. I hung up and called my horse trainer, who’s already in Ohio helping other clients, and cried to him. He talked to me for a few and then told me he’d call me back in an hour. He called me later and said that he could have somebody pick our horse up from his farm in NC and haul it to Ohio for us immediately if I could give him an answer right then about if we wanted to make the trip up there to show and just pay the late fees to register for the class. I frantically texted DH about it to make sure he could get off work and told him I’d pay whatever it costs, I just wanted him to show.

So, after a roller coaster of emotions and probably freaking our trainer out by me calling him crying (I don’t cry, y’all), my husband now gets to show his horse against 100 other exhibitors this coming Sunday night! I’m eating $300 in late fees, which I will be contacting our association about later to let them know they can make the check out to me for that reimbursement, and I don’t even know how much I paid to have DH’s horse hauled to Ohio, but I don’t care. I’m really excited for him to show and think he may do really well! Fortunately, we had already planned to go to Ohio this weekend just to watch the horse show, so I only had to extend our stay there by one night. It won’t be the relaxing/shopping/eating weekend I had planned, but I can’t wait!

anyways, thanks for listening to my emotional roller coaster diatribe

Overall like but geesh, what a mess Glad he gets to compete!!

 

[mamathompson]

Well - yeah, you’re in a tough spot then. If you aren’t planning to open a new Chase personal card right now then I think your only option is to request a CL increase to $10k which may be accompanied by a hard pull (inquiry) on your credit report.

(If you happened to be opening a new Chase personal card soon there would be on other strategy here but I wouldn’t recommend opening a Chase personal card simply for this reason - only if you already planned to).

That's kind of what I figured. I'm not sure if it's worth the credit pull or not. If I do downgrade it do I have to wait a year before upgrading if I decided I really did need a CSR?

Does anyone here use a Cricut?

I am really interested in getting one to start making my own shirts and decals. It could even become a new side biz! I am trying to compare the Explore Air 2 vs the Maker. Anything I should know? Is the price difference worth it?

I do have that new JetBlue MSR to meet and Black Friday just happens to fall within the MSR period

I have a Cricut. I have only used it for making shirts for Disney once. I believe mine is a Maker. The software took me a bit to figure out, but overall I was happy with it. I keep thinking I should get it out and use it for other things (possible side hustle) but I just haven't.

 

[amalone1013]

JUST got an email from our plant manager that corporate is increasing our bonus

We get quarterly bonuses that are based on certain goals for the year and how we are doing with them... after everything is scored and added it is somewhere between 0 and 5, and that is the percentage your bonus is - X% of what you earned for the quarter. This last quarter we were at 0.75%, which is the worst it's been since I started here... corporate has adjusted us up to 2.13%. Hey, I'll take any penny from this place I can! lol

 

[mamathompson]

DH and I were both approved for SW Performance Biz cards this week!
Going for two CPs for 20-21. Thanks to @SouthFayetteFan for helping me sort out my plans.

 

[Judique]

I have friends going for the first time in Nov,I advised them to skip Epcot altogether,it wasn't worth bothering with at the moment.(short trip) makes me sad to say that, but no.

Are they going late in November? Food and wine runs longer this year - until Nov 23rd. Despite all the construction I think it's still worth it for the ambience and food booths. Lets face it, other than the fountains, I won't miss any of what they are renovating at the moment.

 

[amalone1013]

Thanks for the heads up!

DoC keeps a running list of targeted links to enroll in Pay Over Time for 10k MR: [Targeted] 10,000 Membership Rewards Points For Enrolling In Pay Over Time.

I periodically encourage everyone with an Amex charge card (Platinum, Gold, or Green, or their business versions) to check these links when DoC updates the list. These links are often pulled from targeted emails like the one @calypso726 received, shared on r/churning and posted by the good doctor.

The thing is, these links may work for you even though you didn’t get a targeted email or mailer about it. This was true for several of my cards, and it’s the easiest 10k MR ever.

The only one of my Amex charge cards still waiting to be targeted for Pay Over Time for 10k MR is my converted MB Platinum. I swear that card is forked because it can’t generate support links and hasn’t yet been eligible for these Pay Over Time offers. It’s on the chopping block next year.

Apparently I need a play by play for how to unenroll my Gold card, because I've tried 3 times yet every time I try the links on Doc it tells me I'm already enrolled.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I know for sure they need it to get precheck and they need to have their own when traveling with others (parents) once they turn 13. In order to get precheck when she turned 13 in August we had to have a state ID or passport AND some type of residency document or a birth certificate. So it was a hassle. This morning I grabbed the ID card just in case...the TSA definitely examined it when we went through. I am not sure what would have happened if we hadn’t have had it. It doesn’t help that she has been on a huge growing spurt and despite the fact she is barely 13 she looks older. I might just see what happens when we fly out...if they want it for sure.

I've had precheck and so my kids have gotten it with me and never have they been asked for IDs. My DD is 14 now and I know I traveled with her when she was 13. I guess I'll see the next time we fly.

 

[Mulliganman30]

Yes - you can pay the remaining balance using ANY card actually (ie even a Chase card or something else where you are working on an MSR).

Unfortunately one thing you can’t do is use Disney gift cards to pay that remaining balance so you lose out on that potential savings. If you only have enough miles to cover a portion of your trip a split stay is a good strategy in this scenario (and you can even book a split at the same resort haha). Split stay is also a good strategy if you have 2 spouses earning AA miles since you can’t combine them or use them to book 1 room.

Thank you for the response. This is good information. I had been operating under the idea that you could combine AA points like you can UR points. So, knowing that is very helpful. When looking at the websites to redeem, it looks like they can be a pretty decent to good value for WDW resorts or hotels like the Swan, Dolphin, and even Carribean Resort. They don't appear to be that good of a value at Disneyland though (probably due to the much higher resort prices I guess).

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like those acquiring Disney gift cards at a discount the best strategy is combining that savings with any promotion codes available to book directly with Disney and then possibly using points/miles to pay off the remaining balance.

What are some of the best points/miles options to just try to cover tickets only? It looks like the points guy use to recommend Barclay's Arrival Plus but the card isn't currently available. It seems like UR points would be selling low on them for that....

 

[Judique]

Our recent trip reminded me that I don't really like Epcot... I like eating in the WS, but that's it. Soarin is cool. I don't like Test Track. I'm actually glad that so much is closed in there and under construction right now so maybe I'll like it when it's all done lol.

I like most of what you say and agree mostly about Future World, but I still love Epcot even half baked.

 

[WVMomof3]

JUST got an email from our plant manager that corporate is increasing our bonus

We get quarterly bonuses that are based on certain goals for the year and how we are doing with them... after everything is scored and added it is somewhere between 0 and 5, and that is the percentage your bonus is - X% of what you earned for the quarter. This last quarter we were at 0.75%, which is the worst it's been since I started here... corporate has adjusted us up to 2.13%. Hey, I'll take any penny from this place I can! lol

I thought about you this weekend when my friend from the Denver area was visiting, we somehow got on the subject of things that smell bad. Her example was the stinky dog food factory that she has to occasionally drive by. I almost said, hey I think my friend works there. But thought that might lead into questions I didn't have answers to. lol

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Does anyone here use a Cricut?

I am really interested in getting one to start making my own shirts and decals. It could even become a new side biz! I am trying to compare the Explore Air 2 vs the Maker. Anything I should know? Is the price difference worth it?

I do have that new JetBlue MSR to meet and Black Friday just happens to fall within the MSR period

I have a regular vinyl cutter in my classroom (I think it was like $900). For shirts I've heard you really want to invest in a heat press. I got one off amazon rather cheap (again in my classroom). USCutter is where I get all my stuff, so maybe check them out

 

[Judique]

I did something dumb, dumb, dumb!! I’m very sad at myself. I used my spreadsheet when I went to support DHs last card. I didn’t realize when I did that spreadsheet entry, I had copied and pasted another card, but updated all the relevant info to new card. I thought. Turns out I updated everything but the last 4 numbers of the card. So I just looked at that last line and used the old 4 numbers. That card was closed in June. I didn’t realize until I looked for support points. And they did show as pending on the closed card. So I was hopeful they still might post. Sadly, they did not. It even generated a statement. Which got me excited that yes they would post. But this is what statement says

View attachment 444549


I just have to remind myself it is not “real” money. But let my sad tale be a reminder that not only do you need a spreadsheet but you need to be super careful with your spreadsheet. Ughhhhhhh. I will go sit in the cry corner now, a level below the shun corner, I think.

Can you try reopening the card?

 

[Lain]

Apparently I need a play by play for how to unenroll my Gold card, because I've tried 3 times yet every time I try the links on Doc it tells me I'm already enrolled.

Have you tried chatting with Amex? Say you understand you're enrolled in Pay Over Time. You didn't sign up for it and you don't want it (right now ). Ask to be unenrolled.

 

[Haley R]

Our recent trip reminded me that I don't really like Epcot... I like eating in the WS, but that's it. Soarin is cool. I don't like Test Track. I'm actually glad that so much is closed in there and under construction right now so maybe I'll like it when it's all done lol.

I love Epcot as a pregnant person lol. Normally it’s third on my list.

 

[amalone1013]

My mom was against it in 2011 when I tried to explain and she would be the same now. It's sad cause I think that shaped our thinking for many years.

I think my MIL wants us to buy into DVC because she thinks that would keep us from moving to Florida

 

[amalone1013]

Have you tried chatting with Amex? Say you understand you're enrolled in Pay Over Time. You didn't sign up for it and you don't want it (right now ). Ask to be unenrolled.

3 times

Maybe 4th times is the charm?

 

[DaveL]

Ok so I admit I didn’t look at all the benefits of the sw performance I just mainly saw 80k and $5k spend. Was reading over the benefits and the 365 WiFi credits will come in handy. Girls will be happy they can watch their Disney shows on the plane. Just hoping WiFi works in December when we all fly. Last April the WiFi was down from Bwi to sea and coming home.

Yeah I noticed that too, Am I reading it correctly that you can use multiple credits on the same flight? So I can purchase on DW, DD and my tablets so long I stay under 365 in the year?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

.

 

[Judique]

I love Epcot as a pregnant person lol. Normally it’s third on my list.

Actually, even though it's the park I visit the most due to staying at BCV and BWV on most trips, it's my 3rd also. First is Animal Kingdom, 2nd is Magic Kingdom, 3rd Epcot, then DHS, but I do like all the parks.
I got to do a preview at Animal Kingdom before it opened, that was offered to me at the desk at Poly while we were staying there. Had an amazing day there with cast members interacting and no crowds. That will always be my memory and feel for AK, even when it is super hot and crowded, I can block it all out and walk about with special memories and thoughts.
And, there were so many naysayers for AK, it remained a good experience for quite a few years. Then people started coming anyway and made it crowded, but Disney changed it along the way, sort of renewing it. I miss a few things like being able to do quick service at Tusker House and have never done the sit down there. I miss the amazing cinnamon rolls - if you get them they are not as good anywhere at Disney, even at Gaston's. I would buy one for the next morning with coffee, but now they are the type that dry up.
If you buy discounted Disney gift cards with your credit card to help meet an MSR, you can use them at AK to buy souvenirs - it's one of the few places I buy souvenirs.

Edited to add a special but not so special experience: The trail with the gorillas used to have the male/bachelor band on one side of the rope and wooden walkway/bridge thingy. One day, I was going across with other guests and they started pelting the guests with handfuls of poop! They missed me, but not everyone was that lucky! Now, you will not see six bachelors within firing distance of guests, lol.

 

[alryan]

If you didn’t grab the 80k SW Biz Performance offer, sadly, it is now down to 70k for $5k MSR and still no support links. Hope you grabbed it yesterday if you wanting the 80k offer.

Thanks for keeping us updated on the support links. I was hoping with the decreased offer they would start support links. Hopefully soon!