I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[LynnTH]

Back in December I opened up US Bank - Bank Accounts for $400 bonus. Opened up 1 in my name and one in DH's. Deposited the same amount of $ into each account (per the bonus rules) from my Cap One Savings Account. The bonus for my account posted right away after the 1st Statement. Just received 2nd Statement today and DH still has not gotten the bonus. I know it says up to 90 days - but just odd that I would get mine so soon but not him as things were done at the same time.

Anyone else run into anything like this?

 

[wanderlust7]

Back in December I opened up US Bank - Bank Accounts for $400 bonus. Opened up 1 in my name and one in DH's. Deposited the same amount of $ into each account (per the bonus rules) from my Cap One Savings Account. The bonus for my account posted right away after the 1st Statement. Just received 2nd Statement today and DH still has not gotten the bonus. I know it says up to 90 days - but just odd that I would get mine so soon but not him as things were done at the same time.

Anyone else run into anything like this?

I think their bonuses are one per household.

 

[Killer Fish]

With the new CDC rules for coming back from international I just cancelled Zilara Cancun for March and pushed Hyatt Regency Aruba from April to September. Womp womp.

 

[Albort]

With the new CDC rules for coming back from international I just cancelled Zilara Cancun for March and pushed Hyatt Regency Aruba from April to September. Womp womp.

u should reconsider Cancun. Theres a list for Cancun for places to get tested. U can also call Hyatt directly to see if they offer testing directly at the hotel.
unless ur issue is being stuck in mexico if u test positive.

 

[wanderlust7]

Thank you! I was about to apply for the card, but I am reconsidering. It would put me at 5/24 until April. I need to save a spot for the Chase Aeroplan at the end of 2021. This means that I wouldn't be able to cancel my Hyatt card and re-apply this year. I have to decide what I want more: Hyatt or Hilton points.


I noticed that I'm missing my FNC from a cancelled reservation. I'll have to call Marriott (a call that I always dread).

You could do both the Aeroplan and Hyatt if you MDD it when you're 4/24. Not sure if that fits your long term 5/24 plans. I'd like to play the Hilton upgrade/downgrade game eventually, but feel constrained by 5/24 and the 4 CC limit. This game is like a puzzle sometimes.

 

[LynnTH]

I think their bonuses are one per household.

IWell dag nab it... just read through all the fine print and see it way at the bottom. I was looking at the other criteria - no current account, no account in past 6 months and no bonus in past 12 months. I guess I can stop looking for that bonus to appear.

Note to self - Read EVERYTHING!!

 

[LynnTH]

With the new CDC rules for coming back from international I just cancelled Zilara Cancun for March and pushed Hyatt Regency Aruba from April to September. Womp womp.

I just cancelled our Cabo Trip for March. Now I have over 900,000 UR's.... Not worth it just in case we get stuck there and can't get back. Don't want to spend more $ and have to use more vacation time and the kids need to get back to college. Now going to research someplace in the US - probably Florida somewhere we can hang out at Resort/Beach.

 

[disneybirds]

Another question re: PC. My Aspire $450 AF hit on January 10th. I always thought of this as a keeper card, but I don't think I will get any value out of it this year. I will keep my diamond status through March, 2022, so that still gives me free breakfast at Hilton-branded properties.

Should I downgrade to the no fee Hilton card? Or should I cancel the Aspire and apply for the Hilton no fee card to get the 100,000 points?

Here are my AmEx stats:

AmEx Personal Platinum	Personal	71002​	25-Jan-20​
AmEx Biz Platinum	Business	61007​	27-Jan-20​

AmEx Hilton Aspire	Personal	71008​	14-Dec-18​
AmEx Hilton Business	Business		27-Jan-19​

Chase Marriott Brilliant Closed March, 2020

Personal

30-Apr-19​

AmEx Bonvoy Business Closed April, 2020

Business

18-Mar-19​

I will be interested in the replies as well. The AF is posting today for DHs Aspire and Delta Reserve. I don't see him traveling again for awhile. Thinking of downgrading both since he has had them since 2011/2012. I know there are some that downgrade and then hope to get a bonus for upgrading on the Hilton cards.

 

[disneybirds]

You could do both the Aeroplan and Hyatt if you MDD it when you're 4/24. Not sure if that fits your long term 5/24 plans. I'd like to play the Hilton upgrade/downgrade game eventually, but feel constrained by 5/24 and the 4 CC limit. This game is like a puzzle sometimes.

Did it change from 5 CCs to 4 CCs? That might change my mind about downgrading the Delta Reserve. Was thinking of PC to the Delta Blue and then applying for the Delta Res Biz when DH starts traveling again. I like the perks of his Delta Plat status but he will probably need the MQMs from the credit card to reach that for next year.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I called for a retention offer on the Aspire and was offered a $50.00 statement credit for $500.00 spend in 3 months or 10,000 points. Neither is calling to me. I have until February 9th to decide what I want to do. I will most likely cancel and at some point apply for the NF 100,000 HH card.

 

[wanderlust7]

Did it change from 5 CCs to 4 CCs? That might change my mind about downgrading the Delta Reserve. Was thinking of PC to the Delta Blue and then applying for the Delta Res Biz when DH starts traveling again. I like the perks of his Delta Plat status but he will probably need the MQMs from the credit card to reach that for next year.

Some people can still get 5, but most are limited to 4 now. If you don't mind calling, you could try your luck. If not approved, then call in to close one.

 

[Hoosier John]

Looking for Biz card ideas (since I'm 4/24 until 2022).
I can spend $5k/mo. without any strain, and could scrape together more, but not the CIP's or Biz Plat's $15k spend in 3 mos.
Prefer URs or MRs, and really have little use for any Hotel or Air Travel cards.

Thinking about:
* Amex Blue Biz Plus ...(10k MRs for $3k spend in 3 months; 2x on everything and a free place to park MRs until I get Schwab Plat)
* Amex Gold Business (60k MRs for $7.5k spend in 3 months; 4x on 2 categories like Dining, Fuel, and/or Technology with a $295 AF)

I have:
11/20 Amex Platinum
08/20 Amex Gold
06/20 Chase Sapphire Preferred
03/20 Chase Ink Preferred (biz)
03/20 NavyFed cashReward
12/19 Chase Ink Cash (biz)
08/19 Chase Ink Unlimited (biz)
05/19 Chase Ink Business (biz)

Older:
PenFed Platinum Reward (5x Fuel)
PenFed Cash Rewards (2x everything)
BoA Cash Reward (3x on choice of: Home Improvement, Fuel, Dining, Drug stores, Online, or Travel)
Barclays Uber Visa (4x Uber)
Discover it (5x quarterly categories)
Chase Freedom (5x quarterly cats.)

Am I missing anything good out there?
Anything I need to know about Amex Biz applications?
... I would be applying under Sole Prop. long established Rental House

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Looking for Biz card ideas (since I'm 4/24 until 2022).
I can spend $5k/mo. without any strain, and could scrape together more, but not the CIP's or Biz Plat's $15k spend in 3 mos.
Prefer URs or MRs, and really have little use for any Hotel or Air Travel cards.

Thinking about:
* Amex Blue Biz Plus ...(10k MRs for $3k spend in 3 months; 2x on everything and a free place to park MRs until I get Schwab Plat)
* Amex Gold Business (60k MRs for $7.5k spend in 3 months; 4x on 2 categories like Dining, Fuel, and/or Technology with a $295 AF)

I have:
11/20 Amex Platinum
08/20 Amex Gold
06/20 Chase Sapphire Preferred
03/20 Chase Ink Preferred (biz)
03/20 NavyFed cashReward
12/19 Chase Ink Cash (biz)
08/19 Chase Ink Unlimited (biz)
05/19 Chase Ink Business (biz)

Older:
PenFed Platinum Reward (5x Fuel)
PenFed Cash Rewards (2x everything)
BoA Cash Reward (3x on choice of: Home Improvement, Fuel, Dining, Drug stores, Online, or Travel)
Barclays Uber Visa (4x Uber)
Discover it (5x quarterly categories)
Chase Freedom (5x quarterly cats.)


Am I missing anything good out there?
Anything I need to know about Amex Biz applications?
... I would be applying under Sole Prop. long established Rental House

Applying should be pretty straightforward - nothing different from what you're used to with other issuers.

As you've probably read, with Amex you want to keep up the spending on the card. So which of those cards would you be able to at least put regular spend on? BBP of course is 2x everywhere... But with Gold Biz you could get 4x on Restaurants and Gas which might be good. The Biz Gold has that high AF though, are you committed to paying that beyond year 1? You could downgrade to a Biz Green, but there is not a "No AF" downgrade option for that card.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Looking for Biz card ideas (since I'm 4/24 until 2022).
I can spend $5k/mo. without any strain, and could scrape together more, but not the CIP's or Biz Plat's $15k spend in 3 mos.
Prefer URs or MRs, and really have little use for any Hotel or Air Travel cards.

Thinking about:
* Amex Blue Biz Plus ...(10k MRs for $3k spend in 3 months; 2x on everything and a free place to park MRs until I get Schwab Plat)
* Amex Gold Business (60k MRs for $7.5k spend in 3 months; 4x on 2 categories like Dining, Fuel, and/or Technology with a $295 AF)

I have:
11/20 Amex Platinum
08/20 Amex Gold
06/20 Chase Sapphire Preferred
03/20 Chase Ink Preferred (biz)
03/20 NavyFed cashReward
12/19 Chase Ink Cash (biz)
08/19 Chase Ink Unlimited (biz)
05/19 Chase Ink Business (biz)

Older:
PenFed Platinum Reward (5x Fuel)
PenFed Cash Rewards (2x everything)
BoA Cash Reward (3x on choice of: Home Improvement, Fuel, Dining, Drug stores, Online, or Travel)
Barclays Uber Visa (4x Uber)
Discover it (5x quarterly categories)
Chase Freedom (5x quarterly cats.)


Am I missing anything good out there?
Anything I need to know about Amex Biz applications?
... I would be applying under Sole Prop. long established Rental House

How about a CIC or CIU for the 75,000URs after the $7,500 spend

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

How about a CIC or CIU for the 75,000URs after the $7,500 spend

And this would also warrant consideration!

 

[WardFam]

I noticed that I'm missing my FNC from a cancelled reservation. I'll have to call Marriott (a call that I always dread).
[/QUOTE]

This happened to me also and it was a pain. They had to transfer me a couple of times, but I was able to get it returned. Good luck!

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

Hugs to the rest of my California ppl... the cancellation of the current Disneyland AP program is a tough blow

 

[Hoosier John]

IWell dag nab it... just read through all the fine print and see it way at the bottom. I was looking at the other criteria - no current account, no account in past 6 months and no bonus in past 12 months. I guess I can stop looking for that bonus to appear.

Note to self - Read EVERYTHING!!

At least you got the bonus before you husband

 

[Hoosier John]

Applying should be pretty straightforward - nothing different from what you're used to with other issuers.

As you've probably read, with Amex you want to keep up the spending on the card. So which of those cards would you be able to at least put regular spend on? BBP of course is 2x everywhere... But with Gold Biz you could get 4x on Restaurants and Gas which might be good. The Biz Gold has that high AF though, are you committed to paying that beyond year 1? You could downgrade to a Biz Green, but there is not a "No AF" downgrade option for that card.

Good point about the End Game! I hadn't even considered that. I could continue to put spend on either card; using the 2% everywhere or 4x on Restaurants/Gas/Technology (but already have competing cards with mostly the same benefits without AFs).

I figured I could easily put continuing spend on either card, and just cancel when I got tired of the AF, but by the tone of your response it sounds like canceling an Amex would anger them (even if it was a couple years later), putting me in the infamous pop up jail)?

How about a CIC or CIU for the 75,000URs after the $7,500 spend

That's exactly what I first looked at! Then I thought I'd rather have 750 URs (or MRs) than $750, but now it's moving toward the top of my list again (in light of SFF's comments above).

Thanks folks and still open to more comments!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Good point about the End Game! I hadn't even considered that. I could continue to put spend on either card; using the 2% everywhere or 4x on Restaurants/Gas/Technology (but already have competing cards with mostly the same benefits without AFs).

I figured I could easily put continuing spend on either card, and just cancel when I got tired of the AF, but by the tone of your response it sounds like canceling an Amex would anger them (even it was a couple years later), putting me in the infamous pop up jail?


That's exactly what I first looked at! Then I thought I'd rather have 750 URs (or MRs) than $750, but now it's moving toward the top of my list again (in light of SFF's comments above).

Thanks folks and still open to more comments!

MRs can be fantastic, but you need to know how you plan to use them. At this point, I would not want to grab one Amex card with an AF and plan to cancel it after a year. Probably not the best plan with them... But Amex cards might pop on to your radar at some point here, so don't ignore them completely.

CIC or CIU is definitely the easy option here... 75,000 URs, gotta spend $7,500 to get them though, that's the only (very minor) downside there.