I love credit cards so much!

[disneymagicgirl]

Ebay/online sales. And I really do that, as well as selling locally on CL, so I did not feel I was being untruthful at all. My selling is sporadic (I tend to sell more at the first of the year and during the summer) but I make about $800 a year doing so. I have never really considered it a 'business' but when dh & I met with a Chase banker to open accounts, she encouraged me to go for the CIP and told me that my selling qualified as a business.

hhmmnnn, I actually sell a ton of stuff too. with 4 kids there is always something around to sell. I make more doing that than the sewing/embroidery.

 

[AmyAnne]

Yikes, that would be bad news! I have a brand new shiny Amex card too and I'm just getting going on the spend. Since plastiq is a no-go, I'm looking for some creative ways to meet the 5k. I've read so much about how Amex catches on to people that MS so it's got me a bit nervous!!

AmEx seems very determined to catch people who just sign up for the bonus with no intention of using the card. I had thought about using Plastiq for either mortgage or student loan payments but I think I will stick to prepaying utilities.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Kind of a silly question but I figure one of you will be able to answer this right off hand for me. I am trying to accumulate a lot of UR points to book a WDW trip. If I have DH apply for CIP and get that, can he transfer his UR points to me so I can book a WDW vacation all at once through the portal on my account? Or would it be better for me to get that card?

Does that make sense? Didn't know if that would be a problem or not and didn't want to have issues with transferring UR points around or having to use his to book something else when I really want them for the WDW trip.

 

[calypso726]

Kind of a silly question but I figure one of you will be able to answer this right off hand for me. I am trying to accumulate a lot of UR points to book a WDW trip. If I have DH apply for CIP and get that, can he transfer his UR points to me so I can book a WDW vacation all at once through the portal on my account? Or would it be better for me to get that card?

Does that make sense? Didn't know if that would be a problem or not and didn't want to have issues with transferring UR points around or having to use his to book something else when I really want them for the WDW trip.

The answer to the question is yes. You may transfer either between your own accounts or to one (only one) member of your household. I would also suggest that each of you apply for and get your own CIP account and card. 160,000 + UR points is better than 80,000 + UR points.

 

[calypso726]

Some people find a one way ticket in first class to Timbucktu is the best bang for their buck they can get out of a point so that's what they do...

Hey, I resemble that remark Timbucktu ...

 

[Albort]

Hey everyone, I promised I'd come back with an UPDATE on paying my mortgage to Provident Funding with PLastiq:

I did get it to work by changing the address to the following: ATTN Cashier, PO Box 513738, Provident, LOS ANGELES, CA 90051.

They received my payment just fine and it did code at 3x. I had to take "Provident" out of the recipient name. When I called Provident to ask where I should send a check, they told me the first line should read Attn: Cashier. I used that as the recipient name in Plastiq and it worked!

Plastiq experts, can you advise about using AmEx to make a mortgage payment? I know there have been some references to changing the name of the payee so it doesn't say "mortgage" - does that work for AmEx or only Chase?

ETA: It looks like my thought to use Plastiq to meet minimum spend for a sign-up bonus on an AmEx card is a bad idea. I guess I will find out if my utilities have a limit as to how much I can prepay . . .

@AmyAnne you can try what @vanjust14 did in the above Quoted post. Its def ymmv. I would test it out with another amex card first though.

 

[AmyAnne]

@AmyAnne you can try what @vanjust14 did in the above Quoted post. Its def ymmv. I would test it out with another amex card first though.

I thought about trying that, but the other problem is that even if I could make the payment through Plastiq, there is a chance that AmEx would not count it towards the spending requirement, so I'd be paying the Plastiq fee for no good reason.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Hey, I resemble that remark Timbucktu ...

But you wouldn't go until you had a return first class ticket! That I can get behind

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Ugh. Applied for BoA premium and denied. No idea why except likely too many cards.
So bummed I just applied for Discover Card. At least I was approved for that! Will focus spend on that and get the double cash back after 12 months

 

[Lain]

Plastiq experts, can you advise about using AmEx to make a mortgage payment? I know there have been some references to changing the name of the payee so it doesn't say "mortgage" - does that work for AmEx or only Chase?

ETA: It looks like my thought to use Plastiq to meet minimum spend for a sign-up bonus on an AmEx card is a bad idea. I guess I will find out if my utilities have a limit as to how much I can prepay . . .

I’ve seen DPs — a few months old by now — that say changing the name of your mortgage recipient enough can get your payment around Amex’s ban. My guess is to comply with Amex’s policy, Plastiq has a blacklist of mortgage providers and servicers that prevent payment if you try to pay any off that list; but if you change the name of your recipient enough, your payment might slip through.

Yes, cannot use Amex to make mortgage payments through plastiq

It looks like that was a bad idea even if it had been possible. I found someone on one of the travel blogs saying that AmEx had considered his Plastiq rent payment to be a "cash equivalent" and therefore didn't count towards meeting the spending requirement.

Officially, Plastiq’s terms of service does not support mortgage payments (although it seems you can, and Plastiq even suggests in its error message for Visa/Amex that you pay mortgages using MasterCard and Discover).

4 Acceptable Use
4.1 Restricted Activities
You agree not to use the Services:

1. For unsupported transfers, including sending money
   1. to yourself or an entity in which you have control;
   2. on behalf of another party;
   3. not in direct exchange for a rendered good or service;
   4. for alimony or to escrow accounts;
   5. for goods or services whose delivery or completion has not yet been confirmed;
   6. as a donation to an organization not classified as a registered charity;
   7. other than for legitimate payment purposes (e.g., to test or probe card behaviors).
2. For unsupported goods and services, including
   1. gambling and related activity (such as lotteries, bidding fee auctions, sports forecasting or odds making, fantasy sports leagues, internet gaming, contests, sweepstakes, and games of chance);
   2. unsupported debt types (such as credit card balances, mortgage payments, or uncollateralized loans);
   3. certain investment accounts or to fund unsupported investments, including but not limited to 401(k) accounts, 403(b) plans, 457 plans, 529 plans, and IRAs;
   4. controlled substances and related goods or services;
   5. tobacco, e-cigaretttes, and e-liquid;
   6. products sold by online pharmacies;
   7. pornography, obscene materials, and sexually-related services;
   8. weapons, munitions, gunpowder, fireworks, and other explosives;
   9. toxic, flammable, and radioactive materials; or
   10. other goods and services subject to government regulation.
3. For Payment to a Recipient in an unsupported industry:
   1. For Recipients in the United States, the use of American Express cards is permitted for the following industries: Government, Utilities, Education, Residential Rent, and Club Fees & Memberships.

I’m a little surprised that Amex would consider a rent payment through Plastiq as cash equivalent and not count it towards minimum spend. That’s the first I’ve read about it. I used Plastiq to pay my DD’s preschool tuition on my SPG Biz and it counted towards the minimum spend. Sounds more like YMMV rather than systemic at this point.

All this talk about the CIP makes me think I should rethink my strategy once I am under 5/24 in March. DH has CIP. I don’t, but then he has a legitimate business (not making much right now but has invested equipment, has licensing etc). I know it has been posted as a question before but just wondering if anyone has had success with having you and your spouse both get the CIP for the same joint owned business? On the doing business as license with the State I am the co-owner and I am the one who is doing the financial aspects.

If you have separate businesses does anyone have thoughts of whether or not I would be successful pitching it as a travel business? I do plan trips for others...not so much getting paid other than thanks and sometimes gift cards but potentially it could grow into something more.

I’ve seen some DPs about co-owners of a jointly owned business going for their own CIPs. I recall that it’s allowed, but you can’t both use the business’s EIN/Tax ID number; one of you may have to use your SSN. I’d double check.

Kind of a silly question but I figure one of you will be able to answer this right off hand for me. I am trying to accumulate a lot of UR points to book a WDW trip. If I have DH apply for CIP and get that, can he transfer his UR points to me so I can book a WDW vacation all at once through the portal on my account? Or would it be better for me to get that card?

Does that make sense? Didn't know if that would be a problem or not and didn't want to have issues with transferring UR points around or having to use his to book something else when I really want them for the WDW trip.

Yes, you can have your DH apply for the CIP, earn the bonus, accumulate points every month, and transfer them to you. Ideally, you’d pool all your household’s points onto a CSR account for the 50% added value when booking travel through the Chase UR portal. I transfer my wife’s CIP, CSR, and Freedom points to my CSR after those cards’ billing cycles close every month.

The answer to the question is yes. You may transfer either between your own accounts or to one (only one) member of your household. I would also suggest that each of you apply for and get your own CIP account and card. 160,000 + UR points is better than 80,000 + UR points.

Don’t forget the 20,000 UR referral bonus! Have one spouse get the CIP first, then the other spouse applies using the first spouse’s referral link.

 

[AmyAnne]

I’m a little surprised that Amex would consider a rent payment through Plastiq as cash equivalent and not count it towards minimum spend. That’s the first I’ve read about it. I used Plastiq to pay my DD’s preschool tuition on my SPG Biz and it counted towards the minimum spend. Sounds more like YMMV rather than systemic at this point.

I saw the comment about AmEx not counting a Plastiq payment towards a minimum spend on this thread: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex-clawing-back-signup-bonus-points-gamed-spend/

And re-reading it now, it was a mortgage payment not a rent payment . . . I might pay the student loan and see what happens - if it doesn't count, I'll pay next year's electric bill

 

[wendow]

hhmmnnn, I actually sell a ton of stuff too. with 4 kids there is always something around to sell. I make more doing that than the sewing/embroidery.

Yep, I know 4 kids and all their gear lol! I think if you do decide to go for the CIP, just decide which business you would feel more comfortable 'defending' if you did need to call recon. That is why I chose online selling over travel planning. I have many more years behind me with online selling and I make more at this point doing that.

 

[kmc8826]

AmEx seems very determined to catch people who just sign up for the bonus with no intention of using the card. I had thought about using Plastiq for either mortgage or student loan payments but I think I will stick to prepaying utilities.

We finished minimum spend on the Amex Delta Platinum Business mid November. Still no bonus. 3 live chats and a phone call and all AMEX will tell me is quote the language of 6 to 8 weeks for the bonus. DH and I finally called yesterday on it and he told me to wait until mid February. It is more than a little frustrating at this point as it seems everyone’s experiences are that the bonus and Delta credit posts right away. Initially in the first month I spent about $1200 on insurance and real estate (paying off townhome rental in FL). Just my theory but I think that caught their attention. I have now spent about $1500 than I needed to for minimum spend. The stupid part is that I didn’t intend to use it regularly but did intend to keep the card as the $195 AF fee is offset for me buy the companion certificate. At this point though I don’t want to keep it! At any rate, iit has definitely soured me on Amex...if they don’t give you the bonus there isn’t a lot you can do.

 

[wendow]

I used my Freedom card a lot this Q4 at WM, kohls and JCP. I earned 5% at kohls and jcp but I also ended up returning a lot of purchases. I looked at my account with the returns now posted and they did not claw back the 4% bonus. They have the 1% taken away but that is it. Will Chase take that extra 4% back later?

 

[Lain]

I used my Freedom card a lot this Q4 at WM, kohls and JCP. I earned 5% at kohls and jcp but I also ended up returning a lot of purchases. I looked at my account with the returns now posted and they did not claw back the 4% bonus. They have the 1% taken away but that is it. Will Chase take that extra 4% back later?

No.

 

[wendow]

No.

Wow, I am really surprised by that.

 

[wendow]

Dang! I wonder why ours didn't work...it has been just over a year too.... although I'm not seeing the AU post yet so why not? is it 13 months? What happens if we just sit on it for a couple of weeks before calling? nothing I assume?

Has your new AF hit yet?

 

[Ava]

Maybe I’m just being dense, but how are people triple dipping on the CSR travel credit? I got the card in May 2017 (before the change so mine still resets on calendar year) & used the 2017 credit. My credit reset in mid-Dec, haven’t used the 2018 credit yet. I’ll be charged the AF again in May 2018, but my credit won’t reset again until Dec 2018. Did I just get my card at the wrong time to be able to triple dip? Or am I not understanding what people are doing?

I am rethinking, though, whether I should keep the CSR or have DW keep hers. If I PC mine after my 1-year mark in May, I can get $600 in travel credits plus a $100 global entry credit for one $450 AF plus whatever prorated AF I have to pay before I can PC. DW just got hers this month, so her travel credit is on card anniversary and will reset every Dec anyway. Also if she keeps hers she’ll only have to PC one card next Dec (she also got a CSP) instead of two. I’ll PC my CSP in March and then would have a couple months before I’d need to PC my CSR in May. I’m not sure it matters too much, but now that I’m thinking about it we’ll get a bit more “value” out of PCing my CSR since I’ll be able to double dip the $300 credit.

If I do decide to PC both my CSP & CSR, should I get a CFU & a second Freedom? I already have one Freedom (w/ DW as AU). I don’t know if I’d ever max out 5X categories on 2 cards but my only other option is the no-fee Sapphire, right?

 

[Albort]

Maybe I’m just being dense, but how are people triple dipping on the CSR travel credit? I got the card in May 2017 (before the change so mine still resets on calendar year) & used the 2017 credit. My credit reset in mid-Dec, haven’t used the 2018 credit yet. I’ll be charged the AF again in May 2018, but my credit won’t reset again until Dec 2018. Did I just get my card at the wrong time to be able to triple dip? Or am I not understanding what people are doing?

I am rethinking, though, whether I should keep the CSR or have DW keep hers. If I PC mine after my 1-year mark in May, I can get $600 in travel credits plus a $100 global entry credit for one $450 AF plus whatever prorated AF I have to pay before I can PC. DW just got hers this month, so her travel credit is on card anniversary and will reset every Dec anyway. Also if she keeps hers she’ll only have to PC one card next Dec (she also got a CSP) instead of two. I’ll PC my CSP in March and then would have a couple months before I’d need to PC my CSR in May. I’m not sure it matters too much, but now that I’m thinking about it we’ll get a bit more “value” out of PCing my CSR since I’ll be able to double dip the $300 credit.

If I do decide to PC both my CSP & CSR, should I get a CFU & a second Freedom? I already have one Freedom (w/ DW as AU). I don’t know if I’d ever max out 5X categories on 2 cards but my only other option is the no-fee Sapphire, right?

May 2017 - credit one.
Dec 2017- credit two.
Dec 2018 - credit three. | May 2018 2nd AF kicks. May-Dec = 8 months? $300 AF fee. Not worth triple dipping.

did u use your GE credit? GE credit once used has a 4 year reset clock. you are correct on your PCs. your choices are CFU, CF and Sapphire card. i recall you have to PC to CFU before going to CF though. could be wrong there.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Maybe I’m just being dense, but how are people triple dipping on the CSR travel credit? I got the card in May 2017 (before the change so mine still resets on calendar year) & used the 2017 credit. My credit reset in mid-Dec, haven’t used the 2018 credit yet. I’ll be charged the AF again in May 2018, but my credit won’t reset again until Dec 2018. Did I just get my card at the wrong time to be able to triple dip? Or am I not understanding what people are doing?

I am rethinking, though, whether I should keep the CSR or have DW keep hers. If I PC mine after my 1-year mark in May, I can get $600 in travel credits plus a $100 global entry credit for one $450 AF plus whatever prorated AF I have to pay before I can PC. DW just got hers this month, so her travel credit is on card anniversary and will reset every Dec anyway. Also if she keeps hers she’ll only have to PC one card next Dec (she also got a CSP) instead of two. I’ll PC my CSP in March and then would have a couple months before I’d need to PC my CSR in May. I’m not sure it matters too much, but now that I’m thinking about it we’ll get a bit more “value” out of PCing my CSR since I’ll be able to double dip the $300 credit.

If I do decide to PC both my CSP & CSR, should I get a CFU & a second Freedom? I already have one Freedom (w/ DW as AU). I don’t know if I’d ever max out 5X categories on 2 cards but my only other option is the no-fee Sapphire, right?

We got the CSR in Nov 2016, used TC, paid AF. TC reset Dec 15, 2016, used it. TC reset Dec 15, 2017. Used it. Downgraded CSR to CFU.