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

[1st*toright]

I'm not sure if I'll keep my Gold or not. I like the 4 points on groceries and restaurants, but like you said upgrading to the CSR may be a better choice for me. Most of my disposable income goes towards travel, mostly cruises. The 3 points on travel is a big perk. In addition one of New Year's resolutions this year is going to be to cut down on the eating out. It's such an unnecessary drain on the budget. I also have the BCP which gives 6% back on groceries. I'm going to have to decide which cards I'm going to keep and use for everyday spend when I'm not working on a MSR.

I was waffling between the Amex Gold and the BCP - we try hard not to eat out too much, but I didn't have a good grocery store card. I chose the Gold because I have a specific redemption that I'm trying to swing and I needed to build up my MR balance, so the intro bonus on the Gold won me over. Definitely have my eye on the BCP for some future point. I agree that one one of those would wind up as keeper in my wallet. The CSR is a keeper for me - the travel earn, plus the relatively low AF (after the $300 credit) mean that it continues to make sense.

 

[gottalovepluto]

New round of Chase Staples offers. I had 10% back up to $6 on CSR & Disney. Staples will split tender FYI.

Also had CVS 10% back up to $4 on CFU.

 

[DisneyMandC]

New round of Chase Staples offers. I had 10% back up to $6 on CSR & Disney. Staples will split tender FYI.

Also had CVS 10% back up to $4 on CFU.

Of course I went to Staples today without checking that Oh well, I used CIC for 5x today. I’ll go back next Saturday and pick up some more VGCs when I have DH with me.

 

[Haley R]

Thanks will probably try there this week...so far have just gone to FD

I did a customer service cashier at Walmart and she knew how to do it. She was really quick about it too

 

[Haley R]

New round of Chase Staples offers. I had 10% back up to $6 on CSR & Disney. Staples will split tender FYI.

Also had CVS 10% back up to $4 on CFU.

We have CVS but not staples. I might go to CVS and get an amazon gift card

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

I need to figure out a reliable good way to use the $10 monthly credit on the Amex Gold. The one for Cheesecake Factory, Grub Hub, Boxed etc. I cannot confirm or deny that I spent way too much time tonight contemplating what to order as dessert tonight. Sadly I talked myself out of it and ordered nothing. And now DH just got his Gold so I will have to do it twice. My problem is that Cheesecake Factory is a pain to get too, and the local places on Grub Hub are a little questionable for our picky family. I just hate to leave money on the table! Is everyone else using the credits consistently?

Dh and I have a monthly date lunch at Shake Shack because it's right by our Costco We each get a hamburger, mine with lettuce wrap, and split the fries. He'll get a drink sometimes. No CF for us because he cannot eat any dairy at all

Has there been discussion of AMEX adding Trip interruption and Trip delay insurance to some of their cards here? I didn't see it but often miss 20-30 pages at a time. I found it on AutoSlash of all places. https://www.autoslash.com/blog-and-tips/posts/american-express-travel-benefit-changes

I'm happy about it---now I have a choice of using the CSR or my Plat.

We're doing a Greece cruise in October 21 on NCL. I booked just about the cheapest cabin possible for this one because it is over 700 days away and I figure I can watch prices and move up to a higher category when the fare drops, etc.

Ooooo which ports?

Let’s do MSR Sunday!! What’s everyone working on? Just a reminder to please not list what number card you’re working on if you’ve received a certain card more than once. Thanks!!

We aren't working on any MSRs now! My Plat spend just finished.

Next up for me will be a Chase business card, tbd.
Dh is back to feeling slightly reluctant, so I'm going to hold off on him for quite some time. He's happy putting all his spend on his Gold and doing the quarter thing with his CF. I might go for a Plat for him next year and/or the SW CP for 2021-22.

New round of Chase Staples offers. I had 10% back up to $6 on CSR & Disney. Staples will split tender FYI.

Also had CVS 10% back up to $4 on CFU.

Yaaaaas 10% at Staples for my CSR and CF! This makes up for the 5% at CVS lol

 

[amalone1013]

I see lots of Chase offers, in case some have them. I'm bad about checking them. Here's a couple:

• 15% back at Grubhub, $5 max
• 25% back at Five Guys, $7.50 max

I was hoping the Staples would be on my Freedom or DHs CSR soon to be Freedom... but no, his SW card I was hoping to stack the 10% off with the no fee VGC and use Chase pay via Samsung pay for 5x points. Le sigh.

 

[Ngwira]

Points finally posted for my ihg accelerate offer for two stays at 2 brands. Both stays were on points so these bonus points are just gravy.

 

[KEGintheSEA]

To add to @Judique’s reply, store cards may or may not count against 5/24. The only way to be sure is to review your credit report(s) to see if the store cards show up.

This is essentially what Chase does on an automatic level when you apply for one of their cards and they make a hard inquiry of your credit report(s) to check how many cards you’ve opened in the past 24 months. Chase can only count the cards that have been reported, i.e., show up on your credit report(s). If the store cards don’t show up on your credit report(s), they don’t count against 5/24.

You can review your own credit reports free and easily by signing up for Credit Karma. Credit Karma will show you (essentially) what is on your Equifax and TransUnion reports, and this should be roughly the same on your Experian report which Chase likes to pull for some folks. Review your accounts, regardless of whether still open or canceled, and count those that have an opening date in the last 24 months.

I checked Status Money and the store cards showed up. I confirmed via creditkarma that TransUnion and Equifax show all the store cards, so I don't fall under 5/24 until 5/2020. Sounds like I should wait until then and possibly double apply for chase cards.

I'm assuming a product change would count as a new CC... I really don't want to keep my Flexperks gold open but I also need to have a US bank CC in order to keep my US bank account free. I could just completely close my US bank account when I close the flexperks gold card at the end of Feb 2020. Would the US Bank Altitude card be worth waiting until 9/2020 for Chase?

As far as the selling question, I have not sold anything on ebay but I have sold a couple of things on craigslist/offerup. I could start selling my bulk magic cards as a business... so that option isn't totally off the table.

 

[orangecuse]

MSR sunday-

P1- 1.5k Citi AA biz (willbe done w/ next mortgage payment)
P2- nada

Next plans-
P1- can do a Chase card Nov 17
P2- Chase card Oct 17

I’m thinking I wanna just sit without MSR for a few weeks until we make a move on P2 Chase card and then if we feel thin on MSR near Christmas shopping add in an Amex biz.

HOWEVER- we have like $1k still in hospital bills to pay for baby and myself so any low MSR biz suggestions I should consider?

 

[orangecuse]

I checked Status Money and the store cards showed up. I confirmed via creditkarma that TransUnion and Equifax show all the store cards, so I don't fall under 5/24 until 5/2020. Sounds like I should wait until then and possibly double apply for chase cards.

I'm assuming a product change would count as a new CC... I really don't want to keep my Flexperks gold open but I also need to have a US bank CC in order to keep my US bank account free. I could just completely close my US bank account when I close the flexperks gold card at the end of Feb 2020. Would the US Bank Altitude card be worth waiting until 9/2020 for Chase?

As far as the selling question, I have not sold anything on ebay but I have sold a couple of things on craigslist/offerup. I could start selling my bulk magic cards as a business... so that option isn't totally off the table.

Product changes don’t USUALLY count as a new CC as long as the # stays the same. I’d call and ask if they can change it and keep your same #! I changed my BOA and kept the same acct# so it wouldn’t count as a new card.

 

[StephPlum]

MSR Sunday
Working on P2 CIP - 3,900 to go but have until Dec 2.


MS Sunday
ODOM and Staples. Will try for as much as I can on P1 CIC and P2 CIC employee card. The closest ODOM started calling for pre-authorization before allowing $400 in gift card purchases. Hoping this works out ok or will have to only stick with Staples. My Staples experiences are varied. Some clerks do not enforce the limit of 1 and some do.
I'll stop at Walmart, across the street from Staples, to liquidate.

I am waffling between MSing for 5x URs and hitting MSR on CIP. I'll probably use GCM for a lot of the MSR since that is a very low fee using ebates and stick with CIC at the office stores.

Next plans
P1 - apply for CIP this week waiting the 3 months since last Chase app.
P2 - apply for IHG premier before the increased bonus offer ends. This will put P2 at 1/24. Still a lot of runway there.

MS highs and lows today.
ODOM is dead to me They have to call for pre-authorization. Some central VISA number, not Chase. Declined for $400 on VGC. WHAT - I have $5000 available credit on that card. It is embarrassing to have them say it is declined. Last time I thought it was because it was I had just bought $800 the night before. But that is not the case this time. I would love to figure this out. Going to call Chase to see if they have any thoughts. Maybe it is looking at cash advance and that is low? Frustrating

Next up Staples near Walmart. They have ONE $200 VGC left. I am there at 11:25, 25 minutes after they open. There is no way they sold out that fast. I ask if they have any more, but the cashier says they get put out as they come in. I should have tried to open the case and look since he didn't want to take that extra step.

Two strikes and I am bummed that my MS plan for this morning is not working out. I decide to try one more thing. There is a staples 10 mins away. I drive there and finally strike gold. They have a ton of cards. I grab $1000 and see if they will say anything about only allowing 1 per customer. The cashier rings them all up and they go through (take that decline from ODOM). Then off to Walmart to load to serve.

 

[wanderlust7]

Breakfasting at the Escape Lounge at OAK on the way to meet my Dad and sister on Maui. Love my Amex Plat!
View attachment 439893

We were just there yesterday! For lunch on our way to Anaheim. That omelette looks delish!

DCA Halloween party is today. We went to Splitsville last night. Geez is Downtown Disney crowded on a Saturday night!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

How many people have more than 4 Chase Biz cards?
DH has CIU, CIC, SW Performance Biz, and SW Premier Biz. Any chance he could get CIP?

My wife has gotten 5 Chase biz cards (and 7 Chase overall) in the past 17 months. She currently has 4 of the biz cards open.

Add in 3 other biz cards from other issues and you might say Business is Boomin’!!

As a Steeler fan, This seems appropriate...

 

[GlamMistress]

Ooooo which ports?

RT from Venice (we've never been) - I am thinking I will fly into Athens first, tour there and then fly on to Venice to start the cruise and then just fly home from Venice as well. Of course, that is all dependent on what flights I can get on miles. I'll reverse the plan if I have to and do Athens on the back end. It doesn't really matter to me.

 

[GlamMistress]

Went to Sam's to get another Disney gift card. Shock of shocks, Dosh didn't track again.

MSR Sunday: I've got around $750 left of my $15k spend for my free Hilton weekend night (plan is to use during Food and Wine next October at the Waldorf). I am saddened at how quickly we've burned through that spend. Especially since I'm also regularly using Chase cards in my daily life too.

 

[amalone1013]

Hopefully this random pending $40 charge for the Springhill Suites in Ontario was more like an incidental hold and will fall off... We used one of ILs free night certs for them Friday night before they came home, they were out with BIL again because they started a different treatment. I booked it so I just threw my card number in since there should be no charges...

 

[bernina]

Ummm.. it’s not odd to be looking for a cheap getaway the weekend of the 11th since DD has a day off school is it?

Unfortunately all the top tier Universal resorts are sold out otherwise we seriously might have started booking. I’m itching to get away before our spring break trip in March.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I see lots of Chase offers, in case some have them. I'm bad about checking them. Here's a couple:

• 15% back at Grubhub, $5 max
• 25% back at Five Guys, $7.50 max

I was hoping the Staples would be on my Freedom or DHs CSR soon to be Freedom... but no, his SW card I was hoping to stack the 10% off with the no fee VGC and use Chase pay via Samsung pay for 5x points. Le sigh.

I hate Five Guys offers. The offers look so good —> I remember how expensive Five Guys is —> I think how In N Out is a better deal + better food —> I buy In N Out for lunch or dinner (when 2 mins earlier I had no intention of eating out...)

 

[gottalovepluto]

Ummm.. it’s not odd to be looking for a cheap getaway the weekend of the 11th since DD has a day off school is it?

Unfortunately all the top tier Universal resorts are sold out otherwise we seriously might have started booking. I’m itching to get away before our spring break trip in March.

Over Veterans Weekend? That’s a pretty popular quick getaway weekend so that could be tough last minute. Fwiw I loved Sapphire Falls but you’d have to buy ExpressPass separately...