Credit Card Thread - Now with a Beginner's Guide to free travel/FAQ

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by blind dog, Apr 10, 2015.

  1. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I think you should be OK applying for the SPG Lux - Amex is more lenient with approvals if you don't have a history with them and you have a good score.
    Just a heads up - if you decide to apply, you can always use my referral link ;)


    Direct Link - https://amex.co/2Qcg0ls

    If that doesn't work - http://refer.amex.us/PRATIDFJsu?xl=cp15 and select the card from the "View all personal cards" section.

    Thanks!
     
  2. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    IIRC, Amex limits the points you can get by referring people each year to be under the 600$ limit (e.g. Platinum has a referral bonus limit of 55,000 MR which is equivalent to 550$ in cash). Same went for Chase before they nuked the referrals.
     
  3. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    We've got dansdeals for that.
     
  4. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Have been listening to a LOT of Dave Ramsey lately. Appreciate his perspective on being 100% anti-cc. Just have to remain incredibly vigilant regarding statements, annual fees, and rewards.
     
  5. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    :itsatrap:
     
  6. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Idk man, my car is paid off, no debt, and our mortgage will be paid off within six months... feeks prettt amazing.
     
  7. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Whatever works for you I guess
     
  8. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    Dave Ramsey is worthless unless you're a total money moron.
     
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  9. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

  10. rezy

    rezy Member
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    Florida State SeminolesNew York YankeesLos Angeles ClippersNew York GiantsManchester United

    I use the site more for the reviews of different airlines and hotels
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  11. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    How big was your mortgage?
     
  12. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    I love how Dave Ramsey recommends people should pay cash for their house, like that’s a feasible option for most people.
     
  13. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Owe 100, selling for 260, purchasing next house hopefully for 140.
     
  14. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    He recommends 15yr fixed mortgages also, provided 25% down and PITI less than 25% of your monthly income.
     
  15. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
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    Dave Ramsey is a simpleton
     
  16. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Anyway, weird tangent. Never hurts to be actively engaged in your finances and long-term goals.
     
  17. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    Oregon DucksPortland Trail BlazersSan Francisco 49'ersManchester UnitedPortland Timbers

    that’s great, but it isn’t feasible for most people looking to buy their first homes (at least on the west coast and NE).
     
  18. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    You don’t want the mortgage interest deduction?
     
  19. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

    Ever since I had a coworker blow up on me about how amazing he is, I've been doing the same thing. His anti-debt at all cost attitude is probably a good attitude for like 80% of the population who have no clue about finances. But some of his advice is asinine, and his ELP program is The Points Guy level gross. His contention that you can pay 100% of school costs delivering pizzas or driving for uber is just the dumbest baby boomer bootsrap crap I've heard. I have been attacking debt aggressively for a while though, similar to what he teaches, so I agree with him there.

    I'm glad he worked for you though. That's got to be an awesome feeling.
     
    #8519 Uncle Tupelo, Dec 5, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2018
    HuskerInMiami and NoNatty like this.
  20. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Well I’d have totally failed that with my 7 year interest only ARM.

    These one size fits all peddlers don’t go too far if you have some commons sense and accountability.
     
  21. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    That’s minimized now...
     
  22. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Good heavens... I don’t care what any of you do with your finances. I like the churning game, lots of great wisdom ITT.

    I never said “you should do what Dave Ramsey says.”
     
  23. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
    Donor
    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    Since I started the convo kind of with Abagnale's video, I'll sum it up further in case people skipped it...he talks about how bad using debit cards is mostly from a security perspective, and how credit cards offer far better protection. He did get into credit scores and the Equifax stuff a little, which further supported his stance of only using credit cards for security. He also tied it back to identity theft...if your name, DOB, and SSN are stolen, that info can be stored for years before someone decides to use it, but with credit card numbers they have a very short shelf-life in breaches.
     
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  24. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Agreed 100%, and thanks, don’t even need to watch the video now :badasswolf:
     
  25. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

  26. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

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  27. g8r

    g8r Well-Known Member
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    Florida GatorsBoston Red Sox

    Going for companion pass next year. I have two questions. First, strategy wise is it best to apply for the business card first (if denied I won’t get the miles regardless)? Second, do I need to wait any length of time between applying for the business and personal?

    My pops is flying Sunday on my miles so he is going to get me the 50k for $2k spend in flight offer. Unless there are referrals that offer that.
     
  28. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
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    Let me know how he gets that offer to you (paper, etc.) - I’m flying on Southwest in a couple of weeks so I’m gonna try to grab an offer while I’m on the flight.
     
    g8r likes this.
  29. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
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    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsFulhamSporting Kansas CitySneakers

    Got an email AA Platinum Select offer for my cat. 40k pts after $2k in purchases in the first three months. Is the something I could call to get the extra pt bonus? Or do I need to wait for a mailer?
     
  30. hawkeyeOUTeast

    hawkeyeOUTeast Well-Known Member
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    Iowa HawkeyesChicago CubsCarolina PanthersKansas City ChiefsCarolina HurricanesPGABig Ten Conference

    Thoughts on the inflight Barclay’s card for AA? It’s $95 annual fee and you only have to make one purchase to get the 50K miles. So basically $96 for 50K AA miles.
     
  31. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I have a couple of those. Not a bad deal at all for some quick AA points.
     
  32. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    It's usually 60k
     
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  33. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Most things I've read say they only match 15,000. So that would work if there's no language on there about 24 mo but it's just lower than usual
     
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  34. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

    Check the application page for 24 month language. I get those emails alot, but they always have that caveat when I actually open up the application.
     
    EMAW FC likes this.
  35. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I'm trying to decide if I should apply for another Citi AA or get the Schwab Amex for triple dipping on the Airline Credit.

    What would y'all do?!
     
  36. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Amex if you can hit the spend
     
  37. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

    Getting honeymoon stuff put together.

    Cant believe I can use 40k AA points to get to Tahiti via MCO>LAX>PPT.

    I can barely fly in the country sometimes with AA
     
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  38. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    Breakdown? Also interested in yoru itinerary as I'm planning a Tahiti honeymoon too.
     
  39. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    Seconded. It’s been almost ten years, but I’ll never not be interested in French Polynesia talk.
     
  40. Pharm

    Pharm Right Handed
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    Chase ultimate rewards still the best to pair with my southwest card? I hit the companion pass so now i want to get hotel points with money im already going to be spending on the house.
     
  41. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    It's a safe, flexible option for sure. And can transfer to southwest
     
  42. Pharm

    Pharm Right Handed
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    Some with better sign up bonuses though right now or perk?
     
  43. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    If you’re looking for the most Ultimate Rewards in one card right now, it’s the Chase Ink Preferred with 80,000. Don’t know if you have that one yet. I assume you’re under 5/24
     
  44. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

    Welll, we robbed citi of enough AA points and it’s just a straight redemption. Literally no fancy work. Takes almost the same points to fly to the west coast from FL as it does to get from FL to Tahiti.

    We’re island hopping in around Tahiti for 5 nights and then we’re spending 3 nights on Bora Bora and then flying back from Tahiti via the same exact redemption cost. Just a stupid good value. This is obviously in coach. We just did the exit row seats near the bathrooms.

    Haven’t dug much into what we’re doing while we’re there. There are so many excursions it’s ridiculous.
     
    #8544 C A N E, Dec 8, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2018
  45. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    What islands? Moorea? Taha’a? Huahine? Moore is so close to Tahiti that is a must-do. I can recommend some excursions for there and Bora Bora. Regardless, I’m legitimately excited for you.
     
    #8545 Todd Bonzales, Dec 8, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2018
    C A N E likes this.
  46. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    Excisions? Excursion?
     
  47. Struggler

    Struggler Well-Known Member
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati Bengals

    Did Marcus lose a kidney on vacation? :ohdear:
     
  48. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Chase sapphire reserve is arguably the top personal card now but much of its success has been nerfed by cutbacks in benefits, bonus and other cards improving. 50k bonus

    Chase sapphire preferred is 50k also with no annual fee the first year. You can upgrade to csr or downgrade to a free card after

    Ink is 80k but bigger spend requirement and is a business card so you have to be comfortable with that
     
  49. arrdub

    arrdub Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Have to get the wife a new iPhone and thinking about cheapest route

    Understand cash is lesser utility with UR points, but 80k covers most of upfront costs plus insurance coverage for all phones plus 3x points on cell bill ($270/mo) + cable ($200/mo) sounds like a nice all for one package. And she does actually have a small business so no integrity issues. I also travel a limited amount for my work so trip insurance and collision coverage are decent perks.

    Board consensus on this as a good strategy or no?

    Guessing I could also apply for one of these separately and use points at higher utility. Would being an added cardholder on her biz account prevent me from opening my own? While I am listed as an agent on her business filing, I could actually point to some side consulting work I do as a legit business enterprise if that would be the hurdle.

    Lyrtch was first to respond on my last generic inquiry for a referral on this so figure he gets first take on final round of deliberations as I move forward. But if someone wines and dines me and offers some really compelling advice or financial planning I might be willing to cheat on him. Arkadin already got my Freedom referral so maybe was my first love and proves I’m a philanderer. And then ohhaithur is probably the top shelf notch on the bedpost that anyone could be proud of. Really appreciate all you guys illuminating this stuff for the masses.
    :beaver:
     
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  50. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    talking about using chase ink business bonus towards a cell phone?

    if the price per cents value is good I don't see why not but I'd be a little surprised if it was that good

    you can get one yourself, just remove yourself as authorized user (not sure you have to but better safe than sorry)
     
    arrdub likes this.