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. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    hey that worked

    but i also am under contract on a house so would likely be a terrible idea to do that right now

    rip
     
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  2. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    We’re actually in the middle of refinancing as well. Hope I didn’t mess anything up.
     
  3. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    that the amex plat isn't really a credit card is why I contemplated still doing it
     
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  4. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Both our credit scores are 800+, so I can’t imagine a charge card would affect us enough to change any qualifications or terms on the new mortgage
     
    Lyrtch likes this.
  5. HuskerInMiami

    HuskerInMiami Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Miami DolphinsNebraska Cornhuskers

    What is the best way to downgrade the amex platinum? I'm coming up on my 2nd year and I don't want to pay that $500 fee again. I hardly even used that card last year because of the pandemic.
     
  6. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    I'm not sure about downgrading but I felt the same when my renewal came up in November and I called to cancel and they gave me a $500 statement credit no minimum spend so the card ended up only costing me $50 for the year.
     
  7. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Call them up and tell them you didn't get any use out of the travel benefits. You should get an offer of 50k MR points or maybe $500 statement credit. I took the 50k MR points. That, plus the $100 at Home Depot and Best Buy, plus $30 per month until June when paying with PayPal makes it a must keep card IMO.
     
    LeVar Burton likes this.
  8. HuskerInMiami

    HuskerInMiami Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Miami DolphinsNebraska Cornhuskers

    Can you explain the bolded?
     
  9. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    Under the Amex Offers and benefits on the homepage there should be an offer for spend $50 at Best Buy get $50 back and spend $50 at Home Depot get $50 back and you're able to use both offers twice. For the paypal one you just need to add the card to your PayPal account and when you checkout pick paypal as the method and then that card and you get $30 free each month until June for anywhere that accepts Paypal. Those with the $200 travel credit that they have right now if you book through the Amex Portal and the Saks credit make the card well worth every penny.
     
  10. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    he's right you know.

    I haven't used Saks yet for 1H 2021, but I have started on Paypal credits as I posted above, and I am up to almost $300 in Best Buy GC's and it's not even February.
     
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  11. HuskerInMiami

    HuskerInMiami Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Miami DolphinsNebraska Cornhuskers

    Thank you for this. I have definitely not been maximizing my money.
     
    LeVar Burton likes this.
  12. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    FWIW, I think the Best Buy / Home Depot offers are showing up for people who've had the card on or before November 28th or similar.
     
  13. HuskerInMiami

    HuskerInMiami Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Miami DolphinsNebraska Cornhuskers

    Do you know if the $50 takes into consideration tax? I didn't see it on their offer terms. I just bought Miles Morales and realized it was $49.99 , but $53.49 after tax. I hope I end up getting it for $3.50.
     
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  14. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    It's the amount that gets billed to you - so yeah, it's after tax and it should trigger the offer.
     
  15. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    Couldn't get it to work, but was inspired to check card match. Have the 125k offer there but I'm not sure I have 5k in CC spend the next six months.
     
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  16. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    Send me the info and I'll rack up the $5k for you. I like to help out.
     
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  17. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    Any Aspire guys who have had their Aspire annual fee hit during the pandemic get retention offers? My annual fee just hit and I'm debating whether to keep the card or downgrade it and was curious if anybody got some good offers recently. Also just so I'm aware if I downgrade to either the surpass or their no annual fee card does that mean I can't earn the signup bonus for that card in the future?
     
  18. Tommy Callahan

    Tommy Callahan Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta Braves

    Big thing is it has to be bestbuy.com

    I needed a new financial calculator and so added two things of computer paper to get me over the hump. I did pick up in store and the lady on the phone said it wouldn’t count but I got a credit. Also got a 30 dollar PayPal credit already this month. B
     
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  19. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
    Donor
    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    Damn this worked but I got a message that due to Amex history of welcome offers, etc. I’m not eligible for this welcome offer. That blows.

    anyone know what actually triggers that? And is there a way to fix it?
     
  20. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    Respect - their agents are always helpful. For $450 a year or w/e they better be.

    YMMV - you might still be able to earn that BB credit on your next online purchase (again, delivery instead of in store pickup) from them.
     
  21. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    used both my best buy credits already, need to find something worth getting on home depot

    i kind of want to use one or two of the goldbelly credits but deciding and the actual cost of everything is nuts
     
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  22. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

  23. Russellin4885

    Russellin4885 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    Haven't done much with credit cards last year or so due to closing on some properties. Have a gap now between closings and want to do something with Chase. Can't remember the best strategy but currently wife has chase saphire preferred and that's really it. Have a couple business ink cards for my companies but neither are linked to my social or me at all. What's my best course of action here?
     
  24. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    Wife refers you to CSP.
     
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  25. Russellin4885

    Russellin4885 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    Maybe I'm not remembering but I thought there was some strategy with chase and getting one and then you could downgrade it so you could get another one. Something along those lines.
     
  26. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    I just called to cancel the Aspire card and they said I'll have a $500 statement credit coming on the next billing statement. So that card will be free this year.
     
    Todd Bonzales, pratyk, laxjoe and 2 others like this.
  27. tjosu

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

    How easy was that exchange? Been on the fence of when I want to downgrade or get rid of that card
     
  28. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    Was surprisingly easy. Just called to cancel and they passed me to the retention team and she said I had been approved for a $500 retention offer for my Aspire when I called to cancel my Platinum back in November in addition to the $500 statement credit they gave me for my Platinum.
     
    LeVar Burton, Todd Bonzales and tjosu like this.
  29. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    Thanks, I have both as well.

    How much spending is on those cards? Neither are my everyday card (CSR) so i'm wondering if I'll have been targeted/qualify.
     
  30. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    Not as much this year. Only about $10k-$15k between the two. But prior to this year I would use my Aspire to book trips for work so spending was $40k+ between the two.
     
  31. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    CSP and CSR offer the nice sign up bonuses. Freedom flex and Freedom unlimited are the downgrade options, with no annual fee and quality earning potential as everyday spend cards.

    You just need to keep one CSR, CSP or Ink Preferred to maximize the value of UR points. Any others can be downgraded after a year
     
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  32. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I’m about to call Amex for my Schwab platinum. Hope it goes the same way. I’d prefer MR tho but will take anything.
     
  33. Russellin4885

    Russellin4885 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    Think I'm going to try and do a business Ink Preferred card with my personal info. That's 100,000 bonus points so that's pretty sweet. Probably wait a couple months and then do a chase sapphire referral from my wife.
     
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  34. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Just note the $15k in 3 month spend :rain:
     
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  35. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Yeah that is just too steep for me to play anymore
     
    TAS likes this.
  36. kinghill

    kinghill Cool American Flavour
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsMiami HeatPoker

    newbie advice please - I keep thinking "oh yeah I need to get into that credit card points/free travel points thing" but like, it really only works if you (1) travel and spend a ton and/or (2) travel for work, is that accurate?

    Take me just an average earner household and max 3-4 trips a year type thing, there's really no point in me spending a lot of time opening up new credit cards and what not right? I have credit card cashback rewards already and get a few points/miles here and there with hotels/airlines but that's it.

    For a more precise measurement if needed, last year 2020 I spent approximately $13.5k on my top credit card.
     
  37. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Nope

    And you got like $200 cash back in that right? How would 3 bonuses not be better?
     
  38. kinghill

    kinghill Cool American Flavour
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsMiami HeatPoker

    I got $405 cashback or about 3%.

    I don't know about the bonuses. I think I will read the thread. Thanks.
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  39. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    The $60 door dash credit for CSR....do you have to do anything to activate that credit or you just automatically get it similar to the $300 travel credit? Also noticed that the $300 travel credit can be used for gas and I think groceries up until ~summer 2021.
     
  40. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    Also 10x points on Lyft will be cool if they keep it going after I get vaccinated and start doing stuff again.
     
  41. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Use the CSR on DoorDash and it will automatically be applied to your statement.
     
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  42. Jimmy the Saint

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

    I feel like they're going to need to do something to maintain the card's value at some point. 3x dining was a big one and now you can get it for free.
     
  43. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    OP answers a lot of questions. A single bonus should be worth more than that, I average about $600 per bonus when I do it
     
  44. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    I'm down with that. Basically get $60 worth of free food.
     
    laxjoe likes this.
  45. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    It's a $550 annual fee. You get $300 travel credit, $60 door dash. So really only $200 annual fee. Not bad.
     
  46. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    Plus if you have peloton you get $120 a year for that too.
     
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  47. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    I have Peleton and already paid the fee . My wife said they wouldn't let her apply the $120 when we've already paid. I guess I have to wait until next year.
     
  48. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    When I got the CSR like 2 or 3 years ago , I think the consensus in this thread was it was one of , if not the best, all around cards. Is that still the consensus? I've been really happy with it but I don't' track this shit closely as yall do. If there's a better all around card I'd consider getting it.
     
  49. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I think it's the best card for those who are serious about using it to its potential. But an increased fee and less travel due to Covid definitely put asterisks on both of those points
     
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