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. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    I believe it does.
     
    Lipp the Gay Liberal likes this.
  2. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    Maybe its already been mentioned but Chase UR points are currently worth 50% more when redeemed toward certain Apple products. As I understand it, the deal is going to last through middle of November. I am eyeing the Nike Watch Series 6 for 28,600 points. For those of you that are better at this than me, is that a decent deal or should I steer clear?
     
  3. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    You could just "pay yourself back" and then buy the watch with your card. You'd earn points for the purchase so it would actually be cheaper
     
  4. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    Dumb question- don't I need to purchase it first then try and use the pay yourself back tool? I didn't think I could use that for the Apple store? Or are you suggesting that I pay myself back for roughly the amount I will spend on the watch then buy the watch with the card and get the 1x points on the purchase?
     
  5. laxjoe

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

    I am in idiot. Carry on
     
    #12955 laxjoe, Oct 22, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2020
  6. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Blue Cash Everyday is no fee.
     
  7. laxjoe

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

    I’m am idiot. I was confusing it with the blue cash preferred.
    upload_2020-10-22_11-43-36.gif
     
  8. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    The latter. Money is fungible and such.
     
  9. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    What Lipp said, especially since you'd get warrantee protection and could actually get it on sale somewhere
     
    CoastalOrange likes this.
  10. g8r

    g8r Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsBoston Red Sox

    I assume Walmart falls in the grocery chase pay yourself back category correct
     
  11. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    I'm not sure about Walmart but I tried Sam's Club and Costco and those didn't.
     
  12. laxjoe

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

    Yay I think Walmart and target and those types don’t count. But maybe not
     
  13. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

    My Walmart neighborhood market does count, I imagine the superstores don’t.
     
    laxjoe likes this.
  14. pianoman

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

    Amex Platinum renewal fee just hit my statement and because my company isn't allowing any travel for the foreseeable future I want to cancel. I just call and cancel, that's it to not lose my signup bonus? Also I thought I read somewhere that since I don't have any other Amex rewards cards I'll need to transfer my points out before I cancel, is that true?
     
    TAS likes this.
  15. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Downgrading is usually preferable to closing an account, but I'm not as familiar with AMEX downgrade options. I would recommend exploring your options, to avoid having to transfer points and losing the account history on your credit report. It's not always the best answer for everyone but worth looking into.
     
    pianoman likes this.
  16. pianoman

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

    I'll be cancelling because I'm pretty sure the only card you can downgrade to is the Amex Gold and I have no use for that. Plus I've only had it open for a year so it won't hit my account history badly as I have multiple other cards with longer histories.
     
    TAS likes this.
  17. pianoman

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

    I called today to cancel the Platinum but they offered me a $500 statement credit straight up so that means the card is costing me $50 for the year and between the Uber credit, Saks credit and airline credit I'll easily get that back so I'm keeping it.
     
    DistantFactor, Lyrtch, laxjoe and 9 others like this.
  18. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Seems like that's been somewhat common lately. I called and talked for a bit until they offered 50,000 MR points. Took it immediately. In addition to those bonuses you mentioned, they had also hooked it up over the pandemic with $200 travel credit, $20/mo streaming services, $50 shop small, $100 at Dell and more. I also just signed up for the free year of Uber Eats pass.

    I had an issue with Amex two weeks ago regarding one of the Platinum benefit rebates. Spend $20 and get $20 back at a wine store. For some reason the merchant name didn't code correctly. The online chat representative wouldn't budge, so I called the Platinum line and they offered 5K points. Not bad.

    Also, not sure if you've looked into it, but you can link your Amex to a Rakuten account. You get 3K MR points after your first purchase and can get all rebates in form of MR points. You don't even have to use your Amex when purchasing something in the event you can also get an added cash back from another card (ie Chase Freedom/Discover/etc).
     
    Det. Frank Bullitt and pianoman like this.
  19. pianoman

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

    The guy on the phone mentioned the $200 travel credit but said it was targeted and I don't think I was. Did you get an email for it or did you see it in the offers portion of your account?
     
  20. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I got mine back in September. I think it just popped up on the right hand side of the Account Home page or perhaps the Amex Travel page.

    It looks it should show up once your AF hits? Take a look at this page https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/amex-travel-credit-do-you-qualify/
     
  21. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    What’s the best hotel card to get right now?

    I’m at 1/24 and currently have Amex Plat, Amex BCE, CFU, and CU.

    I received the sapphire reserve bonus in 1/2017, so not eligible for that.
     
  22. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    Really depends on which hotel chain you use the most often but most in here would suggest the Hyatt card as Hyatt is such a solid hotel chain and their points have a pretty solid redemption rate.

    Earn up to 50,000 Bonus Points with the World of Hyatt Credit Card. I can be rewarded too, learn more.
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/m/205a/6L5/G7DF/1552224976
     
  23. Todd Bonzales

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

    I’m still and Aspire guy, but a lot of these guys in here like Hyatt’s redemption better for high-end resorts. Amex Surpass, which is a step down from Aspire and only $95 AF is pretty solid, too. 150,000 yen bonus right now
     
  24. Todd Bonzales

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

    Definitely don’t use this guy’s referral and use my Hilton referral instead. JK <3
     
    CoastalOrange likes this.
  25. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Hyatt was the first one that jumped out to me simply because I seemingly get offers from them every other day.

    I rarely ever stay in hotels and don’t have allegiance to any. Although I do have upgraded status with both Marriott and Hilton due to my Amex.
     
    CoastalOrange likes this.
  26. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    I am in the same boat as you. Cant get a sapphire product until March. Don't really know what to do right now besides keep using my CSR to get 1.5x pay yourself back and dwindle down my points.
     
  27. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    The Amex Plat and Gold sign up bonuses are really nice right now. The best I’ve ever seen. The 10x MR points on gas and groceries plus cash back on restaurants for the Plat is unreal.
     
    BayouMafia, Tommy Callahan and laxjoe like this.
  28. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Indeed. too bad I'm out coz of the lifetime rule (more like 7 years)
     
  29. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    Anyone have a savings account with American Express? Apy is .6%. Thinking of throwing my emergency fund in there, but curious as to catches/drawbacks/other feedback/experiences. Thanks!
     
  30. laxjoe

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

    Above know if they have plans of extending their streaming credits at all? From what I can see, that’s going away in January?
     
  31. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Supposed to end on 12/31 I believe? It has been paying for my Spotify, which is nice.

    I'm somewhat expecting some new benefit/reward announcements to be made in the next couple months for current cardholders. Those insane sign up bonuses for Plat/Gold have me hoping current holders get something too.
     
    laxjoe likes this.
  32. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    i opened one because they had like a 30k amex points offer for holding some money in there for 3 months. i needed to sideline some cash over the summer for various reasons so took advantage.

    it's fine, its a barebones set up, and after meeting the offer threshold i put it back in my normal accounts.
     
    THEBLUERAIDER and laxjoe like this.
  33. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    Unfortunately, I don’t see a points offer with this one.
     
  34. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Not sure how much you're talking about, but you can get 4% on $5k with a Chase checking ($200 signup bonus) and 1.5% on $10k in a low yield Chase savings ($150 sign up bonus). And basically anyone else offering even the smallest signup bonus will dwarf the shit savings rate being offered right now.

    If you're looking for something long term, I'm sure the Amex account you mentioned is fine. I'd also check out Ally, I moved to them for my emergency savings this year and really enjoy the experience (as someone who previously used Wells Fargo, Chase and Schwab). Their online platform is really clean and the free atm withdrawals is a nice perk for an emergency checking account I have paired with the emergency savings.
     
  35. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    Don’t you get 1099’d for the $200 and $150 though?
     
  36. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    IIRC, you'd still come out ahead compared to a .6% APR account
     
    TAS likes this.
  37. NoNatty

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

    I have Marcus for mine, it’s fine for just parking cash if needed.
     
  38. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Yes you will lose whatever your marginal tax rate is on that bonus, but
     
  39. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    Unless you put more than 33k in there right?
     
  40. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Yeah there's a break point where the straight 0.6% rate is more beneficial and I would definitely not recommend putting all $30k in a checking account or 0.02% savings account.
     
    Lipp the Gay Liberal likes this.
  41. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    This is essentially my situation. I probably should move it to a high yield savings account just to make a little bit of interest.
     
    TAS likes this.
  42. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    :beerchug:

    You maxed out all Roth IRA eligibility you have for 2020?
     
  43. pianoman

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

    20% off your order if you use at least one Amex point on Amazon right now
     
  44. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Last week it was 10$ off for using 1MR as well.
     
  45. Tommy Callahan

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

    I got an offer for 8x points on Amazon purchases up to 300 bucks
     
  46. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Nice to have the Amex lounges open again. Been in the sfo one a couple times since reopen. They still put the food out in buffet style, but there’s a menu and a server plates all the food for you. Actually had thanksgiving breakfast and lunch in there.
     
    pianoman and Struggler like this.
  47. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    My Hyatt card annual fee hit. I called and asked if they’d waive it because I haven’t stayed in a hotel in a year. They told me to fuck myself, so I cancelled. Found that interesting.
     
  48. C A N E

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

  49. C A N E

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

    I applied in September and "only" got $600.

    Time to whore out the wife when she gets home.
     
  50. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Hmm this is intriguing.