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?
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
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?
What Lipp said, especially since you'd get warrantee protection and could actually get it on sale somewhere
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?
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.
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.
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.
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).
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?
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/
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
Above know if they have plans of extending their streaming credits at all? From what I can see, that’s going away in January?
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is essentially my situation. I probably should move it to a high yield savings account just to make a little bit of interest.
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.
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.
Screaming deal here if you live in qualifying states https://www.doctorofcredit.com/al-fl-tx-az-co-ca-nm-bbva-select-credit-card-500-bonus/