Groceries and utilities (internet water electric). I have real estate expenses associated with my investment properties I could look at as potential rewards-generating charges. Otherwise I’m considering a card I can open and add my fiancée to and get travel-related rewards, especially since we’re headed for TSA precheck approval. My current rewards card is citi double cash card. I didn’t know about global entry until today, so I don’t completely understand the difference. Could be worth looking into though becuase we’ll be traveling international next year for our honwymoon.
global entry is basically pre check + international expedited entry/immigration afaik short version, CSR gets you the best $ per point gained. looking at points as just x per $ spent doesn't tell the whole story since the variability in what you can get for your points impacts it. CSR is the peak general expense card, gives best return on travel and restaurants at 3pts per. 1pt everything else.
I’m more than likely going to get a TSA precheck appointment soon. As a CSP holder, should I just get the global entry thing?
based on where you live getting an appointment can be a pain in the ass portland was booking into August when i tried to set it up in january, so got one in seattle when i know i'll be up there
you can just make an appointment for whenever and then check the site periodically and shit will pop up sooner
I had a major major facepalm moment when I set my appointment for an incorrect time when I was going to Philly one time. Showed up anyway after doing all the paperwork and did standby. Got in after waiting probably 40 minutes. Worth it
Boston was a pain to schedule. I missed the initial appointment due to a work emergency and by the time I could reschedule it, they closed the 2nd location for 6 months. Walk-ins at the airport were insane so I just waited 4 months to go in again
important note about GE compared to precheck is that if you have anything on your criminal record like a dwi you wont be approved for it. Precheck you can get no problem
My CSR just arrived ... two questions how do i work this with car rentals and airbnb? I actually haven't flown a lot for travel recently ...
So I currently live in Miami but am moving to Austin in a couple of months. Miami is a American Airlines hub and Austin is kind of a little bit of everything. I currently have Amex Platinum which gets me into the amex lounge here in miami and has priority pass. In Austin there is a United and an AA lounge. I hate/am terrified of flying (yes I know its safe and I need to be a big boy) so I prefer going and getting a little buzz prior to my flight so I really am big on the lounge access. I got the United Lounge Card by Chase free for the first year (and will probably close it within a year) and am debating on the AA Executive card that comes with lounge access and 50k miles after I spend 5k the first 3 months which to me about evens out the cost of the card. I was going to try out both lounges and see which one I prefer. AA has more flights out of Austin but I'll be going back to Georgia a lot so I'm also wondering if it would make sense to get the Skymiles Reserve (not for the lounge access but to build status on Delta). Anyone have any better ideas or know of better promos right now Sorry for the Rambling Post.
cant answer the lounge questions but based on my research and opinion working exhaustively towards status on an airline is less beneficial than just maximizing points, especially at an airport that isn't going to exclusively have you flying one airline and a lot. outside of alaskan airlines status seems to get you very little and require huge effort + likely be traveling a shit ton.
for context i'll be living at a delta hub basically starting next year and be traveling an above average amount and I'm still pretty convinced doing the Delta Reserve card to work towards status won't help me as much as using Amex Plat 5x on airfare or Chase Reserve
I’ve shared some of this in here before, but looking for advice. Wife and I got into some cc debt due to several issues. All of those are solved now. We’ve paid off 8k already, have another 10k to go. That 10k should be paid off by her final check of the school year on June 30th. We just filed our taxes and owe around 2k (or one month of CC payoff budget). Due to life circumstances, we’re trying to buy a house ASAP. What’s the best move here, should I file a 120 waiver with the IRS or go installment plan with them? I’m concerned about an installment plan being on our credit reports and have read different things, but also concerned at the 120 day period will end in a dead spot in her salary.
You'd think so but I had to write a letter of appeal for a ticket that was dismissed by the judge in court. I don't know if that was a paperwork error or what, but the first time i ever heard of it being on my record was like 7 years later in my global entry interview meeting.
Had a reckless driving at 17 (doing a burnout in a parking lot was reckless I guess) but it was technically criminal
i can't remember if there was a time period on stuff that mattered like 7 or 10 years or whatever. You'll just have to write a letter and appeal if so
We ran into an IRS issue prior to closing and the lender put everything on hold until we got it cleared up. Maybe if you have a formal agreement with the IRS, the lender will be able to work around it.
I'd recommend trying to establish some communication with the lender you intend to use and find out from them directly the best way to handle it.
Whoever you want to work with. In my limited experience, the big banks suck and you're better off finding a mortgage broker that will shop around for the best deals. Edit: shit thought this was a follow up question
You don't have to get pre-approved to talk to them. You can get pre-qualified, if you're looking for less formality. Or you don't have to do anything and just ask them what they recommend. If they act weird because they know too much, then go to one of the million other lenders. But I think they would be honest and help you out.
Just pay your taxes. It’ll cost you more money in the long run but it’ll be much easier than having to explain why you went on a payment plan for $2k when you’re trying to get someone to loan you $200k
Call me crazy, but I so led recommend not getting into a hurry on buying a house, and to handle your debt instead.
agree with both of these thoughts. buying a house is a bitch and things will almost assuredly pop up that complicate it even more. don't take on more than you can handle and risk putting yourself in a bad spot again.
People here good with the flight market? I see the internet says 54 days before is the best time to book. Trying to use points to fly in June from CMH to SEA. Tickets going for $290/piece/one way right now. Planning on flying into SEA June 7, going on a cruise, flying from SEA to SFO on June 15 to spend a couple days with a friend, then SFO to CMH on June 17 to come home.
what kind of points? if it's airline points that 54 day thing is complete bullshit. either way, you're not going to do much better than that
If I had the CSP last year I think sometime over summer and closed it this January, how long do I have to wait until I'm eligible for the bonus on CSR as I want to get this card next and asap? Unrelated question for Freedom bonus category: Can I buy gas station gift cards (are these even a thing?) to get to bonus limit since I forgot about the card this quarter and am way behind? Thanks.
Damn. Thanks for the replies and I went searching too while waiting. Based on this language of receiving the bonus within 24 months, I'm hoping that means I can be eligible for the bonus in fall of 2019. I'll call the service line to confirm. Offer Details Scroll down to see all offer details 50,000 Bonus Points The product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of any Sapphire credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of any Sapphire credit card who received a new cardmember bonus within the last 24 months.