I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[SouthFayetteFan]

Where does everyone stay for Sea World? I was originally thinking of using my Marriott FN certs at the Renaissance but am debating now because of the resort fee...

I find the Sea World area to be sparse with “walkable” fun. And it’s so easy to drive there in the morning so we’ve always stayed at the Homewood Suites on I-Drive near the Pointe (ie Wonderworks area). With lots of restaurants and such walkable we enjoy it there.

 

[Lain]

At this point I'm expecting Amex to claw back the wood block and/or send a 1099 for it.

Does Amex still include the wooden card holder/phone stand with the Platinum card? (I think @IFlossU was the most recent Platinum card approval, so can she let us know?)

I moved up my Schwab Plat application, got approved, and my card arrived yesterday but there was no wood block anywhere in my fancy packaging!

I was really hoping to flip it on eBay for $15 to help cover the fee and increase my business revenue.

 

[mmmears]

Does Amex still include the wooden card holder/phone stand with the Platinum card? (I think @IFlossU was the most recent Platinum card approval, so can she let us know?)

I moved up my Schwab Plat application, got approved, and my card arrived yesterday but there was no wood block anywhere in my fancy packaging!

I was really hoping to flip it on eBay for $15 to help cover the fee and increase my business revenue.

I don't know. I know that DH's biz version didn't come with it, but my platinum did (but that was a year ago).

 

[platamama]

Does Amex still include the wooden card holder/phone stand with the Platinum card? (I think @IFlossU was the most recent Platinum card approval, so can she let us know?)

I moved up my Schwab Plat application, got approved, and my card arrived yesterday but there was no wood block anywhere in my fancy packaging!

I was really hoping to flip it on eBay for $15 to help cover the fee and increase my business revenue.

I got the wood block with my Schwab Plat in August, but P2's Schwab in September didn't come with it. Of all things to cut back on, really Amex?

 

[wendow]

I was really hoping to flip it on eBay for $15 to help cover the fee and increase my business revenue.

I still have my wood block and all the packaging. Do people really buy all that??

 

[Lain]

I still have my wood block and all the packaging. Do people really buy all that??

 

[mmmears]

I still have mine (it's around here somewhere). I guess now that they aren't making them anymore I can think of it as an investment. Now they are some kind of rare/limited edition items.

 

[wendow]

I guess since these are no more, I should be able to sell it for even more. Sweet!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

The Centurion card will have a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee effective April 2020. If the rumored new card is positioned between the Platinum and the Centurion, we’re looking at between a $550 and $5k AF.

According to Amex, they’ve seen a 60% increase in growth in Platinum accounts in the 2 ½ years since the refresh, even after the annual fee went up from $450 to $550. Amex clearly sees a demand for ultra premium cards and seems to believe the market will bear an ultra high annual fee to match.

I’m not a bean counter who can say where Amex will settle on the AF. I think $995 is the sweet spot to avoid the psychological shock of (and perhaps rational resistance to) paying $1k for a perks card. (Amex doesn’t have a history of setting AFs at $x99.) But if Amex decides to price their new card over $1k, I think all bets are off. Why not $1,250, $1,500, or $2k? It’s just insanity at that point.

Ah, that’s where I got the 10k from! Well I don’t see this card having an initiation fee on the bright side But I still think they’re gonna go over $1k...

They definitely see a market or they wouldn’t bother. And now is certainly the time to release it, people are flush and the economy is doing well. It might even provide a decent downgrade option for Centurion holders when the next recession hits.

The data I’d kill to see is the retention costs, sometimes I wonder how the hell that math works out for them.

I thought that 60% number was a joke. 60% increase in growth starting from one of your worst recent growth years? C’mon.

 

[gottalovepluto]

This is just mean...
View attachment 451038

I’m scared to ask why as I was hoping to get mine next week?...

 

[Lain]

Ah, that’s where I got the 10k from! Well I don’t see this card having an initiation fee on the bright side But I still think they’re gonna go over $1k...

They definitely see a market or they wouldn’t bother. And now is certainly the time to release it, people are flush and the economy is doing well. It might even provide a decent downgrade option for Centurion holders when the next recession hits.

The data I’d kill to see is the retention costs, sometimes I wonder how the hell that math works out for them.

I thought that 60% number was a joke. 60% increase in growth starting from one of your worst recent growth years? C’mon.

I think it’s difficult for some of us to fathom putting spend on the Platinum after meeting MSR when it becomes for most purposes a 1x card, or keeping the Plat after the first year, but I know several people who pay the AF year after year and charge everything to the Plat because they like idea of earning points, like what they can do with Amex points, don’t realize there are better options, it’s the shiniest thing in their wallet, and never knew they could call in for a retention offer, thought about closing the card, or that there are and they can churn other flavors of the Plat. And let’s face it, the Platinum card makes some people feel special.

 

[platamama]

Bonvoy experts, I need some advice please.
I upgraded to the Bonvoy Brilliant a couple months ago. I haven’t used up the $300 credit but the other day I noticed the renewal fee hit. Does that mean I missed out on using the $300 credit? Does it roll over? Thanks in advance.

You get the $300 credit immediately (more or less, as soon as you see your card image has changed when you login) when you upgrade. You'll get your next $300 credit on the original card's anniversary. It doesn't roll over. When is your original card's anniversary?

I upgraded mine last September (14 months ago), used my $300 credit that November, got my next $300 credit in March on my card anniversary. I got a prorated refund for 4 months of the $95 AF ($31.66), and charged 4 months of the new $450 AF ($150) in November, and the full renewal AF of $450 in March. Does that fit with what you're seeing?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I think it’s difficult for some of us to fathom putting spend on the Platinum after meeting MSR when it becomes for most purposes a 1x card, or keeping the Plat after the first year, but I know several people who pay the AF year after year and charge everything to the Plat because they like idea of earning points, like what they can do with Amex points, don’t realize there are better options, it’s the shiniest thing in their wallet, and never knew they could call in for a retention offer, thought about closing the card, or that there are and they can churn other flavors of the Plat. And let’s face it, the Platinum card makes some people feel special.

You know what makes me feel special... having ALL. THE. POINTS. I don’t need a metal card or a pretty card...I just need a card that’s putting 15% back in my pocket with every swipe. I love being a churner lol.

oh and cuddling... that also makes me feel special.

 

[mmmears]

I think it’s difficult for some of us to fathom putting spend on the Platinum after meeting MSR when it becomes for most purposes a 1x card, or keeping the Plat after the first year, but I know several people who pay the AF year after year and charge everything to the Plat because they like idea of earning points, like what they can do with Amex points, don’t realize there are better options, it’s the shiniest thing in their wallet, and never knew they could call in for a retention offer, thought about closing the card, or that there are and they can churn other flavors of the Plat. And let’s face it, the Platinum card makes some people feel special.

I had a longer post here, but TLDR, it's just another one of those cards that people have and use. And having 1-2 cards and putting everything on them is much, much more common than what we all do here.

 

[mmmears]

You know what makes me feel special... having ALL. THE. POINTS. I don’t need a metal card or a pretty card...I just need a card that’s putting 15% back in my pocket with every swipe. I love being a churner lol.

oh and cuddling... that also makes me feel special.

I feel special when I don't have to fly in an uncomfortable seat for those 12 hour flights. And when I can take more family vacations and see more of the world. And I honestly couldn't do this often if I hadn't found this group.

ETA - and I also like having lounge access. It's not necessary, but it is nice.

 

[wendow]

I’m scared to ask why as I was hoping to get mine next week?...

I am guessing because there are a few of us who desperately want it but no way we can get there before Remy is gone

 

[platamama]

It sounds like you know what you're doing, but in case you haven't done this l suggest looking at the net price calculator that each college has online. It can give you a pretty good idea about what your kids will qualify for (there can be a large variation from college to college) and what your expected contribution would be. It doesn't work well for those who are self-employed and some who are divorced, but it's pretty straightforward if you earn a regular paycheck.

I have played around with the NPCs. They are depressing.

The FAFSA & CSS forms have to be filled out even if kid won’t get need-based aid and is hoping for merit aid, correct? Or can they be considered for merit aid without submitting those financial strip searches?

 

[mmmears]

I have played around with the NPCs. They are depressing.

The FAFSA & CSS forms have to be filled out even if kid won’t get need-based aid and is hoping for merit aid, correct? Or can they be considered for merit aid without submitting those financial strip searches?

It depends on the college (and they are usually pretty up front about whether or not it's required). My DD got several merit awards without submitting either of those and I know other kids who did as well. The NPCs are useful since it lets you know if you're wasting your time or not.

 

[Alexle2007]

So do you use the MCGC and VGC to pay for your hotel? Or are you saying you earned enough points buying them to cover your nights? Sorry for the dumb questions.

Good question! Nope I used my CIC for the 5x. The Park Hyatt runs $1200 a night or 30k Hyatt points. Since URs transfer 1:1 to Hyatt that’s 90k URs. So it costs much better value to use points.

The MCGCs and VGCs I use to pay my mortgage through Plastiq or unload through Serve or something.

 

[pinkxray]

Thanks to everyone who commented. Not going to lie, it’s been rough week.

I’ve cancelled most of our trip. I booked one night at GF through AAvacations and one night through useaamiles. They both cancelled the night. USeaamiles won’t charge the cancellation fee. I had to contact custom relations at AAvacations and they haven’t gotten back to me about the $200 fee yet. But even if I don’t get it refunded at least I’ll have the 120,000 whatever AA available to use at some point.

I have also reached out to runDisney about maybe refunding the half marathon fee. I’ve heard of some people getting it refunded or partially refunded for a good reason.

The good news is that Dh, who would never set foot in GF, has agreed to stay there the night we return from our cruise in Nov.

Thanks again everyone. No more sad news. Just going to keep building miles for all the travel I want to do when surgery and recovery is all over.