I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Haley R]

Catching up from earlier today, but did everyone see this? Another 20% Amex promo for using points up to $50 off!

https://slickdeals.net/f/13803299-a...s-get-20-off-max-discount-of-50?src=frontpage

I wonder if this will stack with our 15% off for our baby registry?

ETA: Oh my gosh it does! So I can get 20% off from Amex and another 15% for our baby registry. Holy cow

 

[PolyRob]

Sorry it didn't work out. We just booked another last minute trip and wound up doing something we haven't done in a while for WDW. There were no DVC studios or 1 bdrms. I don't want to pay a lot of real money for the trip either. $95 is fine though. So we decided to book using DVC points on the hotel side. Not the greatest use of DVC points but it worked out. The last time we did DVC points for hotel side was VGC.

Glad that you were able to secure something! I found GREAT prices and am really trying to make a combo of dates between 2/21 - 2/25 work. I will keep you posted... LOL

 

[PolyRob]

TurboTax offer on all my Chase biz cards, even the debit which hasn't gotten any offers yet (I suspect 2 swipes isn't being considered "use" ) Whopping $5 credit but has coupons if you use the affiliate link in the offer.

Here's the details:
Offer Details

Earn $5 back when you use your Chase card to purchase any TurboTax® product.

Plus, get up to $15 in additional instant savings* on TurboTax federal products only when you purchase from turbotax.com/affiliate/chasevip, a special site just for Chase card customers. Get started and save!

TurboTax makes it easy to get your biggest possible refund, guaranteed. And if you do need help along the way, TurboTax has it: from answers online anytime, to unlimited advice and a final review from a TurboTax Live CPA.

*Instant savings details: $5 off TurboTax Deluxe, $10 off TurboTax Premier, $15 off TurboTax Self-Employed. Must make purchase from this TurboTax site.

Offer expires 4/30/2020. Offer valid one time only. Payment must be made directly with the merchant.

Got this on 2 of my cards as well. I am curious if my e-file charge will trigger something. I guess I will use a Chase card rather than my new Green Amex that I am waiting for

 

[Haley R]

Glad that you were able to secure something! I found GREAT prices and am really trying to make a combo of dates between 2/21 - 2/25 work. I will keep you posted... LOL

I’m looking to go 2/20-2/22 and can’t find anything

 

[PolyRob]

I got it this time. A week after I bought something that was $250

Yay! Glad you got it. Is the item eligible for free return?

I wonder if this will stack with our 15% off for our baby registry?

I would say it should! I used my last one with Amazon coupons and subscribe and save discounts.

 

[PolyRob]

I’m looking to go 2/20-2/22 and can’t find anything

So annoying! The "best" I saw was Riviera with the Disney Visa for like $550 a night. Not worth that for a preferred studio to me

Still searching...

 

[Haley R]

So annoying! The "best" I saw was Riviera with the Disney Visa for like $550 a night. Not worth that for a preferred studio to me

Still searching...

I’m wanting to go next weekend too and there aren’t any values or mods that I’m willing to pay for. I did see beach club for $288 one night but idk if I can convince Dh. We’re spending quite a bit of money right now on baby stuff and chiropractor appointments

 

[PolyRob]

I’m wanting to go next weekend too and there aren’t any values or mods that I’m willing to pay for. I did see beach club for $288 one night but idk if I can convince Dh. We’re spending quite a bit of money right now on baby stuff and chiropractor appointments

That is a pretty great price, but understandable with the baby on the way!

 

[Minnie368]

You guys are awesome! I’ve learned so much in just one day! I’m starting with CIP for DH and still considering my first move but I’m definitely optimistic that this is going to help us!! I started reading around page 100 a couple days ago and wow! Definitely enjoyed reading about the TV shows you all grew up watching! Anyone remember Circle Square? I still remember the jingle and the address lol. And thanks to @SouthFayetteFan for the helpful info you sent me earlier today

 

[MountainsAreCalling]

So the last time I checked in I was going to have DH apply for a Hilton Aspire. Well that backfired as he go the popup. So I decided to go for a CIP. I got instantly approved on Dec 18th.! I was super excited as I had large swim team fees to pay on Jan 1st. Did it arrive in time? Nope! The card didn't come till Jan 6th! That is the longest time I have waited for a card. I didn't want to call to have eyes on my account.

We are getting a rental car at PHX on Sat for 7 days. I went with Costco as I like to have coverage for an additional driver. I would like to put the cost of the rental ($230) on the CIP to help with MSR. But, since this is not a "business" trip ... should I use the CSP instead? The CIP is in my name but my DH is listed as the main driver if that matters.

 

[Haley R]

That is a pretty great price, but understandable with the baby on the way!

We've been holding off buying stuff off our baby registry, but in the next week or two are planning to do a BIG order of things. Amazon gives you 15% off anything left on your registry and you can only do 2 separate orders. So we'll be putting a lot of money towards that. I think we'll most likely just do day trips to Epcot for the festival

 

[orangecuse]

So, the checking account will come with a debit card and I just go use it for a candy bar 5 times or something? (making sure to add more than the exact $2500 or I'll go under)?

Yes it should!

Glad that you were able to secure something! I found GREAT prices and am really trying to make a combo of dates between 2/21 - 2/25 work. I will keep you posted... LOL

Thats when we will be there! Well 2/24-3/1

 

[Minnie368]

Anyone here able to offer a spreadsheet I can use to track all the key info? I can come up with one but am guessing all of you with your experience may know to track certain things that I wouldn’t know to watch?

 

[snugglebug]

If I refresh the Accuweather page enough do you think the forecast will eventually change?! Not looking lovely for my trip. Weather hates me. I can do 70s and 80s, above and below are just not for me.

I guess I need to rethink my packing now. Still waiting on my CIP, I hope it arrives in time.

 

[amcc]

We are in Oklahoma and she’s a 5th grader from Spain. D.C would be cool but it might be too cold for me. I was also thinking NYC, but I don’t like the cold, but then neither DH or our kids have been to NYC.

I have good memories of exchange kids from Spain, Ireland, France, and Belgium. It can be such a good experience (although the Irish girl was a pain ). My parents took one group to DC and another time we went to New Orleans. Disney for all of them. My Spanish cousins love Disney.

Checked it out. End of season so colors are limited but looks good. Do you have this? How is the fit (big, small, right on)?

I also found one by 32 degrees. Great sale price ($24.99 down from $100). The reviews are mixed though - some with feathers coming out. Maybe too good a price. I am looking for under $100. The Patagonia ones look great but at $200+ not worth it for as much as I think I will use.

My sister got a Uniqlo one for Christmas and it ran small. I got 32 degrees and it was perfect. I LOVE it. It does have a bag but the bag is so packable that I just keep it in the pocket. It’s hooded although the mens ones aren’t.

oh hmmm, good point. We’re only gold status so im pretty sure late checkout isn’t an option there and 100k points wouldn’t be worth two days for a couple hours.
We do both have Priority Pass but it’s only for you and one guest right? So we’d have to pay the full price for two kids? I thought I read it was $30 or $40/person? Still may be the cheapest option...

If you have a CSR, it still says 2 guests. We’ve used our benefit to eat at the restaurants there and it covered 3 people each just fine. Next time, I’m going to try for restaurant and lounge access before our flight. Is that possible?

My older child turns 17 this year. Ugh. I got clobbered by tax reform last year.

What??? My oldest turned 17 last year. That plus the making employee dependent tuition benefits taxable is going to be very bad for us.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Anyone here able to offer a spreadsheet I can use to track all the key info? I can come up with one but am guessing all of you with your experience may know to track certain things that I wouldn’t know to watch?

Did somebody say...SPREADSHEET?????? Man I love Spreadsheets!!

My first sheet tracks the bonuses, I have one for each player:

Credit Card

Acct

Person

AU

Date Applied

Date Cancelled

Annual Fee

Annual Bonus

Signup Bonus

Min. Spend

Bonus Received

Bonus Value

% Return

Notes

Last Activity

• Credit Card is the Issuer and then the name of the card
• Acct is the last 4 digits (or 5 digits for amex)
• Person is whether it was me or my wife. Even though they are separate sheets this lets me sort if I combine them for analysis
• AU is an "X" if I added an Authorized User (side note...DON'T do this on personal cards as it adds to the 5/24 count for that player too!)
• Date Applied is actually the Date Approved, I guess I should fix that, haha!
• Date Cancelled is only filled in if I cancelled the card
• Annual Fee = the amount of the AF
• Annual Bonus = any amount received annually as a bonus for having this card (i.e. bonus SW pts or the CSR travel credit)
• Signup Bonus = the amount of points, miles, money, etc. I received as a SUB
• Min Spend = the MSR required
• Bonus Value = The value of the SUB (usually this is inclusive of the base spend too)
• % Return = Bonus Value divided by Min. Spend
• Notes = random notes
• Last Activity = the last spend I put on the card. Useful to make sure I put something on cards every 6 months or so to keep them from being closed for inactivity
• This one is sorted by Date Applied and I highlight Biz cards in a different color. Makes it really easy to see my 5/24 status

I also have a spreadsheet where I keep track of my loyalty account balances:

Program

Person

Points

Last Activity

Expiration

As Of

Approx. Value

Notes

Membership ID

• Program = Name of the program (i.e. SW Rapid Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, etc.)
• Person = Me, my wife, or my daughters - whose account is it
• Points = balance
• Last Activity = last qualified activity (for programs with an expiration)
• Expiration = calculated field based on last activity and how long points are good for
• As Of = the last time I updated this account, if something is wrong this is how I tell when it might have occured
• Approx. Value = how I value the points
• Notes = random noets
• Membership ID = my account number, useful when booking flights and such

 

[Minnie368]

Did somebody say...SPREADSHEET?????? Man I love Spreadsheets!!

My first sheet tracks the bonuses, I have one for each player:

Credit Card

Acct

Person

AU

Date Applied

Date Cancelled

Annual Fee

Annual Bonus

Signup Bonus

Min. Spend

Bonus Received

Bonus Value

% Return

Notes

Last Activity

• Credit Card is the Issuer and then the name of the card
• Acct is the last 4 digits (or 5 digits for amex)
• Person is whether it was me or my wife. Even though they are separate sheets this lets me sort if I combine them for analysis
• AU is an "X" if I added an Authorized User (side note...DON'T do this on personal cards as it adds to the 5/24 count for that player too!)
• Date Applied is actually the Date Approved, I guess I should fix that, haha!
• Date Cancelled is only filled in if I cancelled the card
• Annual Fee = the amount of the AF
• Annual Bonus = any amount received annually as a bonus for having this card (i.e. bonus SW pts or the CSR travel credit)
• Signup Bonus = the amount of points, miles, money, etc. I received as a SUB
• Min Spend = the MSR required
• Bonus Value = The value of the SUB (usually this is inclusive of the base spend too)
• % Return = Bonus Value divided by Min. Spend
• Notes = random notes
• Last Activity = the last spend I put on the card. Useful to make sure I put something on cards every 6 months or so to keep them from being closed for inactivity

I also have a spreadsheet where I keep track of my loyalty account balances:

Program

Person

Points

Last Activity

Expiration

As Of

Approx. Value

Notes

Membership ID

• Program = Name of the program (i.e. SW Rapid Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, etc.)
• Person = Me, my wife, or my daughters - whose account is it
• Points = balance
• Last Activity = last qualified activity (for programs with an expiration)
• Expiration = calculated field based on last activity and how long points are good for
• As Of = the last time I updated this account, if something is wrong this is how I tell when it might have occured
• Approx. Value = how I value the points
• Notes = random noets
• Membership ID = my account number, useful when booking flights and such

I knew it!!

 

[Artygal90]

I have a VERY important Southwest question.....

Is Star Wars: The Force Awakens available as an in-flight movie through the app?

TIA!!! ( ok but really is it?)

 

[WVMomof3]

Darn, both DH and I have Hyatt House offers. I’m actually paying cash for a Hyatt Place next month. Why couldn’t they give me correct offer!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I knew it!!

I have a spreadsheet for a lot of things........ it's scary really.