I love credit cards so much! v5.0 - 2022 (see first page for add'l details)

[newski_mom]

I do pu with uber eats, grub hub and door dash to use my credits. Mostly I go to Johnny rockets, mod pizza abd red robin. The owner of JR knows my name from my monthly pu's

I'll have to look into Insta cart. I don't mind picking stuff up to get some "free" food.

ETA the only place close to me with pu is a local chain drug store that has crazy prices so will have to see what I can get.

The insta credit is 15 per month on csr?

The insta credit is $15 per month on the CSR. I wanted to add too, that the only pickup insta place near me is Aldi. In order to get free pickup, you have to have a $35 order, so I got $35 worth of food for $20, but it was still worth it to me. They have the cheapest milk around, so I stocked up on that a bit and was easliy able to find $35 that we'd use to get the discount. It had been years since I'd shopped at an Aldi, but I think I'll enjoy the once a month pickup from there.

 

[wanderlust7]

Not a lot of AMEX experience, so help me out - just applied my P2 for the AMEX Plat through the Resy offer. Got a "we can't give you an answer right now," "we'll send you a decision within 14 days" message. Is this routine or concerning? And is my best bet for an update to keep an eye on P2's AMEX account for the card to (hopefully) appear, or is there a better way to stalk AMEX's decision?

You can check the status here:
https://online.americanexpress.com/eaol/statusCheckAction.do

You have to add new cards to your account, so it won't just appear there.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Just checking, there are no VGC or MCGC offers coming up this Sunday, right? I was hoping to pay my taxes w/ GCs and get 5x plus the spend on my new CIC. Looks like I'll just be getting the spend. Grrrrr. I can ask for some of my CL from my CIC#2 to be moved to my CIC#3, right? I only have a $3k CL. And my taxes will hit that. They just upped my CIC #2 to $7k, so if I can move some of that over, I'd love to, LOL. We'll have about $600 in braces a month being added and I know my ex is going to delay paying me his 1/2 some months since it's 0%.

whattttt how long after you got rid of CSR is it still working? Just a silly question from me anyway since I lost mine years ago and could never figure out how to get another....and our CSR is long ago gone...(and I think I used the PP option a grand total of once)But I'm curious now!

I believe I cancelled it in December. I know the AF posted, they offered me no retention. I waited till my travel credit reset and I used it for $300 in GCs from Kroger, and then PC'd to the CFF. But I used it in Feb for a restaurant credit and a few times this summer. I think the card says valid till 2024, so I guess we'll see, LOL.

This really reinforces my point that we all use our points differently. I have never flown business class, let alone lie-flat, and am not interested in such aspirational hotel stays. Much more basic travel for us. Still feel we have gotten good value out of the CSR.

Yup! Best thing about this forum is that we all use our points differently and have different goals. It really highlights that there is no wrong way to churn. It's nice that the newer folks are able to gain different perspectives and then do what what works best for them and their situations as the rest of us do

MY BIGGEST pet peeve w/ other hackers/groups is their lists of which cards to get. And the order you MUST get them Travel hacking is NOT one size fits all! A SW CP is useless for me! I'm staying in my first Hyatt in YEARS for Harry Styles because they were the cheapest points. But it's not a currency I covet like Hilton or IHG, LOL. I think teaching about Chase cards because of the 5/24 and business cards is great. But there are so many people in these hacking groups that "follow the list" and have all these points and no idea why or how to use them. And then get upset when they do try to use them and can't.

 

[iujen94]

Just checking, there are no VGC or MCGC offers coming up this Sunday, right? I was hoping to pay my taxes w/ GCs and get 5x plus the spend on my new CIC. Looks like I'll just be getting the spend. Grrrrr. I can ask for some of my CL from my CIC#2 to be moved to my CIC#3, right? I only have a $3k CL. And my taxes will hit that. They just upped my CIC #2 to $7k, so if I can move some of that over, I'd love to, LOL. We'll have about $600 in braces a month being added and I know my ex is going to delay paying me his 1/2 some months since it's 0%.


I believe I cancelled it in December. I know the AF posted, they offered me no retention. I waited till my travel credit reset and I used it for $300 in GCs from Kroger, and then PC'd to the CFF. But I used it in Feb for a restaurant credit and a few times this summer. I think the card says valid till 2024, so I guess we'll see, LOL.




MY BIGGEST pet peeve w/ other hackers/groups is their lists of which cards to get. And the order you MUST get them Travel hacking is NOT one size fits all! A SW CP is useless for me! I'm staying in my first Hyatt in YEARS for Harry Styles because they were the cheapest points. But it's not a currency I covet like Hilton or IHG, LOL. I think teaching about Chase cards because of the 5/24 and business cards is great. But there are so many people in these hacking groups that "follow the list" and have all these points and no idea why or how to use them. And then get upset when they do try to use them and can't.

Yes - you can move CL between your Inks, and you can do it by secure message (I LOVE not having to call!)

 

[iujen94]

You can check the status here:
https://online.americanexpress.com/eaol/statusCheckAction.do

You have to add new cards to your account, so it won't just appear there.

Thanks! My other option was to hold my horses and be patient - I got the approval email about 2 hours after I made that post!

 

[becauseimnew]

almost jumped on that NYC deal but I keep forgetting I took too many days off this year I cannot recommend this site enough for great deals. (thrifty traveler)
edit I'm looking for next year I found some for 160 over the weekend unbelievable lol

That's why I decided not to spend the $, even if it wasn't much, but I just don't have any extra vacations days. We have 18 days in Japan next summer, hopefully.

 

[smallsy]

I'm a bit gun-shy after the CIU denials, so can anyone give me some tips for applying for a plat amex? It looks like the resy version has higher SUB but no digital credits, right? Is it hard to use those benefits to offset the AF? I'm so used to chase, this is new territory for me.

 

[reliev]

That's why I decided not to spend the $, even if it wasn't much, but I just don't have any extra vacations days. We have 18 days in Japan next summer, hopefully.

i ended up getting it for next year a weekend going to book park Hyatt once my points post and get the suite with an SNA. Good luck with japan it seems too stressful for me to book right now. I wouldn't want to keep waiting up for the tickets to drop and keep rebooking. Also when they open back up I would think they would double or triple the flights like they used to have.

 

[iujen94]

I'm a bit gun-shy after the CIU denials, so can anyone give me some tips for applying for a plat amex? It looks like the resy version has higher SUB but no digital credits, right? Is it hard to use those benefits to offset the AF? I'm so used to chase, this is new territory for me.

The Resy AMEX Plat has all the same benefits as a regular Plat - just a higher SUB plus the 10x on dining for 6 (??i believe??) months

 

[calypso726]

MY BIGGEST pet peeve w/ other hackers/groups is their lists of which cards to get. And the order you MUST get them Travel hacking is NOT one size fits all! A SW CP is useless for me! I'm staying in my first Hyatt in YEARS for Harry Styles because they were the cheapest points. But it's not a currency I covet like Hilton or IHG, LOL. I think teaching about Chase cards because of the 5/24 and business cards is great. But there are so many people in these hacking groups that "follow the list" and have all these points and no idea why or how to use them. And then get upset when they do try to use them and can't.

Definitely not a one size fits all. I’ve never had, nor will ever have a SW card much less a CP. There is no need, since the whole point of travel hacking flights for us is to not fly in economy seats. Keeping 4 Aspire cards is absolutely valuable to me and P2, but not something I’d casually recommend as a general rule. I am definitely a Hyatt fangirl now but it did take about 8 years for me to jump on that bandwagon.

I think anyone starting needs to understand Chase 5/24 and that business cards are an option for those who may be comfortable with the idea of a “business”. I also think it’s important to understand the the Amex lifetime bonus, how many credit cards and charge cards one can have with Amex as well as the bonus rules for other card issuers. Knowing and understanding the landscape before planning a strategy that will work for one’s particular goals and situation is key, simply because it isn’t one size fits all.

 

[georgina]

So many of you love the IHG card. DH got a card in Dec last year, used the free night, and I have 4 nights booked in Oct with his SUB points. He has 31,000 pts left, I was looking to do one night in Sept with them but the only option was 6000 pts + $70? Frustrating. I booked a Springhill Suites instead. I am much more familiar with using Hilton and Marriott pts.

 

[georgina]

I’m so glad y’all brought this up! I activated my membership last night. I’ve been searching for a particular cereal for my son and found it at Food Lion through Instacart. Ordered 4 boxes for pickup (no fees at all) and picked them up this morning. Total cost - $15.06, so I got 4 boxes of cereal for 6 cents! I think the value in this benefit is definitely if you are willing to do pickup instead of delivery.

The insta credit is $15 per month on the CSR. I wanted to add too, that the only pickup insta place near me is Aldi. In order to get free pickup, you have to have a $35 order, so I got $35 worth of food for $20, but it was still worth it to me. They have the cheapest milk around, so I stocked up on that a bit and was easliy able to find $35 that we'd use to get the discount. It had been years since I'd shopped at an Aldi, but I think I'll enjoy the once a month pickup from there.

Brand new to Instacart, these 2 posts are conflicting. Do you need to order $35 worth for pickup? Or will over $15 suffice. My first Instacart attempt in Aug was completely messed up, and they ended up crediting my account $35.xx. So I have to order over $50 in Sept in any case to get the $15.

 

[afan]

Just a heads up, but another report on Reddit this morning of Chase Ink denial due to “applying from a sanctioned country.” I can’t remember who this happened to here recently, but this is very bizarre, and while not common, the fact that this is one of multiple reports should make it something to be aware of.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/wy43wq/_/ilwajh1

Update on this with a positive resolution and a number to call. Known glitch with chase system.

Screenshot or you can click the reddit link in @IFlossU post.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I have failed. Was just checking MIL Sapphire Pref card (opened July 2021), intending to transfer off her points to SW before closing it, when I realized that she never got the 100k sign-up bonus. Initially thought I must have already transferred them, but no. She was short on the minimum spend ($3500, hit $4k two weeks after 3 mo). I wasn't watching closely bc my mother died late July and life kinda sucked all around, but still, I can't believe that I didn't even realize until almost a year later. I want my 100,000 points. My first epic fail. Thank you all for understand as I know only you can.

Happens to the best of us. Lesson learned, make a spreadsheet or something so it doesn't happen again. I often even set reminders on my phone because I forget things.

This is awesome do you know anything about the 5% off or whatever for pickup?

I assume this gets credited to your instacart account as the way I read the TOS with the offer is that the purchase will go through for the full amount on your CSR and then chase gives you a $15 statement credit.

I believe it will be similar to how doordash was working before they switched it to $5 monthly credits that doordash gives.

Edit one last thing, I see it mentions Delta anyway to double dip and get skymiles too?

At this point I suppose I should have signed up already for my free account!!
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It's the $99 Instacart + which is free for 6 months or 12 months depending on card. Delivery or Pickup are free, there is a $35 minimum for either. While Delivery is free, there are fees which are reduced with the membership and tipping. The 5% credit on Pickup orders is applied to the next order.

I’m so disappointed. I have had my American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles card since 2016, and I have never been late. I was one day late (paid on Sunday instead of Saturday), and they charged me a $29 late fee on a $30 balance. I called on Monday and requested that they waive the late fee as a one time courtesy. It’s Friday and the late fee is still there. If they won’t take the late fee off, I am considering downgrading to Blue, because I’m not feeling very valued as a customer right now. The prorated refund on the annual fee will wipe out the late fee.
I actually use my IHG Rewards card as my daily driver, so I’m fine without the Gold.

Did they agree to waive or say "nope" ? If they said yes, be patient. They are a bit slow to credit (for everything IMO)

The insta credit is $15 per month on the CSR. I wanted to add too, that the only pickup insta place near me is Aldi. In order to get free pickup, you have to have a $35 order, so I got $35 worth of food for $20, but it was still worth it to me. They have the cheapest milk around, so I stocked up on that a bit and was easliy able to find $35 that we'd use to get the discount. It had been years since I'd shopped at an Aldi, but I think I'll enjoy the once a month pickup from there.

I love Aldi, it's my regular place to shop. Every where else here is so expensive. They have some really great house brand items we like a lot. My only complaint is their somewhat limited produce section but I'm rarely willing to pay twice as much so I suck it up unless I make a trip to an ethnic market 30-40 minutes away.

 

[iujen94]

Brand new to Instacart, these 2 posts are conflicting. Do you need to order $35 worth for pickup? Or will over $15 suffice. My first Instacart attempt in Aug was completely messed up, and they ended up crediting my account $35.xx. So I have to order over $50 in Sept in any case to get the $15.

Maybe the minimum varies by store? I was definitely able to order pickup from Food Lion and my total was $15.06

 

[eticketplease]

Maybe the minimum varies by store? I was definitely able to order pickup from Food Lion and my total was $15.06

Well I will have to pay $0.93 more for my order lol but my total at Aldi was $15.99

We only have Thyme and Aldi available for pickup

 

[miztressuz]

I have failed. Was just checking MIL Sapphire Pref card (opened July 2021), intending to transfer off her points to SW before closing it, when I realized that she never got the 100k sign-up bonus. Initially thought I must have already transferred them, but no. She was short on the minimum spend ($3500, hit $4k two weeks after 3 mo). I wasn't watching closely bc my mother died late July and life kinda sucked all around, but still, I can't believe that I didn't even realize until almost a year later. I want my 100,000 points. My first epic fail. Thank you all for understand as I know only you can.

I'm sorry all around for that situation

But you would be a good DP you know the Chase grace period limit. In the past Chase unofficially gave 115 days to meet spend. It wasn't advertised but well known and confirmed in SMs if you asked for your spend date. Around when they added the spend tracker to cards that showed a strict 90 days, even sending aSM was met with a 90 date. However, people would still get the bonus if they were a little over. Off the top of my head, I think 101 days was confirmed successful after that. (I want to say 109 but not confident in that number without research) So it was assumed that 115 might still be in play. But if you calculate your days from approval to MSR completed we could get a better idea where the grace period ends (if it's still in place, which I think it might be)

 

[hsmamato2]

I agree. Dining is nice but being able to reimburse yourself for Disney Gift cards and getting the 4x fuel points at Kroger's was even sweeter

I have airbnb..not useful to me at all...

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

@becauseimnew @disneylover81 I make a spreadsheet for all my AFs if I don't hit that amount in point bonus to break even or benefits I get rid of it. Just today my AMEX platinum I bought a headset almost 2 years ago google wouldn't replace it now I'm getting the new google headset as a replacement for 20$ more to me that's 200$ in benefit this year, I think this is the second thing that's broken this year on my AMEX platinum alone. Of course YMMV and it's not an every-year thing. But this is how I personally count the break-even in points+benefit.

Also if you don't spend ~8k a year in travel on the CSR for the most part it's not worth the extra cost, but that's what I found in an old spreadsheet tab I have since deleted.
I used to rent cars from the big companies so I would factor in 10$ a day for insurance but now that turo is so much cheaper I don't bother with that calculation (it's also not covered).

I take it the Door dash and Instacart benefits don't fall into your calculations of 8K spend? And insurance beyond car rentals, like paying SW taxes with a CSR?
I REALLY want to try Turo but I keep needing one way rentalsb and you can't do that with Turo

I would probably get the Priority Card, the AF is $149 but comes with $75 Southwest travel credit (which you can use to buy Early bird check in) and 4 upgrades at the boarding gate. Those 2 things are worth more than the AF, plus you'll get 7,500 miles at your one year anniversary.

And the sign up bonus is only 50K RR now, but there have been some better offers in the recent past.

Definitely do the SW Priority, it pays for itself ($75 + 7.5K pts) and then some with the upgraded boarding.

Update, and the Chase CSP $50 hotel credit. This did indeed work, got the credit, cancelled and so far they have not clawed it back. My statement since then has closed.

Same for me. I also PCd the card to a FF and after that was when I cancelled the reservation. They haven't clawed back the credit.

They've already dropped the trsting requirement. They aren't going to require tour guides forever nor do I think it'll be the only way to visit next year.

I agree. But it's also wishful thinking because we want to do Japan Nov 2023. We want to start the trip at Tokyo Disney and want to see the Xmas decorations

That's awesome! I'm perpetually buying them and still a little below 10% this year so far. I tell myself it's for the dues but then I find myself using them for Disney Dress shop dresses, Loungefly bags and all manner of Disney things that aren't DVC dues

I'm at 15.6% thanks to maximizing cash back portals
Used to be too lazy for it but the GCs thread converted me

I just create a new gmail account every year when I do mine. I use it for nothing but Sams.

I use MIL's Sam's membership. I try to guide her to get it for free but she won't hear me

 

[reliev]

I take it the Door dash and Instacart benefits don't fall into your calculations of 8K spend? And insurance beyond car rentals, like paying SW taxes with a CSR?
I REALLY want to try Turo but I keep needing one way rentalsb and you can't do that with Turo

Definitely do the SW Priority, it pays for itself ($75 + 7.5K pts) and then some with the upgraded boarding.


Same for me. I also PCd the card to a FF and after that was when I cancelled the reservation. They haven't clawed back the credit.

I agree. But it's also wishful thinking because we want to do Japan Nov 2023. We want to start the trip at Tokyo Disney and want to see the Xmas decorations


I'm at 15.6% thanks to maximizing cash back portals
Used to be too lazy for it but the GCs thread converted me

I use MIL's Sam's membership. I try to guide her to get it for free but she won't hear me

the ~8k was without the benefits pure points difference with the newer annual fee.
an additional fee of $155
Value of points without the 50$ credit $13.50
if you add the 5$ a month door dash 60$
if you add the instacart and use it $180 use it you are ahead. but considering the CSP is 5$ a month? you are actually at 120$ ahead then. they are only for this year that we know of it could go away but based on that. You are ahead without any spending at all. but let's say it goes away.
($95+ $13.50) / $0.02 = $5425) updated value I always get 2cpp
if you add the 10$ per day per rental we do about 2 weeks of car rental that's 140$ but now I've been doing Turo since it's cheaper. I know I'm old when pre covid you could get a midsize car for 40$ a day in most places!

Also, I never trust bloggers' values I always put my own because it's what I would pay. Would I pay 40$+ per person sometimes at Hyatt breakfast? maybe once in a while but 10$ per person yeah'd do that.