I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[hsmamato2]

Ok I'm appealing to the greatest minds I know of to start here..... best idea or plan to get from east coast (boston/NYC) to Fiji? Anything I should look for/know/be aware of? At this point I have UR but not a lot else.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Looking for suggestions. We were caught up in the very beginnings of the Southwest Christmas meltdown last year, and was awarded $100 travel funds each. Traveling as a family of 5, 3 (tickets purchased on points, 2 were companion passes) Each of the $100 was delegated to a person in our family, not just a $500 lump sum. Our companion passes were still good for this year, so we literally had no good way of “using” 2 of the $100 credits. I had thought about switching companions around and back and forth but it just wasn’t feasible to link/unlink that many times and risk someone not having a flight (all kids are under age 12.) I figured the funds were just a lost cause (we always book with points anyway), but I stumbled about something on Southwest Airlines website that we might could request a refund simply bc the problem was their fault? I also saw someone suggest to book new WGA+ fares and then cancel those and it would reset the expiration date? Just looking to see if anyone had any insight! Thanks!

FYI, LUV vouchers are issued to individual names, but they don't actually have to be used by that person. I believe it's just for tracking/resolution reasons that it's issued in an individual's name. You can use it on any passenger you prefer. Here's what you'll need to do:

1. Find a dummy flight for the passenger or passengers you wish to have the unexpiring travel funds.
2. Book the flight using the LUV vouchers.
3. Cancel the flight for travel credit. The travel credit won't expire.

Just make sure you do this before the LUV vouchers expire, as those vouchers still do have an expiration date, to my knowledge.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Time for my annual - what to get a 12-year-old boy for Christmas that isn’t a computer game related gift card?
Any suggestions?

My 11 yo asked for some big ticket items, but also asked for crocs and plush/cozy slippers.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Every store I know today has a camera centered on the cashier’s station/drawer because of concerns with employee theft. Could you ask the manager to review security to see what actually happened during your husband’s transaction? His receipt has the time stamped on it so it wouldn’t take long to go right to that moment to see if someone took them, he left them in the cart, they fell out, etc. I’m so sorry you had to go through it though! I know it’s tough.

I have thought deeply about doing this. My poor husband is still upset about this.
Do you think that they would actually do that for something such as this?

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Cautionary tale... a tale of "what not to do"...

My husband went to Kroger Saturday evening to buy Airbnb gift cards because they're 4x's fuel points right now. He purchased two - one for $500 and the other for $277. He forgot to give our loyalty number to the clerk before purchasing and turned around to ask if they could enter it directly afterwards. They wouldn't help... neither the clerk or the manager that evening would/could refund the money or do anything to help.

He then either lef them on the counter or they were stolen from the shopping cart or something in the realm of that. However it happened - they're gone. And he didn't realize it until Sunday morning. We went to Kroger, searched for them, asked customer service (where he bought them, but of course they're not there), scoured through all of the shopping carts. Nothing.

Kroger would not reverse them and Airbnb can't help either since we don't have the physical cards. I called today to ask Kroger customer service for the fuel points to be added to my account and they can only refund a max of 500 points.

Just a huge fail all around. My husband is upset. I feel bad for him because he tries so hard...

If anyone has any ideas -- I'm listening!!

I'm sorry, this really hurts. I'm super impressed by your positive attitude.

I would try with Kroger again. Here's the phone number 1-866-544-8062, option 2, I think. I would briefly explain your story again, because you are trying to distinguish yourself from gift card scammers. Having the activation receipt should go a long way with that. I have found Kroger customer service over the phone to be generally friendly, though I've never worked with the gift card team. Remember, never take a "no" answer from someone who doesn't have the authority to say yes.

I purchase my gift cards from Kroger online, as much as I can. I receive an email with the card number and pin/access code. I typically immediately redeem it into my AirBNB account. Once in my AirBNB acct, it can't be transferred to another AirBNB account, so that feels relatively safe. I know there are gc problems when purchased online, as well, but just wanted to offer it as another option.

 

[georgina]

A car lease wouldn’t add to his 5/24 count. Are there any messages in his Chase online account about the application?

No, it's weird. Nothing there. There was definitely a credit pull because we got an email from experian, but then silence.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

No, it's weird. Nothing there. There was definitely a credit pull because we got an email from experian, but then silence.

That is odd…is he willing to call and ask about the application? I know my DH definitely wouldn’t but some would.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I have thought deeply about doing this. My poor husband is still upset about this.
Do you think that they would actually do that for something such as this?

I suspected a cashier at TJ Maxx did not give me my second bag, and I had the receipt. They used the receipt to look up the exact time on their footage. While I was on the call, they watched the footage and then told me to come in for the goods.

Also at Hobby Lobby, I thought I'd left my wallet at the register. When I called, they quickly pulled up the video and even told me I put my wallet in my right hand pocket! Turns out it slid out in the car and I was luckily able to retrieve it from between my seats.

I guess what I learned from these couple of instances was that it seems pretty easy to pull up video, at least for these couple of stores. I guess they're not pulling out VHS tapes, lol.

If they do review the footage of him at customer service and he leaves the gcs behind, it would be interesting if the footage shows the customer service team finding the gcs or another customer giving them to the team. It seems they would have to do something to refund you then, right?

 

[wanderlust7]

Need advice about Citi cards. I have the premier and the $95 AF is due this week. Should I cancel or downgrade?

My instinct is to cancel because I don't use the card but it looks like there is a no-fee card that I could downgrade to (although I'm not sure I would use that one either). Is there any advantage to downgrading rather than canceling?

Sounds like you already used the points if you're thinking of canceling?

DH's Premier is up for renewal, but we haven't used the points yet. I need to have him call and ask for a retention offer first (might be able to get AF waived). If not, will downgrade to Rewards+. It will hold the points, but won't be able to transfer to partners. Comes with 10% back on redemptions up to 10k points. If he gets the Premier again down the line, that would be a good combination since the 10% would apply even to transfers to partners.

Another option would be the Double Cash for 2x everywhere. Custom Cash was also a popular option, but DPs say Citi doesn't allow downgrades to that anymore (you can alway try if you're interested in it).

 

[georgina]

That is odd…is he willing to call and ask about the application? I know my DH definitely wouldn’t but some would.

Not really. I think he may just let it go for now. I was thinking SW because he is flying them more recently and we have some spend coming up in January it would be nice to have an MSR for, but there are lots of other options to try in early 2024

 

[softballpooh]

I have thought deeply about doing this. My poor husband is still upset about this.
Do you think that they would actually do that for something such as this?

I would be as well. Yes, it's definitely worth a call or a visit in person! It's not at all an unreasonable request. You're out a significant amount of money and need to know what happened. Explain it that way- you aren't accusing anyone of anything nefarious but you need to know what happened during that transaction to locate these missing cards. I'd even call to schedule a time with the security or manager so you won't be coming in during a high traffic/busy time.

 

[happ]

Sounds like you already used the points if you're thinking of canceling?

DH's Premier is up for renewal, but we haven't used the points yet. I need to have him call and ask for a retention offer first (might be able to get AF waived). If not, will downgrade to Rewards+. It will hold the points, but won't be able to transfer to partners. Comes with 10% back on redemptions up to 10k points. If he gets the Premier again down the line, that would be a good combination since the 10% would apply even to transfers to partners.

Another option would be the Double Cash for 2x everywhere. Custom Cash was also a popular option, but DPs say Citi doesn't allow downgrades to that anymore (you can alway try if you're interested in it).

FWIW I was able to pc my premier to custom cash in Oct.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

I'm sorry, this really hurts. I'm super impressed by your positive attitude.

I would try with Kroger again. Here's the phone number 1-866-544-8062, option 2, I think. I would briefly explain your story again, because you are trying to distinguish yourself from gift card scammers. Having the activation receipt should go a long way with that. I have found Kroger customer service over the phone to be generally friendly, though I've never worked with the gift card team. Remember, never take a "no" answer from someone who doesn't have the authority to say yes.

I purchase my gift cards from Kroger online, as much as I can. I receive an email with the card number and pin/access code. I typically immediately redeem it into my AirBNB account. Once in my AirBNB acct, it can't be transferred to another AirBNB account, so that feels relatively safe. I know there are gc problems when purchased online, as well, but just wanted to offer it as another option.

I suspected a cashier at TJ Maxx did not give me my second bag, and I had the receipt. They used the receipt to look up the exact time on their footage. While I was on the call, they watched the footage and then told me to come in for the goods.

Also at Hobby Lobby, I thought I'd left my wallet at the register. When I called, they quickly pulled up the video and even told me I put my wallet in my right hand pocket! Turns out it slid out in the car and I was luckily able to retrieve it from between my seats.

I guess what I learned from these couple of instances was that it seems pretty easy to pull up video, at least for these couple of stores. I guess they're not pulling out VHS tapes, lol.

If they do review the footage of him at customer service and he leaves the gcs behind, it would be interesting if the footage shows the customer service team finding the gcs or another customer giving them to the team. It seems they would have to do something to refund you then, right?

I would be as well. Yes, it's definitely worth a call or a visit in person! It's not at all an unreasonable request. You're out a significant amount of money and need to know what happened. Explain it that way- you aren't accusing anyone of anything nefarious but you need to know what happened during that transaction to locate these missing cards. I'd even call to schedule a time with the security or manager so you won't be coming in during a high traffic/busy time.

You all have made me literally tear up today. I can't forget about everyone on here who helped me with this the past few days too!! To be so kind and supportive to a complete stranger says so much about your character. <3

In case none of you have heard this today -- I appreciate you!

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I was missing an eyeliner pencil from Sephora; whenI went back to the store the manager pulled up the video and came back and told me to pick out the missing liner pencil. She was able to see that it wasn’t put in the bag. It took about 10 mins.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We're in the same boat for our 12 year old son. He's no help. We're considering a new monitor (he's into online gaming) and maybe a nice chess set. We also got him a Godzilla action figure (he's ready into Godzilla).



My daughter wants a Messi jersey, do you have a recommendation for where you buy your son's jerseys?

My son follows a premier league team and I order direct from the team in the UK when they have free shipping. Messi is super popular so they might be in scarce supply. I’d check the club first then Fanatics or MLS Store. Amex and Chase have frequent offers for Fanatics.
ETA A quick google search shows there may still be Argentina jersey available so make sure you know if she wants Miami or Argentina. I think you're pretty safe if you still with a big retailer like Fanatics, Adidas, Dicks Sporting goods. The smaller, unheard of or international places run the risk of being fakes.

 

[iujen94]

I’m way behind on this thread, so not sure if this has been posted, but two interesting Amex offers for me today - $15 off $100 at Office Depot, and spend $1500+ on Royal Caribbean and get 25k MRs. We’ve got final payment on our summer cruise due in March, so I’m going to go ahead and pay $1500 now to collect that sweet bonus!

 

[djmeredith]

This week has brought big drama with my May Japan trip. On Monday, we learned that my nephew's HS grad would be at least 1 week earlier than they held it last year. He's in all college classes, so he's finished a month before the regular HS kids. That's why I booked our trip in May. So, I scrambled and started rebooking only to find out on Tuesday that the new dates I booked now interfered with his senior trip that no one had mentioned before that day. So... I have started rebooking everything again. I am only out about $159 for a flight I bought to travel within Japan. But I am having trouble keeping the same itinerary and I am going crazy trying to figure out a new plan. At least we have all our international flights booked. It's just the moving around within Japan that is giving me fits. It's a tight schedule for him. He gets back from his senior trip on the 13th, probably evening. Then we leave at 7:00 am the 14th. We get home on the 29th and his grad is the 31st.

 

[happ]

This week has brought big drama with my May Japan trip. On Monday, we learned that my nephew's HS grad would be at least 1 week earlier than they held it last year. He's in all college classes, so he's finished a month before the regular HS kids. That's why I booked our trip in May. So, I scrambled and started rebooking only to find out on Tuesday that the new dates I booked now interfered with his senior trip that no one had mentioned before that day. So... I have started rebooking everything again. I am only out about $159 for a flight I bought to travel within Japan. But I am having trouble keeping the same itinerary and I am going crazy trying to figure out a new plan. At least we have all our international flights booked. It's just the moving around within Japan that is giving me fits. It's a tight schedule for him. He gets back from his senior trip on the 13th, probably evening. Then we leave at 7:00 am the 14th. We get home on the 29th and his grad is the 31st.

Just reading about that tight schedule gives me anxiety!

 

[KPK02090]

We're in the same boat for our 12 year old son. He's no help. We're considering a new monitor (he's into online gaming) and maybe a nice chess set. We also got him a Godzilla action figure (he's ready into Godzilla).

I think our 12-year olds would get along well. A monitor, keyboard and chess set were the only things I already had on the list. Last year he got a Godzilla poster.

 

[lynzi2004]

Thank you all for your help with the Southwest Vouchers! I was able to get everyone booked and cancelled for the flight credits