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

[schmass]

Priority pass question - Atlanta. I will have a 2 hour layover in Atlanta (flying Delta) in March. Can I get to the priority pass lounge in the international terminal if I am not flying international? Is it worth trekking there for some refreshments and (hopefully) more comfortable seating than at my gate?

Yes, it's super easy! You will just take the train to the international terminal. I did it in June and was very glad I did!

 

[PolyRob]

Since we are on the topic of HSA, just remember not everyone is eligible for a HSA, you need to have a high deductible insurance plan. Even if your company does not offer an option to have a HSA through direct deposit you can still open an account on your own and then get the positive tax savings on your tax return. If you are eligible it is a great idea, even if you use it for healthcare costs, instead of planning to eventually use it for retirement. Look at your options when opening an account, some have fees if you don't have a minimum amount.

I feel a lot of people confuse the HSA with a FSA. Excellent point to call out!

 

[StephPlum]

This isn't a direct answer to your question, but in case anyone reading isn't aware, you can also use the HSA as a retirement account. You can invest HSA money in more than just a savings account (investment options depend on what is available through your employer though) so that it grows over time. As long as the money is eventually used for a qualified health expense, HSA money is not taxed when it is contributed or when it is withdrawn, even if it's been growing for decades.

For example, my DD2 has medical expenses of about 7k a year, plus some extra that isn't covered by insurance but would qualify to be paid out by an HSA. We max out our HSA, but we allocate it to retirement savings and don't use it for medical bills. We pay her medical bills out of regular savings instead. Of course, not everyone has enough in extra savings to do this, but I find that many people aren't even aware it's an option. I really wish companies made this clearer!

I think it's also possible to transfer your HSA money to another HSA account with better investment options, but I haven't tried this.

This is my strategy as well. If I had a bad year where I needed the HSA money, I'd use it. But for now, I just pay the medical expenses and let the HSA grow. I expect that we'll need it more in retirement than we do right now.

 

[StephPlum]

I think I've seen part of North by Northwest and thought it just looked ridiculous. Do they end up at Mt Rushmore in that one?

I still like NbyNW even though some of the scenes are a little cheesy - the crop duster, the cliff hanger at Mt Rushmore... But if you like Cary Grant - I'd still put it on your list.

Yes, it's super easy! You will just take the train to the international terminal. I did it in June and was very glad I did!

 

[Alexle2007]

Is there a special Shoprunner benefit with the Plat? I have Shoprunner from my no fee ED card. I thought it was the same for all MR cards but I only use it once in a blue moon so I don't pay attention.

I am guessing it's the same. 2 day free shipping? I just noticed on my Plat and signed up for it through there. My only other MRs are the personal Gold and biz Gold.

 

[tink1970]

Priority pass question - Atlanta. I will have a 2 hour layover in Atlanta (flying Delta) in March. Can I get to the priority pass lounge in the international terminal if I am not flying international? Is it worth trekking there for some refreshments and (hopefully) more comfortable seating than at my gate?

Yes and unless you like candy (they have quite the candy bar), not really. It’s small, crowded and the power outlets are hard to find. DH and I sat i. their “work area” to charge pre flight and the chairs were so uncomfortable. Remember there are minute suites in ATL that are supposed to be part of priority pass for an hour I believe...if you want peace and quiet (and to be a disboards guinea pig), you could try that out.

 

[platamama]

Is there a special Shoprunner benefit with the Plat? I have Shoprunner from my no fee ED card. I thought it was the same for all MR cards but I only use it once in a blue moon so I don't pay attention.

Yeah, Shoprunner (2 day free shipping) is free on my no fee BCE too. I think it's just an Amex benefit regardless of how much you're paying for the card.

 

[Lain]

Small victory--I needed something (okay wanted something) at Sak's, today was 5% (vice usual 1%) back at Upromise so after the Amex Plat $50 back AND Shoprunner) my $168 purchase is $110 ($50+$7.50 from upromise) which means it's 35% off and I can almost justify it to myself. It's the little things like that which make me my plat, still.

But... Saks is 10% cash back on Ebates, and 8x miles on United MileagePlus Shopping...?

 

[miztressuz]

I am guessing it's the same. 2 day free shipping? I just noticed on my Plat and signed up for it through there. My only other MRs are the personal Gold and biz Gold.

Yeah, that's the same. I thought Shoprunner was experimenting with something and wasn't sure if they came out with different options yet. But after looking it up again I misremembered and it's not MR cards, it's any AmEx card - even the hotel cards and whatnot are eligible. Since the membership is only good for as long as you keep the card you used to determine eligibility, you'd just have to re-up with another card if you ever cancel the Plat.

 

[disneedee]

trying to do some planning on which cc's to get. i think HH gives 5 nite free with award bookings. and doesn't citi give 4th nite free with booking through their site? does ihg or BONVOY offer anything with bookings or award bookings?

 

[PolyRob]

I’d wait until after the first statement closes to see if everything sorts itself out

Just went into P2's CIP account and am getting the same message you posted. Brand new card as well. I'm thinking we're fine.

The Biz accounts are weird. I have charges slow to show as pending, disappear for a while then post. So annoying. The credit available seems up to date and reflects recent charges. The rest is a mess.

DirecTV is driving me nuts. I set a series for Victoria in the first season and had worked yet didn't record when the 3rd season started 2 weeks ago. I had a season pass set for Dr Pimple Popper (so awesome if you aren't squeamish and she really loves her job) and it's been going just fine yet it decided to disappear from the season pass list so I had to redo it tonight when I went to watch the new ep. i'd blame my mom but it's enough that she is able to set up a season pass then watch and delete things, there's no way she's deleting season passes.

Last weekend's movie was All the President's Men. This weekend is the Maltese Falcon, I've got to pick it up tomorrow. I've decided to try and watch an old movie every weekend this year. Suggestions welcome

I drive and love my 01 Ford with crank windows, no cruise control, 2 door coupe. I would like heated seats but I had a keyless Flex a couple weeks ago when having some work done on mine and ignoring the huge size difference, I don't need all that tech though the seat warmers were awesome. Plus I'm too short for new cars or I think it's that they've decided headrests have to be higher and they are in teh way and annoying. Whiplash blah blah, I twisted two vertebrae in my neck when I hit my head on the back window in my dad's truck when we got rearended, back when there was only a bench seat for 3. So I don't see how a higher headrest would keep that from happening. I also like my 2 door coupe which just doesn't exist any more unless you get into the sport or luxury market which is annoying. We don't all want 4 doors or tiny/mini 2 door cars. Not that I'm looking to replace my car any time soon, it's fun and I still enjoy it.



While I don't have a chase biz card to compare it, I HATE BofA's biz card interface, it's super annoying. It did automatically connect it with my personal login which is helpful. I've got it all marked as paperless yet they keep sending me a statement. Now that you can't churn with BofA as often with the new 24 mos rule I'll keep the personal and get rid of the biz. Now Amex I like their biz, it makes sense and I've done well enough with the offers I'll keep it.

If you want to see your charges on a Chase business card, click on the Ultimate Rewards points to be taken to the UR portal. There, you can check recent activity and transactions tend to list faster there than on your account’s online statement, and they don’t disappear and then reappear. You can also see the points you earned on each transaction.

My Chase business account looks better today! The error is gone and my pending transactions show.

However, I am noticing the CIP shows "exclusive limited-time offers for Disney Visa Cardmembers" and my CSP and CSR show "earn up to 100,000 UR by referring to CIP" hahaha Chase is confused

 

[palhockeymomof2]

So I logged into P2's Chase account to find that the CIC credit limit is only $3000. I can easily hit that MSR in a month. What should I do?

I pay my cards off weekly....or does she have a higher CL on another business account that could be moved to the CIC

 

[Oscar Madison]

This isn't a direct answer to your question, but in case anyone reading isn't aware, you can also use the HSA as a retirement account. You can invest HSA money in more than just a savings account (investment options depend on what is available through your employer though) so that it grows over time. As long as the money is eventually used for a qualified health expense, HSA money is not taxed when it is contributed or when it is withdrawn, even if it's been growing for decades.

For example, my DD2 has medical expenses of about 7k a year, plus some extra that isn't covered by insurance but would qualify to be paid out by an HSA. We max out our HSA, but we allocate it to retirement savings and don't use it for medical bills. We pay her medical bills out of regular savings instead. Of course, not everyone has enough in extra savings to do this, but I find that many people aren't even aware it's an option. I really wish companies made this clearer!

I think it's also possible to transfer your HSA money to another HSA account with better investment options, but I haven't tried this.

Yes, we're in the boat of not having enough other money to use our HSA as an investment. We contribute the max each year and bleed it dry.

 

[Oscar Madison]

I started with Casablanca and have seen The Parent Trap, not the remake which just didn't look good. At least they didn't remake Pollyanna. I've added the two movies you mentioned to my list I've got a couple I DVR'd off Turner Classic for back ups, Anchors Aweigh and The Spirit of St. Louis.

Rear Window is a favorite. 12 Angry Men. Rio Bravo.

 

[DrFacilier]

I pay my cards off weekly....or does she have a higher CL on another business account that could be moved to the CIC

Thanks! I can move most of the CL from her CIP that she isn't using. Didn't think of that. I typically pay the statement balance once a month.

 

[trenty]

@DisneyMandC and @amalone1013 -regarding 0% on cards - we always pay our balance in full. But recently had a large unexpected charge. We were going to pay it off but when we realized the card had 0% at the time we spread it out. We did pay it all before the 0% promo ended.

ETA - I HATED seeing that balance each time I logged on so didn't carry it for more than a few months even though the 0% promo doesn't end until this March.

 

[elgerber]

@elgerber , my 10K MR from the pay over time offer on my Biz Gold are in my Amex account as of this morning!

Just chatted with AMEX, they see no record of this offer. So either I call in or it's nothing. DH is NOT going to call in. Guess I have to hope it comes back again sometime. Grrrrrr.

 

[1st*toright]

I started with Casablanca and have seen The Parent Trap, not the remake which just didn't look good. At least they didn't remake Pollyanna. I've added the two movies you mentioned to my list I've got a couple I DVR'd off Turner Classic for back ups, Anchors Aweigh and The Spirit of St. Louis.

Pollyanna is on our list for this weekend! All I remember about it is a scene where Haley Mills is wearing part the American flag, its super cheesy and I LOVED it when I was a kid.

Don't really have any suggestions, but The Parent Trap remake is actually really good!

I agree - and the old Parent Trap is such a favorite of mine, I was prepared to absolutely hate the new one. Lindsay Lohan was really cute when she was a kid.

I lied, I have a suggestion, have you seen North by Northwest? That's a great one, and Rear Window. Not quite as old, but Murder by Death is also great.

I have Rear Window on my list. I think I've seen part of North by Northwest and thought it just looked ridiculous. Do they end up at Mt Rushmore in that one? I'll add Murder by Death to the list My mom watches TCM a lot so I've seen parts of some, though she does have a tendency to watch the same ones over and over.

North by Northwest is great- cheese and all. Also, To Catch a Thief. And Charade. And It Happened One Night (not Cary Grant, but Cary Grant always makes me think of Clark Gable).

Sorry - I spent summers with my grandparents as a kid and watched a ton of old movies with them! Its really fun watching those same movies with my kids now.

 

[Calfan]

Just chatted with AMEX, they see no record of this offer. So either I call in or it's nothing. DH is NOT going to call in. Guess I have to hope it comes back again sometime. Grrrrrr.

Well that is certainly frustrating! I do think the offer is likely to come back. Still waiting/hoping for one on my Rose Gold card.

 

[mmmears]

I have found some good old movies that rotate on both Netflix and Prime. And I like Pollyanna and LOVE the original Parent Trap. It was my favorite as a child, and DD's too thanks to DVD releases. I don't like the newer version, but it's really not the worst remake I've seen.

Since we rarely use the third row seating, but it is nice to have when needed, it's no hassle at all. I personally prefer the height from the ground of the storage plus I have van-o-phobia.

I feel the same way.