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

[wanderlust7]

I have $2,100 left on my European cruise. Was holding for a signup bonus. I can't get a personal card because both DH and I will be under 5/24 by end of summer.

So I'm ready to pull the trigger on the Amex biz gold... and there's no welcome bonus?! How is that even a thing? Sigh.

There's a 50k offer via referral.

 

[LynnTH]

NO, NO, NO!
That is what I am collecting UR's for, a 2020 Panama Canal cruise. We leave this Saturday on our Southern Caribbean cruise that was paid for with UR's after Chase nerfed Disney and I need to change directions. This is so not sitting well with me. I was just fixing to get my thoughts together to come ask for advice here. Now I need to chew on this for a few minutes.

Same Here. We leave on Saturday for 7 night cruise for the 4 of us. All paid with UR's with the CSR. Have been building back up my stash and have around 350,000 UR's currently and was also planning on using for another cruise. I hope it is temporary.

 

[Happy814]

I'm never able to max the fuel amount, though I do have a 5 gallon gas can I could bring next time I fill up since we're getting close to gas cutting season. But either way, I routinely put 16 gallons of gas in my car so at .40 cents off a gallon (for a $100 GC purchase), that's $6.40 in fuel savings, plus the $10 back, so I figure I'm getting 16.6% savings which I'm still very happy with

One other trick I've noticed people using before is to fill up two vehicles back to back at the same pump. It's inconvenient for us to do that, since it's hard for us to coordinate having empty tanks and being in town at the same time. So, DH usually fills his truck up and then takes gas cans to max out the entire 35 gallons.

 

[DisneyMandC]

One other trick I've noticed people using before is to fill up two vehicles back to back at the same pump. It's inconvenient for us to do that, since it's hard for us to coordinate having empty tanks and being in town at the same time. So, DH usually fills his truck up and then takes gas cans to max out the entire 35 gallons.

Yeah, I know several people here do that. Unfortunately we're not able to coordinate like that either! That would work great on maxing points, but I'm usually filling up at the Kroger near my work and DH just goes to the Wawa near his work, and our jobs are on the opposite end of the county from each other. Plus he'd probably think I'm crazy if I tried to convince him to pull up to the same pump as me to maximize fuel points

 

[Oscar Madison]

Yeah, I know several people here do that. Unfortunately we're not able to coordinate like that either! That would work great on maxing points, but I'm usually filling up at the Kroger near my work and DH just goes to the Wawa near his work, and our jobs are on the opposite end of the county from each other. Plus he'd probably think I'm crazy if I tried to convince him to pull up to the same pump as me to maximize fuel points

We did 3 cars a few months ago. I have no shame.

 

[havaneselover]

One other trick I've noticed people using before is to fill up two vehicles back to back at the same pump. It's inconvenient for us to do that, since it's hard for us to coordinate having empty tanks and being in town at the same time. So, DH usually fills his truck up and then takes gas cans to max out the entire 35 gallons.

DD hopefully gets her permit today so in about 9 months I will be doing this with dd. Luckily she used to my maximizing fuel points/gift card savings, etc. so I doubt she'll think much of it

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I just want to take a second to thank everyone on here for answer all of my questions, posting your own questions and successes, and walking me through this process!

DH said yesterday that Disneyland next year is a go, and I owe that to gaining more value out of our everyday spending. We'll have enough points to cover flights, hotels, and tickets (if we choose to cash in some points to do so---I'm leaning towards having points for more airfare and hotels). I'm very grateful for all the time and energy so many of you put into this board.

I was fortunate early on in my life (young 20's) that some wonderful "strangers" on TUG (Timeshare Users Group) helped me strategically buy our timeshare. It changed our lives for the better in so many ways, and we've been fortunate enough to pass that along to so many friends, family, and online friends. I was curious, did any of you have similar experiences? What message boards, mentors, or helpful "strangers" have changed your lives for the better?

Hi @wed100105, another tugger here. TUG drastically changed our travel options. Before timeshares I used to plan 1-2 weeks of vacation a year. Last year we did 10 weeks of timeshare travel. This year I have 12 weeks scheduled for myself, family and friends. I have been able to make wonderful trades and helped friends and family go on some nice vacations. Our group here has taught me about cheap airfare, using points for car rentals and Disney tickets and the occasional hotel redemptions to extend some of my stays.

They do code as travel. I bought hard tickets but wishing I’d done e tix. Two different purchases. For some reason they shipped one needing a signature. I didn’t know so we werent here when the mail carrier tried to deliver. We set up redelivery for this past Monday. Never came nor on Tuesday. Went in the system last night and it says the package doesn’t exist. So now I’ve got to deal with that. Other set of tix said 7 biz days. That is today. We have a blizzard today so no mail. But hopefully those arrive okay. I will only buy E tix from now on. Get a number, link to our MDE and done.

I also purchased both hard tickets and e-tickets. The issue I found with my e-ticket was a different expiration date. Fortunately we were traveling to Orlando and abel to pick up our ticket.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

We did 3 cars a few months ago. I have no shame.

I wish we could do this at Giant fuel. They have a big sign - Only 1 vehicle per purchase!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Hi wed100105, another tugger here. TUG drastically changed our travel options. Before timeshares I used to plan 1-2 weeks of vacation a year. This year I have 12 weeks scheduled for myself, family and friends. I have been able to make wonderful trades and helped friends and family go on some nice vacations. This group has taught me about cheap airfare, using points for car rentals and Disney tickets and the occasional hotel redemptions to extend some of my stays.

Another shout out for TUG. When I was trying to find out more info on our timeshare in London, people were so helpful and nice. You’ve reminded me to go back and post now that we’ve closed

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I have $2,100 left on my European cruise. Was holding for a signup bonus. I can't get a personal card because both DH and I will be under 5/24 by end of summer.

So I'm ready to pull the trigger on the Amex biz gold... and there's no welcome bonus?! How is that even a thing? Sigh.

AMEX is super weird with this one right now...you can only get a welcome offer thru support link I think. Same with BBP...

 

[AmyAnne]

Sorry but need to vent...... Mother in Law has been developing a 'relationship' with some guy she met through an online dating site just over a month ago. She has been like a teenager in love, sneaking off to send texts and emails etc. Tonight she texts me to ask what is the best way to send an iPhone to Turkey. Turns out he is supposedly over there on business for 3 months - has broken his phone and needs her to send him a replacement as they are really difficult to get in Turkey for foreigners.

As you can imagine - I went into full SCAM alert mode. I feel bad, but I had to tell her what I thought and she didn't want to hear it. The thing is - it wouldn't surprise me if she goes ahead and does it anyway. There is nothing I can do to stop her. What really bothers me is that next time she won't tell me because she knows what my reaction will be.

AAAAAAARRRGGGH - I need to have a think how to handle this.

Oh no -- please let us know what you decide. This would be my MIL, no doubt about it. Fortunately FIL is still alive, although there is an 8-year difference in their ages and he is not it the best of health. It probably sounds terrible but I have briefly wondered what kind of scammers she might fall prey to if he predeceases her.

 

[wendow]

My local Kroger store used to allow that but that method died off around 4 years ago here. I'm surprised yours still does that, and makes me wonder if Kroger went back to allowing it? Guess I'll have to do my own experiment. Maybe it's the self-checkout that's the key. I do love buying variable vgcs through the self-checkout (after learning that I can mute the speaker so that it's not announcing that I'm buying a $500 gc!).

Didn’t know you could mute it!! That thing drives me batty! Interested if kings will allow us to buy a GC with GC! Definitely was not allowed like two years ago.

 

[striker1064]

DW and I have been going back and forth on doing the Wine and Dine races this year. DVC registration opens tomorrow, seems like we are going to do it. I had only glanced at the prices previously so I had an idea. But I think we are both going to do the 5k + challenge, and HOLY COW it's gonna be time for a new MSR soon.

 

[mhartman09]

Sad. I never really got to know SPG at all. At all SPG was one hotel program I was excited about. I got all their cards and then everything blew up and now I have all these points and a cert and no clue what to do with.

I'm in the same boat. DH has quite a bit of points and we both have free night certs and I really don't have a good use for them at the moment.

 

[StephPlum]

ust so I'm clear, even though the Lowe's offer says no gift cards, it still triggers for AMEX? And then turning that Kroger GC into a Disney Gc at self checkout triggers the 4X fuel rewards?

Only one of my Lowe's purchases was actually Lowe's stuff. All others have been GCs and all have given me the discount.

 

[StephPlum]

One other trick I've noticed people using before is to fill up two vehicles back to back at the same pump. It's inconvenient for us to do that, since it's hard for us to coordinate having empty tanks and being in town at the same time. So, DH usually fills his truck up and then takes gas cans to max out the entire 35 gallons.[/QUOTE}
Totally do the gas can thing at Giant Eagle. DH fills up and brings back the gas and then empties into my car when I need it. We would never be able to coordinate schedules to do it back to back at the same pump.

 

[MarBee]

Hello to my favorite collective mind on these boards!
After the merger, I was anti-Marriott. However, it will help me to use up my points in order to get some more (I hope that makes sense.)
I currently have the Marriott Rewards card and SPG Amex. DH has SPG Amex. We are both at 4/24 and have about $4,000ish in big spends coming up.
What can I open to get maximum Bonvoy points? (I cringe at using that phrase.) My current referral offer for the Marriott Chase is for 3 free nights, but I’d rather just points instead of nights.
Thank you in advance!

ETA: We also both have the CSP and CF. DH has the CIP. I got shot down in the pst when I tried to open a SW Business.

 

[Brian4891]

Replying to my own post with another DP on the 2nd CIP. When I posted the above, many suggested the I have DH apply for another CIP. I applied last night around 8:30 and got this message when I applied: We need to review your request a little longer. We will let you know of our decision as soon as possible. I called the number about 30 minutes later and got the 30 day message. When I called this morning first thing, he was approved! I was nervous applying, but so glad I did!

Thanks for the advice!

Intersting. So it's possible to earn the CIP sign-up bonus a second time for the same person even if the first card is still open and you are less than 24 months from the first sign up bonus? Is there some kind of trick to getting this approved?

 

[GZanta77]

Oh no -- please let us know what you decide. This would be my MIL, no doubt about it. Fortunately FIL is still alive, although there is an 8-year difference in their ages and he is not it the best of health. It probably sounds terrible but I have briefly wondered what kind of scammers she might fall prey to if he predeceases her.

Well, having reflected on it overnight, she at least seems willing to consider the possibility that something shady is going on. If he is who he claims to be then there is no reason he couldn't order a phone himself and have it shipped if necessary. DW is going to follow up with her this evening.

 

[afan]

Further reading about the max this morning, and I'm on my phone so no links. And not to get political but...

Per a cnn article the faa and boeing were working on the software fix but it got delayed by the shutdown and is supposed to be in place by april. I realize how entwined with the govt boeing is so it's possible that because of all this they will force the faa to play their hand and help place the blame on the shutdown. Not like companies don't do shady stuff like that.

Per article on cbc.ca canada has banned them from their airspace so that affects all carriers and grounds their own. The guy in charge said it's based on new unproven facts. So dealing with a theory at this point.

Per the tv news and an article somewhere some us pilots have complained of the issue but were able to fix it. So training is important here. Other us pilots have said the planes are fine.

Hopefully we find out actual info from the black boxes soon so everyone actually knows and isn't working off assumptions.