I love credit cards so much!

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Thanks for the explanation...I think it makes sense, esp. to many who might not understand why you might choose the higher bonus/spend. I myself am firmly in the organic spend category,I don't have a ton of excess income to spare,and I pay my bills carefully to hit my spends. I wouldn't,and really couldn't (at this time) make a 10k spend for another 5k points for spg biz. so this offer is lower but my only realistic option. (and I'm thrilled to get it) I can say,back in the days of much easier MS (yup I'm lazy I guess) I did more 'gentle' ms to get my spends.... but now,I'm pretty much out of that arena. So I have to choose wisely to meet my spends.

That is my problem. My expenses are very small on a monthly basis. $40 phone bill. No cable/internet - daughter is responsible for that. Some food - not much - daughter and I share that expense. Minimal electric water and gas - we have a small home. Pet care - actually close to my largest recurring expense.
Insurance, gasoline for the paid for cars. Limited gas needed - twice a month now unless on a driving trip.

Eating out - limited to mostly while travelling as I'm pretty tired of the local options and I'm careful what I eat due to diabetes. That factor alone has cut my expenses as I'm usually eating basic meats, fish and mainly veggies.

So, I have to time my spends to major expenses such as insurance and the upcoming roof replacement which is when I will do a bigger spend card. One of my six month car insurance bills came yesterday - only $488 for full coverage -(100-300 in case anyone thinks I'm underinsured.) So I emailed it to my daughter so she could use it on her spend that she is doing right now. I have access to one of her bank accounts so it can be paid easily. Using Navy Federal she can also put cash in my account without having access - it works well.

So when roof replacement time rolls around, I may do the CSP/CSR double dip and or maybe the SPG Biz if its still around.

Oh and even vacations are not huge expenses due to owning DVC and travel hacking!
 
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For those interested in bank bonuses:

DoC just shared that you can now open the Chase $500 checking + savings offer online: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/7z1rcm/chase_300_checking_200_savings_bonus_online/

Unfortunately for those not near a Chase branch this won't work. AND that's the only reason I was excited to see it online, it's not terribly hard to go in and open this in branch if you live near one haha. I will comment that if you're traveling to an area with Chase branches you can open in person even if you don't live nearby. I did this on a business trip to Cleveland last year (live in Pittsburgh). If you aren't into bank account bonuses yet - might be worth checking out. It's a pretty nice way to earn some additional cash!
This doesn’t work if we already have Chase accounts correct? Chase is our main bank. I did get a BOA mailer, $150 for opening a checking account.
 
That is my problem. My expenses are very small on a monthly basis. $40 phone bill. No cable/internet - daughter is responsible for that. Some food - not much - daughter and I share that expense. Minimal electric water and gas - we have a small home. Pet care - actually close to my largest recurring expense.
Insurance, gasoline for the paid for cars. Limited gas needed - twice a month now unless on a driving trip.

Eating out - limited to mostly while travelling as I'm pretty tired of the local options and I'm careful what I eat due to diabetes. That factor alone has cut my expenses as I'm usually eating basic meats, fish and mainly veggies.

So, I have to time my spends to major expenses such as insurance and the upcoming roof replacement which is when I will do a bigger spend card. One of my six month car insurance bills came yesterday - only $488 for full coverage -(100-300 in case anyone thinks I'm underinsured.) So I emailed it to my daughter so she could use it on her spend that she is doing right now. I have access to one of her bank accounts so it can be paid easily. Using Navy Federal she can also put cash in my account without having access - it works well.

So when roof replacement time rolls around, I may do the CSP/CSR double dip and or maybe the SPG Biz if its still around.

Oh and even vacations are not huge expenses due to owning DVC and travel hacking!

I'm running into this "problem" too. I've reigned in our spending quite a bit lately, which I'm very happy about. But it does make it difficult to meet min spend. I refuse to meet min spend with an expense that is in a high cash back category on another card - like directv, phone, or groceries. We do pay a lot for electricity sadly, so prepaying that bill works. Plus, 2 kids in college next year means I can buy Gift of College cards to meet minimum spend pretty easily. In the past, I would simply buy Visa gc and convert to money orders, but that doesn't work any more at my local Walmart stores - boo.

Random side note - I was shocked at the prices on roof replacements for my rental property. I found a local roofing company who agreed to let me purchase my own shingles, so I paid them labor only. I bought shingles at Lowes using gift cards previously purchased at a discount + used various discount codes. I saved $1,000+ doing that - and that was on a TINY roof!
 
This doesn’t work if we already have Chase accounts correct? Chase is our main bank. I did get a BOA mailer, $150 for opening a checking account.
I'm fairly sure that the fine print will say something like new accounts only. I believe they consider a new account holder to be someone who hasn't had an account in the previous 3 months maybe.
 


I posted a few weeks ago and got some really great advice here. I'm hoping that maybe you all can help me plan my next steps.

I have a CSR (1/18) and JB Plus (1/18). DH just got the CIP (2/18). Originally I was thinking I was going to go for the SW companion pass, but now I'm not sure that is what will work best for us. Now my thoughts are:

1. DH refers me to the CIP next month. Half of the MS for that will go to paying off our upcoming cruise, so that should get 3x UR points. Next year he PCs his to the CIC.
2. After we meet the MS for that, I want to apply for an AMEX business card. Not sure if I want to go the Hilton or SPG route. SPG seems like a better deal, but we have 3 Hilton stays coming up this year, and DH tends to stay in Hiltons for work (although he has to pay with company CC).
3. DH has a Chase Slate from a long time ago that he never uses - can he PC that to a Chase Freedom?
4. According to Cardmatch.com I'm targeted for the Platinum Amex 100k bonus - not sure about the huge AF though.

Thoughts?
Why are you going away from Southwest at this point - does it not service your airport well?

On the AMEX biz card, one thing to note is the Hilton card charges you the $95 annual fee the first year and SPG card WAIVES the annual fee the first year. Obviously go with what works best for you but if they are neck and neck in your mind that could be a deciding factor.

Definitely should be able to PC the Slate to Freedom - would be a great move.

Plat AMEX 100k is a great offer. If you aren't sure what to do with MRs I'd research that some as they have some great uses. If all else fails though you could read my guide to cashing out MRs via the Schwab Plat (you'd have to get another card with a big annual fee tho) and turn those MRs into 1.25cents each. That guide is posted on our DISchurners Reddit group.
 
Thanks for the explanation...I think it makes sense, esp. to many who might not understand why you might choose the higher bonus/spend. I myself am firmly in the organic spend category,I don't have a ton of excess income to spare,and I pay my bills carefully to hit my spends. I wouldn't,and really couldn't (at this time) make a 10k spend for another 5k points for spg biz. so this offer is lower but my only realistic option. (and I'm thrilled to get it) I can say,back in the days of much easier MS (yup I'm lazy I guess) I did more 'gentle' ms to get my spends.... but now,I'm pretty much out of that arena. So I have to choose wisely to meet my spends.
The reactions to your post is what makes this thread great vs. Reddit. People over there just assume everybody can MS and if you don't want to MS then you're stupid. It's not my cup of tea, and honestly I'm not sure all of them truly understand their cost of MS vs. what they get out of it. I know many do but some people are probably just wasting money, haha.

I just like how we all respect everybody's different "flavors" of churning here :) Despite my extreme credit card "prowess" so to speak...the only MS I'll do is bank account funding and I've even been out of that game for almost a year now. Organic all the way for me :)
 
I'm running into this "problem" too. I've reigned in our spending quite a bit lately, which I'm very happy about. But it does make it difficult to meet min spend. I refuse to meet min spend with an expense that is in a high cash back category on another card - like directv, phone, or groceries. We do pay a lot for electricity sadly, so prepaying that bill works. Plus, 2 kids in college next year means I can buy Gift of College cards to meet minimum spend pretty easily. In the past, I would simply buy Visa gc and convert to money orders, but that doesn't work any more at my local Walmart stores - boo.

Random side note - I was shocked at the prices on roof replacements for my rental property. I found a local roofing company who agreed to let me purchase my own shingles, so I paid them labor only. I bought shingles at Lowes using gift cards previously purchased at a discount + used various discount codes. I saved $1,000+ doing that - and that was on a TINY roof!

I have a small roof but I'm expecting about 10K in expense for it. I'm also busy looking into creative ways to minimize this expense.
 


I have a small roof but I'm expecting about 10K in expense for it. I'm also busy looking into creative ways to minimize this expense.

FWIW, I have a medium roof. Quote to completely replace with higher (not uber-premier, but higher) quality shingles and a solid warranty, plus some other nice features (ridge vent, replacing some rotten decking), was $7.2k, and I'm in a major metro. I was really pleased with the quote (though obviously there are things that I would much prefer to spend $ on right now), I figured it'd be twice that. Obviously YMMV.
 
FWIW, I have a medium roof. Quote to completely replace with higher (not uber-premier, but higher) quality shingles and a solid warranty, plus some other nice features (ridge vent, replacing some rotten decking), was $7.2k, and I'm in a major metro. I was really pleased with the quote (though obviously there are things that I would much prefer to spend $ on right now), I figured it'd be twice that. Obviously YMMV.

Thanks for sharing! I have a 'roof fund' where I've put away 10K towards the expense so that's the actual basis of my claim for it being a 10K expense. House is small but there is an addition with it's own roof, plus I want the architectural shingles, new gutters and ridge vents as well. Plus I have a tall shed that I want to also do the shingles on so that my property 'matches'. (That may be a bit cray cray, lol as the shed is not right next to the house and is only about 6 years old, but it looks like a small 'house' with door and window and siding to match, so I just want the backyard to appeal to buyers in a few years as well as the house.)
 
Thanks for sharing! I have a 'roof fund' where I've put away 10K towards the expense so that's the actual basis of my claim for it being a 10K expense. House is small but there is an addition with it's own roof, plus I want the architectural shingles, new gutters and ridge vents as well. Plus I have a tall shed that I want to also do the shingles on so that my property 'matches'. (That may be a bit cray cray, lol as the shed is not right next to the house and is only about 6 years old, but it looks like a small 'house' with door and window and siding to match, so I just want the backyard to appeal to buyers in a few years as well as the house.)

Gotcha! Mine did include the ridge vent and architectural shingles. New gutters for my house were an additional $1400, but they offered a discount of $300 if we do both projects together. And I totally hear you re: the shed. I'd consider the same for mine if it had the aesthetic it sounds like yours has. Mine is just a plain ol' shed.
 
MS is manufactured spending such as ... using plastiq to pay your mortgage or other bill that ordinarily would not accept a credit card ....

Good explanation! I'd just want to clarify that Plastiq is not usually considered manufactured spending. Even though you're using the service to pay an expense or bill that wouldn't otherwise accept credit card payments, you're paying a legitimate expense. Where it gets into MS is if you're paying a trusted person (e.g., spouse, family member, friend) for a fictitious expense with the understanding that person will pay those funds back to you. Then there are more creative ways of MS with Plastiq that I won't get into because that's how good things die.

Thanks for sharing! I have a 'roof fund' where I've put away 10K towards the expense so that's the actual basis of my claim for it being a 10K expense. House is small but there is an addition with it's own roof, plus I want the architectural shingles, new gutters and ridge vents as well. Plus I have a tall shed that I want to also do the shingles on so that my property 'matches'. (That may be a bit cray cray, lol as the shed is not right next to the house and is only about 6 years old, but it looks like a small 'house' with door and window and siding to match, so I just want the backyard to appeal to buyers in a few years as well as the house.)

Cray cray? Aren't you retirement age? lol. Not crazy at all. You've got a perfectly valid reason from an investment perspective.
 
Thanks for sharing! I have a 'roof fund' where I've put away 10K towards the expense so that's the actual basis of my claim for it being a 10K expense. House is small but there is an addition with it's own roof, plus I want the architectural shingles, new gutters and ridge vents as well. Plus I have a tall shed that I want to also do the shingles on so that my property 'matches'. (That may be a bit cray cray, lol as the shed is not right next to the house and is only about 6 years old, but it looks like a small 'house' with door and window and siding to match, so I just want the backyard to appeal to buyers in a few years as well as the house.)

Okay - quoting my own post. 20 years ago or so I was in real estate until my real job needed all my time. Knowing the immediate market for my little house in my area is mostly speculators who send me weekly 'we want to buy your house' letters and they call me as well, I want to instead spruce up prior to selling to get maximum dollar and to actually enjoy the upgrades, whether it be curb appeal or interior. The 'buy up houses and fix them up and sell them for 50-100K profit' have been busy on my street in recent years - one house has been flipped twice in about 8 years. There are 50 houses, and at least 10 have been flips with a few organic sales for lack of a better term. Other than that the owners are stable and its a nice place to live and I know almost everybody. Houses sell in my neighborhood very quickly because of location, location, location.
 
Long time lurker of this thread, yet still don't have much to contribute to it because I'm still learning from you guys...
But, our home flooded during Harvey and we were then forced to put a new roof on our home because both the chimney and roof (and subsuquently our walls inside where our vaulted ceiling is) were damaged. Our deductible for this was a bit over $7k. The roof itself was $36k (OUCH), and our friend is a roofer and installed our roof!!! Quite frankly, the roof looks fantastic. I highly recommend "splurging" for it! :) New black shingles, ridge vents on both our house and our detached garage, simply an overall wow factor has now been added when you look at our home. I hope prospective buyers find it as aestheticly pleasing as we do!
 
The reactions to your post is what makes this thread great vs. Reddit. People over there just assume everybody can MS and if you don't want to MS then you're stupid. It's not my cup of tea, and honestly I'm not sure all of them truly understand their cost of MS vs. what they get out of it. I know many do but some people are probably just wasting money, haha.

I just like how we all respect everybody's different "flavors" of churning here :) Despite my extreme credit card "prowess" so to speak...the only MS I'll do is bank account funding and I've even been out of that game for almost a year now. Organic all the way for me :)

I've never MS spent either. It felt like too much for me. Doing things that have the potential to make checkers /banks suspect would make me panic and look suspicious and crazy. I get enough points by being careful and putting my expenses on the right cards along with sign up bonuses.
I always feel like an outsider on churning forums because while so many are trying to get first class tickets to Tokyo and staying in outlandish hotels and I'm just trying to get 4 round trips on SW so we can get to Florida.
 
Chipped away a little more at the Marriot MSR this morning... with a trip to urgent care and a prescription for Tamiflu :mad: Currently laying on the couch nauseous from the Tamiflu and angry at my coworker who came into work with strain A. Ugh. I am determined to be better by next week. My flight to Miami leaves 6 AM Tuesday morning and I'm not letting those UR points I used on it be wasted!
 
Chipped away a little more at the Marriot MSR this morning... with a trip to urgent care and a prescription for Tamiflu :mad: Currently laying on the couch nauseous from the Tamiflu and angry at my coworker who came into work with strain A. Ugh. I am determined to be better by next week. My flight to Miami leaves 6 AM Tuesday morning and I'm not letting those UR points I used on it be wasted!

Oh no! Hope you feel better soon. I've heard anecdotally that Tamiflu is like a miracle drug if you start it within the first 24 hours of coming down with the flu. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
 
Chipped away a little more at the Marriot MSR this morning... with a trip to urgent care and a prescription for Tamiflu :mad: Currently laying on the couch nauseous from the Tamiflu and angry at my coworker who came into work with strain A. Ugh. I am determined to be better by next week. My flight to Miami leaves 6 AM Tuesday morning and I'm not letting those UR points I used on it be wasted!

Oh yuk! Hydrate, rest, read the boards obsessively :) and get better!
 
Oh no! Hope you feel better soon. I've heard anecdotally that Tamiflu is like a miracle drug if you start it within the first 24 hours of coming down with the flu. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Thank you! Yes, a different coworker also had it and got Tamiflu within the first 24 hours. He was better very quickly, and I'm not as sick as he was when he took his first Tamiflu dose so I'm hoping there won't be much to this for me. So far my worst symptom is the nausea from the Tamiflu. If it stays that way, I'll be as happy as I can be given the circumstances!
 
Why are you going away from Southwest at this point - does it not service your airport well?

No, I'm in Boston, so we have the option of flying SW out of 3 airports, BOS, PVD and MHT. I'm just second guessing if I want to not get any other cards to keep my spots free for those 2, and also when I would go for the cards. Maybe I stick to my other planned cards and have DH apply for the SW cards at the end of this year so we get CP for 2019-2020.

On the AMEX biz card, one thing to note is the Hilton card charges you the $95 annual fee the first year and SPG card WAIVES the annual fee the first year. Obviously go with what works best for you but if they are neck and neck in your mind that could be a deciding factor.

I know, this is what's getting me, I think. The SPG seems like a better card overall, but I really want the Hilton status.

Plat AMEX 100k is a great offer. If you aren't sure what to do with MRs I'd research that some as they have some great uses. If all else fails though you could read my guide to cashing out MRs via the Schwab Plat (you'd have to get another card with a big annual fee tho) and turn those MRs into 1.25cents each. That guide is posted on our DISchurners Reddit group.

I still need to create an account on Reddit - it scares me a little!

Thanks for your input - really appreciate it!
 
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