Our daughter just started daycare and accept just discover credit cards for payment (besides checking accounts) so might as well reap some rewards from it. 1% is the best they have for the non-specific purchases correct?
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Credit Cards & Finances |OT| Rewards, Cash Back, APR, & More!
- Thread starter Downhome
- Start date
Our daughter just started daycare and accept just discover credit cards for payment (besides checking accounts) so might as well reap some rewards from it. 1% is the best they have for the non-specific purchases correct?
OrangeGrayBlue
Member
If you use an app like Earny it will automatically file claims for price-difference refunds if it notices any price changes in items you've already purchased.
Yea surprisingly they don't so might as well reap $1300/month in daycare
NeOak
Member
Remember that Amex bonuses are once in a lifetime. Depends if you are going to play the MR game.
Wait can you clarify? What do u mean once in a lifetime? Per card, surely? And what's MR?
NeOak
Member
Per card, yeah. Seems you can get them every 7 years.
MR = AMEX Membership Rewards points.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Hey guys I'm having a super hard time deciding on a travel rewards card. I'm down to 5 and suffering from extreme paralysis of analysis.
I'm in airports about 10x a year. I'm trying to decide if a premium travel card like the Chase Preferred or AmEx plat make sense or if I don't travel enough to appreciate it? Surely there is no way I fail to use the travel credits they both provide? Then again, neither is easy to reach their spend requirement for the new sign up bonus miles. The AmEx gold is easy, however with 50k points @ $1k in 3 months vs $4k or 5k, but has limited rewards. Similar story for the C1 Venture card.
Anyone advice would be appreciated.
I'm in airports about 10x a year. I'm trying to decide if a premium travel card like the Chase Preferred or AmEx plat make sense or if I don't travel enough to appreciate it? Surely there is no way I fail to use the travel credits they both provide? Then again, neither is easy to reach their spend requirement for the new sign up bonus miles. The AmEx gold is easy, however with 50k points @ $1k in 3 months vs $4k or 5k, but has limited rewards. Similar story for the C1 Venture card.
Anyone advice would be appreciated.
Pre-qualify online. You can get a lower spend deal than that if it's a card you want to hold onto.
I'm still confused. AMEX sign up rewards are rare? I get emails all the time I thought. So if it's once every 7+ years, then I should definitely jump on it now so that I can do it again sooner right?
I most likely won't be holding onto it. Can I still get a lower spend deal?
Grimm Fandango
Member
Can you not get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Dreams-Visions
Member
I would assume so though I haven't applied. I'm at. 790 or so FICO, only have 2 cards and 0 balance, so I would assume that won't be a problem.
If I failed to include that one in my post above that was an accident. I'm trying to decide between the C1 Venture, the Chase Preferred/Reserved, and the AmEx Gold/Plat.
Just need some help breaking my paralysis.
Rewards points amounts vary based on targeting and when they want to boost them. I believe the gold card is usually 25k points on 2k spent. If you prequalify on their website you'll probably get 50k points on $1k spent.
50k points is a lot of points and $1k in 90 days is during the holidays is cake. It's part of the reason I'm stuck. The reward would be super easy to collect, but I'm not entirely in love with the card's benefits yet. Every time I think about crossing it odd, I see $1k for 50k points and I am compelled. lol
I didn't realize AMEX was so..volatile. Most of the other cards I see the bonus points are pretty set. I'll have to see if I can qualify for that $1000. 50k points is 500$ right? not too shabby, basically 50% off! I think it's been a while since I've opened a new card so opening and closing one shouldn't hurt my credit too much.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Yep 50k is about $500. It feels like a can't-pass deal, but because I personally only want 1 travel card right now, I'm a bit anxious that I might like the Chase Reserved or AmEx plat card here more. I just don't know. :-(
Grimm Fandango
Member
If you have other Chase cards, you can transfer the points to Ultimate Rewards on the Reserve to get 50% more value for travel stuff. It's really a no-brainer if you spend a lot on travel to get cheap hotel rooms and flights. Bonus stuff like the lounge access too. I love the card. A shame the 100k bonus points offer is gone now.
If you don't have other Chase cards, the Reserve is a harder sell unless you spend tons of money on it.
Gonna have to grab it!
The Reserve is such a good card. It takes so little to justify the price. Travel credit, tsa etc etc. And after the credit, you only need to use 300$ worth of rewards on Ultimate Rewards to make your money back. So good
Dreams-Visions
Member
I do not currently have another Chase card.
You see why I'm stressing out now.
Generally speaking I don't spend a lot on travel. Maybe $800-$1200 annually. But being on flights 10x per year... I feel like I could burn the $300 annual credit first trip or two leaving what? Like $150 of the annual fee to try to recoup over 12 months? It doesn't seem like a difficult proposition even with limited spending, but maybe I'm missing something. Which is why I'm asking here.
That's what I was thinking too. But again, I feel like maybe I'm missing something reading articles that suggest you need to spend $8k to "break even" annually. Like what?
NeOak
Member
$150 in the annual fee.
At 3% on travel and dining, you need to spend $5000 on that in order to get back 15000 points, which would be 150 dollars cash back.
If you travel a lot, it's hard to beat the CSR. The $450 annual fee seems like a lot, but it's easy to recoup with the proper spend. I got the card just to collect the 100k points, but I've ended up liking it, and will re-up again this year.
You can get the $300 travel credit back on anything related to travel, including pre-paid tolls if your state has that kind of setup. So really, the CSR annual fee is only $150/year.
If you can't make the spend to make the CSR worthwhile, then there is a new BoA card that's worth a look. It's called the Premium Rewards card.
Offers (as points):
* 2% travel and dining
* 1.5% all other purchases
* $100/yr in airline incidental credit
* $100 Global Entry fee reimbursed every few years
* No foreign transaction fees
Annual fee is $95.
Rewards aren't as good as the CSR, but the threshold to break even is lower. Sign up bonus is 50,000 points ($500) w/a $3k spend in first 90.
If you just want a cash back card, then the Citi Double Cash w/a flat 2% on everything is the better option. If a basic card with no foreign transaction fees is your thing, then the Cap One Quicksilver has you covered.
But if you want Global Entry for "free" and can make the spend to get the rewards, this BoA card can be an option because it'll pay for itself each year assuming you use the airline incidentals credit.
You can get the $300 travel credit back on anything related to travel, including pre-paid tolls if your state has that kind of setup. So really, the CSR annual fee is only $150/year.
If you can't make the spend to make the CSR worthwhile, then there is a new BoA card that's worth a look. It's called the Premium Rewards card.
Offers (as points):
* 2% travel and dining
* 1.5% all other purchases
* $100/yr in airline incidental credit
* $100 Global Entry fee reimbursed every few years
* No foreign transaction fees
Annual fee is $95.
Rewards aren't as good as the CSR, but the threshold to break even is lower. Sign up bonus is 50,000 points ($500) w/a $3k spend in first 90.
If you just want a cash back card, then the Citi Double Cash w/a flat 2% on everything is the better option. If a basic card with no foreign transaction fees is your thing, then the Cap One Quicksilver has you covered.
But if you want Global Entry for "free" and can make the spend to get the rewards, this BoA card can be an option because it'll pay for itself each year assuming you use the airline incidentals credit.
FactoryofLies
Neo Member
Just upgraded my business class flight from Tokyo to ANA 1st class suite! So in total using 95k UR for two business class seats on ANA to Tokyo valued at $7,774 and 120k UR for two 1st class seats on ANA from Tokyo valued at...... $26,000! That's a 15.7 CPP valuation! So excited!
Zoe
Member
Did you go straight through Chase, or did you transfer them first?
NeOak
Member
Congrats!
Sounds like they were transferred. No way you can get that kind of value from the Chase portal.
NeOak
Member
Use incognito mode, misspell your name or address and keep trying
That's the thing, I never put in my name. Going through their website shows the 25000/2000$ offer on the main page
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/premier-rewards-gold/
Going through my email shows the 50000/$2000 offer but requires I put in my RSVP code and last 4 social security digits
Im sure this has been asked before, but I want to make sure I get this right. I have a Discover It secured card on the way, which I basically just got to build credit. I dont plan on using it for anything other than gas. Now, when it comes to paying it off, do I wait for the bill to post each month? Should I have it paid it off before the bill even posts? Should I even pay it all off, or just up to a certain balance? Explain like Im 5 please. 
Im sure this has been asked before, but I want to make sure I get this right. I have a Discover It secured card on the way, which I basically just got to build credit. I dont plan on using it for anything other than gas. Now, when it comes to paying it off, do I wait for the bill to post each month? Should I have it paid it off before the bill even posts? Should I even pay it all off, or just up to a certain balance? Explain like Im 5 please.
1) Wait for statement to generate.
2) Pay statement in full.
If you want to be really solid, setup autopay to pay your statement in full, on the due date, every month.
That's it. It is stupid simple and you'll build credit in no time.
FactoryofLies
Neo Member
Walter White Walker
Member
Im sure this has been asked before, but I want to make sure I get this right. I have a Discover It secured card on the way, which I basically just got to build credit. I dont plan on using it for anything other than gas. Now, when it comes to paying it off, do I wait for the bill to post each month? Should I have it paid it off before the bill even posts? Should I even pay it all off, or just up to a certain balance? Explain like Im 5 please.
To expand upon what Syriel correctly told you, if you pay it off before the statement generates then it will look like you're using no credit. Discover will report a zero balance to the credit agencies. This won't really help you build credit because it won't be showing that you're responsibly using it.
To use your credit card optimally you want to show you're using your credit responsibly. The best way to do so is to keep your balance somewhere between 1-9% when the statement generates. So, for example, if you have a $1000 limit on your secured card you'll want to have a balance on the statement somewhere between say $20 to $90. It won't kill you to go over this amount as long as you keep it less than 29%, but less than 10% (and more than 1%) is optimal.
Darryl M R
Member
Just now getting into churning. I plan on double dipping for CSP/CSR for the points.
I'm mapping out a Summer 2019 Europe trip to Paris and Barcelona. I'm calculating the minimum amount of points needed for known point rates and promotions.
I'm mapping out a Summer 2019 Europe trip to Paris and Barcelona. I'm calculating the minimum amount of points needed for known point rates and promotions.
I could have sworn someone said you can no longer get both CSR and CSP.....maybe not
Yea man, that 450$ charge really hurt lol, even though by that time I had already recouped 600$ in travel credits and a lot in Ultimate Rewards bonus
If you want Chase points, Ink Biz is your best option right now w/80k points on $5k spend in 3 months. That used to be 100k if you applied in-branch, but I don't know if that is still going on.
Downside is that it builds credit on your biz profile, not personal profile, but the points are the same and it's the max option for UR points right now.
Get those first, then go for the CSR to get that signup bonus and the redeem benefits.
NeOak
Member
You can still get both CSR and CSP if you apply for both on the same day.
Splash Wave
Member
Is there a recommended practice when it comes to saving/using credit card points?
The required spend to do that is a bit high for average folks. You either need to have a solid income (so you can stretch manufactured spend over a few extra months) or a job with lots of reimbursable expenses.
Example: CSR = 50k points w/$4k spend in three months. CSP = 50k points w/$4k spend in three months. To double that, you're looking at $8k spend in three months. And that's just for the standard bonus.
If you want to go the double card route, at least wait for a bump in the bonus signup. Otherwise, chaining Ink + CSR or CSP will be more doable for most.
Ink = 80k points w/$5k spend in three months. Also, the Chase Freedom cards advertise $150 each after spending $500 in three months. That should be given as 15k CUR points, so doubling on those two is a good idea as it is 30k points for only $1k in spend.
You can either look to max your value per point (transfer to airline program and book Intl First Class is usually the best redemption value if you can make it work) or just use it as a "fun" fund.
- Want to travel at the last minute? Use points.
- Trying to pad your savings? Pull out cash (not the best "value" but if you're looking at it purely as a cash back scheme, it is straightforward).
NeOak
Member
It's technically a loophole.
I know that.
I'm saying that the average American doesn't have a spare $8k to float to take advantage of said loophole.
You can't just buy currency at cost from the US Mint anymore.
NeOak
Member
True. I was just pointing out the only way you can get them nowI know that.
I'm saying that the average American doesn't have a spare $8k to float to take advantage of said loophole.
You can't just buy currency at cost from the US Mint anymore.
brianmcdoogle
Member
So, I just noticed my card was set to expire at the end of the month and I never got a new one, so I called the bank and they're going to have to cancel my card number and send out an entire new card with new number. Going to have to go through the week with no credit card until the new one arrives.
I'm also going to have to go and change the number on all recurring services, so that's going to be fun to try and think of all the ones tired to my old card number.
Sigh. bummer.
I'm also going to have to go and change the number on all recurring services, so that's going to be fun to try and think of all the ones tired to my old card number.
Sigh. bummer.
grrrr... trying to take advantage of the Chase Freedom calendar but none of the listed department stores carry Amazon cards or gas cards
I ain't trying to build my points up off of paper towels, clorox wipes, and shampoo.
may as well see if I can find some nice jeans at Strongroom Rack
(should have said Nordstrom Rack, but google chrome suggested that word was a typo so I replaced it with their suggestion)
I ain't trying to build my points up off of paper towels, clorox wipes, and shampoo.
may as well see if I can find some nice jeans at Strongroom Rack
(should have said Nordstrom Rack, but google chrome suggested that word was a typo so I replaced it with their suggestion)
The Pet of the Month
Member
I've been doing a lot of research on credit cards, especially looking over the notes I took from econ classes I had years ago, and I felt like I was ready to apply for one. I've had a store card before, so I've been able to manage balances before. Even read the OP of this thread several times, as well as other reviews and such.
The one that caught my eye was the Amazon Prime Visa Signature card, the reward incentives were nice since I do shop on Amazon quite a bit and the 70$ gift card upon opening the card was pretty tempting. No annual or foreign transaction fees + no minimum interest charge which sounded great. Somewhat high APR and balance transfers/cash advances but I never planned on using any of those features and/or holding a balance.
So I applied, and they said they would get back to me in 30 days or so, which was fine with me. About two days ago I got a letter wanting me to call Chase to confirm that I was the one who applied for the card, and this is where I started to doubt whether I needed a credit card or not. I'm not worried about having the card, and I have always managed my finances so I never overspend, but this is sorta uncharted territory for me and I guess that has always made me feel uneasy.
Should I call up and process the application? Thanks for any tips!
The one that caught my eye was the Amazon Prime Visa Signature card, the reward incentives were nice since I do shop on Amazon quite a bit and the 70$ gift card upon opening the card was pretty tempting. No annual or foreign transaction fees + no minimum interest charge which sounded great. Somewhat high APR and balance transfers/cash advances but I never planned on using any of those features and/or holding a balance.
So I applied, and they said they would get back to me in 30 days or so, which was fine with me. About two days ago I got a letter wanting me to call Chase to confirm that I was the one who applied for the card, and this is where I started to doubt whether I needed a credit card or not. I'm not worried about having the card, and I have always managed my finances so I never overspend, but this is sorta uncharted territory for me and I guess that has always made me feel uneasy.
Should I call up and process the application? Thanks for any tips!
NeOak
Member
Well, having more available credit actually lowers your usability % and helps your credit score.
And an identity verification from Chase is normal if you never have had cards with them.
The Pet of the Month
Member
That's something I never knew, thank you! Guess I'll call up and get it processed then.
It also doesn't impact your personal credit score. You are developing a business credit score with that card.
NeOak
Member
You can call Chase (1-800-432-3117) and have your personal accounts show up on your business account.
They will offer to close the personal website log-in too once they merge them. Unless you want to have double notifications and whatever, let them close it.
FYI, you might get stuck with the old website for a while.
oh wow Walmart suuuuuuuuuucks...
went there to pick up a short list of items - the exclusive watermelon flavored Nintendo Switch, paper towels, a new shower curtain, and a cheap pair of earplugs to listen to paudcasts at work.
they were sold out of watermelon switches (no big deal),
but their earplugs and shower curtain selections were terrible!!! like... real bad!!!
ugliest curtains ever,
and you can get way better plugs from Target or Frys in the $10 range!!!
I walked out of there with nothing more than a pack of paper towels and a 2032 battery for my Sega Saturn.
I mean I'll still go back for toilet paper or bubble mailers in the foreseeable future, maybe even some nintendo points once I get my watermelon switch, but got dang this store is just awful >_<
went there to pick up a short list of items - the exclusive watermelon flavored Nintendo Switch, paper towels, a new shower curtain, and a cheap pair of earplugs to listen to paudcasts at work.
they were sold out of watermelon switches (no big deal),
but their earplugs and shower curtain selections were terrible!!! like... real bad!!!
ugliest curtains ever,
and you can get way better plugs from Target or Frys in the $10 range!!!
I walked out of there with nothing more than a pack of paper towels and a 2032 battery for my Sega Saturn.
I mean I'll still go back for toilet paper or bubble mailers in the foreseeable future, maybe even some nintendo points once I get my watermelon switch, but got dang this store is just awful >_<
What was the sign up bonus for shopping there?