I love credit cards so much!

[mmmears]

• Make a paid (or redemption) stay at any participating hotels worldwide
• Redeem points
• Use your Marriott or SPG co-brand card for purchases at least every 24 months
• Earn points with a program partner
• Purchase points
• Hold a qualifying meeting or event, including earning points through the Rewarding Events Program
• Convert points to airline miles or airline miles to points

So yes - spending $1 on your Marriott/SPG CC will get it done

Great! Thank you!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Need help with my next moves- within 1k of finishing the spend on my southwest cards for my cp, on hold till the end of the month now.

I’m planning a spring break trip to universal Orlando- cost 1700 for tickets and 2 nights at royal pacific for express pass access. Barf. I have my csr travel credit available next week I’ll use for one of the tickets. I can use UR for the rest, but I’m a hoarder and I’m down to 250,000 ur and parting with another 90k is painful

Options for my next card- arrival plus 70,000 offer. Would take a nice chunk or cash out of this trip.

I have a targeted offer for the bbp 20,000 mr- expires 12/31. I have no planned use for mr.

I want to get the cic, but I just got the 2 southwest chase cards next month, so I think I need a chase break until spring.

Currently I’m 1/24. Not eligible for sapphires, my last bonus was 10/16 and I had a cip which is now closed with the bonus in 7/17. Already have a cf, cfu, southwest plus and biz, and csr. Also discover it and amex spg biz.

I like the A+ because it’s the highest bonus we’ve seen on that card and it’s a nice chunk of change. Keep in mind if you get put into security verification it’ll be 3 weeks before you’ll get hold of the card.

 

[StephPlum]

Woah. I couldn’t. Well, being here obviously none of us could! I know story after story of widows who ended up not having a darn clue when their husband passed because he handled all the finances & just gave them spending & household money. The worst was (a family member no less!) who knew no passwords, not even the one to get into the computer.

I handle all the finances. But I have a file that I periodically go over with DH. Has all the accounts, which bills are on auto pay, passwords. Hopefully everything he would need if anything unfortunate happened.

 

[afan]

I was actually wondering the same thing. We're very close to our DD, but going away to college has been a really tremendous growth experience for her and it wouldn't have been the same if we were just down the road.

One of the things my neighbor told me when I was looking at schools, he was a HS math teacher and had raised 5 kids who all went away to school, was that even if I decided to go to UW that I should live in the dorms. That it was important to move out and not be at home. Now I understand that financially that doesn't work for everyone and for some it's better to be at home maturity wise, but I can also understand where he's coming from. Yeah it sucks when you're sick or you want your mom's help with something but you figure it out, you have friends that will help or mom sends a care package I did miss home some but there wasn't ever a point that I wished I'd been closer, at least not for an extended period of time.

 

[StephPlum]

Additional comment to add - it appears that Marriott 29ways points do NOT appear to be a qualifying activity to extend your Marriott points. As a reminder, Marriott points expire after 24 months of no activity so keep that in mind.

For reference: AMEX MRs don't expire as long as you have an MR card open. Chase URs don't expire as long as you transfer them to an open card.

Most other programs have some expiration policy - examples of ones I think I know off the top of my head:

• Marriott - 24 months w/out qualifying activity
• Southwest - 24 months w/out qualifying activity
  
• Hilton - 12 months w/out qualifying activity
• IHG - 12 months w/out qualifying activity
• American - 18 months w/out qualifying activity
• Delta - NO EXPIRATION to my knowledge...hey that's one good thing about skypesos!

ADDITIONAL REMINDER: If you're starting to accrue large points balances - consider a spreadsheet to keep track of how many points you have and when they expire. This can also be good to check from time to time to make sure nobody has fraudulently used your points.

Thanks for the top of your head list. Very helpful.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I handle all the finances. But I have a file that I periodically go over with DH. Has all the accounts, which bills are on auto pay, passwords. Hopefully everything he would need if anything unfortunate happened.

That sounds like a perfect way to handle that. The info is there so P2 knows where to go if the worst happens.

 

[Artygal90]

What is his reasoning?

It's sometimes not so much that you need someone to open the account, it's how you do the finances. With Chase you hold 15k in a savings account for 90 days, if you have equal financial duties (rather than one person doing it all) then the other is going to want to know where that money got to if it just disappears. Also, unless you want to keep DDs going to the checking account, Chase holds 1k+ hostage for 6 months in minimum balances. So it's not a quick hit like Discover and some others.

All that said, @Artygal90 I am curious too about your P2 s logic. This was actually the only thing P2 is ok with

Oh, there's no rational reason. He's just really nervous and feels like it's too good to be true. Like @tink1970 's husband and @calypso726 's dad, it seems hinky to him. Like, why would we just get money for opening up a new bank account? What if we can't get at our emergency fund during an actual emergency? What if Chase loses our personal information? (that made me roll my eyes - we already have credit cards with them! They have all our information!) What if, what if, what if...it makes him panic and shut down. I also don't talk about the ins and outs of my CC plan - it just stresses him out. Maybe that will change soon when we take our first ever award flight on Boxing Day. If I can eventually get him to agree to let us move our savings to an account where we're making more than 0.1% interest I'll call that a win.

And dingdingding @miztressuz has it correct. Of course I could just open the accounts without him, but we both keep tabs on our finances through YNAB. While I'm more on top of stuff than he is, he would probably eventually notice if some of our paychecks and 90% of our savings suddenly "disappeared" (into an account at a national bank where they're perfectly safe but whatever). Since our money would be locked up for 90 days, I don't feel comfortable doing it without him. He was annoyed enough that I opened the Hancock Whitney account without him knowing. Just one of those things I guess

Not making suggestions to cause any marital strife here either. Just sharing what tends to happen in our own marriage and circle of married friends who also travel hack. When reluctant P2s didn't want to open a card or call recon, they are told hey can pay money for their flights ... in coach, while P1 enjoys a lie flat bed, complimentary adult beverages, new jammies and we'll catch up when we touch the ground 8 hours later.

A P2 in our circle that didn't want to open a new checking account for $600 towards a dining package at DLR would likely be told they can pack a sandwich and find a shady spot while we enjoy a nice plate of jambalya followed up with a lovely creme brulee. We'll meet them back outside POTC after we've had our fill of soaking in the atmosphere.

Oh boy that would feel soooo satisfying....for about five minutes. Then I think I'd want company and cave and go get him I miiight be able to eventually convince him using that line of argument....I'll file it away for the future. Do the reluctant P2s normally see the light and call recon/open accounts when they are given the choice between coach and first?

I feel you! My P2 is completely stubborn and does not want to play. At all. I think maybe he's related to @calypso726 's father and thinks there's something hinky going on. Since he's the one who lives 4 hours away for work and commutes home every weekend after working a full week, you know, I'm just letting it be. Some things just aren't worth the strife.

Yes, thinking about it this morning after sleeping on it, fighting over a $600 bank bonus isn't worth it. Not a hill I'm willing to die on. We'd probably end up spending a chunk of that money on marriage counseling if I went ahead and did it anyway

In the vein of oblivious husbands; my H once thought that we paid $125/MONTH for daycare. LOL. He was floored when he realized the actual cost.

LOL Oh dear. I'm guessing he dropped a zero or forgot to multiply something?

 

[3 DD love princesses]

They upped it to 100,000 per year after the merger. From the redeem your points page:

Share your points
Now you can share your points with any other member.

Transfer 1,000 points or more—up to a maximum of 100,000 points per year.

Just contact Member Support at (801) 468-4000 to start sharing.​

There may be a fee if you're not a Gold or higher member doing the transferring but I haven't seen too many reports back on if it's being charged or not.

so if points are transferred do they count as activity? wondering if DH can transfer some points to me and keep my account active?

 

[3 DD love princesses]

also, if anyone collect disney movie rewards remember there are codes out this month. If you don't have an account yet I just posted my link on dischurners. Its a slow earner but 550 points gets you a $5 gc. I've gotten a few gc from entering the movies each Dec. after they open their gifts

 

[StephPlum]

I know that sounds like a great plan --- to you. How do you think DS will feel about it? I would not have been a happy camper had my parents moved to college with me. lol Though maybe you just mean near him and not necessarily in same town. Though I did beg middle DD to go to same University as her sister, which is right in our town and she refused. She is now 7 hours away and when she came home for Thanksgiving she told us we should move closer to her. lol A big NO thanks to northern Indiana for me.

Being close by doesn't always mean being too close. DS goes to college just 15 minutes away. He lives on campus and was able to have growing experiences - setting a schedule, washing clothes, picking roommates, choosing his major.... He lets us know when he wants to come home (usually to catch up on sleep) or needs something. I will say his freshman year, he came home a lot more than his junior year.

 

[mmmears]

One of the things my neighbor told me when I was looking at schools, he was a HS math teacher and had raised 5 kids who all went away to school, was that even if I decided to go to UW that I should live in the dorms. That it was important to move out and not be at home. Now I understand that financially that doesn't work for everyone and for some it's better to be at home maturity wise, but I can also understand where he's coming from. Yeah it sucks when you're sick or you want your mom's help with something but you figure it out, you have friends that will help or mom sends a care package I did miss home some but there wasn't ever a point that I wished I'd been closer, at least not for an extended period of time.

Yep. I did the same (I think you & I exchanged states and then went back home). It was hard, but I grew and matured in a way I couldn't have done had I stayed here. And yes, not everyone is able to go away for financial or other reasons, and not everyone can handle that at 18, and that's ok too.

 

[Lain]

also, if anyone collect disney movie rewards remember there are codes out this month. If you don't have an account yet I just posted my link on dischurners. Its a slow earner but 550 points gets you a $5 gc. I've gotten a few gc from entering the movies each Dec. after they open their gifts

I’m saving up for the Disney studio tour.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

I’m saving up for the Disney studio tour.

good luck! I was trying to save up for the $10 gc but never make it and end up doing the $5 gc especially when they have so many to choose from now.

 

[StephPlum]

They upped it to 100,000 per year after the merger. From the redeem your points page:

Share your points
Now you can share your points with any other member.

Transfer 1,000 points or more—up to a maximum of 100,000 points per year.

Just contact Member Support at (801) 468-4000 to start sharing.​

There may be a fee if you're not a Gold or higher member doing the transferring but I haven't seen too many reports back on if it's being charged or not.

This is good news, though it will leave 4k-ish points behind in his account.

 

[afan]

Yep. I did the same (I think you & I exchanged states and then went back home). It was hard, but I grew and matured in a way I couldn't have done had I stayed here. And yes, not everyone is able to go away for financial or other reasons, and not everyone can handle that at 18, and that's ok too.

It hopefully also gets the crazy roommates out of the way so if/when you pick your own you know how to pick one. Sophomore year my roommate was a junior transfer from Santa Cruz. I came back after class or work one day and she was jumping up and down on her bed by herself and I'm fairly certain she wasn't on anything. She was going to school to be a teacher, hopefully young kids. I think she was my 2nd roommate that year. The first was a freshman who didn't think I was welcoming enough because I wouldn't say hi to her when she walked in the door. I didn't understand why she thought I should stop doing my school work to say hi every time she came in the room, hadn't with other roommates. Thankfully I was able to pick the 3rd roommate because she also didn't like her her's.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

So while we are on the topic of spouse and finances...

I handle 100% of our finances. We do however have the Annual SouthFayetteFan family board meeting. As President and CFO, I present the annual results to the Vice President (wife). I’m actually not joking, lol. I schedule it with my wife - I may or may not address her as VP

We review every line item, revenue and expenses, where our money came from and went. Then we go through all the open accounts and such. It’s a super productive meeting and I really enjoy it haha. My wife...tolerates it (Although in recent years she’s paid more attention and asked questions to show she does care lol).

 

[miztressuz]

If I can eventually get him to agree to let us move our savings to an account where we're making more than 0.1% interest I'll call that a win.

Ok now that the initial shock is over, I was going to suggest that maybe he'll feel better about Chase if you tell him he can earn the same .01% interest in the savings account and you can keep the $300 from the bonus... but then I realized I misread the .1% - so at least that's better than Chase but still

Have you looked into the Discover savings account? $200 bonus for 25k in deposits, if you don't have 25k to move you can do multiple deposits to reach the requirement (read: move the same money in and out a couple times, hehe), but what's nice about the account is it's paying 2% interest. Yep, no decimal point needed, whole numbers

But if he's not comfortable earning money the bonus posts really quick, like the next day, and there's no requirement to leave it in there so you can move it back to the .1% account after you get your bonus. (but for everyone's sanity, try not to!)

 

[Haley R]

So while we are on the topic of spouse and finances...

I handle 100% of our finances. We do however have the Annual SouthFayetteFan family board meeting. As President and CFO, I present the annual results to the Vice President (wife). I’m actually not joking, lol. I schedule it with my wife - I may or may not address her as VP

We review every line item, revenue and expenses, where our money came from and went. Then we go through all the open accounts and such. It’s a super productive meeting and I really enjoy it haha. My wife...tolerates it (Although in recent years she’s paid more attention and asked questions to show she does care lol).

I guess we might be a little different than most but Dh and I both constantly monitor our finances. We don’t necessarily do it together but occasionally we’ll ask each other about something. I check up on our bank accounts regularly and I know Dh does too. He does our taxes though. I won’t step foot near those lol

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Woah. I couldn’t. Well, being here obviously none of us could! I know story after story of widows who ended up not having a darn clue when their husband passed because he handled all the finances & just gave them spending & household money. The worst was (a family member no less!) who knew no passwords, not even the one to get into the computer.

That would be my mom. Except she has no desire to learn anything. It took me months to go thru all my dads stuff (he had a book of passwords and accounts, but it still took time to find things) My Dad has been gone 5 years, my mom still takes no responsibility for her finances. She has all bills set to auto-pay, uses only 2 credit cards and checks the balance of her checking account about twice a year. Despite me begging her to check accounts more frequently she never does.

 

[WVMomof3]

All kinds of random points promos are posting...

FYI - 3,000 of the 6,000 SW RR points have posted from the email promo (https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ymmv...t-points-by-signing-up-for-e-mail-newsletter/)

This was something you had to be targeted for and sign up for back in the late summer.

I thought this might be the case. I was on the inflight app this morning and I was pretty sure I was 3,000 points richer but I couldn't see the activity in the app to figure out where it came from. If anyone is interested, there was still 50,000 point offers inflight Thursday. I can't remember if I saw any this morning, I watched Crazy Rich Asians which was exactly the perfect length movie for my flight. Finished it as we were taxiing to terminal. And there was someone in the FLL terminal peddling the cards also.

And I am all caught up!!