I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[iujen94]

Any supports on the citi offer? All the talk is making me interested but no immediate AA plans.

My DH has the AA Plat card and got an email letting him refer others to the card - I think it was $100 per referral? But his referral link led to an SUB of only 50k miles.

 

[afan]

I met my plat retention the other day and paid it off today. I expected to have the points by now. Anyone know how long it's been taking to post lately?

I have until the 4th but don't want to put more on this card unless I have to. I double checked my numbers and I accounted for the 2 small refunds. Only other thing is the normal credits that shouldn't affect it, streaming, saks, airline and a best buy offer. Maybe I'll chat Monday to make sure it's all correct.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I have a question about the business cards -- I'm still slightly leary about pulling the trigger on a business card (for no good reason except that I don't like being told no 'cause I don't have a "business business" lol).

My offers in-app show $750 bonus cash back for the Ink Business Unlimited after a $6k spend.
And $750 bonus cash back for a $6k spend on the Ink Business Cash.
Now that I know about the Ink Premier and the inabilibty to transfer points, that one is out of the mix for me; however, these are cash back and not points, right? Does that mean I'll have to file a 1099?

I got over being told "no". I mean they don't actually yell at me or call me up and tell me I'm stupid, so I try not to get my feelings hurt by the rejection.
If you're a mom, take a clue from the kids. They always ask. Mom can I have a cookie right before dinner? No. Mom can have a puppy? No. Mom, can I have a new Xbox? No.

Huh. I'm unable to get DH's Hyatt card expedited. SM'd 3x. First 2 I thought I just asked too early. Approved Monday, saw the 5 elite night hit his account yesterday so SM'd again. Still no. Even though the Hyatt account's obviously been verified. Okay, I give up lol.

Many times the cobranded cards come with your member number printed on them so they won't expedite since they are custom printed.

 

[calypso726]

Anyone else annoyed by the lack of airline transfer bonuses from Amex lately? It used to seem as if they had transfer bonuses every month to BA and Virgin, but lately nada. I'm waiting to transfer a bunch of points to BA and it's annoying. I wonder if they are cutting back on them? Transfer bonuses are one of the reasons I've come to favor MRs over URs so this would be a not-so-great development.

Yes! I have also been waiting to see if they had a decent transfer bonus. I'm surprised it's been pretty dry.

 

[havaneselover]

I met my plat retention the other day and paid it off today. I expected to have the points by now. Anyone know how long it's been taking to post lately?

I have until the 4th but don't want to put more on this card unless I have to. I double checked my numbers and I accounted for the 2 small refunds. Only other thing is the normal credits that shouldn't affect it, streaming, saks, airline and a best buy offer. Maybe I'll chat Monday to make sure it's all correct.

Mine posted very quickly. Charge made April 8th. I had the points transferred to my Schwab account and in my bank account by April 15th. And I have not paid the bill. Looks like the points posted 4/14.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Anyone else annoyed by the lack of airline transfer bonuses from Amex lately? It used to seem as if they had transfer bonuses every month to BA and Virgin, but lately nada. I'm waiting to transfer a bunch of points to BA and it's annoying. I wonder if they are cutting back on them? Transfer bonuses are one of the reasons I've come to favor MRs over URs so this would be a not-so-great development.

Yes, especially when Bilt is doling out a 100% bonus for Flying Blue. But I am appreciating that some of the transfer bonuses like Chase are ending mid-month (like the 25% flying blue May 15) because that means I can wait for Amex to hopefully release something competitive around the start of the month. It's tough when you do a transfer bonus for like 25% on the 31st and then a 40% rolls around on the 1st.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

My DH has the AA Plat card and got an email letting him refer others to the card - I think it was $100 per referral? But his referral link led to an SUB of only 50k miles.

Oh, I think I read an that that's the only way to do referrals. If you're targeted for it.

 

[miztressuz]

I met my plat retention the other day and paid it off today. I expected to have the points by now. Anyone know how long it's been taking to post lately?

I have until the 4th but don't want to put more on this card unless I have to. I double checked my numbers and I accounted for the 2 small refunds. Only other thing is the normal credits that shouldn't affect it, streaming, saks, airline and a best buy offer. Maybe I'll chat Monday to make sure it's all correct.

I'm waiting on mine too. Charge that pushed it over was Saturday, had some others this week too, and nothing so far. I'm over by a few hundred even accounting for credits. With how fast they usually are I expected to see it by today at least. Hopefully just a few more days.

 

[afan]

I'm waiting on mine too. Charge that pushed it over was Saturday, had some others this week too, and nothing so far. I'm over by a few hundred even accounting for credits. With how fast they usually are I expected to see it by today at least. Hopefully just a few more days.

I'm over by a bit over 4 bucks not counting credits. I don't want to have to make up the over 300 in credits but also shouldn't have to because it's never been an issue before. My 90 days is just so close that I'll grab some gc next week if I have to but I'd prefer it hit before then. I feel like it's always been a few days. Why I'll prob chat mon if they aren't there so I can see what they see knowing there's more chance they'll probably be wrong than right

 

[Princess Michele]

I met my plat retention the other day and paid it off today. I expected to have the points by now. Anyone know how long it's been taking to post lately?

I have until the 4th but don't want to put more on this card unless I have to. I double checked my numbers and I accounted for the 2 small refunds. Only other thing is the normal credits that shouldn't affect it, streaming, saks, airline and a best buy offer. Maybe I'll chat Monday to make sure it's all correct.

I met my spend on 3/27 and saw the points on 4/2.

 

[IFlossU]

I met my plat retention the other day and paid it off today. I expected to have the points by now. Anyone know how long it's been taking to post lately?

I have until the 4th but don't want to put more on this card unless I have to. I double checked my numbers and I accounted for the 2 small refunds. Only other thing is the normal credits that shouldn't affect it, streaming, saks, airline and a best buy offer. Maybe I'll chat Monday to make sure it's all correct.

DH’s retention offer took almost a full week. I was triple checking my math up till then. Oddly I find that my points post ridiculously quick, like the final charge is still pending. DH’s on the other hand have been consistently taking about a week

 

[Hubalorian]

Just got the Sam’s club discount with 5% cash back on my discover card. Thank you all for the heads up!

 

[mmmears]

IIRC the Amex Gold only gives 4x on "domestic" dining.

What do you all use for dining in Europe?

Any suggestions? We have a lot of cards.

 

[mmmears]

DS(19) and I were supposed to be getting ready for a trip to Yosemite & Santa Barbara. For context, DS had never wanted to travel until a few months ago when he asked if we could go to CA. So, this is a big deal for him. Sadly, given the park conditions and closure, we've had to change our plans. He still wants to go to CA, so now we're going to San Francisco, Monterey, Solvang, & Santa Barbara. Lots of driving! I never plan last minute like this, so my head is spinning. We want to go to Muir Woods in SF and the aquarium in Monterey, but other than that I don't know. Anyone have suggestions for things to do?

You've received some great ideas. I'll just add on. The CA Academy of Science museum is really nice and fun (and across the way from the De Young art museum if that interests you). The Disney Family Museum is really cool if you have time; it's at the Presidio near GG Bridge.

Monterey is really nice, and so is the aquarium. From there you can head down 1 to go to Carmel (or take the much more scenic, pay route through the Pebble Beach 17 mile drive - we always take our visitors that way at least once). Once in Carmel, park the car and walk down Ocean Ave. to a really beautiful beach. The town is full of shops and restaurants and it's fun to visit. Big Sur is just breathtakingly beautiful, too.

I'm sorry you had to change your plans, but there are still lost of nice places to visit here.

Have lived in the area most of my life, but never been to Alcatraz! Keep meaning to go one of these days lol.

Same. I was supposed to go on a school field trip back when I was a kid, but we missed the boat and were happy about it because they let us hang out at Pier 39 and Fisherman's wharf like tourists instead. No excuse, except that we were kids.

Anyone else annoyed by the lack of airline transfer bonuses from Amex lately? It used to seem as if they had transfer bonuses every month to BA and Virgin, but lately nada. I'm waiting to transfer a bunch of points to BA and it's annoying. I wonder if they are cutting back on them? Transfer bonuses are one of the reasons I've come to favor MRs over URs so this would be a not-so-great development.

Me. I keep waiting and waiting.

Anyone have suggestions for a visit to San Francisco? Hotels, tours etec?

See the top part of my post. No ideas on hotels or tours though.

 

[punkin]

DH just got the Citi AA card. It puts him at 5/24 with a card dropping off at the end of May. I'm planning a MDD for the Saphire cards in June (should be 48 months) but should I wait for him to get to 3/24 before he does that?

 

[djmeredith]

@wdwpluto Just a note that the Ink Premier is essentially a cashback card. The points don't work like usual URs, they can't be moved to other cards or transferred to partners.

Oops!, did not realize that. Thanks for correcting me!

Anybody stayed at Hilton Paris Opera? I will be in Paris 4 nts in May and I am currently booked as a split stay with 2 nts at Marriott Opera and 2 nts at Hilton Maison Astor (long story as to why I ended up with a split stay short story: I'm paying all cash and it was the cheapest option by a lot). I've been stalking both brands to try to get 4 nts together at a decent rate, and the Hilton Opera finally opened up tonight. However, the reviews are somewhat mixed. I am Platinum, so would get the lounge. However, I would have to pre-pay with no cancellation which I never do. The convenience of not moving is extremely attractive, but the prepay is really scary to me. Any advice?

ETA: I ended up booking at the Hilton Paris Opera with a slightly higher rate than the non-refundable rate. It's about the same as I would have paid for the split stay, but now we don't have to switch hotels.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Oops!, did not realize that. Thanks for correcting me!

Anybody stayed at Hilton Paris Opera? I will be in Paris 4 nts in May and I am currently booked as a split stay with 2 nts at Marriott Opera and 2 nts at Hilton Maison Astor (long story as to why I ended up with a split stay short story: I'm paying all cash and it was the cheapest option by a lot). I've been stalking both brands to try to get 4 nts together at a decent rate, and the Hilton Opera finally opened up tonight. However, the reviews are somewhat mixed. I am Platinum, so would get the lounge. However, I would have to pre-pay with no cancellation which I never do. The convenience of not moving is extremely attractive, but the prepay is really scary to me. Any advice?

I looked at both of those hotels, but found the cash rates too high. If you aren't married to either Marriott or Hilton I highly recommend the Dress Code Hotel (and the breakfast is worth the $$ IMO) or the Mathis. I paid just over 327 Euros / night, which is a great rate central for Paris. The location of the Dress Code is, IMO, amazing. I will definitely stay there again. Do be mindful that it is not a full service hotel, so no concierge (though the front desk staff is very willing to help), no gym, small room and bathroom and small hotel (33 rooms), but for me it was perfect and for anyone that needs somewhere comfortable and clean to sleep, ideal. There is also a great supermarket right next door. I'd recommend room 306 or 406, but if you don't mind some occasional city noise they have rooms that face the front of the hotel. I booked the Dress Code using URs (fully refundable rate). You can very easily walk to le Printemps, Opera House, the Ritz, the PH Vendome, Galleries Lafayette, Monoprix and 2 metro stations.

I try to never book non-cancellable rates -- there are exceptions, but I purchase CFAR insurance when I do -- too many things can go happen / go wrong at this stage in my life.

Also, I highly recommend CityPharma if you like skin care. Do a quick search -- it has a cult following. Easy metro ride from Dress Code Hotel. I'd go early as it gets very crowded. Alain Ducasse's restaurant, Champagne, has an AMAZING cheese souffle, I tried to get a table at Le Souffle (which is a short walk from the Dress Code Hotel), but failed (only 22 tables, so book early if you want to secure a table for dinner).

 

[djmeredith]

I looked at both of those hotels, but found the cash rates too high. If you aren't married to either Marriott or Hilton I highly recommend the Dress Code Hotel (and the breakfast is worth the $$ IMO) or the Mathis. I paid just over 327 Euros / night, which is a great rate central for Paris. The location of the Dress Code is, IMO, amazing. I will definitely stay there again. Do be mindful that it is not a full service hotel, so no concierge (though the front desk staff is very willing to help), no gym, small room and bathroom and small hotel (33 rooms), but for me it was perfect and for anyone that needs somewhere comfortable and clean to sleep, ideal. There is also a great supermarket right next door. I'd recommend room 306 or 406, but if you don't mind some occasional city noise they have rooms that face the front of the hotel. I booked the Dress Code using URs (fully refundable rate). You can very easily walk to le Printemps, Opera House, the Ritz, the PH Vendome, Galleries Lafayette, Monoprix and 2 metro stations.

I try to never book non-cancellable rates -- there are exceptions, but I purchase CFAR insurance when I do -- too many things can go happen / go wrong at this stage in my life.

Also, I highly recommend CityPharma if you like skin care. Do a quick search -- it has a cult following. Easy metro ride from Dress Code Hotel. I'd go early as it gets very crowded. Alain Ducasse's restaurant, Champagne, has an AMAZING cheese souffle, I tried to get a table at Le Souffle (which is a short walk from the Dress Code Hotel), but failed (only 22 tables, so book early if you want to secure a table for dinner).

I remember you mentioning the Dress Code recently. I just checked and they do not have any 2 bed rooms available. I am traveling with my teen nephew, so we need two beds. It looks like a cute hotel though if I were traveling alone, and the location is great. Another part of my hesitation is that I was spoiled last year by staying at the Park Hyatt Vendome. Obviously, nothing I am looking at will be comparable to that experience lol. Thanks for the other tips!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Are AirBNB charges domestic? The balance for our Venice AirBNB is due in a couple of days.

I'm thinking of putting it on my CIU to help with the MSR, instead of letting it automatically charge on our CSR which the deposit was made on. I may be over thinking it, but I don't want to be hit with foreign transaction fees.

 

[georgina]

IIRC the Amex Gold only gives 4x on "domestic" dining.

What do you all use for dining in Europe?

Any suggestions? We have a lot of cards.

CSR gave us 3X on dining in Europe.