Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Credit Cards (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter RC94
- Start date
culdeus
Footballguy
I would classify this as misleading. They don't direct transfer because citi offers better value booking in their portal.
Redwes25
Footballguy
Not always the case, as you can sometimes get a better award (especially international flights) by using points through the airline so transfers are valuable. Domestic flights usually don't make a difference. You should always compare what is cheapest from a points option.
Last edited by a moderator:
culdeus
Footballguy
Redwes25
Footballguy
Not sure we are really disagreeing. Just saying their system could be better and have better transfer partners (like UR or MR). Citi has such a close relationship with AA it would be nice to see AA as a transfer partner. I also like I said I think it is a good offer and a good card and people should take it. Lots of cards you just get the points and cancel but this one I think is worth keeping but could still be better.
Last edited by a moderator:
culdeus
Footballguy
I mean sure, it would be nice to have them as a transfer partner. But in the whole scheme of things AA miles are given out like candy. If you aren't raking in 75k every 45 days you aren't really trying. The portal booking for the major partners book at a competitive rate, yes you can't pool them with your gravy train miles, but whatever.
If you have a specific transfer redemption in mind it's nice, but the best use of TY points IMO is the ability to pay down loan balances at 1cpp, and others have hacks that can just make it straight cash back.
https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/easy-trick-to-double-the-cash-back-rate-for-citi-thankyou-points/
Random
Footballguy
Is this still the case? I thought Barclays clamped down, but I haven't tried for a while. Appreciate a pm or link if I'm missing something.
culdeus
Footballguy
Random
Footballguy
culdeus
Footballguy
Biz ones can be had thru reddit for $10-15 bucks
Personal ones can be had thru reddit for free
I have a biz code I can give you. Personal codes are easy to get just by signing up on AA.com. They hit your front door inside of a month.
There are rumors these mailers will stop at the end of 2018 as they revamp the program. If so I'll pour one out.
Rirruto
Footballguy
Am I dumb for exchanging my Chase Freedom to get my Reserve back? Is that even possible? I initially got the CSR during the heyday of the 100k rewards that effectively paid for a trip to Vegas with some leftover. I think it actually paid for Vegas and defrayed a ton on a trip to Colorado that summer too. I'm not a pro-churner, so I eventually downgraded to the Freedom. I really miss a lot of the benefits of the CSR, though.
I have an Uber Visa that's my go-to card now, but it gets randomly declined all the effing time. The rewards are pretty okay for my spending habits (restaurants+ travel+ online subs and shopping), but I'm done with it and want a new card. It looks like I can't do the Sapphire Preferred with bonus until the spring because of my past with the CSR, so I'm definitely saving that. I'm never going to use multiple cards. Ever. I'm just a single guy anyway, so I don't know how effective that would be. My categories are pretty constant.
Maybe I'm better off with the Freedom and Discover I have in my wallet anyway until I've cleared the wait time for CSP. I don't mind paying a fee if the benefits are good enough. I'm nowhere close to 5/24, so if anyone knows of a card they like please hit me up.
Will answer yours.
I have an Uber Visa that's my go-to card now, but it gets randomly declined all the effing time. The rewards are pretty okay for my spending habits (restaurants+ travel+ online subs and shopping), but I'm done with it and want a new card. It looks like I can't do the Sapphire Preferred with bonus until the spring because of my past with the CSR, so I'm definitely saving that. I'm never going to use multiple cards. Ever. I'm just a single guy anyway, so I don't know how effective that would be. My categories are pretty constant.
Maybe I'm better off with the Freedom and Discover I have in my wallet anyway until I've cleared the wait time for CSP. I don't mind paying a fee if the benefits are good enough. I'm nowhere close to 5/24, so if anyone knows of a card they like please hit me up.
Will answer yours.
Charlie Harper
Footballguy
Thanks for the tip!
Applied and successfully got the double dip for both CSR and CSP.
What kind of plane tickets am I looking at with 100k in points?
ex-ghost
Footballguy
This is not really true, from personal experience and reading lots on reddit. Usually take 3-4 months to get once you sign up. Culdeus, have you received them within a month?
And yes, Citi AA miles are so easy to acquire. Since November my wife and I have amassed over 750k and we have not played the game very efficiently. Like Culdeus mentioned, you can get mailers on Reddit for free.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
With that combo, you're getting 5% back at restaurants, gas, and Lyft right now. Discover's got Wholesale and Amazon coming up next quarter. Don't think Freedom has announced yet.
Maybe sitting tight on those isn't so bad until you are ready to get the CSP.
If you do have room/interest in another, the Citi Double Cash is always a good card for daily spending. If you shop a lot online, the Amazon Visa is pretty good too (and I think it's 3% at restaurants too). Those 2 plus the Freedom and Discover are the only cards I use. Though, I only do cash back, no travel rewards.
culdeus
Footballguy
At a minimum worth 1500 just booking thru chase. If trying to go overseas the transfer partners can give insane value.
culdeus
Footballguy
Ya. Personal mailers are cake.
They send these in waves. So when you get them is somewhat timing dependent.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
I need to learn more about this. Seems like easy pickins. How do I do all of these double dips. My wife doesn’t work - can she still apply on the same day? Would love the formula including biz cards. Just got an offer on one. I don’t want to pay a bunch of annual fees. Sounds like I can get creative with paying 3-4K within 90 days.
So much to learn 5/24 etc. But not doing anything at scale. I’ve done a few offers with Chase (Marriott/United). Also have all of my Amex Membership rewards points accumulating from work expenses. How much time we talking per month to make this work
So much to learn 5/24 etc. But not doing anything at scale. I’ve done a few offers with Chase (Marriott/United). Also have all of my Amex Membership rewards points accumulating from work expenses. How much time we talking per month to make this work
Brony
Footballguy
I've just dipped my feet into this and I think the answer depends on how much time you want to put into this. The hardcore people will pay their mortgage through a service called plastiq and are willing to buy up visa gift cards and exchange them for money orders. This will net more rewards but will take up a little more time.
If you want to double dip, you need to be able to spend ~8000 in three months and not everyone is able to meet that.
Like most things, there is a hardcore way to do this and an easier path and neither are wrong. For now, I'm on the easier path and only putting natural spending on there and I should crank out 5 or 6 sign up bonuses per year with little effort.
Rirruto
Footballguy
I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on the Hilton Amex Aspire's 150k sign up bonus. I'm seeing room rates in most cities of about 30k per night (obviously you can go about as high as you want) PLUS you get a $250 airline credit which folks are having success cashing in for gift cards + a $250 Hilton resort credit that you can use to pay for a room at about 200 Hiltons + one free weekend night per year. There's also a $100 on-property credit which seems less flexible, status with Hilton, and some other junk that's less valuable to me.
The $450 annual fee is canceled out by the $500 in credits that basically amount to plane tickets and a couple of nights in a livable-range hotel. I think I'm doing it even if I never really use the card after the first 3 months except to book hotels and maybe airfare.
Starting out with somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-8 free hotel nights and something close to round trip airfare has me extremely interested.
The $450 annual fee is canceled out by the $500 in credits that basically amount to plane tickets and a couple of nights in a livable-range hotel. I think I'm doing it even if I never really use the card after the first 3 months except to book hotels and maybe airfare.
Starting out with somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-8 free hotel nights and something close to round trip airfare has me extremely interested.
culdeus
Footballguy
culdeus
Footballguy
no24 mailers all day long.
Rumors are they will discontinue the program at the end of the year. Not serious rumors, but enough to think time is limited.
culdeus
Footballguy
I mean if you aren't going to buy gift cards and liquidate as money orders or something it's minimal once you establish your plan of action.
ex-ghost
Footballguy
Rirruto
Footballguy
culdeus said:
What if I'm not concerned about 5/24? I've gotten Sapphire rewards in the past (in the good ol' days of 100k bonus), and Chase's move from a 24 month cooling off period to 48 month signals it's essentially a lifetime ban (which is what AmEx does; in any event, I'd be at 0/24 before I'm eligible for significant Chase rewards again and they've reportedly taken a bath so I'm doubtful it'll ever be what it was). Churning reddit is somewhat split from being pumped about the Aspire and those waiting for AmEx Platinum doing 100k bonus again.
But I'm a newb with all this and don't really churn. I'm honestly happy with defrayed cost on vacations every couple of years, which seems to be where I'm headed.
I will say the "resort" credit is way less valuable now that i look into it. Yeah, I might do Vegas every other year. I can basically stay for free at the Trop, not my first choice. But if it's for free, it's for me. Definitely great info in this thread. Thanks to all who contribute, and culdeus especially.
culdeus
Footballguy
The A#1 priority is maximizing CIP cards. Everything in this game right now should be towards the objective of getting 4 of those cards ASAP (assuming wife), then working thru the CIC cards, and onto 100/24 or whatever. Sprinkle in whatever other chase cards you like on the way. People are all freaked out because sapphire went to 48 months, but Inks have the bonus of a double dip (with referral or in branch app) and you can get ####### two of them in 6 months.
What if I'm not concerned about 5/24? I've gotten Sapphire rewards in the past (in the good ol' days of 100k bonus), and Chase's move from a 24 month cooling off period to 48 month signals it's essentially a lifetime ban (which is what AmEx does; in any event, I'd be at 0/24 before I'm eligible for significant Chase rewards again and they've reportedly taken a bath so I'm doubtful it'll ever be what it was). Churning reddit is somewhat split from being pumped about the Aspire and those waiting for AmEx Platinum doing 100k bonus again.
But I'm a newb with all this and don't really churn. I'm honestly happy with defrayed cost on vacations every couple of years, which seems to be where I'm headed.
I will say the "resort" credit is way less valuable now that i look into it. Yeah, I might do Vegas every other year. I can basically stay for free at the Trop, not my first choice. But if it's for free, it's for me. Definitely great info in this thread. Thanks to all who contribute, and culdeus especially.
Pick the best cards from chase while you still can. They have a few that are better than this for various purposes. The southwest double dip is really attractive for some, also.
Sand
Footballguy
Rirruto
Footballguy
I did it. Stay in Vegas in November? Paid for. Stay in Chicago next summer? Paid for. Stay in Miami next fall? Paid for. With a few free nights left over. Plus, I'm getting an upgrade in probably every one of my bookings thanks to Diamond status. Honestly, not even talking about Pro-Churners, anyone leaving these bonuses on the table is an idiot.
What if I'm not concerned about 5/24? I've gotten Sapphire rewards in the past (in the good ol' days of 100k bonus), and Chase's move from a 24 month cooling off period to 48 month signals it's essentially a lifetime ban (which is what AmEx does; in any event, I'd be at 0/24 before I'm eligible for significant Chase rewards again and they've reportedly taken a bath so I'm doubtful it'll ever be what it was). Churning reddit is somewhat split from being pumped about the Aspire and those waiting for AmEx Platinum doing 100k bonus again.
But I'm a newb with all this and don't really churn. I'm honestly happy with defrayed cost on vacations every couple of years, which seems to be where I'm headed.
I will say the "resort" credit is way less valuable now that i look into it. Yeah, I might do Vegas every other year. I can basically stay for free at the Trop, not my first choice. But if it's for free, it's for me. Definitely great info in this thread. Thanks to all who contribute, and culdeus especially.
Redwes25
Footballguy
massraider
Footballguy
They shut down the ability to get two personal card bonuses in 24 months. Basically, they applied the old Sapphire rule. Key word is 'personal'.
This shuts down the double dip for anyone that cannot/will not get a business card.
You can still get Southwest personal, and a business card, and you're there. You are now free to move about the country.
Sand
Footballguy
App wouldn't allow it. I just went ahead and got a Citi card this time around.
BTW, your referral link is outdated.
culdeus
Footballguy
Most chase referral links are dead.
App should allow you to use either nothing or your own ssn there.
Last edited by a moderator:
Judge Smails
Footballguy
I applied for a business card for the first time. 75K miles with United. Guy just called and interviewed me and said sounds good and response will be coming in the mail. We’ll see. I am going to get more aggressive with these. Learning to do on double dip, etc.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Both Discover and Freedom doing Wholesale Clubs in the 4th quarter. You guys are playing chess with your travel rewards and such while I'm sticking with my straight cash back checkers. But I'm excited for about $150 cash back in about 5-6 weeks of Oct/Nov spending. That'll buy me about a quarter of a tank of heating oil heading into the winter!
culdeus
Footballguy
Things change super fast. Always keep up with what is going on with DOC, or reddit.
Double dipping sounds like it might be RIP, but not totally clear.
Chase is trying to find ways to make the UR more about a overall banking experience and convert customers over to their asset products. They have a banking product that earns a UR bonus now for a $75k deposit. I mean you can just transfer an index fund over and get the sweet sweet UR, so it's probably a no brainer, but they seem as a rule to be getting tighter on handing out URs.
I can't stress enough to go and get the CIP ASAP. IMO that will be the next one to get a big nerf.
brun
Footballguy
Just sharing in case this applies to anyone else.
PenFed awards 3% on grocery store purchases. 5% gas at the pump & 1% on everything else.
I had always assumed the the 3% was for groceries only, not other stuff that might also be purchased at the grocery store. I just noticed that's not so.
My company is collecting donations for the folks in the Merrimack valley area who lost so much in the gas explosions and fires. So, I bought some Mastercard gift cards at the grocery store to contribute to the collection.
I looked at my PenFed rewards and could see that the 3% was applied to my entire grocery store purchase, including the gift cards.
I think I will start buying gift cards at the grocery store for use for things I normally only get a 1% reward.
PenFed awards 3% on grocery store purchases. 5% gas at the pump & 1% on everything else.
I had always assumed the the 3% was for groceries only, not other stuff that might also be purchased at the grocery store. I just noticed that's not so.
My company is collecting donations for the folks in the Merrimack valley area who lost so much in the gas explosions and fires. So, I bought some Mastercard gift cards at the grocery store to contribute to the collection.
I looked at my PenFed rewards and could see that the 3% was applied to my entire grocery store purchase, including the gift cards.
I think I will start buying gift cards at the grocery store for use for things I normally only get a 1% reward.
Last edited by a moderator:
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Too many acronyms for me to follow Culdeus. What's CIP? UR? nerf? Do you have a link to the offer? Do you have a link to the reddit thread (I'm not a reddit guy).culdeus said:
culdeus
Footballguy
CIP chase ink preferred.
UR. Chase ultimate awards (their point currency)
Let me get links up to the reddit landing pages and things.
culdeus
Footballguy
The key reddit people updated the basic credit card flow chart today:
https://i.imgur.com/egySrNB.png
I think unless your situation is really unusual, this is the right path to follow. This does not, however put as much a priority on doing the CIP SSN/EIN double dip. I find that both the most valuable, flexible, and useful run of cards Chase offers at this point and if new to this game that should be your primary focus.
https://i.imgur.com/egySrNB.png
I think unless your situation is really unusual, this is the right path to follow. This does not, however put as much a priority on doing the CIP SSN/EIN double dip. I find that both the most valuable, flexible, and useful run of cards Chase offers at this point and if new to this game that should be your primary focus.
Random
Footballguy
Brony
Footballguy
Some good info in that updated flowchart on reddit:
with 2 people, you can score 380k UR points using referrals: 80k CIP 1 P1, 20k+80k CIP 1 P2, 20k+80k CIP 2 P1, 20k+80k CIP2 P2
Whoa, you can get 2 CIPs per person?
Yes one with SSN as tax ID and another with EIN as tax ID
I take it you need a real business for an EIN? Even then once you acquire an EIN you have to submit tax forms for that business now correct?
There are no direct tax implications to filing for an EIN. If you do not make a profit or a loss you do not need to submit tax forms.
with 2 people, you can score 380k UR points using referrals: 80k CIP 1 P1, 20k+80k CIP 1 P2, 20k+80k CIP 2 P1, 20k+80k CIP2 P2
Whoa, you can get 2 CIPs per person?
Yes one with SSN as tax ID and another with EIN as tax ID
I take it you need a real business for an EIN? Even then once you acquire an EIN you have to submit tax forms for that business now correct?
There are no direct tax implications to filing for an EIN. If you do not make a profit or a loss you do not need to submit tax forms.
culdeus
Footballguy
Polish Hammer
made of glass
This seems like an awful lot of work.
Redwes25
Footballguy
This chart is pretty amazing. Good idea to get that Marriott card early in process given you can't get the Amex versions for another 24 months.
I personally stay away from the business cards and keep personal route for doing this stuff but many folks do it even if they don't really have a business. Though I do realize I am leaving a lot of points on the table (especially from Chase).
culdeus
Footballguy
I don't get the hesitation to get biz cards. What do people honestly think will happen? The feds kick down your door?
Redwes25
Footballguy
I actually am a part owner of a business (through a partnership) and don't want to mix anything around with that business since it is primary source of income for me. I am not worried about the feds but more the relationship (including contractual) with my partners. To me it is not worth it for those reasons (including pretending I have another business which would be an option).
Last edited by a moderator:
