Monthly Archives: March 2014

Quick Updates Regarding the New Chase IHG MasterCard and Visa Savings Edge Program

IHG Rewards Club Logo

Quick Updates Regarding the New Chase IHG MasterCard and Visa Savings Edge Program

This is a follow up post to an earlier post (Friday Rundown: Free Lounge Access for Chase Ink Bold/Plus, New IHG MasterCard…).  In that post, I said that I had received a letter from Chase regarding my Chase IHG Visa Credit Card.  My card would soon be converted to a Chase IHG MasterCard Credit Card.

New IHG Card Letter Front

The letter stated that I would received my new MasterCard credit card by May 17, but my card would be automatically changed at/on April 1.  Apparently my calendars are a few days late or Chase is a few days early, because it looks like they have already made the change to my current IHG credit card.  I assume I will receive a new credit card in the mail any day now.   Continue reading →

Planning your Cabo San Lucas Trip (from Orange County)

Southwest Share The Spirit Logo

Planning your Cabo San Lucas Trip (from Orange County)

If you haven’t already, please read New Southwest Airlines Routes (Orange County to Cabo).

Anyways, since flights are relatively cheap from Orange County (SNA), I convinced my brother to go with me for a short weekend getaway.  Since Southwest points will be devalued started April 1, I strongly recommend burning your stockpile before then.  Southwest has free change and cancellation fees, so there is no excusing to hold onto your Southwest points now.  With that said, flights from SNA to Cabo San Lucas (SJD) are only 11,400 points round trip plus $85 in taxes/fees starting August 10.

SWA Cabo

For those without massive stockpiles of Southwest points, round trip flights can be had for $315.  Much cheaper than $400+ flights on US Airways connecting in Phoenix.  Continue reading →

My Exciting Day: New Office Depot, 20,000 Point Plink Winner?, and Amazon Gift Cards in Stock

Office Depot Logo

My Exciting Day: New Office Depot, 20,000 Point Plink Winner?, and Amazon Gift Cards in Stock

I’m sure your day was just as exciting as mine, but here is how it went…

There is a new Office Depot store that just opened near me so I went to check it out…

New Office Depot Irvine

And I see the gift card rack, all full of gift cards.  Those $200 Visa gift cards are hard to find at the other Office Depot stores in town.  I looked at both sides of the gift card rack and didn’t see any special wording about using cash for certain gift cards.  So I take a OneVanilla gift card to the check out counter and try to load $500 to it.  Unfortunately the register is not working properly, saying “Card Declined” – after just scanning the barcode on the back of the gift card.  Manager comes over and tries, but no luck.  I go back to the gift card rack and try to buy a $200 fixed value gift card, but the same error message shows up.  Ughh, it must be the system.  I will try back again later this week, but I’m sure they will have blocked the $500 cards from being purchased with a credit card by then.  Continue reading →

Thank You

Thank You

Thank You for Submitting your Credit Card Consultation Questionnaire Request

Thank you for submitting the form.  You will receive an email response from me soon.  If you have any questions, please send an email to grant@travelwithgrant.com.

Updated List of my 23 Open Credit Cards

Updated 3/25/2014 @ 10PM: New cards added and old cards updated.

Which Credit Card

Grant’s Credit Cards

Keeping track of your credit card numbers, expiration dates, customer service numbers, sign up bonuses, annual fees, and more is important.  If you want to keep track of all your credit cards, feel free to download and use my Credit Card Organizer Template.xlsx file.

Chase:

  1. Ink Bold MasterCard Business – opened in April 2012, paid $95 annual fee after reconsideration call offered statement credit
  2. United Airlines – opened in May 2012, paid $95 annual fee after reconsideration call offered miles
  3. Marriott Premier – opened in August 2012, paid $85 annual fee for free night certificate
  4. Hyatt Hotel – opened in November 2012, paid $75 annual fee for free night certificate
  5. Southwest Premier – opened in August 2013, received Companion Pass
  6. IHG Hotel – opened in November 2013, moved credit from Marriott Premier card
  7. Freedom – converted from Sapphire (Basic) in December 2013 (read post)
  8. Ink Bold Visa Business – opened in March 2014, planning on closing my Ink Bold MasterCard before the annual fee posts
  1. Amazon – closed November 2012, moved credit line around
  2. British Airways – closed November 2012, moved credit line around
  3. Sapphire Preferred – downgraded in August 2013 to Chase Sapphire (Basic)
  4. Sapphire Basic – converted in December 2013 to Chase Freedom credit card

See the entire list here.