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Wells Fargo Discontinues Instant Issue Debit Cards (Effective November 30)

Good morning everyone, I hope your weekend is going well.  I just reviewed my recent Wells Fargo checking account statement and noticed this “Important Account Information” section at the bottom of my statement.  “Effective on or after November 30, 2020” (strange way of wording this change), you will no longer be able to request Wells Fargo Instant Issue Debit Cards or Wells Fargo Business Instant Issue Debit Cards.  After November 30, if you need a replacement debit card (if your current debit card was lost or stolen), you can no longer get a temporary debit card at a Wells Fargo branch – you will need to use the Wells Fargo app or call Wells Fargo (1-800-869-3557) to request a replacement debit card.  Once your request is submitted, your replacement debit card will arrive via mail in 5-7 days.

I don’t usually use or carry my Wells Fargo debit card (but I do have it saved in my ApplePay Wallet), but this is obviously a negative change if your Wells Fargo debit card is you only form of payment.  If your debit card is lost or stolen, you will need to wait 5-7 days (or however long it takes for your replacement debit card to arrive in the mail) which could be an eternity if you need your debit card to pay for items.

I haven’t tried this in years or at Wells Fargo, but I think if you show up at a branch with your driver’s license and provide verification information, you should be able to withdraw cash from a bank teller (YMMV with this tip).

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Strange Things About my New Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Credit Card

Good morning everyone, I hope your week is going well.  A few days ago, I wrote Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Credit Card Application & Reconsideration Process.  In that post, I wrote about my application, reconsideration, and approval process to get the new Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Credit Card.  Long story short, I had to send physical copies of my driver’s license, social security card, and a utility bill in my name to Barclays to verify my identity (even though I am an existing Barclays credit card holder).  That was just the first of many strange things related to this credit card.  In this post, I will go through some of the other strange things I noticed.  But first, here is the front and back of the credit card (nothing strange here).

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Buy a $49 Frequent Traveler University (FTU) Online Annual Membership & Attend First Virtual Seminar December 12

Good morning everyone, I hope you had a great weekend.  I just received an email from Frequent Traveler University (FTU) about their new online annual membership.  I have attended many FTU events in previous years and “attended” the virtual Chicago Seminars organized by Stefan at Rapid Travel Chai a few weeks ago and had a great time.  The cost for the FTU online annual membership is only $49 and comes with a variety of benefits and a private Facebook community.  Read on to see everything that is included in the membership.

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Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Credit Card Application & Reconsideration Process

Good morning everyone.  Earlier today I wrote Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card Application Process & Reconsideration Phone Call.  In today’s post, I will write about the Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Credit Card, my application process, and the hoops I had to jump through to get approved via the reconsideration process.  First off, the Barclays Wyndham Earner Business is a relatively new credit card from Barclays but the credit card has some great features.  The sign up bonus is 45,000 Wyndham Rewards Points after spending $1,000 in 3 months.  You also get Wyndham Diamond Elite Status (great for matching to Caesar’s Diamond Elite Status), 10% rebate on redeemed points toward free nights, and 15,000 points every anniversary you keep your credit card, all for a $95 annual fee.  I was hoping for an instant approval on my credit card application, but Barclays had other plans for me.

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Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card Application Process & Reconsideration Phone Call

Good morning everyone, I hope your weekend is going well.  A few days ago, I wrote My October 2020 Credit Card App-O-Rama Results.  In that post, I wrote about my experience applying and getting approved for 2 business credit cards: Bank of America Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card and American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Credit Card.  In today’s post, I will talk about my wife’s application and approval process for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.  When Laura applied 2 weeks ago, the sign up bonus was for 5 free night certificates (up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per night) after spending $5,000 in 3 months.  Unfortunately, that offer ended on October 28.

According to my calculations, Laura had a Chase score of 3/24, so I assumed she would be instantly approved for this credit card.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  Here is what I learned about the approval process and how she was able to get approved for the new credit card.

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