Tag Archives: American Express

Square Cash and Bluebird only Allows Visa and MasterCard “Debit” Cards

Visa and MC Only CC

Square Cash and Bluebird only Allows Visa and MasterCard “Debit” Cards

I have been experimenting with both Square Cash and Bluebird online reloads and found that both services only accept Visa and MasterCard “debit” cards.  No mention of why American Express or Discover cards are excluded.  I will check back in a month or so and see if that changes.  If anyone notices a change, please let me know.  I have some experiments to do.  I have tried (unsuccessfully) to use my Target Amex reloadable “debit” card but it wouldn’t work for either service.  However, if you have a cash back earning “debit” card, you can use it with both services.  I cannot reveal any more and am upholding the “Blogger’s Oath of Not Killing Deals”.  See Travel Blogger Buzz’s post today about Vanilla Reload Cards and Speedway Gas Stations.  Good night and only 26 days until my 24th birthday :)

Birthday Cake

How to Transfer British Airways Avios to Iberia Avios (AMEX Membership Rewards Points Required)

BA to IB Logo

How to Transfer British Airways Avios to Iberia Avios (AMEX Membership Rewards Points Required)

This process is not as simple and straightforward as the title implies.  Actually it is kind of complex and requires transferring American Express Membership Reward Points from your account to your Iberia account.  Don’t worry, I will show you how to do it – one step at a time.

If you are unfamiliar with the benefits of Iberia Plus and their award chart, please read the article written by The Points Guy – Maximizing British Airways Avios: Save Money on Fuel Surcharges and Fees – Transfer British Airways Avios to Iberia.

Log into your American Express account and find your Membership Rewards earning card and click the Use Points button.

PRG Card

Under the Use Points tab, click Airlines.

MR Use Points

To read the entire post, please click here.

Version 4 of the Vanilla Reload Card and Serve Card News

VRC School

Version 4 of the Vanilla Reload Card and Serve Card News

I wrote a very similar post a few months back called Vanilla Reload Card Grows Up.  Today, I am posting an update to that post.  Follow me on this flash back…

Version 1.0, originally found at Office Depot

VRC 1011 Front

On the back of the card, located on the right side under the Vanilla cone, is a code “1011v01.”  I think that codes means October 2011, version 1.  That might indicate that this card was manufactured in October 2011.

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Why Did my Credit Score Tank? Analyzing Credit Karma and Credit Sesame for Answers

CS Tanking

Why Did my Credit Score Tank?  Analyzing Credit Karma and Credit Sesame for Answers

Like every good points and miles junkie, I check my credit score with Credit Karma and Credit Sesame at least once a month.  My credit score is the magic key to getting hundreds of thousands of points and miles each year from credit card sign up bonuses.  Without a good/excellent credit score, I would not be approved for many of the best offers out there, so I try to take very good care of my credit score.  If you are unfamiliar with Credit Karma or Credit Sesame, please read my tutorial page.

Today, I logged into my Credit Sesame account and saw the above picture.  A drop of 18 points is strange since I didn’t do anything to deserve the drop.  I didn’t:

  • Apply for a new credit card(s)
  • Close an existing credit card
  • Lower my credit limit
  • Forget to pay a credit card bill
  • Apply for a car loan or mortgage

I still couldn’t figure out why my score dropped, so I had to do some research.   Continue reading →

Why I Blog and my Future use of Credit Card Affiliate Links

Quick Note

Why I Blog and my Future use of Credit Card Affiliate Links

Before I was a travel blogger, I was a travel blog reader.  I started playing this crazy travel game a few years ago after reading a post on Frequent Miler’s blog and continue to read his blog everyday because I love his content and writing style.  If you read other blogs on Boarding Area and elsewhere on the internet, you probably notice that Greg (aka Frequent Miler) does not have affiliate links in his postings… ever.  Unfortunately, that makes him different from other travel bloggers and makes him stand out in the crowd.  For that reason, I have applied for several credit cards through his links and recommended my family and friends use his links as well.

I believe in the philosophy that if you write good content that others want to read, the money will follow.  Just like an artist, you paint because you love it, not because you want to get rich.  If money follows, great.  If it doesn’t, oh well, at least I did something that I enjoyed.   Continue reading →