Random News Part 2: Ritz-Carlton Statement Credits, Lounge Club Card, Freedom 5% at Grocery Stores, and a Hyatt Retention Bonus
Good afternoon everyone, here is part 2 of Random News for today (part 1 from earlier today). My Chase Ritz-Carlton Credit Card statement closed on January 4, so I have some information regarding annual fees and statement credits. There has been a lot of confusion regarding “reimbursable travel expenses” and this lengthy 90+ page FlyerTalk thread has all the details. Basically, if you buy airline gift cards, Chase knows about it now.
The $395 annual fee posted during the first billing period. I was able to purchase 2 $150 Southwest Airlines eGift Cards and get both purchases reimbursed by Chase. One reimbursement is posted as a courtesy credit and the second is posted as a statement credit. As far as I know, Chase will no longer reimburse any Southwest Airlines Gift Cards or eGift Cards. The transactions show up online as “SOUTHWES 5260***” and Chase is able to see the purchase as a gift card. I don’t know why I was able to get both charges reimbursed, it just depends which representative you get. Definitely YMMV situation.
I found it interesting that both Southwest Airlines gift cards earned 2x for airfare and also counted toward my $3,000 minimum spend. I am about $1,000 short of completing my minimum spend.
