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.

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