Tag Archives: US Bank

Marathon Man: “Manufactured Spending is like Card Counting” and my #WestCoastDo Thoughts

Card Counting Casino

Marathon Man: “Manufactured Spending is like Card Counting” and my #WestCoastDo Thoughts

Don’t worry Marathon Man, your secrets are safe. The one thing you said that I will share is, “manufactured spending is like card counting.” That is such a great analogy that fits perfectly.  Just like card counting, MS is not illegal, but it is definitely frowned upon.  The comparison to MS is wonderful.  After catching up on some sleep, I have a few points I want to share about the #WestCoastDo and the other travel conferences I have attended.

1 – First off, great job to Matt @ Saverocity for putting together and pulling off a great travel conference.  I am sure those in attendance would agree.  The lunch was fabulous and the extended happy hour was much appreciated. Thanks for all the hard work, time, and money you spent on this conference.  You da’ man!

2 – Uber is great in Phoenix/Scottsdale.  I used Uber a few times to get to/from my Holiday Inn Express hotel (please don’t screw me over Into the Nights) as well as to get to the airport.  There are lots of drivers at all hours of the day and night.

Uber in PHX

3 – George @ Travel Blogger Buzz is much nicer in person.  I have been a long time reader and friend of George, but this was the first time meeting him in person.  He is very nice, funny, and just fun to hang out with.  He shared his thought on #WestCoastDo here.

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My Credit Card Affiliate Links will be Removed on Monday, November 10 at 12PM CT

Which Credit Card

My Credit Card Affiliate Links will be Removed on Monday, November 10 at 12PM CT

Good evening everyone, I wish I were here with better news, but unfortunately on the eve of #westcoastdo, I received an email from my credit card affiliate network that my Barclays credit card links will be deactivated Monday, November 10 at 12PM CT.  Shortly after noon, I will remove all Barclays credit card links from my blog.

Over the last year and a half, I have slowly and steadily lost all the great credit card links, from Chase, Citi, American Express, Bank of America, Discover, US Bank, and now Barclays.  With the loss of Barclays, I will only have links for secured credit card, which I wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy.  The loss of credit card affiliate links is probably a result of very low approval numbers (I am too small for the banks to bother keeping) and the manufactured spending topics I often discuss probably didn’t help either.

It is kind of ironic, really.  When I started my blog in May 2013, I had all the great credit card links and none of the site traffic.  Fast forward to today, the situation has completely swapped.  In a few days, I will have no credit card links and much greater site traffic.  The timing was terrible, but also a blessing.   Continue reading →

Random News: US Bank FlexPerks Visa Signature vs. American Express vs. Business Cards and 4 New AMEX Offers

FlexPerks Visa Signature Card

Random News: US Bank FlexPerks Visa Signature vs. American Express vs. Business Cards and 4 New AMEX Offers

I’ve written about FlexPerks a few times:

Up until last night, I did not know there was an American Express version of the US Bank FlexPerks credit card (Thanks Will @ Doctor of Credit).  Surprisingly, there are 4 personal and 1 business FlexPerks credit cards, who knew?

I signed up for the Visa Signature version during the 2014 Winter Olympics promo when the sign up bonus was 7,450 FlexPoints higher than the standard 20,000 FlexPoints offer.

US Bank Olympics Promo

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Random Offers: 2 Staples Easy Rebates, $10 Tabbed Out, FlexPerks Bonuses, IHG Into the Nights, Cadillac Test Drive, $50 Amazon, Alaska and Southwest Shopping Portal Promos, Buy Choice Hotels and Virgin America Points, and 3 AMEX Offers

Staples Logo

Random Offers: 2 Staples Easy Rebates, $10 Tabbed Out, FlexPerks Bonuses, IHG Into the Nights, Cadillac Test Drive, $50 Amazon, Alaska and Southwest Shopping Portal Promos, Buy Choice Hotels and Virgin America Points, and 3 AMEX Offers

I got a lot of random offers to share, I hope you’re ready to save some money.  First off, Staples has another great gift card promo that started on Sunday.  Buy $300 or more in Visa Gift Cards and get a $20 Visa Gift Card rebate (Miles to Memories).

Staples Visa Gift Card Promo 10-21-2014

While you are in the store, you might want to stock up on some paper too.  $4 for 5 reams of Staples printer paper (retail price garage sale price is $10 for a box of 5 reams).

Staples Paper Rebate Coupon 10-21-2014

Both rebates offer a Visa gift card as payment.  P.S. Check out the gift card rack for other “interesting” gift cards.  I cannot say any more.

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Set up Apple Pay in Passbook on your iPhone 6/Plus

Apple Passbook App

Set up Apple Pay in Passbook on your iPhone 6/Plus

(Hat tip to Mac World for the info)

As of today (October 20, 2014), you can add these credit and debit cards to your Passbook (other banks will be supported over the coming weeks/months, including gift cards):

  • American Express
  • Bank of America
  • Capital One
  • Chase
  • Citi
  • MasterCard
  • Visa
  • Wells Fargo

If you have an iPhone 6/Plus that is on 8.1 or newer, you can set up Apple Pay.  Click the Passbook icon on your iPhone and then scroll to the very top and click the ‘+’ button to add a credit or debit card to your Passbook.

Add Credit Debit Card to Passbook App

To read the full article, please click here.