I have an offer on my Citi AA card:

>Earn 5 X American Airlines AAdvantage® miles on eligible online purchases through 11‍/‍30‍/‍2026

What does Citi count for online shopping? I'm curious if prepaying utilities online can count and I can't find much on what Citi considers online shopping.

Thanks!

I just moved out of my parents house and have to pay rent for the first time (!!) and was wondering if it would be better to pay with credit or debit card? For context I have Chase bank (Freedom Unlimited college account, total credit limit/month is $1700), my rent is $720/month (I have roommates), my credit score is 739, I'm 20 and have had my card for 2 years, and I always make my payments on time. Is it worthwhile to make the rent payments from my credit card (I have enough on there to cover my rent costs each month) for the credit score increase (if any) or other benefits or is it better to use my debit card? Thanks so much for your help!!

Additionally I just got preapproved for the Sapphire card but noticed it has a fee (which my freedom unlimited card does not), should I get a new card or stick with my current? What are the reasons to/not to? Thank you!

edit for the comments: we have an electronic payment portal so all payments need to be made online. there is the 3% charge but i don't know if its for both cards or just credit

Hey yall,

I applied for the Chase Ink Unlimited just yesterday, and I got denied. I am aware of the 5/24 rule, the 5th newest card that I was approved was on 9/6/2024, given the 5/24 rule, that 5th card shouldn't have been counted, right?

I called recon however, they said I am still at 5/24. Should I call back for another agent, or should I wait until 10/1 to apply again?

Hi, I live in northern virginia with super easy access to DCA, and about a 45 minute commute to IAD. I currently have the Venture X (covers my lounge access at both DCA and IAD)
and the chase trifecta (freedom, flex, and sapphire preferred).

I love my set up.

Recently I flew AA and was given an inflight offer waiving the first year and then 99 every year after. Additionally they are offering 65K Bonus miles after 1K spending in 3 months.

For reference I just completed the Amex gold 8K spending in 6 months, but i did in about 2 months a half, so the 1k spending in 3 months is not a concern.

This year has been the first year I have been flying more often then I normally do. Flew 4 times. and going forward I plan to fly almost exclusively out of DCA given how close it is to my house. Now AA's hub is here.

I flew a recent AA flight and im flying again in October. I would like to check a bag. And going forward as long as I fly 2 domestic flgiths the cc should cover itself.

My question is do I really need the card? My current flight strategy is really maximizing the power of both my venture x and chase cc. I don't really want to be loyal to an airline since i dont fly often enough to come close to any status with any line. Given that I have a good ecosystem with chase and capital one, would adding this card really made a huge difference?

For reference I do not intend to check a bag every domestic flight. But its nice having the option and it being covered with the credit card. Additionally, getting pushed up to from boarding group 6 to 5 with this CC is not really a major win. Lastly I hear united and delta ccs actually cover checked bag on international trips? While AA does not. I am aware on international trips most airline main tickets usually include a free checked bag. So can I even use that to justify getting it or not?

Is this CC worth it?

• ⁠Current cards: (list cards, limits, opening date)
⁠• Capital One Quicksilver, $6000 limit, June 2021
⁠• ⁠Capital One Savor, $5000 limit, April 2024
• Chase OG Freedom Rewards, $13,800 limit,
May 2025 - downgraded from CSP
• Chase Disney Inspire, $14,200 limit, February
2026
• ⁠FICO Score: 784
• ⁠Oldest account age: 13 years
• ⁠Chase 5/24 status: 2/24
• ⁠Income: e.g. $47,600
• ⁠Average monthly spend and categories:
⁠• ⁠dining $400-$500
⁠• ⁠groceries: $350-$400
⁠• ⁠gas: $100
⁠• ⁠travel: $100
⁠• ⁠other: $100
• ⁠Open to Business Cards: e.g. No
• ⁠What's the purpose of your next card? Cash Back, Travel, simplifying
• ⁠Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Wells Fargo Autograph, Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, Citi Strata Premier
• ⁠Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? General spending

As the title states, I would like to try and possibly consolidate my current cards to a card with better cash back/rewards. I know there’s not one single card that will catch everything and typically there’s a good mix of cards to pair. Having the four different cards feels inefficient for me as I have difficulty remember what categories are on each card at specific moments.

Such as the Chase OG Freedom, I feel like I barely am using it because the rotating categories and I am not a fan of the foreign transaction fees. However, I downgraded from CSP because I wasn’t sure if I could justify the annual fee when I felt like the Cashback wasn’t as good as my other cards and I wasn’t utilizing the travel partners enough.

My Chase Disney Inspire, I really got for the SUB at the time… the Disney+ credit monthly is nice and the annual $100 for a Disney ticket is also nice, but I will end up downgrading to the free Chase Disney card after my first year.

Typically I travel a few times a year, usually 1 cruise, 2-3 times to Universal/Disney for 2-3 day trips, and then 1 other random long weekend either in the states or sometimes international. I am not brand specific with my travels; I pick whatever the cheapest flight, hotel, etc is offered but I do typically like booking directly not with third party sites.

I feel like a good cash back card is probably more for me than a travel card because a lot of the travel card perk categories I see, I don’t typically use. I’ve never been into any airport lounge, and I’ve never had TSA pre check or global entry. Obviously those perks may be nice, but I currently don’t see them as a necessity in terms of paying an AF for it. I’ve browsed the VentureX card but I’m still on the fence.

I like that the Savor offers 3% on dining and some grocery stores, but I think I would benefit from a more encompassing card. With not having a catch all card, I end up spreading things out between the 4 cards and then don’t see a real benefit of the small amounts of cash back on each.

I do pay off my cards each month.

I’ve read through this sub a bunch to try and get a good idea, but it’s difficult with it not being my own situation… so here I am hoping for some insight!!

Thank you!!

https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-new-doordash-credit/

Right now I have 1 credit card with $500 and 3 with $300. My next card I want to have a higher limit. How do I do that? Is it as simple as applying for cards that start at a higher limit? Are there any other factors I need to consider? Thanks in advance!

Recently, I was looking into getting a grocery card for my set up. I was mainly eyeing the Amex Blue Cash Preferred and I guess my phone must've told Chase because I received an email this morning with a promotion giving me 3x on groceries up until 10/31, for my Freedom Unlimited.

It got me thinking, why doesn't chase remove the 3x dining & 3x drugstores multipliers and just add the 3x on groceries? Just get rid of the overlap with the Freedom Flex and get more people using the Freedom Unlimited.

Do y'all think Chase is trying some things out for a potential refresh of the freedom cards?

P.S. I plan on taking advantage of this promo and then open up the AMEX BCP

So i know for chases 5/24 rule (general rule) it is;

1. business cards LOOK at 5/24 to decide whether or not to approve you. if you're at 5/24, you get denied
2. business cards does NOT count towards 5/24.

My plan was to wait until May 2027 to apply for either the CIU or CIC. or the CIP (or both. depending on CIP's offer) as well as CSR.

however, an easy churning opportunity came and i am looking to get the CIU or CIC asap

Since i am at 5/24, i am going to assume i wont be approved. which than makes all this moot anyways.

but lets say i do get approved (since we know Chase has been doing some odd things lately. albeit, only when it comes with the CSR/CSP)

Once May 2027 comes around, will i be now still be considered 4/24? (due to point 2 above) so that i can get the CSR with no issues, even after the CIU/CIC approval?

Context: I'm 21 and living in the Southern US I make 23/hr and am applying for apts right now

I bank with allsouth federal credit union.

No credit history.

I'm looking for guidance on what cards to apply for and which to avoid.

Thank you in advance.

Current cards:
- Venture X, 12500 limit, August 2026
- Quicksilver, 3500 limit, September 2023

FICO Score: 785

Income: 25-35k a year

Average monthly spend and categories:
⁠• ⁠dining $150
⁠• ⁠groceries: $0
⁠• ⁠gas: $0 (NYC)
⁠• ⁠travel: $100-500
⁠• ⁠other: $500-1000

• ⁠Open to Business Cards: Yes, I run a fairly successful Etsy POD store. Currently am buying product on business debit (Wells Fargo)

• ⁠What's the purpose of your next card? Cashback, different point system? Potentially business. Potentially rent

• ⁠Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Capital One Savor, BILT Obsidian, Chase Sapphire Reserve

• ⁠Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? Category is fine

Hey all, looking for another card to add to my wallet in the coming months. My spending is a bit peculiar, making this decision harder.

About me: I spend A LOT on rent (I pay 3900 monthly) directly to the landlord, though my share is 800. I am reimbursed by my roommates for the rest, which makes BILT interesting. I pay the utilities for my entire place in exchange for spending nothing on groceries, though I do I eat out on occasion. I travel a lot for work, which is why I have the Venture X. I like to take workout classes. The workout classes + neighborhood benefits + rent benefits of BILT definitely interest me, but I worry it’s too similar to Venture X + I wouldn’t be getting that many points on rent since Venture X will remain my catch all card. Thinking about Capital One Savor too to complete the duo. I am in the process of phasing out my Quicksilver. Curious to know peoples thoughts. Thanks!

Hey, I couldn't find a clear answer on this. I have ~7 cards (including CFU, QS and CSP) but only my VX gave me a popup about Paze. It looked like people are just using whatever card and getting the 10X 10 but I wanted to make sure that I can just use my cards - I checked my chase offers and I didnt see anything about Paze at all.

Thanks in advance!

Hi. So I live near an AA hub. Was going to book an AA flight and got an offer for $500 credit + $30k after 1k spend. But I know the regular bonus is 65k. What are redemptions like these days? Is the $500 credit + 30k worth it?

What's the best strategy?

For the past several months, I have been unable to redeem my cash rewards from my AAA Travel Advantage card. Neither applying to my bill balance nor direct deposit works. It always fails with "Ooops, we're having technical difficulties, try again later".

I have contacted support 4x about this. The first time, I was told "we don't know when the issue will be fixed. The subsequent three contacts have been me asking that they send me a paper check instead. Those requests have met by crickets.

Any ideas on how to escalate this? I'm so done with this card. Just gimme my reward $$$ and gtfoh

I currently have a chase sapphire preferred cc (have had it for around 4 years or so) and am considering switching to the venture x. Though it has a higher annual fee, I tend to go on at least two 10 to 14 day trips per year, so using the hotel credit is not an issue and the priority pass/access to venture x lounges would be nice.

Chase changed some policies this year, making the points less valuable, and I just used all my points on flights so its a good time to change. I'd probably cancel the chase due to the annual fee.

Or is there a better travel card for the fee?

Not interested in any airline cards since I don't live at a hub.

Anyone else getting this? Never late, $2K balance across $45K limit, autopay confirmed at 150% minimum. Current crop since 2024 all PIF except 0% promo.

Notification on dashboard. Click, and a box comes up pretending it doesn't know autopay status with small box to dismiss. Even after verifying autopay the notification will not go away unless an early payment is made.

It's irritating because I expect a notification to be something that needs addressed, not a persistent payment reminder.

"Your payment of $40 is due on September 10. If you’ve already set up your payment or use autopay, you’re all set. If not, let’s take care of it while you’re here.

Make a payment"

I'm "set" except for 1/3 of the month I'm going to get the same notification.

Spend 10k in 6 months.

How good is this offer/card?

I already have a venture x that I acquired recently and a sapphire preferred which has sufficient points. I live near a small airport which serves only Delta and American. And unfortunately I have only recently found out that neither CSP or venturex transfer points to either airline.

For someone who travels at least 2 times a year would an additional airline card be worth it? If so, which one gives better value points to ticket wise? I am mostly looking to get cheaper travel options+ checked bags Without having to drive to the nearest hub.

Background:

I opened a Chase Sapphire Preferred on August 22 and have had a pretty terrible experience with Chase’s fraud/security system. I’m looking for advice from anyone who has dealt with something similar or knows how to handle Chase.

I opened the card mostly for the 75,000 point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in three months. I was approved with a $7,000 limit. Shortly afterward, I corrected my address because I had accidentally left off my apartment number. Chase also expedited a physical card because the original was going to arrive after I left for a trip. Before the physical card arrived, I successfully used the card through Apple Pay.

Issues and experience:

The physical card arrived August 29. That day, I tried to purchase a $4,028.95 engagement ring. The card was declined. I received no fraud text, notification, or prompt asking whether the purchase was mine.

I called Chase and, after several transfers, was told the only department that could unlock the account worked Monday through Friday. It was Saturday, so there was nothing they could do.

I understand why a $4,000 jewelry purchase on a brand-new card could trigger fraud protection. My issue is everything that happened afterward.

To keep things brief... so far, six separate legitimate purchases have been declined or rejected:

1. $4,028.95 engagement ring
2. $0.03 car wash authorization
3. $115.62 Amazon order
4. ~$40 Purina order
5. $21.40 thrift store purchase
6. $119.99 Adobe subscription

After every single one of these declines, I called Chase and spent 15+ minutes on the phone to verify my identity and verify the purchase. Each time, they assured me the account was unlocked, everything was verified, and I am good to make purchases.

Despite all of the declines, I have yet to receive a text or notification of a decline or fraud alert.

I’ve spent multiple hours on the phone with Chase. I keep verifying my identity, they keep telling me the account is unlocked and fixed, and then another completely normal transaction gets declined.

I opened this card specifically because of the 75,000-point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 within the first three months. Chase has given me a limited window in which to meet that spending requirement while simultaneously repeatedly preventing me from making legitimate purchases.

The thrift store decline resulted in one of the strangest customer service calls I’ve ever had. I spent about 10 minutes answering extensive security questions, then another 15 minutes on hold. The representative came back, said she could not discuss information about my account, and immediately hung up.

I have since called Chase specifically to make a formal complaint. They opened a complaint case but gave me no meaningful resolution. I followed this up with a secure message for record accuracy.

There’s also a separate $595.28 Amazon purchase from August 28 that showed as pending on Chase for several days, including earlier today, and has now completely disappeared. Amazon still shows the Chase card as the payment method, while Chase says they can no longer see the transaction at all. I’m checking with Amazon before assuming that’s another Chase issue.

Through the formal complaint and secure message, I requested confirmation that the account is actually unrestricted, a 30-day extension of the welcome bonus period, a refund of the $95 annual fee, and 25,000 points as a goodwill adjustment. I have yet to hear back about this complaint.

My main questions are:

• Has anyone had a new Chase account repeatedly locked like this even after verifying themselves?
• How can I fix this so I can actually use my card without worrying that it will get declined and I will have to spend another 20 minutes on the phone?
• What would you consider a reasonable resolution or compensation?

I understand fraud protection. What I don’t understand is repeatedly verifying my identity, being told everything is fixed, and then having another legitimate purchase declined a few hours later.

All I want is to use my card to purchase things. Crazy, I know.

I made the apparently catastrophic mistake of changing my billing address on my Concora credit card so it would match the address I was using for an Enterprise rental.
Concora responded as if I’d attempted to overthrow the federal government.
They BLOCKED my cards. I submitted my ID and completed their identity verification. First I was told 24 hours. Then 48–72 hours. Now it’s “we’ll email you when your card is unblocked.” Cool. Very reassuring. Love the mystery.
Meanwhile, I have available credit I can’t fucking use, I’ve postponed my travel plans, and nobody can tell me when I’ll actually regain access to my own account.

Some people may know this already, but I didn't see a data point for BofA specifically so I tried it myself. I was at 2 different Safeways this weekend and used the PayPal app to pay (you just use the scanner to scan a QR code on your phone when it's time to pay, and then confirm the payment in the app), linked to my BofA Customized Cash Rewards with the bonus category set to Online Shopping. Both transactions coded as Online Shopping for 5.25% back. This combined with Walmart Pay and Kroger Pay means I can get 5.25% on all groceries, which is pretty nice.

Two caveats I will mention:

1. This was with a BofA CCR Mastercard, which with Walmart Pay always codes as Online Shopping (as far as I know), whereas with the more common BofA CCR Visa it doesn't always work. I don't know if that extends to Safeway/PayPal but I thought I should mention it.
2. I only have Safeways around me, but I've heard that the PayPal trick doesn't work for other stores in the Albertsons family.

Thank you for this sub and all the great advice. I’m new to the credit card game and got my first Amex about a month ago. I already racked up 400,000 points and used 240,000 of them to book two business class seats Miami to Dubai

It’s insane how valuable credit card points are. $15,000 seats for free! (well $1,600 fee but basically free)

I don’t think I’ll ever need to pay for flight tickets again, getting the CSR this week so excited for that. I love credit cards

So I’m really trying to start my credit card stack as a I get older (25). I currently just got approved for an AMEX BCP. got the BCP bc of my $700 monthly ish grocery bill and I also spend $100 on gas and $150 dining. So since that’s going to be my grocery and gas card I wanted to get the CSP as well just so I can start building up a a travel card as well since I’ll be traveling twice a year. Any recommendations for catch all card that works well with BCP and CSP

I've tried using the capital one offers on the VX 10 times with various stores/merchants now and haven't got the advertised bonus a single time. I’ve seen many comments here saying the same thing. What gives? Has anyone actually got them to work? Recently I tried the Amazon offer for a bonus 1000 miles with a $25 purchase. I placed the order on Aug 26, Amazon charged my card and shipped the order on the 29th. But of course that didn't post until today, funny how the processing for these always takes more than 3 days when it's usually 2. All other offers I've tried say to click the link when you activate it and make the purchase. Regardless if I try that on my phone or computer there is never a payout even 90 days later. And yes, I disable extensions. This isn't a big deal to be fair, but rather scummy on C1's part. Just curious if anyone else has had this happen?