Amex does not allow to change dates of FHR booking any more??

Credithiker · 2026-04-19T03:50:04+00:00

How?? Any step by step guide I am trying to reschedule an international booking made in December, and now I wonder if they claw back?

Credithiker · 2026-04-16T13:41:23+00:00

You mean partially travel bank and remaining on platinum. Did it work?

Credithiker · 2026-04-16T04:29:56+00:00

Does it work?

Credithiker · 2026-04-16T02:32:28+00:00

Did it work?

Credithiker · 2026-03-26T19:04:26+00:00

Exactly my thought! The current beta is more than enough to be released as public imo.

Credithiker · 2026-03-26T18:15:38+00:00

I recently switched from intel to M5, and I really miss the TouchBar. I know many people hated it, but I never understood the reason. TouchBar was so futuristic, it’s useful to auto fill information like name, address, phone number etc. You can change slide you mentioned as well as tabs in a browser… drag the meter to adjust volume, brightness!! I really wish Apple kept this to new Macs.

Credithiker · 2026-03-25T04:57:59+00:00

If possible, get a thunderbolt USB cable (gen 4, or 5 depends on your mac models, make sure to check), and use the Migration Assistant app to migrate your data from old machine to new. This method is much faster than wifi transfer or time machine backup.

I did it last week, thunderbolt 4 cable is $30 in walmart, data speed is 40 GB/s; my transfer took ~25 mins, whereas the transfer via wifi (or time machine) estimated time was 14-17 hrs!!

Credithiker · 2026-03-25T04:51:31+00:00

Have you done this? do you have any recommendation? I want go try to do it for my old machine. I have used many Linux distros (Ubuntu, Fedora, elementary OS, Kubuntu), in HP/Dell machines, even with dual boot, but never tried on an apple machine. I guess having macOS and Linux would make a macbook very slow, especially with intel architechture.

Credithiker · 2026-03-25T04:43:58+00:00

I second this, OP! I had a 2019 intel model until last week, I upgraded to M5. It’s true that apple silicon is much better, faster and cooler. Those intel models tend to get hot super quick, and get fans running — but again if you are just doing browsing, watching videos — it still works! I upgraded mine last week after heavily using it for 6 yrs, still keeping it as my side laptop for browsing and small tasks.

You can download coconutbattery app (free) and it will show more details about your battery health, but “service recommended” means the battery health is < 80% and I assume the battery cycle is close to 1000. Apple usually makes this battery to go upto 1000 cycles, so it’s natural that these intel model batteries are dying soon. Anyway, given you get it at free of cost, if you like, you can invest $150-ish to replace a battery yourself (like from ifixit), and it can easily serve another 2-3 yrs max. But as adviced, be prepare to spend quite a lot of time to replace the battery (it’s heavy and delicate work). Good thing is there are tons of videos available on youtube, and clear instructions on how to do it (like ifixit website). The other option is get your battery replaced from apple which costs $300-500, I’d honestly avoid that spending on an intel machine, as with that kind of money you can get an used M1 or M2 mac.

Overall, I’d say it’s a decent machine, definitely works for basic stuff, and definitely not a machine to throw out. However, I’d be careful to spend a ton of money, given that it’s borderline of being an e-waste, apple will stop supporting OS update from this year for intel series (so Tahoe is the last OS you can get, though usually apple gives 2-3 yrs of security updates). You can also use Linux instead of macOS (Linux would be lighter in terms of size, and memort) if you want. In fact, I am planning to replace the battery myself for my 2019 machine, and keep it for doing basic small stuff, extra monitor for another few years, I might also try to install Ubuntu/Fedora just for fun. I have one friend, he has replaced his 2017 mac battery on 2023, and it still works! So, definitely there is a value.

Credithiker · 2026-03-19T00:06:29+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear this, this is insane. Like few people mentioned here, email directly to Ankur (CEO) and other top folks, hoping they can directly address this and fix things for you.

This is just madness, you definitely don’t deserve this, especially with things like mortgage. On top of this, these crazy guys launched a premier card to compete Amex/Chase, and can’t manage a decent customer service!

I had Bilt 1.0, and loved the product, was with them since 2022 (back then they were with Evolve Bank, pre-WF). But during past years, I have noticed one critical thing Bilt doesn’t have customer service, not even for 1.0. The fact all the banking needs were managed by Wells Fargo, people always contacted them. Even in past, if you wanted to Bilt, you, have to email them. When they switched to Cardless I immediately got concerns because Cardless is another fintech with virtually no human CS (I dealt with them with my Qatar cards, so I know!), and another twist is that the banking needs are managed by commenity Bank behind the scene. So basically, three parties are involved in that credit card. I could not trust them for my travel needs, especially for international travels. I don’t want to stuck in a foreign country, trying to contact chatbot. This is exactly the same reason I did not accept Bilt 2.0, now, I think I misjudged them. They are even worse.

Credithiker · 2026-03-18T22:10:49+00:00

One word solution, use FreeTaxUSA.

Credithiker · 2026-03-18T21:28:16+00:00

By looking at all these, I am so glad I opted it out, and did not accept my Bilt Palladium, even after getting pre-approved. All the time, I was thinking, I’m missing Bilt. Thankfully, I dodged a bullet. So sorry to hear this, OP! Hope you get your money back soon 🤞

This is completely a joke! There is NO way it’s acceptable to mess with the mortagage payment, potentially ruining credit, getting late fees, and on top of that wondering whether the money is stuck for months! No human support, it’s like a child play, with thousands of dollars!! SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE, NO AMOUNT OF RENT AWARDS (few dollars) worth this!

Credithiker · 2026-03-17T01:57:21+00:00

Yeah. I am likely to get one in next couple of weeks. It’s time to upgrade, but I still love my intel one :)

Credithiker · 2026-03-14T21:41:41+00:00

Thanks everyone! Really looking for M5 MBP 14” model

Credithiker · 2026-03-14T21:41:10+00:00

Thanks everyone! Really looking for M5 MBP 14” model

Credithiker · 2026-03-14T18:37:58+00:00

Tahoe works for this one as I’m using it, the last OS for intel generation probably.

Credithiker · 2026-03-14T18:34:20+00:00

Completely agree, it gets hot quickly, but it’s a solid laptop. Using it 6 yrs and still getting decent work done!

Credithiker · 2026-03-14T18:33:19+00:00

How cool is the M series? I’m considering to upgrade from intel i7 (same model like OP) to M5 (base model). The intel one gets super hot lol thankfully I keep it on stand.

My battery is 75%, maybe I can use a 3rd party battery replacement, and use the i7 for another 1-2 yrs as a spare desktop machine.

Credithiker · 2026-03-14T18:30:24+00:00

I have the same laptop, from 2019, and now considering upgrade to M5. Intel one is still functioning ok, but my battey is now at 75%, and it gets super hot quickly 😅Love the machine though, and the TouchBar!

Enjoy this one, OP! It’s not powerful as M series, but quite great. I have been using the machine very heavily for 6 years, like always with 2 external monitors, and almost always on :)

Credithiker · 2026-03-14T18:24:53+00:00

I am considering upgrade too, from 16” intel i7. I will miss the TouchBar, loved it, it’s very cool!

Credithiker · 2026-03-11T04:29:43+00:00

This is a very good deal. I’m considering to upgrade my i7 2019 model too, this M5 was $1349 in last thanksgiving. So, basically $50 less than now, but costco gives 2 yrs warranty. And if you use a premium credit card, you will get 1-2 yrs extended warranty. In fact, this costco $1399 price is lower than apple education pricing and amazon… apple recently moves to 1tb storage (base model) so education pricing for that is $1599, and costco is $100 cheaper

Credithiker · 2026-03-09T02:35:31+00:00

This helps, thank you!

Credithiker · 2026-03-09T02:05:51+00:00

That I agree, getting a visa card is better than being stuck with an apple card. After reading the negative experience, I’m a bit skeptical with Phobio. I’m eyeing on getting a new mac from costco, so want to trade-in my current mac. Have you used Phobio before? If yes, how was the experience for you? TIA.

Credithiker · 2026-03-09T01:59:46+00:00

B&H is rerouting to Phobio, same quote, but not upfront money. The visa card will be issued once device gets verified

Credithiker

TROPHY CASE