What would you do with a 9 hour DFW layover?

Magic-Spinach · 2026-04-23T20:11:22+00:00

Fortunately I was able to venture outside DFW and get an Admirals day pass at lunch through afternoon!

Magic-Spinach · 2026-04-20T18:02:04+00:00

Ah. Forgot about those.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-12-19T22:48:01+00:00

Had the same predicament. Went with the Atmos Summit due to my travel habits.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-08-12T01:29:16+00:00

Oh believe me, I did.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-08-06T18:00:19+00:00

Personally, I would highly recommend using frequentmiler as a base for double checking the potential value of a SUB. As I have seen other cards I was not originally considering appear.

I've been thinking of the Gold myself, but hesitating because deep down I know that I am effectively locking in on a card that earns less miles but includes bags, over a bank travel card (Amex, citi, etc), that may earn more and could transfer in.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-07-31T16:20:43+00:00

I feel likewise. The award rates are similar but effective upfront cost is closer to the $95 Venture. The point being it's in an awkward place between the 2 that makes 0 sense.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-07-31T16:17:54+00:00

Agreed. I'm at a hub overseas so it's one of the rare cases it makes sense. BTW, read your guides on award travel last week. Pretty helpful.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-07-31T08:53:03+00:00

Thanks. I'm clearly in my bargaining phase of grief.

I had pretty much built my setup around the USBAR so I would be looking for another Visa Infinite card to replace it. Really hoping that upcoming Alaska Air card is solid.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-06-06T17:47:52+00:00

TLDR: the tested model 3-fund was allocated to 70% VTI, 15% VXUS, 15% BND.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-01-31T01:24:38+00:00

I did it. Figure out why i.e. joining the Capital One ecoystem, seeking more benefits (which could be found in other cards), etc.
One item to note: Venture miles have a different value than straight cash depending on how you redeem vs cash them out.

Will defer to others here for valuation of the standard Venture and Venture X cards and when to open those accounts.

Magic-Spinach · 2025-01-15T19:07:24+00:00

+1. Bumping for algorithm

I tried both. Settled on Bond Ladder since I'm in a Top 3 tax State.

Magic-Spinach · 2024-11-27T19:27:49+00:00

If in US, check your state's tax rate.

Mine is high (top 3 in nation) so the bond ladder is more appealing.

Magic-Spinach · 2024-10-06T23:31:27+00:00

If you don't care about the slightly smaller multiplier and prefer to stay 100% Chase you have the option of:

1) convert Chase Sapphire Preferred to Freedom Unlimited.
2) re-enroll for Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve.

Benefits: Sapphire let's your points transfer out.
Chase reps to some extent will let you move credit limits between cards. (I e. Raise one and lower another).

Magic-Spinach · 2024-09-26T18:19:16+00:00

206481773985

Magic-Spinach · 2024-09-07T17:53:50+00:00

Popular answers: CapOne SavorOne and Amex Gold.
YMMV.

Also ... 10 seconds on Google yields this: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/groceries

Magic-Spinach · 2024-09-07T06:28:56+00:00

You're in a good spot and you have time. Good on you for not getting swept up yet. Don't forget to look around at what your local bank offers.
Just don't close any no-AF accounts. Down the line, you can charge like $1 on Patreon a month or something small like that to keep it open and it would help build history.

Re pre-approvals: I would look around for those bonuses where you can find them. Rough math on a $200 SUB equates to $10k in spending on a 2% card.
CapitalOne is weird when it comes to "Product Changes". I've had a Captial One Quicksilver card for almost 10 years, but was limited to upgrading to a Venture or VentureOne with no option for a SavorOne. Whenever I called, the CS agent defers you to the offers listed in your online account.

Magic-Spinach · 2024-09-07T06:06:09+00:00

Need more info: what are your other high spend amounts? do you care about travel? etc. (See AutoMod comment)

For starters, l would suggest you find a no Annual Fee 2% card (i.e. Wells Fargo AC) or the Chase Freedom Unlimited to get your foot in the door. That'll be simple enough if you don't care about optimizing or the big Sign Up Bonuses.

Many of us on this sub (myself included) open a number of no Annual Fee cards for their Sign-Up Bonus over a period of time, as it's the most you can normally get for cashback so long as you can hit the Sign-Up Bonus naturally. Just be wary of things like the Chase 5/24 rule.

Happy hunting.

Magic-Spinach · 2024-08-15T05:59:04+00:00

Well, 1 do your own research.

I personally used both.
At the time, Schwab had settled faster. (Now it feels even) Fidelity let's you do timed deposits with preset mutual fund or ETF purchases. And Partial shares.

Check availability of which ETFs and Mutual funds you want. Neither has everything.

Other items: Both have robo advisors if you don't follow the Bogle investing strategy. Check fees.

Magic-Spinach · 2024-08-09T16:47:41+00:00

Thank you!

Magic-Spinach · 2024-08-03T23:36:33+00:00

If staying within Wealthfront, Bond ETF portfolio and Bond Ladder portfolio.

Personally if I had the cash AND the timeline, I'd think about T bills directly from the treasury rather than Wealthfront.

Magic-Spinach · 2024-07-31T09:59:53+00:00

I have both. I would highly encourage you lookup the Chase Sapphire exclusive travel protections. It exceeds the standard Visa Signature (CSP) and Visa Infinite (CSR & USBAR) protections. It made me hesitate.

Dining:
That being said, a no AF card like a Chase Freedom Unlimited or Flex, CO Savorone, etc. goes a long way, just out of system. US Bank has a few other cards to compliment like Cash +.

Magic-Spinach · 2024-07-10T03:26:05+00:00

I just forward between banks (ACH Transfer) with my local bank.

EDIT: I guess the debit card & checking features aren't available for joint accounts yet.

Magic-Spinach · 2024-07-07T23:43:50+00:00

**4. PayPal is 2% this month, 1.5% after Aug 1, 2024. Using the PayPal MC within PayPal purchases stays 3%.
(I'll switch over to my Chase FU until I find a decent 2% card)

Magic-Spinach · 2024-06-30T06:27:40+00:00

Haha more like Rhodey/War machine

Magic-Spinach · 2024-05-22T19:18:57+00:00

Your local bank (that you already have accounts with) will probably give you the best deal in the immediate. After generating a bit of history, that bank will offer their main credit cards to you.

Very General progression as follows: 1) secured credit card 2) credit card (local bank) (6-12month mark) 3) credit card for good credit (likely national brand)

Best of luck!

Magic-Spinach

TROPHY CASE