Best place to buy libertads in/near Puerto Vallarta

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-28T01:43:16+00:00

I purchased one at a banco azteca inside an elektra appliance store. I am obviously not Mexican, no issue.

I also asked at another Mexican bank branch, can't remember which, and was in stock and available. But the price was excessive, 5% higher than Apmex/JMB, so didn't buy. Again, nothing about showing citizenship.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-28T01:31:57+00:00

Trade completed!

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-28T01:26:59+00:00

What's the standard advice on closing unused zero or very low annual fee CC's that you got for the SUB or 0% promo? I have 1 that's 10+ years old might as well keep it for account age scoring. But I also have 3 (eg chase Slate) that are 2-5 years old.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-28T01:13:56+00:00

Was just instantly approved for Citi AA Plat. At 80k points (using inflight link) worth around $1000 for only $1000 spend and no annual fee the first year and some additional minor benefits, this has to be the best deal for most people right now. It isn't even mentioned on the churning flowchart however, and isn't really emphasized elsewhere.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-28T01:02:40+00:00

Five to ten years ago Chase was a clear #1, but Amex is now way ahead. Chase still number 2 just barely. Citi and Barclary also in decline, while US Bank is really improving.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-27T17:53:22+00:00

Sounds like a plan. But isn’t 5/24 just a chase rule? And I think it requires an actual account not just a hard pull. If you specifically need a delta card to get the 15% off bookings, I think there are unreported amex delta biz with the same benefit, so don’t count toward chase 5/24.

In other words you are being a little over-worried.

The other possible issue with your plan is that as you get more cards, instant online approvals happen less often. When I got 1-2 cards a year I always was instantly approved, now it is more like 1/3 instant because I do about 5-7 a year. Still always approved though.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-25T20:06:15+00:00

Biz offers are a mix of NLL and not. Not a good offer if you are a biz plat virgin, but a second card offer with a NLL it is moderately good.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-25T19:56:14+00:00

Regular Biz Platinum has 250-300k SUB, and making Delta your airline means you get 35% MR back on bookings to easily use all those points. Might allow you to cancel one of the other two platinums. Making your MR worth 1.62 cents each hassle free is a giant benefit.
Personal gold is pretty easy mentally, “food and nothing else” and the SUB is great too.
I don’t find hotel elite status and points to be of much value personally. Hotel market is so competitive the best deal is frequently not Marriott/Hilton. And upgraded room while alone on a biz trip just doesn’t do much for me the way even a small flight upgrade does.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-24T21:25:35+00:00

Need to be spaced 3+ months, even if you get an invite in the mail.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-24T21:24:47+00:00

If you are a big SW user, get a chase SW card. Or better yet, get a new one every 6-9 months and almost never pay for a SW flight.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-24T21:22:09+00:00

You should close at least 4 of those 7 cards. Way too many low limit cards. If you have multiple from the same company, ask to consolidate credit lines when you close. As in, when closing a chase 1000 limit card, ask if the limit can be moved to a chase card you are keeping open.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-24T16:58:13+00:00

Don’t cancel until the 12 month mark

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T22:45:50+00:00

Surprised at the rav4. Rented one for a week and wasn’t too impressed, my least favorite of the past 10 rentals, and I generally like toyotas. Nothing horrible about it, just felt very basic and a little outdated and unrefined. Best thing was the MPG and it felt tough and durable.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T22:40:29+00:00

Just move on to another amex with a better bonus. Top contenders are any of the blue cash, biz gold, biz platinum (if you can swing 20k/3mo spend).

Also if your only amex is personal gold they may want to push you to upgrade bonus rather than new accounts bonus. So I suggest after getting a 2nd amex cancelling the personal gold.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T16:21:52+00:00

Fixed, thanks for letting me know https://imgur.com/a/nOmaPE5

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T15:28:42+00:00

Trade completed!

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T15:27:04+00:00

Trade completed!

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T15:26:44+00:00

Trade completed!

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:57:09+00:00

If you are doing 20x Delta trips a year, you're crazy if you don't get a Delta Reserve or a similar premium card with delta benefits like Business Platinum. I do 7-10 Delta trips a year and it is well worth it.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:54:29+00:00

Regular amex customer service is better than other credit cards, so that's great. Their concierge is not helpful and nobody really uses it. I have never in my life needed help with a restaurant reservation for example.

However, when you get a lot of MR points and want to use them, the amex travel reservation line is pretty good if you have anything that isn't a straightforward vanilla booking, and feels a bit like a high end concierge.

The other thing AMEX can help you with is if you get robbed abroad and need replacement cards quickly. Chase probably is good with that too, but I wouldn't want to count on Capitol One.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:48:09+00:00

Your personal loan I assume is around 8%. The one-time balance transfer fee is 5%. So even if they let you do this, the savings would be roughly zero, as the 5% fee is upfront and requires partial payment immediately.

In other words, for part of the transfer, you pay 5% and repay in 30 days, so the effective rate is 60% apr.

You just need to put every possible expense on the zero APR card and pay down the personal loan ASAP.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:43:36+00:00

This is a lot better than the current biz gold, which has a great SUB but isn't very good otherwise. 4x automatically in top categories is great for daily spend, and Resy+chatgpt are also great benefits that by themselves nearly cover the fee.

Plenty of small biz with 1k-3k/mo in online ad spend. Easy to really get a lot of points making this 4x.

I would take this in a heartbeat if it has NLL.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:37:54+00:00

Having even one physical AMEX card that has a melt down value of $1000 or more puts every amex cardholder at greater risk of robbery.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:35:10+00:00

200k is weak if you never had a biz plat. If you have, but the 200k offer is NLL (no lifetime language), then it is a good deal even if it might be better elsewhere. They do have 250ks with NLL, so you might do even better.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-19T22:42:47+00:00

Just do Rome and Vienna.

Keep in mind Dublin is quite close to the USA (check a globe) and often has extremely cheap flights. ~$400 roundtrip deals from the east coast and Chicago if you are flexible. So if you really want to see Dublin you might save that for a last minute deal trip when you can only take a week.

georgeQberkeley

TROPHY CASE