There’s lots of reasons for me to be loyal to Capital One, but really high up there is how much I love the Capital One lounges. I’ve now graced Dulles, Denver, and Dallas lounges. Each of these is markedly better than the mediocre Priority Pass quality, or the good but not amazing American Express lounges.
Capital One Lounge Changes — nerfed access for non-primary cardholders Read More »
There’s almost nothing that brings a smile to my face quite like going 3-for-3 on new card applications. The truth is, I took advantage of prequalification tools to have high confidence in two of the three. Still exciting to see the approvals roll in, one by one. Almost as exciting as the big bonuses that
I bought a really amazing race bike last summer. After a very abridged life, that bike was thrashed in a bike accident with a parked car. Luckily homeowners insurance covered all but $2,000 deductible for that bike purchase. I was able to sell the components of that trashed bike to someone building their own…for $2,000!
A Bicycle Story — Crash Replacement Benefit (Canyon) — Part Four Read More »
How many is TOO MANY open credit cards? Every month I have to log into 12 different issuers accounts to update my tracking and make payments across 39 open credit cards with $560,200 total credit line. I track this carefully to make sure I don’t miss something. The reality is that this can be a
My 39 open credit cards is pretty amazing, and also…unreasonable Read More »
There exists an amazing suite benefits that come along with using a credit card. This ranges from supplementary rental auto insurance to bag protection to roadside assistance to extended warranties to purchase protection. That big, bulky book of details that comes when you get a new card? There’s actually some helpful benefits that are worth
A Bicycle Story — Purchase Protection Benefit (Visa) — Part Three Read More »
Springtime trip to Nashville with dad! I’ve been moving slow on booking flights as there haven’t been good paid OR points travel options. Sometimes a good deal pops up, and when it does you have to move before it’s gone. I’ve tracked the schedule on Google Flights for the past two months, so when a
Let’s Fly! — Delta award booking & AMEX points transfer Read More »
I love a deal. I ABSOLUTELY love freebies. Sometimes something comes up that feels like a sure thing, and then it doesn’t quite work out. Occasionally the wild speculatory market known as “the crypto market” drops off a cliff with impeccably bad timing. And yet, somehow, I’m still likely going to break even. Also another
Even I have an occasional bust. OKX’s “Earn up to $50 in BTC with a Buy Streak” Read More »
While typically you’ll hear stories of the big, bad, evil insurance companies denying claims (which I have no doubt is true) this is about the opposite end of the spectrum. Insurance can and does offer some marvelous protection, occasionally in ways wholly unexpected and highly favorable to the insured. Cue my bike crash in August
A Bicycle Story — Post-Crash Homeowners Insurance Claim (USAA) — Part Two Read More »
Anyone who knows me also knows that my most passionate hobby after credit card gaming is cycling. I like riding fast. I like long rides. I like meandering around the neighborhood. Occasionally I like making funny images out of my routes. I also like riding nice bikes. I’ve lusted after a new racing bike for
A Bicycle Story — Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm) — Part One Read More »
Despite not even signing up for any new cards or accounts, I scored a pretty solid New Year’s haul. This is broken across true rewards (ex. cash back on cards) with $1,183, offers (ex. promotional discounts for spend) making up $103, and perks (ex. freebies or discounts for card ownership) contributing $454. The single-month amount
