Milenomics² Podcast Episode 220: Amex Shutdowns, Flanking Elsewhere and More

0:16  Amex Shutdowns

• Reports coming in all week about no notice shutdown emails sent out in waves.
• Common thread seems to be high spend, but unsure if that is the cause or if something else is
• Loss of all accounts but phone reps might be able to transfer out to programs already linked
• Terrible news, condolences to anyone affected.
• A good reminder to keep balances low
• Consider listening to our special episode from the last time shutdowns started occurring. 

10:40 Amex +10x Referrals: How is it going?

• Sam: 10x is active on my cards from my P2 applying for a Lowe’s 4 Pros card (throwaway). Doing $300 a day on fluz. Will refer back from P2 to myself at a later date to stretch out the 90 day windows of 10x.
• Robert:Trouble getting approvals and when I did get a throwaway card approved (delta gold) was told the 10x was not attached! Instant approval seems to be necessary.

16:10 Amex Business Platinum 250k

• A good reminder that healthy offers are out there.
• Non-referrable so not helpful for 10x referrals.
• Robert: Applied and Pending (90 days). Skirted the popup.
• Sam: Didn’t apply yet–and the link shared on slack is dead. I need to make a move here before my 90 day clock resets and I start getting popups.

20:28 Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa (FM)

• 5x uncapped Hotels
• 60,000 for $4,000 in 3 months
• $95 AF not waived first year
• $50 airfare statement credit “each year” (?)
• 1:1 transfers to Avios programs, AirFrance, Avianca and Choice
• Other Wells Fargo Rewards said to be transferable into this program
• Said to be available March 9 in branch, and March 20 online

22:47 BofA AirFrance 70k + $100 (DoC)

• $2,000 in 3 months
• $89 AF not waived first year

24:52 Approved: FNBO Amtrak Card

• Fraud Alert Jumpy
• Came in a fraud state (Had to call)

25:24 Ongoing Hassle: Discover Card

• Call-in fraud alerts continue
• Selfies and more
• Discuss: Sometimes a bank just makes it so hard to transact, it’s not worth it

26:59 Approved: Venmo Visa

• 3x on Utilities
• Also having some fraud alert issues.

29:15 Vacasa (FM)

• Was: 15k Wyndham points per bedroom per night up to $500/nt
• Will be: 30k per bedroom per night $250.01 - $500/nt, 15k per bedroom per night up to $250
• Said to start March 26, 2024
• Still can’t book rentals listed for > $500/nt with points
• Has any program changed as much as quickly as this one?
• Hard to call it a straight devaluation when earning is so lucrative. Some good and bad parts of this new version of the program: 
• Winners: solo travelers who were struggling to find <$350 1 bedroom options.
  • Old: would have to find a 2 bedroom for $700 or less and pay 30k
  • New: Can find a 1 bedroom at <$500 a night and pay $30k
• Winners: families needing many bedrooms at reasonably priced vacasa. $250/nt can work for 3 or 4 bedroom Vacasa
  • Old: 3 bedroom <$1500 a night was 45,000 a night
  • New: 3 bedrooms <$750 a night still 45,000 a night (lots of options in this price range)
• Neutral: Old properties locked out because they cost more than $350/night now can be booked for 30,000 per night up to $500 per bedroom per night.
  • Helps re-open some great vacasa I’ve stayed at before, does reduce the per point to 1.67 per point.
• Losers: Families who stayed at a 3 bedroom >$750/night but less than $1050 a night
  • Old: 3 bedroom <$1050 a night (45k a night)
  • New: 3 bedroom $750- $1500 a night (90k a night)
• Losers: Families who booked 2 bedroom <$700 properties a night
  • Old: 2 bedroom for 30,000 points
  • New: 2 bedroom <$700 a night now 60,000 a night

Save the Date: Saturday June 8th MSP (Tickets on sale soon)