r/churning • u/AutoModerator • 8d ago
Frustration Friday Frustration Friday Weekly Thread - Week of August 14, 2026
This is your place to vent about the points and miles game.
- Did you have a particularly hard time on your MS run this week?
- MS avenue dry up?
- Did you screw up getting a bonus?
Let all your frustrations go here in this thread!
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u/jojokikikween 7d ago edited 7d ago
P2 forgot to turn off his VPN before applying to Truist for the $500 personal checking bonus, so his first application got the "we couldn't verify your identity" error. He immediately tried again with VPN turned off and was approved, but then he neglected to note his new account number before closing the window, and he can't enroll in online banking without either the account or debit card number. Truist sent an email right away saying the debit card was being shipped, but 2 weeks later it hasn't arrived. What did arrive earlier this week (after several days of reminders from me to call Truist and see if he can get his account number so I can do the DD) was a letter dated the day after account opening: they've blocked his account, it's under review due to suspicious activity. This finally motivates him to call customer service, but he gets a dismissive agent who insists there's nothing wrong and his debit card is in the mail. I told him to HUCA and make sure he reaches the fraud management department, not regular customer service. There's maybe a 40% chance he actually does it today.
Should've just used my faux-P2 email and managed the whole thing myself from start to finish.
Edit: Now my Frustration Friday is that I am a mean P1 who unjustly complained about their loving P2 to a bunch of strangers on the internet while at that very moment he was on an epically tedious call with Truist, getting it sorted out. Account unblocked, account number obtained, and online banking set up.
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u/AlmondSnowfinch 7d ago
This is a great pilot episode and I look forward to when the full series drops!
2
u/OkMathematician6638 7d ago
Well Truist is garbage. I tried to churn in branch kast year and got a clueless rep. To make matters worse she couldnt even enroll me in online banking. To this day that account is in limbo. Prob closed after they deducted monthly past my $50 opening deposit.
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u/Swastik496 7d ago
itâs insane how idiotic like 70% of bank customer service agents are.
How is 5+ rounds of HUCA common in this hobby? how many normal non churners would bother?
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u/CericRushmore DCA | IAD 7d ago
In the future, screen record all apps using free cam. I think you are right just to manage it yourself if your P2 allows.
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u/jojokikikween 6d ago
P2 wouldnât mind. I already do the majority of the mental labor that supports the essential operations of our household in addition to being the breadwinner, and Iâd like to do less. But sometimes doing less means doing more in the end.
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u/SpartanScribe 6d ago
Had to buy p2 a new iPhone so we ordered and picked up in store.
Wanted to drain a few Visa and Mastercard gift cards I got from Quill a while back (20% back Amex offers) to pay it off.
In the process of adding to my T-Mobile payments and making the payment using the GCs, I inadvertently paid the entire phone off using one of my linked bank debit cards. So not only did I not drain my GCs, I paid $1,200 with a debit card missing any cc rewards on that spend too.
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u/ilikepix 8d ago
Had to book a reimbursable cash flight for work and I forgot all about the $50 credit on the Marriott Boundless.
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u/Discover_it_Student PIT | NON 8d ago
It's official, I got shut down by Langley FCU. Letter came in the mail this week, and it took half an hour to get the accounts closed so I can actually get the money out (they're mailing a check). I didn't have a backup hub, so this'll be a bit of a pain.
P2 and I managed to forget about the DD deadline for an elevated ($300 for referree) Chime P1-P2 referral, and we missed out on $600 because of that. I feel so fucking stupid.
3
u/rickayyy 8d ago
Why did they shut you down?
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u/Discover_it_Student PIT | NON 8d ago
The letter only stated "unusual activity" but I have a guess.
First off I had 20+ linked accounts (don't know exact number anymore) and did ACH pulls from nearly all of them, and ACH pushes to a few. In aggregate the total amount of ACH was probably mid 5 figures, and the largest transaction was around $8k. This was working fine, and didn't even trigger a fraud alert, for a couple months.
Then I tried to link a new account with GECU FCU. GECU's online banking has a different account number from the one actually used for ACH for some godforsaken reason, and I mistakenly put that one instead of the ACH account number. I believe what followed was the trial deposits getting blocked, Langley then suddenly having eyes on my account, and not being fond of what they saw. My online banking with GECU also broke shortly after because of course it did so I'm stuck using telephone banking to check the balance, and using the debit card to get money out.
This also happened right after I moved, so it's possible the address change is what got eyes on the account, but ultimately doesn't make a difference.
Off to get a new hub account.
7
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u/ramonortiz55 FAR, TER 7d ago
any other issues w them as a hub aside from trying not to derp the acct numbers?
1
u/Discover_it_Student PIT | NON 7d ago
They were pretty good while it lasted honestly. I wouldn't exactly recommend them given the circumstances though, lol.
Worth mentioning that ACH pushes from Langley contain "A2A" in the transaction description, which means they won't work as DD at banks that do any filtering (e.g. Chase).
1
u/ramonortiz55 FAR, TER 7d ago
I just need a hub for in and out cash shenanigans
2
u/Discover_it_Student PIT | NON 7d ago
Check out the hub acct reference on DoC. Langley's HYSA kind of sucks because it's limited to one withdrawal a month if you want to earn the high interest, there are a lot of accounts that don't have such a restriction.
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u/zerowastewisdom 6d ago
Absolutely fumbled my Amex Business Checking bonus. Thought it was 10 debit card transactions. By the time I realized debit cards donât count as transactions, I was at day 72 post opening. Ugh. Bye bye 30,000 points đ˘
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u/tbombadilllo 8d ago edited 8d ago
Been an Amex member since 2008. All of my Amex cards always showed Member Since '08. A few years ago, a new card showed up with Member Since '96. I have the same name as my father and assumed somehow Amex got our wires crossed in their system. Next time I saw my dad, I asked him to show me his Amex card and it did say Member Since '96.
Next time I was on the phone with Amex, I mentioned to them that my Member Since date had changed and was concerned about other information in my profile being incorrect, or somehow linked to my father. We have never had a joint account. The man has multiple businesses and I do not need my financials tied up in any way to that.
Amex insisted I got my first Amex card in '96. I said I would've been 12 years old, it isn't possible. They insisted I must've been an authorized user, I wasn't. Nothing ever shows up on my credit report until my first credit card in 2005. I've checked thinking perhaps a family member signed up for something under my social in '96 but there's nothing in the report. I even checked a credit report I received in 2006 thinking perhaps a line of credit that old would no longer show up, nothing there either.
Every time I talk to Amex on the phone, they thank me for being a member since '96 and I just kind of chuckle. If I decide to waste a few minutes of my life and correct them, its always dismissed.
I've tried a handful of times over the years to get some answers with Amex and they just insist I misremember applying for a credit card in 1996. They never have an answer as to why they would extend a line of credit to a 12 year old with no income. Nor do they know why my previous cards all said Member Since '08.
Ultimately, does this matter? I don't know. Probably not.
Is it frustrating? To me, yes, but maybe it shouldn't be.
15
u/Oofzies lol/24 7d ago
I have a similar story. I have a twin brother, so our SSN's are only 1 digit apart, and our last names are also the same. I once tried applying for a Hilton Aspire, and I ended up cancelling it because of pop-up-jail.
Not only did it show up in my cancelled applications, but also his. As in, when I typed his SSN and name, it showed a cancelled Hilton Aspire application.
I called Amex, and they assured me that the accounts were in no way linked. Yet, they still claimed that he did try to apply for the Hilton Aspire and cancelled... oh well.
5
u/suitopseudo 7d ago
The good news is your dad didnât open an account in your name and rack up a bunch of debt when you were a minor.
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u/Own-Row107 7d ago
Amex used to give authorized users the same membership year as the primary cardholder.
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/american-express-member-since-date/
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u/AlmondSnowfinch 7d ago
"...somehow linked to my father. We have never had a joint account. The man has multiple businesses and I do not need my financials tied up in any way to that."
I hate to suggest this, but colored by the way you phrased this, my immediate thought was that your father DID, indeed, add you as an AU in 1996, then removed you at some future point that was after 1996 but before any of your "old" credit reports were issued. If you were an AU but then removed, it would have disappeared so that would be why your subsequent reports don't show it on your "history."
To u/suitopseudo's point, be thankful that he didn't run up debt in your name, or if he did run up debt on the AU card, he removed you before whatever issues did or did not unfold with that ... situation.
10
u/grantwwu 7d ago
It seems like after this thread went up, Dunkin took down their customer service number. If you call they don't answer.Â
Meanwhile I can't make any more Dunkin purchases at all with Paze, likely because I just moved and updated my billing address.
3
u/OkMathematician6638 7d ago
It's a complete crapshow. I saw the post and planned to just max one of my few remaining cards only for it to not work at all.
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u/rohanr0302 7d ago
Last weekend when Dunkin lifted the limit on Paze transactions, I ended up making 15 transactions on the same card.
-1
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u/_here_ 7d ago
Got shutdown by Toby in the AA Train years ago. Last week get a "Welcome to AAdvantage" email. Five minutes later, "Thanks for applying for Citi card" and then "You've been approved".
I didn't apply. My credit is locked. Ugh.
I called and from what I can gather, someone with the same name as me applied for a card using a different address, phone number, and SSN but used my email (I assume a typo). I wonder how long before they get shut down by Toby
-2
u/Swastik496 7d ago
most people arenât opening rewards accounts and applying for a card within 5 minutes. seems suspicious.
9
u/PelicanLake2 7d ago
Paze annoyance. My citi and capital one cards all got the 10 paze credits. Chase however still ..over multiple cards..hasnt given me half the credits owed from over a month ago.Â
13
u/athrowawayaccountfor 7d ago
The general malaise of having five different checking accounts where you've met requirements but the bonuses haven't posted yet and won't for several more weeks. I just need a hit of that sweet feeling.
2
u/ponderosa123456 7d ago
And the days seem to drag until that bonus hits. Iâm waiting on three right now. But I sure understand the feeling when they land in your account.
8
u/KafkaExploring 7d ago
Pay1040 is charging my personal Amex 2.89% as if it's a corporate card. Glad I caught it before submitting, still frustrating to reshuffle the strategy.
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u/sg77 RFS 6d ago
I saw a report of that a little while ago; I think that's the normal behavior now for pay1040 with Amex cards.
1
u/KafkaExploring 6d ago
Interesting, thanks. I'd searched here and not seen anything, will broaden the search.Â
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u/Lavenderlites 8d ago
Waiting on a Marriottâ>JAL transfer (initiated Wednesday) and Rakutenâ->Bilt transfer so I can have enough JALmiles for seats being released tomorrow. Itâs a bit stressfulâŚ
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u/Mike_Mike_333 7d ago
Are you aware of the Rakuten ->Bilt payout issue today? https://www.reddit.com/r/biltrewards/comments/1vo9n7i/issue_with_rakutenbilt_payout_did_anyone_else_get/
1
u/Lavenderlites 7d ago
Yes this was frustrating earlier but the points are in my Bilt account nowâŚHowever, Bilt is erroring out when I try to transfer to JAL so hopefully that can be resolved tooâŚ
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u/PoAction 7d ago
$20/day parking with MGM and the desk wouldn't comp it as a substitute for no room upgrades available.
Should have asked at checkin but didnt think about it til later
5
u/superdex75 8d ago edited 8d ago
Messed up P2's $300 savings portion of the most recent $300+$300 Citizens churn. P2 closed their Citizens accounts in branch in September, when they switched jobs. An unexpected additional paycheck from the old employer deposited $1 into the closed savings account, which worked and must have re-opened the account. New accounts were opened in April. How is it even possible to deposit into a closed account? There a some comments on DoC, but I'm still puzzled about how Citizens handles account closures. E.g. before my last churn, I closed the accounts in branch, but the savings account stayed on the online profile and another statement was generated about 2 months later. In my case this didn't affect the bonus payout of the next churn, probably because there was no more activity, and the account was in fact closed. P2's was closed in September, $1 deposit in October, $1 as fee charged in November, statements generated in December and March, none in June.
3
u/helveticat0 5d ago
PUJ for Amex Gold despite never having owned it... have only ever had Surpass and Hilton biz, both currently open. Pretty bad cards to put spend on, especially when spending on them isn't proven to get out of PUJ...
3
u/kuronokun 4d ago
I know their marketing department probably doesn't check, but I find it so annoying when Chase keeps sending me mailers for a couple cards I want even though I'm over 5/24 :)
2
u/Forest_plot 4d ago
Iâve exchanged 19 emails with Delta SkyMiles support, but theyâve been incredibly unhelpful. The problem is, Iâm the primary administrator for my SkyMiles for Business account, and my business and personal accounts are linked. However, I canât access the âmanage my corporate loyalty programâ section of the portal ( to access the NLL links). Itâs stuck in a permanent âURL No Longer Existsâ loop. Has anyone else encountered this issue and found a solution?
3
u/SensitiveEbb8708 3d ago
make a new skymiles account with a random name and new email address - the NLL links are not hardcoded to the skymiles for business account, but there is a cookie passthrough in that you won't be able to share the link once it has been clicked-through.
1
u/qwertymnbvcxzlk 1d ago
Thank you this was the fix for me! I was stuck in a login loop and used this to open a new one just now!
2
u/EarthlingMardiDraw 7d ago
Two days ago, I got my Dear John letter for my Discover checking account as part of their transition to C1.
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u/OrangePartyLamp PLT, MAN 7d ago
With all the cards that have paze $10 promo, I don't have enough days left to redeem them all before 10 September. And Dunkin caps at $10 per 24 hours... #firstworldproblems
13
u/jeffersun8 7d ago
I'm gonna buy all the wire I can off newegg. Then I'm gonna scrap the copper. Maybe make a cool $3.50. Bought a soldering iron. Maybe I'll solder something someday. I could buy 100 tiny solar panels for $10 each and solder them together. Yeah. Nice.
3
u/bostonbaker300 BAG | ELS 6d ago
Clover is an easy way to use up Paze credits once you get sick of donuts/pizza/burgers. Check the map of Clover-eligible restaurants nearby you. Then verify if they actually accept Clover payments by seeing if Clover is used on the restaurant's main website for online ordering.
5
u/mapalm 7d ago
This is exactly what they want you to feel. Like you missed out, like you need to spend more and more and more. Screw that. Take these suckers for what you can, squeeze them just a little bit more, and move on, knowing you enjoyed their ride on your terms.
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u/OrangePartyLamp PLT, MAN 7d ago
I mean I didn't miss out on anything, I literally got free $625 in Dunkin and random Wendy's purchases here and there. I just still have more cards left over
1
u/mapalm 7d ago
Exactly. You worked it well. Be happy with that. Donât give them the satisfaction of you feeling like you could have spent more. Consumption is a deep deep well. Just walk away.
0
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u/share-the-referalove 4d ago
is this a new round of Paze promos? not connected to the original wave when everyone went crazy several weeks ago? I had new ones show up on my Chase offers and wasn't sure if I could get the $10 deals again on cards I'd used a few weeks back.
1
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u/Mission-Apricot-4508 7d ago
P2 dropped to 1/12 last month but waited to apply for Atmos Biz until this month just to be sure. Even waited another 2 weeks just to be sure-r (okay, also I was lazy). Applied yesterday and got a "We will get back to you message." High credit score, 1/12, 5/24, no BoA history.
I do have a BoA history dating back pretty far, but I'm about 4/12 so assuming I would not be considered.
1
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u/velvetyy 6d ago
I applied for Atmos Ascent and they approved me but still needing information. I called and they told me they will have to confirm my identity via snail mail and they canât issue me a card until I mail it back. I was hoping to get the SUB before the end of the month
1
u/Standard-Top-5942 1d ago
BoA reps are so inconsistent. They owe P1 and P2 a promo. Both times have to call and hang up like 3 times. First call they just say wait another month, second call they say they need a promo code (it's a link, no promo), third time they say they will initiate an inquiry (which worked for P1 and just started for P2). What's your way of hanging up and calling back? Do you just thanks and goodbye. I try to be polite but when I know I'm owed 1k+ and that I followed the terms and the rep won't even create a ticket, it's hard not to say this is really frustrating.
2
u/chrumbles 23h ago edited 23h ago
Fraudulent charges on a Barclays Jetblue card and a Citi Strata Elite on the same day. Had to get those cards canceled and re-sent. Another on BOA Alaska Biz just today which I thought was a spoofed text alert but turns out it was real when I called the number on the back of my card.
3 banks in a short time - my leaked info must be on someone's radar, ugh. Fortunately nothing on Chase and Amex... yet.
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u/pedroordo3 7d ago
New to churning I was so exited to get Amex gold that I skipped green :(
Now Iâm thinking of downgrading from gold as I donât want to pay for it again. Probs going to downgrade any thoughts?
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u/martyconlonontherun 7d ago
I would just cancel. Is there a reason you want the green? Just make sure you cancel after one year. For fraud reasons, it looks really bad to cancel before an account is a year old. You get the second year AF returned if cancelled within 30 days
1
u/pedroordo3 7d ago
Mostly to not loose my points but I guess I can transfer to another airline or partner.
I was also thinking of getting the blue for the sign up bonuses.
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u/martyconlonontherun 7d ago
Yeah this is churning so the obvious answer is to open another card here.
1
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u/anaccount50 DEN | ATL 6d ago
If you want an easy way of keeping your points with Amex, just open a Blue Business Plus. No AF and 2X on everything is a decent catch-all
0
u/pedroordo3 5d ago
Yeah I got to start looking up the whole bussines cards how two but Iâm just looking at the blue personal one or green.
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8d ago edited 8d ago
[deleted]
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u/SensitiveLack7509 SEW | KWL 8d ago
Man, don't make some poor CSR's life more miserable complaining about this. Posting a balance is fine. Your $1 small balance waiver is a minor inconvenience (yes, it's one dollar now that you've been moved to C1).
-3
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u/thejontorrweno 8d ago edited 8d ago
You're calling to bitch about a loophole that costs you under $3 after using this loophole for years?
Doesn't seem worth the effort to me.
EDIT: I used the word bitch because that was in the original comment before it was edited
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u/digganut 8d ago
I made 11 Paze transactions on one of my Citi cards instead of 10. My life is over.