I finally bit and received the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. I've heard about it for months from coworkers about how much you would get in your first year with the generous sign up bonus. I'm usually not the type of person to get multiple credit card to max out spending benefits because it's too much of a hassle, I don't like carrying a thick wallet, and I personally don't like giving out my private information. However, the benefits of this card were too good to pass up. It's my second credit card that's use is simply on travel and dining out. All other purchases are handled by my Bank of America Cash Rewards Card, 1% on everything, 2% on groceries & wholesale clubs, and 3% on gas. The math on this card works out like this...
What you get...
Which basically works out to a bunch of free points to spend for vacation somewhere based on your schedule or additional cash for the first year... The 100K bonus is cut down to 50K on Jan. 11, 2017 (online) or on March 12, 2017 (physical branches). This card is a no-brainer to get. Better get yours and the bonus before Chase decides to cut further benefits or eventually decides to get out. Here's an article from Bloomberg saying it cut into their Q4 quarterly profit of 2016. Get in while the going is good.
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European delivery entails buying/leasing a car direct, getting a comped plane ride and transportation to Europe, taking a factory tour over there, having the option of driving it in the EU, and receiving it 2 months later in the US. You'll definitely be getting it for a lower than what you would pay at the dealership here because of additional fees with a middleman, the dealership. You just need to know what European car (BMW/Volvo) you want, can wait a couple of months for your car, and have the time to go abroad. If you know that you are going to be in the market for a BMW or Volvo the next couple of months, it can't hurt to check out the factory prices. Below are prices for the Volvo XC90. Prices for the Volvo XC90 direct through European Delivery. $44,800 for the base model via European delivery. Price from the Volvo website from the dealership. $45,750 for the base model throught dealership. Notice the $950 savings. Airfare, stay, insurance, and transportation is included as well. Additional information can be found on the Volvo website. You can also customize your individual car with more specific options instead of all inclusive packages at the dealership. They tell you when the car will be ready in Sweden (approximately in 3 months). You will interact with a travel agency affliated with Volvo about the travel itinerary. Volvo books you on a flight for two with SAS with seating in Economy Plus (with airport lounge privileges) that connects you through Denmark to your final destination at Gothenburg, Sweden. A Volvo company car picks you up in Volvo (figures :)) and they take you to a hotel in Gothenburg, Sweden. Dinner is comped and the next morning, they pick you up to tour the factory. You see how the cars are assembled and lunch at the company will be provided. When Volvo was owned by Ford, the facilities were pretty bare-bone, but since they were bought buy Geely in 2010, the facilities are now much nicer.
Because, Volvo had a recent 75th anniversary for something, my friend was able to get 2 nights in Gothenburg and 2 nights in Stockholm comped. The same friend who recently ordered an XC90 said that there wasn't any room for negotiation during purchase, but his prior experience with buying BMWs via European delivery definitely allowed him to negotiate car prices. Here's an article about the process with BMWs. It'll save you some cash, get you a free trip to the country that makes your car, allows you to make more customizable options, a company tour, and the option to drive your car on the roads over there, and possibly an extended vacation if you choose. 1/11/17 update: One downside of European delivery is that if you are making payments on the car, you will have to pay 1 or 2 payments once you take ownership of the car in the EU until it gets shipped to the dealership in the US where you are able to drive it. My friend had to make 2 car payments in the time it takes to get delivered to him. 7:50 am on a Monday Morning in the Vancouver Airport After seeing the long lines at airports, I recently decided to apply for the Global Entry Program. After all, there's nothing more fun than waiting in a long line while taking off your clothes/shoes, getting scanned, and receiving radiation at the airport... First, you need to register on the US Department's website. All you need to do is fill out a information sheet about yourself, addresses, and your job history. After setting up your User ID & password and paying one hundred dollars, you have the option of various airport sites around the US to schedule your interview. Thanks to the popularity of the Chase Sapphire Reserve (which reimburses for Global Entry) or inefficiences at the US government, most interview sites in the USA are booked solid for three to four months in advance. Seeing that I might be going out and returning to the country before then, I decided to look at the available sites out of the country. Luckily, I was already going to Canada and I booked my interview there. The interview was pretty painless and my bullet-proof vest wearing law enforcement officer simply asked me why I wanted to get it, what countries I had been to in the last five years, where I live, what type of work I do, and how often I traveled. The whole interview was less than 5 minutes. Then, I was allowed to proceed to give my fingerprint to the US government database. After the interview, you're cleared for TSA Pre-Check as well. Just use the assigned membership # on your frequent flyer miles account or use it when booking your ticket. This will be valid for 5 years before you have to renew. After a week, you'll get your own Global Entry Card in the mail that'll be valid when crossing the border to Canada and Mexico. Happy travels and avoiding the lines! Fresh Fish in Pike St, WA on my travel to Canada
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