<p>DTE or anyone who knows the facts of the legislation, was there not legislation afoot that prevented this exact thing from happening (jacking up the rate…)??? If, in fact, there is, --or even if there isn’t, really – a letter to your congressman’s office asking to refer the matter to an ombudsman might get action (legal or otherwise). It is absolutely unconscionable conduct, in my opinion. Sometimes we have to speak up to remind folks to keep the “humane” in “humanity.”</p>
<p>The new laws for credit card companies have not yet gone into affect and so a lot of companies are working the loop holes until they close. Truly unfortunate and mostly seem to prey on those who aren’t in the position to argue with them effectively.</p>
<p>DTE - Sending a hug your way.</p>
<p>kmcrindle - Before my post gets sent over to the Politics Forum, let me say that NO- Congress has done NOTHING to address this practice of jacking up interest rates to extortionist amounts. Your advice is excellent -> call your congressman’s office tomorrow. I will!
PS Imagine what they would love to do to our college kids’ rates!</p>
<p>yes we have cautioned and told our D absolutely NO credit cards. she is the type who would get in so much trouble! D2 would be the opposite but can you imagine them getting out of school with that ? nightmare.
anyway, I did give the supervisor a piece of my mind. and will write a letter to my congressman. I guess I dont understand why they would prefer to have you cancel at the same low rate when you always pay. I guess i dont get what makes a good customer and how they make their money. But I really want you to know how much i appreciate you guys chiming in it just helped take the edge off a bad day.</p>
<p>I don’t know what makes a good customer either downtoearth. As I said, I pay off my balances every month in full. But what I THINK they like is those who don’t do that. Seems they keep raising my credit limit just hoping I will get in trouble and not be ABLE to pay them off. Of course, if they looked at my history, I practically spend the exact same amount every month.</p>
<p>However, I admit that I might have paid some of tuition on my miles card IF there wasnt a penalty/up fee for paying by credit card by the school. Airfare is going to kill us.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>same here. But I am going to revisit that trade off. Miles may still be worth the penalty</p>
<p>I need to find one that has more of a travel focus because that is where the most money is put esp with hotels in a city. I will look into that. we dont travel for business so never really got into that but maybe now is the time.</p>
<p>Using miles card saved us a bundle but am not sure it still pays as well. We used Juniper at that time. They have a different system now and so many points equals so much money off of your flight. What I like about them now is that you can use any airline–you get a credit on your credit card account after you give them the flight info. Now I get cash back on a different card and am surprised that we get so much back each month. I just apply it to the balance and also pay off --actually about every 2 weeks if everythig is Ok and nothing is pending. However, word on the street is that the cash back cards are going to stop as the companies are not making money on folks like us.</p>
<p>The credit card companies’ favorite customers are those who a) don’t pay in full; but b) pay all of the interest and fees and c) don’t default. Remarkably, lots of Americans fit into this category. Relative to defaulters, they like the folks who pay every month in full (they get an interchange fee from the merchants). </p>
<p>The best card for hotels is probably the Starwood Preferred Guest Amex card. That gets Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, etc. and the points are also transferrable to airlines at 1.25 miles per point. I like the Priority Club (Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, Holidya Inn, Indigo, …) because $60K of charging per year makes one Platinum. Similarly, a Hilton Amex card makes you Diamond with $40K of annual charging. This is more relevant to me as a far too regular business traveler, where the extra bennies of a higher level (upgrade of room or to floor with executive lounge, late check-out, guaranteed rooms even if the hotel is full, …) are worth it. They matter less for an occasional traveler. My sister, who is an occasional traveler, amasses Marriott points through the Marriott card and their points to room deal seemed reasonably good as does Starwood.</p>
<p>One of our first year associates passed away over the weekend (cerebral homorage)…she had been licensed to practice law for all of eight days…I can’t imagine the devistation her parents must feel…they got her all the way to starting her career, only to have her taken away. Life is so uncertain!</p>
<p>Oh, Missypie, that is SO sad. You’ve really been through the ringer lately too–man!</p>
<p>I am so so sorry Missy… what a horrible month your firm has been having! Those poor parents. Crushed beyond belief I am sure.</p>
<p>sorry missypie, so young!!!</p>
<p>I hardly knew the young woman at all, but it is so painful to think about as a parent. Here is a person who did well in school, got into a good college and a good law school, studied hard and did well, got a very good job right out of law school, passed the bar on the first try…everything we all dream about for our own children. Here’s hoping and praying for a safe holiday season for all.</p>
<p>I’ll second that. Let’s build a group magic shield for all our loved ones – they say quantum mechanics are influenced by group intent ; )</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>There was a boy who lived down the street from me in high school - football star, senior class president - he was in a hurry to get home from school his first Thanksgiving break and speeded through a sharp curve on a dark icy two lane road and that was it. He was an only child. It was sad to me at the time, but when I think back on it, I don’t know how his parents endured their grief. We need to all give our traveling kids the lecture that no matter how anxious they are to get home for the holidays, safety first.</p>
<p>oh, missypie! How awful! I know how uncertain things can be. I had a cerebral hemorhage a little over ten years ago. I am blessed that I recovered and could raise my children. So hard to understand. Sending hugs and prayers to those in need.</p>
<p>So glad you recovered! It’s terrific to hear a success story because everyone I’ve known personally either passed away or was severely disabled.</p>
<p>Just found out that the inlaws are coming for Thanksgiving (many days, not just for a meal). I was not aware that the invitation had been extended. I was so looking forward to spending just-us time with Son. D (a junior who gets very little sleep) was so looking forward to sleeping in, catching up on recorded shows and spending time with her friends. Now she won’t even have her own bed. It will be 0 extra work for H and a ton of extra work for me. I’m so disappointed. I need to grow up, forget about getting any rest and just shoot for surviving until December 27th.</p>
<p>Sorry to be so whiney. We decorate in a big way (14-18 themed trees) starting the day after Thankgiving. We’ll either have to have company in an utter mess while we decorate, or wait to decorate until after they leave. It’s always so exhausting as it is…company just makes it more so. I guess maybe I could limit the number of themed trees, but I love them all! (Kitchen, bird, Disney, 50s, etc.)</p>