Skip to main content
Churners Digest

Churners Digest

By FearTheZ

A place to hear updates about happenings in the churning space. I am using the term churning loosely here as I plan to share updates on bank/fintech updates, SUBs for banks and CCs I think are worth highlighting, and other topics related to the finance sphere

I will also have an accompanying written companion for each episode on my site fearthez.com/

Heavily inspired by thedailychurnpodcast.com with love

Business email: churnersdigest@gmail.com
Available on
Amazon Music Logo
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Topic Episode - Curve x BofA: 5.25% Cash Back on All Spend

Churners DigestMay 20, 2023

00:00
15:22
Episode 37: More on Robinhood, Amex Plat & A Trip Down Memory Lane
Apr 16, 202452:58
Episode 36: Robinhood Activity, Amex Plat & Lots of News!
Apr 09, 202401:06:40
Episode 35: Light Up Cards, Cash Back Woes & Curve Updates
Mar 26, 202429:50
Episode 34: A Saga Returns, GCs & More Bank Closures
Mar 19, 202433:07
Episode 33: Bank Closures & Changes, Home Internet Deals and CCs
Mar 12, 202428:37
Episode 32: End of Sagas, Nationwide & Regional SUBs & More
Mar 06, 202437:07
Episode 31: FDIC, GuitarCenter, KeyPoint BofA, CapOne Acquisition & Curve
Feb 27, 202443:07
Episode 30: BofA Application, DPs & FDIC Update
Feb 19, 202428:09
Episode 29: ATM Reimbursements, SUBs & 2023 Year End Summary!

Episode 29: ATM Reimbursements, SUBs & 2023 Year End Summary!

Disclaimer: I am not a financial or tax advisor. This is not financial or tax advice. This is for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy! 


See the Companion Site for Show Notes!

https://fearthez.com/2024/02/06/episode-29-atm-reimbursements-subs-2023-year-end-summary/


2023 Year End Summary

https://fearthez.com/2024/02/06/2023-spending-recap-new-year-not-much-has-changed/

Feb 07, 202447:54
Episode 28: CC Funding, Settlements & Credits!
Jan 29, 202434:20
Episode 27: Bankrupt Airlines, Bonuses, More Sagas & Updates
Jan 21, 202434:37
Episode 26: New SUBs, $2.5k CC Funding, Guitar Center Saga & More
Jan 15, 202425:09
Episode 25:Bonuses, CCs, Sagas & Shutdowns?
Jan 09, 202450:12
Episode 24: FMF Purchases, Industry Notes & Chargeback Wins!
Dec 28, 202350:59
Episode 23: Industry Updates, My Shopping Deals & More!
Dec 14, 202338:04
Episode 22: Holiday Discounts, $250 Free Bets & Gift Cards!
Dec 05, 202327:21
Episode 21: Free Patreon Access, Housekeeping and Black Friday!
Nov 26, 202325:52
Episode 20: HMB & Ness Dead, Massive GC Deals & More
Nov 17, 202333:47
Episode 19: Albert Paywall, BofA 2x Day Stats & others
Nov 11, 202331:18
Episode 18: $1 off Coffee, Deals & CVS Making People Blind?!
Nov 05, 202326:60
Episode 17: Brokerage Bonuses, Checking/Savings SUB & Free Taco!
Oct 29, 202337:16
Episode 16: Topic Episode - Europe Trip

Episode 16: Topic Episode - Europe Trip

For show notes, see this post on my blog!


https://fearthez.com/2023/10/24/episode-16-topic-episode-europe-trip/

Disclaimer: I am not a financial or tax advisor. This is not financial or advice. This is for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!

Oct 24, 202349:35
Episode 15: Extra 2% Day, Venmo Offers, Bye Curve? & More

Episode 15: Extra 2% Day, Venmo Offers, Bye Curve? & More

See show notes on the companion site!

https://fearthez.com/2023/10/14/episode-15-extra-2-day-venmo-offers-bye-curve-more/

Oct 14, 202340:55
Episode 14: IRS, CFF SUB, $120 Verizon Savings & Others

Episode 14: IRS, CFF SUB, $120 Verizon Savings & Others

Disclaimer: I am not a financial or tax advisor. This is not financial or advice. This is for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!

Update: mentioned this in the Simple Finances discord a few days ago but forgot to add it to my notes. There are elevated targeted Venture X referral codes as reported by DoC and first reported on reddit

Companion post

If you want, support me on patreon!

Referral page: https://invt.co/u/sytvBFfbj

  • Back from Europe Trip - bit sick

  • Shout-out the madman and legend Kleed for being a patreon supporter!

  • Shout out Kai of The Daily Churn podcast for the shoutout

Oct 07, 202320:35
Episode 13: Revived Posts, Increased SUBs & America is Doomed!

Episode 13: Revived Posts, Increased SUBs & America is Doomed!

Skip ahead to 10 minutes if you want to get right to the Churning news/updates!

Companion Post

Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. This is not financial advice. This is for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!

  • Shout-out the madman and legend Kleed for being a patreon supporter!

    • Soon the site will be ad free!

Sep 23, 202330:55
Episode 12: HMB Update, Recycling Rant & More Bank SUBs

Episode 12: HMB Update, Recycling Rant & More Bank SUBs

Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. This is not financial advice. This is for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!

Companion post

Support me on Patreon!

Action items: 500k HMB but FDIC insured up to $250k

Kevin Hart Skit

Sep 15, 202333:48
Episode 11: GC & Streaming Discounts, NJ CC Law & More!

Episode 11: GC & Streaming Discounts, NJ CC Law & More!

Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. This is not financial advice. This is for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!

New! You can now support me on patreon! Completely optional and nothing about the podcast or blog will change but if you want to support me, you can!

Also new, a page dedicated to my referrals! I am trying this out so if you don’t like it please let me know. New referral page: https://invt.co/u/sytvBFfbj

Sep 09, 202333:56
Episode 10: Best HYCAs, SUB, $25 off Target & More

Episode 10: Best HYCAs, SUB, $25 off Target & More

Companion Post

Thought process for new main checking account

  • Requirements:

    • Checking account

    • HYA (>4%)

    • ATM network or reimbursement

  • Leaving Juno

    • Bipass login bug

    • Change to $20k for 5%

  • Options:

    • Robinhood Gold

      • 4.9%, ATM network, 3% IRA match (with vesting period), checking, $60/y fee

      •  Looking at my spend for last year, if I were to achieve BofA Platinum Honors status, I'd get an extra $196 in cash back per year. Not to mention my BofA spend this year went way up now that I have my ⁠curve strategy. Gold would net me $135 after the AF ($6500 *3% -  $60 = $135 net per year), plus that $135 would not vest for 5 years. 5 years of IRA contributions would get me to Platinum Honors and at that point only one year of my $135 IRA match would be vested 

      • My referral

    • Wealthfront

      • 4.8% w/ .5% boost with referral (up to 6 month stack) & ATM network

      • My referral

    • Fidelity Bloom

      • 5%, cash management account ATM reimbursement, not FDIC insured but SIPC which does not cover SPAXX dropping

    • HMBradley

      • 4.7%, requires positive cash flow & $500 deposit, & $500 spend on CC, BofA does not support for AutoPay

  • Moving all Autopays and DD to Wealthfront

Aug 30, 202330:53
Episode 9: Bank Churns, Join Save, Gas Savings & More

Episode 9: Bank Churns, Join Save, Gas Savings & More

Companion Post

Recent Bank SUBs

Update on Save

  • The referral $5k isn’t invested into your portfolio but is defaulted to the Save Global Multi-Strategy Portfolio and can't be changed

  • Estimated 6% return based on previous performance

  • Blend of USD, bonds and 7% S&P500

  • Save Referral -  park $1k for 1 year get $6k worth of investments returns if there are any

BofA PRE Lifestyle credit (card discussed here)

Shell

  • Albert Genius (paid service) free month trial is churnable. Cancel a day or two before the charge hits then sign up again

Curve x Bilt Discussion

  • IMO, BofA MC CCRs w/ Preferred Rewards boost is better albeit requires more work to set up

  • Topic Episode Link for more info on Curve x BofA

Samsung Money $220 bonus (requires Samsung smartphone)

  • DD $1k for $220

SECU Maryland $250 bonus

  • My DP (I did each as $500)

  • 2DD/m >=$500 total & set up eStatements for $250

NJ Property Tax Relief

Juno 5% now requires $20k in the account

Ally Referrals $50-$100

Santander in branch $400 offer (NH, MA, RI, CT, DE, NY, NJ, PA, FL)

  • $5k total DDs in 90 days for $400

  • Must not have had an account in the last 12 months (churnable)

Paramount+ & Sportsline 7 months for $0.99

Aug 22, 202321:19
Episode 8: DoC Highlights, Priority Pass & Bonuses

Episode 8: DoC Highlights, Priority Pass & Bonuses

Quick & dirty episode, been busy but wanted to get something up!

Aug 01, 202311:49
Episode 7: New Apps ($1.1k value in first year!), Gift Cards & Bank SUBs

Episode 7: New Apps ($1.1k value in first year!), Gift Cards & Bank SUBs

Companion post on my blog

Jul 09, 202325:10
Episode 6: Back to Basics - New Cards and Free Dinners

Episode 6: Back to Basics - New Cards and Free Dinners

Apologies about the mic pops. I’ve got a pop filter on the way :(
Companion post:
fearthez.wordpress.com/?p=1000

Airbnb gift cards


www.doctorofcredit.com/target-com-purchase-200-in-airbnb-giftcards-get-20-target-giftcard-for-free/

www.doctorofcredit.com/best-buy-buy-200-airbnb-giftcard-get-20-free-best-buy-giftcard-2/


Uber Gift Cards


www.doctorofcredit.com/best-buy-buy-200-airbnb-giftcard-get-20-free-best-buy-giftcard-2/ (active)

www.doctorofcredit.com/newegg-100-uber-egiftcard-for-90-limit-10/

www.doctorofcredit.com/giftcards-com-save-10-15-on-selected-giftcards-uber-petsmart-more/ (active)


New CCs


Wells Fargo Active Cash


$200 $500 spend 3 month 15 month 0%

$3k limit


Apple Card


The link on Apple's site should explicitly mention the $75 on any purchase bonus. Try incognito if it's not showing, I am still able to get it to show www.doctorofcredit.com/apple-card-75-signup-bonus-when-you-spend-75-at-nike/

$150 SUB $75 spend + a McChicken $3k limit

Weird behavior with Curve and SUB.


FNBO Evergreen


$200 $1k spend 3 months

$22.5k limit

Call to apply


Card Images page: fearthez.wordpress.com/2022/01/23/card-designs/


Ocean First Bank 1099

Abington Bank


www.doctorofcredit.com/ma-only-abington-bank-200-checking-bonus/

Denied (Chex)


People First CU


www.doctorofcredit.com/pa-only-people-first-federal-credit-union-200-checking-bonus/

No response after sending ID. According to comments mailing online account credentials


Lost Wallet


Bellroy wallet (10% RetailMeNot)

Tile (10% TopCashBack)


Top Cash Back


BlueApron $75 offer for a box


max 5 meals 2 “servings” for $59, $16 money maker

Double dip?

Doesn’t check email to match TopCashBack account, can churn (I have done this 3 times for $202.76 total and $155 claimed


$2.50 incentive for $15 spend


www.doctorofcredit.com/topcashback-get-3-bonus-when-you-spend-10-today-only/

Can purchase gift cards or double dip on the BlueApron deal


www.topcashback.com/topcashback-gift-cards/



Referral $10


www.topcashback.com/ref/fearthez


Epic HBO Incident


www.doctorofcredit.com/topcashback-73-back-on-hbo-max-stack-with-25-from-amex-offer-for-free-annual-membership/



Google Settlement


www.doctorofcredit.com/google-search-referrer-headers-class-action-settlement/


Jun 14, 202321:27
Topic Episode: Apartment Rant
Jun 12, 202340:06
Topic Episode - Curve x BofA: 5.25% Cash Back on All Spend

Topic Episode - Curve x BofA: 5.25% Cash Back on All Spend

UPDATE: I said that the business version of the CCR would work for this. I failed to notice that the 3% categories on that card are different than the personal so it won't work for the internet category 5.25% flos Welcome new listers from /r/churning! Text companion on fearthez.wordpress.com and blog.simplefinances.net/fearthez Old Percents vs Curve post How to get max Requires Curve card (email me for referral churnersdigest@gmail.com) & Bank of America Customized Cash card Customized cash lets you choose your category: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings Online shopping includes all online purchases made online excluding some categories listed in this doc Curve “hack” - all purchases show up as online shopping category for 3% (note the Y for Online Shopping and this was purchased in person with my Curve Card) When using curve, you are not paying directly with your BofA card but with your Curve card first. Then Curve charges BofA which, to BofA, looks like an online purchase because it basically is (kind of like to PayPal or Shopify platform) Preferred Rewards earns you a 25%-75% boost on cash back - 3.75%-5.25% (my brief coverage of this is in this post under Bank of America) Can hold multiple Customized Cash. Each has a max quarterly spend in the category (including the 2% for wholesale and groceries) of $2.5k Caveats: has to be MC variant of Customized Cash because Curve doesn't support Visa at the moment Business variant is MasterCard You can hold multiple Customized Cash cards. List of Customized Cash variants (all Visa now and some no longer available) I was told by CS rep that I could PC my Premium Rewards card to a MC Customized Cash but YMMV I was also told that I could convert my existing Visa Customized Cash to a MasterCard but again YMMV Curve is releasing Visa support “in the coming weeks” which I have little faith in but we shall see Upcoming: Churning for Dummies: very low level basics of churning & intro options to do for beginners Ness Well review Churners Digest Ep 5 Apartment Rant
May 20, 202315:22
Episode 3: I'm Back! SUBs, New CC Churns, Curve Tricks & More

Episode 3: I'm Back! SUBs, New CC Churns, Curve Tricks & More

Shout out Tom R for the motivation! Discover SUB https://www.doctorofcredit.com/discover-savings-150200-bonus-1500020000-deposit-new-exp-103117/ CapOne SUB https://www.doctorofcredit.com/capital-one-100-500-savings-bonus-requires-10000-100000-deposit/#comment-1581807 Ness card www.nesswell.com https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ness-wellness-credit-card-50000-point-500-bonus-349-annual-fee/ Oxygen https://fearthez.wordpress.com/2022/08/22/oxygen-bank-convoluted-yet-elegant/ https://www.doctorofcredit.com/oxygen-fintech-110-referral-bonus-for-each-party-requires-direct-deposit/  Referral: https://go.onelink.me/vjPj/?af_js_web=true&af_ss_ver=2_1_1&pid=af_app_invites&c=OxygenUserinvites&af_channel=owned&af_sub1=1420461&af_siteid=com.oxygenbank&url_timestamp=2023-04-30_17:19:51&af_referrer_customer_id=1420461&is_retargeting=true bankHometown https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ma-bankhometown-200-checking-bonus/ USBank Business bonus  https://www.doctorofcredit.com/u-s-bank-750-business-checking-bonus-2/ Moomoo referral ~$40 value $1k for 60 days https://j.moomoo.com/00xcZv PNC bonus https://www.doctorofcredit.com/pnc-up-to-250-400-checking-bonus/ BBBY bankrupt Albert x Curve Albert: https://fearthez.wordpress.com/2022/01/30/albert-neobank-overview/ Curve: https://fearthez.wordpress.com/2022/11/23/one-card-to-rule-them-all-but-which-is-better-curve-vs-percents-cross-post/ Chase My Bonus https://www.chase.com/mybonus CSP 80k in branch I think it'll go to 100k https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-80000-points-signup-bonus-via-referral-link/ KeyBank www.doctorofcredit.com/unknown-location-restrictions-keybank-200-checking-bonus/ Apple purchases Macbook Air M1 256 8 $600 Ebay 3 Apple TV 4k 128gb 3rd gen ~$100 I-Bonds 3.4% +.9% = 4.3% May https://www.doctorofcredit.com/new-i-bonds-rate-announced-4-30-3-40-variable-rate-90-fixed-rate/ I will probably hold through this rate because of no state tax Upcoming:  Ness review talking to CEO and Product Manager Moving, post trashing complex
May 01, 202334:58
Episode 2: Updates, SUBs and Sports Betting?
Mar 10, 202322:25
Episode 1: Introduction & 2023 Early Happenings
Mar 10, 202327:60