We recently saw the introduction of the Mesa Homeowners Card. Okay, that’s not exactly the sexiest card name, and the card’s lack of obvious affiliation with a major bank might make some people skeptical. However, the card offers some really good benefits, all with no annual fee.
Continue reading: No Annual Fee Mesa Homeowners Card: Too Good To Be True?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
so all we gotta do is connect the card to our bank account and then get points for paying our mortgage? what exactly is this socery? are they just logging our purchase patterns from the bank account? how do they make money on this then if i never ever make a purchase?
"anecdotally I've heard income taxes work as well"
Well in that case make sure you make it as public as possible! Take out billboards! Facebook ads!
@ huh? -- Correct, you just have to link the account out of which your mortgage is paid. How do they make money? Well, that's a good question. I suspect it's partly a growth and market share play, as they see the success of Bilt. Keep in mind you have to spend $1,000 per billing cycle to be rewarded in that way, so that's at least something in terms of interchange fees.
I got the Mesa Card. Here's what I am doing: Healthcare $700/month which is a 3x points category (Healthcare counts in the 3x insurance category). $300 Internet/Hulu/etc. (all 3x category). My mortgage is $5300/month (not paying it with Mesa). If I used one of my 2x points cards I am still getting an extra 12,000 points per year PLUS 63,600 points for my mortgage. It makes perfect sense if you have a decent sized mortgage. (This is on top of the 50k bonus if you spend $5k in 3 months which I signed up for.) I will put the points into Finnair Avios, move them to BA, and then move them to QR.
I would just create a new checking account specifically for mortgage payments. Easy to do, and therefore no concern for "data harvesting" (not that I make many interesting debit transactions anyway lol).
Right but that must be pretty boring unless you routinely use debit cards, no? Regardless, having a separate checking account just for mortgages would seem prudent.
I signed up a month ago and have confirmed that I received points for my mortgage (which is paid from my checking account), received 3x bonus for the category spend, and the 5k opening bonus. So far, it’s very legit! My whole $1k qualifying spend was in 3x categories that wouldn’t earn bonuses on any other cards. I’m feeling pretty good about it - especially since they just added two transfer partners this month!
I have a pretty big HOA payment, but no mortgage payment.
I currently pay the HOA via BILT at 1x points (with a much better set of transfer partners).
Is having a mortgage payment a requirement for any points with the Mesa card? 3x on an inferior set of transfer partners might be worth more than BILT's 1x.
Be careful about linking your bank account to the card, Mesa is scraping transactions and my guess is they are selling your transaction information.
However, I did look at the Mesa Terms, and you can receive the mortgage credit via "document upload", I don't know what that involves but I assume you can upload a paid mortgage statement.
Actually I didn't "link" anything. They just asked me for the amount of my monthly mortgage payment without ANY documentation. They may have somehow verified it (credit rating company?) but all I gave them was the monthly amount.
My referral code is dyr2hg - appreciate it! Cool card if your mortgage is over 2k!
Incredibly happy so far. I received all of my bonus points on my utilities and hoa fees and 1 points per dollar of mortgage w/o any issues. I transferred all to finair with immediate confirmation. Take advantage as long as this lasts!
My referral code is 9rb2kd. Thank you if you use it. I signed up during that brief window when the offer was 50k. I am still making spend on the signup bonus. So far I have made a $34 purchase at Lowes and received $30 credit back. I have also already received the points for my mortgage after 1k spend. I used the Cozy Earth credit. I wouldn't bother with Cozy Earth credit since they are overpriced and you can't combine with any sales they have. So far so good on what they promised. I also have had one customer support request, and they answered the next day.
How does this appear on your credit report? Does it count as a new credi card for banks that track these things like Chase? Thanks!
Can I use Bilt ACH to pay off Mesa balance since it is home related payment and double dip?
The transfer partners kind of suck. I don't have a mortgage though, I paid $5.1m cash for the house because rates were too high. I imagine if rates went down then I would have a mortgage.
But getting 3x on property taxes, daycare, and GC would be worth. But how do you get your GC to qualify? There has to be caps. I can't possibly pay for my construction for apartment buildings for contractors that will take it on this and get 3x.
I tried multiple times to sign up and upload proof of identity, but it rejected me twice, stating that they couldn't verify my ID. I have called and left a few messages with customer support, and no one ever returns my call or answers. I'm not sure if it's growing pains or if this is going to be an ongoing issue.
What are you talking about:
Finnair 1:1 gives you access to all of avios programs, BA IB EI and QR
Aeroplan 1:1
Cathay 1:1
It’s godly given this is a no fee card
First of all, just sign up for thumbtacks pro yourself and pay yourself.
Second, free Costco membership or Sam’s
Third, Lowe’s credits
Fourth 3x on cell phone, insurance, utilities, cable, day care, etc easily cover 1000 a month.
Fifth: 1:1 transfer to avios, aeroplan and Asia miles.
Godly tier for no fee annual card. MILK IT WHILE YOU CAN!
Amazing card, but I’m on the sign on bonus train. I’m on like card 90+ after 7 years.
Worth noting that the partnership with Finnair Plus means you can eventually transfer to BA, Qatar or Iberia.
With my valuation of $0.03 per avios (I fly short haul a lot at my own expense), I think that's an excellent return and I'd definitely apply if I were in the US.
I also think the food strategy is probably to direct tax and other spend which would not be eligible on other cards to this card to meet the $1k spend minimum.
Has anyone applied for this card in the last few days? I downloaded the app and it says that I'm on the waitlist for the card.
Am I missing something in terms of how to apply? Any ideas on how long waitlist takes to move to ability to apply?
Does anyone know if you can get points for making extra mortgage payments in addition to the monthly payments?
Even if I don’t keep spending 1000 per month so that I don’t earn points from mortgage, can I still get Costco membership fee covered beyond the first year? That alone sounds tempting.
I wanted to apply, but got a message that I need to join the waitlist. So I joined the waitlist.
And now waiting for a month already
I got a waiting list indication as well. I assume its just a waiting game at this point for that to clear up?
Applied and was told they were reviewing my application, then got an email saying the following. lol.
"Thank you for your application for the Mesa Card, issued by Celtic Bank. The following information is needed to process your application:
No additional information is required at this time."
Agree with being careful about linking your account. Would also mention their transfer partners are nothing so special....
Bilt gets kick-backs from enough apartment companies to make it worth it. This is literally giving you lots of points for nothing, just $1000 in monthly spend. But here is where the math makes me scratch my head. The target market is obviously families, and while I can’t speak for other families, an overwhelming portion of our discretionary spending is daycare, and most of the rest is groceries. Imagine we put all spending on this card that is payable by card, 87% would be bonused. This can’t be profitable unless they are getting an amazing deal on points transfers.
I got in on the 50k SUB for eventual transfer to ALL. Everything has worked exactly as advertised. Received card and same day 1. Renewed by Costco mbrship for free 2. Got $50 credit at Lowe’s 3. Got free pillowcase protectors 4. Paid my HOA; USAA insurance; & Home Warranty fee to meet the $1k spend all at 3x (over 3 months will also take care of the SUB spend). So far so good & about to be awarded 1x on my mortgage pmt. Guys who own used to be with Bilt so know what they’re doing!
Hasn’t yet posted as a CL (yey for CSR on Mon) but inquiry prior to approval: MESA/CB/HN/ALY
The $65 Big Box mbrship fee credit annually + $120 Lowe’s credit first yr + $100 Cozy Earth first year (& lots more if you have a pet!) I think are great, but the real value is 3x in otherwise-overlooked cats + 1x mortgage. I was paying my HOA previously with Bilt for 3.1x AS miles (with BOA relationship bonus) but switched that pmt over to Mesa instead. The extra 1x points on mortgage is worth more than what I was earming with BOA.
I combined all my insurance premiums with my ins company into 1 pmt & it earned 3x.
Use a referral code — We both get 5,000 bonus points if you get approved and spend.
Code: e26p5p
Thanks!
For everyone wanting the card but stuck on a waiting list, it appears using a referral link works, with a 5K SUB. There are some in this thread, thanks in advance if you use mine!
https://mesa.onelink.me/odOT/gge86l53?referral_code=e26p5p
I applied July 22nd with a referral code and was given the "we need more information" message. I'm curious if the mortgage amount ($5K) is why? Are they just accepting lower mortgages so they dont have to give out as many points? Anyone get accepted in late July/August?
Ty!
What if your don't have your mortgage with a bank but with a mortgage lender - does this still qualify?
For those of you who are wondering about applying now, just wanted to let you know that I had no trouble getting this card using a referral code from this comment stream. I downloaded the app August 24th and applied and it took only minutes to be approved. I had the card number and was able to use it online right away. The 5,000 referral bonus miles appeared on my account the following day.
If anyone needs a referral code, mine is 8nx8v3
Great card on many levels as described. Non problems with 3x w painter, electrician, carpenter. Set and forget utilities and helps with hitting the $1k per month spend tea’s for the bonus mortgage points. Lots of value here.
If you are interested in applying would be grateful if you use my referral code. Thanks!!
e26p5p
This really is a brilliant card for homeowners. Feel free to use my referral code for 5K points: mhtany
I worked with folks at Mesa and with Mesa on some of their backend. I have seen a lot in the world of creative fintechs, cobrands, and points, but honestly, nothing ever felt quite so sketch as Mesa. I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole.
Have had the card since Jan. Been great so far specially since they added Aeroplan as a transfer partner and it was instantaneous. I put a 1000 dollars whenever I am not trying to reach a sub on another card.
In July they had a 50k bonus for 6K spend. Did it over three months to maximize mortgage return of 5K. So 65K on 3k spend for a no annual fee card was pretty satisfying.
So far great card. Whether it is sustainable we will see. I just had to upload a mortgage statement to prove my number was correct. I live in a townhouse do get to the $1000 by using my condo fees, utilities etc at 3x whereas previously it came out of my checking. You don’t need to pay your mortgage with the card. Could use my Lowe’s credit immediately and about to get my Costco membership reimbursed. Transfer partners include aeroplan and avios.
Basically for me there is no opportunity cost. It bonuses where I had no bonus and I use my other cards for dining, groceries etc. Basically approximately 50-60k extra points per year for me for no annual fee
If you do apply and want to get the 5k “sign up bonus” feel free to use my code: vwhttp.
Hmm, I'll wait for Bilt to support it. I already have a card with Elan (for Fidelity) and I try to only do business with one sketchy company at a time.
Numerous DP on Facebook physician moms group (Pointme to first class) indicate that federal tax payment as well as processing fees code for 3x. That was a clincher for me to sign up.
Feel free to use my referral code, you’ll get 5k for signing up (as welll as I):
ewntxm
Adding another referral code to the mix - 2tnxmx
Great card and a no brainer if you have a mortgage!!!
Elan is sketchier than Bilt in your mind? Bilt is better now that Evolve Bank isn't the issuer.
Elan is really US Bank as the issuer.
In all serious, I do remember Elan being annoying to work with due to poor tech, but that was a few years ago.
Ben - I'm confused how you have a refer-a-friend link but say you are still considering whether to apply.
@ Nate -- You don't need to have the card to refer other people to it. You can just download the Mesa app and sign-up for an account, without getting the credit card.
No annual fee. 1x points on monthly mortgage payments (not necessarily paid on card); 3x on property taxes & insurance; Points transfer 1:1 to Air Canada. Makes this a no-brainer. Use my link and we both get 5k bonus points too. Thx.
https://mesa.onelink.me/odOT/gge86l53?referral_code=6nxh5x
Decided to give it a try and was approved immediately. Thanks to Craig M for the referral code.
For anyone else considering applying my referral code is ykpcwk - would appreciate it!
I have been a cardholder for several months now. I have not redeemed any points, however, outside of transfers, the best value appears to be booking travel where points are worth more than $0.01. I have used them for estimated federal taxes the last 3 quarters and have earned 3x on the payment and also 3x on the fees. I have been very pleased with the benefits and think it's an absolute no brainer for anyone with a decently sized mortgage, estimated federal taxes, and if you can take advantage of the various rebates. I also know the CEO personally who is brilliant and a great leader. I'm excited for this product and the promise it holds, particularly when I need to refi my mortgage in the future. Here's a referral code if anyone needs it!
https://mesa.onelink.me/odOT/gge86l53?referral_code=k4ke92
What if your property taxes are tied in with your mortgage? Is there a way to get the 3x on the property taxes if your bank shows the mortgage payment that includes the property taxes?
Use my referred code: dgjgdk
You don't have to allow them to see your bank activity. You can also email them your mortgage statement
Adding another referral code to the mix so we can both benefit: kvghtr
Thanks!
Adding another referral code for those that have better luck than i did.
6jpdm6
I tried applying but they wrote me they needed to review something and it would be 1 to 2 business days. Been 2 weeks now so I assume its a no? Bizarre.
Understand that the hotel partners are the same because all three hotels are part of the same group. I think the 3x points is only useful if you value the transfer partners but much like the other card mentioned, the transfer partners are limiting. I think the other benefits such as the money toward certain shops/retailers is a common trend but is only useful if you shop at those establishments as it is not for a general category. Further, interesting how it only applies to mortgages but nothing if you own it outright.
Your wealth manager did you wrong, and you are leaving a ton of money on the table by paying cash over a loan. Let’s round to $5 million and say a 20% down payment or $1 million. For jumbo loans, a 6% interest rate is about as high as it has been in the last 20 years. So at that rate, you would be paying $250kish in interest yearly, declining year over year. Having $4 million in assets means you could be making money on it. To keep things simple and conservative, we will say long term dividend producing stock holdings. That would give you 6% a year in qualified dividends, taxed at the 20% capital gains tax rate, leaving you with $192k a year. So already, we are only at -$58k.
But you can also deduct your mortgage interest from your taxable income. Given the home value, it is likely you are making more than $500k a year, meaning $250k of your income would now not be taxed at the 35% tax rate, which is about $87k a year less taxes.
We are already at $29,000 a year you are losing by forgoing a home loan and those are only the most obvious implications and worst case numbers, not utilizing tax advantaged accounts for any of that 4$ million. So, either you need to find a new wealth manager, or you are lying.
I love my Mesa card. Finally a card I can earn points on mortgage.
We both get 5,000 bonus points if you get approved and spend. Here is my code: w82bc2
I would welcome use of my referral code. Many thanks!
https://mesa.onelink.me/odOT/gge86l53?referral_code=pyegt9
If anyone else is looking for a referral code, mine is below:
https://mesa.onelink.me/odOT/gge86l53?referral_code=detfvj
Hi! I'd greatly appreciate it if you would consider using my referral code. Thanks!!
We both get 5,000 bonus points if you get approved and spend. Use my code to apply: jtcxfc
Terms apply. https://mesa.onelink.me/odOT/gge86l53?referral_code=jtcxfc
Had $8k in city permits to pay for, applied got approved and card ready to use on app instantly. Coded as utility so got 3x. Should hit 50k sub with $12k spend. Linked checking account that I don’t pay mortgage with thru Plaid. Had to upload mortgage statement on app to verify and approved within 1 day. Made purchase on Lowe’s and got $30 credit next day. So far love the card. Hope it last!
Use my code to apply: fb9nek
Thx!
Their business practices seem really fishy. They offer 50k at the outset in late May, then pull the offer in a week. Now they have a new sign up offer, extend it for two weeks but have been putting everyone on a waitlist for the past several days. I'll probably just wait for Bilt - Mesa is just giving, as the kids say, the ick to me.
Have you had any luck getting off the Mesa waitlist?
For those of us waiting for Bilt mortgage, it’s only with United Wholesale Mortgage.
Mesa just closed everyone's account and limited point redemption. Can you ask the CEO for clarification as it looks like they are going out of business and people might lose their points and/or only be able to redeem for subpar value.