I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Lain]

I've only had the Delta card for 2 months and I spent enough to get the bonus. The costco card I used every day while I had it. It was automatically cancelled when Citi took over. The other two I hardly used. It's been over 10 years since the first one and over 5 for the second. The could be still active. I just assume they are not. I have a lot of freaking cards. 2 Barclays, 5 Chase, 1 capital one, 3 amex and 2 Citi. I use the Capital one and 3 of the Chase cards. I have a 168,000 dollars of credit available. My credit score is 818. I love to travel and it's hard to pass up the bonuses.

Have you kept spending on the Delta card since meeting the minimum spending requirement ("MSR") to get the bonus? Or have you just "sock drawered" it?

You really should know what cards you have open.

The bonus denial pop up means Amex has flagged you as, essentially, an unprofitable customer who might be only interested in chasing bonuses and not putting any ongoing spend on their Amex cards. It’s typically targeted at applicants who have signed up for Amex cards, met MSR, pocketed the bonus, and stopped (or perhaps dramatically dropped) spending on those cards. The only cure anecdotally is putting some spend on your existing Amex cards may get you back in Amex’s good graces, and get that pop up to go away. How much spend, and for how long is anyone’s guess. Keep spending and try applying again periodically until you don’t get the pop up. Some people have charged a $5 slice of pizza, tried again and no more pop up. Others have put thousands of dollars in new spend on their card(s), and still gotten the pop up. Maybe Amex has some sort of algorithm based on how deep in the hole you are with them. It’s certainly not any hard rule that’s easy to understand like 5/24.

But gone are the days of picking up an Amex card, meeting MSR for the bonus, and sock drawering it until it’s time to close it after a year. That will land you on Amex’s naughty list fast, and you’ll be stuck in bonus denial pop up purgatory until you put some (possibly serious) spend on your existing Amex cards. Amex will gladly approve you for cards, but they want to see you putting regular, consistent, and ideally high levels of spend on their cards if you want Amex to keep approving you for new cards with bonuses. Otherwise, they’ll figure you’re in it only for the bonuses and flag you as a “gamer.”

 

[Lain]

I can't figure out how to refer my dh for the BBP from my personal plat. Didn't see any guide for this on DISchurners and all the googling I did just kept telling me you cannot refer from a personal to a biz card though I know that isn't right. Also, is there no bonus for the BBP? My dh was targeted in the past for 20k but the timing wasn't right. If we only get the 15k from me referring, maybe we wait? I have until Aug to cancel his biz green (only MR card he has).

Go to the Amex "Support" A Friend site.

Log in to the account with your Plat.

Select your Plat (or the card with the highest "support" bonus). The Plat should earn you a 15,000 MR support bonus.

Scroll down to copy the support link.

Log out.

Open an incognito window.

Paste the link (and get rid of all the extra language) and load.

Find the tab "Explore other options", click down, click "Looking for a Business Card?"

Scroll down until you find the Blue Business Plus Credit Card with the 10,000 MR support offer.

Click "Continue to Card Details." You'll be taken to the BBP's landing page.

Click "Apply Now".

You know the rest.

Good luck!

 

[wendow]

Thank you @Lain. I've stayed far away from amex since this became an option and when I went to find the info on it, I could never figure it out.

 

[smmco]

Have you kept spending on the Delta card since meeting the minimum spending requirement ("MSR") to get the bonus? Or have you just "sock drawered" it?

You really should know what cards you have open.

The bonus denial pop up means Amex has flagged you as, essentially, an unprofitable customer who might be only interested in chasing bonuses and not putting any ongoing spend on their Amex cards. It’s typically targeted at applicants who have signed up for Amex cards, met MSR, pocketed the bonus, and stopped (or perhaps dramatically dropped) spending on those cards. The only cure anecdotally is putting some spend on your existing Amex cards may get you back in Amex’s good graces, and get that pop up to go away. How much spend, and for how long is anyone’s guess. Keep spending and try applying again periodically until you don’t get the pop up. Some people have charged a $5 slice of pizza, tried again and no more pop up. Others have put thousands of dollars in new spend on their card(s), and still gotten the pop up. Maybe Amex has some sort of algorithm based on how deep in the hole you are with them. It’s certainly not any hard rule that’s easy to understand like 5/24.

But gone are the days of picking up an Amex card, meeting MSR for the bonus, and sock drawering it until it’s time to close it after a year. That will land you on Amex’s naughty list fast, and you’ll be stuck in bonus denial pop up purgatory until you put some (possibly serious) spend on your existing Amex cards. Amex will gladly approve you for cards, but they want to see you putting regular, consistent, and ideally high levels of spend on their cards if you want Amex to keep approving you for new cards with bonuses. Otherwise, they’ll figure you’re in it only for the bonuses and flag you as a “gamer.”

Good to know. I'll check my credit report and see which cards are still open. I guess I'll stay away from Amex and Hilton. As far as I can see this thread is mostly about gaming as you put it.

 

[kmc8826]

Ok, trying to catch up (as usual) but popping in for a quick question. I received two notices from Credit Karma (1 today and 1 yesterday) saying I've been added as an authorized user by JPMCB. I shouldn't have any new accounts and shouldn't have been added to any new accounts. Has anyone else received these notices? I noticed Chase changed their name from Chase Bank to JPMCB, could that be what's driving it? I called Chase but the department that can help is of course closed until Tuesday. I'm freaking out a bit, has this happened to anyone else?

Yes I received an email from them this afternoon too. Logged onto it and don’t see anything. I am thinking it must be a glitch. Agree on freaking out!

 

[wendow]

Got the pop-up

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Got the pop-up

UGH - Amex is dead to me too.......

 

[mmmears]

So you originally said your CIP was in April. Checking the comment history though, it seems you were actually approved on March 4th for that card With that in mind, you could apply for a CSP now (like as in this minute, haha) IMO. That said though, why not wait until June 5th and try for a CIP2 for you? CSP will be there for you in the future, but the multi-CIPpy cup may shatter at some point...

I'm sorry. Yes, that was a mistake. DH's CIP#2 was in April, and I looked at the wrong square when I was looking at the spreadsheet. Mine was in March.

Why the CSP? Because DH will PC his CSP in July or Aug (depending on when the AF posts) and I wanted to get one with his referral before it's too late.

Why not a CIP#2? I guess I just don't think they'd give me another one? My "business" isn't really up and running at this point and they already took a while to approve my first application and then gave me the lowest credit line they could with that card. But now you have me thinking about it. Maybe it could be a better option, really.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this one.
THIS is why I try to ask here before I apply for things.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm sorry. Yes, that was a mistake. DH's CIP#2 was in April, and I looked at the wrong square when I was looking at the spreadsheet. Mine was in March.

Why the CSP? Because DH will PC his CSP in July or Aug (depending on when the AF posts) and I wanted to get one with his referral before it's too late.

Why not a CIP#2? I guess I just don't think they'd give me another one? My "business" isn't really up and running at this point and they already took a while to approve my first application and then gave me the lowest credit line they could with that card. But now you have me thinking about it. Maybe it could be a better option, really.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this one.
THIS is why I try to ask here before I apply for things.

Oooooh you make a good point. I do recall you had to "fight" for that first one... Hmmm - that makes it a tough call.

CSP w/ husband link: 60k + 15k + 4k for $4k MSR = 79k URs

CIP w/ husband link: 80k + 20k + 5k for $5k MSR = 105k URs

Both are honestly good options...CIP is decidedly better. Since your husband is PCing his CSP, his link will still work so no real worries there. I might try for CIP2 first, if that fails then turn to CSP... But do what you feel most comfortable with CSP would not be a bad move either.

 

[wendow]

UGH - Amex is dead to me too.......

I'm gonna end up having to open the BBP for him with or without the bonus. I need a place to park his MR's by Aug but I'm going to wait, put some spend on the few Amex he has left and see if that gets rid of the pop-up.

 

[afan]

Good to know. I'll check my credit report and see which cards are still open. I guess I'll stay away from Amex and Hilton. As far as I can see this thread is mostly about gaming as you put it.

There are people in this thread that have successfully gotten rid of that pop up on Amex and gotten the card they wanted with the bonus. I wouldn't give up but figure out what cards you do have and then report back. People here can help advise what to do.

I don't see this thread as gaming anything, though I suppose it could be seen that way. There are several people here that get the cards and keep the cards while others churn through cards and keep very few. There's no one way to do it and everyone is welcome regardless of how you love credit cards.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

There are people in this thread that have successfully gotten rid of that pop up on Amex and gotten the card they wanted with the bonus. I wouldn't give up but figure out what cards you do have and then report back. People here can help advise what to do.

I don't see this thread as gaming anything, though I suppose it could be seen that way. There are several people here that get the cards and keep the cards while others churn through cards and keep very few. There's no one way to do it and everyone is welcome regardless of how you love credit cards.

Can I think of gaming as a good thing?? As in those who aren't gaming are just peasants (like that @speedyfishy)

 

[wendow]

I interacted with somebody from r/churning today who was following the advice here:

https://www.richmondsavers.com/take-your-family-to-disney-world-for-free-step-by-step-instructions/​

(HONESTLY - I wouldn't even go the site to give them the clicks...my summary is below...LOL!)

The advice they were given from some checklist you download (you have to provide an email to download it so I did not...)

1) Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (you and partner---before LTO expires--it could always go up again or even higher, but this looks like a good offer to jump on if you can) ​

2) Chase Sapphire Preferred (you and partner) ​

3) SW Card (you could potentially skip this and just use UR) ​

4) Barclaycard Arrival Plus (you and partner) ​

5) Capital One Venture (you and partner)​

They're going to basically take you from 0/24 to 5/24 WITHOUT discussing business cards, WITHOUT discussing a SW Companion Pass...and blowing your last 5/24 slot available for 15-18 months on a Cap1 Venture... No mention of using AA miles for Swan/Dolphin or Disney resorts. No mention of on-site Disney resorts period...(they give you 2 hotel options...yes JUST TWO!!

First, you’ll choose between two main hotel options: The Disney Swan/Dolphin or the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort. The Disney Swan and Disney Dolphin cost more points (50,000 per night*), but they are luxuryhotels right on-site and within a short walking distance (or nice free boat ride right out back!) of both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. The Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort costs fewer points (25,000 per night*). It’s just a few blocks away from WDW, and it has free shuttle service and lots of other perks and amenities.​

For flights they don't even discuss airline options and the various airline credit cards...their solution - just get a CSP and use the portal or partners! No mention of the Sapphire Reserve even existing...No mention of determining which airline you fly (i.e. perhaps somebody flying Delta should look into Delta cards...)

Ugh - I know this stuff exists out there but to interact with somebody following the advice is very frustrating. I wasn't even sure where to start in giving this person advice - I just said, this is NOT a good starting point.

That is just terrible, terrible advice!!! I cringe reading this. Oh my goodness, I feel for anyone who stumbles upon that site and follows (or any of the sites like it - and there are many). So thankful for this group, the knowledge and the willingness to help others even when there is no 'support' to be earned.

 

[Lain]

Good to know. I'll check my credit report and see which cards are still open. I guess I'll stay away from Amex and Hilton. As far as I can see this thread is mostly about gaming as you put it.

Hey, I like bonuses too; but I also keep my relationships with the credit card issuers in good standing. It’s a lot of work, but I’ve never gotten a bonus denial pop up from Amex. I also know exactly which cards I have or have had, how much I spend on them each month, when their statements close and when payment is due, when I opened them, when I closed or product changed them, and when their annual fees if any come up for renewal.

I’m sorry if you take any offense to being labeled a “gamer.” That’s Amex’s wording, not mine. In the past two years, Amex has really tightened up on what they perceive as rewards abuses, and unfortunately that can include patterns of behavior or spending that is otherwise entirely innocuous and sweep up perfectly innocent cardmembers and potential customers.

I noticed you citing advice from TPG earlier. They’re going to paint as rosy a picture about signing up for credit cards because they make money off you applying through their affiliate links. I just told you how Amex really is, just as I warn everyone here thinking about applying for Amex cards, and I would never advise anyone in our community to sign up for a new Amex card, hit the MSR only for the bonus, stop spending on it and burn their relationship with Amex for all future bonuses.

The bonus denial pop up is not a permanent ban. It’s dynamic based on your ongoing spend and relationship with Amex. So good luck, and I hope you shake it.

 

[smmco]

UGH - Amex is dead to me too.......

It's unfortunate for Hilton. Why partner with someone with such stringent rules. The first two amex cards were for the 0% balance transfer. It was years ago and I had some debt to pay off. The Costco card was great while it lasted I put a lot of spend on that. The Delta card I just got and put 3k on it the first month. I regret getting the Delta card. I would have been better off with Hilton. For whatever reason it seems like I stay at Hilton or Hyatt most of the time. I can't remember the last time I stayed at a Marriott. I should probably start booking my Hilton hotels through Hotels. com to get the 10x points on Capital one. I would have liked to have the elite status though.

 

[Lain]

Got the pop-up

You can still go ahead with the application even with the pop up. P2 won’t get the 10k MR SUB, but you’ll get the 15k MR support bonus.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

That is just terrible, terrible advice!!! I cringe reading this. Oh my goodness, I feel for anyone who stumbles upon that site and follows (or any of the sites like it - and there are many). So thankful for this group, the knowledge and the willingness to help others even when there is no 'support' to be earned.

The most offensive thing to me was that they narrowed it down to literally 3 hotels (all Marriott) in ALL of Orlando. They didn't even list any other options - just said, "these are your options if you want to go for free". Orlando has somewhere in the vicinity of 150k rooms across hundreds of hotels and without asking any questions you've narrowed it down to Swolphin or some Sheraton across from a Shoney's?? (not that there's anything wrong with Shoney's). What about on-site vs. off-site? What about Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and a crap-ton of other Marriott properties out there? And even if Swolphin is the right answer...it seems to me that AA miles would actually be better than Marriott points lol. So bad...SO BAD... But SHOW ME THE AFFILIATE LINKS I guess, right??

 

[afan]

Can I think of gaming as a good thing?? As in those who aren't gaming are just peasants (like that @speedyfishy)

No. I don't see what anyone does here as gaming the system because I don't see anything here as bad and to me gaming something is bad. Unless we're playing games, I'm up for a good game of trivial pursuit or solitaire.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I’m sorry if you take any offense to being labeled a “gamer.” That’s Amex’s wording, not mine.

HEY - I resemble that remark...and I LOVE IT!!!

 

[pillow]

Yes I received an email from them this afternoon too. Logged onto it and don’t see anything. I am thinking it must be a glitch. Agree on freaking out!

Yeah I called Chase - freaked out as well! They said it was a glitch and emails were going out from both Credit Karma and Intuit. Good grief!!!