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

[Tikitoi]

The Discover does have the $50 signup bonus. Plus this quarter is PayPal which could be easy to get 10% back on $1500 with a P2P transaction if nothing else.

My DDs both have the rotating category Discover and one applied last year and the other this year. Also didn't realize there was 2 different ones.

I believe they are the same except for the good grades. My aunt has the regular Discover IT and her benefits are all the same as my dd's, minus the good grades bonus.

As far as Discover with their 5x rotating cats, when it comes to say gas and groceries, are they okay with gc purchases?

 

[Lain]

My Discover is my oldest card on my CR, dating back to.... 1990. I am terrified to apply for a second card for fear something would happen to the original.

My oldest is a United MileagePlus card when I started college way back in 1999 and was upgraded and eventually product changed to the United MileagePlus Select card. For years, I was afraid to mess with that card for fear I would somehow get that card closed so I ate the $95 AF for a pitiful 5k United miles anniversary bonus every year. When I found out there was a no fee version, I think it still took me another two years to suck it up and call Chase to PC the card. No negative effects! I’ve still go the card’s age, and it still gives me access to expanded United award availability and the MPX cardmember bonus. I don’t know why I waited so long! The United cards are really pretty terrible for ongoing spend.

P.S. Why am I up at 2 am sharing my churning noob stories? Lol

 

[ten6mom]

@Lain is your little one up again?

 

[Lain]

@Lain is your little one up again?

Yes.

 

[Livelovedance]

True sign of anxiousness: woke up and immediately checked Credit Journey for any updates

I’m finally out of 5/24! I know CJ isn’t the most reliable but I’m hesitant to sign up for other monitoring websites. I lowered my CL on two cards in preparations for my CIP application, but after reading more posts I’m wondering if I didn’t lower enough. I focused on lowering enough to be under 50%, but I didn’t go very far under 50%.

The first card I lowered closes today, and the next closes 8/9. Both new CL showed up on my CJ report today. Would it be safe to apply today, or should I wait until 8/10?

Stats again just in case it matters:
CF 12/07
UPromise 12/12 (sockdrawered)
AmEx Blue Cash 8/14
TD Cash 8/16
CSP 7/17
CFU 4/18
Disney VISA 9/18
Disc It 9/18
BoA Cash 2/19

 

[Lain]

There are some new Amex Offers this morning:

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Spend $100 or more in one or more eligible transactions directly with Busch Gardens Wlliamsburg online or in-park, get $20 back. Expires 10/27/2019.

Dell.com - Get 10% back, up to $1,500 in total statement credits, on eligible purchases at dell.com/amex* by 1/31/2020.

* In practice, shopping though a portal directly at Dell.com triggers the offer; it doesn’t have to be through /amex. So stack this offer with a high % shopping portal deal and the Biz Plat’s $100 semi-annual credit(s) from now through end of January 2020.

 

[Lain]

True sign of anxiousness: woke up and immediately checked Credit Journey for any updates

I’m finally out of 5/24! I know CJ isn’t the most reliable but I’m hesitant to sign up for other monitoring websites. I lowered my CL on two cards in preparations for my CIP application, but after reading more posts I’m wondering if I didn’t lower enough. I focused on lowering enough to be under 50%, but I didn’t go very far under 50%.

The first card I lowered closes today, and the next closes 8/9. Both new CL showed up on my CJ report today. Would it be safe to apply today, or should I wait until 8/10?

Stats again just in case it matters:
CF 12/07
UPromise 12/12 (sockdrawered)
AmEx Blue Cash 8/14
TD Cash 8/16
CSP 7/17
CFU 4/18
Disney VISA 9/18
Disc It 9/18
BoA Cash 2/19

I hesitate to give advice in my sleep deprived state at 3 am. But I agree that Credit Journey is not reliable. Either refer to your records or sign up for Credit Karma.

If you are actually under 5/24, as for now or 8/10, I think the lower you are under 50% with Chase will probably increase your odds of approval, but keep in mind that you only need another $5k credit line at a bare minimum to open a CIP. If you add $5k to your existing CLs on Chase cards, where does that take you? Still under 50% or over 50%?

 

[Livelovedance]

I hesitate to give advice in my sleep deprived state at 3 am. But I agree that Credit Journey is not reliable. Either refer to your records or sign up for Credit Karma.

If you are actually under 5/24, as for now or 8/10, I think the lower you are under 50% with Chase will probably increase your odds of approval, but keep in mind that you only need a $5k credit line at a bare minimum to open a CIP. If you add $5k to your existing CLs on Chase cards, where does that take you? Still under 50% or over 50%?

Yeah I didn’t lower enough
Thank you for your input. I’m under 5/24 as of 7/26 or 27, but I was waiting until 8/1 to be safe.

 

[Alexle2007]

As far as Discover with their 5x rotating cats, when it comes to say gas and groceries, are they okay with gc purchases?

Yes. Discover doesn’t care.

 

[Alexle2007]

There are some new Amex Offers this morning:

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Spend $100 or more in one or more eligible transactions directly with Busch Gardens Wlliamsburg online or in-park, get $20 back. Expires 10/27/2019.

Dell.com - Get 10% back, up to $1,500 in total statement credits, on eligible purchases at dell.com/amex* by 1/31/2020.

* In practice, shopping though a portal directly at Dell.com triggers the offer; it doesn’t have to be through /amex. So stack this offer with a high % shopping portal deal and the Biz Plat’s $100 semi-annual credit(s) from now through end of January 2020.

Score! It’s on my new Biz Plat!

 

[Lain]

Yeah I didn’t lower enough
Thank you for your input. I’m under 5/24 as of 7/26 or 27, but I was waiting until 8/1 to be safe.

People do get approved for cards that put them (sometimes well) over 50%, but it’s up to you if you want to take that chance because a denial will have you waiting another 30 days before you can apply again.

If you have any Chase cards with a balance you don’t mind paying off early on which you can reduce CLs, you can request a reduction and once confirmed pay off that balance to $0, which Chase reports (along with the lower CL) to the credit agencies within a day or two without having to wait until the next statement close date. Just a thought that’ll be a few days faster than waiting until 8/10.

 

[disfanforlife]

My oldest is a United MileagePlus card when I started college way back in 1999 and was upgraded and eventually product changed to the United MileagePlus Select card. For years, I was afraid to mess with that card for fear I would somehow get that card closed so I ate the $95 AF for a pitiful 5k United miles anniversary bonus every year. When I found out there was a no fee version, I think it still took me another two years to suck it up and call Chase to PC the card. No negative effects! I’ve still go the card’s age, and it still gives me access to expanded United award availability and the MPX cardmember bonus. I don’t know why I waited so long! The United cards are really pretty terrible for ongoing spend.

P.S. Why am I up at 2 am sharing my churning noob stories? Lol

My oldest is a citi card from 1992 ( yes I’m that old so I’m an outlier too) - it has 2% cash back and no annual fee.

 

[Alexle2007]

Just saved a ton of my money on my upcoming Universal trip since they now have AP rates available! Good thing I needed to make a mod to my mom’s room reservation.

 

[Livelovedance]

People do get approved for cards that put them (sometimes well) over 50%, but it’s up to you if you want to take that chance because a denial will have you waiting another 30 days before you can apply again.

If you have any Chase cards with a balance you don’t mind paying off early on which you can reduce CLs, you can request a reduction and once confirmed pay off that balance to $0, which Chase reports to the credit agencies within a day or two without having to wait until the next statement close date. Just a thought that’ll be a few days faster than waiting until 8/10.

I’ve been too anxious to take the chance lol. Waiting for 8/1 was hard enough! My last Chase card put me at about 60%, and I made a newbie mistake not lowering enough. I didn’t consider the new card putting me back over 50%, so I appreciate your input on that! I already have most of my cards at $0 and always pay them off in full each month. The ones that aren’t at $0 have small balances from purchases made in the last few days. Should I pick a card that’s already at $0 regardless of the statement date and wait a few days, or lower the one that closes on 8/9 for the second time and wait until 8/10? I also have the card that closes today, but I don’t know if that means it already closed or if it closes tonight.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

True sign of anxiousness: woke up and immediately checked Credit Journey for any updates

I’m finally out of 5/24! I know CJ isn’t the most reliable but I’m hesitant to sign up for other monitoring websites. I lowered my CL on two cards in preparations for my CIP application, but after reading more posts I’m wondering if I didn’t lower enough. I focused on lowering enough to be under 50%, but I didn’t go very far under 50%.

The first card I lowered closes today, and the next closes 8/9. Both new CL showed up on my CJ report today. Would it be safe to apply today, or should I wait until 8/10?

Stats again just in case it matters:
CF 12/07
UPromise 12/12 (sockdrawered)
AmEx Blue Cash 8/14
TD Cash 8/16
CSP 7/17
CFU 4/18
Disney VISA 9/18
Disc It 9/18
BoA Cash 2/19

I’m cautious so when lowing mine it’s to 20-30% of household income....to increase chances of a approval
The minimum CL Chase gives on the CIP is $5k.... so you need room for that amount....

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I’ve been too anxious to take the chance lol. Waiting for 8/1 was hard enough! My last Chase card put me at about 60%, and I made a newbie mistake not lowering enough. I didn’t consider the new card putting me back over 50%, so I appreciate your input on that! I already have most of my cards at $0 and always pay them off in full each month. The ones that aren’t at $0 have small balances from purchases made in the last few days. Should I pick a card that’s already at $0 regardless of the statement date and wait a few days, or lower the one that closes on 8/9 for the second time and wait until 8/10? I also have the card that closes today, but I don’t know if that means it already closed or if it closes tonight.

For me usually the cards close at night.....so I would lower the cards closing today and 8/9...

 

[Lain]

For me usually the cards close at night.....so I would lower the cards closing today and 8/9...

@Livelovedance - this is what I would suggest. It’s probably easiest to send a SM now to reduce the CL for the card that has a statement closing today anyway. Your monthly statement should run through the rest of today, and Chase should respond to your SM request within a few hours.

 

[miztressuz]

True sign of anxiousness: woke up and immediately checked Credit Journey for any updates

I’m finally out of 5/24! I know CJ isn’t the most reliable but I’m hesitant to sign up for other monitoring websites. I lowered my CL on two cards in preparations for my CIP application, but after reading more posts I’m wondering if I didn’t lower enough. I focused on lowering enough to be under 50%, but I didn’t go very far under 50%.

The first card I lowered closes today, and the next closes 8/9. Both new CL showed up on my CJ report today. Would it be safe to apply today, or should I wait until 8/10?

Stats again just in case it matters:
CF 12/07
UPromise 12/12 (sockdrawered)
AmEx Blue Cash 8/14
TD Cash 8/16
CSP 7/17
CFU 4/18
Disney VISA 9/18
Disc It 9/18
BoA Cash 2/19

How far under 50% will kind of depend on where Chase is ok with you having credit in general. Chase typically extends 60% of reported income to me. So if I'm at 45%, they've approved me for a CL that takes me over 50 no problem. With the business cards they've extended less individual CL than on personals, so after each business card I was at or just over 50% and so I'd lower some limits enough to get back in the 40's for the next card. After my last app which was for a personal card, they approved another crazy CL which puts me back at 60% again.

So where were you before you lowered and would the 5k minimum of the CIP put you at or under that?

 

[wendow]

As far as Discover with their 5x rotating cats, when it comes to say gas and groceries, are they okay with gc purchases?

Yes, gc purchases are fine. Discover doesn’t get details of what you bought and they are way less hyper about that than Amex.

 

[miztressuz]

I’ve been too anxious to take the chance lol. Waiting for 8/1 was hard enough! My last Chase card put me at about 60%, and I made a newbie mistake not lowering enough. I didn’t consider the new card putting me back over 50%, so I appreciate your input on that! I already have most of my cards at $0 and always pay them off in full each month. The ones that aren’t at $0 have small balances from purchases made in the last few days. Should I pick a card that’s already at $0 regardless of the statement date and wait a few days, or lower the one that closes on 8/9 for the second time and wait until 8/10? I also have the card that closes today, but I don’t know if that means it already closed or if it closes tonight.

Ah, I see Chase likes you too at 60%

Depending on how big your biz or "biz" is you may not get back there with the CIP. So maybe more realistic, would the 5k minimum on a CIP be at or under ~53-55% ? I also vote for trying to lower the card that's closing today if you can, just to be sure.