I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 & 2024 (see first page for add'l details)

[have2getaway]

When I reduce a CL or close a card…I’ve always done it one card at a time …
sending a SM from the card asking them to reduce the CL on card xyz to abc …fingers crossed they have always done it correctly.

One thing to consider if you reduce CLs on the business cards…if you are approved for a new one with say a $3,000CL…and you want to increase it…you can’t transfer personal cards CL to business

Thank you! Good point!!

Product changing doesn't change the account age. But I'm not sure what card you are referencing with the $79 fee? There has to be a card without a fee in the product line to change to also. For instance you can't change a fee SW card to a no fee Disney card or similar, and you may know this already and have one that will work.

One thing - Biz credit stays in the biz credit pile.
Personal credit stays in the personal credit pile.

So, in keeping up with your credit lines - keep enough in each pile to cover a new card in the event you need to pull from an existing card to have the new card approved.

It’s a basic Capital one. I’ve had it 16+ years. I don’t believe I was charged a fee when I first took it out, but I am currently being charged a fee for it.

So, if I reduced the CL on a biz card, I won’t be guaranteed that a new biz card would be approved for the amount I reduced? It sounds like I’m better off off leaving the chase biz card limits alone?

I typically apply for 1 or 2 cards a year. In the last 3 years, I’ve only applied for one per year.

 

[EACarlson]

Does product changing an old card then treat it like a new card? In other words, will I lose the benefit of its age? It’s my oldest card, but I pay a $79 fee just to keep it open so as to not hurt my credit score. I was just hoping to change it to something that doesn’t charge an AF but still retain the fact that it’s my oldest credit card.

Depends on the issuer. I've had some that treat it as a new account and some that retained the account history. No reason to pay $79 unless it's your oldest card by at least 10 years. Closed accounts stay on your report for 10 years, by the time that one falls off your next one should be at least that age.

 

[georgina]

So, if I reduced the CL on a biz card, I won’t be guaranteed that a new biz card would be approved for the amount I reduced? It sounds like I’m better off off leaving the chase biz card limits alone?

Correct. I don't know how much CL you currently have on the biz cards, but I always wait until I have a new one and transfer some credit over. It's a pain if you have to spend $6000 and the CL on the new card is only $3000. I have been taking advantage of the 12 months no APR on purchases for CIU and CIC, so like to have the higher CL to keep my utilization reasonable for that card.

 

[LynnTH]

Chase backdates AU accounts, so it should appear with the open date of the original card.

I don't have the card but that's my understanding of the PP benefits as well. It's not a bad card if you can get good use of the 85k FNC and all the other benefits. Just have to do some work to setup the AU PP since that hasn't been available through the website. Last I heard you just call or SM after the AUs are added to get them the PP membership.

Thanks. Good to know on the back dating. Seems this would be a great card to get and put DH and both kids as AU’s. Since it won’t mess with their 5/24 status.

 

[Judique]

Thank you! Good point!!

It’s a basic Capital one. I’ve had it 16+ years. I don’t believe I was charged a fee when I first took it out, but I am currently being charged a fee for it.

So, if I reduced the CL on a biz card, I won’t be guaranteed that a new biz card would be approved for the amount I reduced? It sounds like I’m better off off leaving the chase biz card limits alone?

I typically apply for 1 or 2 cards a year. In the last 3 years, I’ve only applied for one per year.

I think it would depend on how much credit we are talking about. I now have 3 biz cards with Chase and roughly $15k of credit. That's more than enough for me, especially beyond meeting the SUB. If closing one, I'd move the credit before closing the card.

 

[have2getaway]

I think it would depend on how much credit we are talking about. I now have 3 biz cards with Chase and roughly $15k of credit. That's more than enough for me, especially beyond meeting the SUB. If closing one, I'd move the credit before closing the card.

I currently have $12,000 CL for business cards and $55,700 in personal CL with Chase. I don’t feel I need more of either really, but definitely have credit in personal cards that I am not using.

 

[sinnika]

Thank you! Good point!!

It’s a basic Capital one. I’ve had it 16+ years. I don’t believe I was charged a fee when I first took it out, but I am currently being charged a fee for it.

So, if I reduced the CL on a biz card, I won’t be guaranteed that a new biz card would be approved for the amount I reduced? It sounds like I’m better off off leaving the chase biz card limits alone?

I typically apply for 1 or 2 cards a year. In the last 3 years, I’ve only applied for one per year.

Do you have any Cap one points on this card? If so, you would forfeit them if you don’t have another Cap One card to transfer to. The Cap One Quicksilver is $0 AF and 0% APR for 15 months. You could open that card and move your points there. I had a Cap One Biz Spark card that I earned 350,000 miles from (thanks to someone mentioning it on this thread ). I opened a Cap One Venture x and moved my points there, then closed the Biz card after the 2nd year. Of course that would mean another slot for 5/24, even for Cap one biz cards.

 

[have2getaway]

Do you have any Cap one points on this card? If so, you would forfeit them if you don’t have another Cap One card to transfer to. The Cap One Quicksilver is $0 AF and 0% APR for 15 months. You could open that card and move your points there. I had a Cap One Biz Spark card that I earned 350,000 miles from (thanks to someone mentioning it on this thread ). I opened a Cap One Venture x and moved my points there, then closed the Biz card after the 2nd year. Of course that would mean another slot for 5/24, even for Cap one biz cards.

I don’t have any points on this card, but thanks for the suggestion to apply for a Quicksilver. That’s definitely something for me to consider.

 

[punkin]

I think it would depend on how much credit we are talking about. I now have 3 biz cards with Chase and roughly $15k of credit. That's more than enough for me, especially beyond meeting the SUB. If closing one, I'd move the credit before closing the card.

I have a ton of personal credit. I'm going to close an account without moving the credit around first. However, my business credit is very tight...I would definitely move that around if I were closing an account.

 

[have2getaway]

A product is a collection of benefits that can be assigned to an account. (Think points earning rates, travel protections, redemption options - these are all types of benefits that make up a product.)
Your account is the card, it has an account number (card number), history, credit limit, etc.

So when you do a true product change of a credit card, only the benefits change and no changes the account *. With Chase they do a true product change so your card number and history all stay the same, in fact, nothing will look any different on your credit report at all from just a PC. AmEx is the same. But it can vary with other card issuers if they do PCs. Wells Fargo for a while (maybe still?) would offer product changes but they really would close and open a new account. I think they maybe kept the terms the same like credit limit, maybe the APR and whatnot but it was essentially a new account on the credit report, IIRC. Caught some people off guard. So it's best to research the card issuer specifically to find the rules. And I'm sad to say, don't just go by a single phone rep from the company. Not all phone reps are trained well on the details of their products. Do some basic fact finding first before committing to a change.
If you can't PC that card to something without an AF, I wouldn't keep paying it just for the credit history if it's not doing anything else for you. Closed accounts stay in your report for up to 10 years and for FICO scores are counted as part of your history. So you have many years before you have to worry about account history dropping off, as long as you make sure to keep some cards that will have 10+ year history at that point (so anything you open around now at least). Do you have any other cards around the same age? It might not make as much impact as you think if it's just one of multiple.

Or if they don't have any 0 AF products, and offer true PC, maybe you can change it to something that you'd actually get benefit from? For me $79 is a lot to spend for just credit age, but if there was something else of value I might be able to justify it. Unless I was going for a loan or mortgage soon or was on the very edge of a 'good' credit score, I'd take the temporary credit hit to save the money. There are some sample score calculators that will let you adjust your credit info to see the impact changes will have.

Hopefully this makes sense!

*You can have the account number change on a true product change if you are switching networks, i.e. changing from a Visa to a MasterCard. That should be the only visible change on an account.

Thank you!! I think I needed to hear that it is okay to just close out the account, but I will still at least research, as you said, my options to PC it to something better first.

I believe my Marriott and Amazon cards are both over 10 years old, but the online portal only shows data from 2016, so I’m not certain. I’ll have to look into it, though, because retaining the Capital One with a fee would be less important if they are just as old.

 

[disneylover81]

We have a Chase Ink card where I work with an $83k CL. It’s the only biz card we have, but I still think that’s a crazy high limit. When I started working there, it had an $18k CL and the balance was over the limit because of bad money management. The previous bookkeeper was also letting tons of UR’s expire every month because she didn’t redeem them and she worked there for 15 years can y’all even imagine how much free money went down the drain during her time there? So she left and I came in and on my very first day at work there, I immediately applied $2500 in UR’s to the card balance and began working my magic to get that card paid off. Not to toot my own horn, but they are lucky I got there and had all of my years of experience with credit cards and dug them out the hole they were in. So as I was paying off the balance, Chase kept raising the CL until we got to $83k. We haven’t carried a balance in 5+ years and I pay the balance weekly. I’m also happy to report there have been no more lost UR’s. No one gets to use them for travel or anything fun unfortunately, so I only get to apply them to our balance. It’s a known fact where I work how I got the business out of such a mess of debt so now everyone I know comes to me or sends their people to me with all of their travel/credit card questions. And I love every minute of it! I can’t take all the credit though because I’ve learned so much from everyone on this thread.

 

[wanderlust7]

I was also considering a speculative booking and almost pushed the button and then reread the cancellation fee more closely to see it was $50 anytime after making the booking. Which is fair with this category change coming up, that way people like me don't hog dates others could have taken. I hadn't thought of looking for next year, so maybe I'll peek at that. It's much harder when it's an adults only thing.

It's harder for us too with adults only. I booked a 4 night stay because I don't want to be away too long. But then I find out that the tasting menu with wine pairing at Teodoro is free if you stay 5+ nights (regular $250/person). Half off if you stay less than that. There's an option for $150/person with cocktails instead of the premium wine, which would be $75 at half off. I think I can live with that rather than try to add on another night (I'm a foodie but not a vinophile).

 

[wanderlust7]

I have a really old Marriott Amex (formerly the SPG Amex) that I want to cancel. I have a stockpile of Marriott points that I can never seem to use so I am switching over to UR. I also struggle to use the free night certificate. I have one that is about to expire unused.

This is the only Amex I have and I don't think there is anyway to downgrade it to a different card. I would eventually like to open a different Amex but I just got the CSP and I am working on that MSR right now. The AF will be hit next month. Can I cancel after that and get the AF back? Is it an issue to cancel that old of a card and then have no Amex or should I wait until I can open a new Amex? The CL on my new CSP is close to what the Amex is so my overall CL is still the same.

How can you tell if it is a joint card or someone is just an AU? Both DH and I have this card but it is so old I don't remember how we opened it. Or maybe this doesn't matter at all?

You might be able to get the free night cert extended if you call. I've see successful reports of that with Marriott. Also, did you know that you can now top off your FNC up to 15k? You can use your 35k FNC (assuming that's what you have) for something up to 50k.

If the card has an AU, you can see it online. Under the card will be a View Additional Card Members link.

Amex has the pop-up where when you go to apply for a card, it tells you that you not eligible for the bonus due to past behavior. Exactly what triggers it is a mystery. It's possible that canceling the card would contribute to it. You can get the AF refunded within 30 days after it posts.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Okay so I'm thinking it's not a good sign when you're Tik Tok feed is now showing videos of the Nor'easter coming. UGH. My ANXIETY is through the roof! And TBH, it's not going to go away until after hockey tryouts, LOL. I get the fun of rolling into those as soon as we are back from Ireland.

So I booked my flights from DTW to BOS using my CSP (flying Jet Blue). I paid for the fees on Aer Lingus on the IHG Premier (which has travel cancellation coverage, I didn't have a CSP or CSR then). My mom paid for her Aer Lingus fees w/ her CSP. So, in looking at the CSP it comes w/ cancellation AND delay coverage. So I guess if we got stuck in BOS, my mom's card would cover the hotel for all of us, etc. But does anything cover the rental car if we don't get to DUB on time? I have a hotel booked for 3/14 for when we land at 5am (it's $40 so I'm not overly worried). The hotel we have booked for 3/15 was w/ points (and $50) on my mom's CSP. I'm reading how not flexible the rental car companies are. So I'm worried if we are bumped to another flight (on Weds) that I'm out the rental car money. I guess anyone know how things work if it's just a delay?

Also if the worst case happens, and we are cancelled on Tuesday but Aer Lingus reschedule us to Weds, can we decline that normally w/ the airline and get coverage from Chase on the money we're out for the rental car and hotels? Not sure if we'd continue on, losing the one day, or cut our losses and try again in the summer.

I'm just trying to calm my anxiety but also still know what to do ahead of time. The timeline I'm seeing has me worried. Our flight to BOS is coming from BOS. So as long as it gets out at 8:30am, I think we'll be in good shape to hopefully get back to BOS. The crew shouldn't time out even w/ a delay heading back. My ADHD brain is on overload, trying to track planes and thinking about crew hours, etc. The joys of dating a pilot (who ironically is flying extended right now because they messed up his trips today).

My son is telling me the universe is trying to stop me from going. From the 2 trees falling in my backyard, to my basement now having water, to my daughter having her mental breakdown, to the Nor'easter. And now when I think about it, this all started w/ my 200k avios getting tied up in the transfer error for 2 weeks! And then only having 2 Biz class seats, but I emailed the CEO and got my points and they opened up one more biz class seat. So maybe the universe doesn't want me to go on this trip.

 

[elgerber]

I just plunked down $40 on priority boarding with SW. Kinda pathetic LOL, I'm such a baby. I got b58 and didn't want to board that late, so I just pushed the button, and poof, money spent LOL.
Now I have a5. This is the stuff I can get away with traveling alone.

 

[punkin]

Interesting... so I canceled my sw card, which is showing canceled on my account but there's still an AF showing and my bill is due tomorrow. I called chase and the woman on the phone basically told me to pay it and at "some point" it will get refunded. Does that sound right?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Okay so I'm thinking it's not a good sign when you're Tik Tok feed is now showing videos of the Nor'easter coming. UGH. My ANXIETY is through the roof! And TBH, it's not going to go away until after hockey tryouts, LOL. I get the fun of rolling into those as soon as we are back from Ireland.

So I booked my flights from DTW to BOS using my CSP (flying Jet Blue). I paid for the fees on Aer Lingus on the IHG Premier (which has travel cancellation coverage, I didn't have a CSP or CSR then). My mom paid for her Aer Lingus fees w/ her CSP. So, in looking at the CSP it comes w/ cancellation AND delay coverage. So I guess if we got stuck in BOS, my mom's card would cover the hotel for all of us, etc. But does anything cover the rental car if we don't get to DUB on time? I have a hotel booked for 3/14 for when we land at 5am (it's $40 so I'm not overly worried). The hotel we have booked for 3/15 was w/ points (and $50) on my mom's CSP. I'm reading how not flexible the rental car companies are. So I'm worried if we are bumped to another flight (on Weds) that I'm out the rental car money. I guess anyone know how things work if it's just a delay?

Also if the worst case happens, and we are cancelled on Tuesday but Aer Lingus reschedule us to Weds, can we decline that normally w/ the airline and get coverage from Chase on the money we're out for the rental car and hotels? Not sure if we'd continue on, losing the one day, or cut our losses and try again in the summer.

I'm just trying to calm my anxiety but also still know what to do ahead of time. The timeline I'm seeing has me worried. Our flight to BOS is coming from BOS. So as long as it gets out at 8:30am, I think we'll be in good shape to hopefully get back to BOS. The crew shouldn't time out even w/ a delay heading back. My ADHD brain is on overload, trying to track planes and thinking about crew hours, etc. The joys of dating a pilot (who ironically is flying extended right now because they messed up his trips today).

My son is telling me the universe is trying to stop me from going. From the 2 trees falling in my backyard, to my basement now having water, to my daughter having her mental breakdown, to the Nor'easter. And now when I think about it, this all started w/ my 200k avios getting tied up in the transfer error for 2 weeks! And then only having 2 Biz class seats, but I emailed the CEO and got my points and they opened up one more biz class seat. So maybe the universe doesn't want me to go on this trip.

I’d guess that the Aer Lingus crew will be the crew that flew in the day prior, so they will be fresh and ready to fly as soon they can get out of Boston. Worse case scenario you have a delay of a few hours — I doubt it would be an entire day because they have a plane load of passengers to get out the next day. It wouldn’t hurt you to know what other airline(s) have a flight to Dublin around the same day and time that your are going. BA may have something to Heathrow and from there it’s a quick flight to Dublin.

People in Dublin are super nice and very friendly, so I’m sure the rental car company will help you even if you have a slight delay picking up the car. Maybe call them tomorrow, ask to speak to a manager and have them note your reservation (may have a weather-related delay).

You will get there and you will have an amazing, memorable trip with your dm and dd.

 

[MouseOfCards]

I just plunked down $40 on priority boarding with SW. Kinda pathetic LOL, I'm such a baby. I got b58 and didn't want to board that late, so I just pushed the button, and poof, money spent LOL.
Now I have a5. This is the stuff I can get away with traveling alone.

Congrats! We just paid over $600 to grab priority seating and economy plus seats for 5 passengers on UA. Normally, we would never do this (especially since we don't see priority seating as being worth the extra cost), but we fully utilized the $400 airline incidental credit on amex plat and biz plat. We probably would have splurged for nicer seats if we were only 1 or 2 persons. But just too expensive for a larger group. Enjoy your solo traveling!

 

[happ]

Okay so I'm thinking it's not a good sign when you're Tik Tok feed is now showing videos of the Nor'easter coming. UGH. My ANXIETY is through the roof! And TBH, it's not going to go away until after hockey tryouts, LOL. I get the fun of rolling into those as soon as we are back from Ireland.

So I booked my flights from DTW to BOS using my CSP (flying Jet Blue). I paid for the fees on Aer Lingus on the IHG Premier (which has travel cancellation coverage, I didn't have a CSP or CSR then). My mom paid for her Aer Lingus fees w/ her CSP. So, in looking at the CSP it comes w/ cancellation AND delay coverage. So I guess if we got stuck in BOS, my mom's card would cover the hotel for all of us, etc. But does anything cover the rental car if we don't get to DUB on time? I have a hotel booked for 3/14 for when we land at 5am (it's $40 so I'm not overly worried). The hotel we have booked for 3/15 was w/ points (and $50) on my mom's CSP. I'm reading how not flexible the rental car companies are. So I'm worried if we are bumped to another flight (on Weds) that I'm out the rental car money. I guess anyone know how things work if it's just a delay?

Also if the worst case happens, and we are cancelled on Tuesday but Aer Lingus reschedule us to Weds, can we decline that normally w/ the airline and get coverage from Chase on the money we're out for the rental car and hotels? Not sure if we'd continue on, losing the one day, or cut our losses and try again in the summer.

I'm just trying to calm my anxiety but also still know what to do ahead of time. The timeline I'm seeing has me worried. Our flight to BOS is coming from BOS. So as long as it gets out at 8:30am, I think we'll be in good shape to hopefully get back to BOS. The crew shouldn't time out even w/ a delay heading back. My ADHD brain is on overload, trying to track planes and thinking about crew hours, etc. The joys of dating a pilot (who ironically is flying extended right now because they messed up his trips today).

My son is telling me the universe is trying to stop me from going. From the 2 trees falling in my backyard, to my basement now having water, to my daughter having her mental breakdown, to the Nor'easter. And now when I think about it, this all started w/ my 200k avios getting tied up in the transfer error for 2 weeks! And then only having 2 Biz class seats, but I emailed the CEO and got my points and they opened up one more biz class seat. So maybe the universe doesn't want me to go on this trip.

I'm in MA, about 40 mi south of BOS. Our local weather is saying the worst of the storm won't be until late Tues. Maybe that eases some anxiety? Saying a prayer for you. Enjoy your trip!

 

[hsmamato2]

Soooooo this is kind of a deal (for me at least) but I REALLY need all the collective wisdom/experience here... I have a friend who booked a flight into a storm watch city (Hartford) for tomorrow (Tuesday) THRU the UR portal on Jetblue....(They did it without asking me,and by the time I knew it was too late to advise differently) so now b/c of the storm predicted,I'm trying to help them keep ahead of any changes that might occur (I see SWA has a storm notice up,but JB site doesn't) HOW do I help them if they cancel or offer a free change? Is the only recourse to call the UR travel agent to rebook? From what I've read, you can't just rebook via airline site if booked using UR points.....(aaaaargghhh) ANY advice is helpful here,I think I may get a call later today asking for help on this one....