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

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks everyone for helping and answering all my questions. I am done for now. My large purchase of $50,000 is taken care of. (for those interested in DVC, this took my direct purchase down to $127pp assuming a 1 cent value on points, and Im committed to turning that into at least 1.5 cents minimum)

I will earn 1,290,000 points

My total points earned went up to 1.5 million because today I got a referral for Amex that I didnt think I was going to get since I referred P2 from my Business Platinum and he applied for Delta Gold .

I am super paranoid now that I went too hard and Im going to get clawbacks or account closures.

I have had a business relationship with Amex for over 20 years. Total cards are 3 credit Business cards, 2 charge business cards, 1 personal credit card of which, 1 credit business and 2 charge business been opened within the last 90 days.

Chase I got 2 new Inks within 60 days, and closed 1 older INK. Ive banked with Chase since they were Washington Mutual so I hope that helps me with them. I have several personal cards with them that Ive had awhile.

 

[lsutigers03]

I was denied for a CIU on 09/25. I had 4 Chase biz cards so I closed my CIC. I received the SM that it was closed on 09/28. Since then I have been putting spend on my other biz cards. Do I need to wait a full 30 days from the denial or CIC closure or can I try again now?

 

[wanderlust7]

Just curious as to why 3+ is a trigger point? I am thinking about opening my third Ink (CIU). I have the CIC and CIP (Aug 2024) currently. We have a large expense ($11k) coming up and trying to figure out what SUB(s) we should allocate it to.

It's just based on data points. There's been an increase in denials lately and the common point I see is having 3+ open. Some can be approved with 3+, but I think under that gives you the best odds now. Looks like you have 2 open, so you're fine.

 

[becauseimnew]

Just curious as to why 3+ is a trigger point? I am thinking about opening my third Ink (CIU). I have the CIC and CIP (Aug 2024) currently. We have a large expense ($11k) coming up and trying to figure out what SUB(s) we should allocate it to.

Current travel plans include Paris next summer. Trying to do all or most on points. We have a large amount of UR and MR but I find UR much easier to use. P1 and P2 available and since we have hit inks lately, I think we are probably under 2/24. I was also looking for something that may include Global Entry since we let that expire from the original CSRs and would use it next summer.

We had two Amex Plats years ago and still haven't used the points. Trying to use them for Air France for next summer, but United just lowered their award availability so crossing fingers that Air France follows (currently at 150k+ $200 tax for one-way biz each).

Have thought (but not really researched) the Schwab Plat. We could cash out MR there if needed, but I would really need to understand how that would work so I don't make any mistakes.

Any other cards that would make sense?

According to data point on Reddit, as of 10/1/2024 Chase has gotten more strict on business cards. Looks like in August/September they relaxed their rules but came back with stricter rules in October.

 

[wanderlust7]

I was denied for a CIU on 09/25. I had 4 Chase biz cards so I closed my CIC. I received the SM that it was closed on 09/28. Since then I have been putting spend on my other biz cards. Do I need to wait a full 30 days from the denial or CIC closure or can I try again now?

There's a 1/30 soft rule on Chase biz applications, so better to wait the full 30 days. But with 3 open, I wouldn't be confident of approval.

 

[wanderlust7]

My total points earned went up to 1.5 million because today I got a referral for Amex that I didnt think I was going to get since I referred P2 from my Business Platinum and he applied for Delta Gold .

I am super paranoid now that I went too hard and Im going to get clawbacks or account closures.

I have had a business relationship with Amex for over 20 years. Total cards are 3 credit Business cards, 2 charge business cards, 1 personal credit card of which, 1 credit business and 2 charge business been opened within the last 90 days.

Chase I got 2 new Inks within 60 days, and closed 1 older INK. Ive banked with Chase since they were Washington Mutual so I hope that helps me with them. I have several personal cards with them that Ive had awhile.

The MR earning cards can support to any other Amex card, including cobrands. The cobrands can only support to the same cobrand.

I don't see anything worrisome. Unlike Chase, you can go pretty fast with Amex. Subject to certain limits like 1 credit card in 5 days and 2 in 90 (doesn't apply to charge cards). Also, most people can only hold 5 credit cards at a time (and 10 charge cards).

 

[VGCgroupie]

The MR earning cards can support to any other Amex card, including cobrands. The cobrands can only support to the same cobrand.

I don't see anything worrisome. Unlike Chase, you can go pretty fast with Amex. Subject to certain limits like 1 credit card in 5 days and 2 in 90 (doesn't apply to charge cards). Also, most people can only hold 5 credit cards at a time (and 10 charge cards).

Thanks! Im just going to pay my bill quickly and hope for the best. I will likely keep all high annual fee cards an additional year minimum.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

So there's not a lot of clarity among Hyatt reps about whether legacy GoH can apply to one's own bookings. I was successful with one rep for a 2025 reservation, but she also told me it could only be done once. I have another booking where I'd like this, and another rep said it can be done for unlimited numbers of bookings but those can't be in my name. Because I'll be earning the 40 night milestone soon, I'll have the cert to use for the other booking where I want the benefit anyway. But interesting that there's confusion around this

If it's true that it's not allowed for oneself, then I lucked out with the first rep!

 

[wanderlust7]

Thanks! Im just going to pay my bill quickly and hope for the best. I will likely keep all high annual fee cards an additional year minimum.

For the Amex cards, when the year is up, you can try for a retention offer. Sometimes there are good ones.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So any Cap 1 fans? I'm thinking that's my option right now. Just not sure I want another higher AF.

Not sure if anyone here ever used this partnership but IHG intends to end the partnership with the Venetian/Palazzo in Las Vegas at the end of the contract Jan 2025. So no booking through IHG or redeeming points to stay.

https://www.casino.org/news/venetian-las-vegas-ihg-to-end-hotel-alliance-in-january/

I was finally going to use this next year, oh well!

UGH. I loved that I could snag rooms there w/ IHG. It is my fav hotel on the strip. But I think the Sphere really upped the people staying on that end of the strip now. Explains why I couldn't find any points rooms for awhile now though too.

I think the bigger issue is having 3+ Chase biz open.

There's a 1/30 soft rule on Chase biz applications, so better to wait the full 30 days. But with 3 open, I wouldn't be confident of approval.

I was going to say, I've had a lot more biz cards before. I just closed the IHG biz this spring, hoping to churn it. I guess I could get the personal card instead. If I was denied a biz card is there any wait on doing a personal IHG? It's not a great offer, but I need a spend!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

So any Cap 1 fans? I'm thinking that's my option right now. Just not sure I want another higher AF.



UGH. I loved that I could snag rooms there w/ IHG. It is my fav hotel on the strip. But I think the Sphere really upped the people staying on that end of the strip now. Explains why I couldn't find any points rooms for awhile now though too.




I was going to say, I've had a lot more biz cards before. I just closed the IHG biz this spring, hoping to churn it. I guess I could get the personal card instead. If I was denied a biz card is there any wait on doing a personal IHG? It's not a great offer, but I need a spend!

I don’t have any Cap 1 cards so hopefully someone else can help you

As far as the Chase business cards agree a year ago I was approved with 5 or 6 open but they definitely have changed this year and from DPs here and on Reddit more so in October so who knows what’s going on
You could apply for the IHG personal it’s not restricted by the 1/30 business card

 

[tink1970]

OMG that might be a game changer to push us to Delta again. I have had Delta Gold or Plat for about 6 years now but have never taken advantage of the companion flight. Is it as easy as booking with points or are there restrictions? Would love to hear if anyone has had the opportunity to use this for HI.

You have to use certain fare buckets--which are limited, especially during certain times of the year and of course are going to be even more limited to popular places like Hawaii or the Caribbean. So expecting those fare buckets to Hawaii during Christmas a month or two out...is unrealistic. Planning as soon as the schedule opens and being willing to take an early morning or redeye flight (since those will be the LUTX fares) are the limits of the companion tickets.

Also, the fare must be paid in cash not with points. So, it's not for everyone but a good deal if you know how to use it. My DM just dropped her expectation we would be flying to Phoenix in February on me recently...this is an expensive time to go (great weather, spring training, etc) and that's when I used one of mine and DH and I always have another in our back pocket for a last minute funeral trip to the West Coast (he has a large family and we're always waiting for "the call,"). Some people don't think it's worth it but once you know the ins and outs can save you more than the AF of the platinum, imho.

 

[chattadisser]

You have to use certain fare buckets--which are limited, especially during certain times of the year and of course are going to be even more limited to popular places like Hawaii or the Caribbean. So expecting those fare buckets to Hawaii during Christmas a month or two out...is unrealistic. Planning as soon as the schedule opens and being willing to take an early morning or redeye flight (since those will be the LUTX fares) are the limits of the companion tickets.

Also, the fare must be paid in cash not with points. So, it's not for everyone but a good deal if you know how to use it. My DM just dropped her expectation we would be flying to Phoenix in February on me recently...this is an expensive time to go (great weather, spring training, etc) and that's when I used one of mine and DH and I always have another in our back pocket for a last minute funeral trip to the West Coast (he has a large family and we're always waiting for "the call,"). Some people don't think it's worth it but once you know the ins and outs can save you more than the AF of the platinum, imho.

As someone who has successfully been able to always use their certs (knock on wood) I do think the routes/time of year that you are trying to use them plays into have successful you will be redeeming them. I fly out of ATL most of the time and while you'd think this would limit the certs available on flights, I've been pretty successful using them.

I will say having to pay cash for the first flight, vs points, makes it sometimes not quote as good a deal as say the SW companion ticket where you can use points for the other person. I have not tried for a ticket outside the 48 states since they change that and would agree that flights to HI are probably limited. What I have read is that there are so many companion "spots" available on certain flights and when they are gone, they're gone. So booking as far in advance as you can will help. I do think this benefit is not a great deal for anyone but it can be. I've always been able to get one that is at least equal to the annual fee.

 

[reliev]

I knew that AMEX does not transfer to United but I could use AMEX if nothing better worked out to support my DD2's family travel expense. Thanks for the additional info on United's saver availability. We will not be flexible at all. It seems like United pnt use is like winning the lottery.? I was thinking initially both DD's and P2 could get United and that would cover 2 each saver/award seats each (total of 4) at least, and then use Chase UR for the remaining seats. Does that sound doable? If it's dicey on getting at least 4 saver seats then we will need to reconsider and focus on Delta.

i used to be all united when I lived up north the credit card literally doubles the availability (certain ones)

 

[Arcades]

So any Cap 1 fans? I'm thinking that's my option right now. Just not sure I want another higher AF.



UGH. I loved that I could snag rooms there w/ IHG. It is my fav hotel on the strip. But I think the Sphere really upped the people staying on that end of the strip now. Explains why I couldn't find any points rooms for awhile now though too.




I was going to say, I've had a lot more biz cards before. I just closed the IHG biz this spring, hoping to churn it. I guess I could get the personal card instead. If I was denied a biz card is there any wait on doing a personal IHG? It's not a great offer, but I need a spend!

I use the Venture X as my main travel card since the $395 annual fee is essentially canceled out by the travel credit ($300) and 10,000 miles upon anniversary date ($100). I like having the rental car protection (and the Hertz status is just a bonus) and I'm hoping Capital One continues to expand its lounge network.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I use the Venture X as my main travel card since the $395 annual fee is essentially canceled out by the travel credit ($300) and 10,000 miles upon anniversary date ($100). I like having the rental car protection (and the Hertz status is just a bonus) and I'm hoping Capital One continues to expand its lounge network.

How do the travel protections compare to CSR?

 

[calypso726]

How do the travel protections compare to CSR?

CSR travel protections and all Chase card travel protections have changed recently.

https://frequentmiler.com/chase-tan...mpaign=Frequent Miler (Instant)&lctg=33437776

 

[becauseimnew]

I am pre-approved for Venture and Venture X, should I start with Venture than at a later date apply for the Venture X?

We aren't traveling until Feb, so we are downgrading our CSRs, but won't have a premium card, which is why I'm considering the Venture X over the Venture. But I don't need a premium card right now and we'll definitely be upgrading my CSR at some point.

 

[jamesnnick]

I'm also normally in the 2 years out camp for something specific and 1 year if its on my radar and convenient. I've got New Zealand in mind but what I want to do and the way I want to do it will take me a few years of racking up specific points.

I'm wondering if you could share your strategy for New Zealand. I'm hoping for 2 business class seats for the spring of 2026, so I'm starting to save up the points now and struggling with which currencies would be most useful. Thanks!

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Got a Amex Blue Cash Preferred upgrade offer in the mail today. I currently have the free card. No annual fee for the first year. $150 statement credit after spending $1000. I’m assuming no credit check so I may just take them up on this offer.

Still waiting on my US Bank Altitude Connect so I can apply for Global Entry. I applied for my husband on the 17th - he got approved on the 19th. Then applied for both kids on the 19th and they got approved on the 20th. Would be nice if we could all go for the interviews at the same time. I am tempted to try and do a weekend trip to Niagara Falls and do the interviews on the way back into the US since that entry point has no waits for interviews but our local airport is booking 3 months out.