I love credit cards so much!

[Jen and Ashwin]

I'm trying to figure this out, too. I don't travel enough to ever earn status beyond whatever comes with a co-branded CC, but with the combining of these programs and the CCs I've signed up for this year, I'm wondering if I can get Starriott Platinum for 2019. We'll definitely be staying with them for our 2019 trips if at all possible (since I will have all these points & free nights) so free breakfast & suite upgrades would be really nice.

As of right now, when my points/nights combine on 8/1, I will have 26 nights (15 + 1 from $3K spend on Marriott Biz, 5 from SPG Biz, and 5 from SPG Personal). It's my understanding that the current Marriott personal card is still crediting 15 nights at sign up. (At least that is still listed on the website as part of the benefits of the card.) IF I sign up for that card prior to 8/1, I'll get another 15 nights + 1 from the $3K spend that will combine with my existing 26 nights, for a total of 42 nights. Then I have a 3-night trip planned for Sept, for which I'll be booking 2 rooms. SPG is still giving credit for multiple rooms through the end of 2018, so that will be another 6 nights bringing my total to 48 nights. I could then spend another $6K on either of the Marriott cards (or make my Sept trip 4 nights instead of 3) to get to 50 nights in 2018.

Is this crazy??? My main hesitation is that I *think* I read on one of the blogs that there will be a one Marriott Personal card rule (similar to the one Sapphire and one SW rules) when the new Premier Plus card launches. I'd also have to sign up for the current Marriott card before May 3rd, since it's supposed to go away when the new one launches. That gives me about 12 days to decide if this is NUTS or a good plan.

In your case, you would be pretty close to status with the credit card, but you will be giving up the chance to get another Marriott personal for 24 months. So you have to weigh how much that status is worth. If there is a really great sign up bonus for the new card, the value could be $800+. Breakfast and suite upgrades could be better than that potentially. Just need to weigh the value to your family really.

 

[peel]

We know how Chase shuts ppl down currently. So its good to prep on how to avoid it. :] no fear!

I'm with @Albort - we have some great comments around here on the shutdown reports and what has caused them. Don't be fearful...just be careful A lot of folks on r/churning think "It can't happen to me"...and WELL if you are 19/24 and try to apply for a Chase Hyatt card, you're asking for trouble. It CAN happen to you buddy, lol!

I believe DoC posted that because he hasn't said a lot about it. Nothing has really changed in what triggers shut downs. I know when that Disney $200 stmt credit deal came around a lot of people in the comments were warning of shut downs and others seemed oblivious to it. Not everybody tracks r/churning so it's responsible of DoC to throw that back out there. He should be protecting his readers in light of all these new offers Chase has circulating (especially on non 5/24 cards).

I didn't say they were rational fears...

I'm just nervous about this hobby overall because I've only been seriously chasing offers for a year. It's unsettling to think something might happen to tank my credit score. I'm not opening nearly as many as some of you, and we're in 2 player mode so the new accounts I'm opening are actually being spread between 2 people. So on paper, I don't think we're in any kind of jeopardy. But before a couple of years ago we didn't do anything that might result in suspicion, so I can't help but be a little nervous after consistently opening new lines of credit. Chase's increased scrutiny just freaks me out a bit.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I didn't say they were rational fears...

I'm just nervous about this hobby overall because I've only been seriously chasing offers for a year. It's unsettling to think something might happen to tank my credit score. I'm not opening nearly as many as some of you, and we're in 2 player mode so the new accounts I'm opening are actually being spread between 2 people. So on paper, I don't think we're in any kind of jeopardy. But before a couple of years ago we didn't do anything that might result in suspicion, so I can't help but be a little nervous after consistently opening new lines of credit. Chase's increased scrutiny just freaks me out a bit.

I hear you there! 2 Player mode definitely helps skirt the "shutdown" eyes if played properly. I also think the days of signing up for 15-20 cards per person in a year are behind us. I enjoyed my time period of "heavy churning" but that volume of cards can be stressful. I'm pretty happy to be in the 4-6 card camp now (and that's split between 2 people). I think in 2018 our strategy calls for 5-6 cards and we'll be able to still be constantly working on an MSR.

 

[WardFam]

We are really considering signing up for chase savings/checkings account. In 2 player mode that is $1000! DH was turned down for the CIC because he hasn't used his CIP enough. I'm worried about Chase shutdown - do checking/savings accounts affect that?

 

[Ava]

In your case, you would be pretty close to status with the credit card, but you will be giving up the chance to get another Marriott personal for 24 months. So you have to weigh how much that status is worth. If there is a really great sign up bonus for the new card, the value could be $800+. Breakfast and suite upgrades could be better than that potentially. Just need to weigh the value to your family really.

The bonus for the new Marriott card is going to be 100,000 points for $5K spend. I don't know if the $95 AF is waived the first year or not. The current card is 75,000 points for $3K spend, AF waived first year. It's a tough decision. I could estimate how much breakfast is worth for our planned stays, but the suite upgrades are difficult to monetize since they aren't guaranteed. 4pm check out would be nice as well, but again not really something you can put a monetary value on.

I also wish we'd know which hotels will fall into which categories going forward before I'd have to pull the trigger on the current card. If the free night certificates aren't going to be useful, that puts a damper on things as well.

 

[wendow]

We are really considering signing up for chase savings/checkings account. In 2 player mode that is $1000! DH was turned down for the CIC because he hasn't used his CIP enough. I'm worried about Chase shutdown - do checking/savings accounts affect that?

I do not think having a checking or saving with Chase makes you more apt to be shutdown. It might help prevent a shutdown but the DP's for those being shutdown are really inconsistent on that. I think just not hammering Chase too hard for CC's is the biggie, or opening a ton with other banks and then heading back to Chase.

 

[wendow]

Anyone know when the CFU 3x offer expires?

 

[platamama]

I'm trying to figure this out, too. I don't travel enough to ever earn status beyond whatever comes with a co-branded CC, but with the combining of these programs and the CCs I've signed up for this year, I'm wondering if I can get Starriott Platinum for 2019. We'll definitely be staying with them for our 2019 trips if at all possible (since I will have all these points & free nights) so free breakfast & suite upgrades would be really nice.

As of right now, when my points/nights combine on 8/1, I will have 26 nights (15 + 1 from $3K spend on Marriott Biz, 5 from SPG Biz, and 5 from SPG Personal). It's my understanding that the current Marriott personal card is still crediting 15 nights at sign up. (At least that is still listed on the website as part of the benefits of the card.) IF I sign up for that card prior to 8/1, I'll get another 15 nights + 1 from the $3K spend that will combine with my existing 26 nights, for a total of 42 nights. Then I have a 3-night trip planned for Sept, for which I'll be booking 2 rooms. SPG is still giving credit for multiple rooms through the end of 2018, so that will be another 6 nights bringing my total to 48 nights. I could then spend another $6K on either of the Marriott cards (or make my Sept trip 4 nights instead of 3) to get to 50 nights in 2018.

Is this crazy??? My main hesitation is that I *think* I read on one of the blogs that there will be a one Marriott Personal card rule (similar to the one Sapphire and one SW rules) when the new Premier Plus card launches, so if I get the current card I'd be shut out of the new one with the 100,000 point sign up bonus. I'd also have to sign up for the current Marriott card before May 3rd, since it's supposed to go away when the new one launches. That gives me about 12 days to decide if this is NUTS or a good plan.

The bonus for the new Marriott card is going to be 100,000 points for $5K spend. I don't know if the $95 AF is waived the first year or not. The current card is 75,000 points for $3K spend, AF waived first year. It's a tough decision. I could estimate how much breakfast is worth for our planned stays, but the suite upgrades are difficult to monetize since they aren't guaranteed. 4pm check out would be nice as well, but again not really something you can put a monetary value on.

I also wish we'd know which hotels will fall into which categories going forward before I'd have to pull the trigger on the current card. If the free night certificates aren't going to be useful, that puts a damper on things as well.

I was checking on the fine print of current Marriott Gold status, and the free continental breakfast only applies for the Elite member and one guest. I'm not sure how that will affect a family - do you have to pay for the kid(s) meals, and is it age dependent? Maybe some properties are more lenient than others? I was looking at the AC hotels I have planned for Thanksgiving week this year, and breakfast at both properties run $15pp so for our family I don't think chasing Gold by 8/1 makes much sense for us. Also, we usually stay at Residence Inns with free breakfasts when we stay for any length of time anywhere, so that also plays into my thinking.

As for suite night awards that come with the Platinum Elite status, those would be really nice for a family. Your trade-off would be the 100,000 signup points as you say, due to Chase's recent clampdowns on cards. The big plus with the suite night awards is that those are nicer rooms that you can count on getting (limited to 5 nights). Currently with both Marriott and Starwood, the award night redemptions are limited to standard rooms, not suites. You can hope/wish for an upgrade on an award stay but it's not guaranteed like the suite night awards.

I too wish they would release the hotel category placements soon. One blogger said it would come out in the next four weeks, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[miztressuz]

DoC has an update for the SPG Biz folks not seeing points post couple weeks ago: Check for Missing Points on your SPG Business Card for Purchases from 3/30-4/6

I have 2 charges in the affected range but in the Beta version view they are showing starpoints. But my purchase from Monday doesn't show anything yet. My statement just closed yesterday so my starpoints aren't updated either. Was it normal to have a 4-5 day delay on the Beta version? Of course that's the several hundred dollar charge and the ones from couple weeks ago are $20's

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

We are really considering signing up for chase savings/checkings account. In 2 player mode that is $1000! DH was turned down for the CIC because he hasn't used his CIP enough. I'm worried about Chase shutdown - do checking/savings accounts affect that?

I do not think having a checking or saving with Chase makes you more apt to be shutdown. It might help prevent a shutdown but the DP's for those being shutdown are really inconsistent on that. I think just not hammering Chase too hard for CC's is the biggie, or opening a ton with other banks and then heading back to Chase.

DPs indicate that having a banking relationship with Chase has no bearing on shutdown. There are even DPs of people in Chase Private Client being shutdown. I don't think having an account makes you more at risk...I don't think having an account makes you safer. It literally appears to have no affect. The one thing that does seem to have a bearing though is having a Mortgage of any sort. The assumed reason for this is because it's harder to disappear off the grid if you own real property

 

[AmyAnne]

Anyone know when the CFU 3x offer expires?

I don't know about this offer, but Alliant has a Visa card that offers 3% back on all purchases for the first year, with the annual fee waived the first year. Not as good as the CFU if you're transferring UR to CSP or CSR, but still a better deal than most other cards for non-bonus-category spend.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Anyone know when the CFU 3x offer expires?

It sounds like a marketing test offer - kind of like the 60k CSP so I'd assume this could go away at any time.

 

[havaneselover]

My chase Marriott annual fee will hit in June. I got it in June 2016 so should be eligible for a new sign on bonus. Is there any reason not to cancel if I have a stay on points in August? I will still have spg biz?

 

[AmyAnne]

I hear you there! 2 Player mode definitely helps skirt the "shutdown" eyes if played properly. I also think the days of signing up for 15-20 cards per person in a year are behind us. I enjoyed my time period of "heavy churning" but that volume of cards can be stressful. I'm pretty happy to be in the 4-6 card camp now (and that's split between 2 people). I think in 2018 our strategy calls for 5-6 cards and we'll be able to still be constantly working on an MSR.

I'm also cutting back on new card applications (and no Chase at all for a good while). I'd be curious to hear your strategy.

 

[wendow]

It sounds like a marketing test offer - kind of like the 60k CSP so I'd assume this could go away at any time.

I’m seriously considering it. Visions of just how many URs this could add up to danced through my head all night. But I’m still working through two Amex msr’s. 5k to go.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

My chase Marriott annual fee will hit in June. I got it in June 2016 so should be eligible for a new sign on bonus. Is there any reason not to cancel if I have a stay on points in August? I will still have spg biz?

This is a perfect time to cancel so you are eligible for the new card's bonus. An awards stay on points is not effected by having the credit card.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I’m seriously considering it. Visions of just how many URs this could add up to danced through my head all night. But I’m still working through two Amex msr’s. 5k to go.

Would you realistically put more than $10k on it in a year? That is the break even (which I'm sure you're well aware of)

Standard offer: 15,000 URs for spending $500 = spend $10,000 get 30,000 URs
New Offer: 3x URs per $1 = spend $10,000 get 30,000 URs
- Assuming you value URs at $0.015 each at $10k both of these get you $450

If you spend $20,000 in that year this NEW offer ONLY wins by $225...I'm not necessarily saying you shouldn't do it, but in this (IMO) extreme example you still only win by $225.

On the other hand - If you spent just $5,000 as an example the STANDARD offer wins by $112.50. Unless you think you're going to run out of new cards soon I'd probably pass here. You could compare this to the Schwab Plat idea where you could potentially earn roughly 25% back on your next $18,000 in purchases (vs. 4.5% shown above)...Just presenting different ideas

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

My chase Marriott annual fee will hit in June. I got it in June 2016 so should be eligible for a new sign on bonus. Is there any reason not to cancel if I have a stay on points in August? I will still have spg biz?

Why not wait and earn your free night first? If your annual fee is hitting June 1 I'd assume your free night will post somewhere between May 2 and May 31

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm also cutting back on new card applications (and no Chase at all for a good while). I'd be curious to hear your strategy.

My wife just clicked down to 3/24 on April 1. By June 1 she will be 0/24. We are hitting Chase with the LARGE min. spends first - here's our rough strategy:

12/2017: Delta Gold Biz (counting for 2018 since most of the spend was this year - we cashed out via Target gift cards)
01/2018: AMEX Blue 4 Business Plus
04/2018: CIP (approved and working on min. spend now)
07/2018: CSR/CSP double dip
TBD Late 2018: TBD AMEX Biz card (to slow the roll with Chase)
Late 2018/Early 2019: CIC
Beyond that she will hit SW Biz, SW personal, CF, CFU
I will click under 5/24 in spring 2019 and then I can hit CIP, CSR/CSP, CIC, etc. myself

We basically have a strategy that goes 2+ years out from now

 

[Ava]

I was checking on the fine print of current Marriott Gold status, and the free continental breakfast only applies for the Elite member and one guest. I'm not sure how that will affect a family - do you have to pay for the kid(s) meals, and is it age dependent? Maybe some properties are more lenient than others? I was looking at the AC hotels I have planned for Thanksgiving week this year, and breakfast at both properties run $15pp so for our family I don't think chasing Gold by 8/1 makes much sense for us. Also, we usually stay at Residence Inns with free breakfasts when we stay for any length of time anywhere, so that also plays into my thinking.

As for suite night awards that come with the Platinum Elite status, those would be really nice for a family. Your trade-off would be the 100,000 signup points as you say, due to Chase's recent clampdowns on cards. The big plus with the suite night awards is that those are nicer rooms that you can count on getting (limited to 5 nights). Currently with both Marriott and Starwood, the award night redemptions are limited to standard rooms, not suites. You can hope/wish for an upgrade on an award stay but it's not guaranteed like the suite night awards.

I too wish they would release the hotel category placements soon. One blogger said it would come out in the next four weeks, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Good point on the breakfast, I will have to check the properties we're considering for next year to see what their policy is for children. That is one thing I really like about Holiday Inn; children under 12 eat free at all meals with a paid adult, as long as they order from the kids menu (if there is one). I've paid less than $20 above the standard member rate for a rate that included breakfast, and gotten a full breakfast buffet included for all 4 of us.

The way I read the terms of the Suite Night Awards is that they are still dependent on availability. You request them on your booking, and then the hotel notifies you if they can confirm the upgrade. If they can't by the day before check in, the awards are deposited back into your account. Maybe that rarely happens, but it's still not a 100% guarantee.