I love credit cards so much!

[peel]

https://frequentmiler.boardingarea....iotts-phone-prompts-to-book-a-travel-package/

I used the number and prompts FM posted above and it got me through to someone who knew what they were doing and what I wanted. Granted, the wait was about 30 min to get to the rep.

On my third attempt now after being on hold for 28 minutes and then disconnected.

 

[Albort]

Paging @Lain, @gottalovepluto, @speedyfishy, @striker1064 and anybody else who is fairly well read on things...

After seeing @familyman123's comment I was thinking...the CIP has to have a 24 month restriction. How have I missed this?

So I googled it and got this article: https://milestomemories.boardingarea.com/chase-ink-no-24-month-restriction/

Can we just cancel a CIP and then reapply without waiting 24 months?? Does anybody know more about this??

EDIT: Perhaps it does have the restriction...see here: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/6hi4gd/psa_do_not_try_for_a_2nd_ink_business_card_bonus/

Also...I don't know who "miles to memories" is...but I lose respect for that blogger for not updating their post when this "loophole" was clarified.

you can go to the IRS website and request an EIN that is connected to your SSN. That should get around the restriction on the 24 month restriction.

 

[Lain]

Paging @Lain, @gottalovepluto, @speedyfishy, @striker1064 and anybody else who is fairly well read on things...

After seeing @familyman123's comment I was thinking...the CIP has to have a 24 month restriction. How have I missed this?

So I googled it and got this article: https://milestomemories.boardingarea.com/chase-ink-no-24-month-restriction/

Can we just cancel a CIP and then reapply without waiting 24 months?? Does anybody know more about this??

EDIT: Perhaps it does have the restriction...see here: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/6hi4gd/psa_do_not_try_for_a_2nd_ink_business_card_bonus/

Also...I don't know who "miles to memories" is...but I lose respect for that blogger for not updating their post when this "loophole" was clarified.

It appears you CANNOT earn a 2nd bonus on the CIP (unless you have a separate EIN) - the 24 month language will appear on the final part of your application:

http://i.imgur.com/TOk4qJ8.png

Yeah, the CIP does have 24 months language like you’ve found. I think the reason why there are no DPs of folks “churning” the CIP is because this card came out in October 2016, so it hasn’t even been 24 months since this card was released. As you noted, people who have been able to get two or three CIPs do it by using their SSN, SSN+1st EIN (often sole proprietorship), and SSN+2nd EIN (partnership or other legal entity), usually referring themselves for an extra 20k bonus.

 

[trstno1]

I know this came up at some point, but I didn't think it pertained to me at the time. It looks like DD may need a new laptop very soon. I know there are student discounts right now so at least the timing could be worse. Any tips on how to maximize points, and also which CCard comes with the best warranty for something like this? (We are talking Apple here, and our better cards are: Citi AA Plat, AMEX Plat, CSR & CSP, with the 2 Chase cards still needing a bit to get the MS but I don't think that will be an issue even if we don't use them). Any advice would be appreciated. (DH can get the discount through his work, so we will likely buy through them, not a retail chain). TIA!

I still think purchasing directly from Apple via Discover Deals during the first year of card ownership gives you the best cash back. It's 5% cash back, doubled during the first year. Unfortunately, Discover ended it's extended warranty program earlier this year. As a student, your daughter can get a discount on Apple Care, which is a longer warranty, and probably a better warranty, than what you will get with any card.

 

[miztressuz]

I need to look at this now that triple points July is over. I am concerned b/c apparently using the GC can be a hassle as the desk clerks don't see them often and don't know what to do with them.

It should be fine, they just take an extra couple minutes to process. I used them at a DoubleTree and Hampton Inn. Seems like they're swiped just like a CC, I think they put in the CVV and then just had to wait for it to apply. Both locations knew how to actually apply them to the bill, but they weren't sure what they could be used for. Both times were consistent in taking them at checkout rather than at check-in when I asked. So that was the only hassle for us, having to stop by the desk on the way out.

 

[speedyfishy]

Question on Marriott/UR points. I am in the process of booking two Marriott rooms over the Christmas holidays and am 75K points short. Was thinking of transferring UR points over, but all our UR points are in my CSR account and my DH is not an authorized user. We do have a CIU and CF where he is the authorized user. Could we move the points to an account where he is the authorized user and then transfer to Marriott? We usually book Hiltons, so Marriott is all new to me. It looks like I can book the reservation and then add the points later? Any other thoughts?

Have you looked for the room on the UR portal? You may get a better deal booking that way instead of transferring URs. The CF and CIU can’t transfer points to travel partners.

 

[WVMomof3]

Question on Marriott/UR points. I am in the process of booking two Marriott rooms over the Christmas holidays and am 75K points short. Was thinking of transferring UR points over, but all our UR points are in my CSR account and my DH is not an authorized user. We do have a CIU and CF where he is the authorized user. Could we move the points to an account where he is the authorized user and then transfer to Marriott? We usually book Hiltons, so Marriott is all new to me. It looks like I can book the reservation and then add the points later? Any other thoughts?

Transferring the points to a card he is an AU on should work. But did you check how much it would be in the CSR travel portal first? That may be less points, unless you care about earning the nights because booking through the travel portal will not qualify as nights with your Marriott account.

OOPs sorry, forgot CF and CIU are cash back cards so I don't believe you can transfer to travel partners on those cards. Ignore above, except do look on the CSR portal for cheaper points.

 

[trstno1]

I just received an AmEx Blue Business Plus card on 7/25. Is it too soon to call in for an AmEx Business Platinum today? I won't have trouble with the MSR if I can get the 100K/10K promotion.

 

[Lain]

2nd question – my income to credit line ratio on all credit cards is over 60%. What’s the current wisdom on lowering CL for Chase? Is it better to keep your credit line high so you can move it around to get approved? Or is it better to lower it before applying to improve odds of being approved? And if so, how long after lowering Chase credit lines would you wait before applying?

Chase looks at the total credit that only Chase has extended to the applicant, including personal and business lines of credit. The conventional wisdom is to keep your total credit lines with Chase under 50% of your reported household income to increase your odds of auto- (even if not insta-) approval.

When proactively reducing credit lines:

- It's best to reduce CLs far enough in advance so that the lowered CLs are reported to the credit report(s) that Chase pulls before submitting a new application. Although you can SM Chase to reduce a CL on a card, and Chase will reduce your CL effective immediately, Chase does not report the reduced CL to the credit bureaus until the close of statement on that card. So although Chase should know how much credit it's extended to you, its approval algorithm may be looking at your credit report and see the higher CL.

- When deciding how much to reduce a CL to, leave an extra $5k in available credit for each new card you may be applying for (and $10k for a CSR) in case you have to move credit from an existing card to open the new card(s).

- Keep in mind that Chase will not let you move credit from personal cards to open a biz card, and vice versa. So when deciding where and how much to reduce CLs, consider what kind of card you’ll be applying for and if you might need to move credit from your personal or your biz cards, and cut accordingly.

 

[mmmears]

I still think purchasing directly from Apple via Discover Deals during the first year of card ownership gives you the best cash back. It's 5% cash back, doubled during the first year. Unfortunately, Discover ended it's extended warranty program earlier this year. As a student, your daughter can get a discount on Apple Care, which is a longer warranty, and probably a better warranty, than what you will get with any card.

Thanks. Discover is one card we don't have anymore. Had one years ago, but cancelled it.

 

[linzjane88]

For those who have gotten the Marriott packages, which number did you call? Last night, I called the number on the official page that said "Call xxx to book these packages", and after 15 minutes on hold a lady who I think may have actually been Tina Belcher told me I was supposed to call a different number, but that she would connect me. I went back on hold for 20 more minutes and then they disconnected me.

UGH they did that to me too!!! I was so bitter. The lady was completely clueless as to what I was talking about (despite the number coming from their website). She gave me another number to call and then when I called it it was for the Marriott travel club 5 day package . So I called the same number again--it may have been the same lady but I didn't catch her name-- and explained what I wanted and she again transferred me. It did take me to a guy that was able to book it though. It took about 15 minutes. What made me mad was that I didn't just arbitrarily google some random number here. It is advertised on your site!

 

[Lain]

I just received an AmEx Blue Business Plus card on 7/25. Is it too soon to call in for an AmEx Business Platinum today? I won't have trouble with the MSR if I can get the 100K/10K promotion.

Go for it!

Amex credit card approval timing limits don’t affect charge card applications.

 

[striker1064]

Paging @Lain, @gottalovepluto, @speedyfishy, @striker1064 and anybody else who is fairly well read on things...

After seeing @familyman123's comment I was thinking...the CIP has to have a 24 month restriction. How have I missed this?

So I googled it and got this article: https://milestomemories.boardingarea.com/chase-ink-no-24-month-restriction/

Can we just cancel a CIP and then reapply without waiting 24 months?? Does anybody know more about this??

EDIT: Perhaps it does have the restriction...see here: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/6hi4gd/psa_do_not_try_for_a_2nd_ink_business_card_bonus/

Also...I don't know who "miles to memories" is...but I lose respect for that blogger for not updating their post when this "loophole" was clarified.

I seem to remember a little hubbub about this when the CIP launched, but I never saw any positive DPs of someone getting another one. My guess is if someone tried they would have been denied the bonus even if the language wasn't there, but who knows.

Yeah, the CIP does have 24 months language like you’ve found. I think the reason why there are no DPs of folks “churning” the CIP is because this card came out in October 2016, so it hasn’t even been 24 months since this card was released. As you noted, people who have been able to get two or three CIPs do it by using their SSN, SSN+1st EIN (often sole proprietorship), and SSN+2nd EIN (partnership or other legal entity), usually referring themselves for an extra 20k bonus.

Yeah, people apply for an EIN or two with a fake "business" and use it to self-refer for another CIP or two (and every other Chase biz card as well). Gotta say, that makes me super duper uncomfortable. I'm sure it's all well and good, but as an accountant I'm never thrilled with involving the IRS in anything more than necessary, you know? They're the one government agency that will not hesitate to come after you if necessary, and I'm not particularly interested in having the IRS sniff around this whole churning deal.

I just received an AmEx Blue Business Plus card on 7/25. Is it too soon to call in for an AmEx Business Platinum today? I won't have trouble with the MSR if I can get the 100K/10K promotion.

You are good to go. The BBP is a credit card and the Biz Plat is a charge card, so you could technically have gotten them on the same day. Heck, Amex only has a 1/5 and 2/90 rule on credit cards alone (not charge), so you're fine across all of their rules.

 

[disneybirds]

Have you looked for the room on the UR portal? You may get a better deal booking that way instead of transferring URs. The CF and CIU can’t transfer points to travel partners.

Thanks for the into. The room is $1,200 a night, so it was way better to book through Marriott at 50K per night. I was thinking of him doing the double dip for CSR/CSP which would fix the issue but don't have the points today. We could just do one room, but with 2 double beds I really wanted 2 rooms.

 

[Albort]

Thanks for the into. The room is $1,200 a night, so it was way better to book through Marriott at 50K per night. I was thinking of him doing the double dip for CSR/CSP which would fix the issue but don't have the points today. We could just do one room, but with 2 double beds I really wanted 2 rooms.

if u dont need to book right now, wait for the Amex Lux card. the Amex Lux card is rumored to have a 120k bonus. There is also a $300 credit as well.

 

[peel]

On my third attempt now after being on hold for 28 minutes and then disconnected.

I thought I had hit the jackpot because they asked me if I wanted the 5 night package. I said YES PLEASE! but the system wouldn't let her put it through. So I picked up a 1-5 and 120K for Virgin Atlantic to put toward ANA flights to Japan next fall.

 

[familyman123]

Why not wait for the SPG Lux for the 125,000 points? If you get a Marriott card now, you disqualify yourself for the SPG Lux. CIC sounds like a good choice for now.

SPG Lux isn't going to be viable since I received the SPG in November of last year.

 

[speedyfishy]

Thanks for the into. The room is $1,200 a night, so it was way better to book through Marriott at 50K per night. I was thinking of him doing the double dip for CSR/CSP which would fix the issue but don't have the points today. We could just do one room, but with 2 double beds I really wanted 2 rooms.

Definitely don’t book through the portal then lol. Normally URs are worth more than Marriott but it’s always good to check.

When is your trip? You can reserve a room with Marriott even if you don’t have the points yet. Or could you do one room on your DHs account and one on your account?

 

[peel]

UGH they did that to me too!!! I was so bitter. The lady was completely clueless as to what I was talking about (despite the number coming from their website). She gave me another number to call and then when I called it it was for the Marriott travel club 5 day package . So I called the same number again--it may have been the same lady but I didn't catch her name-- and explained what I wanted and she again transferred me. It did take me to a guy that was able to book it though. It took about 15 minutes. What made me mad was that I didn't just arbitrarily google some random number here. It is advertised on your site!

I know! The first lady was so snippy with me. I'm extremely nice on the phone until the person on the other end takes a tone, and then I'm more than happy to reciprocate the tone back. I told her I was looking at the website and read exactly what it said to her.

How long did everything take to show up in your Marriott/airline accounts?

 

[Lain]

As it has been the case the last 3 days, following your DP with my own

My 20K MR referral bonus posted this am as well! Gosh, I love Amex more and more these days

Still anxiously waiting on the Biz Plat cause I actually have a few things to pay! And I want to test out the MCGC/MasterPass Promo on Plastiq. Just made nice dent in the Citi AA Biz by splitting up a few payments.

THIS. My DH might kill me...ok, maybe not because then no one will get him his lounge access and free vacations, but I will get the , followed by "WT_ are you doing these days and what else with my info that I just let you run wild with!?".

I can so relate!

My wife was like once, I’m just income and a SSN to you nowadays, aren’t I?

No dear, you’re the reason I picked up this hobby (and for the kiddo too). You’ve got this amazing wanderlist and I’m going to take you to all those places you’ve always wanted to visit for as close to free as I can.

On a more personal note, my MIL is in the hospital and my wife had to fly back to Hawaii very suddenly over the weekend. Because we have stashes of points and miles, I was able to book her an award seat on Saturday night to fly out on Hawaiian the next morning. It cost us 25k HawaiianMiles and only $5.60, but cash fares were in the $600s. Holding down the fort here, and hoping seeing her daughter will help my MIL get better soon.

Anyway, I’m eagerly awaiting my Biz Plat too, because bills keep a comin’.

But I’m also debating applying for the Marriott Premier Plus in a week or two, and I’ll just throw my September rent payment on it as soon as I have the card in hand — that’ll knock out the MSR in one go before the new Starriott restrictions hit on 8/26.