Saw this comment on reddit last night linking to a Disney podcast, where they discuss credit card churning for Disney:
https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9ao03k/daily_discussion_thread_august_27_2018/e4y0yb5
Matthew Truesdale (the guest), are you on this thread?
They didn't actually use the term "churning" but that's essentially what the guest is talking about.
The relevant discussion starts at 26:38 and goes to the end of the podcast, so runs about 48 minutes.
A few highlights:
- The host points out that Matt sent in a pic of about 69 credit cards.
- Matt mentions how every credit card issuer has their own rules for approving new cards (but no mention of any rule in detail, says generally can get a bonus on the same card again every 24 months, nothing about 5/24).
- Matt talks about how he has about 20 open credit cards and they all have different uses, and mentions the category bonuses on a few of them like the rotating 5% categories on the Chase Freedom and 6% cash back on groceries with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred.
- Matt mentions when he has a new card, he'll put the spend on that.
- Matt is redoing his kitchen and bath and it sounds like he's putting a significant amount of spend on his Lowe's credit card (!!!) for the 5% off.
- The host seems fixated on the 6% cash back on groceries and keeps going back to that card.
- They talk about maximizing savings on Target gift cards for Disney and how now that's dead, you can still use Target gift cards for regular shopping and shift the savings to a Disney fund.
- Matt talks about how he'll do that sort of accounting for certain cards that offer cash back as a statement credit.
- The host somehow segues into talking about the Starbucks credit card, and how it comes with so many free drinks, and if you're a regular coffee drinker it's a great deal because you can take the free drinks and pocket the money you would've spent on coffee for Disney instead.
- Matt mentions buying Disney gift cards at office supply stores for 5% back with a Chase business card, which is even better than Target.
- Matt mentions charging everything to the Magic Band and paying them off at your hotel so they code as travel on the CSR for 3% back.
- Matt is corrected on the details of the CSR's AF and travel credit by the host.
- Hints UR points may be worth more than a cent several times, but doesn't mention the 1.5x redemption bonus through CSR. Does mention the travel portal and transferring to airline partners.
- The host asks how much of a barrier is there to getting business cards. Matt thinks people on the internet who say, "have you ever sold anything on eBay? You're a business!" are being unreasonable, but if you have some kind of (ongoing) activity from which you're trying to earn some extra money, that's good enough. Matt's wife is an independent contractor, and he says they apply for biz cards using her info.
- The other host and guest talk about financial responsibility, paying off bills every month so you don't incur interest, don't let credit cards make you think you have more spending power than you do, spend within your means, only charge what you would've spent anyway. All good advice.
- Discussion re effect of inquiries on credit score, typically see a rebound after a month or two, credit utilization ratio and how that factors in. Matt makes a good point when he says credit card companies won't approve you for new credit cards if your credit is bad. Matt says his credit score has never been better.
- Matt says he opens 3-4 cards at most a year, calls himself an "extreme example to a certain degree." Sounds like his wife is P2. (Lots of things he's said in the podcast make me think Matt may be undercounting how many cards he opens per year.)
- Matt is planning a family trip to Europe next year that he estimates will cost 250-300k points, and he's been focusing on Chase cards. A host asks him how he's doing it. Matt mentions he's been working on this for a few years, and kind of vaguely suggests it's a mix of signup bonuses and maximizing bonus categories.
- Matt and his family fly Southwest, and that's been the primary use of his UR points; says they've probably spent over 800k in SW points since starting this hobby.
- Lots of discussion about the SW Companion Pass, how it's a great deal, how to get it with credit card signup bonuses. Matt's strategy mostly discusses 1 biz card and 1 personal card, and waiting for higher signup bonuses on both that'll get you closest to 110k RR. Matt mentions Chase recently changed the rules and says he can't remember if it's now harder or impossible to get 2 personal cards. No mention of the double dip.
by November since that's when booking will open. This should be a fun challenge
It was my daughter's birthday and she received two gifts in the room, including a pretty special hand written card from one of the staff with chocolate covered strawberries. When we had to (reluctantly) change hotels to join our tour group (REI), they arranged a private car to take us for free. As DH and DS couldn't go with us this trip, we are already talking about going back so they can enjoy Cusco--which we loved--and this great Marriott property. I'd thought about staying at the Belmond, but I'm so glad I didn't. 
