I love credit cards so much!

[TeamH5]

Welcome to travel hacking! If you find the United card at 50k bonus or better then I'd get it. You don't need it as you can transfer your UR points directly to United and they transfer nearly instantly. Since you are new to this I would suggest starting out with a portfolio of Chase cards to maximize your UR earning potential and get the best cards with the highest bonuses before reaching the point of opening 5 new cards from any bank within 24 months. I don't know if you have read the whole thread so I will re-post my advice. After you make the spend on the CSR apply for the Ink+ business card. You can use your ss# and be the sole proprietor of your business. Then after that apply for the Sapphire Preferred card. Then decide if the CSR is worth keeping or not. If you spend at least $3200 each year in dining and travel then you are at a break even point between the CSR and CSP with the annual fee vs value of card and UR earning. Instead of cancelling one or the other downgrade it to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited whichever you can make the most use of. I have both, plus the Ink+ and CSR.

The United card will get you 2 lounge passes each year and also the free checked bag and priority boarding. I don't keep it for that reason though. United card holders are also able to have access to more award availability vs non card holders. My other Chase keeper cards are the IHG for the free annual night at any property which outweighs the fee and the Marriott for the same reason. I will likely pick up a Hyatt card down the line for the same reason.

I hope this all helps you and anyone else new to the hobby. I have received a great deal of value playing this game. I have been able to travel in ways I would have never thought imaginable. Knowing I could go anywhere I want in the world and not worry about paying real money for airfare and hotels is pretty awesome. Getting there In first class is even better!

So I don't have to actually own a business to get the ink+ card?

And, a question to the other poster about the UA points. Do they expire if you don't transfer them to the UA card?

When I'm ready to downgrade just call Chase and ask? Is there any kind of hit to your credit or anything by doing that? I doubt we will hit the $3200/yr unless we start making annual trips to DW.. or anywhere else for that matter. Lol

 

[calypso726]

So I don't have to actually own a business to get the ink+ card?

And, a question to the other poster about the UA points. Do they expire if you don't transfer them to the UA card?

When I'm ready to downgrade just call Chase and ask? Is there any kind of hit to your credit or anything by doing that? I doubt we will hit the $3200/yr unless we start making annual trips to DW.. or anywhere else for that matter. Lol

There are many types of businesses. Holding garage sales, selling on EBay or Amazon. My business is dog sitting and grooming. I have one client LOL Million Mile Secrets blog has a good primer on how to apply for a business card.

Ultimate reward points never expire as long as you have an ultimate rewards points earning card. The UA points don't need to be transferred from your United card to United. They just show up in your FF account.

No hit to the credit score since it isn't a new application. I already had the Chase sapphire preferred card for years when I got the sapphire reserve. I wasn't going to cancel and I knew I'd be keeping the CSR. So I downgraded my CSP to a Freedom Unlimited.

 

[AmyAnne]

Speaking of business cards, what's a good one to have besides the Ink+?

Also, I have read in various places that AmEx business cards don't count towards the Chase 5/24 rule because they don't show up on a personal credit report. Is that true of all business cards?

 

[calypso726]

Speaking of business cards, what's a good one to have besides the Ink+?

Also, I have read in various places that AmEx business cards don't count towards the Chase 5/24 rule because they don't show up on a personal credit report. Is that true of all business cards?

They aren't supposed to show up but my SPG Amex business card did show up on my personal credit report. So that is a YMMV. As far as great business cards it will all depend on your earning potential with the bonus categories if any and the card's benefits.

 

[AmyAnne]

They aren't supposed to show up but my SPG Amex business card did show up on my personal credit report. So that is a YMMV. As far as great business cards it will all depend on your earning potential with the bonus categories if any and the card's benefits.

Yikes - thanks for sharing that. I was pondering whether to apply for a business card while waiting to apply for the Chase United card, which would be the 5th card under the 5/24 limit. I guess that's a bad idea! I'm thinking now maybe I should just go ahead and apply for the United card now, even though I just got the CSP in July and the CSR in September. When I applied for the CSR, I was not immediately approved, and when I called to get approved, it involved transferring some of the Disney credit limit to the CSR, so I am worried that Chase is not especially eager to give me more credit right now. If I did get declined, I am assuming I could reapply at some point?

 

[Albort]

Yikes - thanks for sharing that. I was pondering whether to apply for a business card while waiting to apply for the Chase United card, which would be the 5th card under the 5/24 limit. I guess that's a bad idea! I'm thinking now maybe I should just go ahead and apply for the United card now, even though I just got the CSP in July and the CSR in September. When I applied for the CSR, I was not immediately approved, and when I called to get approved, it involved transferring some of the Disney credit limit to the CSR, so I am worried that Chase is not especially eager to give me more credit right now. If I did get declined, I am assuming I could reapply at some point?

are u talking about ink+ & Chase United Explorer? Why not apply for both at the same time? there are reports of people going pass the 5/24 rule by doing that.

 

[calypso726]

Yikes - thanks for sharing that. I was pondering whether to apply for a business card while waiting to apply for the Chase United card, which would be the 5th card under the 5/24 limit. I guess that's a bad idea! I'm thinking now maybe I should just go ahead and apply for the United card now, even though I just got the CSP in July and the CSR in September. When I applied for the CSR, I was not immediately approved, and when I called to get approved, it involved transferring some of the Disney credit limit to the CSR, so I am worried that Chase is not especially eager to give me more credit right now. If I did get declined, I am assuming I could reapply at some point?

The last time I was able to get a Chase card without moving credit was 4 cards ago. You need $5k to open a CSP and $10k to open a CSR. The Untied card will require $5k to open. If you have an extra $5k to move from your Disney Visa then go for it. Never allow a denial without calling recon at least 3 times

 

[Psychodisney]

The last time I was able to get a Chase card without moving credit was 4 cards ago. You need $5k to open a CSP and $10k to open a CSR. The Untied card will require $5k to open. If you have an extra $5k to move from your Disney Visa then go for it. Never allow a denial without calling recon at least 3 times

What's the best Chase phone number to call? I stopped in a branch the other day as I haven't heard on my CSR. They were no help...said to give them 30 days. I guess I'm impatient.

 

[calypso726]

• (888) 270-2127 – personal cards reconsideration phone number #1
• (800) 432-3117- personal cards reconsideration phone number #2
• (888) 609-7805- personal cards reconsideration phone number #3
• (888) 871-4649- personal cards reconsideration phone number #4

What's the best Chase phone number to call? I stopped in a branch the other day as I haven't heard on my CSR. They were no help...said to give them 30 days. I guess I'm impatient.

Phone numbers above from one of my previous posts.

 

[calypso726]

What's the best Chase phone number to call? I stopped in a branch the other day as I haven't heard on my CSR. They were no help...said to give them 30 days. I guess I'm impatient.

Oh and don't feel bad about being impatient. If I don't get an instant you've been approved message after hitting submit I am dialing recon.

 

[GPC0321]

Got my $200 gift card in the mail today from my Disney Visa sign-up bonus! Hooray!
I've got a little less than $300 left to spend on the Southwest card to get the 50,000 pts, and then $500 to spend on the Unlimited to get $150 cash back (which will be used to purchase Disney gift cards at Sam's).
And not credit card related, but I sold an old show saddle of mine on eBay last night for $500! More Mickey money!

 

[Dancind]

Got my Ink card last week, thanks to the tips here! I tried it out by buying a couple of gift cards from Staples store, and one from Gyft.com through Paypal. None are showing points on my account yet. However, the Gyft.com charge is showing up classified as "Utilities". That doesn't get the multiple points, does it?

 

[Albort]

Got my Ink card last week, thanks to the tips here! I tried it out by buying a couple of gift cards from Staples store, and one from Gyft.com through Paypal. None are showing points on my account yet. However, the Gyft.com charge is showing up classified as "Utilities". That doesn't get the multiple points, does it?

your points have to complete transaction for it to show points. I can confirm that gyft.com does work, I've done it for the past 8 months already... :]
Ink+ business card also have a tendency to disappear off your transaction list, and then reappear at a later time... its weird, its been reported by many users but chase hasn't don't anything about it. haha

 

[Ngwira]

$300 travel credit posted today (got card on Tuesday). Global entry credit also posted. Love this card!

 

[ski_mom]

Does anyone have any kind of spreadsheet that they use to keep track of cards you have, etc? Or how exactly do you keep all of this straight as far as what you have, when you opened it, what the % are for each category, etc?

Right now, DH and I have each opened the SW cards (DH twice and me once) and I just opened the CSR for DH since he has the Chase freedom card that we've had forever is in his name. I figured that would be the only way we could move the UA points around easily. I'm wanting to open the Ink+ card soon for DH so that hopefully we could keep the 5% categories if they change that, but I don't want to mess something up because of my bad record keeping.

So, I was just wondering what methods others use to keep track of everything.

Thanks!

 

[Albort]

Does anyone have any kind of spreadsheet that they use to keep track of cards you have, etc? Or how exactly do you keep all of this straight as far as what you have, when you opened it, what the % are for each category, etc?

Thanks!

i use wallaby.

 

[Ngwira]

Does anyone have any kind of spreadsheet that they use to keep track of cards you have, etc? Or how exactly do you keep all of this straight as far as what you have, when you opened it, what the % are for each category, etc?

Right now, DH and I have each opened the SW cards (DH twice and me once) and I just opened the CSR for DH since he has the Chase freedom card that we've had forever is in his name. I figured that would be the only way we could move the UA points around easily. I'm wanting to open the Ink+ card soon for DH so that hopefully we could keep the 5% categories if they change that, but I don't want to mess something up because of my bad record keeping.

So, I was just wondering what methods others use to keep track of everything.

Thanks![/
I'm not sure if we can list website names but message me and I'll tell you what I use.

 

[wendow]

I got the CSR a few weeks back no problem and have met my spend. So, I applied for my dh a card. He is at 3/24 but we (he) have quite a few Chase cards already (most are long-term). He also has 800+ credit score. I got the 'we need to look more at your application' before approving message. Hmm, it is probably because he has large available balances on all his other cards. Can he contact (or me contact) CHase through SM and ask to have balances lowered for the CSR? He won't call recon...just way too busy at work and only allows me this churning 'hobby' if I manage it all.

 

[wendow]

Oh, and another question, I saw on slickdeals that people were selling their UR points. I am not really interested in going that route at this point but just curious if that is a good thing to do? Seems risky but mostly curious if anyone here does that or would not recommend doing that.

Thank you all!

 

[Albort]

I got the CSR a few weeks back no problem and have met my spend. So, I applied for my dh a card. He is at 3/24 but we (he) have quite a few Chase cards already (most are long-term). He also has 800+ credit score. I got the 'we need to look more at your application' before approving message. Hmm, it is probably because he has large available balances on all his other cards. Can he contact (or me contact) CHase through SM and ask to have balances lowered for the CSR? He won't call recon...just way too busy at work and only allows me this churning 'hobby' if I manage it all.

You can try, but calling would probably the best. They probably need to redirect some credit over by reducing other chase cards. Calling Recon is probably the quickest and fastest way. Tell your husband if he would rather pay $1000 for tickets or fly for free... im sure he would reconsider...

Oh, and another question, I saw on slickdeals that people were selling their UR points. I am not really interested in going that route at this point but just curious if that is a good thing to do? Seems risky but mostly curious if anyone here does that or would not recommend doing that.

Thank you all!

Its risky business, you are correct. There are some DP where people have their entire chase relation shut down (ie all cards + credit card) for selling/trading points.