I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

Yes that's where I have the problem. We eat out once a week or less. Travel is once or twice a year.
I don't want to mess with MS. Most of our expenditures are groceries and utilities (Cell, cable/internet, etc)

This is how we are also. We actually go to a sit-down place once a month and get take out once a month. We hardly ever eat fast food. We just don't eat out much. We also don't spend much on travel so it makes justifying the CSR pretty difficult. My biggest expenditure that I can actually pay with a CC is groceries and I have the Amex BCP which gives me 6% cb.

 

[wendow]

its really up to you.
Cancelling - if the card has a big bonus, cancel the card. You can sign up for the card again after x years to receive the bonus. ie, citi bank TY cards has a rule where if you hold a TYP card, u cannot sign up for another TYP card and get the bonus. best to chance. There is also rumors that you may not get approved a 2nd time around. ive heard the Sapphire cards are like that but its YMMV.
downgrading - downgrading is best if there is nothing connected. you should downgrade your CSR if you dont think u can make it work for u.

Albort, are you saying that if you downgrade the card, rather than cancelling, you are not eligible for the sign up bonus again? Or just not eligible for 24 mos like if you cancelled? Just want to make sure I understand...I am considering downgrading my CSR to the CFU but I want the option to apply again so I want to make sure I handle this correctly. Thanks!

 

[Albort]

I am still on the fence about whether I will keep my CSR or not. If I downgrade, it will be to the Freedom Unlimited card. I already have the Freedom card.

it honestly comes down to if its worth the AF and how much u churn. I got stuck with 2 travel cards so i got rid of my CSP after it went unused for 5 months. If you do plan to pick up another card, downgrading CSR is the way to go. Just keep in mind though, u may need to keep at least 1 premium card to transfer to partners. Ink+, Ink preferred, etc.

Albort, are you saying that if you downgrade the card, rather than cancelling, you are not eligible for the sign up bonus again? Or just not eligible for 24 mos like if you cancelled? Just want to make sure I understand...I am considering downgrading my CSR to the CFU but I want the option to apply again so I want to make sure I handle this correctly. Thanks!

u wont be able to get the CFU bonus, but CSR you will in 2 years.
I point out citi bank Thank you card because they are the ones with the weird rules. If you have 1 citi bank thank you card, you wont we able to sign up for another thank you card and earn the sign up bonus. (Ie i have Thank you Premier, i cannot apply for Thank you prestige to earn the 50k bonus).

 

[afan]

I point out citi bank Thank you card because they are the ones with the weird rules. If you have 1 citi bank thank you card, you wont we able to sign up for another thank you card and earn the sign up bonus. (Ie i have Thank you Premier, i cannot apply for Thank you prestige to earn the 50k bonus).

Is that if you have ever gotten one? I no longer have the card with citi and I'm not sure it had a sign up bonus. It was a card I got in college, probably from something I got in the mail. I know I redeemed for some gcs but nothing right away. Citi isn't what I would look at in the future but it's still something for me to keep in mind.

 

[disneedee]

DH is probably at 5/24, if it inludes AU on my Amex. The CSR is his. Does it count towards 5/24 if a card is changed by issuer? Citibank recently changed DH AA Visa to AA MC, though he had the Visa since 2012.

We do use Discover bonus categories, right now 5% cash back at gas stations. Next quarter it's home improvement stores & warehouse clubs. That will net us nothing since we have a Costco membership.

your discover card can be used online at costco to purchase costco cash card. discover is warehouse clubs this quarter also.

 

[LynnTH]

Ok. I need some help on where to go next... This is what we have right now in cards for both DH & I for cards opened in the last few years. Both our credit scores are between 820 and 830. Am going to be closing most of these as they all have yearly fees, wondering what cards we should concentrate on next.

Me:
Chase SW - Opened 6/13. (DH is AU on this)
Chase Sapphire Preferred - Opened 2/16. (DH is AU on this as well as both kids)
Chase Sapphire Reserve - Opened 11/16

DH:
Chase SW - Opened 6/15 ( I am AU on this as well as both kids)
Chase Sapphire Reserve - Opened 8/16 (I am AU on this)
AMEX SPG - Opened 3/16 (I was AU on this - closed this card last month)

So, we both have had the SW cards a few times as that is who we tend to fly. We normally take 1 family vacation a year so don't travel a ton but nice not having to pay for airfare as that can almost double the cost of our trips. I am thinking of closing both SW cards so we can apply for them again in the future. Mine is almost 3 years old and DH's is almost 2 years old. I will also be closing both of Sapphire Reserves. The yearly fee is not worth it going forward for us. I will wait until closer to the 12 month period to close these. Am going to keep the Chase Sapphire Preferred - I like this card and the kids can be AU on this without any additional fees. So, this will be our main card to use except when getting sign up bonuses.

Right now I am at 2 Cards and 3 AU's on DH's cards in the past 24 months. Was maybe thinking of getting both SW cards in my name to earn the companion pass but now not sure if that would be the best route. Does it help if I take myself off as an AU on all of DH's cards before they are closed? Will that help with 5/24 rule? Then I would be at 2.

The next major trip we will be planning is a cruise probably next year. Are there any good cards to offset those costs. I know the cruise cards themselves are terrible.

DS is also starting college in the fall and from their website it shows you can make the payments by CC. So, this would be a great way to take care of the minimum spending for bonuses. ( it does not say if there is a fee to do this- will check with them on June during orientation).

So, what would you guys all do. Wait and try for the 2 SW cards or try other cards besides Chase?

 

[ski_mom]

ok, so I just applied for the 2 Chase Southwest cards in DH's name today to go for the companion pass. The application for the Premier card went through great. He was approved with a $33,000 credit limit (I don't want or need nearly that much for it). I waited a couple of hours and applied for the RR plus card and got a message to call an 800 number as soon as possible to discuss the application with a customer support specialist .

The whole reason I didn't go for the business card (for the 60,000 points) for him is that I wanted to avoid unnecessary questions. He just left town today for a work meeting for the week - now I'm going to have to explain all of this to him when his plane lands and have him call . He's going to hate it!

I guess if we end up with the companion pass it will all be worth it - but this is the part I hate about this "hobby"! DH doesn't care at all that I do this, but he just doesn't like participating lol!

 

[mhartman09]

ok, so I just applied for the 2 Chase Southwest cards in DH's name today to go for the companion pass. The application for the Premier card went through great. He was approved with a $33,000 credit limit (I don't want or need nearly that much for it). I waited a couple of hours and applied for the RR plus card and got a message to call an 800 number as soon as possible to discuss the application with a customer support specialist .

The whole reason I didn't go for the business card (for the 60,000 points) for him is that I wanted to avoid unnecessary questions. He just left town today for a work meeting for the week - now I'm going to have to explain all of this to him when his plane lands and have him call . He's going to hate it!

I guess if we end up with the companion pass it will all be worth it - but this is the part I hate about this "hobby"! DH doesn't care at all that I do this, but he just doesn't like participating lol!

This is quite similar to my recent experience with the SW cards for DH...LOL. DH is pretty ok with me doing all this as well, but despises having to call and speak to anyone. I normally do all his online applications and handle tracking everything. The only one he's done is the in-branch CSR and I was there basically doing all the talking anyway. I specifically decided against getting the SW business for him because I knew he would not want to call in to explain anything. Went ahead and applied for the Premier online. Then I guess I got greedy and decided to apply for the Plus a little while afterwards. For some reason I was hoping he might get passed the 2/90 rule, even though he had already gotten the CSR only 2 weeks before. Of course, the Plus was denied. We had to wait for a letter. As of today, he can re-apply for the Plus. I'd rather him call in to see if they will recon his existing app instead of re-applying online for another hard pull, but he is not having it.

 

[wendow]

it honestly comes down to if its worth the AF and how much u churn. I got stuck with 2 travel cards so i got rid of my CSP after it went unused for 5 months. If you do plan to pick up another card, downgrading CSR is the way to go. Just keep in mind though, u may need to keep at least 1 premium card to transfer to partners. Ink+, Ink preferred, etc.

I have both the CSR and CSP. Definitely planning to keep one of those open. With there being only $55 difference in the AF after factoring in the $300 travel credit on the CSR, it just comes down to the extra 1% point on travel and dining...again, neither are big categories we spend in...and being able to redeem at 1.5x vs. 1.25 in the UR travel store. But once we redeem all our bonus points, we won't have near as many to work with since we won't earn a lot from either of these cards.

 

[wendow]

ok, so I just applied for the 2 Chase Southwest cards in DH's name today to go for the companion pass. The application for the Premier card went through great. He was approved with a $33,000 credit limit (I don't want or need nearly that much for it). I waited a couple of hours and applied for the RR plus card and got a message to call an 800 number as soon as possible to discuss the application with a customer support specialist .

The whole reason I didn't go for the business card (for the 60,000 points) for him is that I wanted to avoid unnecessary questions. He just left town today for a work meeting for the week - now I'm going to have to explain all of this to him when his plane lands and have him call . He's going to hate it!

I guess if we end up with the companion pass it will all be worth it - but this is the part I hate about this "hobby"! DH doesn't care at all that I do this, but he just doesn't like participating lol!

Sorry, I understand completely! My dh is the same. Doesn't care what I do but don't involve him in having to call. He had to call when his CSR was denied due to being an AU on two of my cards in last 24 mos and bless his heart, he called but they wouldn't budge and I doubt I can ever get him to call again

 

[ski_mom]

The next major trip we will be planning is a cruise probably next year. Are there any good cards to offset those costs. I know the cruise cards themselves are terrible.

I don't know how this would work for you, but DH and I both have the CSR. We took a cruise this past January and offset the costs by booking through the Chase Portal. We got 1.5x the point value (or however you word that) toward the trip. Prior to getting the CSR, we had a Chase Freedom card and we were able to transfer our points from it to the CSR and book that way. I also have the Ink+ so get 5x points on office supply store purchases and rack up quite a few points from that by buying gift cards. I figure booking through the portal gives you 7.5% back on those purchases.

That being said, in April 2018, our oldest DD will be finishing up her Semester at Sea in Germany and DH and I are planning on flying over and then the 3 of us will be flying back, so I'm guessing it would be better value of our points to transfer somewhere and put them towards the flights, but I'll have to look at that when the time is closer.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I have both the CSR and CSP. Definitely planning to keep one of those open. With there being only $55 difference in the AF after factoring in the $300 travel credit on the CSR, it just comes down to the extra 1% point on travel and dining...again, neither are big categories we spend in...and being able to redeem at 1.5x vs. 1.25 in the UR travel store. But once we redeem all our bonus points, we won't have near as many to work with since we won't earn a lot from either of these cards.

I'm pretty much in the same spot. When I signed DH up for the CSR, we met min spend & used the $300 travel credit for an airline gift card in October. The travel credit reset in December & I got another airline gift card. So even without points they have paid me 150 to have their card. Going forward I can't say the same.

Travel in 2018 likely to be WDW. Tickets already purchased. Hoping for enough points/miles for air & hotel so minimal travel expenses to go on CSR in next 11/2 years.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Chase cards are too valuable to cancel outright in my opinion. My suggestion would be to downgrade it to a CSP, Freedom or Freedom Unlimited if you are under 5/24 and can then get the CSP. Only the CSR, CSP and Ink+ and Ink Business Preferred cards can get UR points that transfer directly to hotels and airlines

Freedom or Freedom Unlimited are cash back only, correct? Only CSP & CSR earn points?

I like the options of CSP & Amex SPG as there seems to be flexibility with transfer partners that way.

 

[Aanna]

Freedom or Freedom Unlimited are cash back only, correct? Only CSP & CSR earn points?

I like the options of CSP & Amex SPG as there seems to be flexibility with transfer partners that way.

Freedom and Ink cards earn Ultimate Rewards points. On their own there is not much you can do with them, but, if you have a CSR or a CSP card to transfer them to, those points spend just the same way points earned on the Sapphire card do.

 

[wendow]

Freedom or Freedom Unlimited are cash back only, correct? Only CSP & CSR earn points?

I like the options of CSP & Amex SPG as there seems to be flexibility with transfer partners that way.

Yes, CF and CFU are cash back only from the UR points they earn. However, if you have the CSR, CSP, or Ink+, you can transfer your CF or CFU to that card and redeem the points through the travel store. That is what we have been doing with our CF points now that we have the CSR and CSP.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Freedom and Ink cards earn Ultimate Rewards points. On their own there is not much you can do with them, but, if you have a CSR or a CSP card to transfer them to, those points spend just the same way points earned on the Sapphire card do.

So I'll probably downgrade CSR to Freedom and keep the CSP. Or vice versa I have until October to decide.

 

[wendow]

I also have the Ink+ so get 5x points on office supply store purchases and rack up quite a few points from that by buying gift cards. I figure booking through the portal gives you 7.5% back on those purchases.

Does it really come out to 7.5% on gift cards purchased from an office supply store? I buy my gift cards from the grocery store using my Amex BCP which gives me 6% cb. I may have to go for the Ink+ next if that 7.5% number is accurate!

 

[wendow]

So I'll probably downgrade CSR to Freedom and keep the CSP. Or vice versa I have until October to decide.

That is my current thinking too, though I will downgrade to the CFU. I have until August to decide. I wish I had the expenditures to justify the CSR cause I think it is a great card and one I'd love to keep. AND I really love seeing how far my points go in the UR travel store!!

 

[wendow]

Oh, and I don't know if this means anything at all or is just normal banking practice but when we were in the Chase branch this past Friday, the banker told us that you could no longer apply for the CF in branch (it wasn't even in their literature about available cards). She said you can only get it online now and she did not know how long Chase would keep the card available. So, just an fyi for those who may be interested in that card.

 

[Albort]

Is that if you have ever gotten one? I no longer have the card with citi and I'm not sure it had a sign up bonus. It was a card I got in college, probably from something I got in the mail. I know I redeemed for some gcs but nothing right away. Citi isn't what I would look at in the future but it's still something for me to keep in mind.

24 month language. only amex has a 1 time bonus.

Does it really come out to 7.5% on gift cards purchased from an office supply store? I buy my gift cards from the grocery store using my Amex BCP which gives me 6% cb. I may have to go for the Ink+ next if that 7.5% number is accurate!

im not sure what portal @ski_mom is using but chase portal says it doesnt allow gift card purchases to earn the extra points. Im a big ink+ user though. I use it with paypal+Gyft. I buy the gift card when i shop and i can use it automatically without having to drive to the store to buy gift cards for the specific store.