I love credit cards so much!

[mousehappync]

Advice--I'm trying to get a few new cards although I'm 5/24 (although only 4/24 if a business card really doesn't count against 5/24). I applied for an Ink Business and a Hilton yesterday, and got a 30 day message on ink and a 14 day on the Hilton (which is AmEx). I see people talking about SM the company, but don't really know how to do that. I think I need to drop credit limits on some cards-- some have huge limits (30K plus) and I wonder if my available credit is too tied up? Credit score is excellent, although did drop below 800 after I opened a bunch of cards at once this Spring. How do you go about contacting a cc company to see about approval? We need to buy the appliances for our renovation and are hoping to hit Labor Day sales that end 9/13, so I'm hoping to get the cards in hand and hit the spend with those purchases. Thanks!

 

[GlamMistress]

Wow, that's all very awesome and somewhat intimidating, LOL!
I literally would never have gotten this card if it weren't for wanting to stay at this particular hotel for this particular trip. That's kind of how I've done all of my "hacking/churning" over the past year. I'm not kidding when I say I could not have afforded this trip without sign-up bonuses and such.

I found out our room will be 12,000 points. That works for me.

I do have another question though. Will I need to cancel the current reservation and re-book using my Hyatt card once I have earned the points? Or is there a way to apply the points to my current reservation once I have them?

For a cat 3 hotel (12k points per night) the Cash + Points rate is 6,000 points + $75. So you might consider that to stretch your points for another trip.

You can keep this reservation. Your points will show up in your Hyatt account once earned. Call the loyalty program to redeem. They will change the reservation for you.

There is usually ALWAYS points nights open but cash and points less so. That availability tends to lessen as the booking date draws near, because of capacity controls.

I'm a firm believer in using the points how YOU want and ignoring the blogs that scream about high end first class redemptions. I just wanted you to be aware that Hyatt has probably the most valuable points out there for hotels (like SPG) but their Points + cash redemptions are amazing.

https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/rewards/free-nights-upgrades.html

 

[GlamMistress]

Advice--I'm trying to get a few new cards although I'm 5/24 (although only 4/24 if a business card really doesn't count against 5/24). I applied for an Ink Business and a Hilton yesterday, and got a 30 day message on ink and a 14 day on the Hilton (which is AmEx). I see people talking about SM the company, but don't really know how to do that. I think I need to drop credit limits on some cards-- some have huge limits (30K plus) and I wonder if my available credit is too tied up? Credit score is excellent, although did drop below 800 after I opened a bunch of cards at once this Spring. How do you go about contacting a cc company to see about approval? We need to buy the appliances for our renovation and are hoping to hit Labor Day sales that end 9/13, so I'm hoping to get the cards in hand and hit the spend with those purchases. Thanks!

Do you already have an Amex account? If so, you can just log in and chat - that's the easiest thing to do.
For Chase, the secure message center is to the top left of your dashboard.
I will say, you are cutting it close if trying to have a new card in hand before 9/13 - not all issuers expedite cards. I know Amex will expedite the plat - not sure on Hilton. Doesn't hurt to ask I guess.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I'm looking at a trip to Aruba this February. I will have about 200,000 UR points. We got our flights on points with SW. I was looking into the Hyatt card (40,000 point sign up and add my daughter as AU for another 5,000 points) for my next Chase card. It looks like I could sign up my husband for this card also and get another 40,000 points and combine. Could someone explain how the cash and points might work for the Hyatt in Aruba, including the best way to proceed. At this time I have no experience with Hyatt program. If a timeshare trade doesn't come available we might need to cover everything with points and cash. I would also be open to any other suggestions for our stay. I would like to be on the beach as my 80yo mother will be traveling with me and I would like her to be able to go back and forth to the beach/room without worrying about her.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Advice--I'm trying to get a few new cards although I'm 5/24 (although only 4/24 if a business card really doesn't count against 5/24). I applied for an Ink Business and a Hilton yesterday, and got a 30 day message on ink and a 14 day on the Hilton (which is AmEx). I see people talking about SM the company, but don't really know how to do that. I think I need to drop credit limits on some cards-- some have huge limits (30K plus) and I wonder if my available credit is too tied up? Credit score is excellent, although did drop below 800 after I opened a bunch of cards at once this Spring. How do you go about contacting a cc company to see about approval? We need to buy the appliances for our renovation and are hoping to hit Labor Day sales that end 9/13, so I'm hoping to get the cards in hand and hit the spend with those purchases. Thanks!

I don't have the number handy but for the Ink it sounds like you're after Chase Reconsideration (search this thread, you should find the number). A couple things to know:
-Chase Recon can be BRUTAL for business cards, it's highly recommended people wait that one out. Many are approved within a week.
-You can't offer to drop your personal credit lines as Chase won't transfer credit between personal and business. Now, some people recommend dropping the personal limits before applying for the Ink because they are taken into consideration. Confusing isn't it? Personally, I wouldn't do anything at this point with Ink, sit on it and see what response you get.

Call the status line for Chase every day to see if you got approved, if you do work your way to a phone rep to have the card expedited to you (it's free, card will arrive 1-2 business days later, otherwise it's a 7-10 business day wait).

 

[AmyAnne]

Does anyone use the Upromise cashback shopping portal? I have avoided it because we don't have any 529 accounts, but lately it seems to be consistently offering the highest cash back for the places I've been shopping online. I read the FAQ on the Upromise site and it doesn't say anything about a requirement that the cashback be used for education expenses but maybe I missed that part. Anyone with experience?

 

[mousehappync]

Do you already have an Amex account? If so, you can just log in and chat - that's the easiest thing to do.
For Chase, the secure message center is to the top left of your dashboard.
I will say, you are cutting it close if trying to have a new card in hand before 9/13 - not all issuers expedite cards. I know Amex will expedite the plat - not sure on Hilton. Doesn't hurt to ask I guess.

Do you already have an Amex account? If so, you can just log in and chat - that's the easiest thing to do.
For Chase, the secure message center is to the top left of your dashboard.
I will say, you are cutting it close if trying to have a new card in hand before 9/13 - not all issuers expedite cards. I know Amex will expedite the plat - not sure on Hilton. Doesn't hurt to ask I guess.

thank you! I will cross fingers but not hold my breath on cards coming in time--would be nice to knock out the sounds so quickly, but we have plenty of time to hit with regular spending if necessary. I do have an Am Ex--thanks for info on how to check on that!

 

[mousehappync]

I don't have the number handy but for the Ink it sounds like you're after Chase Reconsideration (search this thread, you should find the number). A couple things to know:
-Chase Recon can be BRUTAL for business cards, it's highly recommended people wait that one out. Many are approved within a week.
-You can't offer to drop your personal credit lines as Chase won't transfer credit between personal and business. Now, some people recommend dropping the personal limits before applying for the Ink because they are taken into consideration. Confusing isn't it? Personally, I wouldn't do anything at this point with Ink, sit on it and see what response you get.

Call the status line for Chase every day to see if you got approved, if you do work your way to a phone rep to have the card expedited to you (it's free, card will arrive 1-2 business days later, otherwise it's a 7-10 business day wait).

Thank you! Will sit on the Ink and probably just have to do it with regular spend. They surprised me with a two-week deadline at the house to have all the lights/toilets/appliances ready by 9/11--I thought I had longer. I could hit spend on all the cards I need for our spring break entirely free trip to Puerto Rico if I had known! (Seriously--this is the BEST hobby!) I was more just trying to get get the ink to bank UR points since I will need to take all of 2018-19 off from new cards to start over fresh in 2020. Cross fingers!

 

[havaneselover]

2.5 hour delay at mco so I realized I should use my priority pass card (first time). Club MCO is packed but has nice food and drink options. Loving my CSR (for now

 

[GPC0321]

For a cat 3 hotel (12k points per night) the Cash + Points rate is 6,000 points + $75. So you might consider that to stretch your points for another trip.

You can keep this reservation. Your points will show up in your Hyatt account once earned. Call the loyalty program to redeem. They will change the reservation for you.

There is usually ALWAYS points nights open but cash and points less so. That availability tends to lessen as the booking date draws near, because of capacity controls.

I'm a firm believer in using the points how YOU want and ignoring the blogs that scream about high end first class redemptions. I just wanted you to be aware that Hyatt has probably the most valuable points out there for hotels (like SPG) but their Points + cash redemptions are amazing.

https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/rewards/free-nights-upgrades.html

Thank you for all of this info and advice! I really appreciate it! I'm kind of excited about this card. If I'm going to have one with an annual fee, it seems like a good one.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Yes! Yes! Yes!
Just got an email, I was approved for Barclaycard Aviator. 60k miles for one purchase is an amazing bonus. Yesterday approved for Chase Hyatt.
Well on our way to 2019 Alaskan cruise with AA miles for flight. Pre or post cruise hotel stay at Hyatt Regency Vancouver (thanks @Ngwira ) and possibly an SPG choice, depending on how many days we end up staying in Vancouver.

 

[belle1986]

I just want to say Thank You!! for all the help and advice on this thread. Ds and I are headed to WDW today for a mostly points funded trip. I couldn't have done it without y'all!!

 

[katie111]

Is this the right time to sign up for the SW cards to get the companion pass for 2018? We have possibly 3 trips in the planning stages so thinking DH and I could both get 2 SW cards with the 60k bonus and both end up with companion passes. We would just need to spend $8000 combined correct? And by what date should we try to do that? We are both under the 5/24 rule and have great credit.

 

[Judique]

Okay - I am very slightly confused about the chase x/24 thingy.

I have 3 Chase cards - IHG, SWest and the no annual fee Disney card. All are older than 24 months.

Back in May I did the USBank - Carlson card.

And in 2016 I did get the Citi Costco card - the card that gets most of my spending!

Sometime in the past year and a half I got a Lowes card to get 5% off since I was spending about 15K there.

So does that make me 3/24?

And once I get to 2 years open on the Citi and Lowes will that take me back to 1/24?

I want to open Hyatt and Marriott. I will be spacing both out to meet the spend.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Is this the right time to sign up for the SW cards to get the companion pass for 2018? We have possibly 3 trips in the planning stages so thinking DH and I could both get 2 SW cards with the 60k bonus and both end up with companion passes. We would just need to spend $8000 combined correct? And by what date should we try to do that? We are both under the 5/24 rule and have great credit.

If you apply now, you will have CP for rest of 2017 & all 2018. If you wait until beginning of 2018 to accumulate points, CP will be good for rest of 2018 & all 2019, potentially longer. Or one of you could go for it now and one in 2018.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Okay - I am very slightly confused about the chase x/24 thingy.

I have 3 Chase cards - IHG, SWest and the no annual fee Disney card. All are older than 24 months.

Back in May I did the USBank - Carlson card.

And in 2016 I did get the Citi Costco card - the card that gets most of my spending!

Sometime in the past year and a half I got a Lowes card to get 5% off since I was spending about 15K there.

So does that make me 3/24?

And once I get to 2 years open on the Citi and Lowes will that take me back to 1/24?

I want to open Hyatt and Marriott. I will be spacing both out to meet the spend.

Yes it sounds like you are 3/24. You can check your free credit report to be sure (and get the exact date of Lowes card). In 2018, your Costco card will drop off, then in 2019 the Carlson card will drop off.
I would probably start with Hyatt, it's at 40k point bonus right now. I think it's been 45k but not more. OTOH Marriott was 100k points in the recent past and its 80k now, so I'd hold out for higher if possible

 

[Lain]

Okay - I am very slightly confused about the chase x/24 thingy.

I have 3 Chase cards - IHG, SWest and the no annual fee Disney card. All are older than 24 months.

Back in May I did the USBank - Carlson card.

And in 2016 I did get the Citi Costco card - the card that gets most of my spending!

Sometime in the past year and a half I got a Lowes card to get 5% off since I was spending about 15K there.

So does that make me 3/24?

And once I get to 2 years open on the Citi and Lowes will that take me back to 1/24?

I want to open Hyatt and Marriott. I will be spacing both out to meet the spend.

If you apply now, you will have CP for rest of 2017 & all 2018. If you wait until beginning of 2018 to accumulate points, CP will be good for rest of 2018 & all 2019, potentially longer. Or one of you could go for it now and one in 2018.

Yes it sounds like you are 3/24. You can check your free credit report to be sure (and get the exact date of Lowes card). In 2018, your Costco card will drop off, then in 2019 the Carlson card will drop off.
I would probably start with Hyatt, it's at 40k point bonus right now. I think it's been 45k but not more. OTOH Marriott was 100k points in the recent past and its 80k now, so I'd hold out for higher if possible

I have to disagree about the Hyatt card right now. The Hyatt card is not subject to Chase's 5/24 rule, which means @Judique can still apply for it after she's over 5/24 when the same or better offer rolls around again. But if she applies for the Hyatt card now, she'll take up one of her two remaining 5/24 slots.

Better use of those last two slots might be to apply for:

- The Chase Ink Preferred if you have good personal credit and a plausible story to tell about running or starting a business. The CIP has a 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points signup bonus after $5,000 spend and offers 3x UR points for a lot of spending categories. The CIP is a business card, so if you're approved for it, it won't show up on your personal credit report or count against your 5/24. [Personal DP: my wife was just approved for the CIP this week for running an internet retail "business" (eBay) that had revenue of $1500 last year.] [ETA: The CIP won't count against your 5/24, but you have to be under 5/24 to be approved for it. You also cannot have applied for any other credit card in the last 30 days (the 0/30 rule).]

- For 4/24, the Marriott card like you said you wanted. The current signup bonus is 80,000 points, but it was recently at a high of 100k points.

- For 5/24, it might be possible to double-dip on two Chase cards if you apply on the same day and around the same time using two different browsers. This is because the inquiry and approval for your first card may be so fresh that the application for the second card won't catch it on your credit report. Use two different browsers because you don't want the cookies from your first application to mess with your second application. Apply for the card you want first, and hopefully it goes to auto approval; then apply for the second one. If it doesn't auto approve, you'll want to call reconsideration right away to get it approved (e.g. by verifying identity, moving around credit) so you'll want to do this during business hours. In any case, you should use your last slot to apply for at least the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, if not both, since both cards offer a 50,000 UR points signup bonus.

- People have been reporting that they've successfully been approved for both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred when applying at the same time, even though Chase's new rules prohibit approval for any new Sapphire card when you already have another Sapphire card and should have auto denied the second application. Still awaiting DPs on whether these people will get two 50,000 UR points bonuses for the two cards since Chase also limited the signup bonuses for all Sapphire cards to one in the last 24 months.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I have to disagree about the Hyatt card right now. The Hyatt card is not subject to Chase's 5/24 rule, which means @Judique can still apply for it after she's over 5/24 when the same or better offer rolls around again. But if she applies for the Hyatt card now, she'll take up one of her two remaining 5/24 slots.

Better use of those last two slots might be to apply for:

- The Chase Ink Preferred if you have good personal credit and a plausible story to tell about running or starting a business. The CIP has a 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points signup bonus after $5,000 spend and offers 3x UR points for a lot of spending categories. The CIP is a business card, so if you're approved for it, it won't show up on your personal credit report or count against your 5/24. [Personal DP: my wife was just approved for the CIP this week for running an internet retail "business" (eBay) that had revenue of $1500 last year.]

- For 4/24, the Marriott card like you said you wanted. The current signup bonus is 80,000 points, but it was recently at a high of 100k points.

- For 5/24, it might be possible to double-dip on two Chase cards if you apply on the same day and around the same time using two different browsers. This is because the inquiry and approval for your first card may be so fresh that the application for the second card won't catch it on your credit report. Use two different browsers because you don't want the cookies from your first application to mess with your second application. Apply for the card you want first, and hopefully it goes to auto approval; then apply for the second one. If it doesn't auto approve, you'll want to call reconsideration right away to get it approved (e.g. by verifying identity, moving around credit) so you'll want to do this during business hours. In any case, you should use your last slot to apply for at least the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, if not both, since both cards offer a 50,000 UR points signup bonus.

- People have been reporting that they've successfully been approved for both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred when applying at the same time, even though Chase's new rules prohibit approval for any new Sapphire card when you already have another Sapphire card and should have auto denied the second application. Still awaiting DPs on whether these people will get two 50,000 UR points bonuses for the two cards since Chase also limited the signup bonuses for all Sapphire cards to one in the last 24 months.

I agree with CIP if you have a business, but I was referring to personal cards only. I did forget CSR/CSP as OP didn't mention them. I agree one of those is definitely better use of 5/24 slot.

 

[Judique]

I have to disagree about the Hyatt card right now. The Hyatt card is not subject to Chase's 5/24 rule, which means @Judique can still apply for it after she's over 5/24 when the same or better offer rolls around again. But if she applies for the Hyatt card now, she'll take up one of her two remaining 5/24 slots.

Better use of those last two slots might be to apply for:

- The Chase Ink Preferred if you have good personal credit and a plausible story to tell about running or starting a business. The CIP has a 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points signup bonus after $5,000 spend and offers 3x UR points for a lot of spending categories. The CIP is a business card, so if you're approved for it, it won't show up on your personal credit report or count against your 5/24. [Personal DP: my wife was just approved for the CIP this week for running an internet retail "business" (eBay) that had revenue of $1500 last year.]

- For 4/24, the Marriott card like you said you wanted. The current signup bonus is 80,000 points, but it was recently at a high of 100k points.

- For 5/24, it might be possible to double-dip on two Chase cards if you apply on the same day and around the same time using two different browsers. This is because the inquiry and approval for your first card may be so fresh that the application for the second card won't catch it on your credit report. Use two different browsers because you don't want the cookies from your first application to mess with your second application. Apply for the card you want first, and hopefully it goes to auto approval; then apply for the second one. If it doesn't auto approve, you'll want to call reconsideration right away to get it approved (e.g. by verifying identity, moving around credit) so you'll want to do this during business hours. In any case, you should use your last slot to apply for at least the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, if not both, since both cards offer a 50,000 UR points signup bonus.

- People have been reporting that they've successfully been approved for both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred when applying at the same time, even though Chase's new rules prohibit approval for any new Sapphire card when you already have another Sapphire card and should have auto denied the second application. Still awaiting DPs on whether these people will get two 50,000 UR points bonuses for the two cards since Chase also limited the signup bonuses for all Sapphire cards to one in the last 24 months.

Thank you for taking the time to respond so thoroughly! This gives me a lot of food for thought. I read every post but when they are not specifically aimed at my situation, I'm not necessarily retaining all the relevant information.

 

[Lain]

PSA: for those in the Denver area who have to suffer the lack of Priority Pass lounges out of DEN, I saw a post on Reddit that PP now offers access to Timberline Steaks & Grill in Concourse C at DEN (apparently the Southwest terminal?).

https://www.prioritypass.com/en/loungesearch?entity=a4cde901-3640-4994-9634-1bd87954011c
https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/6xskh5/daily_discussion_thread_september_03_2017/dmi8i5e/