I love credit cards so much!

[SouthFayetteFan]

I applied for the CF for my husband ( used link from Dischurner) and got 7-10 day response. This surprised me as his last Southwest card got immediate approval with $15,000 limit.
The only thing I can think of is <60 days between applications which I haven't heard of being an issue. He would HATE calling so I will just keep checking the mail. I had planned to PC his CSR in May and then maybe have 2 CFs with the option of 5X point categories.

I hadn't thought of that. He has $52,000 CL with his 3 cards which is just a bit over 50% of what we listed for household income. I think I will wait and see what the mail brings and if that is an issue we can move credit around. I still want to get another SW card for him this year.

I know the calls can feel uncomfortable but I always go into it with the attitude of "I'm already denied so this can't get any worse, I can only making it better". Just checking but that 7-10 days was on the automated status line, right (not in an email or anything)? What are you husbands recent stats (i.e. what cards did he get over the past 24 months, w/ month and year)?

 

[Ava]

@karmomof3 - I am quoting myself above just in case you missed the response to your first couple of posts. I changed them to the same color so you know what response goes to what post. Helps me keep it straight in my head too. I know this thread moves fast. You got tons of people who here are amazingly knowledgeable on Southwest Companion pass and booking on property Disney stays with UR points. That is not my area of experience. So, I'm going to focus on helping you with guidance on International destinations which is more my speed. I did a quick search to see who flies out of GRR to LHR and it is mostly AA with connections in ORD. There was a smattering of Delta and there are some United flights as well. Since you mention you like to go for the cheapest flights and won't use Spirit, are in 1 player mode for the credit cards applications and have 4 people traveling, I am going to make the assumption that your goal is to get yourself and the kiddos to London with the fewest points possible and the least out of pocket possible.

I am going to suggest that you completely avoid using British Airways as a transfer partner for UR points. The program is distance based and the taxes and fees for flying to or connecting in London are simply outrageous. BA is only worth it for easy first class awards at nearly the price of an economy ticket in taxes and a bunch of points. I think you could actually do well by utilizing United as your airline for London. United is a 1:1 transfer partner for Chase Ultimate rewards. I chose some random dates (July 10 with July 17 return) and saw that you could get 4 people on a RT saver economy flight from GRR-LHR for a total of 240,000 United miles and $806.44 in taxes. If you have the CSR you could use your annual $300 per year travel credit to bring that $806 down to $506. The same exact flights cost $4,490 total. If you chose to pay for them with UR points in your CSR account you would need 299,334 UR points since they are worth .015. You would not be paying out of pocket and you'd earn UA frequent flier miles. The difference in UR points cost is 59,334 which has the value of $890. Given the exact same scenario, this is where I'd pay the entire thing through the UR portal with UR points and earn the butt in seat miles. Sometimes though, you will find more value in transferring points from UR to UA. I'd be sure to always make a comparison before leaping one way or the other. Those same dates had other airlines available for similar pricing. So this gives you the general idea that depending on when you travel to London and when you choose to book your travel you are going to want to plan to have about 300,000 Ultimate rewards points to use. FYI Delta would require 320,000 Sky Pesos, $800~ and had 2 connections as opposed to 1 with UA. You could use Korean as a partner t book Delta but you'd still be stuck with the 2 connections sine that is what would be available to a partner airline.

In your shoes, my plan A would be to earn all the UR points I can and pay for travel through the UR portal. Plan B would be transferring UR to UA to book flights and leverage the CSR to mitigate the taxes and fees. Plan B would involve also picking up the United card at some point, just not before you have all of the UR earning cards. The reason would be to have the ability to see awards only available to card holders and also to be able to get an additional 25% bonus when using the United Mileage X app although I would not use that card for the purchases. I'd also join the United Mileage Plus dining rewards network to pick up extra points. In addition, I would use the Chase UR shopping portal. As for the UR earning cards, I would suggest you get the ones with the highest bonus offers and I'd suggest you double dip the CSR and CSP first. I'd keep the CSR and at a year PC the CSP to a Freedom. Also, get the CIP for the bonus and then PC to the CIC as this one will be a very strong earning card. This is just for your London plans. It seems like you also need to work in 2 applications at the right time for the SW CP.

@calypso726 beat me to it on the London flight advice. She's much more knowledgeable than I am anyway! But I'm also tentatively planning a London trip for summer 2019 for my family, so I've been researching flight prices and points options to get there. I will probably end up using UR points through the CSR to purchase our flights. We're flying from NYC so my choice is a little more cut and dry. A roundtrip economy Saver award on any of the three big US carriers (American, United, Delta) is 60K miles plus ~$200 in taxes/fees per ticket. I need 4 tickets, so my total would be 240K miles + ~$800. However, I can find cash prices in economy for between $600-$700 per ticket depending on the airline. Using CSR at 0.015 cents per point, it would only cost me ~160K-190K UR points to book through Chase. And that's an all in price, no additional taxes/fees.

When you are looking at flights and comparing options, just watch out for Basic Economy. I know Delta offers it even on international flights, not sure about other airlines but it's something to be aware of. I won't book it when flying with my kids because I want to be able to choose seats in advance to make sure we're all seated together.

Hotels in London. Personally, I love my Club Carlson card which gives me 40,000 anniversary points per year just for having the card. However, you may want to look into Marriott air/hotel packages which would give you a 7 night stay depending on the category of the property and give you airline miles for the package. SPG is also an option to beef up the Marriott points for this or utilize their nights and flights. Lots of ways to accomplish this but for now I will say to focus on your UR cards. Hope this helps

There are no Marriott category 1-5 hotels in London proper, the closest are a few options near Heathrow. So you'd have to do one of the upgraded nights/flights packages that give you a higher category hotel in order to stay in central London. I like the IHG card for hotels; the annual fee is only $49 and you get a free night every year starting on your first anniversary. Unlike Marriott, which restricts the free nights to Cat 1-5 hotels, the IHG free night is good at any of their properties.

Hope some of this helps!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I think it’s 31 days. I’d wait a bit long if you could.

FYI - There actually is no stated minimum time. The "1 month" rule is the typical advice but there is no data to support it. What you're basically attempting to avoid is Chase reopening the previously closed card vs giving you a new one. If you search Reddit and Flyertalk you'll find examples of people who only waited 1 or 2 weeks between cancelling and applying and had no issue. I personally follow a 1 month policy, not because I think it's needed, but because I want to avoid any potential scrutiny from Chase.

 

[1GoldenSun]

None of those cards report to your personal credit report - so while YOU know you got 3 cards in 3 months...nobody else really does, lol! It sounds like you're considering a Chase card to the question is really when did you get that CIP? I'd probably wait 2 months from that date before applying with Chase again Also, if you're in 2 player mode then who got each of those cards because 1 player may have gotten 0 cards in the last 3 months remember the banks don't treat you as a household, you are each on your own and individual in this game



Regarding your "24 months" comment and the CSP- keep in mind this 24 months since you earned the bonus NOT when you applied. Also if you cancel a Chase card there's DPs that you can apply pretty quickly thereafter. I have personally always waited 1 month to avoid scrutiny. Only one of you should cancel your CSP initially so that you can refer each other. Then once the referral points post, transfer them and cancel the other CSP and refer back - boom 20k extra URs for doing that

Editing because I somehow typed WITHIN the above quote before. All I said was that I need to get DH to provide me with his credit card data so I can start planning better for him.

I'll have to look into when we earned our bonuses. Let me make sure I've got this straight. Whichever of us is 24 months from earning our bonus (DH or me) should cancel his/her CSP. Then, a month or so later, they will use a referral from the other to apply for the CSP again, while at the same time applying for the CSR. Then, the other person will cancel the CSP, and after a month or so get a referral from the other for both the CSP and the CSR. Do I have this right?

Also, the CSR has a $450 AF? Is this worth it somehow? Or do you cancel the card before the AF comes due? I've got to go back and look at @calypso726's delineation of the cards she keeps and why, maybe that explains it.

 

[speedyfishy]

FYI - There actually is no stated minimum time. The "1 month" rule is the typical advice but there is no data to support it. What you're basically attempting to avoid is Chase reopening the previously closed card vs giving you a new one. If you search Reddit and Flyertalk you'll find examples of people who only waited 1 or 2 weeks between cancelling and applying and had no issue. I personally follow a 1 month policy, not because I think it's needed, but because I want to avoid any potential scrutiny from Chase.

Yeah, I knew people have gotten it right away, but also have seen DPs if Chase opening up the old card. I feel like a month is safe, but I’d do a little extra if there was no immediate need.

 

[kmc8826]

Well after graduation I booked a trip to the Bahamas. I just feel like I can’t wait any longer to travel. I used 140,000 Marriott points for five nights at the Royal Towers and 13k RR points for a round trip flight. SO flys for free since he is my companion. This will be the first time he is leaving the country. I feel a little guilty that I’ll be vacationing when I should be studying for the bar, but my prep course released a study schedule so I will just do the work I’m supposed to before our vacation. I may end up canceling, but I’m excited to have something booked.

Just my two cents but studying and passing the Bar was the hardest thing academically I had ever done. I did not want to do it twice. If possible I would put a vacation for after you take it. You would probably appreciate it more.

@brownhaired_girl it might be a credit issue. That came up with my call from Chase on the CIP. I usually call talk to them initially and then we put it on speaker and DH and I are both on the line. He also does not like to call but if he is at least there Chase is good with it. I don’t feel right pretending to be him even if they would somehow buy it (and I don’t think they would). Good luck!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Oh, good point! I'll have to look into when we earned our bonuses. Let me make sure I've got this straight. Whichever of us is 24 months from earning our bonus (DH or me) should cancel his/her CSP. Then, a month or so later, they will use a referral from the other to apply for the CSP again, while at the same time applying for the CSR. Then, the other person will cancel the CSP, and after a month or so get a referral from the other for both the CSP and the CSR. Do I have this right?

Also, the CSR has a $450 AF? Is this worth it somehow? Or do you cancel the card before the AF comes due? I've got to go back and look at @calypso726's delineation of the cards she keeps and why, maybe that explains it.

You got it
CSR has a lot of benefits that can make it worth keeping. Definitely need to analyze your personal situation to determine if it makes sense for you.

 

[Lain]

What kind of card/cards do you need for lounge access at airports? I know there are different types of lounges for different card holders, but beyond this I know nothing.

Chase Sapphire Reserve - comes with Priority Pass: https://www.prioritypass.com/ Activate this benefit and you’ll get a Priority Pass Select membership card that’ll give you and everyone in your traveling party free access to the Priority Pass network of airport lounges and restaurants.

American Express Platinum Cards - All varieties of the Amex Platinums give you access to Amex’s Centurion Lounges at select airports: https://thecenturionlounge.com/ If your local airport, or any airport you travel through, has a Centurion Lounge, they tend to be a step above domestic Priority Pass Lounges. The Platinum card gives you and two guests access to the Centurion Lounge. $50 day passes are available for additional guests. Additional cardholders are allowed to bring in 2 guests on their cards, but Platinum AU cards cost $175/card and a */24 slot.

Many (all?) of the Platinums also include Priority Pass Select, which gives you and two guests access to Priority Pass lounges at no charge, but each additional guest will be charged $27. So Amex’s Priority Pass is clearly inferior to the CSR’s.

Platinum card members also get complimentary Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

ETA: Amex also added access to Escape Lounges (in OAK, BDL, MSP, and RNO) as part of the Platinum cards Lounge benefit: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amer...can-now-access-escape-lounges-us-bdl-oak-msp/

Then there are other airline cards that may include access or passes to their lounges.

 

[speedyfishy]

Just my two cents but studying and passing the Bar was the hardest thing academically I had ever done. I did not want to do it twice. If possible I would put a vacation for after you take it. You would probably appreciate it more.

Thanks for the advice! It really is something I am considering canceling, but a short break after finals maybe helpful.

 

[speedyfishy]

I’m at 80%. I’m not sure about the 50% figure.

Yeah, it’s not a hard line rule just a lot of reports of chase stopping for some at 50%. I have read some people even getting 150%. I’m jealous since I got denied at 50%.

 

[Lain]

I have yet another question about the CIP. if i pay my phone and cable bill with it i would get 3x in points. But if i pay my electric and water bill it will only be 1x. IF so does plastiq count 3x on water and electric (utilities)?

Correct. Phone and cable bills typically code 3x UR on the CIP. Utilities like electric and water don’t. You can pay utility bills through Plastiq with a 2.5% fee, but will earn 3x UR on the amount due and fee, making it a slight moneymaker even if you decide to cash out the points earned.

Also, no go with the mortgage payment as of yet on the CIP through plastiq. But if for some reason i can "trick" the system and it does pass the online steps and produces an invoice to be paid, is there a final manual review or override where it could get rejected?

Check my PM to you with suggestions. You’re not setting up an invoice to be paid. All the information you’re entering is what gets put onto a physical check that is then mailed to your Recipient.

Like I suggested last night, there’s a very small chance they’ll ask for documentation like a bill, statement, or invoice reflecting the amount you’re trying to pay after you submit payment; and if you don’t provide it within the given time, they’ll cancel the payment.

As @wendow suggested, when scheduling your first payment to a new Recipient, schedule it for the earliest available delivery date on the calendar. This will force your payment to process today/same day so it may give Plastiq less time to hold it for manual review. (It being a weekend too, there might even be less eyes on payments processing.) Once your first payment goes through, you’re unlikely to be bothered again for documentation.

 

[SBWB48]

Those with a Stop & Shop/Giant Food, I got a digital coupon for $15 off groceries with any $250 or more in Visa Giftcard purchases. Need to load the coupon to your store bonus card account. I got the offer on both mine and DH's store bonus card accounts.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I know the calls can feel uncomfortable but I always go into it with the attitude of "I'm already denied so this can't get any worse, I can only making it better". Just checking but that 7-10 days was on the automated status line, right (not in an email or anything)? What are you husbands recent stats (i.e. what cards did he get over the past 24 months, w/ month and year)?

DH cards CSR 5/2017, CIP 9/2017, SW plus 1/2018 I know he has signed for a business card for the farm at some time but I think that was a couple years ago and I don't know which one it is.
The 7-10 days was an instant status line.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

DH cards CSR 5/2017, CIP 9/2017, SW plus 1/2018 I know he has signed for a business card for the farm at some time but I think that was a couple years ago and I don't know which one it is.
The 7-10 days was an instant status line.

Yeah - something is off there then. He should be able to get approved for this card IMO You may want to wait for the letter to see the specific wording but then I'd just have him call and wonder why somebody with such a great history would be declined, lol! I definitely suspect it's a credit limit issue but I could be wrong.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Yeah - something is off there then. He should be able to get approved for this card IMO You may want to wait for the letter to see the specific wording but then I'd just have him call and wonder why somebody with such a great history would be declined, lol! I definitely suspect it's a credit limit issue but I could be wrong.

The credit limit thing could be a possibility. Another possibility is that I listed my telephone number instead of his and they may just need to do some verification. I was just planning to get the written letter before asking him to call. I work 12hr days Mon,Tues and Fri this week so I will wait until I have a day off to do some coaching on the call.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Ok @SouthFayetteFan I updated my links on DiSchurners finally. Thanks to you and @Albort for keeping up the Reddit page.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Thanks for the advice! It really is something I am considering canceling, but a short break after finals maybe helpful.

When did you schedule your trip for? I had a week off after finals and graduation before bar prep started. I would DEFINITELY encourage you to take a vacation during that time period if you can! I even knew several people who got married and took a honeymoon in the first week or two time period of bar prep and they passed. You just have to be willing to crack down afterwards, and obviously no vacations should be taken in June or July!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Ok @SouthFayetteFan I updated my links on DiSchurners finally. Thanks to you and @Albort for keeping up the Reddit page.

I noticed you’re off the naughty list haha

 

[speedyfishy]

When did you schedule your trip for? I had a week off after finals and graduation before bar prep started. I would DEFINITELY encourage you to take a vacation during that time period if you can! I even knew several people who got married and took a honeymoon in the first week or two time period of bar prep and they passed. You just have to be willing to crack down afterwards, and obviously no vacations should be taken in June or July!

It’s 10 days after my finals end. I’d get back June 4th. I would have to start studying right after my finals end, but a break after a week maybe good. I may actually start prep soon. It’s been stressful with my school work and moving recently. Plus since I just moved I haven’t been looking for jobs so I just started that search and have interviews scheduled. It’s a crazy time lol. I’ll have to see what my situation is like in a few weeks.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

My wife and I each had a Freedom (CF) and Freedom Unlimited (CFU) for a LONG time. Recently when @wendow mentioned about PCing her CFU I thought wow that makes sense. So I called yesterday to PC my wife's CFU to CF. Now we have 3 CFs and 1 CFU in our portfolio. I called back today to activate my 5% categories, initially the rep was resistant to activating Q1 but I said that the rep yesterday said I probably could do it but it would only apply to transactions going forward (i.e. in the next week) which I was fine with. So they conceded and did it. So now we're going to run another $1,500 through Apple Pay for the 7,500 URs.

NOW I'm thinking why keep a CFU at all??? I literally never put spend towards anything but an MSR. If I didn't have an MSR to work on I have cards that earn bonuses in gas and grocery. The odds of me putting any significant spend on a CFU are very slim. So that means the only reason to keep a CFU is for support clicks...and signups on that card are very slim so the chances of that aren't great. Am I crazy...let's just have 4 Freedoms!! If I do it today I can probably still get the 7,500 quarterly rewards toooo. If I ever need a CFU in the future I could just PC one of my Freedoms back haha.

Anybody willing to dispute my logic here (OR agree with it)?