I love credit cards so much!

[speedyfishy]

So sorry for the bad news... I've read Barclays pulls almost exclusively from TransUnion, is very inquiry sensitive, and pretty much thinks issuing you two their cards is sufficient.

Thanks. I hope it isn’t because of the inquiries. he has only four in the last year. I’m hoping they just need to verify him. He has no Barclay cards.

 

[kmc8826]

I am a newbie to churning, but want to dip my foot into the business card world before the CIC offer expires, but I still have a few questions.

My "business" this last year only had $120 in cash revenue, but I had a nonmonetary exchange valued at $3800 (the company leasing my space upgraded my solar system to offset the majority of their payment). Can I count both as revenue? And if I can only use the cash, do you think $120 is too little in revenue to be approved?

If using my SS#, does Chase look at my available credit (currently at 38% of income) for a business card? That will be lowered once i cancel my SW Plus, but I haven't done so yet (I've only had the card 10 months). If so, do you think 38% is too high for approval?

I was approved for the CIP with a revenue of $50. They did call me before they approved and I suffered through a phone call/interrogation but I do think that it was because I have a ton of cards and credit with Chase. On the original CIP application I just put my salary and not DH's (don't ask me why other than brain cramp) and when looked at that way total credit is almost 90%. So I think you can put the $3800 but would be fine with just $120. You can explain it is a start up. Which is why you need the card!

Oh and @Lain that is funny your wife's full 2 player mode was with the CSR. That was the same for me and DH. I had him get an Amex Delta years ago for the yearly companion certificate but other than that I was the only one doing it and getting new cards. I remember running and having an epiphany that he could apply for the CSR and I could get another $100k UR's. I don't think I could run home fast enough to get on and get his application in! It was his first Chase card.

DH is pretty good with the hobby. He now realizes that the Disney thing has expanded to the credit card churning point collecting obsession. He is still teasing me because I met him and his friends for lunch and about fell off of my chair when one of his friends got out a debit card. I do try to focus most of the cards on just my account. It has been a pain but the theft last year of his social and DOB and the fraud alert has been rather beneficial as it has probably slowed me down some. For those with spouses or others who are not quite into the game or don't trust it I know my husband does not really worry about credit scores but he has noticed (because I have constantly told him) that we have gone to WDW and Maui for no real out of pocket cost.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I think it partly will hinge on how many of those certificates are actually out there.
So far, Marriott has been pretty reasonable in the transition. The certificates are only good for a year (as are free nights) yet they have been nice about extensions. I think most of the people probably trying to 'save' by transitioning their points into Marriott nights and flights are people who were SPG members, many of us who expected a devalued program, and the reality is the program has transitioned well.

I also wouldn't call it gaming the system. It's really about maximizing the value of what you have versus the possible devaluation - similar to when a new point chart comes out - effective in 2 weeks - you would try to book based on the old chart with your already earned points as when you earned them, you expected them to be worth 'X'.

The one thing about points and rewards is they don't normally gain interest or value over time - usually the point when you earn is their highest value point.

So, if on this one occasion there is a slight hedge against inflation, I don't think Marriott will work very hard to kill it as it's only a temporary gain for a few.

Unfortunately if there is a system to be gamed, it will be gamed. Now, I'm not saying anybody here is intending to "game" the system in a negative fashion or would do anything overtly abusive. BUT If there is a leak that this loophole will work (i.e. that a current Cat7 cert. will work on the new Cat7 and all of a sudden my 245k pts are worth 420k), I could see people stocking up on NUMEROUS Cat6+ certificates to abuse the system. I know it seems unlikely, but people are also opening dozens of AA cards, opened dozens of M&T bank accounts, opened 32 MLB CCs from BofA and so on. LOL! So if this abuse were to occur and then tons of people also were calling in attempting to extend these certs beyond their expiration it could blow up for folks that meant no harm.

I'm not trying to scare anybody away from booking a nights and flights now, I'd just be realistic about it and don't expect your cert. to be worth any more than the points it's worth now (i.e. if you get a Cat7 cert. now expect it to cover properties at 35k per night). If something favorable occurs and it does end up being worth more (and I'm rooting for just that for everybody here) then yay!

EDIT: I will also say that I fully call what we do on a daily basis "gaming" the system And I'm proud of it haha. I just don't think we ABUSE the system

 

[Albort]

https://www.reddit.com/gold/about/

It allows you to turn off Ads and will remember which comments you've read. You also are shown more comments per page right off the bat on really long threads. You can buy it for yourself or gift it to somebody else by "giving gold" on their post. The funds support Reddit I believe (basically their expenses).

I got it once from r/churning due to something I did there...it wasn't that special...haha. It was gone after a few months and it didn't change my life LOL

for someone who has 5 years worth of gold... its gonna be hard to go back...

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

for someone who has 5 years worth of gold... its gonna be hard to go back...

I bet it would be - it did look different when it went away. It was just only different for me for such a short time that I hardly noticed or made use of the so-called features. You could always buy it haha

 

[Albort]

I bet it would be - it did look different when it went away. It was just only different for me for such a short time that I hardly noticed or made use of the so-called features. You could always buy it haha

pay for a server that still goes down randomly? no thanks...

 

[DisneyMandC]

SO’s Barclay Business card was declined. They are mailing us the reasons.

booooooo. let us know what it says.

 

[hsmamato2]

OK, so I am looking at this Westin Maui, Christmas break...

It tells me 20,714/nt. (Does that account for 5th night free already?) Assuming that incl the 5th night free the total SPG points needed is 144,998...or 434,994 marriott points.

A night/flight package with 120k air miles and 7nt stay is:
Cat 7 330k marriott points
Cat 6 300k marriott points

Am I looking at this correctly? Because it is cheaper to do the nights/flights than just the hotel...and I still get airline miles. I must be doing something wrong.

I think you may be mixing up te programs since you can't book Westin yet using Marriott nights and flights.... not till august 1(from what I'm learning) if it stays the same then I'm guessing you could do that. I'm looking at the same hotels... booked wailea Marriott bc it was cheaper for my trip than the spg properties. I may change things if it becomes a cheaper plan after august.

 

[hsmamato2]

Question.... if I have a current spg card(personal) and af just hit.... when does the free nights perk happen?

 

[Albort]

Question.... if I have a current spg card(personal) and af just hit.... when does the free nights perk happen?

a year from today... when ur AF hits.

 

[xmansmom]

Got our Magic Bands today and noticed that it included a Magic Extras plastic RFID? card. Thats new, didn't get that for our December trip. Kinda bummed that they sent identical luggage tags!

I just got mine and felt the same. 4 of the 5 were the ones with Mickey and Minnie and one had Donald duck. Now I have three kids who all want Donald. Ugh! When did they start doing that?

 

[DisneyMandC]

Guys... it's like totally crazy to get the CIC for my DH before 5/20, right? RIGHT? Like, I shouldn't do that...

5/17- Amazon Card
2/18- CIP

Double dip CSR/CSP planned for this year, could be pushed back to September or even October.

 

[hsmamato2]

a year from today... when ur AF hits.

WAit.... I pay $95 now in May, and get free night starting NEXT May? That doesn't seem right

 

[Albort]

WAit.... I pay $95 now in May, and get free night starting NEXT May? That doesn't seem right

yeah, u still getting your 3x rate currently until Aug. After aug is when the free nights kick in.

 

[wendow]

Guys... it's like totally crazy to get the CIC for my DH before 5/20, right? RIGHT? Like, I shouldn't do that...

5/17- Amazon Card
2/18- CIP

Double dip CSR/CSP planned for this year, could be pushed back to September or even October.

You mean because he got the CIP in Feb? I’m not sure 12 days will make a difference either way. He’s only 1/24, right? Seems he has a good chance of getting it!!

I’m waiting to apply until I’m a bit further with the two Amex spends I’m working on but I may pull the trigger end of this week. I have tons of family arriving starting next Tuesday and a big grad party for my dd on the 19th. I keep thinking I’m going to get so busy and forget!

 

[platamama]

yeah, u still getting your 3x rate currently until Aug. After aug is when the free nights kick in.

@hsmamato2 Albort is right. You can try for a retention offer, a few of us here have gotten one.

 

[DisneyMandC]

You mean because he got the CIP in Feb? I’m not sure 12 days will make a difference either way. He’s only 1/24, right? Seems he has a good chance of getting it!!

I’m waiting to apply until I’m a bit further with the two Amex spends I’m working on but I may pull the trigger end of this week. I have tons of family arriving starting next Tuesday and a big grad party for my dd on the 19th. I keep thinking I’m going to get so busy and forget!

Yes, I mean I guess the worst is he gets denied and gets a hard pull for nothing, which won't exactly kill his credit with it currently sitting at 810. I just feel like I'm crazy going for so many credit cards but I guess there are people going much harder than me!

 

[SBWB48]

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/capital-one-spark-cash-visa-for-business-card-1000-sign-up-bonus/

CapOne Spark Visa $1,000 bonus for $10K MSR is back. This was highly targeted previously (I got a mailer and got the card) and was public back in November for a short period of time (~2.5 weeks). If you are over 5/24, or not concerned about getting back under, or willing to burn a slot (which I did for myself via the mailer and DH back in Nov), and have ways to hit 10K either organically or through MS, this could be a nice offer.

Granted CapOne does pull all 3 bureaus, but for those who aren't inquiry sensitive, again, can consider. Likewise, CapOne can be stingy with approvals, but if you look at the prior DPs and fill out the app reasonably, again, worth considering. For myself, I used business revenues of $5K and "expected average card spending" of $800 per month. For DH, I used revenues of $3K and expected to put average spending of $500 per month. Both were auto-approved. I've been MS'ing on this card, which I mentioned in prior posts just the other day, and it hasn't been an issue. Once I get the bonus (I'm within 1K), will report back for those that are interested.

ETA: looks like this was short lived! All it took was probably a couple hours before DOC re-posted as “dead”. Looks like it was an isolated situation.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Question.... if I have a current spg card(personal) and af just hit.... when does the free nights perk happen?

a year from today... when ur AF hits.

WAit.... I pay $95 now in May, and get free night starting NEXT May? That doesn't seem right

@hsmamato2 Albort is right. You can try for a retention offer, a few of us here have gotten one.

@Albort is right and @platamama has the right idea They seem desperate to keep people from cancelling. Call in and try for retention, if no go the first time HUCA. Express your disappointment in them adding a free night but you not getting it this year...hopefully they'll give you an offer worth keeping it open Then next year you can collect your free night. It is a bummer the way you fall on the calendar there though.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Guys... it's like totally crazy to get the CIC for my DH before 5/20, right? RIGHT? Like, I shouldn't do that...

5/17- Amazon Card
2/18- CIP

Double dip CSR/CSP planned for this year, could be pushed back to September or even October.

My wife is 3/24 with 2 cards falling off in June and 1 in July...She got a CIP on 4/11/18 and I'M CONSIDERING her going for a CIC before 5/20...I don't think you're crazy at all