I love credit cards so much!

[peel]

I posted this question yesterday (I guess it's more that I'm looking for validation), but it was dead around here so I'll ask again.

For those who've done Japan or are planning on it...round trip First Class from the east coast to Tokyo on ANA costs 120K Virgin miles. I'd have to call to book, so I can't see what the cash fees are. But the same trip costs 220K United miles + $91.62. If the fees are roughly the same with Virgin, is it a no brainer to get a Marriott N+F package for Virgin miles and pair them with some converted URs? Is there something I'm not thinking of?

 

[schmass]

DH's SPG points were in my account today so I just transferred all of our points to my Marriott account. I'm getting ready to call and book a cat 6 plus 100k RR points package. Why am I nervous about this???

 

[Albort]

Did someone here tell me that you should only pay your Amex once a month when the statement is due? I'm the type that just pays on my credit cards every pay period (always pay in full, just like breaking up the payments). I felt like someone told me only to pay once a month but I can't remember for sure...

like others have said, its called cycling credit. The reason people tell you not to do this is because its one of the characteristics of MSin. It looks bad to the banks.

Well, that feels good. I just went and changed the due date on all my Chase cards to the same date. Even though I usually check in once a week, I like knowing that they all have to be paid by the same easy to remember date.

Now my question. I just requested to lower the credit limit on my oldest, useless Slate card that I just use once or twice a year so they don’t shut it down. I’d like to lower some of my other limits, because right now chase has extended me well over 50% of my income, and I want to have room for the new SW card when it comes out. Actually, yikes! It’s pretty much 75%of my income. That’s nuts.

Anyhow, I seem to remember someone mentioning that $10000 was the minimum that Chase would approve a Reserve card for, so I don’t want to ask to go below that, right? Is anyone aware of any other minimums? My other cards are the sapphire preferred, a regular Marriott, and a regular IHG. I recently closed an old SW, and Chase raised the limit shortly afterwards on one of my other cards.

Thanks.

the minimums are due to Visa. Visa Infinite = $10k+, Visa Signature = $5k+, anything below will just be a regular visa.

10k is the min you'll get approved for on the CSR, but you don't have to keep it there if you want to drop it. As evidenced by Chase themselves lowering peoples limits below that, it's not a definitive threshold. I just wouldn't go too low with it. If you wanted to use that to base your CL's then CSP is a 5k approval min, and most others are the same. I think there's a few that might be 3k.

There's no guarantee you'll get back what you lower so I'd make sure you don't go too drastic.

i recall the 10k also has to do with how much chase can charge for AF. on reddit and flyertalk, many avoid the high annual fee of the ritz carlton by lowering their limit. Chase cannot charge the full $450 in that case, it must be prorated down to another amount. Ive also heard this is a great way to get shut down though. I could be wrong though... :\

 

[platamama]

After my points post for SW cards I am going to cancel those. Hopefully that will help and then reapply in a month or 2.

The 5/24 rule doesn't care if you close accounts. Even if you close them, they still count toward 5/24. 5/24 includes all accounts opened in the past 24 months, regardless of whether those accounts are closed or not.

 

[Albort]

I posted this question yesterday (I guess it's more that I'm looking for validation), but it was dead around here so I'll ask again.

For those who've done Japan or are planning on it...round trip First Class from the east coast to Tokyo on ANA costs 120K Virgin miles. I'd have to call to book, so I can't see what the cash fees are. But the same trip costs 220K United miles + $91.62. If the fees are roughly the same with Virgin, is it a no brainer to get a Marriott N+F package for Virgin miles and pair them with some converted URs? Is there something I'm not thinking of?

u would need to call.
according to OMAAT, taxes were around $174.
OMAAT also states to use UA to find availability and then calling VA for the ticket.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Well, that feels good. I just went and changed the due date on all my Chase cards to the same date. Even though I usually check in once a week, I like knowing that they all have to be paid by the same easy to remember date.

Now my question. I just requested to lower the credit limit on my oldest, useless Slate card that I just use once or twice a year so they don’t shut it down. I’d like to lower some of my other limits, because right now chase has extended me well over 50% of my income, and I want to have room for the new SW card when it comes out. Actually, yikes! It’s pretty much 75%of my income. That’s nuts.

Anyhow, I seem to remember someone mentioning that $10000 was the minimum that Chase would approve a Reserve card for, so I don’t want to ask to go below that, right? Is anyone aware of any other minimums? My other cards are the sapphire preferred, a regular Marriott, and a regular IHG. I recently closed an old SW, and Chase raised the limit shortly afterwards on one of my other cards.

Thanks.

Just a thought...why not PC that Slate card to a Freedom?

 

[Lain]

I am not AU on any of DH's cards. (Except one Business one). I learned not to do that so have just been alternating opening cards between us. Very frustrating as I thought I would be good to go too. I am at 4/24. ( I have CSR opened 11/16). Any suggestions on new card quickly so I can get carpet ordered. Thinking the AMEX Business Gold. It is 50,000 MR Points ( I don't have any of those). After my points post for SW cards I am going to cancel those. Hopefully that will help and then reapply in a month or 2. Will have DS's tuition to pay so can use it then.

If you’re comfortable calling into Amex, you can probably request a 75k MR offer on the BGR.

Just wanted to add that canceling a card that was opened in the past 24 months doesn’t remove it from your 5/24 count. Chase counts how many (primary and AU) cards opened in the past 24 months, whether still opened or closed.

 

[wendow]

DH's SPG points were in my account today so I just transferred all of our points to my Marriott account. I'm getting ready to call and book a cat 6 plus 100k RR points package. Why am I nervous about this???

I'm planning to do the same. I'm really nervous about it too!!

 

[Lain]

Well, that feels good. I just went and changed the due date on all my Chase cards to the same date. Even though I usually check in once a week, I like knowing that they all have to be paid by the same easy to remember date.

Now my question. I just requested to lower the credit limit on my oldest, useless Slate card that I just use once or twice a year so they don’t shut it down. I’d like to lower some of my other limits, because right now chase has extended me well over 50% of my income, and I want to have room for the new SW card when it comes out. Actually, yikes! It’s pretty much 75%of my income. That’s nuts.

Anyhow, I seem to remember someone mentioning that $10000 was the minimum that Chase would approve a Reserve card for, so I don’t want to ask to go below that, right? Is anyone aware of any other minimums? My other cards are the sapphire preferred, a regular Marriott, and a regular IHG. I recently closed an old SW, and Chase raised the limit shortly afterwards on one of my other cards.

Thanks.

Why don’t you call Chase and ask to product change your Slate card to something useful, like a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited? It won’t affect your account opening date or age of account. You’ll need to call the number on the back of your card; Chase doesn’t do product changes over SM anymore.

Just a thought...why not PC that Slate card to a Freedom?

Had the same thought.

 

[LynnTH]

The 5/24 rule doesn't care if you close accounts. Even if you close them, they still count toward 5/24. 5/24 includes all accounts opened in the past 24 months, regardless of whether those accounts are closed or not.

I figured closing them would free up $ available. I did have 25,000 credit limit on the SW card. I just lowered it last week to $5,000. Wondering if it was too soon and they saw too much credit extended?

 

[peel]

u would need to call.
according to OMAAT, taxes were around $174.
OMAAT also states to use UA to find availability and then calling VA for the ticket.

Yup, I know I need to call. I did see the OMAAT article, too, thanks. It was over a year ago, and we know how quickly things can change, so I wasn't sure how accurate it still is. I guess I'm looking for anyone who has either gone this route recently or chose not to, because it seems like such an outstanding deal. A $22K flight for 120K miles!!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

So bummed. Just got denied on the CIP. I applied Tuesday and just got the dreaded 7-10 day notice. So, I called recon to see what they say. Says I have too many cards open in a short amount of time. Here is what I have:

AMEX SPG Business - 4/2018 (so they should not be able to see that)
Chase Marriott Business 2/2018
AMEX SPG - 12/2017
Chase SW Business - 6/2017
Chase SW Plus - 6/2017

I thought I would be good to go. I plan on closing both SW cards - was waiting on yearly points to post before doing that. I need a card ASAP as we need to get carpet ordered while promo still on and that is about $4000 right there. I will apply again after cancelling some cards. Think I should cancel the Marriott Business and SPG too??

That reason is “code” for you being at or over 5/24. Based on this list, you are only 2/24 if counting only your cards. Are you an authorized user on any cards that have been opened in the past 24 months? Those would count against you too. Although you have 2 Chase biz cards, they don’t count against your 5/24. The SPG Biz shouldn’t either. Your 2 Chase biz cards are appropriately spaced out (~8 months apart), and it’s been at least 4 months since your Marriott Biz which should be good enough to go for a third Chase biz card. Several of us have 3 Chase biz cards, so I’m not sure that’s an issue. I’m thinking you may not be counting some AUs that Chase is counting against you.

I am not AU on any of DH's cards. (Except one Business one). I learned not to do that so have just been alternating opening cards between us. Very frustrating as I thought I would be good to go too. I am at 4/24. ( I have CSR opened 11/16). Any suggestions on new card quickly so I can get carpet ordered. Thinking the AMEX Business Gold. It is 50,000 MR Points ( I don't have any of those). After my points post for SW cards I am going to cancel those. Hopefully that will help and then reapply in a month or 2. Will have DS's tuition to pay so can use it then.

@Lain, I don’t see this as a 5/24 denial, that language would specifically reference 24 months, not “too short a time”.

 

[platamama]

@schmass @wendow Nothing to be nervous about - go for it! Hope that your hold time on the phone is not too long.

This post by FM might be helpful https://frequentmiler.boardingarea....iotts-phone-prompts-to-book-a-travel-package/

 

[LynnTH]

If you’re comfortable calling into Amex, you can probably request a 75k MR offer on the BGR.

Just wanted to add that canceling a card that was opened in the past 24 months doesn’t remove it from your 5/24 count. Chase counts how many (primary and AU) cards opened in the past 24 months, whether still opened or closed.

Can't hurt to call AMEX. All they can say is no and then I can just do the 50,000. Is there a special # to call?

 

[Alexle2007]

Are you transferring your URs to another card?

Yep, I transfer DH and my URs to my CSR account on a monthly basis when they post. My CIP hasn't really seen any love though since I met my MSR except for referral bonus I received from a friend who has a real business and was interested in new cards. I'll mention it tonight to DH.

 

[Albort]

I figured closing them would free up $ available. I did have 25,000 credit limit on the SW card. I just lowered it last week to $5,000. Wondering if it was too soon and they saw too much credit extended?

if u dont want to give up the 25k limit, you can always try to move some over to other chase cards.

 

[Lain]

@Lain, I don’t see this as a 5/24 denial, that language would specifically reference 24 months, not “too short a time”.

I’ve seen that language used for denial based on 5/24, but I feel like we’re missing something else here (like the CSR opened in 11/16) because I wouldn’t think a non-reported SPG Biz in 4/18 and a Marriott Biz in 2/18 (apparently the only card that Chase sees this year) is too many cards open in a short amount of time.

 

[LynnTH]

@Lain, I don’t see this as a 5/24 denial, that language would specifically reference 24 months, not “too short a time”.

We just closed on a Refi. Wonder if that would affect anything. Can't see how it would. But maybe they looked at that... I don't know. Very confused. Going to close SW cards anyway. That way more credit will be available to extend. And then it will only show me as having 1 Business card with Chase.

 

[platamama]

I figured closing them would free up $ available. I did have 25,000 credit limit on the SW card. I just lowered it last week to $5,000. Wondering if it was too soon and they saw too much credit extended?

Oh, I see what you are getting at. It doesn't really fit with the language of "too many cards opened in a short amount of time" though. Seems like a prudent move... but one week may not have been enough time for Chase to recognize that you lowered your CL on it. Which I realize doesn't make a lot of sense because isn't it in Chase's system? But maybe it has to clear through the agencies (EQ, EX, TU) and be reported back to Chase for their algorithm to recognize it.

 

[miztressuz]

i recall the 10k also has to do with how much chase can charge for AF. on reddit and flyertalk, many avoid the high annual fee of the ritz carlton by lowering their limit. Chase cannot charge the full $450 in that case, it must be prorated down to another amount. Ive also heard this is a great way to get shut down though. I could be wrong though... :\

and yet another reason not to be drastic with it. that kind of seems like a sketchy move and if I were Chase I'd be suspicious too.