I love credit cards so much!

[gottalovepluto]

The only reason we want to do it is to make the $5000 MSR this month so we can go ahead and get plane tickets before they’re gone. Should we not risk it?

I’d do it but that’s just me.

 

[amalone1013]

Just realized that I can use the AMEX offer for $20 off a Hilton gift card instead of just paying the hotel in September. I'm not super familiar with Hilton points value, but I feel like $20 beats out the points I would earn charging that $100 to my Hilton card...

 

[amalone1013]

Thanks...I was thinking of you but forgot to tag you in the post. I assumed you had the answer!

You've reminded me I need to get a new laundry basket so I'll probably do that

 

[gottalovepluto]

Oh we were only planning on the CSR. Should he be getting both?

Yes! There are rules follow on how to do the Chase double dip (might be able to search the thread here actually) but the overall idea is apply for the one you most want, call in to get it approved if it’s not auto-approved & then apply for the other same day. It’s currently a work-around to the one Sapphire rule & this way you can bag both bonuses.

 

[Lain]

Oh we were only planning on the CSR. Should he be getting both?

Yes!

Chase has a "one Sapphire rule" that restricts you to one Sapphire card at a time, and one Sapphire bonus every 24 months. If DH gets only the CSR, he cannot go back and dip the CSP for the next two years. Why would he do that since the CSR and CSP have overlapping bonus categories, but the CSR is the superior card? Because the CSR comes with a 50k UR bonus, and CSP comes with another 50k UR bonus. Double dipping the CSR and CSP -- applying and getting approved for the two cards on the same day -- is the only way to get the two combined 100k UR bonuses within a 2 year period. The big hurdle is meeting a combined $8k MSR within the same 3 months, which like @speedyfishy said, we can help you figure out.

The CSP's $95 AF is waived for the first year. So after you meet MSR on that card, you can pretty much sock drawer it until your year is up, then ask Chase to product change the CSP to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited card, both of which have no AFs, but give you 5x UR quarterly bonus categories on the Freedom, or 1.5x UR everywhere on the Freedom Unlimited.

If double dipping is something you're interested in, or might be able to convince DH to do, we can walk you through the application process.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I'd be interested in finding out more on the business cards, however there's no way my husband and I can spend the amount of money needed to get the bonus in the first few months so it doesn't seem worth it to me. If we had kids and more expenses, then I'd say probably, but for now it's just the 2 of us and we stick to a tight budget.

With the chase cards being visa, the minimum spend is easier to meet, than amex for example. You could open a bank account (pnc-up-to-300-checking-bonus-no-state-restriction) to fund $2k of it. So then you are down to $3k left. That is $1k a month basically...so just put all your expenses and purchases on it and pay off at the end of the month. You can use a service called Plastiq to pay any bills that don't directly accept credit cards, such as rent and tuition.

Could you manage $1k/month after the bank funding?

If not, there are some other cards with smaller MSRs/bonuses...Chase ink unlimited is a $3k spend, so that is only $1k after the PNC bank funding.

Nonbusiness cards could include the Chase Freedom, with rotating 5x categories, CFU with 1.5 points per dollar, or even the SW cards that have a $1k spend for 40k points.

Any of these sound appealing?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Just realized that I can use the AMEX offer for $20 off a Hilton gift card instead of just paying the hotel in September. I'm not super familiar with Hilton points value, but I feel like $20 beats out the points I would earn charging that $100 to my Hilton card...

I need to look at this now that triple points July is over. I am concerned b/c apparently using the GC can be a hassle as the desk clerks don't see them often and don't know what to do with them.

 

[speedyfishy]

If you can get him to call in for the Biz Plat, he's a keeper!

But $30k in combined spend in 3 months?! You're going to be busy!

Those are two potential problems with my plan. lol I think SO will call though... he hates calling, but he is staying at the Disneyland hotel in a few weeks because of this hobby sooooooooo

 

[platamama]

I know this came up at some point, but I didn't think it pertained to me at the time. It looks like DD may need a new laptop very soon. I know there are student discounts right now so at least the timing could be worse. Any tips on how to maximize points, and also which CCard comes with the best warranty for something like this? (We are talking Apple here, and our better cards are: Citi AA Plat, AMEX Plat, CSR & CSP, with the 2 Chase cards still needing a bit to get the MS but I don't think that will be an issue even if we don't use them). Any advice would be appreciated. (DH can get the discount through his work, so we will likely buy through them, not a retail chain). TIA!

Are all these cards ones you will keep? I would only use a card that you're intending to hold on to, because any extended warranty on a cc only applies if you still hold that cc.

 

[dirtyjerz]

With the chase cards being visa, the minimum spend is easier to meet, than amex for example. You could open a bank account (pnc-up-to-300-checking-bonus-no-state-restriction) to fund $2k of it. So then you are down to $3k left. That is $1k a month basically...so just put all your expenses and purchases on it and pay off at the end of the month. You can use a service called Plastiq to pay any bills that don't directly accept credit cards, such as rent and tuition.

Could you manage $1k/month after the bank funding?

If not, there are some other cards with smaller MSRs/bonuses...Chase ink unlimited is a $3k spend, so that is only $1k after the PNC bank funding.

Nonbusiness cards could include the Chase Freedom, with rotating 5x categories, CFU with 1.5 points per dollar, or even the SW cards that have a $1k spend for 40k points.

Any of these sound appealing?

So you're saying I'd have to spend $1k a month on a credit card? While Plastiq sounds appealing, I do not like that they charge a fee. It doesn't seem I'd make enough in reward points to cover the fee.

I'm a little puzzled on all the abbreviations. Would you mind explaining those please?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Congratulations, you two!

@wendow, you can refer DH for the Biz Green from your BGR if you’re not maxed out on the referral bonus limit yet. I believe the referral bonus would be the same 10k MR whether you referred DH from your BGR or new Biz Green (check the Refer a Friend section, because I haven’t added my Biz Green to my account yet to see), but you might want to refer from your new Biz Green if you’ve reached the referral bonus limit on your BGR.

FYI - referrals on Biz Green are 5k each (referrer and referree). So Plat or BGR if available are the better route.

 

[amalone1013]

I need to look at this now that triple points July is over. I am concerned b/c apparently using the GC can be a hassle as the desk clerks don't see them often and don't know what to do with them.

Hmm. I'll probably give it a shot for Sept 13th, so I can be the data point if no one tries before then

 

[SBWB48]

Self-referred for the Biz Green from my Biz Plat on Saturday morning, and an extra 20k MR is already in my MR account a little after midnight Monday morning. And I don’t even have the Biz Plat in my hands yet!

As it has been the case the last 3 days, following your DP with my own

My 20K MR referral bonus posted this am as well! Gosh, I love Amex more and more these days

Still anxiously waiting on the Biz Plat cause I actually have a few things to pay! And I want to test out the MCGC/MasterPass Promo on Plastiq. Just made nice dent in the Citi AA Biz by splitting up a few payments.

If you can get him to call in for the Biz Plat, he's a keeper!

THIS. My DH might kill me...ok, maybe not because then no one will get him his lounge access and free vacations, but I will get the , followed by "WT_ are you doing these days and what else with my info that I just let you run wild with!?".

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Oh we were only planning on the CSR. Should he be getting both?

Of course most of us here are going to say YES (we're a bunch of crazy people addicted to applying for credit cards ). Whether to double dip or not...is your personal decision though. It is $8,000 in spend required in 3 months (and yes there are many ways to hit this without spending more than you intended to). If you AREN'T comfortable with it though, don't push yourself outside your comfort zone because a bunch of us (nice) randos on the internet urged you to!

What you do need to understand is that you get one chance to make this decision. Once you apply for a CSR and a day or so passes, you can't get a CSP now...for probably 26-27 months (depending on when you earn your bonus). I know there are people who have gone for only one card and later regretted it. Some weren't aware of the double dip rules/loophole and others made an "educated" decision at the time and later wished they hadn't done it that way.

Whichever way you go, you will be continuing to earn free travel for your normal everyday spend and that's what really matters! Before you start applying just let us know what you're doing so everybody can make sure you don't have any missteps in securing your next card(s).

 

[Lain]

FYI - referrals on Biz Green are 5k each (referrer and referree). So Plat or BGR if available are the better route.

Tagging @wendow. Thanks for the clarification @SouthFayetteFan! I don't even have my Biz Green set up yet.

 

[LynnTH]

When they stopped my payment in the rent/mtg category, I sent a check myself that month and the next month set it up to go via a new category.

I think I will try this. I recently got the Barclay Card Arrival + that I am putting spend on. Since it is a MasterCard - I can use that no problem correct?

 

[familyman123]

Hey guys – first time poster in this thread looking for advise/expertise. I’d appreciate some help. This is my past 24 months:

Chase Saphire Reserve (downgraded to Freedom before annual fee) – Aug 2016
Chase Ink Preferred (cancelled) – Apr 2017
Chase United Biz – July 2017 (just cancelled to avoid annual fee)
Chase Southwest Plus – Sep 2017
SPG – Nov 2017
SPG Biz – Feb 2018

Summary: So I am at 3/24 on consumer cards + 2/24 on business cards. I have had two Chase biz cards that are now cancelled, and SPG biz (current).

1st question - I am debating applying for the Ink Preferred again. My wife has a stock pile of UR points that we pooled together and I plan to apply for the sapphire reserve again in December when I am passed the 24 month anniversary of my first CSR bonus. It appears that there is no verbiage of 24 months between getting bonus points on the Ink Preferred. So am I safe to apply for the Ink Preferred again? Even though I received it 15 months ago and cancelled 3 months ago? It’s my first time trying to cancel a card and reapplying for it, and I am having trouble finding guidance on the Chase business side of things. (My fall back plan at this point is to get the Marriott biz card to boost that stock pile before I am cut off post merger)

2nd question – my income to credit line ratio on all credit cards is over 60%. What’s the current wisdom on lowering CL for Chase? Is it better to keep your credit line high so you can move it around to get approved? Or is it better to lower it before applying to improve odds of being approved? And if so, how long after lowering Chase credit lines would you wait before applying?

 

[tink89]

Totally right. Card just came out a couple months ago, that’s the only offer we’ve seen so far. Decent imho.

Thanks. It looked ok to me, but not sure if there was something better.
DH is at 2/24 with Disney CC in '17, Hilton amex in March '2018 and the CIP in June. The business does not count toward 5/24 rule right?

I am already at 4/24 with the dis Premier '17, Alaska '17, Hilton in '18 and chase Freedom in June.

How much time should i space out my credit card applications? I have a payment of $2k I need to make towards our vacation and could use it to meet a minimum spend on a credit card.

 

[peel]

For those who have gotten the Marriott packages, which number did you call? Last night, I called the number on the official page that said "Call xxx to book these packages", and after 15 minutes on hold a lady who I think may have actually been Tina Belcher told me I was supposed to call a different number, but that she would connect me. I went back on hold for 20 more minutes and then they disconnected me.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Paging @Lain, @gottalovepluto, @speedyfishy, @striker1064 and anybody else who is fairly well read on things...

After seeing @familyman123's comment I was thinking...the CIP has to have a 24 month restriction. How have I missed this?

So I googled it and got this article: https://milestomemories.boardingarea.com/chase-ink-no-24-month-restriction/

Can we just cancel a CIP and then reapply without waiting 24 months?? Does anybody know more about this??

EDIT: Perhaps it does have the restriction...see here: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/6hi4gd/psa_do_not_try_for_a_2nd_ink_business_card_bonus/

Also...I don't know who "miles to memories" is...but I lose respect for that blogger for not updating their post when this "loophole" was clarified.