I love credit cards so much!

[calypso726]

I thought I'd share some interesting observations while booking flights this morning for the return of our trip from Scotland next summer. The last flight I needed was a one way JFK-MIA on July 7th. I'd been hoping I'd find saver awards on AA. No dice. AA anytime awards were 75K in business/first which made me laugh hysterically because I have booked international first for less AA miles. Obviously, I'm not doing that. Economy doesn't have saver awards either and booking that would not go over well with the Plane Princess anyhow

So, I check the cash price on AA for our flights in business/first and they are $409 per person. The AA gift card stash is low after booking flights to DC the other day to go see Hamilton next month. So, I decide to check the UR portal via the CSR account. I know the flights through there should cost roughly 27,267 UR each. I don't know if there is a glitch in the system or if this could have been rectified by calling but here is what I found. For the life of me I cannot comprehend why the flights would not be bookable until 270 days out when most airlines release flights at 330 ~ days. I know for a fact that this was not the case when I booked our flights to Iceland. I decide to check the Ink+ UR portal to see what happens. For the newbies: With and Ink or CSP the flights should be 32,720 UR. I get the same message.




Then, out of curiosity and boredom I decide to see what happens via the Freedom UR portal which of course should be 40,900 UR points. To my shock and horror this is what comes up:




All the flights available are JFK-LAX-MIA. That is insane! Again, I didn't bother to call UR travel to see if what I wanted to do was bookable over the phone with the flights I want. At the moment, I was just doing points comparison shopping.

So, next stop is Amex MR to check and see if there are discounted Insider Fares. I logged into DH's account because he currently has the Amex business Platinum and we'd get 35% of the points back if we book using MR points. Lo and behold there are insider fares for my flight! $373.80 is better than $409! No Amex imposed fees since they are waived for Platinum card holders. So we used 37,380 points per person at .01 cpp but we will get back 35% of those points for having the Amex business Platinum card which makes the points .0154 cpp. It is an even better return when you calculate the additional 8.6% difference with the Amex insider fare. That brings it up to .0168 cpp.



Sometimes people ask how to figure out what the better value will when using points. I know a lot of the travel hackers will spout CPP as the end all and be all. Not me. I strictly go by what do I have at the moment, what are the future needs and ease of replenishment. My options per person were:

$409 out of pocket
75,000 AA points
27,267 UR via CSR account assuming I could call in and book the flight over the phone
24,297 MR once the 35% in MR points are returned back to the account

Normally, I would have actually gone for using the UR points since I earn them faster than I do MR, despite the MR getting me 1.54 cpp over UR 1.5 cpp. However, this time the Insider fare and the fact that we are not low on MR and don't have an immediate planned use for them made the difference.

I think this snapshot of my travel hacking morning also illustrates why I find it important to have points in a various currencies. I know others only want to stick with one points currency or mileage program. That is cool if it works best for you. No judgement from me It just doesn't work for us. Plan A doesn't always work and I have found myself going to Plan B and Plan C a number of times. Another travel hacking philosophy often spouted is "earn and burn." Also doesn't work for me. I don't plan trips based on what points I have recently earned so I can burn them. I tend to plan a trip and then figure out what points I will need. Opportunistic hoarding is what works best for me.

 

[tink1970]

@calypso726 ...excellent real life real time example. I do have to ask, since the flight is 3 hr 3 min (per AA) are y'all in business/first? I know how your DH is

PS I just discovered Amex "insider fares" which makes me value my MRs and Biz Plat even more (if possible?). Can one love a charge card??

I'm a worrier so I would wait until after you hit MSR to buy gift cards at Staples How long do you have?

LOL...sorry, should have made that clear-all 3 cards had MSR earned months ago. That's the first thing I do with a new card and "fortunately" we seem to always have quarterly taxes/insurance/property taxes hit just as I have a new MSR

 

[calypso726]

@calypso726 ...excellent real life real time example. I do have to ask, since the flight is 3 hr 3 min (per AA) are y'all in business/first? I know how your DH is

PS I just discovered Amex "insider fares" which makes me value my MRs and Biz Plat even more (if possible?). Can one love a charge card??

Yes! One can love a charge card

Yup if Plane Princess is going in business/first then all's y'alls in the traveling party is going in business first (did I write that correctly?) I did my mom's booking separately and used her screenshots for the post. I figured it was easier to illustrate what I was trying to say with one redemption than mathing DH's and mine. I assumed the numbers could get confusing for newer folks if I posted this:

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Does anyone know anything about the Citi AT&T Access card? Relevant link

I've seen a few people here and there on r/churning talking about it. It earns TY points but does not have a restriction if you previously signed up for another TY card in the last 24 months (it only restricts you if you received an Access or Access More card in the last 24 months). I guess there are often spend bonuses on this card? Since I got the Premier, I've learned a bit more about TY points, and since they're hard to accumulate, it caught my interest. 10,000 TY isn't a lot, but neither is $1k spend, and if easy spend offers really are common it might not be a bad idea.

I took advantage of their Access More Card back in 2015 when they’d reimburse you the full price of an iPhone 6 Plus for spending $2k (and the phone purchase counted towards the $2k!!). I’m typing this comment on my “free phone”

I seem to recall getting some spend offers on that card - never used any since I was busy with other MSRs and I cancelled the card in late 2016.

 

[Lain]

I will lay off Chase now, after the Marriott Biz card approval. For my husband, if he doesn't get the CIP that will be it for him as well. We'll maybe start looking at the Citibank cards.

Would love that United card for him, though, since 60k would be more than half the points needed for a business class ticket to Europe.

You're giving me whiplash here.

YOU should lay off Chase because you're 5/24, just got a Marriott Biz card (which doesn't add to 5/24, but Chase "knows" about it).

DH should space out his applications with Chase as @SouthFayetteFan suggested and make the most out of his last slot while still at 4/24 by applying for the CIP, CIC, CIU, then double dipping 2 personal cards (a United, and something else that catches your eye), and interspersing some Amex business cards in between Chase applications.

PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARDS BY US BEFORE APPLYING! You and DH are in a very delicate place right now!

DH is at 4/24 and has 1 slot left, but if he plays it right, he can use it to get 3 Chase business cards, 2 Chase personal cards, and a few more business cards from other issuers thrown in. ONE WRONG CARD, AND HE'S AT 5/24 AND LOCKED OUT OF CHASE UNTIL JANUARY 2020.

DO NOT APPLY YOUR HUSBAND FOR THE UNITED EXPLORER CARD!!!

You are at 5/24, trying to get back under 5/24 by JANUARY 2019 -- ONE WRONG CARD, AND YOU'RE AT 6/24 AND LOCKED OUT OF CHASE UNTIL DECEMBER 2019!

WHY are you looking at Citi? What cards are you interested in applying for? PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARDS BY US BEFORE APPLYING!

Two months ago, you wrote:

I prefer AMEX - they never give me a hard time and approve me right away.

It's true. No other issuer is as easy as Amex in approving business cards. You think Chase is giving you a hard time? Citi is tougher.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

You're giving me whiplash here.

YOU should lay off Chase because you're 5/24, just got a Marriott Biz card (which doesn't add to 5/24, but Chase "knows" about it).

DH should space out his applications with Chase as @SouthFayetteFan suggested and make the most out of his last slot while still at 4/24 by applying for the CIP, CIC, CIU, then double dipping 2 personal cards (a United, and something else that catches your eye), and interspersing some Amex business cards in between Chase applications.

PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARDS BY US BEFORE APPLYING! You and DH are in a very delicate place right now!

DH is at 4/24 and has 1 slot left, but if he plays it right, he can use it to get 3 Chase business cards, 2 Chase personal cards, and a few more business cards from other issuers thrown in. ONE WRONG CARD, AND HE'S AT 5/24 AND LOCKED OUT OF CHASE UNTIL JANUARY 2020.

DO NOT APPLY YOUR HUSBAND FOR THE UNITED EXPLORER CARD!!!

You are at 5/24, trying to get back under 5/24 by JANUARY 2019 -- ONE WRONG CARD, AND YOU'RE AT 6/24 AND LOCKED OUT OF CHASE UNTIL DECEMBER 2019!

WHY are you looking at Citi? What cards are you interested in applying for? PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARDS BY US BEFORE APPLYING!

Two months ago, you wrote:


It's true. No other issuer is as easy as Amex in approving business cards. You think Chase is giving you a hard time? Citi is tougher.

@Lain laying out some tough love

BTW - I agree with all of this!

 

[mefordis]

You're giving me whiplash here.

YOU should lay off Chase because you're 5/24, just got a Marriott Biz card (which doesn't add to 5/24, but Chase "knows" about it).

DH should space out his applications with Chase as @SouthFayetteFan suggested and make the most out of his last slot while still at 4/24 by applying for the CIP, CIC, CIU, then double dipping 2 personal cards (a United, and something else that catches your eye), and interspersing some Amex business cards in between Chase applications.

PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARDS BY US BEFORE APPLYING! You and DH are in a very delicate place right now!

DH is at 4/24 and has 1 slot left, but if he plays it right, he can use it to get 3 Chase business cards, 2 Chase personal cards, and a few more business cards from other issuers thrown in. ONE WRONG CARD, AND HE'S AT 5/24 AND LOCKED OUT OF CHASE UNTIL JANUARY 2020.

DO NOT APPLY YOUR HUSBAND FOR THE UNITED EXPLORER CARD!!!

You are at 5/24, trying to get back under 5/24 by JANUARY 2019 -- ONE WRONG CARD, AND YOU'RE AT 6/24 AND LOCKED OUT OF CHASE UNTIL DECEMBER 2019!

WHY are you looking at Citi? What cards are you interested in applying for? PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARDS BY US BEFORE APPLYING!

Two months ago, you wrote:


It's true. No other issuer is as easy as Amex in approving business cards. You think Chase is giving you a hard time? Citi is tougher.

Another poster told me I am overplaying Chase, which makes me worry that I might get some accounts closed if it's true.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Another poster told me I am overplaying Chase, which makes me worry that I might get some accounts closed if it's true.

That comment was a reaction to you asking what cards to double dip. I think @Albort may have thought you were planning to double dip NOW and missed that we were discussing him getting a CIP now, CIC in 4ish months, CIU 3-4 months after that AND THEN a double at 4/24 in LATE 2019. If you are following that strategy, I’m sure Albort would concur that you’re playing it sufficiently safe with Chase.

 

[calypso726]

Another poster told me I am overplaying Chase, which makes me worry that I might get some accounts closed if it's true.

Correct. Please listen to @Lain - he has your best interests at heart and is giving you very sound advice.

I must say, I do love how everyone is genuinely concerned for each other on this thread. I don't mean just credit card advice but time and again, I've seen how people care on this thread. Between that and y'all cracking me up more often than not, you guys truly are the best internet group ever

 

[Ava]

@calypso726 I noticed the same thing with the CSR travel portal when trying to price flights to London for next summer. We’re not planning to go until the end of August, so the dates I’d need aren’t actually bookable yet, but I wanted to look up flights just to get an idea of the points needed. I chose the farthest dates out that the calendar showed (early July at the time), and got an error message back that flights are not available until 9 months prior to departure. I didn’t bother calling or looking into it further since I’m not ready to book yet, but I found it strange.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I thought I'd share some interesting observations while booking flights this morning for the return of our trip from Scotland next summer. The last flight I needed was a one way JFK-MIA on July 7th. I'd been hoping I'd find saver awards on AA. No dice. AA anytime awards were 75K in business/first which made me laugh hysterically because I have booked international first for less AA miles. Obviously, I'm not doing that. Economy doesn't have saver awards either and booking that would not go over well with the Plane Princess anyhow

So, I check the cash price on AA for our flights in business/first and they are $409 per person. The AA gift card stash is low after booking flights to DC the other day to go see Hamilton next month. So, I decide to check the UR portal via the CSR account. I know the flights through there should cost roughly 27,267 UR each. I don't know if there is a glitch in the system or if this could have been rectified by calling but here is what I found. For the life of me I cannot comprehend why the flights would not be bookable until 270 days out when most airlines release flights at 330 ~ days. I know for a fact that this was not the case when I booked our flights to Iceland. I decide to check the Ink+ UR portal to see what happens. For the newbies: With and Ink or CSP the flights should be 32,720 UR. I get the same message.

View attachment 343224


Then, out of curiosity and boredom I decide to see what happens via the Freedom UR portal which of course should be 40,900 UR points. To my shock and horror this is what comes up:

View attachment 343225


All the flights available are JFK-LAX-MIA. That is insane! Again, I didn't bother to call UR travel to see if what I wanted to do was bookable over the phone with the flights I want. At the moment, I was just doing points comparison shopping.

So, next stop is Amex MR to check and see if there are discounted Insider Fares. I logged into DH's account because he currently has the Amex business Platinum and we'd get 35% of the points back if we book using MR points. Lo and behold there are insider fares for my flight! $373.80 is better than $409! No Amex imposed fees since they are waived for Platinum card holders. So we used 37,380 points per person at .01 cpp but we will get back 35% of those points for having the Amex business Platinum card which makes the points .0154 cpp. It is an even better return when you calculate the additional 8.6% difference with the Amex insider fare. That brings it up to .0168 cpp.

View attachment 343227

Sometimes people ask how to figure out what the better value will when using points. I know a lot of the travel hackers will spout CPP as the end all and be all. Not me. I strictly go by what do I have at the moment, what are the future needs and ease of replenishment. My options per person were:

$409 out of pocket
75,000 AA points
27,267 UR via CSR account assuming I could call in and book the flight over the phone
24,297 MR once the 35% in MR points are returned back to the account

Normally, I would have actually gone for using the UR points since I earn them faster than I do MR, despite the MR getting me 1.54 cpp over UR 1.5 cpp. However, this time the Insider fare and the fact that we are not low on MR and don't have an immediate planned use for them made the difference.

I think this snapshot of my travel hacking morning also illustrates why I find it important to have points in a various currencies. I know others only want to stick with one points currency or mileage program. That is cool if it works best for you. No judgement from me It just doesn't work for us. Plan A doesn't always work and I have found myself going to Plan B and Plan C a number of times. Another travel hacking philosophy often spouted is "earn and burn." Also doesn't work for me. I don't plan trips based on what points I have recently earned so I can burn them. I tend to plan a trip and then figure out what points I will need. Opportunistic hoarding is what works best for me.

Wow!!! I have so much to learn! I’d love to have more cards but DH and I are very debt averse. Nor are we big monthly spenders. And we don’t own businesses to run expenses through. We were able to meet the spend on our new Marriott card because we had some big car repair bills with money in our savings to pay for those repair bills. Our biggest monthly expenses are for 2 kids in college. But their tuition is paid directly from a prepaid 529 account. Their schools do take credit cards for board plans but charge a percentage fee, and their apartments charge big fees for cc payments.

How do you all manage to meet several minimum spends on new cards and rack up so many points on existing cards. I need more ideas.

 

[calypso726]

@calypso726 I noticed the same thing with the CSR travel portal when trying to price flights to London for next summer. We’re not planning to go until the end of August, so the dates I’d need aren’t actually bookable yet, but I wanted to look up flights just to get an idea of the points needed. I chose the farthest dates out that the calendar showed (early July at the time), and got an error message back that flights are not available until 9 months prior to departure. I didn’t bother calling or looking into it further since I’m not ready to book yet, but I found it strange.

That is so bizarre. I know when we booked out Iceland flights we were about 330 ish days out. It could have been a few days earlier but not close to 270. The flights were available to book. If I come across something like that again and am planning to use UR, I would call not wait.

 

[Judique]

@Lain and @SouthFayetteFan

You can only do so much!

 

[mefordis]

That comment was a reaction to you asking what cards to double dip. I think @Albort may have thought you were planning to double dip NOW and missed that we were discussing him getting a CIP now, CIC in 4ish months, CIU 3-4 months after that AND THEN a double at 4/24 in LATE 2019. If you are following that strategy, I’m sure Albort would concur that you’re playing it sufficiently safe with Chase.

Thanks for clarifying. I will stick to this strategy.

 

[mefordis]

You're giving me whiplash here.

YOU should lay off Chase because you're 5/24, just got a Marriott Biz card (which doesn't add to 5/24, but Chase "knows" about it).

DH should space out his applications with Chase as @SouthFayetteFan suggested and make the most out of his last slot while still at 4/24 by applying for the CIP, CIC, CIU, then double dipping 2 personal cards (a United, and something else that catches your eye), and interspersing some Amex business cards in between Chase applications.

PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARDS BY US BEFORE APPLYING! You and DH are in a very delicate place right now!

DH is at 4/24 and has 1 slot left, but if he plays it right, he can use it to get 3 Chase business cards, 2 Chase personal cards, and a few more business cards from other issuers thrown in. ONE WRONG CARD, AND HE'S AT 5/24 AND LOCKED OUT OF CHASE UNTIL JANUARY 2020.

DO NOT APPLY YOUR HUSBAND FOR THE UNITED EXPLORER CARD!!!

You are at 5/24, trying to get back under 5/24 by JANUARY 2019 -- ONE WRONG CARD, AND YOU'RE AT 6/24 AND LOCKED OUT OF CHASE UNTIL DECEMBER 2019!

WHY are you looking at Citi? What cards are you interested in applying for? PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARDS BY US BEFORE APPLYING!

Two months ago, you wrote:


It's true. No other issuer is as easy as Amex in approving business cards. You think Chase is giving you a hard time? Citi is tougher.

There is a chance he will get denied the CIP. What then? Also, dh is not comfortable with all of those Biz cards. He agreed to the CIP, not the others.

 

[linzjane88]

Holy guacamole entering my accounts into award wallet is time consuming At least I can accomplish it whilst remaining in a bathrobe with coffee.

Wow!!! I have so much to learn! I’d love to have more cards but DH and I are very debt averse. Nor are we big monthly spenders. And we don’t own businesses to run expenses through. We were able to meet the spend on our new Marriott card because we had some big car repair bills with money in our savings to pay for those repair bills. Our biggest monthly expenses are for 2 kids in college. But their tuition is paid directly from a prepaid 529 account. Their schools do take credit cards for board plans but charge a percentage fee, and their apartments charge big fees for cc payments.

How do you all manage to meet several minimum spends on new cards and rack up so many points on existing cards. I need more ideas.

Most of us here don't have an official business. CC companies are quite generous with what they consider a business so if you have any sort of side hustle--selling an item or two on ebay (once a year ) , babysitting, dog walking, etc you have yourself a business. Thats why you will see the use of the term 'business' inside quotes around here because we are differentiating between a real, official business vs. having a side hustle of sorts. Make sure to get tips from here before applying for a biz card though. Most times it gets auto-approved but if you try to get too crazy on the app you can find yourself needing to call the recon line which is not something I personally want to do--we have had 8 biz cards over the last 2-4 years between my DH and I and I have never had to call in or talk to a live person. And we are each the sole [proprietor of our own 'business'

We are very anti-debt as well and don't carry balances typically (except for this 15k deck project that I am floating for a few months on a 0% Chase Biz card because....15k deck project ). I don't even wait for a statement to close to pay the bill. Every payday I go in and pay the account to bring them all to 0$. For as much as you think you are not a big monthly spender I would encourage you to sit down and write out your spending per month--perhaps backing it up with Mint/Ynab for accuracy--I know our spend is always more than I think it is! But factor in everything that can go through a CC: gas, groceries, dining out, cable, garbage, cell phones, etc. Another thing many of us do here is pay debt payments through Plastiq. It is a service that charges a 2.25% fee to take your payment via CC and send a paper check. That fee may not make sense initially but if you are 1) meeting a minimum spend and getting a big bulk of points in return or 2) using a card that earns greater than the 2.25% fee then it works in your favor.

If your interested in free/greatly reduced cost travel then hang around here and everyone is great at coming up with a game plan for your spending patterns. It's addicting for sure! We've all earned a boatload of free flights, rooms, activities and not paid a dime of interest for it

 

[mefordis]

@Lain and @SouthFayetteFan

You can only do so much!

Yes, thanks for all of your input and help @Lain, @SouthFayetteFan. I apologize if you are answering the same questions sometimes. I have about 15 mins a day to myself, it seems, and I'm trying to do this the right way during many distractions throughout my day.

 

[amalone1013]

LOL...sorry, should have made that clear-all 3 cards had MSR earned months ago. That's the first thing I do with a new card and "fortunately" we seem to always have quarterly taxes/insurance/property taxes hit just as I have a new MSR

I read your post incorrectly earlier too! I'm not going to worry about Staples getting L3 data on our cards since they're all over a year old (just hit my 2nd AF on one last week). But I'll space out my gift card buying; I'm using it mostly for things I'm buying anyways like Amazon, grocer gift cards, etc, so I'm buying as needed for now. Especially since the offer period is so long. But I'll get other things if they come up - bought ink last week, might get batteries there since they seem to be the same price everywhere around us anyways.

 

[calypso726]

Wow!!! I have so much to learn! I’d love to have more cards but DH and I are very debt averse. Nor are we big monthly spenders. And we don’t own businesses to run expenses through. We were able to meet the spend on our new Marriott card because we had some big car repair bills with money in our savings to pay for those repair bills. Our biggest monthly expenses are for 2 kids in college. But their tuition is paid directly from a prepaid 529 account. Their schools don’t take credit cards for board plans, and their apartments charge big fees for cc payments.

How do you all manage to meet several minimum spends on new cards and rack up so many points on existing cards. I need more ideas.

We are also debt averse, as are the majority of those on this thread and travel hacking in general. Paying interest would negate the value of any points earned. Therefore, rule number one in this game is pay in full every month

The goal is never to spend more money than you normally would. The goal is to maximize the earning potential where you spend your money. Those with more monthly spending will earn faster than those with less. DH and I don't have kids and will spend less in groceries than a family of 4 or 6 would each month. A credit card with a grocery category is not on our priority list. We do dine out a few times a month and travel quite a bit so we may spend more in a dining and travel categories than we do in groceries.

I agree, you always want to have the money available in the savings account before spending on the credit card. Seize spending opportunities for the most value when you can. Last year, we got a claim check from our insurance company to repair and replace the kitchen and bathroom from a leak nearly a year and a half before. We deposited the claim check in our savings account and then opened up a new credit card that gave us 100,000 airline miles and a companion pass since we spent over $30,000.

Many people don't have a business in the traditional sense of the word. However, everybody can have a "business" to open up a business credit card. The majority of us here have "businesses".

Here is how they work: You think it might be a cool idea to open up a business where you would, sell on eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, have yard sales, babysit, pet sit, bake cookies, consult on whatever interests you at the moment, make stick figure drawings and call it art, have a rental property, write as a freelance writer, teach music, tutoring, become a distributor for an essential oils company or other MLM, independent contractor for a travel agency or whatever. I think you get the idea. Perhaps you already have this business and just didn't realize you did. Happens all the time.

So, of course, you will need a business credit card to get this new business you are thinking of starting or already have. You apply for the business credit card using your first and last name as the business name and as a sole proprietor. Therefore, you do not need an EIN, you use your social security number. Your business income is your household income. As for business profit, you estimate what that would likely be. I usually use $1,000 for the year. Some use less, some use more.

The CIP (Chase Ink Preferred) is what most will use for their first business credit card. Besides the 80,000 bonus points, it is the best card to use to pay for things that don't take credit card payments like mortgages, rent, car payments, tuition etc. via Plastiq. Plastiq charges a fee but the CIP eanings via Plastiq exceed the cost of the fee and many turn a profit by doing this. In addition, keep in mind that paying the fee via Plastiq in order to make a minimum spend requirement for a large bonus when opening a new credit card is a good value.

Besides Plastiq, some of us will time the minimum spend requirement (MSR) with a large expense. Others will pre pay utilities and other bills. There are many ways to meet the MSR. Being open to new ideas and a little creativity go a long way in this game. Hope this helps

 

[Lain]

Another poster told me I am overplaying Chase, which makes me worry that I might get some accounts closed if it's true.

YOU - You’re 5/24. You just got approved for a Marriott Biz, but that doesn’t add to your 5/24 count. For approval considerations, if a card doesn’t show up on your credit report, it doesn’t count. The Marriott Biz is a business card that will not report to the credit bureaus and will not show up on your personal credit report. However, Chase knows about every card and credit line they issue you. For shutdown considerations, you should assume Chase knows and counts all its cards when determining whether you’re a credit risk.

Your BofA MasterCard turns 24 months in December 2018. Assuming you don’t open any more cards that report to your credit report between now and December (and add to 5/24), that means, conservatively, you will be back under 5/24 (at 4/24) in January 2019, and you can go back to applying for Chase cards that are subject to the 5/24 Rule. But like the strategy we are suggesting for your DH, maximize the use of that last slot by applying for Chase business cards (like the CIP, CIC, and/or CIU) at 3-4 months intervals so that these cards don’t count and take you back up to 5/24.

Between now and January 2020, that's about 5 months. You should not apply for any Chase cards in the next 5 months. PERIOD. There are no more Chase business cards you can go for that aren't subject to the 5/24 Rule. Any potentially worthwhile Chase personal card not subject to the 5/24 Rule will add another card to your */24 and take you to 6/24, and you'll then be locked out from Chase until December 2019. If you need a new card to fill your time between finishing off your Marriott Biz and January 2020, apply for some Amex business cards because they will not not report to DH's personal credit report, and Chase will not know about or count these cards for either approval or shutdown purposes.

More importantly, that 5 month cooling off period from Chase will make you appear less risky when you do apply for a Chase card in January 2019.

DH - @SouthFayetteFan laid out a perfect plan for your husband yesterday:

Your husband is 4/24 and doesn’t have a Card dropping off until Dec 2019. [@Lain: conservatively, January 2020.] At 4/24 he could potentially get a bunch more biz cards and then do a double dip with Chase to go to 6/24. I can't imagine this one United offer is worth more to you than a CIU, CIC AND 2 more personal Chase cards (1 of which could be a United card)...

Of course you’d need to spread those applications out - you don’t want to hit Chase too fast. Maybe you do a CIP now, hit CIC in Dec [2018] then CIU in Apr [2019]. Of course you can alternate cards for you in there too to help stretch out the timeline.

Then The double dip at 4/24 can be any two personal Chase cards you’re still interested in. United and Freedom? Maybe Southwest if that’s of interest... If you play his cards right (pun intended) you could double dip in mid-late 2019 and then you have 3 cards drop off by Jan 2020 and you could do a CSR/CSP double dip again for him in spring 2020.

This is the value of a long range plan and sticking to it. No shiny things...all strategy!

Emphasis and comments added.

To avoid hitting Chase too hard, too fast (and risking a shutdown), you'll want to give a 3-4 months gap in between Chase business card applications. If you have more spend that you'd like to put towards MSRs on new cards, intersperse Amex business cards in between Chase business card applications (because Amex business cards don't report to personal credit reports and add to */24). Again, PLEASE RUN ANY NEW CARD BY US BEFORE APPLYING. We're really really trying to watch out for your best interests!