I love credit cards so much!

[miztressuz]

Speaking of AmEx offers, I just got my Biz Green card today and added it to my AmEx login -- how is it that I have 74 offers that I don't want (and not a single one that I do)?

Also, I noticed that my personal Gold card had exactly 100 offers. I recall reading on Doc a while ago that a possible reason that some people were not getting some new offer was that 100 is the max for offers. Anyone know if that theory got confirmed or denied? Just to be on the safe side, I added about a dozen offers that I have no intention of using.

I asked that same question everyday far a month or so after getting my SPG biz. Was trying to figure out why people hung onto it for the offers. It got better

I have gotten offers to show up by adding a few after I hit the magic 100. I add some, log out then login and sometimes I'll get a few new ones. But I haven't seen a total number listed higher than 100 in quite some time.

 

[PolyRob]

Just the hard pull. You saw all the Amex craziness with the referrals and stuff last week, you can apply and be fine with the biz. It sounds like you already know an MR card would work better than a hotel or airline card and you know you'll have the spend to meet as long as they take amex. Or if it's something you can plastique, though I can't remember if it's a/c or something else and you can't do contractors with amex so it may not be an option.

Thanks! The A/C contractor directly takes credit so I think I can avoid Platiq, for now. I have to verify if Amex is ok or just Visa, MC, etc. I guess if Amex is not ok, I can use the Sapphires for that and put the other spend on Amex. More than one way to look at it!

 

[Haley R]

Is anyone on here good with the United award flight website? For some reason when I look up Chicago-Tokyo for May I can see a flight there but when I want to get a return flight I get an error. I’m not having this problem with lax-Tokyo.

Edit: I tried a one way back from Tokyo to Chicago and for some reason the whole last week of May is gone for award flights. Is that normal? Seems strange

 

[wendow]

Hmm, just had a thought before I apply for the spg biz...what are the rules for the number of cards I can apply for with Amex? I remember something about a 2/90 rule. I have gotten both the BBP and Biz green in the last 30 days. I also already have the Delta Biz gold and BGR.

ETA: I have been reading and I think I am ok. The 2/90 only applies to credit and the only credit card I've gotten with Amex is the BBP. So, I think I have it right, and I'll go for it.

 

[mmmears]

Quick question - if we want to pay for a Disney cruise with Chase points in the future, can we still link our placeholder to the TA we like, it would it need to go through Chase? Asking in case we book a placeholder cruise while on board. TAs generally give onboard credit but then am I stuck paying cash?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I did not have an official list posted since the CSR/CSP double dip are my only two cards since my Disney Visa in January of 2016, but I will start!

08/18 CSR 1/24
08/18 CSP 2/24

I have a long way to go! A CIP 6 months from now would be 3/7 so I would be "safe." I think that would be the last Chase card I would attempt in a 12 month span since I hope to make the CSP a Freedom and the CIP a CIC. I like the categories of the CIC, but the CIP bonus is calling me.

In this game, everybody has to do their research and make their own decisions. However, I will say you are being "overly safe" in my opinion. I think you could safely do a CIP in December AND follow it up with a CIC in Mar/Apr. I do agree that it would be unwise and rushing things to get a CIP in Sept. You don't want to stop your relationship with Chase before it even starts.

In my opinion with Chase you can get 3 cards in 6 months and 4-5 cards in 12 months and be safe.

Also - love how you formatted your "list" - looks familiar It does make it SUPER easy to read and track when giving people advice as it grows and builds.

An AMEX biz card sounds like a great bet for you for now - I like where your head is at

 

[linzjane88]

OOooOOooh!

So, an update to my Amex Platinum Ameriprise app. After applying I immediately did a status check since I went pending. That was when I saw that *I* had no pending app but dh did which was definitely an issue considering he isn't going with us on this red-eye flight fest that I specifically wanted the Centurion benefits for....anyways...It said it needed more information and when I clicked the link it again asked my SS# and DOB. After a few minutes I logged back into the status checker and the Platinum now showed under my pending applications. A few minutes later and it changed to approved! . I called to see about getting it expedited and the phone rep wasn't so helpful and said it would be 2 days before they even MADE the card so I would have to call back in a few days to then see about getting it expedited. I did a chat right after and the rep said it was confirmed that I was approved and would be on my doorstep within 24-72 hours.

I literally don't know how I messed that all up but the computer acted like it was no big deal. Amex really is a honey badger when it comes to applications (please, someone get that reference). Chase would have denied and made you send in a notarized birth certificate . After a few days of some intense abuse in the hard pull department I think I am done with new cards for a bit.

P.S. That's going to be me in the Centurion lounge---->

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

You Like me...You REALLY LIKE ME!!

I've topped 10,000 Likes and I have to imagine the VAST majority of them have come from this thread! Thanks @DisneyMandC for being my 10,000th like

 

[PolyRob]

In this game, everybody has to do their research and make their own decisions. However, I will say you are being "overly safe" in my opinion. I think you could safely do a CIP in December AND follow it up with a CIC in Mar/Apr. I do agree that it would be unwise and rushing things to get a CIP in Sept. You don't want to stop your relationship with Chase before it even starts.

In my opinion with Chase you can get 3 cards in 6 months and 4-5 cards in 12 months and be safe.

Also - love how you formatted your "list" - looks familiar It does make it SUPER easy to read and track when giving people advice as it grows and builds.

An AMEX biz card sounds like a great bet for you for now - I like where your head is at

Thanks for the timeline suggestion. Sometimes I can be risk-averse, but then other times I make my first churning experience a double dip to exploit a loophole and circumvent Chase rules I like my relationship with Chase thus far and would love to continue it. Having an adorable Disney Visa and hefty CSR in my pocket is very enjoyable. I am still waiting to hold/use the CSP. I got an e-mail and it should be here by the end of this week.

A very knowledgable person suggested it a few pages back... I will continue to list my cards in this order. I try to take in everything I read around here. So many great suggestions. I think I am learning!

 

[miztressuz]

This hardly happens to us, so just want to pick your experiences with having duplicate cards rather than AU's when one person is physically using them in another location. Apparently I have most of the good cards so I packed hubby off on his trip with at least 2 of mine, with my name. Just occurred to me if I try to use one here at the same time am I going to get locked out with fraud alerts?
The main one I'm thinking of is Discover. He's using that for meals this week on his trip. I'm wondering if I can use it too this week or am I stuck with wherever I have a GC to, hehe. I have my CSP as an alternate, but the hold on the room is on my CSR for now cuz it's more than the temp limit on the new Hilton. Is Chase sophisticated enough to cross check products like that for fraud? He's got the actual CSR so I wouldn't be putting any charges on that line.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks for the timeline suggestion. Sometimes I can be risk-averse, but then other times I make my first churning experience a double dip to exploit a loophole and circumvent Chase rules I like my relationship with Chase thus far and would love to continue it. Having an adorable Disney Visa and hefty CSR in my pocket is very enjoyable. I am still waiting to hold/use the CSP. I got an e-mail and it should be here by the end of this week.

A very knowledgable person suggested it a few pages back... I will continue to list my cards in this order. I try to take in everything I read around here. So many great suggestions. I think I am learning!

Haha - thanks for the compliment! Just to set your "risk-averse" self at ease. Almost everybody new here gets a CIP and then a CSR/CSP double dip 3-4 months later. It's like a rite of passage into DISchurners. You're doing it backwards because that fits your better...but I still so no reason to be overly concerned about doing CSR/CSP then CIP 4 months later. You are picking up on so much quick here - in a few weeks you'll be dishing out advice to other new folks! That's how we grow our community

 

[wendow]

I just cannot believe how EASY Amex makes it! It seriously is like the old guy in my neighborhood who holds his bucket of candy out to my kids on halloween and tells them to take all they want. My kids adore him and I love Amex in that same way!!

Super easy-peasy approval for a SPG biz! I think I've got all the Starriott cards I can/want to get for now. It appears I'm locked out of Amex credit cards though for a couple of months. Maybe the MSR's I have currently will keep me busy for that long but I kind of doubt it so I will be eyeing my next Amex charge card.

Although I do drop to 4/24 in 9/18. I'd like to stay on Chase's good side and DD the CSR/CSP in 5/19. But maybe a 12/18 Chase card

 

[miztressuz]

I just cannot believe how EASY Amex makes it! It seriously is like the old guy in my neighborhood who holds his bucket of candy out to my kids on halloween and tells them to take all they want. My kids adore him and I love Amex in that same way!!

Super easy-peasy approval for a SPG biz! I think I've got all the Starriott cards I can/want to get for now. It appears I'm locked out of Amex credit cards though for a couple of months. Maybe the MSR's I have currently will keep me busy for that long but I kind of doubt it so I will be eyeing my next Amex charge card.

Although I do drop to 4/24 in 9/18. I'd like to stay on Chase's good side and DD the CSR/CSP in 5/19. But maybe a 12/18 Chase card

an Amex here... and there... and everywhere! Amex's for everyone.
Congrats on a speedy approval and enjoy the free points. I'm loving waived AFs

 

[MikeRes]

I only recently discovered this group and would appreciate some advice. I am new to discussion boards in general and this is my first post, so please be patient with me. I have historically charged everything possible in order to earn cash rewards, but after finding “The Points Guy” on Twitter I opened the CSR and Citi Premier cards. These have helped us to earn some nice hotel stays, rental cars, and an airfare or two, but after browsing this thread I am interested in taking a step up. My wife is on board, as she has enjoyed the freebies we have earned to date. We have a Disney/Universal trip planned for April 2019 for 4 of us (we have 2 kids, 9 and 11). Airfare has been booked, 5 nights at WBC booked through TripBound, and 3 nights booked at Royal Pacific (booked using UR.) We will use our remaining stash of about 100K UR for the Disney tickets soon. We will likely allocate the 80 K we receive from my wife’s recently opened CIP for the Universal tickets. So now it’s time to start squirreling away points for a trip in 2020.

Here is our situation:

Me:

05/18 AMEX Delta Gold

11/17 TD (merchant account)

09/16 Chase Sapphire Reserve

07/15 Citi AA Platinum ($95 AF posting early September)

05/15 Citi Premier

06/14 US Bank Cash+

04/12 BOA Cash Rewards

04/99 Discover


Wife:

08/18 Chase Ink Preferred

07/16 Citi AA MilesUp

-Authorized user on my Citi Premier, BOA Cash, AMEX, Discover, and US Bank

-Various (4-5) store sponsored cards (nothing recent)


Thank you in advance for any advice you folks could provide to help me develop a strategy.


Mike

 

[miztressuz]

OOooOOooh!

So, an update to my Amex Platinum Ameriprise app. After applying I immediately did a status check since I went pending. That was when I saw that *I* had no pending app but dh did which was definitely an issue considering he isn't going with us on this red-eye flight fest that I specifically wanted the Centurion benefits for....anyways...It said it needed more information and when I clicked the link it again asked my SS# and DOB. After a few minutes I logged back into the status checker and the Platinum now showed under my pending applications. A few minutes later and it changed to approved! . I called to see about getting it expedited and the phone rep wasn't so helpful and said it would be 2 days before they even MADE the card so I would have to call back in a few days to then see about getting it expedited. I did a chat right after and the rep said it was confirmed that I was approved and would be on my doorstep within 24-72 hours.

I literally don't know how I messed that all up but the computer acted like it was no big deal. Amex really is a honey badger when it comes to applications (please, someone get that reference). Chase would have denied and made you send in a notarized birth certificate . After a few days of some intense abuse in the hard pull department I think I am done with new cards for a bit.

P.S. That's going to be me in the Centurion lounge---->

Congrats!!! You kept calm

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I only recently discovered this group and would appreciate some advice. I am new to discussion boards in general and this is my first post, so please be patient with me. I have historically charged everything possible in order to earn cash rewards, but after finding “The Points Guy” on Twitter I opened the CSR and Citi Premier cards. These have helped us to earn some nice hotel stays, rental cars, and an airfare or two, but after browsing this thread I am interested in taking a step up. My wife is on board, as she has enjoyed the freebies we have earned to date. We have a Disney/Universal trip planned for April 2019 for 4 of us (we have 2 kids, 9 and 11). Airfare has been booked, 5 nights at WBC booked through TripBound, and 3 nights booked at Royal Pacific (booked using UR.) We will use our remaining stash of about 100K UR for the Disney tickets soon. We will likely allocate the 80 K we receive from my wife’s recently opened CIP for the Universal tickets. So now it’s time to start squirreling away points for a trip in 2020.

Here is our situation:

Me:

05/18 AMEX Delta Gold

11/17 TD (merchant account)

09/16 Chase Sapphire Reserve

07/15 Citi AA Platinum ($95 AF posting early September)

05/15 Citi Premier

06/14 US Bank Cash+

04/12 BOA Cash Rewards

04/99 Discover


Wife:

08/18 Chase Ink Preferred

07/16 Citi AA MilesUp

-Authorized user on my Citi Premier, BOA Cash, AMEX, Discover, and US Bank

-Various (4-5) store sponsored cards (nothing recent)


Thank you in advance for any advice you folks could provide to help me develop a strategy.


Mike

You’ve started off good! I think a great next step would be having your wife refer you to the CIP (Chase Ink Preferred) card. She’d get 20k points and you’d earn 80k + 5k base spend for a total of 105k URs to start building back up your stash. You’re obviously familiar with the card and it’s one of the best offers out there!

 

[wendow]

I only recently discovered this group and would appreciate some advice. I am new to discussion boards in general and this is my first post, so please be patient with me. I have historically charged everything possible in order to earn cash rewards, but after finding “The Points Guy” on Twitter I opened the CSR and Citi Premier cards. These have helped us to earn some nice hotel stays, rental cars, and an airfare or two, but after browsing this thread I am interested in taking a step up. My wife is on board, as she has enjoyed the freebies we have earned to date. We have a Disney/Universal trip planned for April 2019 for 4 of us (we have 2 kids, 9 and 11). Airfare has been booked, 5 nights at WBC booked through TripBound, and 3 nights booked at Royal Pacific (booked using UR.) We will use our remaining stash of about 100K UR for the Disney tickets soon. We will likely allocate the 80 K we receive from my wife’s recently opened CIP for the Universal tickets. So now it’s time to start squirreling away points for a trip in 2020.

Here is our situation:

Me:

05/18 AMEX Delta Gold

11/17 TD (merchant account)

09/16 Chase Sapphire Reserve

07/15 Citi AA Platinum ($95 AF posting early September)

05/15 Citi Premier

06/14 US Bank Cash+

04/12 BOA Cash Rewards

04/99 Discover


Wife:

08/18 Chase Ink Preferred

07/16 Citi AA MilesUp

-Authorized user on my Citi Premier, BOA Cash, AMEX, Discover, and US Bank

-Various (4-5) store sponsored cards (nothing recent)


Thank you in advance for any advice you folks could provide to help me develop a strategy.


Mike

Hi Mike! We do not bite here so no worries on being new Where are you wanting to go in 2020?

Was going to suggest your DW refer you to the CIP as it is the primo offer, imo...and I see @SouthFayetteFan suggested that as well...In your shoes, that would be my next card!

 

[Lain]

Well life happens and unexpected expenses come up! It looks like I will probably need a new furnace and air conditioner. Fortunately the company I plan on using will take a credit card payment so I should be able to clear both the CSR and CSP MSRs.

This also leaves me with no place to charge approximately $3,000 in Apple devices this fall. I know another Chase card is off the table. I do not want to risk a shutdown. I called Citi and it will change one of my current cards to a Double Cash card without a hard pull. The rep said I would even keep the same account number. I figure 2% cash back is better than nothing.

I know I was hesitant about business cards, but I see they are my best option to continue this new obsession. I am glad I got the CSR first because it really is the card I want and plan on keeping in my wallet. If I continue with UR cards, is waiting 6 months from my CSR/CSP double dip too risky?! A February/March CIP application will align with my insurance renewal so another easy MSR met.

Any other suggestions? I am trying to get a solid plan together with this new large expense.

I’d suggest you really consider the Amex Blue Business Plus (“BBP”) card if you’re (1) open to applying for business cards; (2) have $3,000 in spend in the next 3 months; (3) value 2x base earning; (4) want some kind of signup bonus on top of the 2x base earn; (5) think you’ll want to dip into Amex Membership Rewards (“MR”) program at some point; (6) want to get targeted for Amex Offers that we’re always talking about.

The Amex BBP is a business credit card that will not show up on your personal credit reports, so will have no effect on your plans with Chase. Amex business cards are also among the easiest to get approved for. And once you have an established relationship with Amex, Amex may not do a hard pull on all subsequent applications.

The BBP earns 2x MR on all purchases up to $50k/yr., which makes it a solid everything else daily driver card. Arguably, 2x MR could be more valuable than 2% cash back from your Citi Double Cash, if you follow the Charles Schwab cashout strategy that values 1 MR at 1.25 cpp or if you transfer MR to Amex’s airline partners.

The BBP also has a $0 AF, which makes it a card you’ll probably want to keep open to “hold” your MR points as you’re opening and closing other MR-earning cards. MR points are automatically pooled from all MR-earning cards into your MR account, but you need at least one MR-earning card open at all times to keep the points alive. The BBP can do that for you at no fee.

The BBP has a highly targeted offer of 20k MR after $5k MSR in 3 months. However, the more accessible offer through “support link” is 10k MR after only $3k MSR in 3 months, which fits perfectly with your upcoming planned spend.

 

[Lain]

Thank you so so much for your advice!

I just changed my CSP to CF based on your advice! I now have two CF cards (I was wrong, I did not have a CFU). I figured I would benefit more from those 5% categories with two cards than the 1.5% cash back that the CFU would give me.

I suggested you product change your CSP to CF last week! I’m glad you finally did it. This year’s CF 5x UR bonus categories have been very easy to maximize. Like @SouthFayetteFan pointed out, if you put $1,500 spend in the 5x UR bonus categories every quarter, that’s 7,500 UR per card per quarter.

This quarter’s CF 5x UR bonus categories are Walgreens and gas stations. Almost everyone needs gas, so make sure to use the CF at the pump. Also, whether you have expensive prescriptions or not, Walgreens sells third-party gift cards, including Disney, Amazon, and a lot of other brands. Buy gift cards to merchants where you shop, or restaurants where you dine at Walgreens for 5x UR, and you’re essentially passing on that 5x UR earned to where ever you end up spending those gift cards.

 

[Alexle2007]

Got my new Marriott biz today!! I was starting to think they changed their minds about giving me the card. It was taking forever to get here! Anyways, I've always had new Chase cards show up in my online account, including biz ones. But this Marriott is not showing up, and I've verified that I received it, and it's still not there. How do I add it to my profile?

When DH's CIC didn't show up under his CIP, I had to call Chase to have it added. I think they transferred me to their IT dept.